Chapter Fourteen – The Second Wickham Incident
There was nothing quite like early summer in London for Kitty. School was on break, and she could visit her friends at their houses, and have them visit her as well. She was particularly excited this year, as Georgiana had convinced her father and brother to let her stay in the city for a bit during the summer. The girls had planned to introduce one another to their respective circles of friends, and simply see each other, as correspondence wasn't nearly good enough when they could see each other in person.
Today was one of the days when Kitty was going to visit Georgiana with Elizabeth. Mary had declined their invitation to come as she had some new sheet music and wanted to practice it when there was no one to notice her mistakes. Elizabeth was more herself; in the months after Mr Bennet's death, she faked her regular liveliness in her letters, but Kitty and Mary had seen through it, and Kitty suspected that Georgiana had as well. But Kitty's older sister was now more herself, especially since she had decided that she would embrace being social and living again. This visit would be good for her.
As it stood, Kitty was ready to leave, but Elizabeth was taking her time finding a stray glove. Kitty was very nearly bouncing when Elizabeth finally came down the stairs, looking lovely in lavender, and with her dove grey gloves on her hands. She slipped into her spencer and led Kitty out of the house with a little smile that said she knew how excited Kitty was, and was not above making her younger sister wait a little longer.
"Where was your glove?" asked Kitty as they settled into the carriage.
Elizabeth laughed lightly. "In my opera bag, for some reason. Of course, that was the last place I thought to look for it, but there it was."
"I don't understand why we must wear gloves in the summer," said Kitty. "It seems very silly."
"It is," agreed Elizabeth. "But society demands, and we comply, lest our reputations be ruined by gossipmongers."
"You do the best Miss Hensley impressions," said Kitty, referring to their prickly etiquette teacher. "Yet you never make them insulting."
"Of course not," said Elizabeth. "I respect her very much. She was a good teacher. It is simply too easy to recall just the emphases and intonation of her classes, and then let them come forth. I rather liked Miss Hensley."
"I have so much to tell Georgiana," said Kitty. "And I am sure that she has much to tell me too. Letters are not good enough for all the little details."
"And sometimes, they are too much," murmured Elizabeth. "Nonetheless, they are what we have."
They arrived at Darcy House a touch too early for morning calls, but as they were expected, they were let in and seated in the more personal parlour. Elizabeth sat near the windows that overlooked the garden and watched little birds as they hopped about on the flagstone path. Kitty sat across form her sister, and studied the expression of peace on Elizabeth's face.
The door opened, and Georgiana came in, attempting to look composed. She all but ran to Kitty and hugged her, a large smile crossing her face. Kitty had a similar expression, and held Georgiana's hands as they just looked each other over. Elizabeth, now standing by the window, had her own little soft smile as she watched the girls, then turned as young Mr Darcy entered to greet him as well.
"Miss Elizabeth, you are looking well," said young Mr Darcy. "I am very glad to see you out and about again."
"I am glad to be out and about," said Elizabeth. "I am more myself than I have been this past almost year. Goodness, it's been almost a year."
"It has," said young Mr Darcy. "Yet the feeling is at times as fresh as if it was yesterday."
"It is exactly like that," said Elizabeth. "But I must live my life. Papa would be very disappointed if I let myself become dull."
"I think you would be disappointed if you let yourself become dull," said young Mr Darcy. "You are too sharp to enjoy being dull."
"That is true," piped up Georgiana. "Even when you are sad, you are clever and thoughtful."
"I am glad that you think so," said Elizabeth graciously. She resumed her seat at the window, and young Mr Darcy sat next to her, just far enough for propriety, and they began a conversation in quiet voices. Kitty wasn't paying attention to them, as Georgiana pulled her into a quiet conversation of her own.
"I am so glad you are here, Kitty," said Georgiana. "I've been dying to tell someone, and it's so exciting! I can tell you, can't I?"
"I have much to tell you as well," said Kitty. "But first, your news. Tell me everything."
"My father's godson has come back from travelling through England," said Georgiana, "and has been visiting with me. He tells the most wonderful stories, Kitty. I want to see all of England now, and I hope that when I am married, my husband will be the kind who will want to travel with me."
"I should like to see England as well," said Kitty. "Perhaps if our respective husbands won't come with us, we might travel together. But tell me more about your father's godson."
"He was raised like a brother to Fitzwilliam and me," said Georgiana. "And he is so handsome and has such good manners. Oh! I have not told you his name. It is George Wickham."
"Wickham!" said Kitty. "The scoundrel who tried to seduce and kidnap Mary?"
"George would never do that," laughed Georgiana. "He is too good. Perhaps it was a different man with the same name?"
"This Wickham was handsome and charming too," said Kitty, "and he told us a story about a falling out with his godfather that led him to destitution."
"It is true that he has not been here for several years," said Georgiana with a frown. "And I do not recall him writing. But he and Fitzwilliam are the best of friends, and Fitzwilliam is an apt judge of character. I am sure that it is fine."
"I thought that your brother's dearest friend was a Mr Bingley," said Kitty. "Mr Bingley is leasing an estate near Longbourne, and Jane writes about him frequently."
"I like Mr Bingley," said Georgiana. "He treats me like an adult, even though I am so young still. It is a shame that his sister is so nasty."
"What do you mean, nasty?" said Kitty.
"She has been pursuing Fitzwilliam relentlessly, and says horrible things about other people who she pretends to be nice to," said Georgiana. "She treats me like I am a doll or a puppy or kitten. Like I am cute but ultimately dismissible. I do not like her."
"I do not think you have to worry," said Kitty, glancing across the room to their respective siblings, who were engaged in a deep conversation, and weren't noticing anything around them. Georgiana blinked in surprise, then her face lit up.
"It would be wonderful if they married," said Georgiana. "We would be sisters then."
"We would," said Kitty. "But for now, I am your friend. And as your friend, I am warning you to be careful around George Wickham."
"I will keep it in mind," said Georgiana. They continued their visit, talking about their respective friends and schools, about music and books and about their inevitable entrances into society.
After an hour had passed, Elizabeth broke off her conversation with young Mr Darcy, and commented on the time. The Bennets excused themselves and said their goodbyes, promising to visit again later that week. The Darcy siblings saw them to the door, and with a bow and curtsies, they separated.
In the carriage back to Gracechurch Street, Kitty told Elizabeth about Georgiana and Wickham, and her fears for her friend. Elizabeth frowned at this news; she had been particularly angry that Mary had been targeted by the man. Kitty watched as Elizabeth turned the information over in her mind, and simultaneously fought her impulse to turn the carriage around and inform the Darcys of what was happening.
"For now, it is enough that Georgiana knows what we know of him," said Elizabeth. "Should any nefarious situation arise, we will be there for her, and we will help her tell her father and brother about Wickham."
Kitty agreed, and decided against teasing Elizabeth about young Mr Darcy. There was enough tension in the carriage as it was. Besides, it was more fun to imagine her coming out ball, what she would wear, and all the people who would be there for her to meet. Elizabeth would plan it with her, of course, and Mary too. And they would all be happy.
Two days later, a note came for Kitty from Georgiana, requesting that she come visit as soon as possible. The writing was shaky, and there were large blots of ink everywhere on the page. Immediately, Kitty passed the note to Elizabeth, who read it quickly. She looked at Mr Gardiner, then at Mary.
"Uncle, something urgent has come up," said Elizabeth. "Georgiana has asked Kitty to go to her as quickly as possible. From the note, she is very distressed."
"You were going to see her today, were you not, Kitty?" said Mrs Gardiner.
"I was," said Kitty. "But in the afternoon."
"Well, go in the morning instead," said Mr Gardiner. "Take Elizabeth and Mary with you. It will be good for all of you to get out of the house for a time. Let us know what's happening when you can."
"I think I shall go to the bookstore instead," said Mary. "I am not well acquainted with Miss Darcy, and I think that if she's distressed she won't want a relative stranger there."
"I think that in this instance, you may be exactly what she needs," said Elizabeth.
"If you think so, I will go," said Mary.
"Besides, I am sure that it is a silly thing, and the sight of the three of you will cheer her up immensely," said Mr Gardiner.
"I do not think so," said Elizabeth. "A Mr George Wickham has recently returned to her life after being raised as a brother to her. And Kitty and I don't trust his motives."
"That is significantly more serious," said Mr Gardiner. "Do what you think is best, Elizabeth. Your judgement is usually sound, though occasionally biased."
"It is a flaw I acknowledge," said Elizabeth. "And I do try to be objective. But still, this doesn't sit right with me."
"Nor with me," said Mary. "That man is a snake. I'm glad I never found out what he wanted from me. I'm so grateful to my friends for helping me remove him from my life."
"Go get dressed for the day," said Mrs Gardiner. "I'll get the carriage for you. Send it back to us once you get there; we'll send it back once you send a note saying that you are ready to come home."
The three girls excused themselves from the table and flew up the stairs. Day dresses were put on, hair was braided and pinned in place, and shoes were found and put on. They came back down the stairs fairly quickly. Mrs Gardiner and the footman stood in the front hall, and beyond them they could see the carriage waiting in the street through the open front door.
They rode in silence to Darcy House. Mary held Elizabeth's hand tightly, while Kitty watched the city pass through the window. Once they arrived, they were again shown into the personal parlour, where they found and upset Georgiana. As soon as she saw them, she flung herself into Elizabeth's arms and broke down sobbing. Elizabeth eased her down into the nearest sofa and held her as she cried with fear. Mary and Kitty sat near them and waited for Georgiana to calm enough to tell them what was happening.
"Georgiana?" said Elizabeth softly, as the tears began to slow. "What's happening?"
"You were right, Kitty," said Georgiana. "He's awful. He wants me to give him money. Lots of money. I don't have lots of money. My pin money isn't very much, not nearly as much as he wants from me."
"What did he threaten you with if you didn't give him the money?" asked Mary.
"He threatened to tell everyone what I was like as a small child," said Georgiana. "Not that I was a bad child, but still, everyone does embarrassing things as a child. I don't want anyone to know. Those are private things."
"Okay," said Elizabeth, stroking the thirteen year old's hair. "First thing we need to do is tell your father and brother. Are they home?"
"I think so," said Georgiana, sniffing. "I'll get them to come." She went to the bell pull and pulled. A few minutes later, a maid appeared and Georgiana sent her to find her father and brother, and bring up a few pots of tea.
"You're going to be alright," said Mary. "We've caught him early, and extortion is a crime. He will be punished for this."
"Kitty said you'd met him," said Georgiana.
"I don't know what he wanted," said Mary, "but I could not think of a reason why a man would approach a girl ten years his junior and not out, other than to do harm."
As Mary told Georgiana what had happened to her, Georgiana began to cry again. Mary had just finished, and was brushing away angry tears herself when old Mr Darcy and young Mr Darcy arrived. They took in the scene, and old Mr Darcy went to Georgiana.
"What's happening, dearest?" he asked. Georgiana cried harder.
"I'm so silly," she said. "George came back, and he told me wonderful stories and was so nice until he wasn't anymore."
"George?" said her father. "Do you mean George Wickham?"
"Yes."
"Tell me from the beginning," said old Mr Darcy.
"I walk in the park just before the fashionable hours every day with Mrs Dowell and Lucy," said Georgiana, "and one day I was feeding ducks at the pond and he was there and he talked to me for a bit. I knew him, so it wasn't a breach of propriety. And so we kept meeting on my walks, and he would tell me stories about his travels through England. And then he asked me for money. He said that he was in a tight spot, and could I supplement his income. I told him that I don't have any money, and then he said that he would tell everyone how embarrassing I was when I was little, and I had to give him the money."
"He tried to do something similar with me," said Mary. "He approached me like he wanted to court me, but I was uncomfortable and Mrs Longevin sent him packing."
"Georgie, why didn't you tell me?" asked old Mr Darcy.
"I didn't think that it was important," said Georgiana, "and then I didn't know how. I'm sorry, Father, I know I've disappointed you."
"Georgiana, you are still growing and learning," said old Mr Darcy. "Fitzwilliam and I always want to know if something is bothering you or frightening you. We want to know about your happy moments as well, and this sounds like it was a case of him making you believe that it was a happy reunion, when he just wanted to trick you."
"It's not your fault, Georgiana," said young Mr Darcy. "He's deceived all of us, at one time or another, usually for money. He's very well practiced at what he does."
"I cannot say that in a different life I would not have fallen for his lies as well," said Elizabeth. "He sounds like a practiced liar, and with charm, he would have been very difficult to resist."
"Are you angry?" asked Georgiana in a small voice.
"Yes, but not at you," said old Mr Darcy. "Have you agreed on a spot to meet him with the money?"
"By the pond in the park on the west side," said Georgiana. "I'm supposed to meet with him today."
"Then we shall have to meet him and have a discussion about what it means to be a gentleman," said old Mr Darcy. He stood, brushed off his trousers, and turned to his son. "We will both go, and if you can get Richard to come as well with some of his friends who can get him into a prison, that would be appreciated."
"Richard will help," said young Mr Darcy. "He does care about Georgiana; she is his cousin, and family is very important to him."
"Send him a note then," said old Mr Darcy. "Miss Elizabeth, may I leave you in charge of the situation here?"
"Of course," said Elizabeth. "I want to know how Wickham has been getting his information about Mary and Georgiana."
"I'll have the housekeeper interrogate the staff," said old Mr Darcy. "If it is one of my people, I do not want them in my house."
Tea arrived with an assortment of treats on a cake stand. The maid looked at Georgiana's red-rimmed eyes and puffy face for a moment before leaving. She came back a few minutes later with a cool washcloth and some cinnamon candies. Georgiana gratefully accepted both and dabbed at her face with the cloth as she sucked on one of the candies. Elizabeth offered the maid a warm smile.
"It's known amongst the staff that Miss Georgiana's partial to cinnamon candies," said the maid. "Mrs Farell makes sure there's a small jar of them in the kitchen for when she's sad or special occasions."
"Nonetheless, it was a kind gesture," said Mary.
The men left, and the girls had tea together, sipping slowly to calm themselves. The little cakes were delicious, and by the time they were gone, Georgiana was smiling again. There was a shadow in her eyes that wouldn't leave no matter what subject was discussed. They talked about art and drawing, prompting the suggestion that they go to an art gallery and look at the paintings, perhaps with a tour guide. They talked about music, and Mary and Georgiana had a polite argument about their preferred composers. They did separate projects for a while, sewing and drawing quietly. Lunch was had, and then just as afternoon tea was served, the men came back, accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam, and they sat down amongst the girls, pointedly not saying anything about what happened.
"Father, may Kitty stay with me tonight?" asked Georgiana.
"I believe that might be a good idea," said old Mr Darcy. "Would you two go and inform Mrs Farell about the change in plans?"
"If it's alright with you, I need to send a note to our aunt and uncle," said Mary.
"There is a writing desk in the library you may use," said old Mr Darcy. "Do you know where it is?"
"I may need a guide," said Mary.
"Very well, I shall show you where it is," said old Mr Darcy. He stood and escorted Mary out of the room. The remaining three sat in silence for a long moment.
"Mr Darcy, what happened?" asked Elizabeth.
Mr Darcy looked at her and sighed. "For so long he was my brother. And I don't know what he is anymore. I don't understand how we could be raised to the same ideals and principles, and end up so different."
"Wickham has a selfish streak a mile wide," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. "You have a selfish streak too, but you have learned to control yours, and he never did. He also likes to do as little work as possible, and live as lavishly as possible. You know that from your days at school together."
"I do know that," said Mr Darcy. "I do. That doesn't mean I understand."
"What happened today?" asked Elizabeth.
Mr Darcy drained his cup of tea. "We met with Wickham at the pond on the western side of the park. He seemed surprised to see us, and asked after our health, the usual pleasantries. Father then asked him how long he had been in London, where was he staying, how was he spending his days. Wickham began to spin this story of how he had been in London for a few years, living in different lodgings, he couldn't quite recall the address of the current one, and how he was working as a clerk in a law office.
"Father wasn't impressed. So he informed him that if he was going to lie, at least be consistent about the lie. Then he presented him with the fact that Georgiana told us what he was doing. Wickham took that badly, and said that he was only teasing her, that he would never actually take her money. Richard stepped in at this point to remind him that extortion, or even attempted extortion, was a criminal offence.
"And then we pulled out the debts of his that we've collected for years. It's a massive amount of money, more than he'll ever be able to pay back without marrying three or four heiresses in a row without spending a penny, and even then he might not manage it. If he went into a profession now, he would never be able to live comfortably because most of his money would go to paying his debts. Father knew that, I knew that, and he knew it too. So he tried to run. And immediately ran into friends of Richard's, who hauled him away to debtor's prison."
"So he'll spend the rest of his life in prison, then," said Elizabeth. "Away from anyone he might be able to hurt."
"That's the hope," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Though part of the reason we took so long is that we waited to make sure he made it to the jail where he'll be held for trial. He did, so it's down to the judges now."
"Then I shall hold my breath until the judge sentences him," said Elizabeth. "I would not put it past him to slip out of jail by convincing one of the guards of something."
"For now all is resolved," said Mr Darcy. "Will you be staying for dinner?"
"Not tonight," said Elizabeth, rising. "I believe that Mary has either sent a note to our aunt and uncle and we'll go in their carriage, or your father has talked her into taking your carriage so that clothes for Kitty can be brought back."
"Shall we find out what's been decided in the library?" asked Mr Darcy, offering Elizabeth his arm. She took it and they walked out of the room, discussing libraries.
"Well, I'll be damned," said Colonel Fitzwilliam to his teacup. "Darcy's in love. Who'd have thought."