Page 157 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Kitty looked where she pointed and declared that neither had she. The two younger girls immediately changed direction.

“Lydia,” Jane called.

“We are only going to speak to Mr. Denny,” Lydia called back.

Jane and Elizabeth followed them across the street.

Mr. Denny removed his hat as they approached and called to the gentleman beside him. “Come, Wickham. Let me introduce you.”

When Elizabeth laid eyes on Mr. Wickham, she no longer wondered that Lydia had eloped with him on such short acquaintance. George Wickham was exceedingly handsome, and his comportment was that of a gentleman.

Mr. Denny greeted them. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, may I present my friend, Mr. George Wickham? He has only just arrived from London and has accepted a commission in our regiment.”

Elizabeth stiffened as the man’s eyes met hers.

Wickham bowed. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”

Jane greeted him pleasantly, but Elizabeth only curtsied.

“Mr. Wickham.”

Lydia needed no encouragement. “When shall you have your uniform, Mr. Wickham? You cannot possibly mean to remain dressed like an ordinary gentleman now that you have joined the militia.”

“Lydia,” Jane murmured.

Wickham laughed. “Then I shall endeavor to remedy the deficiency as quickly as possible.”

“You must. A red coat improves every gentleman.”

“I had hoped there might be some hope for me without one.”

Lydia assured him there was, and Kitty readily agreed.

Wickham accepted their judgment with easy good humor and soon had both girls laughing. His manners were agreeable, his conversation lively, and nothing in his appearance suggested that he was anything other than the gentleman he appeared to be.

Mr. Denny asked whether they were bound for their aunt's house, and Jane admitted that Mrs. Phillips was expecting them.

“Then we should not keep you,” he said.

“You are not keeping us,” Lydia protested.

Elizabeth stepped nearer to her. “Come, Lydia. Aunt Phillips will wonder what has become of us.”

Wickham looked toward Elizabeth. “I hope we shall have the pleasure of meeting again.”

“Meryton is a small town, Mr. Wickham. I imagine it is very likely.”

Mr. Denny reminded Wickham that they too were expected elsewhere, and the gentlemen took their leave.

Lydia watched Wickham as he walked away.

“Did you ever see such a handsome man? Only think how much better he will look in regimentals.”

Kitty agreed, and before they had reached Aunt Phillips's house, the two were already speculating about whether Mr. Wickham danced and when they might see him again.

Jane drew closer to Elizabeth. “You are very quiet.”

“I am thinking about Lydia.”