Page 162 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“You have been sadly misled,” Elizabeth said. “There are only a few tolerable dancers among us.”

“Then I shall have to hope they take pity upon a stranger.”

“You will have no difficulty finding partners,” Lydia said as she returned with his tea. “Everyone will wish to dance with you.”

Wickham accepted the cup from her. “Then Hertfordshire already exceeds my expectations.”

Lydia laughed and settled herself on the other side of him.

Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Jane.

For the remainder of the visit, one of them stayed near their youngest sisters. Wickham appeared perfectly content to speak with whoever addressed him. He was attentive to Mrs. Phillips, friendly with Kitty, amusing with Lydia, and courteous to Jane and Elizabeth.

When the sisters left their aunt's house, Lydia waited until they were scarcely beyond the door before saying, “I mean to dance the first with Mr. Wickham at the assembly.”

“You cannot mean anything of the sort unless he asks you,” Jane said.

“He will.”

“How can you possibly know?”

“Because he likes me.”

Kitty immediately agreed.

Elizabeth looked at Lydia. “Mr. Wickham was agreeable to every woman in the room.”

“He was more agreeable to me.”

“He spoke to Aunt Phillips longer than he spoke to you.”

Lydia laughed. “Perhaps he means to marry Aunt Phillips.”

Even Jane smiled.

“Laugh if you please,” Elizabeth said, “but do not mistake good manners for particular regard.”

Lydia tossed her head. “I shall know when a gentleman admires me.”

Jane slipped her arm through Lydia's. “Then you can afford to wait until he makes it unmistakable.”

Lydia accepted this with surprising good humor and began discussing what she intended to wear to the assembly.

Elizabeth and Jane fell a little behind.

“We cannot keep doing this every day,” Jane said quietly.

“No.”

“Have you heard anything more from Aunt Maddie?”

“Nothing. But she can hardly intervene when Mamma has set her foot against the London visit. We need Uncle Edward's influence, for Papa will not exert himself.”

Jane glanced toward Lydia and Kitty. “Perhaps Uncle Edward will come when he returns from Kent.”

Elizabeth hoped he would.

Until then, they would have to keep Lydia safe themselves.