''Oh Bother'' Elizabeth Bennet would have stamped her foot too but knew it would only make her situation worse. Thankfully her basket wasnt close she looked at the offending hedge again how was she going to get out of this pickle. The thorns of this rosebush had her caught well and truly. Her small screech of frustration had a voice calling out ''Hello, can I help at all'' it was a lovely deep voice but not one she recognised, ''over here I am caught by some nasty thorns''. She heard the footfall of a horse and heard him coming closer. ''If you would just take care not to step on my basket I would be very grateful''.
''Oh dear you are caught up'' he was thankfull that he was wearing gloves as was he she noticed. He started detaching the thorns carefully so they wouldnt spring back he noticed some blood on her upper cheek as he worked his way down and finally the last branch was detached and she was able to step back. ''Thank you Sir for your kindness'' she looked at him and his breath caught she was beautiful and her green eyes sparkled at him. He looked over and saw her basket so went over to pick it up to hand it to her. Looking into her basket he looked at what he thought as very large berries that he didnt recognise he was just about to ask her when she looked at him and said ''Rosehips I have been gathering them and those five are just out of my reach hence being held prisoner until my rescue'' . Rosehips he thought he looked at her again ''Would you like me to release those offending hips to your care'' his smile quite undid her but she nodded ''please if you would'' Gathering them he placed them into her basket. With a neat curtsey she looked up at him and introduced herself to him as Elizabeth Bennet. He bowed ''Fitwilliam Darcy'' at your service. ''Oh are you staying at Netherfield Park with Mr Bingley'' she smiled as she said this. ''Yes I arrived yesterday from London and its so good to be back in the country'' He looked around him ''Do you live near'' she looked at him thinking how much to say quickly making the decision ''Yes, my home is Longbourn and is about half a mile from here, in fact would you care to join us for breakfast'' ''I think I would enjoy that very much'' he offered his arm and she took it with the basket in the other and he leading his horse in the direction of her home.
She looked at him before saying ''My father will be very grateful of the company of another man at the breakfast table as I am one of five sisters'' Darcy laughed with her he couldn't picture such a large family ''And your mother'' he watched her face cloud over ''my mother passed some six years ago when I was four and ten the same carriage accident that my father got hurt in'' he brought his other hand over and patted her hand ''I am sorry to hear that I too have lost both my parents and only have a younger sister called Georgiana to keep me company''
Handing his horse over to a groom then taking her basket from her they entered Longbourn together. Hill the housekeeper took care of his hat gloves and coat and Elizabeth removed her spencer and gloves she was just undoing the ribbon when her father stepped slowly into the hallway. ''Ah Lizzie you are back'' he was holding a letter looking up he noticed the stranger ''Father let me introduce Fitzwilliam Darcy rescuer of damsels in distress'' Darcy smiled at the introduction and executed a fine bow ''Mr Darcy may I present my Father Mr Thomas Bennett'' the gentleman so named gripped the table and made his bow. ''Rescuer of Damsels that is quite a title'' Darcy smiled and said '' only of thorny rosebushes'' Mr Bennet glanced into the basket and saw the hips ''ahh yes now I understand'' Elizabeth smiled and handed the basket to a waiting Hill. She then placed herself next to her father and he brought out his stick to walk the rest of the way to the dining room.
The voices of several women was heard before the small group entered and Elizabeth and her father smiled to each other.
''Ladies, may I introduce Mr Darcy to you all'' a sudden silence and Darcy felt four pair of eyes trained on him, he swallowed and Elizabeth introduced her sisters Jane, Mary, Catherine and Lydia. All four curtsied and Darcy bowed to each in turn. They quickly laid another place for him at the table and they all sat.