(A/N) Hey I know you are thinking this dirty harlot has not posted a chapter in forever (technically that is true) but the chapter has been finished for the last two weeks and I got tired of waiting for my beta so I edited it myself. So if it sucks my bad. I personally hate grammar. Happy Reading

Also I am looking for another beta. If you're interested just let me know.

Previously: If he goes near Elizabeth I will run him through. Darcy didn't respond to his comment and instead decided to bring up some of their fond boyhood memories "Do you remember when we were young and you pushed me into the muddy stream in my brand new riding outfit."

"Yes. Why?"

"Do you remember what happened after?"

From the angry expression on Wickham's face it was obvious that he did remember but was unwilling to say.

Darcy took extreme joy from this story and had no problem reminding his childhood friend of the tale. "Since your memory seems to be failing, I will assist. After I finally got out of the stream wet, muddy and angry, I beat you up so bad you cried and ran home to your mother with a split lip, bloody nose and a shiner the size of a rock. I was only ten at the time; just imagine what I am capable of now." With that ominous warning Darcy left Wickham fuming as he walked back to Charles who was preparing to leave. Both men mounted their horses and bid the ladies a good day.

Chapter 10- People hate threats- What if when she talked to Wickham she actually called him out on his story?

Before the Bennet girls and Mr. Collins went back to Longbourn they went to visit their Aunt Phillips. Being the curious person she was, Elizabeth wanted to question Mr. Wickham about his encounter with Mr. Darcy. She knew getting Mr. Darcy in a situation where he felt comfortable enough to give more than one word answers would be difficult so she decided to try her luck with the more amiable and talkative Mr. Wickham. She asked her aunt to invite their new acquaintances to the card party she was having tomorrow, thankfully her aunt easily agreed to invite some of the men from the militia.

The next night Elizabeth waited impatiently for Mr. Wickham's arrival. Although she was trying not to be obvious many people noticed how she would look at the door each time it opened. Finally tired of the mystery Jane found a moment to be alone with her. "Lizzy who are you waiting for?"

"No one, why do you ask?"

"Because you have not taken one eye off of the door since we arrived two hours ago. I know you are waiting for someone and it makes me even more suspicious that you will not tell me who it is."

Am I that obvious? I need to get better at my espionage. "Do not worry; I am not going to have a clandestine tryst with a lover."

Shocked played all over Jane's face as she looked around to make sure no one had heard her sister say such a brazen thing.

"I am waiting for Mr. Wickham but he does not know it."

"Why?"

"Yesterday when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley joined our group in the street he and Mr. Wickham had a very interesting greeting. Apparently the two have already been acquainted."

"But why would that make you await Mr. Wickham's arrival. Surely their knowing each other is merely a coincidence."

"I would have believed the same thing except when they first saw each other I thought Mr. Darcy was going to pummel Mr. Wickham in the middle of the road."

"I find it very hard to believe that Mr. Darcy is even capable of such strong anger. He always seems so . . . neutral."

Elizabeth let out a loud laugh. "Only someone as sweet as you would think to use such a polite word to describe Mr. Darcy. I believe the word you were trying to avoid is dull, as our youngest sister would say. But do not let that fool you; he is as capable of emotion as any other."

"What gave you the impression that he wanted to physically harm Mr. Wickham?"

"He was redder than a ripe strawberry and his eyes were darker than thunderclouds. I thought Zeus was going to come out of the sky smiting people with lightning bolts. Poor Mr. Wickham was whiter than a bed sheet and looked like he was ready to bolt at any second."

"That is odd, but Lizzy you simply cannot ask him about personal matters. It could be something he does not like to talk about. We are also at our aunt's party and she would not want you upsetting her guests."

"I will be as cunning and swift as the wind. He will not know that he is divulging his darkest secrets until it is too late." Lizzy tried to convince her sister with her best smile. Seeing that Jane was still not convinced Lizzy huffed and added "I will only ask questions if he brings up the subject of Mr. Darcy first. Does this please you?"

"It does. Thank you Lizzy." Jane serenely smiled.

"You're welcome" Lizzy said gruffly as she stomped away in a very admirable impersonation of Lydia. It is impossible to be annoyed with her, which is annoying in itself! Sadly for Lizzy she was not paying attention to where she was going and she nearly walked into Mr. Collins.

"Miss Elizabeth, how nice of you to seek me out." I knew she wanted me.

Elizabeth looked around and saw that she was going to be trapped if she did not think fast and get away. Her Aunt and Uncle Phillips were sitting on a couch she was standing next to. On the other side of Mr. Collins there was an empty chair that she knew was meant for her if she did not extricate herself from her disgusting cousin.

"Actually I was just…" Going to run for my life.

"I was looking for you as well but I was talking to your wonderful aunt about Rosings Park." The ladies always love it when you talk about Rosings.

"That is fantastic but I was going to…" Not again! How did he catch me two parties in a row. I really must get better at this spy business.

"Did you know that the chimney piece alone cost eight hundred pounds? That is more than Longbourn makes in a season." That has to impress her, who wouldn't it impress.

Elizabeth bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood in her mouth. What she wouldn't give to push him from the highest precipice she could find.

"Also I must commend your aunt here on the style and furniture of this room. I declare that this could pass for a small summer breakfast parlor at Rosings."

"Mr. Collins, I see a friend who just arrived and I must go speak with her if you will excuse me." Which actually means I need to find Charlotte hopefully she can save me from you.

"Oh, I will escort you to her."

"That is not necessary but I thank you for the offer. I do not want to interrupt your conversation." Please don't follow me.

"I insist. I would not want to be parted from you so soon." I love how considerate she is. We will do so well together when we are married.

"I have to talk to her about a personal matter." Like how I am going to plot your demise!

"Then I will come for moral support." I will make a great husband. She is so lucky.

"I do not require your support." Elizabeth nearly yelled. Looking around she saw that everyone was staring at her like she belonged in an asylum. Blushing Elizabeth quietly accepted his offer but walked away before he could take her arm. The last time she let him escort her somewhere, his stench had weaved its way into her skin and she had to rub her skin raw to get the smell out. Apparently Lady Catherine believes that bathing is a waste of resources for someone of Mr. Collins station in life and should only be done when necessary. His view of necessary was very different from Elizabeth's.

As if sent by Heaven, Charlotte appeared in front of her before she had taken three steps. Elizabeth was so happy she nearly embraced her friend but held herself back. Oh the Lord is so good.

"Hello Lizzy, Mr. Collins. Would you excuse us I must talk to Elizabeth about a personal matter."

"Of course I understand that ladies must be alone when they talk about their suitors. I think I shall go play whist with your aunt. If you need me I will always be close by." Mr. Collins waggled his bushy eyebrows at Elizabeth and turned to walk away. Nailed it!

After he was out of hearing range Elizabeth turned back to Charlotte and said "You have my eternal gratitude and servitude. You only need ask and your will shall be done."

"I would like a rich husband who is all that is kind, handsome and wants nothing but to please me. Did I mention rich?"

"Maybe I should have been more specific. When I said servitude I actually meant I would go get you some refreshments if you needed."

Charlotte and Lizzy shared a good laugh before finding a couch away from the crowd to chat.

"I heard from Jane that you have been waiting for a certain someone."

"Yes I am, but it is not what you are thinking. I just have a puzzle to put together. His name is Mr. Wickham and I think there is some strife between him and Mr. Darcy."

"Why would that interest you?"

"I am nosy and curious what other excuse do I need." Not to mention it would help me figure out the elusive side of Mr. Darcy.

"What do you know of him?"

"He has recently arrived here from London and he recently purchased a commission with the militia so he is soon to be Lt. Wickham."

"Well you may not have to wait long for your answers because a group of officers just walked in."

Elizabeth turned toward the door and the first person she spotted was Mr. Wickham and to her surprise he was looking at her as well. His sea green eyes were hypnotic. She had read stories about how vampires seduce and charm women with their eyes and make them agreeable to anything they wanted. It would not be hard to imagine Mr. Wickham getting what he wanted in the same way. While it was obvious women thought he was attractive it was also obvious that he found himself attractive as well. He was perfectly groomed in his red military coat with his golden hair tied at the base of his neck with a red ribbon to match.

"Wow! Lizzy is that him?" asked Charlotte.

Lizzy finally turned back to her friend after studying the newcomer. "Yes that is him"

"Wow" God took special time with that face.

"I need to find some time to talk with him but I cannot just approach him."

"It seems your dilemma is going to solve itself because he is headed this way."

"What!" Elizabeth turned to see where he was and was shocked to find that he was directly behind her and she let out a yelp of surprise. "Oh forgive me I did not think you would be so close." She and Charlotte stood from the couch to greet him.

"I beg your pardon; I did not mean to frighten you." He said but did not back away

"It is quite alright. Allow me to introduce you to my friend Miss Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Lodge."

Mr. Wickham took Charlotte's hand and bowed over it to place a light kiss upon the top without breaking eye contact with her. "Charmed."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Wickham." Charlotte squeaked out. This man was sent from Heaven. "I heard that you recently arrived in our neighborhood. Have you found it to your liking?"

"Very much. It is different from London but I have come to appreciate the differences."

Elizabeth and Charlotte retook their seats on the couch and Mr. Wickham took a chair next to Elizabeth. They continued to talk until Mr. Collins came to invite Elizabeth to join in their card game. Before she could think of a way to decline Charlotte saved her by accepting in her place. Before she walked away Lizzy caught Charlotte's eye and mouthed the words gratitude and servitude. As they walked away Elizabeth realized she finally had her chance to question Mr. Wickham but now that she had the opportunity she lacked the words.

"Has Mr. Darcy been in the neighborhood long?" Asked Mr. Wickham tentatively after a few seconds of silence..

"About a month." Am I really this lucky? "He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand."

"Yes, his estate there is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you information on that than myself, for I have been connected with his family in a particular manner since my infancy." Until that bastard cut me off.

Elizabeth could not but look surprised; one, because she could not believe she actually was that lucky and two, because he offered the information so freely.

"You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after seeing the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?"

"We have had a few conversations but I would not say that we are much acquainted." If you do not count all the forest and library encounters. "It is very hard to make out his full character."

"I have no right to give my opinion," said Wickham, "As to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long to be a fair judge."

Drat!

"It is impossible for me to be impartial. But I believe that you should express your opinion strongly, you do not have to be vague because of his status."

"Upon my word, I am not silent because I am afraid to give my opinion. I say no more here than I might say in any house in the neighborhood. Overall I believe he is an honorable man."

"I cannot pretend to agree with you. The world tends to be blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen."

"He has shown me kindness that is why I believe him to be honorable. He is often aloof when speaking with others and I can understand why others might think his manners are high or imposing but I do not agree. Are you suggesting that I am blinded by his fortune?" Elizabeth asked indignantly.

"I wonder whether he is likely to be in this country much longer."

"I do not at all know; but I heard nothing of his going away when I stayed at Netherfield." He did not answer my question. Elizabeth thought while she tried to calm herself.

"You stayed at Netherfield?" he asked with surprise.

"Yes, my eldest sister was sick with a fever and could not be moved."

Wickham remained silent for a while. He did not know how to proceed because she actually held a good opinion of Darcy. Damn him, why did he finally have to make a good impression. Most people never got past The Mask to actually get to know him. He did not have experience turning people against Darcy, only making a bad opinion worse. She had actually spent time in the same house with him. I will have to change my tactics for this one.

When Wickham saw Darcy look at Elizabeth on the street in Meryton he knew he was going to seduce her. If the look he gave her wasn't confirmation enough defending her family was. Never before had Darcy shown such interest in who he deceived and Wickham would not lose the opportunity to make his life hell, especially when there was such a pretty prize at stake.

Elizabeth was worried that she had lost her chance to get more information out of him. Think, think, think. What should I say? "I hope your plans in favor of the –shire will not be affected by his being in the neighborhood."

"Oh no! It is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go, not I. We are not on friendly terms and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding him."

"Implying that he has a reason to avoid seeing you, I assume." It did not look like Mr. Darcy was the one who wanted to run away yesterday.

"Yes he does, to my misfortune. I have a sense of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he is. His Father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had. I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a thousand tender recollections. His behavior to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father."

This is the last thing I thought I would hear about Mr. Darcy. When we talked he seemed so fond of his parents. Elizabeth's interest increased but the delicacy of the subject prevented her from being able to inquire further. Mr. Wickham began to speak on general topics and Elizabeth's hopes of learning more of Mr. Darcy were soon put away as she focused on getting to know more of Mr. Wickham. He soon began to speak of the society to which he had been introduced since his arrival.

"It was the prospect of constant society, and good society, which was my chief inducement to enter the –shire. I knew it to be a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them. Society, I own, is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear solitude."

"There seems to be no lack of want for your company so I do not think you must worry about solitude Mr. Wickham." Every female in the room stared at you when you came into the room including the married ones.

"I thank you for the compliment and I hope you are included in the group who are in want of my company. But more than solitude I must have employment and society. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession. I was brought up for the church."

"Oh really you must talk to my sister Mary, she is fond of religious texts. I am sure you two would have a lot in common and much to speak of." Elizabeth stood to look for Mary in the crowded room but before she could spot her she felt Mr. Wickham's hand on her arm firmly pulling her back to her seat. When she had regained her seat he let go and gave her a small smile of apology, which as far as she was concerned was not good enough. "Why did you grab me?" She said with no small amount of anger.

"I simply did not want to lose our time together. I am sorry if I offended you it will not happen again. I am sorry I desperately did not want to lose my alone time with you. It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a conversation this much." said Wickham trying to quickly make amends for his slip of judgment. I am slipping. She is headstrong and will not be receptive if I try to overpower her.

She can't be blamed for being flattered that he would go to such extreme lengths to talk only with her, so she did not rake him over the coals as she was planning although to her credit she was considerably less friendly than before. "I will send her your way later, she would love to talk to you about Fordyce's sermons. I am sure she has read it at least five times and no one in our family appreciates it the way she does. I know she would finally love to talk to someone who feels the same. And yourself sir, have you read it many times?"

"I should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living and would have had time to read it many times, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of before." continued Wickham picking up where he left off and ignoring Elizabeth's question altogether.

"Indeed." Elizabeth replied because that was all that came to mind. Did he just blatantly ignore my question? She was confused on why the subject had gotten back to Mr. Darcy. Not that she was unhappy with the subject change. I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. But why isn't he actually answering my questions.

"Yes, the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his will. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere."

"Good Heavens! But how could that be? How could his will be disregarded? Surely you could have taken legal action."

That! Is the reaction I have been waiting for. "There was such informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. A man of honor could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it—or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation."

"What were the conditions? Did you fulfill them?" Elizabeth asked interrupting his speech.

"I was never given the chance to fulfill them."

What does that mean? "What do you mean? Did you attend a seminary?"

"No old Mr. Darcy paid for me to attend Cambridge with Darcy in order to get a gentleman's education."

"Could it be that the current Mr. Darcy said that you could not take the living because you are not ordained?"

"I was supposed to have attended a seminary after Cambridge because the current rector was still living and I had time to do both. When the old Mr. Darcy passed I knew his son would not continue to support me so I could be ordained. He asserted that I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance and imprudence, in short anything or nothing. The living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, but it was given to another man; and no less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done anything to deserve to lose it. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and I may have spoken my opinion of him, and to him, too freely. I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me."

"If he has done you such an injustice as you claim he deserves to be publically disgraced."

"Some time or other he will be but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him."

"But you already have"

"Excuse me?"

"Mr. Wickham, you say you could not blacken Mr. Darcy's name out of respect for his father yet you told me, a woman you barely know, a story that paints Mr. Darcy as the worst villain."

"I know but I must confess that I find myself quite at ease with you. It is hard to keep these things to myself they have been a burden on my heart for many years. There is something trust worthy about you and I am sure that it will go no farther than yourself. Also I would not want you to be deceived by him. He is used to getting whatever he wants and has a disdain for the feelings of others that is unparalleled."

"But what can have been his motive? What can have induced him to behave so cruelly? From what I have learned of Mr. Darcy he has always seemed to be a fair sort of man. I have not seen any of the traits you claim he has."

"He can appear pleasing to those of his choosing. But as to his motive, a thorough, determined dislike of me, a dislike which I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy liked me less, his son might have liked me more; but his father's uncommon attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. He had not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood."

"I never thought Mr. Darcy could be as bad as you paint him." He can't be.

"I am sorry to give you pain but it is true."

"You say that you spoke your opinion of him to his face, correct?"

"Yes."

"What did you say?"

"Well . . . this was many years ago. I cannot recall the specifics."

"You are unable to think of even one example of other misdeeds Mr. Darcy's has perpetrated throughout your lifetime."

"Well . . . I am sure if I gave it thought. . ."

"You said Mr. Darcy has disdain for the feelings of others. There must be a reason you think this way. I only want to understand fully."

"Oh I know an example. We were ten years old and his father had bought me a new riding outfit. I ran to our favorite spot in the woods to show him. As I was telling him about it he pushed me into a muddy stream and completely ruined the outfit. When I went back to the house I did not have the heart to tell his father what really happened so I said I fell in." Thank you for that reminder Darcy.

Elizabeth looked suspiciously at Wickham but could think of nothing to say to refute his claims about Mr. Darcy. What can I say? He obviously knows him better than I do but there is something not right about him. I will find time to ask Mr. Darcy. I cannot believe this story without letting Mr. Darcy defend himself first. I promised him I would not judge on first impressions.

Why does she not believe me? Women fall under my spell in seconds! I should not have to work so hard! Mr. Wickham was getting tired of her questions. His plan was simple and she was messing it up. Step one: seduce Miss Bennet. Step two: Make sure Darcy is aware of her ruin and convince him that it is his fault. That won't be hard he probably will blame himself even if I do not suggest it. Step three: extort as much money out of him as possible. Easy, quick and simple, only three steps. He never dreamed that he would have difficulty getting past step one.

Elizabeth was sure her brain was fried from trying to process so much in such a short amount of time. These differing accounts of Mr. Darcy were troubling. She could not discount Mr. Wickham's story because most stories have some truth in them, but it was hard for Elizabeth to know what was truth and fiction. She decided to move onto easier topics and get a feel for Mr. Wickham's real personality. For some reason he put her on edge but if she was going to get to know him better she had to put that aside and smile. It still troubled her that he would share such a personal story without prompting from her. It was almost like he wanted her to know.

"So Mr. Wickham do you read often?"

"No not often but I am well read. As I told you I attended Cambridge, so I would not embarrass myself in a discussion on literature. And yourself do you enjoy reading?"

"Yes it is a favorite pastime of mine."

"What is your favorite book?"

"I am not sure I have a favorite. Books are like children to me I love them all the same but like them all for their different qualities."

Mr. Wickham laughed and clapped softly. "Very well said Madame I am sorry but I must admit to favoritism."

"Which child do you favor above all others?"

"King Lear by Shakespeare."

"Very nice rhyming Mr. Wickham, you would make poets jealous with your verbal mastery."

"Thank you it rolls off the tongue." He and Elizabeth shared at small laugh over his joke.

"I know I said I love all of my children equally but I must confess there is little that I found to like in this book. Everyone is so wicked and prone to murder and backstabbing for a title."

"That is where you are wrong they are not fighting over a title."

"If not for a title, what are they fighting for?"

"Power. The power is what they want the title is just a name for it. Everyone hungers for power in some type of way."

"That is not true."

"It is, take the military for example. No one wants to be a lowly common foot soldier all their life. They want to rise in their regiment and acquire rank. Rank equals power. Another example is high society marriages. It is practically an auction for who has the best connections and money. Connections and money equal power. And for my last example I will use the church. The most coveted job in the Catholic Church is the pope. Why? Because being pope equals . . ." Wickham trailed off and looked to Elizabeth to complete his sentence.

"Power." Elizabeth finished for him. "Is that what you want Mr. Wickham, power?"

"I must confess that it is."

They were silent for a few minutes both reflecting on their conversation and what it revealed about the other person. They continued to talk for most of the night and they found that they had a few similarities they also found that they had very different views about life in general. Wickham was cynical about people in general while Lizzy chose to believe that people were mostly good.

Wickham looked around the room and spotted Darcy walking in with Mr. Bingley. He knew he would have to try extra hard to impress Elizabeth or he would never succeed in stealing her from Darcy right under his nose. Wickham was counting on Darcy's shyness to work in his favor. There is no way he will verbally combat me with so many people around. His natural reserve will prevent him from making a scene. Confident in his logic Wickham proceeded to tell Elizabeth every damaging thing he could think of about Darcy before he could make his way over to them. He was happy and disturbed to see the disappointment in her eyes when he told her about Darcy's 'engagement' to his cousin Anne. He thought of telling her about Georgiana but if she and Darcy had any type of conversation it was very likely that he had already talked about how good Georgiana was.

Elizabeth noticed the sudden difference in his behavior but could not figure out why. Is it just me or is his face way too close. Elizabeth tried to lean away from him but he moved closer no matter what she did. He is starting to become really creepy. He is practically climbing over the side of the couch.

Darcy scanned the room for Elizabeth and when he finally caught sight of her, he just knew his face matched Charles' hair. Sitting next to Elizabeth was his worst enemy. Why must he haunt my life? When he caught Wickham's eye, the rogue had the audacity to smile and slide closer to Elizabeth. Darcy almost lost his manners and was going to storm over there and punch him square in the face. As pleasant as the thought was, years of good breeding prevailed over his baser instincts. Following Bingley to find their hosts they thanked Mr. and Mrs. Phillips for the invitation and informed them that his sister stayed at home so she would be there to welcome his other sister and her husband when they arrived that night at Netherfield. After Darcy said his hello's he was ready to extricate Elizabeth from Wickham but he stayed to seem polite even though he let Charles do all the talking. When Darcy finally broke away from the group he made a beeline for Elizabeth. Seeing that Wickham was leaning closer and closer to her and she was leaning farther and farther away from him, Darcy moved as fast as he could without drawing attention to himself. Finally in front of the duo he was happy to see Elizabeth smile as she stood to greet him.

"Hello Miss Elizabeth" he bowed but did not break eye contact with her.

"Mr. Darcy it is so nice to see you again" Elizabeth said with a relieved expression. Please don't leave me with him. She was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with Mr. Wickham. By the time Darcy was before them in her mind Mr. Wickham was the human equivalent to a pervy octopus. "Would you like to join us?" Elizabeth asked.

"Thank you Miss Elizabeth." Even though he did not want to Darcy could not be so rude as to completely ignore Wickham's presence. "Wickham" he said with the smallest bow he could manage. Apparently Wickham had no care for manners because he simply nodded his head from his seat.

When Elizabeth took her seat Darcy was happy to see that he could sit with her on the couch. Darcy was becoming nervous as he realized that it was likely Wickham had already told Elizabeth his sob story. She didn't seem upset when she saw me. She even invited me to stay. Maybe she didn't believe him! Hope began to fill Darcy's chest but he knew if he was going to stand any chance against Wickham's poisonous words he would actually have to talk. Talking with Elizabeth wasn't the problem, talking in a room full of people who acted like they weren't listening was. His natural shyness was in full force. His hands were sweaty, he could hear his heart pounding in his chest, he could not stop twisting his signet ring, and he was sure he was a few heart beats away from a heart attack. After taking several deep breaths he finally gathered the courage to say something. When he drew the breath to ask Elizabeth a question Wickham beat him to it with a smile directed to him. What was he doing, watching my breathing patterns?

"So Miss Benet you said that you like to read. What else do you enjoy doing?"

"I greatly enjoy walking, I can also play the piano but I am not very good."

"I am fond of the outdoors as well" said Mr. Wickham. On the other side of Elizabeth, Darcy scoffed. Wickham likes the outdoors about as much as I like Lydia Bennet.

Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy and asked "How is Poseidon? I still owe him an apple."

Darcy was so surprised at the question he did not answer for a few seconds. She wants to know about my horse? "He is well. I took him for a ride this afternoon. He has been restless these past few days so I have been riding more often than usual." I am sure that is the longest sentence I have said in public since I was 13. Good job!

"I am sure he is happy with the attention."

"I think he is happier to be out of the stables. At Pemberley I allow him to roam freely. Being stuck in the stables for most of the day has been annoying to him and the grooms." Elizabeth chuckled at his answer. I think I made a joke!

"Is this the same horse you received when we were boys?" Wickham asked in a loud voice that caused others to pay attention to their conversation.

"Yes" Darcy replied. He knew Wickham was trying to make him uncomfortable by calling attention to them and it was working. Unconsciously Darcy started to slip The Mask into place.

Wickham smirked when he saw his plan had worked. They had been best friends for many years when they were younger and he knew all of his weaknesses.

Elizabeth saw the change Mr. Wickham brought in Mr. Darcy and tried to help him relax by asking "How old is Poseidon."

"Eight" both men responded at the same time.

When Elizabeth looked at Wickham with a confused expression he smiled. Not wanting to lose his advantage he saw another way to make Darcy look bad. "I was there for Poseidon's birth." He paused dramatically and feigned a pained expression. "Originally I thought he would be mine because my birthday was a week away but Darcy wanted him and he was granted his wish." Looking down at his shoes he was trying his hardest to look humble. When he heard Elizabeth gasp, as well as a few people who were still pretending they were not listening, he knew he had succeeded. Point for me. Wickham thought trying to keep a malevolent smirk off of his face.

On the other side of Elizabeth it took everything Darcy had not to roll his eyes. Oh cry me a bloody river. "What Mr. Wickham failed to tell you is my father promised Poseidon to me on my 18th birthday eight months prior to his birth. Poseidon's parents were my father and mother's horses and if he was born a boy my father wanted me to have him."

"Oh that is reasonable" Elizabeth said with an audible sigh of relief. She was not sure why she was so happy that Mr. Darcy was able to acquit himself but she did not want to look at it too closely.

"How was I to know that he was already promised to you?" Wickham asked with extreme annoyance that his plan had backfired.

"I saw no reason to tell you." Darcy replied in his calm baritone.

"I should have been told!"

"Why?"

"On principle"

"What principle required me to tell you about a birthday gift that was promised to me by my father eight months before?" When Wickham had not ready rebuttal Darcy almost smiled as the realization hit. I just won my first verbal argument with George Wickham, and it feels damn good too!

Hell must be freezing right now. Thought Wickham. He looked away from Darcy's smug face to look at Elizabeth and felt his anger boil. She was smiling widely at Darcy with something akin to admiration on her face.

This is the most he has ever said in public. Elizabeth looked at her neighbors gathered and smiled harder at the astonished looks on their faces. Some had never even heard Darcy's voice. Few had received one word replies and only a handful had heard him speak in full sentences. Their shock was understandable. When Elizabeth decided to break the increasingly uncomfortable silence Wickham interrupted her.

"I am actually happy not to have received Poseidon. Darcy was completely black and blue trying to ride him. I think he had more spirit than Darcy could handle. He even broke his arm once when he fell from the beast." By the end of the story Wickham was talking to the entire room not just Elizabeth. Everyone who had stopped to listen laughed at the picture he presented of Darcy.

Elizabeth frowned at Mr. Wickham's display as he continued to tell embarrassing stories about Darcy's childhood. She looked at Darcy and saw the blood rising in his cheeks, his face was unreadable. She felt so bad for him she nearly reached for his hand. Instead she turned her back to Mr. Wickham. Not that he would notice while he is performing. "Mr. Darcy would you like to be my card partner? We could find Jane and Mr. Bingley and play a game." Darcy nodded his consent then stood and held his arm out for her to take. Elizabeth rose and took his proffered arm. Looking over her shoulder she simply said "excuse us" to Mr. Wickham and proceeded to walk away not caring if he heard her or not. They found Charles and Jane talking on a couch. Elizabeth asked them if they were interested in a game when they agreed she saw Mary and Charlotte sitting close by and asked if they would like to join as well.

Once seated Elizabeth tried in earnest to bring Darcy out of his dark mood but she couldn't, surprisingly Mary could. In passing Mary mentioned a piece of music she was working on. Surprising everyone Darcy started to talk to Mary about her taste in music. He found that they were similar to his sister's and offered her some of the music that he had purchased for Georgiana but had not sent yet. Astounded with his generosity Mary thanked him and they continued to talk about music.

Elizabeth smiled at her sister as she continued to talk with Mr. Darcy. As inclined as Elizabeth was to believe that Mr. Darcy did not do all of the things Mr. Wickham claimed, she could not be sure. She was determined to learn the truth. She knew that if asked Mr. Darcy would tell her what she wanted to know. The trouble was finding time to be alone and ask him. Is he really engaged?

From across the room Wickham was staring at the group with rage. Elizabeth was his next scam and he would not let her get away from him so easily. I will have her and Darcy's money, one way or another.

(A/N) I hope you were sufficiently disgusted with Wickham and proud of Lizzy for not being an idiot. And I hope you don't mind that I embellished that scene a bit. I just got my first interview with a grad school and I am so happy that i am working on my next chapter so you might get an update really soon!

!Don't forget I'm searching for a beta!

Chapter 11 -Balls and almost brawls part 1- What if Wickham decided to go to the Netherfield ball?