A/N: For all those thinking Kitty is getting off lightly - Lizzy didn't say she forgave Kitty. She said she was happy to suffer broken bones to stop Kitty eloping and ruining the family and her other sister's chances at marriage. She was very specific with her words. She will eventually forgive her, once the school has done its work. It's not a normal finishing school, btw. ;)

20th-23rd December

Mrs Bennet was surprisingly easy to convince in favour of the shared wedding breakfast. It was most likely because she was so anxious to get her daughter married off, she would agree to almost anything.

Lady Lucas proved more difficult to convince but she was eventually persuaded that sharing the wedding breakfast of Mr Darcy and his ten thousand a year would boost the status of the event significantly. The fact that many of the guests at her daughter's wedding would then move to Longbourn anyway for the wedding of Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, thus leaving her own wedding breakfast sadly diminished, was the final push to allow her to accede to the request with good cheer.

With this matter solved to the satisfaction of all, the next step was to be the wedding attire and trousseau. Mrs Bennet bemoaned the lack of preparation time and Elizabeth was adamant that a minimal amount of adornment be used on her gown. However, Mrs Bennet's anxiety to marry off her daughter reached a limit when it came to Elizabeth's desire for little lace - 'But Lizzy, you must have more lace! It would be shocking to marry without a respectable amount of lace on your gown. Everyone will say it is a shabby affair and that your father is a penny pincher!'

Jane consoled her mother by saying that they would have many months to prepare for her own delayed wedding so, as Elizabeth was at a delicate stage of her recovery, they should let her have her way in the matter of her wedding gown.

As for the trousseau? Well, it could just as easily be made after the wedding, as the newly minted Mr and Mrs Darcy would not leave Longbourn until Elizabeth was able to travel.

The modiste from Meryton came and, after long discussions, and some disagreement, until Mrs Bennet was temporarily banished from the room by Mr Bennet – 'It is our daughter's wedding, and if she prefers that design, then she shall have it. It is I who will be paying for it, after all.' - a simple but elegant style was chosen – with minimal lace and other adornments. The modiste left hurriedly, with all her pattern books and fabric samples, before Mrs Bennet could return and start the argument all over again.

Letter were also written to the Gardners, so that their usual Christmas visit could be extended long enough that they could attend the wedding, and Mr Bingley offered to house them for the duration, should it be needed. They were to come to them on Christmas eve.

The discussions and arguments over these matters took place over several days, but by the time Mr Darcy and his sister were due back at Netherfield they had been settled to everyone's satisfaction and now a general anticipation descended on Longbourn, awaiting their arrival.

The first word they had that the Darcys had arrived was brought by Mrs Phillips, who had seen the carriage as it passed through the village and immediately hurried to Longbourn to bring word of it to her sister.

'Oh, sister, he is come at last!' cried Mrs Bennet. 'I had half expected him to change his mind.'

'You seem to have little faith in the man who will become your son,' commented Mr Bennet, aiming a smirk in Elizabeth's direction. 'Whereas I did not expect anything else of him but his return.'

'Oh, Mr Bennet, have some compassion for my nerves.'

'I shall spare my compassion for Lizzy, at present.' Her husband commented, 'With all your talk of her being abandoned by her betrothed, I am sure she needs it more than you.'

Mrs Bennet sent him a baleful look before turning back to her sister.

Elizabeth, unable to escape, attempted to distract herself from the chattering ladies by opening her book, however, she found it difficult to lose herself in the pages. The truth was, she was worried about meeting Miss Darcy. What if her future sister did not like her or think her good enough for her brother? Trapped on the sofa, there was no escape for her. Normally she would have taken herself for a long walk and returned feeling refreshed and with her worries set firmly where they belonged, but after several days trapped - usually with her mother frustratingly nearby and constantly bemoaning the lack of lace and a trousseau and full of questions about the wedding breakfast – she was close to breaking point.

Eventually, her aunt left and Mrs Bennet went to speak with Hill about the menus, eager to put on a good show when the Darcy's came to dinner, most especially for the meal on Christmas Day.

Elizabeth heaved a huge sigh at finally being left alone for a time, and attempted to find some peace within herself, but her solitary contemplation did not last for long.

'Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy, Miss Elizabeth,' announced a maid, and Elizabeth looked up with a smile of welcome and just a hint of trepidation.

'Mr Darcy!' Elizabeth exclaimed. 'My aunt came to tell us that you had just returned and so I was not expecting you until tomorrow.'

He drew the young lady beside him forward. 'My sister was eager to make your acquaintance. May I introduce you?'

'Of course, but please forgive my not rising. I am unable to stand, as yet.'

Miss Darcy, blushing prettily, waited as her brother performed the introduction, then curtsied and stepped forward. Her voice was quiet, and she barely raised her eyes from the carpet. 'I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet.'

'Likewise,' Elizabeth replied, with a smile, 'Please take a seat. As I am unable to rise, could you ring the bell, Mr Darcy and I will ask for some tea to be brought in.'

He did as she asked, and Miss Darcy sat on a chair close to Elizabeth's sofa. Soon after the maid returned, and Elizabeth ordered a tea tray and some cake. 'I am sure you must need something to eat after your journey, you cannot have spent more than ten minutes inside Netherfield before leaving again.'

'We were there a little longer than that, but I would like some tea,' murmured Miss Darcy. 'I… I am sorry you are unwell, William told me you had had an accident.'

'Oh, yes, but I am not so badly off. I still have one good arm and one good leg, after all!'

Elizabeth was pleased to raise a giggle from Miss Darcy, who seemed rather shy, and the conversation continued, only interrupted by the arrival of the tea tray and then Mrs Bennet soon after.

Mr Darcy valiantly took over the conversation with Mrs Bennet, as she served the tea, to give Elizabeth and his sister more time to speak.

Elizabeth shot him a grateful look before turning back to Miss Darcy. 'I understand you play the pianoforte. You must meet my sister, Mary. She, too, spends much time playing.'

'Oh, yes. I would be happy to meet her.' Miss Darcy was beginning to speak more freely now that the first introduction was over. 'William tells me you have four sisters. I do wish I had a sister. William is a wonderful brother, but he is so much older than I am, and it is not the same as having someone your own age to talk to.'

'No indeed.' Elizabeth reached over and patted her hand. 'You will soon have five new sisters, so prepare yourself. It was not always easy, growing up with so many sisters, but I would not have it any other way.'

Their conversation was interrupted at this point when her mother called over. 'Lizzy, dear, I have invited Mr Darcy and his sister to dinner tonight. Mr and Miss Bingley too, if they will come.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'That would be lovely, mamma, but they only arrived an hour or so ago. Would not tomorrow be better?'

Mr Darcy spoke up. 'We will need to return to Netherfield to change, and I will pass on the invitation to Miss Bingley then, but my sister and I will gladly come for dinner. We have much to discuss with regard to the wedding.'

Mrs Bennet gave him a wide smile and was busy thanking him when Jane, Mary, and Lydia came into the room. Elizabeth called her sisters over and introduced them to Miss Darcy, and soon Mary and their guest had their heads together and were rapidly speaking about music. Mr Darcy excused himself from Mrs Bennet, Jane taking her place at her mother's side, and moved to sit with Elizabeth.

'I missed you,' she murmured. 'But I did manage to arrange everything with Charlotte.'

He patted his breast pocket. 'And I have a special license. Charlotte was happy with the suggestion then?'

'She was. Her mother was less so, but we managed to persuade her to the idea. Now Lady Lucas is as keen on the idea as her daughter, given the rise in status sharing a wedding breakfast with a man worth ten thousand a year will bring.' She smirked up at him as she finished, hoping he would find the idea as amusing as she did.

He chuckled quietly. 'That was how you persuaded her?'

'Of course. Sir William was more easily persuaded. The knowledge that the cost of sharing a wedding breakfast is less than paying for one on his own was sufficient enticement on his part.'

Mr Darcy's deep chuckle rumbled around the room and conversation stopped as several pairs of eyes turned to see where the sound came from. Then Miss Darcy giggled, whispered something to Mary, and the conversation resumed.

'You surprised them. They are not yet used to an amused Mr Darcy.'

'It seems so, but I am sure that will change after I have spent more time with you.' He picked up her hand and kissed the knuckles. 'But not just yet. We must return to Netherfield for now, but we will return in a few hours.'

Mr Darcy and his sister left soon after, leaving a relieved Elizabeth behind. All her worries over Miss Darcy were for naught. She was shy, yes, but that could easily be cured, especially if she spent much time with the Bennet sisters.