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In spite of Mrs. Bennet’s protests, she was left behind at Longbourn with her three youngest daughters while her husband accompanied Jane and Elizabeth to London.

Admittedly, her arguments were even more disjointed than usual, for it could not be denied that Fanny Bennet was reveling in her newfound distinction among the female population of Hertfordshire.

After all, how many other mothers could claim to have attached not just one but two daughters to such impressive gentlemen?

The next incentive had come when Mr. Bennet (after a nudge from Elizabeth) offered up additional funds for his wife and the younger Miss Bennets to have new dresses made up by their favorite Meryton seamstress so that all the family would be looking their best at the wedding.

When Mrs. Bennet began to speculate on how much nicer the younger girls’ frocks would be if she could choose the fabrics from the London warehouses, Jane spoke up in her usual, serene manner (although Elizabeth would later swear to seeing a mischievous twinkle in her eye).

“Mama, perhaps it would be better if we cancelled the trip to London altogether. Lizzy and I could have our gowns made in Meryton just as easily. I worry about leaving for two weeks so close to the wedding—should we not be here to help you plan? There seems to be so much to do.”

“Certainly not, Jane! Of what can you be thinking? Marrying such fine gentlemen—of course you must have your trousseaus made in London! Mrs. Bolton will do well enough for the younger girls, but the future Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy must not look like country bumpkins! Don’t you worry—I shall see to everything! ”

There was some additional conversation on the topic but, on the whole, Mrs. Bennet adopted the idea of remaining in Meryton as if it were her own.

Of course, that did not prevent her from providing lengthy (and highly repetitive) lectures and extensive (though disorganized) lists to Jane and Elizabeth on what they would need to purchase, from morning dresses and ball gowns to parasols and chemises.

Finally, Mr. Bingley announced his intention to host a dinner at Netherfield on the evening before the wedding and asked Mrs. Bennet if, as he was currently without a hostess, she would help plan it and direct his housekeeper.

Not only did the lady’s effusions reach a decibel such as even her husband had never heard before, but also she was left with very little attention to direct the minutia of her daughters’ trip.

Thus, the master and mistress of Longbourn were both relatively content: Mrs. Bennet to stay and plan for the wedding (and revel in her command of an engagement dinner and wedding breakfast, in addition to decorating the church for the ceremony itself), and her husband to escape with his two most sensible daughters to a house that, while not devoid of feminine chatter, did at least promise an excellent selection of books.

And so it was that Mr. Bennet and his two eldest came to be settled in the well-appointed Darcy carriage on a hazy morning in the first week of August. Once Longbourn and her waving sisters were out of sight (minus Lydia, who apparently could not be bothered to rise from her bed), Elizabeth looked around at her companions.

When her glance settled on her fiancé sitting on the opposite bench with his friend, she breathed a contented sigh.

When Darcy quirked an eyebrow, her smile turned mischievous. “I feel as if I have spent much of the past year in carriages, travelling from one place to another.”

Amused and curious to see where his daughter might take such an opening line, Mr. Bennet teased, “Ah yes, my dear. Your extensive observations should make you quite an expert. A true proficient, Lady Catherine might even say.” He eyed his future son-in-law and was pleased to see that the normally serious young man showed a twinkle of humor.

“Had my aunt cared to do so, I’m certain that she herself would be a great expert in all aspects of carriage design,” commented Fitzwilliam dryly.

“Are we likely to meet any de Bourghs in London, Mr. Darcy? I believe that your family has issued several invitations requiring our presence,” inquired Mr. Bennet.

“My uncle, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, is in London for the close of parliament; he and my aunt, Lady Eleanor, look forward to making your acquaintance. Lady Catherine returned to Kent directly after her… excursion to Hertfordshire and it is unlikely that we will see her any time soon.”

Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed? But your cousin remains in London, does she not?”

Darcy’s expression tightened. “Yes; Anne is staying with my cousin, Lady Ellen, and her husband, Lord Morley, although I could not say how much longer she will remain there.”

Remembering the frail woman who had visited Longbourn, Jane asked sympathetically, “Is Miss de Bourgh pleased with the doctor she has seen?”

Darcy glanced toward Elizabeth and was steadied by the understanding in her eyes.

In truth, he was frustrated by his cousin; by all accounts she appeared content to sleep or sit quietly except for occasional forays to the shops to purchase sweets or trinkets for herself.

She showed little interest in making new acquaintances or even in getting to know her Fitzwilliam relations better.

A well-regarded specialist had attended her several times and advised a regimen of mild exercise, fresh air, and a healthier diet, in addition to eliminating many of her medicines and drastically reducing the dosages of others.

According to Ellen, Miss de Bourgh seemed to understand the man’s recommendations, but did not appear inclined to exert herself much in following them.

Realizing that he had not yet responded to Jane’s question, Darcy prevaricated; “She has and we are hoping that his recommendations will improve her health.”

“Shall we see her in London?”

“Quite probably; I expect Ellen will bring her with them to the engagement party that the Gardiners are hosting. However, I suspect that Anne shall return to Kent soon. The Earl will be meeting with the de Bourgh solicitors to discover the details of her inheritance sometime this week, but after that?” Darcy shook his head.

“My cousin is not accustomed to being away from her home for any length of time, and she does not appear to find much pleasure with London’s entertainments. ”

Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow. “Why, Mr. Darcy—she sounds very much like someone else I know.”

With a leveling look that did not quite mask all of his amusement, Fitzwilliam replied, “Though I do not deny my preference for the country, there are certainly some attractions that only London can provide: the opera, the theatre, lectures and scientific demonstrations, for example.”

“Book shops…”

“There you have it, Lizzy!” Mr. Bennet joined in their laughter. “I was beginning to consider having the carriage turned around.”

“But Papa, surely you know that our every minute is going to be consumed with shopping for dresses and bonnets, ribbons and laces…oh, and teas with other ladies to discuss what we have bought and what we need,” teased Lizzy.

Mr. Bennet displayed an exaggerated look of the very real horror he felt and the other two gentlemen in the carriage reflected his feelings to varying degrees, though they refrained from speaking them aloud.

“Mr. Darcy, perhaps I might come stay at your house, instead. You needn’t give me a chamber—just a blanket and pillow and I shall happily bed down in your library. ”

Amid much laughter and friendly teasing, the conversation turned to the group’s plans for the autumn, both before and after the wedding.

Darcy and Elizabeth had decided to accept Lord Hampton’s offer of a seaside cottage retreat for the fortnight following the wedding, after which they would spend two weeks in London before traveling to Pemberley for the winter.

Fitzwilliam was forced to admit that he was, for once, looking forward to the Little Season, as it would give him the opportunity to show off his bride before spiriting her away to Derbyshire.

Bingley turned to Elizabeth and affected a very serious demeanor. “Just keep in mind that Jane and I will be at Pemberley for Christmas and you’re welcome to come south with us when we return in January. Darcy here never seems to comprehend just how miserable those northern winters of his are...”

The other gentleman responded with mock anger. “Bingley—you’re from Yorkshire, for heaven’s sake!”

Charles only shook his head solemnly. “Oh no, my friend. Those are my ancestors; I have lived in London for too long, and now I have a foothold in Hertfordshire.” He and Jane shared a smile before he turned back to Darcy.

“My blood has thinned! Why ever would I wish to return to that icy tundra you call home?”

“It’s beautiful in the winter… the snow sparkles on the peaks…”

“Yes, it sparkles for what? Five hours a day when the sun rises at ten and sets by three in the afternoon?”

Although amused, Elizabeth also noted that Mr. Darcy was beginning to look positively grumpy.

With a gay laugh, she spoke up before an actual argument might begin.

“Well, I am looking forward to my first winter in this northern wilderness. Snow can only be an improvement over the frozen mud we seem to have for months on end in Hertfordshire, and I expect that I won’t even notice the short days given all the excellent company we expect to have. ”

“Who else do you expect to visit?” asked Jane. Although she had heard descriptions of Pemberley and understood it to be a very large estate, she still had difficulty imagining her sister as mistress of a house that was twice the size of Netherfield.