Sorry this took so long. I have a lot going on at work these days. There is a little twist toward the end. I have detoured just a bit from Miss Austen's interpretation. I always thought it a bit strange that Darcy would finance the patched-up marriage and that Wickham, being Wickham, would agree to any sum of money if he knew he could make Darcy's life miserable. So this is what I have come up with. Hope you like.

Darcy left the inn and rode quickly back to Pemberley. Once home, he alerted Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Keith that some urgent business had come up in London that required his immediate attention. He did not know how long he would be gone but would inform them the moment he knew of his return. He then retired to his study and asked Mrs. Reynolds to summon Georgiana so that he may speak with her.

"Brother, you wanted to see me?" Georgiana was standing in the doorway examining her brother's expression. She was immediately alarmed and ran to his side. "What is it William? Is everything alright?" She questioned as she knelt down and grabbed his hand.

Darcy leaned his cheek against the top of Georgiana's head. "No, dear sister, all is not well I am afraid." Georgiana, although concerned by her brother's countenance, liked that he was not immediately shutting her out.

"Please, William, is there anything I can do to ease your concern?"

"I am afraid not. It is a matter that I must address myself. It involves the security of my happiness, my very reason for breathing." Darcy had now moved to look out the tall window of his study. As he examined the grounds surrounding the lake, he remembered how happy he had been just two days previously. He remembered how beautiful Elizabeth had looked sitting under the white linen tent, reading his mother's book of poetry. He smiled to himself as he thought about how closely she watched him, thinking him unaware of her gaze. His smile faded as he returned to the current messy situation of Wickham and Lydia. What was to be done at present he knew not. All he was sure of was that he would handle this mess himself and he would ensure that George Wickham would not jeopardize his happiness again.

Georgiana finally spoke. "You speak of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, do you not? Tell me, brother, is she alright? Will she be joining us at Pemberley today?"

Darcy contemplated telling Georgiana the whole ugly truth but decided against it. It would do no good to involve her at this point. He could tell her all when all was right. There was no need to have here stuck at Pemberley worried that George Wickham had called him out and that his life was in danger. Although, Darcy knew if it came to that, that is exactly what he would do.

"No, I am afraid she will not be joining us today. She has had to go back to Loungborn to deal with a small family emergency. It is nothing to worry about. I can assure that she will return to Pemberley as soon as possible. Would you like that, Georgiana?" Darcy asked somewhat timidly.

"Of course brother, I would love to have Miss Bennet here at Pemberley as much as she likes. I should hope that perhaps your trip this morning to town would have guaranteed a much more permanent attachment between Pemberley and Miss Bennet."

Darcy looked at Georgiana surprised. "Yes, well, that will have to wait until Miss Bennet and I both resolve some issues. But I promise you that I will do everything in my power to return her to you as soon as I can." Darcy was smiling at his younger sister. She had grown so wise over the past year; almost without his notice. She was becoming more like their mother everyday and Darcy was happy to see the change.

"Now, Georgiana, I did not call you in here to speak of Miss Bennet," he lied, "there is some urgent business that I must attend to in London. I must leave immediately. Unfortunately, I fear I may need Bingley to come along. Therefore, I will have to leave the care and comfort of the Bingley sisters in your capable hands."

Georgiana almost audibly gasped but realizing that her brother would not put her in this position unless it was of the utmost importance she refrained from voicing her regret of the situation. She suspected that, although he did not state it directly, the business in London had something to do with Elizabeth Bennet and her "family emergency".

"I am happy to assist you in any possible way."

"Good, then I ask you to find Charles and send him in her as soon as possible. The sooner we set out to the task at hand, the sooner I will be back to rescue you from the fire-breathing dragons that have invaded our castle." Darcy tweaked the end of Georgiana's nose playfully relieving much of her anxiety. Georgiana threw her arms around his neck and gave him a rather large hug and kiss on the cheek. After that she promptly turned and quit the room.

It was but not ten minutes before Charles replaced Georgiana in the study.

"Darcy, Georgiana said that you urgently needed to see me. I hope that it is not something too dire as I am quite set on journeying to Loungborn tomorrow." Charles picked up the embroidered couch cushion and sat down. He nervously played with the tassel a bit afraid that Darcy would be cross with him or even worse would delay his trip to regain Miss Jane Bennet's love. The latter proved to be the case and it was a fate almost worse than death for poor Charles.

"Charles, I am sorry, but I fear that you have to delay your trip just a bit longer. There is a matter at hand that affects us both in kind and I desperately need your help in setting it right." Darcy studied his friend closely fearful that the anger from the previous night would return. Fortunately, Charles was less angry than he was confused.

"I do not understand Darcy. What on earth could affect both of us that would make it necessary for me to delay my return the Netherfield and Loungborn?"

"Let me explain," Darcy began, "but please know that what I am about to tell you is in the strictest of confidence. Not a word of it is to be repeated to anyone. Except for you only my cousin Richard and Miss Elizabeth Bennet know of what I am about to reveal."

Darcy's grave expression unnerved Charles a bit but he sat attentive as Darcy painfully recalled the events that took place between Georgiana and George Wickham and now that same man with Lydia Bennet. Charles was careful not to show judgment or shock on his face and to stay quiet until it was clear that Darcy had finished his account. Darcy was grateful to his friend for this last for he feared that any interruption or change in momentum would cause him to lose the courage to finish the entire story. When he was finished, Darcy collapsed in the chair across from Charles and rested his head in his hand; the room spinning with pent up emotion.

Charles finally decided it was safe to speak. "First, let me say that I am sorry that you and your sister had to endure the actions of such a low and despicable man as George Wickham. I cannot imagine what you must have gone through. It now explains very clearly your attitude toward the man. I wonder that you were able to retain any civility toward him at all, no matter how cold. But, Darcy, Georgiana is safe now, and you cannot blame yourself for what happened to Lydia Bennet. We all know her to be a simple-minded girl."

Still leaning into his hand Darcy replied, "Charles, can you not see, I could have stopped it all if I had but spoken up about Wickham and wasn't afraid of ruining my family name. I cannot even think about how many other girls might be out there suffering because of my cowardice. And now, I may pay the ultimate price; your happiness…..my happiness."

"Darcy, I do not understand. It was not your responsibility to reveal the man to all. You did what any brother would do. You did not wish to drag your sisters down with the scandal, did you? Nay, you acted accordingly and you should not feel remorse. I can see why you think my happiness would be a stake. I suppose this will make things more complicated with Jane Bennet. I am sure there is something that can be done. And I suppose you are thinking that any alliance between you and Miss Elizabeth Bennet lies in the balance as well.

Darcy looked at Charles with a seriousness his friend had never witnessed before. "I will not give her up, Charles. I have come too far and experienced too much to know that I am nothing without Elizabeth. I cannot and will not live without her and I damn well will not let a man like Wickham ruin my happiness."

Charles crossed the room to sit closer to his friend; concerned that he had never seen Darcy in such a state and worried that such a desperate man would do a desperate act.

"Darcy, what can I do to help? I obviously have as much at stake here as you. I am happy to pay my share in securing Wickham's marriage to Lydia."

"Thank you, Charles for your willingness, however, I am afraid that I insist on bearing the financial burden. But what I ask of you will most likely be an even larger cross for you to bear. Charles, you must understand, that if we have any hope of redeeming this situation, Wickham cannot know that I have any particular opinion on the matter. Do you understand?" Darcy was becoming increasingly agitated and walked across the room to stare out of the window.

"What are you proposing?" Charles asked but felt as though he was already aware of the answer.

Darcy inhaled a deep breath and turned to face Charles. "You must allow me to finance this endeavor, but you, my dear friend, must bear the credit. If Wickham even suspects that my happiness is in his hands, he will extort both of us of every penny and still run our good names and that of the Bennets through the mud."

"Darcy, I cannot take credit for your actions. It would be ungentlemanly." Charles protested.

"Then I am afraid that we are both doomed, for I know Wickham and he will not be so easily persuaded if he knows that I have finally found the one woman in the world that I cannot live without."

Charles looked at the tops of his shoes and reluctantly agreed to the plan of action. The two men left Pemberley the next day for London. Their first order of business after settling at Darcy House was to meet with Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet who had just arrived after dropping Elizabeth back at Loungborn. The sun was beginning to set on their first day in town when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley arrived at Cheapside.

ooooOoooo

"Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, how nice to see you again." Mr. Gardiner tried to be a gracious host but concern was written all over his face. Mr. Bennet was standing in the study staring intently at the fire. He did not even acknowledge the arrival of the two young gentlemen. The latter of which did not blame him. The current situation granted Mr. Bennet every excuse to be less than cordial.

"Mr. Gardiner," Mr. Darcy began, "I will not mince words as time is of the essence. I am aware of the current situation between Mr. Wickham and Miss Lydia Bennet." Darcy waited for the reaction from Mr. Bennet, but was not obliged. Mr. Bennet remained staring at the fire while Mr. Gardiner was obviously taken aback.

"Mr. Darcy, with all due respect, this is a matter of family delicacy. I cannot imagine what business it is of yours or Mr. Bingley's to come into my home and expect this to be the topic of conversation."

Mr. Darcy expected this and began the long drawn out explanation of Wickham's character, his time in Cambridge, his dealings with Georgiana. Funny to Darcy was the fact that the more he recounted the affair out loud, the more relieved he felt. He of course trusted the Bennets and their family explicitly, however, the act of announcing that his family was not beyond reproach was liberating to him.

"Mr. Darcy, I understand why you might feel badly that Wickham was allowed to run amuck without revealing his true character. However, sir, I cannot permit what you propose. Wickham will be a fool to settle for anything less than 10,000 pounds and I do think that my niece has to bear some of this blame. I cannot allow this plan to unfold."

"You must, sir, for I have asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to marry me and she has accepted, pending Mr. Bennet's permission of course. And Charles here will ride to Loungborn the minute this business is settled to ask for Miss Jane's hand, that is if Mr. Bennet will grant his permission on that affair as well."

Mr. Bennet finally turned to face the two gentlemen with anger on his face. "You two impudent young men believe that you can come into my family's house and bargain for my daughters' hands in marriage like some tradesman? You dare to think that I would accept the help of the one man who was not brave enough to stand up to his own sniveling sisters and make his intentions known eight months ago. The man who left my eldest daughter's heart in pieces? And you Mr. Darcy, your contempt for my family and way of life and your pride in your own has held your tongue regarding the true character of Wickham only now to reveal it when it may ruin your chance at happiness. What responsibility, sir, would you have felt if Elizabeth had refused you? What responsibility do you feel for the knowledge that my youngest daughter, silly though she may be, is now sentenced to a life of misery and most likely a loveless, ridiculous marriage? No, sir, you sat quietly and allowed this man to flourish and fester so that your good family name could be spared. So how dare you now, both of you, stand before me and dream that you are even close to being worthy of my daughters' love. I deny my permission to marry my Jane and Elizabeth. You are free of your obligation to my family and I beg you to leave!"

Darcy and Bingley stood in disbelief. They did not anticipate this reaction. However, upon closer examination, Darcy understood Mr. Bennet's position. He was right. When there was nothing personal at stake, Darcy did not speak of Wickham and his reputation. Now, in a great act of selfishness, he was asking a man to swallow whatever pride he had left and accept his help. It was not surprising that Mr. Bennet was upset with this proposal.

On the way to the door, Mr. Gardiner spoke to Darcy and Bingley. "Please, do not lose heart. My brother is just emotional from the occurrences and is feeling a bit ashamed of his situation and helplessness. He will come around, I will see to it. Now, if you think you can find Wickham and persuade him to marry Lydia, I would say go to it. We will figure out the financials later. Time is of importance here and the sooner we have a resolution to this nonsense, the sooner you will be my nephews."

With this Mr. Gardiner bid goodbye to the gentlemen and returned to the study to calm his brother-in-law. He wasn't sure what the two young men intended for Wickham but felt that anything short of a running through with a steel blade was too good for him.