Glancing about her small cell there was a small stool, the cell door and hay which covered the floor. A bucket lay in the corner, she scrunched her nose in disgust. She couldn't bear to chance a glance out the window where a few minutes before she saw her father leave her life forever.

After a short time in the cell Elizabeth sitting with her legs and arms crossed heard muffled whispers outside her door. She stood and walked closer to them in hopes of greater understanding. Once again she heard a voice from before and the all too familiar voice of her captor.

"Master, I think you should talk to her, charm her perhaps?" She now noticed a French accent in his voice.

"No Lumiere, it would be insupportable to charm the prisoner." He growled.

"Whyever not? It's not as though you have any other options. She is so beautiful and I'm sure if you spoke to her you could find some common interests." He pressed.

"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humor to give consequence to ladies who are confined to the walls of a cell, sitting in hay and grime." Elizabeth covered her mouth in disgust of this creature. He was no man. She would sooner accept any proposal from Wickham than this monster.

"Well master, think of how easily you could change that. This entire house, dozens upon dozens of bedrooms available. Surely she does not have to live in the tower." A tint of hope filled the Frenchman's voice.

"Perhaps not, but this changes nothing." The beast walked to her cell and briefly saw her retreat to where she previously had been seated. He worried over how much she may have heard from his previous conversation, but paid it little mind.

"I'll show you to your room."

"My room?" She looked confused.

"What do you want to stay here in the tower?"

"No." She said softly.

"Then come with me." He lead her down the stairs and into the main foyer which she entered upon arriving. It was only just earlier that same day and how much had happened. Once they reached the grand staircase they turned right and headed upwards yet again. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Lumiere was giving advice to the master regarding how to speak to her.

"Give her some assurance, or rather some condolences regarding the situation...Comfort her."

"I hope you like it here." Instead of responding Elizabeth merely stuck her nose in the air. The beast then looked to his friend who he had been holding saying, "I was right not to press her." Lumiere simply moved his "arms" in a way to give him confidence in easing the tension.

"Pemberley is your home now, you can go anywhere you'd like, except for the West Wing." He seemed welcoming, almost friendly until he corrected his statement which sounded almost militarian.

"What is in the West Wing?" She asked.

"It's forbidden!" He yelled. They continued down the hall in silence when they reached a blue door with golden inlays he opened it and mustered the courage within himself. Remembering all he was supposed to learn during his lessons on manners while a schoolboy.

"Will you join me for dinner?" He asked his voice peaking at the end of the sentence.

"Perhaps, however I am quite tired. I make no promises regarding my attendance this evening."

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would be able to make it this evening." He turned and walked down the hall before she could respond. "Insufferable presumption." She thought. As she turned about her room she was taken back by its simplistic beauty and comfort. It reminded her greatly of her room at Longbourn which she shared with Jane until she married. While this was much grander, the decor and bedding did not flaunt the wealth which was apparent in this family. She collapsed onto her bed and sunk into the pillows as they engulfed her. She faded further and further from consciousness until she was gone into sleep.

She awoke by the sound at the door. Not one knocking, but someone attempting to gain entry. She moved from her bed to open the door and found a teapot and cart, but none else nearby. Elizabeth called into the hall, startled when the response came from inside the room.

"Hello dear, I am Mrs. Reynolds." Elizabeth appeared taken back, confused, intrigued.

"How are you alive? Are you alive? Perhaps after the events of this day I am simply going mad."

"You appear quite sane to me my dear. Yes I am a talking teapot, but I assure you there is no need to be afraid of me." The emphasis on the last few words hung in the air. Uncertain as to ask the question she so desperately wanted to ask, her impertinence forcing her to ask anyway.

"But is there reason to fear the master?" She asked with real concern for her own well being.

"Well dear, I have known him all his life. I have seen him at his best and at his worst. I will be fully transparent if you'll allow me. He has been through a great deal. It is not my place to be specific on that matter, but know that there is greatness within him. He needs only encouragement and motivation to seize it." After realizing how much she spoke she amended her statement slightly. "I apologize here I am rambling."

"That's quite alright. It is nice to have a friend here."

"Forgive me, it would appear I've forgotten my manners. What is your name Miss?"

"I am Elizabeth Bennet."

"Well Miss Bennet, that was a very brave thing you did today. It shows admirably on your character." Elizabeth flushed slightly. When her wardrobe came to life she nearly jumped back.

"We all think so Miss."

"May I ask your name?" She directed her question at the now talking wardrobe. Something until seconds previous she never thought possible.

"I am Lucy. There is nothing remarkable about me. Not like Mrs. Reynolds over here." She said gesturing to the teapot.

"Oh fiddle faddle. Now that we are all acquainted, shall we assist you in preparation for dinner?"

"I am uncertain as to whether I should attend. I would prefer to remain here in my room."

"I understand it has been a long day, but are you hungry? Perhaps you could go downstairs for a few minutes."

"Oh alright. I don't suppose you have anything I could change into. The roads were rather quite muddy and my hem is approximately six inches deep in mud from my ride here this morning. And I should like to fix my hair as well."

"As a matter of fact we do. Lucy?" The wardrobe opened and began to show her dresses of every color and many styles, all of which fit her marvelously by some kind of magic. They settled on a simple white gown patterned with small red roses and a modest neckline. The roses in honor of her father. The white because it reminded her of the dresses she wore at home. Or rather what was once her home.

When it came to her hair Elizabeth insisted she could pin it back on her own, but Mrs. Reynolds insisted. A few hairbrushes came to life and started chattering about everything and nothing at the same time. Elizabeth felt at home hearing all the gossip, but usual Meryton chatter dealt with more than just herself.

When she looked into the full length mirror which stood beside her vanity she was well pleased and turned to Mrs. Reynolds for directions to the dining room.

"Of course, follow me Miss Bennet. I promise these hallways will become easier to navigate with time." Elizabeth chuckled for the first time since arriving. After a number of turns and lengthy hallways passed, they came to a stop at a pair of double doors ornately adorned with intricately molded gold. Next to the door stood the master anxiously awaiting her arrival allowing him to enter for dinner. He didn't offer her an arm, or paw which may have kept both of their interests in mind. The doors opened and he walked in, she followed. He sat at the head of the table and her placement was at the other end.

Before he touched his food the beast was overcome with emotion. He walked to her end of the table. Falling to his knees beside her chair he pleaded.

"Elizabeth, will you marry me?" His face contorted in anguish. A tint of desperation in his voice. "I know it's all of a sudden and despite that your family is significantly beneath that which I was raised into. I am willing to set these things aside for you to end my inner turmoil." She felt her mouth drop.

"If I could feel gratitude I would so express it, but none such gratitude exists from such a deplorable proposal." She stated while looking to the creature before her whose glance fell to the floor.

"Might I inquire with so little endeavor of civility I am rejected?" He asked as he walked back to his own seat.

"Sir, firstly I have not given you leave of my Christian name. Secondly, you most likely used my Christian name since we have spent less than fifteen minutes in each others company and you are ignorant of my family name. Thirdly, I had not known you a minute before I knew you were the last man in the world I could ever marry. Your actions have not been the way of a gentleman. Need I remind you we met today only after you had taken my father prisoner and have now taken me captive. Not to mention that you yourself called me "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you"" she said in a deep voice mocking his own. "An innocent I may be for the rest of my life, so be it. I would rather never marry and never taste the pleasures of this life than be chained to another who I could never love or respect."

"And why might that be?" His teeth grinding under one another. Sometime in the last five minutes his entire body had begun to tense up. He now held a fork standing straight up on the table held firmly within his grasp. He looked like a, well a beast about to go for the kill.

"You have no heart. You are a cold, unfeeling being. You demonstrate no compassion. You don't know the love of a parent. Or the love of a sibling. I will always put my needs of my sisters before my own because sir, that is what you do for family and those you love. You love no one and in return, you are loved by none. Today I lost the chance to be present for my sisters' weddings. Or to meet their children. To marry and to mother my own children. And I will face the effects of this decision for the rest of my life, but to ensure their safety I would do it again. I would do it a hundred times if it meant that none of my sisters would be forced into the hedgerows or into a loveless marriage. I may never love a man in that way, and I can accept that, knowing their love can sustain me." Her voice became hoarse at the end of this speech as she was holding back the tears which engulfed her.

He tensed further at her words which hit him deeply. He had failed as a son and brother. His family's legacy tarnished due to his unfeeling and selfish nature. Yet here before him stood a beautiful, confident, smart woman and he was dumbfounded. She took his breath away. And he pushed her away, she was on the verge of tears because of his callous words and unfeeling actions.

"You are right, I do not know the love of a sibling. I squandered any opportunity that I had to love or be loved by someone close to me in that way. You are fortunate Miss Elizabeth to have such a strong family. But I have known friendship, it was a long time ago. They probably no longer remember me, but I remember the laughs shared and the memories made. And Miss Bennet, I did experience the love of a parent. I might not have recognized it at the time, but this life of solitude allows one a great deal of time for deep thought." He stood from his chair and left the room. Elizabeth left shortly thereafter having lost all appetite.

Mr. Bennet arrived to the village of Meryton where he was promptly removed from the carriage which transported him there. It was nearing dusk. He quickly found his way to Longbourn to explain the situation to his daughters. It was Jane who appeared to have been walking who first saw him. She ran to greet him.

"Papa! You've returned. But without Phillip and Lizzy! Where is my sister?" Her face contorted with confusion and anger.

"Jane, perhaps we should get inside there is something that I must tell all of you and I would prefer to say it all at once. It will be quite painful to tell you. But I must." He was still coughing.

"You are frightening me know father."

"There is nothing I can do except tell you the truth." They arrived inside and called the bell for Hill to gather all of his daughters in the Drawing Room. All of the remaining Bennet girls (or Mrs. Bingley in Jane's case) quickly sat down. Mr. Bingley sat beside his wife. Kitty and Lydia sat beside one another. Mary sat alone while Mrs. Gardiner sat near her brother in law.

"Well my family, I am certain that you are curious as to why I called you here. I can only do this by relating to you the events of the last few days. Mrs. Gardiner did you inform my daughters of the events which took place on the docks?"

"I did sir, I hope you did not think it an intrusion."

"It was not. They deserve to know. Thank you for telling them." Mrs. Gardiner nodded. Mr. Bennet continued. "What you do not know is what happened after I left Manchester. I was on the road. Phillip and I were both doing fine when we became lost, then a ravaging pack of foxes came upon us guiding us if you will to a grand estate. Well I went inside and much to my surprise found the objects within to be alive. I am aware of how this sounds, but it is true. I quickly departed despite the storm which had already soaked me through on my way in.

I noticed a garden full of red roses and after Elizabeth had asked for one I wished to bring her gift. When trying to free the flower I cut myself on the thorns" he showed his wrapped wound. "Then a monstrous beast jumped in front of me, dragging me to a tower. Holding me prisoner until your sister found me and begged him to allow her to take my place. Then he sent me away in a carriage and I was dropped off in Meryton." All of the faces in the room appeared to have become somber indeed. None quite so gloom as Jane Bingley who was always cheery and positive, now seeing the effects the last few days had brought upon their family. Bingley was now firmly holding Jane's hand.

Mr. Bingley was the first to speak, "When in our sister Elizabeth to be freed?" When Mr. Bennet didn't respond all gazes turned to the floor.

"Why did she take your place father? Why didn't she leave." Lydia asked.

"Because I was sick, because of the entail. She wanted you all to be safe. She did not want to see you thrown into the hedgerows or into a loveless marriage. She loves you all do very much. I only wish I had taken better care of her." He brought his hands to his face, but then began to cough again.

"Father I think you should retire to your room, you could use the rest."

"How can I rest Jane when she is a prisoner to a monster?" His voice echoing through the house. All eyes quickly found their way to the floor. Mr. Bennet was a man who keenly felt emotions, but his expressions however were rarely shown. His daughters each exhibited this trait to an extent, none so much as Jane. While Elizabeth keenly felt, she often relayed her emotions to anyone who wronged her, brought her joy grieved her, etc… After a moment Mr. Bennet dropped his head into his clenched fists in resignation.

"First your mother, and now Elizabeth. I know I promised her not to become distraught, but how can one find happiness in a world full of turmoil?" His hands separated and began moving up and down for emphasis. It was Mary who replied.

"Father, I understand there was a time in my life indeed when I would begin to relate this grievous time as a trial which we face in life to test our fortitude. But I cannot do so now. I can say this, Elizabeth is the strongest person I have ever had the fortune of meeting. She made her choice willingly and with a complete knowledge of the consequences of said action. She wanted the rest of us to live our lives without worry for her. But what she didn't know is that we are the Bennets of Longbourn where family always comes first. Despite squabbles, fights and tribulations, we stand here united in a cause and we will find a solution. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but I promise father we will return Elizabeth and we will do it together. That is what mama would have wanted." Mouths were agape, faces in full astonishment as the magnitude of the words spoken by Mary Bennet. The woman once accused of being awkward or shy in company was no more. She had blossomed into a spitting image of the best parts of her parents and elders sisters, but she was still her own person. And she was going to bring her sister back, no matter the sacrifices she would have to make.

Author's Note: Hey y'all! So our leads have had a wonderful crashing of ideas. If any of you noticed the original French Version in here let me know! I'd love to hear from you. We shall see if this proper set-down takes effect in the next chapter... To everyone who reviewed this week thank you. It has been very well appreciated. I'm glad you guys like this story as much as I do. It has been so much fun to write, I am finding joy in writing again and it is thanks to all of you who have continued to support me. THANK YOU! See y'all next week, I promise everything will get less angsty soon. Have an amazing day. I love you guys so much. Love yourself.

-Camille