Smug satisfaction flooded through Mr. Darcy at the poleaxed look on Elizabeth's features. He had always wanted to kiss a woman senseless. The corner of his lip twitched at her mouth opening and closing.

"I do not understand. No wait," she said with her voice growing stronger. "I think I do. You have given me compliments you do not believe, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for your concern, but I do not need to be flattered after having undergone such a harrowing experience. I am quite formidable and - "

He frowned. "Pardon me. I fear you have misunderstood me completely. My compliments are truthful. I have felt this way for some time now. And as I have stated before, I detest disguises and falsehoods of any kind."

Unease curled up in his chest as her eyes flashed.

"Mr. Darcy, you must think me a fool. When a man acts one way yet speaks another, it is always prudent to believe the man's actions over his words." She tilted her head, wet curls stuck to her cheek. "I do not know what game you are playing but I will not be part of it."

What the deuces would he have to do to convince Elizabeth of his affection for her? Any other woman in the country would have fallen over herself to agree with his plan of marriage. But not her. "Miss Bennet, I am not in the habit of speaking opinions I do not own and I am not employing schemes of any sort." He could detect no change in her opinion. "Have you not wondered why Wickham thought you would be the quickest method to a sum the equal to my sister's dowry?"

"Yes. I have, very much."

He shifted his stance, a branch brushing his shoulder. "If you had been anyone else, I would not have rode pell mell at my horse's possible detriment. I did not even return to Netherfield for a carriage. I wanted no one to know of your predicament to save your reputation.

For any other young woman that was missing, I would have contacted the authorities." He stared at her, her wet dress still hugging her curves. "No, Miss Bennet, Wickham has always had the ability to perceive what someone wants the most. He had seen us together enough to realize the affection I had for you."

Elizabeth no longer looked angry, be he was unsure of her thoughts. He needed to make sure in no uncertain terms that she understood his opinion of her. "Did you not wonder as to why I proposed the idea for a marriage between us? No one will know that you are the woman from the establishment if I marry you. As I said, no man marries his mistress." He paused, but she stayed silent. He tugged at his waistcoat. Surely she could understand what he was saying? "If you were anyone else, I would not have offered marriage to save your reputation. The Darcy wealth, most of Derbyshire, Pemberley. No, I would not have. Only you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It is only you I have ever wanted as my wife."

Elizabeth's skin looked paler, almost glowing in the moonlight filtered through the forest canopy. But he stayed quiet, giving her time to come to terms with what he had said. He would brook no confusion as to his feelings for her.

"I have come apart. I am so overcome with what you have just stated." She licked her lips, his eyes drawn to the motion. He could not wait to feel her mouth on his. Soon, within moments, it would happen again. "However, if you have felt passionately for me, why did you not show your interest? Why did you not court me or display any sign of your affection? From your actions, I would have thought I was the last woman in the country you would have ever professed your love to."

He slowly blinked, then looked away without seeing. Her intelligence he esteemed, but he had not expected it to also be the bane of his existence. What else could he say? But she was waiting for him to speak. "In vain have I struggled. I will not repress my feelings any longer. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. I have admired you, as I have said, for some time, but the want of propriety in your younger sisters and even your parents, your lack of connections, caused me to realize that I could not have you as my wife. Therefore, I made sure to never lead you and give you false hope."

Dread filled his chest as his answer to her question was met with quite the opposite reaction he had expected.

"I believe in such cases as this, it is the established mode is to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. The feelings you tell me which have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation."

He gaped. She had surprised him completely with her ire. Had she not heard him state he had long admired her and loved her? Mr. Darcy was questioning her intelligence if she would deny his offer of marriage and accept the ruination of her reputation, and that of her sisters. "And this is all the reply which I am to have the honor of expecting! I might wish to be informed why with so little endeavor at civility I am thus rejected."

Elizabeth jutted her chin up. "As I have stated, I am grateful for your rescue, but that does not signify that I shall overlook your behavior towards me. Your low opinion of my family to make a decision that I am positive would leave me quite unhappy!"

He stared. Never had he considered that by answering her questions, she would reject marriage to him. It was unconscionable. Mr. Darcy was not one to be free with his affection and feelings. Elizabeth was the first woman he had ever expressed an interest in marrying. Now, he was sure he would never do so again after this experience. "And this is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you hold me! Perhaps you could have overlooked my offenses had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. Perhaps I should have flattered you and lead you on, but disguise of every sort is my abhorrence."

She clenched her fists down at her sides. "And yet you freely admitted that you concealed your true feelings for me, which is itself a disguise for which you proclaim your abhorrence!"

He was caught in a trap of his own making. He feared for her, for her future, if she did not accept a betrothal now. If, no when, rumors spread he could not marry her as it would be too late. He had a duty to protect his sister's reputation. As he stared at her flushed face, her having chest, he realized he already done all he could. Mr. Darcy looked down at the ground and felt fatigue overcome him. "You understand what will happen to you? Your sisters and family should word advance that you were the woman tonight?"

"I would have nothing to be concerned about if you had not told them I was your mistress! Not only that but that we had had relations many times before."

He had the disturbing feeling this would be the last time he would see her hale and hearty. If he ever saw her again. She was an obstinate fool. Perhaps, though, he could still make her understand reason. "Tell me then, what would have happened had I not told them you were my mistress? Let the men believe you were untouched?"

Elizabeth huffed. "There is no need to debate this as it is not a possibility anymore."

Mr. Darcy's heart pounded in his chest as he calmed his breathing. He would not raise his voice. He was a gentleman. "It is pertinent to this conversation. You do not understand what I just rescued you from. Those men would have ravaged you. Then you would have been a prisoner in that brothel."

"That would not have happened! You are trying to scare me into marriage, one that you have not even asked me for. I am the daughter of a gentleman and no man would —- "

He stepped closer, his jaw paining him from clenching his teeth while she spoke more absurdities. "Did you not see those men? They were members of the aristocracy and ton. You would have found your treatment to be nothing at all like you have envisioned. Do you not know of the many girls abducted?"

Elizabeth crossed her arms. "There has been no mention in the paper. I do not understand why you are proceeding in —"

"What family would want it printed in The Sun that their daughter had gone missing? Their reputation and that of their other girls would be ruined. No, you only have to question the Bow Street Runners or better yet speak to any of several charities devoted to finding missing women in those establishments."

She tilted her head at him. Again. "If any daughters of gentlemen had been abducted, there would be an outcry in the House of Lords."

Mr. Darcy sighed and dropped his head back. Part of his mind noticed that the rain had lessened to a few drops here and there. It would be safe to travel again, though he did not want to be anywhere near that foolish woman at the moment. Most definitely not on his lap as he rode to Hertfordshire. He lowered his gaze to the obstinate, headstrong girl. "At least tell me why you have so soundly rejected my proposal?"

"You never asked me to marry you. You presumed it a fait accompli. I would have willingly accepted your offer had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner. From the first I have known of you, you have behaved arrogantly. You are the last man I would be prevailed upon to marry."

Mr. Darcy felt his blood pressure rise. "You have not even known me for a month!"

I have not needed to." Then, she turned away from him and towards his horse. "Now, if you please, I would like to return to my family."