Free First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) by Alexa Adams

have done? Shall we return and escort them home safely?”
     
    “ I intend to speak to Mr. Bennet and inform him of the man’s character, so as to prevent further intercourse between him and the family. He is no harm to them upon first acquaintances, as he is not a quick operator; it takes time to insinuate himself into ladies’ affections.”
     
    Bingley hesitated but asked anyway, “Darcy, who is that man to you?”
     
    “ He is the son of my father’s old steward. We grew up together at Pemberley.”
     
    “ And what has he done to so provoke you?”
     
    “ There is a lady’s honor at stake Bingley. Be patient and when we arrive at Longbourn I will elaborate.” They finished the journey in silence, each deeply occupied in his own thoughts. Darcy wasn’t sure how much he was willing to tell of Wickham’s attempted elopement with Georgiana, but he knew that it certainly did not include her name. He could only hope Wickham would be equally discrete.
     
    Why was he, of all people, in Meryton? There was no accounting for it. Surely the small town had little to offer a man of his tastes, other than easy temptations in the form of flirtatious and innocent young ladies. He grimaced at the thought. Certainly he was duty bound to warn the vulnerable, regardless of the consequences. Too rapidly could he conjure the image of a young Bennet falling for Wickham’s charms and finding herself compromised. It would probably be the tall, forward one – Lydia was her name. She would certainly be an easy victim for Wickham, too easy for him to pass on. He wouldn’t think twice of the degradation to her or her family, and never would he agree to marry such a dowerless girl. Should he hear talk of an attachment between Darcy and Miss Elizabeth ... no, he could not permit it to happen. Not to Bingley and certainly not to Elizabeth. By the time he entered Longbourn Darcy was grimly determined and requested, almost immediately upon entrance, a private audience with Mr. Bennet.
     
    “ Oh Lizzy! Do you think he is asking for your hand?” Mrs. Bennet squealed as the library door closed behind the gentlemen.
     
    “ I think not, Mama, as he has never approached me on the subject.”
     
    Elizabeth had noted the disturbed countenances of the visitors, particularly apparent in the unaccustomed intensity of the look Darcy gave her upon greeting, as did Jane, who barely had the opportunity to greet her eagerly anticipated fiancé before he was whisked away. Mrs. Bennet continued to happily speculate aloud while the sisters returned to their needlework, anxiously wondering just what could be the matter.
     
    --
     
    Mr. Bennet could only be amused by the severe seriousness of his guests, particularly as his future son-in-law did not wear a frown well. Nothing he could imagine could possibly be as dire as the spectacle the two men presented and eagerly awaited an explanation. Darcy noted the humor in the man’s eyes and prayed he would take his words seriously.
     
    “ You must excuse our unceremonious behavior in accosting you this way Mr. Bennet,” he began, “but we just now, in Meryton, encountered several of your daughters in the company of a man of most thorough corruption, a true cad. We hurried here to warn you to guard your family against his machinations.” The words were spoken with simple and vehement sincerity but, nonetheless, they elicited a broad smile from Mr. Bennet, much to Darcy’s dismay.
     
    “ I suppose you refer to my heir, Mr. Collins?” the older man asked with chuckle. “He is the gentleman escorting my daughters this morning. While I must admit he does not stand high in my opinion, I have a hard time attributing any real mischief to the man. Surely you must be mistaken.”
     
    Darcy blinked in momentary confusion, “Indeed not sir. I refer to Mr. George Wickham, a man whom I have had the misfortune to know all of my life. I know not what brings him to Hertfordshire, but I am quite familiar with