Page 39 of The Wager
Mr. Collins nodded, then looked out the window, his gaze pensive.
“Lady Catherine expects me to bring home a wife or the expectation of one.”
“Then, you had better find another garden that needs tending.”
Bennet recalled a conversation with Lizzy, where she had regaled him about some instruction Charlotte Lucas had given concerning hopeful suitors. He carefully assessed his cousin and wondered if the lady would hold to her advice, that it was better to know as little about your future spouse as possible if the opportunity presented itself.
Decision made, he closed his ledger book and replaced the cover on his ink well.
“Let us go for a ride. I shall show you the boundaries of Longbourn and while out, if Sir William Lucas is at home, I will introduce you to my closest friend.”
“One of your neighbors is knighted?”
“Indeed. No one else in Meryton can lay claim to that honor. I am certain Sir William would love to tell you all about his investiture, and with luck, Miss Charlotte Lucas – his eldest daughter – will have made one of her delicious cakes to have with tea.”
“His daughters have some skill in the kitchen?”
“Lucas Lodge is not as solvent as Longbourn, but what they lack monetary-wise, they more than make up with good cheer and loyalty. You will find no better man than Sir William Lucas.”
Chapter Eleven
Thefollowingevening,theresidents of Longbourn, except for Catherine and Lydia, traveled to the home of Mrs. Bennet’s sister for an evening of light refreshments and games. They had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawingroom, the officers of the militia had accepted their uncle’s invitation and were also scattered amongst the guests.
When introductions were complete, Mr. Collins was at leisure to look around and admire thedécor. He was so enthralled with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he might have imagined himself in the small summer breakfast parlor at Rosings.
Mrs. Philips, upon hearing this, looked askance at her sister, who soothed her by saying, “Do not take offense, Hester. From my limited understanding, Rosings Park is a magnificent estate. I am certain Mr. Collins meant it only as a compliment.”
Mr. Collins’ eyes widened and his mouth dropped open upon realizing the hostess thought he had insulted her home.
“I did indeed mean it as a compliment, Mrs. Philips,” he hastened to assure her. “I was very much taken with the crown molding and tray ceiling. One does not expect such elegance in a smaller home and it is quite magnificent.”
He then began describing the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions into praise of his humble abode and the improvements he had made at the behest of his patroness. With Mr. Collins happily situated beside the attentive Mrs. Philips, the Longbourn party made their way further into the house, separating into different drawing rooms to visit with neighbors and friends.
The red-draped officers presented themselves in a favorable light with a welcome display of polite manners and gentlemanlike behavior. Not much time had passed before Mr. Wickham, a handsome, congenial man to whom almost every female eye was turned, asked for introductions to the ladies of Longbourn and immediately fell into an agreeable conversation with them. Elizabeth was not surprised by this request, nor when the gentleman’s attention became more focused on her eldest sister. Jane’s beauty was a beacon of light that called many to make her acquaintance, but few withstood the pointed questions the sisters had learned to ask to determine if a gentleman was worth their attention.
The first thing Elizabeth realized was that flattery, coupled with a winsome smile, was Mr. Wickham’s secret weapon. She surmised even the dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the speaker’s skill.
How many young girls have fallen for your charm?she wondered. An elevated brow directed toward her eldest sister, who returned her silent query with a slight, elegant shrug of her shoulder, told Elizabeth that Jane was also leery of the officer.
Barely any time had passed before Elizabeth, tired of his prattle, decided to begin what she and Jane jokingly calledThe Inquisition. Over the next quarter hour, they discovered his father had been a steward of a vast estate in Derbyshire, and the master of that same estate was also his godfather. What surprised them most was learning that Mr. Wickham’s godfather had ensured his godson received a gentleman’s education, sending him to the best private schools, including Cambridge alongside his son. More questioning revealed the dapper officer had, for a brief time, entertained the thought of being a barrister.
“I found the law was not to my liking,” Wickham said in a firm voice. “I am an active person and could not bear the thought of being anchored to a desk for all hours of the day.”
“Forgive me for being indelicate, but given the great education you received, what enticed you to join the militia at this stage of your life?” Elizabeth asked when he paused for breath.
“The prospect of constant and good society was my chief inducement,’’ he began. “I knew this particular Militia regiment was a respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me farther by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintance Meryton had procured them.”
“On behalf of the citizens of Meryton, I thank you, sir,” Jane said. “We hope you enjoy our society, small and unvaried as it may seem to those who yearn for the bustle of Town.”
Elizabeth inherently knew her sister referred to Miss Bingley’s frequent lamentations about the lack of good shopping and entertainment in Hertfordshire.
“Society, I own, is necessary to me. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession. I was brought up for the church, and should at this time, have enjoyed a most valuable living, had it pleased the son of my deceased godfather.’’
“Indeed!’’
“Yes, my godfather, the late Mr. Darcy, was excessively attached to me and bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere.”
Both Elizabeth’s and Jane’s eyes widened at his mentioning the name of their cousin’s father, but Mr. Wickham did not notice as his attention became riveted on some guests who entered the room. His face paled and Elizabeth turned to see who had generated such a response and found herself looking directly at Mr. Darcy, whose own face was flushed an angry red. Mr. Wickham’s eyes flicked every which way, as though seeking to escape.
