This sounded much like something their father would say. Catherine couldn’t agree, though.
~~~~~
Two days after Jane and Catherine’s return from Netherfield, all five sisters took a walk into Meryton. Lydia wanted a few ribbons and decorations for a bonnet she wished to retrim. Mary was hoping to find some new sheet music. Jane and Lizzy just wanted to get out of the house, and Catherine simply tagged along.
As they approached the center of town, Lydia turned to Catherine and said, “Look, there’s Denny, and he is with someone new. I wonder who he is. He certainly is handsome.”
“It looks as though you may find out soon,” said Catherine. Lieutenant Denny had spotted the group of sisters and was headed their way.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said as he bowed to them. “You are all looking remarkably well.”
“Good afternoon,” said Lydia, just barely managing to hold back a giggle at his compliment. “It seems as though you have brought our neighborhood a new acquaintance.” She glanced meaningfully at the other gentleman, clearly asking for an introduction.
“Ah, yes,” he said. “This is my good friend Mr. Wickham from Derbyshire. He is enlisting as an officer in our militia. Wickham, these are the Misses Bennet.” He then introduced the sisters one by one.
When Catherine heard the name Wickham, she felt her eyes narrow as hot fury ran through her veins. The fact that he was from Derbyshire and the way his handsome face matched Georgiana’s description of him, told Catherine that this was the man who had intended to kidnap Georgiana and force her into marriage. Remembering her friend’s distress as she related the tale made Kitty furious.
“How nice to meet you, Mr. Wickham,” she said. “I have heard of you before, you know.”
All of her sisters turned to stare at her, but Catherine continued on. “You may be interested to know that my good friend Georgiana is in the neighborhood, as are her brother and her cousin, Viscount Hilldale. I am certain you remember how protective they are of Georgiana.”
She supposed she could have waited to deliver this information at a more private moment instead of in front of so many witnesses, but anger made her less than wise.
“Is that so?” said Mr. Wickham. His face had gone pale, and the charming smile had been wiped away.
“That is so,” said Catherine firmly.
Mr. Wickham turned to Lieutenant Denny. “I believe I just remembered some business I need to finish. I must beg your pardon.” The man then scurried off.
Lieutenant Denny looked at Catherine curiously. She knew he wished to ask for more information, but he was held back by the demands of propriety. It would have done him no good regardless. She would not be offering any additional information to anyone.
Lydia loudly whispered to Catherine, “Why did you have to scare him off like that. He was so handsome.”
Catherine didn’t even spare her sister a glance in response. Mr. Wickham was handsome as well as charming. He was also a liar and a dangerous fortune hunter. She hoped he would be leaving the area for good.
Lieutenant Denny walked next to Lydia for a while as the sisters resumed their shopping. He left a few blocks later.
Shortly after his departure, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were spotted riding down Main Street toward the ladies. Catherine saw both Elizabeth’s and Jane’s faces light up with pleasure at the sight. It was only upon looking at the horses again that she noticed two other figures behind the gentlemen.
Lord Hilldale was riding next to a small pony which carried Travis. As they drew close enough for Catherine to see them in more detail, she noticed that Travis alternated between looking around him in fascination at the town and focusing on guiding his pony correctly.
As they approached the sisters, all three gentlemen dismounted their horses, but Travis remained on his pony. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley greeted them all happily, but they then focused on Elizabeth and Jane. Lord Hilldale, however, only greeted Catherine.
“Kitty!” he cried. “This is an unexpected surprise. We were all on our way to Longbourn, so that Bingley could deliver an invitation to a ball he is planning. None of us expected to see you all in town on our way.”
“Good afternoon, Lord Hilldale,” said Catherine. “And to you as well Master Travis. Are you enjoying your pony ride?” She knew it wasn’t entirely polite to ignore the father in favor of the son, but she was certain Lord Hilldale would not mind.
“This is the first time I have ridden her in a town,” Travis answered. “She is used to the country, but she keeps getting distracted by all the sights here in Meryton.”
“That is quite a challenge,” agreed Catherine. “It is one of the reasons I never ride my horse here in Meryton. We are both far happier in the country.”
“Do you not like the city?” asked Lord Hilldale.
Catherine shrugged her shoulders. “I did not mean to imply any such thing. I am generally content wherever I am as long as I am comfortable. I only meant that I do not like riding my horse in town.”
“I suppose that is very like you,” he said. “You are content anywhere, and I am discontent everywhere. We make quite a pair of old bachelors, do we not?”
Catherine laughed. “That is far more pleasant a term than spinster. I believe I can accept that.”
