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Thomas found Bingley’s brother-in-law more congenial when the two men sat around a table in the refreshment room drinking ale.

“And I hope we have some shooting,” Geoffrey Hurst said. “The steward at Netherfield promised to have some boys beat the bushes to see how many birds they can flush out.”

“Netherfield will have a few pheasants. The last leaseholder did not pay the gamekeeper to coop the hens with their chicks. My fields are full of birds, and I shall have you and Bingley over to hunt without inviting every gun in the neighbourhood.”

Hurst grinned, “That means more days of shooting for us when there are fewer guns.”

~~~

George Wickham’s face remained pleasant, and he gave every appearance of being engaged in each conversation with the young ladies he partnered with on the dance floor.

The young women smiled happily when the handsome man was their partner for a dance.

His eyes were bright, his smile made their hearts beat faster, and his voice made more than one girl blush brightly.

The gentleman who had come to visit the officers in the militia made more friends at the assembly.

But George’s thoughts were distracted by the occasional glimpse of his true quarry tonight–the younger sister of Charles Bingley who possessed a rich dowry.

Wickham smiled at ladies and their gentleman companions while thinking, ‘I need a new source of funds, and rich Miss Bingley is about to be shoved onto the shelf.’

Remembering his confederate, Edith Young, who often called herself Mrs Young, Wickham sighed with regret, ‘Since Edith failed to get Georgiana away from her brother this summer, that fifty thousand remains out my reach. Perhaps I can meet Miss Darcy by happenstance in a year or two.’

He moved through the paces of a sedate dance with the eldest Miss Lucas–the old maid was close to his age–and continued to smile congenially while thinking, ‘This was the first time that Mrs Young failed to get our target into place so I could swoop in to collect the gold.’

‘Edith fussed that this plan to steal Miss Bingley’s fortune is too complicated and involves too many persons,’ George knew. ‘But I do love a challenge.’

After dancing with Charlotte Lucas this second time, Wickham escorted her back to her mother when he asked, “Miss Lucas, would you do me a great favour?”

Readily willing to grant the handsome man a favour, Charlotte replied, “If I can, Mr Wickham.”

“Would you ask your father to introduce me to Mr Bingley? I have heard his name in London but never attended a gathering with the man before tonight.”

“Certainly, sir. Come with me,” Charlotte replied and led Mr Wickham to her father’s side, where Sir William spoke with Mr Rushing about potatoes or the war on the continent–George certainly did not care which. Hearing his daughter’s request, Sir William was more than glad to make the introduction.

‘The man is on a quest to dance with every young woman in the hall tonight,’ George decided, watching Bingley on the dance floor while he waited with Lucas for Bingley to exit the dance floor.

The gentleman was dancing with another of the Bennet sisters, and George thought, ‘I believe Miss Lucas said this one is named Eliza.’

~~~

Elizabeth thanked Mr Bingley for the dance as he led her toward her mother, where her other sisters remained with Mrs Bennet.

Before they could reach the line of Bennet sisters–it was Mary’s turn to dance–Sir William Lucas intercepted them to introduce the pleasant Mr Bingley to the equally pleasant Mr George Wickham.

Sharing a smile with Charlotte, Elizabeth stepped aside as the two men exchanged greetings, and then Bingley led Wickham toward Mr Hurst for an introduction.

“Meryton is blessed with two congenial young men on the same night,” Elizabeth whispered to Charlotte.

Her friend smiled and added, “Both of whom enjoy dancing with the many eligible young women attending the assembly.”

“Yes, thankfully!” grinned Elizabeth. She was also pleased to see John Lucas approach Mary and ask her to dance.

The resulting smile on Mary’s face was pleasant to see.

Her mother was distracted by something Lydia said or did, but her father noticed the young man escorting his middle daughter to the dance floor, and his face mirrored his pleased reaction.

Elizabeth turned her attention back to Mr Bingley and Mr Wickham. After the introduction to Mr Hurst, there was an introduction to Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley.

“Charlotte, have you been introduced to Miss Bingley yet?” inquired the second Bennet sister.

“No, she has not received any introductions,” Charlotte replied. “Her gown is very elegant, but I do not favour the notion of ostrich feathers at the assembly.”

“I suppose we must restrict ourselves to rooster feathers. Are not goose and turkey feathers too grand?” teased Elizabeth. Charlotte joined her friend in muffled giggles as they walked around the dance floor to find others for more conversation.

~~~

Caroline’s behaviour was frosty toward the young man her brother brought for an introduction.

The man was well-dressed but mingled freely with the local farmers before dancing with the horde of females dressed in sackcloth who giggled and laughed excessively.

No doubt Mr Wickham was a tradesman of some profession, and he was not worthy of her notice.

~~~

Pretending to listen to Mr Bingley’s excuses for his youngest sister’s rudeness, George Wickham began considering different scenarios.

Two young women approached; Miss Catherine Bennet claimed Mr Bingley as her partner for the next dance.

And the youngest sister–Lydia Bennet–insisted that George dance with her.

“I am a woman grown and the prettiest of my sisters!” Lydia declared. “Dance with me, Mr Wickham.”

“Certainly, Miss Lydia,” George replied as he led her onto the dance floor. While the girl chittered and pouted, Wickham’s mind began planning.

‘Miss Caroline thinks herself too good for the likes of me. I cannot win her heart and be handed her money the day before our wedding,’ George decided. ‘ Then I need something to make her hand it over as an investment. The brother will never hand it over freely. I must find some way.’

“Pay attention to me!” demanded the girl across from him. “You are thinking too much, and I am too beautiful to be ignored!”

“Forgive me, Miss Lydia,” replied Wickham acidly.

~~~