Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers Read Free Book Online Page A

means to confront Mr. Wickham. If Mr. Bennet loses his life to Wickham, Mr. Collins would drive my mother and sisters from Longbourn. They would know poverty and no future.”
    At least, Elizabeth thought through the ramifications of what Mr. Wickham’s selfish perfidy would do to her family.
    “Exactly. Such is why I offer another solution.”
    “Another?” Elizabeth asked in suspicion.
    “Marry me,” Darcy said in triumph.
    His words had Elizabeth staggering backwards again.
    “I cannot marry you, Mr. Darcy.”
    “Why ever not?” Darcy argued for Elizabeth’s hand and attempted to ignore the deceit he practiced upon her. “My prospects are far better than Mr. Wickham’s. You viewed my estate: You will want for nothing.”
    “Nothing except a contended husband,” Elizabeth countered. “You did not consider your future. You would be giving Mr. Wickham’s child your name. What if it were a boy? Pemberley would pass to…
    Darcy pretended shock.
    “Needless to say, I cannot permit that to transpire.” Darcy looked off as if searching for a solution. Finally, he asked, “What if I am unsuccessful in locating Mr. Wickham in time?”
    “Then the Bennet name will know a black mark forever. A mark you will never experience upon the Darcy name.”
    * * *
    “Thank God, Papa is safe.” Elizabeth sank upon the settle in her aunt’s drawing room.
    Her uncle lounged in a high backed chair.
    “Margaret insisted upon traveling on to Longbourn, and I previously convinced Mr. Bennet to leave this matter in my hands.”
    They arrived in Cheapside shortly after one, and Aunt Gardiner hustled Elizabeth’s father into Mr. Bennet’s waiting carriage. She meant to have her children in her embrace. All the talk of children rattled a long denied feminine urge in Elizabeth, and she encouraged her aunt to present an affectionate hug in Elizabeth’s name upon her own mother.
    “Now, explain to me this nonsense Margaret mentioned in haste. How could you permit Mr. Darcy to think you the one who succumbed to a scoundrel such as Mr. Wickham?”
    “It was not my intention to mislead Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth began. She blew out a sigh of exasperation. “When I visited with Charlotte Collins in Kent, Mr. Darcy attended his aunt at Rosings Park. Our paths crossed often. In one of our conversations, I accused Mr. Darcy of abusing Mr. Wickham. In his defense, Mr. Darcy shared a privacy with me–one where Mr. Wickham attempted to seduce another young innocent for her dowry.”
    “Mr. Darcy spoke of such depravity with you? My respect for the man sinks lower with each tale,” her uncle declared.
    “Please do not think ill of him, Uncle,” Elizabeth rushed to say. “I wish I could describe my relationship with Mr. Darcy.” She chuckled ironically. “We are both so stubborn, but as foolish as it may sound Mr. Darcy has become a dear friend. One with whom I often disagree,” she added quickly. “But one who speaks the truth, even when it is unpleasant to hear. My initial trust in Mr. Wickham’s goodness placed my family in a tenuous situation. I knew the length of his schemes, and I chose not to speak of it with my sisters and parents. I could have prevented this disaster.”
    “I would say the fault lies with your youngest sister,” Uncle Gardiner insisted. He studied her features for a few elongated seconds. “Was the victim of Mr. Wickham’s previous deception someone we know?”
    Elizabeth gave a faint grimace.
    “No one I could name without breaking confidences. Suffice it to say, as a result of their close relationship throughout their time at Pemberley and university, Mr. Darcy knew something of Mr. Wickham’s less than savory past. He was able to bring an end to Mr. Wickham’s plans.”
    “And you think Mr. Darcy can create magic again?”
    “I think Mr. Darcy will serve as well in recovering Lydia. Needless to say, my youngest sister has no fine dowry to tempt Mr. Wickham to marry her. I suspect Wickham