Teaching Eliza by Riana Everly

Author:Riana Everly [Everly, Riana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781775128304
Publisher: Pronoun
Published: 2017-12-31T05:00:00+00:00

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George Wickham stepped out of the shadows at the gates to the park. He had been waiting, as he said he would be in the letter he had sent via its circuitous route to the lady he had been wooing. She would arrive soon; she always had before. She seemed to enjoy these secretive assignations almost as much as she claimed to enjoy Wickham’s company. The smirk on his face betrayed his own thoughts, which dwelt not so much on the lady’s personality, but other aspects of her companionship.

How easy it had been. She had succumbed quickly to his charms, charms which he had applied most thickly for her benefit. Miss Bingley—dear Caroline, as he called her—had been a most willing victim. He thought back to their first meeting at Netherfield those months past, before Bingley married the girl from that other house—what was it? Longsomething? She had batted her eyelashes at his handsome face, and in truth, it was not difficult to respond appropriately, for she was a lovely woman. Lovely in face, at least. Her character, as Wickham had soon discovered, was less lovely, but her character was the least of his concerns.

She had invited him in for tea. A friend of Darcy’s must be made welcome! Although he had played the gentleman and declined that particular offer, he had let her know where she might find him, and find him she had. She had most suddenly taken to walking in exactly the location he exercised his horse in the mornings, and after several meetings, so carefully coincidental, she had invited him to meet with her brother on a day when she knew her brother would be out, thereby leaving her with the arduous responsibility of entertaining the handsome officer alone.

They had talked of meaningless, inconsequential matters for a while, before he subtly began his inquiries into her relationship with the gentleman residing in Bingley’s home. If his plans to destroy his nemesis were to come to fruition, he must be certain of the man’s commitment to the lady. Ruining another man’s love would be amusing, to be sure, but not nearly so satisfying as finally wreaking his revenge on the heir to Pemberley.

“Your family must be most intimate with the Darcys,” he had said innocently to her as he sipped his tea, “for your brother to invite him here for an indefinite visit. How fortunate to be linked with one of his stature.”

“We are most fortunate indeed,” she had simpered. “Charles and Darcy—I call him Fitzwilliam, so do forgive me if I slip—became friendly at university, and our families immediately were linked.” This was fine news to Wickham’s ears, for none of his acquaintance dared call the man by his Christian name. This must signify an attachment.

“I have spent many glorious days at Pemberley,” the lady batted her eyes, “which you must know so well. It is a magnificent estate, and I look forward to many more days amongst its splendours. We hope,” she added conspiratorially, “to make the connection more formal before long.

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