Page 162 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“My brother asked me to give you this note.” Georgiana smiled.

Elizabeth looked puzzled, then glanced at Anne, taking the paper with hesitant fingers.

“He said it is about a task he promised to accomplish.”

“I see… Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Elizabeth?”

“Yes?”

“George Wickham is not an honourable man. You should be cautious when he is near Lydia and Kitty.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment grew.

“I know, but thank you for warning me. I did speak to my father. He does not believe Wickham to be an immediate danger but agrees that his company is not beneficial for my young and not-so-wise sisters,” Elizabeth said lightly.

“Good. If you wish to reply, I will gladly pass on your response to my brother.”

Elizabeth gazed at her friend. “Reply? Oh, I did not consider it. But thank you for being so thoughtful. I shall read it and see.”

For a few minutes, Elizabeth listened to her companions’ chatter, understanding nothing of it. She excused herself, holding the letter tightly. There were only a few lines in a hand she already knew by heart.

Miss Bennet,

I take the liberty of sending you this note to inform you that I did speak to W, as I intended. I gathered little information from him but enough to confirm my concern. I shall continue my enquiries until I find reports to clarify the purpose of his presence in Brighton. Please warn your father to stay guarded regarding your youngest sisters.

I will keep you abreast of any further information I discover.

FD

The content was as dispassionate as it was brief, but it touched Elizabeth deeply. Behind the simple words, she believed he cared and wished to protect her.

She looked around, disconcerted by her emotions, and hurried to the desk in the library. She took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote:

Mr Darcy,

Your consideration in informing me is much appreciated. I pray that this matter does not give you too much trouble. Please let me know how it progresses.

E. Bennet

Reading her response, she shivered. There was nothing improper in it, but she sensed she had let him know that she wished to retain the fragile bond between them. She hesitated another moment, then sealed it and returned to the rest of the party. When she handed it to Georgiana she felt anxious, feeling she was doing something wrong. If she had delayed only one more moment, Elizabeth would have changed her mind about the response, but the girl took it readily, and it was done.

Elizabeth spent another night in her sister’s home. During dinner, she tried to keep her spirits high. However, when alone in her bedchamber, she realised she had thought more of Darcy, and what he was doing at that party, than of her soon-to-be husband.

The following morning, after breakfast, Elizabeth and Mary bade a warm farewell to their relatives. Lady Kendal’s carriage and two servants took them away from the lively centre of Brighton to the quiet and solitude of the cottage. Although she looked forward to seeing Philip and her ladyship again, each of the horses’ steps made Elizabeth more nervous and strangely heavy-hearted. When they arrived at the secluded property, the silence was deafening compared with the town’s bustle.

“Oh Lizzy, how quiet everything is!” Mary exclaimed. Elizabeth smiled in agreement as the carriage stopped in front of the cottage. In the drawing room, Elizabeth found her betrothed and his grandmother waiting. At her entrance, she saw their faces brighten.

Her heart melted, and she buried any other thoughts deeply in her soul where they could not disturb her. She then embraced the two with affection.

“We missed you so much, Elizabeth,” Lord Alveston confessed.

“I was only gone for two days,” she replied, touched by his apparent joy.

“But we are so spoilt with your presence, we felt lost without you.” Philip kissed her hands. “I am so happy to see you.”

“I am happy to see you too,” Elizabeth replied.