by Suzan Lauder
***
September 1791
Near Lambton, Derbyshire
Two young boys were observed playing alongside the River Kympton within view of the bridge. It appeared as if one was sitting on a rock and the other lying on his stomach looking into the water. As the carriage neared, Lord Shelton realised the sitting boy was actually holding the other’s head under water, while the smaller boy struggled. At first he thought they might be engaged in some harmless fun but quickly became concerned at the lengthening time the boy was submerged. Seeing the boy’s violent struggles weakening, he was horrified at the thought of treachery at work, as the tormentor was not releasing his victim.
Lord Shelton rapped on the ceiling of his carriage, and upon disembarking, called out, “Hey, there! Boy! What are you doing? Desist at once, I say! Release him!” and hurried towards them.
The villain looked up with a visage of slight annoyance, hesitated, and then released the other boy, who rolled onto his side, facing away from Lord Shelton. He could hear the boy taking in deep, whooping gasps of air, broken by choking and sputtering as he fought to regain his breath. As Lord Shelton came near the top of the riverbank, the tormentor rose, smiled charmingly, bowed deeply and sang out a saccharine apology. “As you please, sir. You mistake our folly. My friend has no complaints with a harmless soaking. He knew it was just a game and is none the worse.”
“Young man, I must disagree. This wretched boy was very close to expiring at your hands,” Shelton admonished. He climbed down to where they were on the rocks. “Pay heed to me, for this is a serious matter. You have carried your game too far. You are fortunate to have escaped most dire consequences.”
“I humbly beg your pardon. I regret to have caused any distress,” the scapegrace replied, theatrically affecting penitence. His temerity added no little fuel to the flames of Lord Shelton’s annoyance.
Thus, Shelton was astonished when the wet boy stood, faced him, and said hoarsely, “Thank you for your concern, my Lord, but as you see, I am well.”
Shelton was shocked to realize it was none other than Fitzwilliam Darcy, the son of his best friend, George Darcy, who was being abused. Frightened eyes and a defeated posture belied the boy’s words, and he was still coughing. Lord Shelton opened his mouth to protest; however, the child gave him such a pleading look that he checked himself and instead said, “How do you do, Master Fitzwilliam? Would you introduce me to your companion?”
The boy’s eyes showed relief, and he politely introduced George Wickham, the son of his father’s steward. With another warning to take care in their play, Lord Shelton excused himself and resumed his trip home.
Some days later, Lord Shelton recounted the story to George Darcy and was quite astonished by his friend’s response. Darcy said mildly, “George Wickham is an amiable boy; he meant no danger. Without doubt, he was trying to entertain Fitzwilliam, and he misjudged the situation. I am sure George will heed your advice as I have found him to be very receptive to wise counsel.
“However, I will speak with Fitzwilliam. He has shown poor judgment in acquiescing so easily to the foolhardy scheme. He is much too tender; his mother coddles him. He had best learn that a Darcy must take responsibility for the outcomes of his decisions.”
Lord Shelton had little experience in raising a child but was somewhat surprised at his friend’s verdict; he had expected that Wickham would be punished. He decided it was best to let the matter be. George Darcy would eventually discover the nature of the Wickham boy, and the incident was not worth damaging a friendship.
***
November, 1811
Meryton, Hertfordshire
The evening following the introduction of Mr. Wickham, the entire Bennet family and their cousin Mr. Collins participated in an evening of cards and games at the home of Mrs. Philips in Meryton. Since it was such a large group, the Bennets required two carriage trips with Mr. Bennet accompanying each group.
When Mr. Bennet joined his family following the second trip, he noted several of the officers of the ——shire Militia had been invited. Mrs. Bennet pointed out Lt. Denny and Mr. Wickham to her husband, explaining she had been introduced by Mr. Collins. Just then, Colonel Forster approached, and the two men struck up an amiable conversation, thus Bennet missed the opportunity to meet the two younger officers.
Sometime later, Bennet noticed Wickham in conversation with his youngest daughter. Lydia’s animated responses revealed her youthfully curious nature and impetuous, outgoing personality. He smiled, thinking how fearless his youngest daughter was and how she spontaneously found ways to entertain everyone with her fun-loving spirit and gift for dramatics. Wickham seemed to be having a merry time, talking and laughing with the young woman, and she conversed in a genial unaffected manner. But at length, Bennet could see Lydia becoming anxious. As he started to cross the room to speak to the fellow, Mary called Lydia to join in a conversation with Aunt Philips and Mrs. Long. He was quite certain Mary had also observed the interaction and, sensible to Lydia’s discomfort, rescued her.
Wickham then moved to insinuate himself with another lovely Bennet sister, Elizabeth. Bennet saw her speaking to him with stiff posture and a distinct frown. However, what he was saying must have piqued Elizabeth’s interest since she chose to remain in his company. It did not appear to be the forward flirtation to which Lydia had been subjected, so Bennet felt more at ease, though he frequently looked to that side of the room to ensure his daughter remained safe from any impropriety.
When it came time to take leave of the Philips party, Mr. Bennet sent Mr. Collins ahead to Longbourn with Mrs. Bennet, Jane, and Kitty, so he could stay with Elizabeth, Mary and Lydia until the carriage returned. During the ride home, he asked Lydia and Elizabeth about Mr. Wickham’s conversation and manners. Lydia sighed and spoke first.
“Father, I must admit he is a very handsome man, and at first, I was quite charmed by his show of preference towards me. He was appealing and congenial, and I own I became unguarded and behaved in a rather bold and immature manner in reaction to his flattery. However, it was not many minutes later that I became offended by his forwardness, and although I tried to reject his overtures with dignity and politely admonished him more than once, he persisted to the point where I was quite uncomfortable. I was glad for Mary’s assistance. I am sure the man had no honourable intentions, and I will warn my sisters and all the young ladies of my acquaintance to be cautious in his company.”
Elizabeth related a similar experience.
“Mr. Wickham must be in want of sense, for it required my scolding for him to understand that Bennet girls do not tolerate the advances of a rake.” This drew a chuckle from the others. She continued, “I was about to take my leave when he claimed he had no intention to offend and became a picture of charm and amiability. He then brought up his relationship with Mr. Darcy, and my curiosity was piqued since I had observed just yesterday a very unfriendly greeting between the two gentlemen.
“With no hesitation, Mr. Wickham provided a recitation of Mr. Darcy’s intentional and unnecessary cruelty in denying him an inheritance and living promised by Mr. Darcy’s father, leaving Mr. Wickham in comparative poverty. This part of his tale had some semblance of truth, as did his countenance as he presented the narrative. I was inclined to believe him because the history he related included names and facts to the extent that would be difficult to refute but, if true, shows disgraceful cruelty on the part of Mr. Darcy. He continued by accusing both Mr. Darcy and his sister of being proud and ill natured. While I do not know Miss Darcy, I can easily agree regarding Mr. Darcy.
“But there were contradictions. Mr. Wickham said that in memory of old Mr. Darcy, he would never defy or expose the son; yet, in relating the story to a virtual stranger, it seemed he was intending to create suspicion and gossip. He was eager for my approbation of his account, and once again, I reproached him for excessive familiarity and thus ended our conversation.”
Bennet rubbed his chin thoughtfully as Elizabeth continue
d.
“Since both Lydia and I experienced Mr. Wickham’s relentless pursuit of making himself agreeable to us, I dare say I am suspicious of his motives. Perhaps he concocted at least part of the story to ingratiate himself at the expense of another’s reputation. Although I have not found Mr. Darcy agreeable, it seems absurd to think that such a punctilious man would act in a heartless manner and risk exposure for ignoring his father’s wishes. Owing to Mr. Wickham’s attentions to my sister and me, I suspect that ill behaviour is more a description of Mr. Wickham than of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham was much too forward in telling personal stories that were not appropriate for the ears of a recent acquaintance. I cannot but question his trustworthiness.”
Bennet blew out a breath. “Thank you both for your frank disclosures. I am quite displeased about the events you have related and the improper familiarity of this man. That alone justifies my finding the character of this Mr. Wickham to be quite disagreeable.”
“I agree with Lydia’s suggestion,” said Mary. “We must caution the young ladies of our acquaintance to beware of his behaviour.”
“I concur; however, we must be discreet about this,” her father replied. “Meryton gossips are known to take such information as only a partial outline of some ridiculous figment of their imaginations. They will gather attention using every conjecture that enters their brains, and expound and embroider a rumour so dramatically, that what will be believed as the certain truth by the entire neighbourhood may by no means resemble the original, whether or not the story was true to begin with. Mr. Wickham should not be exposed by embellished accusations that bear no resemblance to the truth.
“Regarding the alleged misdeeds attributed to Mr. Darcy, I do not believe these stories are ours to relate as we know not the full details. Even though Mr. Darcy does not share a close association with many of the people of Meryton, he has too much to recommend him and seems too much of a gentleman to behave as a villain. I will apprise Mr. Darcy of the accusations and give him the opportunity to respond.
“Lizzy, it would be helpful if you were with me for that discussion as you heard the full accusation, and no doubt it will be of benefit to Mr. Darcy to hear Mr. Wickham’s actual words and not my interpretation of them.”
Chapter 6:
Mrs. Philips gossips, and Miss Bingley assumes too much.
21 November 1811
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Mr. and Miss Bingley arrived to personally deliver invitations to the Netherfield ball for the Bennet family. Being sensible to the compliment and an exceptionally attentive hostess, Mrs. Bennet invited them to stay for refreshments, and they agreed to linger only a short time as they had other calls to make.
Miss Bingley was seated with Mrs. Bennet and her sister, who had also come to call. Since Bingley was deep in discussion with Jane and Elizabeth, Mary was practising on the pianoforte in the music room, and the younger girls had walked out to visit Maria Lucas, Caroline thought it an appropriate opportunity to question her hostess in an effort to find out more about Jane’s fortune.
“Mrs. Bennet, I understand that Longbourn is entailed to the male line.”
“That is quite true, Miss Bingley. Mr. Bennet and I had so hoped for a son to inherit, but we have only five daughters. However, Longbourn is not the only estate Mr. Bennet has inherited, and the other property may be passed through the female line.”
“Another estate? Pray, Mrs. Bennet, is it comparable to the beauties of Longbourn?”
“Oh, the property in Gloucestershire is much smaller. We currently let the lands to a fine young fellow, the eldest of a neighbouring estate. The property also includes a dower house, which we have let to a widow and her three unmarried daughters. It has its own beauty, but when Mr. Bennet inherited Longbourn, we chose to relocate here for the convenience to Town. Our decision was rewarded with many blissful years in Hertfordshire. I could not find a happier place to live.”
Miss Bingley was impressed; it looked like Jane Bennet had more to offer than the small portion rumoured in Meryton. Mrs. Bennet was asked a question on another topic by Mr. Bingley and moved across the room to attend to him and her two eldest daughters. Miss Bingley continued her line of questioning regarding Jane’s fortune with Mrs. Philips.
“So with such an estate, Miss Bennet has much to recommend herself in addition to her fortune,” she said quietly.
“Oh, Miss Bingley, it seems you are not aware of the Bennets’ situation,” Mrs. Philips said in a similarly hushed voice. “As much as many would assume Jane and Elizabeth are their own children, they were not born to Mrs. Bennet. They came to the Bennets as wards when they were but babes. I will relate to you the circumstances of their coming to be within our family.” Mrs. Philips, being an agreeable woman who delighted in superior company, was pleased with such an opportunity to have the undivided attention of Miss Bingley.
The Bennets preferred their privacy to remain so and were disgusted with people who revelled in spreading rumours, and Mrs. Philips was one of those people. For that reason, she was privy only to the limited information that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had chosen to disclose. Mrs. Philips was a dedicated gossip and had no qualms about repeating this tale. She whispered it often and had taken the initiative to embroider it somewhat.
“Jane and Elizabeth’s young father lost his dear wife very shortly after she gave birth to Lizzy, and he was also in fragile health. Mr. Miles was such a dear friend that the Bennets offered to accompany him and the girls to Bermuda, where he was hoping to recover from an ailment of a pulmonary nature. Alas, their friend’s illness became worse during the trip, and he was tragically lost long before arriving at their destination. The girls were but babes and had no family at all. Mr. Bennet was as close as family to Mr. Miles, and Mrs. Bennet had much affection for the girls. The Bennets promised Mr. Miles upon his deathbed to take the girls as wards and give them the Bennet name.”
“My word, Mrs. Philips, your sister and brother have shown exemplary charity and Christian good will to have taken on such a burden,” Miss Bingley said with anxious curiosity.
“It is my understanding they saw it as no burden at all. The Bennets are well pleased to have been bequeathed the two girls. They are loved and treated as if Fanny had given birth to them herself. No doubt you can see, Miss Bingley, there is no difference whatsoever in the elegance of their dress or in the education and opportunities that Jane and Elizabeth have been provided.” Mrs. Philips continued with a surreptitious whisper, “But Mr. Bennet’s fortune and property cannot be inherited by a ward. That will fall to the other girls.”
“I had no idea, Mrs. Philips. Poor Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, to have never really known their parents. They are fortunate to have the Bennets’ charity. I have also lost my parents, but I had their company for many years before they were taken from us.”
“A pity, Miss Bingley. You must feel it deeply.”
“I truly do, Mrs. Philips.”
Just then, Mrs. Bennet announced refreshments were to be served, and the conversations took another turn regarding the upcoming ball. Not long after tea and sweet cakes, Bingley and his sister took their leave, and many merry farewells were exchanged as well as gratitude for the invitation and happy anticipation of the ball.
As soon as they were in their carriage and on their way to the Gouldings, Miss Bingley related the news she had gleaned from Mrs. Philips in a low, conspiratorial voice.
“Charles, I have discovered some dreadful news regarding Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth that is of much importance to you. You recall it is widely known about Meryton that the sisters have a fortune of but £3,000 each.”
“Yes, I remember something like that. They were never speculated to have a substantial fortune. But Caroline, as a very dear friend of Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, you are surely sensible that they are blessed with such agreeable natures that there is no need to be concerned with their want of fortune.”
“Well, as much as I may question your thought
s of denying a reasonable fortune to your children, we seem to have been ungraciously misled with regard to the extent of the elder Miss Bennet’s inheritance. I am certain it was an intentionally seeded rumour meant to deceive gentlemen of fortune into considering the eldest two daughters as suitable wives.”
“How so?” Bingley was annoyed by the accusing tone of his sister’s revelation.
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are but penniless wards of the Bennets! No better than foundlings! The other properties owned by Mr. Bennet will not be inherited by a ward, and Longbourn is entailed to that Collins creature. Mr. Bennet may be a gentleman, but Mrs. Bennet’s relations are low, and the two eldest have no claim to any connections at all. Surely you can see they are not of our social sphere, nor will any alliance with them assist in elevating our status in society.” The coach stopped as they reached the home of the squire.
“Caroline, you are speculating on their parentage and connections. They are highly regarded in Meryton, and as I am to live at Netherfield, if the society in the environs accepts Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, I see no reason to think ill of them. The Bennets are some of the most amiable people of my acquaintance. I am tiring of this conversation. Can we leave it for now and enjoy inviting people to our ball?”
“Perhaps, if there were anyone here in the country worth our notice at such a ball,” she sniffed.
Bingley just shook his head and handed her out of the carriage.
After cutting the visit to the Gouldings’ so short as to be very nearly insulting, Miss Bingley begged her brother to have the remainder of the invitations delivered by a servant since she had no pleasure in the company of Hertfordshire’s finest. Bingley was reluctant because he found nothing wanting in his neighbours but eventually relented, hoping to have a reprieve from her disparagement of Hertfordshire, the Bennets, and in particular, the ‘foundling’ Bennet sisters.
***
At dinner that evening, Miss Bingley proceeded to tell all to Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley rolled his eyes several times at her dramatic retelling of the intelligence and chided her on her derogatory conjectures. Darcy also questioned the extent of the truth and the knowledge of her sources.