So I'm actually proud of this chapter. I was worried that their earlier fight was resolved too quickly. Some of you may not like this chapter, but I adore it. And I know that the poll on my page was almost a unanimous HELL NO for introducing Mr. Wickham, but honestly, where's your since of adventure.

This chapter went better than I thought it would. When I set out to type this out I had something entirely different planned, and this just came flowing out! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had writing it.

I feel like Elizabeth is finally accepting her place in society, and then I realize, this story hasn't even begun! We've got so much more to see before it's even over! We're not even midway through!

And for those of you reviewing that Caroline's "child" would not be an heir because he would be a bastard, I of course know this. But I want to show how sick Caroline really is, and how far she will actually go to get what she wants.

Please review! I enjoy reading them, and they inspire me to imagine harder, and write faster, and post more often. It's discerning when you don't have any reviews.

Also, I have started a new story. It is in the modern setting, and it's called Not Your Typical Family. It'll feature a lot of Bingley pranking Darcy, and Darcy trying to get back at him, with Elizabeth and the entire Bennet family along for the ride. I'm looking forward to explore this Darcy. He's going to be so much fun. And of course Elizabeth as well.

Here you go! Review!

Chapter 22

The looks that passed between the Darcy siblings as the table stood to welcome their visitor, were not unnoticed. Elizabeth wondered what could cause their sever reactions, as Georgiana quietly excused herself and went out of the room through the servant entrance. Darcy's jaw was set in a hard line and his fists clenched at his side. Elizabeth gave her father a look and a shrug as they waited for the man to enter.

Mr. Wickham, and all his charm, entered the room and his usual bout of flamboyant flair. To Elizabeth's surprise, he was a red coat, an officer. What could Darcy and Georgiana have against a man of the King's realm?

The room bowed as their greetings and then formalities.

"Darcy! It has been too long. One year at least."

"Wickham," Darcy's voice was a growl, and he had stepped out from behind his spot at the head of the table. "What are you doing here, at my home. You are not welcome."

"Come now Darc, I came to congratulate you on your engagement of course. It's about time lad. I was beginning to wonder if it should ever happen. That Miss Bingley, has finally managed to sink her claws in, eh?" He looked around, "But imagine my surprise that the dinner guest you have now is in fact NOT your fiancé." The way he was looking at Elizabeth made her uncomfortable, and she was about to speak on it, but then Darcy interrupted.

"Wickham, allow me to introduce," his voice was anything but pleasant. "this is Mr. Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, and his daughter Her Grace, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. Mr. Bennet. Your Grace, this is Mr. Wickham." Darcy gave away nothing in his voice, none of his feelings to the woman only a chair away from him.

Wickham was all politeness, as he bowed and greeted Mr. Bennet, and kissed Elizabeth's hand. "Your grace, I must say, it is an honor to meet you." His smile was beautiful, Elizabeth thought, this man was very handsome, but entirely too forward. He spoke to her softly, and the smirk on his mouth reminded her of her late husband, when he would get her to yield to his will after an already long night. Elizabeth hadn't minded then, he was her husband, and the passions between husband and wife, were in her opinion, very good indeed. Now though, she had no connection to this man whatsoever. He should not be looking at her like that.

If Darcy wanted to hurt Wickham when he came into the room, he wanted to kill him now. He saw the look on Wickham's face as he looked at Elizabeth. It was the look of a lion about to devour his pound of flesh.

"Wickham," Darcy's voice was low, deadly even, and Elizabeth reeled in shock. She had never heard him like this. "What is your business here?"

"Come now, Darc, can we not have a civil conversation, I come to offer my congratulations. Miss Bingley is a comely woman," he looked at Elizabeth, "although-"

"Elizabeth," Wickham's brows rose at the use of her Christian name. "Take the children from the room." When Elizabeth stood put, Darcy sighed and implored Mr. Bennet. "Mr. Bennet, will you please-" But Mr. Bennet had already begun ushering his grandchildren out of the room. "But papa, I till ungry." Sophia's innocence in the situation brought relief to Darcy, but it did not last long.

Elizabeth had clasped her hands in front of her, and was every bit the proper Duchess. To this Darcy was relieved.

"So tell me Darc, how did the comely Miss Bingley, manage to catch you this time?"

"Wickham, you hold your tongue in front of a lady."

He smirked "It was a simple question Darc. We all know of your night with Miss Bingley at Uni. It's a wonder she didn't make you honor her sooner. But I rather wonder now, at your engagement, when it appears she was the late Duke's mistress," He glanced at Elizabeth as she gasped. "Tell me Darc, how have you prevented a child from happening all these years, I surely could use some advice."

Darcy was red now, seething with anger, and embarrassment, and, well guilt. He looked at Elizabeth, her face was schooled into a face of stone. All those years of training to school her emotions to avoid embarrassment, paid off this instant. For Elizabeth was such a lively, emotional character. Now she was stone cold, she did not look at Darcy, and looked past Wickham, but was no doubt still listening to the conversation.

Darcy felt if she listened too long, it would not be very much in his favor.

"Wickham, you are a cad."

"She chose to stay in the conversation of gentleman."

"You hardly deserve the word," he snarled.

"I am every bit as you,"

"Hardly."

"Come now Darc, all I wanted was to stop by and give you my congratulations."

"I could live a lifetime without them."

Wickham feigned being wounded.

"Get out."

"Now is that a way to treat a guest?"

"You are no guest."

"I have not even seen dear Georgie. Tell me, is she much grown?"

Darcy unable to control himself took a step towards him, drawing back his hand, but Elizabeth stepped inbetween the men, one smirking, the other very, very angry. "I think, Mr. Wickham, it would be in everyone's best interest that you do leave, for it is late, and emotions are high, and it would do no good to submit to a duel here, when there are children in the next room. I am sure that Mrs. Smith will see you out. It was a pleasure to meet you." She curtseyed politely, but her face was still stone.

Mr. Wickham, unable to deny a pretty lady, let alone a duchess, was quick to agree, and placed a kiss over her hand before he allowed Mrs. Smith to escort him out, leaving a silent Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy alone in the room.

Elizabeth turned to Darcy, her face still expressionless, and Darcy wished, he wished greatly that she had not heard what Wickham had said. He knew he should have forced her from the room. He knew Wickham would say something to incriminate him. "Elizabeth," he took a step toward her, but fell silent when she backed away.

"Mr. Darcy." Her tone was laced with ice.

"Elizabeth please, it was too long ago. She means nothing."

"What is it with men and their whores," she laughed sarcastically, "but even so, I have become one."

"NO!"

She shook her head. "Am I to believe that I would have found out about this from you down the road? You put down my husband for his unfaithfulness, yet you, have slept with your best friends sister, and refuse to make things right by marrying her? Perhaps if you had done your duty, then Miss Bingley would not be the way she is today."

"You question my faithfulness, Madam?"

"I question your honesty, Mr. Darcy. "

"And what have you discovered," he was weary.
"It is sorely lacking, what you do with your money, makes up for you not being a gentleman."

Darcy felt the attack keenly and could not come up with the words to refute her claim.

"You are silent, Mr. Darcy. "

"Elizabeth, you know not what you speak."

"So you did not bed Miss Bingley, at Uni?"

He remained silent.

"Then I do know what I heard. You see, I am not so naive, Mr. Darcy, and now must bid you farewell." she curtseyed, every bit the proper lady, and turned to leave the room, when he grabbed her arm.

"Elizabeth," his voice was low, deadly.

"Do you dare put your hands on a lady, sir?" He released her quickly and she fled the room to gather her children, and father, then left for home.

Leaving a stunned, silent Darcy all alone in the now empty room.