November 1813 – December 1813

Since Lizzy and Jane moved to Ramsgate, the Gardiners had only had the chance to visit them once, but they wrote letters to each other every week. They were happy with Jane's engagement as according to Lizzy and Jane's letter, Mr. Harrington was an intelligent and kind gentleman, and he respected and loved Jane very much. Also, he had an estate that brought in about £1,200 to £1,500 a year, and Lizzy was going to live with them.

The wedding was to take place the second week of February in Ramsgate, and the Gardiners were planning to attend. In fact, although Jane was of legal age, Mr. Gardiner wanted to negotiate the marriage settlement and also wanted to enter the church with his niece.

PPP

A few days after the engagement, Mrs. Maxwell organized a party in honor of the couple and invited the leading families from the surrounding area.

Mr. Stuart greeted Lizzy politely and spoke very little to her. He did not hold a grudge against her, but he still had feelings for her and he preferred to be as far away from her as possible. Another gentleman who showed an interest in Lizzy was Mr. Swan. He was the eldest son of the owner of a small estate near Mr. Harrington's and according to Mrs. Maxwell, he was a scoundrel.

Concerned Mrs. Maxwell told Elizabeth, "… Elizabeth, I have noticed Mr. Swan is showing interest in you, but I warn you that you should not trust him."

"Don't worry, Victoria. I am not interested in Mr. Swan."

"Try to avoid being alone with him. He has an illegitimate child and the child's mother claims that he raped her."

Lizzy's eyes widened, "I promise you; I will never be alone with him…"

Due to Mrs. Maxwell's warnings, Lizzy took precautions and avoided being alone with Mr. Swan. Fortunately, Mr. Swan, seeing that Miss Elizabeth completely ignored him, lost interest.

PPP

In the first weeks of November at Mr. Harrington's insistence, Lizzy and Jane visited his house as he wanted them to make whatever changes they wanted. The house was similar in size to Longbourn but more modern. There was very little to change as the furniture was modern and comfortable, and the wallpaper and curtains were light-colored and in very good condition. The only thing Jane wanted to change was the wallpaper and curtains in her bedchamber which had formerly belonged to Mr. Harrington's late wife, and partly because he insisted, he wanted them changed.

The bedchamber Mr. Harrington chose for Lizzy was comfortable and close to Jane's bedchamber. Lizzy decorated it to her liking, although there was very little to change.

Christmas 1813

On Christmas Eve, Lizzy and Jane stayed up very late talking. They both remembered their parents and sisters that day, but unlike the year before, the memories did not make them cry...

"… in a few months you are going to be married to a good man, and in a few years, I am going to teach your daughters how to play the piano poorly. I'm so happy for you, Jane."

"Me too Lizzy, I am immensely happy. I would like you to meet such a wonderful gentleman like Frederick and be as happy as I am now. You deserve to be happy, Lizzy."

Lizzy laughed, "That's impossible, Jane. To be as happy as you, I should have your good disposition. Besides, I don't think a gentleman like your Frederick would fall in love with me. Maybe my luck will improve at some point, and I meet a gentleman like Mr. Collins."

Jane shook her head, "Lizzy, you have to be more serious. Aren't you interested in Mr. Swan? He seems to be very interested in you."

Lizzy smiled, "He is a charming gentleman, who reminds me too much of George Wickham. If Mrs. Maxwell, who is the most matchmaking woman I have ever met, says he is not a trustworthy gentleman, I have complete confidence in her."

"She told you that?"

"Exactly, though I didn't ask for the details nor am I interested in them either."

"Exactly, but I prefer not to waste time talking about that gentleman."

"Well, if that's the case, I won't make any more comments about Mr. Swan…"

They talked for several more minutes before finally falling asleep. Jane dreamed of the man she had fallen deeply in love with, and Lizzy had a nice but very strange dream; She was playing in a park with a blonde-haired little girl who looked like Jane except for the color of her eyes...