What if Elizabeth Bennet had been even more inferior in Darcy's eyes? When Elizabeth Bennet is overheard insulting her father's cousin, she is faced with a difficult choice: accept a position that will forever lower her in the eyes of society or refuse and prevent the only marriage that can save her family. Fitzwilliam Darcy is aggrieved. He cannot comprehend why his aunt took it upon herself to engage a new governess for his sister without consulting him. Worse, it is clear from Lady Catherine's letter that the girl is ill-bred and impertinent. Darcy resolves that he shall not show the new governess an ounce of kindness and lenience—not after what happened with his sister's last companion. But he had not reckoned on the girl being fine-eyed and in possession of a fierce intelligence he cannot help but admire. As the days pass, Darcy finds himself less and less able to control his feelings for the lovely young woman he admires above all others. Will love conquer prejudice and a perceived lack of status? And even then, could Elizabeth ever forgive Darcy for his actions when they first met?