Chapter 1 ~ Capricious beginnings

The sky was lightening with the first hint of dawn fast approaching, the air was cool and dew clung to the grass by the paths and the hay in the fields. The light breeze felt fresh against the young woman's cheeks as she gently picked her way across the small ridge that lead to the meadow. She knew she shouldn't be out quite this early, particularly without an escort, but it seemed impossible for her to even begin to quell the irresistible urge to be outside in the world when such peace could be found in it. The young lady in question, had long ago become adept at evading Mr. and Mrs. Hill, Cook and in particular her sweet mama and her ever present nerves. It was also quite important to note that the young Miss enjoying her unconcerned stroll, was also quite proficient at avoiding all creaky steps and questionable floorboards that could be found at Longbourn long ago. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was therefore once again, to her unmitigated joy, happily witness to the glory of the early morning rustlings of field and meadow.

Breathing deeply she considered the latest situation to have arisen in the neighborhood, for it quite disrupted the calm days and orderly routines established since last such an event occurred in the neighborhood. The commotion was due to a nearby estate having tenants for the next year, at least according to latest gossip to come out of the butcher's. The county of Hertfordshire, like any respectable county, was well able to entertain itself with it's four and twenty families, but was always ready for a single gentleman of means to move into the neighborhood and perhaps propose to one of the many unmarried ladies found in the nearby households and estates. Elizabeth's lips curved upwards in a grin as she thought of all the speculation and gossip the head cook at Netherfield, the estate in question, had caused by ordering a veritable arsenal of foodstuffs at said butchers.

Her dear mama, Mrs. Bennet had become convinced the gentleman was accompanied by at least a dozen gentlemen. She could still hear her calling across the breakfast table.

'My dear Mr. Bennet, the head cook at Netherfield has ordered four haunches of pork, four haunches of beef as well as quite the array of vegetables and fruits! There must be at least a dozen gentlemen coming to stay at Netherfield! What a wonderful blessing for our girls!'

Her Papa, had paused as he was bringing his teacup to his lips, raising his bushy grey eyebrows slightly he looked up, quiet amusement danced in his light blue eyes.

'Planning on our daughters capturing the affections of any or all the potential gentlemen of means, that may or may not be coming into the neighborhood Mrs. Bennet?'

The two youngest daughters were as yet incapable of following most of their Papa's insinuations and were the only ladies at the table who didn't try to hide a smile behind their napkins. Mrs. Bennet, however felt no such need to hide her mirth and laughed lightly before declaring;

'Mr. Bennet! You know very well I would never tempt fate in such a way as to pretend to be able to predict such a pleasing outcome, but we have lovely daughters and there is no reason it could not already be fated that one of the many gentlemen may fall in love with one them.'

Smiling Mrs. Bennet took a sip of her own tea, before bringing the conversation to the heart of the reason she had even brought up the matter.

'We must of course do our best not to thwart fate's plans Mr. Bennet, you will be paying the gentleman a call as soon as propriety allows to welcome him, as well as his acquaintances to the neighborhood, will you not?'

'If my memory serves,' began Mr. Bennet 'a very similar statement was made last time the neighboring estate was let and you convinced me to set out on a fool's errand. In fact, I believe all the well meaning, welcoming wishes, are precisely what scared young Mr. Dingle away in less than two months. I might also add that I still have five unmarried daughters living with us, not four as you promised me then' Mr. Bennet triumphantly placed his teacup back in its saucer and strategically began raising his newspaper once more.

With a deep breath to restore her, Mrs. Bennet declared anxiously 'We cannot be so un-obliging as to overlook our neighborly duty…what would the neighbors think of our hospitality if we refuse to welcome new acquaintances simply because the previous tenant to occupy Netherfield was as silly a fellow as ever walked the county? Perhaps he could not help it, after all, his name was Dingle, I never could completely picture one of our daughters as Mrs. Dingle,' mused Fanny Bennet 'it seemed as though the gentleman's ancestors wanted their offspring mocked for all time, Mr. Dingle indeed! It was not fated to be Mr. Bennet, mark my words! It was fate which drove Mr. Dingle away in so short a time and allowed Netherfield to be let by a gentleman of much more considerable means, and just think if our Jane had indeed married Mr. Dingle! Why, we would end destitute for you know she is prettiest and none of the girls of the county can hold a candle to her.'

Realizing there would be no peace for the Newspaper unless he agreed or fled, Mr. Bennet said something to the effect of his consent, he hadn't finished his breakfast as of yet and Cook had outdone herself this morning. Sipping his tea contentedly he retreated behind his Newspaper and tucked away further teasing for dinner.

Elizabeth smiled and wandered through the meadow her arms stretching to the sides and rising to the sky as she slowly allowed herself to twirl amidst the knee high violets which dominated this part of Hertfordshire. It looked like nature had prepared quite a treat, for the sky was of a light periwinkle dotted here and there with little puffball clouds. Her smile widened and she picked her way toward Oakham Mount, it was her favorite place and she loved the view it afforded of the homesteads coming awake for another day of work in the fields. She made her way through the small wood and onto the path curving around Oakham Mount itself. It must be noted, this was a journey Elizabeth was very much familiar with, had she not been making this trek since she was old enough to walk in any direction and always find her way back home? For this reason, Elizabeth had allowed her mind to wander and it is to this inattention that she later attributed the next set of events.

Just as she broke from the small copse of trees and started on the path a great thundering sound reached her ears and she had just enough time to look up startled in order to glimpse a rider, less that a foot away from her, turning the bend on the path at a breakneck pace. Her eyes squeezed shut without volition, an instant later Elizabeth felt her feet leave solid ground behind and prayed with all her heart in the confines of her mind, if she was to die on this day, this glorious day: May my family and friends soon recover from this tragedy for I have been more happy than any soul has a right to be during my time, blessed with inordinate amounts of love and care. All further thought ended abruptly as with a sickening thud her body returned to solid ground and she faintly registered a deep voice calling.

A/N: I humbly beg for honest, constructive reviews! I have taken liberties with Mrs. Bennet, I strongly believe that she deserves to be intelligent, even if she does not read Latin or understand higher physics. Liojgu