Page 161 of The Mistress of All & Torn

Trailing slowly behind him, Darcy and the colonel watched Wickham depart.

“He is trouble,” the colonel stated. “He has become more impertinent since I last saw him. And he takes delight in vexing you. I would gladly wipe that smirk from his face.”

“I will take care of the situation.”

“So, what shall we do now?”

“I need to return home. I have some papers to read.”

“Papers to read? In Brighton? On a sunny day? Come now, Darcy, even you must see that is preposterous! Will you at least join me tonight at Lady Templeton’s party?” Darcy threw him a glare and the colonel shrugged. “I would assume ‘no’. People often ask about you, so I shall have to find another excuse for your absence.”

“I appreciate your effort,” Darcy jested, and the colonel sighed.

Once alone in his library, Darcy thought more about Wickham. Indeed, the man seemed impertinent and over-confident. His replies were intended to vex Darcy, and he had succeeded. A more thorough examination of Wickham’s business was required.

Quickly, Darcy wrote two notes. The first he handed to his valet with specific orders. The other he tucked in his pocket, then he went in search of his sister, following the sounds of the pianoforte.

Absorbed in her music, she did not notice her brother’s entrance. When she did, she stopped and met him with a smile.

“How are you, dearest? And Anne?”

“Anne has retired to rest for the afternoon. What of you, Brother?”

“I spoke to Wickham. I hope he will not bother us during our stay in Brighton.”

“Good.”

“My dear, would you do me a favour? Would you write to Miss Bennet and add this note to the letter? I promised her last night that I would talk to Wickham, and I wish to inform her that I have accomplished the task.”

Georgiana looked slightly surprised. “Elizabeth must be either with Jane or with her parents. She will return to the cottage tomorrow. Could you not call and inform her in person?”

He hesitated, fighting his own temptation. “No, I do not wish to intrude. It would be best if you could write to her so that she might receive this information sooner.”

“Anne and I will have tea with Elizabeth and Jane later this afternoon. I shall give it to her then. Will you not join us?”

“I am sorry, but I cannot. I have received an invitation to Lady Templeton’s party tonight, and Richard has insisted that I join him. It seems I shall go, after all.”

Darcy retired to his chamber, burdened by deceiving his sister, yearning to see Elizabeth, and acknowledging his weakness that kept him away from her.

His desire to call on her was painfully intense. Instead, he would do better to join his cousin at a party he would loathe.

But he had the comfort of knowing Elizabeth would open the note he had written and hold in her hands the paper he had touched. Poor consolation for his dreams of ever holding her.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth wrote to Lady Kendal to let her know all was well and that she would return the following day. In truth, Elizabeth was tempted to remain with her family, amidst the animation of the town, for a little longer. But her sense of duty and concern for Philip’s health drew her back.

The scene she had witnessed of the men on the promenade occupied Elizabeth’s thoughts for the next few hours, raising many questions in her mind. She had expected Darcy to keep his word and speak to Wickham—as he promised the previous evening—and now she was curious to know the outcome of that discussion. However, what thrilled her the most was Darcy’s diligence in fulfilling his promise to her so readily.

In the afternoon, she and Jane would have tea with Georgiana and Anne. She secretly hoped that Darcy would come to visit Bingley. If so, she could see him and exchange a few more words with him before she returned to the cottage.

However, when the time came he was not there, and she was sorely disappointed. Furthermore, Georgiana informed them that her brother and cousin were at a party, held by a lady whose name Elizabeth remembered.

She felt sad, lonely, and upset. Between seeing her and enjoying a party, he had preferred the latter. She had been silly to presume otherwise and guilty for wishing it. After all, she was engaged to be married, and so was he.

“Elizabeth?” Georgiana approached her and Elizabeth startled.

“Yes? Forgive me. I was wool-gathering.”