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CHAPTER 22

On more than one occasion, he had noticed Georgiana walking and talking with the lieutenant, whom he now discerned as the officer who met his aunt Lydia to conduct spy business. Ben wondered why Georgiana even tolerated George Wickham. Surely she knew how much her brother did not like him. Should she not be equally as wary of such a man? He shook his head. He was certain he would never understand girls. He had even espied Gillian and Emily pretending they were fair maidens in need of rescuing and making believe the dashing lieutenant was their knight in shining armour. Ben had but a few opportunities to observe the officer up close. When he saw how the man leered at his aunt Georgiana and even his aunt Lydia—when he thought no one was watching—Ben considered the officer was more of a troll than a knight.

Ben darted behind the bush when he espied his aunt Lydia just ahead. It was not that he did not wish to see her; rather it was the company she was keeping. Seeing how his aunt’s mind was so happily engaged in but one thought of late, that being her pending nuptials, Ben no longer considered she was a spy acting on behalf of her country. No, Ben began to consider that something else was afoot. As soon as Lydia pranced off in the opposite direction from where Ben was hiding, the young fellow made his presence known to her former companion who appeared to be waiting for someone.

“Good day, young man,” George Wickham said to Ben.

Ben looked at the tall gentleman. He said nothing.

“I take it you do not remember who I am.”

“Oh, I remember you.”

“Excellent. Pray how are you enjoying your stay in Hertfordshire?”

Ben said nothing in response.

“I imagine you are missing Pemberley, your new home.”

Ben continued to regard the officer with circumspection. Da had told him to keep his distance, and that is what he meant to do. But his curiosity about the man who garnered so much of his father’s disapprobation could no longer be repressed.

George Wickham took a seat on a bench and crossed his long legs. “You are a most fortunate young man to live there. Did you know that I once lived there as well? My memories of living at Pemberley are some of the happiest of my life. I yearn to see it again.”

“I do not suppose that will be happening,” said Ben.

“So, you do talk.”

“I was told to keep my distance from you, and that is what I mean to do.”

“No doubt Darcy advised you to that effect. You honour him as your father, and you do as he tells you. I would expect no less of you. You must always honour and obey your father.”

“I do not need you to tell me that, sir, but I would ask one question of you.”

“You may ask me anything you like. My life, you see, is an open book. What would you like to know?”

“What are your intentions towards my aunt Georgiana and my aunt Lydia?”

Wickham cleared his throat. “My intentions?”

“Indeed,” said Ben, his hands on his hips.

“What is it that you think you know, child?”

“I know what I know.”

Wickham uncrossed his legs and reached into his pocket. When he withdrew his hand, it was clasped tightly. “Come here, Ben, I have something for you to see.” He tucked both hands behind his back and then brought them back in front of him. “You enjoy games of chance do you not?”

Ben’s curiosity overtook prudence, and he stepped closer. “What is the name of this game?”

“I have something of great value in one of my hands. If you correctly guess which hand, its contents shall be yours.”

Ben could not resist. He pointed to Wickham’s left hand. Wickham opened his hand and revealed his empty palm.

“Shall we try it again?”

Ben nodded.

The officer put his hands behind his back once more, and then brought them forth again. Ben pointed to the left hand again. Wickham opened his hand and revealed a shiny coin.