Chapter 9
Outside Mr. Phillips’ office, Meryton
Elizabeth and her sisters walked into town to visit their aunt, Mrs. Phillips, in her apartment above her husband’s office.
Lydia and Kitty were in the front of the group, followed by Mary.
Elizabeth and Jane walked close behind her, and bringing up the rear was Mr. Collins, who spent the entire quarter hour grumbling under his breath.
The ladies were silent, except for the two youngest, who chattered all the way to their destination about the officers and how they hoped Denny had returned from London.
Mr. Phillips’ office was located halfway up the high street of the village, across from the milliner and between the tobacco shop and the book shop. The Bennets and their cousin were two doors away when Lydia burst out in excitement.
“There he is! Denny!” She waved excitedly, squealing when he heard her and lifted his hand in greeting. “Come, Kitty, we must go greet him!”
As her two youngest sisters sped toward the gentleman at a near-run, Elizabeth shook her head. “I suppose there is no use in chastising them.”
Jane tucked her hand under Elizabeth’s arm. “They are young. They cannot help their exuberance. They will mature out of it soon enough.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes but conceded her sister’s point. “Let us hope they do it sooner rather than later.”
It only took a minute or two for the rest of the Bennet girls to join Lydia and Kitty.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth. Miss Mary.” Mr. Denny bowed to each of the ladies as he greeted them. “I was just telling Miss Katherine and Miss Lydia that I am happy to be in their company once more.”
“We are ever so glad you are returned, as well.” Lydia fluttered her eyelashes at the captain.
The younger girls spent the next few minutes flirting with Mr. Denny. Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary looked on but their attention was soon drawn away by the arrival of Darcy and his friends. Mr. Madison tipped his hat and rode on, but Darcy and Bingley stopped.
“Miss Bennet!” Bingley swung down from his saddle. “I was just on my way to your house. How fortuitous it is to find you here!” He bowed.
Darcy followed Bingley’s lead. Elizabeth smiled up at him as he tied the mare off and joined her on the wooden walkway.
“Good morning, sir.” As always happened when she was in his presence, her entire focus was her betrothed.
She wished he would kiss her, or at least her hand, but she doubted he would, given their location on a public street.
Darcy’s lips lifted in a pleased smile. “Good morning.”
Across the road, George Wickham exited the inn and began walking toward the other end of town.
He paused in front of a shop about halfway up, looking around for his friend.
He quickly located the gentleman and took a few more steps down the wooden sidewalk, intending to cross and greet Denny and what looked like a gaggle of beautiful ladies that surrounded him.
He was stopped in his tracks, however, when two horses, one of which was ridden by someone he well knew, joined the group.
He changed direction and instead backtracked, going up toward the inn but crossing the street at an intersection.
Once on the other side, he tucked himself around the corner and leaned on the wall, watching what was happening two doors down.
It looks like Darcy has feelings for the petite brunette, he thought.
He snorted to himself. Not that he would know what to do with her.
He watched closely, memorizing the features of the woman his former friend stood beside.
Well, look at that! I think she likes him!
We cannot have that. He ducked back, out of sight from the high street, when Darcy and his companion mounted their horses and the ladies disappeared into the building they had been standing in front of.
You took your sister and her money from me.
Now I will take your lady from you. As soon as Darcy and his friend had moved away, Wickham emerged from the side street and hailed Denny.
Once I have told her my tale, she will reject you so fast it will make your head spin, he thought as he joined his compatriot.
~~~***~~~
Later that day, the Bennet family and their guest joined the Phillipses and a few of the other families of the neighborhood for a card party.
Knowing how much her nieces enjoyed spending time with the officers, Mrs. Phillips had prevailed upon her husband to issue a general invitation to them all and was delighted when the majority of them presented themselves at her door.
George Wickham was among those who took them up on the invitation.
Wickham made sure he was introduced to all the ladies, especially the one who had seemed to catch Darcy’s attention.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet was, to his mind, a prime article.
She had looks and wit and he wondered what his old “friend” had done to catch her attention.
Though he wished to engage her in private conversation, or at least what would pass for that in a crowded room, he decided to sit back and observe for a while.
Eventually, though, he felt time slipping away and, when he saw her sitting alone late in the evening, he swiftly crossed the room to bow before her.
“How are you enjoying the evening, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I like it very much.” She tipped her head toward their hostess. “My aunt loves company and always surrounds herself with the most interesting people in the neighborhood.”
“Yes, there is a most fascinating group of people in attendance tonight.” He gestured toward the seat beside her. “May I sit?”
“Certainly.” She moved over a little to create more space between them. “How do you like our little town?”
“I have only been here a few hours, but so far, I have enjoyed it very much. Everyone has been most welcoming.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am happy to hear it. Have you been a lieutenant long?”
Ah, Wickham thought, here is my opportunity . “No,” he replied. “I just signed up today. I never considered it before, but I was recently denied a living in the church that was left to me in my godfather’s will and needed a manner of supporting myself.”
“Oh, how terrible!” Elizabeth’s brow creased as she pressed a hand to her heart. “I am sorry that happened to you. Was there no legal recourse you could take?”
Wickham shook his head, donning the saddest look he could manage. “I could not afford representation. It is an expensive thing to sue someone, and my godfather’s son is wealthy and powerful, especially in Derbyshire.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I cannot imagine why a gentleman would do something like that to another.”
Wickham shrugged. “I believe it to be the result of jealousy. I was old Mr. Darcy’s favorite, and his son hated the fact.”
Elizabeth gasped. “Darcy! Mr. Darcy denied you this living?”
Wickham smiled to himself. He could feel victory already. “Indeed, he did.” He paused. “Do you know Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth clasped her hands in her lap. “I do. He is a guest at a local estate. The gentlemen of his party were committed to an event elsewhere or he would be here with us. Only Mrs. Hurst was able to come.”
“I am sorry you have been forced to make his acquaintance.” Wickham watched her carefully.
He could not determine from her countenance or her behavior if he was making the inroads he hoped to, so he decided to go a bit further.
“He is an arrogant, haughty fellow and very unpleasant to speak to. It is a shame, because his father was everything amiable.” He leaned toward her and lowered his voice.
“Do not allow yourself to be alone with him. His family expects him to marry an heiress, but he is not above persuading other women to his bed.” He watched as his seatmate clenched her jaw and turned red.
Elizabeth lifted her chin. “I thank you for sharing your story with me, sir.” She stood. “I must speak to my sister.” She curtseyed before turning on her heel and leaving.
Wickham bowed and watched her walk away.
He frowned. He was not at all certain the interview had turned out as he had intended it, because the lady had not reacted as most did.
However, his observations of her, limited as they were, had shown her to be genteel and polite, and he assumed she did not wish to make a scene.
That did not mean she did not believe what he had told her.
He shrugged to himself and joined his fellow officers at the whist table.
From the other side of the room, where she had joined Jane and their friend Charlotte, Elizabeth watched Lieutenant Wickham sit down to play cards. Her brow was creased, the only reflection of the anger she felt.
“Lizzy, are you well?” Jane touched her sister’s arm.
Elizabeth spun her head toward her companions. “I am. I apologize for not paying attention.”
“I was just asking what you thought of the officers.” Charlotte smirked, her head nodding toward the table where Kitty and Lydia were playing Lottery Tickets with Denny and a captain named Carter. “Your youngest sisters seem to have finally been distracted from flirting with them.”
Elizabeth glanced toward the indicated game and rolled her eyes. “I am happy to see something pull their attention away.” She pressed her lips together and glanced back at the whist table again. “My opinion of the officers has been lowered a little bit tonight.”
Jane tilted her head. “How so?”
“Did you see the gentleman who was seated next to me a few minutes ago?” Elizabeth waited until she had acknowledgement from both ladies.
“He sat there and told me a wild tale about Mr. Darcy. I do not believe for one minute that my betrothed would do something so atrocious as to deny someone a living that was promised to him.”
Jane’s brow creased. “He certainly appears to be everything honorable. There must be some mistake at play. Some … miscommunication.”