Rebecca's POV

As I walked into the Winchester's home on Hapler Street I looked around at all of the people around me. They all stood so elegantly and proud talking so politely to people yet inside they would call you worse names than you have ever heard. They all did that, yes all of them. The women all stood and admired your presence before turning away. I had never understood why London society varied so much from the country, perhaps it was because London was the breeding ground for arrogant fools. Those fools would treat people below them with less respect than what they showed their dog, something I despised. And yet when I think of the conversation or I should say argument I held with my brother I could understand that Mr Richardson was a London man who held the same values as other gentlemen. I was wrong to speak to him as I did but all the accusations I made against him were more than true, he was so proud, it was no wonder that women disregarded him.

"Rebecca." I snapped from my thoughts quickly and looked up to my brother. "Come, we shall dance." He held out his arm quickly and I entwined mine in his. "Unless you are otherwise engaged." I laughed.

"No I am not engaged for the first dance, I do not have that luxury." I said. "I was not intending on dancing this evening but for you I think that I should make an exception."

"I am pleased to hear it." He quickly led me to the middle of the floor as we took up our place. As the music stated in a soft rhythm we started to move.

"I wish to apologise Rebecca," My brother said. "For what I said to you the other evening about Mr Richardson."

"You have no need to apologise my dear brother, everything you said was true?"

"Excuse me?" He said in shock. "Is that my youngest sister admitting that she was wrong and that she made a mistake?" I laughed.

"It is, I am sorry to say. I was wrong in the way I spoke to you, you deserve far more respect. Forgive me." He nodded.

"And Mr Richardson?" He asked, I smiled slightly.

"I confess that I may have been too forward in my remarks to Mr Richardson, he is perhaps not totally to blame for preferring London society." My brother laughed at my comment.

"Perhaps not. But you should still show slight respect to him Rebecca, he is a gentleman after all, far above yourself, as a woman that is." I nodded.

"Mr Richardson understood that I despised him did he not Fitzwilliam?" I asked.

"When my dear sister?"

"On the evening of the ball at Pemberley, the first time I was acquainted with him I believe." He sighed.

"You heard our conversation did you not Rebecca?" I looked to the floor slightly.

"It was not intentional if that is what you think. I came across you by accident and overheard."

"Yes, he did believe that you despised him, he still does."

"You may inform Mr Richardson yourself Fitzwilliam that I do not despise him, I simply despise his pride." He laughed.

"Every man is proud Rebecca." The music suddenly stopped, I looked to my brother quickly and curtsied. He bowed quickly before walking to me and taking my arm. "You have to learn to see that a proud nature is not always unacceptable. You can overcome it Rebecca, as you will learn." We stopped in a corner. "You may not be able to see it yourself, but you are proud, I am proud."

"I am not!" I said quickly. "I refuse to be."

"You refuse to see it my dear sister so you cannot accept it. You are proud because you hold prejudices for people who are proud. When you see it, you will overcome it. Trust me." At this he walked away. Was he right? Was I proud? I certainly held prejudices for people but would that make me proud?

I must have stood alone in the corner for a long while before I was distracted by a handsome man walking into the room. I could not see his face but as I stared at him from a distance I saw that he was very tall, dressed to a high standard and had light brown hair which fell loosely over his face. I watched with interest as the man was greeted by the hosts, desperate to get a glimpse of his face, to see if I did know him. It was at this that he turned into the room quickly and for a moment I was very surprised to see who stood in the doorway. I had understood for myself that this gentleman was not a man of my acquaintance but as he turned his attractive blue eyes to mine I immediately understood who he was. His eyes locked with mine for a moment before he strode over to me. I looked down quickly hoping that he would not come to me directly but as I stared at the marble floor a pair of boots appeared there. I swallowed quickly before looking up in interest.

"Mr Richardson." I said as I curtsied. "It is good to see you."

"Is it? I thought that we were not on friendly terms Miss Darcy?" I laughed.

"Perhaps we were not." I paused slightly. "I saw you in conversation with Mr and Mrs Winchester, and I must say that I hardly recognised you."

"Is that so?"

"It is, I swear that I thought it some new acquaintance."

"I am sorry to hear that Miss you must have been very disappointed." I smiled for a moment before I realised that he was staring at me.

"Why do you stare sir?" I asked.

"I am surprised Miss Darcy to see you London, after the conversation we held the other day in Derbyshire I thought that you would stay on at Pemberley."

"No, I visit the Winchester's every year, I could not let them down."

"Of course, I am a little surprised to see you here after hearing of your prejudices." I smiled slightly.

"Yes, I do dislike London society but I travel with my family, they make it so much more bearable."

"I am sure that they will." There was silence for a moment.

"I think that I need to offer you my apologies Mr Richardson." I said quickly. He raised his eyebrows quickly.

"And why is that?"

"For the way I spoke with you and the things that were said. I was wrong to say the things I did and I regret saying them. I hope that you would accept my apologies." He was silent for a moment.

"Are you engaged for the next dance Miss Darcy?" He asked quickly. I was puzzled.

"No, I am not."

"Would you be so kind as to dance the next with me?" I swallowed quickly and thought of my brothers words show a little respect.

"I would be delighted sir." I said as I curtsied. He immediately held out his hand and I took it. What was I doing? He led me into the middle of the floor quickly.

"You have not answered my question sir." I said as we stopped. I looked up at him quickly and saw for the first time, him smile.

"I am quiet aware of that Miss Darcy and be assured that I will answer it in due course."

A/N: he he, is he going to forgive her for what she said, will she tell him that she does not dislike him as a person but just his pride and most importantly: Will she finally realise that she is proud? Find out soon!