This has Lizzy and Darcy but the whole storyline is different so please review and this is my first fanfic so PLEASE go easy on me..would appreciate all the advice i can get...

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, they belong to Jane Austen

Prologue

Elizabeth Bennet knew she was nothing special to look at. At the awkward age of 13, she had the usual frizzy dark brown, almost black hair, problem skin and she could afford to lose a few pounds. The only thinking she really liked about herself were her eyes. They were a beautiful blue, somewhere between azure and turquoise. However everything else about her was so non-descript that these were easy to pass over. All these thoughts ran through Elizabeth's, or Lizzy as she was more commonly referred to as, head as she gazed critically at herself in a full length mirror while she dressed herself for yet another one of her father's parties. God knew he threw enough of them, being a very important owner and ceo of a significant company. Luckily this would be her last for a while seeing as she was going to be leaving to live with her Aunt and Uncle in Europe and attend school there. Her mother had died of cancer when she was a baby and her father had raised her (with the help of nannies) but now he wanted her to experience new places and people and her relatives were eagerly waiting for her arrival, scarcely less so than Lizzy. She would miss her father of course but she was excited for the opportunity to start fresh where she would not be known as the wealthy heiress who would one day inherit billions instead of continuing at the elite New York school she had been attending up until now. She tugged at her sleeveless pink baby doll dress, that ended with a flare just above her knees and tried to smooth her hair down before slipping on her shoes and rushing to the door.

"Miss Lizzy, your father is waiting for you in the foyer" Samuel their butler informed her as she shut her bedroom door

"Thanks Sam..how do I look, will I pass?" Lizzy did a quick twirl.

"Absolutely divine Miss" he informed her with smile and a wink, as per their usual pre-party routine. Lizzy grinned and ran off to meet her father who stood waiting for her in his immaculate tuxedo.

" Sorry I took so long Daddy" Lizzy apologized as soon as she was close enough to speak.

"that's ok honey, i know how you like to primp" he helped her with her shawl " you look lovely".

"thanks Dad… You look quite dashing yourself"

"dashing? wow preparing for your soon to be new surroundings?" They walked out together and got into the waiting limo. " You know, you don't have to go if you don't want to." he began once again.

"Dad, i thought this was something we both wanted!" She protested.

"Yeah well I'm not so sure anymore. I cant remember what made me think that sending my daughter half way across the world for an extended period of time was a good idea." he huffed. Michael Bennet was a tender hearted father and was very close to Lizzy, his pride and joy. Although he knew this was going to be a wonderful experience, he also knew that he would miss his daughter terribly. Lizzy chuckled at her father's words and shook her head.

"well at least promise me you'll let me know if you're homesick and i'll come and get you right away" Michael took her small hand in his.

"I promise Dad. I'm going to miss you too. I just feel like this is something i need to do. I don't wanna spend all my time being surrounded by those air-headed bimbos from my school. All they care about is being up to date with all the latest fashions and shopping like crazy. I wanna be around people who know that there's more to life than manolo blanks and gucci. I mean com on, I'm 13!"

"well i guess i should be thankful that my daughter doesn't make it a habit of maxing out her credit cards"

"Dad, you haven't even given me a credit card yet!"

"well you're too young for one. Besides you're given a very generous allowance that covers everything you need and when you're 18, then we'll talk. You need to learn the value of money before you go spending it"

" I'm ok with that..just so long as I can have the pretty black one the day i turn 18" she said with a wink. Michael laughed out loud and gave her a hug. Lizzy smiled and turned to look out the window. It was a beautiful summer evening, not too hot and not too cold. Leaving New York would not be easy. She loved everything about New York, the people, the landmarks, the restaurants, the bookshops. She shook her head as if to clear it and tried to focus on the positive reasons behind her move. The Limo pulled up to the Hotel where the event was being held. Jim, their longtime chauffeur, quickly stepped out and opened the door for them. Michael stepped out of the car and turned to help Lizzy out. She would her hand through her father's arm as she walked in, not looking forward to the evening. She wasn't exactly shy but spending time with her father's colleagues and friends was hardly promising. There would be few people her age as the common custom was to leave the young ones at home with their nannies, a custom her father had ignored for quite a while now. They walked in together into the beautiful room. Chandeliers glittered almost as much as the many diamonds that were worn around the room. They were met by a few people near the door and soon her father was swept away to meet and greet some of New York's wealthiest. Lizzy sighed and reached for a flute of ginger ale. She took a sip and slowly gazed around the room, finding some familiar and not so familiar faces. She always liked to stand in the corner, perfect to see and not be seen. That way she could observe everyone to her hearts content.

"Hey squirt!" a familiar voice broke through her thoughts

"hey Richard" Lizzy turned to him and grinned. Richard was a family friend and had recently began working for her father's company, something his own father had been doing for many years already. He was 9 years older than her and she had suffered many nougies at his hands, or should I say fists.

"Already got a headstart I see..what trying to break a record and get drunk before Mr Douglas?" he nodded towards her glass

"It's ginger ale you loser" she rolled her eyes at him " and I'd have to start drinking before breakfast if I wanted to get drunk before Mr Douglas"

"Yeah sure…I know you, you've been sneaking alcohol since you could speak. Your first word was vodka" He reached for some champagne and clinked his glass with hers"

"well if it was, that's because you taught it to me" Lizzy retorted with a grin. Richard paused mid-sip

"can't arque with that..just don't let that bit of information get back to the parentals or I'll follow you to Europe and tell every guy you like that you're actually a cross dresser and your real name is Larry"

"very funny Richard"

"Hey Lizzy" a deep voice cut in. Lizzy turned her face to look at the person who now stood beside Richard hoping, once again that her feelings weren't written all over her face. She quickly swallowed her ginger ale as she faced one of the main reasons she was happy to go to Europe. He was tall, gorgeous and looked at her like a little sister and probably always would.

"Hi Will" she replied.