A/n: Im sorry. I fail at this. Im using my pjone since i dont have a computer. Hope tgis works!

It was a sunny day in Hertfordshire and a certain young lady in the habit of rising early and taking long solitary walks was up and about. Elizabeth Bennet, dressed herself in a walking dress and her handy boots that her mother had given her for her birthday. With all the romping about that she did, her slippers were always in ruin. With some paper and pencil in hand, she made her way to the kitchen to grab a roll as was her custom in the morning.

She made her way out of the kitchen and into the backyard towards her favorite morning trail. The surrounding wilderness of her home, Longbourne, was untouched and serene. She reveled in the solitude and quiet of the morning and took her time walking to her favorite spot.

Oakham mount was a hill overlooking the vast expanse of land that her father had managed to acquire through good business sense and proper estate management. The view included a sight of Meryton, a small town near the estate, and of Netherfield, another estate that was acquired by her father some years ago. It was a beautiful house which all of the Bennets admired. It was the biggest estate in the county and there was even talk of moving there. However, all but the youngest preferred to stay in the house where they grew up in.

There was a slight breeze in the air and the sun was slowly making its way up the sky. When she reached her destination, she took a moment to look at all the beauty that nature had to offer and appreciate the simplicity of it. The way the light travels through the leaves of the trees, how blue the sky is or how the small town blended into the great majesty of nature. She looked at Netherfield and saw a great house of stone. Its lines were straight and the gardens surrounding it looked beautiful from afar. All this she kept in her mind, thinking about how the lines and planes meet and how all the colors mixed together.

She sat down at her favorite spot, a bench that her father had built at the bottom of an old oak tree that grew on top of the hill. She put the paper on her lap and started drawing. This is what she loves to do. Since she was young, she had always had a fondness for it. She had not the talent to express her emotions through words and she found that drawings did a better job. She would give her mother or father drawings to show what she felt. She would give her siblings drawings whenever she wanted to say sorry or show her excitement or appreciation.

She started with just doodling but as she got older, her family found that she had quite a talent for it. Their governess, Mrs. Halloway, taught her as much as she could. But when the student surpassed the teacher, it was suggested that she be sent to London to benefit from the Masters. She was sent to live with her Aunt Marianne, her mother's elder sister, and her family while she was there. It did wonders for her talent although It took her away from home for most of the year. That is why she walks out every morning and spends as much time as possible with her family when she comes home.

She was doing a rough sketch of Netherfield when she heard the sound of hooves on the path and saw Jane and Edward riding up. Trailing behind her brother was her horse, Brown.

"Good Morning Lizzy!" greeted Jane and Edward as they approached their sister.

"Good Morning Jane, Edward! I see you have brought Brown along."

"Yes, we thought you'd like to join us for a ride." answered Jane.

Lizzie smiled. "Of course. And I shall leave you both coughing behind in my dust." She said as she mounted.

Jane smiled and Edward replied. "We shall see who is left in the dust."

They galloped through the fields enjoying each others company and the warm sunshine. Mr. Bennet had ridden very often when he was younger and so the older children were exposed to horses at an early age. The three older Bennets enjoyed riding around the estate or on the fields beyond. It was Jane though who had the best seat, even better than their brother, which he stubbornly denies.

Back in Longbourn, the rest of the household have also risen. After breaking their fast, the younger girls stayed in the Morning room. Mary, the next born after the twins, was on the piano practicing her scales while Catherine, the second to the youngest, was engrossed in reading a book that Elizabeth had recommended. Lydia, the youngest of the Bennet children, was mending one of her bonnets. Mrs. Bennet was in Mr. Bennet's study reading a book while her husband was checking the accounts.

"My dear, there is a gentleman who would like to view the Netherfield estate." said Mr. Bennet.

Mrs. Bennet looked up from the book she was reading and said. "Indeed? Are you finally going to have someone rent it?"

"Yes dear. Since our family has decided to stay at Longbourne, I think it wise to have the house generate income."

"Well, let us prepare for Lydia's outburst then, as she is surely not to like it." Replied Mrs. Bennet with a mischievous glint to her eye.

"So you are not in disagreement to have it rented out?"

"Not at all my dear. I much prefer it here in Longbourn. We are quite comfortable and I do not see the need for all that space. This has always been our house. Perhaps we can have additional wings built onto Longbourn when need for more space arises."

"Indeed, you are right my dear. I have the same thoughts. I just wanted to know your opinion on the matter."

Mrs. Bennet smiled at her husband as thanks and went back to reading her book. Mr. Bennet smiled and thought how fortunate he was to have such a wife. It is not often in todays society to marry someone who you both love and respect.

They met when they were both coincidentally in London. He was attending a ball that he was made to go to by his mother who wanted him to find a bride and settle down. It was not that he did not want to settle down, it was just that he had not found the woman that he wanted to settle down with.

All that changed when he saw a beautiful lady walk in wearing a blue muslin gown with matching gloves, her golden hair was tied up in a bun but there were little ringlets that fell around her heart shaped face. There was a sprinkling of small blue flowers on her hair and it made her look fairy-like. She certainly bewitched George Bennet and he resolved to find a way to get introduced to her.

Frances Gardener on the other hand was excited to be going to the ball. Her father had an estate in Leicestershire and she was the youngest of 5 siblings. It was not often that they visited London but since her sister is to be wed to the Duke, they were obliged to come. It was only her second ball in London and she loved dancing and socializing and meeting new people. On that particular ball however, she was introduced to Mr. George Bennet, who it turns out, was a long time family friend. She fancied herself in love at first sight. In the days after the ball, they both managed to see each other in other events in town. He finally found the courage to court her and the rest is history.

A knock sounded on the door pulling Mr. Bennet from his thoughts. He bade permission to enter and in came Edward.

"Papa, have you made a decision about Netherfield yet? I have to write Bingley so that he can make the journey here." he asked.

"Ah so you know the gentleman who is to rent the house Edward?" Asked Mrs. Bennet.

"Yes Mama. He is an alumnus of Cambridge and I met him while he was visiting the campus a few years ago. I was talking to him of our recent acquisition of the estate and how we were thinking whether to move or have it rented. As it was, I told him that I had a preference for Longbourn so he offered that he was looking for an estate to rent and it seemed like the perfect opportunity."

Mrs. Bennet nodded and replied "Well, it's all settled then. Tell him that he can stay here as our guest for the time that he views the estate."

"Yes Mama, I shall go and write to him." He was about to leave but suddenly remembered. "May another friend of ours stay as well? I am sure that Bingley will want his opinion." Mrs. Bennet replied in the affirmative and with that, he left the study to go write his letters.

At luncheon, the announcement was made that Netherfield was to be let at last. The news was received with varying responses. Elizabeth and Jane were happy for the news as it would be nice to see the great house lived in. Mary and Kitty did not really have an opinion on the matter as they liked it at Longbourn and did not really mind what happened to Netherfield. All were happy except for Lydia who shouted "Oh but we should have moved there instead! It is so much grander than Longbourn and Maria would have been so envious!"

Mrs. Bennet gave Mr. Bennet a pointed look of amusement and replied to her daughter "We do not need that much space and Longbourn has always been the house of the Bennets ever since your great great grandpapa built it."

"La! Who cares about that! I would-" she was cut off by her father telling her to stop complaining as there is nothing she can do about it. "Indeed if we moved there then perhaps I will cut off your allowance to pay for all the extra expenses that would be needed just for the upkeep!"

This stopped Lydia at once. As it is, she thought her allowance was not enough for all the bonnets, ribbons and dresses that she wanted to buy.

Lydia Bennet was vain, loud and uneconomical. Mrs. Halloway had decided to retire when she was 10 making her the only Bennet girl to not have been under her tutalage for long. Without her influence, the youngest was not as disciplined as the older girls. She was spoiled by her parents and siblings when she was younger because they found her straight forward attitude and stubbornness endearing. Now that she is getting older, the family has been trying to curb her attitude. This however only served to make her annoyed and to act out.

After dinner, the family proceeded into the sitting room to spend some time together. Mary went to the piano and started playing. Even from a young age, she had always loved music. Her mother used to tell her that the first time she started walking was towards Elizabeth while she was playing the piano. As she got older, her love for music only grew. Her father offered to send her to town for school but she refused, saying that she still had a lot of things that she can learn by herself. She is now quite proficient at playing though her social skills suffered because of it. In balls and parties, she would rather sit on the piano and play rather than talk or dance. She was beautiful in her own right but it was her air that made it difficult for her to make friends. Those who did not understand her, found her intimidating and aloof. Her family understood that she is just shy and would sometimes be lost in her mind thinking about a melody or a tune.

Catherine was sitting near the window still reading the new book that Elizabeth recommended to her. She is the great reader of the family and spends a lot of time in the family library. Much like her brother, she is friendly and outgoing. She gives off the impression of being innocent and fairy like and has a tendency to cut conversations short because her mind likes to wander. She is known to day dream about the books she has read but once she finds the topic of conversation to her liking, she has quite a lot to say. She is also very stubborn and strong-willed like all of her siblings.

Jane, Elizabeth and Edward sat together near the fire talking about the gentleman who is to rent the estate.

"Mama mentioned that you know the gentleman that is to rent Netherfield, Edward?" asked Elizabeth.

"Yes dear sister, and no, he is no fool that would give you hours of quiet enjoyment." Quipped Edward, knowing his twin well.

"Come now Edward, I'm sure Lizzie did not ask you to find that out." Jane defended.

"Oh but I did!" Elizabeth replied teasingly. "You know me well enough to find entertainment in that Jane."

"Well Bingley is, well he's almost like Jane actually. Though less quiet and demure. More like if Jane was a man, then Bingley would be it. He has such a good temper and tries not to find any fault in any one at all!" Edward said teasing his older sister.

Jane blushed at the comparison his brother made. "I am not like that at all. I just do not think it wise to make any judgments until one is properly acquainted."

Elizabeth laughed. "But even when properly acquainted, you still do not find fault in anyone. Which I find admirable, if I might add. And if there was a male version of you then I would certainly love to meet him!"

The twins teased Jane for a little bit but then Edward added "But another friend of ours, Mr. Darcy, is the male version of you Lizzy!" Teased Edward smilingly. "For he is quite taciturn and reserved in company that he is not acquainted with but then improves upon better acquaintance."

This time, it was Elizabeth's turn to blush. She was indeed reserved when in company she does not know well. It is simply better to observe and not have to give her opinion of anything as most of the time people take what she says in the wrong light. Though she is very well read and actually finds reading a more enjoyable past time than playing music, it is not in her talents to be able to converse properly and freely with those she is not well acquainted with. It is also the reason why she loves to draw and paint. For in that way, she is able to show people what it is that she wants to convey. She does not have to directly dictate what it is she is trying to say but try to convey it in the best way possible through images and hope that her audience understands. Her success at The Salon seemed to prove this notion.

"Well then, I would like to meet Mr. Darcy then. To make the comparison." Teased Jane.

"Then you would be lucky in knowing that Bingley would most likely ask Darcy to come along to view the estate. He highly values Darcy's opinion and I am sure in a matter such as this, he would seek it." Edward said in reply.

"Does not trust his own judgement then?"

Edward thought about it as this statement has crossed his mind once or twice since knowing the gentlemen.

"I do not think it is the case. It is only that Darcy is almost always right and is very meticulous when it comes to making decisions."

"It is always a good thing to have a friend to ask for help." Jane put in.

The twins smiled at Jane's propensity to turn a negative trait to something positive. She saw their smiles and readied herself for more teasing. She dearly missed them when they left for London.

The rest of the day was spent much like this, with the twins teasing Jane and vice versa, Kitty reading a book, Mary on the piano or reading a book about music, Lydia complaining that she was bored or mending some bonnet while Mr. and Mrs. Bennet looked on in amusement at their children until it was time to settle in for the night.

A few days later, Edward received a reply from his friend Bingley. The letter was a bit hard to read as Bingley had a habit of blotting the ink and writing illegibly. He understood the gist of it however.

Bingley was happy that his father had consented to his viewing of the estate and he wanted to thank the Bennets for their hospitality. He also asked if Darcy could come along with him as he wanted his opinion on the estate. I knew it, thought Edward. He informed his father of this and consequently sent a reply that their arrival in the next week would be expected and welcomed. And so, that is how it came to be that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy found themselves in the Bennet household.