Prologue

On the eve of Miss Jane Bennet's long-awaited wedding to Mr. Charles Bingley, the eldest Bennet sisters had the privilege of sitting alone in the parlour. The preparations for the wedding had been so hectic that this was the first time in a week they could enjoy each other's company.

"I could not be more pleased in your choice of a husband, Jane," Elizabeth said. "But it pains me that you must spend much of your time in the company of Mr. Bingley's odious sisters, who have attempted to ruin your happiness."

Jane, as good-natured as ever, smiled back. "Oh come now, Lizzie. Mrs. Hurst will return to her own home soon. And Caroline has recently acquired herself a beau; I believe that she may soon be wed. The only sister who shall remain at Netherfield for any considerable amount of time is Miss Lucy and she did not partake in the scheme to separate dear Mr. Bingley and myself!"

Elizabeth was not impressed. "Lucy Bingley is twenty. She is old enough to have noticed the attachment Mr. Bingley had formed towards you and prevented her sisters from almost ruining his happiness. I will not allow her to be quite so scheming as Caroline; but she must be foolish indeed."

Jane was prevented a reply by the sound of the door opening. A servant entered the room and bowed. "Miss Lucy Bingley, here to see Miss Bennet."

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a look of surprise. What could Miss Lucy be at Longbourne for? Though the young girl was out in society, it she rarely attended balls and social gatherings. Neither Jane nor Elizabeth had ever had a proper conversation with her. Lucy Bingley seemed bored and indifferent. Elizabeth had at first thought her to be just as proud as she had thought Mr. Darcy; and she was yet to be proven wrong in her opinion of Lucy.

Miss Lucy Bingley entered the room, and bowed to the Misses Bennet. Her bonnet was hanging precariously on her head and her dress was one that was comfortable for travelling on horseback. Indeed, Lucy was no delicate girl. She was of a good height and her passion for riding left her skin brown and her health strong. Her smile, however, was forced and reserved.

"Miss Bennet," Lucy greeted politely, dark green eyes locking with Jane's. "And Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bennet, I apologize for inconveniencing you on the eve of your wedding. I had hoped, that if you were not terribly busy, you would grant me a brief audience."

Jane smiled kindly. "Indeed, I am not busy at all. You are most welcome to come and join us. How does your family fare?"

Lucy smiled a little more genuinely as she took a seat in the parlor. "My brother is in excellent health, Miss Bennet, though he has become quite unbearable. He cannot restrain himself from repeatedly proclaiming how lucky he is to have gained such a wonderful bride as you. I agree with him wholeheartedly."

Jane thanked her, but Elizabeth could not help but be wary of Miss Lucy Bingley. What reason could she have to visit them alone on the eve of Jane's wedding? The girl looked very nervous; she was fiddling with the cloth of her skirt repeatedly.

"Are you well, Miss Lucy?" Elizabeth asked. "Perhaps riding out here alone has affected your health?"

Lucy shook her head. "I assure you that riding would never be detrimental to my health, Miss Elizabeth, it is one of my only true enjoyments. Any discomfort you may sense in me may be with regards to the purpose of my visit."

"The purpose of your visit?"

Lucy nodded. She cast a doubtful glance towards Elizabeth but the second Bennet sister had no intention of leaving the room. Resigning herself, Lucy began. "Miss Bennet. I have come here to offer you my sincerest apologies. It has come to my notice how terribly I must have acted during our acquaintance and I hope that once you are wed to my brother, we may begin anew as sisters."

"Miss Lucy, I cannot understand the reason for your apologies," Jane replied, startled. "I do not know what actions you speak of, for I have never felt myself to be offended by you."

"Perhaps not quite, Miss Bennet. My injuries towards you have not been caused by my actions but by my indifference. It was I who suggested to my sisters that we follow Charles to London, hence separating you from him. But you must believe that I had no idea of doing you any harm. My motives were purely selfish."

Jane and Elizabeth glanced at each other, confused. "Selfish? I do not understand you."

Lucy took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, she saw the two Bennet sisters watching her curiously. "Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, our families will be united tomorrow. I am placing my trust in you, hoping that you will justify the high opinion that I have of you both. If word of these… events reached anyone, even Charles or my sisters, my reputation would be ruined most dreadfully and all my prospects destroyed."

Elizabeth frowned. "And is this secret, Miss Lucy, of such a nature that it may harm anyone of our acquaintance?"

"It can harm no one but myself, Miss Elizabeth, I assure you of that. For this matter is very much in the past and can have no chance of resurfacing. I only wish to share it with you as a possible explanation for my actions."

"Miss Lucy, there is no need for this confidence," Jane insisted. "Neither I nor anyone in my family bears you any ill-will for your encouraging your family to move back to London at the time. If this secret is truly so damaging, I beg you will not force yourself to reveal it out of any obligation."

"I'm afraid that I do feel an obligation, Miss Bennet; not to yourself, but to my dearly beloved brother. Nothing would make him so happy as to see his wife on good relations with his family. I cannot speak for Caroline or Louisa, but I wish to begin our relationship as sisters with honesty and not misunderstandings. If once you hear my secret you feel that you must inform my brother of it, I will not stop you. Your morals and character are more to be trusted than mine. I extend this to you as well, Miss Elizabeth."

"If you wish to confide in us, Miss Lucy, we shall certainly not stop you. Indeed, your faith is flattering."

"I thank you. I promise that my story is not a very long one, but you may be quite shocked when you hear it. It all began when my family and I arrived at Netherfield…"