It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman capable of building her own good fortune by herself is not necessarily in need of a husband. Certain women might, of course, but there are many who do perfectly well without a man.

The office was full of whispers.

"Why do you think she did it?"

"So much money sunk in."

"Think she feels guilty for something?"

"Maybe she's laundering money."

Laughter.

"She's way too straight-laced for that."

"Yeah, probably. But, have you seen the size of that office?"

"You know she's sharing it, right? Some old friend of hers. Apparently does tech start-ups? Something like that."

"You mean, not all the money's being put up by her?"

"Maybe, who knows. Shit, here she comes."

A rustle of papers and cloth, as shirts were pulled down, ties tightened, and papers organized. The intern scurried away to look busy.

"Your messages, ma'am. Mark Dashwood's on line one. And the Elliots' solicitor wants a word soon about their house."

She grabbed the files as they were handed to her, and flipped through them while leaning against her receptionist's counter.

"Tell Mr. Shepherd that their house will be leased as soon as the papers can get drawn up. And tell him that it'll be faster if he can get that ridiculous woman to at least store some of her stuff. Furnished is not synonymous with cluttered, and nobody's going to rent a house that has four generations of dead Elliots staring at them. Actually, five if we include the living. Also, tell him I know some people who might be interested if the damn portraits are gone. And some of the other stuff too."

"Of course."

"Thanks. Are you ready for the move?"

"Yes, ma'am. I think most of the office has almost finished packing."

"Great. And how's your son doing? Is he still on his gap year?"

"Oh yes, ma'am. He's having the time of his life. Learning quite a lot too. Or so he tells me."

"South America, was it?

"Yes, ma'am. His Spanish is really getting polished."

"That's good to hear. I look forward to testing it out." She smiled. "Bring him around to our next family social when he comes back. He sounds like a smart kid."

Her secretary chuckled. "I'll bring him around then."

"Lovely. If anyone calls before I'm done with Mark, patch them through if it's important. At all."

"Of course, ma'am."

She threw her files down and took a long swig of coffee before picking up the phone. "Mark? How are you doing?"

"Willa! I'm great! I need just a teensy little favour. Could you get Ellis off my back for a few days? There's a great concert in Paris tomorrow night, and it's the last leg of the tour. If my brother asks, can you just say I'm staying with you for the night?

She paused before answering. "Mark, wouldn't it just be better to tell him? It's not like he's being entirely unreasonable."

"But he is, Willa! Remember the last time? I told him I was going for an audition in Vienna, and he just absolutely forbade it. You know he wouldn't be ok with it if I told him the truth."

"Mark. That's because the gig was to be in Nigeria."

"That's not the point though! He was obstructing my artistic development."

"Sometimes I wonder if it's not better slightly obstructed."

"Willa, you're supposed to be on my side on this! How's this? One last gallivanting run to Europe. Then I'll calm it down. Strangle myself with a tie, take a nine to five and all."

She snorted. "Fine. Mark, I'll cover for you. But I get to pick the tie. Find a day job. God knows your brother has reason to be concerned."

"Fine, yeah. You're the best. Thanks!"

"You're welcome. And Mark, try not to give Ellis more stress than the poor man already has. Have fun in Paris."

"Will do. Ciao, bella."

Mark's antics would probably come back to bite him very firmly in the ass, but she was going to hold him to his word this time. If only for Ellis' sake. But in the meantime, there were moves to consider, and the logistics of sharing building space. Even if it was shared with Charlie Bingley. Netherfield Park had room enough for both of them; she could expand her firm while Charlie hired more developers. The money was going to have be very well spent of course. She had plans.

Willa Darcy smiled into her coffee. Netherfield Park was only the first step in a long walk.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! This is my first foray into publishing fanfiction, so I hope you guys enjoy it, and can offer some constructive criticism. Tell me what you like, and don't like! I've had an idea for a genderbent P&P for a while, but only got around to writing it recently. I'll try to keep updates regular. :)

Thanks!

Pengu.