Page 70 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Then do not let me keep you,” Lizzy said, smiling and nodding her dismissal. “I hope to see you again, Mr. Denny.”

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth,” the officer said, sketching a brief bow before her sisters dragged him away.

“We will have no harmony in our home this winter,” Mary prophesized.

“Do you wish for harmony?” Lizzy asked, proceeding with her toward the book dealer.

Mary considered for a moment. Finally, she said, “I do not wish for our time to be dull, but I also do not long for our household to be in alt for months and months.”

“Agreed,” Lizzy said. They wove their way around the crowds, speaking occasionally to acquaintances, until eventually they reached their destination.

“Good day, Mr. Halloway,” Mary said to the stall keeper.

“Miss Mary, Miss Elizabeth,” the large, robust man of their father’s age said, lifting his cap. “I ‘oped I would see y’today. Are y’lookin’ fer a book? Or a periodical?” He indicated a fanned-out display of different publications, held in place by a red brick. “I’ve the latest sportin’ magazine, as y’can see. And the Courier and Evenin’ Gazette, if y’wants political and foreign news.”

“May I have a copy of both?” Mary asked, holding out some coins.

“‘Course y’can.” He took the money, gave her change, and rolled the papers up and bound them in clean newsprint. Once Mary had her purchases, he focused on Lizzy. “Now, Miss Elizabeth, I’ve the newest release of the British Scientific and Geographical Standard. It has some lovely articles in it on exotic animals, like.”

Lizzy’s eyes widened. “Goodness, Mr. Halloway. I did not expect to get a copy today. Thank you, I will take one.”

“Right y’are, miss,” he said, taking her money and wrapping her purchase.

“Mr. Halloway,” Lizzy said, accepting the rolled periodical, “have you heard of anyone who is missing their guinea pig?”

He pinched his full lower lip for a moment, considering her question, and then shook his head. “Not I, miss.”

“Have you seen one before?” He nodded, and she continued. “If you hear of someone missing a guinea pig, will you send me word at Longbourn House?” Lizzy asked, and passed him a sixpence.

He swiftly pocketed the coin and tugged on his hat brim. “Happily, miss.”

“Thank you.” Lizzy beamed at him. “And, if you happen to be down at the pub, could you chat about it with some of your friends?”

“I could do that, right enough,” Mr. Halloway said, chuckling.

“You are too kind,” Lizzy murmured. “Perhaps we will see you again next Saturday.”

“I look forward to it, I do.”

“Good day,” Mary said, holding onto her roll of reading material as though someone might snatch it out of her grasp.

They turned and walked away. “You know, Mary, your patients might enjoy listening to articles about unusual animals. You are welcome to make use of my magazine.”

“Thank you. Heavens, is that another officer?” Mary asked, frowning and pointing with her chin. “They are multiplying.”

Lizzy spied a flash of red and laughed. “They tend to do that. If the soldiers get out of hand, we will request Colonel Fitzwilliam to order them to behave.”

Mary’s scowl lessened, and she even chuckled. “I like that idea.”

*

Several hours after noon, Darcy’s hands tightened on the gig reins and said, “Whoa, there. Stand.”

His horse drew to a stop in front of Longbourn House. After applying the brake and tying off the reins, he leapt from his seat and hurried around the carriage to help his sister down. Standing on the walkway in front of the house, she smoothed her skirts and checked that her hair remained tidy.

“Here,” he said, handing her the basket of gifts.

“Thank you. Will you wait to give Lizzy the gift for her cook, or will you give it to her now?”