Page 10 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
We entered Meryton and found Lydia and Kitty, then strolled together until we reached a woman handing out abolitionist pamphlets. Parliament had outlawed the transport of slaves several years ago, but slavery was still rampant in the colonies. Full abolition was a prominent women’s cause.
I donated a penny, which was generous. Mary dug a full shilling from her purse and pressed it into the woman’s hand, then held tight with both hands and began listing horrors of the Caribbean sugar trade.
We walked on, leaving Mary with the increasingly wide-eyed woman.
Lydia flapped her pamphlet back and forth, then laughed.
“It is a serious issue,” I said.
“You are joking. Nobody cares.”
“You must not think that. Those poor people are as human as you or me. The color of their skin does not matter.”
“It is notthat.” Her bright blue eyes studied me under her bonnet. She lowered her voice. “You are clever, Lizzy. You know. It is like worrying about people who are sick. We do it for show.”
“What?” I said. But Lydia had spotted Lieutenant Denny and another young officer, and she ran off.
I looked at Kitty, who knew Lydia best. Her eyes, pinched with worry, caught mine before she ducked her head and followed her sister.
Jane was oblivious. She had taken to daydreaming when Mr. Bingley was not present.
Jane and I joined the group, and Denny introduced a third gentleman, Mr. Wickham. Again, the two youngest Bennet sisters raced ahead, this time on the arms of the officers. I was left to entertain Mr. Wickham, for Jane was absent behind a faraway smile.
I rather enjoyed this arrangement. Mr. Wickham spoke like an educated gentleman, and he was handsome, with strong cheekbones and a warm grin. He paid devoted attention as we examined the shops. It was nice to be flattered. I had spent much of the week idly wondering how long Mr. Bingley could gaze at Jane without blinking.
After pleasantries, I asked if Mr. Wickham had recently come to Meryton.
“Very recently,” he replied. “I have accepted a commission in the militia stationed here.”
Our local officers were all with the militia, the volunteer service stationed throughout England. The regular army was deployed to the war with France.
He offered his arm while we crossed a street, then asked, “Have you always resided in this neighborhood?”
I explained that Longbourn was nearby, and Mr. Wickham remarked he had passed through Longbourn village, which he found efficient and smartly organized, indicating a modern philosophy of management.
Should I tell him I traipsed the back paths to manage the tenants? Probably not.
After a few more steps, he added, “If I am not mistaken, Longbourn has bound a firedrake?”
I nodded.
“A remarkable binding,” he continued. “Have you some tale of how it happened? A family recipe for attracting draca?”
I laughed. “I am unaware of any mystical lore. The Bennet wyves have always bound draca of exceptional breeds.” I suppose that was boastful, but it was a boast for my sisters as well.
His eyes appraised me a long time before we resumed our stroll.
6
A STING
The next breakfast,I came down late and found Jane fastening her bonnet.
“I am invited to visit with Miss Bingley and her sister,” she said. “The ladies are alone, with the gentlemen out until after dinner.”
“Mind that you ride,” Mamma called.
Lydia was buttering toast. “I rode yesterday. I wanted to make the ribbons on my bonnet flutter, but the horse was hopeless. She shied every two steps! I need a windy day instead.”
