A/N- Hello, internet. I'm so, so sorry about the insanely long wait. I've had a bit of a crazy time, but this chapter is finally done, and I hope you enjoy it.

The news of Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley's engagement seemed to spread like wildfire, and by the end of the week, several young ladies and their hopeful mothers sighed in disappointment, wishing they were as fortunate as Jane Bennet.

None of them, however, were as disappointed as Caroline Bingley, who had convinced herself that her brother's interest in Jane was starting to wane. When he had asked for their mother's necklace and then declared himself too unwell to attend the gathering at the Lucas's, she had been certain that he was thinking of his duty to his family and had realized that Jane would not make a suitable wife for him. Surely, looking at the necklace had reminded him of the late Mrs Bingley, who was Jane's superior in every way?

But it seemed that she had been mistaken. Jane's visit that morning seemed to be all that her brother needed to propose on the spot, and Jane, clever, clever Jane, had accepted, of course. Caroline was certain that Mrs Bennet had started planning the wedding already, even though no date had been picked yet, and it irked her beyond measure that no one asked for her opinion. Not about the wedding gown, not about the wedding date, and most importantly, not about the bride.

Charles had simply asked for the necklace, without asking if she approved of his choice for their mother's successor, and she regretted giving in to the demand so easily. For years, she had treasured it as her mother's favourite, and though she knew it was meant for Charles's bride, she had hoped that it would be a dear friend she would give it up to, not a country nobody.

After the wedding, Jane would play hostess at Netherfields, and her own importance would diminish. It was likely that Jane's influence on Charles would grow. He would no longer consider her feelings; he was already showing that he thought nothing of her preferences.

And when that happened, her life in his house would become very unpleasant indeed.

Then there was the matter of Mr Darcy. He had shown some interest in Elizabeth Bennet, it was true, but she had never thought that it would come to anything. She was certain that he would not shock his family and friends with so inappropriate a match, but after Charles's engagement, she was more concerned than ever about his attitude towards the Bennets. She had hoped that he would dissuade her brother, but he had responded to the news by congratulating him instead.

And if he approved of Jane Bennet as a wife for Charles, could her own ambitions be at risk from Elizabeth Bennet?

It was a disturbing thought. She had spent years carefully cultivating a friendship with the Darcys', hoping that one day Mr Darcy would look at her and realize that she was the only woman suited to being the mistress of Pemberley, a companion and role model for Georgiana and the perfect wife for him. The idea that a woman like Elizabeth could snatch him from under her nose was intolerable. She had no connections, no dowry, nothing at all to offer, and yet she was the one who had attracted Mr Darcy's attention. If he proposed, Elizabeth would, of course, accept without a second thought, and then what would become of Caroline herself? What of the years she had spent molding herself into the ideal wife for Mr Darcy? Under Elizabeth's management, what would become of the lovely estate she had come to think of as her own?

No, she had to make Mr Darcy reconsider. She would have to remind him that he owed it to his family to make a better match than Lizzy Bennet.


After Bingley and Miss Bennet announced their engagement, Darcy found himself spending most of his time in Miss Elizabeth's company. Every day, Bingley would ask him to visit Longbourn with him, and every day, Darcy would gladly agree. While the couple talked of their wedding and daydreamed about their future together in Longbourn's gardens, Darcy and Miss Elizabeth would act as chaperones and if Jane and Bingley were more affectionate with one another than entirely proper for an unmarried couple, well, their friends were happy to turn a blind eye.

Darcy felt that he made a rather poor chaperone. He could barely spare a glance for his friend, captivated as he was with Miss Elizabeth. She had caught his attention weeks ago when he first met her, but he had never suspected how much he would come to value her company. She had fast become a dear friend and Darcy was beginning to seriously consider asking her to be his wife. He admired her greatly, and if he was not in love yet, he was certain he would be soon.

And she seemed to like him as well. Darcy was certain that she would not refuse him. How could she, when he was such an eligible match for a woman like her, when they were so fond of one another?

Darcy didn't know when and how he would propose. For the moment, he was content to spend his days getting better acquainted with the Bennets and bask in the presence of the woman who had won his heart. He wanted to understand her and her family better, he wanted to know her dreams and hopes and he wanted to hear her talk about the home she had grown up in. He wanted her to understand him and grow to love him as he loved her. He wanted her to know his family and friends and accept them as her own, and he was happy to wait as long as she needed.

But eventually, he knew he would ask for her hand in marriage, and together, they would make all her dreams come true.

A/N- I have no idea when the next chapter may be ready, but I do hope you like this. Thanks for reading and sticking with this story for so long, and Merry Christmas!