Lizzy only half listened as Lydia prattled on to Mrs Forster of their adventures down by the sea that morning. It was not that she had no interest in Lydia's stories, for Lydia had a gift of introducing excitement to even the most mundane situation. Rather, Lizzy was distracted watching all manner of men and women as they strolled along the Steyne.
She had enjoyed people-watching during her stay in London, but the variety of fashion she saw here far exceeded anything she had witnessed in Hyde Park or the like.
"… is that not so, Lizzy?"
Heat filled her cheeks as she turned her attention back to the conversation and the ladies at the table. Lydia smirked, knowing full well she had just drawn attention to Lizzy's distraction.
Always the peacemaker, Jane intervened. "Lydia was just commenting on Lieutenant Wickham, and how he appeared pleased to see you this morning."
Lizzy nodded. "It was pleasant to visit with Mr Wickham again. He can be most good-natured and charming when he wishes."
Jane frowned. "Was he not so charming today, Lizzy?"
Lizzy took a sip of her drink, conscious that all eyes were upon her awaiting her response. "Of course Mr Wickham was charming."
"But?" Jane prompted.
"But he did not seem entirely himself. Though one can hardly blame him for being a little morose. After all, he should have been enjoying life as a married man now. Instead he is again alone, with nought but his commission with the Militia to entertain him."
From the other end of the table, Mrs Forster emitted a sound somewhere between a snort and a cough.
Lizzy raised her eyebrows, and watched as the other woman composed herself behind her napkin.
"I do apologise, Miss Elizabeth. It is just… Well I do not wish to speak out of turn, but, you see, travelling with Colonel Forster, which, as his wife I do, I hear many things that happen with the men in the Militia."
"I am most certain you do." Lizzy leaned forward as she was most curious to hear what Mrs Forster had to say.
"You see, I do not believe this is entirely a secret or I would not speak of it, as I am not one to engage in idle gossip, you understand."
"Of course not, Mrs Forster."
"But I have heard, from many a source mind you, that Lieutenant Wickham has very little concern at all in finding himself means of entertainment, whether it be gambling with the men, drinking, spending time with women who frequent such establishments, and often all of these things in a single night!"
Lizzy opened her mouth to respond to the allegations, but found herself without the words to express her thoughts. Finally she was able to reply. "With all respect, Mrs Forster, I do not believe such behaviour of Lieutenant Wickham."
"No Lizzy, Mrs Forster speaks the truth." Lydia was quick to defend her friend. "Denny and Chamberlayne are not wont to gossip either, but they both spoke today of their concerns Wickham was unable to make good on his wagers with the men. You see, it would not be such a problem if Mr Wickham was talented in his gambling, but alas he is not. The men worry that if he does not make right on his payments soon, the other men will take matters upon themselves."
Lizzy looked to Jane who appeared just as bewildered by the allegations.
Lydia continued. "Denny is most concerned, because now that he is promoted to Lieutenant, it is upon him to ensure the men stay in line. Poor Denny. Mr Wickham should be ashamed to have put him in such a position. Oh I do wish the horrid man would just leave and never come back!"
Lydia dropped her head down to her arm on the table in an overly dramatic fashion. Mrs Forster patted her on the back in an attempt to offer consolation.
Lizzy and Jane simply looked at each other, thoroughly bemused by the information they had just received.
"What are you thinking, Lizzy?" Jane's voice was soft, her words meant only for her sister's ears, but she need not have worried, for Mrs Forster was still distracted by Lydia's theatrics.
Lizzy sighed. "Oh Jane, I truly do not know what to think. Is it possible I have been so severely deceived by Mr Wickham's nature?"
She thought back to when they had first been introduced. He was most charming. What was it Mr Darcy had said when she first questioned their acquaintance? "Mr Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain."
Lizzy furrowed her brow. She had been so certain of Mr Darcy's prideful nature that she had been quick to assume truth in Mr Wickham's account. Even Caroline Bingley had been quick to defend Mr Darcy's actions against Mr Wickham, going so far as to suggest Mr Darcy had always been remarkably kind to Mr Wickham, despite Mr Wickham having treated Mr Darcy in a most infamous manner.
She covered her mouth with her hand, then turned to her sister. "Oh Jane, I was so quick to judge Mr Darcy's character based on Mr Wickham's charges."
Jane placed her hand over Lizzy's, offering the comfort she so desperately sought. "Do not judge yourself too harshly, Lizzy. Had your first impressions of Mr Darcy not been so poor, you might not have been so easily swayed by Mr Wickham's words alone."
Lizzy nodded. "That is very true. Mr Darcy left a very poor impression indeed at the assembly. But you were not so readily fooled, were you Jane? You knew Mr Bingley would not be so well acquainted with Mr Darcy, had Mr Darcy truly been as dastardly as I believed."
Jane's mouth curved up, but the smile failed to reach her eyes. "Alas, I too was fooled. I truly believed Mr Bingley loved me and was preparing to make an offer." She lifted her napkin to the corner of her eye. "I was such a fool, Lizzy. What could I possibly have to offer a man such as Mr Bingley? Of course he would be far more suited to marry Miss Darcy."
"Miss Darcy?"
"Yes, Miss Darcy. Mr Darcy's younger, most accomplished, beautiful sister. Caroline Bingley made it abundantly clear that her brother and Miss Darcy were becoming well acquainted and would make a wonderful match. That is why he did not come to visit me in London."
"Oh Jane, no." Lizzy took hold of her sister's hand. She had to tell Jane the truth. For while Lizzy might not be certain of the truth of Mr Darcy culpability in Mr Wickham's misfortune, he most certainly was guilty of his crimes against Jane and Mr Bingley. As was that nasty, contemptible thing, Caroline Bingley. Why, if she never crossed paths with Miss Bingley again should could not be more pleased.
"Oh my goodness!" Lizzy and Jane both turned in response to Lydia's exclamation.
"What is it, Lydia?" Mrs Forster bounced in her seat, bursting with anticipation over whatever had prompted Lydia to make her exclamation.
"That woman." She shook her hand towards the entrance of the Inn. "Over there, on the other side of the street. Jane, is that not your Mr Bingley's sister?"
Jane turned to Lizzy, her eyes wide. Lizzy patted her hand. "Surely it could not be. What could possibly bring Miss Caroline Bingley to Brighton? She is far more inclined to the likes of Ramsgate or Bath, is she not?"
"There is only one way we will know for sure." Jane's voice was barely a whisper. The sisters turned in unison to face the direction Lydia gestured, and let out a collective gasp.
They turned back to each other. Jane's eyes were glassy with unshed tears. Lizzy despised that Miss Bingley's presence could have such an affect on her sweet sister. Lizzy pressed both her hands around Jane's. She noted her sister's trembles and wished she could give her the strength she needed to face Miss Bingley.
"So is it? Is that Miss Bingley, Jane?"
Jane turned to Lydia and nodded. She quietly cleared her throat. "Yes Lydia, that appears to be Miss Bingley."
"Oooh! And I wonder who that girl is with her. She appears so very stylish, does she not? Oh!" Lydia clapped her hands together and bounced in her seat. "Look at that glorious box she carries. I wonder what she bought. It must be something expensive, I am sure. Do you think she would let us see? We should call them over."
Before they could stop her, Lydia stood and waved her arm in the air. "Oh Miss Bingley! Miss Bingley! Over here, Miss Bingley."
Lizzy sank down in her seat and felt Jane do the same beside her. Her grip on Jane's hand must have tightened, as her sister had to pry her fingers from Lizzy's hold.
"Is it any wonder Mr Bingley did not visit with me in London."
"I am sorry, Jane. I have tried my hardest to improve upon our sister's manners, but I fear I have failed. But be assured, unlike Mr Darcy, I believe had Mr Bingley been made aware of your presence in London, he would most certainly have made effort to visit with you."
"He was well aware of my presence. Miss Bingley—"
"Miss Bingley was duplicitous in her behaviour." Lizzy whispered the words as she looked to ensure the woman of whom she spoke remained at distance. "I did not wish to pain you further, Jane, but I have it on good authority that Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy contrived together to keep your presence from Mr Bingley."
Jane turned her head towards the approaching women before whispering back to Lizzy. "How could you possibly know that, Lizzy?"
"I heard it from Mr Darcy's very own cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Apparently Mr Darcy was quite proud of his success in removing his friend from a most unfortunate match." Lizzy scoffed. "And I confirmed his guilt when I confronted him of it. He did not deny the allegations."
Lizzy expected a pained look to cross Jane's face, but instead was surprised to see a faint smile. "I do not believe anyone but you would dare confront Mr Darcy with such allegations." She let out a girlish giggle so uncharacteristic of Jane, had Lizzy not seen and heard it herself she would never have believed it came from her sister.
"Do you know what this means, Lizzy?"
Lizzy shook her head.
Jane grasped both Lizzy's hands. "It means all is not yet lost. Perhaps I was not so deceived in Mr Bingley's regard for me."
Lizzy smiled, but inside she fumed. While both Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy were at fault for persuading Mr Bingley against Jane, Mr Bingley himself had ample opportunity to make his intentions known in the months since he left Netherfield. She feared deeply that Jane's optimism would lead to such severe disappointment, should Mr Bingley no longer hold her in regard, that she may never recover.
"Miss Bennet, is that you? And your lovely sisters are here as well. How delightful."
Lizzy cringed at the haughty tone with which Miss Bingley addressed them. How anyone could be fooled by her blatant falseness, Lizzy could not understand.
Miss Bingley gestured to the girl who stood slightly behind her. "Please, allow me to introduce my own sister—or at least I hope she will one day soon be my sister—Miss Georgiana Darcy."
Jane paled, but then straightened her back. Lizzy felt nothing but pride for her sister as she held her composure. Lizzy also noted Miss Darcy's palour which led her to believe perhaps Miss Darcy did not relish the notion of becoming Mrs Bingley quite so much as Miss Bingley relished it for her.
Introductions were made around the table, and at Lydia's insistence, settings were added so the two ladies could join them for refreshments. Lizzy had to suppress a laugh at Miss Bingley's utter discomfort at the brashness of Lydia and, to an extent, Mrs Forster.
