Chapter 16 - Without George
Being Master of Pemberly proved not to be as unpleasant as Darcy had dreaded. In fact, over the four years that he had been in that most esteemed position, he had settled quite comfortably as ruler of all he surveyed; some might say, *too* comfortably. The lands were prospering; finances that had seemed too dire to contemplate had now been settled. The servants and tenants seemed to respect him. And now his dear little sister was growing up into a pretty young lady. She was a little shy, perhaps - much like myself when I was her age, Darcy thought fondly. She had turned 15 but a month ago and had been suitably delighted by the surprise birthday dinner he had planned for her.
He smiled whilst strolling through his lily gardens as he remembered how Bingley had approached her with a book of poems he had purchased for her, and how she had blushed most rosily at the gesture. Though Bingley was a handsome man, he knew that Georgiana was in no danger - there had always been a friendly acquaintance between them, there was no reason to believe it would change. Darcy cast his mind back to his own 15th birthday, when George Wickham had sought to frighten him by creeping up behind and leaping upon, pretending to be a highwayman or some such nonsense.
No, enough, Darcy berated himself mildly. No use pondering upon the past, when the future is before you. Over the past years, without George near him to seemingly turn his life upside-down, things had proceeded most calmly. His friendship with Bingley had grown good and solid. Never had those.*feelings* come upon him when in Bingley's presence. Nor with any other man. It seems that Wickham was a special case - some unidentifiable link between them that could not be overcome. Without being aware of it, he thought back to their last meeting in his study three and a half years ago.
'Darcy!? Oh, *there* you are, Mr Darcy. Why, we had all feared you had *vanished* into thin air! Come, you will not wander around in this dreary old garden - Louisa and I have prepared a new duet on the piano! You simply *must* hear it.' Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Would the woman never shut up! Darcy succumbed as he was towed away by Caroline, Bingley's younger sister, who at times seemed a more torturous nightmare than Newgate Gaol. It was clear to all and sundry that she wanted to marry him, and it was clear to everyone else that he had no intention of doing such a thing - everyone else, that is, except Caroline.
Just as he was dragged through the hall, a passing footman stopped them and handed him a letter with the post-mark of Ramsgate upon the front. Caroline saw and eagerly professed a desire to read it, assuming it was from Georgiana, who was indeed at Millford House in Ramsgate. However the writing upon the envelope was not his sister's. Excusing himself abruptly, he freed his arm from Caroline's claws and strode into the nearest empty room, which turned out to be the music room.
The letter was from an acquaintance of his who had a property in Ramsgate and who Darcy had asked to look out for Georgiana as she mingled with Ramsgate society, as any caring brother would do for his little sister. As he scanned the letter, his eyes halted at some phrases at the end of the letter.
'.rather dashing fellow has joined our midst.'
'.Miss Darcy is quite taken with him.'
'.says he's an old friend of the Darcy family.'
'.by the name of Wickham.'
His eyes wide with rage and alarm, Darcy resolved that very second to go to Ramsgate. What could have taken George there? Surely it cannot be coincidence - but it must be.Then why has he said that Georgiana was 'quite taken with him'?
Within half an hour, Darcy said a rushed farewell to Bingley, distractedly claiming that some urgent business needed taking care of, and that he would write to inform them of when he would return. He stepped into the carriage and settled back on the cushions, dreading to imagine what Wickham was getting up to this time.
Being Master of Pemberly proved not to be as unpleasant as Darcy had dreaded. In fact, over the four years that he had been in that most esteemed position, he had settled quite comfortably as ruler of all he surveyed; some might say, *too* comfortably. The lands were prospering; finances that had seemed too dire to contemplate had now been settled. The servants and tenants seemed to respect him. And now his dear little sister was growing up into a pretty young lady. She was a little shy, perhaps - much like myself when I was her age, Darcy thought fondly. She had turned 15 but a month ago and had been suitably delighted by the surprise birthday dinner he had planned for her.
He smiled whilst strolling through his lily gardens as he remembered how Bingley had approached her with a book of poems he had purchased for her, and how she had blushed most rosily at the gesture. Though Bingley was a handsome man, he knew that Georgiana was in no danger - there had always been a friendly acquaintance between them, there was no reason to believe it would change. Darcy cast his mind back to his own 15th birthday, when George Wickham had sought to frighten him by creeping up behind and leaping upon, pretending to be a highwayman or some such nonsense.
No, enough, Darcy berated himself mildly. No use pondering upon the past, when the future is before you. Over the past years, without George near him to seemingly turn his life upside-down, things had proceeded most calmly. His friendship with Bingley had grown good and solid. Never had those.*feelings* come upon him when in Bingley's presence. Nor with any other man. It seems that Wickham was a special case - some unidentifiable link between them that could not be overcome. Without being aware of it, he thought back to their last meeting in his study three and a half years ago.
'Darcy!? Oh, *there* you are, Mr Darcy. Why, we had all feared you had *vanished* into thin air! Come, you will not wander around in this dreary old garden - Louisa and I have prepared a new duet on the piano! You simply *must* hear it.' Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Would the woman never shut up! Darcy succumbed as he was towed away by Caroline, Bingley's younger sister, who at times seemed a more torturous nightmare than Newgate Gaol. It was clear to all and sundry that she wanted to marry him, and it was clear to everyone else that he had no intention of doing such a thing - everyone else, that is, except Caroline.
Just as he was dragged through the hall, a passing footman stopped them and handed him a letter with the post-mark of Ramsgate upon the front. Caroline saw and eagerly professed a desire to read it, assuming it was from Georgiana, who was indeed at Millford House in Ramsgate. However the writing upon the envelope was not his sister's. Excusing himself abruptly, he freed his arm from Caroline's claws and strode into the nearest empty room, which turned out to be the music room.
The letter was from an acquaintance of his who had a property in Ramsgate and who Darcy had asked to look out for Georgiana as she mingled with Ramsgate society, as any caring brother would do for his little sister. As he scanned the letter, his eyes halted at some phrases at the end of the letter.
'.rather dashing fellow has joined our midst.'
'.Miss Darcy is quite taken with him.'
'.says he's an old friend of the Darcy family.'
'.by the name of Wickham.'
His eyes wide with rage and alarm, Darcy resolved that very second to go to Ramsgate. What could have taken George there? Surely it cannot be coincidence - but it must be.Then why has he said that Georgiana was 'quite taken with him'?
Within half an hour, Darcy said a rushed farewell to Bingley, distractedly claiming that some urgent business needed taking care of, and that he would write to inform them of when he would return. He stepped into the carriage and settled back on the cushions, dreading to imagine what Wickham was getting up to this time.