P&P Prelude to Pemberley: Georgiana resists Wickham’s persuasion

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on our journey as the Austen Variations authors post the events of 1811 in real time on the date they happened – 214 years in the future.

Georgiana resists persuasion

June 11, 1811

Georgiana did not know what possessed her to open the letter from Darcy, but as she read it, she wished she had not. She had been expecting the usual lectures about correct behavior and the usual accusations about how horrid she had been at school that everyone felt compelled to bring up whenever they wrote.

This letter was nothing like that.

My dear sister,

I hope you are enjoying the healthy sea air, and that your spirits have revived since you have left school. I have been reflecting about it, and, in hindsight, I am largely responsible for everything that happened. You did warn me that you were unhappy, but I did not listen. If I had taken you out of school last year, none of the unfortunate events would have happened. We might have found you another academy which was better suited for you, or, better still, we could have come up with some way for you to live with me, and, with the help of a governess, you would have caught up with your lessons.

It is easy enough to look back in regret and see what went wrong.

The main thing now is that we are on the path to setting things right. You can stay in Ramsgate for as long as you wish, though I would imagine when summer is over the town will empty out and the only people remaining will be the sick and the elderly who use the bathing machines for medicinal purposes. Once you have decided you wish to leave, we can see what we can do about finding you a home in London, and engaging a governess to continue your education, as well as music and dance masters for you. I suspect it would be unlikely at this point – considering the circumstances – that we can find a new school that will take you, though I suppose your uncle Lord Matlock could call in some favors and enroll you .

I know you will resist the very idea of going to any school, which is understandable. My concern is that being alone in a house without other girls around may be too quiet. You will quickly tire of it and long for company.

You could always live with me in Darcy house, but a bachelor’s home is not the best place to be. I lead a quiet life, but I spend many evenings at my club, which is an essential place to be for a gentleman in my position. It is where we hear the latest news, become informed of new political debates that concern us, and form or maintain connections. It is not something I could easily give up. There are also times when I hold dinner parties attended by friends – gentlemen like Bingley and others who can often over-indulge in drink. I do not feel it would be comfortable for you to be there on such occasions, but I suppose we could find way around it, and have you stay with the Fitzwilliams when necessary.

As you can see, there is no easy solution, but we will find a way, between you, me and Cousin Fitz. I promise I will make every endeavor to listen to your wishes and understand better what you need, and I will never again pressure you to do something that causes you discomfort or pain.

Believe me when I say, I want you to be happy, Georgiana. I may not have been the best brother so far, but I intend to try harder.

Your affectionate brother,

William

Note: since I suspect you throw away my letters unread, I would be delighted if you would write back and tell me if you have read this one.

When she finished,  she wanted to cry, which was ridiculous. Just because William was being kind! Some undefinable feeling rose up in her — a yearning to see her brother again, a longing for Pemberley.  A memory of Darcy gently wiping away her tears with his handkerchief when she tripped and fell as she tried to climb a tree.

She missed William.

Then the doorbell rang. It was Wickham, coming to call on her again. What would William say if he knew this was happening?

She pushed away the question, vexed. Oh, why had she read that letter? She scrunched the paper into a ball and threw it into a corner.

***

As usual, they met on the promenade, with George nodding to all his acquaintances, and the sea a gentle music in their ears. Mrs. Younge was strolling just behind them.

Suddenly, George leaned over and whispered in her ear, his breath was tickling her neck.

“Come with me. Let’s run ahead. Mrs. Younge dislikes activity, and she will not be able to catch up with us. Look, we can go behind those trees and hide from her, and she will not know where to find us.

Georgiana ran with him. At first she giggled and thought it a fine joke to be escaping from Mrs. Younge. It made her feel carefree and defiant. She had not ran since she was a child. Running was discouraged at school and running in a public space considered scandalous for young ladies.

It was not long, however, when she started to become too conscious of everyone watching her. People moved away, and ladies pulled their skirts out of her way so she would not brush against them. She was too old to run like this, and could not help feeling that George thought of her as child. She would much rather stroll along the promenade.

“Stop, George!”

“Just a little bit more. We are almost at the trees.”

When they got to the trees, Wickham weaved through the tree trunks into the darker part, away from prying eyes.

“Georgiana, I have something to tell you. I did not want Mrs. Younge to overhear, because she may say you are too young to make a decision, or some nonsense like that.”

He stood in the shade. She could not see his face properly. It made him look mysterious and thrilling.

“Georgiana, I wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed our times together. I will have to go to London soon, but I do not want to part with you. You have made me so happy.”

His words were thrilling. No one had every said anything like that to her before.

Then his statement struck her and she looked at him in alarm. “What are you saying, then? Will you go away, and not come back?”

“Of course not! How can you imagine I could part with you? One day away from you would be torment. But I cannot stay here any longer. I have duties elsewhere. I am at my wit’s end. I do not know what to do.”

“Would you—like me to come with you?”

He was silent for a long time, and she felt horribly embarrassed. What must he think of her? It was such a childish thing to say! She was a young lady now. Young ladies did not suggest going away with young gentlemen.

“It is very sweet of you to suggest it, Georgiana, but I am sure if you thought about it, you would realize it is not very proper.”

“You are right, George. It was a very silly idea, and of course I would never do something like that. It is just that – I would find it hard to part with you, too. I cannot believe you are leaving.”

“We will just have to endure it the best we can.”

“Is there nothing you can do to stay here?”

“Nothing, my dear Georgiana.”

“Is there no way we can be together?”

He was silent again.

“There is one solution – but no, you are too young.”

Her heart began to hammer. Did he mean—was he asking her— did he— want to marry her?

“What is the solution?” she whispered. “Tell me.”

“We could elope together.”

The words were like a splash of cold water. She stepped back in shock, bumping her head against the rough bark of a tree.

“Elope?” She had imagined something — different, more —  romantic. A proposal.

“Why else can we do? You are too young to marry without your brother’s permission. There is no other choice.”

She thought of William’s letter. He had said he wanted her to be happy. He had promised to listen to her wishes.

“I could write to William. I could ask him. I could tell him everything. How much we care about each other—”

“You cannot write to Darcy!. Have you forgotten how disapproving he is? How he considers you nothing but a nuisance? How he sent you away to school so he would not have to deal with you? Do you think he would care about your happiness? I am sure he has plans to marry you to a rich old man to increase his wealth.”

Was it possible? William had never mentioned marriage to her. In his letter, he had talked about governesses and dancing masters. It did not sound like he was planning to marry her off.

“Enough of this!” said George. “I should have known you would not have the courage to go against your brother’s wishes. To stand on your own two feet.”

“Do not say this! I do have the courage. But we can wait to marry until I come of age. Surely if we love each other—”

“You want to wait five years?” He sounded really angry, and Georgiana quailed.

“If we really love each other—”

“This is nonsense,” he said. “Complete nonsense. Look at what you are saying? ‘If we really love each other?’ It is clear you do not. You need not worry. You have made your feelings clear. I will be leaving for London, and you will not see me again.”

He stormed off. A moment later, Mrs. Younge appeared.

“You should not have run off like that, Miss Darcy. I have been looking for you everywhere. I had no idea where you went.” she said. “But tell me, why is Mr. Wickham departing so suddenly? He was in such a rush! He told me he was returning to London immediately. I hope you did not quarrel. He is such a fine gentleman.”

Georgiana burst into tears and ran back to the promenade. She wanted to call after George to tell him to come back, that she did love him, that they would work things out, somehow, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He was so angry. Mrs. Younge had noticed it, too. What if she never saw him again?

She would write him a letter. Mrs. Younge knew his address. She would ask him to come back and they would talk about it all and come to some agreement.

She would do anything rather than lose him.

What do you think of Georgiana here? What about Wickham?

Read all the scenes in Prelude to Pemberley here!