A/N- Thanks to all the reviewers. Enjoy this update!

Mrs Bennet was ecstatic. Her Jane, her pretty, beautiful Jane was being courted by a wealthy gentleman, and was likely to be married soon. This was even better than Mary's marriage! She was certain that Lydia was the next in line towards making a most brilliant match, each better than the last. In a lovely situation like this, there was just one thing that an attentive neighbor like her could possibly do.

'Lady Lucas!', cried she with delight as soon as she saw her neighbor and Charlotte.

'What is it, Mrs Bennet?', asked the said woman in alarm.

'Oh, nothing, I just had to see you, Lady Lucas, for I have just had a letter from Mary. Oh I miss her so!'

'Is she well?', asked she stiffly, recognizing the beginning of the familiar speech.

'Very well indeed. But look, read this!'

'This is addressed to Lizzy!', said Charlotte.

'I know, Charlotte, but that is of no consequence. Just read it!'

Charlotte complied.

Dear Lizzy,

I am well and happy here. Mr Collins is so nice to me, and so is Lady Catherine. Lady Anne de Bourgh is an interesting, delightful companion. I think you would love to meet her.

Did you know that she is engaged to Mr Darcy? It is astounding, isn't it? I had no idea, and I can still only barely believe it. But would you believe it? The Darcy's are here! I can imagine you being so surprised at this event. I only recently heard that Caroline Bingley is engaged to Mr Wickham, and that they are to get married next month. That is why they are at London, preparing, and Lady Anne Darcy with Mr Darcy is here.

Not Georgiana, though. She is with her other Matlock relations. Lady Anne Darcy asked after you, which brings me to the point of this letter.

It has been so long since I have last seen Mama and my dear sisters. Are you all well? certain that you would all write volumes to me, but since no letters made an appearance, which I assume, is because you were too shy to write to me first, it is I who am now writing to you. But no matter, I insist that you visit me soon, for some company would be delightful and I do think that you would get along excellently with Lady Catherine and her daughter.

Do convey my love to everyone, and tell Lydia and Kitty to stay out of trouble.

Love,

Mary Collins

'Well, isn't that grand?', asked Mrs Bennet.

'What is, Mrs Bennet?', asked Lady Lucas.

'Oh, Lady Lucas, do not be so aggravating! What could be better than knowing that marriage treats Mary so well? '

'Is that what you came to tell us, Mrs Bennet? ', asked Charlotte.

'By itself, the news is good enough, but there is more!', cried Mrs Bennet.

Lady Lucas and Charlotte gave her skeptical looks.

'Mr Bingley is courting Jane!'

'We know that.', said Lady Lucas calmly, fighting the urge to laugh at Mrs Bennet's deflated look.

'But... How? We ourselves knew of the news only a couple of days ago, the day before Mr Bingley left for London with the rest of the party.'

'Lizzy informed us.', said Charlotte.

'It is funny, is it not, for Mr Bingley to leave Netherfield as soon as he began courting Jane?', said Lady Lucas, a bit annoyed with her neighbor.

'Ms Bingley was very eager to start the wedding preparations.', said Mrs Bennet, not liking the idea of what her friend was implying.

'Of course.',said Charlotte soothingly.

Mrs Bennet left soon after that, wishing Jane was engaged already. It was fortunate that Jane herself had no doubts of Mr Bingley's intentions anymore.

In the meantime, Wickham and Caroline, along with Mr Bingley, Mr Hurst and Mrs Hurst, were in London, shopping for the wedding that was soon to take place. Wickham had been insistent that the wedding should take place as soon as possible, and all of Caroline's attempts to delay it had been in vain. It had already been determined that the couple would be married the next month, and Caroline and Louisa were eager to make it a grand affair, for Caroline had always cared more about her social standing than about any person, and wished to salvage what she could.

She had tried repeatedly to somehow convince him to let her be, but nothing she says could change his mind, for Wickham had thought it all through, and had no intentions of doing anything different from his perfectly thought out plan. All that Caroline acheived was some serious threats in case she did not obey him, along with assurances that nothing she did could improve her situation.

Caroline's tears and pleadings did nothing, so there was little for her to do but salvage the situation the best she could. She repeatedly reminded herself of how she had once found him very handsome and charming, and would have been glad to marry him if he were richer. He was fairly well off, and that would have to do.

Now that Jane would marry her brother, there was no chance of this generation of Bingleys doing much for their social standing, but perhaps she could have a daughter married to an Earl someday.

Caroline's situation was not enviable, but it could be worse. And she was trying to salvage what she had.

She cornered him in the gown shop, and tried to patch up.

'Does this green gown not suit me well?', asked she.

He looked at her in surprise.

'Beautiful.', he whispered to her.

'I think this would be the perfect gown for my... our wedding.'

'Would it?'

'It... feels right.', she whispered back.

'Truly?'

She nodded.

'I was unaware that you were so enthusiastic about this wedding.', said he silently.

'I have been dreaming about the perfect wedding for years.', she said back, silently conveying acceptance, and things between them was a lot like they should be between a couple that was soon to be married.

A/N- Nothing could make this week better than lots of reviews. Keep them flowing! Also, I've started a new story called Something in Your Eyes , check it out if you like.