A/N- Thanks for all the feedback! Raina (Guest) has guessed the couple I am to introduce. I shall reveal who they are very soon, when I have started writing about them, but in the meantime don't forget to keep guessing and reviewing. I promise to write a one shot for all who guess right. Is that a good incentive?

Jane and Elizabeth were greeted with a huffy mother and a relieved father at home. Their mother was initially upset to see them back so soon, and declared that she had never seen such a pair of ungrateful children, who had passed up such an opportunity to grab a good husband and make honorable acquaintances, but when her curiosity got the better of her, she demanded to know more about the visit, and questioned them eagerly. Kitty and Lydia and Lydia were out shopping and finding gossip, so they did not hear whatever accounts of the visit their mother had extracted from Jane and Elizabeth.

'Did Mr Bingley ask you to visit again? Did his sisters like you? I hope Mr Darcy was not a bother, he is so high and mighty. Lizzy, you did not do anything embarrassing did you? Oh, whatever did Mr Bingley think of you?', asked Mrs Bennet, not giving her daughters time to react.

'Oh! He is quite in love with Jane already Mama. Why, he didn't want us to leave at all!'

This was Lizzy's reply, and Jane was blushing furiously.

'You presume too much Lizzy. He was most attentive to me, but I am sure he would be kind to any of his sister's guests.'

'Only you could be blind to his affection. Any one could see that he is quite smitten by you, my dear.'

Such was Lizzy's response, and Jane was blushing to hard too say another word. Mrs Bennet was delighted, and continued the interrogation.

'If he wanted you to stay, you need not have hurried back at all! I am sure I said that you need return if your friends desired that you stay.'

'I'm afraid I wrote to them to ask them to return soon, my dear.', said Mr Bennet.

'You shouldn't have, Mr Bennet. Whatever will the Bingleys think?', said his wife as though it was the most scandalizing thing she had ever heard.

Lizzy chose to intervene at this point, sensing that her mother was about to throw a fit

'Surely we shouldn't have outstayed our welcome, Mama? They were to polite too say that they wanted to get rid of us.'

'Did you offend them in any way, Lizzy.', asked her Mama angrily, quite certain that Lizzy had ruined all chances of Jane settling at Netherfield.

'Oh no! Of course not. It was just that Ms Bingley was annoyed that her precious Mr Darcy was unwilling to speak to her and she assumed it was my fault.'

'Hmm. How could that be your fault? Mr Darcy is such a disagreeable man that he would have been inattentive to her even in your absence! Perhaps it was because he danced with you at the ball?'

'Oh Mama! He is quite agreeable. Why, he was so good to me throughout the visit!'

'Huh! Lady Lucas says he danced with none but you and Ms Bingley and refused to dance with her after just two dances saying that he was tired. And after that he decided to dance with you! An odd sort of man, if you ask me.'

Lizzy was annoyed at her mother's lack of understanding. She would have to spell it all out for her.

'Mama. Mr Darcy dislikes women flattering him with silly compliments, and he certainly despises women who talk to him keeping only his social status and income in mind. And much as I hate to be so rude, Ms Bingley sees nothing but the estates of Pemberley in him.'

'Lizzy! You vex me! I never did understand you. It it completely natural for a woman to think of a man of her acquaintance as a potential husband, especially if the man is handsome and honorable. And rich. She might be tempted to ignore his disagreeableness to secure her future. Surely you do not blame her for that!'

'I do not blame her for anything at all Mama. I was merely conveying to you Mr Darcy's thoughts on the issue. I do believe that the gentleman's consent is essential for matrimony.'

Mrs Bennet now adopted a sarcastic tone.

'And how would you know of his preferences?'

Jane was trifle upset by the argument, and aware of the growing tension between her mother and her sister, she spoke up.

'Mama, Mr Darcy conversed a lot with Lizzy during our visit.'

'Goodness me! Surely you weren't rude enough to force him into a conversation against his will, Lizzy! What would Mr Bingley think!

'I did not attempt to force him Mama. It was his wish, and he would never have permitted anyone to converse with him against his will! And contrary to what you believe, he is extremely agreeable, for he was certainly not bound to speak to me by any rule I am aware of!'

Mr Bennet had had enough of this conversation. He was glad to hear that his daughter approved of the enigmatic Mr Darcy. He had a few plans in mind. However, there was only so much he could take of his wife's silliness, so he said,

'My dear, Charlotte Lucas visited during the week. Perhaps you should call on her, since you haven't met for over a fortnight. I hope you haven't fallen out with her?'

'Oh no Papa! I shall definitely visit her tomorrow. We have such a lot to discuss.'

Meanwhile Mary had been watching the conversation with a slightly wistful look, whose meaning only she was aware of. Now she decided to enter it, and asked,

'Ms Darcy plays charmingly, doesn't she?'

'She does indeed. I enjoyed hearing her play last week. A pity she wouldn't play in company, but she is so shy.', replied Lizzy.

'Maybe I shall hear her someday, and I could learn something from her.', said Mary looking down at the bonnet in her lap.

'You are too accomplished already, my dear. Don't fret, your Prince Charming shall come and find you, and take you to your happily ever after.'

The last words were whispered, and they comforted Mary more than any other could. Lately, she had begun to wonder if their would ever be a man who thought of her as more than any other girl, too young and plain to be taken seriously. A good many young girls feel this way when after their first taste in society, they don't find men queuing to dance with them, or admiring them as much as they admire other great beauties. Nearly every human desires to be loved, but young Mary had never been her family's favorite. Papa loved Lizzy best, finding her wittiness similar to his own, and Mama preferred Jane, finding her the prettiest. Kitty and Lydia lived in their own bubble filled with gossip, and Jane and Lizzy always confided in one another. Mary had often felt unwanted and unneeded, but Elizabeth's words showed her that at least one of her sisters loved and understood her, and rekindled a long dead hope in her fragile heart. The hope of finding love. The hope of being loved above all others.

As always, the beautiful moment was lost when Lydia and Kitty entered the parlor, giggling about the latest piece of gossip they wanted to share with their mother.

Mary sighed. She would just have to live with this magnificent hope of a lovely romance. After all, dreams do come true, don't they?

***A note from DP1014-Greetings readers of this story. For the last few chapters I've been trying helping our author with their story. In the previous chapter you were asked if anything could be improved. From comments I've seen I see some believe story is moving rapidly, a bit too much dialogue, and not enough description. I'm agree that because there isn't much description the story is moving a bit too quickly, which is why I am trying to help. I made a suggestions to our author of how to fix the lack of description.

I was just thinking if any of you in your reviews can post questions that may help out our author describe more. For example post question of what you want to hear described more; whether it be clothing, scenery or whatever else you want to hear about. Hopefully this will aid our author as I don't want to input my ideas as this isn't my story to write. I'm hoping the each subsequent chapter is improving in terms of description. I am however, not the best when it comes to grammar so forgive any grammatical mistakes.

I'm asking for your questions so it may help in the process of explain the "showing not telling" concept when it comes to writing. In addition, questions/reviews help in improving a story so review please. – Thank you for your time, DP1014***

A/N- So, I was going to introduce the couple in the next chapter but there are some scenes I need to include before that, so I'll write one more chapter before we see more love in our story. Keep reviewing! It means a lot to me.