William nodded and walked to the stables to saddle his horse. He was relieved to have all of his former friend’s indiscretions in the open with his father. He did not want his parents and his sister to be exposed to such a villain and wondered if Wickham would leave willingly or if he would cause trouble.
Chapter 4
“Ahoy, up there! Who are you? Are you Georgiana’s friend?” Wickham asked from the ground. “You are up quite high in the tree, little girl, and you best come down so you do not fall. I will help you.”
“I don’t need any help,” Lizzy replied as she began to climb down. “I am Georgie’s friend and my name is Lizzy. Who are you?”
Wickham smiled at the charming girl, “I am George Wickham, a great friend to Fitzwilliam Darcy and a favourite of Mr. Darcy. I have grown up at Pemberley all of my life and climbed this very tree myself. I attend Cambridge and will become an important man someday.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Lizzy responded cheerfully. “I haven’t met any of Will’s friends and I haven’t heard of your name before. You must have enjoyed growing up here. It’s so beautiful and I never wish to leave.”
“It is the best place in the world, Lizzy. Where are you from? How did you meet the Darcys?” Wickham asked. He wondered if the little girl was from a wealthy family, as her dress was dirtied from the tree but was of the highest quality and she appeared genteel.
Lizzy smiled, “I’m from Hertfordshire. My house is closest to Netherfield where the Darcys reside only three miles away and although I only travelled to London before meeting Mr. Darcy, I’ve been to Kent and now Derbyshire. I miss my family but I wish they were here with me because I love Pemberley so much.”
Wickham quirked his eyebrow, “Do you have any elder sisters? You are quite pretty. You are small but I would venture to guess you are closer to eleven or twelve?”
“I am twelve! How did you know?” Lizzy beamed. “I have an elder sister and she is the most beautiful girl in the world but papa says I’m biased because I love her so much. I know she’ll have a slew of suitors because she is very pretty. Georgie is also pretty but I think Mrs. Anne is the prettiest of them all. I hope that even with our small dow...” She turned her head when she heard a shout.
“LIZZY! Come here right now!” William yelled from a distance atop his horse.
Lizzy’s eyebrows rose with her friend’s command. She had never heard a cross word from him before and was surprised to see him shouting as he jumped off his horse.
“Excuse me.” Lizzy quickly left Wickham’s side and ran to William. “What’s the matter, Will? Is something wrong?” She breathed out in concern.
William did not answer but protectively hid her behind him and eyed Wickham who was approaching their direction. “Father wants you, Wickham. He wishes to speak with you immediately.”
Wickham walked towards them and stopped in front of William. “Certainly. I am at his service.” He peeked behind the tall young man, “It was a pleasure, Lizzy. See you again soon.”
William waited until Wickham was at a far distance and protectively wrapped his arm around Lizzy’s shoulder. “I saw you speaking with him, Lizzy. What did he say to you? What did you say to him?”
Lizzy was still stunned to hear William’s coarse tone and answered carefully, “He said he grew up here and was a great friend to you and a favourite of your papa. He said he’ll be an important man someday after Cambridge.”
William shook his head, “That is all untrue, except for the growing up here part. What did you say to him?”
“I told him about Hertfordshire and that I was twelve and had a very pretty elder sister.” Lizzy answered. “What does that have to do with anything? Why are you in such a foul mood? He seemed pleasant and is very handsome. I wouldn’t have minded making his acquaintance longer had you not sent him away.”
“Lizzy,” William chastised her, “you do not know many people and I tell you that he is not one you wish to befriend. He may have the appearance of goodness but he is rotten inside and father will be banishing him from Pemberley.”
“What?!” Lizzy exclaimed, “What has he done? I can’t believe Mr. Darcy would be harsh as to banish anyone so it must be a considerable offense.”
William calmed and breathed out, “I will not go into details but he is a liar and a gambler. He deceives even those closest to him and will hurt anyone in his path. He is... he is a scoundrel and a womaniser. Do not think him a friend, Lizzy.”
“Oh no!” Lizzy shouted. “I told him that my sister was beautiful and that we were a close neighbour from Netherfield. Do you think he’ll harm my sister? My Jane?”
“No, Lizzy. He has no connections with you and he only cares about money.” William hugged his friend to comfort her. “Your father will protect Jane and she is far too young to tempt him. If you would like, I can write to your father to inform him in case Wickham shows his face in Hertfordshire.”
Lizzy nodded in agreement. “I think it’s a good idea, Will. I want my family to be guarded and no one should be left unprotected. I’m sorry, Will. I thought you were upset that I was making a new
