Author's note: Jane-Mr. Pratt's pairing is winning Jane - Mr. Bingley. If you prefer Jane - Mr. Bingley's pairing you have to vote today as this is the turning point of Jane's story. (When I edit the story I will change Mr. Pratt's name)

PPP

Whenever there was interesting news or gossip in Meryton, Mrs. Phillips was one of the first to hear and spread it. On that particular day, she heard that Netherfield Park had finally been leased. In great haste, she went to Longbourn to tell her dear sister the news.

"Sister, have you heard the latest news?" Dramatically said Mrs. Phillips.

"What's the news?" Asked curiously, Mrs. Bennet.

"Netherfield Park is leased at last. And the new tenant's name is Bingley. He is a friend of Mr. Darcy's."

"Oh really? Elizabeth did not say anything to Mary in her last letter." Fanny smiled. "Please, tell me more details, Sister. Is he single?"

"Yes, he is young, single and he is rich! He has £5,000 a year! He will arrive next Monday with his sister, and perhaps some friends will come with him."

"What excellent news for my daughters!" Fanny smiled broadly, "I will write to Elizabeth to ask her for more details about Mr. Bingley, and I will write to Jane. She must return to Longbourn urgently."

"But you told me that Jane has a suitor in London…"

Fanny interrupted her sister. "My dear Sister, Mr. Pratt is a merchant and he has less than £1,000 a year, and you just told me Mr. Bingley has at least £5,000!"

The two sisters continued talking about Mr. Bingley, and how wonderful it would be if he married Jane and they lived at Netherfield Park.

That same afternoon, Fanny indeed wrote both letters; the first to Elizabeth to ask her more details about Mr. Bingley, and the second to Jane to return urgently to Longbourn. There was no time to lose, Mr. Bennet was getting worse every day.

PPP

Over the next two weeks, Jane and Mr. Pratt saw each other four times. The second time was at Mr. Pratt's house, and they had a chance to continue talking about Boston and London. Then they met at the home of an associate of Mr. Gardiner and finally again at the Gardiner.

As they got to know each other better, Jane began to question many of her old beliefs and pay much more attention to her surroundings. Undoubtedly, Mr. Pratt intrigued her and made her think about her future from another perspective. He was nothing like the faceless gentleman her imagination had created as her future husband, but she recognized that she enjoyed his company very much.

That night, she was going to see Mr. Pratt for the fifth time, but she was not in a good mood. A couple of hours ago, she had received a letter from her mother demanding her to return to Longbourn because a friend of Mr. Darcy's - whom she did not know - had leased Netherfield Park.

Mrs. Gardiner, who was an observant woman, had noticed her niece's change in mood after she had read her mother's letter. She cautiously remarked, "Jane, you have not said anything since you read your mother's letter. Are you alright?"

"Forgive me, Aunt, but my mother's letter left me very surprised." She sighed, and said wryly, "I do not even know Mr. Bingley, nor does he know me, and my mother is already planning our wedding!"

Mrs. Gardiner looked at Jane surprised; It was the first time that her niece was so critical of her mother. "I partially agree with what you said. But are you sure that is the only thing bothering you?"

Jane shook her head. "I really do not know exactly what is wrong with me." She looked her aunt in the eye, "and Mr. Pratt is partly responsible for all the doubts I have at the moment!"

"Mr. Pratt?" Mrs. Gardiner smiled slightly. "The last three times we met him, I got the impression that you liked him and vice versa."

"Yes, I like Mr. Pratt very much; He is intelligent and educated and I enjoy his company very much. But the conversations I had with him have made me wonder what I really want in the future, and I came to the sad conclusion that I do not know!"

"Don't you know what you want in the future?"

Jane nodded. "Until a few weeks ago, I thought it was my destiny to marry a kind and rich gentleman. Have a nice house with a few servants and several children." She sighed. "I thought that I wanted to have a life similar to the one my mother has, but now I have serious doubts if I would really be happy with just that life." She shook her head, "Clearly, my mother is not happy. On the other hand, you are always in a good mood, helping Uncle Gardiner, and you are very happy."

"Jane, you know very well that not all people like the same." Mrs. Gardiner smiled. "It is true that your uncle and I have a happy marriage, but that is mainly because we complement each other so well. Perhaps another type of woman would not be happy with your uncle, and vice versa. Regarding your mother and your father, they are two people who have absolutely nothing in common and it is very difficult for a marriage to be happy in these circumstances."

"You are right Aunt…"

An hour later, Mr. Pratt and his mother picked them up to go to the theater to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream."