Wickham's Wife by C J Hill

Author:C J Hill [Hill, C J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C. J. Hill
Published: 2014-03-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Meryton society, in general, had not suffered from his short absence but, judging from the delight with which he was greeted upon his re-appearance in town, certain young ladies had clearly suffered considerably and they lamented loudly over his particular absence from the Netherfield ball.

"Mr. Wickham! You are returned! How do you do?" Lydia called loudly as soon as she spied him.

"Lydia! How many times must you be reminded to moderate your voice?" hissed Lizzy. "Do not call out like a market woman across the street - it is most unseemly."

Wickham crossed the street and greeted them all with great eagerness, happy to be the object of such friendly attention.

"Good day, ladies. Where are you bound this morning?"

"Nowhere in particular; we came into town to find you, Mr. Wickham!" giggled Lydia, completely ignoring her sisters' glares which, if she cared to notice - which she did not - had an element of very sharp daggers about them.

Elizabeth, withdrawing her glare from her sister, explained calmly, "We often walk into town when the weather allows it, and generally call upon our aunt Philips whilst we are here. Why do not you join us, Mr. Wickham?"

To this he eagerly agreed and accompanied the sisters to Mrs. Philips where they stayed above an hour, the main topic of conversation, of course, had to do with the ball and Mr. Wickham's absence from it.

"We were so very sorry that you had to miss it, Mr. Wickham," declared Lydia. "I was very disappointed, you know, as you promised faithfully to dance all night with me!"

Wickham struggled to hide his discomfiture at such a claim, but gallantly responded in kind.

"Much as I would dearly have enjoyed dancing with all the ladies of my acquaintance that night, I found that certain business required my immediate attention in Town and could not be postponed. Please forgive me for not keeping my word; it is something that I prize above everything."

"Oh, never mind." shrugged Lydia, "we all had a very happy time, I assure you. Captain Denny ensured we were not left alone for a minute."

"I am sure he was most happy to oblige. And were there many other gentlemen in attendance besides the officers?" he questioned.

"Oh, dear me, yes!" responded Kitty, eager to have her share of the conversation before her sister could edge her way in again. "Mr. Bingley had all of his London acquaintance there, even more than those whom we already knew; it really was a quite splendid evening and in such elegant company. The latest London fashions and manners were certainly being displayed - Lydia and I have quite decided that our next purchases shall be some extremely long feathers for our hair."

"I am sure that you all looked very handsome with or without feathers in your hair." Mr. Wickham rejoined politely, "and I hope that last night was not the only opportunity that I shall have to partner you in a dance."

Later, to Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence had been self-imposed for another reason entirely.

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