Page 17 of Mr. Darcy's Storm of Temptation

Then, miraculously, word came: Lydia had been found and married! The letter from Mr. Gardiner explained that Mr. Wickham had been induced to marry for a modest settlement, merely clearing his debts and purchasing his commission.

But Elizabeth knew better. She knew Mr. Darcy had paid whatever price Mr. Wickham demanded. He had purchased her family's respectability with his own fortune.

A week later, when Lydia and Mr. Wickham visited Longbourn on their way to Newcastle, Lydia let slip the truth.

"Oh, it was so amusing!" she giggled. "Mr. Darcy was at our wedding, you know. He stood up with George, practically forced him to the altar! I thought it very good fun, though my George looked rather green. Mr. Darcy said not to tell anyone, but you are my sister, so it hardly counts!"

Elizabeth excused herself, fleeing to the garden to think through all that had happened. Mr. Darcy had not only paid for the dowry but had personally ensured it took place. He had faced the man who had tried to ruin his sister, had stood beside him at the altar, all for her.

She was still in the garden, trying to compose herself, when she heard a carriage approaching. Her heart leaped. Could it be? She ran toward the house, all propriety forgotten, and met him in the entrance hall.

"You came," she breathed.

"I promised I would," he said simply, his eyes drinking her in. "Elizabeth, are you well?"

"Now I am." She wanted to throw herself into his arms but was conscious of her family watching. "Mr. Darcy, what you did, Lydia told me everything."

"She was not supposed to," he said with a small smile. "But I should have known better than to trust her discretion."

"Why?" she asked, tears streaming down her face. "Why would you do so much?"

"You know why," he said softly. "Because I love you. Because your happiness is my happiness, and your pain is my pain. Because we are to be married, and your family will be mine."

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears at his words. She had to turn away, overwhelmed by the depth of his devotion.

"Even after this scandal?" she managed, her voice breaking. "Even knowing Mr. Wickham will be forever connected to our family? That you will have to see him at family gatherings, acknowledge him as your brother?"

Mr. Darcy crossed to her, turning her to face him. "I would suffer far worse for you," he said simply. "Though I confess, standing up with him at the wedding tested even my resolve. Watching him smirk as he took his vows, knowing what he had attempted with Georgiana..." He paused, his jaw tightening. "But then Ithought of you, of your family's preservation, and I found the strength to endure it."

"How can I ever repay such kindness?"

"There is nothing to repay. Love is not a debt, Elizabeth." He took her hands, his thumbs stroking over her knuckles. "Though if you wish to make me happy, you could stop suggesting I might abandon you. My constancy should be beyond question by now."

She laughed shakily, wiping at her eyes. "Forgive me. I still cannot quite believe that you... that someone like you would do so much for someone like me."

"Someone like you?" His voice turned fierce. "You mean the woman who had the courage to refuse me when I behaved abominably? Who opened my eyes to my own arrogance? Who has made me strive to become a better man? Elizabeth, I am the one who cannot believe his good fortune."

Before she could respond, they heard Mr. Bennet's distinctive throat clearing from his study doorway. He had been watching them with an unreadable expression.

"Mr. Darcy," her father said after a long moment, "I believe you wish to speak with me?"

"Yes, sir. If you would be so kind."

Mr. Darcy squeezed Elizabeth's hands once more before releasing them. As he moved toward the study, Mr. Bennet held up a hand.

"Before we begin, Mr. Darcy, I should tell you that I have already received a most interesting missive from my brother Gardiner. He speaks very highly of you, though he admits to some surprise at the attachment."

"Mr. Gardiner is a good man, sir. His concerns were entirely appropriate."

"Hmm." Mr. Bennet studied him. "Well, come along then. Let us see if you can convince me as thoroughly as you apparently convinced him."

The study door closed. Elizabeth stood frozen for a moment, her heart racing, before her mother's voice pierced the air.

"Lizzy! Lizzy, come here at once! Is that Mr. Darcy with your father? What is happening?"

Elizabeth made her way to the parlor where her mother and sisters had gathered, clearly having observed Mr. Darcy's arrival.

"Well?" Mrs. Bennet demanded. "What is he doing here? Oh! Is he... is he asking for you?"