Page 4 of Brighton Rescue (Pride and Prejudice Variation #23)

Elizabeth Bennet put down her book of poetry and stared at her uncle. “You called on Mr. Darcy? Oh, Uncle, how could you?”

“I thought he could provide useful insight into Wickham’s character, and given our conversation in the carriage this morning, Mr. Darcy is a most worthy young man, and entirely trustworthy.”

Edward Gardiner now bent a stern gaze on his niece and demanded, “My dear Lizzy, how could you fail to tell me the truth of the matter, that Mr. Darcy offered for you while you were staying with Mr. and Mrs. Collins in Kent?”

Mrs. Gardiner gasped aloud and scrutinized her niece intently; the girl’s eyes were now lowered in confusion, and her face was pink with embarrassment.

“My dear Elizabeth,” she murmured, “I had no idea.”

“Well, I certainly had no idea that he was in love with me,” the girl admitted.

“He visited me one evening when most of the household was at Rosings for dinner, and I had learned that very day that Mr. Darcy was the one who pressured Mr. Bingley to leave Jane behind. With that on my mind, and my foolish admiration of Mr. Wickham, I responded most harshly to Mr. Darcy’s extremely rude proposal. ”

“Rude?” Mr. Gardiner said in amazement. “I found him entirely courteous and obliging.”

Elizabeth huffed and said, “Well, then you caught him at a good moment, or he is very much altered. When we first met, he insulted my looks at the Meryton assembly by saying I was not ‘handsome enough to dance with’. Then he stared at me and frowned at me…”

She blew out a slow breath and her shoulders slumped. “I misread him, of course. I thought he looked on me only to find fault, when he was actually falling in love with me. I realized after he gave me the letter…”

“Letter?” Gardiner asked sharply.

Elizabeth winced and nodded. “Yes, the day after he proposed and I refused, he handed me a letter describing his dealings with both Wickham and Mr. Bingley. Regarding Wickham, you know the truth; he is a reprobate. Regarding Mr. Bingley, well, Mr. Darcy claimed that he did not think Jane cared for his friend and would only accept due to the entail on Longbourn. While I am exasperated that he thought he knew Jane’s heart, it is true that she is so serene that I can understand his mistake. ”

“It seems to me that Mr. Bingley is more at fault,” Mrs. Gardiner said shrewdly. “If he truly cared for Jane, he would not have left her behind without so much as a word of farewell.”

Elizabeth sighed. “He and Jane are much alike in that they both believe the best of others. He and Mr. Darcy are close friends, and the latter admitted that he has great influence over his younger friend. But please, we must return to the matter at hand. Why did you go to Mr. Darcy with what is a personal family matter, Uncle?”

Mr. Gardiner shrugged and said. “I hoped, though did not anticipate, that the man would be willing to provide insight into whether Wickham is truly a danger. He was, as I said, far more welcoming and helpful than I had any reason to expect given the disparity of our positions in society. Furthermore, he has absolutely insisted that he be permitted to help protect Lydia from the scoundrel. He claims that it is his responsibility by honor since he failed to warn the inhabitants of Meryton that they were welcoming a wolf into their midst.”

“How can he help?” his wife asked, glancing worriedly at Elizabeth, whose hands were clasped tightly in her lap.

“He knows Wickham’s proclivities and inclinations far more than we do, dear wife.

He also tells me that he has a connection in Brighton who can provide information about where best to stay.

It would be better to rent a house, if possible, and Darcy’s friend may be able to provide information about possible residences.

Mr. Darcy is on his way to Brighton even now to call on his friend and will send us an express as quickly as possible with suggestions. ”

“Surely we cannot impose on a friend of the Darcys in any way!” Elizabeth exclaimed, her face crimson with embarrassment.

“Elizabeth,” Mr. Gardiner said sympathetically, sitting down and wrapping an arm around his favorite niece, “I understand that you feel uncomfortable and even ashamed over what passed between you and Mr. Darcy, but this is a dire situation for you and your sisters. If the man is willing to assist us, then we must accept his help.”

Elizabeth moaned but nodded. “Very well, Uncle.”

/

Hartford Mansion

Marine Parade Street

Brighton

“Fitzwilliam Darcy!” Lady Amelia Hartford exclaimed, rising to her feet and bustling forward. “You are a sight for sore eyes! How long has it been? ”

Darcy stepped forward, bowed to Lady Amelia, and admitted, “I fear it has been at least four years, Madam, which is far too long.”

“Better today than next month or next year,” the woman said cheerfully, inspecting her visitor with interest. “Darcy, you look more like your father every time I see you. How are you and dear Georgiana?”

“We are well, Lady Amelia. And how are you and your family?”

“Oh, very well indeed. Do sit down, Darcy, and we will have tea. Marianna! Tea!”

A maid who had been working nearby bustled out of the room, and Darcy and Lady Amelia took their places on facing chairs.

Darcy sank down appreciatively; the chairs were extremely comfortable, which was not always a given in wealthy homes.

At Rosings, for example, the furniture was chosen for looks as opposed to comfort, and he often ached after a few hours of listening to his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, ramble on about everything under the sun.

“Yes, we are very well,” Lady Amelia continued happily. “Michael’s wife gave birth six months ago to their longed-for son and heir, and by the grace of God, Gabriel is mostly recovered.”

Darcy frowned. “Recovered? ”

“Oh, my dear, perhaps you did not hear? Poor Gabriel was hit by a bullet during the battle of Corunna and lost his left arm. Indeed, we all feared he would lose his life; thankfully, he survived.”

Darcy shook his head. “I am so sorry, Lady Amelia. If I had known I would have sent a letter of sympathy. I cannot imagine how I failed to learn of such a catastrophe.”

“Now do not fret,” the lady said kindly as Marianna came in with a tea tray. “You like tea with milk, if I remember correctly. No, I daresay you were terribly busy with Pemberley at the time. Your dear father passed on too soon, as did Lady Anne. I still miss her.”

Darcy swallowed. “As do I, Lady Amelia. She was a wonderful woman.”

“She was my closest friend the year that we came out into society,” the lady mused, her eyes faraway, “and I give her credit for my marriage. Your father, while a very wealthy gentleman, was not a member of the nobility and Anne could have reached higher, but she loved George Darcy and insisted that she be allowed to marry him.”

“I did not know that,” Darcy responded in astonishment.

“Oh yes, it was something of a scandal at the time,” Lady Amelia said with a chuckle.

“Of course, your father was very eligible, but Lady Anne’s father was extremely ambitious.

Your mother was usually a soft, gentle creature, but she refused to be swayed when your grandfather attempted to pressure her into a marriage with the eldest son of the Marquis of Rufford.

At any rate, she prevailed in the end and I, taking my cue from her, chose to marry my Aaron, and I never regretted it even if I lost him too soon. ”

“He was a fine man.”

“Indeed. But come, Darcy, I suspect you are not here merely to engage an old woman in her memories of the past. What brings you to Brighton?”

Darcy leaned forward a little. “I have a favor to ask, Lady Amelia. I have some friends who are coming to Brighton on a matter of great urgency, and they need a place to stay. I know you have many acquaintances in the city; do you have any suggestions?”

Lady Amelia took a long sip of tea and smiled at her visitor. “Perhaps, Darcy, perhaps. Please tell me about your friends.”

/

Elizabeth took in a deep breath of moist sea air and straightened to her full height, relishing the ability to stretch out after many hours in the carriage.

The trip from London to Brighton had been a hot one, and their hired carriage was not well sprung.

She felt both overly warm and excessively jolted, but her heart felt lighter.

At least she and her family were in Brighton now, and with the help of Mr. Darcy, perhaps Lydia could be kept safe.

Elizabeth gazed up at the house of Mr. Darcy’s acquaintance, a Lady Amelia Hartford, while Mr. Gardiner handed his wife out of their conveyance.

The mansion was large but not ornate, and built of red brick, which reminded her fondly of Longbourn.

Elizabeth thoroughly admired the flower beds which adorned the property and provided pleasing colors amidst the small, well-tended lawn.

The lady was no doubt wealthy and well-connected, and Elizabeth shrank from bothering her, but they had little choice.

Brighton was teeming with visitors eager to bathe in the ocean and there were many militia regiments in residence; it would impossible to find lodgings without guidance from someone knowledgeable.

“Shall we, Lizzy?” her uncle suggested, and Elizabeth followed her aunt and uncle along the paved path and up a half flight of stone steps to the front door, which opened as they approached.

The middle aged butler who stood within bowed and inquired, “Mr. Gardiner?”

“I am Mr. Gardiner, yes. ”

“Very good, sir. Please, will you and your party accompany me to the conservatory? Lady Amelia is waiting for you there.”

Elizabeth silently followed her aunt and uncle through wood paneled corridors.

In spite of her anxiety over Lydia and Mr. Darcy, she could not help but admire the décor of this house.

Unlike Rosings in Kent, where Lady Catherine and Miss Anne de Bourgh dwelled in opulent splendor, this mansion was a home, with elegant furnishings and a few well-placed, beautiful paintings.

Based on the style of this place, she thought she would like Lady Amelia.

“Her ladyship is waiting within,” the butler said, gesturing for the party to enter the conservatory.

Elizabeth stepped in and then stopped, her mouth falling open with wonder.

The greenhouse was of medium size and filled with a variety of plants, but it was not that which provoked her surprise and awe.

Flitting and floating in the currents of the air were at least a dozen butterflies of a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

“It is glorious!” she exclaimed without thinking, which provoked a chuckle from the woman who rose from a stool to welcome them.

She was some fifty years of age with blue eyes and dark hair streaked copiously with silver, and while not conventionally handsome, her smile was bright and her eyes welcoming.

Lady Amelia’s dress, a simple one made out of brown cambric, was rather soiled at the moment.

“I am glad you appreciate it,” the woman said, quickly wiping dirt from her hands with a wet cloth, and then stepped forward gracefully. “I am Lady Amelia Hartford, and you must be Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“We are,” Mr. Gardiner said with a slight bow. “Thank you very much for giving us a few minutes of your time, Lady Amelia.”

“Oh, I am delighted, I assure you,” Lady Amelia told her guests. “Miss Bennet, you are even more handsome than Darcy told me. It is no wonder that the poor man fell quite in love with you.”

Elizabeth turned entirely crimson as she tried in vain to respond, eliciting an apologetic grimace from her hostess.

“My dear Miss Bennet, I do apologize for embarrassing you. I confess that I think your refusal was very good for Darcy; he is a dear boy, but rather inclined to take himself too seriously, and he admitted that he did an excessively poor job of offering for you. But come, I can see this topic is a painful one. I am certain you are somewhat fatigued after your journey from London. My maid will show you to your rooms while I change into something more appropriate. ”

The Gardiners exchanged bewildered glances and Mrs. Gardiner asked softly, “Our rooms, Lady Amelia?”

“Oh, my apologies! One of my rarer butterflies, a Glanville Fritallary, just hatched from its chrysalis, and in the excitement I am more scatter-brained than usual. I hope you and your niece will accept my invitation to stay here. There is plenty of space.”

“We cannot impose on you in such a way,” Mr. Gardiner insisted, glancing worriedly at his niece.

“My dear Mr. Gardiner, it would be no imposition at all,” the lady asserted.

“My husband has been gone these four years, and my children are grown and living elsewhere. I find myself quite lonely. Besides, with numerous militia regiments in Brighton at the moment, it may be impossible to find lodgings on short notice.”

Her three visitors looked at one another uneasily and Elizabeth said cautiously, “Will Mr. Darcy...”

“Be staying here as well?” her hostess finished brightly. “Indeed, he will, though he is not here at present. He is the son of Lady Anne Darcy, who was one of my closest friends; I assure you Darcy will not importune you in any way, Miss Bennet.”

“Oh, I know he will not, but,” Elizabeth began, and then shut her mouth firmly. She was being ridiculous. Lydia needed to be saved from Mr. Wickham, and Elizabeth could certainly survive interacting with her erstwhile suitor.

“Thank you very much for your kindness, Lady Amelia,” Mrs. Gardiner said.