~~P&P~~

It hadn't taken Darcy long to convince Elizabeth to invite the Bingleys to visit them at Pemberley before they traveled to Longbourn. Elizabeth continued to have quite a bit of pregnancy sickness and Darcy believed that Jane's presence might help sooth his wife. He was especially concerned about the trip from Pemberley to Longbourn with his wife's condition so he suggested they join them for the Christmas festivities and stay through till their intended travel date in mid January so that they may all travel back at the same time. He had thought it best if he wrote to Charles and extended the invitation for two reasons, first so his new sister would know he personally welcomed them and secondly so that Jane did not have to feel hesitant to take the request to her new husband. Elizabeth had cried over the forethought he had put into her sisters comfort and readily agreed, it was upsetting to him to see her cry but he was getting use to it and had been assured by Elizabeth, Mrs. Reynolds and the Doctor that it was because of the pregnancy and not that she was unhappy, in fact most of her tears were 'happy' tears.

Darcy received a swift reply from Charles to the affirmative and had even asked Darcy to look into any properties in the area professing a wish to surprise his wife with a home close to her beloved sister, but Darcy knew that it also went unsaid that he wanted some space from the Bennets, Mrs. Bennet in particular he was sure. She must be worse then he had expected if she was driving the patient, caring and easy going Charles to such drastic actions a relocation within two months of marriage. He suddenly felt even more apprehensive about visiting Longbourn but decided to take pity on his friend and wrote back that they would be welcome to arrive earlier to allow more time to view the available properties. Charles had been so grateful that he had written that Darcy and Elizabeth must allow him to repay their hospitality and that even though Mrs. Bennet was sure to have a fit of nerves, they must stay with them at Netherfield for their visit. Darcy thanked The Lord for having a friend, no brother, as dear as Charles in his life upon reading the invitation, at least he and Elizabeth will have some reprieve during their visit.

Charles and Jane arrived in early early December over a month before their planned trip to Longbourn. Elizabeth had had tears in her eyes simply by seeing the carriage pull up by the time she had embraced her sister she was nearly in full hysterics, which automatically had Jane's concern "What is wrong Lizzie?" she questioned her sister.

Elizabeth was so upset she could not respond. Fitzwilliam placed a calming hand to her back and she took some calming breaths. He smiled reassuringly at Jane and said "lets move into the house, perhaps by the time we are settled in the parlour my wife will be composed enough to fill you in on all that has been going on."

Jane was appeased that whatever it was that had her sister so emotional must not be too upsetting or else Mr. Darcy would not be so calm and dare she say happy, yes it was clearly happiness in his eyes when he smiled at her reassuringly she thought, but was still unsettled by her sister's uncharacteristic dramatics. She hurried in to the house not even taking time to fully appreciate its beauty and grandness. When the head maid Mrs. Reynolds was introduced Jane managed a kind smile for the lady recalling Lizzie's regard for the lady from her letters, but vehemently refused to freshen up before talking to her sister whose hand she still held as if it were a life line. When she looked to her sister she was surprised to see she already appeared recovered and was smiling and even kindly requested tea to be sent to the parlour for them. As soon as they were inside the parlour and the doors had been closed she rounded on her sister and brother in-law, "what is going on?"

"Jane I am so happy to have you here and was hoping to wait to tell you until you had at least had time to settle in, but it appears my fluctuating emotions have you too upset to wait" Elizabeth explained.

"Wait for what, what is wrong are you ill did you receive an upsetting letter from mama, please tell me what is going on?" Jane demanded, surprised to find tears in her own eyes now she felt Charles grab her hand in support and with a quick glance at him she could see he too was concerned.

"Jane do not cry," Elizabeth said while reaching out to clear a fallen tear from her sister's cheek. "If you continue it will only make me cry again, my tears seem to be in abundance lately." At Jane's raised brow Elizabeth supplied "I am with child."

Jane let out a long breath and flung her arms around her sister her tears now freely falling although with joy not worry anymore. "Congratulations, I am so happy for you, for both of you" Jane added her eyes finding her brother, yes this news placed him firmly in the brother category no need for the formality of in-law anymore. She saw Charles slap him on the back affectionately and congratulate him as well. When she was able to bring herself to release her sister she quickly went to hug him as well "I am so happy for you, brother" she said smiling even wider at his kind smile when she called him brother.

Charles went to hug Elizabeth, "Congratulations sister, you let me know if your husband is not taking good enough care of both of you, although I highly doubt that would happen" he chuckled in his jovial way.

Elizabeth laughed "no if the last month has been any sign I am much more likely to need someone to tell him to take it easy and relax before I strangle him" she joked back.

"Hey thats not fair, I am not the only one who has been over bearing" he said with a pointed look at Georgiana. "And in my defence you have been quite ill, I hate seeing you so when I am powerless to do anything about it."

Jane noticing Georgiana for the first time realized how distracted she had been, she must seem so rude she thought. "Forgive me, I just realized that my concern and focus on finding out what was wrong, probably caused me to act quite carelessly. Allow me to begin to make amends. Hello Georgiana it is so nice to see you. I am thankful that you have been taking such good care of our sister, has she been that ill?"

The family quickly settled in catching up and visiting over tea for around half an hour until Elizabeth realized that her brother and sister still had not had a chance to freshen up so she showed them to their rooms and gave them each a hug before announcing supper would be in three hours so they have some time to rest and then reluctantly departing.

~~P&P~~

Charles gently manoeuvred his sleeping wife out of his arms and rose from the bed bending to re-adjust the blankets around her shoulders and place a light kiss to her forehead. He needed to speak with Darcy and figured now would be the best time to do so with out raising the suspicions of any of the ladies in the house. He quickly dressed and headed off to Darcy's study sure he would find him there at this time.

He was quickly permitted entrance when he knocked on the study doors and entered. "Darcy I know you must be busy if your anything like me your marriage has probably back burnered a lot of your work but I would like to speak to you if you have a moment."

"Of course my friend, and I do admit to not putting in as many hours as I should since marrying but Elizabeth usually naps in the afternoon now with the pregnancy she is quite tired although it was a fight to get her to admit to needing the nap" Darcy answered. "What is on your mind?"

"Unfortunately nothing I have to say is good news, and I beg that you do not shoot the messenger, but I think you should know what has been going on at Longbourn." Charles began and with a nod from Darcy continued. "I am not sure which information to begin with as I am sure both will upset you greatly but please try and stay calm enough for me to finish. First I think you should know that Mrs. Bennet does not hold Elizabeth in very high regard and has said several degrading and down right cruel things about her."

"Elizabeth had said something about her being the least favourite daughter but I had no idea their relationship was this bad. What do you mean, give me an example?" Darcy prodded trying to remain calm and level headed but ringing his hands vigorously to try and subside the urge to strangle his mother in-law.

"Well one of the most upsetting things she said was along the lines that Jane should have married you because her beauty is greater and when I spoke up and accused her of thinking that I was not worthy enough of my own wife she retorted something along the lines of me being worthy but Elizabeth not being and that at the very least your status should have been worthy of her precious Lidia and saved her from the lowly status of a soldiers bride for which she is too beautiful to have to endure, that Elizabeth's rough character and plain looks would have been better suited to Mr. Wickham and his status."

At the mere thought that anyone could imagine his beloved wife to be suited to that monster Darcy sprung to his feet and began pacing trying to burn off some of his frustration before he did harm Charles for simply being the messenger. And Lord help him if this is the least upsetting of Bingley's tales. Not trusting himself to speak at this point he motioned for Charles to continue, noticing that he was quite red in the face and his eyes were full of anger and embarrassment, he made more of an effort not to allow his anger to be directed at his good friend, merely speaking of this was clearly hard for him.

"Darce I must interject here that I adore Elizabeth just as much if not more than my own sisters, her charity and wit are admirable qualities that my dear sisters are greatly lacking." Charles took a deep breath. "I am afraid who else she has been saying these slanderish things to even though I have strongly warned her to watch her tongue. I had thought that she had enough sense not to degrade her own child in public but lately she has been acting even, for lack of a better word, crazier, than usual and seems to have loss any little sense of decorum that she did have." Another deep breath. "Darcy she even has slumped so low as to suggest that the mere thought of what she must have done to trap a man as great as you sends her into a fit of nerves."

Charles spit out the last sentence so fast that it took Darcy a second to process what had been said. Once he had Darcy moved so fast on Charles that he had him back paddling until he was pinned against the wall. Seeing the fear in his friends eyes he took a small step back but still stood much closer than would be comfortable for anyone. "Crazy doesn't begin to describe that hag, what did you say to this remark" Darcy questioned.

"I told her that I could not believe Elizabeth's own mother could dare to suggest anything so vulgar about her and that I, though barely knowing her, knew nothing of the sort could be true. She said she was the superior authority on what her daughter was capable of. I said that even if I could not speak for Elizabeth I certainly could and would for you and that to suggest that you could be so easily mislead was a great injustice and that if I ever heard a whisper of such remarks from her or any of her associates I would be sure to let him know who the blasphemy against him and his beloved wife originated with."

"I know she has said other things to Jane because I have heard her yelling at her mother, can you believe it my sweet Jane driven to anger. Jane said that when you first announced your engagement she was so happy and Elizabeth could do no wrong for securing such a rich husband but since Lydia has been sending letters complaining about her station as a soldiers wife Mrs. Bennet somehow blames Elizabeth for Lydia's situation and feels that Lydia was due better and that Elizabeth somehow robbed her sister of what she was entitled to and that she should be the one grovelling as a soldiers wife. I would hate for Elizabeth to hear any of these hateful things, I know she is strong but words like this, especially from a loved one would cut very deep. I fear that that woman will not hold her tongue when you come to visit, hence why I felt the need to warn you apart from Elizabeth, especially with her condition I think we should shelter her as much as possible."

"I appreciate you sharing this with me and for your concern and defence of both Elizabeth and myself. As for that woman I will make it clear to her from the first negative remark that she will hold her tongue as long as she wishes to keep it. What else do you have to share, I find it hard to imagine that it could be worse than this."

"I don't know if the information it self is worse but it definitely spells trouble for our plans. Ever since Elizabeth wrote to inform the Bennets about your upcoming visit Mrs. Bennet has been trying to get Lydia and Wickham to visit at the same time, claiming a want to have all her children close to her at the same time. Wickham put in for a leave and we found out the day we left he has been approved he will be there when we arrive."