Chapter 15 Deceived
Georgiana chose a lovely ice-blue silk for her wedding gown. She had intended to wear it to the grand Subscription Ball at Bear's Albion Hotel at the end of August. Mrs. Younge agreed that the gown ought to grace her wedding day instead.
“You should wear it for your marriage to Mr. Wickham. It will commemorate your love for him. You shall always remember this day, and to know you looked your prettiest in this lovely blue silk, adorned with the pearls your mother left you, will become a cherished memory.”
As Jenny finished arranging her mistress's hair, the housekeeper tapped upon the door to announce Mr. Wickham's arrival.
Georgiana looked to her companion. “Mrs. Younge, will you go down and entertain Mr. Wickham while I finish here?”
Mrs. Younge looked her over. “My dear, you are already dressed. Come down with me. Let us not keep your bridegroom waiting.”
Georgiana's face brightened. “I shall only be a moment.” Then she said to her maid, “Jenny, help me decide which fragrance I should wear for my bridegroom.”
Mrs. Younge inclined her head. “Very well, my dear. I shall go down, but make haste. We must not keep the rector waiting.”
The companion left the room and closed the door behind her.
Georgiana touched fragrance to her wrists and behind her ears with a glass vial. Then she opened a drawer in her dressing table and withdrew a letter.
“Jenny, after we drive out, please go to the post office and mail this letter to my brother.” She smiled.
“It announces my marriage to Mr. Wickham. I had hoped my brother would witness the happiest day of my life, but it was not to be. This proves the next best thing. He shall become the first to learn of my happiness, and he shall hear it from me.”
The maid accepted the letter and curtsied. “Yes, ma'am. I shall tidy your room and then go on my way.”
“Jenny, do not mention my letter to anyone. For some reason I cannot understand, neither Mr. Wickham nor Mrs. Younge wished me to write to Fitzwilliam about our marriage. I do not wish to distress them or make my husband believe I distrust him or prove a disobedient wife.”
“Very well, miss. I shall not speak of it to anyone.”
Georgiana bent near and kissed Jenny's cheek.
The girl flushed.
“I know I ought not show affection to my maid, but Jenny, next to Fitzwilliam and Richard, you have been my closest friend. When Papa died, I lost so much. I only wish to thank you for all you have done for me.”
Georgiana straightened and accepted the shawl her maid held out.
“Wish me well, Jenny. I shall return soon as a married woman.”
* * *
August 24, 1811
Mr. Wickham handed Georgiana and Mrs. Younge into the elegant carriage he had hired.
“Where shall we be married, Mr. Wickham?”
He looked down at Georgiana. “I have found a lovely chapel in a village but three miles from here. The village is charming, and the chapel is perfectly suited to our wedding.”
Georgiana listened until he finished. “It sounds exactly the thing, Mr. Wickham. You were very thoughtful to find such a place for us to marry.”
She settled against the squabs and looked out the window.
Wickham cast a look of concern toward Mrs. Younge.
“Georgiana, you look very solemn, dear. Are you quite well?”
The girl looked to her companion and forced a smile. “I am quite well, Mrs. Younge. I only miss my brother. Having him here with me would have made everything perfect.”
“We shall remain here in Ramsgate a little longer while Mr. Wickham arranges our travel plans. Then we shall join your brother in London. You will tell him all about your lovely wedding gown, the medieval church where you were married, and the charming husband you have been so fortunate to wed. You will have so much to tell him.”
Georgiana brightened. “Yes, I shall tell him everything, and about the wonderful weeks we have spent together in Ramsgate.”
She looked to her bridegroom. “Thank you for taking the time to find such a special church for our wedding ceremony.”
When they arrived, Wickham handed both ladies down from the carriage and escorted them into the chapel. The clergyman, dressed in his robes, awaited them at the far end of the nave. They approached him, and the marriage service was read from the Book of Common Prayer.
When the time came, Mr. Wickham withdrew the ring from his inner coat pocket, placed it upon her finger, and recited his vows.
Afterward, Wickham escorted her from the church into the bright sunshine. Mrs. Younge embraced her and kissed her cheek.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Wickham.”
She looked to her friend. “I congratulate you, Mr. Wickham. I have arranged for Cook to prepare a wedding breakfast for you. Let us return and celebrate.”
When they had finished eating, George Wickham asked, “Ladies, would you care to take a walk? It is a fine day. Shall we stroll to the seaside and bury our toes in the sand?”
Mrs. Younge added, “We can take a basket with us. I imagine we shall find seashells along the shore.”
They changed their gowns and then walked down to the seaside.
Georgiana wandered near the lapping water, pausing whenever a pale shell caught the sunlight. Before long, she had gathered several cockles, a whelk, and a mussel shell whose dark surface gleamed with shades of blue and violet.
The three walked in unusual silence, but the outing proved pleasant. After an hour, George said, “Perhaps we should return. I believe we have walked a mile, and if we go much farther, we may become too tired for the walk back.”
Both ladies agreed, and they set off toward the town.
“May I carry your basket for you, Mrs. Wickham?”
Georgiana flushed and held it out to him. “Thank you, sir.”
“My dear, you look grieved. Do you miss your brother so very much?”
She lifted her eyes to his. “I do. I am very sorry he could not be here with me today. But do not concern yourself, sir. I shall recover my spirits once we return to London and I am with him again.”
Mr. Wickham said, “What you need is a diversion.”
“There is a comedy playing at the Theatre Royal in Margate this evening. It is called She Stoops to Conquer and has enjoyed great success. I am told it is lighthearted and romantic, perfect for our first evening as husband and wife.”
Georgiana's face brightened. “I should like that above all things.” She looked to Mrs. Younge. “Which gown shall I wear? I have never attended a play.”
Mrs. Younge glanced toward Wickham. He lifted his brows in approval.
“I shall have Cook serve dinner at five o'clock so we may dine and still have ample time to travel to Margate before the performance begins.”
Then she looked to Georgiana. “Have Jenny prepare your bath as soon as we reach the house, so you shall have sufficient time to dress for the evening.”
Georgiana's eyes shone with anticipation of the play.
* * *
Wickham and Mrs. Younge sat together in the drawing room, awaiting the announcement of dinner. Georgiana had not come downstairs.
“George, attending the theater was a masterful decision. However, you must think about your first night with Georgiana. Bear in mind she is but fifteen, little more than a child. If you are too forward with her, you will frighten her, and she may flee from you. You must treat her with care and not press her too far.”
George listened with interest. “Clarissa, it has been nearly fifteen years since I was last with an innocent. I may very well frighten her. Had you not spoken of this, I might have ruined our entire scheme on the very first night. Perhaps we can persuade her to drink a little wine to help her relax.”
Mrs. Younge considered the suggestion. “I shall ask Smithers to bring champagne once we return. We shall drink a toast to the newlyweds.”
* * *
Above stairs, Georgiana sat at the dressing table while Jenny dressed her hair.
“Did you post my letter to Fitzwilliam, Jenny?”
The servant's face tightened. “Oh, mistress, I forgot. I did your laundry, and it slipped my mind. I shall take it to the post office first thing in the morning, unless you wish me to give it to Smithers.”
“No, Jenny. I do not wish either Mr. Wickham or Mrs. Younge to learn of it. You may post it in the morning. That will do well enough.”
* * *
On the drive to the theater, Georgiana could scarcely contain her excitement. She asked about the theater itself, the people they might see, whether her evening gown suited the occasion, and a host of other questions.
Mr. Wickham listened before saying, “During the intermission, I shall take you, ladies, out for refreshments. Cakes, fruit, and sweetmeats will be served, and they also offer sweet wines. It will prove a delightful way to celebrate our first evening together as husband and wife.”
When they had taken their seats in the theater, Georgiana could scarcely contain her anticipation. Elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen filled the boxes and made their way to their seats. The moment the curtain rose on the first act, the rest of the world disappeared.
At the intermission, Mr. Wickham rose and offered his arm.
“My dear, let us go to the saloon for refreshments.”
Mrs. Younge followed them from the box and down the stairs. Upon reaching the saloon, where refreshments were served, Mr. Wickham found a table for the ladies before leaving to place his order.
He returned a few minutes later, carrying two glasses of wine for the ladies. A server followed with another glass and a bottle of wine. Wickham settled into his chair and sipped his drink.
“Well, my dear girl, what do you think of your first play?”
“Sir, it was better than I imagined. I admire Kate Hardcastle above all. She turns everything upside down where class, courtship, and society are concerned. Thank you for bringing us here, Mr. Wickham. It is the perfect ending to a wonderful day.”
“Drink your wine, my dear. We shall soon return to our box, and refreshments are not permitted in the theater.”
Georgiana did as he asked and finished both her cake and her wine with ample time to resume their seats before the intermission ended.
After the performance, Georgiana laughed in the carriage and spoke with an animation unusual for her.
George grinned at Mrs. Younge. She answered with the slightest inclination of her head.
Georgiana remained unaware of the silent exchange between the two adults. She spoke only of the play, the elegant company in attendance, the refreshments, and the farce. By the time they reached the house, however, the effects of the wine had begun to fade.
When they entered the house, Mrs. Younge said, “Smithers, bring a bottle of champagne to the drawing room.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Smithers served the champagne and handed a glass to each of them.
Mrs. Younge raised her glass. “To the bride and bridegroom. May Mrs. Wickham always find in her husband a faithful protector, and may Mr. Wickham always cherish the treasure he has won.”
They drank to the toast.
Mr. Wickham filled their glasses again before raising his own.
“I can add little to Mrs. Younge's gracious sentiments except to say I count myself richer today than ever before. To my beloved Georgiana. May our life together be filled with laughter, contentment, and every blessing.”
They drank again.
Wickham looked to Georgiana. “It is your turn now, Mrs. Wickham. Will you offer a toast to your husband?”
Georgiana rose, her cheeks flushed.
“I have never offered a toast before, so I hope you will forgive me if I do it poorly. To my dear husband. May I always prove worthy of the kindness and affection he has shown me, and may we enjoy many happy years together.”