Jane shook her head. “That is farcical, Lizzy. I might not have imagined such a woman existed.”
“Itwasmost amusing.”
The look Jane directed at her reeked of nonchalance. “Then I must suppose that you regret your refusal of Mr. Collins as Mama said you would. If you had accepted him, you would have been the fortunate recipient of Lady Catherine’s guidance and wise advice.”
“I think I might have smothered Mr. Collins in his sleep if only to escape,” jested Elizabeth.
“Then it is well you did not.” Jane paused and peered at her. “What of Mr. Darcy?”
“What of him? You know that I have little interest in the man.”
“Yes, I do, for you have spoken of it more than once. Did he show himself to any better advantage in Kent, or was he still the same man?”
Elizabeth considered the question and how much she could tell Jane without revealing too much. “Mr. Bingley once said that Mr. Darcy was more amiable when in the company of those with whom he is well acquainted. In Kent, I suppose that I saw something of it, for he was not so taciturn as he was in Hertfordshire, though he was still reticent. Other than that, he was the same man who came to Hertfordshire last year.”
The way Jane looked at her, Elizabeth suspected Mr. Bingley was more on Jane’s mind than Mr. Darcy. A moment later, she nodded, giving over any thought of asking about the man who still held her heart, convinced that Elizabeth had no news because of her silence. Elizabeth consoled herself with the remembrance that she had no information about Mr. Bingley—anything she told her sister would just deepen Jane’s heartache.
Should the situation with Mr. Wickham spiral out of control, Elizabeth resolved to tell her sister more, though she would hold back any discussion of Mr. Bingley. There was no reason to tell Jane and reopen wounds that were just beginning to heal.
Soon after, Jane returned to her room to retire, and Elizabeth thought to seek her bed herself. She was tidying her room before she did so when a sound at the door interrupted her. Though she wondered if Jane had returned, Kitty slipped into the room and closed the door behind her. Not only had Kitty rarely joined Elizabeth in her bedchamber, preferring Lydia’s company, but she appeared hesitant, almost fearful, though oddly determined.
“Yes, Kitty?” asked Elizabeth, her tone soft to avoid provoking the girl. “What is it?”
Though Kitty remained ill at ease, she did not hesitate to speak. “Lizzy... Can you... What can you tell me about Mr. Wickham?”
Nonplused, Elizabeth stared at her sister. “Mr. Wickham? What do you mean?”
Kitty stepped forward, gathering her courage. “When you spoke of Mr. Wickham today, it sounded like you did not approve of him.”
Surprised, Elizabeth gaped at her sister. It had long been her firm opinion that both of her youngest sisters were silly and unobservant, yet Kitty appeared to understand something of Elizabeth’s comments about Mr. Wickham, though she had said nothing openly.
“Lizzy, do you have reason to doubt Mr. Wickham?”
Though still finding it surreal, Elizabeth decided it was best to handle this with care. Smiling, she beckoned Kitty to step forward and settled on her vanity chair, allowing her sister to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Do you know something about Mr. Wickham, Kitty? Does his presence concern you?”
Kitty fidgeted with her nightgown. “It is just that Mr. Wickham has been busy with Mary King and has not been at liberty to pay attention to Lydia or anyone else in Meryton. Now that he has returned, he is plying Lydia with his attention again.”
Elizabeth snorted. “That much I can believe. The man is a born flatterer.”
“He is,” agreed Kitty with a vigorous nod. “Please do not tell Lydia I spoke to you, Lizzy, for she would be furious with me.”
“You have my promise.” Elizabeth eyed her sister. “Is there some reason for alarm?”
With a shake of her head, Kitty said: “I know not, but I do not think there is anything amiss at present. To Lydia, when he was paying attention to Miss King, Wickham was a traitor and had poor taste—Denny and Sanderson became her favorites. Now that he has returned without an engagement, he is Lydia’s favorite again. Everything she says concerns Mr. Wickham—ifhe asked her to marry him tomorrow, she would say yes without hesitation.”
The notion chilled Elizabeth, though she had already understood it. That Lydia would accept was a facet of her character as much as his current position as her favorite. Should any of the officers who admired her ask the same, Elizabeth suspected she would not hesitate. Never had the need to separate Lydia from the officers struck Elizabeth as so pressing as it did at that moment.
“Tell me, Lizzy,” said Kitty. “Do you know something about Mr. Wickham that makes you wary of him?”
Before responding, Elizabeth debated what she should do. Kitty was not the most reliable girl, but she had shown maturity and insight in understanding what Elizabeth had said of Mr. Bingley without her doing more than obliquely referencing it. That did not mean Kitty was reformed, but it brought her hope that they could reach the girl. Of more importance was Kitty’s position as Lydia’s closest sibling and constant companion. Elizabeth had no proof of Mr. Wickham’s designs toward Lydia, but she was now suspicious of everything he did. Kitty was the best positioned of them all to watch Lydia and keep her out of trouble. So Elizabeth decided to tell her as much as she could without betraying what she should not.
“Yes, Kitty, I have heard something of Mr. Wickham.”
“From Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, from Mr. Darcy, though Colonel Fitzwilliam, his cousin, has supported his account.”