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who actually did the deed, but she was put up to it by those monster brothers of hers.”
    “I can easily believe it. When Bingley leased the house in Surrey, I saw Athena throwing rocks at the ducks. For such a little girl, she was remarkably accurate.”
    “Why does Charles put up with their obnoxious behavior?”
    “He finds them spirited.”
    “Spirited! If they were in my care, I would spirit them away to the nearest woodshed for a proper whipping.”
    Darcy reached out his hand, and his sister came and sat beside him. “I know you are eager for me to begin a courtship with Miss Montford, and I will do so upon my return from Hertfordshire. Since it is now certain the Crenshaws will take up residence with Bingley, I can assure you I will not be at Netherfield nor in Meryton nor in Hertfordshire when the Crenshaws arrive. I think I can safely remain in England. However, it is a good thing to know where they are at any given time,” and brother and sister shared a good laugh.

George Wickham was the talk of the village. Within three days of his arrival, everyone knew the basics of his biography. He had been brought up on a great estate in Derbyshire. After attending Cambridge, he had planned a living in the church, but his dreams went unrealized because the money that should have been available for such a purpose had been denied him. However, being a gentleman, he would not name the person who had caused him so much personal suffering, and the Darcy name went unmentioned. Fortunately, he explained, he had many friends, among them Captain Denny, who had assisted him in securing a commission in the militia.
    Because he was so handsome in his regimentals, gracious in his manners, and possessing a fine baritone voice, Wickham had been inundated with invitations to dinners and card parties. As a result, he had appeared almost nightly at some social event in the Meryton neighborhood, including a card party hosted by Mrs. Philips, the wife of the local solicitor, and the sister of Mrs. Bennet. Out of curiosity, Lizzy decided to attend.
    As Elizabeth watched the gentleman move about the room, it was easy to see why he had the village all abuzz. He showed a genuine interest in his company, and with his deep, resonating voice, he had a way of conversing that created an intimacy that had some of the girls, as well as their mothers, all aflutter. Lizzy made no attempt to engage him. She was there to observe, not to be charmed, but as soon as she had stopped playing cards, Mr. Wickham sought her out.
    “I did not think you would ever quit the whist table, so that I might seek an introduction,” Wickham said, after sitting on the sofa next to Lizzy.
    “But you did not seek an introduction, sir.”
    For a brief second, Lizzy saw a flash of displeasure before he stood up and asked Mrs. Pritchard to do the honors.
    “So, Miss Bennet, now that we have been officially introduced, I am no longer at risk of being denied the pleasure of your company.”
    They chatted about topics that Mr. Darcy would have found to be tedious: the weather, Meryton, the next assembly, the vicar and the important role the church played in the lives of its parishioners, and other such drawing-room topics. After those subjects were exhausted, Mr. Wickham mentioned Mr. Darcy.
    “I believe we have an acquaintance in common, Miss Bennet: Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.”
    “Other than that he has an estate in Derbyshire and a house in town, I do not know very much about him. He is of a taciturn nature and says but little.”
    “I know Mr. Darcy very well, as I was brought up on the Darcy estate. My father was the steward at Pemberley, a truly wonderful man, as was the elder Mr. Darcy,” and as he said this, his tone softened to great effect. “I wish I could say the same for the son.”
    With Mr. Darcy’s warning echoing in her mind, she sat quietly, giving him no encouragement, but Mr. Wickham was determined to have his say.
    “You might ask why I do