Hello everyone!

I am finally back with this reworked fanfiction and I have a plan. Every Wednesday I will update a new chapter of the story because I want to make sure everything is as good as possible for you all to enjoy. I have slightly changed the story from its original form and I am happy where it is going. I hope you all enjoy everything I have decided upon.

SUMMARY: Elizabeth Gardiner is a young woman who is at the point in her life where everything can change. Elizabeth has her father hoping for a marriage match. Mr Wickham who is a dear friend who feels more for her than she for him. And she has met a charming Mr Darcy who challenges everything about her. What will happen during her summer in the country? Will love reveal itself or will Elizabeth have to make decisions that will change her life forever?

Don't forget to review!


CHAPTER ONE

ELIZABETH'S POV

Spring had found its end as summer returned to the city of London. With a new season flourished a new time of year, which would bring families from all over England to come and enjoy the city in a new life. Every year it was the same; people would arrive to relax and enjoy the splendour that the city had to offer, for with every year came new attractions to the city for not only children to enjoy but their parents as well. Night or day the city would be alive, unless the summer warmth was interrupted by the occasional summer storm that would clear the streets in moments.

Not all stayed in the city to enjoy the summer though, those who lived in London left for the season as they did not appreciate the crowd that summer brought to their home. Miss Elizabeth Gardiner was one of those young women. The only daughter of Mr and Mrs Gardiner, she was well known for her beauty by many of the young gentleman who had attempted to court the young lady. But not one so far had succeeded in winning her heart, for she was a woman who could not be tamed by any man.

Living in a beautiful town home with her parents, Elizabeth wanted for nothing except for the fresh air of the country. For every summer, Elizabeth would visit her cousins, and spend almost the entire summer with them. She did not enjoy all of her cousin's company though; the eldest cousin, Jane, was by far the most normal and was the same age as Elizabeth. Her next cousin was Mary, who was sweet and kind but found it hard to fit in anywhere. Kitty and Lydia were the youngest and far by the worse. Silly and loud, these two were desperate for any attention they could grasp, even if it meant making their family seem ridiculous; Lydia more so than Kitty, even though she was older, Kitty followed her younger sister around. Their mother, Elizabeth's Aunt, did not help either. Mrs Bennet, herself, was ridiculous, and held no social graces and embarrassed her husband daily. Mr Bennet, the poor man, had been stuck with Mrs Bennet for twenty-five years and had no way of escaping the woman besides locking himself away.

The year of her twentieth birthday was no exception. She was excited to see her uncle and Jane, and Mary. Jane had informed her, through their letters, that many exciting things had been happening. For example, the Bennet family had made a new acquaintance, a young man by the name of Mr Bingley who was worth five thousand a year. Mrs Bennet, of course, noticed the man's keen eye on Jane, and was pushing Jane to make sure the man fell completely in love with her. And also that their cousin, the who would one day inherit Longbourn – the Bennet's home – would also be staying with them, and in his letter had hinted at the fact that he is in want of a wife. That once again set Mrs Bennet off, trying to decide which daughter of hers he would marry.

Elizabeth was looking forward to witnessing her aunt's breakdowns, as well as being able to spend quality time with Jane and Mary. The one thing she was not looking forward to were her aunt's criticism. Mrs Bennet loved to criticise anyone, even if there was nothing bad to say she always came up with something. Jane always tried to ignore her mother, Mary struggle to get any sort of acknowledgement from the woman, and Kitty and Lydia could apparently do no wrong. Even Mr Bennet was always receive a vicious tongue lashing from her.

The summer would certainly be an interesting one.


Elizabeth sat in the small arm chair, book in hand. However, the pages did not hold her attention. The young woman was lost in thought, staring out the large open window that stood in front of her. Many thoughts flowed through her head, and she was so distracted that she did not hear the door to her bedroom open.

Mrs Gardiner watched her daughter from the door way. She often found her daughter lost in thought, and generally it was during the most unconventional times. Elizabeth was generally startled out of her daze by one of her parents, saving her from the embarrassment of ignoring the people around her.

Mrs Gardiner moved from the door way and placed her hand gently on her daughter's shoulder. Elizabeth gasped in shock and dropped the book on the floor. Her mother smiled and held back a giggle.

'Mother you startled me,' said Elizabeth.

Mrs Gardiner placed her hand over to her mouth to hide her smirk. 'I am sorry, my dear, that was not my intention.'

Elizabeth pursed her lips. 'I am sure that it was not.' She reached down to pick the book off the floor. 'Was there something you needed?'

'We received an invitation this morning from Mr Wickham. He has invited us to dinner at his new town house tomorrow night.'

Elizabeth stood from her seat, and gently placed the book in her place. 'Must I attend?'

Mrs Gardiner frowned. 'He expects all of us to attend, my dear. And your father would not be happy to hear that you have declined an invitation from such a dear friend of his.'

Elizabeth clasped her hands together. 'I understand that father will be upset, but he will forget it as he always does.'

'Elizabeth! I am shocked.' Mrs Gardiner crossed her arms over her chest. 'What is the cause of this behaviour?'

'I am sorry, mother. I just prefer not to be around Mr Wickham if it can be avoided.'

'Would you care to explain why?'

'Not really.' Elizabeth turned away from her mother and looked out the window. Her father's carried pulled up and stopped outside of their home. 'I don't think you, or father, would understand.'

'I am sorry, my dear, but your father will wish for a better explanation than what you have just given me.'

Elizabeth sighed heavily. She watched as her father exited his carriage and headed to the door. Her mother was correct; her father would not accept her excuse. Not that it was much of one anyway.

'Elizabeth, I can see this has made you uncomfortable. Has Mr Wickham done something that we should know about?' Mrs Gardiner stepped closer to her daughter.

Elizabeth shook her head. 'No, mother. No.'

'Well, if you do not wish to talk about it I will not force you. I will tell your father that you have much to do before you leave in two days so you cannot accompany us.'

'Thank you, mother.'

Mrs Gardiner smiled at her. She reached over and gently squeezed her hand before leaving the room, pulled the door closed behind her.

Elizabeth released a heavy breath, and sat back down in her chair. Feeling the book beneath her, she moved so she could pick it up. As she moved to place the book back on her shelf, she couldn't help but think of Mr Wickham. There was nothing wrong with Mr Wickham, in fact she found him quite charming. So charming in fact that she had allowed him to kiss her. A simple kiss. A gently peck on the lips before he left for the night after dinner at their home. She had been confused, ever since then she avoided him. Did she like Mr Wickham that way? Could she see herself with him for the rest of her life? She did not know. Elizabeth knew her father would be all for the marriage, he though Mr Wickham a great man and already thought of him as a son. Even though Mr Wickham wasn't a man of a large fortune, her father had been helping him to become a lawyer; her father would not have a single doubt about them getting married. But the way she was feeling was strange to her and she wasn't going to jump into anything.


'Is that the lot, Miss Gardiner?'

'Yes, Mrs Burch. Thank you,' said Elizabeth. She smiled as Mrs Burch, their housekeeper, took her last bag from the room. It was a beautiful morning, good weather for travelling. Elizabeth had finished packing the last few things before her mother had come to awake her up. Elizabeth had been up early as she was excited to see her family, even if they did come with much drama.

'Are you ready, my dear?'

Elizabeth turned around to see her father, Mr Gardiner, standing in the door way. She smiled. 'Yes, father.'

'Mr Wickham wished for me to give you his well wishes for your journey today.'

'That was kind of him. Tell him 'thank you' for me.'

'I will.' Mr Gardiner clasped his hands behind his back and moved into the room.

Elizabeth nodded her thanks.

'He was also saddened by your absence last night.' Mr Gardiner slipped his hands into his pockets. He watched his daughter carefully.

'I too was disappointed that I missed dinner. I take it was a splendid evening then?'

'Yes, it was.'

The two fell silent. Mr Gardiner stared at Elizabeth. She knew he wanted to ask her something, but she also knew sometimes he would not ask because he knew what the answer would be, did not always stop him though.

'Is there something you wanted, father?' Elizabeth picked her shall from her bed and wrapped it around herself.

'Your mother's excuse for your absence last night was that you had much packing to do before you left today.'

'Yes, I did.'

'Now Elizabeth,' said Mr Gardiner. He crossed his arms over his chest.

Elizabeth gulped. Her father only used her full name when she had either upset him or done something wrong, he knew what her mother had said was a lie.

'You and I both know,' Mr Gardiner continued, 'that you are always very organised and that you pack many days in advance. And this trip would be no different to any other. So what I would like to know is the real reason as to why you would not attend dinner last night.'

'It was not that I did not want to go.'

'Really?' Mr Gardiner laughed. 'Your mother told me something much different. From her words it seemed that did not wish to be anywhere near the man. She described you as frightened.'

Elizabeth sighed heavily. 'Father, can we please not discuss this.'

'I am asking you a simple question Elizabeth, now answer me.'

She stayed silent. Her father certainly would not care that Mr Wickham had kissed her, but she knew he would make a fuss. Her father would believe that Mr Wickham would soon be his son-in-law and she did not wish to disappoint him.

'Elizabeth!' Mr Gardiner was angry now. Normally Elizabeth and his relationship was smooth. Never any bumps.

'Father, please. Can you not simply trust me? I will explain it to you one day but not today.'

Mr Gardiner's arms dropped. He was not angry at his daughter, simply frustrated. 'I do trust you, Lizzy. But when you do not give reasons a million thoughts flood my head. Many I wish would not. How do you expect me to react?'

Elizabeth moved to her father. She gently took his hands in hers. 'I understand, father.' She kissed his hands softly. 'But some things are best not spoken.'

Mr Gardiner leaned forward and pecked his daughter's forehead. 'Whenever you are ready.'

Elizabeth nodded.

Mr Gardiner folded his daughter's arm in his and they both left the room.

Downstairs Mrs Gardiner stood talking with Mrs Burch about afternoon tea. Mrs Gardiner was having some of her friends over to plan the upcoming fundraiser.

'Thank you, Mrs Burch. That will be all.' Mrs Gardiner gently patted Mrs Burch's arm.

Mrs Burch curtsied and left, leaving the family alone.

'Everything alright?' said Mrs Gardiner.

Mr Gardiner nodded. 'Yes, everything is fine.'

'Good, I'm glad. Elizabeth, the carriage will be here shortly. Have you eaten?'

'Yes, mother,' said Elizabeth. 'Mrs Burch made me a special breakfast.'

'Good, good.'


The carriage arrived as the Gardiner's stepped out the front. Mrs Gardiner hugged her daughter and said, 'Now make sure to keep your cousins in line. Perhaps your Uncle can enjoy some sort of peace while you are around.'

'I think my sister is the one she needs to be kept in line, my love,' said Mr Gardiner. 'I am surprise my dear friend hasn't shot himself in the last twenty years.'

Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner giggled.

Mr Gardiner hugged his daughter and said, 'Take care of yourself, and have fun. Give everyone our love.'

'I will father, I promise.'

Elizabeth climbed into the carriage with the help of her father. She waved as the carriage pulled away from the curb. She would miss her parents, but she was glad to be returning to the country for it was her second favourite place in the world.

As her carriage reached the end of her street, she spotted Mr Wickham walking along the side walk in the direction of her house. Mr Wickham spotted her and waved, a small smile on his face as he did. Elizabeth returned to smile and the wave before he disappeared from sight.

Elizabeth leant back in the carriage and let out a heavy sigh. She hoped the time in the country, away from her parents and Mr Wickham would allow her thoughts to settle and she could finally decide whether or not if she would continue her relationship with Mr Wickham.