Author's Notes: Mr. Collins makes his return, Bingley gets a chance to express an opinion, and we get a reprieve from Wickham. Also, we've skipped past Christmas and are now at the beginning of January.
Chapter 9
Good Fortune for Some
"I still cannot believe you proposed so soon, Darcy," Bingley said.
"So you have said, Bingley," Darcy said, wearily. "Multiple times. I do not see why you are still harping on it, nor why you have not proposed to Miss Bennet if you are still so determined."
"She will not let me!" Bingley exclaimed.
"Why ever not?" Darcy asked. "Moreover how could you know if she would or would not if you have not posed the question?"
"I asked!" Bingley said, before his expression changed and he qualified his statement "Well, hinted. It was after your engagement was announced— one of those days when you were off walking with Miss Elizabeth; frankly I have no idea how you two can enjoy walking in the cold the way you do..."
Darcy could feel himself flush as he knew the primary draw of those cold walks was the opportunity to be alone with his betrothed, and during which they had also shared several kisses that generated enough warmth to dissipate any cold, not to mention the way Elizabeth would slip her arms under his coat to keep warm; he only wished he could do the same with her pelisse. But that was not something he would share with anyone other than Elizabeth. "And I cannot understand why you find this weather so intolerable, since you also grew up in the north as well as I."
"It is because I did that I dislike the cold so much," Bingley said. "And now I cannot believe you've distracted me from my point."
"I believe you were the one who became distracted," Darcy said. "So before you can go off on another tangent, what did you hint to Miss Bennet that elicited such a reply as to keep you so vexed on the subject of my engagement?"
"Fine," Bingley said. "We were in the parlor, not alone, mind you but in that corner that you and Miss Elizabeth seem to keep for yourselves whenever you actually remain indoors..."
Darcy managed not to roll his eyes at Bingley's commentary but wished he would simply get to his point, not that anything he would say would cause Darcy the least bit of regret that he had taken steps to gain the hand of his Miss Bennet. He simply hoped to find a way to get Bingley to stop harping on the topic and in fact believed that he did have a plan to suggest thanks to his own betrothed.
"... and I asked her feelings on having two sisters engaged, and if perhaps she felt rather inclined to join them in the state of matrimony..."
"That is hardly a subtle hint, Bingley."
"Well, it was not meant to be!" he huffed. "But in any event, she said that while she has no disinclination in joining that noble estate provided it was with the right gentleman..." Bingley drew himself up a bit proudly before slumping again. "... that she could not possibly consider it so close to her sister Mary's wedding, especially in light of Elizabeth's engagement. She could not be so unkind..." Bingley glared at Darcy.
"My Miss Bennet asked Miss Mary her opinion on whether she would feel slighted or otherwise put out if another of her sisters were to become engaged, and Miss Mary indicated that nothing could please her more. I wonder that your Miss Bennet did not do the same."
"Oh, she would not," Bingley said. "She said she would not put Miss Mary nor Mr. Collins in such a spot. Nor Miss Elizabeth either. She is all that is sweet and generous, but you see, this means I cannot propose until at least the day after Miss Mary is wed."
"And do you intend to complain to me all this while?"
"Well, if you had waited, then I could have proposed at Christmas as I intended."
"She would have put you off then as well," Darcy said.
"Perhaps not with only one sister engaged," Bingley said.
"Alas, we will not know, and I can hardly be held responsible when I had no awareness of your plans," he said, deciding now was the perfect time to bring up Elizabeth's idea. "In any event it is not that much longer until Miss Mary's wedding day, and if you propose soon afterwards, there is every possibility of your being able to be wed at the same time as Elizabeth and I."
Bingley brightened. "Really?"
"Yes, after all none of the preparations for my and Elizabeth's wedding can begin until after Miss Mary's, and if Miss Bennet is also engaged, I am sure Mr. and Mrs. Bennet will see the sense in the combining of the ceremonies."
"And do you believe Miss Elizabeth would not mind?"
"It was her idea," Darcy said. "At least, once I reassured her that your intentions toward her sister were honorable."
"She asked about my intentions?"
"Yes, she had wondered about your sudden diffidence, and apparently Miss Bennet was unwilling to confide in her, probably because she did not wish to make Elizabeth feel guilty about our engagement or Miss Mary be bothered by another sister's romantic issues."
"She really is all that is thoughtful," Bingley said with a besotted expression on his face.
Darcy said nothing as his opinion was that Miss Bennet was perhaps overly considerate and complying beyond necessity. He most definitely preferred Elizabeth who while considerate of others' feelings was also bold enough to act on her decisions. Of course, the fact that she was also of a rather passionate disposition, though fettered a bit by propriety, well...
"I have said it over and over again, she is an angel," Bingley said, apparently no longer dwelling on Darcy's perceived impetuosity.
While he was a man who had spent his life keeping himself in good regulation, sometimes at the cost of much pain, Darcy really could not see any advantage in marrying an angel; he was looking forward to marrying a woman of flesh and blood, and Elizabeth certainly appeared to be of a more earthly disposition than her sister, though by no stretch of the imagination could she be considered wanton or unladylike. She knew well what lines they could not cross until they were wed, much as he did, but those were lines to which she was willing to venture closely, and at the moment April seemed quite far away. It was fortunate that they would need to be separate for a part of the time for the necessary preparations, as he suspected that the limits of his self control might be severely tested in the interim. He had not calculated how much more difficult good behavior would be when there was a date in which it would no longer be necessary at all. Still he would not change the pleasurable torture of the engagement period for anything other than marriage, and he could spare a bit of pity for Bingley for his not being able to enjoy even the small liberties he and Elizabeth shared.
"... and she loves the color blue just as I do, and her eyes are the prettiest shade..."
However, listening to his friend's besotted words and recalling how often he had seen such an expression, though not to such a degree, Darcy could not feel overly sorry for him, as he had seen him blow through infatuation after infatuation, always puzzling how each woman could be a perfect angel until superseded by the next beauty. As Miss Bennet was to be his sister, he was glad that Bingley would be forced to wait and learn whether this was love rather than a passing whim or fancy. Miss Bennet deserved more than to be tied to a man whose love was fleeting. Darcy at least had confidence in his friend behaving properly to a wife no matter how his emotions may ebb and flow.
"... she always listens so kindly to everything, and even my sisters think she is lovely..."
Darcy let Bingley's words flow past him. His sisters, really? But that was Bingley always thinking the best of people. It was a characteristic that allowed him to make social occasions easier to bear, yet Darcy had never really understood how Bingley could so easily seem to give his heart away only to reclaim it just as easily when either he or the lady moved on. Darcy was not a man who fell in love with every pretty face. His emotions were under stricter control, not to be blown with every wind, which might explain why he felt knocked from his feet when love did come to him. Elizabeth was the love of a lifetime, and he was grateful for her.
"A spring wedding would be so perfect. She would look so angelic in a white dress. Such a perfect match to her sweetness of character," Bingley nattered on.
Darcy got to his feet and determinedly broke into Bingley's reveries and pointed out that they should actually be heading to Longbourn where he could do better by addressing those compliments to the lady in question, and he would far rather be walking with his own lady of choice.
Bingley enthusiastically agreed, and Darcy was glad to escape from repining and back to the presence of the lady who had captured his own heart and to whom he could not wait to be wed. However, as he listened to Bingley extol at length on the virtues of Jane Bennet, he longed for that day not only for the sake of his heart but in no small measure for his sanity.
~o~O~o~
Mr. Collins had finally returned in preparation of the final days before the wedding, and Mrs. Bennet who had become slightly distracted by the news of Elizabeth's engagement was now thrown fully back into the details of Mary's wedding and the final social gatherings before it as well as the wedding breakfast.
Mary had been thankful for the brief respite and was more pleased that now she could share the attention with her betrothed. Mr. Collins was as effusive as ever and was quick to congratulate Mr. Darcy and his cousin Elizabeth on their engagement, though privately he expressed a bit of confusion to Mary on the topic.
"It is clear that Mr. Darcy recognizes the obvious superior qualities of the ladies of the Bennet family," he said with a smile at his betrothed. "Just as Lady Catherine herself has expressed the opinion of how well I have done by choosing a lady of gentility and learning to be my bride. However, I had thought that she indicated that Miss De Bourgh was destined for one of her cousins. Obviously, it cannot be Mr. Darcy, or he would not have engaged himself to my future sister, but..."
"But it is not any of our concern or worry, as we could hardly be aware of all Lady Catherine's illustrious relations."
"That is true, though I was surprised that she had not mentioned Mr. Darcy's engagement before I left to return. Of course, I know we have used all our correspondence to prepare for our future so it is no surprise that I was not informed until I arrived."
"I believe that Mr. Darcy intends to inform her in person, but has not had time due to the holiday season and our upcoming nuptials."
"Oh, yes, he is doing us great honor by attending, even as our future brother. And naturally he would wish to inform his noble aunt in person as a sign of respect."
"That is true," Mary said, though she suspected from a few hints that Elizabeth had let drop that the reason Mr. Darcy was waiting to speak to Lady Catherine was that she would not be pleased, and he wanted to give her and Mr. Collins at least two weeks without a displeased Lady Catherine before she received the news. "Thus we should not let a hint of the engagement escape our lips lest we usurp Mr. Darcy's prerogative and upset Lady Catherine."
"You are correct. I would not wish to prevent Mr. Darcy from being the one to inform his august aunt of his intentions. Now have I told you about the new shelves in the closets of our guest room at the parsonage?"
~o~O~o~
Finally, Mary's wedding day arrived, and while Elizabeth still found her cousin rather ridiculous she could not help but be pleased with the rather adoring expression he had on his face when he looked at her. Because of seniority, Jane was Mary's bridesmaid and because Mr. Collins had no one available to come act as his best man and through Mrs. Bennet's maneuvering once she found out, Mr. Bingley was pressed into the office, though Elizabeth rather suspected that Mr. Collins would have preferred Mr. Darcy to serve instead, not that it mattered. The service went along smoothly without a miss even if Mr. Bingley spent most of his time staring at Jane.
Elizabeth was happy to be sitting next to Mr. Darcy— now Fitzwilliam in her thoughts and when they were private— and surreptitiously grasped his hand as Mary and Mr. Collins exchanged vows. She loved the small smile she saw on his face as he glanced at her. She took his arm as they left the church to return to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast.
The house was soon quite overwhelmed by guests, as Mrs. Bennet had been determined to make the celebration memorable as the first of her daughters was marrying the heir of Longbourn. If she also had great pleasure in speaking of her second daughter's engagement with Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, well no one could truly blame her.
With all the people, it was easy to snatch some moments at one of the windows with Fitzwilliam, who while he was trying, was clearly uncomfortable with the crowds.
"I have been meaning to thank you," she said as they stood side by side apparently peering out the window rather than at each other's reflections.
"For what?" he asked, taking another moment to grasp her hand out of sight of anyone else.
"When not talking about Mary's wedding over the last couple of days, my mother has been talking to my father about a proper school for Kitty and Lydia now that their sisters are going to be so well married."
"I do not..."
"I am sure you do," Elizabeth interrupted, "since she credits you with mentioning a ladies' seminary that would be perfect to get them properly prepared for the society of town."
"Ah..." he said, looking slightly abashed.
"I had wondered what had occurred the few times you arrived when I was otherwise occupied."
"I did not mean to suggest..."
"I am sure you did, but I am grateful for it," she said. "They do need some proper schooling, and if it is possible, I will not say nay."
He smiled in relief before looking back at the crowd.
"Soon it will be our turn," Elizabeth said.
"Not soon enough," he replied. "Three months."
"There are a lot of preparations to consider," she said.
"I know," he said. "That does not make the wait any more tolerable."
"Well, I will take comfort in the fact that your definition of tolerable is somewhat flexible."
He smiled wryly. "Will I ever be fully forgiven for that foolishness?"
"You have already been forgiven," she said, "but surely you do not expect me to forget it so easily?"
"Obviously that would be additional foolishness on my part," he said.
"I am glad that you understand," she said. "Now I am afraid we must face the crowds again. After all, it is Mary's wedding day, and it would not do to neglect the bride and groom on this day."
"Of course not," he said, somewhat flatly.
Elizabeth recognized both his reluctance and his determination to behavior in a proper manner and smiled brightly at him as they reentered the fray. Unfortunately they soon found themselves separated in the crowd soon after they spoke with Mary and Mr. Collins. Elizabeth was drawn aside by Charlotte with whom she had not had much time to speak of late.
"This will be you soon," Charlotte said indicating the newly married couple.
"Indeed," Elizabeth said.
"May I say that I suspected that it would be so though perhaps not this soon?"
"You may, though allow me to have my doubts. It came as a complete surprise to me. I was not expecting to fall in love nor so quickly," she said. "Nor did I expect it of Mr. Darcy."
"And yet here you are," Charlotte said with a smile. "And I do hope you will be generous enough to invite your friends to visit, especially if your husband has any unattached or widowed friends available."
Elizabeth raised a brow. "I am sure that my husband will not mind my having friends or sisters visiting. As to the other, I can make no promises, as I know of none of Mr. Darcy's friends beyond Mr. Bingley."
"All I ask is that you not forget your old friends in your new life," Charlotte said.
"That is hardly likely; I am nothing if not loyal to my friends," Elizabeth said. "But remember I am no matchmaker. I could hardly have predicted my own match after all."
"That is quite all right. I can make the match myself," Charlotte smiled a little, "given the right incentive."
~o~O~o~
Darcy, having been waylaid by Sir William as his Elizabeth was drawn away by her friend Miss Lucas, found himself somewhat adrift in the crowd, unable to spot his lady, and forced to practice his courtesy on people whose names he could barely recall. It was with some pleasure when he found his cousin standing at the side of the room, happily unencumbered by the youngest Bennet sisters.
"You look lost, Darcy," Fitzwilliam said as Darcy approached.
"Hardly," Darcy replied, "though it would not be surprising in this crush."
"True," Fitzwilliam said. "I would hardly have thought that the Bennets would have known so many people to invite to a wedding. However, I am not sure how they plan to accommodate the guests for your own wedding. I can think of any number who would be willing to pay for the privilege of being at Fitzwilliam Darcy's wedding, though I believe the price would be higher if they were to be allowed to choose the bride."
"Very amusing," Darcy said, flatly. "I hardly intend to invite all and sundry to my wedding, and as the only members of my family that know of my engagement at the moment are you and Georgiana, I cannot speak as to which ones will be willing to travel to celebrate my nuptials."
Fitzwilliam managed to look a little abashed which raised Darcy's suspicions. "Well, you know my parents will be so pleased you are marrying that they would be willing to travel much farther than here to attend."
Darcy narrowed his eyes. "You have not told them, have you, cousin? I intended to tell them in person before traveling to tell Lady Catherine."
"Of course not," Fitzwilliam said almost too quickly, then under the weight of Darcy's glare, he added, "I might perhaps have indicated that they could expect some news of some importance before many weeks had passed."
Lifting his eyes to the ceiling, Darcy said, dryly, "Well, with a statement like that I am sure your mother believes that you are almost ready to declare yourself to some young lady, and that is why you refused to visit for Christmas."
Fitzwilliam nearly choked before saying, "Now, be fair, my mother knows full well that I did not visit in part because of Uncle Oliver and his family somehow managed to impose themselves on my parents for the holiday. For some ungodly reason they now seem to want to marry me off to their youngest, the one who is practically a perfect copy of her mother, and my mother was the one who encouraged me to spend some time with you and Georgiana. She would have avoided them herself if she could. This is a far more pleasant party in all respects, even if I will miss dear Aunt Prudence's battles with Aunt Cordelia. But then spending time at Rosings Park would be a far more pleasant prospect, and you know it."
Darcy could not help but agree. Unlike his cousin, he had no reason to avoid that particularly unpleasant branch of the family as they tended to avoid him as they had looked down on his father and mother's marriage because the Darcys were untitled though with an equal history and consequence. Even his aunt Catherine had acknowledged that, though he could have done without her insistence that he and his cousin Anne were formed for one another and proven deaf to his demurrals, though admittedly he could perhaps have been more direct and final in his speech to her, as now he knew he was due for perhaps one of the most unpleasant conversations in his life, one that was long in coming.
As he saw his two youngest future sisters pass him giggling together, he was suddenly struck that despite their and their mother's less than appropriate manners, they were hardly worse than some of his Fitzwilliam relations. In point of fact even at their most malicious, they could hardly match the condescension or the spite of those parts of his family. He felt an unaccountable chill at that thought. He had at one time thought only about his superior connections in relation to Elizabeth's but the truth is while he did have more highly placed relations, he could hardly say that he had better behaved ones, especially considering some of the barely hushed up scandals involving his uncle Oliver's eldest daughter Cordelia, with whom he would never allow Georgiana to associate save for the barest passing courtesy if they were ever to meet in a public place and that was only out of a sense of family loyalty. Fortunately Cordelia had been married to a Scottish peer and spent little to no time in England. As well, there had been no reason for them to be in company with the Oliver Fitzwilliams for some years, and frankly he had no desire to change that.
Suddenly his Elizabeth's voice penetrated the fog of his thoughts. "You look rather troubled, Mr. Darcy."
Her smile made him feel lighter. "Troubled. Not particularly, Miss Elizabeth." He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Though I did miss your company."
She blushed and looking somewhat discomposed, turned to his cousin. "And you, Colonel, you seem uncharacteristically somber. Is it the solemnity of the occasion that has overcome you?"
"Not at all," Fitzwilliam said. "I was merely contemplating an event I was not attending and reflecting how much more delightful this one is, though I imagine it will pale in comparison to the one to come. Do you not agree, Darcy?"
"It is not an aspect that I have given much thought to as of yet," Darcy said.
"And it is generally not something that gentlemen concern themselves with from what I have observed," Elizabeth said.
"That is true," Colonel Fitzwilliam said. "We merely enjoy the celebration without overly worrying about the preparation involved. Your mother has excelled here." He looked at Darcy who glared back at him and seemed about to make his excuses when Kitty and Lydia returned giggling.
"Oh, Colonel," Lydia said. "What ever are you doing standing here? It has to be so dull. We're going to have some dancing, and you must dance with us both. Though me first."
"I'm the oldest," Kitty insisted. "You could dance with Denny. But really, Colonel, you must come with us. We need an extra man."
"Kitty, Lydia, please," Elizabeth tried admonishing them.
"Oh, la, Lizzy, don't be dull. You and Mr. Darcy could come with us. This is supposed to be a celebration. Come along Colonel; you'll have so much more fun with us." Lydia grabbed one of the Colonel's arms and Kitty the other, and they nearly dragged the Colonel away, though Darcy believed that Fitzwilliam wanted to escape from his displeasure.
He looked at Elizabeth who was staring at her sisters and muttering something about school not happening soon enough, before she looked up at Darcy with a lighter expression. "To get back to the question I meant to ask, whatever did your cousin do to make you glare so fiercely at him?"
"Nothing of note," Darcy said, the irritation that had again arisen with her question dissipating at the affection in her expression. "However, if there is any news you wish to keep absolutely confidential, I beg you do not reveal it in his vicinity. He is a man incapable of keeping a secret."
"That is a pity considering he is a soldier," Elizabeth said. "I trust his superiors are aware of this failing."
"I would hope so. Perhaps they take advantage of this and give him misinformation to disseminate to the enemy," Darcy said with a smile.
Elizabeth laughed. "That would be useful. And I will not be distracted by your humor, good sir. What has he revealed that vexes you?"
"Not as much as he could have," Darcy said, "which is a relief as I would be vexed if he had taken it upon himself to inform his parents of our engagement before I have had the opportunity."
"Ah, yes, the subject of your journeying next week," Elizabeth said. "I hope it will be not be a trial."
Recalling where they were and not wishing to go into detail where others might overhear, Darcy whispered, "I believe the greatest trial will be leaving you again."
"It is possible that we will not need to be separated so long as my mother believes that I need to go to London for my wedding clothes."
He smiled, as he truly was not looking forward to being away from her. "That would please me very much."
Elizabeth smiled at him again, and it was all he could do to not try to encourage her to steal away with him. As if she sensed it, she looked around and then asked, "Can you tell me, Mr. Darcy, why your friend Mr. Bingley seems so..." she tilted her head to the side as if searching for the words.
Darcy looked to where Bingley was standing near the Collins, practically bouncing on his toes, looking rather like he would love to shove them out the door with all speed, when he was not staring at Miss Bennet like a love sick pup. "Energetic?" Darcy asked, at a loss for a better word.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I would say he is desperately eager for an opportunity to ask your sister a particular question that he feels she will not be receptive to until after these festivities are concluded."
"Oh," Elizabeth said quietly, the light of comprehension overspreading her face. "That explains so much."
"Indeed," Darcy said. "But I believe very soon, it will no longer be a matter to be concerned about."
Elizabeth looked over at Bingley who was now talking with Miss Bennet. "I am certainly not so selfless as my sister," she said.
"A fact for which I am quite grateful, as I am not particularly unselfish myself," he replied.
"Indeed, I do not think I would wish you to be too amiable," Elizabeth said. "Civil when civility is called far of course, but I enjoy debating you too well for you to make yourself universally agreeable."
"I cannot help but agree on this point," Darcy said. "Complete deference bores me; I definitely prefer a woman who holds her own opinions."
"You and I are too wise to woo peaceably, I think," Elizabeth said.
"Beatrice to my Benedick," he said, recognizing the line from Much Ado About Nothing.
"Far better that than Kate to your Petruchio," she said. "That I believe did go too far. How fortunate it was a play within a play."
"Also, you are hardly a shrew, nor would I wish to tame you," he said. There were far more pleasant things that he wished to do with her, but unfortunately they would have to wait until they were married. He glanced around, his eye gliding past Miss Bingley who had a pinched expression. "I have had far too much experience with genuine shrews and termagants to ever so misjudge you. Beatrice rarely drew blood with her wit."
"Save perhaps at one point," Elizabeth said. "I do believe she did offend Benedick during the masque."
"Well, that was his fault entirely as he started the combat with his own insults," Darcy replied, thinking of his own poor showing at the assembly, even if at the time he had no idea how important Elizabeth would become to him.
"But still it did not prevent them from falling in love or acknowledging it once their friends stepped in with their little game," Elizabeth said.
"So you believe that they were in love all along?" he asked. This has not been part of their previous discussion of the play.
"Of course, do not you?"
"Yes, I do indeed," he said. "He could not have made such a fool of himself if he were not." He leaned closer and in a much softer tone said, "Nor could I."
She looked up at him. "You hardly did; at least no more than I," she said softly. "Love can make the wisest men fools."
"And the biggest fools wise," Darcy said. "I am not sure which I am, but...I am most definitely in love."
She surreptitiously took his hand. "As am I."
~to be continued~
Next Up: Chapter 10 - Luck is Sometimes Even Less of a Lady. Despite the title it is not the same chapter with that title in Luck is Not Always a Lady. It's just with the revisions it seemed this chapter deserved the title more.
End Notes:
I know I've been neglecting Bingley and Jane a bit, but I do often find them a bit dull, and in any event in this case luck seems to have helped them by keeping Darcy out of their way, well, mostly. However, I did have some fun with the scene with Bingley and Darcy, and Bingley complaining about being pipped to the post when it comes to proposing to his Bennet of choice. But Jane did get one scene earlier on, and I thought Bingley should get one here, to at the least show the current state of their relationship. If nothing else, I suppose this shows Jane to be firm when she feels she is right.
While writing this story, I've been using a timeline of P&P that I found on-line though I can't remember where I found it, though obviously events have changed, but Mary and Mr. Collins' wedding is meant to take place when his and Charlotte's took place, and the April wedding is set to take place on the same day as Darcy's failed proposal at Hunsford.
Also Mary and Mr. Collins' conversation is meant as a reminder that he isn't the oily little toad of P&P2 and many other fanfics (not that I have anything against that cliche, but it doesn't fit this tale). And while I've read many a story where he comes spouting the notion that Mr. Darcy is engaged to Miss De Bourgh, in the novel, he really doesn't give any indications of being aware of anything other than the familial relationship this early on, and while Lady Catherine does strongly hint at a future attachment, I don't believe she ever comes right out and says anything until her confrontation with Elizabeth near the end of the book. Hence Mr. Collins' confusion here.
Also while I hate to disappoint, Lady Catherine will not appear directly in this story. Of all the scenes from P&P that have been used in fanfictions, I think I've read more regurgitations of Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth than just about any other one next to Darcy's proposal and letter. Now I felt a compelling need to use "ardently admire and love you", but I will stay away from Lady Catherine's speech. It really is practically perfect in every way, which is obviously why it so often appears practically unchanged in so many stories, but I'm afraid as I read so much JAFF on my own that I've gotten a heavy amount of fatigue when it comes to that scene (and while I could in fact write my own scene I really do not want to make this story any longer than it already is), so Darcy ends up informing his aunt between chapters and the results are mentioned only in passing.
And here again is the other Much Ado About Nothing reference. I think Beatrice and Benedick are my favorite Shakespearean couple, and well the comparisons are obvious, save for the fact that Darcy is rather oblivious to the fact that Elizabeth dislikes him. But anyway, I could not resist using them here (and the play also plays a part in the crossover I'm writing as well).
Also, in a review someone requested some more Lydia, a request I was initially disinclined to fill. However, I had been having trouble with the Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy, Elizabeth scene and was never really content with how it ended (originally he just excused himself again, a bit repetitious, I thought), so giving things some thought, I thought this might be a good point to add some Lydia to liven things up and show that she hasn't really changed much. She really needs to go to a proper school (and she will).
To Chapter 8 Guest: Thank you so much for your kind words. I myself definitely prefer low angst and that's what I tend to write. Most of my potentially angsty drama I save for either antagonists or to come from outside the characters' romantic relationships. I am glad you like my Elizabeth and Darcy; I'm rather fond of them myself; they are definitely one of my favorite OTPs; I will never write a P&P story where they don't end up together - obviously I'm more flexible with other P&P pairings.
Personally, as a socially awkward bookworm I do have a lot of sympathy for Mary, so I was glad to give her her own goals and HEA, even if it is with a character I tend to consider absolutely ridiculous. I'm afraid that Kitty is a bit of a blank slate to me, so there's really not that more of either her or Lydia, but their separate futures will be mentioned in the Epilogue. I think they work for both of them, especially Lydia's. We are coming close to the ending, so I do hope you enjoy the rest.
To Chapter 7 Guest (12/15/2015): I seem to have a plethora of stubborn characters at times, but Darcy was particularly impatient, and Elizabeth was stubborn. Though I will say that while often it's best if I let the characters do what they want, there have been occasions when the direction they want to go in would undermine the story as a whole and then I have to rein them back in and say, "No, try another path; this one is leading us off a cliff and not a fun cliffhanger kind of cliff either." But here it was best to just let Darcy go and propose. After all, Elizabeth was there to make him wait for his answer.
To Pumza: Thank you.
As always all feedback is welcome. I do want to know what you think.
