I felt the need to add a short note in explanation and contemplation of the sentiments raise in the reviews.

First of all, I welcome all opinions and discussion on the topic of sexual violence against women. While I do not condone the action of the characters in this work, they live in a morality very different from ours. Thank God we live in a society that sees all forms of cohesion and manipulation as abhorrent. The points from the reviews, both guest and logged in are taken in the mien they were meant. I understand your point of view. I am a health professional and deal with the emotional effect of all types of violence daily.

I wish to point out that if I had chosen to set this piece in modern times, Lizzy would have woken possibly slapped Darcy and then called the authorities or shouted for help. In the 21st century we are, hopefully, more enlightened as to what constitutes rape and what is acceptable behaviour towards women. However this piece is set in Regency England where the morality and social customs were not what we would wish.

Darcy entering Lizzy's room would have been enough to force a marriage if he'd been noticed. Once in that marriage, Darcy had the legal right to use her as he wanted, just as Lord Taylor did Victoria. That was the reason for adding the initial part, to set the lack of boundaries during the period and to see Darcy as ultimately driven by his need while still using the socially acceptable means at his disposal. I had thought about using a less manipulative method of compromise but it would not have demonstrated Darcy's pride and arrogance. We all know him to have them at this point in his life. After all he thought nothing of manoeuvring Bingley away from Jane, why would he see manipulating Elizabeth into a marriage of necessity as any less than his duty. Yet this is tempered by his honour and previous experience with a woman who has been violently raped many times. He wished for Lizzy's, if not participation, then at least passion and understanding by bringing pleasure to her compromise.

Finally, if this piece hit to close to home for some readers, I am sorry. It is not an easy topic to write and even less to discuss. That is one of the reason's I tried to make most of the contentious parts off camera so to speak. It is also the reason I added the character of Mrs Michaels. While, I am sure, she would have felt for Lizzy, at the same time she needed to point out society's expectations. Elizabeth would have had few choices apart from attempting to make this marriage work. To this end I tried to paint Mr Darcy as remorseful for his actions but determined to achieve his goal due to his own need.

Perhaps I will broach this subject again in the future. For now, please leave reviews and I hope the resulting discussion is enough to give thought to the entire topic. After all that is one of the positives of freedom of speech.

Thank you to those who took the time and effort to leave well thought out and insightful analysis. I hope this goes some way to explaining my motivations.