Author Notes: Hello everyone, after how long it took for me to update I'm not sure how many readers I have left. But my studies are finished so I have time to give my stories, my real love, my full attention!
I'm in the process of some serious editing and possible rewriting if I feel it necessary. I'm in the market for a Beta who has a knack for grammar and is willing to offer me plot advice as well as basic spelling and grammar checks.
Anyway let's get back to the story, I hope you like it and I am writing the next chapter as I speak. Read the passage at the end as I'd like your opinions.
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Chapter Nine- Arrival
Darcy glared openly at Wickham as the young officer smiled warmly at Miss Bennett. After what he'd nearly done to his own family he was now threatening to destroy the already fragile reputation of the Bennetts. But a lack of propriety is nothing compared to the scandal Wickham was capable of inflicting.
The Gardiners walked around to his side of the carriage and stood beside Elizabeth, who Darcy saw was looking furiously at Mr. Wickham. Wickham, accompanied by the three officers who 'd been standing with him.
"This is certainly an unexpected pleasure," Mr Wickham greeted in a pleasing manner, stopping in front of Miss Bennett and bowing. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner curtsied while Mr. Gardiner bowed. The fact that Darcy refused to bow to the man was fortunately unnoticed by those around them.
"Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth's manner was polite and sincere as she replied, "This is Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner, my Aunt and Uncle."
"It's a pleasure Sir, Madam," Mr. Wickham replied warmly. "To meet any friend of Miss Bennett's is a friend of mine also."
"That's very kind of you young man," Mr. Gardiner replied. "We've travelled from the Peak district to Brighton, hoping to join our niece Lydia Bennett. We are aware that she is staying with the Forsters."
"The Peak district?" Mr. Wickham replied, "That is quite a journey Mr. Gardiner." Darcy saw a hint of suspicion in Wickham's eyes as his gaze lingered on Elizabeth's neutral expression.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled easily. "I'm afraid I grew tired of the splendours of the lakes and mountains and wanted to see the seaside."
"I suggested Brighton as Lydia has spoken about its beauty in her letters home, Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth said with a friendly smile.
"Well I'm sure she will be as pleased to see you as I am," Mr. Wickham said with a bow.
"I'm sure she will," Elizabeth returned, still smiling.
"Mr. Wickham is Colonel Forster at home today?" Mr. Gardiner asked. "It would be rude to visit without seeing the master of the house."
"I do believe he is here," Mr. Wickham replied. "I could escort you to his office while the ladies join Mrs. Forster and the younger Miss Bennett who I believe is having tea in the garden."
"That sounds lovely," Mrs. Forster exclaimed and put her arm through Elizabeth's.
A younger officer bowed before the ladies. "It would be my pleasure to escort you to the garden."
Darcy's heart skipped a beat when Elizabeth turned back to look at him as Mrs Gardiner pulled her forward. She had a surprising expression of vulnerability and needed reassurance. He gave her a small smile, the best he could muster in Wickham's presence. Elizabeth sighed and walked with Mrs. Forster into the house.
Mr. Wickham gestured towards the front door. "Shall we gentlemen?" he paused for the shortest moment before saying the word 'gentlemen', as it appeared to be a struggle to admit Darcy's presence. The coward barely glanced in Darcy's direction, but started walking towards the house followed by the two other men.
Mr. Wickham led them through the grand regiment headquarters, through a large main room and up a grand staircase with a surrounding balcony over the floor below.
Colonel Forster's study was on the east side of the building, overlooking a large field of cut grass and training soldiers. Wickham escorted them into the room and Darcy walked in behind Mr. Gardiner.
"Colonel this is Mr. Gardiner, Miss Bennett's Uncle and I believe you are acquainted with Mr. Darcy," Mr. Wickham said from behind them and Mr. Darcy bowed at the Colonel of the regiment.
"Mr. Gardiner it is indeed a pleasure," Colonel Forster said after he'd bowed and walked around from his desk to shake the other man's hand. "Mr. Darcy, welcome to Brighton," he added with a polite smile.
"Thank you for seeing us," Darcy returned with a nod.
"Thank you Wickham that is all," Colonel Forster said politely but firmly.
Mr. Wickham's expression was serious and nervous as he nodded toward his superior. Darcy felt satisfaction at Wickham's nerves and took a step towards the window to gaze at the soldiers marching on the grounds. He heard the door close and felt better knowing Wickham was out of the room.
"I have to apologise for trespassing on your home without asking for an invitation," Mr. Gardiner said as he sat down in one of the green leather chairs at the Colonel's invitation.
"Please this is practically a public house," Colonel Forster replied politely. "We have enough rooms free for your party to stay with us."
"Thank you Colonel but we couldn't possibly trespass on your hospitality," Mr. Gardiner began to protest but the Colonel held up his hand.
"Please think nothing of it, Mr. Gardiner. Your niece has been a delightful companion for my wife, anything we can do for her family and friends is my pleasure."
"That has a lot to do with us being here, Colonel Forster," Mr. Darcy said seriously.
Colonel Forster sighed and looked from Mr. Darcy to Mr. Gardiner, the latter man said, "We were informed of the letter you sent to my brother in-law Mr. Bennett. To be frank, Sir, we were concerned that Lydia's behaviour had become bothersome."
Darcy was surprised that Mr. Gardiner was making light of Lydia's potential situation and wondered about the gentleman's methods.
"I'm sure with her guardians present any concerns you have regarding the young Miss Bennett will be laid to rest," Colonel Forster said. "All the more reason that your party to stay in my house."
"Thank you for your kind invitation," Mr. Gardiner replied. "I'll be happy to accept it."
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After being shown his room and directing the servants regarding their luggage, Darcy went out to the garden where Mr. Gardiner had already joined the others. This part of the garden was beautifully landscaped with pebbled pathways leading to a courtyard surrounded with manicured bushes and a large table.
The elegant metal table painted white complete with lace tablecloth was perfect for a ladies afternoon tea. Mrs. Forster and Lydia Bennett were seated beside each other in matching chairs, laughing hysterically as he walked towards them. Elizabeth looked up at him as he approached, her facial expression was relaxed but her eyes gave her away.
"Calm yourself Lydia we have company," Mrs. Forster managed to say through her laughter as she saw Mr. Darcy. "You must be Mr. Darcy."
Darcy stood before Mrs. Forster and bowed politely. "It's a pleasure Madam."
"Please sit Mr. Darcy and have tea with us," Mrs. Forster beckoned him to the table.
Darcy approached the table and boldly took a seat beside Elizabeth. She didn't say anything but picked up a cup and saucer and poured him a cup of tea. Once again she'd made his tea the way he liked it.
Elizabeth looked at him briefly as she passed him his cup and saucer.
"Thank you," Darcy said meeting her eye.
"Are all the arrangements settled?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes everything is fine," Darcy replied with a smile.
She smiled and turned to Mrs. Forster. "Thank you so much for letting us stay, Mrs. Forster. I hope it isn't too much of an inconvenience."
"It's no trouble, Miss Elizabeth. It's going to be such a pleasure to have you here, you've come at the perfect time," the older lady replied excitedly.
"It's going to be so much fun Lizzy," Miss Lydia Bennett grabbed her sister's hand as she spoke. "This is the week the junior officers have completed their training so it's a week full of excitement and fun activities."
Elizabeth was looking pointedly at her younger sister and replied, "What kind of activities Lydia?"
"Well there will be walks on the beach, shopping trips in the town and the fabulous ball tomorrow night. Oh Lizzy you will have to go with me to get new dresses!"
Darcy couldn't help but lose concentration in their conversation, the young ladies immature and excited ramblings were tiresome, and Darcy had been travelling. His eyes wondered over to the Gardiners who were taking a turn in the rose garden. He looked towards the house, looking for a particular soldier that he could sense was nearby. Wickham was definitely shaken by their presence that much Darcy knew.
Looking back at Elizabeth, he saw that she was looking very unhappy with her sister as the younger lady chatted away. Her posture was tense and fiddling with her hands in her lap.
"The ball is going to be so enchanting," Lydia Bennett sighed as she stared dreamily into space. "I'm so glad you are hear Lizzy, the officers are so charming, I'm sure I can find you a husband."
"Lydia," Elizabeth scolded her sister in a stern voice.
"Oh Lizzy," Lydia laughed at her sister while Mrs. Forster giggled. "I'm just teasing you, but the officers are really divine. I could find a husband for all my sisters in Brighton."
"Well please excuse me from my share but I don't think I'd like your way of finding husbands," Elizabeth replied in a cold voice with a raised eyebrow.
Darcy couldn't help but admire her as she addressed her sister. It was the headstrong manner he found so beautiful to watch, her eyes bright and face lightly flushed.
He couldn't believe the way her sister completely ignored her comments, she simply turned to back to Mrs. Forster and continued to discuss plans for dresses. Elizabeth watched her sister ignore her comments and her expression became concerned as she sipped her tea.
"Would you like to take a walk with me Miss Elizabeth?" Mr. Darcy asked at an impulse.
"Yes," Elizabeth replied immediately standing up.
Darcy stood and walked with her down a path of manicured bushes towards one of the small flower gardens. They walked in silence and Elizabeth approached a large daisy bush and picked a flower. She watched her intently, instead of looking at the flower she was gazing back at the table.
"Mr Darcy," she began, looking back at him. "Forgive me but what happened in Colonel Forster's study?"
"Don't make yourself uneasy Miss Bennett," he replied softly. "Your Uncle Mr. Gardiner simply informed Colonel Forster that we were visiting to provide your sister with guardians."
"That's all?" she asked, looking at him eagerly. "Mr. Wickham's history wasn't mentioned?"
"No," Darcy replied with a frown, offended at the concern she appeared to feel.
Elizabeth sighed with relief. "Thank heavens, I asked my Uncle not to mention it." Picking another flower she added to his relief, "After what you've done I wouldn't want what Wickham has done to extend to anyone else's awareness unless it's completely necessary."
"Don't feel you need to protect me Miss Bennett," he said proudly. "I fully intend to expose Mr. Wickham for he truly is if it needs to be done."
"But society learning about this could hurt your sister, I want to do everything possible to prevent that happening," Elizabeth insisted, taking a step closer to Mr. Darcy.
"That's very kind of you, Miss Bennett," Darcy said looking deep into her dark brown eyes.
"Elizabeth!" Mrs. Gardiner's voice made Darcy took a step away from Miss Bennett and take a deep breath.
Elizabeth smiled at her Aunt who entered the small garden. "We are here Aunt." Her smile turned into a grimace and she held her cheek, the side that still showed a very faint bruise.
"Are you alright," he took a step towards her again.
"Yes, just still sore from time to time," she replied softly as her Aunt reached them.
"My dearest Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner and she put her arm around the young woman's shoulder. "Are you at ease now?"
Elizabeth looked incredulously at her Aunt. "At ease? I have been sitting with my sister drinking tea. Why aren't we doing anything about Lydia and Wickham?"
"Lizzy," her Aunt scolded in a gentle voice. "There's nothing for us to stop, we've come here at the perfect time. Nothing is going on and our presence will stop anything from happening between them."
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After Mrs. Gardiner had done her best to put Miss Elizabeth's mind at ease, they'd all gone inside to change and get ready for dinner. Darcy washed his face, shaved and dressed in a dark green dinner jacket. He felt dread at the thought he would be spending the evening in the same room as Wickham and wished there was a polite way of preventing it. But there wasn't, he'd made the decision to be here and he was a man who stood by his principles, his decisions.
Darcy left his room at the same moment that Elizabeth was leaving hers; her bedroom was only four doors further up the hall from his. She was dressed in a simple dark blue gown and as she closed her door behind her as saw him closing his own. Elizabeth smiled politely at Darcy, who returned it and approached her.
"It appears we are both punctual this evening, Mr Darcy," Miss Bennett said with a smirk as he walked in line with her towards the stairs. She stopped and added, "If this evening is going to be too unpleasant for you, Mr Darcy you shouldn't attend."
Darcy saw the concern in her eyes and he smiled, "This evening will be pleasant as long as you are in my company."
Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
A door closed behind them and Darcy turned and froze when he saw Wickham approaching. Wickham walked casually down the hall and bowed in front of Miss Bennett. "Good evening," he said, looking briefly in Darcy's direction and then at Elizabeth. "I was hoping I could escort you to dinner Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled at Wickham but replied, "Thank you Mr Wickham, but Mr. Darcy is escorting me to dinner this evening."
Wickham was taken aback and blinked for a moment then bowed and walked down the stairs. Darcy held out his arm to Elizabeth, which she took and he led her down the stairs to dinner.
A/N: Too cheesy? Too boring? Sadly this had to be another chapter involving setting the scene. The next chapter is going to be the Ball, I promise dancing will ensure!
Opinions needed please, I'd like to know what people would like to see at the Ball. Confrontations between Lydia and Elizabeth? Or Darcy and Wickham? And who shall dance with who? The quicker I get your opinions the quicker I can write it. xxx