AN: Created for AHA's 'Rhyme that fanfic' game. How Mr. Wickham attempts to earn funds by auctioning off something precious to Mr. Darcy.

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Mr. Wickham was strapped for cash, and he urgently needed funds to pay off the most persistent creditors that were pursuing him. So for Mr. Wickham, finding Mr. Darcy in Meryton, and finding the man in love, therefore vulnerable, was a stroke of exceptionally good luck. He set out immediately to charming the lovely and feisty Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who he thought might earn him a pretty penny in another sort of venture as well, if Darcy weren't willing to buy her back from him.

Mr. Wickham asked for three days leave, and was granted it the next Tuesday. Having borrowed a carriage in return for covering some extra watch shifts for Carter, he set out for the west side of Longbourn estate, where he knew Miss Elizabeth liked to take her daily constitutional. She smiled when she saw him approach, and as before he made himself appear delighted, and he bowed and extended his arm. He escorted her towards his carriage, on the pretext of having seen a beautiful but foreign bird just now. As the carriage came into sight, he suggested some travellers might be lost and in need of aid, and Miss Elizabeth, known for her kindness to others, stepped forward to offer help. Mr. Wickham quickly pushed her forward to the burly driver, who picked her up and deposited her inside the carriage none too gently. Mr. Wickham followed her in, closed the door and they were off like the devil chased them.

Mr. Wickham turned his delighted smile to Miss Elizabeth, who protested loudly and angrily and kept knocking the roof, thinking the burly driver might stop to let her off.

"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Wickham practically bled charm, "you must allow me to tell you how delighted I am to have your company. You are a woman of uncommon charms, and if your devoted suitor will not follow you to the ends of the world, I have no doubt I can secure you a situation which will allow you to see the world and all its delights in one fashion or another."

"I do not have a suitor," Miss Elizabeth replied, exasperated. "There must be some mistake. Where are you taking me? I must insist you return me to my home this instant!"

"I am afraid I cannot do that, my dearest Miss Elizabeth. And you do have a suitor, a wealthy one, who I expect to pay handsomely for your release. But if he doesn't, there are other ways for you to secure my fortune. Rest assured my dear, I will carefully evaluate the most lucrative way for you to serve my needs."

Miss Elizabeth inched away from him, pressing herself against the opposite side of the carriage. Mr. Wickham hooted with laughter, a most unpleasant, threatening sound to Miss Elizabeth's ears.

"Not in that way!" he laughed. "Although I usually would gladly enjoy whatever of your charms you might offer – or not offer as the case may be, you are worth much more untouched. Only if Darcy wants you back, I will probably take my pleasure from you first. Perhaps I might even get a child on you. Imagine that! My son inheriting Pemberley, now that would be something."

"You are mistaken, sir," Miss Elizabeth said, "if you suppose there is any connection between Mr. Darcy and me."

"Well, that really is too bad," Mr. Wickham replied. "The old chap was looking at you with such longing, I might've supposed he would secure you, in spite of your poverty, sadly abhorrent family and dearth of useful connections. Well, you're better off without him, I say. Who needs Darcy, eh? Where you're going, you will meet men of much higher power, who will properly treasure you. Now don't you worry your pretty little head. If you need me to take your mind off these heavy matters, I might invite you hither. While you must remain a maiden, there is no reason you might not entertain me in another fashion."

Miss Elizabeth pressed herself even deeper into the corner of the carriage, sparing Mr. Wickham but a single look of utter loathing.

He chuckled, took a swig from a flask he carried and then moved towards her. He put a hand on her thigh and started kneading. At her shudders and the way she moved still further away from him, he just laughed.

"Your loss," he grinned. "For a certainty, you may choose to give yourself to me now. You'd cost me a pretty penny but I might be inclined to help you find a situation. Alas, no hard feelings."

The carriage ride, which took four hours at least, was spent in this fashion. Miss Elizabeth moving away, and Mr. Wickham taunting her, touching her inappropriately or telling her how Mr. Darcy may or may not come to save her, but even if he did, would now never marry her.

Miss Elizabeth had not been in the habit of thinking of Mr. Darcy as her knight in shining armour, but after spending four hours with only Mr. Wickham, followed by a full night in a dilapidated boarding house, surrounded by the sounds of people engaging in marital relations, she admitted to herself that any knight in shining armour, even if he were Mr. Darcy, would be much appreciated.

Her reputation must be ruined after a night away from home, even if nobody had touched her beyond what Mr. Wickham considered his due.

The following morning, Mr. Wickham's acquaintance, a Mrs. Younge, brought her a dress, a much too revealing dress in Elizabeth's opinion, and helped her put up her hair in a becoming fashion. She then pinched Miss Elizabeth's cheeks, much like Mrs. Bennet might do, and finally led her into a room, holding her arm in a vice like grip.

In the room were three men, all of them exquisitely dressed. One studied her through a monocle, muttering to himself. Another, older man, came up to her and squeezed her breasts roughly. He then moved aside her dress, observing the angry red marks he left.

"Delicious," he drawled, and then removed himself to a chair on he far side of the room.

The third man remained seated, sparing her not a single glance.

Mrs. Younge grabbed her arm again, and began parading her around the room. Miss Elizabeth struggled to free her arm, garnering the attention of the man who had thus far paid no attention to her. Her struggles seemed to amuse him.

At long last, Mr. Wickham arrived.

"Ah, good morning all, good to see you," he greeted them.

He then moved to Miss Elizabeth and winked.

"Any one of these gentlemen, or perhaps even all of these gentlemen together, have expressed an interest in furthering their acquaintance with you. But like I said, I promised to give Darcy the opportunity of first refusal, and it seems like the old chap is buying."

The maliciousness on his countenance was undeniable, and Miss Elizabeth shrank away from him.

At that moment, a servant entered and announced: "Mr. Darcy."

Mr. Darcy entered looking like himself, Miss Elizabeth thought, just more haughty and cold.

"Darcy, old man," Mr. Wickham sneered. "So glad you could make it. Who would've thought, a Darcy of Pemberley shopping for an exclusive, pre-ordered mistress."

He laughed uproariously, while none of the others present joined him.

"Ah, well, Darcy," Mr. Wickham recollected himself, "as I am sure you understand, I must have further options. If you have no interest in today's special offer, these gentlemen will gladly take your place to bid."

"I will remain," Mr. Darcy clipped through gritted teeth.

"I am delighted to hear it," Mr. Wickham chuckled while Mrs. Younge sniffed.

"I believe you owe me your sister's dowry, old man. Thirty thousand and the delectable Miss E is yours, to do with as you please. As you know, there are certain… conditions to your purchase, in that both you and she must promise confidentiality, and she may not be resold through another channel. She may be shared with or gifted to a third party. You may take your pleasure in any way you please, as long as there is no visible, irreparable damage. We do have a reputation to maintain. You may not take possession until she is fully paid for. Payment is due in this fortnight or she is for these gents' further bidding. If you wish for her to be instructed in certain arts to increase your pleasure, you may make your request and we will have one of our female associates train her accordingly. Returns are accepted if in unsullied and unbroken condition. If you choose to proceed, we will have our enforcers witness the agreement. Please make your inspection of the wares before you decide."

Mr. Wickham stepped back and Mr. Darcy reached for Miss Elizabeth's hands, drawing her away from Mrs. Younge. He regarded her with anguish in his eyes and whispered: "Are you hurt? Did they harm you?"

Miss Elizabeth shook her head.

"A few bruises here and there," she whispered. "Nothing substantial."

Mr. Darcy nodded.

"I am glad," he whispered. "Stand behind me. I did not come here alone. I will protect you and bring you to safety."

Miss Elizabeth nodded, just as the sounds of a scuffle were heard from the hallway, and then the glass of the windows broke. Soldiers climbed in through the windows and apprehended all present. Mr. Darcy, still holding Miss Elizabeth's hand, was quickly escorted out of the building and into a carriage, which immediately set into motion.

"I would not have believed you would come to my aid, Mr. Darcy," Miss Elizabeth said, her eyes cast down. "I believe I was very much mistaken in your character, sir."

"Wickham was uncommonly smug, telling me you didn't even like me. Believe me, Miss Elizabeth, that I hold you in the highest regard. I have been in a black mood, all due to that same blackguard, and you must have born the brunt of it. I can never apologise enough for the hurt that my actions have caused you, and that is including this latest incident. I know I have in no fashion done anything to deserve your consideration, but I ask you anyway: would you allow me to begin our acquaintance again? Will you allow me to get to know you, and for you to know me?"

Miss Elizabeth shrugged.

"There is no point, is there? My reputation must already be ruined."

"It is not," Mr. Darcy replied. "Mr. Bennet told your mother that you had departed for your uncle's home in town in response to an urgent summons. I believe in Meryton nobody knows any different."

"In that case," Miss Elizabeth smiled, her first true smile in days, "I believe I should be pleased to know you, Mr. Darcy."