A/N We're getting there. The end is in sight.

I hope you are all keeping well. for those that wondered what the NHS is - it's the national health services in the UK. They are the people currently risking their lives for ours in my country. My sister is a midwife, btw.

20th December

A full day after Mr Darcy had gone, Elizabeth was fit to be tied at her inactivity. Being restricted to a sofa when the sun shone was not her idea of enjoyment, so she was delighted when her friend, Charlotte, called.

'I was sorry to hear of your accident, Eliza,' Charlotte said, accepting a cup of tea from Jane. 'I cannot think how you came to be so clumsy, however.'

'It is a long story,' Elizabeth replied, with a sigh, 'and not one to be told in company.' As Charlotte was accompanied on her visit by her mother, Lady Lucas, Elizabeth was wary of explaining too much. Lady Lucas was as notorious a gossip as her own mother.

'I understand.' There was a pause as Charlotte eyed her friend with curiosity. 'So, tell me all about how you came to be engaged to Mr "She is not handsome enough to tempt me" Darcy.'

Elizabeth choked on the mouthful of tea she had just taken, and Charlotte patted her on the back as she coughed.

'I do hope you are not coming down with something, Lizzy,' called Mrs Bennet from across the room. 'You cannot be ill now. Wait until after you are married.'

'It is nothing, mamma. I inhaled at the wrong time, that is all.'

Mrs Bennet looked at her for a moment, then shrugged and turned back to Lady Lucas.

'Charlotte, that was evil of you.'

'I am sorry, but I am very curious as to how your engagement came about. When we last spoke, you did not like him at all.'

'That is all forgot. My time at Netherfield was extremely trying, and he was more supportive than I had expected but I cannot go into details.' She shot a look over at her mother and raised her eyebrows. 'It also concerns more than just me so it would not be fair to do so. Just believe me when I say that my feelings changed toward him so gradually that I was unaware of it myself until the realisation descended on me in heavy boots.'

'Very well, my dear. I am pleased for you, of course, but I am disappointed that your injuries will make it unlikely you can stand up with me.'

'I am glad you mentioned that. I wanted to speak with you about something regarding your wedding, and mine. Mr Darcy suggested a way around it and I want to see how you feel about his idea. Would you, or do I ask too much, care to share your wedding breakfast with me?' Charlotte was silent so she peeked up at her and continued. 'The idea is that you have your wedding, and then your party comes here to attend mine as Mr Darcy is to procure a special license. Then we host a wedding breakfast together before you leave for London.' She finished in a rush and held her breath, waiting to see what her friend thought.

There was a long silence as Charlotte thought about it, then she replied, 'Lizzy, I would be honoured to share my day with you in such a way. I will need to ask my betrothed, although I have no doubt that he will be happy with whatever we decide on. Mama will likely need more convincing, as will yours, but maybe we can work on them together.'

'We each need to convince our mothers that a double wedding breakfast, held here as I cannot travel, would be the most marvellous event of the season.'

'It is well they have been friends for so long, even though they are rivals at time.' Charlotte winked and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'But I am sure it can be managed. You deal with your mother, and I will work on mine once we are home. If I persuade my father it will reduce the cost a little, he will help me with mama.'

Elizabeth reached out and took her friends hands. 'I was dreading losing your company so soon, but now I will be with you until we both enter the marriage state, and I will see you often when we are in London, I promise.'

The pact made, they joined the general conversation which went on only a little longer before the Lucas ladies left to return home. Elizabeth was tired by this point, so she was carried upstairs and left to sleep.

Some hours later, she was in the drowsy state between awake and asleep, warm and comfortable, when a light tap at the door brought her fully awake.

'Come in.'

The door opened to reveal Jane, with Kitty behind her, eyes downcast and a nervous jitter in her movements.

Jane spoke firmly, an unusually stern look in her eyes as she drew Kitty forward. 'I have brought Kitty as she wished to speak with you. She has spoken with everyone else now and you are the last, as her injuries to you are the most grievous.'

'Oh.' Elizabeth was surprised but willing to listen. 'Come sit here, Kitty.' She patted the bed beside her.

Jane nodded approval and withdrew, closing the door behind her.

Kitty looked around the room, her gaze darting everywhere but at her sister, then moved to the bed and sat gingerly on the edge.

'Tell me,' Elizabeth murmured.

A long silence passed before Kitty coughed a little. 'I wanted to tell you that I am sorry. I was foolish to believe that man and I am not sure why I did. No, that's not strictly true.' She paused as if to gather her thoughts.

'For as long as I can remember, Lydia had always been favoured over the rest of us, bar Jane. I was barely considered at all, except to be told off for coughing or the like.'

'Mamma has not had much time for me either, Kitty.' Elizabeth said, gently.

'I know, but you have always been so confident and papa's favourite. Only Lydia was interested in me, but in a selfish way. I was always there to be her companion while she revelled in the attention of the men we met. Lydia has crowed that she wanted to marry first of us all, from before she was allowed out and, to be honest with you, the thought of doing something she wanted to be first to do… and for mamma to finally think well of me - for her to even think of me at all…' Her words faded as a tear tricked down her cheek.

'I'm so sorry, Lizzy, I didn't mean to hurt you. I now know was a fool to trust Wickham, and his charming words. It's just… I was so lonely, at first staying with Aunt Phillips, then back home with you, Jane and Lydia away, and mamma so unwell. Mary was no company. She was as bad as papa and his books. But Wickham, he was exciting and new, and something that Lydia could not take away from me. You know she always had to have the best of everything, even taking our ribbons and bonnets when she wanted them. And mamma letting her! He was so convincing...' She sighed. 'I have been very stupid, I realise that, too late.'

Elizabeth gripped her sister's hand. 'I'd rather have a few broken bones, than you ruin your life. I will heal, but had you succeeded in leaving, all of us would have been ruined. Do you understand that what one of us does, reflects on all of us, in the eyes of society?'

Kitty nodded, shame flushing her cheeks. 'I did not think of that. I believed he would marry me. Thank you for stopping me from leaving, for his plans for me were horrifying indeed.' She paused, rubbing her cheeks dry with her free hand. 'Papa says I have to go away to school, to learn how to behave like a proper young lady. I think it may be for the best.'

'I would have given anything for the chance of a proper education. Make the most of it, Kitty. You do not know how lucky you are. Promise me you will make the most of your time there. Learn to be a lady – London and a come-out will always be waiting if you can prove yourself able to behave correctly in society.'

Kitty nodded. 'I promise. I will do my best to make you, and my family, proud of me.'

'That is all I ask.'