by C. J. Hill
And so it was that both ladies secretly nurtured visions of themselves being squired along the sea-front at Ramsgate by the same gentleman: it was fortunate indeed that neither lady thought to mention their ambitions to the other.
Ramsgate in the Summer was quite an extraordinary place for those who had never experienced a sea-side town beginning to enjoy its popularity, brought on, in very great measure, by the usefulness of its Harbour with its continued contribution to the war against the French.
Thousands of troops passed through, embarking and disembarking, drill parades and training were carried out day and night, and rifle-shooting practice was a regular occurrence on certain retired sections of the Main Sands. Notwithstanding the very heavy presence of the military, other, more genteel society was also drawn to the area on account of the bracing freshness of the salt air; the very beneficial exercise to be had whilst walking along the boardwalks taking in that air; the concerts and shows in the Parks; and the evening entertainments which almost matched London for their variety and amusement. But, everyone agreed, Ramsgate's greatest attribute was that it was not London, which at this time of year was stiflingly hot, smelly and very dirty; one did not stay in London during the Summer if one could help it.
Julia and Georgiana arrived on a warm sunny day and immediately settled in to their rather exclusive apartments in Albion Place. Once they had rested, both ladies were anxious to become more familiar with their new surroundings and so, after enquiring of the landlady the proximity of the sea and other attractions, happily set out to explore with parasols resting over their shoulders.
Their walk took them past several elegant Squares and Parks and everywhere was bustling with very friendly people who nodded in greeting as they passed. Once they gained the front, however, all they wished to do was to gaze at the sea and the sand and the activity below them until they had taken their fill. Even conversation was unnecessary as they both soaked up the newness of the sights. Some sea-bathing huts were pulled out and several bathers were enjoying the water. People were sitting in groups upon the sands and walking along the shore. In the distance could be seen soldiers - the only ones not enjoying their beach activities – exercising, and working up quite a sweat doing so.
"Oh, those poor men! How hard they are working and on such a warm day. Perhaps they will be able to cool off with swim afterwards, Mrs. Younge, do not you think?"
Julia smiled. "They need to get used to hardship where they are going, Miss Darcy. There is no room for weaklings in the military, you know. But I am sure they are happy to be training and preparing to serve their country against the French. We must treat them with the respect they deserve if we happen to meet any officers during our stay.
"What do you think about sea-bathing now, Miss Darcy? It is not so frightening as you imagined, is it?"
Georgiana looked doubtfully at the distant swimmers and wrinkled her nose. "Hmm; I do not think I would wish to partake in it after all, Mrs. Younge. It seems a most inelegant pastime now one sees what it consists of. They get wet, certainly, which must be quite refreshing, but they stay in the proximity of the hut; I had thought that one could try to swim away a little but they appear to be merely standing still. No, it does not appeal as much as it once did; it is not quite what I envisioned and I do not think I would wish to try it, after all."
"Well, perhaps you may change your mind after you have become more accustomed to the idea. I am sure that if you hear from others who have taken a bathe, you may well decide to try it for yourself."
Georgiana looked doubtfully at Julia as they left the railings and proceeded with their walk along the front. It was certainly entertaining with the many other people out strolling, children playing in and out of the water, and street vendors hawking their wares. At the other end of the Sands were a coffee house and lending library and both ladies, suddenly feeling the urgency of a rest, agreed to take some refreshment and look through the novels and magazines on offer. The library offered a pleasant aspect over the Sands whilst affording its patrons a comfortable place in which to gossip, purchase tickets for forthcoming entertainments - of which there seemed a vast array - as well as the usual coffee, tea or chocolate. It was, therefore, a bustling place and one was expected to share one's table with any other persons requiring a seat. Almost immediately, an elegant young woman and her companion asked permission to join Georgiana and Julia. When their request was happily agreed to, they proceeded to introduce themselves.
"Good afternoon! I am Eleanor Lyons and this is Mrs. Smith, my companion. I do not believe I have seen you in here before, although, given the crush of people, it would hardly be surprising to me if you said you had always been here."
Georgiana laughed and introduced herself and Julia. She was glad to find such a pleasant and friendly young person to speak to on her first foray into town.
"We are quite taken aback by the busyness everywhere - it is almost busier than London, I declare." she admitted.
"Oh, well, if you are recently come from London, then you will find a world of difference here. Everything is much more pleasant and entertaining during the Summer season; there is so much to do, one has a difficult time choosing. For example, Mrs. Smith and I intend going directly from here to the Park where the soldiers practise their maneouvers at about this time every morning. It is quite the sight to see, I assure you, with their uniforms and shining bayonets - it quite makes me swoon! Why do not you come with us? - it is most entertaining - you shall enjoy it, I promise you."
Georgiana began to feel a little uncomfortable at Miss Lyons' frank admissions and rather felt she would not like to accompany her to such an event. Fortunately, Julia, noticing her discomfort, interrupted.
"I am sure that Miss Darcy would be delighted to accompany you to such a spectacle on another day but we are newly arrived and feeling rather tired from our exertions of walking from our accommodation. As we have to retrace our steps very shortly, I believe we shall have to forgo the pleasure of your kind offer."
Georgiana nodded her complete agreement, to the dismay of her new friend.
"Oh, but it is only a few steps from here. Surely you can make it that far." Upon receiving assurances that they absolutely could not, she continued.
"Where will you be tonight? It is so difficult to meet people when one has only just arrived, I know; I arrived only last week and knew no one. But now I have an ever-increasing circle of friends and acquaintances all of whom are most friendly and very amusing company. I would like to introduce you to them, if you would allow me?"
"We have no engagements for this evening, Miss Lyons, but we would not wish to incommode you and your friends on such short notice and without being formally invited," Georgiana demurred, not knowing how to refuse a second request without insulting the lady.
"Oh! No one stands on ceremony here, there is no need for such formalities; it is all quite modern and young here, you will see. Friendships are made easily and with anybody whom you wish to make your friends. But I assure you that those to whom I will introduce you will be entirely proper; you will not be embarrassed on that score.
"Why do not you come to my apartments this evening and I shall introduce you to some of Ramsgate’s society? It is only a small gathering and light supper but they will enjoy a new face in their midst."
Georgiana quietly began to demur when Julia, once again, stepped in and thanked Miss Lyons for her extreme kindness and promised that they would call upon her within the next few days, once they had become more settled. That was arranged, not as satisfactorily for Miss Lyons as for her reluctant friends, but she assured them that she would be awaiting their visit with baited breath, and would not be able to rest until it had happened. And then she and Mrs. Smith, who had remained silent throughout the entire conversation, gaily left to watch the Regiments at their daily drills.
"You do not think we should have accepted her proposal, do you, Mrs. Younge?" asked Georgiana anxiously as they walked slowly back along the front. "
We have only just met, after all, and I do not know of her or her family; I do not think my brother would like me to be so friendly without knowing more about her."
"You made the correct decision, Miss Darcy. Miss Lyons was very agreeable and friendly to be sure, but we certainly must know more about her before we can consider her a suitable acquaintance. I would not be doing my duty properly if I had allowed you to follow her as she desired you to do. We will call upon her, as we said, and that will give us enough information as to her position in life. She will not be your only friend in Ramsgate; I am sure that, within a week, you will be as popular as you were in London, do not concern yourself on that score."
By the time they arrived back at Albion Place they were both rather fatigued and agreed that a quiet rest in their rooms was what was required, both mentioning more than once how glad they were that they had not ventured any further than they had. They arranged a time to meet for dinner and then parted to their rooms.
Georgiana had so much to think about since her arrival - she was sure she would be unable to rest at all - but the next thing she knew was Mrs. Younge knocking upon her door reminding her that it was time to dress for dinner and to ask if she would like any assistance. She hurriedly rose and began preparations for her first evening in Ramsgate.
Chapter 12
Within ten days it was exactly as Julia had predicted: Georgiana's position in Ramsgate society was such that she never found herself forced to endure an evening alone and her days were filled with visits to new friends, walks along the Sands and the boardwalks, sightseeing trips to outlying villages, and mingling with other library-goers and coffee-drinkers in the tea-rooms. It was one constant whirl, but one that both ladies enjoyed far more than the whirl similarly experienced in London.
Perhaps it was the variety; perhaps it was the fresh air; or perhaps it was the constant thrill of watching people in the water or on the Sands; soldiers practising in the Parks, and the sheer volume of gossip generated by such sights and activities. One never knew just how many new acquaintance one would make that day; which of them would turn out to be suitable, and which of them would be announced by other friends to be Shocking! Disgraceful! Unworthy! It was all quite delightful indeed for a young girl of fifteen.
Although Miss Lyons did prove herself to be a well-connected and personable young lady, and someone with whom Georgiana felt quite at ease, she never entirely managed to convince Georgiana of two things: one; that she should and must try sea-bathing, and two; that she would certainly enjoy watching the regiments practising their drills. Georgiana steadfastly refused both temptations, despite much importuning, on the grounds that she firmly believed her brother would not approve of his sister indulging in either activity.
As to other pursuits such as the abundant card parties, musical evenings, dinners and the like, Georgiana had no misgivings about at all and it was there where she made her new friends. Some were civilian persons, in town for the same reasons as herself, and others were officers, splendid in their uniforms and dashing good looks. The name of Darcy admitted her to every higher level of society and she began to enjoy the heady sense of her own worth.
Everywhere she went with Mrs. Younge, Georgiana was recognised and everybody desired to be acquainted with her. Many very eligible young men were particularly attentive, but Georgiana, cognizant of the reasons for her allure and her brother's short temper, evaded every invitation to meet a gentleman alone, to walk along the front, or take a coffee with him. At all times she displayed the most elegant and proper manners as befitting a young lady of her standing, while secretly nursing her ambition to be offered the same opportunities by Wickham when he visited.
So her excitement was intense when, one morning, Mrs. Younge informed her over breakfast, after perusing a letter she had just received in the mails, that Mr. Wickham would be travelling to Ramsgate within the next few days and intended staying at least week as he believed that some of his friends were currently with one of the regiments stationed there and wished to visit them.
"He tells me that things are going well in London and he wishes to report every detail directly to me," smiled Julia with great satisfaction as she folded the letter and placed it inside her pocket. The letter contained much more than the scant reason given to Georgiana and she had no wish for it to be read accidentally, or otherwise, by her charge.
"Oh! That is happy news indeed. We must introduce Mr. Wickham to all of our acquaintance. What a lot we shall have to show him, will not we, Mrs. Younge? He will be so surprised at how well we have settled in here in such a short time. Perhaps he will take a sea-bathe while he is with us!"
"Perhaps he may," Julia murmured as she rose from the table. "Please excuse me, Miss Darcy, but Mr. Wickham has requested that I arrange lodgings for him and I must do so immediately as he may arrive sooner than he anticipates in his letter. You will forgive me, I hope, if I abandon you for a short time whilst I walk to town to enquire about lodgings?"
"Oh, surely that will not be necessary, Mrs. Younge. I do not know why he expects you to make sure he is taken care of. But if you feel you must, as his friend, then you must, and I shall accompany you. We shall go together and I will wait while you arrange for Mr. Wickham's comfort. Perhaps I shall inadvertently see the soldiers at their drills if we go close by Spencer Square. I must remember to keep my eyes quite shut and not open them until you say it is safe, Mrs. Younge!"
"I do feel rather obliged to Mr. Wickham," Julia protested quietly. "He has, after all, taken it upon himself to oversee the recovery of my business whilst I am here with you. I believe it is the least I can do to arrange for his comfort after he has taken so much trouble for me. But I do not wish to force you to go where you would much rather not. I will not be long and you will certainly have visitors calling to keep you company while I am gone."
"No, no, of course I shall go with you. We will go directly. Do you go to that lady whom you met upon the boardwalk the other day? Mrs. Davis was it not? How fortunate that you already have a connection for a suitable place for Mr. Wickham. I should not like to think of him staying in one of the less pleasant inns in the area, although, I suppose, being a man he would not care much about that - he might even prefer it!"
Julia smiled resignedly at the clear intention of her charge accompanying her to whichever lodging house she decided would be suitable for Wickham's visit. Meeting him alone was obviously not going to be easy, if not altogether impossible now that Georgiana had displayed such a determination to entertain him and introduce him to her friends.
As they walked along, Julia attempted several times more to encourage Georgiana to wait for her in the library, or the tea-rooms where she could pass the time with her friends rather than expose herself to the less-than-genteel area selected for Wickham's stay; an area where it may be possible for Julia to see him discreetly amongst all of the other soldiers and their lady friends. But to no avail; Georgiana quite looked upon it as an adventure into unknown lands and something with which to regale her friends that evening - her foray into the lower sections of Ramsgate! The tales of the daring and intrepid Miss Darcy!
Julia sighed and gave up, rather wishing she had not mentioned the letter or anything about Wickham in Georgiana's hearing. All that she could speak of was how long it had been since they had last met; how charming and thoughtful Mr. Wickham had always been to her; how she wondered his own business plans were progressing, which, she was absolutely certain, would be great successes; and just how soon he would be with them.
"I hope you will not have to monopolise too much of his time in discussion of your business, Mrs. Younge. He must be allowed some holiday while he is here, you know, and I would like to show him all of the sights we have discovered."
"I am sure he will be delighted to have you occasionally as his guide in a new place, Miss Darcy, but please remember that he is here on business and hopes to visit some of his old friends. He will not be at your service nor mine for his entire stay, you must un
derstand he has other commitments."
To Julia's very great relief, as they arrived in town, Georgiana was swept away by several ladies who were en route to the tea-rooms and insisted that she join them as there was so much gossip to be exchanged. Utterly diverted, Georgiana called gaily as she was escorted away, "I will wait for you here, Mrs. Younge. I am sorry to desert you in your errand, but as you see, it cannot be helped!" and she disappeared through the doors of the shop in a flurry of skirts and giggles.
Julia quickly completed her charge, booking a discreet room in a small house in an area where she had never set foot before, and certainly not at Mrs. Davis' establishment; delightful as that lady was, her discretion could not be relied upon.
Wickham's arrival was a moment of great anticipation for both Julia and Georgiana; Georgiana's greeting, when he finally presented himself at Albion Place, far surpassed that of his true love's. Julia merely spoke the correct words, allowing her eyes to complete her thoughts while Georgiana, in her excitement, was so distracted by her silly chatter that she did not notice how her companion and guest stared longingly at each other. After half an hour spent in this manner, Wickham rose and bowed to the two ladies.
"Forgive me, Miss Darcy, but I must take my leave. I happily accept your kind offer to introduce me to your friends tonight at the card evening. If you will allow me the very great honour, please permit me to escort you to the party. Mrs. Younge - we will speak together very soon about the great improvements I believe have already been made in your business. Perhaps we shall be allowed some time tomorrow - if Miss Darcy has no objections?"
Since Miss Darcy was to be escorted by a very dashing and elegant young man, and would therefore be the envy of all her new Ramsgate friends, she had no objections at all to allowing her companion half an hour to discuss business in the morning. "But make sure that there is no business talk tonight, Mr. Wickham! Tonight is for my amusement and entertainment only; not business!"