“I see that you joined the regiment, sir.” She acknowledged him out of politeness, nothing more. “Are you done with your training for the day?”
“Training? Me?” Mr. Wickham’s smile was like sunlight, bright and cheerful. “Colonel Forster has tasked me with selecting a gift for his bride. Thus, it is providential that you appeared when you did, for there is no one else in the neighborhood with your intelligence and natural good taste. If I might, could I impose upon you to accompany me to the haberdasher for that purpose?”
Even though the request was innocent, in the back of her mind was the warning Mrs. Hammond shared concerning the reprehensible conduct of some of the officers. She would be cautious. Therefore, she would keep on guard as he went about his most unusual assignment.
“Does the lady enjoy reading?” Elizabeth asked since she knew little of Mrs. Forster other than that she was the same age as Kitty.
“I do not believe so.” Mr. Wickham shrugged. “She is a silly girl who is easily distracted by pretty bobbles and bows.”
Her shoulders stiffened. Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Forster resented being referred to as silly as much as she did.
“I am not skilled at determining which colors appeal to a lady. Green or red confuses my eyes, and my head aches when they are together. If you choose a ribbon, you will be doing the lady a kind service as well as myself.”
“Then perhaps we shall look through those that are either blue or yellow.”
He studied her face carefully, trying to charm her with his smile. “I believe her favorite color is green, I think.” He paused. “You did not share the color of your gown for Mr. Bingley’s ball. Perhaps it will compliment my new coat when we stand up for the first.”
He was bold. Too bold.She no longer found his charms to be untarnished. Her stomach suddenly felt unsettled, like having too many cups of coffee on an empty stomach. “My first is already taken. As your coat is red, sir, and as my newest gown is the same as Mrs. Forster’s favorite color, I fear we will not get on well at all. If that combination pains you, that will not encourage enjoyment of the ball.”
She heard the tartness of her own words reflected in his forced laughter. Randomly pulling an apple-green ribbon from the rack, she said, “I believe this will do for the lady.”
Politeness itself, Mr. Wickham bowed. “I am certain she will be pleased.
“If you will excuse me, sir. I must return to Longbourn.” Elizabeth gathered her basket to depart. She was taken by surprise when he grabbed it from her hands.
“Allow me to escort you. The roads might not be safe with all the strangers in the area. I know for a fact that Darcy can be unpleasant. His cousin, although raised as a gentleman, can be rough and tumble around the ladies.” His smile did not reach his eyes. “A lady cannot be too careful with her reputation, can she?”
Snatching the basket from him, she said, “As it so happens, it was Colonel Fitzwilliam who requested my first set, as a proper gentleman should. I have quite changed my mind, Mr. Wickham. Seeing these ribbons, in particular this pink striped satin, puts me in mind of Mrs. Hammond’s gown. I shall need to tell her of it before it is purchased by someone else. Good day to you.” Making sure not to catch his eye, she departed the building, walking straight into the chest of Mr. Darcy.Oh no!What bad timing.
The last thingDarcy expected when he stopped at the local haberdasher was for Elizabeth Bennet to end up in his arms. He might have held her a bit longer than necessary, except George chortled from behind her.Any consideration that he might have given to Wickham having a change of attitude toward him was gone.
Interesting!Her arms did not drop immediately from his chest. Was she in distress? With her bonnet on and her face lowered, reflecting her modesty, it was difficult to tell. Yet, there were clues. Her shoulders were pressed forward as if she was trying to distance herself from the man standing behind her. Slender fingers were gripping his lapels. Her elbows pressed into her side, making her basket jut out until it scraped the casing of the doorway.
What had Wickham done?
Fighting down intense anger, Darcy was surprised at the worry coursing through him. He knew his half-brother more than any other person on the planet while growing up. He knew his nature and impulses. Before Eton, George knew how to keep a promise and a secret. After, his record of seeking his ownadvantage meant he was untrustworthy. Although they spent little time together as adults, Wickham’s recent actions indicated more than words that he was unchanged.
He would protect her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I beg your pardon.”
“Ah, so you prefer a wealthy man to an officer,” Wickham remarked, his tone scathing.
In a dance as old as time, Darcy twirled her until she stood immediately behind him. By the time he turned around, George had retreated to the counter, attempting to romance the lady into giving the ribbon for free. Darcy was thoroughly disgusted. Wickham’s propensity to seek advantage was long-standing. Since their youth, George wanted everything for nothing. It mattered not to him that this meant that others sacrificed food for their table or money for rent.
Sighing heavily, he glanced back at Miss Elizabeth. She regained her confidence, looking directly at him, her brow arched. She would not appreciate any prevarication on his part when he explained his relationship with his old friend in a way that would not reveal any secrets.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth. Your appearance took me by surprise. Might I escort you home?”
Without hesitation, she replied, “I was returning to Mrs. Hammond. If you would not mind, I would appreciate the company.”
Offering her his arm, she politely refused. “Sir, if Mama were to hear a report of us being arm in arm while strolling in public, her expectations would be raised even if mine were not.”
What? No expectations?For the past five years since he inherited Pemberley, every female from eight to eighty eagerly pursued him. Would she not want him, too?
“I…I thank you?” Darcy was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable he felt walking alongside her, especially afterseeing Wickham. Typically, it took hours or days to regain his equanimity. He was trying to think of something witty to say when she interrupted his thoughts.
“Have you heard of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s progress north? I do hope the weather holds and the journey is without obstacles, especially for your sister and aunt. Is there a chance they will stop at Netherfield Park for a rest after leaving London?”
