TW: Attempted assault in this chapter

I started this story over. Let me know what you think.

7/4 - I updated this chapter with a little more information

Chapter 2
Summer, 1804

As he had said when he took her away from Longbourn, Elizabeth was treated as the Gardiner's own child. When she went to live with them, Mrs. Gardiner was carrying her first child and more were added to the family. Elizabeth was known as a Gardiner and while she was treated as a daughter of the house, she always knew in the back of her mind that she was their niece and that they were caring for her out of sheer goodness. They were not obligated to keep her, and she worked hard to prove herself worthy of remaining. She attended to all her lessons judiciously and soon outgrew the governess that was hired to teach her the typical accomplishments of young ladies. Additional tutors were hired to teach her lessons more typical to young men, such as mathematics and sciences, but the Gardiners never hesitated to hire masters in any area that Elizabeth expressed an interest.

A few letters were exchanged between London and Longbourn. Fanny Bennet had not been with child as her husband supposed, which was shared with Mr. Gardiner in one of the rare letters addressed to that gentleman. Bennet had never been a particular diligent correspondent, and the few letters that came from him rarely even asked after Elizabeth, but complained about the necessity of sending funds to London for her care.

Jane did write to Elizabeth a few times, including, on occasion, a childish scribble from Mary. Elizabeth wrote to her family dutifully for a year, but as the replies from them grew further apart, eventually Elizabeth stopped writing as well.

For Elizabeth's fourteenth birthday, the Gardiners planned a trip to the Lake District to celebrate. However, at the last minute, business concerns made such a lengthy trip impossible, so they opted for a fortnight in the Peak District, staying in Lambton in Derbyshire, where Mrs. Gardiner had grown up. She had been the daughter of the rector there, before meeting and marrying her husband. Although her father had died a few years after her marriage, and her mother had moved to London with Mrs. Gardiner's brother, she still had friends in the area to visit.

The Gardiners left their three children with the nanny and the rest of the servants while they travelled North with Elizabeth. With the children all under eight, it was easier not to travel with them. They would be gone for less than a month, travelling slowly and stopping to visit several places along the way and arriving at Lambton on Friday. They visited a few of Mrs. Gardiner's friends on Saturday and met with others at church on Sunday.

However, after nearly a week in the carriage and only short jaunts into the country over the last several years, Elizabeth was determined to explore the area she found herself in. After promising not to stray too far and to remain on paths, her uncle reluctantly allowed her to go for a walk in the area. He had, of course, ascertained from the innkeeper that the area was generally considered safe and had told Elizabeth which paths to wander.

Elizabeth stepped out of the inn, feeling the crisp morning air invigorate her senses. The sun had risen hours before, though it was still cool this far north. The village was lovely this morning and Elizabeth enjoyed the sight before her. However, she had heard much about the beauty of Derbyshire, and today, she was eager to explore its charm on foot.

The village of Lambton was nestled in a lush, green valley, surrounded by gently rolling hills and meandering streams. As Elizabeth walked along the cobblestone path that led out of the village, she passed by charming cottages with their thatched roofs, their gardens bursting with colourful blooms. The scent of roses and lavender filled the air, mingling with the fresh, earthy smell of the countryside.

Beyond the village, the path opened up to a sprawling meadow, dotted with wildflowers in every hue imaginable. Butterflies fluttered from blossom to blossom, and bees buzzed industriously, collecting nectar. Elizabeth paused for a moment, breathing deeply and taking in the serene beauty around her. The sky above was a brilliant blue, with only a few fluffy clouds drifting lazily by.

Continuing her walk, Elizabeth followed the path along a clear stream. The water babbled over smooth stones, and she shed her boots to traipse over the rocks, mimicking the flow of the stream. Tall trees lined the banks, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. She noticed a family of ducks paddling by, the ducklings trailing closely behind their mother.

As she walked further, the path took her through a small wooded area. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The cool, refreshing air was filled with the scent of pine and moss. Elizabeth heard birds calling and small animals rustling in the underbrush.

Emerging from the woods, Elizabeth found herself at a tranquil lake. The water was so clear she could see pebbles and fish below the surface. She walked to the shore and sat on a large rock, dipping her fingers into the cool water. The lake was surrounded by lush greenery, with gently rising hills in the background, covered in fields and hedgerows. In the distance, she could see the top of what was surely a large house and she wondered if it was the famed Pemberley she had heard so much of in Lambton.

As she sat, she allowed herself to think about all that had occurred over the last years. When she first left Longbourn, her father and Jane had written occasionally, no more than once a month. Mary, who was just learning to write, infrequently included a line or two to the letters, mostly speaking of what she was learning at that time, but she received nothing from her mother. However, about eighteen months after she left, the letters had become more infrequent, until they finally ceased entirely.

For the last four years, she had heard nothing from her family. Her Aunt and Uncle Phillips wrote to the Gardiners once a month or so, telling the news from Meryton. Her uncle had known many of these people for years, and enjoyed hearing about his former neighbours. By mutual consent, the Phillipses' letters included very little about the Bennets, though occasionally the mention could not be avoided.

After a while, Elizabeth noticed the position of the sun in the sky. Rising from the spot she had discovered, she returned to the inn to tell her aunt and uncle what she had found.

Over the next few days, Elizabeth rose early each morning to make her way to the lake she had discovered. Her uncle permitted it, knowing that Elizabeth had always enjoyed her time outdoors. While she had never complained, Elizabeth hated living in London, though she adored her aunt and uncle. Since there was nothing she could do to change her situation, and grateful to her relations for taking her in, she did her best to be content, but she did miss the country.

For three mornings, she met no one as she walked between the inn and the lake. However, after sitting by the lake for several minutes on that third morning, she turned upon hearing a noise and saw a gentleman approach on his horse.

"Good morning, miss," he said, his voice pleasant, but something in his eyes made Elizabeth wary.

She nodded in greeting. "Good morning. If you will please excuse me, it is time I return to my relations."

"Leaving so soon?" he asked, in a teasing tone that set Elizabeth's teeth on edge. "We have not had a chance to get to know one another yet. I have watched you these last several days as you explored the grounds. Tell me, what do you think of the estate's grounds?"

"My family is expecting me back," was all Elizabeth would say as began to make her way toward the path. Something about this man, and the fact that it appeared he had been watching her on her previous visits, made her extremely uncomfortable.

However, he had dismounted from his horse and now put himself in her way. "They would be delighted to know you were with me," he said. "Forgive me for not introducing myself soon, since most people here already know me. You must not be from here."

"I am not," she replied, attempting to sidestep him and go around him. He was making her uncomfortable. "Please allow me to pass."

"I am Fitzwilliam Darcy," he said. "I am the master of Pemberley, or soon will be; have you seen it yet? Remain with me. I would like to get to know you better."

"I do not care who you are as I have no intention of remaining here and getting to know anyone. We have not been properly introduced and your actions do not make me want to know you at all."

She nearly shrieked when he put his hands on her arms to hold her still.

"That isn't very nice," he said. "Stay and let me get to know you."

"No," she replied, stomping on one of his boots. Unfortunately, his own boots prevented her from causing him pain, though it did make him angry.

"Stupid chit," he cried. "You'll scuff my blasted boots and then where will I be?" He smacked her across the face and she immediately reached up and returned the favour, scratching him as well.

"Bitch," he cried out as he further accosted her. "I would have made this good for you, but now, I will make sure this is unpleasant for you. I will ruin you and your whole family for this."

"Let me go," she cried as she continued to struggle. Her hands clawed at his face and neck and he slapped her once again, before grabbing the neck of her gown and pulling at it, causing it to tear.

She kicked at him then and attempted to free her arms from his grasp. He turned her so her back was toward him as he attempted to subdue her.

Just as Elizabeth began to think all was lost, a second man rode up. He quickly jumped down from his horse and, after taking a moment to determine what was happening there, without a word to anyone, struck her attacker across the jaw, forcing the man to release his grip. For several long moments, she watched the two scuffle, landing several punches on each other, when suddenly, her attacker fell and did not rise again.

She turned to look at her rescuer and found herself staring into the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.