Elizabeth shot her a quick look, but Charlotte was already retreating into the nearest shop, leaving her alone on the street with Wickham. He turned his full attention on her, his expression one of amused interest. “Well! Your friend is rather abrupt today.”
“You might call it abrupt. I would use the word ‘purposeful’.”
Wickham grinned. “A lady after my own heart. Well, then, I shall waste no time in placing my wager.”
Elizabeth shifted her basket. “By all means, let there be no suspense. Are you betting on the number of dances, or the length of the guest list? Perhaps the main course, or the size or the number of musicians?”
He leaned closer. “I had rather thought of something much more amusing. I wager, Miss Elizabeth, that I will be able to solicit your hand for more than one dance.”
“Oh, now, that is hardly sporting! Why, you have only to ask me, and as I have the power of refusal or acceptance, the wager stands on the pleasure of an interested party. Now, say, should we make the stakes rather interesting… say, perhaps, five shillings? Why, then, you see, I would be in the enviable position of being able to simply refuse your hand for a second set, thus winning the bet.”
“Yes,” he replied, his brow furrowing. “That is a bother. Well, may I propose a counter wager?”
Her smile deepened. “And what might that be?”
“Well, I can hardly expect you to grant me two dances if your evening is full, can I?”
“Oh! So, you would place bets on a lady’s unpopularity? Rather ungallant, would you not say?”
“Far be it from me to imply anything of the kind. Perhaps I will wager that… ah, I have it! I wager that Darcy will beg a set of you.”
Elizabeth’s brows shot up. “Mr. Darcy? The man who scarcely notices my existence but to disapprove of it?”
Wickham laughed. “The very one. And if he does ask, Miss Elizabeth, you shall have the pleasure of refusing him and saying that you had promised that set to me.”
She puckered her lips in thought. “Interesting, Mr. Wickham. And what happens if you are already engaged with another lady by the time Mr. Darcy asks… assuming he does? Is the wager forfeit?”
“Well,” he chuckled, “I suppose I leave such terms to you to sort, Miss Elizabeth. Ah! And speak of the very devil himself.”
Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Darcy approaching from around the corner, his gaze flicking briefly to her before settlingon Wickham. His features remained impassive, giving little indication of his thoughts.
“Mr. Darcy,” Wickham greeted, his earlier ease noticeably absent. “I did not expect to encounter you today.”
Darcy gave a brief nod in response but did not speak. The pause that followed felt deliberate, drawing attention to everything unspoken between them.
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, her tone unnaturally light as she broke the pause. “Mr. Wickham and I were just discussing the likelihood of a ball at Netherfield. You might know better than anyone. Are we to expect the pleasure of such an event soon?”
“I am afraid it is not my place to speak on the matter, Miss Elizabeth,” was his clipped reply.
“Then perhaps you may at least be able to tell me if the town is wasting their time in speculation. It is all the talk, you see.”
Darcy’s eyes met hers, guarded. “I expect your curiosity will be satisfied soon enough.”
“There, that is as good as an announcement,” Elizabeth decided. “Everyone will be terribly pleased, sir.”
Wickham’s smile sharpened. “I trust you will attend, Mr. Darcy. Surely, no event would be complete without you.”
Darcy’s lips thinned. “I was unaware my presence held such significance.”
“Oh, but it does. You always draw interest, whether you seek it or not.”
Darcy’s gaze flicked briefly back to Elizabeth. “As it happens, I do not. Good day, Miss Bennet. Mr. Wickham.” With a curt nod, he turned and walked away, his strides brisk and deliberate.
Wickham watched him go, his grin returning. “It seems I struck a nerve.”
Elizabeth gave him a sideways glance. “You seem adept at that.”
He laughed, but Elizabeth’s gaze remained on Darcy’s retreating figure. His sudden departure did not unsettle her—it intrigued her. Whatever tension existed between the two men clearly worked in her favor, and she intended to make the most of it.
