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

him off balance.
    “The lady wishes to speak to her sister. I believe she is in the company of a dark-haired gentleman of a comparable height and build to mine.” Darcy slipped a coin into the man’s hand.
    “Mr. Wiseman,” the innkeeper confirmed. “Be there something amiss, Sir?”
    Darcy shook off the suggestion. He did not want the innkeeper to drive Wickham from the inn and to force another search.
    “The lady has news of a personal nature for Mrs. Wiseman. We will not remain long, and I promise no trouble will come your way. Now, would you kindly provide me Mr. Wiseman’s directions?” A second coin earned the man’s cooperation.
    “Upstairs. Third door upon the right.”
    “Is there an empty room the ladies might use for their conversation?” One more coin produced a spare room key.
    “Last room on the right.” The innkeeper nodded his gratitude.
    Darcy did likewise before directing Elizabeth’s steps across the room to the stairs. He glanced back to make certain Gwenie followed. He knew from the stiffness in Elizabeth’s form the degradation in which Lydia Bennet sank ripped at Elizabeth’s sense of justice.
    “I have you,” Darcy whispered as they mounted the stairs. “Trust me. Mr. Wickham is a scoundrel, but he would never permit another to harm your sister.”
    Elizabeth nodded her understanding, but she walked as in a trance. When they reached the upper storey, Darcy halted her steps.
    “Tell me you will not have a fit of the vapors.” He bent to speak to her pale features.
    As Darcy hoped, his words of challenge did the trick.
    “I am not Mrs. Bennet,” Elizabeth declared testily.
    Darcy permitted himself a bit of a smile.
    “Certainly not. You are the incomparable Elizabeth Bennet.” He traced a gloved finger down Elizabeth’s cheek to capture her chin in the palm of his hand. Lifting her chin where he might look upon Elizabeth’s countenance, Darcy asked, “Are you prepared to encounter your sister? It is likely you will not approve of what goes on here.”
    “Yes. Yes, I am composed,” Elizabeth assured.
    “Then take this key. Last room on your right. I will send your sister to you.”
    Darcy waited outside of Wickham’s door until Elizabeth entered the room. He noted her shudder of disgust, and as foolish as it sounded, her reaction only confirmed her as the one woman who would best complement his existence: Elizabeth Bennet would go to any lengths to defend their family. He knew no other woman who would even enter the premises.
    Before approaching Wickham, Darcy placed Gwenie in the hall between Wickham’s room and the one Elizabeth entered.
    “If you hear anything unusual or someone attempts to enter Miss Elizabeth’s room other than her sister Miss Lydia, you are to set up a caterwaul no one in these parts has ever heard before.”
    The maid sniggered.
    “Yes, Sir.”
    With a deep sigh of satisfaction, Darcy rapped on Mr. Wickham’s door. Within seconds, the door swung wide to reveal a half dressed Wickham.
    “Darcy? What brings you to this fine establishment?” His former friend appeared surprised to see him. Evidently, Mrs. Younge did not warn Wickham of Darcy’s inquiries. He worried that Mrs. Younge might tell Wickham of Darcy’s claim of a bride–one Wickham would recognize from Mrs. Younge’s description. Although Darcy enjoyed the idea of Elizabeth playing the role of wife, he did not want Wickham to thwart Elizabeth’s efforts to save her family name.
    “We have business,” Darcy replied in cold tones. Over Wickham’s shoulder Darcy spotted a disheveled Lydia Bennet. The fact the girl showed no shame at being caught in an intimate setting proved the power of Mr. Wickham’s “charms.” Darcy knew immediately Elizabeth’s hopes of whisking Lydia away to the safety of her uncle’s household would prove futile; therefore, it would be Darcy’s task to force Wickham to marry the girl. With that purpose in mind, he said, “Tell Miss Lydia to don a