“Miss Bennet!” Someone hailed them from across the street, and the group turned to see Mr. Denny approaching from the direction of the bakery. A man in a blue coat followed closely behind.
Elizabeth had never seen a more well-favored man in her life. His dark brown hair curled slightly at his ears and the nape of his neck. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief and, though his smile was charming, it bore a touch of arrogance.
“Mr. Denny,” Jane said, curtseying. “How do you do today?”
“I am very well, thank you. I promised my friend that I would introduce him to the neighborhood. Jane nodded, allowing Mr. Denny to proceed with the introduction.
“May I present Mr. George Wickham? I hope to convince him to take a commission with the regiment.”
Mr. Wickham bowed and nodded to each of the sisters as Mr. Denny named them.
“This is our cousin, Mr. Collins,” Jane added when the introductions concluded. “Our two youngest sisters are just there,” she said, gesturing toward the milliner's shop.
The sound of approaching horses drew their attention. Elizabeth felt a thrill as she recognized Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley riding closer. Darcy’s gaze met hers briefly before scanning the rest of the group—and she noted the moment he saw the newcomer.
His expression darkened at once before smoothing into a mask of polite indifference. He drew up his horse and dismounted.
“Wickham,” he said evenly. “Imagine seeing you here, of all places. It has been some months, has it not? My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, asked me to send his regards when we next met.”
Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Wickham and saw his expression shift rapidly from amiability to fear. “Yes, well, the colonel is all solicitousness.”
She could swear he had paled by at least two shades at the mention of the colonel.
“What brings you to Meryton? Just passing through?” Darcy’s words held a subtle bite, as though the question was not truly a question at all. Elizabeth could see he did not like this Wickham fellow, and suspected that he wished to make him uncomfortable—perhaps even encourage him to leave.He is to join the militia. Will he abandon that plan at Mr. Darcy’s urging?
“Yes, just passing through. I shall depart after I have taken a meal.” Wickham swallowed. “Pray, excuse me—I shall just go to the inn now and secure a place on the post coach.”
Mr. Denny frowned, clearly confused, and watched as his friend strode offwithout another word. “He was to join the militia,” he muttered, sounding rather dazed. “Colonel Forster promised a fee for every man we brought in.”
“You would do well to sever all acquaintance with that man,” Darcy said, though Mr. Denny had not addressed him. “I have known Mr. Wickham since his infancy, and though he can make friends easily, he rarely manages to keep them.”
Mr. Denny hesitated, then nodded. “I believe I shall return to camp,” he said at last. With a bow, he turned and departed.
“Miss Bennet has invited us to Longbourn for tea, Darcy. What say you?” Mr. Bingley grinned. Jane’s arm was looped through his, and he patted her hand affectionately.
“That sounds like a marvelous idea. Perhaps we might escort the ladies…” He trailed off, only then seeming to notice Mr. Collins standing nearby.
“Oh, allow me to introduce our cousin to you!” Elizabeth cried. “This is Mr. Collins. He arrived yesterday and will stay with us for a fortnight.”
“It is a pleasure,” Mr. Bingley said warmly.
Mr. Collins nodded and turned to Mr. Darcy. “Pardon my impertinence, sir, but are you perhaps the Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire?”
Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy’s jaw tightened as he gave a stiff nod.
“What a strange coincidence!” Mr. Collins looked both delighted and somewhat nervous. “I hold the Hunsford living, sir—since last summer.”
“Ah.” Darcy’s manner changed to one of ease. “How do you find Kent, sir?”
“It is truly a lovely county, and I find the area around my parish particularly beautiful.”
“May I offer you some well-intentioned advice?” Darcy’s lips quirked up in a half-smile. “I am aware that, in doing so, I may seem somewhat interfering.”
Elizabeth’s cousin swallowed and nodded cautiously.
Darcy continued. “Do not allow my aunt to bully you. She is far too officious for her own good. Remember that she cannot reclaim the living now that it has been bestowed. Act only inyourown best interest.”
Mr. Collins visibly relaxed. Elizabeth wondered if he had feared the nephew might prove very like the aunt and thus did not entirely know how to conduct himself. “I thank you very much, Mr. Darcy. I intend to do just that.”
