Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 1 by Jennifer Lang Read Free Book Online

Darcy has gone to London, too,’ Mary remarked.
    ‘Good riddance!’ said Mrs Bennet, ‘ for never a prouder or more disagreeable man ever lived.’
     
    The object of her scorn was at that minute visiting Somerset House, where a record of births, marriages and deaths was kept. He had made some discreet enquiries of his friends in London but no one had heard anything about Wickham marrying.
    Darcy did not know whether he hoped it was a lie or not. If it was a lie, then Elizabeth would be spared humiliation, but there would be nothing to stop her marrying Mr Wickham then. The thought filled Mr Darcy with despair. He had tried to conquer his feelings for her but he had failed. She was the liveliest, wittiest, loveliest young woman he had ever met. Every time he saw her, he liked her more.
    He wrestled with his feelings. Liking her, admiring her, being attracted to her – all these things were very well, but they could not lead anywhere. He could never marry a woman from such a low station in life, and he could never make her his mistress, either, for her station in life was too high for that. She was caught in the middle of the types of women he could have a relationship with: too good for a mistress but not good enough for a wife.
    He turned his attention back to the task in hand. He made enquiries and by the end of the afternoon he had discovered that George Wickham was indeed married; that the marriage had taken place in the summer; and that his wife, an heiress, lived in the country and seldom ventured further than her local town.
    Which meant that George Wickham had no business turning up in Meryton and behaving as a bachelor.
    The more Mr Darcy thought about it, the more angry he became, until he felt he was ready to call Wickham out. Despite their childhood friendship, he could not abide the thought of Elizabeth being made unhappy. Only the knowledge that duelling was now illegal prevented him from calling on George and issuing a challenge.
    But as he travelled back to his London home, where he was presently staying - and where he had invited Charles to stay - he was boiling over with anger and contempt.
    The carriage rattled to a stop outside the imposing residence that was Mr Darcy’s London home. It was in a fashionable part of town, with a porticoed entrance and shining black railings. Stone steps led up to the door, which was as freshly painted as the railings, and a brass knocker in the shape of a lion’s head was placed firmly in the centre of it.
    The butler opened the door to admit his lord and master and Mr Darcy went in.
    He glimpsed Mr Bingley through the open door of the library. Contrary to Mr Darcy’s expectations, Mr Bingley had not forgotten Miss Bennet and now, after spending a week in London, he was as much in love with her as ever. It was an unsuitable match, but Mr Darcy knew he could not excuse himself from a similar folly, because he was becoming increasingly aware that what he felt for Elizabeth was love. And he was afraid he would not be able to cure his affection, no matter how unsuitable it might be.
    The sound of Georgiana’s pianoforte came from the drawing-room. Mr Darcy immediately felt his cares lessen as he thought of his sister. He went in. How fresh and pretty she was! His feelings regarding his sister, at least, were not in turmoil.
    He had hoped that Mr Bingley would fall in love with her in time, but if Bingley was really set on Jane Bennet then it was not to be. But Mr Bingley was young yet. At the moment he was besotted with Jane Bennet, but Mr Darcy had not given up all hope that Mr Bingley might see the error of his ways and fall in love with Georgiana instead.
    He drew near the pianoforte. Georgiana caught sight of him in one of the gilded mirrors that hung on the wall and jumped up.
    ‘Fitzwilliam!’ she cried, her eyes shining.
    She walked demurely, towards him. Then, at the last minute, she threw decorum aside and ran the last few steps.
    ‘I am so pleased you are