Hello my friends! I am very sorry for the delay. As some of you know, I am in med-school and I have one of my last (and worst) exams on the 12th.

Jen is my awesome beta, my grammar-saviour ;) Thank you!

Time to meet some new characters ;) Enjoy.

Chapter 8

Elizabeth

"Mr Wickham?" Darcy and Mr Bennet exclaimed together.

Elizabeth turned and looked at them with surprise. Darcy's face was thunderous and he looked really angry. She had never seen him behaving like that.

Mr Bennet, on the other hand, was genuinely surprised. "James Wickham's son?" He looked to Mr Darcy for confirmation.

"It would seem so," he started with hesitation. "But sir, I need to warn – umm – speak to you in private, if you would allow me."

Mr Bennet searched his face for a moment and then he nodded in agreement. "Of course, follow me to my study, please. " He turned on his heel and swiftly went back to the house.

Elizabeth was astonished. What happened? It sounded as if Mr Darcy did not approve of this Mr Wickham.

Darcy bowed over her hand, lightly touching his lips to her skin. "Miss Elizabeth, it seems that I won't be able to talk to you tonight, everybody is intent on interrupting us. Thank you for your generosity towards my sister, I appreciate it very much." Then he straightened up and continued in lower tones. "The weather is really nice today and Mr Simmons thinks that it will last to the end of the week at least. I am looking forward to riding with Hermes in the morning." He gave her one more serious look and left her standing there, rushing after Mr Bennet.

Sadly, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy had to refuse the invitation to Mr Phillips house as they had made previous arrangements. Hurst and Miss Bingley finally set a date for their wedding so a small engagement dinner was in order.

Elizabeth scornfully thought that it was certainly Mrs Robbins design to keep Mr Darcy from her, but then she scolded herself for having malicious thoughts about their friends. Instead, she focused on preparing herself for her aunt's party. Mr Darcy's reaction to Mr Wickham surprised her and she was bent on finding out more about the person who excited such strong and apparently negative feelings.

Elizabeth could hear Lydia's and Kitty's giggling from the next room and sighed. It seems that I will have to play a very attentive chaperone tonight. These two are going to get us into an unpleasant situation one day. Still deep in thought about her sisters, Elizabeth wondered if she could come up with a solution to tame them a bit. Meanwhile she rang a bell for Betty, her maid, to help her with dressing. By the time Elizabeth was ready, she still did not have anything in mind. The girls were wild and no amount of preaching would do any good. They would probably try to provoke her by behaving even more outrageous.

Deep in thought, Elizabeth went downstairs to the parlour where she waited for the rest of her family. She was very surprised when her father joined her, obviously dressed for the evening out.

"Papa, are you joining us?" Elizabeth was still shocked as her father avoided her Aunt Phillips on any occasion he could. Mrs Phillips was a louder version of Mrs Bennet.

"No need to look so surprised, my child." Mr Bennet chuckled. "Your old father wants to get to know some of your sister's new friends." Although he smiled while speaking, his eyes glinted with danger for a moment.

Elizabeth blinked, not sure if she was dreaming. My father is voluntarily spending time at my aunt's party? And why was he looking so angry? Maybe Mr Darcy had something very bad to say about that Mr Wickham. I wonder what it was that it provoked my usually placid father to action.

"All right, Papa, my aunt will certainly be thrilled that you deigned to visit her. However, you might unsettle her nerves." Elizabeth playfully teased her father.

"Oh, my Lizzy, do not worry." Mr Bennet reached to pat her shoulder. "I have training from your mother. I know exactly how to behave."

Their banter was interrupted by Lydia and Kitty skipping into the room. "La, are you going with us, Papa?" Lydia was surprised.

"Yes." Mr Bennet was starting to sound exasperated. "Why is everybody so shocked?"

All three sisters started laughing at that. When Jane entered the parlour, her face was also shocked by the sight of their father and sent all of them into another round of merriment.

"Now girls," Mrs Bennet started as she prodded a reluctant Mary into the room. Not noticing Mr Bennet she said, "Smile girls and be nice, you never know when you will meet your future husband."

"Really," Mr Bennet drawled, enjoying the startled look Mrs Bennet gave him, "I sincerely doubt that our daughters, daughters of a gentleman, will find their husbands among the officers.

"Oh, hush, Mr Bennet. " Mrs Bennet countered immediately. "General Forster is in a search of wife and he has a very nice income."

Mr Bennet rolled his eyes and started conversing quietly with Mary about King Lear, their reading for this week. Elizabeth smiled, happy that her father lately started taking an interest in his other daughters.

"General Forster?" Lydia asked dismayed. "He is so old! Lieutenant Wickham, on the other hand..."

"General Forster." Mrs Bennet was unmoved on this subject. "He is not even forty, yet. That is not old. He can afford a wife and children and I am sure you could enjoy a lot of fun at all the balls he is invited to."

"But to go on his arm when I could go with somebody young and…" Lydia whined but was interrupted by her mother.

"Stop it, child. That Mr Wickham of yours may be young, but lieutenants are poorer than most shopkeepers in this town." Then she lowered her voice and leaned towards her daughters as if in conspiracy. "You can always enjoy the young officers in your husband's regiment after you marry."

"Mama!" Elizabeth and Jane were scandalized while Lydia and Kitty giggled into their palms.

"Hush, girls, we were just joking, were we not, Lydia? There is nothing wrong with a bit of fun." She turned away from her elder daughters and winked. Lydia and Kitty started giggling anew.

Their commotion interrupted Mr Bennet's conversation with Mary when Lydia blurted out, ""We have to go to the Meryton tomorrow-Denny said they would have a free morning…"

Kitty nodded enthusiastically but Mr Bennet interjected. "I am afraid that you will be too busy helping your mother to prepare for your cousin's visit on Monday to go anywhere."

"Cousin, what cousin?" Mrs Bennet asked with surprise. "You have only one cousin, Mr Collins."

"Yes, my dear." Mr Bennet took out a letter from his breast pocket. "Mr William Collins, the only son of my late cousin. I am sure you remember him. He wrote to me last month…"

"Last month?" Mrs Bennet screeched. "And you are telling me now? My nerves!" She started to flutter her handkerchief around her face.

"Mrs Bennet, I was only thinking about your nerves. I wanted to spare you the long anxiety before the visit of a young and eligible bachelor came to our household." Mr Bennet smirked, certain that this would catch his wife's attention.

Elizabeth searched her mind trying to remember something about her relative. She was only ten when she first heard her father talking about him. He was the heir to the Longbourn, according to the entail. However, this young man of eighteen had no interest in managing an estate. He was an enthusiastic Christian and humanist. He wanted to go and study to become a parson, taking care of his "sheep" with their material as well as spiritual needs. At that time, he was more than happy to sign away the entail for fifteen thousand pounds. As the years went by, Elizabeth heard about him here and there, whenever her father received his letters. Mr Collins was happy to inform Mr Bennet of his progress at University and later of his clever investments. He knew how to make powerful friends and how to make use of them. Mr Collins had become a rich man. He no longer needed to pursue employment, as he had an extensive parish in Kent under his care and would help anyone that he could. Elizabeth assumed that she would like this man.

"Hmm, that cousin." Mrs Bennet's eyes shined. "I heard something about three thousand a year." She thoughtfully nodded her head looked at her daughters with cunning.

Elizabeth sighed in relief when her mother's stare turned away from her. She finally understands I will not be forced into anything. Though a bit worried when her mother appraised Mary with a long look, she later shrugged, thinking that Mary could certainly take care of herself. Being the middle child, Mary had to fight hard for her place in the family, and she certainly was not afraid of their mother.

"A parson?" Lydia sounded disgusted. "Really, Mama, I am not that desperate to marry."

Mrs Bennet quickly corrected her. "A very rich parson. He is quickly rising in the ranks and has so many connections that I would not be surprised if he becomes a bishop one day."

"Enough of it." Mr Bennet interrupted Mrs Bennet's daydreaming. "You can start preparations for his arrival tomorrow—you have two more days to do it. Now, off you go, we do not want to be late."

Elizabeth was brooding, standing alone by the fireplace and watching Mrs Phillip's visitors thoughtfully. Elizabeth found herself sulking a bit, since Mr Darcy was at Netherfield with Mrs Robbins.

"You seem to have adopted the mannerisms of your suitor, Eliza." Charlotte Lucas whispered in her ear unexpectedly.

Elizabeth whirled around. "I…oh…um…Charlotte! I have not seen you for so long, where have you been hiding for the past two weeks?" She finally managed to say.

"The better question is, where have you been?" Charlotte smiled mischievously. "On long walks with your beau, perhaps?" She teased her friend mercilessly.

"I have no suitor, Charlotte." Elizabeth chided her. "You of all people should know that. Mr Darcy is my friend."

"Friend, hmm, I would love to have such a handsome friend, too." Charlotte laughed at Elizabeth's blush. "You do like him, though?"

"Shh!" Elizabeth quickly looked around, searching for gossipers.

Charlotte hooked her arm in Elizabeth's and led her towards the empty corner of the room.

"Now tell me everything." She encouraged her friend.

"There is nothing to tell." Elizabeth sighed wistfully. "Mr Darcy would never be interested in me, he is wealthy and handsome and he frequents the highest circles in Town. I have nothing to tempt him."

"Oh Eliza." Charlotte saw her friend's sadness immediately. "You are worth so much—do not let anyone to make you think otherwise. I doubt that Mr Darcy would let prize like you slip through his fingers, he seems to be an intelligent man."

Elizabeth smiled sadly. "At least I think I can be content to be his friend."

"Now, Eliza, leave that sad creature behind, I want my happy friend back." Charlotte pressed Elizabeth's hand and led her to card table. "Let me introduce you to some officers."

Before they had a chance to speak more, a young man with dirty blonde hair stopped in front of them. "Miss Lucas, will you introduce me to your beautiful friend?" He smiled with charm. Elizabeth instantly remembered Mr Bingley's introduction, although this man's eyes had a malicious glint in them which Mr Bingley did not possess.

"Certainly, Mr Wickham." She turned to Elizabeth. "Eliza, this is Mr Wickham, a Lieutenant in Meryton's Militia. Mr Wickham, Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, my dearest friend."

Elizabeth curtsied unenthusiastically. She felt Mr Wickham's look sweeping around her figure. When she looked up, she caught him staring at her chest shamelessly.

Charlotte excused herself, citing that she needed to speak with her sister.

"Miss Elizabeth." Wickham offered her his arm to assist her to a chair. "I have heard of your beauty, but no words could ever be enough." He did not even bother to hide his leer.

Elizabeth shuddered with disgust. If he is like this, I can certainly see why Mr Darcy warned my father about him. She inconspicuously looked around and caught her father's eye. He nodded at her in silent communication, letting her know that she was being watched and protected. Elizabeth smiled in gratitude.

"Tell me, Miss Elizabeth, do you visit Meryton like your younger sisters?" He shuffled his chair closer to her.

Elizabeth smiled uncomfortably. "I prefer the quiet of Longbourn to the noise of Meryton which is filled with Militia." Something told her not to mention her lone rambles around the countryside.

"Tis a pity." Mr Wickham attempted a seductive smile. "We could have become quite good friends. I can feel it." He leaned towards her, his eyes focused downward.

Elizabeth silently cursed her mother for getting rid of all her high-collared dresses. Mr Wickham was making her more and more uncomfortable every moment.

"Well, we can talk now, I suppose." She was silently begging her father to come and rescue her. Unfortunately, Lady Lucas had him trapped and it seemed that she had to wait. "Is this your first visit to Hertfordshire?"

"Yes." Wickham instantly replied. "I hope that it is not the last, with so much beauty around here. I come from Derbyshire. It is quite a different country." He moved even closer.

Elizabeth could not stand his leers and his closeness. She got up quickly. "I find myself quite thirsty. Let us go for some punch." She moved towards the table and closer to her father.

Knowing she could not be rude, Elizabeth remarked. "I have never been to Derbyshire. How does it differ from here?"

During the course of their conversation, Elizabeth slowly manoeuvred Mr Wickham towards her father. When her father finally escaped Lady Lucas, he immediately joined them. Elizabeth introduced both gentlemen and then excused herself. She let out a sigh of relief and went to look for Charlotte.

Even if she did not know what the dispute was between Mr Darcy and Mr Wickham, she was certain that the latter was no gentleman. Elizabeth had never felt so uncomfortable in the company of the opposite sex. Although Mr Wickham tried to present himself as a gentleman, it was obvious that he was nothing of the sort. He tried to be charming but slipped a few times when his eyes hardened during the re-telling of stories about his fellow officers. Elizabeth read between the lines, understanding that he was very fortunate – more like cheating – at cards and a lot of his friends were in his debt. She decided to ask Mr Darcy about this man on their morning walk.

That's all for today. I hope you liked it. Please, please, leave me some reviews.

As for the next update, I will post the weekend in two or three weeks.