Chapter 10
Sir William and Lady Lucas were thrilled to welcome such special guests.
The entire town had heard of Mr Collins — the future heir of Longbourn — and people were curious to meet him.
Also, a new handsome officer was always a thrilling prospect for the neighbours.
So, a visit bringing together both men was a matter of exceeding satisfaction to Sir William.
Mr Wickham responded to the enthusiastic reception with impeccable manners, but Mr Collins seemed to consider it all a compliment to himself, and such particular attention from a titled gentleman evidently pleased him exceedingly.
“Mr Wickham, I understand you joined the regiment recently. Did you have a previous career in the army or militia?” Lady Lucas enquired.
“No, ma’am. To be perfectly honest, joining the regiment was due to serendipity. I met my old friend Denny in London, and he convinced me how rewarding such a career could be. I must say, I am already pleased with my decision.”
With that, he looked around as if he had just complimented the people surrounding him. Everybody replied with approving glances and smiles until Mr Collins interjected.
“If we are to be completely honest, a few days is hardly long enough for one to realise whether a certain career is suitable. From an early age, I knew that the church would be my choice, and I studied and worked hard to be prepared for it.”
For the first time since she had met him, Elizabeth agreed with her cousin and was ready to voice her opinion.
Indeed, Mr Wickham’s statement seemed shallow and did not paint a good picture of the officer.
To join the regiment simply because he met someone by chance meant that until that moment, he had nothing else to do.
And — just as Mr Collins had stated — a few days did not make a career.
However, Mr Collins continued on the subject with growing enthusiasm, and Elizabeth’s approval quickly dissipated. She had to try hard to suppress a sigh and a roll of her eyes.
“My noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who generously granted me her trust and bestowed upon me a living in the beautiful parish of Hunsford, always insists on the importance of thorough study and consistent effort for a man to be successful in his career.”
“Unless the man is born a gentleman with connections and wealth, which ensures his immediate success without study or effort,” Lieutenant Denny replied, causing some laughter.
Slightly uncomfortable, Elizabeth could not refrain from saying, “I dare say wealth and connections alone are not enough to define a man as a true gentleman.”
“My dear Miss Eliza, forgive me for arguing with your statement, but wealth and connections are often enough for anything, at least in the eyes of society,” Sir William answered.
“I apologise for disputing you, Miss Elizabeth, but I must agree with Sir William. I could testify with my experience over the last five years,” Mr Wickham said.
“What experience?” Lydia asked, moving closer and grabbing his arm.
“Something that is not appropriate to be related to young ladies that I have only just met,” he said with a smile. “It would not be gentlemanlike behaviour on my part.”
“I am sure a handsome officer would always act in a gentlemanlike manner,” Lydia declared boldly, and Kitty approved enthusiastically, while Elizabeth and Jane blushed in mortification.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh has often stated that manners define a gentleman’s character more accurately than a handsome figure,” Mr Collins declared.
“Yes, perhaps, but a handsome figure and happy manners make a perfect gentleman,” Lydia declared.
“And speaking of perfect gentlemen, I hope you and the other officers are excellent dancers. Mr Bingley has promised to give a ball next month. He is our neighbour, you know. He is the tenant at Netherfield Park.”
“Lydia, we should change the subject of conversation,” Jane interjected. “It is not polite to speak of Mr Bingley’s intentions in his absence. Even though he mentioned a ball, we cannot be certain of his plans until they are settled.”
“Oh, I am sure Mr Bingley will keep his word. And I hope he will invite all the officers, so we can dance all night.”
“Lydia, that is enough. I believe it is time to return home,” Elizabeth added severely, embarrassed by her younger sister’s unguarded behaviour. While the Lucases were well acquainted with Lydia and Kitty’s manners, they must have made a poor impression on the officers.
“Go home? But we have only just arrived!” Lydia argued.
“My dear Miss Elizabeth, surely you cannot leave us so soon,” Sir William said. “You must stay at least for a cup of tea and a stronger drink for us men.”
As Charlotte and Lady Lucas added their voices to the plea, Elizabeth felt defeated and sat down next to Jane.
Tea was served, and Sir William offered the gentlemen some brandy — an occasion for Mr Collins to quote more from Lady Catherine’s wisdom on drinking habits.
Charlotte Lucas strolled from one guest to another, making sure they were all comfortable.
Lydia, Kitty, Maria, and Lady Lucas were all engaged with the officers; Sir William and Mr Collins seemed to have found a subject of mutual interest to share with the brandy.
Elizabeth heard their cousin mentioning Lady Catherine several more times and paying compliments to the hosts and their house, which sounded more like insults.
On the other sofa, Lydia continued to speak to the officers with embarrassing openness, and Kitty and Maria Lucas seemed to copy her forwardness.
Mr Wickham continued to display the same amiability throughout the visit, encouraging the conversation; his manners were as pleasant as his smile and his figure.
The more Elizabeth looked at him, the more he seemed familiar to her.
His face was unknown to her, but some of his features, small gestures, a twist of his lips, and other little things stirred her anxiety.
It was no use asking him whether they had met before, since he treated her as a stranger to whom he had just been introduced.
After a few minutes of reflection, she concluded that very likely she was confusing him with someone else. She focused her attention instead on Mr Collins and Sir William, who appeared to be sharing an engaging discussion, but even against her will, her eyes kept returning to Mr Wickham.
“My dear Miss Eliza, why are you so quiet today?” Sir William suddenly addressed her.
“You are one of the liveliest and most spirited young ladies of my acquaintance, and your involvement in conversation is always delightful. I have barely heard you speak since you arrived. I hope you are not unwell?”
“You are too kind and too generous with your praise, Sir William. I am perfectly well, I assure you. I just felt the conversation was already engaging and animated enough, and my involvement was not needed.”
“Indeed, my dear cousin, I have enjoyed my conversation with Sir William exceedingly,” Mr Collins said. “Did you know that he was introduced at St James’s? What a privilege!”
“Yes, I did know,” Elizabeth answered, hardly concealing another roll of her eyes.
“We still have more to discuss, and I look forward to it, Mr Collins. Hopefully, you will do us the honour of dining with us at Lucas Lodge soon,” Sir William said.
Elizabeth could hardly suppress her smile. Her father had been correct; only a brief meeting had been enough to create a bond between Mr Collins and Sir William. Hopefully, that friendship would keep Mr Collins away from Longbourn from time to time, making the rest of his visit bearable.
“I hope it is not our presence that has displeased Miss Elizabeth and made her quieter than usual,” Mr Wickham said teasingly. “I imagine a stranger imposing his presence might be distressing for a young lady.”
“Oh, no, how can you say that?” Lydia interjected. “We are very happy that we met you, Mr Wickham! Are we not, Lizzy?”
“I assure you I am not so easily distressed, Mr Wickham,” Elizabeth answered with amusement. “Your presence has not displeased me at all. Quite the opposite. And since you are Mr Denny’s friend, we can hardly call you a stranger.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Mr Wickham’s comment was surprising, but then Elizabeth realised he must have noticed her repeated glances.
She had been staring at him, just as she had stared at Mr Darcy at the assembly.
Apparently, Mr Wickham had better manners and was not so hasty to assume she intended to trap or chase him as Mr Darcy had, she mused, becoming more diverted.
“In fact,” she continued, seizing the opportunity for some clarification, “as strange as it may sound, I have the feeling that we have met before. That is why you may have caught me scrutinising you.”
Mr Wickham appeared puzzled. “Unfortunately, I do not believe we have met before, Miss Elizabeth. If we had, I would have certainly remembered you.”
“Where could you have met him, Lizzy?” Lydia interjected. “Perhaps in London, when you visited Aunt Gardiner? Or have you been in Hertfordshire before, Mr Wickham?”
“We might have met briefly in London without being properly introduced,” Mr Wickham agreed. “And no, I have never been to this part of the country before. In fact, I spent my childhood and most of my youth in Derbyshire.”
“In Derbyshire? Does your family own an estate there?” Lady Lucas asked.
“No, ma’am. Although an excellent man, my father was only a steward. He was in charge of the management of a very large estate. Pemberley.”
His statement intrigued Elizabeth, and her curiosity grew. She noticed the others were also surprised by such a coincidence.
“Pemberley? Mr Darcy’s estate?” asked Mr Collins impatiently.
“Yes. I assume you are familiar with the name,” Mr Wickham answered with calm and a trace of a smile. “I know Lady Catherine de Bourgh is closely related to the Darcys.”