Kitty and Lydia erupted into delighted squeals, already bouncing in their seats like children promised sweets.
“Finally!” Lydia cried. “Oh, we must go into Meryton today! I need ribbons—no, a whole new gown!”
Kitty was practically beside herself with glee, clutching at Lydia’s arm. “Who do you think will be there? Do you think the officers will come?”
“They must! They simply must!” Lydia declared, spinning around as if the room couldn’t possibly contain her excitement.
Jane blushed and smiled, a far more serene expression than the madness overtaking the younger girls. Her eyes, though, were full of anticipation. Mr. Bingley had clearly set her heart aflutter, and this invitation was only feeding the flames.
Beside me, Mary frowned. “A ball is hardly necessary, given the state of the country. Should we not focus on more serious pursuits?”
Mrs. Bennet waved Mary off with a flick of her wrist, too far gone in her excitement to listen to such notions. “Nonsense! A ball is exactly what this family needs. Jane, my dear, this is your moment!”
I sat back, watching the chaos unfold, amused but mildly exhausted already.
“It is most generous of him,” Mr. Collins declared, oblivious to the fact that no one was listening. “And I trust that the evening will be as grand as those held at Rosings Park, where Lady Catherine often entertains with the highest elegance.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. The idea of a Netherfield ball resembling anything Lady Catherine would deem “elegant” was as likely as a pig sprouting wings.
“And, of course,” Mr. Collins added with a knowing look in my direction, “I shall be most delighted to dance with you, Cousin Elizabeth.”
Oh, joy—a preordained dance with Mr. Collins, who would likely trip over his own feet while reciting Lady Catherine’s virtues. I gave him my most polite smile, hoping it conveyed just the right amount of reluctance.
Before I could respond, Lydia bounced out of her chair. “We must go to Meryton! I must see the officers—especially Mr. Wickham! He’ll want to know about the ball!”
Mama clapped her hands. “Yes, yes, go, girls! You must be the first to spread the news!”
As if we weren’t already halfway out the door.
The afternoon sun greetedus as we made our way toward Meryton, the anticipation of the ball buzzing around us. Lydia and Kitty were already discussing the merits of various officers, barely pausing to take a breath.
“We simply must ask Mr. Wickham if he’ll attend,” Lydia declared, grabbing Kitty’s arm. “Do you think he will? Oh, I hope he will!”
I half-listened, my thoughts wandering to what the evening might hold. There was, of course, the matter of Darcy. How in blazes wouldthattwitchy fellow survive something as chaotic as a ball? Perhaps he would leave for London before it arrived.
It wasn’t long before we spotted Mr. Wickham and his fellow officers walking toward us. Lydia wasted no time rushing up to them, her excitement spilling out like a waterfall. Lydia’s squeal nearly shattered the windows.
“Mr. Wickham! Have you heard the news? A ball at Netherfield!” she exclaimed.
Mr. Wickham smiled warmly. “A ball? I had not heard. How delightful.”
Kitty practically jumped in place. “You must come, Mr. Wickham! It wouldn’t be the same without you!”
Wickham glanced at me then, his smile still in place, but something flickered behind his eyes—hesitation, perhaps. “But I have not been invited.”
“Oh, surely you will be!” Lydia cried. “You know he must inviteallthe officers. You will come if he does, will you not?”
“I’m not sure if I should attend, Miss Kitty. I understand Mr. Darcy is in residence at Netherfield, and Darcy and I... well, let’s just say our history makes such events somewhat... complicated.”
“Complicated?” I echoed. “How so?”
His smile remained, but there was a tightness to it now. “It’s a long story, Miss Elizabeth. Suffice it to say that Mr. Darcy and I are not the best of friends.”
“I could have guessed that much from your greeting last week,” I said with a laugh. “But surely you won’t let him stop you from attending?”
Wickham gave a noncommittal shrug. “I hadn’t planned to, no.”
I glanced at my sisters, still chattering away, and I couldn’t resist stepping closer and asking the question at the fore of my mind. “You must know the gentleman rather well, then?”
