Page 14 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“I do. It is in my portmanteau. I shall fetch it for you once your mother has finished tending my arm.”

“This is very thoughtful of you, George. I have been unable to secure a position. I have no references.”

Wickham chuckled.

“That difficulty is easily overcome. Between us, we can write two references using the names of officers in the Derbyshire militia. The names will be familiar to the Darcys, and for that reason, they may not trouble themselves to verify them.”

The two discussed the position for another hour before reaching an agreement. Miss Younge would apply under the name Mrs. Younge and add a few years to her age, for she was only three and twenty, and George expected Darcy would hesitate to employ so young a woman. He studied his friend. She did not appear to be three and twenty; she looked nearer thirty.

Once she had secured the position, he intended to ingratiate himself with her young charge. If Clarissa could contrive a holiday at Ramsgate, he might have an opportunity to seduce the girl. No young lady had ever proved proof against his charms when he had set his mind upon winning her.

George Wickham studied his friend's face.

Clarissa Younge raised her eyes.

“What is it, George? Why do you look at me so?”

“How am I looking at you?”

“As though you were measuring an opponent.”

He laughed. “I am doing exactly that, my dear. Are you prepared to make your fortune?”

She raised her brows. “What do you have in mind?”

“Miss Darcy has a dowry of forty thousand pounds. If you and I work together, it can be ours. We could sail to the American colonies or Canada and begin a new life together.”

She studied the man she had come to admire. Could he be trusted? Would she help him only to discover she had been cheated in the end? Her gaze swept the room. What had she to lose?

“I will work with you. What is your plan?”

Chapter 7: Uncertainty

“Uncle Edward!”

Jane fell upon her uncle’s neck, weeping. He embraced her before looking to Elizabeth.

“Lizzy, I received your express and met with three separate investigators. They all told me the same thing. It is impossible to trace a child sold into prostitution. Since Lydia is a gentlewoman, young and beautiful, she will most likely become the mistress of a wealthy gentleman. She will be kept in a private residence. Your sister is as surely lost to us as if she had died. I fear we shall never see her again.”

The three sisters stood in silence as he spoke of Lydia's fate.

“I should like to see my sister. Where is she laid?” Gardiner asked.

“Mamma is laid out in her bedchambers, sir,” Jane replied. “I will take you to her, Uncle Edward.”

Mr. Gardiner looked about the room and asked, “Where is Kitty?”

Jane answered, “She has taken to her bed, Uncle. She has taken the losses in our family very hard.”

“Does she know what became of Lydia?”

The three sisters looked at one another before Elizabeth replied, “I do not believe so, sir. She has remained shut away in her room. She does not yet know Lydia's fate.”

Mr. Gardiner's brow furrowed.

“I think it best that she not be told. She is very like my sister. Neither are known for their discretion. I do not believe we should entrust her with a secret that could bring ruin upon all of you. Do you all agree?”

Jane glanced at her sisters before answering, “Yes, sir.”