I'm so indescribably happy to see that people do enjoy my story. :D
I want to thank the person who mentioned wanting to know the reason behind Darcy asking for marriage, because, in complete honesty, I hadn't even thought of a reason. So thank you, and I will now get thinking on a reason that sounds Darcy-ish. :)
I changed things up from the novel; the debts of Wickham's that Darcy paid off is changed to a loan of money which Wickham must repay. I liked how it sounded.
This is an extremely awkward chapter, and I apologize.
All characters are Jane Austen's property, and always, let me know your thoughts! :)
Early one morning, shortly after the sun had risen, Darcy wandered about his estate, deep in thoughts even he couldn't articulate. He thought deeply, and perhaps with too much detail, on the inevitable downfall of his marriage; surely it was inevitable. He had thought, by now, there would be some turn in countenance, any slight turn for the positive. He'd take just a smile, or a look with warm expression. The only one awake at such an hour, he passed by Elizabeth's room several times, satisfying himself in the notion that she was well. Soon after, he found he wasn't alone, for a certain George Wickham had come to call. At the sight of the man, he made very little efforts to conceal his contempt.
"Mr. Darcy," said Wickham, bowing more out of propriety than civility.
"What is your business here? You are not due for a sennight."
"I understood Miss. Elizabeth Bennet to be among your company and requested to speak with her."
Darcy chuckled almost dryly. "I regret to inform you that Miss. Bennet is still asleep. It is nearly 6 in the morning, you see."
"No matter. I will call upon her later."
As Wickham made move to the door, Darcy decided to clear the ill-intentions he knew were in Wickham's thoughts.
"I see now as good a time as any to inform you, Mr. Wickham, that the Miss. Bennet you are inquiring of recently became Mrs. Darcy. With regret I also reveal," continued he, with not a vague inclination of any true regret, "that I do not wish you to be alone in the company of my wife, therefore you should not find yourself in need to call upon my estate. Taken in your marriage to the youngest Miss. Bennet, you had no reason to make your presence here in the first place."
"Yes indeed, my own marriage," said Wickham in a gravely manner. "That is of no consequence. If I should inquire upon the company of Mrs. Darcy, I see no reason why I should not be granted such a request."
"Because the fact remains that she is now my wife. If I do not wish you to see her, then you shall not," said Darcy with a tongue slightly more forked than had been Wickham's, attempting not to obtain the appearance of composure he ought have.
"In all due respect, even your pride cannot believe that Miss. Elizabeth is truly in love with you."
"You must forget, Mr. Wickham, that while Elizabeth, at present, is not aware of your true nature, I am, and have no scruples in bringing light upon the subject and revealing to her the whole of your truly wicked character. Don't rest too much in her positive favor of you."
Wickham looked to his words as no less than challenge and thusly stated, "While that may be, if I am intent on seeing her, I shall."
"Then you must also forget that you are very much indebted to me and that I have no issue in calling back on my loan and demanding the remaining money at once. For once, I apply to your sense of propriety, if you should have any remaining, that you keep your distance from my Elizabeth. I have more power over you than you wish to admit, and you would do well to remember it. I must ask you to leave now."
Another mock bow to the master of Pemberley, and Wickham continued, "Indeed, I am much indebted to you. But should you do such and recall the loan, you will find yourself disappointed, as I have neither the means nor the resources of repaying you."
"I now request you leave my home immediately and take care not to return."
Wickham obliged, and left Darcy standing amid his thoughts again. He knew with the shade of Wickham's character, that would certainly not be the last anyone saw of George Wickham at Pemberley.