Mr. Darcy did not come in a few days to apologize nor did Miss Darcy come for tea. Lady Matlock and Major Wickham were the only visitors to Fitzwilliam House. Elizabeth hoped she might see the Darcys when she took her sisters to Mayfair the day after the ball, but it was not to be.
While her sisters went from shop to shop, Elizabeth was met with barely concealed curiosity. Several ladies she had thought she might befriend exclaimed over the excitement of her ball.
“My dear,” said Miss Covington, an heiress Elizabeth admired for her love of French couture, “you must tell us your romantic secrets. Every lady would like to have an officer and a gentleman vying for her attention.”
Elizabeth had merely smiled and changed the subject. She did not want to argue her case before those who only wished for scandal.
Now, as she sat in the salon with Mrs. Bennet and her sisters, Elizabeth longed for Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys. Young Richard had become increasingly difficult. He would run to the windows in search of Mr. Darcy on the street and then pout in her lap until Mr. Harley appeared.
Elizabeth hated to burden the butler with the boy but he assured her it was no trouble. “He is a good lad, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. It is wise for him to learn his role in the house. One day, he shall have the run of it.”
That certainty was the thing that kept Elizabeth in London and near her departed husband’s family. Thinking of Jane, she rose to write a letter to her sister and ask if she might return to London before summer arrived and drove everyone to the countryside.
Mr. Harley and Richard appeared again at the door of the salon with Major Wickham in tow. The butler wore a most displeased expression. It seemed he was in agreement with Mr. Darcy where the major was concerned. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam, I did ask him to wait in the entryway.”
“Nonsense!” called Mrs. Bennet as she rose and welcomed Major Wickham. Lydia joined her and left the pianoforte where she had sat with Mary. Elizabeth’s sisters had been dancing and gossiping again about the ball.
“Major Wickham, won’t you come and dance with us?” Lydia pleaded.
Elizabeth thanked Mr. Harley and asked the Major whether he might like to sit for a while before entertaining her sisters.
“I would not disturb you from your letter. I will dance with your sisters and your mother,” he said, taking Mrs. Bennet’s hand and causing her to blush like a schoolgirl, “and then after a while, you and I may talk before I must return to my men.”
Elizabeth did not see the harm in allowing him to distract the ladies of her family. She returned to her desk and wrote to her sister of the trouble with Mr. Darcy.
Jane would give her sound advice and when she had finished the letter, Elizabeth sent it with Thomas to the post. She went in search of Mr. Harley and Richard and found them in the garden again.
The butler was minding her son as he climbed easily up the small tree in the corner by the back wall. Elizabeth wanted to go to them and spend the afternoon in the sunlit confines but it would have to wait until Major Wickham had gone.
When she had waved at her son and encouraged his bravery, Elizabeth reluctantly made her way back to the salon. The major was sitting with Mrs. Bennet for the girls had tired him out as he was their only dance partner.
“I am sorry to have kept you waiting, sir. I sent my letter by the footman and went to the garden for a moment.”
Major Wickham stood and gave a small bow as Elizabeth sat across from her mother. “Mrs. Bennet has kept me entertained. I never miss the opportunity to bask in the attentions of beautiful women.”
Elizabeth thought the major too outlandish with his compliments, but her mother adored him for his wicked charm. “Oh my, Major Wickham! It is truly a wonder you have never married.”
“Mother, you must not meddle in his affairs. Soldiers rarely make good husbands as their duties take them far afield.” Elizabeth looked to her guest and saw the wink he gave her.
“I do not mind the scrutiny, Mrs. Bennet. I suppose I have yet to find the woman adventurous enough to marry a military man. Yet, your Elizabeth chose just such a partner. Do you think she might again?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew hot at his lack of propriety. To ask such a question of her mother would surely set Mrs. Bennet on the path of needling Elizabeth about the major as a suitable match.
Mrs. Bennet looked from the major to Elizabeth and back again. “The two of you would make a lovely couple, but I believe my daughter would prefer a man who would be a good father to my grandson. Do you wish to be a father, Major Wickham?”
Elizabeth had heard quite enough. “Mother, speaking of children, would you mind seeing to young Richard in the garden? I am certain Mr. Harley has other duties he must attend.”
Major Wickham chuckled and stood as Mrs. Bennet rose to quit the salon. “Madam, it has been my great pleasure. I hope to come again soon.”
Mrs. Bennet held onto the hand he offered a bit too long for Elizabeth’s comfort and exclaimed over how delighted they all would be to have him visit Fitzwilliam House as often as he wished.
When her mother had gone, Elizabeth asked the major about his plans. “Will you be in Town for some time?”
Major Wickham took this question as a good sign. The lady would not ask if she did not care for him. He recalled his last visit when she had spoken of remaining friends with him. Friendship could easily turn to love. “I should be in London through the summer though I would much rather retreat to the country as the gentry are wont to do.”
“I had thought to take my son to Hertfordshire then for I have missed my father.” Elizabeth was pleased to tell him for she did not want him to think there might be a future between them beyond friendship.
The major became excited at the idea. “Perhaps I ought to ask for leave or a transfer over the summer to Meryton? It would be a sight better than London.”
Lydia overheard his declaration and left Mary to practice with Kitty. “Oh la! Do come to the countryside, major! We shall play cards and stroll the gardens of Netherfield for Jane would certainly welcome the company.”
Elizabeth knew Jane would not welcome such company but held her tongue. Much the better for her if the major gave his attentions to Lydia. She would never interest him for very long and he might find another young lady amongst their neighbors.
Much to Major Wickham’s chagrin, Lydia commanded his attention for the remainder of the visit and Elizabeth allowed it. There was nothing scandalous he might accomplish with her youngest sister while surrounded by her family.