The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (36 page)

Wickham had learned that Darcy was seeking him and had returned to London to discover why; there was always a chance there was some money in it for him. Now that Wickham realized how closely connected Darcy was to the Bennet family, he knew that most likely Darcy was only going to be tiresome about Lydia and demand that Wickham marry her. Wickham thought gleefully that he would make Darcy pay richly for his cooperation, but then an even better idea occurred to him – a plan that would let him avoid getting shackled to that chit. He knew someone who would pay handsomely for information about Darcy and Elizabeth, and he intended to be the first one to supply it.

Over the next couple of days the inhabitants of Darcy House settled into a comfortable routine. After the first morning when Darcy’s valet, Keans, had been shocked to find Elizabeth in his master’s bed, Darcy let him in on the secret. He took pity on Mrs. Green the same day and took her into his confidence as well; the housekeeper had informed the more discreet members of the household staff one by one.

They did little socializing, although Darcy took every opportunity to have Elizabeth visit his family. His aunt and uncle had been displeased when he brought her to the family dinner, but he insisted they must become acquainted with her. Assuming that an engagement was imminent, they bade Elizabeth welcome to their home – with less than complete sincerity. The earl and countess had been wary of Elizabeth at first, viewing her as a fortune hunter – and one with a scandalous family as well. Darcy’s aunt had been frosty and his uncle barely civil, but they had warmed to Elizabeth’s lively manner and intelligent conversation.

Darcy said little all night, simply allowing Elizabeth to shine. His aunt and uncle were not at the point of giving the match their blessing, but they seemed more accepting of her role in Darcy’s life. While Lady Alice had not completely recovered from the scandal over their son’s marriage, the event had not proven as socially devastating as she had feared, so she had grown more forgiving of Darcy’s choice.

The newlyweds treasured an early morning breakfast as private time together before the business of the day began. After breakfast, Darcy would retire to his study to conduct estate business. Elizabeth sometimes joined him there, reading a book or learning about the estate by helping Darcy with his correspondence and other tasks. Although no one would expect her to help run the estate, she was eager for opportunities to better understand how it functioned. Everything she learned only made her more curious to see Pemberley for herself.

Some afternoons Elizabeth walked in Hyde Park, while others were spent shopping with Georgiana. Shopping was not an activity she particularly enjoyed, but it was essential that she have a new wardrobe commensurate with the social position she would soon be assuming. Georgiana took her to a
modiste
far more elegant and expensive than any she had frequented before. Having Darcy pay for an “unmarried” woman’s clothing would be a gross breach of propriety, so he had supplied Elizabeth with some cash for the purchases. If the shopkeepers assumed she was buying her clothing with a rather generous allowance from her father, who was she to dissuade them?

The sheer volume of the items Georgiana thought were essential overwhelmed Elizabeth. Gloves, hats, shoes, and stockings were ordered in a flurry of activity. Georgiana loved shopping and Elizabeth allowed the younger woman’s good taste to guide her in many of her selections. When her new sister insisted that Elizabeth needed nine new gowns immediately, she protested. However Georgiana enumerated all of the occasions which would require various gowns; Elizabeth conceded defeat, realizing that she would need far more than nine eventually.

Other afternoons, Elizabeth called on the Gardiners and Lydia, though without Georgiana. Although her new sister knew of Lydia’s connection to Wickham, Darcy did not want her exposed to any heedless talk from the youngest Bennet.

The days were pleasant, but Darcy was unhappy at the lack of progress in discovering Wickham. They had returned to London on the strength of some promising information and Darcy had believed they were on the verge of locating the man, but the leads yielded no results. Darcy hired additional investigators, who had found nothing as of yet. Wickham apparently was moving from place to place rather frequently and the investigators were always one step behind him. Darcy was eager for the business to be resolved so he and Elizabeth could announce their marriage and retire to Pemberley for a long stay. Weary of the town, he longed to be in Derbyshire. Elizabeth, too, wished for a swift conclusion of the matter and a chance to live as husband and wife for the first time.

Then, approximately a week after their arrival in London, Thomas the footman brought Darcy a card with the name “George Wickham” on it.

Chapter 13

Although Thomas had been dubious of Wickham’s claim that Darcy would be glad to see him, the master did indeed ask that the rather disreputable-looking guest be brought to his study.

At last!
Thought Darcy
. We can conclude this business and go home.
At the same time, he knew that Wickham was likely to be a wily negotiator and would require a great deal of persuasion to honor his promise to Lydia – plus he was likely to be contrary just to pique Darcy. He was grateful, however, that Elizabeth was at the Gardiners and Georgiana was out shopping, so there was no need to expose either of them to Wickham’s nastiness.

Schooling himself to patience, Darcy watched while Wickham sauntered through the door and seated himself opposite the desk as though he owned the place. “Hello Darcy,” Wickham said with his usual impertinence, not bothering with any pleasantries. “I received word that you were seeking me out.”

“Indeed I was.” Darcy surveyed Wickham coolly. Although the other man pretended to be in good spirits, Darcy noticed signs of anxiety around his eyes. His clothes were well made, but beginning to become threadbare. Good. If he needed funds badly, Wickham would be easier to persuade.

“You must marry Lydia Bennet.” Darcy saw no need for idle chatter.

“The hell I will!” Wickham exclaimed with force, but little emotion. Surely he was unsurprised that this was Darcy’s goal. “I’m weary of the chit. And she comes with practically no dowry!”

“You have compromised her reputation and it is your duty as a gentleman to marry her,” Darcy insisted. Wickham’s insolent laugh was the only response. “I am prepared to grant you a financial settlement to start your new life. Plus an officer’s commission – perhaps somewhere in the north, such as Newcastle.”

“And pay my debts?” Wickham asked quickly.

Darcy sighed. “Yes, I will pay your debts as well.”

Wickham eyed him keenly. “How much of a settlement?”

Darcy had had many days to ponder this. “Eight thousand,” he said without hesitation.

Wickham laughed. “Come, Darcy, you must do far better than that. Fifteen thousand.”

Darcy shook his head emphatically. “Ten thousand and not a penny more. For much less than that I could buy Lydia a respectable husband who will not cheat on her and gamble away the money.”

Wickham did not even bother to deny Darcy’s allegations. “But Lydia will not take someone else. She wants me.” His face displayed great confidence. Then Wickham’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your interest in this? Why do you even care if the wench gets married?”

“I am a friend of the Bennet family and do not wish them to suffer because of your actions.” Darcy kept his tone as casual as possible.

“Are you truly a friend to the
whole
family or are you only ‘friendly’ with Elizabeth?” Wickham asked slyly.

Darcy had hoped that word of his relationship with Elizabeth would not reach Wickham’s ear, but was not surprised that the other man had learned it somehow. “That is not your business.” Darcy tried not to allow his dismay to show on his face. “Returning to the topic of—”

Wickham interrupted. “I know you have your hooks in her. I suppose should not be surprised.” Wickham idly picked up a glass paperweight off the desk and gazed absently at it. “You’ve always wanted what’s mine….”

“She is not yours!” The explosive exclamation was out before Darcy could censor it.
Damn, I am permitting Wickham goad me already!
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his anger.

Wickham leaned forward in his chair, grinning. “She fancied me and you knew it. So you swooped in and took her. I should be very angry at you.”

“Elizabeth never cared about you!” Darcy snarled.

Wickham shrugged. “Believe that if you want. But the truth is she longed for my company. She was searching for me at the Netherfield ball – she asked my friends for my whereabouts. She
wanted
me. And, if I had any money she would be in my bed, not yours.”

“That is not true. Elizabeth is not mercenary!” Darcy kept his voice low, but he did rise out of his chair, calling on every shred of his self-control to avoid punching Wickham in his smug face.

“Elizabeth
is it?” Wickham asked silkily, brushing a speck of dirt from his jacket sleeve. Inwardly Darcy cursed himself for the slip. “How much is she costing you? Or did you give her carte blanche?”

Darcy wanted to strangle Wickham for implying that Elizabeth was his mistress. He could not stop his voice from rising. “Out, Wickham! Leave before I have you thrown out.”

Wickham made no move to depart, continuing to speak as if he had not heard. “Not that I blame you. She is a toothsome morsel. I wouldn’t mind getting my hand on that….” He gestured obscenely with his hands.

Darcy saw red and his hands clenched into fists, but he maintained his self-control – just barely. “If I were you, I would be wary of angering the man whose good opinion stands between you and your fortune,” he growled.

Wickham met his eyes as Darcy leaned menacingly across the desk. His tone was more mocking. “I wager Elizabeth never told you that she kissed me.”

“You are lying,” Darcy said quickly.

“So she did not mention it! Not surprising. It was in the garden at Longbourn just before she departed for Kent. Quite a good kiss, for all that she
said
it was her first. Very passionate. It was her idea too. She wanted me to have something to remember her by while she was gone. But when she returned from Kent, you had twisted her opinion of me and she would speak to me, but I could still see the desire in her eyes. I am certain it is still there.”

Suddenly Darcy was standing on the other side of the desk. “She never wanted you!” He hit Wickham square on the jaw.

Wickham staggered a little, but did not fall. As he cradled his jaw in his hand, he smiled at Darcy’s anger. “It’s amazing how ten thousand a year increases a man’s attractiveness. But you’ll start to bore her quickly enough.”

Darcy laughed derisively. “And you believe she would prefer the man who ruined her sister?”

With a shrug and a grin Wickham waved away this concern. “Oh, she would be angry with me at first, but she wouldn’t stay that way for long.”

“You delude yourself,” Darcy ground out, but the other man merely laughed.

Darcy gritted his teeth, restraining his rage with difficulty and reminding himself that it would not serve his purposes to strike Wickham again.
Stay in control!
He told himself.
Do not let Wickham get the better of you!
Moderately more contained, Darcy stepped behind his desk and rang for a footman.

“You are leaving, Wickham. My offer stands at ten thousand. I expect to hear from you in two days’ time or I will seek out someone else who will be happy to take the money – and Lydia.” Darcy’s voice was harsh from the effort of controlling himself.

“Oh, I am sure you will pay more before we’re done. Far more.” Wickham still fingered his jaw, but had recovered his smirk.

Thomas appeared, looking at Darcy inquiringly. “Take out the rubbish,” Darcy said tersely, gesturing at Wickham before taking up his quill to resume his work.

Once the two men were gone, Darcy set it down again.
Was it true that Elizabeth had once preferred Wickham?
He knew she had been friendly with the erstwhile militia officer – that was how Wickham had managed to feed her so many lies—but had she truly been seeking Wickham at the Netherfield ball? Had she actually kissed him in the garden at Longbourn?

Clearly she had severed ties with Wickham after her visit to Kent, once she understood his real character. But was she still attracted to him? Many women were, he knew, drawn to men with a dash of wickedness – even men they knew they should not like. There certainly were plenty of
men
infatuated with women who they knew were not good for them.

Darcy shook his head, crossing to the window, wishing he could go for a ride to clear his head.
This is Elizabeth,
he reminded himself sternly.
She loves me! If she only wanted my money, she would have accepted my proposal at Hunsford.
But, had she rejected him in part because she harbored affection for Wickham? After all, at that point she had not known of the militia officer’s true wickedness.