Chapter 14 #3
Darcy answered with perfect honesty. “Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia were told before they arrived in Ramsgate that they are not here to be courted and that they may not consort with officers. Wickham holding your affection and accompanying you everywhere poses a complication for your friend, who does not wish to offend you, but must be firm with daughters so young. It is made harder by the fact that Wickham only wishes to consort with very young girls, or the worst sort of men. A better man, any man would have taken your patronage and used it to change the course of his life. Wickham has used the opportunity to behave as if he were the son of a crown prince who has nothing to do but live as dissolutely as possible. You indulge him too much. You would never have accepted such behaviour from me.”
“Wickham is no danger to the Bennet girls,” Darcy Senior insisted.
Darcy frowned, wishing his father would be sensible about his godson.
“I think that you know in your heart that is not true. It is up to Mr Bennet to decide with whom his youngest daughters, who are not yet out, should associate. The Bennet girls, for all their lack of connections, are gentlewomen.”
When his father did not reply, Darcy continued on.
“For all of your patronage, you have not raised Wickham high enough for them. He is the son of a steward, without fortune, without family, without property, or anything that might allow him to support a wife. Even if you gave him an estate and raised him to the station of a proper gentleman, he would only bankrupt it, and you know this, which is why you have never done it. We have enough holdings to spare a small property for him, if you chose. If he deserved it, I would never object. But he is undeserving, and everyone knows it.”
“Wickham is my godson. Bennet’s daughters–”
“I beg your pardon, Father. It is not for you to decide he is good enough to land a Bennet daughter with child and then abandon her to ruin once he convinces you that she is a seductress who entertains many men. Your affection for him does not change the fact that they are too good for him, that any lady is too good for him, and that his attention to such young girls is wholly inappropriate.” Darcy was firm.
Ever since leaving university, he had steadfastly refused to entertain the fairy-tale picture his father clung to in regards to his godson.
Mr Darcy was sad. “I wish you could only–”
“Perhaps we should no longer speak of Wickham, it will only cause disagreement, which will grieve us both.” Darcy looked out the window, wishing that his words were not true.
The men rode in silence for a few minutes before his father spoke again.
“She will be the making of you, that girl.”
Darcy smiled at the return of conversation to the subject of Elizabeth. “I am happy that you do not dislike her for her lack of fortune or connections.”
“Nonsense. We have more connections than we need, and you can provide her with a better pension than her dowry allows with the funds we earned from that investment I made with Gardiner. She will improve you in ways that you never imagined possible,” Mr Darcy insisted.
“I hope so,” Darcy replied agreeably.
“You will tell me if there is anything I may do to help you along,” His father offered.
Darcy was thoughtful. “I think this is something I must accomplish for myself.”
“Of course, dear boy. I have every faith in you.”
Mrs Younge was nowhere to be found when they returned to Darcy Cottage.
“It is hardly any surprise, when Prissy insists that Georgiana has no need of her when she is in our company.” Darcy Senior was quick to excuse the companion’s absence. “One would think that she did not like her at all.”
“Prissy does not appreciate Mrs Younge,” Darcy confirmed.
“I suppose it is only natural, Prissy is reaching her majority soon,” Mr Darcy mused.
“That has nothing to do with it. Priscilla knows precisely how vulnerable Georgiana is, and how much she requires guidance and protection,” Darcy replied.
“She will not tolerate Mrs Younge’s company because Mrs Younge expects Georgiana to endlessly capitulate to her preferences.
She does not wish to take in the sights.
She takes no pleasure in sea-bathing, strolling the promenade, or visiting the shops.
She dislikes the Bennets, and she has no wish to encourage Georgiana to make friends.
I do not know why she wished to become Georgiana’s companion, but it was not out of affection for my sister.
She has become a millstone about Georgie’s neck. ”
“Why have you or Georgiana not spoken to me about these concerns?” Darcy Senior asked, looking troubled.
“Because the only person Mrs Younge does seem to have affection for is Wickham, and so we assume you will defend her, because a friend of Wickham’s is a friend of yours, but Priscilla does not like to leave Georgiana alone with either of them.
” Darcy shook his head. “I will return to the Bennets to collect Georgie and my cousin. I consider it no hardship.”
“Perhaps when we return to Pemberley, we should begin to look for another companion for your sister,” murmured Darcy Senior. “We can give Mrs Younge a severance for her trouble.”
“I will send a letter to Lady Matlock,” Darcy agreed. “Surely her sources can recommend a suitable woman.”