It seems that at the oddest moments in your life you realize something about yourself. I have made the discovery that my thoughts often play out like a Jane Austen book. For example:

This afternoon-

Me: "How can one possibly complete one's daily tasks when there is fanfiction to be read and written?"

Falls dramatically onto the sofa, sighing and placing a hand on her forehead

Me: "I think I shall positively faint from confusion!"

After getting an odd look from my mom, I could argue that it's the quirks that make people special and memorable, right? Well anyway, I did change the story's summary because the original one stuck out like a sore thumb among all the proper P&P stories (I felt very self-conscious). Well, now you have a taste for what is to come so you all will keep reading! *smiles evilly to herself* Enjoy and don't mind my ramblings!

LT- Yes, I have read Georgette Heyer's books! I love her style of writing, so I am very flattered! :D

PS- For the summary I did steal his line from Gail Carringer's Soulless. I don't own anything; I am simply a devoted fan.

AU- The lines separating paragraphs signify a change in point of view!

I was comfortably curled up in a most unlady-like position in my favorite armchair when I heard the carriage coming at a brisk pace down the dirt road. I could barely contain my excitement as I rushed out of the library and ran down the hall. My tutor would probably make me study extra to make up for lost time, but what was a few hours of Latin in exchange of finally seeing my brother after months of torturous waiting?

As I flew down the stairs, the sight of the empty reception hall nearly knocked me down. He's got to be here! He… he is just hiding… I tried to convince myself, but the horrible realization that Andrew had not come home was beginning to well up inside of me. "Andrew!" I screamed, frantically searching through the blue parlor. "Andrew, this is not funny. Come out now!"

After tearing through the blue parlor, I tried to think of all the possible explanations of where he could be. Mathew probably got confused with a finance problem and had to discuss the family's money with Andrew. Yes, that's it, Andrew is talking with Mathew. No need to get worried, everything is all right. Somehow my reasoning did not make me feel any better. Mathew had been running the house for twenty years and had never made a mistake with a single pence. And besides Andrew was horrible with numbers. While lost in my reasoning, I bumped into Sarah, the old housekeeper who would have been the closest relationship I had to a mother if I had let class distinctions get the better of me. Shaken, I looked up hopefully into her kind brown eyes.

"He's back, isn't he? He promised he would be back!"

"He didn't come home love, he's staying on with a friend in Scotland. A very rich and connected friend, mind you," she tried to console me, "He sends his love and a promise to return next quarter."

"His promises mean NOTHING! He can't do this to me! He is a selfish and heartless and man, I don't want to see him!" I screamed, tears wetting my face and causing me sight to fog, "He doesn't deserve to come home! Let him stay with his barbarian friends, I don't care!" I flung the last words undeservingly at Sarah and ran aimlessly into the hall and then outside.

"Is the young mistress inside yet?", the housekeeper asked softly, worry coloring her voice.

"No," replied Mathew, equally as worried for the well being of his young mistress, "But I will send a couple of the stable hands to search the grounds for her. She shouldn't be out past dark."

"You know where she is though, don't you? The old shed is the only place where she would go at a time like this."

"In that case I'd better go alone. I hate to see what state she's in."

"You can't blame her though, poor child. First her mother, then her father, now Andrew. She's due to fall prey to her grandmother's wishes very soon. I can't help but wonder when the old crone will peak an interest in that poor girl. The Duchess should think twice about messing with her, though. I would be afraid to see what that girl can do when her life is threatened."

"If only Andrew had a stronger will power. Standing up against the Duchess would surely put her back in her place, and secure his sister's happiness as well."

"Maybe once Andrew sees that his sister's happiness is in danger, he will gain some courage." Sarah mused, slightly distracted by the thought of the frightening, manipulative Duchess.

"Only time will tell, only time will tell," the steward muttered more to himself than to Sarah as he began walking toward the east gardens.

50 miles Northwest, in lowland Scotland

"My dear, have you heard that our grandson, Andrew, is in the county?"

"Yes, he is here visiting Dundas Castle. I introduced him to Lord Alistair at Lady Buchanan's ball last night and made the remarkable discovery that the two had met last year at Oxford. The two are very good friends and Lord Alistair offered for Andrew to stay at his estate and join his hunting party for the next few weeks. Isn't that the most wonderful news?"

"Yes, yes, it is all very good, but wasn't Andrew planning on visiting his sister? They have seen each other in several months. I –"

"Don't worry yourself my dear. That girl can take care of herself. There is no need for Andrew to worry himself over his unfortunate half-sister when there are important alliances to be made! Did you know that Lord Alistair has a very rich cousin living not five miles from this estate? I think that the Andrew and the Lady Rebecca would –"

"What have you been meddling with? It is not your right to command your grandson similar to a servant or a dog. He has his own free will and his own estate. The last thing that boy needs is another domineering figure in his life"

"Don't worry yourself, husband. I simply suggested that he come and enjoy what this wonderful county has to offer. I would never manipulate such a kind and caring boy. He reminds me so much of his father."

"How? Edward was uncouth, controlling and overbearing."

"How can you say that about your own son? Edward always had my interests at heart and never let me down."

"Yes but his strategies to obtain his power were questionable. Edward had a dark soul and led an even darker life. Just look at his choice of a second wife."

"I thought I told you never to speak of that witch! That woman was an evil temptress and the child is proof of her communion with the wicked spirits. Edward is not at fault."

"The child cannot be blamed for the actions of her mother, my dear. We should welcome both grandchildren with open arms, it is only fair."

"Andrew is certainly welcome at anytime, but the other will only be welcome if she can manage to learn something useful." The Duchess of Dalkeith replied, narrowing her eyes as she thought of her other grandchild, if she could be called that. The first and only time the two had met was six years ago, before the death of her socially unfit mother. The child was awkward, and unnatural. Her red hair and willowy frame made the little girl seem more faire folk then human, and her knowing and intelligent eyes geve her a sense of eerie maturity that surpasses even the Duchesses own. The Duchess had the right to alienate the child. Being around such a creature was sure to bring a curse. "Wild, ugly, and educated women never marry and are not part of good society. Elinor deserves no respect or kindness and will stay away from society for the remainder of her life."

AU- sorry this is more of a "plot thickens" chapter to introduce some of the other characters. The next chapter will be devoted to Elinor!