Page 14 of The Painting (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Elizabeth was sitting in a corner, on a small sofa with Mary, glancing from her sister and Bingley to Darcy’s part of the room. From time to time, she caught his glances towards her and his desperate expression, as he was overwhelmed with praise.

Mrs Crawford reminded Elizabeth of her own mother, except that one of them seemed to adore Darcy and the other loathed him. And Darcy seemed as uncomfortable in Brighton as he was in Meryton.

Elizabeth had very few chances to speak to Darcy during the visit and she felt rather grateful for that, as she was not composed enough for a reasonable conversation.

She watched him as he handled the storm of enquiries, observing the slight change on his face every time his mother was mentioned.

As the visit progressed, Elizabeth realised she was wrong. His behaviour was different from what it had been in Hertfordshire. He was more uncomfortable than arrogant, more restrained than conceited.

And he was looking at her not with his usual stare—that she had misjudged as disapproval and disdain—but with repeated stolen glances, as though he was trying to guess her sentiments in regard to his presence.

“And how long will you stay in Brighton, Mr Darcy?” Mrs Crawford enquired.

“I am uncertain of my plans yet. It depends on how long it will take to complete the business that I have here.”

“But I hope we will have the pleasure of seeing you again? Soon?”

“Of course; the pleasure will be mine, I assure you.”

“And you, sir?” Mrs Crawford finally turned towards Bingley, who was engrossed in a private conversation with Jane.

“Me? I have no fixed plans either. I came here with Darcy and will stay with him. And then we will go to Pemberley—he invited us,” Bingley mumbled.

“I understand Pemberley is a beautiful estate,” Mrs Crawford said.

“I believe so, but I am obviously partial,” Darcy answered.

“The most beautiful I have seen,” Bingley agreed.

“I can testify to that,” Mrs Gardiner interjected. “We plan to travel to Derbyshire next month and I hope to visit Lambton too and perhaps see Pemberley again after so many years.”

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, and her eyes met his. But Bingley was the first to speak excitedly.

“Oh, will you come to Pemberley? I mean, all of you?” He seemed overjoyed and the others smiled while Jane blushed.

“My husband and I planned the journey together with Elizabeth,” Mrs Gardiner explained. “We intended to leave at the beginning of July, but my husband’s business affairs did not allow him to depart at that time, so we came to Brighton for a month instead.”

“How very fortunate!” Bingley exclaimed, then immediately minded his words.

“That you could come to Brighton, I mean. I had not planned to come here either. Darcy invited me unexpectedly. And then I saw Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty in the town, but I did not imagine you were here too…and so close to our own residence.”

“So many happy coincidences,” Mrs Crawford concluded.

“It happened to me too, many years ago. I was in London with Beatrice Fitzroy—God bless her soul—and we had not seen Lady Anne in more than three years. It was the time when she had just given birth to her daughter—your sister, Mr Darcy—and we were on Oxford Street and when we entered a dress shop we suddenly happened upon her! Can you imagine! Of all the people in London, to meet Anne there, unexpectedly, at that precise moment? Who could imagine something like that?”

“Indeed, who?” her husband supported her.

Elizabeth noticed Darcy’s expression changing. He seemed tempted to speak but apparently changed his mind.

“Coincidences happen all the time. Some of them are fortunate, some not so much. Fate often plays games with people’s lives,” Darcy eventually concluded, with a seriousness in his voice that contradicted his playful words. His discomfort seemed to have increased, but only Elizabeth noticed it.

The others continued the conversation, with more praise about Lady Anne, the Darcys and Pemberley and several questions about Georgiana, until the visit eventually came to an end.

“We are grateful that you called and we hope to see you again soon, gentlemen,” Mrs Gardiner spoke on behalf of her nieces.

“Well, I am here all the time. I mean, I have no plans. So I am at your service anytime, if I may be of some use. Perhaps I could keep you company for a walk? Or something else?” Bingley uttered, with the same agitation that caused Jane’s cheeks to flush.

“We have no plans either, except for sea bathing with my children. Mrs Crawford has rented a bathing machine. And yes, as far as I know, my nieces are very fond of walking,” Mrs Gardiner responded.

“Sea bathing? I love sea bathing, too! I am very fond of swimming,” Bingley declared. “I believe we can hire a bathing machine too. Can we not, Darcy? I know you like to swim too!”

“Of course we can,” Darcy replied with more suitable composure. “But we do not want to intrude on others’ activities.”

“No, of course not, not at all,” Bingley added, realising the concealed reproof.

“Please know that your company is always welcome, gentlemen,” Mrs Gardiner assured them. “And Mr Darcy, your rescue of the kitten has made you the children’s favourite. You made a long-lasting impression on all six of them.”

Darcy smiled, recollecting the incident and then Elizabeth’s sudden appearance. Elizabeth blushed, remembering Darcy embracing Mrs Norwood. Neither dared look at the other.

“I tried to do my best, ma’am,” he answered with a feigned seriousness that caused general amusement.

With that, the visitors left, but they remained the main subject of conversation for several more hours.