After supper Mr Bennet willing forwent the usual manly port, allowing a happy Mr Bingley to join his wife and daughters in the drawing room.

When in the drawing room, the seating arrangement was not a surprising one. Mary had retreated to her piano stool, whilst Kitty snuggled safely on a soft window seat, some unfinished bonnet on her lap. Jane and Bingley sat close in front the hearth as they had done not long before. Elizabeth sat with a book in her hands, though in truth her attention often strayed between the lovers in front the fire and her mother's great pleasure in the sight.

Elizabeth's watch on her mother turned to curiosity, when she saw a sudden sparkle in her eyes. Mrs Bennet spoke promptly.

"Kitty, my dear," Kitty raised her eyes to her mother. "You look positively ready for bed, snuggled up in that corner. You ought to go up soon before you fall asleep, we do not mind if you do."

But such words had not more meaning to Kitty than say winking.

"Oh I am not tired Mamma."

Mrs Bennet sighed.

"Oh well my dear, if you do soon, free feel to go up."

Now it seemed for once Elizabeth must play along not with her father but her mother. Jane and Mr Bingley would not reject to some time alone together.

She put her down her book and spoke.

"Mamma, I must admit to be feeling rather fatigued, if you do not mind I would retire to my chamber."

"Oh yes of course Lizzy, do. Kitty will not be long behind I am sure."

"Actually Mamma, if Kitty could help me to bed, I would be grateful."

"Of course, of course. Kitty, go with your sister."

A confuddled Kitty slid off the window seat, with questioning eyes set upon her sister. Elizabeth took her arm and whispered.

"I will explain upstairs."

They both hastened goodnights to the others and closed the drawing room door quietly behind them.

"What was all that about Lizzy?" Inquired Kitty, as they mounted the stairs.

Elizabeth's eyes shone and she began.

A soft harmony drifted from piano keys. Mrs Bennet was unkeen to put end to these melodies, for she felt they added romantically to the scene. Yet Jane and Mr Bingley spoke too civil in company. Still they took pain to be polite, to bring Mrs Bennet into their conversation or to praise Mary's playing.

As Mrs Bennet grew more frustrated, so did her inclination to intercede.

She silently rose from her seat and tiptoed over to Mary, hoping not to be noticed by the couple by the hearth. Fortunately she managed to catch Mary's eye and mouth a need for her exit. Mary shared her younger sister's confusion, if with a tint of her mother's irritation. Nonetheless, she followed her mother out the room, without a word.

Mrs Bennet made an apology to Jane and Charles with little explanation. Such was instead to make hint to their renewed state of privacy.

"Pray excuse us." This was the little Mrs Bennet uttered as she ushered Mary from the room.

"Of course, Mamma." Chimed from Jane's sweet lips.

With the close of the door, Jane's eyes came to gently travel around the room. She was surprised to see only Charles before her, who seemed yet to realise himself.

"I hope your sister is alright. She looked a little flustered, as your mother escorted her from the room."

Jane could not help but draw her hand to her mouth and giggle. They had been tricked again by her mother and in the space of one day.

"Jane?"

She looked up and seeing her poor Charles perplexed, she sought composure. She shook her head, stifling a few last giggles.

"Oh Charles, your concern does your credit. I am sure, though, that Mary is fine. I think Mamma merely... I think she wished for us to have some time together..."

Charles still looked in the dark.

"Some time together... alone."

He turned and surveyed the room, surprised to find it empty bar themselves. He chuckled.

"Jane, I must thank your Mamma someday."

Jane smiled.

"I believe she would like that."

After the short quiet which follows laughter, Charles readied himself. Soon Jane found herself following him with her eyes, as he stood from his seat opposite herself and joined her on the sofa. She turned to him, feeling an odd mixture of calm and excitement. Yet, she saw his hands fumbling. Disinclined, as she was, to see her beloved unsettled, she placidly reached out her hands to his. With her touch, Charles instinctively relaxed. He weaved his fingers through hers most delicate and allowed his eyes to meet her fair own.

"If you do not mind, I would go to the church early tomorrow morning and speak to the reverend."

"So that he may read the banns?" Jane inquired.

Charles smiled.

"So that he may read the banns."

Jane's smile mirrored his.

"I do not mind, my love." She paused. "Should I?"

Charles chuckled.

"No... I... Oh I do not know. Perhaps... Will not you want more time to pick out a wedding gown and such?"

Jane bit her lip.

"My mother might."

"And yourself?" Charles teased.

Jane lowered her eyes, so Charles lifted her chin gently with a hand. He saw now such an expression: his Jane was smiling so sweetly, her eyes shining and her cheeks pink.

"I..." Jane began. "I can think of nothing nicer than being married to you. I do not mind what I wear."

Now how could Charles response to such sweetness, but with a kiss; and one slow and just as sweet.

As forehand lay on forehand, and eyes remained closed, Jane spoke quietly.

"But for Mamma we will wait a little while."

Charles spoke just as quiet in return, so not to disturb the dream.

"A little while... but Lord let it only be a little while."

Jane giggled.

"Of course."

He rewarded her with a "Good" and a peck on her nose. Catching her glistening eyes, he continued.

"For you see, dearest Jane, I should especially hate to be without you at Christmastide."

"And I without you."

Now unbeknownst to Charles and Jane, as was all too common in Longbourn, several sets of ears listened carefully through the drawing room door. Indeed Mrs Bennet was hushing a giggling Kitty, when Mr Bennet came upon them, having left the safety of his study. He shook his head: his women did always confound him so.

He whispered to his Elizabeth.

"Now what is going on here, Lizzy?"

She replied with a smirk.

"Ah, well my Lizzy, dear Mr Bingley must leave at some point, must he not?"

"Indeed, Papa"

With such said, Mr Bennet weaved his way past his daughters and wife, who shushed him as he reached the door.

When the door opened, the lovers almost jumped apart. There at the doorway stood a chuckling Mr Bennet, his wife and daughters awing behind him. Embarrassed, Charles swiftly stood and stuttered.

"Ah Mr Bennet... umm... it is getting rather late, I see now..." He waved a hand towards a window, shocked to see it as black as pitch. It really was late. "With your permission, Sir... I will take my leave."

"Right you are, Mr Bingley, I will make sure your horse is ready. But we will see you tomorrow, I think."

Charles smiled.

"Yes Sir, I'm afraid you will."

They all sat a moment or two; then a servant appeared to whisper that Mr Bingley's horse was ready. Once more, like yoyos, they all stood.

"We will be glad to see you often here, Mr Bingley." Said Mrs Bennet, as they paused in the vestibule for Mr Bingley to put on his coat and hat.

Before Charles could reply, Jane spoke quietly, seconding her mother's words. Hearing such, he believed he would fly back to Netherfield.

"Come then..." Said Mr Bennet, waving everyone out the front door.

Although the autumn air was cool, they gathered there a little while, just outside the house. And so it was with many a fond "Good night" and "Goodbye" that Mr Bingley rode from Longbourn that late evening, his Jane filling his mind. Jane herself hardly noticed the darkness around her and leant against a column and sighed, thinking of her love. Mrs Bennet may have been inclined to usher her back into the house sooner, in case she caught a chill, but just this once she returned inside silently and let her daughter have a moment to sigh and whisper into the night "Goodnight, my love".