Sorry for taking so long to update
Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been working whacky shifts lately and my body has not been kind to the readjustment. Here's another installment which I hope you'll enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice or any of characters.
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"Mister Wickham, I have not the faintest clue what has transpired between you and my nephew, but if you know what is good for you, you will bend to my whims!" The voice of Lady Catherine was laced with spite as she eyed the soldier in her dimly lit parlor. Indeed it was most improper to be entertaining at the hour of midnight, but dealing with a man whom Fitzwilliam Darcy had despised with every ounce of his being might just be called for.
"Of course Lady Catherine," Wickham smugly smirked at her and bowed. "I am at your service as neither time nor circumstances have seemed to have changed us or our circumstances."
"Insufferable! How dare you speak to your superior in such a manner!" Lady Catherine gasped as her countenance betrayed her extreme aggravation and detest for the young reprobate who now stood in front of her. "If my nephew had not made such a grievous mistake in his choice of bride, I should be happy to see your debts called in even if it meant assuming them myself!"
Clearly enjoying bating the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bough was proving to be much more amusing that Mr. Wickham ever could have imagined. His diversion was not quite so great as to forget what she had said. Fitzwilliam Darcy was to be married! And from the behavior of Lady Catherine, it was not to her daughter as she had boasted to all those in England who should pay her any heed. Wickham's eyebrow rose with his curiosity.
"Ah, so that is the reason," he began clumsily. "Beg my bluntness Lady Catherine, but your foul temper I take it a result of your nephew's failing to due his duty and marry your most deserving daughter?"
Lady Catherine's reaction was all to be hoped for as she bristled and struggled to maintain her composure.
"Indeed Mr. Wickham! My nephew has been led astray by the most vicious, the most undignified, the most wily guttersnipe I have ever had the misfortune to welcome into my home!" The lady was quite now onto shouting by the end of her speech and yet her guest was further intrigued.
"A grievous error indeed my lady," Wickham cried in mock horror. "I should be ashamed to know such a lady if she may be called that." Wickham's mouth curved into a smile. He should indeed like to be acquainted with such a woman. If she could swindle the ever proud and diligent Fitzwilliam Darcy into marriage, then perhaps there was hope in acquiring favors from such a lady.
"Ah," the lady said pointedly. "I see you, besides being devoid of the sense in how to live within your income, you are also not informed. You do know the woman. It is your own sister Miss Elizabeth Bennett!" Lady Catherine was nigh on to hissing now.
Wickham paled considerable as he begin to shake with rage. Elizabeth Bennett was a clever one, he had known that, but to shun him after his marriage to her own sister for Fitzwilliam Darcy! It was conceivable. He would have made Darcy pay a ransom if he had known the man was only after Elizabeth's hand. How dare him! Was he, a man of lowly birth to have no respite, no enjoyment without it being tarnish by that blasted honorable man?
"Sit down Mr. Wickham. If you want to be secured of very generous compensation, then I suggest you listen to my plan."
Intrigued and ever ready to retrieve money from the wealthy and demean Darcy, Wickham sat and listened to Lady Catherine's plan into the early hours of morning.
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Please forgive the shortness of this chapter. I needed to end it here in hopes of thinking through the next installment more carefully. It can only be hoped that it is not too great of a disappointment, as I am currently being pulled in several directions for the next chapter. It should be up quickly though as it is nearly completed.
Lady Nikka.
Comments, reviews, critiques welcomed, especially if I am boring you!
