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Wait Until…I would like to dedicate this story to my Loving husband Mick. After reading P&P he gave me the idea of writing this story along with helping me to write some of the chapters in the beginning, as he hated men who preyed on women.I would also like to thank everyone who has helped to beta this story Heather CathW and especially Sue and Debbie S for their wonderful idea's and patience with me.The Blurb: When Darcy finds Lizzy crying over the thought of her sister being lost because of her elopement, he decides to offer his help."When I consider," she added, in a yet more agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what he, was. Had I but explained some part of it only – some part of what I learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all – all too late now.""When my eyes were opened to his real character – Oh! Had I known what I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not – I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched, mistake!"Pride and Prejudice chapter 4PrologueA powerful surge of emotion propelled him from his seat, thoughtlessly dropping the hand he treasured above all others. Fitzwilliam Darcy had always prided himself on his proper decorum and restraint, but now he found himself angrily pacing the small drawing room. "I was a fool! None of this would have occurred if I had voiced some of my private concerns to the world. Wickham, you have always been a constant thorn in my side, but this time you have gone too far!"Though tremors of disgust shuddered through his body and his face drained of all its colour, it was the sight of Elizabeth that suddenly brought him up short. She sat alone, still, looking forlorn as if she had forever lost something precious to her, her tears of dismay slowly trailing down her flushed cheeks. Oh, Elizabeth, do not cry, my love. I promise you, if it is the last thing I do, I will remedy this situationWith his resolution firmly set, Darcy placed himself at Elizabeth's side, reclaiming her hand."Miss Bennet, I know many of Mr Wickham's old friends in town." The distaste in his voice could not be disguised and he breathed deeply before continuing. "If I may, I would like to be of assistance to your family."Elizabeth heard his words, but could scarcely comprehend their meaning. She looked up at him, but not yet able to speak, she sadly nodded her head.Barely able to withstand so much pain written over every feature of her beloved face, Darcy reached for his handkerchief and tried to give it to her, but she held onto his hand as if he were the only lifeline to a happier time.Not at all averse to their being tightly hand clasped, he awkwardly dabbed at her tear-stained face and asked in a gentle and soft voice, "I will stay here to await your uncle, but you have suffered a terrible shock. May I get you something, a glass of wine perhaps?""Tea," Elizabeth finally gasped out. "A cup of tea please."He left his handkerchief with her and with a final squeeze of her hand, arose to do her bidding. Thankfully, when he reached the hallway, the servant girl, Hannah, was nearby. His request was swiftly conveyed and she left to attend to it.While Hannah was laying out the tea service in front of Elizabeth, Darcy tried to mask his impatience by walking to the window and making a great show of searching the lanes for the Gardiner's arrival.He stopped only when he heard Elizabeth ask the servant, "Has John returned yet, Hannah? I wonder where my aunt and uncle can be."Hannah saw the urgency in her young mistress' eyes and while responding in the negative to the question, she exited the room thinking she should step outside for a moment and have a look for herself.When Darcy heard the servant girl depart, he slowly turned from the window. What he saw made him rush to her side. Elizabeth was trying to pour herself a cup of tea, but her hands were trembling so much that the teacup was starting to rattle on the saucer, and she was in real danger of dropping the teapot itself."Here, let me do that. Do you know, I came here not for tea, but to ask you to a picnic today? There is a lovely glen not far from my house that is the ideal place for dining outdoors. I know both my sister and I will be very sorry you will miss this opportunity of seeing it for yourself, but perhaps you will give us the privilege of your company the next time you and your family are in the neighbourhood."Elizabeth's pulse quickened, first in shock, then in pleasure and finally in dark despair as she thought of all the families that were sure to snub them in the future.Darcy watched the play of shifting emotions on her face and sensing what she was thinking, smiled warily and told her, "Remember, Miss Bennet, both my sister and I have first hand knowledge of Mr Wickham's character. You will always be welcome at Pemberley."This announcement caused her tears to start flowing again and threatened to become sobs. Darcy wanted to enfold her in his arms, to kiss away her tears and call her his dearest Elizabeth. His arms started to reach for her, but stopped when he remembered he had no right to do any of those things. So strong was the temptation, that he held his arms rigidly against his body, clenched his fists in frustration and closed his eyes tightly as he forced his mind to deal with the more practical matters."I'm so sorry, Mr Darcy...""Shh, none of that. Will you tell me what your sister has written? Does she know how long they have been gone from Brighton?"Elizabeth reopened one of the letters and scanned the lines before reading. "She mentions that they departed last Sunday night. Lydia left a note for Mrs Foster stating that they were headed for Gretna Green.""And how did his Colonel react when he read her letter? Did he make any enquiries among his officers?"Elizabeth paused to read more of Jane's letter before answering. "Yes, he did, after he sent an express to my family. The knowledge he received from Wickham's comrades was so disturbing that he immediately set off for Longbourn and arrived about an hour after the express."As Elizabeth was answering, Darcy's concern was growing to an alarming proportion. He schooled his features, for her sake, to be neutral as he asked, with a decided measure of dread in his mind, "May I ask what alarmed the colonel so much?" He poured another cup of tea for her and made her take a sip or two before allowing her to answer.Elizabeth's face crimsoned when she reluctantly said, "Captain Denny seemed to think his intentions were to use Lydia and what little money she had to escape his creditors."At this confirmation of Wickham's usual behaviour, Darcy shot out of his seat and started agitatedly pacing the floor again, muttering in a low but not inaudible voice, "Damnation! Wickham, you are a cad, and if I could, I'd make you suffer for every despicable thing you have ever done."Hearing Elizabeth's gasp, he quickly realized she had heard his unfortunate comment. "Forgive me, Miss Bennet, but I could have done something about this situation."Elizabeth felt as if the bottom had dropped out of her world. "I fear that there was little that you could have done to rectify the problem. It all seems hopeless." She covered her eyes with her hands and wept.Darcy was moving back towards Elizabeth's side, searching his pockets for another handkerchief when Mr and Mrs Gardiner made their entrance into the room. Seeing Elizabeth's tear-stained face, puffy eyes and a soaked handkerchief in her lap, Mrs Gardiner hastened to comfort her niece.At first, Mr Gardiner was stunned at seeing Elizabeth in such a sorrowful state, but perceiving the initials FD stitched on the linen, turned and glared at its owner."Mr Darcy, I hope that you have some explanation for the scene I see before me.""Yes, sir," and turning to Elizabeth, Darcy said, "If you will allow me the privilege, Miss Bennet?"Elizabeth heard the anger in her normally genial uncle's voice and fumbled with the seals, trying to reopen Jane's letters. She unsteadily arose and tried to hand them to her uncle, but the pages fluttered to the ground.Darcy retrieved them and handed them back to Elizabeth, who hastily tried to put the sheets back in the proper order as she told her uncle, "These letters will explain everything. Jane writes to tell us that Lydia has eloped."Mr Gardiner looked as though he had been slapped. "Eloped? With whom would Lydia elope?"Before Elizabeth could answer, Darcy spoke up as he gently led her back to where her aunt was sitting. "George Wickham, sir."There was no need for either man to contribute more to the discussion of the man's prospects. Mr Gardiner had found the townspeople talkative, but rather circumspect, when the subject of George Wickham arose. Although their opinions were guarded, Mr Gardiner heard enough information to make his own conclusions. As he quickly scanned through Jane's letters, he knew he must act as quickly as possible."Madeline, Elizabeth, my dears, in light of this situation, we must leave Lambton immediately. Let me call the servants to begin our packing."When he returned several minutes later, he was quite surprised to see Mr Darcy still ensconced in the sitting room and a fresh pot of tea ready to be poured on the table in front of the ladies.Darcy knew his presence was interfering in the Gardiner's preparations and so quickly made his offer. "Mr Gardiner, I stayed with your niece to await your return. Wickham and I grew up together and I know who and, more importantly, where his friends are in the city. May I suggest that you and I travel directly to London and confer wi...
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