Around the same time Lizzie and Charlotte were soaking up some rays at the beach, a young man named Fitzwilliam Darcy was helping his best friend Charles Bingley and his sister Caroline move into their new estate. William Darcy and Charles Bingley were such opposites it was hard to believe that they could even tolerate each others company, let alone be best friends. Charles Bingley was a friendly, outgoing young gentleman where as William Darcy was hardly tolerable.

Usually, one persons first impression of the Mr. Darcy was that he was extremely prideful and he hardly made an effort to make small talk. Therefore, people concluded that Mr. Darcy must think he was better than everyone else and that his companionship wasn't worth the effort.

Charles Bingley was probably the only friend that knew the real William Darcy. Instead of being prideful, Mr. Darcy was actually just a little shy and had a hard time striking up conversation with people he didn't know very well. Some people were just too quick to judge him.

"Now William, isn't this place amazing?" Exclaimed Charles. "Its even bigger than the one we looked at in London."

"Yes Charles, its definitely something else." William smiled. His friend sure could be enthusiastic over the simplest things. Charles was always content with wherever he was though. Even obnoxious neighbors couldn't put a damper on his spirits.

Sometimes William wished he could be more like Charles. He also thought most people probably wished the same thing.

"Oh William, you are staying with us for a few months right? Everyone here is probably a bore and I will most likely not enjoy ANY of the company here… except for yours of course." Caroline Bingley said.

"I believe I am. But I must leave once I receive word from my sister. She is going to stay with our grandparents for a fortnight and I must take her there." William spoke briefly.

He could hardly tolerate being in the company of Caroline Bingley. Unlike her brother, she was undoubtedly the most pretentious and pompous lady he had ever had the acquaintance of.

And to make matters unseemly worse, Charles had made subtle hints that Caroline has romantic affections towards him. There was no way that he would ever grow such feelings towards her in the future or any time.

Truthfully, William Darcy hadn't had a lot of experience with many ladies. At balls, Darcy would never participate in dancing and would pray that he would become invisible among the other people. As a result, he stayed near the shadows of the walls. Sometimes though, he would longingly watch his best friend laugh and dance with several ladies and study their facial expressions while Charles talked to them.

He saw how their faces would light up when he made them laugh. He even saw sometimes the light pink crimson creep onto their cheeks when Charles would say how lovely they looked that night. William Darcy figured no one would ever look at him that way.

It wasn't that he was dreadful looking. Actually, he had a rather distinguished face. His hair was light, brown, and wavy. He also had soft and insightful big brown eyes, and a straight nose. He was tall and dressed in the latest, sensible fashion. He wasn't even poor!

William figured that the way people, especially women, gossip, his character was already in question. Sure, he had caught young women gaze at him from across the room, but once they figured out who he was, they quickly turned their heads. It didn't bother him too much. Instead of dwelling on those matters, he spent his time studying literature and writing many letters.

He felt that he was better at expressing his feelings on paper than he could in a real conversation. Writing gave him the ability to fully think about what he wanted to say and how to say them. Sometimes when he spoke, he talked rather fast due to his nervousness. He often said things he later regretted.

"William, think of it, staying with us will give you an opportunity to work on your conversational skills. I'm sure there will be plenty of balls where we can meet our new neighbors. Now, you need to dance with some of the ladies." Charles insisted. "I'm sure once Caroline makes some new acquaintances, she will properly introduce you to at least one of them. Then you must ask her to dance."

Caroline shot Charles a glare. There is no way some penniless girl is going to spend any time with my Darcy… not if I can help it. Somehow I am going to get William Darcy's attentions if it's the last thing I do. I just need to figure out how.

William, completely oblivious to the glance shot at Charles, was lost in his own train of thought. Maybe Charles is right. I'll just have to step out of my comfort zone and attempt to be friendlier. This could be a fresh start for me, a chance to make a new impression.

"William, are you alright?" Charles said as he waved his hand in front of William's face.

"Yes I am fine, sorry. I suppose I was just thinking. Your right, this could be a good opportunity for me… for all of us." replied William.

"Well lets finish unpacking and we shall take a ride in the carriage to town." Said Charles.

He smiled and gave his friend a friendly pat. He hoped that staying with him and Caroline would help him feel more comfortable around new people. He knew that William was a respectable gentleman who deserved a new start.

He also wished that someone would come into his life and give him the adoration that he believed William longed for. Charles had caught William observing him dance at various balls with young ladies. Charles hoped for a girl that would be able to look past his shyness and sometimes stubbornness. A girl who would fall for the read Darcy; his best friend.

Who knows, maybe she will have a sister!