Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers Page A

shows his affections in other ways.”
    “Did he ask you to marry him?” Elizabeth insisted. “You have set a date?”
    Lydia did not turn to look at her, a fact Elizabeth knew to be more telling than her sister’s words.
    “We will marry when the time comes. There is no rush.”
    “There is a rush,” Elizabeth said pointedly. “In addition to the very real possibility you could be with child, each day you remain unwed brings more doom to our father’s door. Your mother and your sisters cannot go about in society because of the tarnish your actions brought to Longbourn’s door. Mr. Bingley returned to Jane’s side, but our eldest sister can claim no happiness because of you.”
    “Do not practice such drama,” Lydia said with a nonchalant lift of her shoulders. “When Mr. Wickham and I marry all will be forgiven. You shall see. Society will pretend nothing of import occurred. I may be but newly sixteen, but I know more of the world than you.”
    Before Elizabeth could respond, Mr. Darcy tapped on the open door.
    “Miss Elizabeth,” he said in a strained tone. “If you are complete, we should depart.”
    She knew from his tight features Mr. Darcy’s patience knew an end. Elizabeth glanced first to her sister and then to the man who held her heart. Her decision made, she accepted Mr. Darcy’s proffered arm.
    To her sister she said, “Convince Mr. Wickham to act honorably for the next time I come, I mean to bring Uncle with me. Mr. Gardiner will use every means possible to convince Mr. Wickham to speak his vows, including turning him over to debtors’ prison if the gentleman refuses.”
    After returning the spare key to the innkeeper, they exited the building, followed closely by Gwenie. Elizabeth found she clutched Mr. Darcy’s arm tighter. She looked up into his stone-faced expression.
    “I am here,” she said softly.
    Evidently, her words penetrated Mr. Darcy’s thoughts. The gentleman glanced down at her, and a smile slowly claimed the corners of his lips.
    “I am blessed.”
    Mr. Darcy assisted Elizabeth to his waiting coach.
    “Gwenie, Miss Elizabeth and I must hold a private conversation. If it would not be too much trouble, would you claim the seat above?”
    Elizabeth noted the blush of embarrassment upon the girl’s cheeks. She knew her Uncle Gardiner treated his servants well, but the notice of such a fine gentleman as Mr. Darcy had the maid’s cheeks red.
    “It be no trouble, Sir.”
    Being the perfect gentleman, Mr. Darcy assisted the maid to climb to the driver’s seat before he joined Elizabeth in the carriage.
    “Most kind of you, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth teased.
    Mr. Darcy tapped upon the coach roof to signal his driver.
    “I have my moments, Miss Elizabeth.”
    Realizing they had only a short time to share what they learned from the imprudent couple, Elizabeth claimed the necessary conversation.
    “Was it as bad as it appeared?”
    Mr. Darcy sighed deeply.
    “I would gladly pull Mr. Wickham’s cork if he already married Miss Lydia, but I must wait until he speaks his vows before I run him through.”
    Elizabeth’s lips twisted in amusement. She never thought of Mr. Darcy from control: It was an interesting possibility she would explore at her leisure.
    “Certainly not. Before you make Lydia a widow, she should first become a wife.”
    Mr. Darcy’s eyebrow rose in a test.
    “Do not tempt me, Miss Elizabeth.”
    She chuckled.
    “We have little time for challenges. Tell me what occurred with Mr. Wickham.”
    Darcy nodded his agreement.
    “Mr. Wickham wished to know how I came to be involved in this situation.”
    “What was your response?”
    He grinned.
    “The truth.”
    “Which is?”
    “Mr. Bingley asked for my assistance because Mr. Bennet knows little of Town.”
    “Very ingenious, Sir,” Elizabeth said with a nod of pride. “What else?”
    “It grieves me to say Mr. Wickham has no intention of marrying Miss Lydia. He is still insistent upon the need to