“Indeed?”
“Yes, sir. The officers now in Meryton – very fine demand for boots among them. I have near a dozen orders already.”
Darcy’s tone stayed steady. “Among them, a Mr. Wickham?”
“Yes, sir – Mr. Wickham is among my customers.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “I hope you have found them punctual in their dealings.”
The shoemaker hesitated – though only briefly. “Well, sir… one cannot always be certain in such matters.”
Darcy regarded him calmly. “I would advise you,” he said, “not to extend credit too freely.”
The man looked up, a little surprised. “You think it necessary, sir?”
“I think it prudent.”
A pause followed.
“There are some among them,” Darcy continued, “who are not accustomed to settle their accounts with the regularity one might wish.”
The shoemaker’s expression altered.
Darcy rose as the measurement was completed. “You would do well,” he added, “to require payment upon delivery – or before it.”
The man nodded, now entirely attentive. “Yes, sir. I believe I shall.”
“And,” Darcy said, with quiet deliberation, “it may be a kindness to your neighbours to suggest the same.”
“A kindness, sir?”
“To prevent inconvenience.”
The shoemaker considered this, then bowed slightly. “I understand you, sir.”
Darcy gave the necessary directions for the making of the boots and paid a portion of the price in advance, before taking his leave without further explanation.
***
When Darcy entered the milliner’s shop, he was not at once observed. The room was small, yet crowded with colour –ribbons, feathers, and trimmings arranged with an art that invited both admiration and indecision. The ladies of Longbourn were gathered near the counter. Lydia stood foremost.
“Oh, Lizzy, do not be so disagreeable,” she was saying. “It is only a ribbon – and a very pretty one. You cannot mean to deny me for such a trifle.”
Elizabeth, with her purse in hand, had already turned slightly aside.
“I do not deny you, Lydia. I only remind you that you have already spent what you had.”
“That is nothing to the purpose.”
“It is entirely to the purpose.”
Lydia leaned closer. “Only a little more, then. I shall repay you.”
Elizabeth opened her purse, counted her coins with quiet care, and then shook her head.
“I have not enough to spare.”
Lydia pouted. “You are excessively mean.”
