Darcy cautiously cocked his head around the door of his study. He stood stalk still, listening to the sounds of the house. Although the hallway was as silent as it was empty; he concentrated, straining to hear any notion of life within the rooms beyond. He was certain he could still hear the faint echo of conversation. The ringing sound of a wine glass hitting a side table rather too forcibly only confirmed his suspicions. He was most certain his crystal was at the mercy of the rather heavy-handed Mr Hurst.

He ducked back into his mahogany panelled refuge and closed the door silently. He glanced at the guided mantle clock above the fireplace and continued his pace back and forth across the room. He just could not risk walking past the western drawing room in order to reach the main stairs. If only he could reach the stairs, he could then attempt to reach the privacy of his chambers unnoticed. He thought about using the staff stairwell, but what would the staff think if he was so observed? The embers of the fire suddenly crackled brightly in the glow of the dark room, as though calling out to him in mocking glee at the ridiculousness of his timidity.

It was almost one in the morning. Surely, they would all soon retire for the evening? Was it too much to ask that house guests held some decorum and consideration for their host? With neither himself, nor he believed, Georgiana present, was it not the done thing to simply retire to one's own chamber?

In truth this was one of the real reasons he rarely invited house guests to Pemberley. He simply hated having the balance of his solitude so disturbed. To him Pemberley, though at times oppressive, was as solemn as it was beautiful. He liked it that way. The house demanded respect. It was in an odd way comforting. Its solid silence reminded him so much of his father. Pemberley was in every way the very essence of his father. The furniture, the decor, the household structure was the same as it always had been. Darcy had changed not one thing since taking possession; apart from the over indulgences added to enhance the comfort of his sister.

To have that dependable silence disturbed by a collection of guests, who seemed so utterly detached from the character of the place he felt most at home, was entirely unsettling. To then add the unexpected presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet in his home county; well this left the whole world turned upside down, spinning precariously on its axis.

It had been a most challenging day. He had barely slept the evening before. Excitement? Dread? Hope? He did not know what emotion he owed to his broken sleep and active mind. Seeing Elizabeth walking amongst the grounds in which he called home, which he had hoped to call their home; had been a sight he thought beyond reality. Never before had a scene felt so perfect. It had momentarily taken his breath away.

There was no denying their first meeting had been an awkward exchange. It was true the house was open to the public; she had no reason to be embarrassed by their taking such a tour. At first, his pride had hoped she realised what an opportunity she had refused those months ago in Kent; though this kneejerk reaction only lasted a brief moment. He had spent much of the summer keeping an eye on his unchecked pride, seeing Elizabeth again although confusing, was no different. As soon as the childish thought entered his head it was gone, replaced more by a deep longing to know that she approved of his home and found it to her liking.

Regardless of their previous exchange, Darcy was determined to allow Elizabeth to see him for what he could truly be. If this was to be his last chance at redemption, he intended to do all in his power to take advantage of such an opportunity.

He had been as pleasant as he could muster under the circumstances. His heart had raced as he watched the curve of her pretty mouth quirk into a ready smile as they conversed. Upon being introduced to her companions, he had found her relations to be quite sensible. So much so, he had extended the invitation for her uncle to come fish upon his lake during his stay at Lambton most willingly. All in all the half hour conversation had been most enjoyable. He could not tell if her low opinion of him had thawed, though she had seemed genuinely amused at his willingness to converse with her uncle.

When she had happily accepted his proposal of meeting his sister, he could not but help feel rejoiced. Surely if she still hated him with the passion as she had expressed upon receiving his proposal, she would of simply refused him such a request? For why would Elizabeth welcome the introduction of his sister if she had no desire to continue their acquaintance?

And so, he had spent the entire evening previous replying every moment, every word, every look; until the morning came and he was able to take Georgiana to meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet. So anxious was he to be away at first opportunity, he had barely even drunk his morning coffee. He had felt entirely out of sorts, and as soon as Georgiana had taken her final bite of breakfast, he was ushering his sister and Bingley onto his awaiting carriage.

Bingley. How he wished to the devil he had been sensible in foresight to not include Bingley. He had been delighted to see his sister converse so easily with Elizabeth, and indeed he himself found both the Gardiner's to be quite charming company; he had not realised until too late the danger of his friend speaking directly to Miss Elizabeth. Of course Charles would be thinking of Jane! How foolish was he not to think of such a danger sooner! The last think Darcy desired was for his friend to remind Elizabeth of the pain he had inflicted indirectly upon her sister due to his interference into Charles's affairs.

He had done his best to bring the call to an end, but sadly not soon enough. Elizabeth made clear that Jane had seen Caroline upon her stay in London. Never had Darcy seen his friend's composure so altered; his features so hardened and his manners so curt. He had barely said a word their entire carriage journey back to Pemberley. Darcy had sat silently, his stomach churning uneasily. What would Bingley say if he found out his involvement in removing their party from Netherfield, and due to his own smug pride, from the elder Miss Bennet?

Darcy would be lying if he thought his friend had completely forgot the golden haired beauty. Over their last month's in London he had heard Bingley mention the girl several times. Even upon a visit to the Royal Academy he had heard Charles tell his own cousin Anne how no such painted beauty held a candle to a young woman he once knew in Hertfordshire. Anne in her genuine warmth had asked Bingley whatever became of such a girl? Before Charles had the chance to answer, Caroline had quickly intervened and steered the conversation to a much more suitable topic.

Even now in the safety of his study, Darcy grimaced at his own high handiness in his interference of his friend's potential courtship. Who was he to intervene when he himself had been only too willing to offer everything to the sister of that same woman. Neither wonder Elizabeth had refused him. He had seemed entirely without heart or remorse.

Yet he did feel remorse! Even if not quite at the time, he had felt it soon after. He had witnessed the spark of his friend slowly fade, his openness and easy temper had somehow lost their childlike innocence. If Jane shared a similar fate, then surely, he was indeed the very devil himself by adding to the chagrin of two such gentle souls.

During the entire London season Charles had barely so much as danced with a single female, much to Caroline's dismay. Darcy could no longer believe he had helped save his friend from an imprudent match. He had long thought himself no more than a fool for his part in separating the pair.

Upon their return to Pemberley after their meeting with Elizabeth and the Gardiner's, Darcy had never seen Charles so determined upon his calling his sister out. Not wishing to be caught up in such a scene, nor desirous of his own part being exposed, he had quickly lead Georgiana into the safety of the house. His sister had then retired to her music room while Darcy had busied himself with his steward.

He had managed to avoid all his guests for the remainder of the day. It appeared the Hurst's had gone out of the house and Charles was busy preparing for the meeting with Mr Montague the day following. Oh lord, the days events had almost pushed all thoughts of Montague's arrival from his head. Yet another person's presence to endure. Well that was not a fair assumption, for he liked Cedric very much and it was he himself who had been most desirous to secure his assistance.

Poor Bingley. He had quite enough to worry about already. Yet worry they must. Darcy intended to do all in his power to help aid his friend against the alarming claims to which his cousin laid at his door. Was it any wonder learning of Jane's presence in London had finally tipped his poor friend's composure over the edge?

He continued to pace his study. Dinner had been a rather sombre affair. The Hurst's had spoken happily between themselves of course, utterly unaware of the days earlier exchange, nor neither of them equipped with the intelligence to read the mood of the room. Nor were any of the others there present willing to enlighten them as to why Charles barely met anyone's gaze and Caroline sat with a more determined pout than usual. Darcy had spent most of the meal giving his sister small smiles of encouragement until finally the men could depart for cigars and brandy.

He had felt guilty leaving his sister, yet what more could be done? The three gentleman had simply sat, smoked, drank and conversed very little. If there was any noticeable tension, Mr Hurst seemed quite oblivious.

Upon the gentleman's return Charles had announced he intended to retire for the night in order to further prepare before tomorrow's meeting with Montague. Caroline was quick to respond, displeased at her brother for being so antisocial a guest in another gentleman's home. Her brother had simply shot her a cold look before turning on his heel and abruptly leaving the room. Darcy, unable to take the awkwardness of it all any longer quickly excused himself. He had been hidden in his study the last three hours without explanation. One advantage of being known as an odd fellow meant one never needed to explain ones actions.

Yet, even though he could just do as he pleased, still he hid behind the closed door of his study, not wishing to be caught out by any of his house guests. He knew it was not socially acceptable to ignore ones guests, yet he had no desire to be stuck on the end of Caroline's displeasure. Or worse! Her constant need to flatter him.

He thought again of Elizabeth Bennet and her pretty face and handsome eyes. There was a woman who flattered him not. She teased him, challenged him, laughed at him even but never flattered his ego. Yet even in those very moments, though she showed him no signs of over familiarity or kindness, his heart swelled at the sheer magnificence of her.

His infatuation for the young woman had neither lessened or slowed pace upon her rejection of his offering for her hand. If anything it had only eaten away at his pride, challenged what he had previously thought good sense and made him re-evaluate his character. She had been right in her censure of him. He had not behaved in a gentleman like manner. How he shuddered when he recalled the speech he so shamefully stated with such certainty. What a fool he had been!

Yet, could he still hope for redemption? He had thought of her often. His feeling had not changed. Even though he had been almost certain he would never see her again he could not erase her from his mind.

He had spoken to Anne of his feelings, assuming to find a sympathetic ear but he had been wrong. She had told him to make his feelings known as though it was an easy matter. Could he even do that? Here she was once more amongst his acquaintance, a true gift if ever there was one, and he had no clue how to act next. She did not seem entirely against resuming their acquaintance, but would she ever accept him if he were to make such an offer of marriage again. Did he even want to repeat such an offer? At present he could not be certain.

He rubbed his temples and looked upon the clock once more. It was fast approaching two. God man you are becoming most ridiculous, he scolded himself. Had he not invited Mr Gardiner to arrive early the next day in order for them to make the most of the mornings fishing? He would hardly impress the uncle if he was too tired to even properly cast his line.

Deciding that enough was enough, he opened the door to his study and made his way silently down the hall. He could not hear voices per say, though he did not feel entirely confident in his solitude. Upon reaching the base of the grand staircase undetected, he climbed the stairs quickly two at a time and made haste for his rooms in the East wing.

Never before had he been so happy upon entering his private lounge. Crossing the floor, he rang the bell for his valet as he entered his adjoining bedroom. He sat upon the end of the bed and loosened the cravat about his neck. He was determined that tonight he should sleep, undisturbed and soundly. He was determined that tonight there would be no thoughts of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, his aunt Catherine, Charles Bingley or anyone else for that matter.

If only his own unconscious dream state had shared this determination.