Yay another chapter! Thank you for all of your kind words. Some of this chapter is different from the original, so if you have read that you may be in for a surprise. If not, don't worry- nothing important is skipped.

Guest- thanks for your kind words. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter.

Kss- This chapter doesn't have an ElizabethxDarcy conversation but it does feature a conversation between Richard and Darcy which is rather entertaining (or at least I thought so!)

Ok, so this chapter may get a bit confusing at the start as it goes back in time a little bit and then goes forward again. Hopefully confusion will be avoided but if not, feel free to tell me and I can re-think the start of the chapter.

On with the story...

As he rode along through the park, Mr Darcy thought about everything that he wished to say to Miss Elizabeth once he reached the parsonage. He realised that no matter how much he wished it, Miss Elizabeth may refuse to see him, even if he were admitted into the parsonage. This thought filled Mr Darcy with dread and he shook his head to rid himself of it. With shame, Mr Darcy recalled his own conduct and that of his aunt in relation to Miss Elizabeth and he would not blame Elizabeth if she did refuse to meet with him.

After a few more minutes of riding, Mr Darcy arrived at the parsonage and quickly dismounted. He hurried to the door and pounded on it, however he realised that this may be shocking to the servants for the hour was late and no one was expected to arrive at the parsonage, other than the family of course.

Hearing the knock on the door, a servant came to the door and enquired to whom Mr Darcy wished to speak. He announced that he wished to speak with Miss Elizabeth and was ushered into the drawing room to await her arrival.

Once in the drawing room, restlessness overtook Mr Darcy and forced him to pace about the room as a means to quell the sudden rise in nerves, something which surprised Mr Darcy for he believed himself to be confident and calm at all times. After a few rounds of the room, Mr Darcy settled against the fireplace mantle, his face being warmed by the flames. Suddenly, the door opened and he heard a woman gasp as he turned around, finding himself face to face with Miss Elizabeth.

For a moment, Mr Darcy simply stared at Miss Elizabeth, drinking in her beauty, a beauty which could never be his because of her refusal. Miss Elizabeth shifted her weight awkwardly under Mr Darcy's intense scrutiny, forcing Mr Darcy to return to the present. Once he was, he recalled that social convention dictated that he bow, which he did and watched as Elizabeth bowed in response.

When she raised her eyes to his, Mr Darcy could see all of the hurt and anger in her eyes, as she likely was not expecting for the very man that she refused to come waltzing into the room so soon after her refusal.

In order to dispel Elizabeth's agony at being in his presence, Mr Darcy spoke saying, "Miss Elizabeth, forgive me for the intrusion on your privacy. I merely wished to deliver a letter to you." At this, he proffered the letter, silently asking that Elizabeth take it.

Mr Darcy could see that Elizabeth was curious as to the contents of the letter, despite her anger and hatred with him.

Feeling that it would be rude to say nothing to Mr Darcy, Elizabeth responded, "Mr Darcy, I was not expecting visitors this evening. I assumed that you would be dining at Rosings tonight."

"I could not face my aunt..." Mr Darcy replied, shocked at his own response to the silent question Elizabeth had posed when she wished to know why he was there.

Elizabeth glanced at the floor as she replied, "Oh. I was ill with a headache and did not want to ruin the dinner."

Conscious that he had outstayed his welcome, Mr Darcy stated, "Forgive me. I will leave you now."

With a quick bow, Mr Darcy hastened out of the room and the house, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts once more.

xxx

Once Mr Darcy had exited the house, he could be seen mounting his powerful steed out of the parsonage window.

Elizabeth glanced at the letter which was still in her hand, her lip bitten in confusion as she tried to account for the letter and its contents. Tracing the outline of Mr Darcy's masculine but beautiful handwriting with her eyes, she opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Miss Elizabeth,

Please be assured that there will be no renewal of the addresses that I expressed today. I wish merely to let you know that I am sincerely in regret of what I said about your family, as I realise that my own is somewhat the same. This is no excuse for my behaviour which was ungentlemanly, as you said.

It is my hope that in the future we may meet with some civility and attempt to become friends.

Yours,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Once she had read the letter through twice, Elizabeth's feelings were very confused and in utter turmoil. She thought, 'He still wants to attempt a friendship even though I rejected him thus?' Elizabeth was having difficulty in reconciling the author of the letter with the man who had gracelessly proposed to her that very afternoon, as he had readily acknowledged that his family was at fault too for one reason or another.

With a deep breath, Elizabeth attempted to settle her nerves and was able to do so well before her cousin and friend returned. When Charlotte saw how unsettled her friend was, she was curious however she did not wish to upset her friend any further. Elizabeth had been quite sure to hide the letter from her friend for she was not yet ready to share her feelings regarding the young gentleman of Pemberley in Derbyshire.

xxx

Once he had returned to Rosings, Mr Darcy observed that the guests had gone, however before he could reach the staircase he was stopped by Richard. Sighing, Mr Darcy raised his eyebrows in silent question for Richard seemed about to ask him a great many questions.

"Fitz, where were you?" Richard asked, full of curiosity.

Unwilling to disclose his location, Mr Darcy responded, "It is of no importance."

Raising an eyebrow in amusement, Richard challenged, "Really?"

Nodding, Mr Darcy replied, "I will tell you in the privacy of the study reserved for my use. Shall we?"

The two made their way up the stairs and into the study. Mr Darcy shut the door and poured some whiskey into a glass and asked if Richard cared for some to which he nodded.

"Very well, Richard. You must not repeat what I say to anyone or use it as a source of teasing." Mr Darcy declared sternly.

Richard nodded, inviting his cousin to continue.

"I went to see Miss Bennet." Mr Darcy said slowly.

Richard's eyes widened, amusement and shock dancing in them. Mr Darcy glared in response.

"Fitz, what did this young woman do to you?" Richard asked, sensing that this was not the full explanation of why his cousin was in such a black mood.

Looking down, Mr Darcy said, "She refused me."

Silence reigned for a few moments as Richard processed the information that his cousin had presented him with. He could not believe that his cousin would be so impulsive, for it was not truly in his nature.

"Why would you do that, Fitz? She refused you. It was highly improper." Richard said, annoyed with his cousin for acting in such a manner.

"I...I had to. Richard, I..." Mr Darcy stammered, unable to confess the truth to his cousin and friend.

"You love her, do you not?" Richard asked gently.

Mr Darcy nodded.

"I should like to see her again, Fitz." Richard said, before leaving the room and his cousin to his thoughts.