Page 160 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“I am sure that is true, my dear. Forgive me, sometimes I do not mind my words carefully enough. I confess I am intrigued by this engagement, but it is none of my business. I shall speak to Lydia and Kitty later today.”

“Very well, Papa,” she said, kissing her father’s cheek. “I suddenly feel the need to buy a hat too. Since the shop is so close, I might go right away.”

“Just be sure to take Mary, Charles, and a maid with you,” Mr Bennet advised her, rolling his eyes in mockery.

Despite her father’s jest, Elizabeth could not take things as lightly. The conversation about Darcy and his engagement to Anne had disturbed her and added more to her worries about Wickham.

In the drawing room, she found her mother talking to Mary and Charles. To her surprise, Kitty and Lydia were there too, showing off their new hats and debating buying more.

Relieved, Elizabeth poured herself a cup of tea and went out onto the balcony to consider her tendency to overreact. Sitting on a chair, she was fascinated watching the crowds of people walking along the beach.

Her attention was drawn towards a group of tall men conversing together near the promenade. Then two of the gentlemen departed.

When the remaining man turned, at once Elizabeth recognised Darcy.

Chapter 16

A couple of hours of walking along the most popular area of the Brighton promenade—and some good luck—was enough for Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam to meet Wickham.

He was in the company of two officers and, at seeing his old acquaintances, he showed only slight distress.

“Darcy, Colonel, what a surprise,” Wickham said.

“Not really,” Darcy replied. “I confess we were hoping to encounter you and have a private conversation.”

“A private conversation?”

“We shall detain you but a moment. I am sure your friends will not mind waiting,” the colonel added.

“Of course not, sir,” said one of the two officers, and they stepped away.

“What is this about? I am very busy,” Wickham uttered.

“Your companions will wait, I am sure,” Darcy said in clipped tones.

The three men stood to the side of the path. “What could you possibly wish to accomplish by approaching me here?” Wickham enquired.

“We are concerned with your well-being, Wickham. We were wondering how you have been and what you are doing in Brighton. And I am even more curious than Darcy since I have not seen you in a long while.”

“My well-being is not your concern. I was surprised to hear you were in Brighton,” Wickham replied. “And even more so to learn about Darcy being on such friendly terms with the Bennet family. The last I heard it was the opposite. But that is not completely unexpected. After all, Miss Bennet and Miss Darcy both had a high opinion of me.”

Both Darcy and the colonel’s anger flared at such audacity. Wickham looked around, nodding to some acquaintance, grinning broadly.

“Wickham, you have either lost your mind in this heat or you are too trusting of the fact that we are surrounded by people,” Darcy said in a low voice. “Do not trifle with my patience. You must remember that my temper often betrays me.”

“I do not understand your meaning, Darcy. I am simply spending my summer in Brighton, and my actions are nobody’s concern. You still hold a grudge against me and would do anything to ruin me.”

“Wickham, I shall waste not another moment on you. I am here to warn you. If I see you anywhere near my sister or the Bennets, I shall not hesitate to take appropriate measures,” Darcy concluded.

“What measures could you possibly take against me, Darcy? Your pride and arrogance are annoying and ridiculous. You have no power over me.”

Darcy stepped close enough to Wickham that their breath mixed. “I have all the power I need to do whatever pleases me concerning you, Wickham. You have old debts of penance to pay me, and I shall not hesitate to collect.”

Wickham took a step back and spoke hesitantly. “What are you insinuating, Darcy? That you forbid me to speak to anyone from the Bennet family if I happen upon them? You cannot do that!”

“You may do as you please, Wickham. But you cannot depend on my leniency any longer.”

“Have no concern. I have no desire to be near you either. May I be excused now? This conversation is pointless,” Wickham uttered. He then bowed slightly, hurrying to his companions.