Years after conspiring men denied his father the inheritance that was his by birthright, Mr. Henry Bennet returns to Longbourn with his three daughters, having received the estate on the death of its previous master. Mr. Bennet has no notion why the man who stole it from his father willed the property to his control, but he is grateful to return to the lands of his forebears.

As the Bennets settle into their lives as gentlefolk once again, their new friends welcome them to the neighborhood, and they begin the struggle to turn Longbourn again into a prosperous estate. In this, Mr. Bennet finds assistance from his friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, a scion of the family who proved his father's salvation. Mr. Darcy, eager to help his dear friend learn how to become master of the estate, takes an immediate liking to the man's second daughter, Elizabeth, who works her way into his heart with little effort.

Unexpected to them all, their new position opens vistas wide to them, for the prospect of love and devotion, a future filled with promise, is open to them, from the eldest to the youngest. Of even greater importance, the Bennets will learn something of themselves and discover something of the betrayals that led to their family's hiatus from the estate.

Mr. Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth Bennet ends in acrimony, but when Elizabeth returns to Longbourn, it is with a changed perspective forced on her by Mr. Darcy's letter. At Longbourn, Elizabeth cannot but acknowledge that the gentleman's charges have some merit given the behavior of certain members of her family.

On the heels of her return, however, Elizabeth makes a shocking discovery, for one day, while visiting Meryton with her sisters, she comes across none other than Anne de Bourgh, daughter of the imposing Lady Catherine. Further investigation reveals the truth that Miss de Bourgh is there traveling with the very Mr. Wickham against whom Mr. Darcy had warned her.

Knowing she must do something, Elizabeth persuades Miss de Bourgh of the folly of eloping with the libertine, after which she must navigate the danger Mr. Wickham presents. For the man who has defrauded so many, who attempted to elope with Miss Darcy will not abandon his schemes without a fight.

Into this maelstrom comes Lady Catherine, pursuing her daughter to prevent her from making a huge mistake, and Mr. Darcy, summoned by his aunt to assist. The truth of the matter when revealed provides a much-needed measure of hope to Darcy, for with Elizabeth's actions to assist his cousin, she may not be so lost to him as he once thought.