Guiding & Protecting, page 7
Elizabeth noticed a scowl this time from Mr. Wickham. Obviously, he must have had other plans, but when he did not comment, she first thought she was mistaken. Then she noticed Alex also scowling as he walked beside Mr. Wickham making her amend her thoughts, once again, about the man. She completely doubted Mr. Wickham was a friend of the Darcy family. His claim was as false as his charm. She determined to speak to both her aunt and uncle in the evening about her undeniable concerns. She also wondered if her uncle had contacted Mr. Darcy about her concerns about Georgiana’s companion.
“Good. I will let my aunt know to expect you, and I am looking forward to our trip to the theater. I have read the play a number of times and admit it is one of my favorite comedies. Have you ever read it?”
From the rest of the walk, the two ladies spoke of their favorite works by the playwright and moved on to other works of literature they both enjoyed. Elizabeth noticed Mr. Wickham contributed very little to the conversation and even seemed to glare at Elizabeth. She felt he wished her to leave, but until either Mrs. Young reappeared or they all walked Georgiana home, Elizabeth was not going to allow the two to continue their walk unattended.
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“I have something I wish to speak to both of you about,” Elizabeth informed her uncle and aunt after supper.
“You seem concerned,” her aunt had noted how unsettled her niece had been upon her return from her afternoon walk.
“I confess I am. Yesterday, while I was walking on the beach, Mr. Wickham approached me. I did not welcome his company, but saw no way to politely tell him to leave.” Seeing her aunt’s shocked expression, she added, “I could still see you and the children, so I was not completely alone with him. However, he did make some rather questionable comments about Mr. Darcy’s character. It seemed odd he would talk about such personal matters to a veritable stranger, but even more odd was his depiction of the gentleman as a gamester and womanizer.”
Her aunt’s sharp intake of breath and her uncle’s frown confirmed her suspicions of the falsity of Mr. Wickham’s comments.
“I know both of you have some knowledge of Mr. Darcy and have never said anything about him which might suggest he was anything less than a respectable gentleman. Therefore, I was cautious of Mr. Wickham’s word, but I did not inform him either of you were knowledgeable about Mr. Darcy or his family. I am even more concerned about his seemingly overfriendly actions towards Miss Darcy.”
“What sort of overfriendly actions are you speaking about?” Her uncle was curious and concerned knowing Elizabeth would not make such a comment unless it was serious.
“I have noticed Mrs. Young, Georgiana’s companion, has often left her unaccompanied while she is walking on the beach. I mentioned my concerns to Georgiana and to you, and afterwards, I notice Mrs. Young started accompanying Georgiana on her walks. Today, however, Georgiana was walking on the beach with Mr. Wickham, and again, Mrs. Young was nowhere to be seen. After joining Georgiana and Mr. Wickham, I remained with them until I saw Georgiana home. Unfortunately, Mr. Wickham went into the house with her. I still had not seen Mrs. Young, and, I must admit, it concerns me. It is improper for Georgiana to be alone with the man even if he is a family friend like he claims.”
“I do not understand why he would act in such a manner if he were really a friend to the family,” Mrs. Gardiner commented. She too worried for the girl’s safety. “I remember old Mr. Darcy did have a godson named Wickham. The boy was the only son of Mr. Darcy’s steward. I seem to remember my brother mentioning concerns about the young man when he went off to university. It seems he left behind a number of debts in Lambton. According to my brother, Mr. Darcy’s son paid them off. I cannot remember brother ever saying anything about the younger Mr. Darcy which would imply he left behind debts or treated any young ladies improperly.”
“Having met with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy a number of times, I can assure you his character has always been above reproach. I wonder why Mr. Wickham took the trouble to speak ill of him to you, Lizzy.”
“It bothered me also because I have no connection to the family except to call Miss Darcy a friend. His slanderous comments about someone I have never met and his improper behavior around a young girl who has not even been presented to society seems extremely questionable. She is about Lydia’s age. It seems odd for someone his age to pay such marked attention to a girl of five and ten.”
“Would he be thinking of marrying someone so young?” Mrs. Gardiner asked of her husband.
“I doubt Mr. Darcy would approve of the match, but her dowry might explain Mr. Wickham’s interest in the girl. I know for a fact her dowry is particularly large. There are any number of men who will try to attract her attention once she is presented because of her dowry.”
“What a terrible reason to marry!” Elizabeth declared to her uncle’s comment. “I prefer having no dowry for I wish only to marry for the deepest of love. It is hard enough to find a gentleman who will love me despite my shortcomings, as mama so often reminds me. It would be doubly hard if I had to be concerned as to whether the gentleman loved me or the money I would bring into the match.”
“I think it would be best if we carefully watch what is happening with Miss Darcy. I feel I owe it to her brother since we are, in a manner of speaking, business partners. If the situation continues or worsens, I will hasten to inform Mr. Darcy of the facts.”
Elizabeth and her aunt both agreed with her uncle’s comment, and Elizabeth was more determined than ever to do whatever it took to protect her new friend. She shared her plans with Alex later before finally retiring for the night. Alex seemed interested in Elizabeth’s concerns and plans, and Elizabeth hoped he would be able to act as a guardian for Georgiana as well as her, but she did not share the thought with him.
Chapter Four: Too Friendly
The visit to the theater was a treat for both young ladies, and Elizabeth was pleased not to see Mr. Wickham in attendance. Elizabeth and Georgiana made many comparisons between the stage production and the actual written play later during a late supper, and both agreed to the advantages of being able to see the play acted out. Neither of the ladies mentioned Mr. Wickham’s name, and Elizabeth, in order to enjoy the evening more, decided any discussion of him would put a blight on the delightful time they had shared together.
Elizabeth did not see Mr. Wickham for the next three days, but was often in the Georgiana’s company either on the beach with the children or sharing tea at one of their houses. Elizabeth tried to determine Georgiana’s thoughts on Mr. Wickham, but noticed Mrs. Young stayed much closer than comfortable for the two young ladies to hold a private conversation. She wanted to ask Georgiana about her feelings toward the man and ask how the man acted around her. He was charming, she would admit, but felt he was too charming – much more charming, in her opinion, than was necessary especially around a girl as young as Georgiana. She feared Georgiana, being as inexperienced as she was, would become too attracted to the man.
It was a little over five weeks since Elizabeth had arrived in Ramsgate, and she knew their stay was planned for a little over two months, but two significant events occurred in one day.
Early one morning, as the three were gathered breaking their fast, her uncle received a letter.
“The post, sir.” The butler had entered the dining room with a silver tray bearing letters.
“I believe this one is for you, Lizzy. I imagine it is from Jane.” He handed the top letter to her and then passed the second to his wife. “This one is yours, my dear” he smiled as his wife took the letter.
His smile soon turned into a frown as he read through his letter.
“Is something amiss, my dear?” Mrs. Gardiner asked in concern.
“I am sorry to inform you I must return to London posthaste.”
“Business?” Elizabeth understood how committed her uncle was to his growing business ventures, so she was not surprised something of a serious nature would draw him back to town.
“It seems a mishap occurred at the warehouse, which requires my immediate attention.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
It did not surprise Elizabeth her aunt’s first concern was for the safety of the men who worked for her uncle.
“Only a few minor bruises,” her uncle assured them. “Nothing serious to the men, but it is the damage to the merchandise which worries Mr. Johnson.”
Elizabeth liked Mr. Johnson. He was a few years older than her uncle and had been her uncle’s foreman for many years. If he felt her uncle was needed back in London, then it was more than likely a serious concern.
“I will leave as soon as possible this afternoon. I have a few matters to attend to here before I leave.” He reached over and took his wife’s hand. “You and Lizzy will remain here until the lease on the house is complete. I want you both to enjoy your remaining weeks, and if possible, I will return to escort you back to London. If I am detained, I will send Watkins to act as your escort. He is a good man, and I can rely on him to see you safely return to town.”
Watkins was another reliable employee of Mr. Gardiner, and Elizabeth knew he had started working for her uncle when he was five and ten, ten years ago. All of Mr. Gardiner’s employees were loyal and reliable men; it was why her uncle sent them as escorts with Elizabeth, Jane, and their aunt on some of their excursions into town to shop or visit exhibits. Never had any of the ladies feared being escorted by them because their physique and demeanor kept the ladies safe from the seamier residents of London.
“If you have need of anything, you have only to send me word, and I will arrange to meet the need,” he said, but he also looked at Elizabeth as he spoke letting her know he meant her needs as well, and she hoped his concern included Miss Darcy, as well.
The second event happened during their afternoon visit to the beach. Once again, Elizabeth had taken a walk down the beach but stayed within sight of her aunt, cousins, and the nursery maid. She frowned when she saw Mr. Wickham approaching her. She had no desire to converse with the man and wished he would walk right past her without stopping. She had no such luck, but she did notice Alex appearing at her side as soon as Mr. Wickham neared.
“Miss Bennet, what a pleasure to meet you again.”
She felt unsettled at his greeting and wished it were polite for her to just nod and then ignore him. ‘Why can I not show my displeasure with a greeting I do not welcome?’ She thought to herself. She did want to show her displeasure, but her natural disinclination to offend rose to the surface.
“Mr. Wickham.” She greeted him with a slight smile, as slight as possible without frowning. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” ‘Why are you even here? What do you hope to achieve by intruding upon my privacy?’ All questions she wished to voice aloud.
“I just happened to be taking a stroll, and when I saw you, I had to join you.”
‘No, you did not,’ she thought. Again, his calculating smile displeased her. He reminded her of a hungry lion she had seen at the Royal Menagerie in London a year ago. She could not trust the man.
“Oh, well, do not let me keep you then from your walk.” ‘Please leave as quickly as possible.’
She hoped it would deter him from accompanying her, but she noticed he only continued to smile at her. Not a pleased look in her opinion. ‘Maybe I should be presumptuous and voice my true opinions of him. Would my impertinence send him quickly on his way?’
“Walking with you would only enhance my day.”
‘But not mine,’ she kept her smile charming to hide her unflattering opinions of his company.
“Miss Darcy seems to be a particular friend of yours.”
“We are friends. I find her a pleasant young lady.”
“Do you mean to remain in Ramsgate for much longer?”
“A few more weeks.”
“Will you be paying another visit to Miss Darcy anytime soon?”
She had no idea what information he was looking for, but she felt he was attempting to obtain something from her.
“I am hoping to see her later today. We planned on practicing a duet together.”
Maybe he would not appear at Miss Darcy’s residence if he knew she would be present.
“I am surprised her brother has not voiced his concern about his sister developing a friendship with someone connected to trade. He is extremely fastidious about his sister’s social standing.”
“I have yet to meet the gentleman, so I can neither agree or disagree with your comment.” ‘This is the second time he mentioned my uncle being in trade. I wonder why is he warning me away from the lady. What possible concern is it of his who Georgiana befriends?’
“Let’s not speak about him. The less said about the austere, unfeeling gentleman the better.”
‘Why does he even mention him if not to bring up his name? In fact, he does it much more often than necessary. What exactly is he trying to convey?’ All questions she wished she could turn and ask Alex. She could not stop the suspicion he was trying to skew any good opinion she might harbor of Mr. Darcy. A man she had never personally met.
“Tell me more about yourself. Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
“Four sisters but no brothers. And what about yourself?”
She would question him in the same manner as he did her even though she was not interested in knowing more about him. No, she wanted him to know what it felt like to have someone asking too many personal questions, especially someone who was not really a friend.
“Mr. Darcy was like a brother to me,” he laughed, “but he broke our association. I had no other siblings, and my own father died about five years ago. My mother died when I was much younger.”
He seemed to be telling her the obvious and more than she felt necessary. ‘But why?’
“Do you miss your family?”
It was an odd question since she had not been gone long from her home, but then maybe he did not know when she left home. The bigger question was did she want him to know how long she had been gone or even where she lived.
“No. My elder sister writes often and tells me anything of importance I missed.”
“And when do you plan on returning home?”
‘Too personal,’ she thought. “Sometime later this summer.” It was all she would offer.
“Maybe we can spend some more time together. I would like to become more acquainted with you. I find you extremely interesting and, might I say, an attractive young lady.”
‘No, you may not. Why was it not an appropriate answer? Why can I not tell him directly I find him offensive and uninteresting?’ Why could she simply not say, ‘Go away and leave me alone!’?
It was best to give no reply, she decided. She noticed she was distancing herself too far from her aunt, so she turned around to walk back toward, what she felt was, safety.
“Will you be on the beach tomorrow?”
“I have no set plans at this time.” ‘Let us see what you make of this information.’
“If I arranged a time we could meet, would you meet me?”
‘What kind of lady does he think I am? Does he realize how improper his request is?’ “I think not, sir. It would be too forward. I do not truly know you.”
“Yes, you do. We are both friends of Georgiana Darcy. This fact makes us friends as well.”
‘Why would he think such a thing?’ she wondered. She hoped she could separate from him quickly. She no longer wanted him around her. She would not glance at him, but she knew he was staring at her and waiting for reply.
“Sir, just because we both happen to know the young lady does not make you or I acquaintances. I do not know you beyond what Miss Darcy has shared about you.”
“Oh, I think you and I share much in common, Miss Bennet. You may not realize it yet, but I believe we could be beneficial to each other’s plans. I wish to become much better acquainted with you for I know we are destined to be very close friends.”
‘Not even if you were the last man on earth,’ she thought.
She had no idea what he was planning, but she did not think she would like his plans. She definitely did not like his comment about them becoming closer friends. She had no plans except to be a friend to a young girl who needed a friend, and she was positive Georgiana needed someone to advice her about a gentleman who was not to be trusted. She would have to find a way to separate Georgiana from Mrs. Young so the two of them could speak privately. She needed to discover what Mr. Wickham had been telling her friend. She did not trust him, and she definitely did not trust him around an innocent lady with a large dowry.
“Maybe I will see you tomorrow if you happened to visit the beach again. Or maybe we will meet over tea in the company of Georgiana.”
She noticed his use of the young lady's Christian name and became even more concerned at what he was planning. He had been too familiar with Elizabeth making her believe the man had been even more familiar with Georgiana. Should she be concerned? It was something she would ask Alex as soon as possible. She was glad Alex had stayed beside her the entire time so he could also hear what the man had said to her. Maybe he could shed some enlightenment on what the man’s intentions were.
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“Why does the man believe I would ever want him for a friend?” Elizabeth had waited all day to speak to Alex.
It had been a frustrating day. First, the unwanted encounter with a man she little trusted, then finding Miss Darcy not at home when she called. She believed Mrs. Young and Mr. Wickham were keeping her from seeing Georgiana, causing her to fear for her friend’s safety.
After her aunt finally retired, Elizabeth took to her room and began to pace. It bothered her the man insinuate they would become something even closer than friends. ‘Who does he think he is? Why does he think I even like him? Is he really so conceited?’
“Miss Elizabeth, I fear his words and actions were not those of a real gentleman. He presents the appearance of one, but he does not behave as one.”
