Hey everyone, sorry it took so long to update, it's been insane trying organize my life to head back to school. Hope you all like it let me know, and thanks everyone for the reviews! They help a lot in my writing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

"Darcy, I do envy you," Col. Fitzwilliam began. "You stood up to Aunt beautifully. I hardly knew what to make of you. And Aunt! My God Darce, she hardly knew what demon had inhabited you."

"No doubt her deduction of Elizabeth's character will now be demonic," Darcy mumbled.

The cousins shared amused chuckles, neither daring to let out the nervous fit of laughter that lay within them. Both recognized that Darcy's crude handling of his Aunt would only momentarily put her at bay. How the rest of the family would handle his marriage to Elizabeth was an unsettling thought for both men.

"She is a treasure Darcy," the Colonel began in earnest looking out the window over the fields of Hertfordshire. "A genuine hidden treasure that will only enhance every aspect of your life."

Darcy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew his cousin's words were true, maybe a little too true. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had hit it off uncommonly well during their spring visit to Rosings. At the time, it had nearly driven Darcy to distraction. The only thing that had kept Darcy sane was the fact that his cousin could not marry where he chose, though Darcy himself would never let him go without. There was a tangible danger that Elizabeth was nearly called Mrs. Fitzwilliam instead of the Mrs. Darcy-to-be.

Elizabeth loved him completely, of that Darcy had no doubt. In time his cousin would feel no pain at the loss of Elizabeth, though he suspected it was more admiration of her wit and charming smiles then love.

Netherfield was coming into view and Darcy's mind was instantly drawn to Elizabeth. He breathed in a deep sigh of relief.

"Cousin shall you mind terribly if I do not accompany you to Netherfield? I have been away from Elizabeth for nigh unto a fortnight."

A wide smile brightened the Colonel's face. Mischief was firmly in toe. "Darcy I cannot condone such behavior. Someone need's to be your chaperone."

Hearty laughter erupted from the Colonel at his cousin's scowl as he tap the roof of the coach and gave directions to continue on to Longbourn.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The past pair of fortnights since Mrs. Bennett had heard the news that her two eldest daughters were engaged within a week of each other to two very distinguished gentlemen had been quite invigorating for her. Never over the course of their marriage did Mr. Bennett go an entire month without seeing Mrs. Bennett succumb to a fit of nerves. Her nerves seemed quite unaffected by this grand news that she did not fail to notify every person she came into contact with.

Mr. Bennett mused that is was a very near danger that the neighbors would soon revolt against the continuous bragging of his wife and fail to attend the wedding of his most deserving daughters. It was in the midst of these musings that Mr. Bennett noticed a carriage approaching the house. The finery of the carriage bespoke that it belonged to Mr. Darcy.

Glancing at Elizabeth who was curled in chair reading, he breathed a sigh of relief. His daughter had done nothing but mope around the house and lock herself away his study with him.

The noise of the carriage startled Elizabeth who bolted most inelegantly toward the sitting room where the guests would be introduced. It would be extremely humorous, his daughter's folly, if not for the fact that in just three weeks times the man she darted so unceremoniously towards was taking her away to a new life.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Elizabeth burst forth into her mother's sitting room with more haste than she had intended and found her startled guests staring at her. Her mother merely looked her over and sent her a disapproving look, Jane looked at her worriedly, Mr. Bingley smiled though looked confused, Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled broadly, and Mr. Darcy's lip just slightly curled, but amusement danced in her eyes. She was relieved, embarrassed, and slightly annoyed at his reaction.

A short while later, the engaged couples found themselves wandering the grounds in toe with the Colonel who had found himself paired with Kitty Bennett. His easy manners generously tolerated her eager ones, and for that both Darcy and Elizabeth were relieved.

Explaining his visit to his Aunt, Darcy squeezed Elizabeth's hands reassuring her that all would be well. Her interest was peeked though Elizabeth could tell by the firm set of his jaw that Darcy would not reveal more information other than the obvious displeasure.

There was three weeks until their wedding and only two left to prepare herself to meet the rest of his family. Thank heavens, the two most important people, the Colonel and Miss Darcy, seemed to approve of her. Their friendship meant a great deal to her.

Wandering ahead of the rest of the party as they were so want to do, Darcy towards Elizabeth and taking her chin firmly in his hand he gazed most intently into her eyes. He saw her sauciness there and her anxieties over him. Giving her a quick smile, he leaned in to kiss her passionately.

While this was no liberty taken too far by a betrothed couple, the clearing of a gentleman's throat sent the couple jumping away from one another. Clearly spooked as horse that had just seen a mouse, both Elizabeth and Darcy saw the Colonel standing haphazardly not ten paces from them. All at once he burst out laughing tying to speak but more laughter escaped him.

Darcy tried very hard not to obey his urge and chase his cousin down and throttle him senseless while Elizabeth blushed a brighter shade of red then the codes that militia donned.