Page 41 of Compromise & Consequence
“The person of whom I speak is a gentleman and a stranger.” Bennet ushered him further into the room. “May I introduce Colonel Fitzwilliam? Colonel, this is my wife, Mrs. Frances Bennet.”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Bennet. I am very pleased to meet you.”
“Did you say the colonel was joining us for supper, Mr. Bennet?”
“I did, indeed.”
“Then, if you would excuse me, I must see the cook about our extra guest.”
“Mrs. Bennet, also advise Hill that we will need the guest chamber fitted out once more as the gentleman will also spend the night.”
“Oh,” she breathed out with an almost worshipful sigh. Richard could practically see the wheels turning in her head and wondered how long it would take before any, or all of her other daughters who remained at home were sent to the drawing room for his perusal.
He knew his view was jaded, but he’d been around for too long and had witnessed too many Mammas trying to find husbands for their daughters, to not expect some form of machination. In less than ten minutes, a boisterous girl, barely fifteen if he had to try and guess her age, flounced into the room.
“Oooo… Mamma was not lying. Thereisan officer here. How do you do colonel, my name is Lydia Bennet.”
He took note Mr. Bennet did nothing to stop his daughter’s forward behavior.
“I see you were let out of the nursery for the day,” Richard said coolly. “Lovely. How old are you, child? Twelve, thirteen? I am sure you are anxious for your turn to come out in society properly.”
As he spoke, Miss Lydia’s mouth opened wider and wider, her eyes flashing with anger. Richard figured it was a safe bet no one had ever put her in her place. He could see why Darcy had a hard time with the family.
“Close your mouth, Lydia or flies will start to congregate,” Mr. Bennet said in a tired voice.
“Papa!” she exclaimed and actually stomped her foot in anger. “He said I was only twelve or thirteen!”
She whirled to face Richard, her back ramrod straight, her chin and ample breasts pushed forward.
“I am nearly sixteen and already out.”
She reminded him of a young kitten trying desperately to appear larger and more ferocious when cornered by other cats.
“Your behavior is certainly juvenile,” Mr. Bennet said. “No young lady enters a room and introduces herself. You have been taught better manners; you choose to ignore them.”
She began to protest anew when the beautiful vision Richardhad seen earlier in the day entered the room. He forced himself to close his own mouth, which had threatened to compete with Miss Lydia for how far it could fall open, and noticed the smirk on Mr. Bennet’s face.
“This, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is my eldest daughter Jane.”
The devil take him if Bennet hadn’t set him up. He liked the man even more.
“How do you do, Miss Bennet, I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Good afternoon, Colonel. Are you here long in Meryton?”
“No, I leave tomorrow at first light. I have finished the task I came for and must return to London.”
“And what was the task, Colonel, or is it secretive military movements and you cannot share the information?”
“Nothing secretive. I brought a soldier up on charges of conduct unbecoming and he will be sent to either debtor’s prison or take a very long boat ride.”
“Which officer?” Lydia interrupted.
“Lieutenant Wickham.”
“Wickham! No! That cannot be!” Lydia jumped to her feet and raced to her father, taking his hands in hers. “Please tell me he is not being sent away. He would not have debt if it weren’t for that horrid Mr. Darcy.”
“Miss Lydia,” Richard broke into her cries. “I am fairly certain Mr. Wickham has been spreading tales of how he was denied a rightful bequest as well as a certain living. I can tell you, with certainty, he did not pass on the full truth of the matter. He received one thousand pounds upon the death of Mr. Darcy’s father and was paid out the equivalent of the living in the amount of three thousand pounds. If he was destitute, it was not by the hand of Mr. Darcy, but his own.”
