Chapter 1

Elizabeth glanced down at her iPod and changed the song. Turning up the volume, she looked out the window from her place in the backseat and got lost in the soothing classical melody playing through her headphones. The interstate was packed with cars, which wasn't a surprise given they were traveling the Friday before a holiday weekend. Even with the volume turned up, Liz couldn't completely drown out the cries of her youngest sister, Lydia, or her mother as they eagerly discussed their weekend plans.

As tradition dictated, her entire family was traveling to the Florida Keys to visit their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner for the Fourth of July holiday. Their summer home resided in a gated community in the northern half of Key Largo, Florida. About an hour south of Miami, it boasted million dollar mansions, private condominiums, a resort, several marinas that docked luxurious yachts, as well as various restaurants, shops, and golf courses, all available to those who could afford them.

Despite the archetypal airs that usually came from those residing at The Club, it was one of Liz's favorite places in the world. Nearly everything was either within walking distance or accessible by golf cart, the primary means of transportation within the property. The grounds were kept in immaculate condition. White and yellow orchids wrapped around trimmed palm trees, bright flowers were planted in the beds in front of every house and condo, and the pristine green grass did not contain a single stray leaf.

Elizabeth was most looking forward to curling up with a good book. Near the marina was an area called Palm Isle, which contained two swimming pools, a man-made lagoon, and a poolside bar, all of which overlooked the vast blue ocean. If she got there early enough, she could claim a lounge chair by the infinity pool where she could watch the yachts and other watercraft pulling into the marina. On the weekends they also had guitarists singing popular island songs poolside. To this day, every time Elizabeth heard a Jimmy Buffet song playing, she thought of The Club.

"And just think of how many families will be visiting this weekend," she could hear her mother saying. "Maybe you girls will meet some handsome, rich, eligible young men."

Liz had been listening to her mother give this same speech on their drive to The Club since she turned eighteen. Now a graduate student residing off campus at a university in Florida, she could typically escape her mother's fanciful declarations, but currently being confined to a car, all Liz could do was sigh and attempt to hold her tongue.

She threw a scowl in her older sister's direction. Jane, who sat contentedly in the middle seat next to her, simply smiled back encouragingly. Out of the three sisters, Jane was the gentlest. In Liz's opinion, her patient disposition and soft-spoken nature made her a perfect teacher. Since graduating with her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education three years ago, Jane had moved back home to Central Florida and began teaching kindergarten at a private school for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. From what Liz's mother told her, it seemed like the children adored Jane, who was too modest to make such a declaration herself.

"They'd better have a bonfire again this year!" stated Lydia, excitedly leaning forward from her seat. "It's the perfect romantic setting to meet a romantic stranger. Oh! Or the fireworks on Monday night!"

Liz rolled her eyes and removed the headphone from her right ear before addressing her sister. "Lydia, you know the odds of your life turning out like one of your romance novels are one in a million right?"

"Do you know that cynicism will one hundred percent guarantee that you will die old, ugly, and alone?" retorted Lydia with a smirk.

Liz scowled.

"As it happens," piped up their mother from the front of the car, "I spoke with your aunt just yesterday and she confirmed that The Club was hosting a bonfire and cocktail hour for all members and their guests on Palm Isle tomorrow night. She also said a certain new gentleman and his family would be in attendance. Apparently he is a fresh out of medical school and comes from a family of some means. Jane, he would do just fine for you!"

Liz threw her sister an understanding smile before catching her father's gaze in the rearview mirror. She rolled her eyes and heard him quietly chuckle from his seat behind the wheel. Although her father would never be able to admit it, she knew he favored her above her sisters. They shared the same sense of humor and enjoyed laughing at the expense of the others in their family, with the exception of Jane.

Her mother often dramatized her personal woes and avidly urged her daughters to find men of sizeable wallets. She once secretly signed both Liz and Jane up for MarryABillionaire, a dating website created with the sole purpose of matching women with amiable men. She had gone so far as to create profiles of both daughters and talk to unsuspecting men while impersonating them. If it hadn't been for Liz walking in on her private messaging a billionaire with the username TubFullOMoney, one of the rich bachelors could have randomly ended up at their dinner table, tub in tow.

"What about me mamma?" cooed Lydia. "Does this wealthy doctor have any hot younger brothers?"

Her mother answered in the negative, but implied he may have other friends for Lydia to interact with.

At sixteen, Lydia was infatuated with the opposite sex, as most girls were. She spent the majority of her time either flirting, plastering scantily clad selfies on social media sites, or gossiping with her friends about the most "awesomely hot" boys at her university. Liz often wondered how her studies compared to that of her social life for she had never seen her sister once crack open a textbook.

Her father turned off the main roadway and onto the side road that brought them northward towards the country club. The mangroves on either side of the narrow roadway soon opened up to reveal the bridge separating their destination from the mainland. At the top, Liz could see The Club on their left and before she knew it they were at the security gate.

After the guard verified their name, the gate was raised and her father drove the car forward. The golf course surrounded both sides of the road and palm trees were strategically placed in the medians. Liz could see several couples teeing off or putting their little white balls into the hole on the green. Jane was the golfer in the family. She played competitively throughout high school and now went out for fun on occasion as time allowed between grading papers and organizing lesson plans. Liz, on the other hand, preferred swimming and had been on the varsity team in high school. To this day it was still her favorite form of exercise, mostly due to the fact that it provided much needed relief from the scorching sun and humidity. Lydia, as one could probably guess, did not care a lick about sports and had opted instead to advance her social skills.

At the fork, her father turned right towards the marina, deciding to take a quick tour before heading to their aunt and uncle's house. The marina was packed with yachts and Liz knew she would be fighting for that spot on Palm Isle. She spotted a few familiar names from last year, Sailing Spree, The Little Mermaid III, and Donna Marie. Several new yachts also crowded the docks. The largest of which being a six-deck super-yacht with a clean white exterior. Two jet skis sat contentedly on the vast back deck, and a boat larger than their car was tethered in the water behind it. The vessel took up at least two slips and the surrounding yachts looked miniscule floating next to it. As they passed, Liz noticed it was named Pemberley and she wondered how one had come to pick that name.

They rounded the corner in the parking lot and passed the entrance to Palm Isle. Through the archway, she could see the pedestrian bridge that went over one of the smaller marinas, leading to the pool deck. Passing by the resort, which overlooked the pools, lagoon, and ocean, they headed towards the section that contained the privately owned homes and condos on the property. At the four way stop, they turned right and then right again onto Harbor Lane. The fifth house on the right was their aunt and uncle's. It was smaller than the two mansions on either side of it, but no one could beat the ocean view from the backyard. Even with its five bedrooms and four and a half baths, the family would have plenty of room, provided Jane and Liz continued to share a room as they had been doing their entire lives.

Liz placed her iPod in her purse and emerged from the car. Staring up, she admired the Florida Keys feel of the light blue home. White shutters lined each window, and a wrap around deck circled the first floor of the house. Palm trees and bright green bushes were scattered throughout the yard, and floor to ceiling windows allowed one to peer directly from the road and see out to the ocean on the other side.

All five of them walked up the steps to the front door and were greeted by Daniel and Valerie Gardiner.

"You're finally here!" said Val in her sweet British accent, eagerly hugging everyone within reach. She wore a yellow sundress that accentuated her small, petite frame. White wedge heels gave her an additional few inches, but she still came up short compared to the others in the family.

Liz eagerly accepted her aunt's embrace. She adored both her aunt and uncle and traveled with them often. So far they had taken her to Alaska, Maine, Vancouver, and San Juan. As traditional dictated, they planned to travel again next year. Liz was particularly excited to see Val's hometown in Derbyshire later next year for she had never been to Europe, but hearing about the clean air and small town Val grew up in always held a special appeal for Liz.

"Come on in," said Dan after he finished hugging Jane. He extended his hand, inviting them into the airy home. When they all entered, Dan closed the door and tucked his hands in his navy blue short pockets. Upon closer inspection, Liz saw they had white anchors on them. His crisp white collared shirt did not contain a single crease or wrinkle. No doubt his time in the military had instilled many permanent habits.

Her uncle had enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school and shortely thereafter decided to make a career of it. Liz always believed it was to escape her mother, for the siblings were polar opposites when it came to personality. Where Liz's mother was outspoken, overly opinionated, and harsh, her uncle was quiet, approachable, and soft-spoken. Uncle Dan had eventually risen to a Vice Admiral and had retired a few years ago after completing 38 years of service. Even now he always had to live within a mile of a body of water and their home in Florida was just one of many they possessed on the Eastern coast of the United States.

In addition to their Florida Keys home, they also owned a lake house in North Carolina, a four-story brownstone in New York City and a quaint cottage in England. Val had grown up in a modest household in Derbyshire. When she was sixteen her father agreed to open a business with an old friend from university. She moved to Lakenheath that summer with her parents. Knowing the Air Force Base in Lakenheath would provide ample business, they opened the Ye Olde Pub within a year. To make some money, Val began assisting her father in the pub and, as she grew older, also helped when she was home on breaks from school. One night a handsome American sailor caught her attention and the rest was history.

Val and Dan married after a year's worth of letters traveled between the pair. She ended up moving from England to the States and the pair traveled across the world together, wherever his job took them. On the side, Val worked as a remote English tutor and travel blogger, writing about her journeys from continent to continent and how best to travel on a budget.

"Did you take a detour?" hollered Val from the kitchen. "The gate called just after you arrived and it took you longer than I expected to reach the house."

"Yes," shouted Mrs. Bennet in her direction, "You know my husband, always eager to see all the boats."

Mr. Bennet was an avid fisherman. Like Liz's uncle, he too preferred being on the water. Liz suspected it was to escape the house and her mother as she did not like the idea of not knowing what was beneath her feet at all times. Most weekends her dad would take his little boat out and be gone for hours, sitting in the Intracoastal Waterway, fishing pole in hand, enjoying the solitude.

"I noticed there were several large yachts in the marina," continued Mrs. Bennet as Val entered the living room and sat on one of the sofas. "Do any belong to that young man you were telling me about?"

"Christopher Bingley? No, I do not believe he owns a yacht," responded Val, walking in with a tray of ice teas. Liz eagerly took one of the glasses from off the ottoman and sat down next to Jane, readying herself for another one of her mother's suitor speeches. "I do think, however, that I heard in passing one of the super-yachts belonged to a friend of his. A William Darcy."

Oh no, thought Liz, knowing full well what was coming.

"I believe they are staying there until the renovations are complete on Christopher's home," said Val.

"Liz," her mother said addressing her, "it seems that we have a nice young man for you as well."

Liz rolled her eyes and threw a 'help me' face towards Jane.

"And how well off is he?" inquired Mrs. Bennet, taking a sip of her own drink.

"Mother!" said Liz, "That is really none of our business."

"Eliza, dear," retorted her mother. "I'm sure it's common knowledge amongst everyone here at The Club. Aren't I right, Val?"

"Well he is a new member, and I am currently on the member's board so yes, amongst us it is common knowledge as you must have a certain income to maintain club membership," said Val.

Mrs. Bennet stared fixedly at Val, not willing to back down or retract her question. Val however could be just as stubborn as Liz's mother.

"I will not be naughty and tell you his net worth," said Val pointedly, "but I can tell you that he has inherited a hotel fortune and is vey well off."

Val took a sip of her tea, signaling she did not wish to gossip about the newest member's income any longer.

"Anyways," said Val, "Christopher bought the old mansion out on Cannon Drive. You should drive by later and take a look. You wouldn't recognize the house now. You're free to take the golf cart."

"Let's go now!" said Lydia eagerly. "And then we can go to Palm Isle. I did not come down here just to sit in the house all day."

"The keys are in the normal spot on the kitchen counter when you're ready to leave," said Dan from the corner of the room.

"Thanks, Uncle Dan," responded Elizabeth, shooting him a smile.

Liz changed into her black bikini and cover-up. Grabbing her beach bag from her suitcase, she began filling it with a book, suntan lotion, sunglasses, and goggles, in case she decided to swim some laps. She ran into Jane as she was coming back from changing in the bathroom. Liz said she would grab the keys and meet her in the kitchen. Lydia was already changed into a skimpy red bikini when she arrived and was attempting to take a flattering selfie with her phone.

"You're going to put a cover up on, right?" inquired Elizabeth.

"What's the point?" said Lydia, still looking into the camera lens of her phone. "We are going for a short drive and then I will just have to take it off when we get to the pool anyways."

Liz knew there was sometimes no use arguing with her younger sister. When it came to Lydia, she was better off saving her energy to win a more important battle later on. But, just in case they decided to eat at the open aired restaurant, she dropped Lydia's cover up in her bag.

Liz grabbed the keys and took a few cold bottles of water from the fridge. Jane entered as Lydia was scrolling through her photos, trying to find the best photo to post on her Instagram account.

"Ugh! None of these are good enough," she complained, tossing her phone into her own bag. "I'll just take more at Palm Isle. Can we go now?"

"Yes," said Jane, peering out from behind her floppy straw hat and oversized sunglasses. "Let me go tell them we are leaving." While they were changing, their parents and aunt and uncle had made their way to the back deck, which overlooked the ocean and part of Palm Isle. A light breeze was coming off the ocean. They all sat around an empty fire pit, drinks in hand, and a small spread of appetizers laid out in front of them.

"Keep a eye on your youngest sister," Liz could hear her mother ordering Jane as she walked with Lydia towards the front door.

Liz hopped into the driver's seat of the golf cart, happy to have some semblance of freedom back. As soon as Jane joined them, they were off in the direction of Christopher Bingley's house.

Driving the golf cart around was one Liz's favorite things to do at The Club. Taking a deep breath, she propped her left foot on the golf cart dashboard and maneuvered their way onto Cannon Drive. After tucking some of her wavy brown hair behind her ear, she was able to spot the house at a distance.

As they approached the end of the street, Liz noticed that the home had been upgraded from two floors to three. An extra garage has been added as well, and many vans and trucks were parked out front. Construction workers busily bustled on the front porch and third story addition.

"It's completely different," said Liz, slowing down. "It looks like they even purchased the lot next door."

"It's massive!" screeched Lydia from the back of the golf cart. "Better hope mom doesn't see it, Jane, or she will be even more gung-ho on you and Bingley for sure!"

Liz glanced over at Jane just in time to see a blush creeping to her cheeks.

"It's nice of her to care so much about us," said Jane.

"More like obsess," retorted Liz. "It's astounding how someone his age can afford this."

"Before we left mom told me his parents left him and his sister, Caroline, a lot of money when they died," said Lydia. "They were both relatively famous plastic surgeons out in California, and Bingley and Caroline moved to the East coast to get away from all the prestige."

"Wow! I didn't know you knew such big words, Lydia," teased Liz.

"Shut up!" said Lydia, punching Liz in the arm. "Anyways, that's also apparently why he decided to become a doctor, pediatrician specifically- it was too painful to follow in their footsteps. Plus he has always liked kids, though I couldn't imagine why. He's even in some mentor program near their other home in New York. And Caroline is a model. She was recently featured in Cosmopolitan magazine and is walking in New York Fashion Week later this year. It's rumored she is dating a handsome billionaire. Must be nice…"

"Where on earth does mom manage to get her information from?" said Liz exasperatedly.

"Well all the Bingley stuff is from mom," said Lydia. "I Googled information on Caroline on the drive down."

"I don't think that it's right to gossip about them," said Jane. "Let alone right in front of their home."

"It's not like they're here!" stated Lydia.

"You're right, Jane," Liz agreed. "Let's head to Palm Isle." Stepping on the pedal, she rounded the cul-de-sac and drove back up the street.

"Hey, Liz!" Lydia shouted over the wind. "Drive by the super-yachts again. Maybe we can spot your Mr. Darcy! I'll Google him too if you want!"