Page 56

“I have all his papers, and there are several I should return to you, or I can burn them myself, if you prefer,” he said quietly, looking between Peter and his wife.

He could see the strong bond between the couple; they exchanged a long look that communicated without words, and Mrs. Davenport unconsciously rested her free hand on his arm.

Suddenly Peter Davenport’s face burst into a great grin and he laughed aloud.

“I should like to have them back, actually. For all the trouble they caused, they still hold the first hints I had from Abby that my affection might be returned. They gave me hope that I would not have to live my life out in some miserably cold marriage of convenience.”

He turned back to Darcy and Elizabeth and, seeing the affection between them, felt comfortable explaining, “I fell in love with Abby when I was home between terms, but I couldn’t be certain if she was only being civil to me because she felt it was necessary to keep her position or if she had been as deeply touched as I was.

“When I was back at Cambridge, Lilly fell ill and couldn’t write, so I directed my inquiries to Miss Best and she very kindly answered them.

” Peter’s boyish grin earned an answering smile from the lady.

“My parents and John were away, as usual, so it seemed perfectly reasonable that I might write to the governess about my dear sister’s health and education.

How soon our purpose turned to knowing each other better, I will not say. ”

Mr. and Mrs. Davenport gazed happily at each other until Lilly huffed and rolled her eyes melodramatically. “And such sighs and dreamy silences I was forced to endure! I shall forever blame my poor grasp of Italian grammar on you, Brother!”

Peter grinned again and gathered his younger sister to him with his free arm.

Standing between his two most beloved women, it was clear that young Mr. Davenport was perfectly content, title or not.

“Somehow Wickham got his hands on a few of the letters and threatened to go to my father if I wouldn’t pay him.

When I refused to give him so much as a brass farthing, he followed through on his threat. ”

When Darcy and Elizabeth expressed their disgust over Wickham’s schemes, Peter shrugged philosophically.

“I was preparing to tell Papa soon, anyway.

I had already asked Miss Best to marry me, and even I was not na?ve enough to believe he would ever approve.

In truth, it was rather like having a bandage ripped off; better done quickly, if you know what I mean.

“We tried to talk to him together, but he wouldn’t listen. When he ordered Abby out of the house and began casting aspersions on her character, I hired a coach and we drove straight through the night to Scotland.”

“And then we were married.” Abigail’s normally serious mien lifted for just an instant and showed her happiness and devotion to her husband.

Darcy smiled and unconsciously held Elizabeth’s hand to his arm more tightly. “What of your family? Did you have any relatives that could help you?”

Mrs. Davenport shook her head sadly. “My parents and brother all died in an influenza epidemic. My uncle took me in, but they have a large family and very little money. I was fortunate to get an education from our parish school and then my godmother helped me find a position as a governess.” She glanced at the brother and sister beside her with a flicker of embarrassment.

“I never dreamed that I would not spend my life in a succession of such positions.”

Squeezing his wife’s hand and knowing from her misty look that she would not wish to continue, Peter spoke up. “My dear sister, against my counsel, might I add… continued to write to her old governess in secret until she turned twenty-one and was no longer under our father’s power.”

“He wished me to marry Lord Westinghouse and would have forced me to do so had I remained under his roof,” said Miss Davenport quietly but with absolute conviction that she had acted correctly.

“On my twenty-first birthday, I came to live with my brother and new sister. It was the best decision I have ever made.”

Peter looked at his younger sister with great affection. “And we love you just as dearly and hope you will continue to make your home with us for as long as you desire, Lilliput. Even if your Italian is shockingly deficient.”

While the group laughed, Darcy was thinking quickly.

Elizabeth was obviously happy in the Davenports’ company, and he was rapidly realizing that they were just the sort of people that he himself enjoyed having as friends, regardless of Society’s strictures.

“Mrs. Davenport, I wonder if you and your husband and sister might do me the honor of dining at my home next Monday evening. The Gardiners and Mr. Bennet shall be there with Elizabeth and her sister, as well as a few of my own family. There is one other you know—Viscount Hampden?”

Peter broke into a great smile even as his wife’s eyes shone with pleasure over the invitation. “Trevor! I haven’t seen him in months—not since his mother fell ill and he left to attend her in Bath. Is he back in London? Not bad news, I hope?”

Darcy rapidly assimilated the implication that Michael Trevor had kept in touch with their old university friend, ostracized or not.

Putting aside the guilt he felt for the moment, Will assured them that Lady Hampden’s health had improved significantly, allowing her son to visit London in order to take care of business and socialize a little.

Catching sight of her own family emerging from the Bingley house and the Gardiners’ carriage pulling out of the mews, Elizabeth realized that she would soon need to depart. The Davenports happily accepted Darcy’s invitation and then accompanied them to exchange greetings with the Gardiners.

The group dispersed on a happy note, all looking forward to the gathering at Derwent House in a few days.

Just before she climbed into the carriage, Elizabeth squeezed Fitzwilliam’s hand and said softly, “Thank you for inviting them. I met Abby and Lilly though the Gardiners; my aunt especially tries to assist the Bedford School in any way she can and Jane and I help when we are in London. The Davenports are happy, but I believe that they lost a great deal of their faith in humanity when so many of their former friends turned their backs after their marriage. There are some who will not even nod to them on the street.”

Darcy nodded soberly. “I’m ashamed I didn’t do more to help years ago. They are good people and I shall be glad to call them friends, if they can forgive me.”

His fiancée’s approving smile assured him that he had done the right thing and they parted, both thinking bright thoughts of a future together with such good friends.

Much later, Lizzy and Jane snuggled together in the latter’s bed, sharing their impressions of the day.

Miss Bennet was pleased that the misunderstanding had been cleared between Mr. Darcy and the Davenports and was glad that such good people would be made welcome.

Her thoughts turned to Lieutenant Wickham and she suggested, “Perhaps, once he is introduced to a society where none of his past is known, Mr. Wickham shall find it easier to tread a path of righteousness; I shall pray for him.” Jane still had difficulty believing that any man’s soul was beyond redemption.

Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing at her sister’s naivety and forbore from pointing out that Wickham would be arriving on a prison ship, making it difficult if not impossible to hide his criminal past. “Believe that if it brings you peace, Jane. For myself, I shall pray that none of us ever have reason to visit Australia.”

Observing the confused look on Jane’s face, she smiled sardonically.

“Once introduced to a society where none of his past is known… I rather fear what tales Mr. Wickham shall spin about our characters, especially as he will have little fear of meeting anyone who might know the truth of his former life.”

Nearly two centuries later, a composition paper on the topic of “my favorite ancestor” was submitted to Mrs. Drinnon by one of her Year 10 students at the Sydney Grammar School in New South Wales, Australia.

Steve Wickham

10 September 2014

500 word writing assignment

My Favorite Ancestor

My favorite ancestor is my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Mr. George Wickham.

Mr. George Wickham was born in 1785 in England.

He was the younger son of a lord whose sheep ranch covered most of north England.

Mr. George Wickham was very smart and won many prizes at school.

He was also very patriotic so when he finished school he joined the army.

My grandfather has the gun that Mr. George Wickham used to fight Napoleon and keep the French from invading England.

My ancestor was very, very brave and received lots of medals from the King of England.

When Mr. George Wickham went home he was very sad because his father had died while he was away at war and his older brother had taken all his money and married his favorite girl.

Mr. George Wickham’s brother was jealous of him because their father loved him better.

Though he would have won, my ancestor did not fight his evil brother because it would give the family a bad reputation.

Instead, Mr. George Wickham came to Australia.

He was very excited because our country was a Land of Opportunity and there were no evil brothers to steal his money.

Unfortunately his boat was captured by pirates and he lost all his clothes and things.

Then the pirate captain found out that Mr. George Wickham was educated, not like everyone else who could not even read or write.

The pirate captain treated my ancestor very well after that and had him teach him his numbers and letters.

When the boat got to Port Jackson the pirate captain gave Mr. George Wickham some money and some clothes.

My ancestor married Miss Sally Hamilton in 1820.

She was an American whose father brought her to Australia to look for gold but died.

My Great Aunt Mary McDermott says that her Grandmother Wickham told her that Mr. George Wickham and Miss Sally Hamilton were both pretending to be filthy rich and didn’t find out that they were both broke until after the wedding.

My mother says that is rubbish and they married for love and to have children, just like the preacher says.

My ancestor became a very important man in Sydney. Lots of people invested their money with him and he owned many saloons. My Great Aunt Mary McDermott says that they were brothels and gambling dens but my mother says that is rubbish and the girls were there to serve drinks not fool around.

Mr. George Wickham’s older brother realized how evil he had been and begged him to come back to England and save the family ranch but my ancestor loved Australia too much to leave.

My ancestor died in 1831. He was set on by a gang of criminals who thought he owed them money.

They would not listen when he explained that it was not his fault but his evil brother who had gambled away the money so my ancestor had nothing.

His son was Mr. John Wickham who was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.