Tomorrow I should have Elizabeth's response edited for you guys. Thanks for all of the comments, they really encourage me to continue despite everything else going on. They've also been really helpful at pointing out where I need to add to the story for clarity. I can't believe that will make 50 chapters (how fitting that it's Elizabeth's reaction), when I drafted the outline I thought for sure that it would only take 30 chapters or so but I didn't realize (this being my first story) that it would take more to build out the characters and give them depth. That also makes it impossible though for me to guess how many are left. I never thought so many people would follow! Thanks so much. I'm dying to start my next story but I'm trying to finish this one first.

Chapter 49

Upon his return to Meryton, before he had yet reported back, Mr. Wickham spotted Lydia and Kitty Bennet, gossiping with one of the local young ladies. As he approached from the opposite direction, he overheard part of the tale, which was now circulating throughout the whole of Hertfordshire, spreading far wider than the four and twenty families that the Bennets dined with -indeed, any day now the tale would make it to town. The two youngest of the Bennet sisters were doing their fair share to promote the gossip, secretly wishing for their own chance to spurn a suitor, enjoying all of the excitement that could come from sharing a first hand account of so many proposals in so few days and it's corresponding increase in popularity.

"Then Mr. Darcy proposed to Lizzy, and you'll never guess what happened next," cried Lydia. Wickham's heart lept with such an opportunity within his grasp. Here was his chance to gain means and fortune from Darcy, perhaps for a lifetime, and none too soon for he was certain a number of debts were about to be called in thanks to Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. For all appearances, he was still all charm and amiability, but inside he was seething, he felt himself yet again ill-used at the hands of Darcy. His resentment was in proportion to the distress of his circumstances, and it was his belief that his circumstances were due to Dary's interference; weighing not the consequences to his own dissolute habits.

"Miss Lydia," cried Wickham, not waiting to interject, as it never occurred to him that any woman would turn down such good fortune as a proposal from someone as illustrious as Darcy, no matter their opinion of him. Thus he wasted no time wooing the youngest Miss Bennet, forgetting his designs on the second eldest. He swiftly bowed to the other ladies and requested a turn around the green with Lydia.

"I'm delighted to see that you've returned Mr. Wickham, of course, you wish to walk with me, I daresay that I was very much missed," preened Lydia, not recognizing the man's falsehood, and quite delighted to revel in his flattery, absent any suspicion as to his sincerity.

"That you were, my darling Miss Lydia," he replied, as they departed from the rest of the group. Wickham proceeded to ready himself for his best performance, he knew that his adversary would not abandon the Bennets after his honor was engaged. Regardless of what society said or its consequences, Darcy would endure it, he would never bow out of a commitment after it was made, his morals were too rigid and his lifestyle too upright.

"Lydia, you must know, your charms outweigh that of all your sisters. Knowing you deserve far more than I could ever offer, I've said nothing, hoping that for your sake, though it would break my own heart, that the esteemed gentlemen would choose you. But he must be blind to your beauty and liveliness, to choose your sister over you, he does you a grave injury passing you by," said Wickham, deliberately flattering her while simultaneously provoking jealousy over her sister's proposal.

"Oh, La, as though I would have Mr. Darcy, he is so very droll! Following Lizzy around all the time and calling her ugly at the assembly, all the time wishing to marry her. What a lark! I would much prefer an officer who is handsome and charming, I do enjoy the sight of a red coat."

"Then will you have me, Lydia? Make me the happiest of men and run away with me?"

"Oh, yes. My mother will be so excited. Mrs. Wickham! How well that sounds!"

Determined to play up the adventure, Wickham said, "Lydia, they must not know, not until we are married. I dare say Darcy will work to prevent it. So soon as our engagement is announced he will intervene and put a stop to it. To Gretna Green, we will go and in the Highlands, we will honeymoon."

"How romantic" sighed Lydia, "Me, the youngest, married first of all! What a fine joke it will be! They'll wonder where we've gone."

"We'll send them a note from London, where we must first go, as I have business to attend to. There we'll acquire money to be married and those who pursue us will find themselves on the wrong trail. You'll leave only a note until then, saying that you've eloped with no word of your first destination," said Wickham, knowing his plan would not work if they were apprehended before her reputation was in tatters -it wouldn't do to have a cheaper groom be able to take his place. If they were pursued north, he would have days to make marriage to him a necessity while heading south.

"It will be like a romantic hide and go seek! Oh, how I loved that game as a child."

"Lydia, meet me this night along the road, pack lightly and bring all the money you can - it would be a delight to take you shopping in London. I'll come in a carriage and we'll off to London. Not a word to anyone, not even Miss Kitty. It will be all the finer a surprise if we can conceal it. We must not be parted after we leave, or they'll not allow us to marry."

They parted company after they made their plans. Lydia departed with starry eyes and dreams of grand balls and parties; Wickham departed with a cold, calculated, glint in his eyes, almost entirely concealed by charm, but forged with a determination to finally have Darcy at his mercy. When he was done with Lydia's reputation Darcy would wish that he had allowed him to have Georgianna's dowry, servant's son, or not. Knowing it would be better if his regiment believed that he had not yet returned from town, he hid on the outskirts of town as he plotted.