Summary: What if an unfortunate family crisis made Elizabeth accept Mr Darcy's marriage proposal even though she did not love him? What would happen to our famous pair if they had to overcome their pride and prejudice as a married couple? Read and Find out!

Disclaimer: I will only ever say this once, as usual. I own none of the characters apart from the ones of my own imagination, even though I did wish I owned Mr Darcy himself!

Elizabeth Bennet stood silently at the window of her Father's library, staring out at the familiar surroundings of Longborne. As she looked mysteriously out of the window, the silence of the room itself emphasised her own depression, a depression which had overcome her for many months. She no longer found pleasure in company who occasionally called to the house or for the gossip of her younger sisters. Instead, she took far more enjoyment in her own silent activities and seemed to no longer take an interest in the sibling rivalry that was sometimes present in her home.

Yet her Aunt and Uncle Gardener had long tempted her to abandon the mourning acquire, which still adorned her figure, but to no prevail. Her sadness still felt as strong as the day that the unfortunate event happened. No, even though the mourning period had come and passed, she still could not allow herself to remove the clothes, which showed the feelings she could not express.

As Elizabeth gazed around the familiar room of the library, Mr Collins' sudden exclamation came to her mind, There may never be another offer of marriage made to you. As these words rung through her brain Elizabeth knew that his words could, after all, be true.

Yet, as she thought of Mr Collins she suddenly understood how much she missed Charlotte. Her planned visit to Hunsford had to be cancelled and after a letter from Charlotte, after the incident, she could not say that she was not relieved. For in her letter, Charlotte had relayed that Mr Darcy was to reside at Rosings for a while. Oh, how she detests that man! His arrogance, conceit and selfish distain for the feelings of others made her understand that he would be the last man in the world whom she would ever approach in company. Yet, Charlotte and confessed that she found him rather pleasing along with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam who also had to endure the company of Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

As Elizabeth finally turned in the room, taking her thoughts from Mr Darcy and Mr Collins a small tear rushed down her soft skin, leaving a path of moisture to her jaw where it fell onto the soft, black satin of her dress.

"I must be strong!" She said to herself as she walked over to the door into the entrance hall, pulling it open with more strength than what was intended. She stepped quickly from the room as the old oak, wooden door hit off the table positioned in the library. She looked at the door quickly, but made no attempt to remove it from it's position against the table.

It was not a moment later when she raised her eyes to look upon the gathered people in the entrance hall. She swallowed quickly, turning her face so the tears of longing could be disguised from the company.

"Elizabeth." Her Aunt Gardener exclaimed as she looked quizzically across the room at her niece. "Come, greet our guest." It was at this that she looked to the two other people situated in the small, but comfortable entrance hall. As she looked at the two gentleman she swallowed slightly but made no attempt to move. Her Uncle stood proudly next to the gentleman and stared at his niece for a moment, hoping that she would not refuse to greet such a man in her own home.

"How do you do Miss Elizabeth?" The strong voice of Mr Darcy asked. As Elizabeth's eyes met his, he suddenly saw how ill she looked. Her weight had decreased enormously and yet the tearful look in her eyes, made him understand that she was far from the Elizabeth Bennet he had previously encountered.

"I am as well as to be expected, Mr Darcy. I thank you." She curtsied slightly in respect to the gentleman.

"I would like to express my condolences personally to you and your family--" He was suddenly interrupted by Elizabeth herself as she stared at him with slight anger in her face.

"Thank you, but we received your note." He nodded slightly seeing that her eyes were suddenly filling with tears again. "Excuse me, Sir." At this she curtsied to him and walked away to the safety of her own room.

Elizabeth must have sat in the security of her room for a long period of time before there was a gentle tapping on her door. She quickly blinked the tears from her eyes before shouting the person's entry. She stared at the door as it slowly opened to reveal Mrs Hill.

"Excuse me, Miss Elizabeth but your presence is requested in the drawing room."

"Thank you, Mrs Hill." At this the woman dropped a slight curtsy before rushing back to the kitchen.

As Elizabeth stood outside of the drawing room door she listened intently for a moment wondering as to who was inside. Surprisingly, no sound was being uttered in the room and for a moment she thought it empty. In thought of this she slowly pushed the door open and walked in.

As she stepped into the room the only occupant of the room stood from their position in a chair.

"Miss Elizabeth." Mr Darcy said as he bowed. "I thank you for seeing me." She swallowed slightly before curtsying to him.

"How can I be of service Mr Darcy?" She asked with slight apprehension in her voice.

"It is not of how you can be of service, but of how I can be of service to you." At this she turned slightly and closed the door.

"I am listening to you, Mr Darcy. Please, say of any way possible you can help the situation of my family." She said as she sat in a chair and looked up at him. At that moment she thought that a smile crossed his lips but as he sat and looked at her, she thought nothing more of it.

"I wish to be of service to you Miss Bennet and your family." He said as he looked into her pale face.

"How is that possible, Sir?"

"I am to inform you. I am willing to bestow a living allowance on your family to assist in your predicament of present. They will be well cared for I assure you."

"I am sure Mr Darcy that such charity as this comes at a price." She interrupted.

"Of course it does, but if you refuse it could result in further dysfunctionality for your family." She swallowed slightly as she listened to his words.

"What is the cost that I am to pay for such generosity?" She said in an ironic tone.

"All I ask is for your hand in marriage." Her eyes met his for a moment in a plea of mercy but to no prevail. She was just to speak when he interrupted her. "Our union of course, would allow your family to reside at Longborne for the rest of their lives, in comfort and harmony. Could you deny such a thing to your sisters Miss Bennet?"

"I admit that I could not. However, our union would be called into question by those of your status resulting in slander for you and your family."

"What can you possibly mean Miss Bennet?" He asked with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Surely your being joined with a woman far below your own rank will begin speculation. Yet I am unsure if I could become your wife after the displays of inappropriate behaviour in public." He sighed slightly at her words.

"I care nothing for your thoughts on my nature Miss Bennet, I come only to be of service to you."

"I thank you for it. However, could you possibly live united to myself knowing completely that we care nothing for one another?"

"Of course. I will take you for my wife in name only. Something that will satisfy you I believe." Elizabeth laughed slightly.

"Then why take a wife in name only when there are many other women of your own rank who would satisfy your needs adequately?"

"I would like my sister to have someone closer than her companions and myself. She is an exceptional girl but she needs someone with wit and intelligence to teach her the things in life. I am sure that you could fulfil those requirements."

"Do I have any other choice, Sir, apart from the proposition you are placing before me?" Darcy smiled slightly to himself.

"No, this is the only proposition that I give you. But if you are contemplating on refusal allow me to advise you. On the subject of your recent misfortune, middle class women do not survive in the back streets of London."

"You must have sound knowledge of the 'back streets of London' Sir"

"Do not insult me Miss Bennet. I come to you with a proposition which I give you leave to accept or decline but be assured," He said as he stood. "That I give you it only once, refuse and such generosity will never be given again."

"It appears Sir, that I have no other option. Therefore, in order to secure the future happiness of my family I feel my only option is to accept." She said this with slight tears in her eyes, fully understanding the misfortune that was soon to become her life. "However, I will only enter into this arrangement knowing that it is only in name." A slight smile spread across his face for a moment before he turned to her in slight anger.

"I would have it no other way, Madam." She swallowed hard at his insult. Yes, he cared nothing for her or to Darcy, he made it appear that way.

"Do you have anything else to ask of me Sir?" She asked quietly.

"Yes, I have. I would like you to release yourself from the black acquire, which you are wearing far longer than necessary before the wedding." At this she stood in shock and anger.

"Can you insult me any more Sir? Can you insult my family any more rather than insult my dead father's name!"

"Forgive me Madam, I meant no offence. I will leave you now, I am sure that your Uncle would like to see you now."

"My Uncle? He knows of this arrangement?"

"Yes but he knows nothing of it being in name only."

"Very well."

"Good day Miss Bennet." He said as he bowed to her. She stood quickly showing respect that she did not wish to show.

"Good day Mr Darcy."

As the door closed silently behind him Elizabeth sat into the chair that she had rose from. How could she possibly allow herself to enter into such an arrangement. Yet, as her mind contemplated on the matter, she fully understood that in order to save her family from a life of poverty it was something that was necessary. But the question that overtook her mind as she sat in the silence of the room was, Would Mr Darcy make an acceptable husband?

A/N: Well we will have to wait and see, won't we? I hope this chapter is not too confusing and hope that it was enjoyable. Please place a review to show me if I should continue with it.

Thank you,

Darcylover