by Kate Speck
“She is a very good girl and I absolutely adore her.” Elizabeth answered, as they resumed their tour of the house. “She is not only very kind and gracious but I did not realise she came from such an affluent family. Her fortune must be considerable for Mr. Wickham to be so desperately pursuing her.”
“She has £30,000, Miss Elizabeth.” Mrs. Younge smiled to see Elizabeth’s jaw drop. “Her brother has at least £10,000 a year and owns half of Derbyshire. I have yet to see their family home but have heard ladies gossip that he is as wealthy as a king.”
Elizabeth enquired excitedly, “Is he a good man? He must be a young gentleman, since Georgie is only fifteen years old. If he is as handsome and generous as his sister, I hope he will enjoy meeting Jane in the near future and my mother’s dream of a good husband for my sister might come true!” She laughed as they headed towards the dining room for their meal. “I would love to gain Georgiana as a sister by marriage.”
Mrs. Younge joined her laughter, “Mr. Darcy is a very serious young man of seven and twenty in age, and I have not seen him ever smile during the few times I met him, but he is very handsome and has been fervently pursued by heiresses in town. I have heard no gossip of any attachment so I do not know when he will marry, but he is always working on businesses and gone for days and I have been told he rarely socialises with ladies. A gentlelady like Miss Bennet would be wonderful and perhaps he will finally find a worthy wife when he meets your family!”
The group sat to dine and enjoyed their meal together, all the while with Elizabeth wondering if Mr. Wickham would find a way to harm Georgiana and if Mr. Darcy would respond to his sister’s letter with haste. She was curious what kind of a man Mr. Darcy would be, as it seemed he was dedicated to his sister’s happiness from Georgiana’s description, and yet sounded too austere and difficult to please, by Mrs. Younge’s account. She knew he would be too great of a gentleman to be turned by Jane, as beautiful as she was, since he was an extremely wealthy bachelor with at least £10,000 a year and likely desiring an heiress, and she could not imagine anyone never smiling to enjoy the moments of life but only concentrating on his businesses.
With plans to visit the ruins together the next morning, the Gardiners and the sisters departed Percy Cottage for the night and Elizabeth prayed for Georgiana’s continued safety. As soon as possible, Elizabeth shared with her family of Mrs. Younge’s situation and Mr. Wickham’s wickedness, and Mr. Gardiner vowed to protect the young lady as much as he was able.
“I thought him an amiable and admirable young man,” Mr. Gardiner huffed as they sat together at their inn, “and actually felt sorry for him that he had to study law after losing the living that was promised to him by Miss Darcy’s father. I had known the late Mr. Darcy to be an upstanding gentleman was surprised that the younger Mr. Darcy had not carried out his father’s wishes, and I hoped to convince the son to be charitable to the good-hearted Mr. Wickham as soon as I had the chance to see Mr. Darcy in person again. But it seems everything that came out of that awful man were deception and lies and now knowing that he physically abused a woman and is chasing after a child for marriage, I would conjecture that he is likely the last man on earth who should become a clergyman!”
Mrs. Gardiner added, “He said he had been keen on finding a wife, and although I thought Miss Darcy too young to marry now, I believed that his plan was to wait to finish school to formally pursue her in two or three years after her coming out.” She huffed, “I cannot approve of any man who wishes to seduce a child and would have been horrified if he had actually succeeded. Can you imagine Lydia in such a situation?! Oh, poor Mrs. Younge! To be assaulted by such an evil man while attempting to protect her young charge... I will look her over and ensure her arm is healing well at the first chance possible tomorrow. We must protect Miss Darcy however we can and keep her from danger.”
Jane and Elizabeth readily agreed that everyone’s priority was to protect Georgiana Darcy, and it was decided that if Miss Darcy was agreeable, that Jane and Elizabeth would plan many outings in order to detract Wickham from calling on Miss Darcy and that he would depart Ramsgate soon.
Elizabeth sat at her desk to write in her journal and wondered if her duty to perform the diary’s task was now at an end, since nothing further happened and everything she had written previously remained the same. After waiting several minutes for a response that was not forthcoming, she retired and excitedly waited for the next day’s excursion to see the ruins. It was the most thrilling holiday she had ever taken and it had only been the beginning of her trip to Ramsgate.
~*~
After the expedition to the outskirts of Ramsgate, the children were exhausted and the Gardiners returned to their lodgings to rest, and Jane remained behind to assist Aunt Madeline with the baby and to take a respite herself. Elizabeth, after a brief rest and donning a simple dress, walked to Percy Cottage to meet with Georgiana as previously arranged and to ask the housekeeper if George Wickham had called that day while they were out. She was still nervous that her diary had not given her further directions and did not know if Georgiana was safe now or if more trouble awaited her.
After the butler allowed her entry, he led her to the sitting room, stating that Miss Darcy would be notified immediately but appeared very distracted. Elizabeth could hear the bustling of the servants throughout the home and wondered at the cause, but seeing neither Georgiana nor Mrs. Younge after more than ten minutes of waiting, she walked towards the back of the house to see if she could find some reading material in the study. She had seen a great number of books on the bookshelf during the tour of the house and Georgiana had gladly agreed to lend her anything she wished to read.
Elizabeth was about to turn the knob when the door abruptly opened and a tall gentleman rushed out and bumped into her, nearly knocking her down with his strong, firm body. He quickly caught Elizabeth by her arm and held her for a second with a frown, then released her to glare down at her.
“Who are you?! What the devil are you doing here?” He boomed with a scowl. He looked up and down her person to assess her face and mode of dress. “Servants should be using the corridors instead. Off with you now.”
Elizabeth fumed, “I am no servant, sir! I am Miss Darcy’s friend and have been waiting for her and Mrs. Younge to make my visit with them. I was given permission to borrow a book and did not know someone was within.” She guessed very quickly that this must be Mr. Darcy. “Are you her brother? Where is Georgie? What has happened?” She glowered at the tall gentleman who appeared severe and frightening.
Mr. Darcy’s lips were in a thin line momentarily before he responded, “What is your name? Are you Jane or Elizabeth Bennet?”
“I am Elizabeth Bennet, sir.” She answered. “I demand to know if Georgie is...”
He interrupted her before she could continue, “My sister is occupied at this time and cannot come downstairs right now. She said that you were aware of her situation but I know not what you want from her. Are you here to demand money to keep quiet of the gossip? How much do you want?”
Elizabeth was affronted with such an accusation. “I want nothing! I befriended a sweet girl because of her character and grace, to be of aid to her if she desired assistance! How dare you think that I would accept bribery to protect her from gossip? I might be a daughter of a poor, country gentleman but you, sir, are a fiend for thinking so ill of me at first impression.”
Mr. Darcy glared at her intently before responding, “I did not mean to offend, but I forbid you to speak of my sister to anyone here at Ramsgate from now on. She is saying her farewells to Mrs. Younge who will be leaving her services immediately and my sister will also be departing with me to return to London and will not be able to see you. Take whatever books you want and see yourself out. Good day, madam.” He left the door open to the study and rapidly strode up the stairs then disappeared.
Elizabeth was now reddened with anger, understanding that Mr. Darcy must have dismissed Mrs. Younge from his employment a
nd that he would be making Georgiana leave Ramsgate immediately. “That insufferable man!” She growled out loudly, then returned to the drawing room to gather her belongings. Mrs. Younge would be tossed out without anywhere to go and it was appalling that she would be penniless without a friend in the world. Not knowing what else to do, she returned to the inn to write in her journal of the most arrogant, rude gentleman she had ever met and to complain heatedly to her family of the unfairness of being a woman in the world.
“He must have had a good reason to release her from his employment, Lizzy,” Jane soothed her sister later, “and certainly he will not leave her penniless to fend for herself. Mrs. Younge will be well, I am sure, and we will have a chance to see Georgiana once more before she leaves. She will wish to see us before she leaves.”
Elizabeth huffed and crossed her arms, “He will not care one bit about Georgiana’s new friends of two days, Janey, and he thought I was a servant and yelled at me because he judged me quickly based on my simple attire. He was uncivil and rude and I had never met such a conceited gentleman before. I thought he might make you a good husband but he is horrible and I hope to never see him again. Oh, poor Georgiana... No wonder she was so eager to accept Mr. Wickham’s courtship and marry soon, if only to be far away from such a brother. I hope she will be well. I truly hope so.”
~*~
Another hour later, unable to remain patiently to hear from Georgiana, Elizabeth walked back to Percy Cottage and knocked on the door. After waiting for several moments, the butler opened the door. “Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy has returned to London. I was about to have her note delivered to you this hour to relay her hopes that you would understand why she could not see you in person before departing.” He handed her the letter and bowed. “Good day, Miss Bennet,” then he closed the door to return to his duties.
Elizabeth was confident that it was Mr. Darcy who had treated her new friend abominably by forcing her to leave Ramsgate, where she had been so excited to see the seaside and to make new friends. She opened the letter to read:
Dearest Lizzy,
I am deeply sorry for not being able to see you before my departure. My brother is beyond angry with George Wickham’s presence here and is taking me to London immediately at this very moment, and as soon as a new companion could be found, I will be removing to my home in Derbyshire. I hope you will write to me, as I do not know where I could write to you and only remember that you reside somewhere in Hertfordshire. My brother wishes to leave now. Please write me at Pemberley in Derbyshire and I will be sure to reply to you. Thank you for your friendship.
Georgiana Darcy
The letter ended abruptly and was somewhat smudged from the rushed sanding, and Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy was responsible for Georgiana’s misery and was resolved to give the man a cut direct if she should ever come across him again. Mrs. Younge’s impression of the young master had been absolutely correct, that he was too serious, working too many hours on businesses, and Elizabeth speculated that he must be a greedy, selfish man who only cared about his reputation and increasing his fortune.
After writing in her journal of the events, she vowed to never forgive that rude gentleman and proceeded to send a letter immediately to Georgiana in Derbyshire, then returned to enjoying her holiday by the sea.
~*~
The next several weeks flew by in Ramsgate and soon it was time to return to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth treasured her time with her relatives and sister, finding many favourite spots to read books and write in her journal of her adventures, even if it had not been as exciting as the first week of her arrival.
She thought of Georgiana Darcy often, her mind drifting to the arrogant brother who had been haughty and harsh during the meeting, her ire rising that he had offended her and could not imagine anyone liking the man for his character. She found it easy to understand why he had not married yet, that even with all of his riches, no woman could find him tolerable to take him as a husband. Elizabeth prayed daily for Georgie’s safety and that Mr. Wickham would stay away from the young lady permanently.
One important lesson that Elizabeth had learned from her acquaintance with the Darcys was that as a woman, her place in the future was never secure, what with her small dowry and her father’s lackadaisical attitude about the family’s prospect. Unwilling to rely on Jane’s matrimony to bring about their comfort, she was determined to speak with her parents about Mrs. Younge’s destitution after becoming a widow at a young age and to prevent such a fate for her mother by pleading for her father to take action now and not after it was too late. She pledged to herself once again that she would remain independent, never settling for marriage of convenience but making her own choices in her life and saving all she could, instead of squandering her allowance on frivolous laces and ribbons like her younger sisters were wont to do.
With new determination, she departed Ramsgate with a full heart and hoped to return someday, to enjoy the beautiful seaside town and the peaceful beaches and perhaps see her young friend once again.
Chapter 4
“Have you heard that Netherfield is let at last?” Mrs. Bennet excitedly proclaimed. “The new tenant is to be a single gentleman of five thousand a year and will be arriving with his sisters and their husbands next week after Michaelmas. I am certain that when he meets Jane, he will fall madly in love with our daughter, Mr. Bennet, so that she will finally find herself a husband this year. Would it not be wonderful to have a daughter married before the year is out? If only she had found a suitor in Ramsgate this past summer, but it was all for naught.”
Elizabeth smirked, remembering that she had the same idea with a certain wealthy gentleman in Ramsgate three months ago before discovering his horrid manners and mistreatment of his sister. Although she found him to have a handsome countenance, his glower and terrible manners served him no favours and Elizabeth was determined to hate the despicable man forever.
“Perhaps our new neighbour will be the one for Jane, mama.” Elizabeth smiled. “What is his name? How many sisters? They are all married?”
Mrs. Bennet answered while working on her sewing, “Bingley is the name, and my sister Philips said that he and another gentleman toured the property and liked it so much that he took the place immediately and will arrive in one week. They will keep Mrs. Nicholls and several of the staff already there but will be bringing their own servants from town so that they can take the place straight-away without waiting to hire new ones. I believe there were two sisters and two other gentlemen are to arrive together and will stay through the winter. Mr. Bingley is described as a jovial young man and will be quite a good match for our Jane. I have no doubt she will be whisked up quickly by the gentleman.”
Elizabeth nodded, “Only if Jane wishes it, mama,” she winked at her sister, “since she has already turned down three courtships and two proposals and you know Jane is determined to marry but for the deepest of affections. Whether Mr. Bingley is worthy of Jane remains to be seen, but I hope you will not press for anyone to feel more than they should. Papa is still hale and you have little to worry about, but I do hope Mr. Bingley and his family will attend the assembly. I do look forward to making new acquaintances.”
Mrs. Bennet grinned, “Someday, when you have daughters of your own, Lizzy, you will understand how I feel. I am only grateful that your father is healthy and I promised to be more patient since he is building a new dower house for me so that I would not be living in the hedgerows.” She beamed brightly at her daughter. “After your return from your holiday in Ramsgate, I am only grateful that you were able to convince your father to have a plan in place so that we would not be left destitute.” She looked fondly at her husband of three and twenty years. “I wish for decades more of time together and I would miss our daughters too much if all of you were to marry quickly and move far away.”
Mr. Bennet smiled tenderly, “Lizzy had seen enough of ladies being left to fend for themselves, and after hearing about the woman who had to become a companio
n after her husband died, only to be unfairly terminated from her employment with her future uncertain, I have learned to guard my family and will do all I can to take care of you, Fanny. I know I have been neglecting my duties but I will work harder and care for my lot in life. The dower house will be completed within the next month and the small cottage can be let for additional income until you have need of it, my dear wife.” He faced his second daughter, “Lizzy also turned down several proposals, even if they were from the same undeserving man, and all of our daughters will be allowed to make their own choices. The young lady you met in Ramsgate, have you heard back from her at last? I know you have sent her several letters these past months.”
Elizabeth shook her head, “I have not, papa. I do not know if I addressed them poorly or if she is prevented from replying to me, but I pray she is well. I have thought of her often and she is still one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. I know my younger sisters will agree with me if they ever have a chance to meet. But her older brother,” she huffed, “I hope to never see him again. I never thought I could detest another person so much but I only become angry when I think of him.”
“Could it not be all a misunderstanding?” Mr. Bennet asked after his daughter’s harsh response regarding the gentleman. “You are prejudiced against the man for thinking you a servant and wounding your vanity but perhaps he had a good reason to take his sister away with haste. I would certainly not wish to stay anywhere near a rascal if my own sister or daughter were in danger.”