A/N: Another small chapter, I know, it's killing me too. As a bonus I'll post another chapter tomorrow after I'm done going over it one...or two...or three more times. :-)

As always, read and review please!

Chapter 5

The weeks seemed to pass by all too slowly and all too quickly at the same time to Elizabeth. Her wardrobe slowly made it's way from the dress makers and into Elizabeth's trunk, along with her other belongings she was to take with her to Hunsford. Mrs. Bennet lamented that she hardly had time for decorative work and wondered if a rector's wife would have idle moments during the day to pursue such pursuits. Hanging on a hook in the closet was her wedding dress, the most beautiful gown Elizabeth had ever owned, an ivory dress in the latest fashion with seed pearls adorning the bust. Mrs. Bennet declared it would look lovely on her daughter, and be entirely appropriate for when she visited Rosings and attended to Lady Catherine.

Mr. Collins had written to her twice a week, letters filled with flowery prose and attempts at poetry that she had been forced to read aloud to her family by her Mother. He seemed determined to fall in love with Elizabeth, regardless of her own feelings on the matter. She replied to his letters, hers a bit more sedate, asking questions about his work and his parishioners and questioning him on her future duties as the rector's wife, to which Mr. Collins was very pleased to inform her.

In contrast to Elizabeth's soon to be marriage was Jane's morose realization that Mr. Bingley was most likely never to return. Mrs. Bennet had made the observation a few times but Elizabeth distracted her with questions about the guests or food being served. One look at Jane, though, convinced Elizabeth she felt it deeply. Jane had written once to Miss Bingley, but no reply had been forthcoming, and it seemed that all was lost.

It had been a tradition for one of the girls to visit their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London after the Christmas Holidays, and this year it had fallen on Jane. The visit would have to be postponed until after Elizabeth's marriage and it was decided that after her London visit she would then travel to Kent to visit her sister for the Easter Holidays. Jane's spirits rose at the thought of going to London and at least being in the same city as Mr. Bingley, though she wouldn't have confessed it for the world. She had resolved to only try to reacquaint herself with Miss Bingley and if her path and Mr. Bingley's should cross, so be it.

All in due course Mr. Collins returned to Hertfordshire and was invited to stay at Lucas Lodge the Tuesday night before the wedding. Mr. Bennet joked with Elizabeth that Sir William and Collins would spend all night comparing the grandeur of Rosings Park to that of St. James'. Elizabeth gave a little chuckle. She had been regarding her Father for the pass few weeks and he seemed healthier, his diet much improved. He had even taken to strolling through the garden in the mornings, often times accompanied by Elizabeth or Jane.

"Papa," she started the night before her wedding. It had grown dark and chilly and the family retired to the small sitting room, as close to the fire as they could get, wrapped in flannel blankets, sipping tea, Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet hidden away in the far corner of the room. "Have you seen the Physician lately?"

Mr. Bennet looked startled, then eased into a smile, "My dear child, do not worry about me. Knowing you are soon to be married has set my heart at ease."

"Has your health improved?" She asked.

"Lizzy," he carefully looked around to make sure none of the other family were listening, "I am still not long for this world, but I wish to live out the rest of my life in happiness."

"Papa," Elizabeth admonished, "you cannot hide your condition from them. Promise me you will tell them when I am gone?"

Mr. Bennet looked about ready to refuse, but then he saw the pleading in his daughter's eyes. "Yes," he said, placing his hand protectively over hers, "I shall tell them tomorrow night, after you have left."

Elizabeth smiled, kissed her Father on the forehead, then declared herself too tired to remain. Mrs. Bennet thought it a good idea, and began herding her daughters up the stairs and into their beds. No sooner had Elizabeth changed into her night clothes then there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Bennet opened the door and closed it behind her.

"Lizzy, there is something I need to speak to you about," Mrs. Bennet stood resolutely.

"Yes?" She asked.

Mrs. Bennet sat at the foot of the bed and motioned for Elizabeth to join her. Once Elizabeth was seated, she began, "As a wife you will be expected to perform certain...duties." Mrs. Bennet gave a short and somewhat vague description of a coupling between a man and woman and tried to reassure her that Mr. Collins would guide her and hopefully be gentle about it.

"During your first year of marriage he will visit your bed chamber numerous times during the week. As soon as your bear him a child, his visits will become fewer."

Not knowing what to say Elizabeth nodded her head. Mrs. Bennet regarded her child, her little Lizzy, then embraced her, told her she was a good girl, and how proud she was of her. When she pulled back from the embrace Elizabeth thought she saw the traces of tears, but Mrs. Bennet had left quickly thereafter.

That night Elizabeth had a fitful sleep, about shadowy men coming into her room and telling her to do her duty. She tried pulling away from them, but they were grabbing her hair and clothes and making it hard for her. Just as she was about to scream, the shadowy form came into the light and the face she saw startled her. It was Mr. Darcy.