Page 154 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“Which one, sir?” his valet asked him, holding up two coats.

“The black one,” he quickly decided. The colour of his clothes did not matter much for what he imagined would be another distressing evening.

∞∞∞

“You two look lovely,” Lady Kendal told Elizabeth and Mary, while Lord Alveston held his betrothed’s hand.

“Thank you. But is it truly necessary to take both John and Clyde with us? They must have more important duties than to take us to my sister’s house. What danger can there be in full daylight?” Elizabeth asked.

“No duty is more important than assuring the future Lady Alveston’s safety,” the earl answered.

“Elizabeth, I know you miss your family and you have not spent much time with them lately. So please do not hurry. Stay with them overnight or for as long as you wish,” Lady Kendal uttered.

“We shall certainly remain until the day after tomorrow. I confess I miss them all,” Elizabeth said. “I shall write you a note tomorrow regarding our plans. And you must promise that you will let me know if I am needed here.”

“Do not worry, my dear. We shall manage for a couple of days, although the house will be empty without you. You know, I was thinking, since you are so fond of your family, what if we sell one of the properties and purchase another one in Hertfordshire? Closer to your parents?” Lady Kendal offered.

“Grandmamma, please do not bother Elizabeth with any more business talk. She wishes to have a pleasant dinner with her family—no purchases, no selling,” Lord Alveston interjected.

Elizabeth laughed at them both. “Philip is right. I do not intend to speak of business tonight. We may discuss it with Papa and Uncle Gardiner at a later date.”

“Very well. Now go and enjoy yourselves.”

Philip held Elizabeth’s hand a moment longer, reluctant to let her leave. She could see the melancholy on his face and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Go. Enjoy yourselves,” he repeated.

∞∞∞

The carriage took them along the main thoroughfare towards the town. Elizabeth watched the houses and people pass by and listened to the sounds of the busy town. She felt guilty for leaving Philip and even more so for her thrilling eagerness to see Darcy again. Whilst she would readily sacrifice herself for Philip’s well-being, she could not deny her increasing interest in everything connected to Darcy.

The carriage passed by the Royal Pavilion. Once again, the difference between the noisy and crowded streets and the solitude of their cottage struck her. She would like to become better acquainted with the town. If she had only been here with her family, she would have probably walked every day, down every street. Also, she would have already enjoyed evening strolls on the seaside promenade. But in her present circumstances, there was more to consider than her own preferences. Lady Kendal always encouraged her to pursue things that gave her pleasure. However, Elizabeth could not ignore Philip’s grief that stemmed from knowing he could not join her in certain activities, so she avoided them.

Since it had been decided they would stay at least another day with Jane, Elizabeth planned to take the opportunity to visit as much of the town as possible. Jane could not walk far and neither could Anne, but hopefully her other sisters, as well as Georgiana, would keep her company.

Elizabeth’s nervousness increased as they approached their destination. It was early yet, and she wondered if the other guests had arrived.

“Look, Lizzy, there are Lydia and Kitty!” Mary suddenly exclaimed. “Who are they talking to?”

Elizabeth looked out of the carriage window, intrigued, then frowned. She narrowed her eyes to be sure they were not deceiving her. There were her two youngest sisters chatting amiably with their old acquaintance George Wickham and two other officers.

Elizabeth signalled the coachman to stop.

“But miss, we are not there yet. The house is at the end of the street,” John the coachman said.

“It is fine, John, I just saw my sisters. We shall continue together from here. You may deliver our bags to the house. Thank you.”

Elizabeth walked towards the small group in haste with Mary following her. Wickham? What was he doing there? It was not wholly unexpected, of course. Several regiments were camped near the town for the summer, and Brighton was known for the balls and parties hosted every night. But Wickham, of all people, meeting with her sisters? Was it a mere coincidence, or did he have some nefarious plan, purposely crossing their path?

Lydia noticed her sister. “Lizzy!” she cried. “Look who we have met. Isn’t it the most fortunate coincidence?”

Wickham did not appear astonished, wearing the same composed expression. Therefore, Elizabeth’s suspicions increased.

“Miss Bennet.” Wickham bowed to her. “Indeed, I could not have hoped for better luck.”

“Mr Wickham. Quite a coincidence, indeed.” Elizabeth curtseyed.

“Please allow me to introduce Lieutenant Linfield and Lieutenant Terrell.”