After seventy-six miles in a carriage from London, he walked to his sister’s lodgings in Sion Hill rather than ride another foot. Why had Mrs Younge insisted they come here? He disliked Brighton, Weymouth, and Bath, but at least they were grand. They might have at least gone to Margate a few miles away.
He was shown into his sister’s rooms just as they finished dinner and, in seeing Georgiana’s sincere happiness at his arrival, briefly forgot his anger and why he rushed here.
“Fitzwilliam,” she cried, throwing herself into his arms. “You are so good to visit me.”
“I promised you I would,” he said, returning her hug before greeting Mrs Younge.
“Yes, but I did not expect you for a week,” Georgiana said, still smiling at him.
“I had urgent business here,” he said, with a heavy look to Mrs Younge, who met his eye with an unembarrassed stare.
Georgiana faltered. “What is the matter?”
Darcy forced himself to smile. Whatever Wickham was doing here, it was not his sister’s fault. “Nothing to worry yourself about. I have spent a day in a carriage; do you think we might go for a walk? Why do you not make yourself ready while I speak to Mrs Younge?”
His sister left, and he said immediately to her companion, “I do not approve of the acquaintance she has made under your care.”
“Do you mean the Bennet ladies? They are genteel, if not wealthy or well-connected. I think the eldest might even be worth her knowing.”
Darcy tilted his head. “Who? No, I mean Mr Wickham.”
Mrs Younge blew out a slow breath before giving him a confused look. “He is not a new acquaintance. I understand he grew up with you, that he was your father’s godson.”
“Yes,” he answered grimly. “But all presumption of an acquaintance has been dropped on both sides, I assure you. He likely is as abusive of me to others as he has been to my face.”
“No, sir,” she answered. “He has not said a word against you, nothing to indicate you would not approve of his acknowledging your sister.”
This took him aback. He had expected to hear of Wickham’s vitriol and even of him turning his sister against him.
Wickham had been promised the best living in his gift, but said he wished to study the law instead, and so Darcy paid him in lieu of the living. Of course, Wickham had not studied the law but continued to gamble, drink, and seduce for the past three years. Two months ago, when the living intended for him fell vacant, Wickham, with all his money gone, had demanded the presentation. When Darcy refused, his father’s godson was extraordinarily angry.
“His circumstances are terrible, I promise you,” he continued, not wanting to explain the extent of Wickham’s situation. “My sister is returning to London in the morning. That man is not a suitable acquaintance.”
“This is drastic.” Mrs Younge slowly sat. “How is she to live in London if she cannot be nodding acquaintances with someone imperfect? Will you drag her away every time she encounters a person you do not approve of?”
“I will if it protects my sister.” He was essentially her father since theirs died five years ago.
Mrs Younge frowned. “Protect her from what? I see no reason to leave and make her feel she has done wrong. Miss Darcy is gaining friends and confidence, as you wished she would.”
“I am her guardian, and I say there is reason to remove her.”
“What do you fear will happen?” she asked incredulously. “And you cannot remove her from every city, resort, and village if a man in distressed circumstances speaks to her. She must learn how to deflect them. I can teach her that and even use Mr Wickham as an example.” She threw up her hands. “With all due respect, you hired me because I am well-versed in bringing out a young lady.”
“I do not fault your judgment,” he said to put her at ease. “You could not have known what Mr Wickham is.”
“He could be exactly the sort of gentleman for her to talk to, for he can have no designs on her, considering your history.”
Darcy stared. “How do you mean?”
“There is nothing real between them, for he flirts with everyone,” she said hurriedly. “I can teach her to deflect him and turn her attentions to a worthier object. She will need to learn that to manage life in London, for you want her to marry well.”
“Of course I do, but there is plenty of time for all of that.”
“She is already anxious about having to be on display to find a husband, so it would be good for her to learn how to manage the men who are not good prospects.” He was about to speak, but Mrs Younge was not done. “And if you dissuade her from enjoying his harmless gallantry, you must explain why, lest she hate you for it and it drives her to deepen the connexion.”
Explain that Wickham compromised his health with any woman who would take his coin? That he spent three thousand pounds on every manner of vice and now had no way to support himself? That he would lie to friend or foe if it meant he would have something to gain? That he knew more prostitutes in London by name than he knew clergymen or lawyers combined?
No, he could not say that to a little girl.
