“The very best,” Lady Lucas assured him. “Why, you are quite the talk of the town, Mr Wickham!”
Mr Wickham laughed. “I am flattered, Lady Lucas. But I assure you, I am quite an ordinary fellow. I simply had the good fortune to take a liking to Netherfield.”
His gaze drifted to Elizabeth, a flicker of interest in his eyes. But to her surprise and approval, he tore his eyes immediately back to Charlotte with a warmth that seemed perfectly genuine. “Miss Lucas, if I may say so, that is a lovely gown. The colour suits you tremendously.”
Charlotte blushed. “Thank you, Mr Wickham. That is very kind of you to say.”
“Not at all. I only speak the truth.” He leaned forward with a conspiratorial whisper. “I daresay if the room were larger, I would have asked you to dance a reel. Would you have accepted, Miss Lucas?”
Charlotte’s lips parted slightly, but her look was no less astonished than her mother’s. “I… I expect I would, sir,” she stammered.
“Then I shall look forward to another day,” the gentleman assured her. “I mean to solicit your hand for a dance at the earliest opportunity. “And yours, Miss Elizabeth,” he added, dipping a slight bow toward Elizabeth.
Elizabeth inclined her head. “I hope I will have a dance free, but I make no promises, sir.”
Mr Wickham’s brows jumped, and he laughed. “I’ve some competition, I see! I quite like that. Fear not, Miss Elizabeth, for I know when I am being teased, and I am patient enough to permit a lady to have her fun. Oh! And I daresay I am about to be stolen away.” He lifted his glass with an apologetic smile to each of them as Mr Philips gestured to him from the corner. “Duty calls, I fear. More new neighbours to meet, but I shall look forward to speaking with both of you again.”
Throughout the rest of the evening, Elizabeth could not help but remain acutely aware of Mr Wickham’s presence. Wherever she turned, he appeared to be there, charming the local matrons or sharing a joke with the younger gentlemen, who laughed heartily at his witticisms. But he did appear to hold himself somewhat apart from the unmarried ladies of the room unless he could not escape the introduction. Curious.
Elizabeth had become separated from Charlotte, who was now in conversation with Lady Lucas and Maria. That purchased her the dubious pleasure of watching her younger sisters’ antics without distraction. Lydia and Kitty flitted about the room, their giggles and shrill laughter drawing disapproving glances. Mary, on the other hand, was deeply engrossed in a lengthy and earnest conversation about morality with the new vicar’s wife.
Elizabeth sighed, contemplating crossing the room to speak with Jane, who, so far, had been doing an admirable job of keeping their mother distracted. Just as she resolved to make her way over, a warm voice at her elbow startled her.
“Miss Elizabeth, you seem to be lost in thought.” Mr Wickham appeared beside her, two glasses of punch in his hands. He offered one to her with a smile.
Elizabeth accepted it, returning his smile. “I am, thank you. And yourself? Is Meryton society living up to your expectations?”
“Exceeding them, I would say,” he replied, his gaze intent on her face. “Particularly in terms of the charming company.”
“You flatter us, Mr Wickham. I am starting to think you are quite the silver-tongued devil.”
He chuckled softly. “Not at all, Miss Bennet. I simply have an appreciation for wit and beauty, both of which the area possesses in abundance… particularlysomeof its residents.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the quickening of her heart at his bold words. “You are very forward, Mr Wickham.”
“Forgive me,” he said, his smile turning rueful. “I do not mean to overstep, but I am afraid your good uncle’s spirits have quite overcome my senses. Or perhaps it is something else, entirely.” He followed this cryptic statement with a friendly nod and a raising of his glass toward Elizabeth.
She studied him for a long moment, trying to read the intentions behind his words. He seemed sincere, his gaze open and earnest.
“Well, Mr Wickham,” she replied slowly, “We are always happy to make new friends in Meryton, and no one could be more pleased than I with a witty new companion.”
“Indeed? Then if you will be so good, tell me about your other ‘witty companions,’ for you strike me as a lady whose tastes in company run akin to my own. Pray, start by telling me the character of the town for some context.”
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, trying to think of how best to phrase her thoughts. “Meryton is a small, close-knit community,” she began. “Everyone knows everyone else’sbusiness, for better or for worse. My own family, the Bennets, have lived here for five generations.”
“And what of the other families? The Lucases, perhaps?”
“The Lucases,” Elizabeth echoed with a wry smile. “Sir William Lucas is a respectable man who made his fortune in trade. He and Lady Lucas have several children, the eldest being my dear friend Charlotte. They are a pleasant family, though Lady Lucas has a rather singular focus on marrying off her daughters.”
Wickham chuckled. “That is hardly unique to Lady Lucas, I believe.”
“True enough,” Elizabeth conceded. “Then there are the Gouldings, who are known for their excellent dinner parties, and the Philipses, my aunt and uncle. My aunt Philips is always ready with the latest gossip.”
Wickham leaned in slightly, his tone conspiratorial. “And what of the young ladies of the area? Are there any I particularly ought to meet?”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “Why, Mr Wickham, are you asking me for recommendations? Hoping to make a match already?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Merely curious, Miss Elizabeth. I value your judgment.”
