"Brother!"

Darcy looked up as Georgiana and Richard walked into the library where he was currently stationed. He had gotten back from his club early, still unable to shake the melancholy from his heart enough to enjoy his time there with his friends. Knowing he needed to keep his mind off Elizabeth, he'd situated himself in the library hoping to distract himself with a book, to no avail. His mind refused to be tamed and constantly reverted back to painful memories of his failed proposal to Elizabeth Bennet.

Taking a steadying breath, he knew he would need to put forward his best attempt at being his normal self for Georgie and Richard. He knew they had noticed his recent introspection. In the carriage back from Rosings Richard had asked him what was troubling him, but he'd dismissed it and thankfully Richard had let the matter drop, temporarily. Darcy knew Richard was just biding his time, waiting for the opportune moment to catch Darcy with his guard down and delve into his private troubles.

Georgie was another matter altogether. He knew she could sense something was troubling him and when she had finally gotten the courage to ask him if she had done something to upset him, he had told her the truth. She, of course, had done nothing wrong. What he had omitted to her was that his heart was currently shattered into a million pieces, and at this moment in time, Darcy didn't know if it would ever be whole again.

It had been two weeks to the day that Elizabeth had rejected his proposal, and he could now with absolute honesty say that he did not blame her in the slightest. He had been so arrogant in his assumption that any woman, particularly one of inferior birth and standing, would be so overjoyed that he would condescend to offer her a proposal of marriage that it had not even occurred to him to court her good opinion. The irony hadn't escaped him that if Elizabeth had been any other woman, she would have accepted his proposal regardless of her feelings for him.

It was clear to him now that she was the sort of woman who would only accept the proposal of a man she was in love with. Oh how he wished that man were him, but it was not to be. There were so many things in their failed relationship he wished he had done differently. At this moment if he was asked what he would be willing to give up for another chance to win her love, he would have given his entire fortune without hesitation. Darcy knew without a doubt that he would never love another woman as deeply as he did Elizabeth, and that she was the first and last woman he would ask to be his bride.

Hearing Elizabeth's name being spoken by his sister jolted him from his reverie.

"I'm sorry Georgie, what did you just say?"

"Wool-gathering were we Darcy? Georgie was merely telling you that we went to the park today and ran into Miss Bennet. I made the introductions and Georgie was so swept up that she invited Miss Elizabeth and her party for tea here tomorrow"

Darcy felt like all the air had suddenly escaped his lungs. His mind had both slowed down and sped up all at once and his thought were jumbled. Trying to comprehend if his mind was playing tricks on him he turned to face his sister completely.

Seeing the look of shock on her brother's face, Georgie continued "Oh brother, I hope that was alright? She just seemed so nice, and well... both you and Richard spoke so highly of her… I thought it would be alright? … Oh I am sorry, I should have checked with you before … are you upset at me…?"

"No… of course not Georgie. I ah... am pleased you felt ... comfortable enough to invite them… her... party to tea …"

Seeing Darcy struggling to keep his emotions in check, Richard motioned for Georgie to leave him with Darcy alone, and walked to the sideboard to pour them both a stiff drink.

Hearing the click of the door signalling he was now alone with Darcy, Richard finished pouring the drinks and took a seat opposite Darcy. Accepting it without question, Darcy downed his in one gulp and before he could rise to help himself to another, Richard handed him his own glass.

"This time more slowly unless you want one hell of a headache for Miss Bennet's visit tomorrow."

Standing to pour himself a new drink, Richard waited until Darcy took a sip before continuing.

"Now seems as good a time as any to talk about how we're going to get Miss Bennet to change her mind about your proposal, cousin"

Richard was glad he was out of the firing line as the sip of drink Darcy had taken was spluttered across the room.

"What?!"

Ignoring his cousin's coughing and spluttering, Richard returned to sit before continuing.

"You heard me Darcy. I think it's time we had a little chat about your feelings for Miss Bennet, and what we're going to do about changing her unfavourable opinion of you."

"Fitz, I don't believe I have the pleasure of understanding you..."

"Oh cut it out Wills, I was there, I heard it all"

"... you heard it all? … And by that you mean …"

"I mean, the night before we left Rosings when Miss Bennet didn't arrive with the Collin's for tea, unbeknownst to me I followed you to the parsonage, not with the same intention mind you. When I got there, before I could knock, I heard you declare yourself, and well, I'm not proud of it, but I stayed and heard the whole thing"

At this, Darcy put his head in his hands and groaned. His humiliation was complete. Not only did proposed in the worst possible way to the woman he loved above all others, he received the set down of the century and his cousin was there to witness it all. He knew he needed to atone for his sins, he just didn't realise it would be so quick, or brutal.

Richard had never seen his cousin so broken. The look of anguish that had graced his cousins face almost broke his heart.

"Darcy, stop. Look at me. This is not the end of your story. Not if I have anything to do with it"

When his cousin finally looked up, Richard could see the wetness in his eyes and was overcome with such a fierce loyalty for the man before him, that he once again vowed to do whatever was in his power to help Darcy achieve his heart's desire.

"You heard her. She said no Fitz. She... despises me... "

"I know Wills, but we can fix it"

Jumping to his feet, Darcy stalked over to the fireplace, leaning on it heavily.

"No you don't understand! I saw it in her eyes... She DESPISES me. She said I was arrogant, prideful and ungentlemanly. She said I ruined that happiness of her beloved sister and that I was the last man on earth she would marry... How can I come back from this?... I can't come back from this Fitz... I can't"

Rising, Richard moved to stand in front of his cousin, placing a hand on Darcy's shoulder.

"You can Darcy, and you will. I know you can. It's not going to be easy, and I can't promise that we'll be successful in changing Miss Bennet's opinion of you, but at least we can try! Is your love for her strong enough for you to brave this?"

A long silence stretched between them. Richard could see the emotions playing out over his cousin's face. Finally, Darcy responded.

"Fitz, I'd would give up everything I own for a chance to win her heart"

"Well, let us hope it doesn't come to that, but you're willing to try?"

"I don't see how we can achieve this, but yes I will try"

"Good, now let's sit back down, because things are about to get a lot worse before they get better."

"Whatever do you mean"

"I mean, Miss Bennet and her family are coming to tea tomorrow. This will be the first time you've seen her since the proposal, yes?"

Darcy, taking his seat, looked sheepishly to the floor. He knew meeting Miss Bennet the morning after his proposal to deliver her that letter was a mistake. In the days following he had regretted both the content of the letter and the harsh tone. At the time he had thought himself in charge of his emotions, but reflecting back, the letter was written when his disappointment and emotions were raw, and he knew his bitterness had come through, most likely further damaging Miss Bennet's opinion of him.

"Well… no… not exactly…"

"What do you mean no, not exactly?"

"The morning after my… proposal… I ah… had written Miss Bennet a letter… to defend some of the charges she had against me… and I.. ah… met her and gave her the letter before we left Rosings."

Grimacing, expecting his cousin to rage at him for his breach in propriety, Darcy was shocked when Richard exclaimed "So that's why she wasn't at the parsonage when I took my leave. I visited the morning we were leaving hoping to see Miss Bennet and… take my leave. Mrs Collins said she was out walking and should return shortly, but she never did, and I left. What did you say in your letter?"

"It matters not, suffice to say I should not have written it, or given it to her"

"Now come on Darcy, if I'm to help you I need all the information. What did you say in your letter?"

With a big sigh, Darcy explained.

"Well, I... attempted to explain the business with Bingley, how it was done with the best of intentions, I then went on to explain my dealings with Wickham, you'll recall I asked you to confirm any questions Miss Bennet may have before we left? And lastly, I reiterated that although her family's behaviour was horrendous, herself and her elder sister were excluded from that."

Staring intently at his cousin, the Colonel let silence hang in the air for a moment. How could Darcy be so dense. He was an intelligent man, but when it came to women he was a complete simpleton.

"Darcy! Why on earth would you write her such a letter?"

"I thought at the time I needed to defend my actions… I now regret that hasty decision as I'm sure the bitterness of my heart came through in my words. So you see Fitz, it is a hopeless case. Miss Bennet is likely dreading the thought of seeing me tomorrow, I may as well make myself scarce and save her from my company"

"While I cannot comment on whether your letter has helped your situation, I hardly think that hiding tomorrow will help your case in winning Miss Bennet's heart. Particularly after your horrendous behaviour in Hertfordshire"

Looking affronted, Darcy responded "I beg your pardon! My behaviour in Hertfirdshire?"

"Yes, you're behaviour. Darcy, from what I overheard during your proposal your behaviour in Hertfordshire was atrocious. If Miss Bennet was so easily able to credit Wickham's lies, then you most definitely were not behaving as you should."

"I hardly think that a fair representation of my time in Hertfordshire."

"Really? So Miss Bennet was insincere when she said at the assembly where you first met you danced only four dances, even though gentlemen were scarce, and more than one lady was in want of a partner?"

"Well, no… but you know how distasteful I find assemblies and balls, how I struggle to recommend myself to strangers"

"Yes and I believe Miss Bennet concluded that you do not recommend yourself because you do not take the trouble of practising."

Fixing his cousin with a pointed look, Richard was not shocked to see Darcy getting riled up at his statement.

"Richard, these people were ghastly. The only people above reproach were Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister."

"These people are her family and friends Darcy, and from the sounds of it you made no effort to engage with them and offended them at every turn!"

"Their behaviour was abhorrent."

"How so?"

"They… I mean… they gossiped about everything and everyone. I had hardly walked into that first assembly before I could hear the whispers about my ten thousand a year."

"Oh I see, and that is completely different from the behaviour of the ton?"

"That is…not the same Fitz"

"Oh isn't it? Or is it just that the gossipers in the ton have better connections, so that makes it excusable?"

"You are insinuating that I am reluctant to associate with people below my station in life"

"I am not insinuating anything, Miss Bennet accused you of it."

"Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of their connections?"

"I expect you to behave as your parents taught you and to treat people with care and respect. Not everyone has the luxury of your upbringing and entitlements, but that does not make them any less worthy of our respect. Some of the best and bravest men I've been lucky enough to call comrades have come from nothing. I would take every one of them in favour of some of society's so called 'gentlemen'. A man's income does not often equal his worth. I am ashamed for you Darcy. You were not brought up to judge a persons worth by the situation they were born into. Even you yourself have scorned some of societies elite for their objectionable morals and ethics. Were these people in Hertfordshire unethical? Morally corrupt? Scoundrels? Or did they merely have unrefined manners, meagre dowries or small estates? By this estimation I surprised you still associate with Bingley, considering his roots in trade and the appalling behaviour of his sisters. For shame Darcy. You are better than this."

At this Darcy looked shaken. Silence filled the room and the Colonel watched the emotions play across Darcy's usually stoic face, until one final emotion settled; shame.

Putting his head in his hands, Darcy mumbled "I… you are right Fitz. I am truly ashamed of myself… what have I become?"

"You've lost your way Wills, and it's time to find your way back. Judge a person not on their position in society or their wealth, but on their character and their moral compass, as your father did before you. Truly, were these people as bad as you first described? From my friendship with Miss Elizabeth and your description of the Bennet's alone, it seems to me that Mrs Bennet is a woman who is worried about the future of her daughters. Their estate is entailed away and she is hoping her daughters make good matches. That sounds like most mothers in society Wills. And yes, she probably does not have the most refined manners, but she raised two daughters with the most pleasing manners and unassuming airs about them. One who you thought so highly of that you proposed marriage to. Say what you will about Mr and Mrs Bennet, but there must be some redeeming qualities for them to have at least two daughters being sought after by two very eligible bachelors.

"And the younger, silly daughters you mentioned, well, I hate to say it but we share guardianship of a very sweet and well educated sixteen year old who almost eloped last summer! Miss Bennet's younger sisters may be silly, but they sound just like Georgie - young women who still need guidance"

Silence filled the room as Richard let his words sink in. Before him, he could see Darcy struggling under the weight of his emotions, and as hard as it had been to tell Darcy some of these truths, the Colonel was far from done.

"Darcy, I must ask. Before we left for Rosings you told me the story about saving Bingley from an imprudent match, but the Miss Jane Bennet I met today was a sweet unassuming girl. Even without knowing what I do about her family, she does not come across like the creatures of the ton, whose primary goal in life is securing a rich husband at any cost?"

"It is her mother that is the problem. She was boasting to anyone who would listen that her daughter had secured Bingley and the whole neighbourhood assumed they were as good as engaged. I observed the girl the night of Bingley's ball and I did not detect any symptoms of peculiar regard. The serenity of her countenance convinced me that her heart was not likely to be easily touched."

Once again getting riled up at Darcy's officious interference, the Colonel responded "And you think yourself to be the best judge of whether a lady's heart has been touched?"

"I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it, Richard. I believed it on impartial conviction."

"And do you still feel that way, considering that Mrs Bennet's second daughter turned down a proposal for a man worth more than twice Bingley's wealth?"

"I must admit my confidence in my advice to Bingley has been shaken… especially when… I was at Bingley's townhouse when Miss Bennet called. I know not what Miss Bingley said to her, but I understand she was dissuaded from returning. I am ashamed to say I conspired with Miss Bingley to conceal the visit from Bingley. At the time, although my conscience was uneasy, I believed I was sparing his feelings.

"After Miss Elizabeth's revelations about the state of her sister's heartbreak I know that I acted selfishly and not in the best interests of my friend. Looking back, I was still unsure about my feelings for Miss Elizabeth and selfishly knew if Bingley was to forge a connection I would be thrust in her company again… and I knew I would be in danger of further losing my heart to her.

"Darcy…"

"I know Fitz, I have been berating myself about the whole situation since we left Rosings. There is nothing you can say to me that I have not already said to myself"

"And yet you've done nothing to rectify the situation! Darcy, I thought you better than that."

"I… am not… I know I must speak with Bingley, but when we returned from Rosings I couldn't, Fitz! I couldn't stand the thought of being near Miss Elizabeth when I was undecided on my feelings. Now I know my feelings, how could I stand to be in her company if Bingley marries her sister? I truly am the worst friend."

"Darcy, you must fix this, if not for Bingley and Miss Bennet, then for your own conscience. I am not as close with Bingley as you are and even I have witnessed his melancholy while staying with you here. It is clear he is still pining for the girl! You have to live with yourself and your actions Will, and could you really stand to watch Bingley marry some young Miss that he doesn't love like he did Miss Bennet? Could you allow that to happen, truly?"

"No, you're right Richard. Bingley should be given the chance for his own happiness. I have been selfish long enough"

Rising from his seat, Darcy made his way to the writing desk in the corner, penned a quick note and called the butler in to take it away, before returning to sit before Richard.

"It is done. I have asked Bingley to attend me tomorrow morning. I will confess my sins and hope that he can make his peace with Miss Bennet."