Netherfield stirred early the next morning, its occupants moving about their day completely unaware of what transpired during the evening. Darcy had forgone sleep, choosing instead to stand outside Miss Elizabeth's door until the sky began turning a light shade of pink. She had sobbed until then, each sound adding another crack to his heart. Once the lady had finally fallen asleep, Mr Darcy retired to his own room where he stood by the window, watching as the sun painted the gardens of the estate a vibrant orange.

A single knock sounded a second before Charles entered the room, sporting a giant smile. "Fitzwilliam, good news! We are to have a ball here at - Fitzwilliam?"

Drawing away from his position by the window, legs stiff from being immobile for such a period of time, Darcy turned to face his friend. Charles was dressed in fresh clothing with neatly combed hair. Of course Darcy's dishevelled appearance and clothes from the day before would cause concern. "Good morning, Charles."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Unfortunately Miss Elizabeth did not wake up until late last night, so it was almost dawn when I retired to my room. I could not sleep," he explained, careful to keep any infliction out of his voice.

Charles took a few seconds to run his eyes over his friend before speaking with a slight assertion to his tone. "And is Miss Elizabeth in good health?"

"She refused the request of a doctor, so I believe she is in no pain." Darcy's mind swirled with the memory of her soft gasp of pain as his teeth sunk into the soft flesh of her neck. She had only refused the doctor due to her own fear of having someone discover what had happened to her. What he had done to her. "I shall make myself presentable and then check on Miss Elizabeth."

"Are you certain? I could-."

"You already have Miss Jane to attend too," he spoke quickly, using logic to deter his friend.

"Oh, yes, you're right. However, I came to tell you that Caroline and I are planning to host a Ball here are Netherfield. Miss Jane's health is mending extremely well, especially with the care my sister has been focusing on her."

Darcy gave a single nod. "Then I shall pass the news onto Miss Elizabeth."

A short while later Mr Darcy was making his way back to the guest room in which Miss Elizabeth slumbered. However, considering she had fallen asleep only a few short hours ago, he was surprised to hear movement behind the door. His hesitation in the hallway lasted until he heard a small grunt of pain from the woman and swiftly entered the room without a single knock.

Miss Elizabeth was seated in front of the mirror on a stool, a hairbrush caught in her thick hair. She shot to her feet upon seeing Darcy's reflection in the mirror, skittering a few steps back, the thin fabric of her night gown brushing suggestively against her skin. Darcy averted his eyes in an attempt to make her feel more at ease. He waited patiently by the door while Miss Elizabeth rushed to become presentable, layering on her dress from the day before.

"Please leave, sir," she said in a harsh - and slightly fearful - voice.

Turning his eyes to gaze upon the now dressed Miss Elizabeth, choosing to ignore the closed off expression she wore, he replied softly, "I was hoping you would allow me the chance to -."

"Apologise?" Miss Elizabeth cut in, a glint of anger breaking through her expressionless facade. "No, Mr Darcy, I do not want your apology. What I do wish for, however, is an explanation."

"I cannot give you one that would suffice."

"Then we have nothing to speak of."

"Miss Elizabeth, the events that transpired last night were nothing short of horrific for you, I am sure. Not only do I wish to apologise and promise you that it will never happen again, if you would allow it, but I also wished to speak of your silence."

As he spoke, the woman's eyes grew narrow, her stance growing more rigid with each word, frozen to the core. "My silence? Mr Darcy, as you so clearly pointed out last night after defiling me, there is no-one I can speak of this too who won't immediately see me as a common whore."

The words were true enough, though hearing her speak of what he had done to her was the final crack in his heart. Nothing could save him from the atrocities of his actions. "There is no retribution for what I have done. I am truly sorry for my actions - and for not being able to give you an explanation."

Miss Elizabeth took a step towards Mr Darcy, and then another, only stopping when there wasn't enough space between them for her words to be misinterpreted in any way. "You have single handedly ruined any future prospects, my kindness towards you, and - worst of all - you have ruined all hope I had in this world."

Each statement was said with such conviction that Darcy new she was speaking with pure honestly. She was a gentle soul in this world. Her personality was unique; not bothering to succumb to society's standards for young women, instead deciding to be her utmost truest self. Miss Elizabeth was beautiful, with an amazing outlook on life for a lady so young. Any man would be so lucky as to have her gaze focused upon them, though too many knew not how to handle a lady with such a strong disposition, leaving her without attachments even though she was almost twenty.

Mr Darcy, having allowed the monster within him to break free for even a short amount of time, had taken everything from the fierce Miss Elizabeth. Now the shell of the woman who she had once been was staring at him with depthless eyes. He remembered looking into her eyes at the Longbourne Ball days ago and comparing them to swirling dark pool of the richest chocolate. They glimmered with mischief when she had attempted to free him from her mothers clutches. They shined with unshed tears when he poured the liquor onto her small cut. They were, without doubt, simply the most exquisite part of the young lady's features.

It was he who dimmed their light. As Mr Darcy pondered her words, an idea slowly crept into the back of his mind. Miss Elizabeth had stated that she was now worried in regards to her prospects as a young lady. No-one needed to know she had lost her womanhood, though it would become clear if she were to wed. She now could never marry or she would be risking social suicide to her family, therefore ruining any future proposals for her younger sisters.

Unless...

"Marry me," he whispered.

It had only been a few seconds since Miss Elizabeth last spoke, so his sudden hushed words obviously confused her. "What was that?"

"Marry me," Darcy repeated with more bravado, risking taking a small step forward. "Miss Elizabeth, if you would grant me time to procure an engagement ring, then I shall propose to you properly. No-one will have reason to question your purity. Your family will surely view it as a most agreeable proposal. They will never want for anything ever again so long as I am your husband."

Eyes wide at his sudden declaration and promise of engagement, it took Miss Elizabeth a minute to formulate a response. "Mr Darcy, this is -."

"Please," he cut in swiftly, yet softly, giving her the most open and honest expression he could muster. "Give me the opportunity to set things right in the only way I can. You need not reply now. I shall propose properly, as a gentleman should, within the next week. Until then, please tell me you will consider my offer."

"A gentleman?" She murmured to no-one in particular, seemingly caught on the single word.

"Miss Elizabeth," he started with another careful step, the distance between them but an arm width, "this is the best apology I can offer you."

"I -."

A raspy knock on the door caused them to jump apart, and Darcy heard Miss Elizabeth's heart pick up pace instantly. The implication that would be suggested if they were caught alone in the room having a hushed conversation would be cause for gossip. Without word, he moved to the large wardrobe beside the door, hiding his larger body behind it with considerable effort.

A housemaid entered the room a fraction of a second later, pausing when she noticed the young woman standing in the centre of the room. "Are you alright, Ma'am?"

Making sure not to glance towards where Darcy now hid, Miss Elizabeth unfroze, gesturing to the brush still in her grasp. "My hair is in a bit of a tangle this morning. Usually my sisters and I all take turns brushing one another's hair. I was about to leave in search of someone to assist me."

"Allow me," the maid offered with a smile.

Mr Darcy was relieved when Miss Elizabeth declined, giving an excuse about not wanting to take up too much of the maids time. After a few more exchanged words, the maid announced that breakfast had been served in the East Wing dining hall, speaking also of Miss Jane's recovery. The other Bennett sister seemed well enough to wonder the Estate in the mornings sun before attending breakfast with the Bingley's. This was excellent news, it would seem, as the beautiful smile Miss Elizabeth gave reminded him of how she had been before he ruined her innocence.

"Oh, please leave the door open," Miss Elizabeth hastily said to the maid just as she was departing.

"Of course, Ma'am."

As soon as the maid was out of sight, the smile disappeared from Miss Elizabeth's face, becoming guarded once more when her gaze flickered to where Darcy stood. He would give anything to see her smile at him like she did the maid. This was his fate, though, and he welcomed it. He deserved to be punished in the worst ways imaginable.

"If I promise to consider your proposal for marriage, will you leave?"

Considering her question for a single heartbeat, Mr Darcy gave a curt nod. "Yes."

Steeling her shoulders, appearing taller with her back straightened, though still only reaching Darcy's shoulders, the young woman leveled him with a piercing gaze. He saw firmness in her dark eyes, sparking an amber fire deep within her core. "Then I shall consider it, Mr Darcy."

*Scene* The Bennett's attend the ball at Netherfield Park / introductions are done in the receiving foyer.

B - "I am relieved to see that you are well, Miss Jane."

J - "Thank you again for your generous hospitality. Without it I am positive my recovery would not have been as quick or comfortable.

B - "You are welcome to stay at Netherfield anytime you wish."

E - "How lovely it is to see you again, Mr Bingley." "Miss Bingley."

C - "The pleasure is all ours, Miss Elizabeth."

B - "You left so soon after your stay that I did not have the chance to obtain your opinion of the library."

C - "My brother intends to redecorate the entire estate."

J - "Does this mean you wish to reside at Netherfield for a period of time?"

B - "Yes." "The country has seemed to have caught me unaware, and has since grown on me."

J - "And will you seek to remain at Netherfield also, Mr Darcy?"

D - "No, I will be returning to Pemberley within a week."

B - "He has spent too long away from his dear Georgiana."

D - "My younger sister."

E - "You have a younger sibling, Mr Darcy?"

C - "She is the light of his life."

Miss Bennett - "Come now, girls, there is much to see." "Jane, dearest, you will get a chance to speak with Mr Bingley before the evenings end, I am sure."

B - "Of course."

*Scene* The night goes on with Darcy narrating the events of the scene / Darcy keeps an eye on Elizabeth throughout the evening and notices that she does not dance with a single gentleman who asks for her hand / She stays with her good friend, Charlotte.

D - "Miss Elizabeth." "Would you accompany me in the next dance?"

E - "Courtesy demands I oblige."

*Scene* Song ends and opens to a slower, more romantic dance, in which Darcy and Elizabeth begin dancing.

E - "Your sister - is she young?"

D - "She is not yet seventeen."

E - "Does she reside with your family when you travel?"

D - "No. Georgiana and I lost our parents at a young age. Why do you ask?" "Do you intend to conjure up a plan to notify those closest to me of what happened? What I am?"

E - "And what exactly are you, Mr Darcy?" "Misunderstood or misfortunate?"

D - "This neither the time nor place to converse on such a topic."

E - "Do you fear someone may overhear and make their own assumption of you? Heaven forbid anyone thinks anything more of you than what you deign to show the world. Shall I add 'mysterious' to the list of character traits that could be used to define you?"

*Scene* Darcy grows irritated and whisks Elizabeth away from the dance with grace / They move to stand in an alcove, completely out of side and ear shot of anyone.

D - "Say what you truly wish to speak."

E - "Is that all you have to say to me? We cross paths for the first time since that fateful night, sir, and you do not even have the common decency to explain your reasoning behind your actions. You degraded every virtue I held, ensured I no longer held a shred of dignity, yet I stand before you, seeking an answer despite the onslaught of emotions being in close proximity of you causes me." "I have kept quiet due to my circumstances; it would do my family no good if word spread of my lack of purity. Least you could offer me is a sincere apology, as well as an explanation of the events so I may come to understand what my mind cannot grasp."

D - "An account of what truly transpired - within my body and soul - will certainly cause you grief. I do not wish to frighten you further."

E - "That is not your decision to make."

D - "If you so admittedly believe the truth will ease your mind, then I shall explain to you fully the vices which foreordain me." "The Darcy's used to be known for their extended travels across the seas. Much of our fortune came to be due to our trading ports; a business my father and my uncle spent their entire lives focused on, carrying the weight of that responsibility from their fathers, and so on. At a young age, when Georgiana was only two years old, my family embarked on a holiday across the Channel, to France. For a while, our stay there was adventurous, and I was able to experience just how far my father's influence reached. Everyone seemed to know his name." "Two weeks into our stay there, a tragedy befell us. Our lodging was broken into and set ablaze, leaving myself and Georgiana to escape while hoping our parents were quick enough to do the same. They did make it out of the fire, though were soon stollen away from us by a creature of the night. This monster, tall and unhindered by my scream, approached where I stood, drawing near enough to reach out and touch me. My sister and I would have met the same fate if I had not carried her out onto the bustling street, hiding amongst the crowd of onlookers as the fire department attempted to extinguish the blaze. A minute later I felt the unbearable pain blooming from a gash along my arm, left by the thing that had sought to end my life as it did my parents." "Once the morning light brought warmth to the world once more, the workers of my father's company assisted in arranging safe passage home. Our uncle and aunt met us when we arrived back in London, raising us under strict rules not to leave their sight until I was a man, responsible for Pemberley Estate and the title that came with it. The title that my father held his entire life."

E - "Fitzwilliam, I-."

Charlotte - "Lizzie!" "I have been searching everywhere for you, only to find you hidden from sight with a gentleman."

D - "Good evening, Miss Lucas."

Charlotte - "Oh, my, Mr Darcy, I did not know it was you who has occupied all of my precious Lizzie's time."

E - "What is it Charlotte?"

Charlotte - "Mr Collins is enquiring about you. Your mother has asked me to fetch you."

D - "Mr Collins?"

E - "A distant cousin."

Charlotte - "A most distinguished distant cousin who has shown a preference for you on more than one occasion."

E - "If a clergyman can be considered distinguished..."

Charlotte - "He is as good of a man as any, Lizzie. Unless, perhaps, you have procured yourself another agreeable arrangement?"

E - "I have not." "Thank you for your... riveting company, Mr Darcy."

*Scene* Darcy slowly follows behind the ladies, ensuring they do not notice him eavesdropping and watching Elizabeth's every move.

Miss Bennett - "There you are, Elizabeth! Mr Collins has been patiently waiting to ask for your hand to accompany him in the next song."

W - "If it pleases the lady, of course."

E - "There is no reason to object."

*Scene* They dance while Darcy watches on, contemplating what Charlotte said about Mr Collins holding a personal preference for Elizabeth / He makes the decision to propose whilst they are dancing (see paper for reasons why) / Darcy swoops in as soon as the music stops.

D - "Miss Elizabeth, a word, if you will?"

E - "Excuse me, Mr Collins."

D - "You have listened to my story - have peered deep into the parts of myself in which no-one else has seen before. Allow me to extend an olive branch." "I know I can never take back the pain, dishonour and torment my actions have caused you, however, allow me to attempt to rectify the situation in a way that may benefit us both."

E - "I do not follow."

D - "Marry me, Elizabeth." "I do not know how else to ease the burden I have placed on your shoulders. Allowed me to share with you my wealth and comforts in exchange for the truth of who I am, as well as the knowledge that it will never - could never - harm you in such a way again."

E - "Mr Darcy, I do not thin-."

W - "I have been searching once again for you, Miss Elizabeth." "There is something I must ask of you and it cannot be delayed."

E - "What is it?"

W - "As you know my intentions are to be close to you throughout the evening, admittedly, the reason for such behaviour is due to my feelings of attraction towards you. Now, I have spoken in length with your mother, and-."

E - "Mr Collins, I do not follow."

W - "It would bring me the utmost pleasure if you were to accept my proposal of marriage."

E - "You're proposing?"

W - "I do not think it is improper, especially given the current standing of your family."

E - "Excuse me?"

W - "As you well know, the estate in Longbourn shall fall to me once your beloved father is gone. If you accept, Miss Elizabeth, the house, the land, your siblings, will not be taken from you. They will remain where they have always, with little worry over their futures."

D - "If I did not know better, it would see to me that in which you think to sound as a joyous proposal offer is actually a threat to the Bennett family if Miss Elizabeth were to decline your offer."

W - "Mr Darcy, I had forgotten you standing there." "May I ask that you provide us with privacy in this intimate moment?"

D - "I will not depart until Miss Elizabeth deigns to answer my prior question."

W - "Question?"

D - "My proposal."

W - "Is this the truth?" "Did Mr Darcy offer you his hand in marriage?"

E - "Indeed." "And I accepted."

W - "What an unforeseen turn of events."

D - "Allow us the privacy of continuing our conversation in which you so rudely interrupted."

W - "I, uh, yes. Apologies for my abrupt intrusion." "Good evening."

D - "You accepted my offer?"

E - "It would seem so."

D - "You felt pressured by Mr Collins proposal, so you thought my offer to be the latter option of the both. Given the current circumstances between us, I must admit, your answer does come as a surprise to me."

E - "Yes, well, you did not threaten my entire family's livelihood, Mr Darcy."

D - "Know that I will ensure that your family's estate cannot be touched by Mr Collins - or anyone else. Your family will be safe and secure with myself as their patronage."

E - "And what of my safety and security?" "Am I to assume the same comforts you extend to my family include myself?"

D - "Why would they not?"

E - "As you said yourself, our circumstances are... peculiar."

D - "Yet you accepted my hand, fully knowing what I am, and what I am not. Some part of you must believe that, despite all my laws, a future with Mr Collins is less desirable." "Tp answer our question - and ease your concern - you will have every comfort your heart desires. You will also be safe, Miss Elizabeth. I will not touch you again without your permission."

E - "I had given you my permission last time."

D - "Yes, but I took more from you than what was offered to me."

E - "And you will not do so again?"

D - "You have my word."

E - "That shall be the only answer I require at present." "We should announce our arrangement quickly, lest Mr Collins speaks of it with my parents, dooming us to undoubtedly the most unpleasant scolding of my life for not including them sooner in the turn of events."