A summer in brighton, p.2
A Summer in Brighton, page 2
“He is still taciturn, but I would certainly not call his countenance ‘foul,’” said Elizabeth, her tone somewhat reproachful. “He has been kind enough to me, and I dare say I do not dislike meeting with him.”
“Kind?” echoed Mr. Wickham. He seemed surprised, but his expression soon became almost thoughtful. “Well, if he is indeed improving himself, then I am glad of that. His pride might not be so easily wiped away, however. I fear it has been part of his character for far too long.”
Elizabeth stared at him for a few seconds. There had been something strange about the thoughtfulness of his expression. Was he merely considering whether Mr. Darcy truly could have changed? Or had something else captured his interest?
“Mr. Wickham,” said a voice near them.
Startled at the sudden intrusion, Elizabeth turned to find Harriet Forster standing near them. The sight of her brought Elizabeth a sense of relief, and she could not help but regard her warmly.
“Are you trying to steal away my dear friend for the evening?” asked Harriet.
Mr. Wickham smiled at her. “Can I be blamed if I wish to have Miss Bennet to myself?”
“Well, do not worry, Mr. Wickham. She will be traveling to Brighton with me as my companion, so you shall see plenty of her in the future.”
Such a statement made Elizabeth fight to hide a grimace, but Harriet did not know that Elizabeth was planning to avoid the officers as much as possible during her trip to Brighton. But even had she not heard such unfavorable accounts of Mr. Wickham, she would still have felt irked at the man’s attempts to renew his attentions to her when he had not long before transferred his affections from her to another woman for primarily pecuniary reasons.
Mr. Wickham, looking pleased at Harriet’s revelation, said: “You will be going to Brighton? That is good news indeed.”
“I have heard much of the circulating libraries there,” said Elizabeth, “and I am eager to see them for myself.”
“Well, I hope they live up to your expectations,” said Mr. Wickham. “I know your love of books.”
“I hope you will not be reading the whole time,” teased Harriet. “You must spend at least some time walking alongside the sea with me!”
Elizabeth smiled and told her friend: “You know I cannot turn down the chance to look upon the beauties of nature.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Mr. Wickham, “Miss Bennet is the greatest walker I have ever seen.”
“The Good Lord gave us two legs and two eyes, and I intend to use them both to the fullest.”
“Well, He also gave you a mouth,” said Harriet playfully, “and I shall expect you to use yours to entertain me with your delightful conversation.”
“Only if you promise to use your ears. Sometimes you are so caught up in your thoughts that you do not listen to a word I say!”
“How unkind!” cried Harriet. But she was beaming with good humor. “I hang on your every word!”
“Your wit enthralls all your listeners,” said Mr. Wickham. “Surely you are aware of this, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “Suddenly, everyone seems keen on stoking my vanity. You must beware what might happen—I may attain such an opinion of myself as to render me most disagreeable and conceited. I do not believe you should all favor me as well then.”
“Nonsense, Elizabeth,” contradicted Harriet. “I do not doubt it is beyond your power to appear anything other than lovely and agreeable.”
“I concur,” murmured Mr. Wickham. He appeared to be easy and friendly in company, but Elizabeth fancied she could see something in his eyes which prevented her from feeling completely comfortable. Perhaps she should not have made light of his opinion of Mr. Darcy after all.
“Be that as it may, I fear I must steal my dear friend away from you, Mr. Wickham,” said Harriet.
“Of course, Mrs. Forster,” replied the man with an extravagant bow.
Elizabeth was led away by her friend, but she could not help but be aware of the uncomfortable sensation of Mr. Wickham’s eyes following her.
The final days before Elizabeth’s departure passed in a largely uneventful manner. Elizabeth, reflecting that packing her trunk for an extended journey was not nearly as agreeable as the journey itself, nevertheless threw herself into her preparations, acutely aware of the fact that she had only recently been overseeing the unpacking of her belongings.
Life at Longbourn continued to be somewhat strained, with an atmosphere of discord present anytime Elizabeth was in the room with Mrs. Bennet or Lydia. Her father kept to his bookroom with a greater frequency than usual, while her mother continually complained of his hard-heartedness and determination to ruin them all by not taking them to Brighton for the summer. The constant cacophony that this behavior caused undoubtedly contributed to Mr. Bennet’s aversion to any sort of company.
When Mrs. Bennet was not protesting her inability to persuade her husband to change his mind about a family trip to Brighton, she was berating Elizabeth for selfishly ruining Lydia’s happiness. As for Lydia herself, she was as incensed as her mother over Elizabeth’s good fortune, and while she complained just as loud and long as Mrs. Bennet, she added more to the tense atmosphere of the home by directing dark looks whenever she felt Elizabeth was not looking (and often even when she was). Lydia’s mood took a turn for the worse when word came from Cheapside that the Gardiners were quite willing to take one of the other girls with them on a tour of Derbyshire now that Elizabeth had another engagement. Jane and Mary were to stay home at Longbourn and watch the Gardiner children, so it came down to Kitty or Lydia. And since Lydia had, unbeknownst to her, been removed from consideration by previous arrangement between the eldest sisters and the Gardiners, an invitation arrived for Kitty to accompany them.
After that piece of news had been imparted to the youngest Bennet sister, her fury had known no bounds, and the inhabitants of Longbourn were allowed no respite from her loud accusations, her bitter wailings, and her unending complaints over the unfairness of it all. Elizabeth knew that Lydia had no interest in the tour—for Lydia had deemed it “dreary” and “a tedious affair”—but was angry solely because Kitty was being allowed an amusement that she herself was denied. Such was the selfish nature of the youngest Bennet daughter.
It had finally taken the emergence of Mr. Bennet from his bookroom—no doubt due to the fact that Lydia was interrupting his solitary time with his books—to reassert control over the wayward girl. When his demands for her immediate cessation of her tantrum had no effect, Lydia was sent to her room and instructed to remain there until she could behave as a young lady rather than a spoiled child. It had taken her more than a full day to emerge, and even after she had done so, her sullen expressions of reproach and her injured air ensured that she remained quiet for much longer. All her family bore her silence quite well indeed.
As for her other sisters, though it was early in their tutelage concerning the proper behavior of young ladies, the manner in which Kitty and Mary appeared to grow and the way in which they listened and obeyed their elder sisters heartened both Elizabeth and Jane. Though the two girls still had a long road ahead of them, their transformation had begun.
The last few days in Hertfordshire were also a time for Elizabeth to be out and in company, for there were many farewell gatherings for militia hosted by the families of the area, and invariably, the Bennets were invited to these parties. And though the opportunity to be in the company of good friends was welcome after her recent visit to Kent, a part of Elizabeth wished to stay home and spend time with her family in order to fortify herself for the coming separation, which she knew would be of several months’ duration.
She was able to see Mrs. Forster several times, and she was happy that they continued to interact with one another in a manner which could only be deemed intimate. She truly was anticipating the next several months in Harriet’s company, and some part of her was impatient to be gone.
As for the officers, although there were definitely good men among them—Lieutenant Denny, for instance, was particularly well-liked in Meryton—she was, for the most part, indifferent to them.
Of course, these feelings of indifference did not include Mr. Wickham, who caused a large number of emotions to well up within her all by himself. Elizabeth was aware of her prior preference, and although she had conquered such a sentiment some time previously, she could not help but remember their long conversations and his intelligent manner of speaking and gentlemanlike conduct. And while she did not for one moment discount Mr. Darcy’s narrative of what had passed between them, a part of her longed for the simpler days when she had hated the one man and liked the other. She did hope, however, that though Wickham had behaved in an infamous manner toward Darcy in the past, he was now on the road to repentance and a repudiation of his former lifestyle. If only he had not imposed upon her with his falsehoods regarding Mr. Darcy, then she might have been able to believe it!
Her ill feelings toward Mr. Wickham only seemed supported by the fact that since her return from Kent—and incidentally, Mary King’s sudden removal from Meryton—his attention appeared to be once again firmly fixed upon her, as if he believed her empty-headed enough to forget that he had abandoned his admiration of her for the money of another. More than once, she was left gnashing her teeth in frustration and almost reconsidering her decision to subject herself to several more months during which she would be in close proximity to the regiment of which he was a member.
Chapter II
Finally, the day arrived when Elizabeth was to begin her journey to Brighton. The morning dawned as fine as any she had yet seen, and while she stowed the last few items in her reticule, she reflected on the great pleasure of traveling on such a beautiful day, even if the journey were certain to be long and tedious.
When all had been made ready, she stepped from the house and, seeing her trunk already secured to the back of the carriage, turned to bid farewell to her family.
Lydia had declined to make an appearance—which did not surprise Elizabeth in the slightest—but Mrs. Bennet was waiting for her, if somewhat unwillingly. Elizabeth was well aware that her mother would have eschewed her leave-taking if it had been possible, but Mr. Bennet had exerted control over his wife, insisting that she be present. Mrs. Bennet’s absence would undoubtedly have led to gossip, so although she did not say a word and glared at Elizabeth with an injured air, Elizabeth was glad to see her. The farewells of her other sisters and her father more than made up for the lack of any well wishes from her mother.
“I shall miss you, Lizzy,” said a teary-eyed Jane, even as she engulfed Elizabeth in a fierce embrace. “We have had so little time together these past months, as one—or both—of us has been almost constantly absent from Longbourn. Please keep a record of your adventures in Brighton, so that you may give me a full accounting upon your return.”
“I will, Jane,” whispered Elizabeth, returning her sister’s hug with equal fervor. “I shall miss you, too, and I promise to write as often as I can.”
Kitty and Mary said farewell in a much more sedate manner, yet though they were not as effusive in their comments, Elizabeth could sense that they would miss her. She certainly had not felt any such thing when she had left for Kent, and she was able to revel in the changed feelings which subsisted between herself and her younger sisters.
Mr. Bennet was perhaps the hardest farewell, for Elizabeth knew that her father not only doted upon her, but also counted on her to be his intellectual partner and his source of sanity in the house where his wife and youngest daughter were by far the most vocal and silliest of its inhabitants.
“Off again, are we, Lizzy?” said he with an understated melancholy present in his voice. “I am glad that you take so much comfort in flittering from here to there, seeking after amusement. I hope you think on me from time to time, stuck in this house with talk of lace and finery and with a bevy of the Gardiners’ children about to descend upon me.”
“Papa, I should think you know that I am not such an uncaring daughter as you speak of,” said Elizabeth with a fond smile. “You know very well that I shall be glad for Harriet’s company and could not disappoint her when she invited me.”
“Indeed, you could not,” agreed Mr. Bennet. “You appear to have become quite the popular girl, for the number of invitations you have garnered in such a short time is impressive indeed.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly at him. “I shall miss talking to you, Papa.”
“Not as much as I shall miss your company, I can assure you. You will be able to escape the constant complaints and loud moans of your youngest sister, whereas I shall experience no such good fortune. Perhaps I should accompany you to Brighton, Lizzy. I am certain I could find a way to entertain myself there.”
“Now, Papa, we both know you would not be content away from your own library. Why, wherever would you go to escape the society of others without it?”
He chuckled and nodded. “Quite right, Lizzy. I am afraid I am much too attached to my book-room to leave it behind. As a sanctuary, it has done me well, though I might like it better if it also shut out the voices which are often raised in a high pitch throughout the house.” His eyes moved to look at the carriage. The horses were shifting in place, eager to be off. “Are you certain you have packed enough feminine frivolities for your trip? I expect you to return from Brighton with at least one suitor in tow, so you will have need of them.”
“Papa!” exclaimed Elizabeth.
“No, I am serious, Lizzy,” said he, the teasing look in his eyes belying his words. “You have already made the acquaintance of the officers, and you will be familiar company to them in Brighton. Familiar company is always appreciated, and pleasant familiar company is appreciated in particular. Why, I should not be surprised if you came back with a handful of suitors at your back clamoring for your hand.”
“I have no plans to search for a husband, Papa,” said Elizabeth firmly. In fact, she wanted to escape the thought of marriage for a time, as it made her remember, with no small measure of guilt, the letter she had received in which Mr. Darcy explained his actions regarding Mr. Wickham. “I wish merely to relax.”
“Well, we shall see,” said he with a chuckle. “I know how young women enjoy being crossed in love from time to time.”
Elizabeth shook her head, though she smiled affectionately at her father. “Goodbye, Papa.”
“Goodbye, Lizzy,” returned Mr. Bennet. “You must not forget to write. You know your wit acts a balm for your old father.”
After a few more words of farewell, Mr. Bennet helped his daughter into the carriage. Harriet Forster was waiting inside, not wanting to intrude upon the intimacy of Elizabeth’s parting. Colonel Forster was to travel with his men, so Harriet and Elizabeth would travel without him. When Harriet saw Elizabeth entering the carriage, she smiled brightly.
“Take good care of my Lizzy,” said Mr. Bennet to Harriet. Though his tone was light, there was a sort of solemn sadness in his gaze. He really did hate parting with Elizabeth.
“I have the feeling she shall be the one taking care of me,” returned Harriet good-naturedly.
Mr. Bennet let out a bark of laughter. “I suppose I shall not be surprised if that turns out to be the case. My Lizzy is very clever, after all.” He dipped his head a little. “Well, you had best go, then.”
When the carriage jerked forward at the horses’ pull, Elizabeth leaned her head out the window. Unabashedly, she waved farewell to her sisters and her father. The girls waved back, and she could hear Jane’s cry: “Goodbye, Lizzy!”
Elizabeth smiled as the carriage moved forward. She was glad Lydia had not wanted to see her off, as she would have ruined this tender parting. It was much more pleasant without her.
As the figures faded into the distance, Elizabeth brought her head back inside the carriage. It felt as if she had only just arrived back at Longbourn. She hated to be leaving again so soon, but she knew she would enjoy herself.
Harriet smiled at her. “I am glad you agreed to be my companion.”
Elizabeth returned a smile of her own, setting her reticule on the seat beside her. “As am I. I suspect we shall be very content spending time with one another.”
“We certainly shall! I enjoy my husband’s company very much, but he is often busy with the officers, and there are certain subjects which men simply do not understand.”
“Men are hopeless when it comes to reticules and ribbons,” said Elizabeth. “The composition of a proper dinner also seems to elude them.”
“Imagine what a dinner should be like were a man to determine what the menu should be!” cried Harriet. “Why, there would be nothing but meat piled upon the table, to say nothing of the fact that everyone would be soused by the end of the meal!”
“Ah, but we would be hopeless when it came to military maneuvers,” said Elizabeth, “so I suppose we all have our strengths.”
Harriet tilted her head. “You do not believe I could order officers to do my will, Lizzy?”
Laughing, Elizabeth told her: “Well, I suppose you could, Harriet, but if there were an actual battle, you might be out of your element.”
“I suppose I shall let my husband maintain his position then,” said Harriet with the heavy sigh of sacrifice.
“At least you have a husband who dotes upon you,” said Elizabeth, smiling. “I am at times convinced I shall die an old maid.”
“Surely not, Lizzy!” cried Harriet. “I have seen more than one man look favorably upon you, and I know you shall soon find a husband. For instance, Mr. Wickham—”
“I do not believe Mr. Wickham and I are compatible,” broke in Elizabeth. “I suspect I shall not find a husband among the officers.”
“Mr. Denny is a kind man.”
“A ‘kind boy,’ more like,” countered Elizabeth. “But I suppose you are right. He is certainly pleasant enough in company. Perhaps I should not be averse to his paying attentions to me. He is handsome, and being youthful is not a negative quality. How soon do you suppose we might arrange a wedding?”
