Elizabeth watched Darcy disappear through the crowd in surprise, her cheeks again burning with embarrassment. She could think of no reason for his departure besides Mrs. Bennet. This was not the first time her mother’s behaviour had caused her shame but, for some reason, this time felt particularly disappointing. She realised she wanted Mr. Darcy to have a good opinion of her. It was a startling realization—she usually did not care what others thought of her or her family.
“I wonder where he has gone off to,” Mrs. Bennet said grumpily. “I see the rumours about him are true: he was quite rude.” Elizabeth felt a flash of frustration toward her mother. Mr. Darcy had been nothing but polite! Even in his sudden departure—that was no doubt caused by her mother’s rudeness to him in the first place.
“Rumours? Whatever do you mean? Who said he was rude?” Elizabeth asked, her annoyance evident in her voice.
“Everyone,” Mrs. Bennet said, twisting her handkerchief in her hands. “He has the most unpleasant disposition I have ever seen. This is the most delightful gathering, but I have yet to see him smile. He gazes about, casting judgement upon everything his eye touches. No, I am quite relieved to see the back of him!”
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped in angry shock. Was that truly what the people in attendance said about Mr. Darcy? It was a most unjust assessment, and Elizabeth could not believe that her neighbours would cast such aspersions! However, her disbelief lasted only a heartbeat; she loved her home, but she was all too aware of the judgement people could place upon strangers. Mr. Darcy did not deserve such treatment.
“He saved Jane and I from highwaymen,” Elizabeth reminded her mother.
“So, he did,” Mrs. Bennet grudgingly agreed.
“And he has been nothing but kind to me,” Elizabeth added, and Mrs. Bennet’s face brightened at this news.
“He has been kind, has he?” She said, a note of excitement entering her voice. “You know, they say he is a rich man…”
“Mama!” Elizabeth was pleased to hear Lydia’s voice cutting off their mother’s thought. Gratefully, she turned to face her sisters.
“Look, we found officers!” Lydia said with a shrill giggle, not even attempting to hide her excitement. Elizabeth was glad for the interruption, but she did wish Lydia would comport herself with a bit more dignity.
“So, you did,” Mrs. Bennet said with an equally silly giggle.
Elizabeth sighed and glanced at the two newcomers. Both, she supposed, were handsome. One had sandy blonde hair and glanced nervously at Mrs. Bennet. The other was slightly shorter, his dark hair pulled back into a tail. His face bore nothing but confidence, and she could tell he smiled easily. His eyes seemed to follow Mr. Darcy’s disappearing back. His gaze held familiarity, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but wonder if he knew Mr. Darcy.
“Please, enlighten us as to the names of your new friends,” Elizabeth said over her family’s giggles. She felt annoyed that they had stood together so long without proper introductions, and glanced apologetically at the men in red coats.
“This is Lieutenant Denny and Lieutenant Wickham,” Lydia said with another giggle. “They’re in the militia!” She seemed quite taken with that idea.
Elizabeth sighed again and waited for the introductions to continue.
“Denny, Wickham,” Kitty picked up where Lydia had left off. “This is our mother, Mrs. Bennet, and our older sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Elizabeth bowed to both men in greeting. Denny—the blonde one—looked somewhat afraid, and jerkily bowed back without a word, his teeth bared in a nervous grin. He seemed quite overwhelmed by the youngest Bennet girls. Elizabeth, who knew her sisters’ energy all too well, almost felt sorry for the man. His companion, Wickham—the one who had been watching Darcy—however, gracefully bent at the waist and smiled up at Mrs. Bennet in a self-possessed manner. His face revealed nothing but cheer, his appealing smile full of charm.
“Mrs. Bennet,” he said smoothly. “I see where your daughters get their beauty.”
Mrs. Bennet preened under such a compliment and turned pink with pleasure. Elizabeth thought the comment was forward, but could immediately tell from his demeanour that Wickham was a likeable man who often got away with such things.
“Lieutenant Wickham, Lieutenant Denny,” Elizabeth said politely. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Tell me, how do you find Meryton?” She was determined to demonstrate that at least one of them knew how to hold a conversation.
“Quite well,” Denny answered nervously.
“I could not imagine a more pleasant posting,” Wickham added, all ease and confidence where Denny seemed to lack it. “Your town has welcomed us and with entertainment such as this, what more could a couple of poor soldiers ask for?” He smiled widely at Elizabeth, and despite her initial hesitancy, she felt herself warm under his gaze: the man was charming.
“We are quite glad to have you,” Mrs. Bennet said.
“Indeed,” Lydia said. “For who would dance with us if there were no officers?”
Wickham and Denny laughed.
“I’m sure you have managed before,” Wickham said agreeably. “For who could deny dancing with ones such as you?”
“That’s how we met,” Kitty said to Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet. “Lydia stood up and said ‘who would ask us to dance’, and Wickham and Denny volunteered!”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the tale—such behaviour could hardly be called appropriate! She looked sharply at her mother, but saw that Mrs. Bennet was laughing along with everyone else.
“You mustn’t look so worried, Miss Elizabeth,” Wickham said. “It was not a shocking as the retelling says. Sir William Lucas introduced us, as is proper.”
Elizabeth felt a bit of relief as she learned this. She allowed her posture to relax once more.
“Oh, do not mind her,” Lydia said loftily. “Lizzy has no idea how to have fun!”
Elizabeth shot a warning glance at her sister, but Lydia did not seem to notice.
“I am certain there is no truth to that,” Wickham laughed. “I saw, for example, that you were dancing with a certain gentleman. I wonder, was that Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire?”
“I believe so,” Elizabeth answered, surprised. “His name is indeed Darcy, but he did not mention his home.” She had seen Wickham glance after Mr. Darcy in a curious manner, but she had not imagined the men were actually acquainted. If Mr. Darcy and Wickham knew each other, why had Mr. Darcy left in such a hurry? “Are you acquainted?”
“We know one another,” Wickham said evenly. “But I would not have expected to find him here.”
“I am given to understand he is visiting a friend, lately of Netherfield Hall,” Elizabeth explained. “I believe that is what has brought him to Hertfordshire.”
“And quite a good thing he did come,” Mrs. Bennet said stoutly, despite her earlier disapproval of the man. “For what would have happened to my girls, had he not!”
“Mama,” Elizabeth said, waving her hand, not wanting to share the story. It felt like too serious a tale to share upon first meeting, but Mrs. Bennet ignored her.
“Highwaymen!” Mrs. Bennet said with a flourish, her eyes wide and her voice shrill as she threw her whole being into the one word.
“Highwaymen?” Denny’s eyes widened in surprise. “Truly?”
“Oh, yes!” Mrs. Bennet said. “Here, near Meryton!”
“How terrible!” Denny said in a shocked tone. “I shall speak with my superiors at once! To have such brigands on the King’s roads, with the militia so near. It is not to be tolerated!”
“So brave!” Kitty breathed, gazing at Denny with a new light in her eyes. She would have to be watched, Elizabeth thought sourly.
“Indeed!” Mrs. Bennet continued, clearly enjoying the attention the story was giving. “Here, where they haven’t been seen in years! Attacked my poor girls, but in came Mr. Darcy to save them both! I’m sure they had no idea the militia is present, though, or else they would not have dared to attack.”
“Mr. Darcy?” Wickham said in a questioning tone, latching onto the name. “Mr. Darcy saved you?”
“He managed to scatter the bandits,” Elizabeth allowed. “He was quite brave.”
“Hmm,” Wickham said, rubbing his chin with a frown. “And how do you find Mr. Darcy?”
“He has been very kind,” Elizabeth said, confused at Wickham’s attitude. “Forgive me, but is there something wrong?”
“No, no,” Wickham said, recovering himself and smiling once more. “I am glad you find him so. I just do not recognise the man you describe: It does not sound like the Darcy with whom I am acquainted.”
Elizabeth frowned; Wickham’s explanation did nothing to alleviate her confusion. On the contrary, she found herself even more confused. What sort of a man would have such an impact on another? However, Wickham did not seem inclined to elaborate.
Their mother continued the tale for a moment longer, but it was clear that Kitty and Lydia could hardly hear it anymore. As a new song started, Lydia seemed to decide it was her moment to take control of the situation once more.
“Are you going to dance?” Lydia asked Wickham, a whining tone to her voice. Elizabeth knew that she had no patience for conversation that was not centred upon her. She sighed: one day, Lydia would be in for a rude awakening. However, it seemed that this was not that night as Wickham responded to Lydia in just the manner she wanted. He bowed low to both the younger girls.
“I would be honoured if you would dance with me,” he said.
Lydia giggled and nodded, rushing past him towards the dance floor. Wickham bowed to Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet before following Lydia to where the couples were lining up for the start of the set.
“Miss Kitty?” Denny asked.
“We’d better hurry, or we’ll miss the start!” Kitty said with a laugh, and they too went to the dance floor.
Elizabeth turned to Mrs. Bennet, but her mother had seen Lady Lucas nearby and was already hurrying away.
“Lady Lucas!” She called and bustled away without another word toward Elizabeth.
Suddenly alone, Elizabeth made her way toward the walls, away from the crowds. She looked for a friend, but was content to have the time alone to think.
The last few minutes had been quite odd. Mr. Darcy had left so suddenly, as if he were being chased away. Elizabeth had first blamed Mrs. Bennet, but perhaps he had another reason. The revelation of a connection to Mr. Wickham was certainly unexpected—perhaps that was the reason Mr. Darcy had left? But why would Mr. Darcy avoid a friend? Especially one found among strangers?
Elizabeth continued to walk slowly and think. Mr. Wickham had seemed to know something about Mr. Darcy, something secret. Mr. Darcy had already seemed quite mysterious, but Mr. Wickham’s comments only deepened the mystery. She could not chase the man from her thoughts.