Another chapter! Yay! Truthfully, its not like I have anything else to do. All other obligations have been put on hold and we all get some benefit to that because I now have plenty of time to write and share. I hope everyone is safe and will continue to be safe. No matter how bad things seem to get, we will get through it. Stay positive and focus on the good things in life.

They had just reached the village of Meryton when something caught Richard's attention, leading him to have the carriage stopped.

"What is it, Richard?" his father asked.

"Wickham."

The Earl looked out the window to see the offending man. Nodding to his son, he gave the order for the footman to bring the man to the carriage. They watched as Wickham was greeted by their man and as panic set into his features. Wickham, however, wasn't entirely stupid and followed the man back to their carriage as his comrades looked on.

"Get in the carriage, George," the Earl commanded. "We are going for a short ride."

Wickham didn't argue and climbed into the carriage, taking the seat next to Richard. After giving the direction to his driver, the Earl gave his focus to their guest. "Wickham, I have been informed that you have been spreading lies and gossip about my nephew. Why did you think you would get away with this?"

Richard, too, was curious about his answer to that question. It was foolish to anger someone who had more money and influence than you. Seconds ticked by and Wickham continued to remain silent.

"I am going to take your silence as evidence that you know just how stupid it has been for you to do so. I realize that my nephew likes to avoid as many conflicts and scandals as he is able to, but I am not my nephew; I do not avoid them, I prevent them and then I stomp them out. Richard is to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in three weeks' time; you will be on your best behavior, and you will avoid any function we or they are attending. If you think to cause trouble, you will not like the consequences, as I will not stop until I have found you and utterly ruined you. If, however, you can manage to obey my commands, I will see that you are handsomely rewarded. I am in the process of selling Richard's commission; I could look for a better paying position for you."

"Where Darcy has been merciful because of his father's fondness of you," said Richard, "I will not be. I am aware of certain events and I know you do not want certain people to know, as it will be detrimental to your health. I suggest you do as my father bids and keep your head down, if only for the reward you will receive. Do not give me cause to get the retribution I have desired for nearly a year."

Their short trip was over as the carriage pulled into the same place they had stopped at before. "Remember, George, be on your best behavior," the Earl said, giving him leave to exit the carriage. "Also, do keep what we have discussed just now to yourself. Be happy. All you have to do is avoid us and the Bennets and your life will see some form of improvement."

Richard said nothing more, but did give him a hard stare, indicating that he would be better to ignore than part of himself that did like being told what to do. Wickham wouldn't like for the Earl to know about his actions towards Georgiana the previous summer. Richard's father would end him. Wickham gave them a smile they both knew was forced, but it was believable. His father told him goodbye and their carriage was once more on it's way back to Town.

"Let us hope, Richard, that he still has some of the intelligence he displayed as a child."


"Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Bennet said, bringing his wife's planning to a standstill, "I think it would be better for you to wait for Lizzy to be present before you start putting your plans into motion."

"But, Mr. Bennet, Lizzy is marrying the son of an Earl! An Earl! We must have a celebration and a ceremony worthy of that station!"

"Mrs. Bennet, neither Lizzy nor the Colonel require the events you are wanting to put on in their honor. We do not need to impress the Earl as Lizzy and Jane have already done that. If you must do anything, make sure that your youngest daughters display a bit more maturity while in the presence of the colonel's family and friends."

"Yes!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, turning to her present daughters. "Girls, you must be on your best behavior! Now, I have never found any fault with your behavior, as my girls would never do anything to shame their family, but you must show yourselves as a little more refined. Mary, since Miss Darcy is said to be so accomplished, it might be best to keep your playing for your own practice. And no sermonizing! It will embarrass your sister! Kitty, for heaven's sake, do not whine! Save your complaints for when we are home. Actually, save your complaints for your sisters because my nerves will not be able to handle them until both your sisters are married, for I am sure Mr. Bingley's coming to the neighborhood again can only mean that he will soon ask for Jane's hand. Lydia, the peers in Town are not as happy as we are, so they may not understand your enthusiasm. Mind what you say and it might be best if you limit your time with the militia. There are some who find them unsavory, and we do not want to have them think so little of us."

"But Mama!" Lydia cried. "The militia is to leave soon! I cannot go three weeks without their company to entertain me!"

"Lydia, do not argue with me!" Mrs. Bennet surprised the room by chastising one of her favorites. "Lizzy is to marry the son of an Earl! You will soon find yourself in the company of men much better than the lowly sons who find themselves in the militia instead of the regulars! They have been a nice distraction, but surely you know they would be nothing else!"

"Your mother is right, Lydia," Mr. Bennet stated. "Surely you wish to try your skills on men who can actually afford to buy you pretty trinkets for your attention. Militia soldiers have little money to do so, as other than a few ribbons, you have gotten nothing from them up to this point. Men from Town desire more refinement. I am sure your mother can help you gain their attention." Despite his earlier talks with the Earl and the Colonel, he quite liked the idea of his youngest making a fool of herself. He thought that would help teach her of her own insignificance. When Lydia lifted her chin in defiance of her fun being ruined, he rolled his eyes. Looking at his other two present daughters, he found himself intrigued. Mary, too, appeared defiant of her mother's demands, but Kitty looked thoughtful. He doubted it was about what her mother had demanded of her.

His thoughts had blocked out his youngest's protest, but when he did bring his mind to the present, he rolled his eyes at her again. There was one thing he knew that would work. "Girls, if you listen to your mother, I will arrange a small trip to Town to buy you each new dresses, or in Mary's case, new music or books. There will that do?" Lydia closed her mouth and sat down. Still pouting, she nodded her head; the idea of having a dress or two made up in Town was too tempting. Kitty smiled and bounced excitingly in her seat while Mary gave a nod similar to Lydia's. "Mrs. Bennet, write out your plans, but I beg that you wait for Lizzy to return before you set anything into motion. It is her wedding day, after all. I am sure she has some things she would like as any other girl would."

His wife, too, seemed mollified, and so he took his chance to leave the room, feel a bit accomplished at having handled his family so well. He knew his peace would not last for long, however, for first thing the next day, his wife would begin to make her rounds to inform everyone of her good fortune. It was better for him to just enjoy the day.


It was hard not to feel stressed, but Elizabeth had no idea how to make herself not feel anxiety. She wouldn't know until the next day how her father accepted her fiancé and his father. Mr. Bennet was not a fool, but he wasn't afraid of speaking his mind either.

"Lizzy, dear, it will do you no good to keep thinking about it," her aunt said. "Come and sit with us. I am sure your mother will not be pleased if she finds out that you have done nothing in preparation for your wedding. I have several patterns here for you to look over. We must pick a pretty one for Jane, as well. I am sure Mr. Bingley will not be long in asking for her hand."

"Aunt, please!" Jane pleaded, causing Lizzy to laugh and finally join them.

"It is the truth, my dear, and you know it. I think that only thing keeping him from asking now is that he is not the kind of man to want to overshadow another. He will not want you to share the attention."

"Our aunt is right, Jane," Lizzy teased. "I am sure that, as soon as my wedding breakfast ends, and the Colonel whisks me away, he will drag Papa into his study and beg for your hand."

"Stop," Jane blushed and tried to hide her smile.

"I will have to be sure to tell the Colonel that we cannot go too far as we will have to return in a few weeks for your wedding."

"Lizzy!"

"Alright, Lizzy, let's leave Jane alone. You do need to choose a pattern. What about this one?" her aunt laid one down in front of her. "This style has always flattered you, and you would look lovely in a grown made of a light, pink satin; or maybe ivory?"

Lizzy sighed and looked at it. She did like the pattern, and she knew that a pink or ivory dress would make her skin glow and her eyes and hair stand out. "I agree aunt. I do not think we shall tell Mama that you picked it out until after the wedding though. Jane, what about this one for you? A rose gold or ivory gold fabric would look beautiful on you."

Reluctantly, Jane looked at it and thought about it. "I shall keep it in mind, but I will make no decisions now. I will not get my hopes up again."

"As you wish. Will you wear your blue dress to tea tomorrow?"

"Yes. Are you nervous about meeting his mother?"

"A little. The Colonel has told me that she is not unkind, but she has expectations. I do not think she is thrilled about our union, but she will accept it. That doesn't tell me how she will treat me, however."

"Surely, she will not treat you poorly," her aunt said.

"We can only hope. The Colonel will be there, and I do not believe she would be unkind in his presence." Elizabeth settled on two colors for her dress; a light pink and the same gold she recommended for her sister. "Here, aunt, these will do."

"Excellent choice," the older woman smiled. "I will have your uncle have the fabric located in one of the warehouses. Consider it a gift. Now, I must go and see to my children before the retire for the night."

Once gone, Jane reached a hand to her. "I am certain that once the Countess meets you, she will adore you just as much as I will."

"A Countess! I can hardly believe that I will be able to lay claim to such a connection. Not that I will use it, but I am sure Mama will. Oh! Do you thing they met Mama, and Mary, and Kitty and Lydia?"

Jane gave her an uneasy smile. "I am sure that if they did, it did not change their opinion of you. You told your Colonel about our family; he did not go there with no expectations."

"Knowing it and seeing it are two different things, Jane."

"I am sure they did nothing that would embarrass you, Lizzy. Mama is probably so excited she can't wait to tell all of our neighbors about your good fortune."

"That is what I am worried about," Lizzy groaned. "I can only imagine what she will say to our neighbors. Perhaps they did not meet today and I will have a few more days to prepare Richard. Perhaps Papa will think it entertaining to keep my engagement from her for a few days more, as well. If she knows, she'll start planning, and I know we do not have similar tastes."

"It will not be so bad, and it will only be for a few weeks, then you shall be off to your own estate, well away from Hertfordshire."

"Oh, Jane, how I wish you could come with me, but I do not wish to separate you from Mr. Bingley. I just know he will ask you to marry him."

"Well, if he does, then I shall insist we spend our wedding trip in Bath; and if he doesn't, I shall write to you and beg for you to send for me."

"You would never have to beg Jane. My home will always be open to you."

Feeling much better, Lizzy looked over some of the other patterns her aunt had left out. She would have to have other dresses made for her new status and a few other articles of clothing, and she thought she might as well take advantage of the time. If she did it now, her mother would have less to interfere with.

"Jane, what do you think of this pattern for a morning dress…"

Just a filler chapter, as you can see. Next, the Countess and Lizzy meet.