The next time they saw Mr Wickam, Elizabeth did indeed try her best to keep apart from him but he seemed to be attempting the exact opposite. Eventually he escaped Lydia and caught her.

"I must confess I thought I may never escape the youngest Miss Bennet's," Mr Wickham said joining her on walking through Meryton.

Oliver and his father were talking to Mr Bennet about departing and so had not accompanied them especially since this was a shopping trip to buy Jane and Elizabeth some gowns more fitting of their new station in life. Jane and Mrs Claxby were looking at materials but Elizabeth had gained permission to walk to the bookshop. Lydia and Kitty had joined them for the day out but run off as soon as they saw the officers.

"They can be very determined," Elizabeth replied picking up her pace. "Lydia especially."

"Well they're pleasant girls," Mr Wickham complimented. "Indeed I find the society in Hertfordshire quite exceeds my expectations. Society here tells me that you have no memories of your life in Derbyshire."

Elizabeth blanked at this sudden turn in conversation but responded none the less, "indeed that is so."

"I grew up not far for your family. We met on many occasions," he followed her into the book shop to her displeasure.

"Yes, my brother has mentioned it," by keeping her replies short and closed she hoped that he would take the hint to leave her be. She'd promised Oliver she would stay well away from him but when the gentleman seemed so determined to be near that proved harder that she thought. She would be so rude however as to simply tell him to leave.

"We all grew up together – you, your sister, Claxby, Darcy and myself," Wickham told her.

"Mr Darcy?" Elizabeth turned surprised: so this is how she knew Mr Darcy.

"Are you not aware of your acquaintance with Mr Darcy?" Wickham questioned, pleasure on his face at her sudden interest in the conversation.

"No I was not," Elizabeth answered. "He was here in Hertfordshire just last week. I had made the acquaintance just about a month ago."

"And how did you find him?"

"Very kind if a little disagreeable and taciturn," Elizabeth replied honestly though she was not about to state how he made her feel despite negative mannerisms to a stranger or anyone other than Jane.

"And do you know .. does he intend to return?"

"I do not know. If he does it will be with his good friend, Mr Bingley, who I would be most pleased to see. Mr Darcy was a guest of Mr Bingley's at the Netherfield Estate," Elizabeth explained.

"We are not on friendly terms you see, Darcy and I, he has done me a great wrong" Wickham informed her. "His father, Miss Claxby, the late Mr Darcy, was my godfather and one of the best men that ever breathed. My father was his steward ad when he died old Mr Darcy cared for me, provide for me, loved me, I believe, as though I was his own son. He intended me for the church and it was dearest wish to enter into that profession. But after he died and the living he had promised me feel vacant, his son refused point blank to honour his father's promises. And so you see, I have to make my own way in the world."

Elizabeth stayed silent for a few minutes – she could not believe Mr Darcy would do such a thing but Wickham's mannerisms were all truth and why would Oliver say to stay away from him? By not a gentleman did Oliver simply mean not the son of the genteel and her brother far more proud than she had considered him? No, she could not believe Mr Wickham's words on point, Mr Darcy had done nothing to deserve such dishonour of her believing such a maim of his character and Oliver would surely have something to say for he was neither proud nor arrogant. She would not insult her brother in such a manner.

"This is a shock indeed," she managed to say, "but I pray you will excuse me for my mother and sister will be wondering where I have gotten to."

She curtsied to him and almost ran out of the bookshop. Trying to appear calm and collected she walked quickly to where she had left Jane and Mrs Claxby.

"Elizabeth!" Mrs Claxby gasped as she came through the door with force. "What in heavens is going on, you looked a little traumatised."

Elizabeth glanced around the room and Jane was not to be seen so she sat next to Mrs Claxby. It had been a week now since the Claxby's had arrive and Elizabeth found herself rather comfortable with her new parents though she still struggled to give them such titles.

"Oh, I am so confused," she said burying her face in her hand. "What do you know of Mr Wickham?"

"Mr Wickham?" the distaste in her voice was so evident that Elizabeth looked up and met her eyes. "Mr Wickham is a man that you do not want in your acquaintance."

"Yes, that's what Oliver made me promise," Elizabeth told her and Mrs Claxby smiled: pleased with her son for protecting his sisters. "But, oh Mama, I have broken it already! I tried to get away from him but he simply would not take the hint!"

"What did he tell you, Elizabeth? What has caused such a state?"

"He spoke of Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said and Mrs Claxby closed her eyes.

"Of course he did, disagreeable, ungrateful boy," Elizabeth eyes widen as Mrs Claxby spoke of ill of the man. "Whatever he told you, Elizabeth, is most certainly not true. He is taking advantage of your lack of memory – it's what he does: take advantage." She paused. "I did not know you remembered your friendship with Mr Darcy or has Oliver mentioned it?"

"Neither, ma'am," Elizabeth responded. "He was staying here with his friends until the day before you arrived. We felt we knew each other but could not understand why. He told me I reminded him of someone."

Mrs Claxby laughed, "well of course you did! You and Mr Darcy were extremely close."

Elizabeth detected something more in Mrs Claxby's tone but did not choose to dwell on it.

"And his friend was quite intentional with Jane -"

"Mr Bingley," Mrs Claxby nodded. "Yes, Jane has just told me about the situation with him and I assured her that Mr Bingley is in no way interested in Miss Darcy except in matters of friendship of course."

Elizabeth beamed, "oh what wonderful news! I tried to tell Jane that it was simply Miss Bingley trying to get remove him from our society but she would not believe it. She's far too modest."

"Yes, a trait you and Oliver are quite lacking in!"

They laughed together.