Page 59 of Her Favourite Daughter

“I hope you two slept better than I did. It took a while before Morpheus claimed me yester-night,” Bethany replied with a light smile.

A maid delivered the tray with a pot of steaming hot chocolate and three cups. She bobbed a curtsy and withdrew. Jane poured the rich, decadent liquid for all three of them and handed cups to Lizzy and Charlotte. She could not help but notice that Lizzy was far more serious than was her wont. She supposed meeting the king and queen in a few hours along with all the other changes which had occurred, would make anyone more serious, even one who loved to laugh as much as Lizzy did.

Once her sister and their friend had their cups, steam still rising from them, Jane took her seat once again.

“I would have been more surprised had you told me that you had managed to fall asleep without delay,” Charlotte stated after her second sip. “You will be well, Eliza; that is as long as His Majesty does not tap your shoulder too hard.”

Charlotte’s jest caused Bethany to smile. She was certain the king had tapped enough shoulders to know how much force to use. Besides, the blade was dull.

“As you are in a teasing mood, Charlotte, do not think I have missed how you and Richard Fitzwilliam gravitate one to the other. He is, in my opinion, a very good man. What do you think about him?” Bethany queried.

“Lizzy has the right of it,” Jane agreed. “I too think that Richard is a good man for Charlotte.”

“If I were you, Jane Elizabeth Bennet, I would not tease Charlotte about Richard when you have been in Andrew’s company just as much,” Bethany jested. “Another excellent man. So, I would ask you the same question I asked Charlotte. But I will hear our friend’s reply first.” Bethany was pleased to see her older sister begin to blush.

“He is everything that a gentleman should be,” Charlotte stated as her cheeks bloomed pink. “I have not written anything to Mamma yet because there is nothing to tell. Also, I suppose I do not want her to travel to London to give me help.”

“And you, Jane? Do not think my memory has deserted me suddenly? You seem to have chosen between Charles and Andrew,” Bethany said.

“I know Charles showed an interest in me. However, when he speaks to me, it is mainly about my outward looks and how I am an angel. Even before Andrew and I became closer, I had decided that Charles is still too immature to think of taking a wife. I think that in the future, once he is ready for that step, some lady will be very lucky to have Charles as a husband,” Jane opined. “Do not misunderstand me; he is an estimable man, who even at this age is resolute; just not the man for me. Before you ask, it is unconnected with Charles’s antecedents. Uncle Edward is in trade, so that is not an issue for me. Also, it is not because Andrew has a title. You know wealth, titles, and connections would never influence my decision about the partner of my future life. And as Charlotte said, we are too far from any declarations, if there will ever be one, between us.”

“If either brother is not serious and uses either or both of you ill, then he will answer to a duchess,” Bethany quipped. “In all seriousness; I am very happy for both you and Charlotte. If your husbands are to be Andrew and Richard, you could not find better men.”

“Do you think their cousin, William Darcy, is a better man?” Jane teased.

“Jane Elizabeth Bennet! I am not out yet and will not be for close to two years,” Bethany protested. “With all that. I have to learn my duties and about my future estates; the last thing I have been thinking about is a man.”

“I do note, Eliza, the skilful way you dodged replying to Jane’s question rather effectively,” Charlotte pointed out.

“Ugh, it is not fair when you both tease me,” Bethany shot back.

“There was still no answer to my question, Lizzy,” Jane stated with a wide smile. “Turnabout is fair play. You like to joke with us, so you need to be prepared to receive the same from us.”

“I have no objection to you two jesting with me; I just needed some time to consider your question properly,” Bethany explained. “He is a very handsome and intelligent man. However, he is also at times too proud and arrogant. In my opinion it is a way he hides the fact that he is shy, like Giana was before she came to know the Bennet sisters and brother. We may suit one day, but it is too early for me to contemplate that yet. To answer your question. Yes, I do believe that William Darcy is a good man like his older cousins. At this point, I do not know him well enough to tell you if he is a better man than them.”

Jane and Charlotte accepted the reply and did not push Bethany any further on the subject, something she appreciated.

“We will leave you now so you may prepare for today in peace,” Jane said as she and Charlotte stood and exited the sitting room.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Rather than put his plan forward as soon as he arrived back at the Younges’ house, Wickham refined the elements of his idea in his head overnight. He made sure to go to Karen so that when he presented his scheme, she would be even more amenable in the afterglow of his ministrations. By the time he made his way down to join the Younges in breaking their fasts, he had solidified all the elements of the mission to achieve his aims. Of course, he would present it as a way for the twins to gain the revenge they were seeking.

He sauntered into the dining parlour and waited while one of the maids—he already knew her intimately and had convinced her to keep it secret so as to not lose her employment—placed a plate before him with two fried eggs, some ham, and two slices of heavily buttered toast. A cup of steaming coffee was put on the table next to him.

Wickham waited until brother and sister had completed their meals. “I have a plan which cannot fail,” he drawled just before the idiot brother stood.

Clay Younge stopped himself from standing. “An’ wat be this ‘ere plan?”

“I have learnt that Leeds House is looking for maids and footmen, because it has not been opened for some years,” Wickham stated. “You two need to be employed there so you will be able to do what is needed from within the household. I would do so myself except some of their friends know me, not to mention that the dowager duchess will recognise me because I look much like my father.” The two Younges would never suspect him of lying, especially not Karen after welcoming him to her bed the previous night.

“We have no characters, how are we to apply for work and be taken seriously?” Karen Younge queried.

“I will write characters for both of you. I know what these toffs tell their housekeepers and butlers to look for in those to join their households. With my help, you will be employed without question,” Wickham responded. “Then you will be good servants for a month or so while you learn all about the house and those who are resident. If you really want your revenge, it will be best gained through the young duchess. Can you imagine the pain you will cause when, after just being reunited with her daughter, said daughter is gone again, this time permanently?” It was obvious that his words had been sown on fertile ground by the looks on the twins’ countenances.

“What do you want us to do?” Karen Younge asked.

“As soon as you are established in the house you will get close to the young duchess. She is only around sixteen, so she will be easily manipulated. Karen, you will become a trusted maid who she will have accompany her as a chaperone, and Younge, you will make sure you get assigned to her carriage and to those who accompany her when she walks or rides,” Wickham laid out.