Page 25 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Georgiana surrendered to the picture he painted.

“Yes, let us marry. We shall see the beauties of Kent and then visit my brother.”

Mrs. Younge entered the drawing room just then, and Georgiana went to her and threw her arms around her.

“Mrs. Younge, you must congratulate me. Mr. Wickham and I are betrothed.”

* * *

After dinner, Mr. Wickham excused himself.

“Miss Darcy, I have many arrangements to make for our wedding. I must find a church and a rector. Let us spend tomorrow night here, and the following day begin our journey. I shall arrange for a chaise and four, and we must pack our belongings.”

Mrs. Younge said, “Is there any reason for such haste, sir? The three of us have been exceedingly comfortable here. Let us allow a few days to plan your wedding journey.”

She addressed Georgiana. “My dear, make a list of the places you wish to visit, and we shall give it to Mr. Wickham. He will need to write to the innkeepers to reserve rooms and arrange for fresh horses. Do you not think that is best?”

“Yes, Mrs. Younge. It would be much more comfortable if those arrangements were made. I am certain that is how my brother arranges matters whenever we travel.”

“Then it is settled.” Mrs. Younge addressed Mr. Wickham. “Sir, make the arrangements for the wedding ceremony to be performed tomorrow at eleven o'clock. The three of us shall spend tomorrow night here. Once everything stands in readiness, we can set out on a leisurely journey to join Mr. Darcy in London.”

Seeing that her charge looked uneasy, she added, “My dear, you need not concern yourself. Mr. Darcy does not expect us. Whether we take three days or two weeks to reach London will make no difference to him. He will not worry over us.”

Georgiana's expression eased. “Of course. You are right. There is no hurry, for Fitzwilliam expects us to remain in Ramsgate for several weeks yet.”

“You may go up to your bedchamber and prepare for bed while I see Mr. Wickham out. I shall look in on you before I retire for the night.”

Georgiana embraced her companion with delight, and Mrs. Younge kissed the girl's cheek.

“Run along now, my dear. I shall be up presently.”

Mrs. Younge stepped outside with Mr. Wickham.

“For a moment, I believed she would insist upon her brother's presence,” Wickham said. “The entire scheme would have come to nothing.”

“I believe the two of us have quieted her conscience and overcome her better judgment. Are you certain Mr. Darcy will hand over her dowry?”

His laugh held a sinister note.

“He certainly will once I am through with her. That suggestion of yours was inspired. I had no notion how we might persuade her to remain in Ramsgate after the wedding. I must ensure she has been thoroughly compromised. Ruined. Better still if she carries my child. Darcy will not dare take her away from me then. She will need a husband. Who better than the father of her child?”

Mrs. Younge frowned. “Who agreed to perform the ceremony? She is underage. I cannot believe any respectable clergyman would consent.”

“Of course, no respectable clergyman would. I found a curate who was dismissed from his living and in desperate want of money. He agreed to perform the ceremony according to the rites in the Book of Common Prayer.” He laughed with satisfaction. “He still has his robes, and he has hired a chapel in a village that is but three miles distant. It will appear a genuine ceremony to the girl. She knows no better. She will surrender herself willingly, believing she is my wife.”

“Did you purchase a ring?”

He grimaced. “I did. Even the plainest ring costs a fortune. I must carefully manage what money I have left.”

“It matters little. You need not hire a chaise and four immediately. We shall remain here for at least one week, perhaps longer. I shall need time to close the house, send Jenny away, and make arrangements for our journey. Then we may travel to my parents' boarding house, where Mr. Darcy will never think to search for you, for he does not know there is any connection between us. From there, you may send him your terms. Once he transfers the money, we shall purchase passage to Canada.”

He laughed. “I wish I might see Darcy's face when he receives my letter. I shall have won a fortune and taken my revenge in the same stroke.”

Clarissa Younge regarded him with curiosity.

“Has he wronged you in some way? You have never spoken of it.”

Wickham's expression darkened.