Chapter one

After the marriage to Mr. Darcy everything seemed to fall into place for a while. Though Elizabeth often missed her family, she loved her new surroundings at Pemberly. Her father often came to visit and after a couple of years Charles and Jane Bingley bought an estate in Derbyshire and moved, which made Elizabeth think of how happy she was that all she had been missing now had moved close to her.

Kitty came to spend most of her time at her sisters' houses and everybody could see how it changed her character for the better. Already at her first ball in Derbyshire where she had been introduced to many different people who were all above her in beauty and rank, she behaved like no one would have thought possible, and Elizabeth and Jane were very much satisfied with her improvements.

Mary mostly stayed at home, helped her mother, and kept her company. And as the only daughter at home she was forced out in society much more often than she was used to. And though she made her complaints her father suspected her of enjoying herself (having likings isn't really a phrase I've ever heard before).

Elizabeth often walked around the gardens of Pemberly and thought of her almost perfect life. Of course she had her problems too, but her worries disappeared in most respects after her marriage. And so came the bright and warm summer day when she took her letters to the garden to read them and enjoy the silence. The first letter was from her dearest sister Jane Bingley.

My dear sister!
As you know I have been feeling rather ill with the child growing and in such haste. My dear Charles has been very worried about me and sent for a or the doctor two days ago when I felt more ill than ever before. The doctor says I'm to be fine, but as you may imagine it came as quite a surprise when he said I was growing so fast he thinks there is more than one child. Oh such happiness to be blessed with two children at once! Charles is very excited, though the news did not seem to make him more at ease. I only wish you were by my side to support me. Mother wrote last that she was too busy to visit at the time, but I hope she will hasten the visit when she hears the news.
Your always beloved sister,
Jane Bingley

Elizabeth sat very still. She was filled with both great joy for her sister's happiness and great distress. She had for a long time felt very sorry and been worried because her sister had felt very ill lately. And the news only made her worries worse. Also the news of their mother not helping Jane when she needed it was most extraordinary. Such behavior had she never expected from her parents and it made her feel that something was very much wrong.

When she opened the next letter from her friend Charlotte Collins she was still thinking about the news from Jane, but the letter from Charlotte made all her worries disappear from her mind for a while.

Dearest Lizzie!
I write with great pleasure and joy. I am with child! Mr. Collins is very thrilled and keeps telling me not to stress (unless you meant that he used the wrong word, in which case distress would work) myself. He hopes the child is a boy. Lady Catherine has been most kind and sent for the doctor as soon as she heard, just to be sure everything was all right. I have written for Maria to come and help out and I hope her arrival will be as soon as possible. Kitty is also very welcome to pay a visit. I know how attached she is to Maria and how fond they have grown of each other's company.
Oh Lizzie, such joy and happiness I feel. I hope you too will come and visit me soon, if not before then after the birth.
Your affectionate friend,
Charlotte Collins

As Elizabeth had read the letter twice to be sure of all the details she ran inside the house to find her husband. As soon as Mr. Darcy saw her coming he stopped to let her tell what seemed so important and soon Kitty came too from her daily walk. She had seen her sister run inside and hurried after her.

The next morning the carriage was ready for Kitty to take her to the Collin's cottage near Rosings. A messenger had been sent shortly after they received the letter from Mrs. Collins and Elizabeth felt such joy and happiness that morning. Georgiana was to go with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy to visit Jane.