Chapter 40: Plan

She had waited for this moment for a very long time. When she saw him, she was anxious and excited at the same time. Finally!

Wickham walked slowly towards her not showing any excitement in the meeting.

"Good morning, Miss Bingley. You look as lovely as ever."

" We do not have time for pleasantries, Mr Wickham. It is time for you to leave to Derbyshire."

"Why my dear lady, you seem to be in a hurry. I hope you are aware that George Wickham does not work for free."

" I have already paid you some money. Do not worry. I have more. But you have to finish the task without any mistake."

" You keep me in suspense about your plan."

" Mr Darcy is in town. This is the right opportunity for you to kidnap and ruin Elizabeth."

"Are you sure he is in town?"

" Yes! He came to dine with us a few days ago, and he said he was planning to stay here for two weeks."

" So, you want me to abduct her and ruin her. But whatever money you give me is not going to be enough for the risk I am going to take."

"I promise you to give you more after I become the mistress of Pemberley."

"And you are certain that he will marry you?"

"Yes! You must take her away and ruin her. I don't know where. But get far away from Derbyshire with her. I will make sure they all believe that she ran away with a lover. It will bring disgrace upon the Darcy's. Nobody will be willing to associate with that family, and I will somehow inject myself into the devastated family and make myself the mistress."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

" My brother plans to travel to Derbyshire soon. And I will accompany him. I will make sure they have evidence like letters discovered in her personal belongings."

Wickham looked at her and smiled. He will never marry her. She is so arrogant not to understand the flaws in her plan.

"What are you thinking?"

"Your plan is wonderful. I was thinking where to take her."

"Make sure you take her to a tavern, and she is seen with you. It will be easy for me to convince everybody. Do what you must with her and finish her. "

Wickham frowned. Inwardly he was thinking how to get a outwit her plan.

"How can you be sure that Darcy will not come after me?"

"He is here. By the time he gets the information that his wife is missing, you must be far away from Derbyshire."

"How exactly do I contact you later on for money? What if you turn everything on me later and act innocent?"

"What am I to get from deceiving you? All I want is to be the mistress of Pemberley. I will have a lot of wealth at my disposal, and I will give you a handsome amount. I can easily give you the money when we are in town later on. You need to trust me. I have a good sum now. It will be more than sufficient for your deeds."

"I have done many things. I have never murdered anyone before. I hope you understand that I will bring you to shame if you try to go behind my back in any way."

"You need to trust me, Mr Wickham. We both get what we want now. You, money and me my place as the mistress of Pemberley."

She handed him the money. Wickham was impressed with the sum but did not show his happiness.

"This is not much as I had anticipated, Miss Bingley. But when I contact you after completing the task, I hope you will reward me better."

"I assure you. I will." She said impatiently.

They parted after some more conversation about their plans. Both content that they were going to achieve what they wanted.

They were oblivious to the fact that they were being watched by someone who was boiling with rage.

Darcy smiled at the sight of his lovely wife. She stood in front of him, eyes still shut tightly.

"Elizabeth, if you are going to stand this way every time I kiss you, it is going to take an eternity to get anything else accomplished in our lives. Open your eyes."

She shook her head in disagreement. At that precise moment, they heard some noise outside the library and she jumped away from him.

Darcy pulled her back into his embrace.

"My dear, you seem to forget that we are married. You make me feel so guilty for kissing you."

"Married, you say, sir? Why I thought we were courting, and this sort of behaviour is considered utterly inappropriate. I strongly suggest we get a chaperone during the time we spend together."

"And who would you recommend for such a tedious task?"

"I have someone in mind."

"Georgiana?"

"No."

"Emma."

"Of course not. Both are all too naïve to notice such things. The best chaperone could be none other than Mrs Reynolds."

Darcy laughed heartily.

"There were times I was very much scared of her during my childhood."

"Then I suggest you be careful next time."

"Can you please enlighten me, madam? When can I expect this time to come? Tomorrow or sometime today itself?" He asked with a passionate look on his face.

Elizabeth shivered at the intensity of his gaze and blushed deeply. Darcy did not want to make her uncomfortable. He climbed the ladder and got the books from the shelf.

They left the library elated at the intimacy they were slowly establishing.

The day passed swiftly. As a routine, Darcy sat beside Elizabeth in her room that night.

They conversed for a long time, and Elizabeth shared a few books she was reading with him. Darcy was intrigued by her thoughts on several subjects. He admired her intelligence and lively mind.

By midnight she fell asleep beside him, with a book in her hand. Darcy carried her and placed her gently on the bed.

He covered her with a blanket and stood admiring her sleeping form. With a heavy sigh, he left her room, fervently hoping that he could spend a night by her side in the near future. Darcy had no idea that the time would come pretty soon, but the circumstances would not be to his liking.