Page 83 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

I will watch for Monsieur Darcy. ‘E should return zoon. And, when ‘e does, I will rub against ‘is legs and purrrrrr so loudly even ‘e must know of my approval. I will be pleased, and I will even let Mademoiselle Georgiana pet me.

Basile’s ears pricked forward.

Wait, who is zat? He stood and stretched his forelegs up and rested them on the glass. Who is sneakin’? I know sneakin’, and ‘e is sneakin’. ‘E ‘as a red coat like ze dratted colonel. I don’t want another army man ‘ere. Who is ‘e?

“What is Basile so interested in?” the colonel asked behind him.

Basile heard him stand. Yes, yes. Come look at ze sneakin’ man. “Le meow. Le meow.”

“I do not think he cares for what he is seeing,” his Caroline said as she stood. “Can you see what he sees?”

The colonel bent over the window seat and peered outside. “Ah, I think I see a soldier. He must be here for me,” the colonel said, straightening.

Caroline leaned to look out the window, resting her hand on Basile’s back. “Then why does he not come up to the house?”

“He may not be sure where he is. I will go down,” the colonel said in a decisive manner.

Yes, yes, go down and tell zat sneakin’ man to be on ‘is way! I am ze only one who is permitted to sneak in zis ‘ouse.

Basile and Caroline waited together, watching the man until they could see the colonel. However, as soon as the colonel appeared, the man vanished. The colonel paused, and then continued to the spot where they had seen the soldier. He stopped there, looked down the lane, and to both sides of the lane. Shaking his head, he turned around and strode back to the house. Basile took his forepaws off the glass and sat at attention.

“I wonder what that was all about?” Caroline murmured, stroking his back. “It is rather strange.”

What a stupid, sneakin’ man that soldier is. ‘E should’ve been more careful zat no one could see ‘im from the ‘ouse. Basile sniffed his disgust.

Before long, he heard footsteps approaching the room. Caroline stopped stroking him. Basile looked over his shoulder and watched her move toward the table once more.

Mon Dieu! ‘E doesn’t deserve your attention. Come back and tickle me under my chin. Zat is a worthy occupation.

“He is gone?” Caroline asked when the colonel entered.

“So, it seems. He was quick-footed.” The colonel shrugged, though he frowned, and half-closed the door behind him. “I suppose he could have hidden behind the hedgerow, but why should he do so? There is nothing to be ashamed of in mistaking an address.”

“It is odd,” Caroline agreed. “Did you recognize him?”

The colonel shook his head. “He was too far away, and I only caught a glimpse of him. I could not even see his rank. I doubt we would have seen him at all if the weather was not too warm for a greatcoat, which would have covered his red coat with gray.”

“Shame.” She waved at the table, seemingly waving away the incident at the same time. “Do you care for another round?”

The colonel smiled at her. “Will you beat me?”

“I will make every effort,” she promised.

Basile blinked and turned back to his examination of the outside world. Where is Monsieur Darcy? You must come back before zere is no ‘ope for you.

*

After church on Sunday, and after their family meal, Mary walked into Meryton, a satchel of reading material on one arm. Jem, one of their aging grooms, walked with her. He did so every Sunday. This week, however, he walked with more purpose for he had a son in St. Michael’s recovering from a bout of influenza.

“I hope your Tom will be improved from when we saw him on Thursday,” Mary said.

“Aye,” Jem replied in his phlegmatic way.

“I am sure his wife will look forward to having him home again,” Mary remarked. “Raising six children without their father to help her must be a trial.”

“Joan’s a good woman,” Jem asserted. “She has help—her mother’s visitin’”

“Excellent.” Mary’s thoughts turned inward as she anticipated seeing Doctor Gregg again, and she refrained from attempting to make conversation.