AN: I have 4 projects simultaneously in development: this one, the 4th book in my Moralities of Marriage Series, Book 6 in my Seasons of Serendipity series, and a serial called Disguise of Every Sort. I am just beginning my journey of writing 6-15,000 words per week across those projects so some may get updated as the Muse sees fit. This project is a bit of a dark horse though and I am sharing 4 chapters to get a feel for what the fans think. Please leave me a review if you want this story to continue and I shall do my best to keep up with demand! When I know people are reading, that pesky Muse of mine delights in writing more and more and more :)

XOXOX Elizabeth Ann West

*****

Elizabeth Bennet's left nostril twitched in a perturbed fashion. Without opening her eyes, she dreamily attempted to scratch the offending body part with her right hand. But her right hand, attached to her right arm, felt an enormous weight that would not signify in her half-asleep mind. Therefore, the consequence of an itchy nose demanded at least one eyelid to lazily lift and give a blurred glance at her invalid arm.

Intelligence gathered by one eye quickly required the confirmation of a second eye, followed by a squawk of surprise as her entire body pushed and shoved a retreat from the other body inhabiting the bed with her! Groping at the thin sheet to cover her naked form, Elizabeth clamped her mouth shut lest she wake the burly, somewhat hairy, man who had slumbered easily nestled next to her. His back facing her side of the bed, the broad muscular structure of his shoulders and bare back declared her bedmate definitively male. Though not unpleasing to view, she could not allow herself such idiotic indulgences.

Her sandy eyes blinked furiously, she urgently wished to push the last remaining befuddlement of this disastrous awakening out of her mind so that she might think of a plan. Panic rose with the bile threatening to overcome her senses as Elizabeth tried to think about her needs. Clothing first, most certainly, and then an escape.

Shakily, she covered her face to focus as she sat up in the bed and tucked her knees to her chest. A bit of cool and smooth metal brushed against her cheek from her right hand. Elizabeth removed that palm to hold it out for closer inspection.

"Oh no, no it cannot be," she whispered.

An emerald stone and gold band she had never seen before silently glimmered as a testament to what her gut already feared. Between the token on her hand, her state of undress, and her proximity to a male of the species, Elizabeth Bennet began to believe she was Elizabeth Bennet no more.

But who was the man she had lost her heart to in Scotland? What tricks and deception had he wrought that she remembered very little aside from coming to the border to search for her sister Lydia...

AN: More to come! :)