Chapter 1

Some days she felt anger, most often she felt shame and guilt, and then there were those blissful moments when the joy she remembered refused to be ignored, but this morning she felt fear. He was here in Hertfordshire!

She hurried back to Longbourn, as quickly as she could, and immediately began searching for her mother. Mrs Bennet was just coming down for breakfast. "Mama, we have a problem. It is such disastrous news. Those newly arrived gentlemen from Netherfield Park… those you have been talking about nonstop; they bring us doom. They were riding across the meadow. I recognized him! Oh dear, I must come up with a plan. Why is he here?"

"Lizzy, dearest what has got your nerves in a dither. You are usually so calm."

"Papa must be persuaded to help. Everything, absolutely everything, could be exposed. We are once again in danger of being relegated to the hedgerows."

"I am certain it is not as dire as you imagine."

She whispered the dreaded news, "Oh but it is. I saw Mr Darcy."

Her mother reacted as her daughter knew she would. "Oh, my nerves. What are we to do? I pray we are able to talk some sense into your papa."

"He must not be allowed to dismiss this dilemma with his usual sarcasm. Take a deep breath. We must try to be calm."

Mother and daughter arrived at Mr Bennet's library filled with fierce determination and closed the door firmly behind them. Miss Elizabeth Bennet spoke first. "Papa, our family is in great danger. Mr Darcy is a resident of Netherfield Park."

As expected, her father's face was absent of concern and instead the amused look he often displayed when enjoying the foibles and imperfections of others was present. "Would that be the Mr Darcy you eloped with five years ago?"

"Mr Bennet, this is not humourous. This entire family, with the exception of you, is dependent on Lizzy's folly not being exposed."

"Papa, listen to your wife. My mistake resulted in a solution, albeit a deceitful one, for our family's entirely too precarious situation, should you die. You have the responsibility to protect us."

"Why me? You were the one who eloped."

"Mama and I have long since owned up to our culpability for allowing my fall from grace to happen, but that was in the past. This is now; I am not able to go to Netherfield and speak with Mr Darcy… nor is Mama."

"So, what do the two of you expect me to do."

"Nothing too strenuous. I want you to ride to Netherfeld, introduce yourself to… I think his name is Mr Bingley."

Mrs Bennet started to chatter about other things on her mind. "That is what Lady Lucas heard. He is reportedly a bachelor with 5,000 per year. She had not heard the name of the other young man, but he is said to also be a bachelor and has 10,000 per year." She sighed a little before adding plaintively, "I had such hopes for my daughters with this letting of Netherfield and that news."

"Mama this is not what we need right now. Yes indeed, your least dutiful daughter was once married to a very rich man, and failed miserably at keeping him. However, now I need both of you to focus on the task at hand."

Elizabeth Bennet had long been her father's favourite. She stood directly in front of him, captured his eyes and said, "Papa, listen to me. After you introduce yourself to our neighbour; do the same for his male guests. Your most important goal is to hand Mr Darcy a note from me. It will instruct him to meet me privately so we are able to find a solution to this dilemma. I have to hope his being in Hertfordshire is all just a dreadful coincidence and not an attempt to expose me."

Mr Bennet did as he was requested, but not before he forced his daughter to entertain him by asking for his cooperation several times and only then agreeing to comply. He arrived and applied to meet his neighbour.

He was shown into the house's study by the butler who said, "Mr Bennet of Longbourn." There were three men looking at maps spread out on the desk. He knew immediately which one was Mr Darcy, and thought he saw a bit of concern cross his noble mien. He should not have fought Lizzy so hard, but this could prove to be a rousing diversion.

Mr Bingley seemed an affable sort of young man—and very fashionable. He took Mr Bennet's card and shook hands. He then introduced his brother-in-law, Mr Hurst, and his friend, Mr Darcy. His first impression of Mr Hurst resulted in the suspicion he was an indolent sort who enjoyed food and wine in quantity—especially if he had not paid for it. His favourite daughter's husband for a month was much more sedate and less fashionable than his friend—although it was clear his clothes were of the best quality. His face definitely displayed anxiety, and obviously he knew who was addressing him.

"We have also been visited by Sir William Lucas. He informed us there is to be an assembly in three days," said Mr Bingley.

"Yes, I have heard that as well. I rarely go, but may make an exception now we have new neighbours. You will not be able to meet Sir William's oldest daughter. She is on her honeymoon after recently marrying my brother, Mr Edward Gardiner." He watched carefully for a reaction, and was rewarded with a twitch from Mr Darcy's eye. "However, you will be able to meet all five of my daughters if you should choose to attend." He had rarely seen a man so uncomfortable.

"I am definitely planning to attend and make the acquaintance of the people of Meryton. My guests may choose for themselves, but I hope they will be sociable."

Mr Bennet smiled at his erstwhile son-in-law. "Mr Darcy, I feel as though you and I have met before."

"I do not believe so."

He shook his head in consternation. "Did you attend Cambridge? I was at Christ's."

"Yes, both Mr Bingley and I were there That is where we met, and we have been great friends ever since.".

"My son Edward will also attend. Perhaps it is just something in your air that led me to know we had this in common. Or maybe someone described someone much like you to me once."

After savouring the reaction those words elicited from Mr Darcy, Mr Bennet was successful in slipping the tightly folded note Lizzy had given him into his hands during the final round of handshakes. He left smiling at his accomplishment and looking forward to teasing and tormenting his daughter with Mr Darcy's reaction.

Darcy excused himself soon after Mr Bennet's departure. Explaining to Charles he needed to write to Georgiana, he left to read the note and collect his thoughts. The shock of meeting her father had truly impelled him to communicate with his sister. Suddenly the hypocrisy for the way he had reacted when she confessed to him about the planned elopement with Wickham needed to be addressed. If it had been anyone else, he would not have responded with such anger toward her. Though he could not condone her actions, he knew perfectly what inspired her to accept the love of another. He owed her an apology and compassion. But first he would read what he assumed was Miss Elizabeth's—he was not certain that was the name she used, but he felt more comfortable thinking of her as such—note.

Mr Darcy,

I believed and hoped I would never see you again. Your father made it clear to me that was what you wanted. I have scrupulously lived up to the terms of our agreement.

We need to communicate as soon as possible in order to ensure no one learns of our connection. I suggest you meet me tomorrow at dawn, atop Oakham Mount. Anyone in the stables at Netherfield will be able to give you directions.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet

The address he thought proper obviously was the one she preferred. He was unaware they had made an agreement. His father had spoken to him for days about duty to his family. After about a sennight, he revealed her shameful behaviour at the Rose and Crown. That is where she had been taken while his father determined the particulars of their elopement. Next, he was told Mr and Mrs Gardiner, her aunt and uncle had come to collect their wanton niece. He remembered his one act of defiance was demanding he be present for her departure though his father did not want him there. The last image he retained from that day was her tears as she looked back at him when their carriage left. Mr Bennet had said Mr Gardiner had recently remarried. That must mean her aunt had died, as had his father. Two of the people who knew of his youthful folly were gone. The last memory he entertained before writing his sister was his father's word that he and his brother the judge would be able to secure an annulment.

The sun was just appearing over the edge of the horizon as he reached the clearing at the top of the hill called Oakham Mount. She had spread several blankets on the ground and came prepared with tea in a crockery jug, mugs, and rolls. Lying next to her on one of the blankets was a massive sight hound of some type.

"This is Compromise. My Uncle Philips procured him to end the arguments between my mother and me about walking unaccompanied at dawn."

"Is he as fierce as he looks?"

"I believe so. We have yet to have to fight off brigands. My uncle told my mother he was given him by some unsavory types who indulged in bear baiting."

"That has been illegal for quite some time."

"I am certain you are correct, but my mother bought his endorsement."

"So, your mother does not worry about your virtue?"

She looked at him and sighed at his probing. "No, she gave up protecting my reputation about five years ago. My lone walks are truly the last vestiges of my obstinate behaviour. It is though what started it all as you might remember."

"Started what?"

"My becoming disreputable. Have you no recollection? I was sent away to school at fourteen. My Aunt Maggie suggested it to promote peace. She arranged for me to attend Mrs Hackwell's school where she went near Lambton."

"I remember. You were homesick and you told me walking calmed you."

"Yes, on both counts. So, you did not lose your memory of all that was between us."

"Most is gone. It is better that way."

"How fortuitous you were able to forget."

"My father became very ill soon after… My time was spent learning to manage Pemberley before he was gone."

"When you happened upon me at the falls, I was very much missing my family and their love. Afterwards my mother, my aunt, and I all blamed ourselves for my foolish behaviour. They allowed me to believe I was not so totally alone… not as I had been at the Rose and Crown."

She gave him a moment to say something, but he did not. "We all agreed, even though I was headstrong and willful, I was not particularly flirtatious—so none of us expected me to be one to elope. I have never divulged all that occurred In Scotland… I am certain my mother would be shocked, as you obviously were upon reflection." She stared off across the meadow.

He was unsure to what she was referring. Her act of betrayal with Wickham happened in Lambton.

"Who would have thought all it would take was someone reading Rousseau's 'Reveries of the Solitary Walker' to me and telling me I was witty and pretty for me to agree to the most wanton behaviour?"

He felt her anger, she seemed to be blaming him. He was not prepared to acknowledge those memories. Instead, he allowed his mind to immediately think of Georgiana and how unprepared he had been for her considering an elopement. She too had not seemed the type—though she certainly had been lonely and craving affection. They sat in uncomfortable silence. Compromise had put his head in her lap and she fed him bits of her bun. Darcy sat drinking his tea for several minutes before he asked, "You wrote in your note about an agreement. What did you mean?"

Her look became adversarial, but after a few seconds she replied. "You know as well as I do your father gave my uncle 5000 pounds for me… if I would agree to leave and never see you again. Other than my parents, I was to tell no one about our eloping and marrying in Scotland."

He tried to remember if he had heard this during those trying times, but he honestly had no recollection of his father telling him. The fact that she accepted such an amount must be proof of mercenary behaviour, not to mention the already known lascivious way she had been seen acting with Wickham. They were two of a kind. That youthful Fitzwilliam had been such a poor judge of character. "I was unaware of the agreement."

"No one knows but my parents and my uncle. Mr Davies, my aunt's father, a haberdasher in Lambton knows some… as does Rose of course.

Darcy knew Mr Davies, but who is this Rose she mentioned? Should he be worried?

"Not being able to speak of what happened with my sister has been so difficult. I was able to confide in my Aunt Maggie in the beginning, but since her death, I have had no one."

"I have told no one either. Mr Bingley and I are close, as is my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and neither knows of our folly. I promise Miss Elizabeth; it is a very well-kept secret. My father was scrupulous when it came to duty to our family's honour. He told no one."

His voice had dripped with arrogance as he defended his father. Her thoughts as he spoke were of George Wickham, and Mr Johnson, and Mrs Younge of the Rose and Crown. What did they know about the elopement? She decided not to raise them and moved on to another point she needed to address. "There is one other request. Your father also said he would procure an annulment. I have no proof of it happening. It must have been more than a year before my uncle wrote. He had other things to care about—with the new baby and his wife dying giving birth to her. The lawyer he was told to communicate with in an emergency knew nothing of either a marriage or one being set aside."

"I do remember my father speaking of this. His brother is a judge. I was told he would speak to an archbishop or someone. You must understand Miss Elizabeth, my father became ill almost immediately after we returned from Scotland. He would have passed before Mr Gardiner wrote. For my part, I heard nothing more about it. I will speak with my uncle, Sir Alistair, next time I am in London."

"I want proof we are not married. If either of us should want… were to marry, we would not welcome someone knocking on our door accusing us of bigamy."

Anger surged through him at her response. Were her words a threat? Was she considering asking for more money? His tone was curt when he spoke. "I have said I will look into the matter."

An edge of distaste crept into her next utterance as well, "I must return home… too many people may see us together if I linger.

He nodded his agreement as he replied, "yes we must remember propriety."

His thoughts of proper appearance struck her as insensible. He did not even know if they were still married. She wanted their time together to be over, but his arrogance had given her a solution. "You must attend the assembly. I plan to go with my entire family… well not my little brother, but both my parents and sisters will be there. I ask you to find a way to insult me to someone from Netherfield… Mr Bingley will do. Ensure I am within hearing distance. I will take the ruse from there."

"What should I say?"

"Something like the company at the assembly is beneath you. That would be good for a start. Perhaps you could remark about my supposedly being a beauty but to your eyes I am barely tolerable. Any of those will do. Another might be to say you refuse to dance with young ladies who are rejected by other men. I often do not dance so that insult will be a reasonable observation."

"Everyone will think I am proud and arrogant. They will despise me."

"That is what I am hoping. I will make certain your wounding of my vanity will be all those assembled will speak of. No one will have a thought about us having a previous acquaintance."

"I never knew you were so skilled at deception."

"Sometimes life makes it necessary. Please, Mr Darcy, do as I have asked you." With that she rose, packed up her things and walked down the hill with Compromise at her heels.