Miss Bingley, rather shamefacedly, admitted that she so deeply regretted her cruelty to Miss Darcy that she could not countenance anyone else doing the same. “I could not bear it,” she said. “Poor Miss Darcy! After everything she has been through, for that – that –toadof a man to speak so!”
“What an odd coincidence that the Bennet’s cousin is your own aunt’s rector,” Mrs. Hurst marveled.
Mr. Darcy shook his head. “She collects such toadies; I suppose I should not be surprised that he is in her sphere.”
“Is it all that bad, though?” Mrs. Hurst asked. “Surely the piece in the newspaper was a nine days’ wonder and nothing else.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I stopped in London on my way here.”
“And?” Mr. Bingley prompted him.
“There could be no doubt that I was a social pariah,” he admitted. “My aunt keeps me informed as to the mood in London, and apparently our name is still besmirched. If I ever get my hands on Wickham…”
“I do not doubt that the Colonel feels much the same,” Mr. Bingley said.
“Ha! Wickham should pray that it is I who find him, not the Colonel,” Mr. Darcy replied, darkly.
Chapter Forty-Five
Longbourn
Despite the apology, Mr. Collins’ words about the Darcys had a strong effect on the Bennets. Whereas before their cousin was regarded with something like amusement, he was now regarded with open dislike.
Mr. Collins, obtuse though he was, could not be ignorant of the feelings of his cousins, and so could no longer consider Miss Mary as a candidate for the exalted position of Mrs. Collins. As a result, he soon found himself asking directions to Lucas Lodge.
“I take it you are visiting Miss Lucas,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
“She was very helpful when we met yesterday,” he said.
“Charlotte is always helpful,” Elizabeth declared. “She is one of the most sensible, rational creatures of my acquaintance, and would make any man an excellent helpmeet.”
“Does she play hymns?” Mr. Collins asked.
“She plays quite well, Mr. Collins, and I do not doubt that she would be pleased to play hymns whenever you wished.”
Mr. Collins nodded, evidently satisfied, and off he went.
***
Kitty and Lydia waited for Mr. Collins to leave before proposing their own venture outside. “The militia are marching through town today; come, Lizzy, let us go watch!”
Elizabeth felt enough in need of exercise, and was enough concerned for her sisters’ behaviour around soldiers, that she consented at once. “Do you not wish to come, Jane?” she asked.
“No, I think not,” Jane replied, blushing.
Lydia immediately interpreted the blush. “She hopes Mr. Bingley will come! I am right, Jane, am I not?”
Jane’s blush deepened and she looked at the floor.
Elizabeth laughed and said, “Lydia, leave Jane alone. Go get your wraps, girls, it is cold outside!”
***
The Bennet girls got to Meryton just as the militia began their march down the main street of the small town. The sidewalks were lined with spectators, mainly women and girls, waving handkerchiefs and cheering.
It was a sight to gladden the heart of any true Englishman, or Englishwoman, for that matter. Row upon row of men clad in uniforms of grey trousers and red coats! The men were far from oblivious of the effect their appearance had on the local ladies, and though they never broke formation, they grinned widely at the attention they received.
Kitty and Lydia were nearly hysterical in their excitement, and more than once, Lady Lucas’ warning about these men not being eligible marital partners uppermost in her mind, Elizabeth took one or both of them aside to calm overly high spirits.
