Miss Elizabeth Bennet came down to breakfast one morning to find her aunt and uncle deep in conversation over hot tea and breakfast muffins. They stopped their conversation as soon as Elizabeth entered the breakfast parlour of the small inn they were staying in and turned guilty faces towards their niece. The three of them were on a summer tour of Derbyshire and had so far visited Chatsworth, Kenilworth and were currently planning activities for their next few days.

"I'm not going to like this am I?" Elizabeth sighed gently as she took a seat at the table and poured a cup of waiting hot chocolate. The fact that there was even hot chocolate on the table indicated that either her Aunt Lucy or Uncle Edward were hoping to convince her to do something that she really didn't want to do. It was a tactic that they had used in the past, using chocolate in some form to persuade a grimy tomboy to take a bath, or to comb the tangles out of her hair.

"Now Lizzie, don't be like that! Can't an uncle give his favourite niece a treat without it being seen as some nefarious plan? I'm hurt, Elizabeth." Edward Gardiner sighed heavily and placed a hand over his chest to indicate his deep sorrow. Elizabeth reached across the table and took hold of his hands.

"Uncle Edward, you really are a dear to have me along with you on this trip. But really are a poor actor! Tell me, what is it that you will have me do? It had better not be another rock climbing expedition! I think Father will not agree to yet another pair of walking boots ruined…" Elizabeth grinned in memory of the last few days where she and Edward had scampered happily over the rocks and hills of the area until her boots had been quite worn through.

"No rocks involved this time, darling. As you know, I was born and raised in Derbyshire and I really would like to go back to see somewhere that I haven't seen since I was a girl, living with my parents in a village called Lambton." Lucy Gardiner looked over at her niece to gauge her reaction, they were extremely close and Elizabeth had confided in her aunt the situation with a certain Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pemberley. When Elizabeth didn't react at the mention of the name of the village, Lucy took that to mean that Darcy had not revealed the name of the village closest to his family home.

"I remember the name from the stories you used to tell Jane and myself when you came to visit. It sounds lovely. What is there to see in the area?" Elizabeth was delighted that she would finally get to see the town and surrounding area that her aunt described so fondly.

"Well that's the thing that you may not like…It's near Pemberley – but the family is almost certainly from home at this late in the season." Edward leant forward pitching his voice a little in almost desperation. He knew that his wife had a long held desire to finally get to see the inside of the house now that the Darcy's had opened the family rooms up to public viewing; as for himself he had long heard stories of the many streams and lakes that were dotted around the grounds at Pemberley and the fine fishing that was to be had there. Elizabeth felt her face going stiff with shock but managed to compose herself before she let her innermost feelings show. When she had returned from visiting her newly married friend, Charlotte Collins, it was Lucy to whom she turned to and unburdened some of the truth about the true character of George Wickham; a man who had so willingly left lies and betrayal in his wake. After she had revealed some of the other events at Kent and the anger that she harboured, they had stepped in to offer her this lovely holiday, so how could she refuse their request? She remained doubtful of whether she could bear to see the home of the man whose proposal she rejected so forcefully and still felt the remaining shame of accepting the word of a man who had clearly made the practice of spreading lies and unhappiness to all he encountered.

You seem to take a great deal of attention to the misfortunes of that man…..is this truly what you think of me…?

"Well, Lizzy? What say you? Shall we visit Pemberley?" Edward Gardiner's voice broke through her reverie and jolted her back to the present. She was momentarily distracted and then remembered her train of thought.

"Are we sure that the family are not presently at home? I would feel most awkward if…"

"Lizzy, dear. It's the tail end of summer, most of the larger homes have already started returning to Town. I've made some discreet enquiries and have been told that the Darcy's are currently away from home and will not be returning until the weeks end. Don't worry, dear." Lucy Gardiner laid a hand on her niece's shoulder and gently patted it in reassurance. The two of them were very close and Elizabeth had shared some of her dealings with Darcy…but not all; she only revealed that he had spent some time at Rosings whilst she was there and revealed that Greg Wickham was not quite the amiable young gentleman that he appeared to be on the surface. As to the rest, Elizabeth didn't feel comfortable revealing Darcy's proposal to anyone, she hadn't even told her elder sister, Jane.

"Very well, then. Let us visit Pemberley and see how the mighty Darcy's live!"

"That's the spirit!" Edward reached over and gave Elizabeth a peck on the cheek in encouragement. "Well, there's no time like the present. Quick, Lucy before she changes her mind!" Edward hustled his wife and niece out of the inn to where an open carriage was waiting on the cobbles. He had a quiet word with the driver and they set off towards Lucy's childhood haunts. As they drove through Lambton and out into the surrounding countryside, Elizabeth sat back against the cushions and raised her closed eyes towards the warm August sun.

"It's very pleasant here, isn't it?" Lucy leant forwards from the opposite seat. Elizabeth didn't open her eyes but merely murmured a response.

"How far is it to Pemberley anyway, Lucy?" Edward asked his wife, peering out into the countryside in search of suitable fishing spots.

"Well, actually…we've already passed Pemberley Woods. The house should be coming up just over the next rise…" The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They had entered it from one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.

"How far…?" They drove for nearly half a mile in fact, until the house came into view situated on the opposite side of the valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. Elizabeth sat upright in shock….all of this belonged to Darcy! She could hardly believe it, no wonder he was so arrogant!

"Pemberley Park was originally owned outright by the Darcy's for a number of years, but I remember when the elder Mr. Darcy died, the current Mr. Darcy turned most of the land over to the County on the agreement that it should be kept as a country park and never built on. I believe he kept hold of the house and a few hundred acres of farmland surrounding it…." Lucy paused when she heard a painful sigh coming from her husband, she turned and kissed his cheek before continuing, "Yes, darling. He kept the fishing lakes too!"

It was a large, handsome stone building standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills. In front, a stream of some natural importance was swollen with water. Its bank were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all warm in their admiration and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something special indeed.

On finally arriving at the front of the house, they applied to see the place. They were admitted into the hall and stood waiting for the housekeeper to arrive. Elizabeth was a little bemused to find herself actually standing in the hallway of Darcy's family home and a thought crossed her mind as to what Darcy himself might think of her being there… Mrs. Reynolds, the elderly housekeeper arrived to take them on a tour of the rooms open to visitors. She was a respectable looking lady, very polite and quite friendly in her actions. They followed her into the dining parlour. It was a large, well-proportioned room, handsome in decoration. Elizabeth crossed over the finely woven carpet to look out over the prospect from the multi paned windows. The gardens and grounds were a delight to look upon and she looked at the whole scene, the streams and the trees scattered along its banks and the winding of the valley were pure joy to look at. As they passed into other rooms these objects were taking different positions; but from every wind other were some other beauties to be seen. All of the rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture perfectly suited to their owner; but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine. Rather unlike the gilded splendour of Rosings, she thought to herself.

"Lizzie, dear look. Is that not Mr. Wickham?" Lucy called her niece over to examine a series of miniature portraits arranged over the mantelpiece. Mrs. Reynolds noticed their interest and came over to explain further.

"Ah, yes that is a picture of the son of the last estates manager, George Wickham. The young gentleman was a particular favourite of the late Mr. Darcy; he did enter the Army but I fear that he has turned out very wild indeed. Such a shame, for he was not raised to be that way." Mrs. Reynolds placed the miniature back on the shelf and selected another for viewing. "Here is one of the current, Master. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. It is a very faithful representation of him and was painted a few years before his Father passed away." Mrs. Reynolds handed the portrait over to Lucy who examined it for a moment before handing it over to her niece.

"It is a handsome face, I grant you that. Tell me, Lizzie is it a likeness?" Elizabeth held the portrait in her hands and examined it closely. The face was clearly Darcy but the expression upon it was softer and not just due to his age, it was if he hadn't a care in the world and the artist had managed to capture a twinkle in his eye that Elizabeth had yet to see.

"Does the young lady know Mr. Darcy?" Mrs. Reynolds turned around to look closer at Elizabeth, who blushed at being caught out practically caressing the portrait. She handed it quickly back to the housekeeper, who carefully replaced it back in pride of place.

"Yes, I know him a little." Elizabeth finally replied, Mrs. Reynolds turned to look at the younger woman a little closer.

"And do you not think him a handsome man?" Mrs. Reynolds asked, wanting more details of how well this young woman knew her Darcy. Could he have finally met the right girl at last?

"Yes, very handsome." Elizabeth blushed furiously at this confession and turned away to hide her face. Lucy stared at her niece's back, astonished at the statement. In their conversations, regarding Darcy and his character, not once had Elizabeth mentioned that she was even remotely attracted to him! Mrs. Reynolds nodded sagely and decided that this Miss Bennet might be a very interesting person indeed. Most of the younger ladies that had toured the house seemed to be only interested in the fine furnishings and the financial aspect of the Darcy's this young lady seemed very different however.

"I am sure I do not know of a handsomer and kinder young man. In fact in the gallery that is situated in the family wing upstairs there is a finer, much larger picture of him than this. This room was my late master's favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be then. He and his wife, Lady Anne were very fond of them. Now, the gallery isn't usually part of the normal tour, but you seem a sensible young miss, so I am sure that you won't cause any mischief. Why don't I show your companions the gardens whilst you run upstairs and take a peep? I'll have one of our footmen show you the way."

Before she even quite realised what was happening, Elizabeth felt herself being shooed out into the hallway where Mrs. Reynolds held a whispered conversation with an older looking footman crossing the hall.

"Henry, take her up to the family wing and point her in the direction of the gallery." Henry, one of the eldest of the household staff looked at the housekeeper in amazement. The Darcy's were extremely private people and the house tours were kept strictly to a few downstairs rooms and the grounds. Even their closest family friends were denied admittance to the private family quarters. Mrs. Reynolds tugged Henry's arm to tug him a little closer.

"She knows our Darcy! And she thinks that he is very handsome…"

"Right-ho, Dottie. I'll take her up straight away, you do realise that if Darcy were to find out…?"

"But he's not here, is he?" Mrs. Reynolds pushed Henry towards a bewildered looking Elizabeth who was waiting with her aunt and uncle just by the grand front door. He bowed towards the beautiful young lady and indicated that she should follow him up the grand staircase.

"We'll wait for you out near the carriage, dearest." Lucy called softly and then followed the housekeeper out into the warm sunshine. Elizabeth continued to follow the footman up the staircase and then turned at the top as they came to two sets of large imposing set of wooden doors.

"Just along that corridor are the guest suites in the east wing. Over here to the West is the family wing contained the private suites of Mr. Darcy and his sister, Miss Georgiana. The portrait gallery is…" Henry pointed out the location of the guest quarters and the family chambers but stopped when he caught sight of a housemaid about to enter the East Wing with a heaped bundle of bedlinens. "Polly, why isn't Daisy helping you with that? Excuse me, Miss for one moment whilst I deal with this matter…" Henry left Elizabeth standing on the landing with a set of doors on either side of her. She could hear Henry's conversation with the young maid and hid a smile at his concerned tone.

"Now what have Mrs. Reynolds and I told you about taking things a little easier. That babe is not going to like his mum lifting things as heavy as this." Henry took half off the load from the housemaids arms and glanced back over at Elizabeth. "Would you mind if I left you to look at the portraits on your own Miss? It's just that Polly here really shouldn't be working so hard, what with the babe nearly here."

"Now Mr. Henry, the young Miss doesn't need to hear that! I'm sorry, Miss for disturbing your visit; some people have a tendency to over react."

"What would your Mother say if she found out that her own brother had let you lift heavy things in your fifth month?" Henry admitted that he was a little over protective of his only niece, who insisted that she was capable of still working, albeit on lighter duties. But with the house party due to arrive within a matter of days and housemaids that tended to disappear when it came time to back up the beds required…

"I'm sure I can make my own way back out into the gardens unassisted." Elizabeth went to turn around and make her way back down towards the hall when Henry called her back.

"Mrs. Reynolds was most insistent that you see the portrait gallery. If you turn left as you enter the Family Wing, follow the corridor down a little until you come to the first set of doors on your right. Please, take your time, it's quite alright."

"Very well, I would like to see the portraits. I understand that there is a very fine one of Miss Darcy." Elizabeth turned towards the family wing and reached out a hand to the handle, only to hesitate at the last moment. "Are you quite sure that it's alright for me to go on alone?" She turned back to question, only to find herself alone on the staircase, Henry having entered the East Wing to assist his niece. "What a very strange household. I'm certain that Mother would never approve." Indeed the very idea of having a very obviously pregnant member of staff would never be entertained at Longbourn, appearances were everything to Mrs. Bennet and the girl would have found herself dismissed the moment that the pregnancy had been revealed. The idea though, that family were amongst the staff at Pemberley delighted Elizabeth in ways that she couldn't describe. The fact that Henry and the Housekeeper were past their prime, had not escaped Elizabeth's notice, they were obviously valued members of the household and this fact in itself raised Darcy higher in Elizabeth's opinion. She took a deep breath and reached out a hand to turn the elaborate handle on one of the doors and stepped through into the family wing. There was a subtle scent of citrus in the air that reminded Elizabeth immediately of Darcy's scent. It must be lemon oil in the beeswax polish that Mrs. Reynolds uses, thought Elizabeth to herself as she walked along the rich carpeting. It is strange though, how the scent seems richer here, than downstairs where there was lots of woodwork. Elizabeth found herself pausing at a crossroads in the wing, did Henry say that the gallery was to the left or to the right. She looked to the right where a set of doors were tightly closed and then looked at a set of doors that were slightly ajar to the left. Taking the turn to the left and peering through the gap between the doors; she was met with a sight that held her mesmerised and rooted her to the spot…