Page 44 of Attempted Compromises
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and ladies,” he greeted with a bow. “What a pleasure to see you this fine morning.”
Lydia and Kitty, already flushed with excitement, pressed closer to him. “Mr. Denny,” Lydia said, her voice bright, “you must introduce us to your new friend!”
Elizabeth’s lips tightened at the somewhat forward behavior of her younger sisters, but she knew that to offer any correction would only serve to increase attention.
“Of course,” Mr. Denny replied, gesturing to the man at his side. “This is Mr. Wickham, a recent addition to our regiment.”
A man stepped forward, dressed smartly in the red coat of the militia. His dark hair and easy smile made an immediate impression, and he bowed with practiced grace. “Ladies,” he said, his voice warm and smooth. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth’s first impression was of a man with easy manners and a ready charm. His features were striking, and his uniform seemed to suit him almost too well.
Lydia, ever bold, spoke first. “Mr. Wickham, are you new to the regiment?”
“I am,” he replied. “I joined only recently.”
“And where are you from?” Kitty asked eagerly.
“From the north,” Wickham said casually. “Somewhere between Staffordshire and Derbyshire.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “Then you will fit right in. It seems we are overrun with northerners of late.”
“Yes, like Mr. Bingley and his awful sister,” giggled Lydia, eager to be part of the conversation.
“And Mr. Darcy,” chimed in Kitty.
“Girls,” Elizabeth warned, but Wickham tilted his head, intrigued.
“Indeed?” he asked.
“Why, yes,” Elizabeth said, her tone playful. “Our friends, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley both come from up north. Perhaps you know them?”
At the mention of Darcy’s name, Wickham’s expression faltered ever so slightly. A faint pallor touched his face, and his easy smile became just a touch strained. “Darcy?” he repeated, as if testing the name. “No, I do not believe I have had the pleasure.”
Elizabeth, though quick to notice such subtleties, said nothing; she merely arched a brow in quiet curiosity.
“I do have to ask, Miss Lydia, as to how you feel about all northerners,” Wickham ducked his head. “I know I probably should not give in to the gossip, but I am eager to hear all the details and ensure that those from my part of the country are comporting themselves well.”
“Well, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are not so very bad,” Lydia said, “but Miss Bingley thinks she’s better than everyone—even Jane.”
“Oh, look!” Kitty exclaimed before anyone could respond, pointing down the road. “There they are now!”
All heads turned to see Darcy and Bingley riding toward them alongside a carriage. Wickham’s posture stiffened, and he quickly said, “If you will excuse me, ladies, I must attend to a matter with my commanding officer. A pleasure meeting you all.”
His departure was so smooth and unhurried that none of the younger Bennet sisters gave it a second thought. Elizabeth,however, felt a flicker of suspicion. His reaction to Darcy’s name and the sudden excuse to leave struck her as odd, but she pushed it from her mind as the Bingley carriage passed them. Darcy and Bingley came to a stop alongside the party from Longbourn. They dismounted, and Bingley beamed at Jane. “We were just on our way to Longbourn to see how you were doing. I trust you are fully recovered?”
Jane offered him a serene smile. “Thank you, sir. I am completely recovered.”
“I am relieved to hear it,” Bingley replied, his enthusiasm undiminished.
As the two engaged in quiet conversation, Darcy inclined his head at Elizabeth. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth met his gaze with a warm smile. “Mr. Darcy, hello. Are enjoying your morning ride?”
“I am, thank you.” His tone was polite, yet reserved.
“And how is your son? I trust little Andrew is well.”
Darcy’s expression softened, and his usual gravity lifted for a moment. “Quite well, thank you. Although he has been asking for the nice lady.”
