The Darcys had lived in Derbyshire for several centuries and were very wealthy. Generation after generation continued to increase their wealth and prestige in England. In 1777, despite not having a noble title, George Darcy married Lady Anne Fitzwilliam in an arranged marriage.

During the first months, the marriage was like most of their social circle; the gentleman visited his wife's bedchamber often to produce the desired heirs. They occasionally attended social events together but for the rest of the time they lived separate lives. Although neither of them had any real expectations of it, before their first year of marriage was up, Darcy and Lady Anne were happy and deeply in love.

Sadly, during the first years of their marriage, Lady Anne suffered several miscarriages, until at last their first child, and heir, Frederick Darcy, was born. The delivery was long and complicated, and she lost too much blood. For three days Lady Anne had a high fever and was near death. However, she slowly recovered. The doctor strongly suggested taking precautions for at least a year or two to prevent Lady Anne from becoming pregnant again.

Since George Darcy already had the desirable heir - thus ensuring the Darcy line would continue - and his wife had survived childbirth, he was content. Over the years, both Darcy and his wife overprotected and spoiled their only son. Frederick was a handsome and charming boy, but he was not used to hearing the word no.

In early 1785, at the insistence of Lady Anne, and after being examined by the family doctor, they stopped taking precautions. One year later, Fitzwilliam Darcy was born, but unfortunately due to complications from childbirth, Lady Anne died three days later.

After the death of his beloved wife, Mr. Darcy Sr. was heartbroken and fell into a deep depression. He felt extremely guilty about her death. He would constantly berate himself for not having been more careful in preventing his wife from getting pregnant. He wanted to love and care for his younger son, and he knew he should not blame the innocent infant for what had happened to his wife. But every time he saw or tried to hold his youngest son; he remembered the tragic loss of the person he loved most in the world.

The years slowly passed by, and even though George Darcy was still a handsome man, he decided not to get married again. He had two sons, but no one could ever replace his beloved Anne. He spent many hours a day with his eldest son, whom he adored and saw no fault in. Unfortunately for Fitzwilliam, his father paid very little attention to him. As a result, he was raised mostly by his governess and tutors. Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, and her husband made an extra effort to listen to him whenever he had questions and problems.

Since Frederick was five years older than Fitzwilliam, and they had very few interests in common, their relationship was not a very close one. Frederick was talkative and charming, while Fitzwilliam was reserved and serious.

At the age of eighteen, Frederick went to Cambridge, while Fitzwilliam went to Eton. For the next few years, the brothers saw each other only a few weeks a year at Pemberley, and Mr. Darcy always paid much more attention to Frederick than to Fitzwilliam.

Frederick finished university with average grades, and then he went on a tour of Scotland and Ireland with some friends. That year, Fitzwilliam started university, and after much contemplation, he decided that he wanted to become a member of the clergy. According to his parents' settlement, he would receive 10,000 when he came of age, and he wished to save that money in case he ever married.

Fitzwilliam 1804 - 1810

At Cambridge, Fitzwilliam met Charles Bingley, who was the son of a wealthy merchant. Several gentlemen despised Charles due to his connection to trade, and ignored Darcy because he was merely the second son of a wealthy but untitled gentleman. Charles and Fitzwilliam became very good friends, and their friendship would last a lifetime.

The years passed, and Fitzwilliam finished university with honors. Later he continued his studies and was ordained.

Frederick 1804 - 1810

After returning from his tour, Frederick divided his time between Pemberley and London. At Pemberley, he spent several hours with his father, rode every day through Pemberley fields, and helped his father in the administration of the estate.

In London, he led a different life. He had a very close relationship with his cousin Patrick, Lord Matlock's eldest son, and with other gentlemen who were not particularly honorable. He attended parties and enjoyed the company of women of dubious reputation.

In early 1810, through Lord Matlock and the Viscount, he met the pretty and naive Miss Marianne Marshall. She was the daughter of a minor gentleman and had recently come to London for the first time. She was staying with her eldest sister, Mrs. Sants, who was twenty-seven years old and a widow. If her father had suspected his eldest daughter was the mistress of a wealthy man, and her young 'companion', Miss Morrison, the mistress of the man's son, he would not have allowed Marianne to stay at Mrs. Sants' house. Unfortunately, when he did find out, there were severe consequences as a result.

Lord Matlock and his son visited Mrs. Sants' almost every day, and Frederick started to join them. Often, Frederick and Marianne were left alone. Over time, Marianne fell in love with Frederick, as he was handsome and charming. With persuasion and even a promise of marriage, Marianne gave her 'virtue' to him. Afterwards, for three weeks they had a passionate affair, which ended when Frederick received an express from Mrs. Reynolds with the news that his father was very ill. At once, he left for Pemberley without even saying goodbye to Marianne.

Pemberley – late 1810

When Frederick arrived at Pemberley, his father was already dead. The funeral was three days later, and George Darcy was buried next to his beloved Anne. Among the people who attended the funeral - in addition to the Matlcoks - was a cousin of George Darcy, Harold Darcy. Harold owned an estate in Hertfordshire, where the vicar had recently retired. When he learned that Fitzwilliam had been ordained but didn't have a living yet, he offered him the living at Netherfield Park. Fitzwilliam was delighted, and he gladly accepted.

There were no surprises in Mr. Darcy's will; Frederick Darcy was now the master of Pemberley, and Fitzwilliam Darcy inherited £10,000.