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

One of my warehouse employees came to me recently via Mr. Bennet’s recommendation. Before making the trek to London, Tobias Dungle served in the Meryton militia. Upon my return to London, I sought him out to learn if Mr. Wickham ever spoke of his time in London. As Dungle is not the type to gamble away his hard earned savings, he was not part of Wickham’s inner circle, but he did hear Wickham speak of praying often at St. Clement’s. Dungle thought that fact odd for he did not consider Wickham a religious man.”
    “Did you learn anything of Mr. Wickham in the parish?”
    Gardiner shook his head in the negative.
    “Nothing useful, but I spoke to the rector and several others at the church. I asked them to send word if a couple…” Gardiner paused in awkward embarrassment.
    “I know you do not seek Mr. Wickham upon Miss Elizabeth’s behalf,” Darcy said in confidence.
    Mr. Gardiner released an exasperated sigh of relief.
    “I am glad to hear it: I am not one to perfect a lie, and it pleases me to realize you would assist our Lizzy even when she foolishly places her reputation upon the line. Tell me how long you have known the truth.”
    Darcy chuckled in irony.
    “Once my pride permitted my reason to return, I accepted the fact Miss Elizabeth would never succumb to a scoundrel like Mr. Wickham–more likely, she would ring Wickham’s bell for attempting a seduction. I suspect from my observations of your other nieces, either Miss Catherine or Miss Lydia accompanied Mr. Wickham to London.”
    “Lydia,” Mr. Gardiner growled. “The foolish chit brought havoc to the Bennet household. What I do to right this wrong, I do for her sisters. If not for Jane and Elizabeth, I would allow Lydia to slip into oblivion. Mrs. Bennet permits her younger daughters too much latitude.” Another pause brought a second evaluation of Darcy’s personage. “May I inquire of your intentions toward our Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy? I cannot imagine a gentleman of your consequence interfering in a private matter without a personal inducement.”
    Darcy sipped his brandy before answering.
    “Once Miss Elizabeth’s duty to her family is resolved, I mean to propose to your niece.” Darcy paused before adding, “Again.”
    “Again?” Mr. Gardiner’s surprise spoke of Elizabeth’s keeping secret the truth of their relationship. “You offered your hand to Lizzy, Mr. Darcy?”
    “Twice.” Darcy regarded Mr. Gardiner with respect. “Of course, the second time was upon our recent journey to London. Making the spontaneous proposal was part of my ruse to prove Miss Elizabeth meant to protect her family at all cost. Needless to say, if she accepted, I would count myself blessed. Yet, as your niece assumes I believe Mr. Wickham ruined her, she had no choice but to refuse. Miss Elizabeth is well aware of my history with Mr. Wickham, and if she were truly subject to Wickham’s so-called charms, the possibility of her carrying his child would prevent me from claiming her to wife. What Miss Elizabeth forgets is Mr. Wickham is the beloved godson of my late father; therefore, I will never be truly free of him. All I can do is to shield the Darcy name by placing distance between my family and Mr. Wickham.”
    “Yet, if we are successful in saving Lydia, it would make Mr. Wickham Elizabeth’s brother in marriage,” Gardiner cautioned.
    Despite his best efforts, Darcy felt his features tightened. He weighed the negatives of having a connection to Mr. Wickham against the pleasure of having Elizabeth at his side: His love for Elizabeth Bennet easily won out. He reasoned that Wickham would always be a shadow in Darcy’s life. Therefore, it would be bacon brained for him to deny himself a contented life.
    “Do we not all possess relatives we never see or only encounter once every decade or so?”
    Gardiner chuckled with satisfaction.
    “I can think of a few of mine I would avoid if possible.” Darcy thought immediately of Elizabeth’s mother: He