Chapter 45 A Red Coat #2
Elizabeth looked at her. “Papa will not restrain her. Mamma sees nothing wrong in her behavior.”
“Then perhaps we must watch her ourselves. When we go into Meryton, we will stay with her and Kitty. At assemblies and dinners, we will make certain they are not left alone with gentlemen they scarcely know.”
“Lydia will hate it.”
“She need not know we are doing it.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Jane Bennet, are you proposing deception?”
“I am proposing that we spend more time with our sisters.”
“Ah. Much more respectable. And of course you are right, Jane. If Papa will not act, then we will do what we can.”
* * *
Their resolution was tested before the week was out.
Mr. and Mrs. Goulding invited the Bennets and several of their neighbors to dine, with cards afterward. Captain Carter and two other officers were among the guests.
Elizabeth had been speaking with Charlotte when Jane came to stand beside them.
“Lydia is being particularly forward this evening.”
Elizabeth looked across the room.
Lydia stood with Captain Carter near the far end of the drawing room.
Her cheeks were bright from dancing and too much punch, and Kitty stood close beside her in much the same condition.
Lydia laughed at something Carter said and put her hand upon his arm.
A moment later she touched his wrist while answering him, then leaned closer as he spoke.
Elizabeth searched the room for her father.
“He is not here.”
Jane glanced toward the card room. “He went in with Sir William some time ago.”
“And Mamma?”
Mrs. Bennet was deep in conversation with Mrs. Goulding and appeared perfectly content with the evening.
Jane raised a brow. “I wish our two youngest sisters were more like Mary.”
Charlotte followed her gaze. “Mrs. Long would certainly prefer it. Lydia cannot threaten Marianne's prospects while exhibiting at the instrument.”
Jane covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Do you truly think that is why Mrs. Long is glaring at her?”
Laughing, Charlotte said, “Lydia is one of the prettiest girls in the neighborhood, and Marianne cannot hold a candle to her. Mrs. Long is entitled to be concerned.”
Then looking at Elizabeth, she said, “You are no help to Marianne either, Lizzy. My father maintains that you are the most beautiful of all the Bennet sisters, and I assure you he is not alone in the opinion.”
“Your father has always been excessively kind to me, Charlotte.”
“I did not say he was being kind, Lizzy. He admires your eyes. He says they are very fine.”
Across the room, Lydia put both hands upon Captain Carter's arm as she laughed.
Elizabeth sobered.
“What is to be done, Jane? Papa is not even in the room, and you know what Mamma will say.”
“Never mind Papa. We have already decided to keep watch over Lydia.” Jane took Elizabeth’s arm. “Come. Let us stand with her and see if we can restrain her without setting up her hackles.”
Elizabeth looked at Charlotte. “Will you come with us?”
“Certainly. I should like to discover whether the two eldest Bennet sisters are clever enough to draw Captain Carter away from the youngest.”
They crossed the room together.
Captain Carter greeted them readily, and Charlotte asked how long his regiment would be stationed in Hertfordshire. He answered her, and Elizabeth followed by asking where they had been before coming to Meryton.
Within minutes, the conversation had moved to the militia itself.
Lydia attempted twice to interrupt. Neither effort succeeded.
Captain Carter had ceased flirting and was now explaining with considerable enthusiasm how militia officers were appointed and what duties occupied them when their regiment was embodied.
Jane listened with genuine interest, Charlotte challenged one of his assertions, and Elizabeth asked a question that sent him into another explanation.
Lydia stared at the three of them.
At last, she left Captain Carter's side and dropped onto a nearby sofa.
“Kitty, come and sit with me. I am excessively bored.”
Kitty joined her.
Elizabeth caught Jane's eye and her sister winked back at her.
Charlotte waited until Captain Carter had been drawn into conversation with another gentleman before saying quietly, “That was easily done.”
Elizabeth looked toward Lydia, who was now complaining to Kitty about the music.
Charlotte added, “I do not know that you will find it convenient to do this every evening when your family is out.”
“No, I do not suppose we shall,” Elizabeth said.
* * *
A week later, Jane and Elizabeth again walked into Meryton with Kitty and Lydia. They had nearly reached their aunt's house when Lydia caught sight of Mr. Denny on the opposite side of the street.
“There is Mr. Denny, and he has someone with him. I have never seen that gentleman before.”
Kitty looked where she pointed and declared that neither had she. The two younger girls immediately changed direction.
“Lydia,” Jane called.
“We are only going to speak to Mr. Denny,” Lydia called back.
Jane and Elizabeth followed them across the street.
Mr. Denny removed his hat as they approached and called to the gentleman beside him. “Come, Wickham. Let me introduce you.”
When Elizabeth laid eyes on Mr. Wickham, she no longer wondered that Lydia had eloped with him on such short acquaintance. George Wickham was exceedingly handsome, and his comportment was that of a gentleman.
Mr. Denny greeted them. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, may I present my friend, Mr. George Wickham? He has only just arrived from London and has accepted a commission in our regiment.”
Elizabeth stiffened as the man’s eyes met hers.
Wickham bowed. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”
Jane greeted him pleasantly, but Elizabeth only curtsied.
“Mr. Wickham.”
Lydia needed no encouragement. “When shall you have your uniform, Mr. Wickham? You cannot possibly mean to remain dressed like an ordinary gentleman now that you have joined the militia.”
“Lydia,” Jane murmured.
Wickham laughed. “Then I shall endeavor to remedy the deficiency as quickly as possible.”
“You must. A red coat improves every gentleman.”
“I had hoped there might be some hope for me without one.”
Lydia assured him there was, and Kitty readily agreed.
Wickham accepted their judgment with easy good humor and soon had both girls laughing. His manners were agreeable, his conversation lively, and nothing in his appearance suggested that he was anything other than the gentleman he appeared to be.
Mr. Denny asked whether they were bound for their aunt's house, and Jane admitted that Mrs. Phillips was expecting them.
“Then we should not keep you,” he said.
“You are not keeping us,” Lydia protested.
Elizabeth stepped nearer to her. “Come, Lydia. Aunt Phillips will wonder what has become of us.”
Wickham looked toward Elizabeth. “I hope we shall have the pleasure of meeting again.”
“Meryton is a small town, Mr. Wickham. I imagine it is very likely.”
Mr. Denny reminded Wickham that they too were expected elsewhere, and the gentlemen took their leave.
Lydia watched Wickham as he walked away.
“Did you ever see such a handsome man? Only think how much better he will look in regimentals.”
Kitty agreed, and before they had reached Aunt Phillips's house, the two were already speculating about whether Mr. Wickham danced and when they might see him again.
Jane drew closer to Elizabeth. “You are very quiet.”
“I am thinking about Lydia.”
Jane glanced toward their younger sisters.
Lydia was still talking about Wickham.
“She will be even more difficult to restrain with that gentleman to capture her attention.”