Expect a decline in quality. I can only write tipsy, but only beta sober. Alas, when I'm sober I don't want to beta. I tried my pretty hardest for the first bit and now here we are. No book to check me and no sober me to check me. It will be a train wreck, but I'm having fun

"He is quite a delight Jane," Mrs Gardiner said as they strolled in the park. The four Gardiner children were playing with in the snow quietly on the lawn the ladies circled. Or as quietly as children could play. Mrs. Gardiner had more practice at recognizing the tones of her children, and so checked on them only when they were silent. Lizzy and Jane looked only when there was a shriek.

"A delight is too weak a word Aunt," Lizzy laughed, eyeing the growing snowman with amusement.

"It really only matters what Jane thinks of the fellow, for he is too agreeable to not enjoy," Mrs. Gardiner said, turning her gaze towards Jane.

Jane, for her part, did not blush, but rejoiced at voicing some of her thoughts with Lizzy and her dear Aunt.

"He is not his sisters," Jane said with a smirk. Lizzy laughed and Mrs. Gardiner nodded with a smile.

"Neither are you your sisters," her Aunt said with a piercing gaze and a sly smile, "so tell me what I want to know." Jane laughed at that. Her aunt was perceptive, and could read a person like a book. Both Jane and Lizzy admired and strived for this trait.

"I'm sure you already know Aunt," Jane said, "but if you wished to hear it out loud, you shall: I like him very much indeed." Lizzy looked jubilant as she smiled at Jane.

"He would be a fool to not adore you dearest!" she proclaimed with such confidence that Jane had to believe her.

"I believe that is the man now," Mrs. Gardiner said, having looked over her shoulder to check on her children. Jane and Lizzy both stopped and looked to see Charles, fiery hair stark against the white snow, rushing over to them with a happy smile. Behind him, like a great shadow, came Mr. Darcy. His dark eyes unblinking it seemed.

"What a happy coincidence!" Charles began, standing next to Jane.

"Please Mr Bingley," Mrs Gardiner smiled, "I know you had a meeting with my husband not an hour ago." Charles laughed and nodded.

"I've been found out! I asked after you all to have a visit," Charles admitted, offering his arm to Jane, who took it with an absent minded movement. Jane had noticed Mrs. Gardiner reading Mr. Darcy, who did not appreciate the scrutiny. He met her eyes, but reluctantly. He seemed to draw closer to Charles, as she usually drew closer to Lizzy.

"Darcy!" Charles exclaimed, bringing the unspoken communication to an end. "This is Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Gardiners wife, obviously, and Aunt to our charming Miss Bennets. Mrs. Gardiner, this is Mr. Darcy, from Pemberly, up near your happy town of Lambton." Mr. Darcy looked surprised at this revelation and asked after her relations in that area.

Jane glanced at Lizzy, who looked coolly at Mr. Darcy. Charles squeezed her hand on his arm, and when she looked, he smirked and winked. Jane chuckled and pulled him closer. This alerted everyone to them again.

"Shall we continue on our stroll? Or bring the children inside and have tea?" Mrs. Gardiner asked, open for suggestions. Lizzy looked a little put out, but before Jane could ask to walk a little longer, Mr. Darcy spoke:

"If your children don't mind, I would think continuing the walk is preferable." Jane looked at Charles, to see if he had noticed Mr. Darcy's deferral to Lizzy's unspoken want. But Charles was looking at Lizzy, who seemed annoyed at the suggestion. Mr. Darcy looked confused, Jane was certainly confused, Charles seemed frozen, Lizzy seemed annoyed. Mrs. Gardiner laughed:

"I'm sure Lizzy will be your greatest supporter in lengthening our walk. I, for one, would appreciate my children having more play time, for a faster, longer nap time." Lizzy blushed, whether for agreeing with Mr. Darcy, or having it been declared she agreed with her insufferable man, Jane didn't know.

"Then by all means, let's continue!" Charles said with a grin with a wave of his hand, tugging Jane to the side. Lizzy placed Mrs. Gardiner between her and Mr. Darcy, while Mr. Darcy engaged Mrs. Gardiner in a conversation of Derbyshire. Charles and Jane drifted behind.

"Well, I suppose I can see Darcy's inclination towards Miss Lizzy, but I can't see any inclination from her," Charles said softly, having put some distance between themselves and the other group.

"No," Jane affirmed, "she doesn't like him quite yet, but I feel like they could develop an affection if we were to shed light on his character, and release Lizzy from her prejudice against him."

"I see, well then, I shall endeavor to bring him to you and your sister at every opportunity," Charles said with a smile. "For now though, what sort of plans do you have for your stay in town?"

Jane described all of their events, dates and whether her family would be open to his and Mr. Darcy's presence. Charles added some of his own suggestions.

Lizzy laughed brightly from the group ahead. Jane saw Mr. Darcy's demeanor shift. Charles pulled her politely closer, as Mrs Gardiner turned to glance at them, and glance at her children. She received matching smiles from the pair before turning her attention back to her group. A few more words had Mrs. Gardiner breaking away to walk back with Jane and Charles.

"What an interesting, delightful friend you have Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Gardiner said. Charles laughed quietly.

"I think so," he grinned conspiratorially, "and I'm absolutely thrilled you think so too."

"Indeed, and he seems to find Lizzy rather interesting as well," Mrs. Gardiner said, pointedly looking at Jane. "I'm curious how long the interesting conversations have been going on."

"You've found us out," Jane smiled, "I've become as much a match maker as Mama."

"Though, decidedly more subtle, with much more willing recruits to her cause," Charles said.

"Ah, I see," Mrs. Gardiners eyes lit, "you both have been rather busy. Have we already spoke of Lizzy's retinence?"

"Yes, but we think if we can draw out Mr. Darcy's character in a more favorable light, that may change," Jane said. Mrs. Gardiner looked mildly surprised.

"Perhaps," Charles began, "I can suggest to him to hold a dinner party, after a week or two of outings. I'd offer to hold one myself, but Caroline is staying with Louisa for the foreseeable future." Jane nearly stopped walking, but Charles pulled her along with a grin.

"What happened?" she insisted. Mrs. Gardiner also looked curious.

"Nothing much, I won't be available for all the plans she has, so it was better for everyone for her to change houses," Charles shrugged. Mrs. Gardiner pursed her lips and looked at Jane, before declaring she should go speak to her children. After she had left, Jane looked at Charles.

"Did you want to speak on it?" Jane asked, tilting her head to better look at his face. His face was twisted in dismay. He looked at her with clear, confused eyes.

"I don't know why she became so hostile suddenly. They only spoke good of you, and I know they can speak ill, so it was more impressive when they had nothing bad to say about you, just your circumstances."

"They didn't like Mama sending me in a storm to be trapped at your house?" Jane smiled. She knew the whispers. Charles smiled.

"No, none of us did. But they want me to completely break off with you. But I like what's developing and don't want to quit now!" he said petulantly. "I also really wanted to have a nice day with you, and don't really want to think about my sisters." Jane could understand this sentiment. She pulled him a little closer with a secretive smile

"I like what's developing and don't want to quit now!" she declared quietly, "with all the rudeness I can muster." Charles barked a laugh that caused Mr. Darcy and Lizzy to start and look back at them. Jane hardly noticed. "Especially now in the snow. If you truly don't want to think about your sisters then we can have our competition to see who can slide farthest!" Charles' eyes lit up.

"We can, can't we? Excellent! I really would rather speak of troubles on a dreary day! For such a fine day as today, we have better things to do! Darcy!" Charles cried, gaining enthusiasm with each syllable. Jane laughed and pressed a hand to her face. How can one person contain so much brightness?

His shadow, Mr Darcy, returned to them, with Lizzy in tow. Jane could see the deep affection Mr. Darcy had for Charles written on his face. It was a face that was quite similar to the one he would give Lizzy.

"What's gotten you riled up?" he asked, a slight smirk, but his deep voice was monotonous. Lizzy looked offended on Charles' behalf.

"We should have a competition. Like skikjoring, but just our own power," Charles said, heedless of Lizzy affronted gaze, and of Mr. Darcy's blush.

"I'm sorry?" Mr. Darcy said, almost startled, his eyes flicking towards Lizzy. Jane knew that look. It was preemptive embarrassment.

"I'm already too excited, I must go ask permission from Mrs. Gardiner. Come on, Jane—Miss Bennet!" Charles exclaimed, pulling her along. Mr. Darcy stood quietly, rooted to his place like a tree. Charles and Jane bounded over the snow, clutching hands. Jane gave a shriek of laughter.