The Wickham Wager — Meg Osborne

George Wickham is drowning in debts, until his friends propose an amusing wager: can he win Elizabeth Bennet's heart? Money and challenge is reason enough for him to take on the bet, but when he realises that in securing Elizabeth's affections, he might also strike a blow to Fitzwilliam Darcy his goal is clear.

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy are navigating an icy friendship after her refusal of his unexpected proposal. Elizabeth struggles to align the friendly Mr Wickham of her acquaintance with the rake Mr Darcy deems him, and assumes this is yet another example of Darcy's pride blinding him to a person's true nature on account of their social position. As she grows increasingly aware of the truth, however, she realises that in this instance it was her own pride blinding her to Darcy's true nature. Her new understanding of Darcy's character prompts the realisation that she does love him, after all, but can she dare to hope he still cares for her?

The Wickham Wager is a Pride and Prejudice variation, and Book 2 in the Pathway to Pemberley Series.