Wickham's Wife

by C. J. Hill

  "Tell me; what have you been engaged in since leaving me and before joining the Militia? Last I heard you were exploring business ideas here in London."

  "Indeed, that is true, Jardine, but I found none that were suitable, and so I joined the Militia after meeting some old friends in Ramsgate where they were stationed last Summer; they were able to persuade their commanding officer to offer me a position, for which I was most grateful."

  "Ramsgate, eh? Never been: much prefer Brighton or Bath myself. How was it? Were there any pretty young things there for the soldiers to amuse?"

  "I am sure that there must have been, Jardine; however, I went merely to report to Mrs. Younge - I was left in charge of her business in London while she accompanied Miss Darcy to Ramsgate, you know - but, yes, it is a tolerable place in the Summer and becoming quite popular, I believe. It certainly has everything one could desire in a seaside town."

  "Ah, yes, I recall that Miss Darcy went there, suddenly deserting her London friends. Where is Miss Darcy now, pray? I must say I found her to be most attractive. Is she back in London, perhaps?"

  "I could not comment on her current whereabouts for certain, Jardine, but I imagine she remains in Derbyshire; her brother removed her quite suddenly from Ramsgate, also, and that was the last I heard of her. Mrs. Younge was then free to return to her business interests in London and I, as I have said, was fortunate enough to be recommended for the Militia.

  "That is all I have to report; I fear none of it to be of any great interest to you, Jardine." Wickham was anxious for the conversation to be turned away from him.

  "Not at all! Not at all, Wickham! Your life has been a good deal more interesting than mine has been in the interim. As you can see, I am no further ahead in the marriage stakes, although not for want of ladies, I assure you. But I find I still prefer my single life and the freedom it offers. I am glad to find you still single, also, Wickham. We must go out as we used to and enjoy an evening in London; what do you say?"

  Wickham smiled ruefully. "My situation is no more prosperous than it was when last I saw you. Jardine. I cannot join you in your entertainments, much as I would dearly love to; they are too expensive for my pocket. And, I have not the required evening wear with me," he added with finality.

  "Nonsense, man! Nothing so simple: my man will find something for you to wear, and I shall advance you enough to get you started; then we shall see where you are at the end of the night. It will not be half so much fun if you do not join me."

  "No! Truly. I absolutely cannot accept your kind offer; if I should lose, I have no way of repaying you and, although you offered me my old job back earlier, I am sure it was merely in jest - we do not want to regress, do we? And, also, I have no wish to leave the Militia, now I am in it, due to my own folly and bad judgment. I will gladly accompany you this evening, but allow me to know my own limits and temptations."

  "No! That will not do, Wickham, this is all nonsense. I will not be deprived of an enjoyable evening’s entertainment through the trifling matter of funds. Everybody is going out of town now and you are the first person with whom I have the opportunity to enjoy an evening at cards for a week. You cannot be so selfish to refuse me; I will give you the money. If you win, you pay me back: if you lose, I shall accept it as my loss. You cannot refuse that offer, surely? Come, man, we are wasting the evening. We will dine at my club and then we shall have some fun, shall not we?"

  In the company of Jardine, Wickham found himself once again an accepted member of the club circuit; old acquaintances came up and slapped him on the back, enquiring into his situation and treating him as if nothing had ever been amiss between them. Gradually, his awkwardness and reserve dissolved, and he entered into the entertainments as of old, but with the added freedom of being released from the accompanying terrors of losing.

  Perhaps it was because of this new freedom, and the careless attitude he was able to adopt, that the tables were very kind to him; he was able to re-pay Jardine his advance and return to his friend's house in the hours before dawn with a satisfactory bulge in his waistcoat pocket.

  "A final drink before we retire, Wickham?"

  "I thank you, no, Jardine. I will take myself off to one of your spare rooms, if you have no objection. I feel a desperate need for sleep. But I thank you for this evening; it has been most enjoyable indeed."

  "Well! Winning a great deal tends to increase one’s enjoyment of an evening. I never saw such luck in one night. Pity it did not happen more often a few years back; but then, we would never have had our year together would we, now?"

  Wickham smiled as he opened the door. "Yes, a great pity it did not happen back then, Jardine." And then, as he closed the door behind him, muttered, "And a greater pity it did not happen more recently, and more frequently, too."

  But, after assessing his gains of the evening, he realised happily that he was no longer absolutely destitute as he had been for so long. He still could not afford to pay off his debts in Meryton without compromising any necessary future expenditure in Brighton, but he felt he could now navigate his way through the final weeks there without too much trouble or expense. The merchants still treated him with respect, especially when he offered small payments, and so far none had reported him to the Colonel. This would be his strategy, he mused as he drifted off to sleep: to keep the bulk of his winnings for Brighton and beyond.

  Wickham slept later than he had recently been used to - military hours being what they were - and descended to breakfast only to find a note left for him from Jardine making his excuses that business called him from home, but for Wickham to remain as his guest for as long as he liked.

  What a delight! Wickham was already becoming very comfortable in his new surroundings, so dissimilar to those to which he had grown accustomed; his lodgings in Meryton were adequate but nothing could match the luxury of being the guest of Jardine, and he intended to enjoy every last minute of his time there.

  However, his desire to reassert his influence over Julia hastened his vacating of Jardine's house in the direction of Edward Street in the late afternoon. Jardine's casual comment about another man warming her heart had begun to eat away at his thoughts and he wished to convince himself as soon as possible that it was not the case.

  Unfortunately, the sight that met his eyes after Julia had ushered him into her private parlour, a place where they had spent many personal moments, merely compounded his misgivings. A middle-aged, not unhandsome, rather well-built gentleman in a jacket of a most unusual cut and hue rose from Wickham's preferred chair by the fireplace to greet him.

  Julia, perfectly unflustered, introduced the two men, who eyed each other uncertainly.

  "George: I would like you to meet Mr. Clemens, a businessman from America who stays with me when he is in London. Mr. Clemens: may I introduce Mr. George Wickham of the ___shire Militia; my distant cousin and a very great friend and associate. Mr. Wickham has assisted me on many occasions with my various business ventures both here and in Cambridge. Do, please, both of you, be seated. A drink, George? What would you care to have?"

  Wickham forced himself to take a seat at her bidding and managed to stumble out the first thing that came into his head.

  "A tea, perhaps, if it is not too much trouble, my dear," he added proprietarily, emphasising the endearment.

  Julia smiled as she rang the bell, and the man, Clemens, laughed.

  "Tea! That's all you British will drink, I believe. Now it's always coffee with me, ain't it Mrs. Younge? You know, sir, she always complains that her coffee supplies run real low when I am in town – I always bring a small supply with me just in case! But she makes as decent a cup as any I can get back home."

  "Oh! Nonsense, Mr. Clemens. You know very well I am merely teasing you, even though I consider the number of cups you drink to be especially draining on your nerves. Tea is a more refreshing and less enervating beverage, we find. Too much coffee cannot be healthful."

  Mr. Clemens smiled at her, clearly deligh
ted at her concern for his health.

  Wickham began to feel more and more uncomfortable at the level of familiarity between the other occupants of the room. They appeared perfectly at ease with each other and, from what he had already observed, this Clemens person was quite taken with Julia; his manner and the looks he sent in her direction said everything that needed to be said.

  "So, Mr. Wickham! What brings you to London? I understood from Mrs. Younge that you were away with your Regiment and not expected in Town any time soon; yet here you are! Is this intended to be a passing or extended visit, may I ask, sir?"

  "I regret that this is a visit of short duration; my Regiment leaves for Brighton very soon and I wished to pay my respects to Mrs. Younge before I left again. But I fear I have mistimed my call. Perhaps I will not take the tea, my dear; I will return again when you are less engaged. Good day to you both; I apologise most sincerely for interrupting your privacy."

  Wickham rose, cold dread increasing the longer he stayed in their company. How could Julia have befriended such an arrogant and brutish person? What was she thinking? What did it mean and was this person the ‘business’ for which she had so quickly cast him aside yesterday?

  He had almost made it through the front door when, to his relief - her apparent disinterest in his departure further proof of his private fears - Julia rushed up behind him and laid her hand on his arm.

  "George! Do not be foolish. You imagine the worst of everything when there is nothing to concern yourself about. Mr. Clemens is, truly, a visiting business man; his American ways are quite different to ours but I confess that I do find his company most entertaining - and he quite depends upon me to instruct him in the niceties of British society. That is all, I assure you. Come back later - this evening - will not you, when you said you would?"

  "Not if that man will still be here, Julia. I cannot bear him already, or the way he looks at you. Get rid of him, Julia, for my sake."

  Julia drew away.

  "For your sake? Why should I do that, George? Do not you trust me?"

  She studied his angry face.

  "You? Who wrote to me not so long ago, informing me of your intention to marry another? Why should I not seek the company of another man, just as you sought the company of another woman? Why should I spend my days waiting for you to re-appear; or a letter to arrive; or to glean some news of you from friends? What makes my needs for companionship any different from yours, George?

  “I know I have always put my business and security before anything else, but none of it precludes the desire for companionship, I assure you. My acquaintance with Mr. Clemens has been short but, as I have said, most enjoyable. If that causes you pain, I am sorry for you, but I do not intend breaking it off to please you. He is also a very valued customer and pays extra for his stays here; he appreciates the comforts we offer, which is more than most do, and I would not consider insulting him on account of your jealousy. Now: return later and we will talk properly then."

  Wickham humbly accepted her scolding and bent to kiss her cheek which she offered more willingly than the last time he attempted such a display of affection.

  “Forgive my insecurity, Julia; until this evening, then, my dear.”

  He returned to Jardine's in a troubled state of mind: Julia's assurances being weighed against the obvious desire Wickham had seen in Clemens' eyes. Why had she been busy last night? he wondered. Had she been engaged with Clemens? The thought horrified him to his core; that his Julia would consider another man as an acceptable partner had never really concerned him until this moment, but he supposed, upon reflection it should have. Julia was still a very attractive, elegant and educated woman, and he was not the only one who could appreciate those attributes; he determined to engage every scrap of charm he possessed that evening in order to prove his attentions were more desirable that those of the American’s, or any other, unknown suitor.

  Unfortunately, delightful as the evening spent with Julia had been, with no American in sight nor mentioned, his thoughts never strayed very far from what was troubling him as he rode back to Meryton the next day, and it was in a very pensive mood that he greeted Denny upon his return.

  "Wickham! You are returned already. You missed a very good dinner at the Bennet's last night: Miss Lydia was particularly unhappy at your absence and sat pouting by herself all evening after demanding to know the reason for your frequent mysterious absences to London; she has all of them clearly recorded in her memory, I assure you. She has started rumours there is some great secret hidden in London, and it is not business at all that calls you away. She was impossible to console, although I tried my best to do so."

  "I am sure you did, Denny. And I am sure that she was just as delighted to have new gossip to fashion, as she would have been had I been there and deprived her of it. I cannot imagine Lydia Bennet managing to sulk or stay out of temper for very long where there are other distractions available."

  Wickham walked with his friend along the street discussing various matters and the forthcoming removal to Brighton; all was moving on apace and there were but two weeks before the event. This was music to Wickham's ears; the sooner he could leave Meryton and everything that had occurred here, the better. He enquired of Denny what had been said about the sudden disappearance of Miss King. Denny laughed loudly.

  "I believe that has been a source of a great deal of relief amongst the young ladies and that it was partly the cause of Miss Lydia's chagrin at your non-appearance last night. I believe there are several who only wish to mend your broken heart for you as soon as possible. You are a lucky dog, Wickham, to have such a faithful and adoring following. I only wish I had the same charm over the ladies, and half the admirers, but, alas, it seems not to be the case. Of Miss King there has been very little mention other than that talked of about the village, and most of that from Mrs. Long, who is now an intimate friend of Mrs. King."

  Wickham looked anxiously at Denny.

  "Oh! Nothing to concern yourself about. Nothing more than what is generally known: that the uncle arrived, discussed affairs with Mr. Philips, and returned with Miss King to Liverpool. Nothing more scurrilous than that, Wickham. Of course everybody has their opinion as to the reasons for his decision to remove his niece, but no one has the actual facts of the matter and so all you must do is hold your head high; continue to be as mysterious as possible; and never explain. I have no doubt it will only serve to increase your charm."

  Chapter 27

  For the next week leading up to their departure, Wickham was glad to have excuse enough to avoid attending too many parties due to the tasks involved in the Regiment’s removal, which also had the added benefit that he did not, therefore, have to exercise Denny's advice against the gossiping tongues of the village. All officers had been obliged to send their regrets to the less important events but, in the final week, invitations from hosts to whom they owed the most respect and thanks for their hospitality during their Winter stay could not be refused.

  One of those hosts was, of course, Mr. Philips, and although Wickham would have preferred to send his regrets also for that occasion, given his very recent interactions in that gentleman's office, he could not refuse. His discomfort in attending was further increased by the immediate and obvious approach of Lydia Bennet from across the room where she had clearly been watching for his arrival.

  "Wickham! How happy I am that you are back from London and able to join us. We all wondered what made you leave so suddenly and hoped you would not stay away long. But here you are, just as handsome as ever, I declare!" She smiled brilliantly at him, not even attempting to disguise her delight at seeing him again. Her face then gained some seriousness.

  "But, how do you do, Wickham, after your recent distress? I assure you that we all felt for your disappointment."

  Wickham looked at her coolly.

  "Good evening, Miss Lydia. I am very well; I thank you for your concern, but it is quite unnecessary, I assure you. Miss King's uncle wished his niec
e to experience a larger Liverpool society; that is all. Our parting was perfectly amicable, and I look forward to the future with the greatest anticipation. However, I doubt that you are very sorry to see the back of Miss King; you made no secret that she was no favourite of yours."

  "La! I am sure there are just as many pleasant people here as there are in Liverpool. And if she behaves towards them as she behaved towards us, then she will have no greater success there, either. Your reticence and gallantry does you credit, Wickham, but she will discover she was a fool to give you up, when she sees what is on offer there, I assure you.

  "But, it is true; I do not care about her absence. I admit that I was not at all fond of her but only because of her rather cold and distant attitude towards you. I am sure that I never noticed any great feeling on her side; just think how miserable she was every time you were out in company together. She did not enjoy society at all, and she will enjoy Liverpool even less, I wager: but you do. How would you have fared with someone who refused to have fun and socialise? No. I believe you to have had a lucky escape, Wickham, everybody does you know, and you must look upon it as such; there are many other young ladies who would be delighted to receive your attentions, I assure you! You must try to see the good in it.”

  Lydia waited expectantly for a moment, but upon receiving nothing from Wickham other than a slight smile, she rushed on.

  "And now you are to go to Brighton, and, you will never guess!"

  She paused, delighted with her news.

  "So do I, you know! It is the most exciting thing! I had thought that my only escape this year was to have been my recent journey to pick up my sisters from Bromley upon their return from London, and I had resolved to enjoy it as much as possible; but it was only a day's trip and hardly the same as Jane's long stay at our aunt and uncle's, or Lizzy's to Kent; and Lizzy, you know, has another trip to look forward to - with our aunt and uncle Gardiner into the Lake District. It is so unfair; I have scolded our father about it, and Mamma agrees with me entirely, but he would not be moved on any account. But now I have been invited as Harriet's most special friend to Brighton for the entire Summer! What do you think of that? But perhaps Colonel Forster has mentioned it already? What surprising luck, Wickham, how fortunate, is it not? Now we shall be able to enjoy each other's company over the Summer, and we will not have to say goodbye at the end of this week, as will everyone else!"