A/N – I'm not entirely sure that Elizabeth would say what she does in this letter as this is written, obviously, from a modern perspective of a situation that is completely alien to us, so please review and tell me what you think.

For the faults you so ably answered, I accept your apology, and in turn apologise for my misunderstanding of your actions and the violence of my accusation. Now please let me answer the fault you laid on me.

You said, I remember, that perhaps I would have been more accepting had not my pride been hurt. Well, yes. A man, especially a man of your standing cannot possibly understand. Pride is all I have, you see. If I did not dare to dream and hold on to a whirlwind mind full of forbidden thoughts and a romantic notion, I would have settled down with a man I hated, but was just good enough to survive and live a wasted life.

I know one day I'll be too old to dream, that I'll no longer be able to afford to be romantic, then, if a man happens to walk my way he'll have to do.

You accuse us, in particular my mother and my younger sisters, of searching out advantageous marriages. I have no brothers to inherit. When my father dies we will have nothing. I know my mother has no propriety or manners, but can you understand her desperation to see her daughters in safe homes and her short future secured?

Yours Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bennet

Mr Darcy straightened unconsciously as he read the letter. Miss Bennet was right; he could never understand. He knew woman had to marry of course, that was a fact of life, but the desperation which lead the Bennet sisters, that he could not know. And in turn, the bravery and dream that lead Miss Elizabeth Bennet to refuse him, and another man, if the inference from the letter was true. He could no longer be angry and nurse bruised pride, but stand in admiration. He straightened. He had to make amends.