“Wickham.Where are you going?”Saunderson stepped out of the shadows and into Wickham’s path.
“Oh, nowhere special,” said Wickham as he backed away.“Just off for a spell.I shall return in a few days.”
“Is that right?Does Colonel Forster know you are leaving the regiment?”
“Leaving the regiment!”Wickham laughed uneasily.He took another step back, darting his eyes to the side to see where he could successfully run to.“I would hardly call it leaving.More like taking a short break.I will be back before you notice I am gone.There is nothing to be concerned with.”
“Oh, there isn’t?”
A deep voice behind Wickham made him look over his shoulder.
“Denny!”he cried in relief.“I am glad to see you.Tell Saunderson I am only going away for a few days and that all will be well.There is nothing to be worried over.”
Denny glared at him.“Your room is cleaned out.Looks like you plan to be gone longer than a few days.”
Wickham scrambled for something to say.“I, well, that is, I had thought to return some things to my uncle in Town.I will bring back what is needed.”
“You told me you had no family,” said Denny darkly.
Saunderson spit in the dirt, leaning leisurely against a building in the moonlight.“Seems you are having a bit of trouble keeping your stories straight, Wickham.I stopped by the tavern.Publican says you haven’t paid him a farthing.”He spit again, the relaxed posture as he leaned against the brick only making Wickham more nervous.
He looked over his shoulder, only to see three more officers, two of them on horseback, waiting to take him back to camp.
“You know desertion is a crime, do you not?”said one of the men on a horse.
“You’d be surprised at what he does not know,” said Denny with dark amusement.
“Now, wait just a moment!I am not deserting.Going to Town for a few days is hardly deserting your post!”
“Colonel Forster does not agree.”
Wickham’s eyes bulged as he turned to face Saunderson, who was now only a few feet behind him.
“Come along, Wickham.Don’t make this worse than it needs to be.”Denny took his arm firmly and propelled him through the dark streets of Meryton.
Wickham was in a blind panic, wondering how he would escape this mess.They were in a war.Desertion in a time of war was punishable by death!
He looked around desperately, searching for a way to escape or a savior to rescue him.The shops were dark, their doors bolted shut, and most of the rooms above were darkened as well.He saw a curtain flicker in one of the lit windows and a face pull back from the glass.
Any hope he had had that he would somehow escape this unscathed vanished like smoke.Mrs.Phillips would make sure the entire town knew of his humiliation by dinner tomorrow.
Fridays Are for Gardens
Bingley’sideaofgoingto Kew Gardens was agreeable to all, and soon they arranged a large party.Mr.Darcy’s landau would convey Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, Lady Clara, and Mrs.Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion.Bingley would drive his curricle with Jane, and Mr.Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would ride alongside.
Elizabeth was delighted with the opportunity to get to know Georgiana and Lady Clara better.Darcy had originally asked if she would like to ride along in the curricle with him, and while she found it delightful, she thought it important that she come to know his sister, so she declined.He was disappointed but heartened by her reason.
They were not ten minutes away from Gracechurch Street before Elizabeth knew she would have an uphill climb in befriending Georgiana.The poor girl was so shy she could barely utter a word.She sat next to Lady Clara, nodding along to whatever that lady said, and looking about at the scenery.Elizabeth asked her about the countryside, whether she had been to Kew Gardens before, and whether she preferred town or country.To each of her inquiries she received the shortest answer possible and eventually, she decided to speak with Lady Clara instead.She was just as in need of a friend, but far more ready to converse.Perhaps Georgiana was like her brother and preferred to observe.Mayhap she would speak once she felt she knew Elizabeth better.
They reached the gardens without incident and before they could walk five steps, Lady Clara had taken Elizabeth’s arm and pulled her ahead of the others.
“Lady Clara, what is it?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I must ask for your assistance in a personal matter.”
“Of course, I will help however I can.What do you require?”
“Would you help me walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam?I know you have seen that I enjoy his company.If I orchestrate something—”
