Ch 15

"I HATE THE MORNING! I HATE FRIED EGGS AND I ESPECIALLY HATE THIS BORING TOWN!" screamed Lydia Bennet as she marched back upstairs.

"Well, isn't she delightful this morning," sighed Lizzy. "I really do think she should be past the age of these tantrums."

"Perhaps she is just having a difficult morning. We've all been there," replied Jane sweetly.

Lizzy laughingly rolled her eyes. "Jane, must you be an optimist about everything? You could find something nice to say about Napoleon himself!"

"Well, someone needs to cancel out the black rain cloud that is Lydia."

Both sisters laughed heartily at this.

"Well, on that note, I must go check on everything for dinner tonight. I do hope Mr. Darcy will like it...And the other guests too," said Lizzy trying to hide her interest.

"I'm sure they will all love the menus you have selected, dear sister. That is if Mr. Darcy can take his eyes off you long enough to notice what he's eating," smiled Jane as she watched her sister's color heighten and quickly head to the kitchen to try to hide her increasing blush.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Everything was looking ever so wonderful for their dinner. Elizabeth was quite pleased with herself. The apple cakes were done, the roast was simmering and the pound of fresh onions for the soup filled the air.

"Everything smells wonderful Hill," exclaimed Elizabeth taking a deep breath.

"Thank you my dear, "said Hill turning towards her favorite family member. "Oh my Miss Elizabeth!" noticing her red watering eyes, "These onions must be bothering you. It might be best to step out into the fresh air"

"I believe you are right. Thank you again for all your help," said Lizzy as she exited the kitchen wiping a tear from her check.

Once in the garden, she felt much better after a moment and turned to go back towards the house when a tall striking figure came into view, stopping her in her tracks. Elizabeth had to stop herself from smiling like a total fool so instead wrung her hands to focus her attention elsewhere.

Mr. Darcy quickly dismounted his horse and rushed towards Elizabeth. Noticing her tears and tense hands, his stomach dropped. It was true. Wickham had finally won.

Racing towards her, he grabbed her hands in his and raised them to his chest. "My dearest Elizabeth, I promise I will do everything in my power to rectify this situation no matter the cost. I will not abandon you or your family, I swear. You will have my loyalty and me for as long as you want it."

At this point, Darcy was starting deep into Elizabeth's eyes.

"Thank you?" replied a rather confused Elizabeth, also heated by their current closeness.

"I must leave immediately but I promise our wedding will not be postponed," continued Darcy handing Lizzy his handkerchief.

"Oh! Do you have business in town?" asked Lizzy dabbing her eyes and feeling slightly let down that he would not see all of her hard work.

Mr. Darcy took a step back to look at his future wife. "I must say I admire how calm you are. Forgive me for not being equally so."

"Well it is just dinner, nothing to be too stressed about. Although I'm sure Mama will go to hysterics over you having to go to town instead, but I'm sure she'll live," answered Lizzy.

"What are you talking about?" asked Darcy.

"What are you talking about?" echoed Elizabeth.

"Dinner tonight"

"Your sister running away"

"What!?" screamed Lizzy.

"Lydia has run away with that scoundrel Wickham. But I promise I will save your sister. I never want to see you or your family hurt"

"Mr. Darcy, while thoughtful that is to put so much upon yourself, I don't believe that is necessary. Lydia is up in her room."

"Are you sure? You're quite sure she did not run away last night," inquired Darcy.

"Quite sure. She was her usual unpleasant, childish self this morning. Pray tell what would make you think other wise?"

Darcy stood in shock. 'Could it be true? Could her sister and family be safe from this scandal?'

Wordlessly but staring at Elizabeth with great intensity, Darcy handed her Wickham's letter.

Elizabeth curiously took the fold piece of parchment from her betrothed's hand and began reading it.

Quickly paling, she lowered herself to the stone bench behind her.

"How...when...what does this mean?" asked Lizzy finally forming a sentence.

"You know about it as much as I. I received the letter this morning and rode here directly to be at your service. It seemed it is not required"

"But if he did mean to ruin us, why has he not?"

"Perhaps we should go to your father and get to the bottom of this."

"I readily agree," said Lizzy as she took Mr. Darcy's arm to lead him into the house both trying not to reveal in their current proximity to each other.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Once the shocking story was relayed to Mr. Bennet, he called on his youngest child to join them and explain herself.

Lydia entered the room with a pout on her face and huffed as she plopped down into one of the vacant chairs.

"Lydia, do you care to explain this note?" asked Mr. Bennet.

Reading it and tossing it to the side, Lydia laughed, "Oh! That's just Wicky having a bit of fun. Of course we are going to be married. He probably didn't show up today because he was getting some last minute things in order. How funny my future husband is."

Elizabeth was positively irate at her sister's foolish behavior. But before she could say anything to her, Mr. Darcy spoke up.

"Miss Lydia, I assure you that the intentions he wrote of in this letter are true. He is truly the worst of scoundrels," said Darcy

Lydia just rolled her eyes at this and standing said, "Well, I will show you, Mr. High and Mighty Darcy. I'll personally send you our marriage certificate once Wicky and I marry. So there."

But upon starting to leave the room a booming voice filled it.

"YOU WILL NOT STEP FOOT FROM THIS HOUSE UNTIL YOU KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE LIKE A LADY AND NOT SOME HAIR BRAINED TWIT!"

All eyes turned in shock towards the voice.

Never in all of Elizabeth's time on this earth had her father ever raised his voice above a moderate chuckle.

Mr. Bennet continued in a lower but still forceful voice, "Not only that you will never be without one of your sisters. I have neglected this area long enough. You will be thought of as an accomplished, sensible young lady even if it's the last thing you do."

Lydia was about to argue, when the look on her father's face told her it would not be a wise idea.

"Now," finished Mr. Bennet, "I hear Mary practicing. Go and tell her by my orders she is to teach you as well."

Lydia paled further but, having never been yelled at before, was still fearful. She quickly nodded and left to find her sister.

Elizabeth and Darcy stood silent, neither one knowing what to say.

Mr. Bennet calmly turned towards the couple and smiling said, "Well, I have worked up quite the appetite. Let's all head to the sitting room for some tea and biscuits."

Still in some shock, the two followed Mr. Bennet.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tea was being served as the whole Bennet clan and Mr. Darcy sat enjoying separate conversations.

Mrs. Bennet was fawning over her future son-in-law, while Darcy stood awkwardly trying to accept all her praise. Ever once in a while he would shoot Elizabeth a benign, humorous glare since she was finding his situation quite amusing.

Kitty and Mary spoke of a new novel both had finished, while Lydia sat quietly, fearful to say anything that might further upset her father. Lizzy watched Mr. Darcy while Jane watched Lizzy.

Mr. Bennet sat enjoying the new lower level of silliness his house was now in. He should have figured out long ago Lydia was the lynchpin for most of his home's ridiculousness.

Tea was going well, when suddenly their Aunt Phllips burst into the room.

"Dear aunt, are you well? You look as though someone is chasing you," asked Lizzy.

"Yes, yes my dear. I'm quite well. I have just heard the most extraordinary news from town. Lt. Wickham was found dead early this morning!"

Not a sound was emitted from the room. You could have heard a leaf drop from the next town over.

"NOOOOO!" wailed Lydia suddenly as she ran from the room. Everyone else continued to sit wide eyed.

"Poor child. She always did have such a sensitive disposition," sighed their aunt.

Lizzy had to do everything in her power not to roll her eyes at that statement.

"My dear sister, pray tell how did it come to pass?" asked Mrs. Bennet.

"Apparently, he was cutting across old man Murphy's cattle pasture. Heaven knows why, since the only things past it are here and Netherfield. (This caused Darcy and Elizabeth to cast each other a sideways glance) Anyways, he was nearing the barn when apparently he slipped on some manure and ran into a pitchfork. Well, while trying to remove it from his side, he tripped and hit his head off a near by wood plank knocking him unconscious into a pile of manure. He landed with such force, the top of the pile seemed to have collapsed on him finally suffocating him. Old man Murphy didn't even notice till this morning when he saw a pair of boots sticking out from the heap. Poor lad. So young," finally finished their aunt.

No one knew what to say after that tale.

The room was possibly even more silent than it was before.

Mr. Bennet, however, felt it was left to him to break the tension.

"Well, sad news indeed, ...BUT life must go on. I think I'll go take a quick nap in my study," smiled Mr. Bennet as he got up to leave the room clearly relieved knowing his daughters were now safe.

The party broke up shorty after everyone went their own way to discuss the latest event.

Elizabeth was showing Mr. Darcy to his mount in hopes of a more private conversation.

"Miss Elizabeth I must admit that I truly hated George Wickham and even wished him dead at one point, but a part of me feels a great lose for the friend and brother I once had," sighed Mr. Darcy.

"Mr. Darcy, we all look at the past through rose colored glasses. Perhaps this is for the best. Now you can remember him as your childhood companion. Not the man who tried to ruin your happiness."

"Yes, you are right Elizabeth. I will try to remember the good that was once in him. It does no one good to dwell on the bad. I must go to Meryton now and arrange his burial. Despite what he has done, I feel my father would not be pleased if I let him be buried in a pauper's grave since he was technically a deserter. I don't think the militia will be willing to cover the cost," sighed Darcy

"That is very kind of you. You really are the best of men Mr. Darcy," smiled Elizabeth.

Darcy couldn't help but feel wonderful at what she said. He should feel guilty for being so happy but he just could not manage it.

With a slight smile and a drip of his hat, he rode off to bury the past.

AN: Hello again all! As usual I want to start by thanking you for all your lovely review. You all sure know how to make me smile. And thanks to my beta who uses her little free time to help me :).

Anyways sorry for all you Wickham fans but he had to go. I've basically had his death written since ch 2. I hate in P&P how that predator gets to live off Darcy and Elizabeth for life.

Also the "High and mighty Mr. Darcy" and "it looks like someone's chasing you" is my little nod to P&P with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson. Hope you enjoyed it.