�Lydia Bennet! Turn down that music this instance!� her mother called up the stairs to her unruly fifteen-year-old daughter. �I can�t even think with all this noise around the house.� She grumbled as she headed back to the kitchen, �My poor nerves!�

Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other and rolled their eyes at their mother�s complaints. They sat at the kitchen table, helping in the preparation of dinner by peeling potatoes and trimming green beans. The girls traditionally came home Sunday evenings to have dinner with their family, usually staying to watch The Ed Sullivan Show before heading back to school. Since this was a long weekend, there were no classes on Monday and they were able to stay the night.

�I don�t care who those Beatles are, or that Paul what�s-his-name,� their mother began, �what kind of name is Beatles anyway? They sound like insects! And their hair! What they need is a good haircut,� she shook a big fork at the girls for emphasis. Jane and Elizabeth continued their work while Mrs. Bennet nodded her approval, �Whatever happened to that nice Pat Boone you girls used to like?�

Lizzy and Jane smirked, but kept quiet. They knew better than to disagree with their mother in one of her moods. Mrs. Bennet took dinner from the oven and placed it on a cutting board to rest; the delicious aroma of roast beef wafted throughout the house. She wiped her hands on her apron and then busied herself making gravy.

Lizzy saw an opportunity to change the subject, �Mom, did you hear that Jane has a new boyfriend?� She eyed her sister teasingly as Jane blushed and repaid her with a dirty look.

�A new boyfriend!� Mrs. Bennet gasped and turned around to look at her eldest daughter. �Who is he? Where did you meet him? Is he rich?� she asked breathlessly.

Jane narrowed her eyes and gave Elizabeth an �I�ll get you for this� look, then, turning back to her mother she smiled. �His name is Charles Bingley. He�s a graduate student at Princeton.�

�Graduate School!� Mrs. Bennet finally breathed, �Oh, Jane, how wonderful! What is he studying?� she asked eagerly, �Medicine? Is he going to be a doctor?�

�No, Mother,� Jane said patiently. �He�s studying to be an architect.�

�Oh, well that�s good too!� Mrs. Bennet cooed, �A very fine career!� She turned back to her gravy, still talking. �Is he handsome?�

�Is who handsome?� Mr. Bennet walked into the kitchen, making his way over to the standing rib roast.

�Jane has a new, very promising boyfriend from Princeton. � Said Mrs. Bennet significantly as she slapped away Mr. Bennet�s hand from the roast.

�Princeton, you say?� he turned to Jane, �I hope he�s bright, and not just some rich playboy, eh?� he said poking fun at Jane good naturedly, �I don�t want to have to get my shotgun out.�

�Oh, Daddy.� Even knowing her father was teasing, Jane blushed as she put the potatoes on the stove.

�What about you, Lizzy?� Mr. Bennet turned to his second eldest daughter to continue his teasing, �Any new boyfriends for you?� Lizzy looked uncomfortable � she didn�t like thinking about boys. The image of Will Darcy�s dark curls and broad shoulders had been on her mind much too much lately.

�Lizzy never has any boyfriends,� said Lydia as she bounced into the kitchen. �When�s dinner?� she asked, opening the refrigerator door looking for something to eat.

�Out of the refrigerator, young lady,� admonished Mrs. Bennet, pushing Lydia aside and closing the door. �Dinner will be served in half an hour, and I don�t want you eating anything before and spoiling your appetite!�

Lydia rolled her eyes and grabbed a string bean to munch. �So, Lizzy, don�t forget, you said you�d drive me to Korvettes tomorrow.� She leaned against the kitchen counter, �Their big sale is tomorrow and I want to get the Beatles� record �Something New.� I don�t have that one yet, and it�s got �I Want to Hold Your Hand� in German. � Her eyes widened appreciably in anticipation of such a treat.

Lizzy eyed Lydia testily. She didn�t appreciate the crack about her lack of boyfriends. �Yes, I know, I haven�t forgotten.�

As the evening progressed, the Bennet family sat down to dinner where, as usual, conversation was monopolized by Lydia, avid Beatlemaniac, who talked incessantly about the British phenomenon sweeping across the country. Around the large rectangular kitchen table sat the entire Bennet family: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet at either end with their five disparate daughters on either side of the table. Jane, the eldest and Elizabeth, the second, were highly regarded by all their friends and family. Jane, especially, had always been noticed for her beauty and generosity. While no slouch when it came to looks, Lizzy was more notably considered the wit of the family, taking after their father in that regard. Mary, a studious senior in high school and the most serious of the girls, hoped to be admitted to Bryn Mawr the following year. Kitty, next in line, was a year younger than Mary and, as she ensured everyone knew, a cheerleader this year at Meryton High School. Lydia, the baby of the family, and just turned fifteen, was the most boisterous of the family, and being the youngest, usually indulged by their mother. Mary and Kitty thought her a spoiled brat, and never hesitated to let her know it. Jane and Elizabeth were more circumspect in their criticism, saving it for those times they thought it would do some good. They were more apt to think that Lydia simply needed to do some more growing up.

As the conversation flowed around the dinner table, the subject of Jane�s new boyfriend came up. All were eager to hear about him, and Jane told them what she could, even though she had only known him for two weeks. Charles had kept his promise to call her and they had been out on a few dates. Jane told her parents that he was a perfect gentleman � she didn�t think they needed to know that he was a great kisser � as well as a gentleman.

The next day, Lizzy, Lydia and Kitty, who decided at the last moment that she wanted to go as well, set off in the Bennet�s Rambler station wagon for Korvette City, a local inexpensive department store. After they parked and headed into the store, Lydia took off for the record department, yelling behind her, �I�ll be downstairs!� and headed for the escalators. Kitty made her way to the teen�s section, always on the lookout for bargains on the latest fashions, and Lizzy meandered about looking for a desk lamp and a throw rug for the dorm room that she shared with her roommate, Charlotte Lucas.

Lizzy finished her shopping, making note of the prices, but not purchasing anything just yet. She went looking for her younger sisters and found Kitty in a dressing room trying on a matching skirt and sweater set with a cotton blouse.

�Lizzy, what do you think?� Kitty admired her reflection in the mirror. �This blouse will be perfect to wear with my circle pin.� No girl at Meryton High was seen without her gold, monogrammed circle pin worn with matching cardigan sweater and skirt sets.

�Yes, it looks very nice, Kitty.� Lizzy answered, impatient to leave. �Now, hurry up and let�s go, it�s getting late. Look for us downstairs in the record department.� She left Kitty in the dressing room and went in search of Lydia.

Lizzy noticed Lydia as soon as she entered the record department, talking to a salesman, if the nametag on the front of his jacket was any indication. Flirting is more like it. He towered over Lydia, with movie star good looks and hair worn long around his ears and neck, it was no wonder her teenage sister looked to be in raptures. His smile could be seen from a mile away. His dark suit had a modern look to it, with a black turtleneck and black leather pointed boots. How Beatle-esque. I guess that�s one way to sell records.

Lizzy walked up to them, her eyes twinkling, �Lydia, did you find the record you were looking for?�

George Wickham had been thumbing through the latest batch of albums that had just come in. His boss had told him to make sure they were filed and out in the record racks as soon as possible for the customers, but his boss was gone for the rest of the day and George decided that it could wait. Today was busy and George didn�t want to miss out on the rush. School holidays meant one thing: ripe, young high school girls � his favorite. He had an eye for the young ones, and his job at Korvettes�s record department gave him the perfect opportunity to meet them. It was easy to chat them up, especially lately.

George had always been aware that he was good looking and he was able to parlay it to his best advantage. Getting a job was never a problem � keeping it was an entirely different matter. George was lazy, and without a college education, his job prospects were limited. He bounced from job to job, fired many times due to his laziness; not that he ever believed it was his fault. He was forever convinced that he had been maligned and the blame always seemed to come back to the Darcy family � Will Darcy, in particular. William�s father, Mr. Darcy, had died three years earlier and with his death George�s free ticket to everything stopped, or so he believed. He had told the story so many times he had nearly come to believe it himself, but it was far from the truth.

The bane of George�s life was money � or rather the lack of it. He never seemed to be able to hold it. He had a penchant for poker, sometimes he was a winner, but oftentimes he was not. So far he had managed to keep himself out of trouble despite his poker debts, but there had been several close calls. He didn�t want to be at the mercy of loan sharks if he could help it. His mind was often working up ways to make a lot of money, without having to really work hard at it. Unfortunately for him, he never really came up with anything very promising.

This job in the record department at Korvettes had lasted for almost two weeks. He was hired on the spot � as soon as he filled out the application and opened his mouth. He had a knack for imitating accents, and had lost no time in acquiring a slight Liverpool accent. He couldn�t believe how well it worked. Inspired by his success, he grew his hair longer, bought the right clothes and voil�, Beatle look-a-like. The chicks ate it up, particularly the young ones. No matter that he wasn�t from England, just a trace of an accent was enough to please these Beatlemaniacs.

Looking around the aisles of records in his department he espied a young girl, sporting the Beatle haircut, popular with so many these days. Ignoring the hair, his attention went straight for what counted, Hmm, nice chest. This one might be worth checking out. He sauntered up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.

�Excuse me, luv, are you looking for something in particular?� It was his best Paul McCartney imitation.

Lydia whirled around, speechless. She couldn�t believe her ears.

�Um�uh�um�� she couldn�t get the words out. She stared into his handsome face, lost in the flash of white teeth and the sparkle of green eyes. He dazzled her with his best smile and repeated the question. He was frequently treated to this reaction.

She swallowed and tried again. �Wh-who are you?� Eyes wide with curiosity, she looked up at him.

�Name�s Wickham, but you can call me George, if you want. I work here,� he smiled down at her. She nearly swooned in his arms. Oh, this is too easy, George. His mouth twitched as he stopped himself from laughing.

�So, can I help you find something?� he asked again. She let out a sigh and answered.

�Yes, I�m looking for the Beatles record, �Something New.� I don�t see it out here, do you have it?� she gazed at him dreamily.

�Yes, I believe we do, come this way.� He led her to an exhibit of Beatles albums and 45�s at the end of another aisle. Miming expertise he looked over the display and found what she was looking for. �Ah, here it is, luv, is this what you were looking for?�

Lydia nodded eagerly and took the album from him as he offered it to her. �Thank you,� she said politely. She hesitated for a second and then asked reverently, �Are you from England?�

George smiled at her, ready with his smooth answer, �No, but my mum was.� Lydia accepted this unhesitatingly.

�Are you new here? I don�t remember seeing you before.� she found her nerve again. �I�m sure I�d remember you.�

�I�ve been here for about two weeks.� He grinned, �I would have remembered you too. � He reached over her head and leaned his hand against the record rack, effectively surrounding her. Enjoying the attention immensely she boldly looked up at him, grinning back.

A feminine voice interrupted them, �Lydia, did you find the record you were looking for?�

George guiltily backed away from Lydia in an instant. George quickly lost interest in Lydia. Hmm, who do we have here?

�Lizzy!� Lydia squealed in excitement. �I was just talking to George. He helped me find my record.� She leaned over to Lizzy and whispered in her ear, �He looks just like Paul McCartney!�

Lizzy looked �George� up and down and voiced her disapproval, �Since when do you call salesmen by their first names, Lydia?�

�Oh, it�s okay, he said I could.� Lydia said guilelessly. She turned to George, �It�s all right, George, Lizzy�s my sister.�

George stepped forward, forgetting to keep up his accent �I�m sorry, miss, we were just talking about records.�

She arched one eyebrow, surveying him. Too good-looking � and too old for Lydia. Lizzy looked at his Korvettes nametag.

�So, Mr. Wickham, you work here in the record department.� stressing his name, Lizzy voiced this as a statement, not a question.

�Yes,� he offered her his most dazzling smile. This was one cutie he wanted to know much better.

Lizzy wanted to convey disapproval, but he was so darn handsome, it was hard to keep it up. They talked for a bit, introducing themselves further.

�I�m at Longbourn College, here in Meryton.� She answered when asked if she was in school.

�Ah, yes.� a new song played in the background as he spoke.

Click here to hear song

The best things in life are free
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want

�I was in college myself. Princeton actually, but I had to leave, due to a death and financial reasons.� He artfully cast his eyes down.

That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want

�Oh, I�m sorry.� Lizzy couldn�t resist asking, �What happened?�

George gave his pat story. �A very dear man to me, my godfather, actually, was paying for my college tuition. When he died before I graduated, his son convinced the executor of the estate to stop paying my tuition. Now I have to work my way through Forster Community College.� So I�m bending the truth, sue me!

Lizzy was appalled and her sympathy aroused. �How awful for you! Wasn�t there some kind of legal action you could take?�

You're lovin' gives me a thrill
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want

�Unfortunately, no.� George replied dolefully. �Mr. Darcy didn�t actually name me in his will. It was understood that I was to receive payment until my graduation but it wasn�t actually put in writing.�

�Darcy?� said Lizzy, surprised, �I know that name. I know a Will Darcy, he�s at Princeton. Is he related to your Mr. Darcy?�

�William Darcy is the son I told you about.� George looked at Lizzy a little warily, �Is he a friend of yours?�

Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want

�N-no, not exactly.� Lizzy faltered. She wasn�t sure what to think of Will, or how to describe him. �His best friend is dating my sister, Jane.� She paused, �I can�t honestly say that he is my friend,� she said remembering his arrogance at the Ivy Club.

George was relieved. �I�m glad to hear that. Will can be ruthless, and he�ll lie to get what he wants. I�ve always believed he was jealous of me, because his father loved me,� he said reflectively. �I�m convinced that�s why he stopped my tuition payments. He�s also quite the womanizer. He can be quite dangerous, if you don�t watch out.� George looked at her intently, �I�d hate to think someone as lovely as you could be sucked into his lies.�

Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use

Lizzy was shaken by George�s words. Deep down she wanted to believe that Will was good, that somehow she had been wrong about him. In the past weeks, as Jane and Charles got better acquainted, Jane had nothing but nice things to say about his friend. After listening to George, though, Lizzy didn�t know what to think about Will Darcy.

George continued, �The Darcys are a very wealthy family. William and his sister, Georgiana are now the sole heirs to the Darcy pharmaceutical fortune.� He waited to see how this affected her. Lizzy was stunned. She had no idea. Pharmaceutical fortune?

Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want*

�I guess you know he�s engaged to be married?� Lizzy nodded silently, this confirmation was the final blow. �It�s been in the works since they were children. You know how it is with rich families.� This was added a little too casually, but Lizzy was so wrapped up in her thoughts she failed to realize how inappropriate their conversation was. They had only just met.

At this point, Lydia was more than a little bored. Not only was she irritated with her sister for �stealing� George from her, but she was also monopolizing the conversation about some rich guy that she didn�t even know!

�Lizzy, I�m going to buy my record now.� Lydia�s voice stirred Lizzy out of her thoughts of Will and Caroline.

�Oh, of course! You can get in the check out line. Kitty should be here any minute.� Lydia gave George a soulful parting glance, not exactly wanting to leave her pretty sister alone with him, and shuffled to the register.

�Is Kitty another sister of yours?� asked George conversationally.

�Y-yes.� Lizzy hesitated. Something didn�t seem quite right about this handsome salesman, but she couldn�t put her finger on it. While she believed his story about Will Darcy, she didn�t know if it was such a good idea to reveal too much about her family. After all, she didn�t even really know him.

�In fact, she should have been down here by now. I�d better go get her.� Lizzy glanced over towards the escalators looking for Kitty. �Excuse me, it was nice meeting you.�

�I enjoyed meeting you.� Without a qualm he let Lizzy know he�d like to see her again, taking a step closer and looking her up and down appreciatively, �I hope we can meet again � why don�t I give you a call?�

She wasn�t sure if she wanted him to call her or not, which was reflected in her uneasy response. �Um, sure�you can reach me through the Longbourn College switchboard.�

Realizing it was getting late she looked at him apologetically and gave him a half-smile, �Sorry. I really have to go find my sister.� She backed off toward the escalators. With a last wave she turned to look for Kitty.

Later that evening, in her dorm room, Lizzy reviewed her conversation with George Wickham with her roommate, Charlotte. Charlotte listened as she went through the nightly ritual of setting her hair.

�Lizzy, if I were you, I wouldn�t believe everything he said. You don�t even know this George person.� Charlotte dipped her fingers into the �Dippity Do� hair gel, and smeared it on her hair before rolling up the large pink curlers.

�But Char, he really seemed like he knew what he was talking about. He even knew that Will is engaged to Caroline Bingley.�

Charlotte shook her head. �I still don�t believe that. From what you�ve told me about Will Darcy, how could Caroline Bingley be engaged to a honey like him?�

Lizzy privately agreed. She still couldn�t get the image of Will out of her mind. He looked so noble and handsome, he couldn�t possibly be engaged to that horrible witch. She sighed while lowering her head to her pillow, ready for sleep. Charlotte finished setting her hair, tucked the curlers under her curler cap and turned off the light.

�Good night, Lizzy. Who knows, maybe it�s all a big mistake.� Charlotte said, trying to reassure her friend.

Lizzy closed her eyes. Images of George and Will swirled before her. Thinking of Will only led to frustration. He�s already taken. She tried to push him out of her mind. Maybe I should seriously consider George if he calls. Her ego could certainly use it. She punched her pillow a few times to fluff it up and drifted off into a restless sleep, full of unsettling visions of George Wickham and Will Darcy fighting over who would win her love.

*Money (That�s What I Want) � Performed by the Beatles. Written by Bradford/Gordy � 1959, 1962 Jobete Music Company Incorporated, USA. Dominion Music Limited, 127 Charing Cross Road, London WC2. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.

� 2004 Copyright held by the author.