Page 51 of New World Tea Company
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As they returned to Longbourn, Charles was unusually quiet. As the carriage stopped in front of the house, Elizabeth asked for his opinion of the morning’s events, the gentleman replied, “George Wickham had an extremely profitable morning. He leaves Meryton with a thousand pounds in his pocket.”
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George Wickham joined the crowd of neighbours in wishing the newlyweds well, but he did not hurry back to the tavern in Meryton. Leaving Lucas Lodge, Mr Wickham walked to the militia camp to visit with Captain Denny for a time before he returned to the village. He ate a small supper at the Running Pig and spent a quiet, comfortable night in a private room.
Rising early in the morning, Wickham ate some bread and drank hot tea before departing the village on the morning stagecoach to London.
‘An additional night in Meryton was worth it to void three hours with Collins on the stagecoach yesterday,’Wickham decided. That morning, the other persons in the coach were quiet, allowing Wickham to contemplate his success and future plans.
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Elizabeth walked on clear days for the rest of the winter but never wandered far from Longbourn, confining her constitutionals to the paths the cows used to travel to and from their pasture. In her daydreams, Elizabeth imagined Darcy appearing before her on his horse. He would ride across the fields, the horse jumping each fence without problem, and the man would pull on the reins to stop near her. Then he would drop from the saddle and gently take her hand before kissing it. She could hear him declare, ‘I could not stay away!’ His eyes would be bright and shining with a smile for her alone.
Then, Elizabeth would chastise herself.
‘Mr Darcy is handsome, but I fear that he does not care for his fellow man,’she reminded herself.‘Wickham has collected money from Lucas, Rushing, Goulding, and Collins. Charles remains in his position that Wickham has nefarious plans, and Father agrees. Perhaps Mr Darcy’s word would have made the others listen.’
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Chapter 20.Dreams in Winter
One afternoon in early January, while Elizabeth read White’s The Natural History of Selborne for the third time, Mr Bennet initiated an interesting conversation. Father and daughter were alone in his office with a bright fire on the hearth while a heavy snowstorm outside the window meant Mr Bingley would not call.
From his chair, Thomas asked, “Shall we remain hidden the whole afternoon, Lizzy?”
Looking up from her book, Elizabeth said, “Yes, if it pleases you, Father. I should be glad to spend the afternoon lost in Mr White’s letters.”
After watching his daughter for another minute, Mr Bennet said, “Forgive me if I intrude upon your feelings, Lizzy, but I worry that your heart was engaged and possibly wounded by the departure of one particular visitor.”
Looking away, Elizabeth replied, “Bruised, Father. My heart suffered nothing but a bruise.”
“A bruise can be painful and take time to heal.”
“Yes, but with Jane’s happiness and Bingley’s exuberance, I shall heal and be happy again once they marry.”
Smiling with indulgence thinking of his wife’s happiness regarding the impending wedding, Thomas Bennet said, “Your mother already plans the wedding breakfast and anticipates an ocean of lace for the wedding gown.”
“Mamma has talked of lace, and I have revised the best stitches for attaching lace to the different types of material to be found in the shops in Meryton,” Elizabeth revealed to her father.
“But your mother has restrained her declarations of victory before the neighbours,” her father stated. “After Lady Lucascrowed about Charlotte being the next mistress of Longbourn at the wedding with Mr Collins, I believe Mrs Bennet realises how some of her neighbours might feel.”
The young woman stated, “Then I shall enjoy the quiet while it lasts and read books until sewing is required.”
Propping his chin on his palm and leaning to one side, Mr Bennet considered his next words carefully. “Lizzy, have you considered the provenance of the book you are reading?”
“Provenance?” she asked before turning to the beginning of the book to examine the name of the publisher and printer. “The book is not new, and the previous owner never placed his name on the inside. But many of our books are used.”
“Yes, but have you considered how did it came into our possession this winter?”
“No, I have not thought about it at all,” Elizabeth replied. She looked at her father and asked, “Why? Should I?”
“It might be a curious exercise for your mind.”
Scowling and looking very much like her father when he fussed at his wife or daughters, Elizabeth scolded him, “Father, you are being obtuse.”
Bennet smirked and prompted, “I would only ask that you think about the book you have enjoyed. What is it, the third time you have read it?”
