AN: Hi everyone thanks for the support and questions! To everyone who keeps asking is this an Elizabeth/Darcy story it is, but we have the flashback to give the readers backstory as I have changed some familial relationships around. I know I said 5 chapters of flashbacks, but as of right now it looks like there will be 6 Chapters. Be sure to review! -T

Granville House, London

September 1794

Mr. Bennet had to meet with his solicitor one more time before they headed back to Lyme Park until the New Year. Bennet walked into the office with a smile and greeted his solicitor, Lawrence Harrington. The gentlemen made small talk for a few minutes and then went straight to business.

"All you need to do is sign these papers, and Wooten Lodge and the house in Berkeley Square will officially be yours and our business will be complete," said Mr. Harrington.

"Mr. Harrington, I cannot thank you enough for handling the details of the purchase of Wooten Lodge for me while I dealt with my family emergency. There is one more item I need you to attend to -- I want to set up a trust to start saving for my daughters' dowries."

"Anything, Mr. Bennet. Thank you for your advice for Edward's transition to the landed gentry!"

"Oh, has Edward found an estate to let?"

"No, he has to take a look at his options, but he has it narrowed down to three estates based on the recommendations you made to him of what to look for."

"Which three estates is he thinking of letting?"

"Harden Hall in Dorset, Tapton House in Derbyshire and Ashley Manor in Cheshire."

"Ashley Manor is a fine house and would do well for Edward. It is only but 15 miles from Lyme Park."

"Oh well, sir, I shall let Edward know of your praise of Ashley Manor, and make quite sure that he goes to see it soon."

"Please do, and make sure he knows he has an invitation to stay at Lyme Park, when he visits Cheshire."

"Thank you for your kindness, sir, I will be sure to inform Edward."

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Lyme Park, Cheshire

October 1794

The next few days passed by uneventfully, and the Bennets were all packed and ready to travel to Lyme Park, their estate in Cheshire. The trip took three long days and everyone was very pleased to be out of the carriage, none more than the three-year-old, rambunctious Elizabeth, who darted out of the carriage, and jumped down without assistance, as soon as the footman opened the door. As she jumped down, she immediately collided with their housekeeper, Mrs. Yardley.

"Elizabeth!" shouted her father.

Lizzy stopped immediately.

"Ladies do not run in and out of carriages, and for good reason! You could have injured Mrs. Yardley."

"Sorry Mrs. Yardley, I did not mean to, I just wanted to get out of the carriage."

"It's okay, Miss Elizabeth," teplied Mrs. Yardley.

"Now, Elizabeth, you are going to come to the study with me, and learn a pastime that does not include traipsing about the estate," Mr. Bennet said, with a twinkle in his eye, and began walking inside the house.

Elizabeth huffed, frowned, and followed her father into his study. Once they reached the study, her father picked her up and took her over to the bookshelf.

"Lizzy, pick out a book."

"But, I cannot read."

"Yes I'm quite aware, which is why I'll be reading to you."

Lizzy looked and picked a brown book with a red stripe and gold lettering. "This one," she said.

Robert pulled out the book out and read the cover. "The Odyssey. Good choice Lizzy, but I dare say we won't finish this anytime soon; it is a long book." Robert started reading the book to Lizzy and she was captivated immediately. He reads to Elizabeth until he stops at the Athena prediction.

Lizzy says, "Keep reading, Father, I want to know if he finds his father."

"That is the end of the first book dear Lizzy, I'll read more for you tomorrow. We have to get ready for supper."

Elizabeth kept going to her father's study each day, to hear more of the story. Soon she was able to read a little by herself. Even though Elizabeth loved walking with her mother, on rainy days you could find her with her father reading. Soon it could be considered one of her favorite pastimes.

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The once the family had settled into a routine, Sophia had begun helping Lucy with Mistress Duties, and was proceeding excellently. All Sophia had to master was the art of conversation with strangers, so being present with Lucy for morning calls was a necessity. A fortnight after they had arrived, Lucy and Sophia were in the drawing room working on their embroidery, when Mr. Yardley announced Mr. Edward Gardiner to Mrs. Bennet.

"Mr. Gardiner, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have met your father and he speaks very highly of you," said Mrs. Bennet.

"Likewise, Mrs. Bennet, my father speaks very highly of you also."

Sophia stood up, but had yet to look up from her embroidery, so her sister nudged her and said, "May I present my sister, Miss Sophia Bennet."

Sophia curtseyed and looked up. It was the handsome stranger that she saw in the park and outside Madame Devy's. She blushed. Lucy smiled and arched her eyebrow at her sister.

"So Mr. Gardiner, what brings you to Lyme Park?"

"Well, I am looking for an estate to let, and your husband highly recommended Ashley House, and when he offered to let me stay here, how could I refuse?"

"You're staying here?" asked Lucy.

"Yes, well, maybe not. I must have misunderstood Bennet's letter inviting me here, if you are not aware of it."

"No, Mr. Gardiner, make yourself comfortable."

Sophia looked at her sister and smiled, while her sister had a scowl on her face. Lucy rang for Mrs. Yardley and told her to prepare rooms for her unexpected guest and asked for her lady's maid to come into the drawing room. Once Marie, her lady's maid, arrived, Lucy excused herself.

"I hope I haven't caused too much trouble for your sister."

"Mr. Gardiner, do not distress yourself; your arrival did not cause her an issue."

"Then why did she leave so quickly?"

"She just went to find my brother and give him a piece of her mind for not telling her of your pending arrival. So you see, sir, you are not to blame, but my brother is."

"Well, if Mrs. Bennet is half as fierce as she looks, I dare say I would never want to be on her bad side, or yours."

"Me sir? I dare say that I am not as lively as Lucy."

"I do not believe that, Miss Bennet; your sister must have influenced you in some ways since you have met. Pray tell me, how long have you know Mrs. Bennet?" teased Mr. Gardiner.

"I met her ten years ago, but she's only been my sister for the past five."

"Ten years and her personality has not influenced yours?"

"Well, I am fond of walking now, but I fear I am not a great walker like she is."

"Would you be interested in showing me around some of the grounds tomorrow? I've never been to Lyme Park and the surrounding lands looked so beautiful."

"I would be delighted to show you around, but we will have to go in the early morning, as I have to attend to my sister tomorrow."

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"That dress is very becoming of you," Mr. Gardiner said as he approached Sophia and the ladies' maid Marie. Sophia blushed and curtseyed to Mr. Gardiner. He bowed in return.

"I thought it best to take a short path before breaking our fast, so as not to be late for breakfast," said Sophia.

"Yes, I dare say that is a fine idea."

They walked along the path in amiable silence, with Mr. Gardiner paying immense attention to Miss Bennet. They remained silent in their walk until Miss Bennet spoke up and said, "The weather is very fine for a walk today. I hope it holds for your trip to the estate."

"I thank you Miss Bennet, I hope so too."

"Mr. Gardiner, I remarked about the weather, now it is your turn to say something."

"That is a lovely tree over there. Will that do?'

"We can stop and observe it if you wish."

"No, thank you, I'm observing something much more lovely at the moment," he replied, staring into Sophia's green eyes with his brown ones.

Sophia blushed but did not look away this time. This time she stared back into his brown eyes and smiled. "We should start back to the house."

"Can we go on another walk tomorrow?" Edward asked.

"Yes," replied Sophia.

The happy twosome realized the hour was getting late and turned around to walk back to the house. Little did they know they were being watched by Robert and Lucy.

"I dare say that we may not need a season in London to find Sophia a husband," Lucy said.

Her husband replied, "I do hope so, you know how I hate town."

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Ashley Manor, Cheshire

October 1794

Later that day, the men set out to Ashley Manor on horseback. Ashley Manor was a decent-sized estate that brought in about 3500/year. They arrived at the great house and met the housekeeper, Mrs. Davies, and she showed them around the property. The house had ten bedrooms, a drawing room, a small dining room for about ten people, a library, a study, and small ballroom. The housekeeper offered them tea and refreshments after their tour, which they gladly accepted.

As they were waiting for their horses to be brought around for their departure, Robert asked Edward, "Did Ashley House satisfy your expectations?"

Edward said, "This property seems to be the best I've seen by far. It is small enough for me to learn without being overwhelmed and it is in good condition except for the roof over the family wing of bedrooms."

Robert replied, "Ah yes the house seems to be a fine house, but the fields are another matter; they are overgrown and some are planted wrong, so in the spring there will be a lot of work."

"I think she will like it," Edward said softly to himself.

"Pray tell why you were more focused on the inside of the house than the fields?" Robert said, overhearing Edward's remark.

Edward blushed in mortification.

"Could it be you wanted to make sure a certain young lady would be happy in a house such as this? I do hope that you do get on before her season in town to save me a trip and money."

"May I have your permission to court Miss Sophia?"

"You may, but you must ask the lady in question."

"I shall," Edward said as he mounted his horse to go back to Lyme Park.

"Edward!" yelled Robert.

Edward stopped and turned around.

"You may want to wait until you have known her for more than one day before you ask," Robert teased

"Right!" Edward replied, trying to hide his embarrassment at his own eagerness.

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Lyme Park, Cheshire

October 1794

Meanwhile, back at Lyme Park. The ladies had just finished receiving the calls for today and gossiping about the latest fashions and who's who of the ton to prepare Sophia for her upcoming season. Lucy decided it was now or never to inquire about her sister's growing affection for Edward Gardiner.

"What qualities do you want in a husband?"

"What?" Sophia replied.

"I think you should think about qualities you want in your husband so I can help you navigate through the ton and find some potential matches, so tell me."

"That is a good idea. I guess I want someone who is handsome, kind and amiable."

"That is all?"

"Well I would want my husband to be smart and we could talk about books and play chess."

"And you need someone you can respect. If you can respect your husband you can love him," Lucy said.

"That is a good idea, how did you come up with it?"

"My mother told me that right before the ball of my first season. So, Sophia, how do you feel about Mr. Gardiner?"

Sophia blushed and said, "He is very amiable."

"Amiable? That is all? I'm married and I think he is rather handsome."

"He is handsome, I will agree to that."

"And smart -- he beat your brother in chess."

"Yes is he is."

"Do you think you could respect him?"

"Yes," Sophia said.

"So you would consider him for a husband if he asked?"

"Yes," Sophia said softly.

"Good, because I'm pretty sure he's smitten with you and I would have warned him off, if you did not want his attentions," replied Lucy.

"But I've only known him a day!" cried Sophia.

"When you know, you know, and no one is going to make you get married tomorrow; your father will probably insist on a month courtship and a month engagement minimum, after your sister ran off."

"Well, we do not even know if he will propose."

"He will," replied Lucy.

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Dinner was an interesting affair. Lizzy and Jane joined the rest of the family because it was a small, intimate affair. Lucy was at the head of the table with Jane to her right and Edward to her left. Next to Jane was Lizzy, and their father was at the foot of the table. Sophia was next to Edward and her brother. Her brother completely ignored her to talk with Lizzy about the Odyssey, and Lucy ignored Edward and talked to Jane of drawing and painting. The dinner companions had been set. Sophia and Edward were not-so-subtly forced into talking to each other -- not that either minded one bit.

Edward turned towards Sophia and told her the good news. "I have found that Ashley Manor is to my liking, except a few repairs which I wrote to the owner about fixing before I let it."

"That's exciting, sir. When will you take possession of Ashley Manor?"

"I will be letting it as soon as the repairs and paperwork are done. I must get back to London in a few days, after I hear back from the owner and meet with my solicitor. Now all I have to do is find a house in London."

"Congratulations on Ashley Manor, sir. If I am not mistaken, I thought you had a London townhouse now?" replied Sophia.

"I do but it is in Cheapside, you see, and I am trying to move to the landed gentry. That address is not fashionable enough."

Robert butted into their conversation. "I dare say, Edward, that I have another house in town that I recently acquired, because it came with Wooten Lodge. I do not need it. Would you be interested in taking it off my hands? I will give you a fair price."

"Where is it located?"

"Berkley Square"

"I will take a look at it and let you know once I get back."

"I'll save both us a trip and go to town with you; I have some business in town. I think this causes for a toast!" Robert rang for the footmen to bring champagne.

They did not separate the sexes after dinner, but retired to the drawing room. The groups broke up in the same fashion as dinner, with Lizzy and Robert reading together, Jane and Lucy playing the pianoforte, and Edward and Sophia sitting on the sofa making small talk about the weather for the next day for their walk. Edward was trying to get the courage to ask to call on Sophia when he got back from London, but he realized on their walk tomorrow he would have a better opportunity.

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Over the next few days their walks became the highlight of his and her day. He rose each morning accompanied by Marie most of the walk, though she had a habit of walking much slower than they did so they would have some alone time. Sophia suspected that her sister had put Marie up to it. The day before Edward had to leave for London, Edward did not mind Marie getting lost. He had yet to ask to call on Sophia when he got back from London. The Ashley Manor would be fixed by the time he got back from London, and he would have no excuse to stay with the Bennets anymore. Sophia started the conversation.

"How long will you be in London?"

"I should only be there a fortnight."

"Will Ashley Manor be finished in time? I'm sure my brother and sister would not mind you staying a little longer."

Could it be? She didn't want him to leave. He had been there for a sen 'night. It's now or never, Edward, he said to himself. Ask her can you call on her when you return.

"Sophia, you cannot have mistaken the attention I have been paying you these past seven days. I hope that you will do me the honor of letting me court you when I get back from town?" Edward froze. His tongue had gotten away from him; he only meant to ask to call on her, not to court her -- it was too soon and she would say no.

Sophia stared at him blankly.

"Forgive me madam, I must have misread your feelings towards me completely. I take my leave of you." Edward turned around and walked away.

"Wait! I thought I was dreaming. Yes, you may court me!"

Edward walked back towards Sophia and bent down to kiss her, and Marie showed up and cleared her throat.

"I think it is time to head back to the house," said Marie.

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News of the courtship was shared with Robert, Lucy, Jane and Lizzy. Robert and Lucy already knew the news was coming and happily congratulated the couple, however Lizzy was less than pleased.

"You're going to take away Aunt Sopy, and we're never going to see her."

Jane nudged her sister. "Be nice."

Robert went to intervene but Edward held his hand up to stop him.

"Lizzy, I like your Aunt very much and I would never want to take her away from you. We will always have room for you, Jane, and Mary wherever we go, if you want to visit."

Lizzy was pleased with this answer and hugged her Aunt's suitor.

"I hope Grandfather does not give you a hard time," Lizzy said.

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Longbourn

October 1794

Henry Bennet, upon finding out about his daughter's courtship with Edward Gardiner, a tradesman, was livid. When his son showed up to Longbourn with his daughter's suitor, Henry pulled Robert into the study to talk alone, and Mr. Gardiner was left to be entertained by Mrs. Bennet.

Henry yelled at his son, "How dare you tell me that I failed my daughter, and she needs to find someone of her sphere, when you bring me back another tradesman for my other daughter!"

Robert replied, "Fanny ran off with a man with no means to provide for her and he is a rake! Edward is leasing an estate to run before buying one! He doesn't need her money! And he is well respected!"

Henry retorted, "What of his family?"

Robert replied, "He is related to the Harringtons, his father is the second son of Lord Ridlington and his mother is a gentleman's daughter from up North. She passed away when he was a child. He is an only child."

"Why is his last name Gardiner?"

"You should ask him," replied Robert.

Robert walked out of his father study and broke up Edward's tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet to drag him into his father's study.

"Mr. Bennet, I understand that you don't approve of me because I am in trade, but I can provide for your daughter without using her dowry. In the marriage settlement I will leave her dowry to her or settle it upon a second son. I am leasing an estate and, I hope, afterwards I can buy one of my own."

"My son already told me this on your behalf. I am curious to know why do you not mention your connections to get what you want?"

"Well, my father was mostly dependent on my grandfather for extra money. He, as a solicitor, made enough to keep us comfortable, but for any extravagance he had to apply to my grandfather. For my education at Eton, my father had to ask for assistance from my grandfather, who obliged. I did not like being dependent on anyone for money, so I took my mother's dowry that was settled on me and bought a business. My grandfather and father both disowned me until I had made enough money to get an estate of my own."

"Why is your surname Gardiner?"

"I had to drop the Harrington name when I went into trade in order to get my mother's dowry. My grandfather paid for it because he didn't want me sullying the Harrington name."

Henry glared at Robert, who had a smug look on his face, and then turned back to Edward. "How can I refuse such a man to court my daughter? You have my permission."

"I also would like your permission to marry Miss Sophia."

Henry arched his eyebrow. "Why do you need my permission to marry now?"

"I am sure I want to marry your daughter, and I thought I would save both of us a trip from me coming back in a month."

Henry briefly considered. "I will give you my permission on three conditions: My daughter says yes to your proposal, you marry after the New Year, and you bring the settlement papers to me to review within a fortnight."

"Why do we have to marry after the New Year?"

"Her sister eloped last month and is with child. Sophia's marriage cannot be rushed or the gossip will start over again."

"Agreed." Mr. Gardiner reached into his bag and pulled out the settlement papers he had drawn up by his father in London and handed them to Mr. Bennet.

Henry chuckled at this and said, "A gentleman is always prepared."