Longbourn's Distinguished Guest: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Elizabeth Bennet had been warned as to the necessity of being home on time from her woodland ramble to attend the assembly in Meryton where her family would meet their new neighbour, Mr Bingley. Absorbed in her book, she had lost track of time and is obliged to run home through the darkening woods before she is too late.

Mr Darcy of Pemberley had been feeling unwell for several days. Only his promise to his friend Bingley forces him to ride out from London to Hertfordshire where he is to assist him with the running of his estate. But as he rides through the darkening woods towards Netherfield, his illness finally overtakes him and he falls unconscious from his horse.

Elizabeth is shocked to find him and with the help of her father, takes the young man home to Longbourn where she nurses him through his illness. He is too weak to travel and is obliged to remain under the Bennets care, much to the anger of Mr Bingley’s ambitious sister, Caroline Bingley, who has her sights set on becoming Mrs Darcy.

As Elizabeth and Darcy grow closer, rumours spread through the small rural town of Meryton about a marriage between the two. Elizabeth attempts to quash the rumours, but trouble starts when they reach the wrong ears and soon, the jealousy of others threaten to tear the two apart.