Wickham's Wife

by C. J. Hill

  "Oh, indeed it is, Mr. Wickham," broke in Mrs. King. "We are most grateful to you all for the protection you will afford us should it become necessary."

  And in this amiable manner Wickham remained in the parlour with the two ladies for another hour, a greater ease existing between them than previously. Miss King began to see him in a better light, and her Mamma watched with growing approval of the match that she had rescued from the depths of doubt and distrust. That Mr. Wickham had more to his past than he had admitted, she had no doubt - which man of his age did not? But his good looks, general demeanour, charm and affectionate nature certainly made him a desirable suitor and would make her daughter the envy of the neighbourhood ladies; how satisfying it would be to have Mary safely settled and taken care of.

  Chapter 22

  March brought with it the early promise of Spring, with buds and new growth appearing everywhere; fresh beginnings which gave Wickham quiet hope that very soon his improved understanding with Miss King would lead to her acceptance of his proposal of marriage. She had been most amenable of late towards his advances and had even agreed on several occasions to be accompanied by him without the constant presence of her mother, causing him to have every anticipation of the success of his plan. Everybody in Meryton was waiting for the announcement to be made; that it could and should not be much longer was the general opinion. Even Lydia Bennet had taken the intimation and left him alone whenever he and Miss King were out in public.

  Until such a happy eventuality, however, his straitened circumstances could not be improved: they were now under greater stress than before. His creditors were becoming restless, causing Wickham considerable anxiety lest he should be discovered. Others in the Regiment in similar circumstances had already been called up before Colonel Forster to account for their behaviour in the village, ordered to repay every debt immediately, or risk losing their commission. They, of course, had family who, after much angry argument, always paid off the accrued debt rather than have their name despoiled: Wickham had no such security. The best he could manage was to offer small sums if and when some payment was unavoidable, and keep a low profile about town so as not to aggravate the merchants by reminding them of his presence.

  Fortunately, his preoccupation with Mary King was such that, although his debts were large, they did not increase in principal while he was with her. The interest, however, never slept, and he dreaded to think what had quietly accrued: he counted the days until he could officially announce his engagement and know his debts, and the accompanying anxiety, would be rendered unimportant upon his marriage. His insolvency would perhaps come as rather a surprise to both her and her mother, but that could not be helped; he was sure there would be some surprises awaiting him upon entering the marriage state too. One thing that would not be surprising was the understanding that Mrs. King would be a constant presence in his marital home and life, and, he had reasoned, this was surely enough of an inconvenience to excuse him using a new wife's money to pay off his debts.

  Because of his recent attentions towards Miss King, Wickham had been somewhat anxious about meeting again with Elizabeth, a meeting that became unavoidable when a particular invitation was issued to him and several of his fellow officers to take tea and farewell her, as she was to leave Longbourn to visit her friend in Hunsford for an extended stay. Wickham was relieved when their leave-taking was of a most cordial nature, and that his interest in Miss King had not spoilt their amity.

  He smiled as Elizabeth brought him a cup of tea. "And when do you leave for Kent, Miss Bennet?"

  "Tomorrow morning, early. Sir William and Maria Lucas will fetch me, and from here we travel to my aunt and uncle Gardiner's house in Gracechurch Street where we will stay overnight before continuing to Kent. Although I look forward to visiting my aunt and uncle, I confess, I am most anxious to see my sister again."

  "You must have missed her these past months while she has been away, and there will be a longer separation before you see her again, I think?"

  "Yes, unfortunately! I shall be in Kent for a month at least with Maria, but I will be glad to see Charlotte and her new situation."

  "Ah, yes, the sensible Mrs. Collins! A title you almost assumed, I believe?"

  Elizabeth laughed. "Not at all, I assure you! It was proposed and refused within the same hour; some would say I am not as sensible as she, but I should not have fared well as a wife to Mr. Collins particularly, nor generally as the wife of a clergyman. It is much better the way it worked out - to everybody's satisfaction. My cousin is a very fortunate person to have gained the affection of my friend, and it is a prudential match for Charlotte as well. I hope to find them both quite content with their situation."

  "You are an understanding friend, Miss Bennet. I cannot forget your kindness to me when first I came to Meryton. Your sympathy and attention affected me greatly and, had circumstances been different, perhaps we should not be saying adieu today."

  Elizabeth looked at him with an amused glint in her eye.

  "Perhaps! But please know that I bear you no ill-will, Mr. Wickham, for the transfer of your affections to Miss King. I believe that on every level but one we might have made a happy match; however, there is no denying the truth of the matter - we all must have something to live on, must not we? I wish you every happiness; when is the announcement to be?"

  Wickham laughed and denied any knowledge of that sort. "I cannot state anything for certain, even to you, much as I would wish to do so; nothing is agreed, as yet. But you are right, of course, Miss Bennet, in your summation of our similar situations and I am glad to know that we can still be friends.

  "I wish you every enjoyment in your travels; Kent is delightful at this time of year and the lanes and woods around Rosings Park will supply endless entertainment for you, I am sure. I do hope you will agree with my estimation of Lady Catherine when you meet her."

  "I am sure I shall!" Elizabeth laughed. "I look forward to meeting her at last and being allowed to make my own observations of her and her manner; I doubt she will have improved in temper or any other aspect since you last saw her, however long ago that may have been."

  Wickham, as they continued their conversation, could not help but compare the easy manner and graceful beauty of the lady with whom he laughed so easily, and shared the same opinion about everybody, against the more austere manners and plainness of the woman he intended to marry. It was an unfortunate truth but, as Miss Bennet had so bluntly stated, we all must have something to live on. The lack of fortune on both sides would likely be responsible for more than a few unhappinesses in both of their futures and he felt a sadness for her, that she would be forced to compromise just as surely as he had been forced to. The sting of that truth hurt even more when he thought of Julia: she had beauty, charm, and enough wealth gathered together in one loveable individual, but she would not have him through his own fault.

  With the leaving of Miss Bennet, it seemed to Wickham that there was now no reason, logical or otherwise, against his proposing marriage with the hope it could be agreed and acted upon within the month. Rumours were increasing that the Regiment was to be removing to Brighton in May for the entire Summer and he wished to have everything settled before then: he wished to be a married man, unencumbered by debts and able to hold his head high before he left Meryton.

  Therefore, the next day, he requested the pleasure of walking out with Miss King to the Library, but he first asked if he might be permitted to have a word in private with her; Mrs. King, all delight, quickly vacated the room. Miss King looked up nervously from her chair, but did not argue against it.

  Wickham smiled and drew up a chair beside her. "My dear Miss King, you can have no doubt as to the significance of my wish to speak with you alone, and I see by your blush that it is indeed the case. I have shown my full character to you during our acquaintance, and I have explained my position and history with candour. I do hope that now you feel you know me better than the last time I so desperately wished to ask this
question; my feelings upon the matter have not changed.

  “I would ask you to do me the great honour of becoming my wife, Miss King. I believe we should be happy together just as we are now, enjoying each other's company, nothing will change on that score. My situation, about which you are now fully aware, thankfully, has not succeeded in dampening your regard for me since you learnt of it. Please, relieve me of my torment and agree to become my wife…Mary!" He reached out and grasped her hands anxiously.

  Mary looked away and struggled to release his grip on her hands, to no avail; he would not so easily be cast off a second time. She drew a tremulous breath.

  "Mr. Wickham! While it is true that we have a great deal of enjoyment in each other's company, as you say, and it is also true that nothing that you have revealed to me about your situation alters that enjoyment, I am still not convinced that entering the marriage state is something I wish to do at this juncture: it is a very serious step to consider. I apologise if I have given you any such indications, but it was not intentional and, if my mother had not insisted upon it, I should never have continued to encourage your attentions. I cannot marry where I am not certain of the strength of my feelings or regard."

  Again? Wickham was even more shocked at her refusal than the first time. He struggled to find the words to reason with hers.

  "But … Miss King … your mother, everybody, expects it! We have been so often in each other's company that it is quite decided in everybody's mind: it would be most shocking if we should not become engaged! I should be labelled a heartless philanderer, and you should be seen as a determined flirt; it would reduce your estimation considerably. You have so little knowledge of the world, as is quite right and proper, but, please believe me, your attentions towards me have been of the most significant kind and they cannot be dismissed so easily. I appeal to you, Miss King, consider your reputation if you do not accept me!"

  Mary now determinedly rose from her chair, forcing Wickham to release his grasp on her hands, and moved to the other side of the room in an agitated manner. Her voice quivered a little as she spoke but everything else about her spoke of determination and resolve.

  "Mr. Wickham. I understand that you only wish to protect my good name, and I thank you for such kind consideration; however, I am not of the same opinion as are you. Our relationship, while it has certainly provided the gossips with a feast when none other was to be had, has not been untoward in any way; I have taken care not to show any excess of affection in public or otherwise and so there can be no judgment made upon my reputation. What is most important is whether I wish to be married, not what everybody else expects.

  "However, this new side to your character which has just shown itself is not conducive to changing my mind; if this is to be how you intend to treat me, through veiled threats and bribes, then I should never wish myself married to such a person."

  Wickham felt panic at her accusations and stuttered his denial. "I assure you that was never my intent, Miss King, please do not think it was! I have only ever wished to gain your affection and acceptance, while reminding you that your interests are always my paramount concern. I have been cruelly misled if these are your true feelings upon the matter; your Mamma assured me that, with a little more time and information, your reservations about me would be assuaged and my proposal accepted with alacrity."

  "Mamma has no business predicting the state of my mind or my heart in such circumstances as these. While I have nothing absolutely against you - your attentions have been most respectable, your manners charming and amusing - I refuse to be forced into a situation for which I am not wholly convinced will increase my happiness and security in life. I well understand my mother's acceptance of you and the accounts of your history, but she is easily swayed, I have found, and believes that her foremost occupation must be to see me settled, but she does not speak for me upon this subject."

  "And so there is no hope, Miss King?" Wickham asked despairingly, all of his problems raising their ugly heads once again, only with a far greater vengeance than before. He would have to relinquish his commission; leave Meryton under a very dark cloud; attempt to re-start his life once again without even the smallest of hopes, nor finances.

  He was doomed.

  "I do not say that, Mr. Wickham," Mary added in a more kindly tone. "I cannot disagree with your estimation of our probable mutual happiness should we enter the marriage state; we certainly are of similar minds and get along quite well - as well as any can upon such short acquaintance; and I certainly do not find your character or personality in any way disagreeable, your recent outburst notwithstanding, I assure you. I am just not certain of my feelings towards you and the strength of yours; you could not ask me to marry where there is some doubt on that score, surely?"

  "But my feelings for you are strong, my dear, and will be sufficient to encourage yours to grow to a similar strength. It is not entirely necessary for you to feel the same certainty nor depth of feeling immediately. Let mine foreshadow what yours will be, my dear. Do not be afraid upon that score. Do not deny me my happiness when I am certain that it will also ensure yours!" Wickham was pleading for his life, building upon the smallest of cracks in her defences; she had mentioned the words should …and… marriage. His charm and sincerity was at full force and he detected some weakening in her manner.

  He waited.

  She finally turned to him and smiled slightly. "I shall consider what you say, Mr. Wickham. I am most honoured to have your respect and affection; it is so clearly displayed as to be easily understood. However, you must allow me some time to consider if what you claim could actually be true, or whether the feelings will always be on one side only, which cannot be conducive to happiness however much that one side tries."

  "That is only what I would wish you to do, my dear!" Wickham almost gasped with relief. "Nothing should be decided for certain today but please consider carefully just how much affection there is on my side and what that would mean for you. To have someone so interested in your happiness and well-being can only be beneficial, surely?"

  Mary smiled and allowed him to take her hand once again. "I believe, Mr. Wickham, you must leave me now so that I may begin my deliberations immediately, do not you think?"

  Wickham certainly did see the benefit of such an arrangement, and, after procuring her permission to return the following day to learn of her answer, he let himself out of the front door. She had certainly turned his expectations upon their head; what he had anticipated being a loving and reciprocal question and response, at the end of which he would have been the happiest and most relieved of men, had left him more unclear than he had been upon entering the room an hour ago.

  Once he had departed, Miss King was not left in solitude for more than a moment before her mother bustled into the room and demanded to know the outcome of their private meeting. Her reaction to the news was as expected: she railed against her daughter's selfish stupidity; warned her that she was fortunate indeed to have been allowed a second chance with Wickham, and foolish for not accepting him this time; reminded her that there was no certainty he would renew his attentions, not even tomorrow; that he might, upon reflection, decide his feelings were not as strong as he first thought, especially since they were not reciprocated in kind, and decide that there were other, more interested and less difficult ladies to pursue.

  Mary listened to her mother's outburst until she had done.

  "I have not definitely refused him, Mamma, although I did not like his tone at first; it was too proud and threatening to be construed as anything other than the disappointment of his expectations, rather than the loss of love. I said I wished for time to consider, which is appropriate, and he will return tomorrow for my answer."

  "Well," bridled Mrs. King, "I shall certainly expect you to say yes, Mary, unless you are very foolish indeed! Make sure that you do and then we can move on towards getting you comfortably settled and relieving my anxiety for your future happiness."

  "Yes, indeed
! My future happiness, Mamma! Before I make any such decision about my future happiness, do not you think it prudent to contact my uncle in Liverpool and ask his opinion of Mr. Wickham? I do not like to make such a decision without sensible advice, especially when I have my inheritance to think of. I cannot entirely forget that until I inherited Grandfather's money, Mr. Wickham was unaware of my existence; he was all taken up with the Bennet girl. That sudden and deliberate transfer of his affection is, I believe, my greatest concern, and it should be yours too, Mamma."

  "Well, if you think it necessary, my dear, then you should do as you see fit," her mother huffed. “Your uncle may be able to set your mind at rest where, clearly, your own mother has failed."

  "Mamma. Do not take offence so! You approve of Mr. Wickham and have done what you think best, I know, but it is not you who will be married to him, it is I; and I wish to enter into such a serious undertaking with as much of an understanding of my marriage partner as I can. Other gentlemen will talk freely with my uncle; he will be able to hear and discuss things more openly with them than we ever could. Please: write to my uncle and ask him to come as soon as he can manage it and act on my behalf."

  Mrs. King grumbled at the extent to which this new idea would prolong the announcement of the engagement, which she was sure would be the eventual outcome, but reluctantly agreed to write that very day to her brother and ask for his assistance. But, she warned her daughter, her uncle was a very busy man and could not be expected to drop every commitment upon receipt of the letter and hightail it into Hertfordshire; they could not expect him before at least two weeks had elapsed at the earliest.

  This was what Miss King wished most fervently to hear; such a postponement in giving her answer, based upon the very real desire to gain her uncle's opinion and advice, would give her plenty of time for real consideration, while forestalling Wickham's urgency. It gave her a good excuse for extending the period of her answer to his proposal until such time as her uncle had completed his enquiries and given, or refused, his permission.