Page 103 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“I thought I would check in and see how you are managing the love match between Miss Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

Basile rose to all fours and glared at the guinea pig. “You take zat back. Zere will be no love match between my Caroline and ze colonel.”

The cursed rodent twitched his nose and scratched his cheek. “I will not take it back. I think you are wrong.”

“‘E ‘as odorous boots. Besides zat disgustin’ situation, my Caroline will not marry a man who ‘as no money,” Basile stated, adding a sniff of disdain.

The guinea pig turned around on the spot before saying, “Matters of the heart are complicated.”

Basile hissed.

“Are you agreeing with me or being obnoxious?” the rodent asked in an offensively pleasant voice. “Rudeness never pays.”

“You ‘ave stupid sayings,” Basile declared. He sneakily approached the chair at a crouch as though he meant to pounce on the intruder. Just as he arrived at the right spot to make his move, the guinea pig chirped and disappeared. Basile halted. “Mon Dieu, I wish I could do zat!”

*

“What are you up to tonight, Wickham?” asked Lieutenant Denny.

They stood in the shared private parlor the regiment had arranged for their use. It contained a dining table with a selection of chairs ranged around it, sitting on a faded blue carpet. Several upholstered chairs occupied either side of an unlit fireplace, small tables beside each.

Wickham smiled secretively and lifted an eyebrow. When he said nothing in response, his young friend chuckled.

“I know you. You have a lady-friend stashed here abouts,” he accused, pointing a finger at him.

“I do not know what you are talking about,” Wickham claimed, still smiling. “What are you doing this evening?”

“I have been invited to Mrs. Phillips’ house for dinner and an evening of friendly games,” Denny replied. “She promised us that her two young nieces will be there as well.”

“Us?”

“Chamberlayne is coming, too,” Denny told him.

“Remind him that he is affianced, will you?” Wickham silently cursing the younger officer for being betrothed to a minor heiress. I wish I had a minor heiress. I almost had one two summers ago—except that Georgiana’s dowry would have set us up with an annual income of around £1500—more than a minor heiress would supply.

“Chamberlayne is besotted with his fiancé,” Denny reminded him, turning to take his white gloves from their batman. “He will not step out on her for anything, even if the two Bennet sisters are jolly company.”

“I wish you joy in your evening entertainment,” Wickham said in a drawling voice. Being almost ten years older than Denny made him feel ancient.

“And you also,” Denny said, grinning.

Oh, I will have some fun, if nothing else.

*

Darcy left his bedchamber and wandered down the main staircase to the entrance hall, a smile of anticipation playing over his lips. He had enjoyed his time with Miss Elizabeth exceedingly today, and he looked forward to seeing her again this evening. He could not remember a time when any woman had captivated him so much.

In the entrance hall, he found that Miss Bingley and his friend had come down before him. Douglas and Georgiana stood speaking with them as they waited. Brewster stood against the wall by the entrance door, waiting to open it for his master and party as soon as they needed him.

Darcy spied Basile crouched beside Miss Bingley’s skirts, his tail swishing back and forth as he eyed Douglas’ boots. The cat gathered himself and pounced. However, his cousin leapt out of the way just in time to avoid any molestation of their pristine shine.

“Oh, ho!” Douglas cried, hurrying behind Miss Bingley. “He is at it again.”

Darcy laughed, coming down the last few steps into the entrance hall.

“Well may you laugh, Cousin, but Basile is determined to destroy my boots. We purchased a harness and lead for him today in order to take him safely in the gig. Perhaps we should use it in the house, as well.”

“Oh, no,” Miss Bingley said, shaking her head violently. “He must have his freedom in the house.”