A/N: Hello:

This is my first immersion into the Pride and Prejudice world here on this Fan Fiction site. All but one of my previous entries have been based on characters that are part of Star Trek. After the latest movie in the series did not inspire me to write further stories, I decided to start posting at Pride and Prejudice, after all it is almost my favorite book of all times.

I believe that I have read one story at this site that has a similar main character, but I believe my story will reveal a completely different additional character, George Darcy.

My time frame will not be familiar as I do not have Anne Darcy dying at Georgia's birth, but dying while delivering another child, a son, who also dies. In this setting, Georgiana is not the socially awkward, shy daughter she has been portrayed by Dear Jane and also in so many well- written fanfics. Her mother has been able to supply her daughter with a degree of the graces needed by a young woman of her social standing. I have Georgiana loss taking place at the age of fourteen, allowing that grief to be the catalyst to Wickam's betrayal in this story so is not as pivotal to Georgiana's withdrawal as in our dear Jane's original writing.

I hope that you find my effort worth your perusal and I thank you for your efforts beforehand.

Botsey

Needs…

A Pride and Prejudice Exploration

Chapter One

All in the household had to acknowledge that George Darcy had never recovered from his wife's death. For many months he had sequestered himself in his chambers, perhaps eating one meal a day. He did not respond to his son's attempt to speak with him. In his mind, what could a young man know about grief as deep and endless as his.

His beloved Anne had done everything she could to prepare him for her departure. Her problem-racked pregnancy and terrible three days of agonizing labor had completely depleted her strength. George Darcy could barely look at his second son, a punishment that certainly was not the babe's fault, but was construed as such by the father, who although a boy, mirrored his deceased mother's coloring. But life would deal another blow for within two days, the babe's was the second death.

However, the father's dissolute conduct that presented itself when George Darcy finally emerged from his solitude was indeed frightening. By the time he again presented himself to his family his son was a young man and his daughter fifteen years of age.

During the time of his isolation, his wife's brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Lady Matlock had taken his children 'under their wing' and when he presented himself to his children he observed a son whose physical appearance mirrored his own and a daughter who had the beauty and grace of her departed mother.

George Darcy offered no apology for his self-imposed isolation. Fortunately, his steward and solicitor had made certain that neither the estate or the Darcy's fortune had suffered from his absence. His physical appearance had been altered during this time, his dark hair now had an abundance of white and while his face remained unlined, there was no vibrancy in his eyes or his demeanor. Indeed, a part of him had died with his Anne, and his many hours of isolated thought, had bought him to the conclusion that he must marry again, produce more children and even if all his joy died with his Anne he would continue to live without such, taking one breath at a time.

It was after dinner on the second night that he called his son into his office and requested that he be seated.

"Will, I can thoroughly understand any resentment you might feel because of my abandonment of you and your sisters these long months, but until you experience the depth of devotion your mother and I held for one another, you cannot understand my pain. It was as if I had been dropped into a bottomless pit. Your mother was my life. She had begged me to not grieve as I did, she even had instructed me to take another wife. Of course, I protested such a notion, but now understand she understood me thoroughly. For that reason, during this season I will seek out a new partner in life. I wish to experience fatherhood again and thus will attempt to secure a bride of child bearing age. I intend to father as many children as this new wife will allow.

I wish you and your sister to greet my choice with the proper regard. She will not be your mother, but she will be my wife and so will deserve respect even if affection is not possible. After my marriage, I will bring your sister back to Pemberly to be company to my new wife.

Fitzwilliam, do you have any questions?"

His son stood erect on the other side of his desk and said,

"Father, I am certain that you have thought about this for some time and you have reasoned that such an act will bring you a degree of happiness, so how could I be opposed?"

"Not happiness, my son, only to satisfy my need for female comfort."

His son nodded and then turned away to depart but stopped at the door to say,

"Father, I wish you happiness even though you feel that it is not possible."

"My Son, your thoughts are appreciated, even if I do not agree with them."

His son left after a characteristic nod of his head.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

George Darcy sat back in his chair and thought,

"He is almost full grown, I have missed much by my isolation, but this can be repaired with effort."

He devised a plan where he would take his son with him to the clubs and introduce him to society. Then together they would make the circuit of social gatherings with him being in the position to introduce his son to persons of note.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

After his son's departure George took out paper to start correspondence to his daughter Georgiana, he started,

'My Dear Daughter:

First allow you to be advised of my semi recovery. I must apologize for the abandonment of you and your brother during the time of my deep-seated grief. I am certain that if and when you find your soul-mate you will realize how separation from that person is deeply injurious. I have just spent time with your brother and advised him that I will attempt to find another wife within the coming season. It was your mother's wish that I follow this path once she had left me. I intend to have a short courtship and a swift marriage and upon my return from my honeymoon trip to bring you home to Pemberly. It is my desire that my choice will meet with your approval and that you can serve as a companion to my new wife.

Since your mother died before your introduction into society, perhaps you will find it in your heart to welcome this lady and her contributions into your heart. I will keep you apprised of any progress in this area.

Please give my regards to your aunt and uncle.

I remain your loving father,

George Darcy'

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Fitzwilliam made his way back to his rooms and sat in contemplation. For a certainty, his father behavior was bizarre, but in retrospect, he was indeed temporarily insane, driven to that point by his wife death. Possibly his father blamed himself for his mother's terrible end for he had impregnated her when she was indeed already fragile.

He wondered about ever being able to find a relationship that would even slightly mirror his parents. There was always the looks of devotion they shared, the private humor, their solitary walks, the joined laughter coming from his mother's rooms, his mother's contribution to his family's management of the great estate. His father was always ready to listen to her suggestions even if the comments were completely outside of what was expected of a female. Theirs was truly a partnership of equals. Should he accept anything less? He thought not.

But for a certainty, such a female would not be found among the eyelash batting, bosom heaving, carefully coiffured, tightly corseted, made-up and dressed at the 'height of fashion females of The Ton. Being in their presence was suffocating. What he needed was a breath of fresh air.