Oooh, a lot of you loved Lizzies little rant. It started off as a few sentences and then evey time I re read it I added more. It was fun to write and im glad you enjoyed darcy getting yelled at.

Im not gonna write any more, cuz I know you guys are waiting to see how darcy feels this morning.

Now lets see how many other people yell at him... (figuratively speaking in this case!)

...

Chapter 10 - And where the offence is, let the great axe fall.

Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Be not alarmed, sir, that this letter contain any of the sentiments that a wife should hold for a husband. I am certain they would be unwelcome and so I shall refrain.

I, however, must be allowed to defend myself from the accusations you lay at my door. The attempts at conversation have been, at best, strained and, at worst, well the less said on those conversations the better.

I cannot adequately explain how we became husband and wife without expecting you to trust my words, however I shall do my best to present our courtship. If you had only asked, I would have told. The cruel words you spoke may have been left unsaid, however it cannot be helped and we must, the both of us, find our way from here.

You remember your first few days at Netherfield, there is little else to say except that I spent several days at the home of Charles, nursing my sister Jane, after she became ill. I did not notice that you paid any special attention but you have since assured me that the time we spent together then was the foundation for the feelings that grew within yourself.

Our next meeting was quite by chance, at Hunsford. I was visiting my friend, who had married my cousin Mr Collins, and you were visiting your aunt. Once again I did not notice any special interest on your part, however you proposed to me before you left for London. Hard as you may find this to believe, you were rejected. I dare not repeat that language either of us used, neither of us behaved as we should, however I enclose the letter that you subsequently wrote, and in doing so I am struck by the similarity in my current situation. Ironic though I find this, I shall persevere in my attempt.

It was three months later that our paths crossed again, and again this was by chance. My aunt and uncle were touring Derbyshire and we ran in to you one day. For the details of how that encounter went I can refer you to my Uncle Gardiner, in who's character you hold the deepest respect.

The situation with Lydia arose to interrupt this peaceful time, I still feel the perverseness of mischance that allowed both her and Mr Wickham to be in Brighton and to act as they did. I did not ask for your help and did not know of it until the situation had been resolved, leaving my sister wed to Mr W. I believe both Mr Gardiner or your solicitor could give you more details as to your dealings with this matter. Mr Wickham remains unwelcome at Pemberley, however, for my sake, you do allow Lydia here on occasion.

When, soon after, Mr Bingley returned to Hertfordshire I dared not hope for your return. However you came and our marriage was the result.

With regard to your family. Your sister married with your full blessing after a period of courtship. Yes, I encouraged the match as I was aware of their mutual affection. Our only concern was the distance, but it could not be helped. He is a worthy match although you best ask Georgiana for these details, for I will not discuss them. None of these material considerations were as important as the affection between the couple, at least they did not used to be when we last discussed the match. She has not returned to your side due to reasons I am unable to disclose without breaking confidences. I will not do that to my sister, you must trust my word or write to her yourself.

The Colonel was present for our wedding and has been on the best of terms with us. Lord and Lady Matlock were, hesitant, to approve our match, however we are on good terms also and spent the last season attending events together. We will no doubt see them soon. Lady Catherine never approved of our match, althogh she has come to accept things, at least I thought she had. You once assured me she would not approve of any match that was not her daughter. Do you no longer believe this?

It saddens me that I would need to explain all of these events, I believe we have spoken of them briefly before the arrival of Miss Bingley, in whom you have misplaced your trust. It may have saved your worry if you had only asked. It is hard for me to realise how quickly her arrival poisoned your opinion of me. Has it really been only four days since the Bingleys arrived?

I cannot imagine how difficult you might be finding this, I am certain I would find it very confusing if I were in your situation and as such I cannot be angry at the result of this confusion. I am, however, angry that your displeasure would become known to others before myself and that you would allow your confusion to hurt your own daughter. She has been a beautiful addition to our little family and I can not allow anyone to hirt her, even if I have to protect her from you. You may be unhappy but I am your wife, and she is your daughter and that will not change. If you speak to her that way again I will remove her from your house. There are many of both mine and your own family who will gladly take us in.

What happens from here is up to you, sir. All I ask is that you consider carefully every viewpoint, not only Miss Bingley's, when choosing your next course of action.

Yours

Elizabeth.

...

Darcy felt the knot of guilt and regret tangled deep inside, he turned to the letters enclosed, recognising his own neat script.

...

Miss Elizabeth Bennet,

Be not alarmed madam...

She had rejected him? The evidence was in his own hand. Oh how he had misjudged her! He had assumed she had forwarded the match, pushed for it even. Yet here she claimed he offered and she had said no. What fortitude for a woman to decline a suitor so far above them. He found himself admiring her bravery, recalling his memory of her set down at Hunsford. The last man in the world? Oh how wrong he had been.

A further note was enclosed.

Dearest Lovliest Elizabeth,

I cannot address you by your current name as I am looking forward to the day I may address you as My dear Mrs Darcy. 'Tis not long now until I may call you mine. I have arrived in London safely and have appointments with the people who will aid me in my quest to have you by my side.

The settlements may take a few days to arrange but I shall not tarry. I am loath to part from you for longer than necessary. I know you worry for me when we are in Hertfordshire, my darling, but fear not. The pleasure of your company is all that I need, your relatives are, obviously, happy for your good news and are eager to share in your felicity. I can say, with certainty, that I am delighted to be a part of your happiness and I promise to continue to make you laugh forever.

I shall bring Georgiana back to Netherfield with me, she is delighted to be gaining you for a sister and wishes me to convey her hope that your relationship with grow as you become better acquainted.

I miss you my dear and cannot wait to be reunited, might I suggest another walk when I return? The view from Oakham mount was exceptional.

Yours everlasting

Fitzwilliam

As he read the last paragraph he had a mental flash of the great oak tree perched atop Oakham mount, the leaves were a myriad of colours, the breeze held a note of winter in it. In his memory he was not cold. His arms were holding a warm, soft, body, pressed against his own. Lips against lips, breath mingling, hearts beating fast. With a shiver he returned to the study at Pemberley to find his lips tingling and his heart racing in time with the memory.

He took a deep breath. The letter, he assumed from their courtship, did contain a surprising amount of sentiment. He wanted to cling to his assumptions, but he could not deny his own words, one by one he had to discount his own conclusions with regards to his marriage and his wife.

Sighing he turned to the other letters awaiting him, wondering how many more times he could be proven wrong. Recognising the script of his solicitor he opened that first.

...

Mr Darcy,

I am certainly willing to discuss the particulars of the settlement between your-self and Mrs Darcy. I am certain you have a copy but I have enclosed one for your perusal. As you can see, your were quite generous with your settlement on Mrs Darcy. I believe your words were that you wished to ensure she would be well taken care of, regardless of your future children or your longevity.

You were quite adamant, despite there being no dictates from her family.

I have since had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Darcy and I can easily see why you take such a prodigious deal of care of her. Such a charming woman. I have enclosed the relevant documents, as you can see your script is upon them in many places. I believe you made an additional request, at the birth of your daughter, which would allow the female line to inherit if no sons were fothcoming. I councelled you that it was too early to plan such a thing, however you were adamant. You were so happy witth the birth of a daughter that you did not wish to delay such a course of action.

I am, as ever, your servant, should you require any further information not included in these documents.

Mr Hargreaves.

...

Darcy frowned, he had changed his will when he had a daughter? He had always assumed he wanted a son, had he been so pleased with his daughter that he decided he had no need for a son? It would seem so. Also, his specifications for Elizabeth suggested particular care, certainly not that of someone coerced. Although he no longer believed that theory anyway.

Dropping the packet he decided to move on to another piece of mail, rather than reading the details of the settlement. There were two letters left, one was in a hand he did not recognise, and the other one very familiar.

Smiling he opened the letter from Georgiana.

...

My dearest brother,

I am hopeful that this letter finds you well, but I must not tarry on sentiment that you should be completely assured of. I must address the issue which plagues my mind. I am mortified that my secrets might be causing you consternation and I am determined to set you straight. Please do not blame my dear sister for holding my confidence, I am certain you agree she should not do otherwise.

As you know I married my dear Patrick nearly six months ago and we traveled here, to his estate, once the season closed. I did not share with you, but I had become with child within six weeks of our marriage, but it was not to be. Elizabeth knows the particulars, I beg you not to ask me to write more. I cannot travel now as I am, once again, likely expecting. I have become intolerant of travel, it makes me so poorly, and with the worry of my last...loss. I am so sorry brother, but I cannot risk such a long journey. If it was only myself to fret about, I would attend you with all due haste. I hope you can understand. I feel terrible for abandoning you, please, if there is anything I could do to ease your burden just ask.

Elizabeth has not said so, but I can tell from the tone of her letters that she believes you are unhappy with my choice, and I must assure you, Patrick was my choice. She would be unlikely to have told you the full extent of his future potential, as she puts little credit in such things. Allow me to set your mind at ease. Yes, Patrick is the second son of a mere gentleman. However, his older brother has only girls and is not expected to have any more children after his sister's last lying in. His father is the baron of ... And therefore our son, should we be so blessed, will likely inherit the title. Our estate is also well off and none of our children will want for solid futures. My connection to the baron ... satisfied our Uncle and Aunt but I should point out that, at the time, you were more concerned about our mutual affection and respect.

I am hopeful that I am misinterpreting my dearest sisters letters. I miss you, brother, and I wish I could be with you at this time of need. But I must urge you brother, not to make any rash assumptions about your marriage. I remember the time before meeting Elizabeth well. Both of us have changed, I expect you find the tone of my letter quite unlike the girl from that summer. I can say, with complete honesty, that I owe my current happiness to your lovely wife.

I am aware of the particulars of your marriage and courting, I am, certainly, happy to discuss any aspect of it. I have run out of room to cross this letter. I shall write more soon.

Your loving sister

Georgiana.

...

By this time Darcy was almost crushed with the weight of the guilt. He recalled every particular of his conversations with Miss Bingley. Why had he allowed such a conversation to occur? At the time he had been desperate for any information regarding his situation, but why had he gone to her, of all people?

He thought back to his time in Hertfordshire. He had not been in love with Miss Bingley, why had he been so set on her as a potential bride? He picked up Georgiana's letter. A sudden realisation hit him. He remembered worrying about Georgiana in the wake of Wickham. He read her words about how altered she was. She had been so timid, so subdued. He had not dared to ask how far compromised she had been, he would put nothing past Wickham. He remembered thinking that perhaps Bingley would take Georgiana as a wife. He would treat her kindly, and accept her even if she was not a maiden. He had partially thought of marrying Miss Bingley to try to encourage that connection, adding in Georgiana's enthusiasm for the match, likely that was why he had been set upon it.

He picked up the next letter. It was from Mr Gardiner. It was well written and in a friendly but respectful manner. He did not presume their intimacy but explained all that had occurred regarding Wickham and Lydia and also explained in more detail their perspective of his marriage. When he had finished he could understand why he enjoyed this mans company.

He turned his tumultous thoughts back to his actions with regard to Elizabeth, he had been acting petulant. He did not like change when he had decided on a course. He realised he was behaving abominably in response to the uncertainty of the change in his life. His wife had been all too accurate in her accusations.

He hung his head in shame.

Never a truer word was spoken than those of his wife, and she had said them to him twice. 'Had he behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner'. He sighed. He needed to apologise, as a gentleman, and soon.

Never one to delay on a decided course of action, he chuckled to himself thinking of the irony here, he set off to find her.