Author's Note: Bon apres-midi, my readers. I had fun typing up this chapter! Of course, I did it last Sunday, when I had time. I have rehearsal tomorrow from 10:00-3:00. That.. is a long time. So anyways, read and review chapter five! It will make me happy. In the next chapter I get to introduce Miss Collins. Virtual slice of cake to whoever can guess who she is. Review!
Conceit and Contemptousness
Chapter Five
After about two weeks of enduring Sam's company for my brother's sake, my brothers and I were shopping for new cummerbunds when we chanced upon a new woman. She was dressed as one of the models. She had pretty brown eyes and medium length light brown hair. Our meeting was purely coincidental.
"Excuse me, sir, is this your quarter?" She asked. I turned around to find her brown eyes looking at me intently.
"Thank you," I said. Due to the fact that she had given me my quarter, I was sure that she was a good woman. Unlike some people I could mention.
"Valerie Wickham at your service," She saluted me. Just then Kenny and Lionel came up and glommed onto her arms.
"Miss Wickham, you must join us for shopping! We're searching for new cummerbunds!"
Kenny exclaimed.
"Well, I see you have already met my brothers," I concluded.
"Yes," she said as they dragged her off towards Cummerbunds-R-Us. Truthfully, I'd rather visit that store than the Wild Wild Vest. I have bad memories of that place.
I went to work looking for cummerbunds until Lionel interrupted me.
"Oh, Freddie! I simply must have this cummerbund! It'll go perfectly with my tux for Miss Bingley's ball. Can you spot me some cash?" He asked with pleading eyes.
"That isn't going to work this time. You already owe me a fortune, Lionel." I explained.
"Well, it might work on me." Miss Wickham broke in, and pulled a twenty from behind his ears. He grabbed the money eagerly and went off to make his purchase.
"Thanks," I said.
"No problem," She said. "How in the world do you guys know what to wear in the morning?"
"I don't know, we kind of throw something on and hope it matches." I answered.
"Well, at least you guys are so lucky. I can never tell which top goes with which pants."
"Oh dear," I commented. "You must be the shame of the regiments."
"Yes! My superiors are constantly sending me back to my tent! It seems I can never do belts and purses either." She laughed, and soon I was laughing too. She seemed so funny, and at that moment I felt the tiniest of crushes begin to form. This woman was everything I wanted in a partner. She was smart, funny and kind.
We began to leave when Miss Wickham offered to escort us home.
"Oh, that won't be necessary," I began, but Kenny and Lionrl cut me off.
"You must come home with us," Kenny said.
"Yes, please!" Lionel said.
And so it was decided that Miss Wickham should accompany us home. About halfway there I turned to the other side of the street to see Carly and Sam on their motorized scooters. John noticed too, and said, "Hello Carly!"
Carly turned, saw us and exclaimed, "Why it's the Bennets! Look Sam!"
"Hello there!" I chimed in, "We've had the pleasure of making a new aquaintance!" Lionel pointed to Miss Wickham. I saw something pass between Miss Wickham and Sam. Sam narrowed her eyes, sending a painful death glare in Miss Wickham's direction, then stepped on the gas, speeding down the sidewalk in the other direction.
"Sam?" Carly called, obviously perplexed. "Sam, wait up!" She began to speed after her.
"I'll see you Friday!" She called out. Our group was suddenly silent.
"Well that was strange," I stated. We all stood there a few moments more, but then Kenny and Lionel ran ahead, presumbably in pursuit of some models, and John took off after them.
"So, what was that about?" I asked Miss Wickham.
"It's a long story," She answered, blushing.
"I've got time,"
"Well, my mother was the manager of her mother's estate, so I lived for several years next door. Our parents were great friends. But then one my day mother died, leaving me an orphan. Miss Darcy's mother took me in. She loved my like I was her own daughter."
"So why does Miss Darcy hate you if you were practically sisters?"
"Well… her mother loved me more and she despised it. When died, she left me money to pay for seminary and even a parsonage backed into the estate. Miss Darcy refused to give it to me and I've been wandering the country as a penniless model ever since."
"Your feud won't prevent you from attending Miss Bingley's ball?"
"No, I have done nothing wrong. If Miss Darcy wishes to avoid me, it must be her who leaves."
"Well, that's great!" I exclaimed. We continued our conversation until I reached my apartment and we all said our goodbyes. My opinion of Sam lessening had made this a very productive day.
However, I was not expecting to have an unexpected guest for dinner (thus the unexpected.)