Chapter 13 #2
“Then it happened to me. I was doing my washing near the stream, and that wicked man came upon me. He used sweet words to flatter me at first, but I was unmoved, even though he was good-looking, above my station, and the master’s favorite.
But I had heard things about him, and I have my morals from reading the Bible and other good books.
I refused to go into the woods with him.
He turned nasty and tried to force himself on me right there by the stream.
At sixteen, I was a big girl. I picked up the stick I used to stir the clothes to hit him.
He was already a grown man and was a head taller than me, but he ran away so fast I only got one blow in.
“Mayhap because of this, he went after my younger sister, who was not yet fifteen and not so interested in learning.
Two months after Wickham had gone back to school, little Maggie was found to be with child.
My ma and pa tried to hush up the shame, but there was no one to send my sister to.
My family and my uncles and aunts have lived at Pemberley or on the estates nearby for three generations.
We had to keep Maggie at home and feign illness for her.
Meanwhile, the other two families who had been ruined by Wickham suspected the truth and came to us to commiserate, and that was how we were able to live through those difficult months.
“Wickham always chose young girls with no older brothers. My own father was angry but felt his hands were tied because he could not afford to lose our home if our shame was exposed. A month later, the young master came home for the holiday and came to our house to ask my pa and ma to verify what he heard when Wickham bragged about his ‘exploits’ in shameless detail. My pa was fearful to tell the truth, but the young master said what you just said, that he would not blame us for what Wickham had done. When the young master left, he promised to help us, and within a few days, Mr. Wickham the elder came by, offering to take the babe as his ward when it was born, and when Maggie was older, George Wickham would marry Maggie. My parents were overjoyed. Unfortunately, Maggie developed problems a month later, and she died along with the unborn babe.”
Elizabeth was dumbfounded. She, who took pride in her ability to sketch people’s characters, was so grievously wrong about Mr. Darcy and that scoundrel Wickham that she was thoroughly ashamed.
Trying to salvage some pride, she had to know whether Wickham had reformed, and whether Mr. Darcy had turned conceited and arrogant in the interim years.
After all, these men were quite young when this happened.
“Did Mr. Wickham repent of his sins?”
Jenny looked incredulous that her mistress should have said something so ludicrous.
“No, he did not, but he hid and did his dirty deeds away from Pemberley. Old Mr. Darcy was fond of George Wickham, and he was sick for a long time. The young master tried not to agitate the old master and worsen his health. Young Mr. Darcy was all alone to deal with that scoundrel because old Mr. Wickham died soon after Maggie.”
Elizabeth became thoughtful for a long while. She came out of her contemplation because she was shivering from the cooled water, despite the fireplace next to her. Jenny spread a large warmed towel for her to step into.
“Jenny,” Elizabeth turned her head to the maid, who was combing her hair out to dry, and said, “Thank you for being truthful with me. I am ashamed that I fell for the lies of that reprobate. You were much wiser than I. You saw through Wickham when I could not, and you were so much younger…”
Jenny wanted to interrupt, but she was well trained enough to remain silent when her mistress was speaking.
“You should never feel shamed by the unfortunate fate of your younger sister. Poor thing, just fourteen! I shall beg Mr. Darcy, when I see him today, to let you come here as my lady’s maid.”
“M’lady, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind and good.
Do not blame yourself for believing Wickham’s pretty but poisonous words.
I knew to protect myself against him because I grew up with him and had already heard about his debauched ways.
But for not warning my sister against him, I will never escape the blame.
She was so young! I simply did not expect… ” Jenny began crying anew.
Elizabeth stood up and patted Jenny’s back.
“You have taught me a lesson: I must warn my sisters without delay if I see danger from unsavory characters. You see, we lived in a small and unvarying neighborhood. Having the militia encamped there was an exciting experience for us. Mist… That scoundrel was a member of the militia. His silver tongue and pleasant manners charmed practically everybody, me included. He maligned Mr. Darcy’s good name, and I believed him because Mr. Darcy seemed unlikable compared to the friendly Wickham. Now I know better, thanks to you.”
“Mr. Darcy has always been shy among strangers, even in his own home. I often saw him running from young ladies visiting Pemberley. He is warm and kind with family and close friends, but not with ladies, not even close friends’ sisters.
“M’lady, I shall be grateful to accept your kind offer, even though that means I shall live away from my family at Pemberley.”
“Oh, do you have a sweetheart at Pemberley?”
Jenny turned scarlet, but she nodded her head slightly.
“What if I find a job here for him as well? This house served bachelor dukes, but now a family of seven resides here. It is possible that a position can be found for your friend.”
“Pardon me, m’lady, but Jem, my young man, does not want to work in a great house.
We grew up together at Pemberley, but he wanted to join ‘industries’ instead of asking Mr. Darcy for a farmstead to rent.
His elder brother, you see, has taken over the farm.
Jem said he would make something of himself before coming for me.
I have been waiting for him these six years! ”
“Well then, you can wait here or at Kennington Castle just as well as at Pemberley. I have found that I like you exceedingly well as my maid and will surely be cross if I am to have another.”
Jenny laughed heartily upon hearing this child-like praise.
“If Mr. Darcy is agreeable to letting me remain here, I would be pleased to serve you, m’lady.”