“Thank you, and good evening to you.”
“Do you think we will be able to sit together at dinner?”
“If we are lucky, perhaps. Although I should warn you, Mr. Collins has been following me around. I have to keep moving.”
“I will do my best to protect you, my lady.” Darcy gave a small bow.
“I am very happy to hear it, sir.”
Supper tables had been arranged in several rooms to accommodate the number of guests Lady Lucas had invited. Darcy guided Elizabeth to a table and assisted her in being seated. Soon after, Bingley and Jane joined them.
“Miss Elizabeth, will you allow me to fix a plate for you?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you.”
Bingley offered to fix a plate for Jane and followed Darcy to the adjoining parlor, where a generous cold supper had been laid out.
Mr. Collins came over to the table. “There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you.” He took a seat next to Miss Elizabeth. “When we are married, you must learn to stay by my side.”
“Sir, you forget yourself. We are not married.”
Darcy returned with two plates. He set one down before Miss Elizabeth.
“I hope that I selected items you like.”
“It all looks very good, thank you.”
Darcy looked at Mr. Collins. “You are sitting in my seat.”
“But I must sit next to Miss Elizabeth.”
“We chose these seats. I would thank you to find another.”
Mr. Collins rose with an annoyed expression and moved to a nearby table.
Elizabeth sighed. “I am very sorry. I am at my wits’ end. He shadows my every move. It is very tiring. I can barely turn around without him being there.”
Darcy’s expression became very hard. “You should not be hounded like that. I will be very happy to explain it to him.”
Elizabeth placed her hand over Mr. Darcy’s. “No, I should not complain. He will not be here much longer, and then the problem will be resolved.”
Darcy’s expression softened at her touch. “Your patience astounds me.”
She smiled. “Come, let us enjoy our dinner, and then perhaps afterward we can steal Charlotte away for a few minutes.”
Darcy nodded. “Of course.”
***
Charlotte entered the back sitting room and noticed the tension in both Elizabeth's and Mr. Darcy's expressions.
"What has happened? You wished to speak with me in private.” Charlotte frowned as she listened to the account of the encounter with Mr. Wickham, the bruise on Elizabeth’s wrist, and the concern that he may be running up debts in Meryton.
Her gaze dropped briefly to Elizabeth’s wrist.
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. “Colonel Foster will want to know of this at once.” She paused for a moment. “I cannot believe he presumed to lay hands upon you. You may be sure I will tell Colonel Foster of this behavior. As for the debts, the merchants should be warned about giving credit too freely to any of the officers. He will not be welcome at Longbourn again.”
Elizabeth hugged her. “Thank you, Charlotte. I appreciate your help.”
