Clarifications for those who decide to read my story and leave comments:

English is not my first language, so probably this story is full of vocabulary, syntax, and grammar errors.

As you can guess, I am also not an expert in English laws, or traditions from regency times. Therefore, there may be errors in that regard as well.

If you don't mind reading with some (many) mistakes and you can overlook the fact that things are not perfect, I welcome you, and I hope you like this story.

Thanks to Jane Austen for creating wonderful stories!

Chapter 1

Frederick Bennet gazed at the vastness of the sea as he traveled back to his homeland. He swore he would never return the day he left because there was nothing there for him. One day, he thought he had everything, only to lose everything in a few hours.

He had closed his heart, and in the last twenty years, he dedicated himself to becoming wealthy. In his younger years, he had studied the art of medicine while apprenticing to one of England's foremost doctors. The prestigious doctor Jones had seen the talent, but above all, Frederick's passion for helping others.

Frederick had promised to charge only those who could pay for his services and serve the poor regardless of whether they could pay him.

There were so many years in which his heart was closed to any feeling that Frederick could not help but feel sad remembering when he was a young man full of dreams and hopes. Until tragedy struck his life, his luminous life turned into permanent shadows.

When Frederick left England, he did so without knowing where he would live because he didn't care about anyone or anything. He was a living dead man, and as the adage goes, death never comes to those who want it.

When he first arrived in the Antilles, he worked in whatever he could. He never wanted to practice medicine again because everything he knew did not help him to save the two people he loved the most. But one day, an emergency arose, and with his medical skills, he managed to save the life of a rich and important man.

Thanks to that, he received a generous reward, and many other wealthy patients were willing to pay considerable sums of money to access simple treatments in a place where they were practically unknown.

The more money he earned, the more ruthless he became and the more he wanted to forget and close the chapter on his past life, so he changed his name to Francis Evans. Under a false identity, he wrote a letter to his brother Thomas telling him that Frederick Bennet had died, thereby burying his past forever.

He began to travel through different islands and even to the mainland, accumulating large sums of money that he invested in profitable businesses that made him increasingly rich. In addition, he managed to develop successful treatments for some tropical diseases that gave him fame and prestige.

He lived in a world where many poor people had very little and slaves who worked from dawn to dusk without the right to practically nothing. But none of that mattered to Frederick. He had accepted that the world was an unfair place where everyone had to fight as they could to survive and where happiness was no more than a chimera.

Despite the almost twenty years that he lived in the dark, an event that occurred six months ago had allowed him to save his soul and what was left of his life. For that reason, he was returning to England. He wanted to know what had happened to his family. He had loved them very much before he became a bitter and callous man.

Exactly six months ago, he was traveling from the Bahamas to Jamaica when a massive storm destroyed the ship where he was traveling. He thought he would die, but a man whose name he would never forget saved his life. So, they drifted, clinging to some parts of the destroyed ship for almost two days until finally, another English ship rescued them.

In those days, Frederick had nothing to do except converse with John. He was a man who had been born as a slave, sold when he was ten and did not see his family again. Now he was sold to a new master in Jamaica, and his wife and little daughter, also slaves, had remained in the Bahamas with their former master.

When Frederick asked him why he had saved him, John replied that he had done it because, despite being a slave, no one could ever take away his dignity and his right to be a good and just man. He also explained that his parents had taught him to be a decent human being, and even though he had never seen them again, he would always honor them by doing what was right.

That made Frederick feel miserable; that man who had never had anything and suffered a lot had remained firm to his principles. While he had let himself be carried away by pain and had forgotten everything he had always believed in. The saddest part was that he had forgotten his promise to his beloved wife, Alice Gardiner.

In gratitude for saving his life and soul, Frederick bought John and his entire family and gifted them their freedom. The irony was that he thought it was all the other way around and that it was John who gave him his freedom.

"My dear Alice, although I know it is very late, I promise you I will do things as I always should have done them and that you will be proud of me. My only and remembered love, I will live the rest of my life honoring you," Frederick thought as he looked out over London from the ship's deck.

In less than an hour, he would step on the land he had sworn to forget almost twenty years ago, and he could not even imagine the many surprises that awaited him.

P&P

"Papa, if you don't pay attention, I'll beat you again," Elizabeth told Thomas Bennet.

"I'm focused on the game, Lizzy, and don't think you will beat me this time. Yesterday was just good luck," Mr. Bennet replied and took one of Elizabeth's pawns with a smile.

"Do you really think it was just good luck? Check," Elizabeth said, moving her knight.

"Not just good luck, child. Don't forget that you had the best teacher you could have," Mr. Bennet replied, moving his queen to a safer place. "Lizzy, could you tell me why your mother was so nervous? I know she is always tense, but let's say that this time, she was even more expressive than usual. "

"She has learned that a gentleman of good fortune has leased Netherfield, and that has her on the brink of a nervous breakdown... But of joy," Elizabeth clarified.

"Let me guess, she's planning that gentleman's wedding to one of his five daughters, or am I wrong?"

"You are not wrong, father. Checkmate," Elizabeth said to a surprised Mr. Bennet.

"I think I should have kept some secrets from myself and not taught you so well how to play this game," Mr. Bennet said, caressing Elizabeth's cheek. Ever since she was a helpless, almost lifeless baby, he had loved and protected her.

"Too late, Papa," Elizabeth replied and kissed Mr. Bennet's cheek.

They were about to analyze the chess game they had just finished when Mrs. Bennet entered her husband's study demanding attention.

"Mr. Bennet, you must promise me that as soon as Mr. Bingley sets foot in Netherfield, you will pay your respects, welcome him to the neighborhood, and invite him to dine with us."

"And who is Mr. Bingley, my dear? Lizzy, I think when I moved my bishop in this direction, I opened up a flank that I couldn't close afterward," Mr. Bennet said to his daughter, ignoring his wife.

"I think you're right, papa," Elizabeth replied as she saw her father wink at her.

"How can you say that you don't know who Mr. Bingley is?" asked Mrs. Bennet in her most strident voice. "Everyone knows him and is talking in Meyton about him now."

"Definitely not everyone knows him unless you, Mrs. Bennet, believe that your husband is no longer part of this community," Mr. Bennet replied with a smile.

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile because her father always managed to annoy her mother with puns she couldn't understand.

"Mr. Bingley is a gentleman..." Mrs. Bennet explained to her husband who the said gentleman was and all she knew of him, noting especially that his income was five thousand pounds a year.

Mr. Bennet was tired of listening to his wife talk about this man nobody knew, yet he was the talk of the neighborhood. "Alright, Mrs. Bennet, I promise that as soon as that man stops being a rumor and takes on human form, I will visit him."

Mrs. Bennet was not entirely satisfied with her husband's response. Still, she understood it was no better to continue forcing him. So, she preferred to talk to Elizabeth and let her know her opinion.

"Lizzy, I don't like you wasting time locked up in this study with your father reading books that no one understands and playing that game because chess is a game for men! I don't know when you'll understand that good and honorable men don't like smart girls," said Mrs. Bennet, unable to help but look sad. She always remembered her late sister Alice because since she was little, she always insisted on learning complicated stuff and reading books to learn new things. And all for what? To marry a man whose love was as short as her poor sister's life.

Elizabeth always noticed that Mrs. Bennet was very sad when she scolded her for her fondness for books. "Fine, mother, I promise I'll try to read easy books, like the novels Kitty and Lydia love so much," Elizabeth said and kissed Mrs. Bennet on the cheek.

"You're just like your father, always ignoring my advice and making fun of me," Mrs. Bennet said and caressed Elizabeth's cheek. That girl was the only memory her sister had left her, and she had sworn on her grave that she would protect her little daughter with her life. Although it wasn't always easy because Elizabeth was as rebellious and willful as her darling Alice was.

"I'll go talk to Jane, father. We can finish our discussion of this game later." Elizabeth left the study and headed for the garden, where Jane picked some flowers.

"Mrs. Bennet, I don't like you scolding Elizabeth because she likes to read because…." Mr. Bennet tried to say.

"I do not want Elizabeth to end up like my sister, married to an insensitive man who, at the first problem, thought only of him and no one else but him. Your brother promised to love her and could not even care for his little daughter. He must have thought that because she was born prematurely, she probably would be a girl with many problems."

"Frederick was a good man, Fanny, and you know that very well. It's just that losing his wife was such a blow that he couldn't get over it. Besides, he's dead, and it's not good to speak ill of the dead."

"I suppose you're right," Mrs. Bennet said thoughtfully.

After a few minutes of further pressing her wife to find out more about Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bennet finally left the study, and Mr. Bennet was able to have peace again.

He always wondered where his brother was and if he would ever see him again or if that letter was true and he had indeed died eighteen years ago. He only prayed that he had managed to find peace and forgive himself for what he unfairly blamed himself.

P&P

Frederick was two months in London and rented a room in a house where a widowed doctor lived and who was short of money. He had an enormous fortune that he had accumulated over twenty years of hard work and spending almost nothing. But he still needed to figure out what to do with his life. The only thing he was clear about was that he would practice medicine to benefit those who did not have access to a doctor.

Every day he walked the streets of London's slums, and he couldn't help but be amazed at how much pain people could take. But his dream was not to live in London but in Hertfordshire. Therefore, once he got used to life in England and learned to behave like another Londoner, he put the second part of his plan into motion.

He wanted to get closer to his family but didn't want to bother them. They thought he was dead, and he didn't want to be part of their lives if they didn't need him. He didn't want to create trouble for them, and if it were better that he stayed dead, he would remain dead. But he wanted to help them.

While in London, he hired a prestigious solicitors firm to help him administrate his money. In addition, he asked them to find out what had happened to the house he had bought with the money his mother inherited in her will.

The house was abandoned because many considered it a haunted house. After all, Alice Bennet died there when she was only twenty, and the place was closed after that. So, he leased it and made all the necessary repairs so he could live there.

He had a hard time going through the rooms where he had made so many plans many years ago. There he and his wife would live and have an office on the first floor where he would attend to his patients.

"My dear Alice, I still don't feel strong enough to visit your and our daughter's graves. But I promise I will before I return to London," Frederick said, wiping away his tears.

There was an assembly that night at Meryton, and Sir William Lucas had invited him. He was interested in going because he assumed the Bennets and the Phillips would be there, and he was looking forward to seeing them. He had found out that Arthur and Lucy Phillips had never had children, but his brother Thomas had five daughters. He knew that Longbourn entailed and only men could inherit it.

Frederick wished he could meet those five girls that might need his help at some point but also see his brother and Fanny. He was sure that no one would recognize him because he had a bushy beard, and his skin was much darker and withered after living for so many years where the sun always shone. But also, his hair was gray, and his eyes no longer had the sparkle that had always distinguished them. He was no longer the dreaming boy but a man searching for redemption.

He arrived punctually at the assembly, and his host took the trouble to introduce him to everyone present. Unfortunately, his brother was not there, but at least his family was enjoying the evening.

"Mrs. Bennet, allow me to introduce you and your daughters to our new neighbor, Dr. Francis Evans," said Sir William solemnly.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Evans. This is my eldest daughter Jane, this is Elizabeth, this is Mary, and the two girls dancing merrily over there are Kitty and Lydia, my youngest daughters."

"It's nice to meet all of you and your daughters who are dancing," Frederick replied. The girls in front of him bowed and greeted him kindly. He could see that the eldest was as beautiful as Fanny when she was young, though she seemed to have a much calmer temperament. The girl named Elizabeth reminded him so much of her mother, and Mary looked uncomfortable, as if she didn't want to be there.

"Doctor, I hope you stay here because it's been many years that this community hasn't had a doctor. Since... Well, that man..." Mrs. Bennet tried to say but preferred not to add anything else.

"Doctor, what brings you to our little town?" Elizabeth asked to prevent her mother from saying something inappropriate. She knew very well that Mrs. Bennet did not like her father's younger brother, although she had never known the real reasons.

"I'm looking for a small community where they need the services of a doctor who isn't interested in making money but just helping," Frederick said sincerely. Her niece was a lovely girl, and he felt very comfortable talking to her.

"That's very noble of you, doctor. I hope you can stay for a long time because many people need care in our community, especially the tenants who can't even afford the apothecary's services."

"I'm glad to know I can serve this beautiful community," Frederick replied cheerfully.

Two gentlemen invited Elizabeth and Jane to dance so he could not continue talking with his niece. Instead, he went to speak to other gentlemen and took the opportunity to ask questions to gather more information about life in Meryton and his family.

He then devoted himself to observing his two sisters-in-law for several minutes. Apparently, the years had passed, but they hadn't changed a bit, and they were still gossipy, superficial, and even vulgar.

But suddenly, the attendees' attention was focused on the front door of the assembly when the most anticipated guests arrived. He had heard that the entire town was excited about the arrival of a wealthy single young man.

Sir William once more played host, introducing the new arrivals to the area's most influential families. Frederick had the impression that only Mr. Bingley was happy to be there. His friend, sisters, and brother-in-law were a quartet of arrogant insufferable fools who looked down on everyone. Frederick didn't care about these people, so he ignored them because he was there to observe his family and meet his nieces. Although he had not liked how the two youngest behaved, he understood that he was not there to judge.

But his patience was tested when he overheard Mr. Bingley talking to his pompous friend.

"Darcy, you can't stand here all night without dancing."

"Bingley, I've already danced with your sisters, and that's enough. I have no intention of dancing with any of the ladies in this place because it would be unbearable to listen to their insipid and vulgar conversations."

"How can you be so obnoxious, Darcy? I assure you there are many interesting and very pretty ladies in this place."

"You have danced with a pretty girl."

"You're right, Darcy. Miss Bennet is so beautiful, like an angel. But her sister is very pretty too. So let me introduce her to you, and maybe you can dance with her.

"Who?" Mr. Darcy said and looked at Elizabeth's back. "I suppose she's tolerable but not pretty enough to tempt me..."

Frederick saw Elizabeth's shocked and disgusted face and went to sit next to her to talk. He was sure that she had heard that man's horrible words and wanted to distract her. They talk about the tenants and the charities that Mr. Wilson, the town priest, organized to help the poor.

A few minutes later, when Elizabeth went to talk to one of her friends, Frederick saw Mr. Darcy in a corner looking out the window even though it was already dark.

"Good evening, sir," Frederick said firmly.

Mr. Darcy turned around and said dismissively. "I don't recall we were introduced, sir."

"That's easy to solve; I'm Dr. Francis Evans." He intended to put this man in his place and let him know what he thought of him.

P&P

This is a new story that I have in mind. What do you think?

If you like it, I intend to start writing it when I finish "Extraviado."

Thank you for your support :)

Saludos,

Yo