It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an exuberance of pride has lead to the downfall of many men or women or beasts.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was indeed a proud man. Upon the death of his parents he as heir of Pemberley inherited all of his family's estates, land and money. Pemberley being one of the largest properties in all of England. At age twelve his mother had birthed a baby girl, Darcy now found himself not only without his own parents, but now the acting parent to an eleven year old. Unequipped for parenthood and consumed with grief, he removed his sister, the very soul his mother traded for, from the center of his life.

With his newfound position, Darcy enjoyed hosting large parties to flaunt his extreme wealth. He cared for so few, many believed he cared for no other besides himself. He had no care for his tenants or their needs. He left that responsibility to his housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds. To avoid his growing sister, he hired a governess to watch Georgiana. She took her away from Pemberley, at the master's request and hid her from her brother and the rest of the world.

One evening, amidst one of his lavish parties, the master of Pemberley found himself bored. While brooding on his throne overlooking his guests he heard yelling behind the entrance to the ballroom. A frail woman entered. Her skin wrinkled and droopy. Teeth yellowed. Hair matted and falling out, she wore simple robes draped across her body. The party broke in half, as if parting the sea for her as she made her way to the master himself. Holding out her delicate and shaking hand she presented him with a single rose asking for shelter from the bitter cold. The master looked at her and laughed at her with his deep baritone voice. The guests joined in, taunting the poor woman.

She pleaded with him a second time, but upon further refusal she warned him.

"For beauty is found within." After Darcy turned away from her, gesturing for his servants to remove the woman, a bright light began to shine. Shades of amber and gold exploded off the woman. Darcy covered his eyes from the brightness which stood before him. The old woman's appearance melted away and revealed a beautiful enchantress. He begged for forgiveness, but it was too late.

With a lovely melodic voice she spoke, "There is no love in your heart Fitzwilliam Darcy. Not for your sister, not for your parents. This was not the man they raised you to become. Your only concern is for your own self interest. Until you can love another and earn her love in return you will remain a beast, reflecting the pride in your heart. You have until this" holding up the rose, "last petal falls to change or you will forever remain a beast."

With these sentiments, his body grew his handsome features replaced by grotesque features resembling predatory animals from the wild. The transformation being quite painful caused him to cry out in pain. His cry being the roar of a lion. He looked to his servants and those who narrowly raised him as they transformed themselves. To what he himself saw each of them...objects.

The enchantress gave the families of these servants some hope, they simply forgot. All memories with those they loved would forever be gone unless the spell could be broken.

Years passed, he fell into great despair, gone were his good looks and charms. He lost all hope of returning to his human form, for who could ever learn to love a beast?

Mr. Thomas Bennet, a man of good fortune had found himself at both the highest and lowest points in his life. His eldest daughter Jane had wed a man of great fortune and respectability, a Mr. Bingley who by all accounts of anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him was indeed an agreeable and personable man. They had met at an assembly in their small town of Meryton in the county of Hertfordshire within 2 months of making their acquaintance they were married. A week following the union, Mrs. Bennet fell severely ill from low spirits, the loss of her most beautiful daughter greatly affecting her. Within days the color faded from her face as Mrs. Fanny Bennet left this world, her goal of having a daughter well married completed.

The funeral was attended by many, the newly married Bingleys returned from their wedding trip early to help mourn the loss of the matriarch of the Bennet family. The words of their local reverend touched many hearts as they said goodbye to such an impactful woman upon the community of Meryton.

After a time of mourning, Mr. Bennet was still at a loss. As a man of great reflection and observation, he was not one to openly express himself. Making his grieving all the more painful. While he enjoyed teasing his wife and daughters, it came from a place of love. His wife was indeed his closest friend and confidante. Deep within himself he knew that there may always be a void where she would always be absent from his life.

In an attempt to bring his brother in law from his sorrows, Mr. Edward Gardiner approached Mr. Bennet with a proposition. A chance to increase his fortunes through the cotton industry. Mr. Gardiner assured him that prospects were booming and slight investment would sure to turn a profit. Mr. Bennet, the sensible man he was logically looked at the profit margins. Wanting to increase the dowries for his four unwed daughters he agreed to the scheme.

After the passing of his wife, he gave more attention to his daughters. Paying them every courtesy they deserved, they were good girls, if a little silly. But they needed their father and he began caring to their individual needs. Elizabeth, the new Miss Bennet was wise beyond her years, as she was getting older he worried that she may never marry. As her father's favorite he had impossible expectations for potential husbands, but he only wanted the best for her. As he wanted the same for all his girls, just on smaller scales.

He knew the war hero Mr. George Wickham to have a fancy for her, but the way in which Mr. Wickham looked to his daughter frightened him. In fact Mr. Bennet believed Wickham looked upon his daughter as if she were his meal...Tasty and savory. He feared Elizabeth may have formed a tender for him, but was decided against him, for he believed she had better judgment than that.

Mary, the third of the sisters was perhaps a bit shy about company. She had not been properly instructed on how to best fit in with society and found the only conversation she was in the habit of making was in reference to religion. Mr. Bennet hoped to change that as best as he could. But she did enjoy music and she was not terrible, but he decided with assistance she could be great.

Kitty enjoyed the physical arts such as painting and drawing, but he had never sought out a master for her amusement simply because he thought it important. He decided as soon as after he met with Mr. Gardiner he would hire a master.

Lydia had always been the loudest of the bunch. But as she ages, she matured and grew out of her flirtatious behaviors which she often exhibited when she first came out of society. But in the three years since, she had learned to act the role of a proper gentlewoman. She wanted to attract a husband and discovered she could not do so by yelling and skipping everywhere she went. And that he was grateful for. But she also had an ear for singing, he heard her in the halls and hoped that the new master would also be of assistance to her.

Once the first shipment of cotton was set to arrive Mr. Bennet had his horse and necessities prepared. He asked each of his daughters what he would like him to bring back for them. For Lydia it was lace, for Kitty new paints, for Mary new music and Elizabeth, a simple rose. When he inquired as to why a rose she simply stated that it reminded her of her mother as roses were Mrs. Bennet's favorite. Tearing up at his daughter's response he silently nodded. As conflicting Elizabeth's and the late Mrs. Bennet's personalities had been, neither doubted the affection one had of the other.

As all the Bennets and Bingleys waved goodbye to their father they prayed for his safety and security whilst he traveled. As his horse kicked up dirt on the drive not one of them would have the impression of what was about to unfold in their lives as a result of his journey.

A/N: Hey guys! It's been a while. After going through some self doubt concerning my own writing I took a break, a serious break from writing at all. But after careful consideration I've decided to try once more. This time with rules set in place and expectations going forward. I know exactly how I want this story to go. I will not be influenced by comments telling me how to write this...It is my concept and I want events to unfold as I have planned. That does not mean I will never read comments I still will and I will appreciate every positive one...Key word positive. If there are any negative comments relating to my person or beliefs they will be deleted, no exceptions. I would also ask that if you were to post such negative poison you do all of us a favor and not read what I have to write...Thank you! But for all of you who wanted me to continue "An Odious Match" I'm sorry. I allowed the comments of others to change my original plan for the story and it began to get so out of hand that I no longer had a desire to complete it. This will not happen again, but I thank you for all of the positivity y'all have shown me. I do greatly appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this story as it came to me and I loved the idea of it, since "Pride and Prejudice" is my favorite book and Belle is my favorite Disney Princess it just seemed to fit. So please enjoy!