A/N- Ladies and gentlemen, I must ask whether or not you want me to complicate our characters' path to happiness, because after this chapter the story will take a different turn either way. So far everyone seems to want to keep it relatively simple, so thats review! It makes my day!

A week after the ball, the Bennets were having breakfast together when a letter arrived for Jane and another for Elizabeth.

'Oh! Read it quickly Jane! Whatever does it say?', cried Mrs Bennet excitedly.

'Its from Ms Bingley, Mama.'

'Oh read it out, my love!', said Mrs Bennet impatiently.

'What does it say Jane?', asked Elizabeth.

'It says-

My dear friend,

Would you be kind enough to visit us for a week as I and Louisa are pining to see you, and quarrel to much to keep our poor brother company. Come as soon as you can on receiving this. My brother and Mr Darcy will be dining out with the officers tonight.

Yours ever,

Caroline Bingley.'

'This is wonderful!', cried Mary.

'I didn't know about any officers!', said Lydia indignantly.

'Open yours now, Lizzy! I expect its from our Aunt Gardiner.', said Jane wishing to divert all the attention from herself.

Elizabeth opened the letter and gave a gasp of surprise.

'Its from Mrs Darcy!', she cried.

'Oh read it quick, my child.', said Mrs Bennet, and Mr Bennet looked at his daughter encouragingly as she read out the letter.

'My dear Ms Elizabeth,

I suppose you are by now aware that Ms Bingley has invited Ms Bennet to visit Netherfield for a week. As I feel that you would hate to be parted from your sister, I am certain you would not object to accompanying her for the duration of the stay. We would love to have you here.

Yours ever,

Anne Darcy.'

'Dining out', said Mrs Bennet,'is very unlucky indeed.'

'May we have the carriage Papa?', asked Lizzy.

'Of course, my dear.'

The young girls left soon after breakfast. They were cordially received at Netherfield, and they were soon conversing easily with their hosts. Ms Bennet was barely civil to Lizzy, but she delightfully engaged Jane in a conversation, and the young ladies seemed to talk about nothing at all, except gossip about their neighbors and acquaintances. Jane was rather uneasy at first, but since no one spoke ill of any one she knew, she relaxed and participated in the conversation actively. Mrs Hurst also joined them, and the women were pleasurably engaged. Ms Darcy chose to read a book, and was so immersed in it that no one had the heart to distract her. Meanwhile, Anne and Elizabeth were also discussing their various acquaintances, for both adored studying characters.

'Tell me about your sisters, my dear.'

'My sisters are all rather different, Mrs Darcy.'

'Won't you call me Anne?'

'If you would prefer that, Mrs- Anne. Please call me Lizzy.'

'Lizzy, if you would pardon my saying so, I found your youngest two sisters a bit...frivolous.'

'Lydia and Kitty are so young, they get carried away sometimes. I am certain they will be more sensible when they are a bit older. Even though they are silly, both of them are good at heart.'

'And Ms Mary? I have heard she is quite accomplished?'

'Oh she is. She believes herself to be quite plain, though she is so pretty. She tries to be as accomplished as she can be, in order to make up. I'm afraid Mama doesn't find her too impressive, but she is quite sensible.'

'I am certain she is. I wonder what it would be like for her when she falls in love, if she is ever fortunate enough to.'

And so the conversation progressed. Though Lizzy was shy at first, she got over it soon, for Anne knew how to make a person feel at ease. They talked with pleasure, and Anne was glad to see that Elizabeth thought well of her son, and disapproved when she heard that Anne Darcy's sister-in-law Lady Catherine wanted her daughter to marry Mr Darcy.

'She doesn't love him yet, but she is going fast and I wouldn't be surprised if they are engaged soon, for William is obviously fascinated by her and Georgiana adores her. I'll observe them tomorrow, but I won't interfere at all', thought Anne to herself that night as she retired to bed.