A few things I completely forgot to mention in my authors note. I need to thank, appreciate and acknowledge my ever hard working and wonderful beta, Jim. Without you my stories would be but half told. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the time and effort you put into making this, and my other tales readable.

I also want to thank all those who took the time to review. I have a few words for some of you. To everyone who favourite'd and is following, I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

Gracie 789 – Darcy won't enter for a bit. He is, in essentials, the same man we know but as you've suggested a little less dissatisfied with the world.

Happywife – I've always seen Lizzy as a protector.

hongkongphooey63- Lizzy is intelligent and isn't afraid to challenge people that annoy her as Mrs Younge obviously did.

Jean B – point taken, however put it down to literary license. I needed to get a lot over in a very few words. Oh, and by the way, who said the man in the ally was Mr Wickham?

Scene II

"Pray, forgive me for asking," Lizzy requested of her new friend as they took a stroll by the sea, "but do you know that gentleman? He has been following us at a distance for some time."

Acquainted for a little over three weeks, Miss Bennet and Miss Darcy met often to take in the salty sea air. Georgiana's shy countenance had opened under Lizzy's teasing and sometimes impertinent humour. Indeed, the younger woman wished for more intimacy in their relationship, never having had a friend similar in age with whom she could speak freely. If only Georgiana could find such ladies among the Ton, she would gladly come out, and soon, as her brother wished.

Since the commencement of their association, Miss Darcy and her companion called upon Bainbridge House almost daily to collect Elizabeth for their walks. However, the party first took tea with Aunt Marianne only this week. On the second occasion, and feeling rather comforted by Marianne Bainbridge's manner, Georgiana had been persuaded to play the pianoforte before the ladies. Today, Elizabeth intended to return the gesture and visit the house rented by Mr. Darcy for his sister's pleasure. She was to dine with Miss Darcy and her companion, holding the distinction of the first ever guest Miss Darcy entertained. The honour was not taken lightly by Miss Bennet.

"Oh," Miss Darcy glanced over her shoulder at the well-dressed man loitering by the seafront and trying not to look in their direction. "I believe that is Mr. Wickham."

"And you are well acquainted with this Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth asked, concern colouring her tone. He appeared similar in feature to the dubious gentleman she had noticed dallying on the High Street the day they met. However, she could not be completely certain if it was the same person.

Lizzy felt Mr. Wickham's attire did not appear as prosperous, nor his manners as well formed, as her current companions. Continuing to watch him surreptitiously from under her lashes, he looked to be at least twice Miss Darcy's age. Forced to guess, she believe the man lay in wait for that young lady. Given the evidence before her eyes, Elizabeth Bennet feared for the reputation of a naïve young woman no older that her sister, Lydia. However, she would withhold her opinion until the entire story became known.

"Old Mr. Wickham," Georgiana said, returning her attention to Miss Bennet, "was a well-respected gentleman and had the management of our family estate for many years. When he passed, Father took it upon himself to take the younger Mr. Wickham as his ward and to be a companion to my brother, as Mr Wickham was his godson and named for my father. He is a year or two older than Fitzwilliam, so I did not have much association with Mr. Wickham as a child. Father supported his studies, sending both my brother and Mr. Wickham first to The King's School and then Cambridge, which took them from Pemberley for many years. I happened upon him here at Ramsgate last week and we have renewed our acquaintance."

"I see," Lizzy stated, and she did, only not in the same prudential light. "Have you written to your brother of this new association? What are his thoughts?"

"I have not," Georgiana looked startled. "Do you believe I ought?"

"Mr. Darcy is your brother and you know him best," Elizabeth tried not to give a direct answer. However she did not like the idea of an innocent young woman in the company of such a man, particularly given her suspicions of her companion. "It seems to me, you are very much directed by your brother's judgements as he is now your legal guardian and often consider his opinion before taking any action, as is proper."

"My brother would wish to know," Miss Darcy hesitated. "I believe Fitzwilliam has not seen Mr. Wickham since returning from Cambridge."

That very hesitation caused a shiver of disquiet to travel down Lizzy spine. "Has Mr. Wickham come into an estate?" she asked carefully, wondering what the young man lived upon. When Georgiana shook her head, Elizabeth's imagination ran wild with possibilities, none of them pleasant. If he were the same man loitering in the ally, his motives for renewing the association could only be nefarious. "Then perhaps he has taken a position in town? I assume he is using his education to greatest affect. Not every steward's son finds support for his studies at Cambridge."

"I think he is at leisure," Georgiana sounded confused. "I confess, I have not asked. Mrs. Younge introduced us as we left the milliners the Tuesday before last. I…" Swallowing hard, Miss Darcy looked up into understanding brown eyes as she made her confession. "I have been left alone in Mr. Wickham's company several times this week. I am not sure what to make of it."

"That is most definitely not respectable, for either a young lady or Mr. Wickham," Lizzy answered wisely, pursing her lips at the situation. "Should anyone discover this lack of propriety, you should be considered compromised and possibly made to marry. Is that what you wish, Georgiana?" Elizabeth demanded, watching for any slight blushing which might display a partiality on Miss Darcy's side. Her heart skipped a beat when she uncovered no particular regard for the man Lizzy considered a rogue. "Even if Mr. Wickham were an intimate acquaintance of the family for some duration, and of a similar age, to be alone with a gentleman is unconscionable. Your companion should have remained at your side at all times, as that is her position. In this she has failed in her duty to your respectability and family name. Tell me, how would your brother feel about this situation, should he come to know of it?"

"Fitzwilliam," Georgiana squeaked. All colour fell from her face. "Mr. Wickham claims a misunderstanding between my brother and himself and begs me not to mention it. Although I cannot think what it might be, for Fitzwilliam always tells the absolute truth and is rarely wrong. If there were truly any misunderstanding, it must be on Mr. Wickham's side."

"To be asked to withhold the acquaintance from your brother is not reassuring. Perhaps," Lizzy suggested, turning them around to retrace their footsteps back to a more populated part of town, "you should write to your brother and tell him of Mr. Wickham's being in Ramsgate post haste, as it is his good opinion and trust you do not wish to lose. Let his response guide your actions. You believe your brother to always be truthful, then he should have no hesitation in warning you from an imprudent association, or at least telling you of Mr. Wickham's defects. Until you hear from him, it would be prudent to be cautious."

"That," Georgiana smiled slightly, "is an excellent suggestion. But I must admit, I enjoy Mr. Wickham's society. He is lively and I have never encountered such happy manners in a gentleman before. I cannot account for any misunderstanding between him and my brother. It vexes me greatly."

"Perhaps," Lizzy cautioned, "that is because you do not move in society. When your brother presents you, you will meet many interesting and well-travelled people, I am sure."

"Oh, I do not long for such a day as many girls my age do," Georgiana confessed with some feeling, "or at least I did not until I met you, Elizabeth. You navigate society with poise and grace. With you I feel comfortable and well able to face people." Letting out a pent-up breath, she added, "As to Mr. Wickham, I will await my brother's opinion and instruct the butler that he is not to be admitted. If Fitzwilliam forbids any association between us, I shall have to inform Mrs. Younge and Mrs. Mills, the housekeeper. For now, I will allow that gentleman to visit with Mrs. Younge, but he is to be received on the lower levels. My brother is very dear to me, Miss Bennet, and I should not wish to disappoint him in any way."

"I am sure you shall not," Lizzy responded, leaving the fate of Mr. Wickham in the hands of the very sensible sounding Mr. Darcy.

Wickham, watching his quarry slip through his fingers, did not let his frustration show on his face. Eyes narrowing, he scrutinised the woman walking at Miss Darcy's side. Of course, Mrs. Younge had informed him of this complication. Taking Georgiana from school and installing her in the seaside house had been easy enough. Friendless and protected by only her companion, Mrs. Younge, who was in fact his sister, George Wickham intended to make Miss Darcy fall in love with him. So far the plan had been working, barring that first intended meeting accidentally foiled by Miss Bennet. After that, he'd been very cautious not to attract attention as he demonstrated his attentiveness towards Miss Darcy.

Today, she should have been walking alone. Indeed, Mrs. Younge had planned it that way. Aware of his limited time and of Miss Bennet's invitation to dine this evening, Wickham cursed the missed opportunity. His funds were fast running out and he needed that ring on Georgiana's finger in order to access her fortune of thirty thousand pounds. If Darcy were to get wind of his tenure in Ramsgate, Wickham would never see a penny of that money.

"The gamble," he reminded himself, watching the pair of young ladies amble in the opposite direction, "is worth the gain."

See you again on Thrusday.