As to be expected, the morning following Mrs. Bennets's sudden death brought little relief to the inhabitants of Longbourn. Elizabeth awoke early and left her bed still half asleep. Quietly she slipped down the hall to her mother's room and gently opened the door hoping she'd find her mother resting comfortably. Instead, she found her father sitting by his wife's empty bed. He didn't acknowledge her presence nor did she break the silence before she closed the door behind her.

In Kitty's room she found Jane up and dressed, staring off in the direction of Netherfield Park and her younger sister in a deep exhausted sleep. "Did you sleep at all, Jane?"

"Some. It's very hard on Kitty. First Lydia, now mother. She feels abandoned."

"And you, Jane? How are you faring."

"I keep waiting for mother to storm into my room to see if my choice of dress will be enticing enough to elicit a proposal from Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth nodded in understanding, "I actually went to her room hoping it was all a dream, but all I found was father sitting by her bed. She's truly gone, Jane."

"How is father?"

"I think he's saying his good-byes to her. I think he was rather fond of her in his own way."

"Twenty-four years is a long time."

"Yes, well, I'll get dressed before aunt Phillips descends on us."

Blessedly, Charlotte Lucas was the first to arrive and be admitted to the house. None of the usual banalities were offered for comfort, only a brief embrace.

After inquiring after Jane and Kitty and told that they were above stairs and were likely to stay there until the arrival and departure of their aunt Phillips, Charlotte simply nodded, "I'm sure that's for the best. And your father? How is he coping?"

Elizabeth briefly described the scenes that had taken place the night before, "then he locked himself in his study. This morning I found him in mother's room."

"Men seem to take the death of a spouse as a personal affront to their masculinity."

Elizabeth smiled, "Charlotte, the things you say at times."

Charlotte returned her friend's smile, "think on it, Lizzie. Men rule the world. They are omnipotent. They're brought up short when they realize they can't control everything."

"That smacks of bitterness, Charlotte."

"Possibly. But speaking of men, Lizzie, I expected to see Mr. Darcy here. Does he know of your trouble?"

"Not from me. I had no heart for it last night, and by now he must have heard the news."

"He may be upset that you didn't inform him. Don't forget, you are now under his protection. He will expect you to turn to him in any crisis."

"There was nothing he could do."

"That won't matter, Lizzie. You belong to him now. And from the way he looks at you I suspect you will be his most precious possession. He will have a need to comfort you in all things. Don't deny him this privilege or you will suffer for it."

"Oh, Charlotte, you're making me feel guilty and I'm suffering enough guilt. Mother not yet buried and all I can think of is him. That has to be unnatural, but I love him so much. When I'm with him I'm gloriously happy and when I can't see or touch him I'm in the depths of despair. What a wretch I am. Can there be anything worse than being in love?"

"I have no idea but perhaps unrequited love would come close."

Elizabeth stared at her friend remembering the misery that had engulfed her when she left Kent thinking she would never see Darcy again. She had never told Charlotte or anyone else how she felt. A sudden thought crossed her mind as she regarded her friend...but it faded quickly with the sound of a carriage arriving.

Moments later in the guise of a terrifying specter Mrs. Edwina Phillips blew into Longbourn. Where she had come by so many black veils in so short a time, Elizabeth would never know, but came she did enshrouded in heavy veiling that completely obscured her face.. "Where is she, Lizzie? Lead me to her." At Elizabeth's brief response, she threw off her veils revealing a face distorted by anger and disbelief. Elizabeth watched in horror as her aunt took a deep breath and began to wail loud enough to raise the dead, but that was nothing compared to her shrill and accusatory outrage directed at her brother-in-law. Warming up to the subject she charged the absent Mr. Bennet of having no regard for her poor sister, of always treating her with disrespect, and he would burn in hell for this latest offense against common decency. "By the way, where is my brother-in-law? I would speak to him this minute."

"He's taking a long walk, Aunt Phillips," she lied.

"How like him," she snarled. "Neglecting his duty as usual. Oh, what my sister suffered all those years. And why aren't you dressed in black? And where are Jane and Kitty? And have you notified my brother?"

"I have, Aunt Phillips, but I don't expect the Gardiners until tomorrow."

"And why is that? Why should that be?"

"Because he must arrange his business and see to the children before he can leave Town."

"This is his family," she spat.

While Elizabeth groped for a response to this silly observation, Charlotte stood and embraced the woman, "dear Mrs. Phillips. This must be such a shock for you, but don't you think you should go to the funeral parlor? All your friends will be paying their respects and as the chief mourner, you really should be there to greet them. They will be sorely disappointed not to see you there."

Mrs. Phillip's eyes widened, "why...why I never thought of that. Dear Charlotte, how clever you are to think of that. I must be away."

The entire dreaded visit lasted no more than twenty minutes and Elizabeth sighed in relief, "what would I do without you, Charlotte?"

"It was my pleasure, Dear Lizzie," Charlotte replied, "a little of your aunt goes a long way."

In the merciful silence that remained after her aunt's departure Elizabeth kept vigil at the window for the first sign of Darcy. She was sorely disappointed when Darcy had yet to make his appearance unable to fathom why he hadn't done so. She had developed an annoying habit of worrying herself sick when he didn't show up when he was expected. In her darkest moments she imagined that he had fallen from his horse and lay dying in those damnable hedgerows. In lighter moments, he had succumbed to Caroline Bingley's arts and allurements and was heading to Gretna Green.

When Jane and Kitty entered the room Elizabeth's heart went out to her younger sister. Kitty was having a hard time dealing with all the changes in her life. The loss of Lydia who had been her closest companion for so many years, had been hard enough but now with the sudden death of her mother she felt forsaken. With Elizabeth's engagement, she would be next to go. Then Jane was sure to follow. She would be left to the tender mercies of a father who was more of a stranger to her than not. Elizabeth's gentle embrace brought a new spate of weeping and sniffles and Jane handed her a new supply of handkerchiefs.

At the window once more, Elizabeth watched in acute disappointment as the next carriage to arrive contained not Darcy, but his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She had to steady her nerves as Lady Catherine stepped from her coach, expecting the worst of news. She was positive that Darcy was dead. Nothing else could possibly account for his desertion.

Lady Catherine allowed herself to be introduced to Charlotte, Jane and Kitty before offering her sincere apologies for intruding on their sorrow. "I felt I must come to personally advise you that my nephew left for Town after our visit yesterday. His main purpose was to procure a special license for your marriage. I assure you he knows nothing of these tragic events." Lady Catherine spared a glance at Jane, who indeed looked like the angel she had heard so much about. "Mr. Bingley accompanied him."

"You're very kind, your Ladyship," Elizabeth replied, steadying herself. "I...I had wondered where he was."

"Of course you did, child. And may I inquire after your father?"

"He keeps to mother's room, but he'll be alright. We all will be."

Darcy had advised her of how lackadaisical their father was when it came to both his wife and children. She could not imagine how he was dealing with death. She sincerely hoped that Mister Bennet had not abrogated his responsibilities leaving his two eldest daughters to deal with it. As for the younger girl, Kitty, she was obviously useless with her constant sniveling. "Your father and sister are lucky to have you and your eldest sister. And I'm sure you're both lucky to have Miss Lucas here." She acknowledged Charlotte with a smile. She reached into her reticule and handed Elizabeth two letters, "from Anne and Georgiana. They both wanted to accompany me but I advised against it for the time being. They are both anxious to see you again and meet the rest of your family. Georgiana was already planning to decorate Pemberley with half the pine trees on the estate hoping you love to keep Christmas as much as she does."

Elizabeth smiled, "you may tell Georgie that I do. It was our mother's favorite holiday."

This remark spawned another spate of weeping and sniffles from the wretched Kitty which drew Lady Catherine's attention. "My niece is just about your age, Miss Kitty, and looks forward to making your acquaintance. She knows few girls her own age and hopes you and she will be very good friends." Turning back to Elizabeth, "I can assure you that their love and prayers are with you all, Elizabeth. And I'm quite sure that my nephew will be back by tea time." At the door she had one more bit of information to offer Kitty. "I knew a young lady who's red and swollen nose stayed with her a lifetime. She never married. So very sad." It had the effect Lady Catherine had hoped for when Kitty stopped in midsniff. "Good day Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, Miss Kitty, Miss Lucas."

Her abrupt arrival and departure left Charlotte eying Elizabeth with some amusement, "so that's the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

"In the flesh."

"I rather like her."

"So do I.

On the road from London,

Darcy's coach had been stopped by an overturned carriage. By the time the road was cleared they had lost almost forty minutes. Impatient to see Elizabeth and Jane they decided to go straight to Longbourn. Bingley had made up his mind to speak with Mr. Bennet and deal with Caroline later. Darcy was anxious to place his ring on Elizabeth's hand so that the world knew that she now belonged to him. Nearly twenty-four hours had passed since he had laid eyes on Elizabeth and he was offering a silent prayer that he would have a few private moments with her before Mrs. Bennet descended on him with her congratulations and a wedding list. His sardonic thoughts brought a smile to his face which Bingley immediately noticed. "You're not going to smirk again, are you Darce?"

"After talking to Mr. Bennet, you'll be smirking too."

"Then you think he will not object?"

"Of course he won't object. I'm sure he will be delighted to get rid of such a troublesome lass as your Miss Jane Bennet."

"What?"

Darcy rolled his eyes, "Bingley when you speak to Mr. Bennet, try not to flail your arms about. Watching your imitation of a fledgling ostrich trying to fly is quite diverting but might cause Mr. Bennet to question your mental stability."

Bingley sighed, "I hope I'll be smirking when Jane's father finishes with me. Do you have any suggestions on how I should approach this ordeal?

"Of course. Don't flail, smirk, stammer, giggle or make any rude noises. If he suddenly throws open his study window, you had better leave immediately and try another day once the air is cleared."

Bingley laughed despite himself, "thank you so much."

"Glad to be of help."

The moment the carriage pulled to a stop Darcy opened the door and not waiting for the footman to lower the steps vaulted down and stopped only to brush off his trousers and to straighten his cravat. Bingley tried to follow his friend but was blocked for a moment by Darcy so he was the first to see what now hung on the heavy door that gained entrance to Longbourn. His involuntary cry of distress called Darcy's attention and with horror Darcy lifted his eyes and saw the black wreath adorning the door. His first thought was of Elizabeth and he felt his heart stop. Behind him he heard Bingley call out Jane's name. The moment would forever be etched in the memories of both men as the door swung open and Elizabeth appeared, followed by Jane. Bingley pushed past Darcy and ran towards Jane and took both her hands in his. More slowly, Darcy approached Elizabeth taking in her white, stricken face, "who?" he asked.

"Mother," she whispered before he took her into his arms desperate to absorb her pain, remembering the agony of losing his own mother. He asked no questions but remained silent holding her in a gentle embrace feeling her hand slowly move up to the back of his neck before she kissed his cheek and murmured his name softly. Hearing his name on her lips intensified his longing to bring her comfort and he drew her closer willing her soul to find peace in his arms until she leaned back and gazed deep into his eyes, searching and finding all her tomorrows.

From his vantage point at the second floor window, Mr. Bennet watched his two most deserving daughters and he too saw all their tomorrows. He didn't hold with the mourning conventions expected of the masses. The fact was, he didn't much believe in any of the conventions that London society imposed on England's population. The town's poverty and degradation of the poor was rampant, thieves ran amok and the city stank during the summer months when the river Thames became an open sewer. As if that wasn't bad enough, the King was a raving lunatic and the Prince Regent a fat slob who was eating and drinking himself to an early grave. Mr. Bennet had no respect for his sovereigns and even less for the governing councils who's decrees were said to have been created for the betterment of the people. If they couldn't manage their own narrow society, who were they to dictate his?

His two eldest daughters had been blessed when they had found two respectable young men who found them irresistible. This should be the period of great happiness with no other thought than the many joys awaiting them as their lives changed forever. Instead their joy had turned to black cloth and ashes and he could not permit such misery to envelope his daughter's happiness. He wasn't sure of the rules governing an engagement interrupted by a death of a mother, but he could not envision either of his daughters waiting a year or even six months. Being a man of just seven and forty there were still some things he hadn't forgotten from his youth. Lust was one of them. He didn't equate lust with Bingley, for that young man's embrace of Jane mirrored more the gentle spirit that so well matched that of his eldest daughter. Darcy was a horse of a different color. His passion matched perfectly his outward appearance of strength and power. Where Bingley exhibited warmth, Darcy displayed a depth of heat that might have frightened most women. There was no question in his mind that Fitzwilliam Darcy was an honest and trustworthy young man but lust had been the undoing of many a trustworthy man and seeing his favorite daughter's reaction to him when Darcy embraced her bore witness to just how much passion lay between them.

He turned from the window overwhelmed with a deep sadness, but a philosophical acceptance that change was a part of life. With Elizabeth and Jane gone he would never again hear a sensible word unless he took charge of his remaining child and Lydia's faithful follower seemed a hopeless case. But he supposed he should at least try. "Oh, Fanny," he sighed. "couldn't you have waited a few more years?" With one last look at his wife's cold bed he left the room and returned to his own quarters where he finally found a deep sleep that would see him through the night.

To the relief of his three remaining daughters, Mr. Bennet joined them in the breakfast room the following morning. They were now dressed in their freshly dyed black dresses of mourning and he eyed them with distaste. "And how long must I be subjected to dining with three black crows?" he asked.

"A full year," cried Kitty between sniffles. "Mother would hate to see me in black. Black is for old women."

"Unfortunately, your mother is not here, Kitty, in case you haven't noticed. And Lizzie, what do you suppose your Mr. Darcy will think of your new fashion?"

"He hasn't seen me wearing...my new fashion...yet."

"Well, not to worry. From what I observed of your greeting yesterday, he won't care what you're wearing. And you, Jane? Do you have anything to tell me?"

Jane blushed prettily, "Mr. Bingley wishes to have a word with you, Father. But he knows this is not the time."

"On the contrary. There will never be a good time to lose another daughter, however, I am inclined to see him. If he arrives before the Gardiners, tell him I'm at his disposal. Once your uncle Gardiner arrives, I'll be busy for the rest of the afternoon." His eyes were drawn to the empty chair at the other end of the table. All those years of not so silent worrying about the future of her children and now dreams even beyond her vivid imagination were coming true. Two fine men of great wealth had come to deliver her from all anxiety and she would miss it all. "Elizabeth, Jane...I'm not sure how your mother would have handled your courtships, though I can guess. However, now that she is no longer here, you will be guided by my principles. I expect you both to display a little more circumspection when showing affection for your young men. I would suggest that the back garden will be more appropriate in the future."

"And what shall I do?" cried Kitty, feeling left out. "Must I hide in the back garden too?"

Mr. Bennet leveled a look at his youngest, "be not alarmed Kitty. It so happens that I have a plan for you. For the next few months you will be under my guidance. Though it may kill both of us, I am determined to teach you how to comport yourself with a modicum of sense. If by spring you have managed to speak and behave in a reasonable fashion for at least an hour a day, you will be greatly rewarded."

"What kind of reward?"

Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes and left the room.

"What kind of a reward do you think it will be, Lizzie?"

"Kitty, I think you should not concern yourself with the reward as much as the guidance father has promised you and just pray you survive the experience."

A half-hour later Charles Bingley rapped on Mr. Bennet's door. In his anxiety he neglected to wait for a reply before entering and stepping briskly to Mr. Bennets desk. "Mr. Bennet," he began.

"Yes, that's me. But surely you know that already, Mr. Bingley."

Bingley blinked, "Mr. Bennet," he began again.

"Yes, yes. We've established that I am Mr. Bennet. And who are you?"

"I...I'm Charles Bingley."

"Ah, yes. Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Bingley was determined not to flap his arms, "I wish to marry your daughter."

Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair and smiled, "really? I'm sure Kitty will be delighted."

Bingley's eyes widened before taking a deep breath and allowed a smile of his own. "I love your daughter, Miss Jane Bennet, with all my heart. I beg you to relieve my suffering and consent to our marriage."

For a brief moment Mr. Bennet considered the young man, pleased to know that he had a sense of humor and that Mr. Collins would continue to hold the title of stupidest son-in-law in the country. "Alright, Mr. Bingley, you have my consent and blessing.. Welcome to the family."

"It is my honor, Sir."

As it happened, Mr. Bennet had not abrogated all his responsibilities as Lady Catherine had feared. His instructions so painstakingly written years earlier and so precise left little to think of in regards to his wife's final arrangements. It was left only to relay these matters to Mr. Gardiner which he did so with little ceremony upon his brother-in-law's arrival. Mr. Gardiner, always sensible and nothing like either of his sisters, agreed to everything with rapidity. During the summer months it was imperative to dispose of a body quickly...the alternative was to place her on a slab of ice...and this was unacceptable to both men. It simply prolonged the inevitability and to their way of thinking lacked decorum and respect. It was only her earthly remains, after all, for the essence of the woman who had been wife and sister was gone and had been so for almost forty-eight hours.

He also apprised Mr. Gardiner of Elizabeth's and Jane's betrothals. "Henry, I cannot see my daughter's happiness ruined by this event. As much as I'd like to, I can't keep them here forever and their hearts no longer reside here at Longbourn but with two very fine men. They've done their mother proud and I'm truly saddened that she won't be here to see them marry, but I will not see them dressed in sack cloth to mourn their mother for the next twelve months." He allowed a wry smile, "Fanny would be horrified to see her daughters dressed in the color of death."

Henry Gardiner returned the smile, "indeed. She would be most anxious to have her girls married before the two fine men changed their mind. So what do you suggest?"

"This is a small village and if the girls don't comply with the rules of mourning they will stand a good chance of being shunned. The good people of Meryton ignored Lydia's escapade but I don't think they would tolerate seeing the girls dressed in colors and dancing the night away. They're good girls and deserve the joys of a courtship and I won't deny them that pleasure. I've been giving it a lot of thought, wondering how Fanny would have dealt with it. I'll have to speak to their two love-sick swains in the next few days, but somehow the girls have to be removed from Longbourn. Mr. Bingley has a married sister. She and her husband reside in London. If she agrees, Jane could stay with them until her marriage. If you would take in Elizabeth, a heavy load would be lifted from my shoulders."

"Agreed. And if they object, we'll take both girls in."

"Then, there is the matter of their marriages. We are two men of the world, Henry, and I think we both know the dangers of too long a courtship. With special licenses they can be married anywhere they choose without the banns being read, and at anytime. Meryton is out of the question which leaves your church or a church in Derbyshire. But we'll leave that to them. Agreed?"

"I can see you've been giving this situation much thought."

Unashamedly, Thomas Bennet admitted that he had spent most of the previous day in his wife's chambers seeking her counsel. "Your sister might have been the silliest woman in England but she did know how to twist rules to suit her purpose and I simply asked her what she would have done if I had been the first to go."

Mr. Gardiner laughed with good nature, "Yes, God love her, she did have a way of making sense occasionally. Shall we drink to it?"

Mr. Bennet poured them both a glass of Port, "thank you, Henry. I knew I could count on you. And for your reward, I understand that Mr. Darcy's estate stocks a variety of fish that should gladden the heart of any sportsman worth his salt."

Once her father and uncle left for the Meryton church to finalize the brief service for the next day Elizabeth sat down with her aunt Gardiner and began to relay all that had been happening with her mother since her return from Kent. Maddie Gardiner listened patiently while her niece listed a litany of sins she had committed starting with the horrible things she had said to Lydia which in her mind had caused her sister's defection, and ending with the final confrontation which she was sure had hastened her mother's death. "Aunt Maddie, I never knew my mother. You should have heard her telling me about all her dreams, her longings. She was so unhappy, Aunt."

Once Elizabeth ran out of words of guilt and remorse, Mrs. Gardiner considered how she might ease Elizabeth's conscience. After a moment's reflection she decided that only the truth would serve. "Did she tell you about the villa on the lake?"

"Yes."

"Did she tell you how much she loved Italy except for the fact that there so many Italians living there?"

"What?"

"France was not much better with all those French people speaking in a foreign language."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that she was speaking about your father's dreams, not hers." Mrs. Gardiner sighed, "oh, Lizzie. Think about it. Did she ever once voice a desire to visit a museum? An art gallery? The only thing I ever heard her say about Paris, was how beautifully dressed the ladies were. As for Italy she loved strolling on the piazzas seeing and being seen. I don't know what was going through her mind those last days, but I can assure you that it was your father's dream to return to Italy and buy a small villa, not your mother's. In the early years of their marriage...when they still hoped for a son...I heard your father speak often of his desire to finish his days in the sun. He even spoke of a small villa near a lake somewhere near Florence. He dreamed of returning and buying the villa...but Lizzie, he stopped talking about it years ago. Why your mother would speak about it after all this time is hard to fathom unless she felt guilty about not giving him a son that would realize his dreams and in her mind it eventually came to be her dream and not your father's. I'm really at a loss to explain it."

"Her last words were for Lydia."

"So you said. And I suppose you thought it was because she loved Lydia the best, but perhaps it was her desire to call Lydia back from a life of misery. It might have been her final prayer. Did it never occur to you that she had her own guilt to contend with? She had to have known that she was at least partially responsible for Lydia's defection."

'Do you think she knew she was dying?"

"No one knows anything about the final act of life, Lizzie. My own mother simply went to sleep and then she was gone. From what you've told me, your mother did the same. Elizabeth, everyone feels guilty when someone dies. I think it's because so many words were left unspoken and you tend to remember only the anger and not the laughter. Above all things, she wanted you girls to be happy. It was her only goal in life. Mourn her loss and miss her presence, but don't let guilt of the past destroy the happiness of your future. Don't forget that from now on you're not just one, but two. Consider how your Mr. Darcy must be feeling his own guilt as he wonders what the death of your mother will mean to his own dreams. These coming days should be full of joy... don't bury them in regret."

"I'll try, Aunt, I really will. It's just that as much as our mother annoyed me with her silliness, I feel that our guiding light has gone out."

As the news of Mrs. Bennet's death spread through Meryton and it's environs it became clear that she would be sorely missed. The next two assembly dances were canceled and out of respect for Mrs. Bennet and her family, large dinner parties were postponed indefinitely. Dozens of condolence cards were left at Longbourn with many whispers of sorrow to Mrs. Hill who promised to relay their sentiments to the family.

Mrs. Bennet was laid to rest in a simple but brief ceremony attended by Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Phillips. Rules pertaining to funerals were vague but on one point were inviolate. Women were strictly forbidden to attend so out of respect for their future wives, Darcy and Bingley also attended.

Lady Catherine and Georgiana Darcy as well as Richard and Anne were already making plans to return to Town. Though Darcy had encouraged a short visit to Longbourn, Georgie and Anne had made it very brief for they were both constrained by the tragic circumstances. It was beyond their experience to show their joy at Elizabeth's betrothal when there was such an air of sorrow permeating Longbourn. It didn't help with Kitty's constant weeping. They were never able to grasp whether Elizabeth's young sister was bewailing the death of her mother or her misery at having to wear black for the next twelve months.

Peter saw no reason to stay any longer at Netherfield. It had been a merry party despite Caroline Bingley for even she had added merriment, albeit, unwittingly. During his brief stay he'd felt his melancholia lift and realized that his reclusive life might have done him more harm than good. It had only been an act of courtesy to accept the invitation from Bingley, but he now found that meeting so many interesting people had done him a world of good and he was sorely disappointed to have to leave Netherfield. Darcy and Bingley needed space and he would only be in the way. Before leaving Hertfordshire he visited the various families he'd met during his brief sojourn to thank them for their hospitality but to his regret was never able to catch Charlotte Lucas at home or in her favorite orchard. He considered visiting Longbourn where he knew he would find her but felt too shy to invade a house of sorrow. Of all the people he'd met, Charlotte Lucas had proved the most delightful. He thought perhaps she had been able to see beneath his wry way of looking at the world to see the sadness that he tried to conceal. She had a way of listening to what he meant rather than what he said. She also had a way of making him laugh and he would miss her companionship. Mrs. Bennet's sudden death reminded him of his own mother's frail health and he decided to spend the rest of the summer visiting with her in Town before returning to his estate in Nottinghamshire.

Having already apprised his daughters of his plans for their courtship, Darcy and Bingley were not surprised when a few days after Mrs. Bennet was laid to rest, they were called into Mr. Bennet's study where he laid out his plan for the next three months. During the meeting both men studied their future father sensing his sadness. They could not imagine what Mr. Bennet must be feeling. He had just lost his wife and now he was in the process of giving away his two daughters. A family of two, down from seven in just seven months. Darcy's respect grew for this man who was determined to make Elizabeth and Jane's period of mourning as painless as possible. There were no caustic witticisms, no remarks that might make the two young men uneasy, only his solemn views on how they might combine mourning with courtship. When he was done speaking he invited any suggestions his future sons might have.

Bingley was the first to speak, "Mr. Bennet, I've already spoken to my sister Louisa and she is perfectly willing to take in both Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth. She knows Mrs. Gardiner has four children and there are only two of them at the Hurst townhouse. She has also advised me that she will be happy to hostess any family gatherings as well as escort them to the different shops. She knows Miss Elizabeth will need to purchase a wardrobe more fitting for the harsher climate of Derbyshire."

"That's welcome news, Mr. Bingley."

Darcy spoke up, "my cousin Anne and sister Georgianna are also eager to help in any way they can."

Mr. Bennet nodded, "all I require is discretion. Family dinners and walks in the park with other family members are acceptable but absolutely no public appearances until you are married. I know how the Ton loves to speculate and I don't want any gossip to reach Meryton if at all possible. There's been enough talk about the Bennet family and I have their younger sister to consider."

"My sister Georgianna would be delighted to have Miss Kitty visit her at our townhouse. She's eager to make friends with her new sister."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I will consider that in a month or so. For the present, I wish to spend more time with Kitty. As for your marriages, I suggest sometime in November. That should give you plenty of time to prepare for the weddings and still allow time to return to Pemberley and settle down before the holidays if that is agreeable."

After a week of quiet meetings in the back garden Darcy and Bingley left for London followed two days later by Elizabeth and Jane. Their courtships followed the strict rules laid down by Mr. Bennet and neither couple had suffered nor deviated from it. Their families had given them plenty of space to reach a deeper understanding of each other. On the surface they were strictly chaperoned but with a careless eye and ample time to exchange the timeworn murmurs of affection and stolen kisses. Their family gatherings furthered their happiness for everyone seemed to be in league with each other to make this precious time one of great joy despite the necessity for Elizabeth and Jane having to be far from their own home. They both missed the companionship of old friends but as the weeks slipped closer to the time when they would commit to each other they found new friends in Darcy and Bingley's families and they were both well-pleased.

Elizabeth had always assumed that Darcy had money on a level with Mr. Bingley. She had visited Netherfield in the distant past when it had been occupied by a family who's children were near her age so she knew what to expect in a fine house. However, she was overwhelmed when she first stepped foot in Darcy's townhouse. As she stared up at the two grand staircases that encircled the large foyer and led to the rooms above she felt her heart quicken and spoke before she realized that the words had actually left her lips. "I think I need some of mother's smelling salts." In the brief silence that followed, she turned a stricken face to the Gardiners.

"I think you'll also need a map," was her aunt's amused response. It was the first time Elizabeth had mentioned her mother in less than somber tones and Mrs. Gardiner was pleased to see that her niece had begun the healing process.

Six weeks later Mr. Bennet arrived with a dried-eyed and composed Kitty who contained her excitement in what her father deemed as more appropriate than joyous shrieks. With cautions still fresh in her ears, Kitty was determined not to be sent back to Longbourn in disgrace. She had exchanged several letters with Georgianna and had been promised shopping trips as well as at least two nights at the theatre with Richard and Anne. Furthermore, she had been admonished never to utter Lydia's name. Her fervent wish to please her father brought to her a new awareness of what was acceptable behavior for a young lady and her desire to win his approval was now her purpose in life. This decision would have far-reaching consequences for both father and daughter though as they entered Darcy's townhouse, neither could possibly have imagined it's happy conclusion.