Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

by Regina Jeffers

  “Did you think to take up residence with Mr. Bennet’s second daughter?” Wickham smirked. “I can attest to…”

  Whatever Mr. Wickham meant to speak against Lydia Bennet’s character was cut short as Darcy pinned his former friend to the back of the door, a forearm across Wickham’s throat.

  “You will not speak unkindly of Miss Elizabeth or her sisters,” Darcy hissed. Without looking to the girl who acted so foolishly in giving her honor to a cad, he ordered, “Miss Lydia, you will join your sister immediately.”

  “But…”

  “Immediately,” Darcy barked. He waited until the girl grabbed a wrapper and scurried from the room before he released Wickham. “Have a seat,” Darcy commanded, shoving the scoundrel toward a chair.

  Wickham rubbed his neck.

  “No reason to act with violence.” Wickham straightened his shirt. “As Ifullyunderstand that this is not a pleasant reunion, what business do we have, Darcy? I thought you never wished to see me again.”

  Darcy attempted to control his anger, but Wickham long since learned how to incite Darcy’s response.

  “You understood correctly, but the Devil has a way of rearing his ugly head at the most inopportune times.”

  “Why you, Darcy? Is this because of Miss Elizabeth? I long suspected you favored the woman.”

  Darcy ignored the question. If Wickham recognized Darcy’s regard for Elizabeth, it would cost the Bennets more to claim Wickham’s cooperation.

  “In truth, Mr. Bingley asked for my intervention. A letter arrived in Derbyshire from Miss Bennet with hopes that Bingley could aid her family. Before Bingley rushed to Hertfordshire, he begged my assistance. Your own words told all of Meryton we held a contemptuous relationship. Bingley means to make Miss Bennet his wife, and her younger sister’s actions brought harm to the family’s reputation.”

  “And how did you connect with Miss Elizabeth?” Wickham studied Darcy searching for the holes in Darcy’s tale.

  What his friend did not realize was since their youthful days when Wickham easily read Darcy’s thoughts, Darcy learned the fine art of negotiation at his revered father’s knee: He schooled his features before answering. As partial truths served him well to this point, Darcy improvised his response.

  “Miss Elizabeth and I renewed our acquaintance in Kent. Before we parted, she told me of often spending time with her aunt and uncle in Cheapside. After learning of Miss Lydia’s flight to London, I assumed Mr. Bennet would call in at Gracechurch Street; therefore, I made the necessary contacts. I was not surprised Miss Elizabeth accompanied Mr. Bennet to London. This situation caused Mrs. Bennet much anguish and affected the health of both of the Bennets. Miss Elizabeth feared seeing Miss Lydia brought low would harm the family patriarch, and so she convinced her father to permit her to reason with Miss Lydia first.”

  Wickham shrugged his shoulders in indifference.

  “I hold no objections if Lydia wishes to return to Longbourn with her sister.”

  “Then you do not mean to act with honor?” Darcy forced his hands still: Other than personal satisfaction, it would prove pointless to beat Mr. Wickham senseless. The man possessed no scruples.

  Wickham snarled a laugh.

  “Why would I wish to marry Lydia? Even you would not wish me such a fate.”

  “You should have considered your options before you departed Brighton with the chit. The girl’s family expects a marriage.”

  Wickham traced circles on a dusty table.

  “I have expectations also, Darcy.”

  “Mr. Bennet is not a rich man, but he is willing to present you with the girl’s share of her mother’s portion.”

  Wickham did not look at him, which meant Wickham did not wish Darcy to note the scheming in his eyes.

  “The girl’s portion is not enough to cover my debts,” Wickham responded matter-of-factly.

  “That bad?” Darcy asked without sympathy.

  “In Brighton and more in Meryton,” Wickham admitted.

  “I see. Your debts are the crux of the matter.” Darcy calculated what it might cost to force Mr. Wickham to claim the parson’s noose.

  Wickham stretched out his legs before him.

  “I require an heiress, so you are welcome to Lydia. She served her purpose.”

  “Which was to provide you a bit of coin to aid in your escape from your creditors,” Darcy summarized.

  Wickham continued to shrug his answers.

  “What can I say? Desperation is necessity’s mother.”

  “Taking the girl’s coin did not necessitate ruining her.”

  “It was Lydia’s idea for an adventure,” Wickham offered in excuse.

  Darcy sucked in a slow, steadying breath. “As no heiress is likely to come your way in thisfine establishment and as you cannot be seen upon the streets of London’s better addresses, I would suggest you consider other options. Surely accepting Mr. Bennet’s generosity and claiming Miss Lydia to wife is preferable to debtors’ prison. If your debts are as high as you indicated, you could be sentenced for each infraction–a very long term.”

  “Not if I choose to leave before the authorities discover me,” Wickham asserted.

  “I found you with little effort, and I am certain the authorities will be quick to discover your whereabouts.”

  “And you would assist the magistrates?” Wickham charged.

  “I will not protect you if you choose to run,” Darcy said glibly.

  “And if I choose to stay?” Wickham asked tentatively, but Darcy ignored the question. He wished his former friend to consider carefully his options.

  Darcy glanced to the squalor in which Wickham dwelled. “Miss Elizabeth’s uncle and I will call upon you tomorrow. Mr. Bennet asked Mr. Gardiner to act in his stead.” He turned to go, but paused to say, “If desperation is truly a motive, consider my proposition. It is a viable solution.”

  * * *

  Her sister’s appearance shook Elizabeth to her core.

  “Oh, Lydia!” Of its own accord, Elizabeth’s hand came to her mouth. “Please tell me you did not greet Mr. Darcy dressed as such.”

  Lydia flounced past her to sit in a winged chair.

  “How was I to know it was that stuffy Mr. Darcy at the door?” Her sister straightened her wrapper. “Filled his eyes though!” Lydia giggled foolishly. “You know what a curmudgeon he was in Meryton. Never smiled. Walked about like a constipated gentleman. And you have no idea what he did to poor Wickham. Mr. Darcy slammed Wickham against the door and ordered me from the room!”

  Elizabeth prayed Mr. Darcy kept his temper under control. It would displease her immensely if Mr. Darcy came to harm, and Elizabeth held no doubt Mr. Wickham would not fight with honor.

  “What did Mr. Wickham say to Mr. Darcy to bring forth the gentleman’s response?”

  “What makes you think Wickham spoke from turn? We all knew Mr. Darcy to be a proud, disagreeable man.” Lydia gestured wildly.

  “What did Mr. Wickham say?” Elizabeth repeated.

  With a flippant flick of her unstyled hair, Lydia said, “Something about you and Mr. Darcy taking up together.” Lydia’s gaze fell upon Elizabeth’s features. “You do not have your sights set on the man, do you, Lizzy? He is rich, but…”

  Elizabeth interrupted before her sister’s accusations found a target.

  “After your escapades, none of your sisters are likely to claim a decent marriage. How could you act so foolishly, Lydia?”

  Her sister swung her legs over the chair arm.

  “You are just jealous because Mr. Wickham found me more attractive than you.”

  “The man found you more naïve than other young ladies,” Elizabeth asserted.

  Lydia sprang to her feet.

  “Mr. Wickham loves me.”

  “Has Mr. Wickham professed his regard?” Elizabeth charged. “Said he wishes to claim you to wife?”

  “Not in so many words,” Lydia admitted. She strolled to the window to glance out upon the noisy s
treet. “But Wickham shows his affections in other ways.”

  “Did he ask you to marry him?” Elizabeth insisted. “You have set a date?”

  Lydia did not turn to look at her, a fact Elizabeth knew to be more telling than her sister’s words.

  “We will marry when the time comes. There is no rush.”

  “There is a rush,” Elizabeth said pointedly. “In addition to the very real possibility you could be with child, each day you remain unwed brings more doom to our father’s door. Your mother and your sisters cannot go about in society because of the tarnish your actions brought to Longbourn’s door. Mr. Bingley returned to Jane’s side, but our eldest sister can claim no happiness because of you.”

  “Do not practice such drama,” Lydia said with a nonchalant lift of her shoulders. “When Mr. Wickham and I marry all will be forgiven. You shall see. Society will pretend nothing of import occurred. I may be but newly sixteen, but I know more of the world than you.”

  Before Elizabeth could respond, Mr. Darcy tapped on the open door.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” he said in a strained tone. “If you are complete, we should depart.”

  She knew from his tight features Mr. Darcy’s patience knew an end. Elizabeth glanced first to her sister and then to the man who held her heart. Her decision made, she accepted Mr. Darcy’s proffered arm.

  To her sister she said, “Convince Mr. Wickham to act honorably for the next time I come, I mean to bring Uncle with me. Mr. Gardiner will use every means possible to convince Mr. Wickham to speak his vows, including turning him over to debtors’ prison if the gentleman refuses.”

  After returning the spare key to the innkeeper, they exited the building, followed closely by Gwenie. Elizabeth found she clutched Mr. Darcy’s arm tighter. She looked up into his stone-faced expression.

  “I am here,” she said softly.

  Evidently, her words penetrated Mr. Darcy’s thoughts. The gentleman glanced down at her, and a smile slowly claimed the corners of his lips.

  “I am blessed.”

  Mr. Darcy assisted Elizabeth to his waiting coach.

  “Gwenie, Miss Elizabeth and I must hold a private conversation. If it would not be too much trouble, would you claim the seat above?”

  Elizabeth noted the blush of embarrassment upon the girl’s cheeks. She knew her Uncle Gardiner treated his servants well, but the notice of such a fine gentleman as Mr. Darcy had the maid’s cheeks red.

  “It be no trouble, Sir.”

  Being the perfect gentleman, Mr. Darcy assisted the maid to climb to the driver’s seat before he joined Elizabeth in the carriage.

  “Most kind of you, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth teased.

  Mr. Darcy tapped upon the coach roof to signal his driver.

  “I have my moments, Miss Elizabeth.”

  Realizing they had only a short time to share what they learned from the imprudent couple, Elizabeth claimed the necessary conversation.

  “Was it as bad as it appeared?”

  Mr. Darcy sighed deeply.

  “I would gladly pull Mr. Wickham’s cork if he already married Miss Lydia, but I must wait until he speaks his vows before I run him through.”

  Elizabeth’s lips twisted in amusement. She never thought of Mr. Darcy from control: It was an interesting possibility she would explore at her leisure.

  “Certainly not. Before you make Lydia a widow, she should first become a wife.”

  Mr. Darcy’s eyebrow rose in a test.

  “Do not tempt me, Miss Elizabeth.”

  She chuckled.

  “We have little time for challenges. Tell me what occurred with Mr. Wickham.”

  Darcy nodded his agreement.

  “Mr. Wickham wished to know how I came to be involved in this situation.”

  “What was your response?”

  He grinned.

  “The truth.”

  “Which is?”

  “Mr. Bingley asked for my assistance because Mr. Bennet knows little of Town.”

  “Very ingenious, Sir,” Elizabeth said with a nod of pride. “What else?”

  “It grieves me to say Mr. Wickham has no intention of marrying Miss Lydia. He is still insistent upon the need to eliminate his debts. That will be a major point of negotiation for Mr. Gardiner.”

  “I understand,” Elizabeth assured. “Lydia is of the belief that Mr. Wickham means to marry her, but she says there is no urgency. I thought to demand her joining us, but I had the feeling Mr. Wickham would rejoice at Lydia’s leave taking.”

  Mr. Darcy spoke bluntly. Despite the situation in which they found themselves, Elizabeth gloried in how the man treated her as an equal. That truth made it more bittersweet never to claim his affections.

  “You have the right of it. If Miss Lydia leaves Wickham’s side before a marriage is negotiated, Mr. Wickham will attempt to escape his debtors. Your sister will be left in ruin.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I warned Mr. Wickham of the possibility of a long term in debtors’ prison if he does not act with honor.”

  Elizabeth smiled knowingly.

  “We are of a like mind, Sir. I said something similar to Lydia.” Her comment appeared to please the gentleman. “I was thinking of how we might assure Lydia of a future. Could Mr. Wickham take up a position in the Regulars? Having a husband in the British Army would please Lydia, as well as Mrs. Bennet, and the position would provide them a steady income. I can think of no other occupation for which the man is suited”

  Mr. Darcy appeared to mull over Elizabeth’s suggestion.

  “Resign his commission in the militia? You may have the right of it. Permit me to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam regarding what may be available.”

  The carriage rolled to a halt before her uncle’s house.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for trusting me in this matter.” Elizabeth glanced to the busy street. “It is rare for a woman to be treated as an intelligent being.” She knew from Mr. Darcy’s expression he meant to profess his admiration again, but as the situation with Lydia held Elizabeth’s hopes captive, she reached for the latch. Immediately, Mr. Darcy’s footman set down the steps to assist Elizabeth from the carriage. Mr. Darcy followed her in the house.

  The Gardiner children’s appearance in the main hall surprised her. “You are back,” Elizabeth called as they rushed to her side.

  “You will play soldiers with us, Cousin Lizzy,” said the eldest as the others surrounded her, bestowing hugs about her waist.

  Elizabeth tousled the boy’s hair.

  “I have a guest at the moment, but when we are through, I will call in at the school room.”

  “Off with you,” Aunt Gardiner ordered as she approached. “I need to speak to your cousin and Mr. Darcy.”

  As quickly as the children were from earshot, Elizabeth asked, “How are Mama and Papa and dearest Jane?”

  Her aunt suggested. “Let us go into the sitting room.” Once Mr. Darcy seated her Aunt Margaret, Mrs. Gardiner explained, “Your mother has not left her quarters, and Mr. Bennet remains in his study. I never knew your father so agitated. He asked you to return to Longbourn; he will send his carriage for you tomorrow. Jane requires your assistance; she cannot deal with both of your parents alone.”

  Elizabeth knew her aunt correct, but she did not wish to leave Mr. Darcy behind. She might never possess another opportunity to spend time with him. Even if Mr. Wickham married Lydia, Mr. Darcy would be sore to claim Elizabeth to wife. How could Mr. Darcy accept Wickham as a brother?

  “If you think it is best, Aunt.”

  “Then it is settled.” Aunt Margaret turned to Mr. Darcy. “Would you care to join us for supper, Mr. Darcy. I am certain Mr. Gardiner will have questions regarding your outing today.”

  Mr. Darcy assumed his customary face of indifference, but Elizabeth learned to read the emotions behind the mask. He did not like the idea of her leaving any better than she did.

  “I fear I have another engagement this evening, but I will com
e early tomorrow to bring Mr. Gardiner up to snuff. Please tell Mr. Gardiner I will require his company when I meet with Mr. Wickham. Our time is short if we are to convince Mr. Wickham to marry. I found him with ease and so may his creditors. If so, the authorities will whisk Wickham away before we can save the Bennet family’s reputation.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Gardiner intoned. “When you said ‘early,’ I did not expect you before we broke our fast.”

  “I was not certain what time Mr. Gardiner would call in at his warehouse,” Darcy said in excuse. In truth, he calledearlybecause Darcy feared he might not have the opportunity to speak to Elizabeth before she departed for Hertfordshire. He met with Colonel Fitzwilliam last evening, explaining in detail his true purpose in seeking Mr. Wickham. Although his cousin disagreed with the extent Darcy chose to become involved in the matter, the colonel consented to assist Darcy.

  “Then, by all means, come in.” Mrs. Gardiner gestured toward the front sitting room, but the scent of lavender had Darcy turning to greet Elizabeth.

  “I anticipated Mr. Darcy’s unconventionality, Aunt. I shall entertain the gentleman while you finish with the children.” The smile on Elizabeth’s lips said she was waiting for him. It did Darcy’s heart well to recognize Elizabeth’s awareness of his choices.

  “Not without a maid in attendance,” her aunt warned. “One ruined reputation is enough.”

  Darcy’s eyebrow rose in question, and Elizabeth chuckled.

  “My aunt is well aware you are privy to my deception, Sir.”

  Mrs. Gardiner gave a satisfying nod before exiting. Elizabeth slipped her hands about his elbow, and Darcy tightened his arm muscles to bring her closer.

  “I feared if I arrived later, I might miss you,” he whispered.

  “And you thought we had more to say to each other?”

  Her cheeks reddened, and Elizabeth dropped her eyes.

  “I did.” Darcy directed her steps to the far side of the room when he noticed Gwenie hustling their way. They paused before windows, and Darcy turned where he might block Elizabeth from the maid’s view. “First, please know Colonel Fitzwilliam searches for an appropriate opening in the Regulars.” He smiled deviously. “My cousin’s only concession was he meant to find a post as greatly removed from Derbyshire and Hertfordshire as possible.”