Chapter 11 Courting
The morning after the musicale, Mrs. Younge and Georgiana walked along the promenade on the East Cliff. A light sea breeze stirred the air, and seagulls screeched overhead. The two ladies made their way to the shore for their first experience of sea bathing.
Looking at Mrs. Younge, Georgiana giggled.
“Shall we feel embarrassed to appear in a bathing dress?”
“Not at all, my dear. The bathing machine Smithers hired provides a dark blue wool bathing gown with matching drawers, a bathing cap, and bathing slippers. We shall be dressed with perfect modesty. The dipper is a woman, so you need not fear the attendance of a gentleman. Smithers assured me this bathing master keeps his machines apart from those serving gentlemen and attends exclusively to ladies. No gentleman will come anywhere near us.”
“That relieves my mind, Mrs. Younge. I feared gentlemen might stand about staring at the ladies. I am certain the bathing gown must cling to one's figure after leaving the sea and climbing back into the bathing machine.”
“No. Smithers assured me the excursion would prove most agreeable. He guarantees our safety and privacy in the care of this particular bathing master.”
* * *
The female attendant stood in the sea at the foot of the steps and raised her hand to Georgiana.
“Miss, you may come down now. I shall see that you are quite safe.”
Mrs. Younge said, “Go on, Miss Darcy. You have nothing to fear.”
Georgiana descended the steps into the sea.
The cold water took her breath, and she gasped.
The attendant led her farther out until the water reached her breast. The gentle swell of the waves exhilarated her, and once she had grown accustomed to the temperature, she surrendered herself to the experience.
Mrs. Younge entered the water and stood only a few feet away with her own attendant.
After about twenty minutes, Mrs. Younge said, “Georgiana, we must return to the bathing machine. Your lips have taken on a bluish tinge.”
“So have yours, Mrs. Younge.”
* * *
Georgiana enjoyed the outing so much that they began each morning with a brisk stroll along the East Cliff promenade to the beach, where they spent an hour sea bathing.
They returned to the house for a light luncheon.
In the afternoons, they took walks of discovery, choosing a different street each day.
They found a well-stocked haberdasher's shop and a charming bookseller who also sold music and maintained a circulating library.
They also stopped to enjoy tea and cakes in the open air of the promenade.
* * *
One week after meeting Mr. Wickham at the musicale, they encountered him again in the assembly room of the Albion Hotel. Georgiana stood near the edge of the room, looking about her with self-consciousness.
“Mrs. Younge, I do not feel entirely comfortable. Fitzwilliam would not approve of my attending a dance, even in so modest a place as Ramsgate. I have not yet come out.”
“Never mind, Georgiana. Your brother charged me with helping you become more at ease in society. You know, my dear, that you are unusually reserved in company. Mixing in this little community will help you acquire confidence before moving among members of the ton. Look around you. Most of the company is forty years of age or older. There are very few young gentlemen. I very much doubt you shall ever meet any of these people when your aunt brings you out in London.”
Georgiana looked unconvinced, but she offered no further objection.
Just then, Mr. Wickham approached.
“Miss Darcy, may I have the honor of the first set?”
She glowed with pleasure. “I should be pleased to stand up with you, sir.”
When he stepped aside to speak with Mrs. Younge, the master of ceremonies approached.
“Madam, may I introduce these two gentlemen to Miss Darcy?”
Mrs. Younge agreed.
Georgiana danced throughout the evening with gentlemen ranging in age from fourteen to forty.
Mr. Wickham claimed her dinner set. He escorted the two ladies to supper and entertained them with amusing stories from his days at Cambridge.
When the evening drew to a close, he escorted them to their villa before taking his leave.
As Mr. Smithers accepted their cloaks and bonnets, Mrs. Younge asked, “Would you care for some tea, my dear?”
“Yes, please. I could not possibly sleep now. I wish to tell you about all my partners.”
The two ladies settled before the fire in the drawing room, and Georgiana spoke of each gentleman with whom she had danced, though her conversation frequently returned to one young man in particular, Mr. Sinclair.
He was twenty years old, and they had discovered many shared interests, all of which Georgiana happily recounted to Mrs. Younge.
After retiring for the night, Mrs. Younge wrote a brief note to Mr. Wickham.
G.
Miss D danced twice with a Mr. S and has become quite taken with him. He is nearer her own age and of a similar background. She spoke of him for nearly half an hour. You may wish to make a greater effort. If you intend to court her, you had best think of interesting ways to occupy her attention.
Mrs. Y
* * *
A week later, Mrs. Younge and Georgiana returned from their morning sea bathing when they encountered Mr. Wickham. He joined them as they made their way home.
“Miss Darcy, today is a fine day for an excursion to the chalk cliffs. Have you visited them?”
“No, sir. I do not know of what you speak.”
“Then I foresee that you shall delight in a drive by barouche to Botany Bay. The chalk cliffs are magnificent, particularly on a day such as this, with clear blue skies and bright sunshine. They rank among the greatest natural curiosities in Kent. The sea has hollowed caverns beneath the cliffs, and at low tide, one may walk almost to their mouths. In the afternoon sun, the chalk gleams so brightly that one might mistake it for marble. Curious fossils may often be found among the fallen chalk.”
Georgiana laughed.
“Sir, you need say no more. I am persuaded that I should enjoy an excursion in an open carriage to see the chalk cliffs.”
She looked to her companion. “May we go, Mrs. Younge?”
“Certainly. I, too, believe we would be very foolish to refuse such an invitation.”
Mr. Wickham drew out his pocket watch.
“Shall I call for you at two o'clock? That will allow you time for a light luncheon before dressing for the drive.”
The two ladies agreed. Mr. Wickham left them at their door and went in search of a barouche to hire for the afternoon.
* * *
The drive to Botany Bay measured but four and a half miles, and Mr. Wickham kept the two ladies entertained throughout the journey.
When they reached the cliffs, they strolled along the summit.
“It appears I can see all the way to Deal from here,” Georgiana said.
Wickham said, “I imagine it is possible, Miss Darcy, on a clear day. The mist upon the horizon obscures our view a little, but we have been favored with fine weather today.”
He looked at her expectantly. “Would you care to drive down to the beach? Perhaps we shall find fossilized sea urchins or shells among the chalk. There are caves as well. I have heard extraordinary tales of smugglers using them.”
Both ladies welcomed the suggestion, and Mr. Wickham drove them to the beach.
The three wandered along the shore until Wickham pointed to a large chalk boulder.
“Miss Darcy, fortune smiles upon you. Let us examine that boulder and see whether it conceals a fossil shell.”
Georgiana picked up a sharp stone and worked at an irregularity in the chalk. She chipped away around the protrusion until a small heart-shaped fossil came free.
She carried it to Mrs. Younge. “Look what I have found!”
A tiny fossil sea urchin, shaped like a heart, rested upon her palm. Mrs. Younge shared her delight.
They continued their search, examining every chalk boulder and fragment along the beach. By the end of the afternoon, the three had collected five fossil sea urchins.
Mr. Wickham placed his own discoveries in Georgiana's hand.
“Miss Darcy, I believe you value these little treasures far more than I do. Pray keep mine as well, that they may remind you of this happy day.”