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.
“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.”