Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “That is saying a great deal.”
Color rose in Darcy’s face, to Elizabeth’s private satisfaction.
Mr. Wickham’s manner was so easy and agreeable that Elizabeth liked him immediately. There was a readiness in his conversation that put others at ease, but without the slightest tendency toward self-importance.
Darcy, observing her favorable impression, seemed pleased.
“Wickham has recently accepted the living at Lambton,” he said.
Mr. Wickham bowed. “Thanks entirely to Darcy’s generosity. I am still searching for a curate willing to take charge of Kympton, but once that matter is settled, I expect to be established in Derbyshire before spring.”
“You must allow me to thank you in advance,” Elizabeth said, turning to Darcy with a smile. “It is a comfort to know Pemberley will be so well supplied with sensible clergy.”
“I make no promises regarding my sermons,” Wickham said. “Only that they shall be shorter than most.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed again, and even Georgiana’s reserved expression brightened.
Lydia, who had drifted near during the introductions, fixed her attention upon Mr. Wickham with an intensity that left little room for doubt.
When he turned to address her with his usual easy civility, she blushed so deeply that Kitty stared in astonishment.
Elizabeth observed the alteration.
So, she thought,another campaign was already beginning.
And from the first moment, it was perfectly clear that Lydia Bennet was utterly smitten.
Congratulations spread throughout the room, and Sir William looked so delighted that he seemed in danger of embracing half the assembly.
Lydia leaned toward Elizabeth.
“You see? We improve everybody.”
“I do not believe you had anything to do with this engagement.”
Lydia considered. “Perhaps only indirectly.”
Darcy, standing beside Elizabeth, murmured, “I have learned never to underestimate your sister’s influence.”
The evening continued in a whirl of music, conversation, and more dancing than Elizabeth would once have thought possible. Darcy danced with her whenever propriety allowed and spent the intervening sets in conversation with her father, assisting Mrs. Bennet, and, at one memorable moment, retrieving Toby from beneath the refreshment table after an ill-advised attempt to inspect the desserts before supper.
By the time the final set concluded, Netherfield seemed less a neighboring estate than an extension of the life they had all built together.
At the carriage, Lydia announced once more that history would record her contributions with gratitude.
Kitty rolled her eyes, though without conviction.
Mary declared that matchmaking, when guided by benevolent motives, could scarcely be condemned.
Mr. Bennet observed that posterity would have much to answer for.
Darcy handed Elizabeth into the carriage and took his place beside her.
Thomas and Toby wedged themselves opposite, their faces unusually thoughtful.
For almost five minutes they remained silent.
Elizabeth should have known it could not last.
