by Webb, Brenda
Wickham sighed in exasperation. “What more would you have me do—assume a disguise worthy of the theatre? Would a wig or a cape satisfy you? I came through the alley, and your butler let me in through the servants’ entrance.”
“Still, it is broad daylight, and I told you never to come until after dark!” Gisela fumed, beginning to pace. “Do you know what will happen if Darcy’s spies see you here? He despises you almost as much as me, maybe more.” She stopped to rail at him. “He has a devious mind, and I know he has me watched and my every move recorded in case he decides to end the marriage.”
“Then why do you insist on displaying yourself as a wanton woman at every function in Town—on the arm of one man or another! You are the talk of the gossip sheets.” He wanted to add that she was rumoured to be in her cups more often than not, but he refrained.
“I shall not sit here alone every evening behind drawn curtains just because my husband does not recognise that I AM his wife! Besides, Darcy can only prove that I was seen in public with my friends. What he cannot prove at this point is that I am entertaining men in my home or in my bed! But since you are of no consequence in society, there would be no way to explain your presence here other than as a lover.”
“You have said that Attenborough comes here and I am sure that he stays as long as needed to accomplish his goals. Does that not reek of entertaining a man in your home?”
“I make it a point that he is seen arriving to escort me to functions and we leave shortly thereafter. The same can be said of when he brings me home.” She smiled deviously. “If he wishes to spend more intimate time with me, he comes in the back gate after dark, just as I asked you to do.”
Wickham shrugged. “Enough talk of that dandy! Has Darcy ceased speaking to you now? You never mention your arguments anymore.”
Gisela moved towards the bank of windows that overlooked the front entrance. “Do not use that term in reference to Howard! He was kind to me when others were too haughty to speak.” Then pulling one heavy drape aside to peer out, she added less harshly, “As for Darcy, he barely spoke to me before, but something has changed in the last few months and I do not know what it may be. I do not care to provoke him though. If he suspects we are up to something—”
“We are up to something,” Wickham smugly replied. Upon seeing his associate’s mien darken however, he became earnest. “Do not worry. I kept my hat low over my brow, my head down and I have the carriage stop right at the back entrance. No one could recognise me, and they cannot see me after I enter the back gate, at any rate. You should worry more about your servants gossiping.”
Gisela huffed, letting the drape fall back into place. “My servants were hired for their discretion. I pay them well to keep their mouths shut.” Motioning to a large package that stood against the drawing room wall, she changed the subject, challenging, “Did you have this package shipped to me? It arrived this morning, and if I had to venture a guess, I would say it was a painting. But why would you purchase…”
Ignoring her prattle, Wickham strode to the item in question while she was yet speaking and began to undo the end of the parcel. When it was completely unwrapped, he stood back to admire the rendering of the sea that he had purchased from Mrs. Younge.
“My word!” Gisela exclaimed. “I have never seen anything uglier in my life! Pray, what did you pay for that?”
“The price was reasonable, and it is not so very bad. In fact, I quite like it!”
“Then it is unfortunate that you do not have a house in which to hang it, as it shall never be displayed in mine!”
“Calm yourself. Can you not see the logic behind the purchase?” Wickham asked, trying to hold his temper. “I had to show my prey some good will, else how was I to gain her trust and, subsequently, access to Georgiana.”
He ran his hand along the elaborate wooden frame. “Purchasing this painting was an inexpensive way to further my goal. Mrs. Younge, who is a widow by the way, is becoming quite fond of me.” Wickham smirked as his eyes travelled up and then down Gisela’s body. “As you are well aware, I have a way with widows.”
Gisela bristled at his braggadocio. “If you are doing so well, why are you here? Would it not have been better to press your case? She may find another suitor whilst you are away.”
“Be assured, that is not a concern. She is not attractive in the least. Besides, this is all part of my strategy! I explained that I had to return to London for business, but I stressed that I was reluctant to leave, letting her assume I had begun to care for her and subsequently would miss her. By the time I return to Ramsgate, she shall be so relieved that I returned that she will let down her guard. As I had no chance to inform you of the shipment, I hurried here as soon as I reached Town. Since it preceded me, I am pleased you accepted delivery, as it would certainly have raised suspicions had you refused as she believes the address I gave her is my own.”
“Seeing that it was from Ramsgate, I assumed that you had sent it. I do hope the woman believes your lies as now, more than ever, I need Georgiana on my side. With her approbation, I would still have a chance of keeping Lady Matlock’s support. That fool Darcy was not civil to me the last time I tried to speak to him—not even to gain my vote in our joint venture. Would you believe that he personally tossed me from his house in broad daylight? I would wager that most of London enjoyed a laugh at my expense before day’s end.”
Wickham had difficulty restraining a laugh, and if Gisela had bothered to look she would not have missed his amused expression.
“Unbelievable! Simply mindboggling that prim and proper Darcy would do such a thing. My how times have changed.”
Not paying him any mind, Gisela continued as though lost in thought. “I fear that may indicate that he is finally considering telling that little mouse about her parentage so that he may seek a divorce.” She quickly recovered to confront Wickham. “You need to carry out your plan as quickly as possible.”
“If Darcy decides to divorce you, he will succeed. With his connections, there is nothing you can do to stop him.”
Unconsciously, Gisela stepped to a large, ornate mirror to study herself, running her fingers lightly over her face and neck as she did every morning when evaluating her beauty. When at last she spoke, it was as much to herself as in answer to Wickham.
“I am Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and for the first time in my life, every woman with breath in her body envies me! I have seen their eyes follow him across a ballroom, devouring him, ready to simper if he deigns to look in their direction. Young or old, married or not, they all desire him! My mother saddled me with that old fool, Grantham, when I was young and beautiful—I should have had Darcy then! I could have made him love me if I were still young!”
Slowly she ran her hands down the dark blue, sateen gown—from breasts to thighs, unaware that Wickham was aroused by watching. “I despise him for his disdain! Nevertheless, he is still so handsome that when I am near him my body responds to his charisma in spite of my wishes!”
Jealous that Darcy’s looks inspired such passion, Wickham wanted to point out that when she married Grantham, the heir of Pemberley would have been too young to marry her. Instead, he settled on irritating her with another truth.
“Your title is irrelevant. Everyone knows your marriage is in name only. He has never lived with you.”
“Not everyone! A new crop of debutants from distant parts of England, Scotland and Wales come to London every year. I love to see their expressions when I inform them that the best looking man in Town is my husband! You should see how their smiles deflate and they turn green with envy. Besides, even if they become aware that we lead separate lives, they understand that legally he is mine. And he suffers! Oh, how he suffers for rejecting me!”
Wickham sniggered. “You love that most of all—torturing him!”
“Indeed I do! And if I can gain Georgiana’s trust by supporting a marriage to you, I may be able to separate her from him. That would be the best revenge! To lose the good opinion of hi
s dear sister would wound him most of all!”
Gisela moved to a nearby liquor cabinet and poured a glass of brandy. She held the bottle aloft, and Wickham shook his head. Though he liked brandy as well as the next man, he was not used to drinking this early in the day. Gisela downed the entire contents of the glass before continuing her speech.
“In addition, it may give me the advantage I need to counter a divorce. Darcy needs the Fitzwilliams’ support, and Eleanor is unyielding when it comes to family harmony and she can sway the earl. She will not let scandal besmirch them if she can prevent it. And if Georgiana is with child, it would be a bigger scandal not to keep the marriage intact!”
“With child?”
“Either before or after the marriage, I care not!”
“Have you considered that Darcy may not need the support of the Earl of Matlock to seek a divorce? He has other men of influence on his side—Lord Landingham, for one.”
“Yes, but if the worst happens, I could retain my social standing if Georgiana accepts me. That would inspire Lady Matlock to continue to acknowledge me. And little Miss Darcy will accept me, if you play your cards right! She will leap at the chance to find someone willing to say that she was not wrong to marry you.”
“Do not fear my progress with Mrs. Younge. I understand women!”
Gisela’s hand came to rest on the emerald chocker encircling her long, lovely neck. Playing with the beads, she mocked Wickham. “You may understand servants, shop girls and whores, but I assure you that you do not understand respectable women!”
Almost choking at Gisela’s use of the word respectable, Wickham focused on the expensive jewels as he pulled her into his arms.
I wonder what price these would fetch on the open market.
She tried to pull away, causing him to grumble, “You were not unwilling to suffer my attention when we were trying to create an heir for Darcy. Why are you being so missish now?”
“That was then. I now have a wealthy admirer who would not appreciate it if he knew that you and I had been lovers. In fact, he would be quite put out if he arrived to find you here, so I suggest you leave.”
“Do you actually have feelings for that arse? I know him well, and he is just as arrogant as Darcy, though not as honourable.”
“He serves the purpose, escorting me to the most fashionable soirées, and I am welcomed when I accompany him. I do think it peculiar, however, that you should refer to Darcy as honourable. I thought you hated the man.”
“I hate the man because he is honourable! Even as a boy he was always so meticulous about carrying out his duty. Deuce take him, he even married you to satisfy his principals!”
Gisela had had enough of Wickham. “You have insulted me quite sufficiently today!” she proclaimed, reaching for the bell pull. “Do not call here again without sending your card first and come after dark.”
As the summoned butler appeared in the doorway, Wickham pasted on a smile and bowed low to Gisela, sweeping his arm in a flourish. “As you wish, madam! And best of luck with your dandy!”
Seething with fresh anger, Gisela heard his chuckles echoing through the halls until he exited the house at last. She was not happy that he had returned to London. Wickham was unpredictable and careless. With him about, there was always the chance that Attenborough would find out about their affair. Huffing, she strode out of the room towards the grand staircase.
Why did he not stay in Ramsgate as we planned? Must he always do the unexpected? Would that I had never met him!
~~~*~~~
Holmes House
The evening before the ball
A bedroom
Elizabeth sat in the comfortably cushioned window-seat of Alfreda’s bedroom, her eyes sweeping the beautifully appointed room. Alfreda had left her alone, dashing to collect something that she wished to share with her, so she took the opportunity to study her surroundings. The blue guest room she occupied was quite lovely, but it did not compare to this one.
Decorated entirely in cream, lavender, fern green and yellow, this room had to be one of the most exquisite of all those she had seen—and she had seen countless on her various tours with the Gardiners. Except for the furniture, all mahogany with gold trim, the colours were as light and inviting as a spring day.
Nevertheless, in spite of the beauty before her, Elizabeth’s thoughts kept returning to an earlier conversation with her aunt over her resistance to accepting Alfreda’s invitation to spend the night because she did not wish to see Lord Wilkens.
“Lizzy, you cannot be serious! The Wilkens will consider it an insult if you do not accept Alfreda’s invitation. Besides, there are more important matters to consider here.”
“For instance?”
I understand from my cousin that the Wilkens will be returning to their estate in Kent in about a week to celebrate their elderly aunt’s birthday. She resides in a nearby estate and is in poor health, but she dotes on Alfreda, and seeing as how Lord Wilkens is her heir, they try to accommodate her whenever possible. I feel sure that you shall be asked to accompany Alfreda to Kent if you accept this invitation.”
“But I do not wish to leave London, Aunt Madeline. Perhaps I shall meet someone I like better than Lord Wilkens if I stay.”
“Nonsense! How likely are you to meet a more eligible man—an earl, for heaven’s sake! And one who is ready to marry and has no impediments? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
“Even if it is a vulture,” Elizabeth said softly to herself.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I shall go.”
“Good! Then it is settled. You shall spend the night before the ball with Alfreda!”
~~~*~~~
“Here we are!” Alfreda exclaimed, holding up a small bag as she reappeared as quickly as she had left. “I am so happy that we are finally alone!”
“I am happy that we are, too.” At least that was no lie! While she was very pleased to find that Mr. Wilkens was nowhere in sight when she arrived, Elizabeth’s relief was short-lived, as he did appear in time for dinner. But now they were entirely on their own once more.
Her hostess unwrapped a new deck of cards. “We can use these to play Piquet 4 and I purchased a new novel—The Absentee—by Maria Edgeworth. 5 Have you had a chance to read it?”
Elizabeth could not hold back a grin at Alfreda’s enthusiasm. “No, but I have heard of it.”
“I had it ordered.” She leaned in to whisper, which raised Elizabeth’s suspicions, as they were entirely alone. “John does not know that I purchased the cards or the book. Please do not say a word to him.” At Elizabeth’s furrowed brow, she continued. “Brother does not approve of anything frivolous.”
“He thinks cards are frivolous?”
“Yes. Other than poker, which he plays at his club, of course. He says it is a gentleman’s game and it relaxes him.”
“And he believes novels are frivolous?”
“He most certainly does! But you recognise that many people do, not just my brother.” She laughed. “But now and again I will purchase one when I stay with Penelope. She hides them for me.”
“Then he must be one of those who is in favour of reading books that improve one’s mind.”
“For men perhaps, but he does not see the need for young ladies to read extensively for any reason. He says that since we are to be wives and mothers, we do not need to educate ourselves beyond that goal. He favours women who occupy themselves by playing the pianoforte, painting screens and embroidering cushions—that sort of thing.”
One brow rose as Elizabeth’s lips formed a straight line. “Do you agree with him?”
Alfreda looked taken aback. “While I may disagree with a few things, he is my brother as well as my protector, and I assume that he only has my best interests at heart.”
“I see. What else does he consider frivolous?”
Alfreda looked as though she was studying the question, and Elizabeth grew more unnerved as seconds passed wi
thout an answer.
“I am sorry. It is none of—”
“Comedies, most poetry, the theatre, fireworks, croquet—in fact, most games, besides billiards and whist, though he only plays cards at his club,” she added as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Let me guess. He approves of billiards and whist because men enjoy them,” Elizabeth added.
Not detecting her vexation, Alfreda nodded and, almost as an afterthought, added enthusiastically, “He does not much favour dancing either, although he will participate in order to please certain ladies.” The latter was said with a knowing smile. “And I am quite sure that the right woman could get him to agree to participate in some other activities—like croquet—if they were clever.”
Elizabeth must have appeared taken aback because Alfreda began to ramble on after seeing her expression. “It is simply that such things do not enrich our minds or our coffers. Practicality is my brother’s middle name!”
The small smile that appeared when she was done speaking did nothing to relieve Elizabeth’s anxiety.
And this is the man I am being persuaded to marry!
Alfreda reached to take her hands. “Oh, Elizabeth, you must understand! My aunt says that John never had a childhood—he was never carefree like other young men.”
“Tell me about him then,” Elizabeth urged, hoping to understand what inspired such sisterly devotion.
Our mother died years ago.” Alfreda’s face took on a glow as she stared into the distance. “She was so very kind and good, everything a mother should be. And she doted on John.” She smiled. “And on me, I confess.
“Father was more distant—always away on business. Whenever he was not meeting with the House of Lords, the local landowners would seek him out for advice. There just never seemed to be enough time for it all.” Her smile faded and she met Elizabeth’s eyes. “I am not being totally truthful. Quite by accident, I learned that even while mother was alive, father had a mistress in Town. And when he was not waxing eloquent to impress his fellow lords, he was with her. We were last on his list of priorities.”
