Hello all, I decided that since I'm fixing up the story I might as well fix up the author's notes. So, here we go. This here is the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, only there's a little twist. Basically, Elizabeth and Will have kind of switched places (in society). I do hope you enjoy it. In the past I would ask you to review, but I believe I have passed that point in my minimal writing career on this site. I'm really posting this for myself, but if you like it positive feedback is of course appreciated (I promise I shall not ask you for reviews in any form again). Please enjoy!
A carriage rattled along the worn country path in the direction of a small country town called Meryton. These days most of the carriages that rolled down these streets were filled with soldiers and their officials. However, this particular carriage did not contain soldiers but the highly prestigious Bennet family of Derbyshire County. Mr. Bennet, being a peaceful fellow, had never cared much for town, and though his main home of Pemberly was secluded country, felt that he would enjoy another side of the country much better, feeling, as people are wont to do from time to time, that a change of scenery would be quite agreeable. And so he had bought the estate of Netherfield, which was situated right outside of the town of Meryton.
Of course almost immediately after she heard of this purchase Mr. Bennet's wife, Mrs. Bennet, reprimanded him for wasting money on such an estate and told him to resell it immediately. Mr. Bennet, however, refused to do so and instead told the his family, which consisted of his wife and five daughters, that as it was the end of the season in town they would all be moving into Netherfield within the fortnight.
The very notion of leaving town had sent the younger three daughters into a fit of complaints. Mary argued that she could leave her pianoforte lessons and stated that her tutor had made it very clear that her would not travel outside of London. Kitty and Lydia, however, had a different reason to stay. They claimed that if they were to leave their social lives would be ruined forever. "And you want us to marry well don't you Papa?" they asked him as they pleaded their case. Little did they know that their father did wish them married but more for the sake that he would no longer have to deal with their whines and petty complaints.
The three girls plus their mother had continued their complaints all through most of the carriage ride until the second eldest daughter spoke up, "Would please end your constant complaints for it is quite obvious that Papa has his mind set and since we are more than half way there it is evident that we will not be turning back. The comment was said with much sense which to be expected from the speaker, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
She and the eldest Miss Bennet, Jane, had remained silent throughout the great debacle over Netherfield but now Elizabeth was tired of hearing the constant buzz of complaints. Jane, who was sitting opposite her, gave her a grateful look as the comment kept the others quiet for some time. Elizabeth smiled to herself and turned her dark eyes in the direction of the window so that she could see what scenery this part of the country held.
Elizabeth, more affectionately called Lizzy by her father, was glad that Mr. Bennet had bought Netherfield. She was actually very fond of the country and it was in the country that she felt the most at home. It was in the quiet countryside that Elizabeth could think best and thinking was one of her favorite things to do. Just sitting in a meadow thinking with know distractions, that was what drew her to the country and why she was more than happy to make the trip to Meryton. She knew that her father felt the same way. The two of them had a similar state of mind; this was probably the reason why she was her father's favorite. Her father and Jane were the only members of her family that she truly respected and really cared for beyond that of the care that is forced upon a person and their family.
Though her mother was brought up in a family with a moderate income, acquired by means of trade, and had married into a wealthy family, there were times when she acted without any propriety and self-respect. These seldom times always seemed to occur when Jane and a beau got particularly close. Her mother would boast of an expected marriage, which in the end would never come. "Poor Jane," Elizabeth thought to herself so many relationships had ended more than likely because of her mother's actions. Jane was far to kind to admit this but Elizabeth had no problem doing so. It was a good thing that Jane's heart was a fickle thing because the end of one relationship brought about the beginning of a new one.
Elizabeth laughed to herself at the thought of all the suitors Jane had had. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in all of London and a treasure to behold. It was true that Jane was beautiful but what people didn't care to look at was the fact that she was also intelligent, kind and caring, qualities, which Elizabeth felt, were far more important to a relationship. Yet, Elizabeth always had a sort of radical ideas for being a woman and so she knew that no other woman would worry about having such virtues as these.
As they pulled up to Netherfield, Mr. Bennet nudged his favorite child. She looked from the house to her mother and sisters and then to her father and smiled. Netherfield was beautiful, just as she pictured it. And she knew almost immediately that she would be extremely happy and content while living here.