AU Pride an Prejudice

For Clarissa's Sake

Fan Fiction

Previously

"When we are not outside our home, if you so choose, feel free to call me Thomas."

Wickhams Show up to Netherfield

Ch. 12

Music and laughter filled the halls of Netherfield. People were playing whist, doing needlework, or simply visiting. Some were even dancing, including Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

"Your father seems happy with the new Mrs. Bennet." A guest spoke to Kitty as they watched the couple sitting next to each other talking.

""Yes, she is turning out to be an excellent fit for him, in spite of her being so young. His tongue does not hurt her, for whatever he tosses out, the lady simply throws it right back. Whatever subject he brings up, Mrs. Bennet easily follows along. And he seems to be the quiet rock she needs when her strong personality needs a rest, or needs to be held back with reason- something father can now do with all the changes he has made within himself." Kitty was finding it all a bit odd, with her father's wife being the same age as she. Hence, she was struggling with what to call her, other than Mrs. Bennet. Therefore, she ignored the subject and began dancing with Ensign Carter when he approached her.

Clarissa watched Mr. Bennet's youngest dancing and smiled. She knew the ensign's reputation, private as well as public, well; it all spoke well of the young man. She would have continued smiling, as would have Mr. Bennet, had not Mr. Wickham and Lydia walked in.

"I understand you have your reasons for extending the invite to your sister, Jane; her nagging letters to you had to be very draining, and I suppose having witnesses with them being present is not a bad idea. However, I cannot say I am happy to see them. Neither the ensign nor your sister have shown any signs of remorse for their actions. He has not even done so much as pulled me aside with any reasonable explanation for any of his past behaviors. If he had, and they had shown to me they were indeed warranted, I would find it in myself to forgive him. Nonetheless, that is not the case. Therefore, they are unwelcome guests in my eyes, and I hope they will not stay long."

Jane could not say she blamed her father. George had indeed done their family no good. She had hoped the others playing card games would at least draw her sister's husband away from conversing with Mr. Bennet. Unfortunately, that was exactly who he made his first remarks to.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bennet. Care to join me in a card game? I see one is going on."

"No, thank you, Mr. Wickham."

"Come on, sir. It's just for fun. We would only be betting a shilling or two."" Those around Wickham cringed at his words; they could not believe he would be suggesting any such thing.

"A shilling or two? And how will you pay, Mr. Wickham? Your debts are well known."

"Oh, Mr. Bennet, you are too harsh. Have you not heard? I have inherited a fortune from an old friend of mine just last month. I was able to pay off all my debts. When we received the invitation to come to this party of Jane's, it was perfect timing to celebrate." No one around Wickham believed him, especially as Lydia had not hidden her twitching hand fast enough.

"An old friend or an old victim? I wonder how many more you have, Mr. Wickham." His disgust for his unwanted son-in-law was clearly heard when he spoke the word mister.

"I have done nothing wrong, sir. I have nothing to hide."

"Nothing wrong? Nothing to hide? Do you think I have forgotten what you did to Lydia? How you ruined her and demanded money from me? I have found out recently it is only thanks to Mr. Darcy that our family name was spared any more shame than it was."

"That is all in the past, sir. Lydia and I are happy together. You should be glad we are here, as a sign of respect for your family and your new wife."

"Respect? You cannot be serious. You have no respect for anyone but yourself. You are a scoundrel and a rogue, and I want nothing to do with you."

"Very well, sir. Suit yourself. But don't blame me if you miss out on some fun and money."

"I don't need your fun or your money, Mr. Wickham. I have enough of both without your involvement." With that, Mr. Bennet took Clarissa's hand and took her onto the dance floor.

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Lydia, who had grown weary of trying to mingle with the company in Mr. Wickham's presence, saw Clarissa sitting on a bench outside of Jane's home. She left the party and walked towards the bench, heedless of the looks and murmurs of the other guests. Lydia approached Mrs. Bennet, hoping to justify their arrival and her husband's behaviour. She seated herself by Clarissa and spoke in a low voice.

"I was very desirous of making your acquaintance. I have heard such wonderful things of you, even as far as where my dear Wickham is stationed. We came at my insistence. I was the one who wrote all those letters." She pretended as if Jane had not already informed them. "I am aware of what my father thinks of my husband, and I do not mean to defend his faults, but surely a little diversion at cards, with a trifling sum at stake, is no great evil." Lydia sighed. "However, I must confess that I have some suspicions of a dark-haired gentleman who has been visiting us frequently. I should not be surprised if Mr. Wickham were in his debt. I thought I overheard him say something like 'cheat if you must, but make sure Mr. Bennet loses more than he can afford.' But..." She laughed foolishly. "My Wickham would never do such a thing as to cheat, even if he does gamble more than he ought.""

"Have you spoken to him of this? I mean, have you told him what you know?" Mrs. Bennet was shocked at what Lydia had confessed to hearing.

"How can I? He is my husband."" Lydia's eyes widened. "And to do so here? At this party? How can you propose such a thing?"

"A wife has every right to express her opinion; however, I did not say that you should do it here in front of everyone. It should have been done long before you came, when you were still at home." Mrs. Bennet grew rigid, a fact that Mr. Bennet - though he could not hear their conversation - observed as he was standing near a window overlooking the gardens. "I only asked if you had confronted him." Before Lydia could reply, Mr. Bingley's footsteps were heard.

"I have ordered your husband to depart." He did not explain to Lydia why. "You must go with him." Charles tone was stern and cold. "Mr. Wickham is fetching your cloaks." Mr. Bennet still stood by the window his own face had grown just as cold as Mr. Bingley's. If one could have read his mind, they would have known Mr. Bennet had decided he was going to look into hiring at least one guard even though no other signs of riders had appeared. He had, due to a sizeable increase of income, just hired on a footman and saw no reason not to make sure they had some added protection with everything that appeared to be going on. It was a choice cemented in because he could have sworn he saw shadows moving in the dark as the ladies stood up and walked towards the house, but held back almost as if by Mr. Bingley's presence being made known.