26th December

Elizabeth was sitting on the window seat, a book on her lap - not that she was reading it. Instead, she gazed out into the garden. She sighed, drawing the attention of her aunt who was sitting in a chair beside her.

Mrs Gardiner, busy embroidering a section of Elizabeth's wedding gown, commented, 'You sound either depressed or happy. Tell me, my dear, which is it?'

'Oh, a mix of both I expect,' she replied. 'I am happy to be marrying such a good man that I love – I never expected to, you know. Not really. I'm irritated that I cannot help you with the sewing because of this.' She held up her splinted arm. 'I had to ask Jane and Mary to help embroider the gifts I gave to Mr Darcy yesterday, as I could not manage more than to design them. It was most humiliating. I am happy because yesterday was such a wonderful day, but sad that it will be my last Christmas here as a Bennet. Jane, too, will be married next year, and the fact that we will be living so far apart gives me heartache. It is a pleasant sort of day and yet I am stuck indoors instead of out enjoying the sunshine. My mind is in turmoil. I am both happy and sad. How can that be, aunt?'

Mrs Gardiner paused in her stitching to regard her niece with compassion and a hint of amusement. 'It is perfectly natural, my dear. Marrying is a big step for any young lady, and it requires a leap of faith to put your life into another man's hands. It is natural to be apprehensive, no matter how good a man you think you are marrying. After all, you never know for sure until the deed is done and cannot be undone.' She leaned over and patted her niece's arm. 'However, I have no qualms for you and your choice. Mr Darcy is a well-respected man, a little reserved at times perhaps, but that is no bad thing. Jane, too, is reserved and the two of you manage perfectly well. So it will be with your Mr Darcy. Your differences will balance out each other's faults.'

'My dear aunt, are you telling me I have faults,' Elizabeth said with a laugh and a twinkle in her eye.

'You know full well you have faults, I do not need to spell them out for you again, do I?' Mrs Gardiner replied with a smile.

'No,' Elizabeth stopped smiling and continued more solemnly, 'I am well aware of them, as is Mr Darcy. He has seen most of them and felt their sharp edges.'

'And yet he still wishes to marry you. I think that is all that needs to be said of his character and feelings toward you.' Mrs Gardiner snipped off the thread and held up the bodice she had been working on. 'Tell me, how does this look?'

Elizabeth ran a finger down the stitching, brushing the faux pearls sewn into the design. 'Oh aunt, that's beautiful. So much better than I could have managed. Once I am able, you must teach me this stitch. Maybe when you, uncle, and the children come to Pemberley for the summer?' She eyed her aunt sideways as she spoke, to assess her reaction to the invitation.

'Well, we were planning on heading to the Lakes for our summer trip, and you will no longer be coming with us. We could break in Derbyshire. I would like to see Pemberley again.'

Elizabeth clasped Mrs Gardiners hand. 'And so you shall, dearest of my aunts. Perhaps you can bring Mary in my stead. It will do her good to travel and leave her sermons behind for a while.'

'That is a good idea, Lizzy. I will discuss it with your uncle and if he agrees, we can ask Mary and your father.'

'I suspect papa will be eager to visit as well, he's been glued to that book inventory since breakfast.'

Mrs Gardiner laughed. 'Mr Darcy certainly was inventive with his gifts.'

'He was. Mamma took the pineapple to her room last night. She said it was in case someone broke in during the night. "And you know, Lizzy, no-one would think to look for it in my closet" were her exact words, when I asked why.'

'She is very well pleased with it. It seems Mr Darcy understands your mother very well. Now, what do you want me to do next?'

'The bodice is finished. Some small patches of similar embroidering around the hem of the overdress would be nice, do you not think.'

27th December

'Lizzy, look, what do you think,' cried Lydia, as she charged into the room and twirled about. 'Is it not a lovely gown?'

'It is very pretty, and the colour suits you very well,' her sister replied. 'Miss Darcy chose very well considering she only had Mr Darcy's description to help.'

'It is perfect. Now I just need some new gloves to match. We are all going into Meryton later, is there anything you need?'

'I cannot think… Oh, some yellow ribbon if you will, for my wedding bonnet.'

Lydia twirled about once more, then suddenly stopped. 'Oh, I know! I will buy it as a gift for you. I know just the right shade.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'That is a kind thought. Thank you, Lydia.'

Lydia dashed for the door, calling, 'You're welcome, Lizzy,' over her shoulder as she went.

Elizabeth hesitated them called, 'Lydia, wait a moment, do come back. I want to speak with you.'

Lydia paused, mid stride and whirled to face her. 'You want to ask about Colonel Fitzwilliam, don't you?'

Elizabeth's jaw dropped. 'How…?'

'I saw you look at me when Mr Darcy said he was to marry very soon.'

Mr Darcy had told them, when Mrs Bennet asked during Christmas dinner if Colonel Fitzwilliam would be returning in time for the wedding, that his cousin would marry Anne de Bourgh within the next couple of weeks.

'Lydia, come and sit here for a moment.' Elizabeth waited until her sister was seated, and then took her hand. 'How do you feel about that?'

'I've known that was his plan for some time now. We talked about it on one of our walks.'

'But how do you feel? I thought the two of you were getting closer, becoming attached.'

'We were, we are, but I have decided that I am far too young to marry, and Miss de Bough is not expected to live for much longer.'

'Lydia!'

Lydia sighed, then shrugged. 'I know how that must sound, but it is the truth. In a few years, when I am ready, he will likely be too. If he finds he still likes me when he is again free, then I will most probably still be here. Or married elsewhere. We have discussed that if we, either of us, decide we want to marry another, then we should do so. We are not courting, there have been no promises made. He will marry his cousin and make his aunt happy.' As Elizabeth gripped her hand tighter, Lydia said, 'Really, I am well, Lizzy'

Elizabeth released her grip and replied, 'Very well. I will trust you know what you are doing – both of you.' She gazed into her sister's eyes for a long moment, for reassurance, then said, 'Mr Darcy told me something after dinner, that you might find amusing.'

'Tell me!'

'Apparently, Lady Catherine asked who gave Mr Collins his injuries. Colonel Fitzwilliam admitted to the bruised jaw and that the rest of them were your handiwork. lady Catherine replied, "Miss Lydia did all that to him? I must meet that young lady – she is a woman after my own heart." She has suggested she mentor you, and even give you a season in a year or two, if you would like to go and stay with her. I think she will be lonely once her daughter has gone.'

'Oh, I would like that. I did not get to meet her when she was here, and I like what I've heard about her. I will have to wait until I am invited, so please let Mr Darcy know I would be happy to acccept.'

'I will. I hope you will come to Pemberley some time next summer too. Maybe you will be able to travel with Lady Catherine by then. We will have to see.'

'I hope so, you will have quite a house party if everyone comes, as I know you have invited Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. I must go and change, mamma will be looking for me soon.' She leaned over and gave her sister a hug, then dashed off.

Mary came in next. 'Lizzy, I'm not sure about this colour. Is it not too… bright?'

Elizabeth eyed her younger sister, and a smile grew on her lips. 'Mary, you look beautiful in that colour. It is just right for your complexion. Come here and sit beside me, I want to try something.'

Hesitantly, Mary came forward and sat. Elizabeth turned her so that she could reach the back of her head, and started pulling the pins out of the tight bun Mary preferred. Mary gave a slight protest, but subsided when her sister said, 'Trust me, dear.'

Elizabeth twisted some strands around her fingers, leaving them to hang either side of Mary's face, and pinned the rest into a looser pile on the back of her head. 'Face me now.'

Elizabeth tweaked the side curls to her satisfaction, sighed with pleasure, then said, 'Now see what you think. Use the mirror over there.'

Mary rose and moved to the mirror, gazing at herself for a long moment.

'Well, what do you think?'

Mary could not look away from her reflection but managed to stammer out, 'I look… almost… pretty?'

'You do indeed. Your usual hairstyle does not flatter you, whereas leaving a little loose around your face, softens it, and brings out the colour of your eyes. The pink colour of your gown is flattering too. You look very well.'

Jane came in as Elizabeth finished her speech. 'Mary, I agree with Lizzy, you do look very pretty. If you like, I will help you with your hair tomorrow. The three of us can prepare together.'

Mary stammered out her thanks as she left, and Jane sat beside her sister.

'Are you nervous, Lizzy?'

'I was conflicted yesterday, but I spoke with Aunt Gardiner and I now feel calm and ready.'

'I wish…'

'Go on,' said Elizabeth.

'I wish Mr Bingley and I were marrying tomorrow. I believe I envy you.'

'I wish you were marrying tomorrow too, but the next two months will pass quickly enough, I am sure.'

Jane nodded, then, looking mischievous. 'I understand Mamma had "the talk" with you earlier.'

'Oh, Lord! It was mortifying. But I am glad Aunt Gardiner was there, she gave me a less intimidating and more useful talk once mamma had gone.' She paused for a moment, then added, 'Indeed, I am almost looking forward to it now.' She winked and Jane gasped, then laughed.

'Lizzy! You are positively wanton.'

'I am a maiden looking forward to becoming a wife. 'tis better than dreading it, believe me. You will feel the same on the eve of your wedding, I have no doubt.'

A/N Next up, the wedding. The end of the story is nigh...