This is my first attempt at fanfiction. I have always wanted to write a book but never gave much thought till now. Nervous about how this will come out but look forward to comments and suggestions. Thanks to my sister in law who started to read this form me... brave woman!
Chapter 1:
Lyn Bennet was a typical socialite mom and being from the south of Georgia, she had drilled into her head manners, etiquette and social graces from a young age. When she met the older Mr. Tom Bennet in England many years ago, it was love at first sight. She moved immediately and never looked back. Tom had fallen in love with Lyn's southern charm and was never averse to raising an eyebrow or two. It was no shock to his family bringing home a young woman, from the southern states of America no less and have her be 14 years her senior. Tom's sister, a Mrs. Jennifer Collins, welcomed Lyn with open arms and commented many times to Tom that their mum would have loved her grace amongst their friends and family and her manners. It was these social graces and etiquettes that she eventually deemed were worth passing along to her daughters.
The Bennet's lived on a large plot of land with a sizable home that Tom had inherited from his grandfather. The farm that occupied much of the land was still productive and added to the profits that Tom brought to the household from his other love, books. Tom had been an editor and he also wrote many different book on various topics. When the Bennet's found out they were expecting their first child, they never feared for lack of anything including house space. Though the house was over a century old, there were many different bedrooms and lots of space that a child could find amusing in their youthful exploits. As the years progressed, Lyn and Tom welcomed their first child Jane with ease, mourned when Tom's sister passed at a young age, endured when Tom's brother in law took Tom to court for the Longbourn estate property when an older version of Tom's sister's will surfaced. The years were challenging but were filled with many memories for Tom. In Tom's eyes' Lyn was always that southern belle he fell in love with. It wasn't till their second child, a boy, being still born that Tom started to see a slight change in Lyn. She worked effortlessly to educate Jane as best as she could but grew worried that Jane would be the only child she gave Tom. This worry eventually started to weather on their relationship but they survived.
Another year passed and Lyn found herself expecting again and gave Tom another girl, Elizabeth. Lyn knew from her many conversations with her husband that he wanted a boy to pass on the family estate to. With two girls and losing her only boy thus far, Lyn started to feel nervous of letting her husband down. This nervousness was taken out on Elizabeth. To Tom though, Elizabeth was everything. She was the apple of his eye and he doted on her. He started teaching her everything that he could at a young age.
Lyn eventually found out she was expecting again, and once again added more female blood to the Bennet line with the birth of Mary. Very quickly, two more girls, Catherine and Lydia were added to the Bennet brood. After Lydia was born, Tom looked at Lyn and said, "With five young ladies to care for and encourage, do we want to try for another?"
Lyn was adamant to try for the boy she dreamed of. She mentioned to Tom her dreams of one more… her large family on the estate. When she found out she was expecting again… She was overjoyed. Then, while 'dealing' with one of Elizabeth's independent streaks, Lyn started to feel pains in her abdomen. She thought nothing of it and continued to berate her high spirited child of 7. Later that week, Lyn was taken to the hospital. After a series of tests, found she had stage 3 cancer in her uterus and that her positive pregnancy tests had only been the tumor. She had her uterus removed and began mourning for the ideal family she would never have.
With time, Lyn healed both physically. Mentally from the way Lyn acted you would think she was from a different era not the 21st century. Since it was only daughters she gave the world she spent many of her years focusing on making them appealing to the other sex infusing the lessons passed on to her of etiquette and grace. It was her job or so she thought that she should help encourage them in their personal relationships. Over the years Tom had continued to do well to provide for his family. He loved each of his girls and doted on each of them but not in the same way as he did the oldest two. Jane was his first born. She would always hold a special place in his heart as that. She also was a kind and generous soul. He cherished the memories of when she was younger and sitting in his lap listening to her papa read. But Elizabeth was his pride and joy… the apple of his eye. It was to her that he entrusted the history of the Bennet family and the running of the Estate when he was away for any of his book conventions or the like. As she grew, Elizabeth was the one Tom encouraged to skip ahead in her education and to go to college for more than one degree. It was Lizzy, in her mother's twisted way of view that was the reason Lyn did not have her ideal family.
Since Lyn did not need to work outside the home, she spoke often to her sister in law, Mrs. Lucas when not trying to run her daughters' lives about the trials she now faced without a son present in her family. They also shared every tidbit of gossip that could be had. She somehow felt entitled to everyone's business and felt she was authorized to be involved in everyone's business that happened in Meryton and Hertfordshire. As far as all of Meryton was concerned, Lyn was a busy body but one of the more prominent and wealthy busy bodies. At the end of the day, Mrs. Bennet's goal was always the same… take her wealth of knowledge and use it to the best advantage for her family.
Over the years, Lyn became pretty adept and being one of the first to know when new blood was coming into the neighborhood. New blood meant furthering her goals for her daughters… seeing them settled. Jane now 26 with her blonde hair and blue eyes and calming disposition never gave Lyn any heart ache and generally abided to her mother's wishes. Catherine (Kit to her family and friends) and Lydia were what Mrs. Bennet was in her younger years, flighty, fun and carefree but with a sense of decorum. At 19 and 18 respectively, they grew up behaving in a wild like manner and everyone mistook them for being twins despite the 11 month difference between them. Mrs. Bennet's middle child, Mary was just … well… ignored… There was not much to this child. No life or enthusiasm just very plain and stuck in her ways. Mary at 20 had some time to develop those things Mrs. Bennet believed but not much. No… The daughter that still vexed Lyn was Lizzy… and it was upon her that Lyn would unleash her unhappiness upon.
In Lyn's eyes, Elizabeth was outspoken, too educated and had a manner that was seen as flighty. Lyn had made sure that Elizabeth had good social manners and etiquette but there was this spark about her that always had driven Lyn mad. Others had told Mrs. Bennet that her Lizzy was a free spirit and was one of the most enjoyable people to be around. Lizzy could hold her own in a conversation and be independent. It was these things that Mrs. Bennet had worked for years to stamp out of her child. Even though Lizzy went to college and had gotten her masters at a young age, at least it was in Fashion design, thus appealing to Mrs. Bennet's thoughts knowing that while everything else about her most trying child, she would never have to worry about the way she dressed! Lyn never thought about the good that would come from the Business degree Elizabeth held as well which allowed Lizzy to slowly overtake the running of the estate from her father. She just focused on what Lyn deemed as important for this daughter…the one that in Lyn's mind had stolen her dreams. Lyn had worked on breaking Elizabeth since she was little to be the young lady Mrs. Bennet wanted and Lyn had tried EVERYTHING she could think of…but… Lizzy still kept some of that spark. Mrs. Bennet knew that if she found the right man to encourage her second daughter, get her out of her home, and that maybe Elizabeth would settle down but who could hope for all that. If Mr. Bennet knew some of the things that his wife had done over the years to try and stop Elizabeth's wild manners… he would have left her on the spot, but she could not dwell on that… no. The obsession was now starting to dominate Lyn's life…She must find husbands for all her daughters.
Chapter 2
Their mother had practically shoved the girls out the door that Saturday night for the latest gossip Lyn had heard of the new tenant residing in the Netherfield estate. Of course … Their mother immediately thought her Jane being her pride and joy that she was could draw this man's attention. "Jane… you have to be there…!" Lyn had exclaimed to her daughter earlier that week on the phone.
"There had not been a tenant there that has caused this much excitement in 5 years. You know many families had been in the place and had moved out during the summer months but there was no one looking long term to lease." Lyn exclaimed.
"Mum… we cannot just drop everything this moment but…" Jane had started to declare but was met with more of her mother's effusions.
"Mr. Charles Bingley is the hottest news in Meryton and he is to bring some friends from London as well when he come up here. This was the other important piece of information I had to discuss with you. Since he is bringing friends, you have to drag that sister of yours. I know that anyone of them will just be mad about you Jane dear. But Lizzy… She must met someone!"
"Mum" Jane exclaimed, "Remember Lizzy met that young man you set her up with a few weeks ago. We were already planning on coming home this weekend because he is working the Meryton Club this weekend."
"Well it would do her some good to expand her horizons… but at least she has listened to my advice like you do my dear, dear girl..." Lyn exasperated. Elizabeth and Jane knew their mother's main purpose of practically dragging them out of their shared apartment on this night to visit their home in Hertfordshire but no one dared to mention it. Why this woman was stuck in the 19th century was lost to anyone but as long as she was happy, the world could exist in peace. So Elizabeth and Jane drove the few hours it took for them to go from London to Longbourn for the weekend. As soon as they arrived that Saturday afternoon, they were immediately face to face with their mother pep talking the situation especially for Jane. Lizzy had a whole different experience since she had been on a blind date with George Wickham 2 weeks ago. How her mom had found him was beyond Elizabeth. Normally the guys she set her up with were trolls and very high handed when it came to their dating partners… but Lizzy had enjoyed the date despite it being her mother's idea. They had several pleasant phone conversations as well and Elizabeth was for once hopeful that maybe something might come of this. Lizzy was reminded by her mother that she was nowhere near as beautiful as Jane or her youngest sisters with her short stature, slender but voluptuous body, and her darker complexion, hair, and eyes. She had to do her best be appealing now that she was seeing George to keep him interested.
"Remember Lizzy…" Lyn had stated, "you have to be quiet, hold your opinions, and respond to what he says. Be interested in his interests and be sure to not state your opinion too strongly. And for goodness sakes don't eat fattening foods while out. I know God gave you those curves but you do need to try and take them down a notch or two. And for goodness sakes, do not state anything about his job. He may be a bar worker but at least he has a job. He just lost his previous job when the veterinary hospital closed."
All Liz had been able to do was nod. There was no point in letting her mom hear the sarcastic remark that was dying to escape her lips regarding how her mother's manners might be portrayed to all of society. She knew that once Lyn had said her peace, Lizzy would be able to continue to live her life as she pleased. Life away from her mother was allowing Liz to experience new freedoms and she appreciated no longer being worried of what might befall her if she should displease her mother. Now the club with the music pounding through the walls, was in full swing just like every Saturday night at home and Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were out working the dance floor joined by their cousin Charlotte Lucas dancing their cares away!
The Meryton club, known to the locals as Meryton was always the place to be on a Saturday night for the local community and it was pretty much a guarantee that the Bennet girls would make an appearance. Generally it was the youngest two who frequented the club now that they were of age, but when Jane and Elizabeth traveled home, they tried to make an appearance if just to catch up with Charlotte. The small local club being mainly a special place for locals had its many secrets and stories. The wooden walls and warm glowing lights at the tables that surrounded the dance floor gave the place a warm and inviting home like feel to the bar. The dance floor was up a level on a platform with colorful lights suspended from above the ceiling swaying back in forth in time to the music. The bar itself was a long wooden U opposite the dance floor and close to the entrance. At the opposite was a smaller wooden U housing the DJ booth and sound equipment for the karaoke night the club would put on for the tourists twice a month. It was always clean and well managed and generally never sparked any extra attention like some of the clubs in London. The authorities could be seen having a pint on the weekends instead of performing an arrest for unruly behavior. This Saturday night was no different with the music blaring in background with the latest song from Ciara with Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte drawing eyes in the middle of dance floor as they swayed their hips to the pulsing rhythm.
Suddenly, the awkward heavy door opened noisily… something that only happened when someone new who didn't know the door's secret to being opened, a tiny button on the top of the handle, without making a scene. Into the club walked two tall gentlemen. One had reddish brown hair and was well built for his stature. He was not as tall as his friend but could easily be noticed above the crowd. He had a light hearted nature about his face and appeared excited to be there. The other taller gentleman had dark brown hair and tanned skin. He was also well built for his stature and with his darker features made the energy around him more mysterious. After the door closed, most of those who had turned to look to see who had invaded their sanctum focused back on why they came to the Meryton; to drink, cut loose and have a good time! Few eyes stayed on the two gentlemen longer. Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte were among them. Charlotte leaned over and mentioned, "The one with the red hair is Charles. He brought his friend here too that we met when Dad was signing papers with them two days ago. His name is William Darcy. Charles has a sister staying with him too but I don't see her at… oh wait…" Charlotte paused.
As the three continued to stare, a tall but thin woman came into the club. She was dressed in an awkward shade of orange that did nothing for her hair which mirrored her brother's. "There she is… Her name is Caroline."
"What is up with the orange?" Jane asked. "I might not be the fashionista that Lizzy is but I can even tell that with her hair color, she should not be in that dress!"
Lizzy just smiled at Jane knowing that while out of the three of them, even though her fashion designs were beginning to take major notice all across the world, all three girls knew how to put together a killer outfit. She just shrugged and suggested to the two, "Who cares what she is wearing… I want to dance and if we can encourage any of the fine specimens that walked in before the fashion disaster to notice us… I would say that we had a great night!" With that the three moved from the edge of the floor where they had been dancing to the center. They did not notice that 4 sets of eyes set upon the women.
William Darcy was taking in all of his surroundings enjoying the ambiance of the club and still chuckling silently to himself as Charles made such a ruckus trying to open the door. Darcy wondered if the button on the top of the handle had anything to do with how to make the door operate in a more behaving manner when his nose was assaulted with the large amount of perfume Caroline frequently wore.
"Oh my goodness… what backwater did we just walk into Darcy?" Caroline stammered to him.
Charles and Darcy stared at his sister in disbelief as Charlies responded to his sister's utterance "I have no clue as what you are referring to Caroline, but I intend to have a great time and just relax amongst my new neighbors."
Darcy just stared at the two siblings for a moment before he returned to taking in his surroundings. Compared to the Clubs in London that Caroline dragged them to, the Meryton Club was charming he felt and not at all what he expected to find out in the country. Like Caroline, he had been anticipating a dingy pub given the state of the old front wooden door and lack luster exterior of the building but was very pleasantly surprised. Maybe my time here won't be as trying as I imagined… 'Maybe I can finally relax and move forward from all the crap of the last year' when an alluring figure started to move on the dance floor. He started to just stare at the wonder in the middle of the club and did not notice Charles sliding beside him. "Just look at that Angel in the middle of the dance floor Darcy… just look at her!"
Darcy could not respond back… he just stood there gawking at the brunette in a tight blue spaghetti strapped dress that accentuated every curve next to the blonde in a short little red number that he knew Charles was staring at. She was stunning. Her luscious curves being hugged by the blue fabric, her curly dark auburn hair being tossed around by her dancing, and her stunning smile which seemed to light up the room. He was entranced as he watched her hips move to the beat of the music. He smiled and made to turn to the bar trying to still stare at the goddess before him. Caroline, however was still directly behind him and practically threw herself at him when he turned. "Caroline, what are you doing still standing directly behind me? "
"So… so…. Sorry Darcy." Caroline spluttered out still startled at her sudden closeness to Darcy. Will knew that she had desired him since Charles had roomed with him at Oxford. Caroline made no movements to escape his close proximity but actually started to sway to the music as her demeanor changed to what Darcy saw as awkward. "Come on … Dance with me… if we are going to be stuck HERE… we can at least try and enjoy each other…., "Caroline purred oddly.
"Caroline… MOVE! I want to get a bloody ale at some point this evening." Darcy clipped back at her.
He was in no mood to placate her and her antics this evening. He wanted to just sit and watch the goddess in the room as she moved and swayed. As Darcy made his way to the bar, he kept his eyes on the stunning creature swaying her hips. Darcy was no stranger to beautiful women but this one… she took his breath away. He was a wealthy man with a strong family background that had been known in England for centuries. His father owned a very successful company that dealt with many small businesses. It was sort of a co-op. A community of businesses that worked under a common umbrella to have notoriety but each made their own name for themselves. The Darcy family were not just the CEO's of the umbrella cooperation but many family members including Will had their own dream business set up within. Being a member of a prominent family and a prominent business caused him to draw the public eye often. Will often found himself on the front of the society section of the news. It was not helpful when all he wanted was to live a low key life doing what he loved. He had dated but it all ended the same. They wanted the money or the fame that came attached to the Darcy legacy. It had been several years since he had been in a serious relationship with Anne DeBourgh. It had ended well between them and they were still friends but her mother never helped by constantly flooding the society section with rumors that her daughter and he were something more. Caroline was another one… one who only wanted the life he could provide.
No… as he continued to stare and reflect on the beautiful creature on the dance floor… no one has every just caught my attention like her…It was her smile her ease that just lit up the room. Her eyes portrayed her delight at just being free to be her. There was something there that he could see in her manner that reminded him of his mom and her vivacity of life but the way her expression changed as she danced; it was almost as if she was nervous of letting true self be seen in the middle of so many people. Darcy could easily relate to this feeling. She was a siren calling to him in her own subtle way. Darcy remained transfixed and never noticed someone approach him. "What can I grab for you sir?" the bar man asked.
Darcy, still not looking directly at the man addressing him asked for an Old Peculiar.
"Come now man…. That is not what I recall you drinking back when we were in the Blues! I recall you drinking Bateman's XXX… losing your touch old man?" the bar keep stated knowingly.
Startled suddenly at how someone here could know something that specific about his habits, Darcy turned and found himself looking at the face of his long time childhood friend George Wickham and about had his jaw hit the floor.
"Wickham… you bastard! What are you doing here? Last I heard you were still holed up in Ramsgate!" Darcy exclaimed with a wide smile on his face.
"Ah! That was from the last time we emailed Darcy, about what… 7 months 8 months ago. I have been on the move again since the merger. Been just living life, enjoying whatever it brings. Was working at the veterinary hospital just up the road but, that place closed down for good. So now I am pulling pints on the weekends till I open my new clinic in London… How is the old man?"
"He is doing well. Retired finally about 6 months ago! He is golfing and spending lots of time with Gigi." Will answered. He knew his father had not heard or spoken of George for the last 7 months but considering everything going on in the family, his dad retiring and George's tendency to waltz out of their lives for a period before coming back… Will thought it unlikely that George and his father had corresponded in any manner since the year before at the fall festival the Darcy Corporation held for its families and smaller businesses. Will had George on his social media as well as email and was able to keep track of some of his comings and goings but with His taking over the business 7 months back and finally taking over at his father's retirement party, he had sadly been negligent in talking to his friend for the last half a year.
"Ah… how it Georgiana? Last I saw her she was just blossoming into adulthood… Must have been the last time I was at the house for holiday… what 5 years ago…!" George spluttered.
Will was startled by this question thinking of how he had just left his sister a few days ago and the state she was in. She was better from whatever the ordeal was that she went through, the problem was she was not talking to him about it. She normally told him everything but this time, she was confiding in their father. When William addressed his father about his concerns, George Darcy just calmly stated that Gigi was doing ok and when the time was right they would sit as a family and discuss… But now was not that time. She had been like this for months but it was never time for them to talk… It was frustrating for William to not be there for those he loved and he hated feeling out of control. The last time he felt like this was when his mother finally had passed away from her ordeal with Cancer. Georgiana had been 6 and will and just entered Oxford. While he was 12 years older, Will had always shared a very close bond with his sister as he took care of her while their father took care of the business and their mother. Will was at a loss as to how to answer to George thinking of how close they had been when she was young and the three young men came home from Oxford during long holidays. 'George always made her feel so special… paid attention to her and her games.' Darcy was so lost in thought that George had to wave a hand in front of him to get any response.
"She is doing ok considering." Will mumbled becoming aware again of his surroundings.
"Considering what? Is she ok? Will you guys are the only thing close to family I have left in the world… Tell me what is going on!" George demanded.
Will knew this was the truth. George came to every holiday function once their close friendship had formed those many years ago. Bingley being newer into their lives came to many family events but still had his sisters and their family… George Wickham's family had all passed in a tragic car accident many years back. He had been bounced from foster home to foster home till he was able to go to through scholarship go to the same private school as Darcy. Darcy's father had then taken in George for the 4 remaining years and sponsored him through university. Because the Darcy men had all been involved in the A-Capella group in one way or another, he sponsored George to be part of this tradition so he could be near his son. George helped manage their events for unlike William, he could not sing a note. William had been awarded a scholarship due to his abilities as a baritone singer. That was when Charles had been added to the friendship for it was tradition for first years of the Oxford A-Capella group 'Out of the Blue' to room together in the house. It was because of this small connection that bound Bingley, Wickham and Darcy together now for the last 10 years since. Will and George had remained close up till this last year but Bingley drifted away from his friendship with George shortly after college in part that unless you were right there, he was horrible at communication. In knowing how close they all were, Darcy felt like he could also share the troubles he had discussed with Charles… He could trust his childhood friend.
"It is hard to say because she won't even talk to me about it…" stammered William. "She has just shut herself off from the world it seems. She is better than she was several months ago but whatever happened she is scared to talk to me about it. Its frustrating George. She has always been able to talk to me… even those things that a child would be scared to tell their parents, she confided those secrets to me. She snuck into my room to sleep when a storm frightened her! She shared her grief with me when mom died. She shared how she felt about dad and his reluctance to be a family again. I …. I… I just don't get it!" Will said frustratingly.
"Don't worry man. She will come around… If there is one thing I know about Darcy's, it is that they always bounce back." George asserted, though the tone was lost upon Darcy.
All of a sudden the goddess that Will had seen dancing bounced up to the bar.
"Hey George! Glad you are working tonight… care to bring me a glass of my favorite?" She teased.
"Certainly doll. Hey Will, let me introduce you. Lizzy, my long time good friend and old college roommate, William Darcy." George stated.
William bowed towards her slightly mesmerized by the beauty that was before him. He was lost in the liquid pools of amber that he barely heard George's next words.
"Will, my girlfriend, Ms. Elizabeth Bennet."
At these words… Williams's world crumbled! Girlfriend!