AN: As usual I don't own anything except for the idea

Chapter 1: The Doctor appears

Jane sat looking at a little steam that was off the side of the road. She just needed some peace and quiet to think, away from her mother and younger sisters. Lizzy had said Bingly loved her but, his own sister had kindly made it clear that he had no intention of returning to Nether field and that his affections were focused on Mr. Darcy's younger sister. She laughed mirthlessly and looked up at the sky.

"How could you be so naïve?" she asked herself. Looking back objectively at the experience she saw that she had read too much into Charles attention to her. Of course he would never seriously consider being with her. Not when he had someone of his own station and wealth to pursue. And besides even if he did love her, as Lizzy suggested, did she really want to be with someone who could be so easily convinced that he did not have feelings for her? Who would leave it to his sister conscious to explain to Jane that he was not coming back? No she didn't, she deserved better than that. Picking a daisy from the grass she laid down on her stomach and rested her head on one arm as the other hand held the daisy on the streams surface. Well if nothing else she at least gained some experience and some quiet time, she thought as she closed her eyes feeling the current tug gently at the daisy and the warm breeze inviting her mind to rest.

Unbeknownst to Jane a handsome fair-haired, blue eyed, young gentleman was walking up the road. He carried his coat casually over one shoulder, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows and top collar button of his shirt undone. The evening had been so pleasant that he decided to take a walk to his favorite spot by the stream near his newly acquired property to think. He had only arrived five days ago, but had not been spared much attention as there was some ball being held at Nether field park and the local populace found that far more interesting than his arrival. He didn't mind though. It gave him the opportunity to get things in order at the Myrtles, the house his uncle had left him, before curious neighbors began to call. As he neared the stream he noticed a figure lying prone by its edge. His professional instincts kicked in and he quickened his step.

"Hello! Are you alright?" Jane heard a distinctively male voice ask. Sitting up quickly Jane saw a fair-haired man, probably only a year older then herself coming up to her. The suddenness of her movement had made her light headed and he reached out to steady her as he knelt down in front of her.

"It's alright I'm a doctor" he said feeling her shoulders tense at his touch. Looking up her eyes met a pair of concerned blue ones.

"Miss Jane Bennett?" he asked with a smile of recognition. She nodded taken aback that he knew her name. "Mrs. Riley pointed you and some of your sisters out to me, when I was in town yesterday," he said holding out his hand to her "I am Andrew… Andrew Dewhurst."

"Oh your Mr. Monroe's relative," Jane said relaxing. "Mrs. Lucas was telling my mother that you were coming to town," she said after shaking his hand.

He smiled "Ahh so my arrival hasn't gone unnoticed. I have been settling into the Myrtles, these past few days. I am afraid I haven't been doing my duty of visiting my neighbors. But I am getting side tracked, aren't I? I still haven't let you answer my first question, are you alright?

"Yes I… I came here to think, I must have dropped off," Jane said feeling a little embarrassed.

"I understand that, this is a nice place to think isn't it" he said kindly as he gestured to the stream.

"Yes it is," she said.

"Would you mind if I joined you? There are some things I wanted to think about too. Though if you would rather be alone I understand" he quickly added not wanted to be rude. Jane couldn't really pick out what it was exactly about Mr. Dewhurst presence that made her feel so at ease and content. She found she did not want to be without his company so she motioned for him to sit down and said, "Let's think."

It was nearly dinner time when Jane and Andrew came up to the Bennett home. They had thought in comfortable silence for quite a while. She, sitting in her previous spot, and he lying on his back nearby. They had eventually fallen into conversation when he had made an off handed comment about how it must have been nice being part of such a big family. When they realized it was getting late, he had offered to escort her home and she had in returned invited him to dinner. 'Mother won't be able to say no when she realizes he's single' she thought as he collected his horse which he had left to graze.

"Ahh Jane there you are," smiled Mr. Bennett as they came onto the porch. "Your mother was convinced you had thrown yourself into the lake," he said giving her a playful wink.

"Mr. Bennett how can you say such things… especially in front of guests," Mrs. Bennett scolded walking up to them. Mr. Bennett gave his wife an amused smile.

"Papa this is Doctor Dewhurst, I hope you don't mind I invited him to dinner."

"Well of course we don't mind," Mrs. Bennett said her eligible young man radar going off. "We were just about to sit down," she said as she led the way to the dining room.

The younger sisters were thrilled to have a dinner guest and animatedly talked with him. Mr. Bennett was relieved to see that Andrew didn't seem phased by all the female chatter. He was even more pleased to learn that he and this young man had some similar interest.

"I hope you will be a frequent guest in my home Doctor," Mr. Bennett said as he shook Andrew's hand when he took his leave latter that night. "For you see I am rather tiered of being outnumbered."

Andrew laughed, "I will make every effort then Mr. Bennett to come round and visit."

AN: Thanks for reading