Lydia, though disappointed, still attempted one last effort.
“Mr. Wickham,” she said brightly, “you ought to walk with us as to the edge of Meryton.”
Elizabeth spoke before he could answer. “I believe the officers are already engaged elsewhere.”
Wickham looked at her. For a moment, something far less agreeable than charm appeared in his countenance. “You are very careful of your sister’s conduct today, Miss Elizabeth,” he said quietly.
“I am careful of my family,” she replied.
His smile returned, but it was strained. “You would be readily protected, I assure you.”
Elizabeth met his gaze without hesitation.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I am sure you have better things to do.”
There was a brief silence.
Wickham’s composure faltered. “Take care, Miss Elizabeth,” he said in a lower voice. “You would do well not to involve yourself further.”
Before Elizabeth could reply, Mr. Denny stepped forward with forced good humour.
“Come, Wickham,” he said lightly. “We are keeping the ladies standing in the street.”
Wickham seemed to recollect himself. “Quite right,” he said.
He bowed. “Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth. Miss Lydia. Miss Kitty.”
The officers soon continued on their way.
Lydia watched them go with visible disappointment. “Well,” she said at last, “I am sure that was very odd.”
Elizabeth said nothing. But the expression she had just seen on Wickham’s face remained fixed in her mind.
It had not been merely displeasure. It had been anger. And something else besides.
***
When the party returned to Longbourn, they had scarcely entered the drawing room before Mrs. Bennet exclaimed with visible agitation,
“At last! Jane, my dear, where have you all been? A letter has arrived for you, and I have been in the greatest suspense ever since.”
Jane looked surprised. “For me, Mama?”
“Yes, yes – from Netherfield, I am quite certain.”
Jane accepted the letter, though with some hesitation. The direction was indeed written in Miss Bingley’s hand.
Mrs. Bennet could hardly remain seated. “Well? Why do you not read it?”
Jane broke the seal and began to read. At first her expression was composed, but as her eyes moved down the page her colour faded slightly.
Elizabeth, who watched her closely, noticed it at once. “What is it, Jane?”
Jane folded the letter slowly before answering. “It is from Miss Bingley.”
Mrs. Bennet leaned forward eagerly. “Well! What does she say? Is she inviting you?”
Jane hesitated a moment before replying. “They are leaving Netherfield. All of them.”
