Disclaimer: Jane Austen's, not mine :(

Ch 10

Still wanting to get a ride in, Richard took Georgiana on a quick jaunt and then were going to meet Darcy in town afterward. Richard felt bad about teasing his cousin the day before, so he offered to let Darcy have a few moments alone with Elizabeth before Georgiana and himself arrived.

Darcy had to admit he was glad for this, having fully forgiven his cousin. After all, it was his own fault he had never learnt to speak to those outside his immediate acquaintance. He wondered how he might go about practicing to improve.

After spending 20 minutes trying to pick the right jacket to wear ('not that he was trying to look good for Elizabeth, he just wanted to look like the master of the grand estate that he was'), he set out after his sister and cousin.

He couldn't help but notice the perplexing feeling in his stomach. He wasn't hungry having just finished his morning meal. Maybe it was the weather.

Suddenly, a pair of striking hazel eyes entered his mind. Could that be it? Could this feeling be excitement to see Elizabeth? Darcy shook his head trying to get rid of that thought, but his stomach continued to get more restless the more he thought about her.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Elizabeth was rather excited to get to Meryton as she practically pushed her sisters out the door so as not to be late. She kept telling herself that it was because she was eager to get to know her future sister better, but a small voice at the back of her head was telling her it was something else. Ignoring the pestering, and might she add incorrect, murmurs of her mind, she waited outside the bookstore for her future family.

Mary had already wandered off into the bookstore leaving the four sisters waiting. Suddenly, Lydia called out to one of the groups of militia across the way.

"Lizzy you have to meet the newest officer Mr Wickham! He is far more handsome than your old stuffed shirt Mr Darcy," gushed Lydia.

Elizabeth only had time to roll her eyes before the gentleman in question appeared before them, with several of his other comrades.

Wickham instantly went to Lydia but kept his eyes trained on the girl standing by her side.

"Wicky, this is my spinster sister Elizabeth, the one I was telling you about. Lizzy this is Lt George Wickham. See? I told you he was handsome."

Elizabeth had to clench her fingers to not give Lydia a verbal set down in public for that totally improper introduction. Luckily, her other sisters were engaged with the rest of the officers and weren't exposed to Lydia's impropriety.

"Ah! Elizabeth Bennet. A pleasure. I believe I read about your engagement in the paper the other day. I congratulate you on landing one of the most sought after gentleman in all England," Wickham said charmingly grabbing her hand to kiss it.

Elizabeth had to agree he was charming and handsome, not so much as Mr Darcy in her opinion, but what really caught her was how he looked at her. It was unsettling to say the least. Like he was a cat that had just cornered the canary.

Pushing her unease aside, she thanked him while taking a small step back to distance herself a bit and feel a little more comfortable. Unfortunately, the gentleman matched that step and more, standing even closer than before. Lydia's raves about how cleaver and wonderful Wickham was, fell on deaf ears as Wickham's eyes bore into Elizabeth.

Wickham was too enthralled to finally meet the woman he had come to Hertfordshire for, while Elizabeth was trying to think of a ladylike way to escape.

Attempting to take another step back, but being unable to for the lack of room, Wickham was almost now crossing the bounds of propriety with his closeness. Elizabeth was racking her brain looking for a way to distance herself from this man. The idea she was currently leaning toward was knocking Lydia down, to cause a distraction so she could slip away. But before she actually did anything, Lizzy's view was suddenly obscured by a dark grey coat and broad shoulders.

Mr Darcy was now standing between herself and Mr Wickham. 'Were his shoulders always this broad?' thought Elizabeth while feeling a great deal of relief.

"Wickham, I didn't know you were on this part of the country," Mr Darcy's voice was calm but his knuckles were clutched tight and bright white, while an even brighter crimson was creeping up his neck.

"Just recently, actually. I've just had the pleasure of meeting your exquisite fiancée." Elizabeth could not see Wickham's face but his voice lost some of its bravado.

"So glad you approve. Come Elizabeth, we're leaving," Darcy said coldly as he firmly grabbed her arm to lead her away.

Jane and Kitty exchanged worried looks and quickly followed after their sister while Lydia brought up the rear grumbling about Mr Darcy's rudeness.

Mr Darcy didn't slow down till he was at the crossroads between Longbourn and Netherfield. By chance, he ran into his cousin and sister there.

"Take Georgiana home now!" snapped Darcy.

His tone of voice surprised everyone.

"Of course cousin. We'll head back to Netherfield at once," replied Richard sensing something amiss.

"Not Netherfield, London! Have her things packed by the time I get back to Netherfield," Darcy's voice held an edge of danger to it.

Seeing the tears quickly forming in Georgiana's eyes, Richard swiftly dismounted his horse and grabbed Darcy pulling him aside.

Elizabeth was still in shock and had not noticed Mr Darcy's hand had been on her arm this whole time until he was pulled away. She was even more shocked by how cold her arm suddenly felt.

The group stood in silence as the two gentlemen spoke in hurried whispers. They nodded and then parted.

Richard remounted his horse and whispered to Georgiana, causing the young girl to instantly pale. "I fear we must be off, but it was a pleasure seeing all of you," said Richard as he tipped his hat.

Georgiana gave only a sad nod and followed her cousin.

Turning back to the group Darcy said "Please allow me to escort you ladies home. I wish to speak with your father."

The sisters nodded and six people, Mary having caught back up with her sisters, walked in silence till they reached Longbourn.

Once there, Mr Darcy quickly excused himself and left the ladies to find Mr Bennet in the library.

"Lizzy, I will never forgive you if your rude, selfish fiancé angered Mr Wickham!" cried Lydia.

But Lydia's cries went unnoticed. Elizabeth was too busy thinking of Mr Darcy's reaction to Mr Wickham. Sure Mr Darcy and her argued, but she had never truly seen him angry till now. And while his actions may have been considered rude, something in her told her that's she was on his side. After all, Mr Wickham's behavior seemed overly forward at best and she had just met him.

The sisters split up to variety of activities while Elizabeth sat outside waiting for Mr Darcy. Jane inquired if Lizzy wanted some company but she declined. Elizabeth needed a quiet moment to go over what just happened.

Understanding, Jane left her sister in the garden to think.

While seated on a stone bench replaying the day's earlier event, Elizabeth realized that Mr Darcy had used just her Christian name. He did have every right to, being that they were engaged and Elizabeth could not help but to like the way it sounded.

'Perhaps I'll call him Fitzwilliam once to see his reaction,' she thought smiling to herself. She had a feeling that his talk with her father might last a while so she sat contemplating.

Her thoughts had shifted from earlier to figuring out when she had stopped hating Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Wickham sat stewing. If Darcy hadn't shown up earlier, he was sure he would've had Miss Elizabeth totally entranced by him. He was undeniable irresistible. Now he knew he would not be able to get anywhere near her with Darcy knowing he was in town. So much for seducing Darcy's fiancée.

He leaned back in his chair taking a long sip of wine. Well, if he couldn't ruin Darcy's happiness that way, surely he could find another. After all, there was more than one-way to skin a cat.

This thought brought a smile back to Wickham's face.

AN: Hello again. I know I always say thank you but I really do want you all to know how happy your reviews make me. I literally run in and show my husband every time I get a new one. (Of course he looks at me like I'm crazy but in his defense, he gave me that look long before I ever wrote on FF). So as always thank you! And of course thanks as always to my beta adrilu1192 who continues to put up with me. :)

So I'm thinking this story will be around 17-18 chapters depending on how long some chapters my be. So we're more than half way through. I will say I may have lied to all of you. I know I said once I finished I would update twice a week but I might not be able to do that. Life has gotten really hectic and I have not had time to work on my future chapters. Don't worry to much. I still plan to update every week and all future chapters are outlined so the story will be finished. Sorry again and see you all next week.