A/N Sorry for the delay, I've been having trouble concentrating recently, and so have been expending some energy in the garden instead of writing.

23rd December

Elizabeth felt, despite all her aches and pains, on top of the world that evening as she sat beside the man who would be her future. On occasion, he brushed his hand against hers, leaning in to whisper something that would make her blush. Her joy was near complete.

It had been an interesting manoeuvre, placing her at the table while keeping her leg straight, but they had managed it with the aid of a small footstool and a corner seat at the end of the table beside her father, Jane being happy to give up her usual place. Mr Bennet, for his part, kept a wary eye on the servants as they moved around her dishing up the food and removing the used plates and cutlery. If he turned a blind eye to Mr Darcy's rather obvious affections, then who could blame him.

From further down the table, Elizabeth heard Lydia's excited voice asking Miss Bingley about long sleeves, and Miss Bingley in return promised to bring the latest copy of La Belle Assemblée when they next visited, within which were several plates illustrating the latest in fashions. Elizabeth smiled to herself, thinking that Miss Bingley could be as good for Lydia as Lydia was for Miss Bingley.

It was during the dessert course that discussion of their wedding came up, from an unexpected source.

Miss Bingley, seated beside Lydia, spoke. 'Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, I understand you will not be able to leave for a honeymoon after your wedding until you are healed enough for the trip?'

'Sadly, that is true,' replied Mr Darcy. 'We will remain here until then.'

Miss Bingley nodded, a brief look of regret passing over her face as she gazed at Mr Darcy, before she continued, 'That being so, I would like to invite the entire Bennet family to stay with us at Netherfield for a few days after the wedding. That way you can have some privacy – a honeymoon of sorts. Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, what do you think?'

Mrs Bennet's exclamation of delight was, for a short time, the only thing that could be heard above anything else. Elizabeth looked at her father, wondering what he thought of the idea, and found he was smiling.

'I think that a splendid idea, Miss Bingley, and I think you for your invitation. I accept on behalf of my family.'

Miss Bingley nodded and turned back to Lydia, who was bouncing in her seat.

'Miss Bingley,' called Elizabeth. Miss Bingley turned to look at her former rival. 'Thank you, your invitation to my family is most kind, given your current situation.'

Miss Bingley nodded. 'I miss Louisa, of course, but life must go on and I wanted to show some small appreciation of all you did for us at the darkest time our family has lived through since our parent's demise.'

'Hear, hear,' called Mr Bingley.

Miss Bingley and Elizabeth nodded to each other, and no more words needed to be said.

Conversation resumed and Mr Darcy turned to Mr Bennet. 'Are you at all interested in hearing of Mr Collins' future?'

Mr Bennet picked up his wine glass and took a large sip, swilling it around in his mouth then swallowing. 'Would that the man no longer existed, but I suppose I should know his fate.'

Elizabeth nodded to her betrothed to continue.

In a lowered voice, Mr Darcy said, 'I managed to reach my aunt before she spoke with Mr Collins and informed her of the events here on the day he left. She was most displeased, as was the archbishop. Between them, they decided the only answer was to remove him from the country. As a defrocking would leave him in England, they decided to make it appear as if he was being offered a new post spreading the word of God to those most in need of it. Given the other option of being defrocked and losing his living, he jumped at the chance. His face when he was informed of the destination was comical and he attempted to weasel out of it. When I told him that Mr Bennet had discovered his thefts and even now, there was an arrest warrant out for him, he gave that up. When I left, he was packing for a lengthy voyage. What he does not know is that when he finally reaches land, he will have very little status amongst his fellow missionaries. They will know of his actions here and will treat him accordingly. Neither will he will not be returning to England. Once his ship leaves soon in the New Year, where he lands will be his new home until his demise.'

'And so, we bid a not-so-fond farewell to Mr Collins,' muttered Elizabeth. 'Good riddance.'

'Indeed,' Mr Bennet concurred. 'I can honestly say, I do not regret his leaving, and should he pass on the voyage, I will not mourn him.'

There was silence between the three of them for a while, as they contemplated Mr Collins fate, but not one of them felt it less than his due. Indeed, all felt he deserved more punishment and Elizabeth hoped he would discover how it felt to be at the mercy of another.

Soon after the ladies withdrew, leaving the gentlemen to their port. Mr Darcy insisted on carrying a blushing Elizabeth from the dining room to the drawing-room and he even managed to sneak a quick kiss in the passage, as the other ladies were ahead of them.

'Mr Darcy,' hissed Elizabeth, 'You are incorrigible.'

'I am a lost man, when it comes to you.'

'Very well, I will forgive you.' She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him back. She was still laughing at the shocked look on his face when they entered the drawing-room.

24th December

On Christmas Eve, Mrs Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife along with their children, who came to spend Christmas at Longbourn, as was their usual habit.

Mrs Gardiner was a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces, but between the elder two especially, as they frequently came to stay with her in town.

The first part of the visit was the distribution of presents and, with Lydia especially agog, the latest town fashions. Once this was done, she listened as Mrs Bennet described her illness, and that of Lydia – 'I could not even see my dearest girl during all her troubles, but then I was so very ill myself…' – and then to hear her triumphs – 'and two of my girls are to be wed! Lizzy in just a few days by special license for her home! How grand that sounds…'

Later, once all the joy of greeting those not seen for many months had died down, Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth settled down for a quiet and comfortable chat. Elizabeth had been moved to the small parlour for a rest, and Mrs Gardiner went with her to see her settled. Before she could leave, Elizabeth asked her to sit and talk with her for a while as she was not that tired. 'Privacy is best, my dear aunt, for what I will say.'

What followed shocked Mrs Gardiner to her core. The tale of Mr Collins' perfidy, especially given his profession, left her speechless for some minutes while her mind tried to comprehend what Elizabeth told her.

The news that Longbourn was to remain in the family gave her mind something pleasant to consider, which balanced the previous unpleasant communication, and her joy at hearing Elizabeth's views on her marriage completed the easing of Mrs Gardiner's mind.

'I am glad,' said Mrs Gardiner, 'that you have found a gentleman that you value so highly to be your marriage partner. Jane too, although it is unfortunate that she must wait for Mr Bingley's mourning to be over. It is as well that she is the most patient of your sisters. I do not think you would like to wait for so long. I know that once you have made up your mind to do something, you prefer to do it right away.'

Elizabeth chuckled. 'How well you know me, dearest of aunts. But I am not the only impatient one. It was all Mr Darcy's idea that we marry so soon.'

Mrs Gardiner smiled. 'He seems ideally suited for you then. I will be pleased to meet your young man again. He is someone I have known of for most of my life.'

'Really? Did you know the family?'

'Only a little. I was born and brought up in a little village not five miles from Pemberley. I met his mother some once or twice, and even saw your Mr Darcy as a young boy.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'Do tell me what he was like as a boy.'

'He was much like the other young boys of the area, if a little better dressed. He collected horse chestnuts in the autumn and fished the ponds and rivers whenever he could escape his studies, or so it seemed. He enjoyed reading and frequently visited the bookshop whenever he came to the village with one or other of his parents. I even once saw his young sister. She was but a babe in arms at her Christening. It was shortly before Mrs Darcy died, of course. That was a very sad time for the area.'

'Miss Darcy is at Netherfield with her brother to spend Christmas with him. I think she would like to hear your stories of her parents and a much younger brother. You will meet them tomorrow when they come to spend Christmas with us.'

'I look forward to it.' She paused while Elizabeth yawned, then continued. 'Now, Lizzy, you must settle down and rest. We can talk more later. I especially wish to hear about how you came to hurt yourself so badly.'

'Oh, that is another unpleasant story, this time involving Kitty, but I will save it for later.'

Mrs Gardiner stood, pulling the blanket up over her niece, who snuggled down and blinked sleepily. 'Rest, my dear girl,' she murmured before leaving the room and quietly closing the door.