They left the inn shortly afterward for Walmer Castle. As they took their places in the carriage, Darcy did not utter a word. Elizabeth could see he was struggling to hold his temper in check. The muscles in his jaw were moving, and his hands were gripping the edge of the seat tightly. He sat in the corner, his eyes stormy, staring outside.
She did not blame him, and she was grateful that he was doing his best not to quarrel with her father. It had all been a big shock. Lady Alice’s arrival had unnerved her badly, but her father’s intervention in Lady Alice’s favor had made things even worse.
It was up to Elizabeth to address the matter. “Why did you do that, Papa? Why did you have to accept her word?” she said. “Do you even know what she did to us?”
“I know exactly what she did to you. Lord Matlock informed me at the time.”
When Elizabeth looked surprised, Mr. Bennet gave a satisfied smirk. “Of course I kept an eye on you even when I was away. Lord Matlock has been an important ally.” He grew serious. “I accepted Lady Alice’s word because, despite her unpleasant ways, I know her to always stick to her convictions, no matter how bad they are. If she gives her word, she will honor it. Honor is important to her.”
“How do you know her so well?”
“She was an apprentice at the same Academy I was at. We are the same age.”
“And you like her?”
“No. I dislike her intensely. I would even go as far as saying I loathe her.”
Elizabeth did not know what to say to that. It all seemed too entangled. Or perhaps the strain of the last few days was catching up with her.
“Nevertheless, I believe her when she says she is here to help,” added Mr. Bennet.
“Enough! I no longer want to discuss the matter,” said Elizabeth. “I was so looking forward to glimpsing the sea, but it has all gone very wrong.”
She fought back the bile in her throat. After everything that had happened with Jane and Riquer and now Lady Alice, she did not want to fight her father as well.
Sensing her distress, Darcy unfolded himself from his seat and came to sit next to her.
"I am sorry your first experience of the sea has been unpleasant, my love. As you may recall, I did say I did not trust the sea," said Darcy.
Elizabeth had the feeling he was talking about a lot more than the sea.
Chapter 21
In agreeable weather, they could have walked to Walmer Castle, but today, it was out of the question. They were soon there, and the castle appeared as a dark blur through the downpour. Once they stepped out, Elizabeth’s first impression was of a squat, round building with dark, weathered stone, and small Tudor windows. To enter it, they had to cross a dry moat. There was some comfort in knowing that it had stood since it was built by Henry VII.
Defying a forceful squall, Elizabeth paused on the moat and filled her lungs with the strange tangy sea air, before Darcy pulled her out of the rain and inside.
“You will have time to experience the sea tomorrow, or the day after,” he shouted into her ear. “No need to make your clothes wet again.”
He was right, of course. The castle would undoubtedly be damp, and trying to dry wet clothes under these conditions would be very difficult. She hoped their luggage would arrive soon. She would need to change quickly. It had beenirresponsible of her not to run inside. But how could she possibly resist her first taste of the sea?
As they all gathered inside, they were welcomed by an officer who introduced himself as Captain Laker.
“The Lord Warden of Walmer Castle -- Lord Liverpool -- is unfortunately not here to welcome you, due to other obligations.”
Elizabeth laughed along with everyone else. As the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool had other priorities.
“For those of you who aren’t familiar with military history, Walmer Castle is one of three forts built here in Deal by Henry the VIII to protect the Kingdom from invasion. All of them have the same structure, which is roughly in the shape of a rose. That should make it easier for you to orient yourself. I would be happy to take you around tomorrow, if you are interested. You might also wish to enjoy the gardens,” he paused as the wind let out a particularly mournful howl, “—depending on the weather, of course! The niece of the former Warden, Lady Hester Stanhope, was responsible for creating them.”
“But for now, you will be shown to your rooms while dinner is prepared.”
The housekeeper, Mrs. Dixon, was an amiable lady. Elizabeth had expected the furnishings to be sparse, but she quickly discovered that Lord Wardens enjoyed their luxuries.
Mrs. Dixon showed Elizabeth to a well-appointed but small room with blue paneling, and apologized for not providing an adjoining bed chamber with Mr. Darcy.
“It being a military building, it is not set up for House parties,” she explained. “If we’d had more advance notice, I might have made other arrangements, but it being so sudden—. Still, Mr. Darcy’s room is right next door, after that alcove – when you want to find him.”
She gave Elizabeth a knowing look.
