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Darcy.
    ‘Yes,’ said Colonel Forster, looking at him in surprise. ‘A most charming young woman. My intended went to the seminary with Mrs Wickham, which is how she learnt of the marriage. Surely you knew about it? I thought you and Wickham grew up together.’
    Darcy had by this time mastered himself. The shock had been intense but he knew better than to let it show. There was some mystery here. If Wickham had married, why had he not said anything about it? Why had he come into the neighbourhood as if he were unattached – for, if the Colonel’s lady love had not happened to know Mrs Wickham, then the marriage would never have been discovered. And why had Wickham not brought his wife with him?
    But it might not be the same Mr and Mrs Wickham, Darcy realised quickly. The name was not uncommon and perhaps that had led to some confusion. He must learn more before committing himself to any rash words or actions.
    He could say no more at the moment, for he did not want to reveal that Wickham’s marriage was unknown to him – if indeed it turned out to be the same Mr and Mrs Wickham.
    Luckily, one of the other officers asked when the Netherfield ball would take place and the conversation moved on.
    But once Darcy and Bingley were alone, going home after the dinner, Bingley said, ‘Do you think Colonel Forster can be right about Wickham? Can he really be married?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ Darcy admitted.
    ‘If so, he shouldn’t be paying so much attention to Miss Elizabeth,’ said Bingley with a worried frown. ‘I hope he won’t hurt her feelings. Anything that hurts Miss Elizabeth will hurt Jane, and I could not bear for her to be unhappy.’
    ‘Jane?’ queried Mr Darcy, with a lift of his eyebrows.
    ‘I mean Miss Bennet,’ said Mr Bingley hastily. Then, after a pause, he said, ‘What do you think of her, Darcy? Is she not an angel.’
    ‘She is certainly very beautiful,’ Darcy agreed.
    ‘She is more than beautiful. She is sweet and kind and quite the most wonderful woman I have ever met.’
    ‘I hope you will not raise expectations,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘It would be cruel to trifle with her affections.’
    ‘I have no intention of trifling with them!’ said Mr Bingley, affronted. ‘I am thinking of proposing.’
    ‘Bingley, you go too fast. You have only known her a few weeks, and in that time you have only seen her on a few occasions. It will take much longer before you can decide on such an important subject. But I would caution you not to try too hard to like her. Her family are beneath you, you know.’
    ‘I don’t care a fig for her family,’ said Bingley with unusual spirit.
    ‘Well, take my advice all the same and proceed with caution. You do not want to harm her reputation if you should find, after a few weeks more, that she is not the wife for you, after all.’
    ‘Oh, very well, I will do nothing to arouse any expectations.’
    ‘Good. That is all I ask,’ said Mr Darcy.
    ‘But what do you think about Wickham?’ asked Bingley, returning to their earlier topic of conversation. ‘Do you really think he is married?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘But I intend to find out. I will travel to London tomorrow and make enquiries. Why don’t you come with me? You can attend to any matters of business that you have outstanding, and some distance will help you to see your feelings for Miss Bennet in a clearer manner.’
    ‘I think you are right. Though I do not want to be away from her, perhaps it will be a good thing. If the separation makes my feelings stronger, than I truly believe I will speak to her.’
    ‘There is no need to think so far ahead,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘Only come with me to London tomorrow and then see what you want to do next.’
    ‘There is the ball . . . ’ said Mr Bingley with a frown.
    ‘Your sisters can see to all the arrangements, and you will be back in time for the ball itself. As the invitations have not yet been sent, you can hold it a week later