Special thanks to my beta reader Violingirl05! She has been so amazing and I really appreciate her help. Thank you to all my readers, I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

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Chapter 2

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Four days. Four long, lonely days without Elizabeth. Darcy awoke Saturday morning with a groan, frustrated and tired. Seeing Elizabeth was the only reason he was in this ridiculous little Hamlet. He had been able to spend some pleasant time with Georgiana, which had been much needed but the only other person often in Netherfield was Miss Bingley. Being stuck in the house with Miss Bingley had been torture, despite the many times he gone out riding or hidden in the library to read. He had not joined Bingley in his many social endeavors because these endeavors usually started or ended at the Bennet household. Darcy had no interest in being at that place if it did not include Elizabeth's company.

He had visited Wednesday morning, eager to see Elizabeth after a day without her, only to find that she was 'indisposed'. He had known to what they alluded and while not happy, had accepted it as a normal aspect in the life of a lady. The rest of the visit had been immensely annoying. He had known that Mrs. Bennet's fawning and babbling had been her attempt to make up for the loss of Elizabeth's company and had even appreciated the thought. Whatever her intentions had been, however, the reality had only been extremely vapid and uncomfortable. No, he would not return until Elizabeth was ready to meet him, though he had been told that she would probably not be up for any company for at least three days.

Thankfully he was able to see Miss Mary everyday as she was still coming to play with Georgiana, and from her get news of Elizabeth. He was also able to send a little present back with Miss Mary for Elizabeth. First, he sent a bouquet of pink camellias and forsythia which in the language of flowers mean that missed her and anticipated their next meeting eagerly. Then, a piano book that Georgiana had helped him pick out. Elizabeth had sent little thank you notes back through the afternoon post. These had been the first correspondence he had ever received from her and he had saved them like a lovestruck school boy.

The night before he had stayed up into the wee hours of the morning, distracting himself with a book, and now he regretted it. Sleepy and grumpy, he dragged himself from his bed. He had to get ready, for he was going to try his luck at the Bennets today as her note the afternoon before had mentioned feeling a bit better.

Darcy dipped his whole head into the wash basin and kept it there for as long as his breath held. Despite this attempt to invigorate himself, when he dried off, Darcy still felt groggy. He needed his first cup of tea.

He really should not have stayed up reading Wilhelm Tell. Elizabeth had raved about the exciting and interesting perspective of the play to him once and when he had seen it in Bingley's library, he had decided to try it. When it had first been published almost eight years ago, he had been in college and many of his peers had recommended it to him, but he disliked sensational and revolutionary books and so had ignored the recommendation. After staying up half the night to finish it, however, he now felt he understood the appeal. It had indeed been a bit unrealistically dramatic, but Friedrick Schiller had written it so well that Darcy could easily forgive the novelization. Even when he had finally finished the book, he had stayed up for at least another hour, pondering the morals of justifiable violence against a cruel or unjust ruler. He had lost himself in thoughts of what he would do in Wilhelm Tell's place, and even in his dreams such thoughts did not cease. His head ached from lack of sleep and spending hours reading German, but he could not wait to discuss it with Elizabeth.

Tea, first he needed his tea. Cursing the bright morning under his breath, he went down to breakfast.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Elizabeth paced the hallway outside of her room. The rest of the family was downstairs in the sitting room, but she had excused herself because she had received a response to her letter from Harriot. The letter had come yesterday but absent-minded Kitty had received the evening post and had forgotten to give it to her until this morning.

To her excitement, Elizabeth had found the letter contained an agreement to interview Lt. Wickham for the curate position. Harriot's letter contained a few questions she wanted answered before the interview but she was still willing to schedule it. Her heart had leapt when she had read the news and triumph had filled her ever since. She would be able to save Wickham from poverty - comparative poverty – and the idea thrilled her! Everything about the situation made Elizabeth feel like a heroine from a story. She was caught between two dashing, handsome men, one in love with her and one who trusted her. And she would be able to save one and marry the other!

The only problem was how to relay the exciting news to Lt. Wickham? If I was a storybook heroine, I would not have menses and there would be a convenient masked ball we would both soon be attending. The pain and bulk of her time of the month had passed but it would still be inappropriate and uncomfortable to go into Meryton today. She wished that she could just invite him to Longbourn, but worried that she would not have enough to time to arrange a dinner invitation before the militia left Meryton for good. No, Elizabeth's best option, despite the discomfort, would probably be walking to Meryton this afternoon as the militia was set to decamp in the next few days.

The officers' decampment to Brighton was the only thing - other than weddings - that was presently spoken of in the Bennet household. this continued despite the fact that any mention of this subject was quickly followed by laments, complaints, and occasional sobbing from a fair number of Bennet women.

Lydia was especially inconsolable. She had wanted more than anything to follow the officers to Brighton. Indeed, when Elizabeth had first returned from London, Lydia had still been in hopes that their father would take all of them there for the summer. But that hope had eventually been extinguished. Their father hated traveling and with Jane engaged and Elizabeth courting, both parents had agreed that it would not be possible this summer. Lydia had almost reached a point of acceptance to this when her new friend Mrs. Forster had invited Lydia along with her as her close, personal friend. All her hopes had come rushing back and she had been certain that she would be allowed to go.

However, to her great despair, Lydia had found her parents quite decided against it. She had unfortunately boasted of her plan in the presence of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy when they had called Wednesday morning. Both gentlemen, though in different manners, had expressed their disfavor for this idea. Mrs. Bennet fearing to anger her future sons in law, had agreed that it would be impossible. Later, Mr. Bennet had added his refusal. With such a universal refusal to her pleas, Lydia was finally forced to give up and spent the rest of the week sulking like the child she was.

Yes, walking into town would be best. It would not take much to convince her family to go with her. Lydia would be delighted with the opportunity to visit the officers one last time, and it would give her a chance to air her grievances with impunity. The most difficult aspect of the venture would be to pry Lydia off Lt. Wickham's arm, as he was her particular favorite. However, Elizabeth hoped that if she was patient, something would distract Lydia long enough for her to get Lt. Wickham alone for a moment to explain about the curate position.

A small part of Elizabeth was anxious as to what Mr. Darcy's reaction would be if he knew her plans. She knew he would be displeased, and the idea of disappointing Mr. Darcy was upsetting and worrisome. But she pushed that concern away for the fiftieth time. Mr. Darcy was not her husband yet and even if he was, she would still do the right thing.

With renewed determination, Elizabeth made her way down the stairs. As she reached the landing, Mrs. Hill opened the front door and in walked none other than Lt. Wickham himself, along with a group of other officers.

What luck! But of course, why didn't I realize that they would not leave the county without saying their farewells? I was too caught up in dramatic imaginings! She still had to find an opportunity to speak to him alone, but thought it would not be difficult as she and Lt. Wickham often conversed in relative privacy.

She curtseyed cheerfully and greeted all of them as they took off their outerwear. They laughed and conversed for a few moments and then just as she moved to lead the officers into the sitting room, Lt. Wickham said jovially to his fellows, "Go on, we'll be follow in a moment," while he caught Elizabeth's eye and smiled.

The other officers laughed and warned Wickham not to hog her company for too long, then moved on to the sitting room and the cheerful company of five pretty Bennet women.

"Miss Elizabeth, I hope you don't find me too inappropriate. I only wanted to wish you a personal farewell, as I and the militia will be leaving the day after next."

"Not at all, Lt. Wickham. Indeed I am glad to have this moment to speak with you. I had hoped to get a chance like this before you left, as I have something to speak with you about."

"I'm relieved to hear you say that Miss Elizabeth, as usual, we appear to be of one mind. I too had something to speak to you about, though please, speak first."

"First, let us leave the hallway for a moment. My father's study is empty as he is calling on his friend. Let us talk in there."

Lt. Wickham bowed and motioned for her to lead the way. When they entered the room, Elizabeth was careful to leave the door open and remain standing. This would not take long and there was no real impropriety, for he was just a friend.

Still, her hands clenched together with nervousness. Elizabeth knew this was not something a proper miss should even speak to a gentlemen about. How to bring it up? "Lt. Wickham, I know it is not my place, or even my concern; but your troubles have often caused me great distress. I would help you if I could."

Instead of looking offended, Lt. Wickham shook his head with a smile. "You are too generous, Miss Elizabeth. I would not have you anxious on my account, however, I find myself in need of such friends and so can only say that I am grateful. I know that you do not have much ability to help me now but perhaps when you are married to Darcy…"

"Actually, that's the exciting news! I do not need to wait until I have Mr. Darcy's connections. I have found a way to help you through an old friend of mine."

For the first time Lt. Wickham appeared somewhat surprised, but still seemed pleased so Elizabeth pressed on. "My friend Harriot Gladstone of _ Park is currently looking for a curate. I mentioned your situation and she said she would interview you for the position!"

"A curate position?" Wickham asked, incredulity in his tone. In fact, he seemed so surprised and rather displeased that it confused Elizabeth.

"Yes, I am not saying she will give it to you for sure,but she seemed optimistic. She only had a few questions for you. You could travel on your day off to interview and if it goes well, then you could sell your commision and start your career in the church, as you've always wanted. If you answer her questions now then I can send her a letter back with the afternoon or evening post. Here, uh- I have her letter with me." Elizabeth pulled the letter from her pocket to show Wickham and then quickly read over the questions. "Oh, yes - here she asks about your university. You had mentioned to me one time that you went to Cambridge at the same time that Mr. Darcy did, but she asks how long you studied there and what courses you learned. Do you have any references from your professors?"

Elizabeth looked up from the letter into the eyes of a man she did not quite recognize. Wickham's altered expression startled her and she stepped back quickly. The sneering man barked a laugh. "Professor recommendations? For a curate position? This is the help you were offering?"

"Y-yes, I know it's not the living you were promised, but this job is available because the current clergymen is getting on in years. If you learn under him for a few years then you would surely get the clergymen position when he retires!" Elizabeth explained, stepping back a little more as uncertainty rose in her for the first time.

The sneer transformed back into an earnest smile so completely and quickly that Elizabeth's head spun. Lt. Wickham shrugged his shoulders and held out his hands in a despairing manner. "Alas, Miss Elizabeth, I have no such recommendations, as Darcy poisoned the minds of all my professors then stole my living from me! Without any references and a Darcy cut, I could not hope to go into that career, so I did not finish all my courses. If I did not have a few loyal friends I would not even have been able to get a commission. Thankfully, I do have such friends, like you Miss Elizabeth."

He stepped closer to her and smiled cloyingly. "Thank you for trying to help me, but this will not work. No, wait just a little and when you are married to Mr. Darcy, there will be other ways you can help my situation now and again."

"Now and again?" Elizabeth repeated faintly. "In what way do you see me helping you, Lt. Wickham?"

Again, the cloying smile and another step towards her. Elizabeth felt truly uncomfortable now and backed up until she bumped into a bookshelf.

"Why, Miss Elizabeth, financially of course, as Darcy should be giving me money anyway. It would be but a small portion of what he really owes me. Nothing but a small token of our close friendship."

"Lt. Wickham, I fear you have misunderstood me. I could never- would never- support someone financially with my husband's money if he was against it, especially not a man. Is this why you pulled me aside? I only thought to reset your path toward achieving your old aspirations."

Wickham threw his hands in the air, startling her yet again. "Absurd! I cannot lower myself to be toiling away as some tiny village curate! I was raised alongside Darcy and beloved by his father, but now he has Pemberley, money, and status, and I have nothing! I ask you, Miss Elizabeth, does this seem reasonable to you? It cannot! I am all but his brother. I should have been his brother!"

"Lt. Wickham, I fear your emotions have overcome you. Perhaps you ought to leave for now," Elizabeth said with all the calm she could muster.

"Throwing me out, are you? I have said nothing to be ashamed of and have only spoken the truth, but I will leave as I have no desire to listen to your insults any longer!" he said as he strode from the room.

Somewhat dazed, Elizabeth followed him. As she came out of the doorway, a sight in the entryway froze her in her tracks. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy was standing there, their outwear half off, staring back at her and Lt. Wickham in shock.

Instead of showing concern, Lt. Wickham paused his strides and broke into laughter. Elizabeth felt her heart drop. How would she explain this?

"Darcy! What excellent timing! You shouldn't looked so surprised, though. The women in your life have always preferred me. And Elizabeth is no exception, indeed, she has hated you far more than any other woman I've known! How we laugh at your absurdities!"

Elizabeth burned with shame and anger. Before she could say anything, though, Mr. Darcy responded, "Perhaps she spoke unwisely with you at one time, but we now have a better understanding of each other. And, it seems, as usual, you were not able to keep your true nature from showing for long, and now she must have a better understanding of your character as well."

Lt. Wickham swore an angry oath, grabbed his hat and coat, and left Longbourn. Elizabeth didn't watch him leave; instead her attention caught on Mr. Darcy's eyes. They burned with anger. For all his calm when answering Wickham, Elizabeth could tell that his real feelings were all but bursting out.

Without taking his eyes off Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy murmured something to his friend. Mr. Bingley turned to leave and Elizabeth knew that she would have to try and explain the situation to Mr. Darcy. She would prefer that it not happen in the hallway, so she turned and reentered her father's study.

Keeping her eyes downcast, she held the door for him until he entered and then quietly closed it. With him she felt she needed the added privacy, and knew that no one would question it. For a moment they both stood quiet and still, then Mr. Darcy took an armchair and motioned for her to take the one across from it.

Elizabeth did sit but felt her defensiveness rise as sitting in this particular chair, across from her father's, made her feel like a child about to be repuked. After all, what wrong thing had she done?

"Why… why, pray tell me, Miss Elizabeth, were you alone in this room with Wickham?"

"I wasn't - You cannot think that of me!" she burst out.

"I don't actually. If there had been any hint of impropriety, I'm sure that Wickham would have been thrilled to inform me. More than that, I do not believe it within your character. That aside, you were still here, alone with him. What could possibly have possessed you? No matter what the reason, it was inappropriate and I told you to avoid him!" His voice had started out calmly but by the end had stuck at her like a whip.

"I - that is, my friend … I found out about an open position as curate a few counties over. I have connections over there and got him an interview. I thought to help him since you-"

"Since I stole his living from him?" Mr. Darcy interrupted her sarcastically.

"Did you not? Everytime I ask you about it, you ignore the question or get angry! What else but guilt am I to interpret from this?"

"You should have trusted me! We are courting, and you have let me kiss you! I was ready to propose to you today but now find that whatever other feelings you have for me, you do not respect or trust me!"

Mr. Darcy leapt from his chair in agitation, then strode to the window and, keeping his back to her, continued. "But now, since you desire it so strongly, I will lay before you the whole of George Wickham's connection with my family. I don't know what lies he has told you, so I will give you the whole truth of everything between us. Everything I tell you know can be vouched for by the records I kept and multiple witnesses."

Bitterness laced his tone but he spoke on. "Lt. Wickham is the son of my father's steward. Old Mr. Wickham was a great man and in his care Pemberley flourished. He served my father well and my father was naturally inclined - because of gratitude - to care for his son. My father took George Wickham as his godson showed him every kindness, even supporting him at school and later, Cambridge. My father was not only fond of Wickham for his pleasing and energetic personality, but had great faith in his future, imaging for him a career in the church. He even planned a living for him.

"I, however, had for many years known him from a different perspective. He has vicious propensities, a complete want of principle and no true attachment to any person other than himself. Though he could hide these traits from my father, he could not do so from me, as I was almost the same age as he and saw him often in less guarded moments."

Darcy moved from the window and began to pace the length of the room. "I never would have told you of my observations of his character, as I would not wish to cause you pain. At your instance, I will continue. His time in Cambridge was wasted and wonton. He gambled, caroused, and womanized to the neglect of everything else. The personality he displayed before my father, however, was so different that he could maintain his lies no matter the accusation. When my excellent father died about five years ago, he still had every belief in Wickham's good character. His trust was such that in his will he particularly recommended to me to advance Wickham's profession in the church anyway that I could - and if he took orders, suggested that a valuable family living, when made available, be given to Wickham. There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. It wasn't six months before Wickham wrote to inform me that he was fully resolved against taking orders. Instead he hoped that I could allow for a more immediate financial benefit, in replacement of the living. I knew that he ought not be a clergyman; thus I was only too willing to agree to his request. He signed over any claim or intention to a profession in the church and accepted three thousand pounds in return."

Elizabeth gasped, "So much! What did he do with it?"

"He said something of studying law but I wished rather than hoped him to be sincere. As his father had died not long after mine, he was now free from all restraint and his life one was one of idleness and debauchery. For three years I heard little of him for I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberly. Indeed, I believed all ties with him had been cut. But when the living became available I received a letter from him. He let me know that he had found himself ill suited for a law career and as he was sure that it was what my father would have wanted - as he had been a favorite of my father - Wickham ought to receive the living. You can hardly blame me for refusing to comply with his request,despite his many pleas and descriptions of his dire circumstances. Indeed, such descriptions only confirmed my belief that a man who had left a trail of seduced women and unpaid lines of credit ought never to be in the church."

"Of course…" Elizabeth agreed, her mind whirling and her stomach feeling a little sick.

"His resentment for my refusal was great and the violence of his language was a reflection on the kind of life he was leading. But despite all his entries and threats, I was not moved. After this, every appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he lived during that time I know not, but last summer he reentered my life in the most painful way…"

Darcy's voice faded away and for a moment he was silent, obviously struggling for words as he paced. Finally, he came to a stop before her and said in a much more vulnerable tone, "I must now mention a situation which I myself would wish to forget. And for no less an obligation or relationship than the present circumstances would I ever speak of it. I trust your secrecy, but would still never have mentioned if you had not forced me to do so.

My sister… about a year ago, my younger sister was taken from school to live in town. Last summer, with her companion, Georgiana went to Ramsgate. There also went Wickham, a situation I now know to have been intentional as there had been a prior acquaintance between him and the companion, Mrs. Younge. Of her character I had been completely deceived. Her collusion with Wickham was such that she was able to influence Georgiana's affections towards him. And remembering his kindness to her as a child, Georgiana welcomed him without concern. She quickly persuaded to believe herself in love, and to consent to an elopement, though she was then but fifteen."

Elizabeth, unable to sit beneath Mr. Darcy's angry, saddened expression any longer, leapt to her feet and moved a little away. Before she could gather her thoughts, however, Mr. Darcy continued.

"Thankfully I joined them unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement and Georgiana, unable to accept the idea of grieving and lying to me, admitted the whole to me. You can imagine how I felt and how I acted."

"Could - could there not have been some real regard between them?"

"There was not. He spoke nothing of any attachment, only rejoicing in his revenge against me and his right to Georgiana's inheritance of thirty thousand pounds. However, I had arrived in time and there was no way for him to force her into marriage. When I made it clear that no matter his future actions - up to and including actually marrying her somehow - he would never be able to touch her fortune, he left in a fury.

"Of all this, you can appeal to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who because of our close relationship, our shared custody of Georgiana and his role as the executor of my father's will, is very familiar with all the particulars of my interactions with Wickham. If your distrust in me is so great that you cannot believe my words then perhaps you could at least trust him." *

"That will not be necessary, I assure you. Of course, I believe what you have said - I am only - I cannot… it is just all so horrible! Indeed I find that I am unable to describe what I feel now!"

"Of course it is horrible. I myself am often shocked by his behavior, which is why I wished to shield you from any knowledge or exposure to it. But because you couldn't trust me, you put yourself in the influence of a liar and risked everything in a misguided attempt to help the scoundrel."

Elizabeth's overall confusion and shock cleared somewhat as anger resurfaced. "Why do you keep blaming me for distrusting you? Upon what basis should I have trusted to you to behave with openness and fairness? You, who for all your professions of attachment, not two months ago almost ruined my sister's life with ill judgement based on prejudice? You, who would not answer any questions I asked you?"

"And your judgment is so flawless? I at least have more experience and knowledge than you. If you were willing to consider marrying me, than you should have been willing to trust me!"

"You're assuming much, Mr. Darcy, as I have never responded to an offer of marriage from you. And if you had more information on this subject, then you ought to have shared it so that I could have protected myself. Should I directly cut an established friend of mine on the mere word of the man I'm courting? It is absurd to expect this of our new relationship, particularly if you had any real understanding of my character! No, I cannot see that I did anything really wrong other than offend your pride."

Mr. Darcy let out a mocking laugh. "My pride? If you were less prideful, then you would not have acted with self-important 'heroism'. Indeed, despite any truth that your accusations may have had against my pride in the past, you have often displayed your own propensity for that trait."

"Perhaps, but I could never hope to achieve the level of skill you have in prideful behavior! You think that your pride is in the past just because you treat me a little better? You still cannot not bear to exchange pleasantries from anyone outside of your circle. Not to mention the very real and serious danger you have put our entire community in by not revealing Lt. Wickham's habit of running up debts and womanizing!"

Mr. Darcy seemed taken aback and Elizabeth pushed her advantage. "How many merchants, the day after tomorrow, will realize that he has left unpaid bills with them? Likewise how many women thought that they might have a future with him, only to wake up and realize that any future they might have had is now forever ruined?"

Mr. Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. "It is not my fault they trusted him, and I could hardly have given my personal information to the public just to discredit him!"

"You would not have had to give any personal information, a word of past debts would have been more than enough for many to be on their guard."

"He is too well liked for any such unsubstantiated words of mine to have any effect. And I will not have my family gossiped about, especially not in connection with him!"

"If you are not well liked enough to have influence, who's fault is that?"

"I will not continue this conversation, as you are determined to vilify and misunderstand me! It was Wickham who lied to you, and it was you who made secret plans behind my back and met him alone to discuss them!"

"And it was you who caused me to behave so!"

Mr. Darcy spun away and let out an angry exclamation. With his back still to her, he said through clenched teeth, "I will not - cannot - continue this conversation! I will take my leave of you now, Miss Elizabeth. Good day." And without a backward glance, Mr. Darcy left Longbourn.

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*Much if this was closely based off of Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 36