A/N We've only a little way left to go now. I have written the last chapter (where you find out our villain's fate, amongst other things) and have a couple of chapters after this one ready to post. There's still a bit to write in between those two sections, but happily the path through is now clear.

30th November

The ladies withdrew after dinner and, after spotting a pianoforte, Lady Catherine requested that Miss Bingley and Elizabeth entertain her.

Miss Bingley and Elizabeth looked at each other, then with a brisk nod from one and a wry smile from the other, they moved to the pianoforte and attempted the duet they had been practising. It went rather well, and after they had finished Miss Bingley left Elizabeth alone to sing a simple country song while she presided over the newly arrived tea tray.

The gentlemen joined them as Elizabeth was finishing her song and after some applause, Lady Catherine demanded another. Mr Darcy moved her way and offered to turn the pages for her. She thanked him with a smile, and moved along the bench, so he could sit beside her.

While Elizabeth played, Mr Darcy gazed at her so much that he missed turning the pages on more than one occasion. Lady Catherine was also watching their interaction with much interest.

Much later, she requested Darcy meet her for a private talk and Mr Bingley offered his study for their use.

'You can be at no loss, nephew, to understand the reason for my wanting to speak to you privately.'

'Indeed, you are mistaken, Aunt.'

Lady Catherine gestured to the chairs by the fire and said, 'Let us sit. I see you plan on being deliberately obtuse and so I will have to explain.'

Once they were seated, she continued. 'I watched you this evening. Your attentions to Miss Bennet were marked.'

Mr Darcy said nothing but continued to watch his aunt warily.

She sighed. 'There is no need to clam up. I am not an ogre.'

'You have to admit your usual style is less conciliatory,' he replied.

'I am a woman who knows what she wants, and I prefer not to settle for less. However, sometimes it is necessary to compromise. I know this, even if I do not like it.' She eyed him, curiously. 'You like this Miss Bennet, I think.'

'I do,' he replied, a half smile on his lips. 'She is a kind and clever woman. Stubborn too. She reminds me of you, in many ways.'

Lady Catherine nodded. 'I see it, too. She would be a good mistress for Pemberley. But what of Anne?'

'Aunt, you know Anne could never withstand the rigours of marriage and childbirth, and I do need an heir.'

'As do I. What will happen to Rosings, if Anne does not marry, or worse, if she marries someone unsuitable?'

'Does she want to marry?'

Lady Catherine gave a large sigh and slumped back into her chair, gazing into the fire. 'She only has a short time left. A year at most, the doctor thinks.'

Mr Darcy shot her a look. 'Has a second opinion been sought?'

'A second and a third.' She turned her head to look him in the eye. 'It is her heart. It has been weak since her childhood but has rapidly deteriorated in the last few months. Some days she struggles to catch her breath and she cannot walk more than a short distance, not even to come downstairs.'

'I had no idea things had become so bad. She seemed the same as ever last Easter.'

'She caught a cold over the summer, which settled on her chest for a time and she never recovered her strength after.'

They both sat in silence for a time.

Finally, Mr Darcy stirred. 'Do you want a drink?'

'Brandy. A large one, if you would be so kind.'

He raised his eyebrows at her request but did as she asked, pouring himself a similar measure.

They sipped in silence for a time, thinking about the situation.

'Why not Fitzwilliam?' he asked.

She turned her gaze on him. 'Fitzwilliam?'

'Yes. He is a younger son, and in need of an estate. He has been lucky so far, but there may come a day when he does not return from the continent. He has no ties and could marry Anne.'

'Hmm.' Lady Catherine lifted her glass and calmly threw back her brandy.

'Steady on!'

She chuckled. 'I am well used to drinking spirits, dear boy. Your idea has merit, but I would need to speak with him first. You are set on your Miss Bennet, then? I cannot talk you into marrying Anne for the time she has left?'

'I cannot risk losing her, aunt.'

She nodded, acceptance and resignation written on her face. 'Very well. I will speak with your cousin, but not tonight. I am tired and will retire.'

1st December

Mr Darcy spotted Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Mary and Miss Catherine, the only members of the Bennet family in church, during the service on this first Sunday of Advent.

On his way out of the church after the service, Lady Catherine on his arm, Mr Darcy leaned in to speak with her. 'Come aunt. I would like to introduce you to Mr Bennet and some more of his daughters.'

'Some more of his daughters? Does he have more that I do not already know about?'

'Just the five. The youngest remains at Netherfield, and you have already met Miss Elizabeth, so you are about to meet the eldest, and the two below Miss Elizabeth.'

Mr Darcy stopped and bowed. 'Ah, Mr Bennet. It is good to see you again. I hope Mrs Bennet is improving.'

Mr Bennet bowed in return. 'Mr Darcy, likewise. My wife is much better now, although it will be another se'ennight or more before she is able to leave her room. I thank you for leaving my Lizzy at Longbourn to sit with her mother while we came to church.'

'It was my pleasure. May I introduce you to my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.'

'A pleasure.' Mr Bennet bowed over her hand. 'I have heard much about you from a mutual acquaintance.'

Lady Catherine regarded him for a long moment, and then said, 'I think the less said about him the better, do you not, Mr Bennet?'

Mr Bennet chuckled. 'I do indeed. I must say, I am surprised to see you here, ma'am. May I ask what brings you to our neighbourhood, given the illness that has taken us?'

'I was variolated against smallpox, some time ago. I received a letter from my nephew—'

'In which I specifically told her not to come,' added Mr Darcy.

Lady Catherine frowned at the interruption, raising her voice a little. '—telling me that my vicar would be detained here due to his likely infection with smallpox, and that he had refused a vaccination. I know the man is interminably stupid— My apologies, I know he is a relation of yours.'

'No apology is necessary, I assure you. I would disclaim the relationship if I could.'

'I cannot say I blame you. My nephews have explained what he did, and I cannot apologise enough for him.'

'It was not your doing.' Mr Bennet looked about, suddenly realising his daughters were close enough to overhear the conversation. 'Can I introduce my daughters to you and invite you to Longbourn for some refreshments?'

Once the introductions had been made, Mr Bennet led the way back to his manor. Lady Catherine continued on her nephew's arm, and Mr Bennet found himself walking alongside Colonel Fitzwilliam.

'Tell me, Colonel, how are things progressing up at Netherfield?'

'Mr Collins developed a fever last evening and has all the influenza-like symptoms suggesting he has contracted smallpox. The doctor feels confident we will see him throwing out the pox in a few days.'

'I really should not say this, as a Christian man, but I cannot say I am sorry to hear it. He deserves no less.'

'That appears to be the general opinion of those few that know the circumstances of his infection. He will of course receive proper care, but little sympathy I think.'

'He is not welcome back at Longbourn, please inform him of that fact once he recovers. If he recovers.'

The colonel inclined his head in agreement, and as they had reached their destination by this time, followed him into the house.

They found Elizabeth in the parlour and Mr Darcy went immediately to her side, along with Lady Catherine. The Colonel could not help but smile at his cousin's eagerness, and Mr Bennet, who was close by, noticed the smile and was curious.

'Is there something I should know about those two?'

The Colonel coloured slightly. 'Nothing specific, but I do think they make a fine couple.'

Mr Bennet gave a dry laugh, 'Why, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I would never have taken you for a matchmaker. I can see we have much to discuss. Do you play chess?'

Lady Catherine's voice interrupted them as they turned to leave the room. 'Before you disappear for several hours, nephew, I would like a private word with Mr Bennet.'

Mr Bennet turned back, 'Lady Catherine, I would be honoured. Shall we adjourn to my study?'

As they moved to leave the room, Lady Catherine said 'I understand you are looking for a companion for your youngest daughters…'

By the time a bemused Mr Bennet and his guest had finished their discussions, and returned to the parlour, it was empty.

He was puzzled. 'I do apologise Lady Catherine. I wonder where they have all gone to?'

A burst of laughter from somewhere in the house suggested they were still within.

'It sounds like they are down there,' pointed out Lady Catherine who had moved out into the passage to listen. She followed the sounds, Mr Bennet trailing behind with a smirk, until they emerged in Longbourn's kitchens.

Mr Darcy was closest to the door when they entered. 'Ah, aunt, there you are. Maybe you would like a stir?' He gestured to the table where two large bowls of pudding mixture were being stirred by two of the daughters of the house.

'Yes, do come. As mamma cannot join us, we are short on stirrers,' added Elizabeth. 'Papa, you too.'

Mr Bennet moved forward and stood behind the bowl that his second eldest indicated, taking the spoon and giving it a good stir.

'It is a little late to be stirring the puddings,' added Jane, 'but the house was in an uproar last week and so everything is delayed. 'Do have a stir. That is, if you would like.'

'It has been an age since I last did this.' Lady Catherine looked at her nephews, smiled and then handed Mr Darcy her reticule. 'Hold that for me, if you would be so good.'

A grinning Elizabeth made room for her at the table and passed her the bowl that her father had just stirred. 'This one is for Christmas day. You are the last to stir, so you can mix in the charms.' She indicated a muslin drawstring bag, then picked it up and tipped the contents into her hand. 'Ready?'

Lady Catherine grasped the spoon, closed her eyes and as she moved the spoon clockwise, Elizabeth dropped in the charms while everyone chanted the prayer, "Stir up, we beseech thee…"

Once they had stirred the second pudding, they all adjourned to the parlour, in high spirits, for some tea and cakes, before their guests and Elizabeth left for Netherfield.