Chapter 2
George Wickham was satisfied that he had accomplished everything he wanted when he decided to accompany his stupid friend to that small town in Hertfordshire. Of course, he had calculated every action carefully. Still, things had turned out much better than he had dreamed, and it had been worth spending more than two months in a place where society was pretty uncivilized, and except for one or two people, there was no one interesting to satisfy his refined taste. Besides, most women were dull and unappealing, except for Elizabeth Bennet, who was unfortunately too poor for a man as ambitious as he.
"Mr. Wickham, do you know where my brother is? I urgently need to speak to him," Caroline asked, visibly flustered.
When Mr. Wickham saw Caroline enter the drawing room, he immediately rose to his feet and waited patiently for the moment when he could give the good news to his friend's disagreeable sister. He hated that conceited, malicious woman and wanted to see her face when she discovered what his brother was doing at that very moment.
"Miss Bingley, Charles had breakfast and left immediately for Longbourn. He had something urgent to discuss first with Miss Bennet and then with her father."
"WHAT? It can't be! It is too early to pay courtesy calls. You must be wrong," Caroline said, almost on the verge of losing control.
Since her sister was almost yelling, Louisa heard Caroline and went to the drawing room to see if she was alright.
"Miss Bingley, it's almost noon. It seems like the perfect time to do what Bingley had planned," Wickham replied with a smirk.
"This was your idea, wasn't it? You're not fooling me because I know how ill-intentioned men of your ilk are," Caroline said, unable to contain her anger for another second.
"Caroline, please, do not panic. Maybe Charles is just calling on the Bennets and will soon be back," added Louisa. She didn't want the servants to hear the argument because she tried to prevent any possible rumors that could damage their brother's reputation.
"No, Ms. Bingley, it wasn't my idea. Your brother is a grown man who makes his own decisions," Wickham said coolly.
"But a good friend should advise another friend if he sees that he is about to do something irrational. But what else can we expect from the son of a servant? I don't know how my brother can be friends with someone so inferior to us," Carolina concluded, absolutely disgusted.
"I am the godson of George Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in England. So be very careful how you talk to me, Miss Bingley," Wickham replied angrily. "Besides, you and your brother are nothing more than the children of a tradesman, so you are no better than me."
"Just out of respect for Mr. Darcy, we don't throw you out on the street where you belong. But make no mistake, Wickham. We are rich, and you are, have been, and always will be poor," Louisa said to defend her sister.
"And the few privileges you enjoy will end the day George Darcy dies, so don't you dare be disrespectful to us," Mr. Hurst added when he entered the room.
Wickham understood that it was three against one so he had no choice but to leave the room and stop arguing. The night before, there was a ball in Netherfield, and the most influential people in the community attended it. Like always, he danced and drank too much, so he went to his room to rest. He had only gotten up early to ensure everything went as planned.
That morning Charles Bingley woke up full of energy even though he had slept only for three hours. He had to travel to London for an urgent matter that he had to solve, but he decided to postpone his trip for a day so he could propose to the woman he loved and admired. Jane Bennet was everything he had dreamed of in a lady, and thanks to the advice of his friend Wickham he had made the best decision of his life and hoped very soon to marry his beautiful angel.
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When Anne Darcy died, George Darcy was grieving for almost a year. During that time, he neglected the administration of the estate, and other business matters threatened his fortune and legacy. When he finally reacted, he decided to live for his daughter and all those who depended on him and began to work hard.
To recover what he had lost, he started new investments and, in the process, met Leonard Bingley. Since both were very similar in temperament, they became good friends despite their enormous social differences. That's why when Leonard died, George decided to approach his friend's son to help and guide him. He knew well that young Bingley would need his assistance in society.
Charles Bingley sincerely appreciated the opportunity and was fond of his father's friend and sincerely appreciated his help. But Louisa and Caroline decided to use their connection to this influential gentleman to their advantage. They knew that with the patronage of George Darcy, no one would dare look down on them.
Besides, the entire Darcy fortune would be inherited by Georgiana, a rather insignificant girl, timid and without character or personality. Therefore, they became good friends with her and planned to marry her to their brother Charles. They only had to wait another year or two and ensure she had no other suitors.
But Wickham had very different plans for Georgiana. She was destined to be his wife; that way, he would be the sole owner of a beautiful estate and a fortune that would allow him to have all the luxuries he had always dreamed of. So when he saw Georgiana look affectionately at Bingley, he knew he had to act. He couldn't risk losing everything that rightfully belonged to him.
So, he advised his friend that it was time to buy a state and get married. But of course, he never thought that his friend would fall in love with a poor unconnected woman with such a ridiculous family. That wasn't his fault because Charles always lost his senses when he met a pretty face.
"Louisa, what do we do now?" Caroline asked, nervous.
"We have no choice but to wait until Charles returns and pray that he hasn't done anything crazy," Louisa said, just as troubled as her sister.
"If Bingley had already spoken with Miss Bennet's father, there is nothing you can do. Miss Bennet is poor and unconnected but is a gentleman's daughter. If word gets out that Bingley requested her hand and later retracted, it will be the social ruin of him and the family," said Mr. Hurst emphatically.
"I shall never forgive Charles if we lose everything we have won with so much sacrifice. He has always been an irresponsible fool!"
"Don't worry, Caroline. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Louisa ordered tea to calm their nerves while waiting for Charles. Both sisters couldn't believe that their idiot brother was capable of throwing away everything they had achieved in the last two years, thanks to the support of George Darcy.
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Mrs. Bennet incessantly talked about all the events from the previous night at Netherfield. She wouldn't stop talking, and Kitty and Lydia made inappropriate comments about the officers and how much fun they had.
But Elizabeth was not so happy because she remembered very well how badly her family had behaved. She had also noted how Mr. Bingley's sisters had watched everything with open contempt and even how the friendly Mr. Wickham was surprised by her family's display of bad manners. So she only prayed that Mr. Bingley would be able to ignore it all and understand that Jane was different.
Jane also noted her family's impropriety but could not express her anger and frustration as Elizabeth did. Instead, she closed her eyes and imagined that nothing had happened or that no one would remember it. Jane preferred avoiding conflict, was patient, and tolerated her mother without complaining.
Elizabeth was pleased when Mr. Bingley arrived at Longbourn that morning. They all imagined why he was there, but their suspicions were confirmed when he requested a private interview with Jane.
Mrs. Bennet asked all her daughters to leave the lovers alone and asked Elizabeth to go into the small sitting next to the entrance because she needed to talk to her. Then, she went to her husband's study to celebrate the excellent news.
"Oh, Mr. Bennet, we are saved!" cried Mrs. Bennet when she entered her husband's study.
"Saved from what or who, Mrs. Bennet?" asked Mr. Bennet without looking at his wife.
"I have wonderful news, Mr. Bennet! This is one of the best days of my life!"
"I thought our wedding was the best day of your life; you told me that," replied Mr. Bennet sarcastically.
"Mr. Bennet, do not tease me because it is not good for my poor nerves. Let me tell you what is happening right now," said Mrs. Bennet merrily.
"Do I have any alternative?" asked Mr. Bennet, but his wife didn't hear him. She had already started to explain to him why she was so happy.
Mrs. Bennet sputtered with such emotion that Mr. Bennet had trouble following the thread of the conversation. "Jane will marry Mr. Bingley, and Lizzy will marry Mr. Collins."
"What?"
"Right now, Mr. Bingley is proposing to Jane and Mr. Collins to Lizzy. So we'll have a double wedding, and I won't have to worry about the future anymore."
Mr. Bennet thought that Jane would be happy and would probably accept Mr. Bingley. But he was sure that Elizabeth would reject Mr. Collins, and he was willing to support her. But for the moment, he would keep quiet and enjoy what little peace he had left. Once Jane's engagement was announced and Elizabeth refused to marry the ridiculous parson, Mrs. Bennet would become even more insufferable than she already was.
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Georgiana was embroidering a handkerchief for her aunt because her birthday was in a few days. She was tired of doing the same things every day. Girls her age attended girls' schools, went shopping with their companions, and had friends. Georgian was bored with her routine and dreamed of a more exciting life.
But she would never complain to her father because he was everything to her. He had dedicated his life to caring for and loving her, although sometimes he would like a life like other girls her age. But her father did not allow her to attend a girls' school or go to the park to picnic with many friends because he was always terrified something could happen to her.
Mrs. Annesley was excellent company, but she was serious, and sometimes she would like to talk about more joyful topics, not just music and books.
When her father interviewed the candidates to be her companion, Georgiana thought Mrs. Younge was the best qualified for the position. She wanted to take her to Ramsgate so that she had her own establishment and began to have a more independent life. She thought that was her opportunity to have new experiences and to learn how to run a house. But her father didn't like the idea, and even he commented that he found Mrs. Younge's eagerness to take Georgiana away from her family suspicious.
Caroline and Louisa weren't in London and were the only friends who visited her. Although they talked only trifles, they entertained her because she liked to know that there was a world beyond the walls of her luxurious home. Besides, Charles Bingley was amiable, and she always thought that if her brother were alive, he probably would be like him. But she wouldn't treat her brother like Caroline and Louisa treated Charles. On the contrary, she would be affectionate and love to spend time with him.
Unfortunately, Caroline and Louisa did not understand that she considered Mr. Bingley, a family member. That is why she felt very uncomfortable whenever they commented about a possible future union between them.
"Georgie, what are you thinking so much about," Richard asked, sitting next to his cousin and kissing her hand. He loved that girl as if she were his sister, and when she was born, he promised his dear deceased cousin that he would always take care of her and that he would fulfill the role of big brother.
"Richard, you don't know how nice it is to see you," Georgiana replied, hugging her cousin and kissing him on the cheek. She adored him because whenever he was in town, he visited her and took her to different places in the city.
"Dear cousin, I will be in London for almost two months, and I plan to take you to the park daily. We shall also visit the new art exhibition at the museum, go to the variety fair and play cards game at my mother's house. So what do you think, my sweet and adored little cousin?" Richard felt very sorry for Georgiana's life because her father was so overprotective and didn't give her the space to live a normal life like any girl her age.
"Oh, Richard, you are fantastic! I know my father always permits me to go with you anywhere, so I can't wait to do all these exciting activities with you," Georgiana replied excitedly.
"So, am I still your favorite cousin or not?" Richard asked.
"I don't know; Arthur is a viscount," Georgiana replied with a laugh.
"You little troublemaker, I will not allow you to compare me to my pompous brother," Richard said, pretending he was offended and making Georgiana laugh.
"Oh, Richard, you know how much I love you," said Georgiana and hugged her cousin.
Richard conversed with Georgiana for several more minutes and told her everything he had done in the almost three months they hadn't seen each other. Georgiana loved listening to her cousin's adventures because he was so funny and so loving to her.
"Well, my dear girl, now I must talk to your father. But I shall stay for dinner so you will not get rid of me so easily. Mrs. Annesley, if this young lady is giving you any trouble, please don't hesitate to let me know," Richar said and winked at his cousin.
"Miss Darcy is the most well-behaved girl I have ever met, Colonel. Georgiana, since your cousin will be dining with you, you should play the beautiful piece you have been practicing with your new teacher."
When Richard saw his cousin get nervous, he told her very affectionately. "I would love to hear you, Georgie. But if you feel like you are not ready to perform, please don't worry."
"I will practice and be ready for this evening, dear cousin," Georgiana replied. She was excited to know that they would have company for dinner. Richard always made her house joyful, so she would do her best to play the best she could for him.
George Darcy was locked in his room, working and analyzing some investments he was planning to make. He met a very successful and honest businessman through his attorney a few months ago. Investing in Mr. Gardiner's business gave him a good profit margin, and he was glad he had taken advantage of the opportunity.
"Excuse me, uncle, may I enter?" Richard asked, seeing George Darcy concentrating on some documents.
"Of course, my dear nephew, please come in." Mr. Darcy loved Richard very much and always remembered that he had been his son's best friend during his short life.
George affectionately hugged his nephew and served him a brandy, and after asking him about his life, he decided to tell him why he had requested his presence.
"Richard, I want to ask you to leave your position as a royal officer."
"Uncle, we have already talked about this many times. You know that I like my career and do not want your charity."
"Please, boy, listen to what I have to say first."
Richard decided to hear what his uncle said. He listened attentively and was concerned at the same time. "Son, I know I am not feeling well, and if I die, you are the only one I trust to take good care of my daughter. I have worked tirelessly for the last fourteen years and want to buy an estate for you."
"Uncle, I appreciate your offer, but it's not necessary. I know you still have many years ahead, but if something were to happen, rest assured that I shall take care of Georgie as if she were my daughter or sister."
"I know, and that's why I want to leave you in charge of everything. Therefore, in my will, I have made you Georgiana's guardian and executor of all her inheritance until she married. I know you will protect her, and neither she nor Wickham will have economic difficulties. Unfortunately, my poor godson has not been able to establish his place in society. You know very well many people did not like him because he was the son of my former steward."
Richard couldn't help but feel uncomfortable listening to how his uncle excused Wickham's behavior. That scoundrel was lazy and did not like to work. Moreover, he had not taken advantage of the many opportunities his uncle had provided him, spending all the money at the poker tables or with women of dubious reputation. But Richard knew why his uncle always excused him; his mother had died trying to save his son, which made him feel obligated to him.
"Uncle, don't discuss unhappy matters anymore, and let me tell you what my father told my mother to avoid calling on Lady Dorothy."
"Oh, I don't blame your father. That woman is just unbearable," George replied with a laugh.
Richard and his uncle continued to talk for almost an hour. Later they went to dinner with Georgiana, and she played a beautiful piece for them. Everyone was happy every time the Colonel visited the Darcy house; even the servants felt content seeing their master and his shy daughter so joyful and eager to talk and share anecdotes.
But despite the apparent joy, George Darcy couldn't stop thinking about what would become of his poor daughter if his health continued to decline.
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Thanks to everyone who takes the time to leave comments, and you for the feedback!
This story includes new scenes and dialogues not included in the original Spanish version.
In the next chapter, Mr. Darcy senior will meet an interesting young man!
Saludos,
Yo