Chapter 22 #2
“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.