Yay! You didn't have to wait two weeks or more for an update. Things are finally back to normal in our household and I have far more time to write. It was a rough winter. This chapter is, of course, light, fun, and happy. I am trying to stay true to the period, but I do imagine my characters as being a bit close and personal. Kate was involved in the Wickham fiasco, Georgiana has been staying with Kate and relaying things to Darcy, Kate tells her sisters all, and Richard was at Dylan roughly every other week. They all know each others business. And we can't forget that Bingley is now engaged to Jane, though he, too, was already very involved with much of the news flowing between the families.

Jane sat at her vanity, the morning after the ball, and just smiled at herself. She was engaged. She was engaged to a man of character, of strength. The type of man she always hoped and dreamed she would one day marry. Her dream was now her reality. She had always considered herself a little bit of a romantic, but Charles Bingley had taken her by surprise. Since the first night she met him, he would make her feel things she had never felt before. A knock at her door interrupted her musings. She answered it to find that it was Lizzy.

"Well?"

"Oh, Lizzy! I am so happy! I did not think I could experience such happiness."

"Jane, I believe you deserve it more than most."

"Lizzy…"

"No Jane. You are so good. If you don't deserve such good fortune, I dare not think about what I might receive."

The sisters embraced and laughed until they were interrupted by another knock at the door. Without releasing each other they called for the new visitor to come in. It was the rest of the sisters, plus Georgiana. It was Kate who spoke first.

"We figured you would both like to have a moment together this morning, but…. that moment is over. Jane, tell us all about it! What did he say? How did it feel? Did he kiss you?"

The next hour was spent with Jane giving her account of Bingley's proposal and answering her younger sisters (and by now that included Georgiana) questions.

"How romantic," said Lydia dreamily.

"Could it get any more perfect than that?" asked Kate.

"I wonder if I will receive a proposal as grand?" inquired Georgiana of no one in particular.

"I think you are putting too much pressure on our male counter parts. A person is who they are. I believe it is a part of Mr. Bingley's character to be such a romantic. He does have two older sisters."

"Well said, Mary," said Lizzy with a smile.

"You are going to make us all look bad," said Richard at breakfast the next morning. "How are we supposed to compete with that? They will have expectations now. Think of poor Darcy. He was already behind with his brooding, logical nature."

"Thank you for your concern, Richard," Darcy said dryly.

"But, in all seriousness, good show. I dare say, you will be the talk of Town, even into the Season. All men will hate you."

"You do know how to make chap feel very well, Colonel."

"Please, Bingley, for the last time, call me Richard. I plan to drop the Colonel soon, and Fitzwilliam is what everyone calls my elder brother."

"I beg your pardon, Richard. So, your opinion is that I will be adored by women and despised my men. I think I can live with that."

Darcy and Richard laughed. "I am sure it will be very difficult for you," replied Darcy.

"Bear it well, friend," said Richard. "So, what is on the agenda for today, gentlemen? I am to have brunch with mother, then my day is free."

"I am going to finish going over my estate budgets for the next year and I am to join you for brunch. Aunt, apparently, has decided it would be easier to interrogate us both at once."

"Sounds about right."

"Well, I am meeting my sisters and Hurst for a luncheon. No doubt my sisters are going to berate me for giving them no warning of when I planned to propose. Or, I should say, not give them time to talk me out of it. In any case, we will be dining out, so I know they will at least not make a scene."

"May I assume that it was by design?" asked Richard.

"Yes. Surprisingly, Hurst supports me. He said I should marry anyone I damn well please. He even complemented me on my choice, stating that she was a very easy going and quiet young woman."

"I am sure he has reason to appreciate that," said Darcy.

"Don't I know it. In any case, my afternoon is open as well. Shall I send a note inquiring after their plans for the day, and if a midafternoon visit would be welcome?"

"Yes, and I am sure we should expect a dinner invitation as well. If not, we can dine at the club, my treat, in honor of Bingley's engagement."

"I like the sound of that. Either way, I need not worry about my dinner," said Richard.

"Cousin, once you have your own home, you can count it a fact that I will enjoy your hospitality for an extended stay."

"I look forward to it," said Richard, unfazed.

"Aunt, we do not have any plans for the day do we? Charles sent a note to inquire if the gentlemen would be welcome for a visit about midafternoon."

"We have no plans. And Jane, remember to refer to him as Mr. Bingley. I know the two of you have no qualms about calling each other by your Christian names in private, but it is considered a bit scandalous amongst society."

"Yes, Aunt."

"Inform him that they are all invited to stay for dinner as well, and that the Gardener's and their children shall be in attendance as well."

After Marianne left Jane, she went to check on her brother's wife. She was claiming that she felt ill this morning. Marianne rolled her eyes. It was always something. She reached Fanny's door, and as she was about to knocked, she heard retching coming from within. She knocked quickly and rushed into the room.

"Fanny! Oh, dear! You really are feeling unwell."

She went to ring the bell. "Here, let's get you back into bed. Claudia, thank you for your haste. I need you send to for the doctor. Mrs. Bennet is very ill."

"I am fine! I am fine! I do not need a doctor. There is so much to do! They need to set a date and we need to begin shopping for wedding clothes!"

"Calm down, Fanny. No one is leaving the house today, and you are most certainly not leaving this room. We do not know what has made you so sick and I'll not have it pass through the entire household. We are to have guests this evening, and if need be, I will cancel those plans."

"Oh, it is just the Gardener's! Oh!" Mrs. Bennet leaned over into the fresh bowl another maid had provided.

"It is not just the Gardener's. Mr. Bingley has sent a note to Jane this morning and I had extended an invitation for the gentlemen to stay for dinner."

"Oh, bothersome!"

"Ho now, what is all this?" asked Mr. Bennet from the doorway.

"Your wife is ill and actually trying to decline seeing the doctor!"

"Declining a doctor? Well, Mrs. Bennet, that is a first."

Mrs. Bennet responded by sending a pillow flying in his direction. Mr. Bennet, intelligent man that he was, took that as his cue to make himself scarce. He decided he should inform his daughters of this turn of event.

"You will have plenty of time to shop for Jane's wedding clothes. As you have said, they have not set a date. One day, or even several, will not set you back. Ah, Claudia, you are back. Please see to it that no one else enters this room. I am sure the girls will be worried for their mother, but if it has not already spread, I would prefer to keep it contained."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Mrs. Bennet just cried.

"So, Mr. Bingley has seen to it that his marital future is secured. I imagine he is very happy with his choice."

"I dare say he is, Mother. He was positively beaming this morning."

"Yes, well, the affection of a good woman can do that."

Lady Julia had not been deterred from her topic of conversation since they sat down for their brunch. Richard's father said nothing, choosing instead to smirk at his son and nephew.

"So I have heard you say many times. I hope to be one day share in such happiness."

"Well, you would, if you would not drag your feet."

Richard decided to meet his mother head-on. "She is not yet 18, Mother. She has not even gotten to enjoy a Season yet. I am giving her time. It would not do to swoop in and claim her before she has had the chance to spread her wings a bit."

"Spread her wings!"

"Yes! Spread her wings! She has been almost constantly confined into a few circles her entire life, one of which I have been privileged to become a part of this last year. I do not want her to regret it later."

"Richard, how could she come to regret you for a choice? If you wait too long, she could slip through your fingers."

"Then she is not for me. Mother, Miss Westfield and I have already discussed this. I will be very present in Town in the coming months. There will be no occasion for her to forget me."

"And Aunt, according to Georgie, Miss Westfield cares very much for Richard. He already shared with you their plans. They are going to get to know each other a bit more, while giving her time to grow up a little more, and him to settle his affairs."

Lady Julia nodded, then turned her full attention on her nephew. "And what is your excuse, pray? Miss Elizabeth is not so young, and you have known her as long as Mr. Bingley has known Miss Bennet."

"I will be honest, Aunt. I have no real excuse. The more time I spend in her presence, the more I desire to make her mine. However, this is also her first real Season, in Town at least. I would prefer to know I am her choice, not because she has been limited in her experience, but because I am what she truly wants."

"Well said, Darcy!" cried Richard.

"Like Richard, I will give Miss Elizabeth no quarter to forget me. I am spending the Season here, in Town. You should remember, Aunt, we are Fitzwilliam's by blood. We do not give up so easily."

Lady Julia caught her husband's wink. "Then I give you boys leave. But that does not mean I will not interfere." She gave them both a kiss on the cheek and excused herself.

Richard turned to his father. "You have been very quiet. Have you no opinion?"

"I support you both, whole-heartedly. You have each been blessed with a good head on your shoulders. Now, I believe it is time to take your leave. We are expecting your Aunt Catherine soon. I wish to thank you for her absence from last night's festivities, by the way."

"I believe it is Anne you should truly thank, Father. She saw to it that our Aunt was not presentable."

"So I shall. In any case, I am sure you do not wish to meet her so soon."

"You are correct, Uncle. We bid you a good day."

The gentlemen found the ladies of Carter house in very good spirits, though Mr. Bennet looked a bit pale. After a bit of conversation, Jane suggested they play a card game. Mary and Georgiana chose, instead, to entertain the room with music, and Lydia decided she would much rather work on her bonnet. Kate and Richard remained where they were and spoke softly with each other.

"I take it your mother is still recovering from last evening."

Kate giggled. "Not so much."

She glanced around the room before leaning in a bit. "It seems that Mama has not been feeling herself for some time. My Aunt sent for the doctor about midmorning. She was afraid Mama may have caught something contagious. It was soon revealed that our parents have unintentionally decided to expand our family." Kate finished with a blush. This was not a very appropriate subject.

"Truly! And are your parents pleased with this news?"

"Well, Mama has a mix of feelings. She is excited because she hopes she will finally bear my father a son. If a son is born, then the entail is broken, and our cousin, Mr. Collins, will never be able to call himself Master of Longbourn. If she has another girl, she will see herself as a failure. Papa is still in shock, as you can see for himself."

"Indeed. What about you? How do you and your sisters feel about this?"

"We are excited! Boy or girl, this babe will be a boon. With our current situation, a girl child will be very well looked after. She would not have to be raised with the expectations we did. A boy will obviously be celebrated. It would be interesting to have a boy in the house. My Aunt has agreed to allow me to spend my mother's confinement at Longbourn. The babe should arrive around the end of Summer, or possible early Autumn."

"I am happy for you, though I shall wait to extend my congratulations to your parents."

"Yes, though I imagine it will not be long before Mama sends a letter to our Aunt Phillips, and once she does, everyone in Hertfordshire shall be informed."

"I wonder how this will affect your sister's wedding plans."

"I believe she is aiming for the beginning of June."

"Well, that is surprising. Bingley was hoping to convince your sister to marry around the beginning of Spring."

"Since it is not likely that Mama will be arriving back home before that time herself, it was suggested that June might be a better time."

"Your parents are delaying their trip home?"

"Oh, the doctor recommended she not travel. Her condition can be a bit harder on one of her mature years."

"So, I will have more opportunity to get to know them. Splendid!"

"Are you sure? I only spent a little time with Mama after her diagnosis and, as Jane is soon to wed, she is now turning attention to her other daughters marital statuses."

"I assure you, I can weather that storm. In fact, I did so just today. My mother had Darcy and I over for brunch."

"Wasting no time, then?"

"No, though the conversation ended to Darcy and my satisfaction. She did not leave off without a word of warning, one I will share with you. She fully intends to interfere if she sees just cause. You have successfully charmed her, and believe me, many have tried and failed. I should like to add that my father approves of you as well."

"Well, that is all certainly good news."

"What news?" asked Jane.

"The Colonel was just telling me about his brunch with his mother."

Lizzy gave her sister a measured look. "And have you been sharing news as well?"

"Perhaps…"

"Kate! That is not an appropriate…"

"Now, now, Lizzy. It is not as though they would not know of it soon are plans that must be made around it," said Jane.

"What?" asked Bingley. Jane relayed their family's news and the subsequent wedding date. Bingley understood, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't a little disappointed.

"I am sorry, Charles, but for my mother's health, it is for the best. We will do what we can from here, but most of the planning will be better deployed from Longbourn. The church is so lovely in June, anyway. I admit, I have always imagined a Summer wedding."

"Then that is what you shall have, my dear," he said with a smile. "I assume you will wish to be with your mother late into the Summer?'

"If it is possible, yes. Last eve you told me that you plan to hold onto Netherfield for a while yet, until we decide on a more permanent home."

"I see no reason that we cannot plan our wedding trip accordingly." Jane beamed at Bingley.

Next chapter, I am time skipping. I am planning to start at just after Kate's first ball of the Season. I should have that chapter out soon. I am hoping in a few days, but I am working on a couple of other stories too. Check them out, if you like. Oh, and kudos to those who caught on to Mrs. Bennet's condition. Have a great day!