Chapter 16

December 22, 1811 Meryton

"But Lizzy," Lydia whined, "Papa says we cannot go into Meryton without you or Jane. Jane is helping with the Gardiner children which leaves you. If you don't go we won't have presents for everyone."

With a resigned sigh Elizabeth gave into her two youngest sisters. She had hoped to be home in case the Darcy siblings came to call. Caroline, it was doubtful, would allow any peace to be found in Netherfield today and Longbourn , Elizabeth was happy to offer as a sanctuary.

Elizabeth was grateful that her father had finally seen the need to curtail her younger sisters but irritated that it fell to her and Jane to bear the burden. As the girls set out Lydia and Kitty merrily skipped along, whispering and giggling. Elizabeth tilted her face up towards the sun and felt a smile warming on her face, her irritation dissipating.

Once the sisters reached Meryton, Lydia and Kitty seemed far more interested in flirting with officers then doing the Christmas shopping they had claimed necessary. Seeing a familiar figure step out of the bookshop, Elizabeth beamed. Mr. Darcy glancing in her direction and spotting her felt his own anwering smile light up his face. He quickly strode over to Elizabeth. Greeting her, he offered to escort her. She happily accepted and the two fell into conversation to the exclusion of the others. Mindful of her chaperoning duties Elizabeth and Darcy trailed after her sisters.

Unnoticed by either Darcy or Elizabeth, Wickham watched the two interact. There was something different about Darcy. Wickham couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was. Overall he noticed that he seemed more relaxed. He felt a pang of disappointment when Elizabeth laughed at something Darcy said and then placed her hand on his arm.

…

"Lizzy, you must go with Kitty to the music store so I can buy her present," Lydia instructed her sister.

Agreeing with Lydia's request Elizabeth approached Kitty and said, "Kitty perhaps Mary would like some new sheet music for Christmas. "

"Perhaps we shall run into my sister and cousin there," Darcy added.

"Oh, if Miss Darcy is there she can help us pick some out for Mary," Kitty said with a cough.

"I need to finish up here, but I will meet you there," Lydia announced loudly.

Leaving the youngest Bennet behind the other three ventured down the street to the music shop. As they were leaving,Col. Fitzwilliam and Georgiana were preparing to exit, but when applied to to help find sheet music for Mary the two returned to the shop.

...

Wickham glanced at the note in his hand. Lydia had seen fit to slip it to him while in Meryton. The youngest Bennet had handed him the means for him to become a wealthy man. The chit wrote to suggest they elope. He had barely acknowledged the girl, preferring to spend his time with Elizabeth. If he ran off with Lydia and she was ruined Darcy would pay handsomely for him to marry her for Elizabeth's sake. While he would be well off, Elizabeth would despise him more and he would be shackled to a poor imitation of her. It would be a rod fashioned to forever punish him. Elizabeth would likely be so grateful to Darcy that she would grant his fondest desire and marry him, leaving Darcy as the ultimate winner to have secured his prize while Wickham was stuck with Lydia. With these thoughts in mind Wickham decided he would not be taking Lydia up on her offer. He debated if he should attempt to sell the note to Darcy or in an act of goodwill give it to Elizabeth in an attenpt to regain some of her esteem.