Page 69 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“I know a likely set of rooms,” Wickham said. “There are six houses we looked over as options for the colonel, but rejected them on his behalf. However, they will do for us. Four or more bedchambers to each, a parlor, and a dining room.”

“Space for our batmen?”

Wickham nodded. He took a long draw of his ale.

“We will need some additional apartments for the staff officers,” Chamberlayne, who acted as an adjunct to the quartermaster, reminded him. “The date for the arrival of the regiment is October 30th.”

Wickham almost choked on his ale. He set the tanker down and stared at his friend. “I thought the date was closer to the middle of November.”

Chamberlayne shrugged and ruffled his own closely-cropped curly blond hair. “The colonel wants to take advantage of the dryer weather.”

“I suppose getting set up before the rains that are sure to come soon only makes sense,” Wickham said aloud. Inside, however, he cursed the rush. “After we finish off this heavy wet, we had best seek out the property agents and get started.”

“Right you are,” Chamberlayne said, lifting his tanker in salute. “To our efforts.”

“Here, here,” Wickham replied, taking another swallow. “By-the-by, have you seen Denny yet?”

“No.”

“He must still be at the market.”

*

Lizzy and Mary left the chemist, the lanolin jar wrapped in paper and tucked into a net shopping bag.

“I have my purchase, let us go to the book dealer to look for your periodicals,” Lizzy said to Mary, taking her arm.

“The market is busy today,” Mary observed as they struck out in the direction of the book dealer’s stall. He always set up in a space next to the guild hall, at the edge of Market Square. “Shoppers must be taking advantage of the dry weather.”

“I believe you have the right of it,” Lizzy remarked. She nodded to their left. “Look. Kitty and Lydia have found a young officer. Let us intercept them.”

“To remind them they are visible to all and sundry?” Mary asked dryly. “I am not certain that will make them behave better.”

“No, but reminding their quarry of it might make him remember to behave like a gentleman,” Lizzy replied tartly.

The closer they came to their sisters and the redcoat, the easier it was for Lizzy to recognize how young the tall, blond young man seemed. She doubted he had more than seven-and-ten years.

“Lydia,” Lizzy said, stopping in front of her giggling sister, who held onto the arm of the militia lieutenant. “Kitty. Kindly introduce me to your new friend.”

Kitty produced a wary grin. “This is Lieutenant Denny, Lizzy. Denny, this is my sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

Lieutenant Denny removed his hat—though not without some difficulty since her sisters held onto both his arms—and bowed.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, grinning.

“Lieutenant Denny,” Lizzy returned, nodding. “May I present my sister, Miss Mary Bennet?”

“Miss Mary,” he said, bowing again.

Mary nodded.

“May I ask which regiment you belong to?” Lizzy asked. The lieutenant told her as he replaced his black, bicorn hat. “Is the rumor true, sir? Will your regiment be overwintering nearby?”

“Not nearby!” Lydia squealed, hopping up and down, still clasping the officer’s arm. “Here. In Meryton! Is that not amazing news?”

“Indeed,” Lizzy said. In spite of the market din, she heard Mary sigh beside her. “Kitty, Lydia, have you thought to introduce Mr. Denny to our aunt? She will give you refreshments, I am sure.”

“We were on our way there when you stopped us,” Kitty told her.