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A light morning rain kept Elizabeth from walking, which meant her cousin hovered about her. He bothered her to the point where she eventually had to find refuge in her room before she lost her temper.

“He is insufferable,” she declared to Jane, who had come to keep her company. “Why he cannot get it through his thick head that I will not marry him is beyond my comprehension. Even if I had had an inkling of it before, it would have been dashed after meeting Lady Catherine.”

Jane nodded and expressed her sympathy.

“One would have thought she would have ended his notions of marriage to me as well. He must realize his days of being invited to dinner would be over.”

Jane shrugged but did not know what to say, as she had not witnessed the ill behavior. A knock on the door interrupted them. The kitchen maid handed Elizabeth a paper. She was pleased and perplexed by the short note. Georgiana asked if she could visit this morning. They needed some final alteration done to a dress for the ball. Elizabeth jotted a quick reply for the waiting footman to take back.

As Georgiana’s arrival time approached, Elizabeth and Jane were busy arranging what they would need to alter the dress.

“It is only natural that your future sister asks for your help,” Mrs Bennet stated after being informed of the nature of the visit.

“Mother, can you please stop saying such things.”

“You are going to have to get used to it. I know she has her own residence in town, but that was because her brother was a bachelor. She might move into his house after a suitable period,” she said with a sly look.

“Mother,” Elizabeth growled. She knew it was pointless to tell her to stop with her nonsense.

“It is good to see you show your mother respect even when she is wrong,” Mr Collins crooned ingratiatingly.

“I did not ask for your opinion.”

“But...”

“Mr Collins, unless you are here to gawk at Miss Darcy as we fit her dress, I suggest you leave.” Elizabeth snapped.

“That… No… Yes, you are correct. I shall retire for now,” he said. “If you need me, I shall be in my room. I shall be most attentive to any request you may have.”

“There will be no need for you,” Elizabeth exclaimed, crossing her arms and giving him a stern glare. She was briefly tempted to send him to the milliners shop for an item they did not need just to get him away from the house.

“Yes.. well. We will talk later,” he stammered and left.

Mrs Bennet was delighted when Mr Bingley was seen exiting the carriage and helping the two young ladies out. She was disappointed when Lydia said he was getting back in, but hope rebounded when informed he had only gotten partially in and was now back out holding two boxes.

“Mr Bingley, it is so nice to see you again,” Mrs Bennet cried.

“Good afternoon, Mrs Bennet. It is nice to see you too,” he replied, glancing at her briefly before looking at Jane. “And you, Miss Bennet. You are looking exceedingly well.”

“I am, thank you.”

“Where should I put these,” he asked Jane, raising the boxes slightly.

“Oh,” she replied quickly, looking about. “Put them on that chair over there,” she replied, pointing to a chair. After setting them down, he turned back to her.

“It is so nice to see you again,” he said, ignoring the conversation between the two ladies he had brought with him and the other Bennet sisters. “I can’t tell you how much O am looking forward to Friday. I hope you have not forgotten that I have the first dance.”

She blushed. “No, Mr Bingley. Your name is already on my card.”

“I did not think you would,” he replied, smiling broadly.

“Mr Bingley. Do you have any idea when the Earl will return?” Mrs Bennet asked, interrupting their moment. “It will be before the ball, will it not?”

“He hopes it will be Thursday. Friday morning at the latest.”

“Friday! That is cutting it close,” she cried.

“He would as soon not show up for the ball,” he joked, to her dismay.

“Mr Bingley, you know he will be here,” Georgiana said. “Otherwise, he would not have sent the dresses. In his accompanying letter, he said he is willing to let us stay through dinner,” she said, her face lit up with excitement.

“It was only a jest, Miss Georgiana.” Bingley pulled out his pocket watch. “Look at the time,” he declared to change the subject. “I must be off.”

“You are not staying,” Mrs Bennet exclaimed in disappointment.

“Goodness no. I am having a luncheon with Colonel Forster. I shall be back in a few hours.”

With quick goodbyes, he was gone, and the women were left alone.

“Shall we try your dress on and see how it fits?” Elizabeth said, turning to Georgiana.

“Oh, it is not for me,” she said grinning madly. “It is for you.”

“For me? Why? I don’t understand.” Elizabeth asked, embarrassed knowing it had to have come from him. “What have I done to deserve a dress?”

“Why does Lizzy get a new dress?” Lydia whined to her mother.

“Oh, hush, girl. Yours is practically new,” Mrs Bennet said pleased as punch.

“Lydia, in the other box, you will find an assortment of ribbons, lace, and rosettes from my milliner,” Georgiana said to placate the girl.

“I cannot accept a gift from your brother,” Elizabeth whispered.

“It was put on my account. For all your help.”

“It was nothing.”

“Nothing to you might be everything at the moment to someone else. Both Anne and I agreed on this. Please, Elizabeth, accept it. It would make us both happy.”

She paused, unsure. “If you insist,” she answered, knowing who paid the bill her account or not.

“Good,” she said, clapping in excitement. “Shall we get started?”

After the dress had been pinned for sewing, the ladies were having tea as they waited for Mr Bingley’s return. Lydia, who had been working on her new bonnet, finally exclaimed that she was done.

“I believe this is my best design yet. Wait until Mr Wickham sees me in this,” she crowed, holding the bonnet up for all to see.

“Wickham, George Wickham?” Georgiana whispered as her complexion went ashen. Lydia answered in the affirmative. “He is here?”

“Your brother did not tell you? He is in the militia regiment here for their winter encampment?” Elizabeth asked, concerned at her color.

Georgiana shook her head as her breathing became shallow.

“Are you all right?”

“I need some fresh air, is all, I think,” she replied quietly. “Can we go outside?”

She suddenly stood as if to leave right away. Elizabeth could see she was unsteady on her feet and trembling.

“Why don’t we sit by a window first? Would you prefer to lie down? You don’t look so well.” Elizabeth whispered, worried about how the girl was acting.

“Is she poorly?” Anne asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I am fine. I just need some air.”

After sitting by the window until she felt better, they went for a walk. Georgiana confessed to Elizabeth what had transpired that past summer. How Wickham attempted to elope with her and was only prevented by her brother’s unexpected visit. Now, it made sense to Elizabeth why Mr Darcy had been angry and questioned the man when they met in town. As for Wickham, she would be sorely tempted to give him a piece of her mind the next time she saw him.