“Naturally. He is the most gentlemanly man in town, and can speak on all manner of interesting topics, but do not make more of it than what it can be. He shall be away again soon enough, like all the other officers.”
“And have you never heard of an army officer marrying and then taking his wife back to England?”
Elizabeth made a face and turned away. “Do not tease me, Jane. Besides, why would I wish to leave? I have all of you here, and that is dearer to me than any dashing officer in a khaki uniform.”
“Lizzy! Jane!” Kitty arrived breathlessly at the door, her hair a hopeless tangle and tears welling in her eyes. “Lydia has taken all my hairpins, and Mama said I must let her have them. What am I to do? Look at me!”
“Taken your hair pins?” Jane wondered. “Whatever for? Uncle said she was not to wear her hair up until next year.”
“But he is not home yet, and she has gone and done it anyway. Mama says she might as well start dressing like a lady, and now I have no pins left because she used the very last one! Have you any I might use?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Jane in the mirror and sighed. “Very well, Kitty, come sit down. Let us see what we can make of it.”
TheBennetsandGardinersarrived together in Mr Gardiner’s wagon, driven by Billy. He did remember to set the brake and secure the team this time, although Elizabeth noted with a private smile that her uncle did not lead her aunt away from the wagon until Billy had done so. She and Jane walked together, trailing behind their younger sisters.
The dancing had not yet begun, but nearly everyone was already gathered. A pig was turning on the spit, and the beer was flowing from the kegs, where a good number of the men had gathered. Bryson stood among them, but he had not noticed her yet. Elizabeth suppressed a shiver. Here, with the noise of dancers and the inevitable darkness of the evening, she would do well not to allow him too close to her.
Her qualms were relieved a moment later because Colonel Fitzwilliam was weaving towards her. He had not ridden with them, after all, as Mr Gardiner’s wagon had been full enough, but he had been diligent in watching for them.
He wore that genial, friendly expression, which was his usual way, and he bowed before them both with a playful flourish. “The fair Misses Bennet, good evening. I trust you have both come ready to dance. May I have the pleasure of introducing you to Corporal Denny?”
Elizabeth and Jane smiled at the fresh-faced young corporal, who stammered out a greeting and gazed raptly at Jane. The sisters exchanged glances of amusement, then the corporal bashfully asked Jane if she would like something to drink, and could he fetch it for her—or better yet, escort her. Jane sweetly agreed to the latter.
Elizabeth was thereby left alone with the colonel. He was following the corporal and Jane with his eyes, then looked back to her with a wink. “Useful fellow, Denny.”
“Ah, so you planned that introduction?”
“I am an Army man, Miss Elizabeth. I plan everything. Have no fear, for the corporal has been instructed to watch over your sister well this evening.”
She dipped her head in gratitude. “Then for that, I thank you. Jane’s company is often sought by men, but rarely has she found a single champion. And have you posted guards on my other sisters as well?”
“I had, but it seems your younger sisters met with others before my men could carry out their duties. And Miss Mary took one look at Corporal Carter and walked away. Perhaps he is not the handsomest of my men, but he is a decent enough fellow.”
“Mary will assume the worst intentions. I am afraid that is her way. So, what of myself, Colonel? Which of your chivalrous gents have you assigned to my protection?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I am wounded!” He put out his arm, and just then, the music began. “Shall we?”
Thecolonelwasanexcellent dancer. Though he did not at first appear to know the steps—for there were no formal patterns—he adapted quickly to the call and appeared to be as much at ease on the dance square as he seemed to be on a horse.
Sadly, Elizabeth could not spend the entire evening enjoying his company. Others were now stepping in, and in the course of a single tune, a lady might turn round the square with three or four partners. It was with no surprise, then, that she found herself opposite Jake Bryson rather more frequently than she might have wished.
On one such occasion, his hands had slipped a little too low about her waist, and his musty breath was a little too close to her ear. Elizabeth could not help a glance about, searching for any man who might request her company for a turn, but her much-favoured colonel appeared to be in earnest conversation with her cousin Billy. What the latter might be able to say to interest the English colonel she could not imagine, but for once, she wished her cousin was a littlelessinteresting.
A moment later, however, she was surprised when Billy—reclusive and clumsy Billy—approached from her left. “M-my turn,” he mumbled to Jake Bryson.
Bryson turned incredulously on the quaking Billy. Elizabeth pulled her hands free and made a laughing curtsey towards her cousin and an apologetic tip of her shoulders to Jake. Still, he did not move, but glowered down at Billy.
“Oh, come, Mr Bryson,” Elizabeth soothed. “Let us dance by rule and follow the usual customs. I am certain to enjoy your company again later.”
His lip curled again at Billy, but he abruptly turned away. Elizabeth was certain she heard a muttered curse, but she only breathed a sigh of relief to be free of him for a moment.
“Enjoy his company? What are you doing encouraging him, Lizzy?” Billy demanded. “If I hadn’t thought you wanted to be rid of him, I would never have antagonised him by stepping in.”
“I was only trying to keep you from earning a fat lip for your trouble. I must thank you, by the way—or is it the colonel I have to thank?”
“You don’t think this was my idea, do you? You know how much I enjoy dancing.”
“My toes have certainly borne witness to your grace,” she returned with a wry chuckle. “Three counts to the beat, not four, Billy. I would like to be able to walk tomorrow.”
