Page 31 of Elizabeth is not a Bennet

London

6 th January, 1812

Mrs. Stowe,

I visited the offices of Appleton, Rubric, and Tyson two days ago and spoke with Mr. Appleton. He strikes me as a vapid and not a particularly intelligent young man, and thanks to your letter of introduction, he was ready enough to tell me all he knows about Elizabeth Stowe. Regrettably, he does not know of her current abode, but he did inform me where she last stayed when in London, the home of a family friend.

I called upon the man this morning. He is a tradesman, and while he refused to tell me anything, I believe that he knows more. He has a large family and would doubtless appreciate some funds, but regrettably, I do not have much in the way of spare coin at the time. I do not know whether you would care to send me some money in order to encourage the man to remember where Miss Stowe is?

With great respect and affection,

Mr. George Wickham

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Greymere

15 th January, 1812

Mr. Wickham,

I am pleased that you arrived safely in Town and also appreciate your willingness to search for Miss Stowe.

I will confess now that I was not entirely truthful regarding Elizabeth Stowe. She is, in fact, my stepdaughter, and my son, Harold’s, half-sister. It is true, however, that she has been missing for many years. I have never told Harold that she might still be alive. He is, as I said, a most sensitive soul and would be distressed to think that he could have a half-sister somewhere in dire straits.

I have enclosed a draft on my bank for fifty pounds; you may use that money in whatever way you deem fit. Moreover, I believe I can find at least another fifty pounds, perhaps even one hundred, if you learn the actual location of Miss Stowe .

Gratefully,

Moira Stowe

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London

15 th February, 1812

Mrs. Stowe,

It took some time and sixty pounds, but I have discovered the location of Miss Elizabeth Stowe!

Given that it took me substantial time away from my regular duties, and that I spent ten additional pounds searching for your stepdaughter, I hope you will understand that I would like some actual remuneration before I give you her address. I do not think there is any hurry; she is staying in a coastal town and is supposed to be there for some months.

I look forward to additional funds.

Thank you.

Sincerely ,

Mr. George Wickham

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Greymere

25th February, 1812

Mr. Wickham,

I have enclosed a draft for another fifty pounds. I realize that is not a great deal, but I hope it will assist you; a young gentleman as handsome as yourself ought to be able to enjoy the pleasures of life.

I do have a possible opportunity for you to earn a more substantial quantity of money. My stepdaughter, Miss Stowe, is heiress to a small but valuable estate in Scotland. Indeed, it is the estate which my son spoke of the first time you joined us for dinner. He is not the heir, though will be if his half-sister were to have some sort of unfortunate accident. That would, of course, be dreadfully sad, but convenient at the same time.

I will admit that after many years of being alone, I would relish uniting myself formally with a man like yourself, but regrettably, I require the man I marry to bring some money into the marriage. Either that, or my husband to be must do some great service for me .

You are an intelligent man, Mr. Wickham, and I know you will make good choices.

With hope, respect, admiration, and, yes, love,

Mrs. Moira Stowe

/

1st March, 1812

My dear Mrs. Stowe,

You need say no more. I assure you that I would be most honored to earn your approval and, dare I say it, adoration?

I will send you the news when the arrangements have been completed.

Your devoted,

George Wickham

/

21st March, 1812

Mrs. Stowe,

Your problem has been capably dealt with. I will be traveling north in a few weeks.

With much love,

George Wickham

/

Longbourn

21 st March, 1812

Dear Lizzy and Darcy,

You will doubtless be shocked to learn that I hired George Wickham to investigate your stepmother and half-brother. He spent a few weeks in Claybourne, which is a few miles from Greymere, where your relations dwell.

He learned a significant amount at the time, including the fact that your half-brother does not know anything about you. Given that Mrs. Stowe is a mercenary reprobate, that is not any great surprise. You were carried here to Longbourn in significant haste, and if anyone asked about young Miss Elizabeth Stowe, I believe that Mrs. Stowe told everyone that you died of smallpox.

Mr. Wickham is, you must acknowledge, a charming man, and he succeeded in winning Mrs. Stowe’s approval. In fact, Mrs. Stowe was sufficiently impressed that she implored Wickham to murder you in exchange for money, much as she did with Denny.

Unfortunately for your stepmother, Wickham is working for me, not her, and has faithfully shown me every letter he has received from the woman – I will not call her a lady!

Given that you will be one and twenty in May, my suggestion is that you wait at Pemberley until after your majority, and then we can all drive north to Scotland to visit with Mr. Adair. With the documents we possess in hand, including the letters between Mrs. Stowe and Wickham, we can have her arrested or otherwise dealt with so that she is no longer a danger to you.

You are both sensible young people, and if you think this is a poor idea, please let me know.

I urge you to continue sending letters through the Gardiners’ house to guard your safety. Once Ravenswood is legally yours, there will no longer be any reason for Mrs. Stowe to murder you, as the estate will go to your husband in the event of your death.

With much love,

Mr. Thomas Bennet