Chapter 31

Heart racing, she stopped as soon as she felt they had enough privacy without being too far from the street. Immediately, she regretted her decision. He came forward and stopped inches from her person. "Miss King was a means to a reasonably funded life. You know I ought to have had a life of leisure in the church."

Elizabeth stepped back to put distance between them. "I also know that when given the choice, you decided not to join the church and were compensated accordingly."

"You have spoken with Darcy about this, then." Wickham stepped forward in anger. His stories were rarely questioned. "Something has changed for you to believe him."

"I have never known him to speak anything but the truth."

"Perhaps you only choose to believe him. I always enjoyed your company. If your dowry were more, I would have been able to do more than flirt with you on occasion."

"What a shame." She said, then feeling the impropriety of her situation even more, she added. "Since you seem to have nothing to say other than to waste my time, I shall bid you adieu."

Mr. Wickham reacted immediately. He grabbed each of her arms and pushed her back against the wall. "You seem enamored of Darcy now. His money has finally seduced you. But I cannot imagine him wanting you after this." Moving in for a kiss, he was not expecting her to fight back. A swift rise of her knee while she braced against the wall sent him to the floor clutching his leg, moaning in pain.

Elizabeth watched him writhe on the floor while she caught her breath. Thankful no one could be seen in the streets; she knew she could not remain. However, before she could reach to the street, Mr. Denny and another officer she had not met turned the corner to investigate the noise.

They immediately went to assist Mr. Wickham, who was still moaning incoherently. The officer Elizabeth did not recognize was the first to speak. "You seem intelligent enough to know you cannot attack an officer."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as Denny replied, "Surely Mr. Wickham could not have been injured by a lady. It must be an injury he received in training this morning. Miss Elizabeth, I hope you are well."

"As well as I can be while here. Mr. Wickham is not to be trusted. He lies constantly to promote himself in his company."

"I cannot believe that. We play cards together and he is terrible."

Elizabeth chuckled as her mind worked quickly. "How much does he owe you?"

Mr. Denny responded almost as quickly, "He will pay as soon as his fortune comes in."

Suppressing a laugh at how ridiculous he sounded, Elizabeth repeated her question.

Mr. Denny stopped helping Mr. Wickham sit up while he thought. "Nearly a twenty pounds. What about you Milton?"

Mr. Milton, the other militia man, declared he was owed more.

"If he owes the two of you money, then he likely owes everyone at your tables even more. On his pay, how long would it take him to pay you?"

Mr. Denny declared he had never learned his sums to a reasonable degree.

"He would need to save all his earnings for around three or four years to settle his debt with you. What are the chances he will begin saving?"

Mr. Denny and Mr. Milton dropped Mr. Wickham at this thought, disgusted with their former friend. Mr. Wickham stumbled, but he regained his footing. He was about to speak when Elizabeth beat him to the punch.

"Mr. Wickham lies, as I said. If his lies are spread, then a rich gentleman who could be persuaded to assist you with your losses would be considerably less inclined."

"Elizabeth…"

"I did not give you leave to use my name. You will treat me with respect to my status as a gentlewoman."

"We have been meeting together for weeks now, Elizabeth, you only claim to not know me well."

Elizabeth laughed. "I only returned to Meryton earlier this week." Elizabeth turned away from Wickham. "See that he does not spread any more lies and I will consider encouraging my betrothed to assist your gambling losses. I suggest you take him somewhere to sober up."

Wickham laughed and shouted, "You have been seduced!" He would have said more, but Mr. Denny grabbed his arm and turned him away, declaring Mr. Wickham would be taken care of.

At this, a commotion could be heard at the other end of the path beside the shop. Elizabeth turned in time to see Mr. Darcy jump off his horse and hurry to her side as he took in the three gentlemen leaving hastily. "What has happened? Miss Elizabeth, have you been harmed?"

"No, however, this could have been avoided had you been more open when you were first in Hertfordshire." She paused as she noticed the curtains shifting a window above a shop. She wondered how much the person had been watching. They had been mostly silent up until Wickham had shouted. "Appearances are everything. I need your help."

"How can I assist you?"

"We need to give onlookers something to talk about. Kiss me like you did in the woods. Otherwise, simple folk might make up a story to describe what happened before you came."

Mr. Darcy hesitated, not enjoying the prospect of being watched. Elizabeth rolled her eyes again. "My reputation is at stake, and I would prefer the story of our kiss to be the talk of the town instead what some people may think they saw Wickham do. Kiss me, now!"

Still unsure, he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly. Elizabeth noticed the curtains shift again before she closed her eyes and enjoyed Mr. Darcy's attentions. When he ended the kiss, he pulled her closer to him and encircled her tightly in his arms. He whispered in her ear, "I will ask again, has Wickham harmed you?"

"He attempted to harm me, however my father taught me a few methods to protect myself. I doubt he will be much liked in the militia now."

As they broke apart, Mr. Bennet rode into view. Elizabeth walked to his side and began to pet his horse's neck in a bid for time. Mr. Bennet could see that his daughter was incredibly flustered, and he wondered what had stressed her when he knew Mr. Darcy had just arrived. Looking at Mr. Darcy, he could tell Darcy was furious and barely able to restrain it. Thinking quickly, Mr. Bennet announced that it was time to return home.

"My sisters and Miss Darcy are in the shop looking at ribbons." Elizabeth declared, realizing how quickly everything had happened. "I should like to walk home. If you are done riding with Mr. Darcy, he can escort me home. My sisters can follow on their own."

Mr. Bennet nodded in agreement. "I shall settle my horse at the posting stable and take your sisters to tea. Tiberius should enjoy the rest before we walk home. If Mr. Darcy hands me his reins, I shall ensure his horse returns home as well. You look as though you need time to discuss quite a few matters."

"I believe you are right. Thank you, Papa."

"Well, if you arrive at home before us, you can thank me by sharing with your mother your news."

"My news?"

"Yes. I should like for your mother to find out about your engagement while I am not in the house. I anticipate I shall hear her effusions of joy from the tea shop."

Elizabeth stared at her father in shock. "Does this mean we already have your consent?" She turned to look at Mr. Darcy, who was looking very smug.

"I am glad I shall never have to have such a discussion again." Mr. Darcy stated simply.

"If only life will be so kind to you. No, Mr. Darcy. Should you have any daughters, this discussion will only be worse for you than it was today." Mr. Bennet gently kicked his horse into action and rode off, with Mr. Darcy's horse lagging behind.

"Apparently we do have plenty to talk about." Elizabeth smiled seductively at her betrothed.