Page 155 of The Mistress of All & Torn

The introductions were performed, and Elizabeth struggled to keep her countenance.

“Miss Bennet, I understand congratulations are in order. Both for Mrs Bingley and yourself. The news of your engagement reached me last month.”

“Thank you, sir,” she answered simply.

“Lizzy, my friend Mrs Harriet Forster is here too! Do you remember her? She invited me to Brighton last year, but Papa did not allow me to go,” Lydia said.

“I am afraid we must leave now. Our sister Mrs Bingley is expecting us,” Elizabeth said.

“Oh, perhaps they could come to dinner with us!” Lydia cried, and Elizabeth glared at her reproachfully. She expected Wickham to decline that unreasonable suggestion immediately but he was waiting, smirking.

Elizabeth struggled for self-control to reply with reasonable calm.

“I am sure the gentlemen have other engagements. No one would accept such an impromptu invitation to someone else’s house without the host’s approval. It will simply not do, Lydia!”

“But I am sure Jane and Mr Bingley would not mind!” Lydia insisted.

Fortunately, Lieutenant Terrell had the decency to intervene. “We thank you, but we cannot possibly accept. We do hope to see you again soon, though.”

“Likewise, sir,” Elizabeth said. She then nodded farewell to the gentlemen and took her younger sisters’ arms.

“That was rude of you, Lizzy!” Lydia hissed.

“Keep your voice down. I was rude? And how was your thoughtless invitation? Do you have no consideration for others’ feelings? The inconvenience to Jane?”

“But Lizzy, everybody liked Mr Wickham! I am sure Jane and Mr Bingley would not oppose the idea! I understand that now you are engaged you do not care much for Mr Wickham, but we do! He is so handsome! I was so happy to see him again!”

“Lydia, it is not about being handsome or not! Have you forgotten all the reports we heard about him once he left Meryton? He is not the honourable gentleman we believed him to be! Papa would certainly not allow you in his company! And why are you two alone?”

“Aunt Gardiner and Mama were not ready yet, and we had no patience to wait,” Kitty explained.

“Indeed. We have been here but a week, and we already know Brighton by heart!” Lydia said. “It was a lucky coincidence that we met the officers here today, but we met Mr Wickham a couple of days ago while strolling along the promenade one evening, and there was a Punch and Judy show. There were so many people, and we saw Mr Wickham with some officers! He saw us and came to greet us.”

“You were not alone, I hope?”

“No, we were with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and our cousins,” Kitty answered.

“Does Papa know you met Mr Wickham?”

“I am not sure, Lizzy. But why are you so upset? Please do not make any fuss!”

“We shall discuss it tomorrow, Lydia. For now, please do not mention anything about Mr Wickham during dinner. Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had some unpleasant past dealings with him. I wish to avoid any subject that might displease them and upset Jane!”

“Very well. But Lord, you have become so dull, Lizzy! Upon my word, you are as grumpy as an old spinster!” Lydia ended irritably as a footman opened the door.

Elizabeth was pleased to notice they had arrived first, as she had a moment to calm herself.

She spent a few minutes with Jane, grateful that the Darcy party had not seen Wickham and even more so that she had been able to reverse Lydia’s thoughtless invitation. Since the Bingleys were completely oblivious to Wickham’s past schemes and manipulations, they would surely welcome him into their home. What a disaster it would have been if Darcy and Georgiana had found that scoundrel at a family dinner! As she considered the situation, Elizabeth decided she must inform Darcy about Wickham. Be it a mere coincidence or some nefarious scheme, Wickham’s presence in Brighton must be made known to him.

Shortly afterwards, the rest of the guests arrived.

As much as she missed her family, Elizabeth admitted to herself that seeing Darcy thrilled her the most.

He looked as reserved as usual and their eyes only met briefly during the polite greetings. Unlike him, Anne, Georgiana, and the colonel immediately mingled with the others, the conversations easy, spiced with humour and laughter.

Elizabeth barely joined in; she felt restless, glancing at Darcy often. He was standing alone behind a chair, only entering into the discussion when directly addressed.

Half an hour later, Elizabeth gathered her courage and approached Darcy, who was standing alone by the window with a glass in his hand. As she stepped before him, his surprise was apparent and his face coloured.