A Trip to Brighton by Jennifer Lang

Author:Jennifer Lang [Lang, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Mr Darcy’s lodgings were far grander than those taken by the Gardiners. The house was large and more imposing, and the rooms were spacious, with high ceilings and tall windows that let in the sunlight.

The following day, Elizabeth’s party was shown up to the drawing-room on the first floor, which had a view of the sea. But Elizabeth’s attention was taken by the people in the room, rather than the beautiful view.

Mr Darcy was there, as was Mr Bingley. Miss Bingley and the Hursts were not there. Elizabeth was relieved. She knew that Miss Bingley was not her friend, indeed was her enemy, and she gave inward thanks for Miss Bingley’s absence.

She studied Mr Bingley. He was smiling when he came forward to greet her, but she thought he seemed less confident and outgoing than before. There was a shadow on his happiness and she wondered if it was caused by his absence from her sister.

Then Mr Darcy claimed her attention by saying, ‘May I present my sister?’

A young lady came forward, stepping out of the sunlight which had dazzled Elizabeth and prevented her seeing the young lady in any detail upon entering the room.

The young lady was tall and well made, with a well-formed figure and a graceful appearance. She was not as beautiful as might be expected from Mr Darcy’s sister, for he was exceptionally handsome, but her face showed good humour and good sense, and her manners were gentle. But what surprised Elizabeth most was that the young lady appeared to be embarrassed.

Elizabeth had expected Miss Darcy to be like her brother: proud, sure of herself and confident. She had been afraid that Miss Darcy would be an acute observer, like her brother, and intimidating with it. Instead, Miss Darcy was shy. Yes, Elizabeth was sure of it. The aloofness of her manner was not caused by pride but by diffidence. For all her fine clothes, and her fine, womanly figure, Miss Darcy was but sixteen years of age after all.

Elizabeth could not help comparing her to Lydia, who was greeting everyone noisily. Whilst both were tall for their age, there the similarities ended. Lydia was outgoing and talkative, whilst Miss Darcy replied to Elizabeth’s questions in a monosyllable. Lydia laughed and smiled, amused by everything, whilst Miss Darcy looked anxious. The poor young lady stumbled over her words when she greeted the Gardiners, and then looked anxiously at her brother, who smiled at her reassuringly.

Elizabeth liked him for it. His sister was obviously not yet used to receiving guests, and she found it a trial. His support was well given and Miss Darcy began to breathe a little more easily.

Miss Darcy invited her guests to sit down and then tea was brought in.

Both Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner set about making Miss Darcy feel at ease.

‘I hear you have just come down from Derbyshire,’ said Elizabeth to Miss Darcy. ‘How do you like Brighton?’

‘I like it very well,’ said Miss Darcy shyly.

‘It is very different to Derbyshire,’ said Mrs Gardiner.

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