Mr. Darcy could not marry Elizabeth Bennet, for Darcy, whilst in want of a wife, was a man with a list, and Elizabeth did not meet every particular upon his list. She did not even meet most of them. Darcy has spent years determined to find the perfect wife, attending every ball at Season, and dancing every dance. But each girl he met lacked something. His friends don't believe him anymore when he insists he wants to marry.Elizabeth started writing novels after she was banished to London following an unfortunate incident when she was trapped in a hunting lodge with Mr. Wickham during a freak blizzard. Her literary endeavours proved popular, and now she has a modest independent income, and a determination to never depend on anyone.How will the find love together?A romantic story with lots of laughs and a little angst65,000 words long Excerpt: "You, I have been informed, you do hope to marry." Elizabeth smiled at Mr. Darcy"I assure you, I do seek a proper wife - to make a woman the lady of Pemberley, that shall be a great honor, and she must be worthy of such a position, and of my great lineage - I am proud, yes, very proud. I see your smile. We are a great family, and it is my duty to continue a line which extends deep into the mists of time.""Poor woman! To face such expectation - it shall take a paragon not to crumple underneath the weight of Pemberley and all its heavy pile.""I assure you, I seek a woman who is a paragon. Only such is worthy of a man such as me."Elizabeth laughed, delighted by him. She liked Mr. Darcy very much, the more for his open vanity. For he was kind as well."I wish you well - I would never marry a man who expects so much. Even should you come to mistake me for such a paragon, you are safe. One must know their own limits."Mr. Darcy frowned, as if disquieted.She laughed. "Surely you do not expect every woman to fall before your feet.""I do - it is a simple matter of reason. I am aware of my virtues, and those of my estate. Any rational woman who is not high born herself will know there is no better match they can make.""I do not doubt that your estate is most superior. Your character though - I assure you a sensible woman would not be so quick to marry a man so certain of his own superiority."Mr. Darcy replied with a slightly hurt voice, "Then it is fortunate for us both, that whatever your virtues - you are extremely clever, and I like your mind, and your conversation, and your... eyes..." Darcy trailed off.Elizabeth could not help but blush at his evident admiration of her.He continued in a firmer tone. "I require of myself a wife with the highest connections, the cleanest and most sterling reputation, and the... further I am determined that she ought be near twenty years of age, and I think you to be much past that.""Zounds! Forget being refused - have you ever been slapped?" Elizabeth grinned at Mr. Darcy, most amused by his pique. "You do not take to rejection kindly."Mr. Darcy winced. "Miss Bennet, allow me to apologize, I hardly know what I said. I certainly did not mean to say such, and-""No, no, no! I despise pretense. And I adore ridiculousness. But your pomposity - you are clever enough to perhaps improve. But, this shall go deep in my stores of memories. But I forgive you this for your kindness earlier this evening. You, sir, were very kind, and I would be the worst sort of woman if I in turn savaged you."Mr. Darcy shook his head. "Even though you consider me vain and ridiculous.""Merely vain! - I know my deficits. I am, as you perceived, seven and twenty, without a sterling reputation, and my connections are more to trade than nobility. So there is nothing to be done for it. No matter how much you like my eyes" - Mr. Darcy flushed, but also smiled - "No matter how much I admire your superior estate and your person, we can never make a match of it. All that is left is to be friends."