Posted on: 2009-08-25

It was I – Georgiana Darcy – who introduced Wickham to Mrs Younge.

I am not surprised that you all are shocked. I know dear JA-iites, you all have read William's letter to Lizzy and think Mrs Younge knew Wickham before she came to me.

No-oo. You see, I wanted to have some fun. What can a "not but sixteen" year old girl do when she has a stiff and no-fun brother like William? I was scared of him then, always wanted to look good with him around. But I also wanted to have some fun. Don't get me wrong, he loves me and lets me do whatever I want. But I couldn't tell him I wanted some flirtation, some frolic & some little kissing here and there, could I?

Now you see, Wichkam was not as bad as you all think he was. He was not good, no doubt, but I was entirely aware of his wrong doings. I knew how and what he was at University and before then. I knew about his financial dealings with William in exchange for the living – I lived in the same house as William after all.
But even Wickahm would not have planned eloping with me….he was faithful to my father's memory all along. And no way was I going to be taken in by him! I had no plans of eloping of course. That would be an insult to my intelligence. But then…..wait, let me start at the beginning.

So off I went to the sea side as I normally do at that time of the year. I loved the sea and the sand. There is something romantic to be on the seashore. Our lodgings were wonderful, as always. Mrs Younge, was kind and gentle. But I was bored. Here I was sitting on the shore with a picnic basket & no one to share it but Mrs Younge and some sea birds.

I fed the birds, I took a walk, I read, I lay down on the blanket. I got up again and walked about restlessly. No one interesting was around…I was thoroughly bored, just as any fifteen year old, in an "adults-only" company would be.

Suddenly, I spotted a few regimentals walking by the shore.
As they passed me, they touched their hats & would have passed on, until I spotted Wickham.
At the same moment, he recognized me. He turned pale, tried to evade my eyes and walked on until I called out to him,

"George Wickham, Is that you?"

He paused, 2-3 of his friends paused with him.

"Yes, it is me. Forgive me Georgiana. I didn't quite recognize you."

"Yes, I have grown up in the last couple years. How are you George?"

"I am well, madam."

He was about to turn & take leave and again my voice halted him.

"I didn't know you were to visit these parts"

"A few of us from my regiment are here."

His replies were clipped. I could see he was not very happy to see me. But bored that I was, I didn't want him to go.

"Why don't you join me George? Just like old times, picnic by the pond at Pemberley?"

He looked down at the picnic basket. I sensed he was about to deny, when I said,

"Oh come on now. Don't be a fuddy-duddy like William. You were always fun to be with."

That did it! I knew he liked competing with Will on everything. He bid his friends to leave without him; he would join them in an hours time.

That's when I introduced Mrs Younge to him for the first time.

"Wickham is my- our – childhood playmate. All three of us grew up together. And Wickham, this is Mrs Younge. She is a wonderful governess. One of the best I have had".

I flattered & praised both of them. I knew it would help them warm up to each other. And it did. Soon Wichkam & I were talking about pleasant things from the past. Childhood tricks, games and treats we had shared as kids. He had us laughing in no time.

Even until that time, he didn't think of me as anything else but a child…

"Mrs Younge, I believe its growing chilly" said I

"Would you like your shawl? I could go get it right now"

Our lodgings were right up the shore; we could view my window from the place where we were sitting. Mrs Younge, thinking me safe, left to fetch my shawl.

I turned to George,
"Oh George" I batted my eye lashes at him and blushed, "its soo good to see you after so long. I hate family feuds. But all that is behind us. We can be friends".

I saw him start at this and look at me in surprise. I could sense him panicking. It was as if he didn't want any of this, but was too tempted to run away.

I smiled wider and flirted,
"You are such a charmer, you always were. Why, you had even my friends little Lady Isabel and Lucy Elliot ready to kiss you that many years ago"

He finally smiled at that. He had always liked to play with my two friends.
"How are they? I heard that Miss Elliot is coming out next season. But then she was the oldest."

"Her parents have planned a big ball in her honor. I wont attend. I am not out myself"

I made a sad face, it had always worked on George when we were small.

"Not to worry Georgiana. Your ball and your turn will come soon too"

"But will I be able to dance properly? You know how William hates dancing. I had a tutor come to Pemberley for a little while. But without a good partner I cannot dance well".

I could see he was ambivalent at that. I took his arm, looked at him plaintively and said,
"George, promise me you will practice with me. Just like we used to in the Pemberley ballroom"

"But Georgiana, your brother was present on all those occasions. I don't feel it right practicing with you, without his sanction"

"His sanction? Why, I am almost sixteen now. I don't need his permission to dance with a friend…a dear childhood friend like you".

He didn't look convinced. Just then Mrs Younge came back with my shawl. Why did she have to come back so quickly?

George thought it was prudent to leave us & join his friends now.
I bid him bye and then said,
"Remember, you are going to help me practice my dance steps. Why don't you come, join us tomorrow? You are here only for a few days. Surely visiting me a couple hours everyday wont hurt?"

He was thawing…he definitely was. He kissed my hand and said he would gladly be my teacher.
I was glad! Finally I could have some flirtation while learning to dance.

I knew my limits; I also knew how to control him if he were to go out of hand. But I did badly want some fun!

So he came the next day and the next and next. Four days of fun and frolic. Learning to dance, bow, not trip, and hold his hand whenever I wanted to.

"Georgiana", he said to me one day, "I suspect you are flirting with me"

I grinned, "Did you suspect it just today?"

He grinned back, "No my dear. I knew it from day one. But I need to caution you. You should not start flirting and blushing and quizzing every young man you meet. Not everyone has good intentions"

I stared at him, "Do you"?

"You know me my dear. You have witnessed tales of my exploits, have you not? Yet you trust me when you should not?"

"You know your limits George. You know I know them as well. My brother will never let you do anything to me"

"YOU will never let me do anything to you. You are too clever for me Georgiana. If I hadn't known that I wouldn't have come! I know what you are trying to do. I am letting you have all this fun just once! If your brother were here, he would kick me out of this place"

I blushed, he had known I was leading him on all along. Yet he let me.
"Why are you letting me have my way?"

"Your starchy brother would never let you have this kind of fun! And so I took it upon myself to give you your experience – flirting, quizzing, holding hands and nothing more. But please, I entreat you, please don't try it on anyone else. Is that understood?"

"Yes" said I meekly. It was like talking to an older brother – one who was not starchy.

We continued into the afternoon. George was twirling me around, when we suddenly heard a big bang outside and my brothers voice,

"Mrs Younge! How could you let my sister spend time with that rouge?"

William threw open the door and came in. My hands were still in George's hands. One look at that & Will burst into a tirade,

"What is it you are doing? You #&^%@"

George replied, "Calm down William. I am only teaching little Georgiana how to dance. I am not planning to elope with her"

Will heard the last comment and hit the roof. He lunged towards George and hit him.
I intervened.
"Will, stop. Its not George's fault. He didn't do anything. I wanted…"

"STAY OUT OF THIS GEORGIANA. Go to your room"

"But…"

"DID YOU HEAR ME?"

I looked at George. He winked at me.
"Our fun time is over, my dear. Better listen to big brother here. I can fend off for myself".

William saw the wink, suspected the worse & immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. It was so like George to bait him with that wink & by addressing me with "my dear".

William physically pushed me out of the room & ordered me to go upstairs. One last look at George, I mumbled, "Sorry – but please tell my brother everything"

"I couldn't possibly do that!" said he.

The door shut in my face after that.

When I came down the next day Mrs Younge was gone as well. I felt really bad for her. I went up to William and tried to explain her innocence and my part in the affair. He didn't really believe me. He suspected I was protecting George & Mrs Younge.

I sent Mrs Younge whole of my monthly allowance thru another maid. She got back a thanks for me, but Mrs Younge, I heard, was still blaming herself for believing me. What she did after she left us is not known to me.

I didn't see George after that at all. But when I do see him, I am going to yell at him for letting Will believe the worst. I am sure George must have tried to explain without getting any help from Will. Perhaps we will have a quick laugh over everything…& end matters there.

Many many months after the above, to my surprise and dismay I heard about Wickham and Lydia Bennet. To be sure she doesn't have my intelligence, but still, at that age to try to elope with someone who has no money?
Poor Elizabeth. He will try to milk their family. He is that cunning, he is malicious, he is everything she believes him to be. But…but…the fact remains that, he did not try to elope with me.

There I have laid down the entire tale. I do hope William reads it completely some day. He has never allowed me to complete my explanation!