“Lydia!” Elizabeth scolded, grabbing her arm. She felt mortified at being the centre of such a discussion; the two officers watched her curiously, while Mr Wickham’s countenance changed a few times. He was certainly amused at her expense.
“Mr Darcy?” Mr Collins interjected, his eyes wide. “Did I hear correctly? Could he be the master of Pemberley?”
“He certainly is,” Sir William agreed.
“This is most extraordinary! I must introduce myself to him immediately. He is the nephew of my noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. This is the most astonishing coincidence. I would never have expected to meet Mr Darcy here!”
“It is a surprise, indeed,” Mr Wickham mumbled, and Elizabeth gazed at him, curious.
“Are you acquainted with Mr Darcy, Mr Wickham?” Sir William enquired.
“I am, but I am sure neither of us would be pleased to meet again.”
“Well,” Colonel Forster said, “from what I heard, Mr Darcy intends to leave Hertfordshire in a month. I am sure you can bear to meet him once or twice, if such a thing occurs, Wickham.”
“I certainly can, sir. My duty keeps me with the regiment, and that is more important than any unpleasant encounter.”
Mr Wickham’s remarks — as well as his voice and his obviously distracted expression — intrigued Elizabeth. There had been so many coincidences: the similarity between Miss Darcy’s missing cat and Mr Ash; Mr Collins being Mr Darcy’s aunt’s clergyman; a new officer acquainted with Mr Darcy. It seemed as if they were all in a play. Would it turn out to be a comedy or a drama?
Sir William’s indiscretion had begun the conversation, proving he was no cleverer than Mr Collins. And the officer who had so easily expressed an opinion about an acquaintance to some strangers was also uncommonly ill-mannered.
The discussion was still taking place in the middle of the road, so Colonel Forster invited everyone inside for somerefreshments. Elizabeth and Jane were the only ones reluctant, while everybody else agreed enthusiastically.
Charlotte took Elizabeth and Jane’s arms, walking behind the rest of the group.
“Your cousin is an interesting man,” Charlotte said. “Papa heard a few things about him from Mr Phillips. He has a pleasant figure.”
“He does, but interesting is not a word I would use to describe him,” Elizabeth said.
“He seems to be partial to you, Eliza.”
“My dear Charlotte, he only met me two days ago. What partiality could he have? The truth is — and I trust you will keep this a secret! — that Lady Catherine has demanded he marry, and he would never disobey her. For two days now, he has been trying to compliment me, and I have been attempting to escape from his attentions — especially since I know they cannot be the result of any true feelings. He cannot like me since he does not even know me.”
“People hardly know each other even after they have lived together for twenty years. So you do not intend to marry him?” Charlotte asked, and Elizabeth gazed at her, laughing.
“My dear Charlotte, I cannot believe you are even asking me that.”
“Why not? He seems to possess more qualities than flaws. He is making a good living as a clergyman, and one day — hopefully in many, many years — he will even inherit Longbourn,” Charlotte insisted.
Elizabeth wondered whether her friend was serious or not.
“You are right, of course, but Mr Collins is not the sort of man who could make me happy, and I would certainly not make himso. Besides, I am quite certain Lady Catherine would despise my stubbornness and frankness, and she would disapprove of everything I do or say. Just like Mama does.”
“That, I cannot argue with,” Charlotte replied, laughing too.
They entered the colonel’s house, and refreshments were ordered. Mrs Forster seemed close to Lydia and Kitty in age as well as manners, so the three found a subject of conversation to amuse themselves. The colonel spoke with Sir William and Mr Collins, and at some point, even Charlotte joined them.
Jane was talking to Mary and Maria Lucas on a sofa next to Elizabeth’s.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I sit with you, if I am not imposing?”
She lifted her eyes to see Mr Wickham smiling at her most charmingly.
“Of course, sir!”
“Thank you. It is a real pleasure to meet you and so many other lovely people here in Meryton. I am grateful that I decided to join the regiment, if only for that reason.”
“I hope you will enjoy your career in the militia for many other reasons, Mr Wickham. But we are pleased to have you here too.”
