Hi everyone. Ready for another chapter?
Two days ago, I posted a chapter but something went funny with my notifications. If you have not read that, please check that first.
Thank you all for giving me a chance to share my story with you. Special mention to the following readers for leaving reviews:
M, roses0002, Lisa, crispill, liysyl, Deanna27, Eleoopy, RHALiz, PDS1, ChrisM0519, Guest, Guest, Levenez, Colleen S, Shelby66, srhittson, Lorigami8, DSLeo
crispill: Wow! I envy you for visiting all those places. I feel guilty for being quite near some of the places linked to JA but have yet to visit. I am in the Southwest and I have been to Bath and Southampton a number of times but not specifically on a JA trail.
Shelby66, ChrisM0519, Eleoopy, PDS1: There is something about the book… coming up in Chapter 27!
RHALiz: Somehow I do not wish the colonel to end up with this Lydia. But we shall see.
DSLeo : Yup. Look but don't touch. Sometimes you can't even look. ;-)
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Jane and Elizabeth went upstairs after the men left. They stopped in front of Lydia and Kitty's bedroom door and Elizabeth nodded to Jane as a signal for her to knock. Due to having an argument with Lydia the night before, Elizabeth thought it was wise for Jane to initiate the conversation with Lydia.
"Lydia, may I come in?" Jane asked after she knocked on the door.
The door slowly opened and Kitty explained quietly that Lydia was already asleep. They peeked in and saw Lydia in bed, lying on her side and clutching a pillow tightly to her chest. The two eldest daughters then made for their own bedroom. While they were getting ready for bed, Jane addressed her sister,
"Lizzy, do you think Lydia knows more about Mr Wickham than what she told us?"
"I cannot be certain but I sense that there is something she is not telling us. Perhaps there was more to her conversations with Mr Wickham than what she had admitted to."
"Why would she hide anything from us?"
"I am afraid she fancies the two of them to be so in love with each other and she cannot believe that her affections are not reciprocated. After the discussion during dinner, I hope that she now accepts the truth about that treacherous man," Elizabeth lamented.
"Mr Wickham is proving to be adept at deceiving people. Poor Lydia. I also feel for the other young lady. It is fortuitous that she discovered his real character and confessed to her father before something bad happened."
"I pray that Mr Wickham gets caught and that he is made to pay for all his transgressions."
"Let us put our trust in Colonel Forster and his men. If not for Mr Darcy, we would not have known about Mr Wickham's history. He is a good man, Lizzy, and I think he has risked exposing that blackguard in the hopes of protecting you."
"He is doing the right thing for the good of everyone, Jane, not just for me or for the townspeople of Meryton. I am sorry for misjudging him. I hope he can forgive me for being so prejudiced."
"Oh, Lizzy. Do you still not see it? He loves you. You just have to allow yourself the chance to love him too."
"I feel that something has changed, Jane. I cannot explain it. When I look at him now, it is like I am seeing a different person."
"He is much the same person as before. He is merely shy and reserved like me. He has been allowing you to see the man that he is -- with the flowers, the book, trusting you with the information regarding Mr Wickham. He is not the most verbose man but let his actions speak for him. Open your eyes and your heart, dear sister. With him, you might find the deepest love that will induce you into matrimony."
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"Someone 'ere lookin' for ya, ma'am."
"Who is it?"
"An ole friend, is what he says."
"I shall have to find out for myself then. Useless messenger boy! Off you go!"
The young woman proceeded cautiously to discover who the mysterious caller was.
"Oh! Geo—"
"Shhh! Not here, Sarah," Mr Wickham urged her to be quiet.
The young widow led him to her chambers. She had not seen him in such a long time and she had truly missed him. Once she closed the door, she immediately flung her arms around him, lavishing his face with kisses. The officer welcomed the attentions of the attractive woman most willingly. After a long, ardent kiss, she guided him to sit on the side of her bed and asked,
"So why are you here, George?""
"I missed you, my dear Sarah."
"Oh, you are so sweet. But we both know you came here for some other reason."
"I did miss you. I may not be around all the time but you will always have a special place in my heart, darling."
"I know that. Now, tell me. What is it that you need from me?"
"You know me too well. Indeed I am in need of your assistance. I hope it will not be too much of a bother," Mr Wickham gave her an earnest look while stroking her arm.
"I wonder what trouble you have gotten into this time. You know I am always willing to help you. However… I do not want a repeat of the Ramsgate incident, George. I have had to find ways to start again after that episode. Fortunately, I have settled here in Hatfield now and the rooms I let out often get occupied."
"I am so sorry, my love. I did not expect that Darcy would make a surprise visit to his idiot of a sister. We were so close to succeeding with our scheme," he said apologetically. His hands continued to caress her pleasing body. "It could not have been that difficult to re-establish yourself. You are very tempting and skilled at what you do."
"And so are you. That is why you have so many young ladies under your spell," she said with a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"They may be young but they are no good in bed. Unlike you. That is why I repeatedly come back for you."
"I will always welcome you with open arms. And legs," she giggled. "So will you tell me about your latest victim?"
"Victim? I am not so bad, am I? Shall we call them interests instead?"
"Interests? You have more than one?"
"I shall tell you later. First, let us reacquaint ourselves with each other," he said huskily.
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"You are as virile as ever, George," Sarah pronounced after a few rounds of passionate intercourse.
With a smug smile, Mr Wickham rolled to his side and faced his lover.
"Only with the right stimulation."
"Oh, do be serious. Now let us talk about business. Tell me about your targets."
"Targets. Interests. Victims. It does not matter what you call them, as long as we make things work this time."
"I am listening."
"There is a girl named Mary King, who I believe is not yet twenty. She had only recently inherited ten thousand pounds from the death of her grandfather. I had persuaded her to elope with me tomorrow before dawn."
"Another planned elopement? Why don't you just marry her the usual way? It will save us all the trouble."
"It is not that simple, my dear. The problem is, Darcy is involved again. And this time, with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Not again. How did that happen?"
"Darcy is in Hertfordshire, helping out his friend Bingley learn how to manage an estate. Bingley has leased Netherfield, you see."
"And the colonel?"
"That is the strange part. Darcy went to London and returned with the colonel."
"And I suppose they know your regiment is stationed in Meryton?"
"Yes. We have some common acquaintances in the village. The Bennet family, in particular. There are five unmarried Bennet daughters. Bingley is courting the eldest one, Jane, who is very handsome. Darcy is in love with the second eldest, Elizabeth."
"Oh? Darcy, in love? Is she very beautiful? Are the Bennets rich?"
"She is pretty and charming. Very clever and witty. And engaging. The family has a modest estate but they are not weathy. The daughters only have small dowries."
"How singular. I would have expected that Darcy would want to marry a lady from his own circle."
"Elizabeth does not like him."
"Now this is becoming interesting! Why would any woman refuse Darcy?"
"She is a romantic type, and Darcy is his usual aloof, prideful self. He is not popular in Meryton. Besides, I told her stories about him. You know, about my misfortunes which are of his doing."
"So you are planning to elope with Mary King before they catch up with you."
"You are correct. But there is more. I have also convinced the youngest Bennet daughter, Lydia, to elope."
"What? Are you running away with two girls?"
"Not exactly. I had already asked Lydia before I encountered Mary. So my plan now is to elope with Mary as I need her money. As for Lydia, I am only using her. If her reputation is tainted, the other Bennet daughters will be ruined as well, including Elizabeth. And that would be the sweetest revenge on Darcy. He surely will not be able to marry her anymore. That stupid Lydia is only too willing to give me anything. Information. Coins which she steals from her family. She also promised to give me a letter that may prove valuable, if it is from whom I suspect, Georgiana. We can use that letter to blackmail the Darcys."
"Are you certain you can do this? It sounds complicated."
"It should work. It has to. I have little choice left. I do not want to end up in debtors' prison. I would need perhaps another half hour added to what I originally calculated to be able to get to both girls. They live but half a mile from each other. I will see Lydia first. After she gives me the letter and any money or jewellery she can steal from her household, I am going to compromise her. That chit is only too willing to give herself to me. I will then leave on the pretence that I am to retrieve my horse and ask her to wait for me. By the time she realises I am not coming back for her, I would have already run off with Mary."
"We will need to plan this very well to minimise the risk of failure. What do you need me to do?"
"Can you take care of a few things? I would need some dark coloured clothes. Some form of conveyance. I am assuming you are happy to provide accommodation for tonight. I will reward you generously after all this, darling."
Mr Wickham and Mrs Younge discussed the particulars and timings of their plan carefully. After partaking in some food and refreshments, the seemingly insatiable couple shared another round of intimacy. The officer then prepared himself for bed so he can get sufficient sleep before rising very early the following morning.
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So you got a break from irritating, immature Lydia but you had a heavy dose of Georgie Porgie. Choose an answer: A. Lydia B. Wickham C. Both. Errr… what was the question?
Anyway, I have a real question for you: If you had a chance to talk to Jane Austen, what would you ask or talk about?
If I were to ignore propriety, I would like to know about her love life (Tom LeFroy).
If I were to play it safe, I would like to know the inspiration for her book characters (Mr Darcy).
If I were to have a casual chat, I would talk about food and places. ;-)
If you would like to share your answers, I would be very happy to read them.
Stay safe, everyone! ;-)