It's been forever - I know. But this chapter is finally done.
Lydia's wish to visit Meryton had not been forgotten and, excepting Mary who wished to prepare some herbs, all of the girls were to go; Mr. Collins was to accompany them, for he thought it most proper that the young ladies should be appropriately escorted. Kitty and Lydia were hurrying ahead of the rest of the party and, thus, arrived in the town just prior to Mr. Collins and his small group. Elizabeth noticed her youngest sisters in an animated conversation with two officers and an unknown man; it was Mr. Denny with a fellow officer and, with a slight uplift of Kitty's favorite eyebrow, introduced Mr. George Wickham, a very pleasant-looking man who had but recently joined the militia and was quite open about his happiness in making new acquaintances.
As Jane was facing Kitty and Lydia, it was only Elizabeth that noted the instant Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham recognized each other – for there was no other way to describe such. One's countenance momentarily took on an astonished but menacing expression; George Wickham was positively white. Elizabeth could not be certain that he would not faint in the middle of the street and was unsurprised when he rapidly made his excuses and all but dragged his companions away. She wondered at it and determined to speak with her mother on their return to Longbourn.
On turning her eyes from the curious sight of a militia man fleeing from a parson, she spied three figures on horseback – and saw that Jane not only had taken note of their approach but had also perceived the identity of one of the riders. Her light blush rose to greet Mr. Bingley and the two horsemen alongside him. Mr. Darcy gave a grave nod to their walking party, while Mr. Hurst merely stared, an indignant and wrathful glare. The gentleman who had impressed her as being primarily concerned with his own comfort and ease was providing another conundrum for Elizabeth to solve – was he more aware than he permitted to be seen? The individual at whom he was scowling was yet unclear to her. Was it at the retreating backs of the officers or at one of her group? Perhaps, he like Miss Bingley, was disapproving of their brother's attaching himself to Jane?
Mr. Hurst suddenly wheeled his horse about and galloped away from Meryton in the direction of Netherfield; Mr. Bingley watched, confused, and, after a rapid conference, hastily excused himself, following his sister's husband and leaving Mr. Darcy in the odd position of having to civilly apologize for the rapid withdrawal of his friends. It was an unfortunate circumstance, as the gentlemen had been on their way to Longbourn and Mr. Bingley particularly had been most enthusiastic about the visit, though the gentleman from Derbyshire could not in honesty claim disinterest in the scheme.
Even with Elizabeth's singular and unladylike accomplishments and her lack of connections, she was the subject of many a reverie, although he knew that it was impossible for him to act upon his enticing dreams. She was a lady of . . . unique talents and Darcy wondered how precisely she might put some of those abilities to use. Her facility of movement and her grace in action were quite sensual and had embarrassingly inspired several rather stimulating fantasies – none of which were appropriate to recall at the moment and in present company.
Attempting to dispel such unsuitable thoughts caused Mr. Darcy to belatedly take note of the man standing with Miss Bennet and Elizabeth; as a gentleman who routinely engaged in active pursuits, Darcy appreciated the power visible in the man's build. He wished to learn this individual's identity and, to that end, dismounted and politely greeted the ladies, requesting an introduction to their companion, who, he discovered, was parson to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
On realizing that he was standing in the presence of his patroness' nephew, Mr. Collins could not find sufficient words to alleviate any possible concerns respecting Lady Catherine and to reassure Mr. Darcy that the shining example of feminine beauty, Miss Anne de Bourgh, remained well and in anticipation of her betrothed's return.
Mr. Collins' meaningless verbosity was at significant odds with the menacing atmosphere by which he was surrounded and Darcy could not, regardless of Elizabeth's skills, permit the sisters to remain unescorted in the fellow's presence; he, therefore, graciously offered to accompany the group until their eventual return to Longbourn. Elizabeth's look of astonishment at the Master of Pemberley's magnanimous gesture was momentary and fleeting before she accepted on behalf of herself and her sisters, inviting him to join them for refreshment before his return to Netherfield.
It had been surprise enough that the taciturn gentleman had condescended to speak with Elizabeth and her sisters, but that he was now to publicly attend them during errands that meant nothing to any but themselves was remarkable. No, she must not allow herself to become distracted by that one detail and forget to concentrate upon the myriad of very recent occurrences that were of note.
As they stood, a sash was thrown up and Mrs. Phillips called out to her nieces, inviting them to a card party to be held the next evening. Seeing Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, she kindly extended her offer to them as well, claiming that the officers had already agreed to come and it would not merely be a gathering of females. Mr. Collins accepted, stating that he was not averse to harmless entertainment amongst friends and the presence of a clergyman could only improve the assembly. Mr. Darcy, although taken aback by the woman's vulgarity, recalled himself to his manners and replied that he could not speak to whether their party was available but would inquire on his return to Netherfield.
On completing their undertakings in Meryton, the sisters and their two escorts began the relatively short walk back to Lonbourn. Kitty and Lydia hurried ahead somewhat, giggling over their new ribbons and how they were to avoid Mr. Collins and his rambling sermons; Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth had by mutual and silent agreement fallen behind Mr. Collins and Jane slightly, giving both the opportunity to quietly study the man in front of them. Charlotte and Maria Lucas joined the group, professing their desire to visit with the Bennet sisters. Maria attached herself to Kitty and the two girls followed Lydia in her lead, while Charlotte walked with Jane and Mr. Collins along the well-trodden lane.
Elizabeth could not account for her companion's wish to remain by her side but appreciated his current reticence, as it permitted her to think over that which she had gleaned in this brief outing – and what she suddenly suspected that she was seeing. A glance at Mr. Darcy's face showed that gentleman felt a level of disturbance but she could not be certain that his reason was similar to hers.
From her perspective, it appeared that Mr. Collins was closely watching Maria and Kitty, to the exclusion of Lydia and his fellow walkers; he seemed to be encouraged at every instance of their malleability and silliness. Grateful for Charlotte's presence, Elizabeth felt at liberty to circumspectly observe the cleric for the fleeting duration of their journey to Longbourn.
His sister had met that man – although he was truly more of an animal than a person – at a party at their cousin's home. He had called upon her repeatedly to their cousin's dismay, despite continual attempts to dissuade him that she was not of an age to receive gentleman callers. After her three months were finished and she was to return to their family home, he had followed her to their estate. Their parents had refused his incessant visits, reiterating that she was too young, and they believed him to have left. Unbeknownst to their family, he did not, in fact, withdraw but instead secreted himself in an unused and remote hunting cabin on their land.
Then came the day when the girl's brother was out inspecting their family's grounds and believed that he heard a voice, screaming. The shrieks were like none that he had ever heard, more akin to a wounded animal's sounds than those of a human. He ran as fast as possible, struggling through the brush and trees, to what he believed the source of the noises and, on throwing open the heavy wooden door, he saw to his horror what none should ever be cursed to see.
A chilled nighttime had fallen hours ago, hiding the movements of all within its blackness, whether for good or for evil. Those waiting and watching could discern nothing until a negligible motion was detected adjacent to the quarters of the militia and they became fully alert to who or what could be creeping alongside the barracks. A shadowed figure appeared, silhouetted momentarily against the pale outer wall, stealing silently toward its destination, when a second form was noticed, exiting the lodgings. Both seemed to be stealthily converging on a meeting point away from the structures; but, no, the second individual was being impelled – it looked to be unwillingly - forward by a third person.
The concealed watchers began to slowly advance, maintaining a view of their quarry at all times, gradually spreading out and surrounding the unknown persons. A clandestine late-night rendezvous could not be considered anything but a cause for concern to those who dedicated their hours to upholding the safety of the county's inhabitants.
Closer, inching ever closer, carefully over the dry grass and dusty ground, to their targets – and then the noise of a scuffle arose from the trio. The sound of shuffling boots and the impact of flesh against flesh were heard; the watchers were watching no longer and rushed, weapons drawn, to the site of the fracas. A frightened cry came from one of the three men and he threw himself on the ground, begging for mercy and claiming his innocence.
The remaining two charged their attackers, hacking and slicing at any movement. There were, however, more of the watchers than merely two and within a very few minutes, came the gurgling noise of one who is choking on their own blood. The continual clank of sword on sword was unimaginably loud in the clear night; shortly, though, one of the defenders gave a decisive stab to the chest and the second fellow was dispatched.
They dragged to his feet the man sadly huddled upon the ground and, on hearing his proclamations that he was merely a member of the local militia, one of the watchers declared that he was speaking truth and the daunted soldier was followed until he had disappeared into the barracks.