A/N - Someone asked how Kitty knew Wickham's story. They had been meeting before getting caught in the woods (and because of these clandestine meetings he ended up in two weeks of quarantine) and remember, it was only on his second meeting with Elizabeth in the original book that he vomited it all out to her. Another way they have been in contact will become clear a little later on.

There was another comment about everyone getting unrealistic happy endings. In Pride and Prejudice, there were 5 weddings in total. So let's look at who gets a happy ending in this story. As far as weddings go, we have Jane, Elizabeth, and Charlotte - who marries someone other than Mr Collins.

I would not say that Mr Hurst, or Caroline, have had happy endings. Even Mr Bingley's is bittersweet. Mary does not, and Lydia - she certainly does not have one. Kitty? Well her story ending will not be sweet (this is not a spoiler - it's pretty obvious really, all things considered).

As for Mr and Mrs Bennet? What is so unusual about a couple remembering they do actually care about one another, when one of them passes so close to death?

8th December

The next few days passed peacefully. Mr Darcy called each day soon after breakfast and spent the majority of each day with them, gradually becoming better acquainted with each member of the Bennet family. All of them, that is, apart from Kitty, who remained steadfast in her dislike and distrust of him.

On Sunday, he came early to walk with them to the church, and he sat beside his betrothed as the banns were called for Charlotte and Doctor Williams, as well as Elizabeth and himself.

As he left the church, with Elizabeth on his arm, he tensed as he spotted a familiar face. 'It looks as if Mr Wickham has been released from quarantine,' he murmured to his betrothed.

Elizabeth looked in the direction he was looking just in time to see a man in a red coat slip out of the church doors.

'I hope Kitty has not seen him also,' she replied, searching the people ahead of her for her sister.

Mr Darcy, who was taller, scanned the crowd ahead. 'I cannot see her with the rest of your family.'

'We have to find her. I hope she is not defying papa on this. She does not understand the danger she is flirting with.'

They caught up with Mr Bennet and Elizabeth quickly explained her concerns.

Lydia, who was beside her father, heard the conversation and said, 'Kitty was excited to see someone when we were on the way in, and she was fidgeting throughout the service. Is this Mr Wickham a very handsome soldier?'

'He has a fine appearance, and an ability to portray goodness,' replied Mr Darcy, 'but underneath that pleasant exterior, he is rotten. We need to find your sister.'

'He will not attempt anything in the churchyard?' asked Elizabeth.

Now with a clear sight to the door over the pews, they watched Mr Bennet, who had pushed through the congregation more rapidly than they were able to. Lydia groaned as the vicar had stopped him for the usual pleasantries as he tried to leave the church.

'I am surprised he was here. As far as I know, the last time he voluntarily came to Sunday service was when my father was alive. He is usually sleeping off his revels from the night before. A fortnight in quarantine, with no gambling and drinking, seems to have done him some good at least.'

While they were talking, they had shuffled along with the rest of the congregation and were approaching the door. Mr Bennet was no longer in sight.

Elizabeth turned to her companions. 'The vicar will want to speak with us, so Lydia can you pass while he is busy with us and see if you can find Kitty? If she is Wickham, be sure to stay with her, if you cannot separate them. We will join you as soon as we can.'

Lydia nodded and slipped past them as the vicar turned to them with a smile.

After only a few minutes they were free to move on. It is lucky that this vicar was not Mr Collins, thought Darcy. At least he was succinct.

Mr Bennet was nowhere to be seen, and as Elizabeth had spotted Lydia disappearing around the side of the church that was where they aimed for. After accepting some congratulations, Elizabeth used the pretext of pointing out some interesting features of the churchyard to escape the neighbours and follow sedately in Lydia's footsteps.

Mr Darcy heard those they were searching for before seeing them. Mr Bennet was not a happy man judging by the volume of his voice. When they came into sight, Mr Bennet and Lydia had caught up with Kitty, and as suspected she was with Wickham.

Wickham, with Kitty by his side, was busy trying to explain himself to Mr Bennet and did not initially see them. When the approaching couple were finally close enough to hear his words clearly, it was too late for him to do anything but stand his ground, but he paled, and his confident smile faltered.

'Mr Wickham,' said Mr Darcy. 'It is a surprise to see you here, of all places.'

'Why would he not be at church? He would be presiding over services of his own at the living he was promised, had you not cheated him of it!' exclaimed Kitty.

'Hush, Kitty,' Wickham muttered, shooting her a brief glance of annoyance. Kitty was too busy glaring at Mr Darcy to notice his look, but she did quiet.

Mr Darcy sighed, resigned. 'I have explained that to you once already. Do you need me to explain it again?'

Mr Wickham shuffled nervously, glancing from side to side as if looking for an escape route. Realising there was no easy escape, he narrowed his eyes and, with a sly smile at Elizabeth, said, 'Ah, Darcy, may I congratulate you on your betrothal. I must admit to some surprise that you have been so ungentlemanly as break your engagement to your cousin Anne. What does Lady Catherine have to say about it?'

'Lady Catherine visited us recently,' he said, fully aware of what he was attempting to do. 'She will be coming to the wedding so, if you are still here when she returns, you can ask her yourself.'

'Oh, well. That is… good news,' Mr Wickham replied, deflated. He turned to Elizabeth. 'We were not introduced properly when we first came across each other. May I request an introduction?'

Mr Darcy looked to Elizabeth, silently asking her if she wished to be introduced. She, a gentlewoman, was above him in rank and so it was her right to refuse and indeed, she shook her head slightly. A small smile appeared on his lips. 'The choice of acquaintance rests with the lady and she chooses not to be introduced.'

A brief look of annoyance crossed his face and Kitty gasped in disbelief at his words.

Mr Bennet nodded. 'Quite right, and with that, we are leaving. Come Kitty, Lydia.'

Kitty stood her ground. 'Lizzy… how could you?'

'Very easily,' she replied. 'Now come.'

'Kitty. Now!' called Mr Bennet who was already moving away, Lydia on his arm.

Kitty glared at her sister and Mr Darcy, then reluctantly moved away from Mr Wickham, frequently looking back at him over her shoulder. Complaining all the way, The engaged couple shepherded her out of the churchyard and into the lane that led to Longbourn.

As they walked along in Kitty's wake, Elizabeth spoke with her betrothed, quietly enough not to be overheard. 'Kitty has always been a follower, ever since she was small enough to walk. The trouble is, she also craved excitement. We were always so concerned that she followed wherever Lydia – always one for going wherever she could find distraction - led, but it seems that was the least of our worries.'

Mr Darcy looked at the young lady stomping along ahead of them. 'It looks like Kitty, lacking her younger sister to follow, has chosen a new, and much more dangerous role model.'

'It does indeed,' agreed a solemn-faced Elizabeth. 'And now we know that much, what can we do about it?'

After luncheon, once Mrs Bennet had gone to her room for a nap, Hill came to find Elizabeth. Mr Bennet wished to speak with her and, curious, she hastened to his study.

Her father was sitting behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, but without a book in front of him as would be usual. She noted this as she entered and tilted her head in query. 'Shut the door, Lizzy. I have need of your advice.'

'Of course.' She pushed the door closed and took her usual seat by the window. 'What is it papa?'

'Lydia,' he said, and that one word told her all.

'You are unsure whether to tell her or not?'

He nodded. 'I think she is well enough to hear it now, but does she need to? Her life is blighted enough, after the smallpox, without adding to it.'

Elizabeth considered. What would she do, had it been her room he had stumbled upon? Would she want to know?

''Tis a difficult decision, I am not sure how she will take it, but were I in that position, I think I would want to know. Is it something that could be kept from a future husband?'

Her father shook his head. 'Do you think her likely to marry now?'

'If anyone was likely to marry early before the smallpox came, it was Lydia. Now, I cannot say. She is changed.'

'It is essential that she keep it from her mother and sisters.'

She bit her lip. 'I think, that if the reason for secrecy is explained well enough that she understands, then she will be silent. She is not the same indiscrete girl she was, indeed though she knows it not, she is now a woman.'

Mr Bennet nodded, his eyes full of grief. 'Very well. Let me send for her. You will remain?'

She nodded, moving to make a space for herself and Lydia on the window seat. 'I will likely be needed.'