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“You are very clever young man.” Wickham handed the coin to Ben.

Young Ben could not help smiling. Looking over the gentleman’s shoulder, he saw his aunt Georgiana heading in their direction. “Shall we have another turn?” Ben asked.

George Wickham said, “Not today; however, if you will keep quiet about what you think you know about your aunts and me, there will be more coins where that one came from—many more. Do we have a deal?” He held out his hand to Ben.

For Georgiana’s sake, Ben’s mouth gaped. “You mean to bribe me!” Ben kicked George Wickham as hard as he could. He had meant to get away, but the tall man was quicker than Ben supposed.

He grabbed Ben by his shoulders and shook him. “How dare you, you wretched—you spoilt bastard. I should turn you over my knee!”

Georgiana was appalled. She gasped. “Unhand my nephew this instant!”

George Wickham released Ben, who managed to land on his backside. “Georgiana, this is not how it looks.”

Ben clutched his body and groaned aloud.

“What did you do to my poor nephew?”

“He is no more a nephew to you than I am a brother to you.”

“What a vile and wretched thing to say!”

She fell to her knees, assisted Ben to his feet and took him in her arms. “Oh! Ben, pray that evil man did not harm you.”

Young Ben sniffed. Patting her on the back, he looked at George Wickham and grinned. His voice trembling, he said, “I think I shall be all right, Aunt Georgiana.”

She held him still. “Thank heavens for that.” She stood and took Ben by his hand.

“Georgiana, this is not at all how it appears. That little miscreant provoked me. I am the injured party.”

“You are never to address me by my given name again!”

He reached out to her. “Please, hear me out.”

She jerked away from him. “Do not touch me. Furthermore, you are to stay away from both of us. Should you ever come anywhere near either of us again, I will know how to act.”