The Gypsy Blessing (9 page)

“How did your father come to give up the shop?” Wickham queried.

“Soon after I was married, my father became too ill to continue doing business. Since I was their only child, my husband pursued several purchase offers for the shop for him—deciding in the end upon a Mr. Fayers, I believe.”

Miss Darcy nodded. “Yes, that is the name of the proprietor now.”

“Since moving away, I have maintained correspondence with a number of friends who remain in Lambton.” Mrs. Gardiner gave Wickham a significant look that made Elizabeth think there must be more to the statement than met the eye, deciding to ask her aunt about it once they were alone.

A little while later, whilst Mrs. Gardiner and Georgiana were distracted, discussing the beauty of the church in Lambton, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Wickham leering at a group of ladies who were walking past and became determined to suspend his rude behaviour. “You certainly do seem to enjoy the sea, Mr. Wickham. Perhaps you should rethink the militia and go into the navy instead.”

His answer was louder than was necessary, “I had thought of the navy in the past, but let us say that recent
developments
have made me feel as though leaving England for any length of time would be torture.” He caught Georgiana’s eye, and she blushed.

I think I might become ill.
Elizabeth could barely conceal her thoughts.

After a time, the group walked to see how Mrs. Younge fared. Mrs. Gardiner offered to send the nanny to retrieve her coach so that the companion did not injure her ankle further by walking on it.

“Oh, no, thank you, Mrs. Gardiner. I am feeling much better now after resting—so much so that I believe I can return to the house on foot.”

“Do not worry, madam, I shall be happy to be of assistance,” Wickham said with a smile, offering his unoccupied arm to Mrs. Younge.

~%~

Later the same day, Jane entered the bedchamber she shared with her sister and found Elizabeth sitting in the window seat with her arms wrapped around her chest. A letter was folded upon the seat beside her.

“Lizzy, what is it?”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. Running the chain of the gypsy’s necklace through her fingers, she leaned sideways to place her forehead on the glass.

“Is something wrong at home?”

“No, not at home, Jane.” She handed Jane the drawing she had received whilst they were dining. “Look.”

Jane gasped. There on the page was Georgiana exiting a coach, being handed down by Mr. Wickham. “I do not know how, but I know for a
fact
that is the blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green.” She pointed to the building behind the coach.

“Oh, Lizzy, yes, see there, I can see the anvil through the open door. The smithy will marry them—we shall fail her!”

“Miss Darcy will
not
elope if we can help it. We must find a way to speak to her alone.”

Chapter 5

After dinner, the children were sent to the nursery, and Mr. Gardiner excused himself to see to some business in his study. Mrs. Gardiner sat with Jane and Elizabeth. “Mr. Gardiner and I have discussed this, girls, and we have decided that I must speak to you about an important subject. It is essential that I warn you that Mr. Wickham is not a man to be trusted.

“I remember him when he was a boy. Although I never judge a man by what he may have done as a child, I am afraid his behaviour has only worsened as he matured. Through my friends who still live in Lambton, I have been kept up to date with a few stories about his less than honourable proceedings with the shopkeepers—
and
his actions against their daughters.” She raised her eyebrows high and nodded in response to Jane and Elizabeth’s horrified expressions. “Mr. Gardiner has also told me that several years ago, during the time he spent at Lambton handling my father’s affairs, there was a scandal involving a girl I used to know.

“Now, I must touch on an even more sensitive matter. Some may believe that it is not my place to interfere, and if Mr. Darcy had been in residence at Ramsgate, I would not dream of doing so. But during my conversation with Miss Darcy this morning, I found that her brother is currently in Derbyshire and will not be visiting our young friend anytime soon. Mr. Gardiner and I have determined that, even should Mr. Gardiner send an express to Pemberley, it would take too many days to receive Mr. Darcy’s thoughts on this matter.

“Since I was slightly acquainted with Miss Darcy’s parents through my father’s shop—our livelihood depended on the patronage of their estate—and I am now acquainted with Miss Darcy herself, I feel a certain measure of responsibility towards her welfare. My duty cannot be ignored when such a dangerous man as Mr. Wickham lurks near her.” She sighed. “I have nothing against Mrs. Younge, but one cannot help but recognize that she is not the best of chaperones since she allowed Miss Darcy to walk on alone with Mr. Wickham. The type of carelessness she exhibited can end only in rumours or ruin for her charge; I do not understand her thinking! That being said, I must ask you girls to help me find a few minutes alone with Miss Darcy so that I can speak to her on this subject.”

After agreeing to do as their aunt asked and keep Mrs. Younge occupied, Elizabeth and Jane shared a sigh of relief. They knew their aunt’s resolve was not to be taken lightly, and if she had decided to speak to Miss Darcy regarding Mr. Wickham, Miss Darcy would surely be out of danger soon.

~%~

As the young ladies went through their toilette the next morning, a maid brought in another letter for Elizabeth along with their freshly pressed gowns. Elizabeth delayed breaking the seal until the maid left them to help Mrs. Gardiner dress.

“Something has changed, Jane. Miss Darcy will not go to Gretna Green, but what this drawing shows is not an acceptable alternative, either!”

Terrified by the look of horror on her sister’s face, Jane moved to look over her shoulder.

The first showed Darcy and Wickham in the drawing room at the Darcy house at Ramsgate, involved in a brawl. Georgiana was in the background, slumped over on the sofa with her face in her hands, obviously crying.

The second depicted Darcy—dueling with swords with Wickham! Another man wearing an army uniform, whom neither lady recognized, was standing by as Mr. Darcy’s second.

A third displayed Wickham sprawled out upon the ground bleeding. Judging from the amount of blood, they guessed that Wickham was dead.

Panic welled up within Elizabeth. “We must stop this, Jane!”

“We will, Lizzy—today. Although she does not know how serious the situation may become, Aunt Gardiner will help us.”

~%~

“I apologize, ladies, but Mrs. Younge has gone out for an hour or two. I hope you do not mind a visit with me alone today,” Miss Darcy stated.

The three ladies did not mind at all; in fact, they could not believe their luck in finding Mrs. Younge absent.

Mrs. Gardiner began, “Miss Darcy, being a native of Lambton, I feel partially responsible for your welfare. I must be perfectly honest with you about a specific matter that you may not like to hear. If you would like my nieces to leave us, they will.”

Miss Darcy seemed a bit frightened, but she declined the offer of having Jane and Elizabeth leave the room. Mrs. Gardiner proceeded to tell Miss Darcy all she had told Jane and Elizabeth, in a firm, but slightly more delicate manner than she had spoken to her nieces.

“It cannot be true, Mrs. Gardiner.”

The other ladies in the room shared a look of understanding. Mrs. Gardiner would have to speak more plainly to make certain the young lady understood. Taking a deep breath, she began again, “Miss Darcy, I am sorry to say that my husband bore witness to more than one instance that proved these rumours true. When Mr. Gardiner remained in Lambton to tie up my father’s affairs, he saw firsthand the unpaid debts Mr. Wickham had left behind at my father’s shop, and heard from reliable sources that he had done the same at many of the other establishments in the village.”

Seeing Miss Darcy was still not convinced, Mrs. Gardiner continued, “My husband also took part in assisting a man to arrange passage to Ireland for his unfortunate young daughter, with the hopes that her reputation—ruined by Mr. Wickham—would not precede her.”

Miss Darcy sat in silence for several minutes before replying carefully, “Mrs. Gardiner, I understand you are trying to be helpful, but Mr. Wickham has previously informed me of the rumours that were being spread. He has assured me there is no truth to any of them. I do not wish to speak harshly of anyone, I am certain Mr. Wickham has been treated unfairly by many,” she hesitated and barely whispered, “including my own brother.”

The ladies sat in silent disbelief for several minutes before Mrs. Gardiner replied, “I am sorry, but Mr. Wickham has misled you, Miss Darcy. Whilst it is true that many of the people in Lambton do not have warm feelings for the man, it is not based on jealousy in any form. According to those that I know from the area, Mr. Darcy is a kind and generous master, and an excellent patron. In fact, Mr. Gardiner has met your brother on several occasions in the past. Since Mr. Darcy was magistrate of the area, Mr. Gardiner had spoken to him about seeking out Mr. Wickham so that his debt to my father could be repaid. Apparently, your brother was not aware of Mr. Wickham’s unpaid accounts before that time. Mr. Darcy promptly visited each shop in the village and paid off Mr. Wickham’s debts from his own pocket.”

“But, George told me that my brother kept from him the living he had been promised in my father’s will!”

“I know nothing of that matter, my dear, but from all that I have heard of Mr. Wickham, he seems the last person on earth who should become a member of the clergy. In contrast, by all reports, your brother is honourable and fair.”

Georgiana’s tone was defensive as she answered, “I confess that when Mr. Wickham first revealed to me what Fitzwilliam had done, I was surprised, but, as I lay awake last night, I realized that I have been blinded by the foolish opinions of my youth. I am an adult now, Mrs. Gardiner. It is infantile for a grown woman to idolize her elders.” She hesitated, straightening her back. “Fitzwilliam is a man with faults—just like any other. Mr. Wickham has described to me how the villagers of Lambton have always treated him with contempt due to their resentment... their envy of his intimate relations with my family. I am convinced that the villagers at Lambton have spun tales, blaming Mr. Wickham whenever they could not determine the identities of the true wrongdoers.”

Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes widened. “Please, Miss Darcy; I have no reason to deceive you. You must be wary of Mr. Wickham and his intentions! I have known the young lady, whom I mentioned earlier, all her life. She was older than you are now and more than intelligent enough to have known better than to be persuaded by Mr. Wickham’s stories. To me, being able to fool
her
proves that Mr. Wickham is so charming, he can deceive almost
any
young lady into believing his lies.”

“Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth added in a kind manner, “Adults weigh
all
information available before making life-altering decisions.”

After a few minutes of silence, Georgiana said, “You have given me much to think of. I promise that I shall not jump to any further conclusions and give the subject all the consideration it is due.”

As they made their goodbyes, Elizabeth spoke softly, “Miss Darcy, I can see that you do not
wish
to believe what my aunt has told you, but please, search your own feelings. Regarding your brother, I beg of you to recall your opinion from
before
you had become reacquainted with Mr. Wickham. From all you know about your brother, could you have imagined his ever acting in such a dishonourable fashion—to anyone? If what Mr. Wickham said of your brother is untrue, perhaps the remainder is, as well. Perhaps you should ask Mr. Darcy about the particulars surrounding your father’s will before condemning him.”

~%~

True to her word, Georgiana retired to her rooms for the afternoon, telling the butler that she was not to be disturbed by anyone, including Mrs. Younge when she returned. She wished to think upon all that Mrs. Gardiner had said without the opinions of anyone else swaying hers.

That was not the enjoyable visit I had hoped for,
Georgiana thought.
Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth both seemed to agree with their aunt’s opinions. Why would they lie to me?

She tried to think in the way that her Aunt Adelaide and Aunt Catherine had taught her when considering a new acquaintance’s motives.
Do they have someone else in mind for me? Perhaps a cousin who is in need of my fortune? Or maybe one of the young ladies has her eye on Mr. Wickham for herself?

She shook her head.
No, Fitzwilliam said their father has an estate of little consequence. One must assume that to mean they do not have large dowries, and they would wish to marry gentlemen of fortune.
Mr. Wickham has none at all.

As the last thought stood out in her mind, her breath accelerated.
If what Mrs. Gardiner said is true, he would not be interested
me
, but rather my thirty thousand pounds! Could I have been that blind? How could I know for certain—before it is too late?

After much reflection, Georgiana decided to test Mr. Wickham’s devotion with the truth.

~%~

“Miss Darcy!” Mr. Wickham almost sighed her name before quickly crossing the room. Between several kisses to the back of Georgiana’s hand, he whispered, “I missed you terribly today, my darling.”

Georgiana blushed and glanced at Mrs. Younge. She thought it was odd that lady did not seem to notice they were in the room with her. “Will you not sit down, Mr. Wickham?”

“Oh, dear!” Mrs. Younge exclaimed. “Please excuse me, Miss Darcy. I have forgotten the yellow thread I purchased in the village this morning. I believe I left it in my chamber. Would you mind if I go fetch it? I will only be a minute or two.”

“Of course not, dear lady,” Wickham replied with a wide smile.

Georgiana hesitated—it was not at all correct for her to be left with Mr. Wickham alone! Then again, it would give her the opportunity she longed for to clear up any doubts she now had that Mr. Wickham’s affections were pure. She nodded to Mrs. Younge, who exited the room soon after.

Almost the moment the door closed behind her companion, Mr. Wickham was on one knee at Georgiana’s feet. “My dearest Georgiana, I thought I would run mad through the streets after not seeing you for so many hours earlier today. Please, save me from this misery—come away with me at once and become my wife!”

Georgiana’s eyes opened wide. “Elope?”

“Yes, my darling. I cannot bear to spend another day apart from you.”

Only yesterday, before Mrs. Gardiner’s warnings, I could have been swept away and would not have thought twice about such a romantic notion as running away with him.
The thought was a little frightening.
Become his wife? So soon? Is he that deeply in love with me—or is it something else?
Aloud she asked, “Will you not ask my brother’s permission?”

“I wish to—even
you
, my darling, who knows me so well, could not comprehend how much I would
like
to—but I have told you how he feels about me. Darcy would never approve; he might not even allow a courtship between us. An elopement to Gretna Green is the only way that I can be assured of your love forever, my dearest.”

With so many doubts in her mind, she had little choice but to bring up the truth, as she had planned. “Then, you do not mind the condition?”

Wickham’s eyebrows rose. “Condition?”

She nodded. “Because of your having been so close to my father and brother, I was certain that one of them had informed you about the condition placed upon my dowry.”

He chuckled uncomfortably and moved to sit on the sofa beside Georgiana. “No, I—”

“I shall receive a small amount on a monthly basis—the interest, I believe—until my twenty-first birthday, and then I... or you, as my husband... will gain control over the entire thirty thousand pounds.” She was delighted when his smile did not fade. “Oh, I
knew
that our love runs so deeply that you would accept me, even under such a condition.”