Charlotte, who at seven and twenty was considered firmly on the shelf, did not miss the closeness between Mary Bennet and their cousin. ‘Pity,’ Charlotte told herself silently. ‘If I had met him before he formed an attachment to a Bennet sister, he may have been my way out of Meryton.’
“Mr. Wickham is to take a commission in the regiment,” Denny shared.
Wickham turned his attention to the youngest of the Bennet sisters, hoping she was naïve enough to give him what he wanted. She was prettier than the insipid Miss Maria.
“Miss Kitty, it would be nice to have a native show me the town,” Wickham stated.
Rather than gush all over him, the young lady moved away from him without saying a word. Mary felt an immediate distrust and said, “My sister is not yet out. If you have questions about Meryton or the area, I am sure your soon-to-be fellow officers will be able to answer them for you.”
Two ladies immune to his charms. This was definitely a first for Wickham. Before he could cogitate as to why, he spied two men riding towards them on very fine horses.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy and Bingley turned onto Meryton’s main street and began the slow ride down the thoroughfare to the other end of the town and the turn-off to Longbourn.
“I see Miss Bennet over there,” Bingley pointed, “in the group talking to the officer and those two other men.”
Following Bingley’s lead, Darcy directed Zeus towards the group. Bingley brought his mount to a halt just before he reached the Bennet and Lucas sisters. The two dismounted and Bingley flicked a lad a half-crown to look after the two stallions.
The two men approached the group, Bingley making directly for Miss Bennet. At that moment the taller of the two non-officers lifted his head. It took an instant for Darcy to identify his nemesis, that wastrel Wickham!
Elizabeth smiled as she saw how keen Mr. Bingley was to be in her older sister’s company. Something made her look up giving her a view of Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy as the two men saw one another.
The former went white from fear and the latter red with anger. Elizabeth had no way of understanding the dynamics between the men, but she was sure they knew one another.
Wickham did not know what to do. Of all of the bad luck he had ever had. What were the odds of encountering Darcy in this little nowhere town? He had to rely on the fact Darcy would not want to make a scene or do or say anything which would expose his precious sister’s reputation to scandal.
Although he tried to control his emotions, inside Darcy was as furious with Wickham as he had been on discovering the profligate libertine in Ramsgate with Giana. How dare Wickham stand next to and talk to Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Darcy schooled his features. He could not show any preference for her, not only was it impossible for him to act on it, but if Wickham detected an interest, he would aim all of his so-called charm and attention at her.
Seeing Darcy would not do or say anything, Wickham recovered and insouciantly touched his beaver, inclining his head in Darcy’s direction. Darcy turned on his heel and was back on his horse’s back in a single motion after he took the reins from the lad.
Bingley was busy confirming Miss Bennet’s wellbeing when Miss Elizabeth interjected. “Mr. Bingley, it seems Mr. Darcy had to return to your estate,” she informed the man.
“May I take this opportunity to solicit the first and supper sets from you at the ball Friday a week?” Bingley requested of his angel.
“They are yours, Sir,” Jane happily granted.
Bingley bowed and made his farewells and was soon riding after his friend.
“Did I hear the name Darcy? Is that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley?” Collins asked rather excitedly.
“The same,” Elizabeth responded.
“What good fortune! He is my patroness’s nephew and is engaged to the rose of Kent, Miss Anne de Bourgh, the heiress of Rosings Park and de Bourgh House,” Collins stated as he rocked on the balls of his feet in excitement.
“I am sure you will be able to be introduced to him soon enough,” Mary pointed out to her unofficial suitor.
Before Collins could respond, Jane spoke. “Charlotte, Maria, and gentlemen, please excuse us, we have errands to run.”
Before Wickham volunteered to accompany them, he remembered the one sister’s admonition of his person. He remained mute and Denny led him towards the encampment.
Having completed what they needed to in the town before encountering the two men, the two Lucases were about to take their leave and return to Lucas Lodge when Mrs. Philips hailed the group.
“Nieces, Miss Lucas, Miss Maria, how do you do today? Who is the gentleman? Is it the heir who will be the master of Longbourn one day when my brother Bennet goes to his final reward?” Hattie Philips burbled.
Jane made a quick introduction, highlighting the fact Mr. Collins was the heir presumptive, not the heir. It was a distinction neither their aunt nor the man in question could grasp so Jane did not mention it again.
“Finding you here saves me walking to Longbourn. I am holding a card party on the morrow, everyone in the Bennet and Lucas families are invited, you too of course Mr. Collins,” Hattie extended to all standing before her.
