Undoubtedly By Design (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Prologue

She put the letter — a slip of paper holding the power to change so many lives — back on the table and glanced towards the window against which Darcy leant.

She watched his uncharacteristically defeated posture and slumped shoulders for several minutes, not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, until he eventually turned away from the window, looking expectant, waiting for her impressions.

For a long moment, Darcy and Elizabeth simply stared at each other, both too astonished to utter a single word, the letter lying open on the table, a sudden barrier between them.

The light-hearted delight and joy that had brightened their morning had swiftly turned into confusion and incredulity, the exhilaration into anger and guilt, just like dark clouds had suddenly covered the sun.

She found the fortitude to break the heavy silence — but what could be said when so much was felt?

What use might there be for words when feelings were so strong?

“I cannot fathom it… I know what we read, I understand the words, yet some of them I cannot comprehend…” Elizabeth finally whispered. “How is it possible? How could one dare…?”

“I…I would have never expected this…” Darcy swallowed thickly and continued more resolutely, “It is my fault alone. I allowed it to happen. I should have taken measures long ago.”

“No, you cannot blame yourself, Mr Darcy. No more than I blame myself for my poor judgment and ridiculous misplaced trust,” Elizabeth replied, fighting tears of shame and helplessness.

“I can and I do, Miss Bennet. I am to blame for this and much more. If only…” He hit his fist on the table, and the sound was as frightening as his dark countenance. Elizabeth startled and gasped, taking a step back.

He noticed and immediately turned to her, his voice changing utterly. “Forgive me, I did not mean to scare you. I shall find a way to remedy my wrongs, I promise. I will find a way to resolve it. That, I may promise you and myself,” he vowed.

“I am not scared, and I trust you will do everything that is possible and beyond. Yet before that, sir, if I may…”