A special thank you to those who have taken the time and made the effort to leave all of the supportive comments and constructive criticism. It is much appreciated, and has been highly encouraging on this, my first effort at fan-fiction. Story isn't over yet (not by a long shot), although I know you may see a story arc start to conclude, assuming I don't twist it up again (evil giggle).

And a very special thank you to those who congratulated me on my new (proudly held) moniker.

...***...***...

'Try to lighten your touch on the keys, Kitty... Now arch your fingers a little; have less of your fingers touch the keys... Good! Start your scales again with the lighter touch.' Said Mary as she returned to Elizabeth and Jane who were going over the accounting ledgers for Longbourn and making notes for the meeting with the Steward next week.

'One task complete.' said Elizabeth as she checked the set on the new ink in the ledger. 'If you please, the correspondence from the basket?'

'I will never approve of our working on the Sabbath, Lizzy.

'A virtuous woman does not permit her candle to go out at night*, Mary,'

'I would not doubt it does on the Sabbath.' Mary grumbled.

'Mary, I see little other choice. The virtuous woman is not dictated to be at the grace of the nearest male relative.'

'The virtuous woman is married, and therefore under the dominion of her husband. Thence we may conclude that all of her actions are under the sanction of her husband.'

'Of that, I am aware Mary. Until there is a change in that circumstance, I am afraid we must make do. Father has shown little care in the running of the estate, so unless we wish to watch Longbourn fall about our ears,we must do what we must. This house grants us more privacy to attend to such matters, and our time in this place cannot be counted upon...I do wish it were not so. However, the longer we debate upon things we cannot change, the longer we will take to complete our tasks.'

...***...

'Oh dear.' Lizzy gasped as one hand fluttered to her throat while still clutching the letter. All eyes locked upon her, waiting with lightly veiled vexation. Silence prevailed over the room, as Kitty had ceased her practice upon Lizzy's exclamation. 'I hold here, a letter from Mr. Collins.'

A very impudent moment was had by all, replete with groans and eye rolls.

'Does he still wax on endlessly about his desire of healing the breach within the family by dictating that only an alliance with one of Longbourn's many daughters will suffice?',asks Kitty.

'Yes. Quite. Rather expansively, I'm afraid. Although he seems to have rethought his motivation for marriage. His honorable patroness, Lady Catherine is no longer incumbent upon Rosings Park. Her previous guidance that no unmarried man would be a proper example to his flock is no longer his primary mother...since the death of her daughter... Rosings Park is now under the sole guidance of...'Lizzy stopped her truncated reading of his letter, and gasped.

The room was quickly filled with protestations.

'You can not stop there'

'Who, Lizzy? Is it someone we know?'

Lizzy returned to reading a truncated version of the letter 'Rosings Park now stands with Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam as its new inherent Master. Mr. Collins firmly states his objection to Mr. Fitzwilliam's unmarried state as an objectionable circumstance...It is his ambition that his entering into the married state would be sufficient to guide his new patron into matrimony himself...since he is aware that there have been no offers made upon the daughters of his dear cousin...he is...rather...adamant that he shall take a Bennett girl as a bride...'

'When, Lizzy? When shall we expect him?'Jane asked.

'Next week, Wednesday to be precise, dependent upon good roads.'

'Who corresponds with a blood relative, insisting the hand of an unnamed daughter, and demanding of the extension of hospitality without the allowance of sufficient time for the courtesy of a reply?' Jane asked, her tone bordering on impatience.

'Mr. Collins, apparently.'

'Lizzy, do you think it might be beneficial if we were to get word to Rich-Mr Fitzwilliam and ask him to call off his parson?'Mary inquired.

'I do not know how. Not only is it full scandal for one of us to write to him, the letter is addressed to Father. How could it possibly be explained without our subterfuge being exposed?'

...***...

Longbourn's dower house was not a large structure and had not been used as a full residence for some years. Therefore, little mind had been paid to decoration or dulling sounds so as to assure private conversations from being easily overheard by the servants. Which was how Jimmy, the groomsman, overheard the concern of the ladies without exertion. 'Miss Elizabeth, I will be certain Mr. Fitzwilliam comes calling on Wednesday. His toady parson will not importune you nor your sisters further, if I may have a stand in it. I wonder if his hand healed properly from our interaction from his last visit? That beef-witted, imbecilic, nincompoop will not lay a hand on them again!'Jimmy thought to himself

...***...

'Kitty, have you visited with your mother today?'

'Yes, although the maid said she was not of mind to speak with me. I am shamed to admit I was not adverse to the avoidance of the interaction.' Kitty's voice dropped to scarcely a whispered mumble at the final words.' I know it is my duty to honor her, but I find myself lacking. I know she has been unwell for sometime, however I find myself increasingly unable to face her. Her skin, the beauty marks, the powders...her spells, her vagueness...her palpitations...I would think her situation most unfavorable; grievous even.'Kitty said, with increasing wariness. 'To say that I am ill at ease is insufficient. Mama is ebbing from this world, is she not?

'Only God knows for certain. Sarah tells me that she shall finally permit the calling of the apothecary in the morning if she does not improve.' Lizzy gently set her hand upon Kitty's giving a light squeeze.

'What shall become of me if Mama does not survive? Will Thomas put me out? I have no other family.'

'The moment Thomas married your Mama, you legally became his ward. Until you come of age, he can compel you to his demands. You and I will be in similar legal status. Our only alternative is marriage...or into service.' Jane tried to relay the information with serenity, but the severity of the information extended through her voice.

A knowing look extended from Lizzy to Mary, reflected by a small nod to Lizzy, 'We are sisters, Kitty.'

'...for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and thy God my God:*' Mary interjected. The four remained closely seated, hands upon the nearest sister.

Some minutes were spent in reflection before, '..and if it is marriage you seek, there's always Mr. Collins...', was heard.

...***...

*Proverbs 31:10-31

*Ruth 1:16

Glossary:

impudence – offensively bold behavior

vexation - the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried.

truncated – to lob off or shorten

importune – harass

beef-witted, imbecilic, nincompoop – idiot

(Note:not all words in glossary are slang. Some are simply words of older use,but not in common usage)