Elizabeth studied her friend’s face intently, seeking any sign of hidden distress. “Charlotte, I know you well enough to see when something is amiss. Please, if there is anything bothering you, you can tell me.”
Charlotte’s response was a resolute shake of the head. “I promise, Lizzy, there is nothing more. I simply had no desire to stay at the ball.”
Elizabeth frowned, but what was she to do? If Charlotte was determined not to speak, she could not force her to do so. “If you say so, Charlotte. But know that my concern remains.”
“I know, and I am grateful. Now, tell me, how is everyone at Longbourn? Any news worth sharing?”
“Oh, the usual. Kitty and Lydia are comparing the lists of their conquests from last evening. Mary is still recovering—it will be two days before she utters more than a monosyllable—and Mama is already fretting over the next Assembly.”
A soft laugh escaped Charlotte. “That sounds like them. And how are you, Lizzy? Did you enjoy the rest of your evening?”
“Quite well,” Elizabeth replied, her tone brightening. “I must tell you about my dances with our new neighbours. Mr Bingley was most agreeable. We danced the fifth together, and he was all charm and smiles. I believe he means to stay some while in the neighbourhood, so we shall all have an opportunity to know him better.”
“That is wonderful to hear. And what of Mr Wickham?”
“Ah, Mr Wickham, the sun around which most of the room revolved last night. He is a captivating dancer, full of wit and conversation. We spoke at length, and I must admit, I found him very agreeable.”
Charlotte leaned in, her complexion warming. “Tell me more, Lizzy. What did you talk about? Did he show particular interest in anyone?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed slightly. “We spoke of many things—his experiences travelling in Europe, his admiration for the arts, and his thoughts on various authors. He has such a way with words, Charlotte. He made even the most mundane details sound fascinating. And he asked about my family with genuine interest, not just the polite inquiries one might expect. He seemed particularly amused by Lydia and Kitty’s antics.”
“Well! That is certainly generous of him. Did you say you danced with him twice?”
“Oh, yes, and it caused quite the stir, but he was so easy that it hardly seemed to be noteworthy until afterwards when I reflected on it. I was the only lady he favoured so.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened knowingly. “Indeed, he must be charming.”
“Quite! At one point, I asked him about the latest novel by Maria Edgeworth. That was when he was forced to admit that he truly isnotan extensive reader, though he knows so many authors from his travels that he is often able to fool people quite nicely. We had a good laugh about that. He said he preferred a juicy bit of gossip over some dusty old epic, and I told him he would get along famously with my younger sisters. But he said he rather liked talking to a lady who made him think, and so… yes, that was when he solicited my hand for a second set.”
“It sounds like he left quite an impression on you, Lizzy. How wonderful to find someone who can amuse you as well as you amuse everyone else.”
“Such stuff! Come now, you know as well as I do thatyouare the true wit between the two of us. Oh, Charlotte, I wish you had been there. Mr Wickham would have quite enjoyed your conversation.”
Charlotte smiled lightly, her fingers returning to her needlework. “And Jane? How did she enjoy her evening?”
“Oh, you ought to have seen how Mr Bingley gazed at her! I have never seen such admiration in a gentleman’s eyes. I quite fancysheis the reason he declared to Sir William that he meant to linger at Netherfield for as long as Mr Wickham would have him.”
“Then I am happy for Jane. And for you too. It sounds like you had a delightful evening.”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Lady Lucas’s voice called from the doorway. “Charlotte, dear, could you help me with the baskets? I told Mrs Long I would tend to what remained after the ball, and Maria was to help me, but she has gone off to Longbourn.”
Elizabeth blinked. She had intended to discuss Charlotte’s well-being but had been led astray by her own excitement. Now, it seemed, she had missed her chance.
Charlotte set her needlework aside. “Coming, Mama.”
Elizabeth rose with her. “May I help? Surely, Charlotte, if you were too weary to dance last evening, an afternoon assembling and delivering charity baskets would be too taxing.”
“Not a bit of it,” Charlotte insisted. “Go on, Lizzy. Shall I see you at church tomorrow? I think Mama would not mind if I joined the Bennets in their pew.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes… yes, of course! I shall hold you to that promise, you know. Else I will be forced to come after you.”
“I will try,” Charlotte vowed as she saw Elizabeth to the door.
Elizabeth wrapped her cloak about her shoulders and turned back as she stepped outside. The door was already closed, and Charlotte had gone off to help her mother. How… odd.
“Foolish, selfish of you, Lizzy,” she scolded herself. “All that prattling on… you sound like Lydia.” She knotted her fingers inside her gloves and found the path back to the village. If she dared to take the shortcut, she could pass by Netherfield…
But no, had she not already spent enough time and breath on those gentlemen today? Nattering on about them when she should have been encouraging Charlotte! She simply would have to learn to keep her wits about her when Mr Wickham was present.
