Page 5 of The Painting (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
She could not help but wonder if Darcy—who had admitted his misconception with regards to Jane—would attempt to remedy his error.
Would he say something to Mr Bingley? But what could be said?
And even if he did, would Mr Bingley be interested?
Was there any chance that he would return to Netherfield?
She did not dare entertain the hope on behalf of her sister, but since Jane’s happiness was her main concern, Elizabeth mused over the possibility of a renewed acquaintance.
When Lydia went away, she promised to write very often to her mother and Kitty but her letters were usually delayed and always very short.
Therefore, Kitty was happy to inform her sister that she would be in Brighton soon, although she had not been invited by Mrs Forster.
Lydia replied equally enthusiastically, assuring Kitty that she would take her to all the balls and parties with the officers.
Secretly, Lydia also mentioned that she was annoyed by the notion that their aunt Gardiner, as well as Elizabeth and Jane, would be there too, as she feared they would ruin all the fun.
But Kitty had no other choice than to hope for the best. Even with her eldest sisters and aunt threatening to curtail some of the upcoming amusements, it was much better than spending the summer amidst the boredom of Longbourn and Meryton.
Days passed and, as established, Mrs Gardiner arrived at Longbourn together with her children: Ellen—five years old; David—seven; Margaret—nine; and George—ten.
They remained only one night and Mrs Bennet required details about where they were to stay, how close the residence was to the sea and to the Prince Regent’s house and the shops, so that she could prepare a full report for her sister Phillips and her friends in Meryton.
“My dear sister, I admit that I am mostly interested in some sea bathing and relaxing. I know the cottage is only a short distance from the water. I have little interest in Brighton’s other amusements.”
“Mama, we will write to you as soon as we arrive there,” Jane said in her usual conciliatory way.
“You must do so! As far as I know, Brighton will be full of officers and other eligible gentlemen over the summer! It might be a fortunate occasion for you if you know how to take advantage of it!”
“How lovely,” Mr Bennet interrupted sarcastically. “What could be more rewarding for a man than to hear his wife advising his daughters to chase men all around Brighton?”
“I never made such a horrid suggestion, Mr Bennet! How can you blame me for being preoccupied with our girls’ future?
Just wait until you die, and then see how they will be thrown into poverty by Charlotte Lucas and that horrible cousin of yours!
You will regret your words then, but what use will it be to me? ”
“My dear Mrs Bennet, I see only two ways of avoiding such a tragic future: either I outlive you or, once I am dead, I will be unable to see anything of this distress you speak of. So, my dear sister, how is my brother Gardiner?” Mr Bennet concluded in his usual manner, much to his wife’s vexation.
The next day, Mrs Gardiner, her four children and her four nieces left Longbourn and, after a night in a comfortable inn along the way, they arrived in sunny Brighton the following day, with the expectation of nothing but a delightful month of relaxation.
Despite the carriage being very crowded and rather uncomfortable, the journey was filled with joyful conversation and happy anticipation for everyone.
Kitty was the most excited about the opportunity of joining her youngest sister Lydia and meeting all the officers again, the Gardiner children made plans for daily sea bathing, while Mary hoped she would have the chance to still practice the pianoforte and read every day.
“I have always loved the sea, even when I saw it for the first time. I was ten years old, I believe,” Jane said.
“I do not remember much of that first time, as I was only eight years old, but I have loved it every time I have seen it since then,” Elizabeth agreed. “This will be our fourth time at the seaside, but we have never stayed above a fortnight on previous occasions.”
“Lizzy, will you bathe with us? Do you know how to swim? Mama, is the water cold?” The children continued in the same manner, questioning everything, without waiting for answers.
As excited as she was, it did not completely dispel Elizabeth’s distress.
Her thoughts wandered down dangerous paths, from Wickham—who she might meet in Brighton—to Darcy, who she would likely never encounter again.
Jane’s spirits were not much higher either.
Despite appearing composed and trying to entertain their cousins, Elizabeth did not fail to recognise the traces of sadness in her sister’s eyes.
She had not forgotten Mr Bingley yet and she still needed time to heal her broken heart.
They reached the crowded and animated seaside town early in the afternoon. The streets were a bustle of people, carriages and horses; Kitty’s face was pressed up against the window, trying to spot a familiar face in the sea of red uniforms, but she met with no success.
Their final destination was somewhat removed from the town centre and they reached it another half an hour later.
It was a handsome cottage, surrounded by a neat, colourful garden and a white fence.
The front of the cottage opened onto the main road.
The moment they stepped down they could smell the sea and hear the sound of the waves behind the house.
Furthermore, through the lush greenery surrounding the cottage, they caught a glimpse of the shore.
Their hosts—Mrs Crawford, her husband and her widowed daughter, Mrs Ridge—welcomed them enthusiastically.
Mr Talbot—Mr Gardiner’s business partner—and his wife had warmly recommended Mrs Crawford’s cottage, where they usually spent a month every summer.
Less than half an hour was enough for Mrs Gardiner and her nieces to approve of and praise their hosts.
Mrs Crawford was in her early fifties, her husband several years older and her daughter Eleanor had barely turned thirty. She had returned to live with her parents after she lost her husband—a naval officer—in the war.
The family had been renting out rooms for a long time and they were proud of the fact that they had met the Prince Regent himself on one occasion.
In addition to the three rooms rented by their own party, there were another two rooms, which had been taken by two married couples of Mrs Gardiner’s age.
The largest of the three chambers was taken by Mrs Gardiner and her children, the second by Jane and Elizabeth and the third by Kitty and Mary. Each room was beautifully decorated, comfortable and—most importantly—offered stunning views over the sea.
While her sisters and cousins unpacked, chatting loudly and joyfully, Elizabeth leaned out of the window, allowing the soft breeze to caress her face as she took in the view. She felt equally excited and anxious, with a sense of restlessness she could not explain to herself.
In the distance, she could see many people and several bathing machines, making the beach seem very animated.
The sound of voices was even louder than the waves, but another sound also reached their ears.
From one of the houses in the neighbourhood, the notes of a pianoforte flew through the air.
The tune was masterfully executed and even the children were silent for a few moments.
Elizabeth tried to identify where the music was coming from, but there were too many trees, dressed in the thick green leaves of summer, that blocked her view of the neighbouring properties.
A sudden recollection of her performance—executed very poorly—in the parlour at Rosings, and Darcy coming to listen to her, disturbed her peace of mind.
At that time she had been certain that he was a hateful man and that he disliked her as much as she disliked him.
How could she have even imagined that what was in his heart and his mind was so different from his appearance?
That his stares did not signify disapproval, but ardent love?
That he had been struggling with his feelings for her for months and that he would propose to her only days later?
Had she been such a complete, oblivious fool, or was he a master of disguise, despite claiming the opposite?
All her distrust regarding his dealings with Mr Wickham had long vanished. But his character, his nature, his judgment that had led him to separate Bingley from Jane but still allowed him to propose to her, remained questionable, doubtful, inconceivable to her.
Elizabeth shook her head in silent self-reproach.
Why on Earth she was allowing such memories to trouble her, she could not understand.
She was about to spend a pleasant and unexpected summer month in one of the most beautiful places she had ever dreamed of, utterly and completely unrelated to Darcy.
Yet not even there could she avoid thinking of him, of that dreadful day at the parsonage and of everything that had happened between them since they met.
Luckily, Kitty called for her help and Elizabeth returned to the present, shaking off the memories of the past.