It may have been a month of peaceful solitude when Elizabeth watched her daughter ride unaccompanied from Pemberley on her usual white mere. She watched carefully as her daughter dug her heel into the horses flank and sent off at a gallop, she smiled happily. Her daughter had the same determined nature as she used to possess in her younger years but she also saw with that some small sources of pride. As it was, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy was not unaccustomed to a proud nature for her husband had once been one of those people. But she loved him and she loved her children, she could not disrespect either of them for being proud, they would soon overcome it. Through James Richardson Elizabeth knew that Rebecca would or if she had not already, realise that she had her own flaws.

Before her daughter set out on an afternoon ride toward Lambton she was already aware that Mr Richardson had returned to Eastfield Park. He had been absent for such a time that Elizabeth thought him not to return. Her husband however, immediately contradicted her story of Mr Richardson's abandonment of the home and informed her of his return. It was not that she was being an unfit mother to her daughter it felt to Elizabeth that Rebecca needed to meet him unawares - that would surely make her understand her feelings.


Rebecca rode casually through the Pemberley estate on her return to her home. She was pleased that she had not happened upon anyone during her ride and as she rode at the side of the lake she looked upon the grounds of her familiar home.

She was happy and content as she rode silently taking in the scenery but as a gunshot echoed through the grounds her horse was not so content. In fright the mere raised on her hind legs throwing her mistress from the saddle.

In the distance, a gentleman sat upon the back of his familiar horse. As the gunstot echoed through the ground he whispered reassuring words to the horse. It immediately calmed adue to its master but as he rose his eyes he saw the terror that unfolded in front of him. The horse that carried Miss Darcy, the daughter of the richest man in Derbyshire threw the woman from the saddle. The Gentleman sat up immediately staring at the respectable young woman as she fell through the air and landing in the lake at her side.

"That lake must be at least eight foot deep!" He said to himself. As he said this he kicked his heels into the horses flanks and headed for the water side. He watched the water surface uncontrollably looking for the young lady of status but as he rode closer he realised that she had not rose above the water. That was surely an uncertain sign for anyone who does not surface will surely die.


A/N: I thought that I should be kind and leave this story at a cliff-hanger before telling you all that I am not going to be updating so often. I have just started my exams so I will try and squeeze in a bit writing every now and then but I make no promises. It saddens me too to think that you cannot know what is to happen to Rebecca, be assured that I will update this story as soon as I can find time to do so. I remain your servant in writing,

Darcylover