“But you’ll save the best dances for me, won’t you? I always said you were the sweetest gal in town.” As he spoke, he reached to help himself to a liquorice from the jar on the counter, then bit off a chunk and chewed it with a leering smile.
Elizabeth pulled the jar away to refill it behind the counter. “If you have said it, it is not true, for everyone knows that Jane is the sweetest. She would not have charged you for that bit of liquorice, but I will.”
Still grinning, and never looking away, he searched in his pocket and slapped three pennies down on the counter. Elizabeth waited until his hand had fully withdrawn before she took them and was relieved to hear the door jingling as she turned to deposit them in the register. Even if it was only Billy coming back in, at least she was no longer alone with Jake—
“Bryson!”
The clear, commanding tone rang out and caused both Elizabeth and her customer to jump. It was the colonel she had met yesterday—the officious one who thought she rode too recklessly. Even without the benefit of a horse, he was still tall, and very smartly turned out in his khaki uniform and polished boots. He strode towards Jake Bryson with the measured, intimidating steps of one used to command, and stopped at the counter.
“What are you doing in town, Bryson? I sent Lieutenant Barker and the rest of my men out to the corrals over an hour ago.”
Jake leaned his elbow on the counter, affecting nonchalance. “I might ask the same of you, Colonel. Thought you was all in a rush to try that lot today.”
The colonel slid his gaze towards Elizabeth, his eyes narrowing in recognition. He offered a polite dip of his head, a deferential, “Madam,” then addressed Bryson again.
“I am still about town because it has come to my attention that the accounts have been neglected. I understand you were the party responsible to the feed mill and the general store when Colonel Marcus took his leave? I must now wonder what has become of the money that was sent.”
Bryson shifted uneasily, but he continued leaning on the counter as before. “Dunno, Colonel. I never saw it.”
The colonel’s lips thinned. “Sir, we will speak of this in private. I will have you on a horse and bound for the corrals to set about your duties at once. I shall follow after I have attended to my remaining business.”
Elizabeth let go a tight breath as Jake Bryson grudgingly shuffled out, and purposefully looked in another direction when he tried to offer her one more rakish smile before he departed.
The colonel remained, and now looked to her with a softened expression. “I must apologise, madam. I had not intended to disrupt your business with my own.”
“Think nothing of it, Colonel. You have sent away one whose companionship is not dear to me, and I am now in hopes that your ‘business’ might result in his account being settled. So, as you can see, I can have no cause to regret your rather unceremonious entry.”
His lips parted, displaying even white teeth and an easy charm. He put out his hand. “Perhaps I might introduce myself, as we have met twice now, and I still have not the pleasure of your name. Mine is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.”
“Elizabeth Bennet.” She quite liked the way he grasped her whole hand—not merely touching her fingers as if she were made of glass, nor limply cradling her hand like a cold fish. His grip was firm and respectful, as if he were meeting an equal.
“Bennet?” His brow furrowed as he released her hand. “You are not some relation to that curious blacksmith out at the corrals?”
“He is my father. You would do well to heed when he speaks, for my father is more poet than blacksmith.”
“He is certainly more ‘something,’ although, I confess, the word ‘poet’ is not the one that leapt to mind. May I ask, Miss Bennet, do you often ride out as if the devil were on your tail, or was I merely fortunate to encounter you yesterday?”
“I shall ask you a question first. For a lady who enjoys the out of doors and solitude, would you—a gentleman whose duty it is to protect others—recommend walking instead of riding?”
He laughed. “No, indeed. If you must seek your moments of privacy and reflection, by all means, stay mounted. At least on horseback, you are a match for any who might trouble you—and more than a match, if what I witnessed yesterday was any indication. But may I offer one word of advice?”
She tilted her head and arched a teasing brow.
He leaned a little closer to the counter. “If you wind your horse, or he stumbles and falls, you will have no mount at all. As you seem to have a fondness for riding off the main road, I am left to wonder who might discover you if you needed help, and what their intentions might be.”
“A dreadful state of affairs! You may be assured, Colonel, I take additional precautions.”
“I hope this extra measure of care you speak of is made of iron and lead. Apart from a horse, nothing else will put you on such equal footing if trouble should call.”
She looked down, arranging the jars on the counter, and puckering her lips in thought. “I shall simply say that my father ensured that I knew how to look after myself.”
He straightened with a smile. “Then, my sense of duty is satisfied. And now, I believe I have an account to settle.”
The colonel was gone only a few minutes later, but Elizabeth’s efficiency seemed to have left with him. She puttered about the counter, needlessly dusting and straightening items on display. Her mind, it must be confessed, was rather agreeably engaged in contemplating the rare pleasure of a gentleman of manners and intelligence.
“Lizzy?”
Elizabeth shook off her reverie. “Hmm? Aunt, did you say something?”
