Chapter One

Liam sat in the loud bar with one hand swirling his glass as he stared at the amber liquid. He didn't want to be here and wished he hadn't allowed Cal to talk him into coming out tonight. His thoughts were all centered on his sister, Ginny, as he was not able to focus on anything else.

"Liam, you are my friend and I hate to see you sitting here staring so forlornly at your drink. There are many lovely ladies here tonight for you to chat up." Cal waved his hand to indicate the room, where his eyes settled on a couple of young ladies, "In fact, the girl I've been dancing with, Jenna is American and is here with her sister, who is very attractive and intelligent. You should talk to her."

Liam rolled his eyes as he glanced to where his friend had indicated and saw a gorgeous woman with long blonde hair smiling at Cal. He also noticed the other woman who had her back toward him, she had dark curls flowing down her back, he couldn't see her face but he was in a foul mood and didn't want to be bothered anymore. His disdain was clear on his face as he let loose his ire on his friend, loud enough for Cal to hear over the music in his most pompous voice, "You can't possibly expect me to chat up that American slag."

As soon as Liam began to speak, the music faded in between songs and Cal physically flinched at the venom in his friend's words. The dark-haired woman turned to face Liam and she had the most striking emerald-green eyes, trimmed with long black lashes, however the most startling thing was that the eyes were blazing in rage.

Liam watched as the furious woman walked toward him. His body reacted to her womanly curves which were all in the right places. He noted she was small in stature, barely five feet if she was lucky, however there was a sensual passionate power that radiated from her which intrigued him. His heart raced with the thrill of challenge as she strode toward him with determination.

She stopped in front of him but instead of addressing him, she just leaned over him to whisper in Cal's ear. Cal winked at Liam before he got to his feet and walked away with her. Liam watched them intensely as they walked to a place that offered a modicum of privacy. She chatted for a few minutes with Cal in what appeared to be a light-hearted conversation. She never looked back toward Liam and he felt only disappointment.

She went back to her sister while Cal walked back to him with a grin on his face.

"What was that all about?" Liam demanded an answer before Cal could even sit down.

"Lily just wanted me to pass on a message to you."

"Lily?"

"Yes, Lily is Jenna's sister." Cal grinned, "You know the woman who's morals and character you so vehemently called into question just a few minutes ago."

"Yes, I know that." Liam snarled impatiently, "What was her message for me."

"She just wanted to assure you that there was no need for you to be concerned about her imposing her unwanted attentions upon you. She guarantees implicitly that she will not engage you in conversation nor acknowledge your presence." Cal chuckled, "She has advised that you pretend she does not exist. Lily believes you should have no problem with that as she could not envision a future in which you would ever 'get your head out of your ass' long enough to realize that there are other people that populate the universe you inhabit."

Liam stood to his full height of six feet, barely containing the anger boiling beneath the surface and said with an arrogant tone, "I will take that under advisement, excuse me." He motioned the bartender for another drink and found a comfortable booth where he could drink in peace.

Liam tried not to pay attention to Lily but once she had caught his attention, it seemed he couldn't see anybody but her. He would see her dancing and would be fascinated by the way she moved. If she went to the restroom, he would watch her as she left the room and as she came back. The worst part was when he could hear her laughter across the room and knew she was having fun, without him. When it was too much to bear, he caught Cal's eye and let his friend know he was leaving.

A week later, after concluding the business he had in town, Liam drove out to his beloved Pemberley and could feel the lifting of his spirits.

He had decided to hire an investigator to find his sister Ginny which helped him to feel as though he were taking proactive steps to resolve this issue with his younger sister.

He stopped in Lambton to buy a bouquet of flowers for his housekeeper, Mrs Martin as had been his habit since inheriting Pemberley when his father had died.

As he drove onto Pemberley land, his heart soared with joy and when the house came into view a huge spontaneous smile erupted across his face. He stopped the car for a moment to take in the sight, he closed his eyes at the thought, I'm home.

Mrs. Martin was waiting for him at the door, "Master Liam, it is so wonderful to have you home."

"It is so good to be home." He hugged her with a huge grin as he presented her with the flowers.

"You are such a sweet boy to always remember my favorites."

As was his habit, Liam took a walk through the halls of Pemberley, to get reacquainted with the house. He visited the hall of portraits which included all of his Darcy ancestors. One of his favorites was the portrait of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy circa 1812. The representation of the couple was filled with their obvious happiness. He followed the hall as he greeted the portraits of all of the former residents of Pemberley. As he got near the end of the hall, he finally stood in front of his parent's portrait which had been commissioned shortly after their wedding.

"I know you were always very proud of me, but I did something last week I am not very proud of doing." He blushed profusely as he remembered his treatment of Lily. "You raised me as a gentleman and taught me correct manners, however, I was rude and vain when I called an innocent American woman that I had never even talked to a slag. That's not even the worst part, she and the whole bar heard what I said." He covered his face with his hands, "I am so ashamed of myself."

"Cal is now dating her sister Jenna and all he ever talks about is how Jenna is beautiful, sweet and everything he could ever want in a girlfriend." Liam sighed, "Which just reminds me how I wronged her sister. Why couldn't Jenna have been one of the nameless women that Cal never sees again."

As Liam stood there talking to his parents, he could almost feel their empathetic presence enfolding him in their arms.

§§§§§§§

The spectral presences that surrounded him were of many generations of the Darcy family including his own parents. It seems we have a problem here. A ghostly figure coalesced from the shadowy mass as the image of the former Elizabeth Darcy emerged. Like father like son or should I say very much like a husband of mine who shall remain nameless. Another shape emerged from the whole in the likeness of the former Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He grinned at the ghostly form of his wife who looked as she did when he first met her. I am afraid there have been many generations of us Darcy men who have been guilty of underestimating the women who would be our salvations. There was a ripple along the shadowy mass as though generations of Darcy men nodded in agreement. My lovely Elizabeth, what do you have in mind?

Elizabeth cocked her head to the side, held her index finger up and smiled. This will have to wait as the doorbell is about to ring.

§§§§§§§

Liam heard the bell and turned to move toward the front door where he could greet his guest. She was a historian he had hired to unearth all of the histories and mysteries of Pemberley and by an amazing coincidence, her name was Elizabeth Bennet, the same as the maiden name of his ancestor Elizabeth Darcy. He was really excited by this project and couldn't wait to find out everything he could about his family with the help of the historian.

He loped down the stairs and arrived in the entrance hall just in time to see Elizabeth Bennet enter his home.

He gasped when she came into view, "Lily."

She looked up at him and her eyes opened wide as she cried, "You!"