At least, he had no physical work to do; his job was to supervise the soldiers who were erecting the tents that their fellows would be using as their quarters while in the area. To make sure everything was as it should be, the soldiers began early in the morning and worked until sunset, with only a few rest breaks during the day. This meant that by the time he and his fellow officers returned to the inn, most of the locals had gone home. As a result, Wickham reconciled himself to having to wait until the next week to discover some meaningful information.
For all the good his being here before the rest of the regiment was doing him, Wickham realised he should have waited and arrived with the rest of the officers and soldiers. At least, he had cajoled Collins into advancing him a further twenty pounds. Hence, he was flush.
On this particular evening, he and the other five officers in the advance party were walking back to the inn a little earlier than previous evenings. A carriage passed them, but it was an older, nondescript one, so it drew none of Wickham’s attention.
“Those must be some of the officers who are part of the advance group making their encampment ready,” Louisa noted as they passed the six officers.
“I dare say you are correct, my love,” Bennet agreed.
Soon the coachman had his team take the turn to the west at the other end of Main Street, carrying the Bennets towards those awaiting them for dinner. From there, it was less than two miles to Netherfield Park.
Chapter 32
Just as her husband had predicted, not one person who attended the dinner stared at Louisa when she had been introduced to those she did not know.
“Lulu makes Papa so very happy,” Elizabeth remarked to Jane after the introductions. “He was content before, but nothing like he is now. Being in love suits our father very well.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Jane responded. “Even had we not all liked Lulu as well as we do, seeing how much Papa loves her and her returning his love, would have made it certain we would have. After so many years without a wife, if anyone deserves the felicity he is enjoying, it is our father.”
Before they could discuss the subject any further, Jane and Elizabeth were joined by their respective suitors.
“Why did you not warn your uncle and Andrew about Lydia and her ability in chess?” Elizabeth asked with a smile after William had taken a seat.
“Richard was with them in Town andforgotto mention anything about Lydia’s prowess at the game because he thought it would be amusing to see their reactions when they played her. When they arrived, I had not spoken to Richard about whether he had told them. At that time, my mind was far more agreeably engaged. I was meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a beautiful woman can bestow.” Darcy looked into Elizabeth’s emerald-green eyes, leaving no doubt about whom he had beenspeaking.
Elizabeth blushed no matter how much she tried to stop herself. Her breathing became shallow, and she felt hot all over. Since his intemperate words at the assembly, William had made references to his finding her attractive, but nothing so pointed as he had just done. She felt so hot that she was tempted to go outside and walk in the cold so she could cool down.
Darcy was well pleased he had affected her in that way. Since she possessed a rapier wit and did not forget anything, he was sure that she would exact her revenge when he least expected it. Then again, it was always a pleasure to be teased by the woman he loved.
Across the room, Matlock and Bennet were speaking while their wives, Aunt Hildebrand, and Anne were enjoying their own discussion.
“I understand you have experienced Lydia’s chess-playing abilities,” Bennet stated with a grin. “Do not feel too bad. Had you won, you would have been the first since the early days when she began to play,” Bennet stated with paternal pride in his youngest daughter.
“Aye, both Andrew and I were humbled. Although my son fared a little better against Lizzy but still lost. Is it little wonder seeing that some of your records still stand at Cambridge? I would wager that there will not be another who will be unbeaten for three consecutive years like you were.” Matlock looked around the room, and his eyes stopped on his younger son and nephew. “It seems to me only a matter of time until we become related by marriage.”
“Fitzwilliam, Darcy, and Bingley are the only men who deserve my daughters. I could never part with them to men less worthy. It will be hard when they leave home, to be left with only two daughters with us, but with such a wife…” Bennet cocked his head to where his wife was sitting and speaking, “…I will never be alone. And who knows? In His infinite wisdom, He may grant us more children.”
“Before that dunderhead tried to disrupt your wedding…” Matlock related how they had tried to divert Collins, his sister’s dealings with the man, and how they had returned his money. “I do not understand why he is so insistent that he is your heir, or your estate is his birthright. He will listen to no one on the subject.”
“How he reacts today is his responsibility, but I believe that the myth that they were cheated out of Longbourn has become Collins family lore, and the belief is an integral part of who my distant cousin is,” Bennet opined.
“What would make them believe that drivel?” Matlock enquired.
“I am not sure how it began, but I suspect the tale was instigated by my great-great uncle, William Bennet who became William Collins…” Bennet related a shortened version of the history between the Bennets and Collinses.
“And he refused to look at any proof?” Matlock queried.
Bennet allowed it was so.
“Then, your calling him a halfwit may be too generous. I am almost sorry Anne returned the money my sister purloined from him. I can only hope he is not so lost to good sense to attempt something to harm you,” Matlock stated.
“You have seen some of mysmallfootmen-guards. They will not allow anyone to harm any of us. They are not all here; some remain at Longbourn with us,” Bennet revealed. “I still cannot believe the temerity of that man. To think that I would ever allow him to get anywhere near one of my daughters. Perhaps, he belongs in Bedlam next to Miss Caroline Bingley and your sister.”
“It would serve him right, but if he breaks the law, he will face a trial and pay the price the judge sentences him to,” Matlock stated. “I know not if you are aware that I invest with Gardiner, as do both of my sons,” he saidin order to change the subject to one more pleasant.
“Even though I invest myself, Gardiner is not loose-lipped regarding his investors, even to others who have money in his company. I am aware he has many noble clients, but I know not who they are,” Bennet responded.
“Discretion is a valued trait,” Matlock added.
