He would remain in a boarding house or inn for about a month at a time until the landlord became insistent on payment before moving on. After about four months in London, there were too many creditors seeking him, even in a city that large, so Wickham decided to move south.
He eventually reached Margate in Kent, and there he met Miss Karen Younge. Needing a place to stay, he charmed Miss Younge and soon they were paramours, and he was residing in the house she shared with her brother Clay, and at times, their dim-witted cousin, Jake.
Thankfully, for self-preservation, George learnt it would not be good if he tried to cheat the Younges, especially if he wanted to continue living. In return for living with them, the brother expected George to assist him when he robbed the toffs, as he called them. As Wickham had been educated toa certain extent, and could speak like one of the toffs and could charm people, while making them relax and divulge information, Younge found his sister’s lover rather useful. As such, George would receive a small cut of whatever he assisted Clay in gaining.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When Darcy entered the drawing room, he was well pleased Richard stepped in front of the red-headed woman who was advancing towards him, more than likely to introduce herself.
“Richard would you introduce me to your friends, please,” Darcy requested before the woman attempted to approach him again.
“William allow me to present Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hurst of Winsdale in Surrey, Mr. Charles Bingley of Scarborough where his late father’s businesses are located, and Mr. Bingley’s sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.” He ignored Miss Bingley who, as he was sure she would, turned purple at his allusion to her family’s roots in trade. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, Bingley, and Miss Bingley, my cousin, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”
While the rest of those introduced were offering a curtsy and bows, Miss Bingley was stymied. How could Mr. Fitzwilliam mention her father’s business in front of his cousin? Now she would have to work even harder to induce the extremely handsome man to offer for her.
“Richard has told me much about you, Mr. Bingley; it is good to finally meet you,” Darcy stated as he extended his hand towards the amiable man.
Darcy had to fight to keep his face from showing the shame of his remembered words to Richard when his cousin had first suggested meeting Mr. Bingley. Darcy could tell from the grip of the handshake this man possessed an inner strength.
“As he has about you,” Bingley responded.
“Some of it was even positive,” Richard jested.
Caroline Bingley was not sanguine with being left out of the conversation between the three men. After being introduced, her matrimonial target had not looked at her. She had her maid dress her in her newest orange ensemble with the dyed-to-match turban and matching ostrich feathers. She had sprayed her preferred perfume on liberally and made sure she was wearing an impressive amount of jewels. She needed to be noticed.
How could her brother and his friend direct Mr. Darcy’s attention away from her in such an infamous manner?Even though her sister was furiously signalling her not to do so, Miss Bingley moved to stand between her brother and the man who she had decided would marry her—even before she met him.
“Mr. Darcy, it is so good to be among more of our circle,” Miss Bingley purred as seductively as she was able, all the while batting her eyes at Mr. Darcy coquettishly.
“Excuse me, Madam,” Darcy barked. “Did you not observe we were conversing? For those who grew up being part of thelanded gentry,it is well known how rude it is to insert oneself into a conversation without invitation.”
“Among those of us who were raised in the house of a tradesman, my sister’s behaviour is just as unacceptable,” Bingley interjected. “I can only think her excuse is she is awed to be in the presence of another one from the first circles, as other than your cousin, she has not had that experience previously.”
Caroline Bingley felt her fury building. She had not missed the inference. Mr. Darcy and then her brother alluded to them being raised in the house of a tradesman. Charles spoke as if he was proud of his roots. It was not to be borne.
The woman turned a deep shade of purple after herbrother mentioned their roots. Darcy had to fight to stop himself from bursting into laughter. Her current complexion clashed with her hair almost as much as her hideous orange outfit and mismatched jewels did. The odour of her over applied scent made Darcy want to sneeze.
Thankfully before he started a fit of sneezing, the woman turned and without a word to anyone, stomped out of the drawing room and up the stairs.
Mrs. Hurst stood, her face burning red with embarrassment—both for her sister’s behaviour, and their hated roots being pointed out so clearly. “If you will excuse me, I need to make sure my sister is well.” The lady made a quick curtsy and took off after her younger sister.
While his wife went to see to her sister, her husband reclined on a chaise lounge not paying attention to, or not caring, what was occurring in the room.
“Mr. Bingley, I apologise if I was harsh…” Darcy began but ceased talking when the brother held up his hand.
“First, please address me as Bingley. Next, what did you say or do that my sister did not deserve?” Bingley questioned. “From the time we arrived, Fitzwilliam and I have tried to counter her delusions about marrying you, which stem from…” Bingley explained about his sister’s propensity to eavesdrop. “I am only pleased she did not hear the real amount, which was mentioned after I closed the door securely, otherwise she would compromise you if that is what it took.”
“Entrapment would get her nothing, other than self-ruin. I will not be forced into marriage under any circumstances…” Darcy explained what his father had instructed him on the subject and his determination to only marry when, and if, his heart was well and truly engaged. “Please call me Darcy.”
“I will attempt to make her understand, but I am afraid my sister has the affliction of only hearing that which fits thenarrative in her head,” Bingley explained. “In fact, I believe she takes anything she deems negative and makes the words over until they are what she wants them to be. It may be time to send her to live with our aunt in Scarborough. Nothing I have attempted has worked on her.”
“I do not envy your task in managing her,” Darcy responded.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Mrs. Hurst followed her sister into her bedchamber on the guest floor. Caroline was standing with a vase in hand ready to hurl it against a wall. “Caro, that will not make anything better. Besides, you are a guest in Mr. Fitzwilliam’s house and you cannot take your frustrations out on his possessions.” Mrs. Hurst soothed as she pried thejardinièrefrom her sister’s shaking hand.
“How dare Charles embarrass me in such a fashion, to mention we are the children of a tradesman!” Miss Bingley screeched.
