A/N - I uploaded this just after popping outside to Clap for the NHS. My sister is a midwife. She has friends who are putting themselves in danger to help others fight this disease. She may be called in to help herself, should enough of her workmates fall ill.

I live on a rather isolated road, over 300 miles away from my family, separated from the main part of the city by a river. At the back of my house are a few houses them the main road into the city. It's quiet, basically. So I go out, expecting to be alone, only to hear claps, cheers, and whistles echoing down the street and from over the river. Brought a tear to the eye, I have to say. Long live the NHS.

Stay safe, everyone.

17th December

The tea was cold in the pot before the Wickham interview was fully told and dissected. During the discussion, Mrs Bennet - with a subdued Kitty in tow - joined them, to add her thoughts to the tale.

Eventually, the subject was cropped and Mrs Bennet, noting that Elizabeth's eyes were drooping, ushered everyone except Mr Darcy from the room.

'We will expect you in the parlour shortly,' she said to him, with a wink, as she followed the others from the room.

Elizabeth blushed at her mother's words, while feeling grateful they were finally alone again. Despite her tiredness, she craved the feel of his arms around her once more.

He wasted no time in reaching her side, brushing a hand over her cheek before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She sighed as he drew back, her eyes closed, and lips curved in a gentle smile.

He brushed a curl back from her forehead, frowning at the bruise there which was more obvious now. 'Does your head pain you?'

'Only when I am very tired,' she replied. 'I am well enough for the moment.'

'Good as I need to speak with you on a serious matter.'

Her eyes popped open, and her forehead creased. 'Serious?'

'I have a proposition for you.'

She indicated, somewhat imperiously, that he should continue.

'I know the general thought after your fall, was that we delay our wedding.' He paused, stood and paced the room before turning back. 'However, I have to go to town and onward to Rosings tomorrow.' At her sigh of disappointment, he hurried on. 'I need to speak with my aunt before she sees Mr Collins, given his actions today. I was going to London anyway to collect my sister so that she could spend the Christmas period here.'

She nodded. 'You will not be away long?'

'A few days at most. We will return before Christmas Eve, I promise.'

'Very well. I look forward to meeting your sister.'

He smiled. 'She will love you. Now, onto the serious matter. My uncle will also be at Rosings.' He sat beside her, picked up her hand and caressed her wrist with a forefinger. Looking deeply into her eyes, he continued, 'He would be in a position to provide me with a special license. We could be married here, from your home, as soon as you would like.'

He stopped, a look of query on his face as he assessed her reaction. Elizabeth was surprised, but not unpleasantly. The idea that she could be married to him so soon caused a sensation of heat to spread up her body. She recognised the feeling. It was desire. She swallowed and nodded. 'I would like that.'

'I thought we could have the ceremony directly after Miss Lucas and Doctor Williams take their vows, so they could attend before they leave for London. I know she is a special friend of yours, and as you will not be able to stand up with her, I thought this might be the next best thing.'

Her smile grew. 'That would be wonderful. I adore Charlotte and not to be there was almost the worst part of being injured. The worst part was the postponement of our own joining. This resolves both in a very elegant manner.' She squeezed his hand in thanks. 'Maybe we could have a double wedding breakfast, here, after both ceremonies. Lady Lucas and mamma could organise it together. I will write to Charlotte and ask her to visit me. If I can persuade her to the idea, then we can work on our mothers in concert.' She shot him a cheeky grin. 'Perhaps we will have it all arranged before your return, then all you need do is turn up.'

He chuckled. 'You do that. It will keep you out of trouble.'

She gasped with feigned offence. 'I do not find trouble deliberately.'

'No, you just seem to attract it.'

She sighed. 'Once we are married, you will have to protect me from it.'

'You can bank on that. I will make it my life's work.'

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled down into his embrace. 'I would like that, I am tired of all the recent drama.'

'With everything that has happened recent, I do not want to waste any more time before making you my wife. We need not leave here until you are well, but I would feel happier knowing you were mine to protect, and we could be alone together without the need for chaperones.'

She burrowed her head into his chest, suddenly shy. 'Shall you move here after the wedding, until I am well enough to travel?'

'If your father allows it. Otherwise I will just have to commute between Netherfield and Longbourn until you can be moved to Netherfield.'

'Very well. I accede to your proposals. I will arrange as much as possible with Charlotte and mamma. We will have a wonderful Christmas, my last one as a Bennet, and we can be married soon after.'

I will examine my London home for a grand enough seat for you to use for the ceremony.'

'I have one good leg. I can stand for the ceremony, as long as I can lean on you.'

'Always.'

18th December

Mr Bingley was eager to see his betrothed again, so as soon as he and his sister had refreshed themselves after their journey from London, they were again on the road – this time for a shorter trip to Longbourn.

Mr Darcy travelled with them, his own coach following behind, as he would be going straight from Longbourn onward with his journey, once he had bid his betrothed a reluctant farewell. On the trip he explained that Elizabeth has fallen and was injured. He did not say any more than that, still unsure whether the change in Miss Bingley would remain. To her credit, she was nothing like she had been before her sister's death. Quiet and deferring to her brother, she expressed her pleasure at their return and had brought some new fashion magazines for Miss Lydia. He thought he could come to like the company of this new Miss Bingley, so long as it did not dissipate with time.

On their arrival they were welcomed by the noisy Bennet's, Miss Bingley was spirited away by the youngest, and Mr Bingley was absorbed into the eldest's orbit, such that no-one else, barring Mrs Bennet, had so much as a word or a look from him.

Mr Darcy only had eyes for Elizabeth. She was laid on a sofa, having been moved from the room she had spent the last few days within.

'I had to leave that room,' she confessed. 'Mr Collins's intrusion affected me more than I had expected. I could not sleep! Papa had me carried up to my own room and Jane stayed with me. I slept well and feel much improved. Even my headache has gone.'

'I am glad to hear your head is well but grieved by your disturbance.' He lowered his voice, 'Had you still been in the other room, we might have managed a little time alone before I must depart.'

'You will just have to take the memory of yesterday to keep you satisfied until your return. Shall I write to you?'

'I would be honoured if you would.'

She gave him a sly smile and rummaged under her blanket. Pulling out a hand that was holding a piece of folded parchment, she said, 'In that case, you can take the first installment with you. It will save me the postage.'

He beamed at her. 'I will read it in my carriage as I travel and will send a reply as soon as I have chance to write. I expect it will be from Rosings, as I do not plan on stopping in London except to speak with Georgiana so that she knows to begin packing.'

'I hope your find your aunt well, and your cousin as well as can be expected. Give my regards to Colonel Fitzwilliam. I doubt we shall see them for our wedding as we had planned.'

'It is unlikely, but once you can travel, we will stop there on our wedding trip. Would you like to visit the seaside?'

She smiled. 'I have never seen the sea. Will we go sea bathing?'

'Maybe not at this time of year, as it will be exceptionally cold, but I promise to take you again in the summer.'

'Very well,' she pouted, a twinkle in her eye. 'I suppose I must be patient.'

He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss onto the back, drawing circles on her wrist with his thumb as he gazed deeply into her eyes. 'You must indeed, as must I.'

She shuddered as a deep warmth grew in her belly. Drawing a shaky breath, she looked around the room to see if anyone had noticed their interaction. She caught the eye of her mother, who merely twitched an eye as if winking. She blushed and pulled her gaze back to Mr Darcy. Fitzwilliam. Her Fitzwilliam.

He lingered there for as long as he could, but all too soon gave a deep sigh and said that he must leave.

The day seemed less bright once he had gone.