Page 158 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“I did not scold you undeservedly. Let us not resume that debate. And why would you assume I forgave Wickham? You did not witness my discussion with him.”

“But if your conversation with him had convinced him, he would avoid being anywhere near Georgiana now,” the colonel said furiously.

“I doubt his purpose is related to Georgiana. I suspect he is spending the summer in Brighton, with its parties and balls, to take advantage of old and new acquaintances. And he has likely heard that the eldest Bennet sisters have made advantageous matches, and he sees the younger Bennets as easy prey,” Darcy declared.

“You might be right,” the colonel admitted, struggling to control his ire. “So, what should we do?”

“I shall discover his whereabouts and have another talk to him. Miss Bennet said she would speak to her parents and sisters.”

“Good. I say, Darcy, I am glad your relationship with Miss Bennet has become more civil, if only for the sake of the Bingleys. She seemed so angry and spiteful towards you when we were in Kent that I thought you two would never find any common ground. But I imagine her befriending Georgiana and Anne has helped too.”

“You believed Miss Bennet was spiteful to me in Kent?”

The colonel was stunned. “You believed otherwise? She did not even take the trouble to conceal it. I have rarely seen a lady despise a man so.”

The colonel’s words were painfully accurate, expressing a truth Darcy had failed to notice at the time and for which he had paid dearly.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth watched Jane and her husband whispering to each other as they sat side by side on the sofa, the image of pure happiness in marriage.

“Lizzy darling, I hope you slept well,” Jane said, embracing her.

“Very well, thank you. Is Mary still in her room?”

“Yes. I shall send a maid to fetch her. Breakfast is ready.”

“What do you ladies plan to do today?” Bingley enquired. “I do not wish to be in the way.”

“Do not worry, my dear brother, you are never in our way,” Elizabeth said. “I will gladly do whatever Jane and Mary like, but I must speak to Papa first.”

“Dear Lizzy, would you mind if Charles accompanies you to visit Papa? I want to rest a little more. It is too hot for me.”

“Not at all. Rest as much as you want. And I do not want to bother Charles either. I can walk there by myself. It is not far.”

“Absolutely not,” Bingley interjected. “I shall keep you company. I have no fixed engagements.”

“I thought dinner yesterday was most pleasant,” Jane continued.

“Most pleasant, I assure you,” Elizabeth blushed. It was indeed the most delightful evening she had spent in quite a while, for reasons she was not willing to fully admit.

“Even Darcy seemed to enjoy himself,” Bingley added.

Elizabeth’s cheeks burned, and she wisely decided to say nothing on the subject.

Instead, she asked Jane how she felt, and what news there was from Caroline and Louisa, and the conversation continued.

Around noon, Elizabeth, Mary, and Bingley arrived at the Bennets’ residence.

They found Mrs Bennet sitting on the balcony with a cup of tea, admiring the view of the beach filled with people, horses, and bathing machines.

“How lovely of you to visit me! I confess I am rather weary during the day. I cannot stay out of doors too much in such warm weather, and one can only be dipped so many times. Your father leaves me to my own devices—he spends most of his time in the library.”

“Are the others at the beach already?” Elizabeth asked.

“Your uncle and aunt and cousins left earlier. You just missed Lydia and Kitty—they went to purchase some hats, I believe. I am not certain of their plans, but I suspect they will return home soon.”

“Mama, are they alone?” Elizabeth asked, immediately worried.