A/N This might amuse. Two things have happened.

1: Last week I had an idea for another P&P story. Since I started plotting it out, it has turned into a two-parter, along with a prequel too. *Sigh*

2: I was writing today and something I wasn't expecting or planning happens in this story about a week or so on from this point. Two of the characters did it out of the blue. Why do they do this to me?

5th December

The Bingley's and Mr Hurst left early the next morning with the funeral cortege, leaving everything behind them quiet and subdued.

At Longbourn, however, it was a very different story. Breakfast was in full swing, with the news of Elizabeth's engagement to Mr Darcy still causing much excitement, when Mr Bennet decided the time was right to reveal some more news.

'My Lizzy may have some small idea about what I am to tell you all, but I doubt she knows the full of it. I told your mother the day she began her recovery, and it perked her up no end. Now you are all gathered together at Longbourn again—'

'Oh, do get on with it, papa!' exclaimed, Kitty.

Lydia, sitting next to her sister frowned and poked her in the ribs. 'Kitty, don't be so rude. Sorry, papa, do please continue.'

Mr Bennet's eyebrows raised, and he glanced at Elizabeth. It appeared much had changed with Lydia during her illness, and for the better, in many ways. Kitty however… Kitty still required more work. The separation from a sister she had always followed in the past appeared to have brought out an unfortunate trait in her personality. He sighed, thinking about how that could be repaired, before continuing.

'As I was saying, now we are all gathered together again, I can finally tell you my news. It is good news. Something that your mother has long fretted about is no longer an issue. Longbourn will not pass to Mr Collins when I am no longer with you. It will remain in Bennet hands.'

The reaction as everything he wished for. An explosion of sound from all bar Elizabeth, who sat with a dropped jaw just looking at him.

'But how?' she managed to ask over the cacophony.

He stood and beckoned her to follow him. When they were ensconced in the comfortable chairs in his library, he explained. 'Once we had Mr Collins where we wanted him, it was a matter of moments to have him sign an agreement to pass Longbourn directly onto my heir, at no cost and with no strings attached.'

'Your heir… So, Jane will become mistress of Longbourn—'

'I have not said who the heir of Longbourn will be, and I will not. You will only find that out when my will is read. I will not have any of my daughters hounded for their inheritance.'

Elizabeth nodded. 'I understand. Mr Darcy has shown me how negatively that can affect a person, and he is a strong man. I would not wish that on any of my sisters. Jane, especially, is too kind-hearted to withstand a determined enough pursuer. It is lucky she is already engaged.'

'Indeed,' Mr Bennet wryly added, 'and your younger sisters not sensible enough to spot a fortune hunter.' He paused, 'Although I must admit that Lydia is somewhat improved. What do you make of that change?'

Elizabeth considered it for a time. 'Lydia has spent a lot of time with the improved Miss Bingley recently, which I think has helped her see how she should behave.' She smirked at him and added, 'She has even read some of those improving tomes you sent over. At dinner yesterday she was a perfectly well-behaved young lady, even though she spent almost the entire time speaking with a somewhat flirtatious soldier. She did not go beyond proper behaviour the whole evening. I was very well pleased with her. 'Tis a shame Kitty has taken up what Lydia seems to have left behind.'

'Lady Catherine will provide someone who can cure her of that, I can only hope. But tell me of this new Miss Bingley. I have not seen her in a while and her nose was always elevated past the top of her head back then.'

Elizabeth explained the changes that had come about due to the death of her sister and discovering that she was the indirect cause of that loss. Quiet fell in the room as Mr Bennet considered the situation.

'So much illness and death from that one action. She has had a hard fall from her self-imposed pedestal.'

Elizabeth thought about her mother, and her close brush with the eternal sleep. 'Yes indeed. Once could almost feel sorry for her, as she is now, had she not badly needed that recall to the real world. It was a hard-learned lesson, but from it, Caroline and Lydia seem to have formed a friendship that can help them both, I think.'

'Seeing the constant reminder of it on Lydia's face may keep her from reverting, and if her chastened presence instills some sense into Lydia then it can only be a good thing. I wonder if Kitty would also benefit from the introduction.'

Silence fell over the room as they both stared into the fire, deep in their own thoughts. A smile formed on Elizabeth's lips, and he guessed her mind had drifted over to Netherfield, or rather to a certain person within Netherfield. A chuckle recalled her to the present, and she realised her father was watching her with a sly smile on his face.

'Papa!'

'Yes, my dear. You were miles away and I would bet I can guess where.'

He watched the colour rise in Elizabeth's cheeks before she looked away. 'Most likely,' she muttered.

'Come now. I approve of your young man most heartily. I suppose I must now get used to not being the first male in your thoughts.'

'Oh, papa. You will always be in my thoughts, but you will indeed have to learn to share.'

A little later in the day, Charlotte Lucas, and her sister Maria, came to call on the Bennet sisters.

Lydia immediately dragged Maria away, followed by a complaining Kitty, and Charlotte asked Elizabeth if she would take a turn with her in the garden. 'For I have something I would discuss with you in private.'

Once they had donned their outdoor wear and were, arm in arm, wandering the paths of Longbourn's park, Elizabeth noticed that Charlotte seemed a little hesitant to begin, and so she began.

'Oh, Charlotte, I have so much to tell you. I am very glad you are come.'

'It seems an age since we last spoke. So much has happened since the party at Lucas Lodge.'

'Not all of it was bad, though. Some good has come of it I think.'

Charlotte shot her an enquiring look. 'Indeed?'

'Oh, yes. Jane and Mr Bingley are now betrothed, and do you remember Mr Darcy?'

'I remember he spent a lot of time looking at you. I am sure he liked you, despite what he said about you at the Assembly.'

Elizabeth grinned. 'You are quite right, he did like me, and now we are engaged.'

Charlotte stopped, turned to face her and grabbed her hands in excitement. 'Oh Lizzy, I am so pleased for you. I heard Jane was engaged to Mr Bingley, but news of your engagement has not yet arrived at my home. It must be a recent thing. Do you love him?'

'I do love him, so very much, and he loves me. He asked me yesterday morning before Lydia and I left Netherfield, and then escorted us home so that he could speak with papa.'

'You and Jane will be married to good friends. How wonderful. Your mother must be delighted.'

Elizabeth laughed. 'She was beyond speech for a full 10 minutes when I told her. The thought of preparing for two weddings might be just the thing to spur her on to full recovery.'

'Oh, I do hope so.' Charlotte fell silent for a few seconds and Elizabeth, sensing something important was on her friend's mind, allowed the silence to lengthen.

Eventually, Charlotte spoke. 'Lizzy, I have news of my own. While you were at Netherfield and busy falling in love, I was at home doing the same. You have long heard my thoughts on marriage, and I never thought that if I did marry, it would ever be for love, but it is so. I am to marry, Lizzy.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'I assume you will soon be known as Mrs Williams?'

Charlotte's jaw dropped. 'But how…'

Elizabeth again laughed and squeezed her friend's hands. 'Over the last few weeks the good doctor has asked some rather pointed questions about you, from time to time. It was no great leap of the imagination to understand why. I can honestly say that I am delighted for you both. I think you will do very well together. When do you expect the wedding to take place?'

'The first banns will be called this Sunday and we will be married early in the new year. Will you… would you please stand up with me? I asked Maria, but she is too afraid. The poor girl thinks everyone will look at her. She dreads the pity. It was difficult enough to persuade her to come here and only the thought of seeing Lydia, who is in the same situation, was enough to have her leave the house.'

'The people will all be too busy looking at you, but if you wish, of course I will stand up with you. You will make a wonderful doctor's wife!'