Chapter 1: Darcy travels back to Hertfordshire.
Mr. Darcy stared absentmindedly at the beautiful prospect as his carriage neared Hertfordshire. The weather began to turn a little cold in anticipation of the winter. He had made an early start from London because he had slept little.
He relived his interview with Lady Catherine the day before. Over and over the words that his aunt quoted as Elizabeth's repeated in his head: "He is a gentleman. I am a gentleman's daughter: so far we are equal." Why did she not tell Lady Catherine that she had accused me with great truth of not being a gentleman?
Another quote from Elizabeth was "the wife of Mr. Darcy would have ample sources of happiness." What are for her "ample sources of happiness"? he wondered. Was it possible that her feelings of disgust had changed and been replaced with something more kind? I'm sure she's not after my money, because if she were she would have accepted me at Hunsford. That is one of the things I love most about her. She would never let material considerations take over her own happiness or her self-respect. He realised now that her acceptance of his proposal at Hunsford would have ruined all the good principles that ruled her life.
Darcy decided to ask her as soon as possible. He must find an opportunity to be alone with her. She is the only one who can conduct him on the path of happiness or despair. My heart is all hers! She could make me the happiest of men if she chose to! His life and happiness is entirely on her hands now.
The other difficulty was how he should tell her how much he loved and longed for her. "Miss Bennet, I love you. Will you marry me?" No, it was too short. Maybe something like this: "Miss Bennet, since many months now I realised the truth of your censure of me at Hunsford. I hope that in the future you could help me to mend my bad manners". Or maybe just take her in my arms and... No that will do. She could lose in an instant the little hint of respect and interest she began to show at Pemberley. He did not want to lose her respect for the whole world.
One thing was certain, though. He must not repeat his hurtful words of pride spoken last April. He must let her to see that he had changed and how much grateful he was for her merciless but good and enlightening lesson. She turned out to be his redeemer after all! If he had not met her, he could never have known his flawed character; he could never know what real love was, which includes respect of the other, devotion, forgiveness of the faults, and tolerance. Elizabeth may not have a perfect family but I am in love with her, not her family. And Mr. Bennet, for the little he has seen of him, seemed a man of some sense and wit. And Mrs. Bennet could not be so bad because she had given birth to his beloved Elizabeth. If he became engaged to Elizabeth, he would endure her manners with good humour. I couldn't stand if Elizabeth accused me to be "ungentlemanlike" once again!
He was shaken from his reflections as the carriage neared Netherfield. He stepped from the carriage and went inside of the house in search of Bingley.