The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/N Thanks for the reviews and the interest. Mrs. Bennet is no worse than many mothers out there, unfortunately. Too bad she is not the only villain in this story. Note: COL Fitzwilliams is younger her, PP happens later. In here he was Major, just guessing.

Meryton 1808

Elizabeth walked toward the stream, she wanted to dip her hot feet into the cool water, and maybe, if nobody were about, she would sneak a short swim in a somewhat hidden cove where the stream formed a pond.

Impulsively, she took off her garments and left her chemise on. In a graceful dive, learned during her trips to Germany, she dove into the cold waters. Joyfully, she frolicked and played in the water, reminding the watcher of a young seal pup. He sat in a rock to enjoy the enchanted nymph's games, and to admire her graceful swimming strokes and her lovely figure.

He heard a rustling behind him, "Major, what do we have here?" The young soldier saw Elizabeth and whistled in admiration.

"Turn around and leave immediately and forget what you saw." The officer barked, scaring the soldier away.

Elizabeth heard the voices and froze, where had she left her clothes? She looked around with her body submerged in the water with the knowledge that she was in trouble.

What if the men she heard were vagabonds or highwaymen, she grew afraid.

"Don't worry my lady, you can leave the water at ease; I am not looking. It is not wise to be alone with the militia camping nearby. I will keep watch for you while you prepare yourself."

After she dressed, he introduced himself, "Major Fitzwilliams at your service."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, thanks for helping me. Sometimes, I just don't pay attention to where I am at."

He offered his arm gallantly, "Shall we walk to your home; it would be my pleasure to keep you company," he said and smiled.

His smile set Elizabeth's heart fluttering.

When they were walking back, Richard blinked, he thought that he had recognized someone, but that couldn't be right.

He asked," Who is that gentleman?" He pointed at a trio, two ladies and one young man.

Elizabeth told him, "He is the steward, today he had visitors, a young lady, and her lady's companion, in route to somewhere else." Nothing else was said, but Richard nodded, if he were right, his cousin William would welcome the news. He knew that William disliked his Aunt Catherine's plans.

The Happy Couple

Two months had passed since that first encounter, long enough for the announcement of Miss Elizabeth Rose Bennet's engagement to Major Richard Alexander Fitzwilliams.

The wedding would happen in a few days. Elizabeth was staying at Richard's parents' home since they were marrying at the small chapel at their estate. His parents wanted it there since they expected many friends to come.

Mrs. Bennett was livid, but her scathing was ignored by everyone. Jane, tired of listening to her, said it right," It is Lizzie's wedding, so why should you care where it is. You might be a good mother to me, but we are not blind. If I were Lizzie, I wouldn't be so forgiven; you have made her life miserable like she is not your daughter. Let her be happy and marry wherever she wants."

Those words were the proverbial noose around Lizzie's neck, since Mrs. Bennet now saw Lizzie as the enemy, blaming her for poisoning Jane's mind. Lizzie would be punished for her insolence sooner or later.

The wedding would be in a few days, Elizabeth and Richard were coming back from a stroll to escape the bustle of activity. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips seemed well kissed. Richard looked like a man in love.

"My major regret is that my cousin and best friend William Darcy, is not in the country. He took his sister with him, hoping that a change of air would do the young lady well. They are both in deep mourning after becoming orphans; after all, it is not easy for a young man of four and twenty to become the father of a ten-year-old. Tired after two years of seeing his sister's sadness, he left for America to visit his aunt, disregarding the control of the French and the ongoing conflict."

"I am sad for you, but surely he would not hold it against you." Elizabeth looked at Richard, smiling lovingly; after all, she was still in a state of awe to be marrying at seventeen to an Earl's son.

From his part, he never saw himself as a married man, but Elizabeth's charm and beauty plus her dowry and investments were an incentive for him. His parents, who had hesitated before meeting her, were charmed with the country lady's beauty and wit. Her manners were impeccable, and there was something indefinable about her; there was not a single doubt, Elizabeth was a good match.

The happiness of their son making a love match made them hopeful for a bright future for their favorite son. If only he were to renounce the Army now that he had a small fortune, everything would be perfect. Elizabeth would bring 24,000 pounds into the marriage, in addition to investments in her uncle's company, worth a more substantial sum. However, Richard was not sure what he wanted to do. He enjoyed the challenges of being a warrior and found himself to be a capable one.

"Don't be sad dearest," he said kissing her brow, "The war is over, I want to be employed until I can find an estate to buy or to rent.

"But what if the war should start once again, I could not bear if something were to happen to you. We have plenty you can help us."

Richard smiled and caressed her hand, "You worry too much, nothing will happen." He was sure of it; moreover, how could anything happen when he was the luckiest man in England? His fiancée was not only beautiful but most accomplished; she was smarter than Darcy, and that was saying much. Even his imperious Aunt Catherine had approved his choice, and that was as high as you could go.

"Besides, if anything should happen to me, God forbid, my family would take care of you and love you. I like your father, but I find your mother's behavior rather appalling, one would think you are not her child. She is blind, how can she dare to say that Jane surpasses you in either charm or beauty?" Richard took a deep breath, trying to control his temper.

"My parents were aghast during the engagement ball, your illustrious mother kept telling them I should have chosen Jane. They found it not only in poor taste but risible, there is no comparison. I cannot wait to take you away from here." His voice faltered, he was already upset. His parents wished that Mrs. Bennet wasn't coming.

"Jane is beautiful and kind, and Mother is right in saying she surpasses me in beauty; after all, I don't conform with the standards of beauty. My lips are too big, my hands too long, my ears are large, and…well, and, hmm. And you know we cannot go far away. I help my father with his studies, and he only approved our marriage upon your promise to live nearby, "Elizabeth was flustered thinking of her father.

Elizabeth couldn't see that her father wanted too out her, but others saw it.

"Dearest, you are but a girl, not yet eighteen; your father is wrong to expect so much from you. You have been working with him for long already." Richard complained.

His parents were of the same idea. Apparently, she had been helping him since she had barely left childhood, before her fifteen birthday. Whereas the concept of Richard's bride corresponding with foreign academia, made them proud, they felt she had too much responsibility for her young years.

Richard saw her eyes filling with tears and saw the anger flaring at the surface, "I am not going back in my promises, but I want you to be presented and to enjoy your season before our children come. And come they will, I can already see you increasing with my child. My beauty, my arms await you, and, well, you will soon find out."

Elizabeth blushed at his wicked smile. They would be wed in a few days, and he had already kissed her a few times, just a few minutes ago. Not what she believed a kiss should be, but way more. He kissed her with an open mouth and teased her tongue until she was breathless against him. His hands often strayed too high or too low, not that she minded. Just like a little while ago, when his fingers moved inside the neckline just enough, making her want something.

He had made her aware of his passionate nature. "You are most improper Richard, if not for your gallant figure, your handsome face, and your sense of humor, I would not be marrying you. Mostly because I am afraid that I will like your rakish ways too much, and what will that make me?" She smiled back and saw his eyes darkened with an unknown emotion.

They stepped into the house; Elizabeth had just finished talking when she turned around, feeling eyes upon her back. It was Richard's brother. Bartlett had been married and was a widower after his wife died during a hunt, accidentally shot, just a few months before.

"Hello there," she smiled brightly at Bartlett, and he smiled back, "Such a beautiful flower, you were made to be the wife of an Earl, but if you have to choose elsewhere, couldn't do better than Richard." He said, kissing her hand gallantly, but for a little too long, his father the Earl of Matlock thought.

The Earl shook his head, he had noticed Bartlett's attention fixed on Richard's young bride, and he wished that Bartlett came around less often. Lately, it seemed he came just about daily, and he hoped Richard would not find out how Bartlett coveted his bride.

Richard's mother had also noticed, and she shook her head disapprovingly; her older would still Richard's bride away if he could. He had his eye on her since he met her.

"Ah, you are back," Aunt Penny met them on their way to the drawing-room, "I wanted to talk to you."

Elizabeth went to her and kissed her cheek. She loved her aunt as if she were her mother, having Aunt Penny's there made her coming day more special.

Her aunt Penny came to attend the wedding and stayed at Richard's home. Thomas thought, after all this time, that she would be safe, no matter what. Thomas Bennet could see that it made Elizabeth happy since Fanny was unhappy with Elizabeth's luck. It was a good thing that Elizabeth didn't look much like Penny, no more than she looked like Thomas.

"Your sister carries herself with haughty airs, she looks down on me," Fanny complained. "She is not that pretty," she added, not believing her own words.

"Penny has tried to be sociable. It must be your imagination."

Deep in the Dark Forest

There was news, she was back, he could feel her presence. She must have been across the water, but where? If he had known where he could have found her; he couldn't otherwise because his senses were distorted by the ocean. He sent feelers all over the island where he had seen her. His heart filled with hope.

Fanny was consumed with envy to see the fine jewelry worn by Penny. She was equally upset when she saw Elizabeth's wedding gown, commissioned by Tante Hilde. She failed to see that her daughter's great aunt, had sent exquisite silks for the other girls, or that Penny had brought them matching pearl bobs and bracelets. She was a petty woman and resented Lizzie.

The Gift

Two days before her wedding, a huge trunk was delivered. It was for her. The butler was not sure who brought it, he couldn't remember. It took two big footmen to carry it.

The fragrant wood trunk was carved with unknown symbols, it was an object of beauty. Elizabeth opened it with Richard's mother, and with Penny. Soon followed by Richard and her father. Thomas arrived a little later, he was quiet the entire time.

It contained several lengths of precious fabrics, many embroidered, woolens, silks, velvets, and more, in color combinations hard to find easily. They found a collection of furs, a couple capes, a cloak, and stoles, hats, and muffs. In a smaller chest, Elizabeth pulled a set of matched pearls for her wedding day. That her in-laws admired and deemed worth a small fortune.

Elisabeth also found a small scented wood coffer that was filled with precious stones and gold pieces. A box contained a dried flower wedding adornment, more like a crown, smelling of neroli, and Jasmin with tiny pearls and gold threads; there were also several leather-bound notebooks, two flasks of an exquisite perfume, and a small ring.

It had a fancy script note in an old language. Elizabeth put it aside.

As for her aunt, she broke down in tears when she saw the small ring, it was like she had recognized it. "Darling, never take it off; I have the feeling that it is important." At this, Penelope ran to her room nearly sobbing; after that, she started going for long walks. Lizzie later figured out that her aunt was 33 years old.

Elizabeth found the meaning of the writing and wondered. However, her father had no answers. It said, 'My beauty, my treasure, how I long for you now. I have finally found you. But one day, one day, it will be, from your loving father,' the next word was a symbol not decipherable.

"Father, what does it mean? What day and what will be? Who this person and how did he find me? Why does it say he is my father?"

Her father wouldn't look at Aunt Penny after that. He seemed afraid, and wishing Penny wasn't there.

Lizzie heard them later, "Penny, you must leave, I was unwise not..." and couldn't hear any more.

Her sons never got along with Lizzie and blamed her for years to come. Their mother stayed melancholic and worsened after she came back from the wedding. As before, she remained by the windows, looking into the distance. They found their mother at fault for their father's multiple mistresses. And in turn, they had it out for Elizabeth. They suspected about her adoption and saw Elizabeth as the interloper, as the enemy.

As for the trunk, her aunt said she should keep it. She had a mentor in Germany, a wealthy one who wanted to remain anonymous; Thomas just agreed, Penny had a few words with him. Elizabeth saw them arguing. Her mother stayed a couple of weeks after the wedding but stayed away from her brother.

Her wedding was the happiest day of her life, and her father's saddest. But afterward, he spent long periods with Elizabeth, making Fanny dislike her more. As the days went by, he went home less and less.

His two oldest daughters usually went with him, they liked the society and being with their sister; many times the Lucas sisters came along. Lady Lucas had come a couple of times, and enjoyed telling Mrs. Bennet about her visits and about Lizzie, and how lucky she was to have such a daughter. Mrs. Bennet felt ill hearing all the praises, and wished that Jane had made the match. One day she would figure out how to bring Elizabeth down.

Jane and Mary spent most of the time with Lizzie, further aggravating Mrs. Bennet. They went to London, and both had their season with her sister. Jane wasn't willing to settle for less, she wanted a love like Lizzie had; and made sure her mother knew.

All seemed to be going well until Elizabeth received an express from Germany. It was about her aunt Penny. She ran to look for her father, her eyes were filled with tears.