Page 45 of A Most Beloved Sister
Lydia huffed and flounced away towards the window of the haberdasher’s shop, where she intently studied a new bonnet that had been placed on display. Her darting eyes revealed her continued interest in the conversation however, and no one was fooled by her pretended indifference.
“Please forgive my sister,” Elizabeth said, feeling her cheeks turn warm.
“She is young,” Wickham said kindly. In a louder voice, he added, “I hope that, in turn, you will forgive Mr. Denny. Not every officer is a gentleman, of course.”
“What do you mean?” As quickly as she had left, Lydia was once again standing with the group. “I thought all officers were considered gentlemen.”
“By profession, perhaps,” Wickham said. “However, you know nothing of a man’s background when he is in the militia. While most militia officers are chosen from local gentry, the rank of lieutenant is the most difficult to fill, and many times the property ownership qualifications are simply ignored by the colonel if the man is handsome enough.”
“Surely Colonel Forster wouldn’t—” Lydia protested.
“I’m afraid, Miss Lucy—”
“Lydia!” The fury in the girl’s voice reminded Elizabeth of a three-year-old child, and she wouldn’t have been surprised to see her youngest sister stamp her foot in her indignation.
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “—that it’s quite prevalent ineverycounty in England. That’s part of why some of us who are unable to continue in the Regulars are assigned to oversee training in the militia. Many of the junior officers are injust as much need of training in society and etiquette as they are in field maneuvers and weaponry.”
“Well, it is very good, then, that there are those who are doing their part to ensure the lieutenants are being taught to behave as gentlemen ought,” Elizabeth said with a pointed look and raised eyebrows. “I trust you and your fellow commanding officers will be taking the responsibility seriously.”
“Indeed, Miss Elizabeth,” Wickham said with a low bow. “And now, may I escort you ladies to your destination?”
“Oh, we are just going on to my aunt Phillips to hear about her card party—her house is just down there,” Lydia said, pointing.
The group walked in that direction, with Lydia once more prattling on about nothing at all. Her annoyance towards the handsome gentleman seemed to vanish even more quickly than it had arrived.
No doubt due to his uncommonly beautiful appearance, Elizabeth thought with a private smirk.
At the end of their short walk, Lydia entreated Major Wickham to come inside. He demurred, stating that he had not been introduced yet to the lady of the house, and would have continued on had Mrs. Philips not thrown up the parlor window and loudly seconded the invitation of her youngest—and most beloved—niece.
Lydia, Kitty, and Mary quickly went into their aunt’s house through the front door, leaving Elizabeth behind with Wickham, who was patiently waiting for all the ladies to enter. Just as Elizabeth was about to go in, she heard her name called in greeting.
Turning around, she spied Bingley and Darcy on horses, making their way down the street. Upon seeing her, the two gentlemen changed direction and came directly towards her. They began the usual civilities, and Bingley said he was just on his way to Longbourn to call on Mr. Bennet. He gave her aparticular look when he made this statement, and she responded by shaking her head ever so slightly in the negative.
Bingley’s shoulders slumped forward at her indication that no approval had been granted, and he looked awkwardly at his friend for help.
For his part, Darcy had corroborated Bingley’s statement with a bow, and he was determinedly attempting to fix his gaze on any object other than Elizabeth. It was then that he happened to catch sight of Major Wickham, and Elizabeth witnessed the countenance of both as they looked at one another.
Darcy turned white, and Wickham turned red. They both stared at one another, not making a sound. Elizabeth almost expected Darcy to turn his back and ride away, but it was as if he was frozen in place.
The silence might have continued indefinitely had not Bingley cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet, might you introduce me to your friend?”
“Certainly, although I have only made his acquaintance myself this afternoon. Mr. Bingley, may I present Major Wickham? He has recently joined the local militia.”
“Pleased to meet you, Major,” Bingley said with a grin, just as Darcy blurted out, “Major?”
Wickham’s smile froze, and he turned towards Darcy. “Fitzwilliam, it is good to see you again. Yes, I am a major in the militia.”
“I would not have expected that. I had thought you had… other ambitions.”
“Well, fifteen years is quite a long time. Things have changed since we were boys, and we are clearly no longer the same people we once were.”
“No, no we are not.” Darcy’s voice was troubled.
An awkward silence fell over the group, but it was quickly interrupted when Mrs. Philips’s voice echoed shrilly from theparlor. “Elizabeth! Are you not coming in? Tell Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy they are welcome to join us as well!”
“Mr. Darcy?” Lydia’s screech of excitement followed her aunt’s cry out the door.
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing as Darcy’s eyes widened in what she could only deem to be panic. “Bingley, as it appears your call to Longbourn is no longer required, perhaps we should return to Netherfield?”
