Chapter 29 #3
“Oh yes, walk with Miss Eliza. Sally and I have completed our shopping, but Miss Eliza has only now arrived.” Miss Bingley waved her hand at the carriage Elizabeth had come in, and she saw Mr. Wickham take in the vehicle, new this year to accommodate Uncle’s growing family, as well as the footman and maid standing unobtrusively but watchful between her and the carriage.
“It would be my honor. Miss Bennet?”
Mr. Wickham held out his arm, and she took it, surprised to find heat rising in her cheeks.
The warmth in his honey-brown eyes was magnetic, and Elizabeth cleared her throat and reminded herself she was not worthy of a gentleman as fine as he must be, given the expensive fabric and style of his clothing.
“How do you know Miss Bingley and my cousin, Mr. Wickham?”
“We met at Mrs. Abbot’s ball in the spring. Mr. Bingley introduced us. I am distraught not to have seen you there; I would have adored dancing with you.”
Elizabeth blushed even more as she looked away from his steady gaze. “I do not recall that particular ball, but I must have been otherwise engaged that evening, sir.”
“Well, next time the opportunity arises, I hope you will choose the ball and join me for a set.”
Elizabeth smiled unconsciously but then looked away. She had no right to flirt with a gentleman, no matter what her Uncle Bennet wanted. It was satisfying to be noticed, however.
“Do you live in London, sir?”
“Not always. My estate in Chesire is small, but it is home and calls me back for much of the year. It is not as fine as the estate where I grew up, but it affords me a modest living.”
Elizabeth was intrigued. “You did not grow up at your estate? Did you not inherit it from your father?”
“My father, excellent man though he was, did not own a home to leave me when he passed. He was the steward of a very large state in Derbyshire, and I grew up there. It was an uncle who left me my estate only two years ago.”
This man, then, was not born a gentleman but had risen to the role. Perhaps this was the type of gentleman Uncle Bennet had in mind for her. He may even be willing to accept her low birth. With a new hope, she continued to speak gaily with Mr. Wickham as he joined her on her errand.
George Wickham noted the pieces of jewelry Miss Bennet had come to Bond Street to collect.
The gold chains were elegant in their simplicity and of fine quality.
She also dressed fashionably, was friends with and soon to be related to the Bingleys, whom he knew little of beyond their wealth, and had her own maid and footman in attendance.
Yes, she must be in possession of a large dowry.
She spoke as the recipient of a first-rate education.
What was more, she was beautiful, young, and already half in love with him if her blushes and smiles could be trusted. She would make a prime target.
Calling his imaginary estate in Cheshire small had not put her off, but he should think of more details to add to impress her. Perhaps horse breeding or modern construction.
Unfortunately, her time on Bond Street was short today. Before handing her into her carriage, he asked permission to call on her the next afternoon.
The charming girl blushed again.
“Forgive me. I am leaving London for the next three weeks to visit my cousin Jane and her family in Hertfordshire. That is where I grew up.” A deepening blush.
“It must be a pleasure to be invited home to a familiar country estate.”
“Yes, it is still my favorite place.”
“May I call on you here in London when you return? You will be back in January, I presume?”
“I will return on the seventh. In town, I reside with my Uncle Gardiner at No. 90 Gracechurch Street.” She looked at him as though to judge his reception of this address.
He knew its general vicinity and wondered why a girl so wealthy spent any time there, but he would learn more in January, and he let no sign of distress show.
Even a wealthy girl could not live alone, and if she had relatives in town, it made sense to stay with them even if they were in a less-fashionable part of town.
“I shall call on the eighth, then.” Staring into her eyes, Wickham kissed the hand he had kept hold of this whole time, despite her footman’s growing agitation. She sighed, and he let her go, turning away from the footman’s glare and walking down the street before he heard her carriage door close.
His prospects were finally looking up again.
He had nearly run out of the funds provided for him in old Mr. Darcy’s will, so a handsome bride who was likely a wealthy heiress would suit him very well right about now.
The delay was inconvenient, but he would make the most of their time apart.
He should borrow a gig or curricle to take her on rides, and he would obtain a gift or two.
Minny would help him with that. He had not been to Bath to see her in nearly a month, but if he gave her his next three weeks, she would be satisfied while he was pleasantly occupied in the city once January arrived.