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would not let her “mingle” with him last spring! There was something curious about this relationship with the Bennets.
    “So tell me, how is she? Is her brother in good health?”
    “Well, she left yesterday so hurriedly that we did not get a chance to get to ask after her health, but when I was at Netherfield the day before, both were well.” Elizabeth heard a horse ahead and tried to pull her arm out of his, but he reached for it and held it close. They walked in silence for a few minutes.
    “So Mr. Darcy is in good health, that is good. Are you fond of Mr. Darcy?” He was definitely curious, as she colored deeper than he’d ever seen her and he had made it his mission to see those pinks run scarlet. Yes, there was something curious about the Bennets.
    She then let out a laugh and raised her eyebrow at him quizzically. Why should he pry into my feelings like that? I scarcely know him! But no sooner had she thought it, she was answering his question! “Ha! Now there is one area I am quite decided upon! He must be the proudest man I have ever met!” She didn’t know why she was being so open with him, but she continued. “You know, the first time I heard him speak, he said I was not handsome enough to tempt him.”
    “No!” and then he leaned in and whispered, “Now I know he must not only be proud but blind too, as you are the handsomest lady I have ever seen!”
    She heard what was probably a rabbit in the brush to the left. She had not been fishing for a compliment and changed the subject quickly. “He is devoted to his sister, though.” She spoke softly this time.
    He lifted his chin and decided he would have to investigate the question of Darcy a little more. Wickham tried his luck again. His curiosity was piqued, especially since Elizabeth had blushed a moment ago when asked about Mr. Darcy. “So does Mr. Darcy have a lady’s affections yet?” he inquired.
    Her heart fluttered and thought about how he danced with no one but Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst at the Meryton Assembly and how he didn’t seem to enjoy himself then. She thought about how his eyes smiled when he danced with her at Netherfield. But that was when no one was watching! He can have no feelings for you ! The longer she took to contemplate Mr. Darcy’s different manner during the Meryton Assembly, versus the dance she had with him, the worse she got confused.
    It was only at the sound of Wickham’s step that she realized she had not answered him. “I am afraid there is one particular lady who has her eyes set on him, but he does not seem to care to notice her in that way. In fact he seems to avoid her even though she is his best friend’s sister.” Feeling the shame of talking so rudely about Mr. Darcy to someone she barely knew, she said, “I am terribly sorry Mr. Wickham, I should not be talking so of someone when they are not here to defend themselves. I must be off.” She dropped his arm and nearly ran to the direction of Longbourn. She got around the bend and realized that she had left her book by Charlotte’s house on the road. She didn’t want to run into Wickham again so she waited half an hour to head back for it. All the while she thought about the nice Mr. Wickham and the proud Mr. Darcy. Why had she been so forward with her opinions? She usually held those sort of unkind opinions close until she understood them better and even then she knew better than to gossip to someone else about it! Perhaps she felt even worse for saying such unkind things because she was not as convinced of Mr. Darcy’s prideful nature as she sounded.
    *****
    Darcy could not believe his eyes. What was Wickham doing here on the arm of Miss Elizabeth? He had recognized her light pleasing figure immediately before him and he led Calypso off the road and into the brush. They were walking his way when he soon recognized Wickham’s confident strut. Why was he here? And how did he know Elizabeth? How can it be?  The last he knew, Wickham was