Thank you for all your kind words on this story. Now for an example of how a young man ought not to be.

Warning: A FAILED attempted rape, Lizzy does get rescued long before any damage can be done. This is the watered down version, there is an extended version on A03. I write stories with slight to high angst, I am not a fluffy writer.

What A Young Man Ought To Be

A Daring Rescue

February 17th 1812

The Colonel, Tristan Cyril Fitzwilliam was enjoying his morning ride in Hertfordshire. Netherfield Park was a wonderful house with all the basic amenities a fellow could want. When he received his cousin Mr Darcy's note he requested leave from his Brigadier, Lord Farnsworth, that a family matter had arisen and he needed some time to sort it out The Brigadier humphed, "So many good families have rotten apples in 'em," he said. "Get yours out the basket!"

With that Colonel Fitzwilliam, second son of the Earl of Matlock and Lady Cassandra had ridden hard to Hertfordshire to a charming little village called Meryton. He had a duty here but it was not the right time to march to his equal in rank Colonel Forster, to demand Wickham's blood. The fact that he carried his own list of misdeeds and receipts of debts of honour which he had no intention of letting the ungrateful son of a steward to flee from. He would make it to Debtor's Prison or Australia if he had his way. Still, these were not thoughts for such a fine day and a relaxing canter in the woods with his horse Ares before turning around and going back to the park that his cousin's friend had allowed him to stay in.

Instead, he came out of the woods to a hill, and that was when his blood froze, for he heard a lady scream!

"Miss Bennet, may I join you?" Wickham asked gallantly pointing to the spot beside her.

She folded the letter and tucked it in her reticule. Lizzy always had time for Mr Wickham, he was kind and had been used most ill by Mr Darcy. Her sympathies always lay always with those that she felt deserved it. "Of course, you may, I was just reading a letter from my sister Jane."

"How is she? I understand she has had her heart broken."

Elizabeth sighed, "She may have it repaired soon," she said with a smile. "I hear I am to congratulate you, on your engagement to Miss Mary King."

"Alas, I fear that my heart is broken," he said as he sat close to her. It was closer than propriety allowed so she was about to stand up but he grabbed her hand and began caressing it gently, "it seems her Uncle suffers the same amount of pride as Mr Darcy and has severed our relationship. Leaving me bereft of my true love," he turned her hand over and began tracing circles in the palm, Lizzy tried to snatch it back only for him to grip her wrist, "still, our engagement was of short duration. I fear I may recover," he sighed, "with the comfort of a friend I feel I could be myself again."

The comfort of a friend, what could he possibly mean? He brought her hand to meet his lips. Suddenly Elizabeth felt uncomfortable around him. This was out of character for him, surely. Then he placed his lips on her wrist. She shuddered, she did not want this, this was improper and wrong. If they were caught, she would be considered compromised. She jerked her hand back, but his grip tightened all the more.

"Come on, Lizzy, you must know how I feel about you," he turned his head and his eyes sparkled playful but dark, full of forbidden promises. Promises that in her mind should stay forbidden. "Please do not do us a disservice, you flirt with me openly, you wanted to dance with me and me only at the Netherfield Ball."

"Which you failed to attend sir and please let me go, I have not given you liberties with my name or my person!"

"We both know that is untrue," he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her. She tried to slap him but he grabbed her free wrist with his own free hand and gripped that wrist just as tight. Twisting it around behind her back giving him free access to her, all of her! "Now, now, none of that," he twinkled at her. "We're ideal you and I - I bet with you I would never have to go poor again."

"What do you mean, unhand me sir!"

He chuckled low and dark, his lips twisted in a cruel sneer, "Do not think I did not know how Mr Darcy looked on you in your first greeting, it amused me to think that you could have thought he disliked you - I know him of old, and he did not look at you to find fault."

"What are you saying?"

"Oh, that I shall have something he desires and he will never be able to attain!"

Never had Elizabeth been truly frightened in her life, suddenly this man was all over her. Sucking on her neck, "Now," he said as he hauled her up by her wrists causing her to let out a yelp only to throw her down on the log. "This will undoubtedly get to Mr Darcy's ears, and he will offer a substantial sum for us to marry," he said as if he was discussing the time of day. "For once I have had you no one else will! Besides," he tilted his head, "you're a much better prospect than Mary King at least I can look at you without being ill!"

Just as he was about to kiss her, she screamed as his body covered hers. No, no, this can't be happening. Then the pounding sound of horse's hooves beckoned nearer and nearer.

"WICKHAM!"

"Well if it is not Colonel Fitzwilliam!"

"Step away from the lady!" The Colonel brandished his sword and pointed it straight at Wickham's adam's apple. "Now before I run you through!"

"How do you know she is not enjoying my attention? That you are ruining a perfect moment!"

"Because I know you, Wickham. There are no special moments. Just one ruined lady after another, a leopard cannot change its spots."

Just as Wickham was about to push the sword aside Elizabeth raised her leg now, she was free to do so and kicked him where it hurts most in a man. He screamed and went to protect his, well she blushed thinking about it, and once she was free, she rushed up and ran behind the horse. Never so pleased to see one in her life.

"YOU…."

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Wickham, you dare insult a Lady?"

"Speaking of Ladies," Wickham leered, "just how is dear Georgiana?"

The Colonel growled, "If only I had rope, I would tie your wrists, sir!"

"Alas, as always, it is my word against yours and no one would believe the word of a scorned woman!"

Elizabeth's mouth hung wide open, in that instant she realised she had placed her trust, her faith, her friendship with the wrong sort of man. "They would believe the word of the son of an Earl over a reprobate, and I have proof with me that you are such a man as to not be trusted in any society, let alone genteel society!"

"I am quite content, do your worst!"

"Believe me, I will!"

With that, Wickham spat on the ground and glared at Elizabeth, "This matter has not been settled." Then he walked down the hill, or rather marched angrily and hid himself in the forest.

"Blackguard," the Colonel growled before hopping off his horse and sighed as he was taking in the state of the Lady herself. By all that was holy, she was a beautiful woman. No wonder Wickham wanted her. "May I introduce myself?" she curtsied and nodded, it was incredible that she was not trembling like a leaf in an autumnal storm, "I am Colonel Tristan Fitzwilliam of the Regulars, second son of the Earl of Matlock, Darcy's cousin and longtime foe of that… that…" he wanted to keep his language polite, so he just thought the unsavoury terms to protect her delicate sensibilities.

"I think I can gather what kind of man he is," she said quietly. Perhaps she was not as stoic as she presented herself to be. She curtsied, "Miss Elizabeth Bennet," she introduced herself, then with a slight frown she added, "I thank you for coming to my aid. He shall spread the word, I am afraid!"

"If no one believes my word they are to believe my uncle's. He has never liked Wickham either and he generally likes a lot of people," he looked around at the beautiful scenery, "Who are the biggest gossips hereabouts?"

She offered a wry smile, "My mother and her sister, my aunt Philips."

"I shall escort you home and I will have a word with your father - you pretend to be distraught and show your mother the wrists, when I have come into the room, I shall say all that I witnessed. I shall not go into too much detail, but I will say enough to protect your reputation."

"You hardly know me!"

"I know enough of you through my cousin, Mr Darcy, he is prolific in his praise of you through letters I and our ward, his sister Georgiana received when he was here. In fact, I believe he and his friend Mr Bingley are set to return."

The Colonel took hold of the reins of his horse, offered his other arm to her, and escorted her back home.

If he could convince Miss Elizabeth's mother of Wickhams perfidy then the days of Wickham's lies, deceit and debauchery are truly numbered.

So, do you think the Colonel will be the one to exact vengeance or Darcy or both together? Do you think Wickham is done? Do you think his plan of using the town gossips will work?