I'm so sorry for the long hiatus. Thank you for being so patient with me! I'm so glad most of you are enjoying my story, and I hope to get more up for you soon, although you will all know by now how much I cannot stick to deadlines!

Here's a pretty long chapter to tide you over for a bit!

December 27th

The Bingleys and the Hursts arrived a couple of days after Christmas, along with a fresh wave of snow. Caroline's complaints could be heard long before they arrived in the parlour. '… Pemberley does look so pretty in the winter, but this infernal snow is too cold and does interfere with travelling so! Why, I was quite …'

'Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr and Mrs Hurst,' announced the butler, and the whole party rose to greet them.

Elizabeth was delighted to see Bingley's eyes go straight to Jane, who blushed lightly. She turned her attention to Caroline, who was wrinkling her nose at the sight of the Gardiner children while also trying to make herself appear pleasing to Mr Darcy. The effect was really quite amusing.

'Take our luggage to the Blue Rooms,' Caroline ordered the nearest footman.

'Begging your pardon, miss, but those rooms are for close friends and family only, and in any case, they are already occupied.'

'What?! By whom? As you have said, the Blue Rooms are for close friends of the Darcy family!'

'The Gardiners, miss. Your rooms are located in the Guest Wing, as usual.'

Caroline looked outraged. 'Surely, there is some mistake! We are very special friends of Mr Darcy's. These people –' She sniffed. '– are of no consequence!'

Elizabeth flushed, angry on her aunt and uncle's behalf. Bingley, managing to tear his attention away from Jane for a few moments, caught the tail end of this conversation, and looked thoroughly embarrassed.

'Come, Caroline. What were you thinking? We have always stayed in the Guest Wing.'

'But we were given to suppose that this was to be a special year,' whined Caroline.

'It is to be a special year,' the Colonel whispered under his breath. 'But not for you!'

Elizabeth covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggle.

Caroline was not finished however. 'Charles, how can you allow these – these savages to take precedence over us!'

'That is enough, Caroline,' Charles said, his voice unusually firm. 'Darcy has been generous enough to extend an invitation to us, although he already has guests engaged for the season. I am sure you do not want to offend him, or his guests?'

'Certainly not,' said Caroline, subsiding for the moment. Then she caught sight of Georgiana, who was sitting beside Elizabeth, and promptly exclaimed, 'Dearest Georgiana! How we have missed you! You simply must tell us what you have been up to since last summer!'

Georgiana paled, and Elizabeth, realising the source of her distress, took her hand and squeezed it. Georgiana gave her a grateful smile and managed to stutter, 'I d-do not b-believe I have given you l-leave to address me as Georgiana.'

'Oh, forgive me,' said Caroline, with a high, false laugh. 'It is only that I am so excited to see you. But we are friends, are we not?'

Georgiana glanced helplessly at Elizabeth, who smiled encouragingly at her young friend. Georgiana took a deep breath and said, 'Will you not play for us, Miss Bingley? We have been longing for some music.'

'Surely, with your proficiency, you can keep the entire party entertained? But I do understand that you must be quite bereft of other performers, as Miss Bennet's talents are quite mediocre. So of course, I shall oblige,' said Caroline smugly, sashaying over to the pianoforte as Georgiana reddened in mortification.

'You must not take her comments to heart, Elizabeth,' she whispered.

'Oh, I shall not,' said Elizabeth with a chuckle. 'I have endured much worse from the lady, I assure you! But will you not play for us? Everyone tells me you are exceedingly wonderful.'

'Oh, I could not!' gasped Georgiana. 'I have never played to so many people before.'

Elizabeth smiled fondly. 'Well, I shall not force you. But you must not fear their censure or disapproval. I am certain everyone would enjoy any performance you gave. Even Miss Bingley, for she is determined to suck up to your brother!'

Georgiana giggled despite herself. 'Well – perhaps I would if we were to play a duet. I long to hear you play as well, for brother has said there is nothing he enjoys more.'

Elizabeth blushed deeply, but said, 'Your brother has done you and I a great injustice, for I am not as good as all that.'

'Oh, but brother is always completely honest! He said you were very pretty, and that is also correct.'

Elizabeth's blush deepened, but she said merrily, 'Well, now we know he is embellishing! For Jane is far prettier than I.'

'But brother does not think so,' said Georgiana, smirking.

Elizabeth pressed cool hands to her flushed cheeks. 'I beg you to desist, Georgiana!'

Before Georgiana could reply, Caroline finished playing and said in outrage, 'Why, Miss Eliza! Do not address Miss Darcy in such a familiar manner when you do not have permission!'

'It seems you are misinformed on both counts, Miss Bingley,' said Elizabeth in amusement. 'My name is Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Darcy has in fact given me permission to address her by her maiden name.'

Caroline's eyes bugged, but before she could make a scathing remark, Darcy stood up hastily. 'Shall we go into supper?'

Everyone agreed promptly to this suggestion, and Darcy offered his arms to both Georgiana and Elizabeth before Caroline could stake a claim. Elizabeth giggled and squeezed his arm comfortingly as he escorted them into supper. He smiled softly at her, and her stomach fluttered.

'Brother, Elizabeth and I are considering a duet after supper. What do you think?' asked Georgiana.

'I look forward to it exceedingly,' he replied, not taking his eyes off Elizabeth.

Georgiana stifled a giggle. 'You should be more careful, brother, or a certain lady shall notice your attentions to a woman other than herself.'

Darcy scowled. 'I shall look at my fiancée whenever I wish, regardless of anyone else.'

Elizabeth blushed, and he grinned suddenly.

'Although, I should not wish for your discomfort, Elizabeth, and I fear Miss Bingley shall make your life a misery once she finds out.'

'Will you not announce it at supper, brother?'

Darcy shook his head. 'I am rather enjoying her indifference, for it means we shall have some peace. And in any case I am hoping to announce it to our other guests along with news of another engagement.'

Elizabeth's eyes shone at this, for she knew he could only mean Jane and Bingley. 'Oh, Fitzwilliam, do you really think he will propose soon?'

'I think there is no doubt of it,' said Darcy, smiling down at her as she flushed happily.

At supper, Caroline was torn between ensuring her brother did not spend all of his time conversing with Jane (trying in vain to direct his attentions towards Georgiana) and ensuring that Elizabeth did not monopolise most of Mr Darcy's attention. In the end, she compromised by ordering Louisa to converse with their brother and Jane, while she herself interrupted the newly (although she did not know it yet) engaged couple with a simpering smile.

'Mr Darcy was most kind in offering your family an invitation to Pemberley, Miss Eliza,' she began.

'Indeed, he was,' agreed Elizabeth, smiling at her betrothed.

'Of course, you must take advantage of it while you can. I am sure the next Mrs Darcy would not want such people in her home. Why, it is unthinkable! Those in Trade are of no consequence to those of Mr Darcy's sphere, you see.'

Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing. 'You are quite right, Miss Bingley. I am sure the next Mrs Darcy will be of high understanding.'

Caroline was satisfied, but Elizabeth could not help herself from adding, 'Yet, I wonder at your condemnation of those in Trade. For is not your fortune from such pursuits? Then, by your reasoning, you have no reason to hope for an invitation from the next Mrs Darcy either.'

Caroline flushed, and glared as Darcy chuckled quietly.

'I have travelled in much higher circles than you, Miss Eliza, and have much more to recommend myself to such people,' she retorted. 'As though the next Mrs Darcy would condescend to even acknowledge your vulgar family!'

Elizabeth opened her mouth to retort, infuriated, but Darcy got there first, his voice cold.

'I would thank you not to speak ill of my guests, Miss Bingley, whether it be within my hearing or not. Mr Gardiner is a particular friend of mine, and I shall not have you insult him or any of his relations.'

Caroline gaped. 'But Mr Darcy – such a man! How could you even consider –'

'You must be thankful that I do not harbour such prejudices, otherwise I should not have such a close relationship with your own brother.' Caroline visibly deflated, and Darcy finished, 'If a man is worth knowing, it is not due to his station in life. I know many lords whom I would not wish to have a closer acquaintance with.'

'Of course, you are right, Mr Darcy,' said Caroline meekly. 'It was foolish of me to suggest otherwise.'

Elizabeth choked on a laugh as she met Georgiana's wide, disbelieving eyes across the table.

After supper, the men elected to forgo a separation of the sexes, and instead followed the ladies into the sitting room, whereupon Georgiana and Elizabeth were immediately pressed to perform their duet. Elizabeth took Georgiana's hand again, as they were visibly trembling, and soothed her.

'Do not worry, Georgiana. I shall not make you sing, and once they hear my awful voice they shall not even notice if you make a wrong note.'

'Elizabeth!' said Georgiana, shocked. 'Why, my brother says your voice is very pleasant.'

'Well, then. Your brother shall not notice if you make a wrong note, if he can praise my singing so extravagantly!'

Georgiana smiled hesitantly. 'It would please him so to see us duet,' she said quietly after a moment, glancing at him. 'I know he worries about me. I have long wished for a sister.'

'Well, you may come to see that the saying "Be careful what you wish for" is true! For you will not gain one sister, but five!'

Georgiana giggled, and sat down at the pianoforte without further persuasion. Elizabeth glanced at Mr Darcy. He was seated next to her uncle, but was gazing at the pair of them, smiling indulgently, his eyes soft.

Georgiana began playing a sweet melody, and Elizabeth was so caught by the beautiful music and Mr Darcy's stares, that she almost forgot to begin singing, until a sharp elbow from Georgiana reminded her otherwise. She heard a muffled snort from the vicinity of the Colonel, and flushing, began to sing.

Her sweet voice enraptured her betrothed, and he could not take his eyes off her, even with Caroline's attempts to do so. Likewise, she could not remove her eyes from his, even though she was blushing and knew that her affection must be blatantly obvious to the rest of the party.

Darcy contented himself with the fact that once they were married, they could enjoy many evenings thus, without the constant droning of Caroline in his ear. It was quite disturbing his enjoyment of the performance, as he could hardly hear it, but even so, his sister and his betrothed made a very pleasant picture, and his heart felt fit to burst. Firmly convinced now that he had made the right choice to marry for love instead of fortune and connections, he blocked Caroline's nasally voice from his mind and continued to gaze happily at Elizabeth.

Over the next few days, as Elizabeth and Darcy both rose far earlier than any of the rest of their party, they spent several pleasant hours before breakfast rambling in the grounds. They were both eager for their sister and friend to find equal happiness, and plotted several ways to leave them alone together for a few moments. To Elizabeth's delight, Bingley preferred Jane's company above all else, sitting beside her at meals, escorting her outside to view the snow-covered grounds, and at other times simply sitting quietly beside her and watching her occupy herself with her needlework. Sometimes Elizabeth felt as though she was intruding on an already married couple, so homely was their appearance.

Caroline was becoming quite distraught, for not only were her efforts to stop her brother making an alliance with the Bennets becoming more and more fruitless by the day, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy also seemed to disappear for long periods, occasionally stealing Georgiana away with them, and she was powerless to stop it. She was therefore left in the company of her sister, the Gardiners, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, which did not please her in the slightest. She despised the Gardiners, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, being the second son (even if his father was an Earl), was of no use to her at all.

It was the day before New Year's Eve that Mr Bingley finally decided to ask for Jane Bennet's hand in matrimony, and consequentially, Caroline neared bursting point.

The Gardiners had retired to bed with their children, leaving the young adults together in the sitting room enjoying various pursuits, when Bingley broke the relative quiet that had settled over the group.

'Miss Bennet, might I speak with you in private for a moment?'

Jane went red, and Elizabeth worked hard to hide a grin, squeezing Mr Darcy's arm in delight. He smiled down at her indulgently.

'Of course, Mr Bingley.'

Bingley looked noticeably relieved at her acceptance, but Caroline frowned. 'Oh, but Charles –'

'We shall be but a moment, dear sister,' Bingley said softly, but firmly. Elizabeth was surprised, but extremely glad that it did not seem as though Bingley would let his scheming sisters meddle with his affairs.

Caroline scowled deeply and watched with beady eyes as Jane followed Bingley out onto the balcony. Keen to give them some privacy, Elizabeth turned to Georgiana and the Colonel and struck up a conversation, but was soon distracted by Caroline, who had jumped to her feet, looking outraged. Elizabeth looked around and saw Bingley on one knee before Jane. She beamed.

'Kindly remain seated, Miss Bingley,' said Darcy coldly, before she could run over and interrupt.

Caroline sat back on the sofa reluctantly. 'But Mr Darcy – how can you simply sit there and let Charles enter such an unsuitable match! The lady is pleasing, I grant you, but her relations are most unseemly! I demand you do something!'

Elizabeth bristled, and Darcy responded cuttingly, 'It is my understanding that Miss Bennet is a gentlewoman. Therefore, Bingley is advancing his sphere and making an advantageous match. I also observe mutual affection, and see no reason to intervene.'

Caroline flushed, but replied, 'Mutual affection! What does that have to do with anything? An advantageous marriage is beneficial to every party.'

By "every party", Elizabeth gathered Caroline meant herself.

'I see we have differing opinions on the subject of marriage,' said Darcy.

Caroline laughed. 'Come, Mr Darcy! You do not truly expect me to believe that you intend to marry for affection!'

'I am sorry you feel that way,' said Darcy, looking suddenly amused. Elizabeth flushed slightly.

'Whatever can you mean?' asked Caroline, batting her eyelashes.

Elizabeth stifled a giggle, and Darcy replied, 'Why, only that I do intend to marry for affection, Miss Bingley.'

Miss Bingley smiled suddenly. 'Oh, well – in that case! Do you have your heart set on a lady, sir?' she asked eagerly.

'Why yes, now that you mention it.' Elizabeth's eyes widened, not having expected Darcy to announce it so suddenly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Colonel Fitzwilliam press his fist into his mouth, as though desperately trying to stave off laughter.

'Pray tell!'

'A gentleman never discloses his affections but to the lady of his heart. However, I quite see that your curiosity must be satisfied.' He paused, and Elizabeth, while alarmed, tried to squash the laughter bubbling up inside her. 'I am in fact engaged to Miss Elizabeth.'

'What?!' Caroline's outraged shriek reached the other pair of lovers, and they turned, startled.

During all of the pandemonium going on inside the house, Jane and Bingley had managed to come to an understanding.

Jane had followed Mr Bingley out onto the balcony, blushing and nervous.

'Darcy tells me that he is to marry Miss Elizabeth,' said Bingley as they drew to a stop by the stone balustrade.

'Yes, he is. They seem very happy.'

'Yes,' Bingley said distractedly. After a moment, he blurted out, 'It gave me hope.'

Jane's heart leapt. 'Hope?'

'That I – that we – Darcy and I are great friends, as you know.'

'Yes.' Jane nodded.

'I should not like to do anything that may lose his friendship, but now I see quite clearly that I may lose it, not by declaring myself, but if I do not have the courage …'

Jane blushed deeply, and this seemed to encourage him, for his cheerful smile appeared suddenly and he dropped to one knee.

'Oh!' exclaimed Jane, quite overwhelmed.

Bingley took her hands. 'Dearest Jane. You are a delight, an angel – I believe I have loved you from that very first dance at Meryton. I wish to be with you always. Will you make me the happiest man in England and do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?'

Jane did not know whether to laugh happily or cry, so she instead did both. 'Yes. Oh, yes!'

Bingley let out a delighted laugh, and rose, pressing her hand to his lips. 'Oh, Jane.'

An outraged shriek greeted their ears, and they turned to discover Caroline glowering at Elizabeth, red with rage.

'I believe my sister may have discovered the news of my friend's engagement,' said Bingley regretfully.

'Oh dear,' said Jane worriedly. She did so hate quarrels. 'Was there a great attachment on her part?'

Bingley looked uncomfortable. 'I have never been certain … but I rather believe she has a greater attachment to Pemberley than Darcy.'

'Charles!' exclaimed Jane. 'Why, that is the rudest thing I have ever heard you say!'

'Nevertheless, I am afraid it is true.' Then – 'What did you call me, Jane?'

She blushed. 'Did you not like it? It is only because you have been calling me Jane so sweetly –'

'I liked it very much,' he said earnestly.

She smiled happily.

They returned to the others, and the news of yet another engagement that she neither wanted or approved of was too much for Caroline. She departed for bed in high dudgeon, followed by Louisa, trying desperately to assuage her.

Darcy congratulated Bingley heartily.

'To think – we shall be brothers, Darcy! Had you said so last year I would have laughed you out of the room!'

Darcy chuckled, and Elizabeth hugged Jane tightly.

'Oh, I am so happy,' sighed Jane. 'I daresay I have never been happier, especially as you are so content as well, Lizzy!'

'Yes, and we shall see each other often, I think,' Elizabeth said, glancing fondly at their beloveds.

Upstairs, Caroline was fuming to herself, and in her rage, began plotting how to separate the two new couples.