Author's Note: Hi and thank you for reading! I have sometimes thought that the ending of P&P was a little rushed – as though (and I hate to critique Austen) it was obvious where the story should finish and Austen didn't want the book to be too long, so she tied all the loose ends into a nice bow. I have also often wondered whether Darcy had some plan after Kent, or if he truly believed he would never see Elizabeth again (I'd be very disappointed in him if he had just given up). So I'm pulling a few strings from the ending – essentially everything is canon up until the Wickhams depart from Longbourn.

Will there be a HEA for Jane and Elizabeth if Netherfield remains empty a little longer?

I normally hate OC – but I have tried to create a few which would be likely to exist in Austen's world, you may possibly recognize some characteristics from other Austen novels. Hopefully you like them.

Chapter 1

Mrs Philips was in quite a hurry. She had a wealth of the latest intelligence to share with her dear sister, Mrs Bennet, who was currently stricken with rather uncharacteristic dullness. The recent departure of Mrs Bennet's newly married and most treasured daughter, Lydia, had brought an unsettling quietness to the Bennet home, Longbourn. Mrs Philips believed she had just the thing to bring some life back into the house.

Mrs Bennet and her four remaining single daughters were to be found in the parlor, in which Mrs Philips had barely entered before she began.

"My dearest sister, how well you look today! I am glad for it, though I think the news I bring will much brighten you day!"

After greeting each of her nieces, Mrs Philips settled herself and allowed time for some anticipation. She felt the need to update her sister's family on the recent events, particularly as the weeks of late had been quite worrisome for the Bennets. They had kept out of general society during such weeks, and so they were currently unaware of the changes in the village of Meryton. Mrs Philips was determined to correct this.

"As you might recall," Mrs Philips began, "that lovely gentleman Mr Hargraves has long been the owner of Purvis Lodge."

"Such an unfortunate gentleman," Mrs Bennet cried.

"Indeed sister," Mrs Philips continued."Mr. Hargraves has owned the property since we were girls. He was the second son of a good family from the North, and had married quite well. With his wife's wealth, they purchased Purvis Lodge. They were not married a year before there was an accident while she was out riding, and she expired from her injuries not long after."

"Poor Mr Hargraves was so heartbroken, he closed up the lodge and remove to where no-one knew." Mrs Bennet's spirits were not yet brightened by the story, but Mrs Philips pushed on, accepting a cup of tea from her niece, Jane.

"Well dears, Mr Philips, not two days past, had an appointment with the great-nephews of Mr Hargraves. It seems he had recently expired himself, and the younger great-nephew has inherited the lodge!"

"I can hardly see how such news would brighten any day, sister though I do not fault you for trying," complained Mrs Bennet, patting Mrs Philips on the knee.

"Though it is surprise that the younger great-nephew is to receive the property," commented Elizabeth. While the elder girls had politely listened to their aunt, the younger two had become distracted – Mary with her book and Kitty with the trimmings of her bonnet.

"I still do not see why I should care which nephew owns Purvis Lodge," Mrs Bennet frowned and fiddled with her shawl.

"Oh sister, do you not see? BOTH of the nephews came to town. And they will soon both return, with a group of gentlemen as they intent on shooting and spending Christmas here. According to Mr Philips, they are quite looking forward to being introduced into society here and possibly remaining for some time."

"Well, it shall be nice to meet some new gentlemen, "Jane added quietly, as her mother made a rather unladylike snort.

Despite Mrs Bennet's lack of enthusiasm for the news, Mrs Philips could not stop now she had started. They MUST know all that she did about the newcomers.

"Mr Hargrave's sister was married to a baronet in York and it was with her family that he lived. Her second son, Mr Henry Woodworth became particularly attached to his uncle and Mr Hargrave decided to bequeath the boy with all his possessions. The nephew had two sons himself, but after the death of his older brother and father, he inherited the family property and baronetcy. Mr Hargraves chose then to change the endowment to his favoured nephew's second son, Mr Edmund Woodworth"

Mrs Bennet stood during this explanation and began to pace the room, her hands fluttering nervously. Jane watched her mother with concern, but Elizabeth seemed to ignore her.

"The elder Woodworth son, Henry, even before he inherits the baronetcy, is said to have a worth of over 50,000 and Mr Edmund with his family inheritance and the ownership of Purvis Lodge will be worth almost twice that of his older brother!"

"Oh sister, STOP!" Cried Mrs Bennet, sitting once more in a huff. "Why should I care if a hundred gentlemen come into the neighbourhood? What will it matter if all the eligible gentlemen in all the country visit Longbourn itself! If they come and use me and my daughters as poorly as that Mr Bi-"

"Mama," warned Elizabeth, noting the tears starting to form in Jane's eyes.

"Oh sister," Mrs Bennet continued, more restrained now. "It has almost been a twelve-month and still Netherfield Park remains closed and empty. I still feel that THAT gentleman used my Jane and our family very ill. I do not think I could consider exposing my girls to heartache for the pleasure of some new gentlemen. I am sure that Jane's youth and bloom has been lost this year and - "

"Mother," Elizabeth spoke again reproachfully, reaching to cover Jane's clasped hands with one of her own and giving them a small squeeze. She was grateful that her Aunt Philips seem to understand and quickly changed the subject to different village gossip.

Though the initial delivery of the news about the Woodworth brothers had been met with anger by Mrs Bennet, in time her mind was opened again to the agitation of hope. The conversations which had taken place between Mr and Mrs Bennet not a twelve-month earlier were repeated as his wife began to pester him to call upon the newcomers.

"No, no, I shall not be sent on a fool's errand again," cheerfully replied Mr Bennet, winking at Elizabeth. His daughter did not enjoy the joke though.

Mrs Bennet's bother was for naught, as despite the many circulating rumours about the arrival of the Woodworth party – the gentlemen had yet to arrive. Throughout much of September, the activity seen at Purvis Lodge was mainly preparation and it was not until early October that sightings first began of the Woodworth brothers and the company they brought.

"It is four gentlemen," explained Mrs Philips, ever the source of information for the Bennet ladies. They had gathered at the Philips home for a quiet evening of supper and cards with a few select neighbours including Sir William Lucas, who had brought up the topic of the new Purvis Lodge residents. He had met with them and seemed quite jovial at the prospect of future events at which the new gentlemen would be in attendance.

"Mr Henry and Mr Edmund Woodworth, as well as their cousin Mr Langley and a good friend, Mr Hughes. They had invited a number of local gentlemen to a shooting party on the Purvis Lodge property at the end of the week."

Mrs Bennet had become quite put out with these particulars, and promptly questioned her husband (the moment they arrived home, for he had not attended the supper) as to whether he had received an invitation to the shooting party. She seemed more put out by the assumption that Mr Bennet had been excluded, and could only be pleased when he established that he HAD been invited. Mr Bennet wasn't particularly excited about the sport and hadn't intended to attend. His wife was resolute that he should, however and he reluctantly complied, if only to have peace in Longbourn.

Mr Bennet's reports from the shooting party were promising in both Jane and Elizabeth's opinion, that their new neighbours would at least be polite and interesting company. Surprisingly, Mr Bennet seemed to like the gentlemen, finding little fault or folly in their manner. Mrs Bennet was almost in raptures at her husbands positive comments and could be seen for much of that day humming to herself and quite cheerfully addressing even her more tiresome daughters. Indeed it was almost as if Mr Bi- had been forgotten all together.

And so it was that the following week, the two Woodworth brothers and their cousin Mr Langley were to attend a dinner at Lucas Lodge, and Mr Bennet had also agreed that his family would attend, specifically to be introduced to the new company.