AN: Once again, I have to apologize for the long and longer delay. My thanks to all the people who have asked after me, including those who were so worried that they even went to the lengths of checking with my cousin, a fellow FF writer, to make sure nothing fatal had happened to me. I am honored as well as being ashamed at my long silence in these uncertain times. I did not intend for anyone to become concerned or to leave any of you hanging. Several people, including my sister wanted me to at least post a "proof of life" note, but every day I thought it would be the one I finally finished my partially written chapter. Every evening as I turned off the computer in exhaustion I realized it wasn't. The days turned into weeks and then months before I knew it. All I can say is, "I am sorry."

By way of explanation, I live in Washington state and work in a field tightly linked to health care. A large part of my job is sending out a variety of communications to a number of different related populations (yeah, a bit vague, but this is the internet and a very public space). As you might guess, I have been really, really busy at work since the first coronavirus cases showed up in our state and it has extended to bouts of OT at all hours when new important bits of information have to go out. I have gotten to the point where I hate turning on my computer (if it's on, they can find me easier than when it is off, although even that doesn't stop them) and have had trouble feeling comfortable at the keyboard as a result. Don't get me wrong, I love my RL job. I do good work that plays a part in doing good for others. As I am sure many of you are finding, though, when you work from home it is hard not to be "always on." I truly miss my daily commute. It was a time when I had to disengage for a while, even if I just had to get back online and do more work when I got home. I have always gotten my best ideas and even drafted my best chapters while sitting in traffic. No break – no brain, no inspiration, no writing. I mean it.

In the midst of all that, I had minor surgery in March. Total success, I am recovering well, but I do feel drained as I recover. My usual best writing time (outside of traffic) has always been those couple of extra hours I get in the morning when my insomnia kicks up, waking me well before time to go to work. Since the surgery, I haven't been waking up early and have often been lucky to drag myself out of bed in time to get to work (or start work, now that I am working from home). While this means I am actually getting enough sleep for the first time in over a decade (a result of the surgery, in fact) it also means I have less time to write.

I had hoped to finish up this story in the few days after the last post, but my mind kept rebelling. I mean literally – every time I tried it has been like something pushing me away. It wasn't so much writer's block as just outright burnout. Even handwriting, which is what I often do when away from the computer, has just been too much. My mind wants to escape, not create.

Fortunately, my sister kept on me and even dragged me out for a long drive to help get my brain moving again. As I said, I always get my best ideas in traffic! Fortunately, she was driving. I/we also finally took the chance to drive around Camano Island – gorgeous place – the sis and I plan to rent a waterfront house there for a few days this summer where I can sit and watch the water while writing and she can sit and watch the water while doing whatever she chooses.With her encouragement, I have finally managed to get this chapter scraped together even if it is not exactly what I was hoping for. Pray for the rest of the story to come together quickly now that I am back…

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Darcy fully enjoyed his three dance sets with Elizabeth that evening. She was still skilled in the latest dances, despite not being allowed to dance at events near father's home. She and Jane had both attended events in London held by members of Aunt Madeline's circle and had learned and practiced there. The practice clearly paid off.

In the past, as a rule, Darcy almost never danced the first, supper or final sets at a ball, whether it was public or private. This evening those three sets were his to delight in and that is what he did. Moving through the steps he could watch Elizabeth and marvel at her grace and beauty. The pattern of the dance allowed him to take her hand several times, although he wished the gloves that they both wore in deference to propriety had not been necessary. Even with the gloves, the three sets with Elizabeth pleased him more than any sets he had ever danced before.

His sets with Jane and Mary also surpassed any others he had danced, even though they could not top his dances with Elizabeth. Both of her sisters were fine dancers. Partnering with them came with none of the social pressures he usually felt on the dance floor, which made the experience all the better. He heard the surprised whispers as he smiled at his soon-to-be sisters. There had probably been even more whispers over the besotted looks he bestowed on his betrothed, but he had not bothered to pay attention to anyone or anything else while dancing with Elizabeth. No one was used to seeing him smile, so they certainly had much to comment on that evening.

Even the dance with Miss Bingley was no hardship, especially when she was uncharacteristically silent for most of it. Like the Bennet sisters, his best friend's sister was a skilled dancer. That select seminary she attended had taught her at least one thing of value. The set only became uncomfortable at the end when she asked him a question very softly.

"I was never even under consideration as a match for you, was I?"

He managed not to cringe, although he was sure his public mask had locked firmly into place. She looked more curious than upset, but he knew it was probably still a sore point. After all, she had not been subtle in her attempts to draw his interest in the past. Despite the awkwardness he felt, he answered as kindly as he could, matching her low tones.

"No, Miss Bingley. You have only ever been the sister of my closest friend. Of course, soon you will be my sister as well, through your connection to Charles and Mary. I may not have considered you a match, but I will consider you as family."

She nodded slightly. He could tell she understood that acknowledgment of the extended connection depended on her own behavior.

"There is that," she said. She remained silent for the rest of the dance and continued so except for a brief expression of thanks when he brought her back to where their group gathered after each dance.

Out of courtesy, Darcy asked Lady Morton if she wished to dance. To his surprise, Elizabeth's aunt accepted, although she chose the slowest set of the evening, just after dinner. She had proven herself a good conversationalist when she joined their party for the meal. She proved to be a good dancer as well.

While Jane shared Lady Morton's looks, Elizabeth's wit must have come from her Gardiner heritage. Speaking with Lady Morton was, in many ways, like conversing with an older version of his betrothed who just happened to resemble Jane. By the end of the dance, he was calling her Aunt Clarissa by invitation. He was also looking forward to enjoying Aunt Clarissa's company at other upcoming events, although he could easily do without the company of Sir Roger.

Darcy knew himself to be considered overly solemn and a bit stuffy in company, but at least he did not use grunts as a primary form of communication. When he made a comment of that sort to Elizabeth, she laughingly suggested that it was a special dialect also spoken by Mr. Hurst. She joked that the two men, if they ever met, would understand one another perfectly and that whole phrases could be communicated by the pitch and duration of each grunt. It was all nonsense, of course, but it put him in a good frame of mind to carry him through when he went off to claim his next dance partner.

That was one of the sets he had promised Aunt Susan he would dance with someone outside their party. Even those were not too bad this evening. His aunt allowed him to ask married women instead of steering him towards young, single hopefuls. He was able to steer the conversations to praise for his betrothed and her family and did not have to worry about setting unrealistic expectations just by dancing with the women. All in all, it was the best ball he had ever attended in his life.

~o~

In the carriage on the way back to the Fitzwilliam town house, where Elizabeth and Jane would be spending the night as his mother's guests, he sat hand in hand with Elizabeth as she answered Aunt Susan's questions about how they had met their hostess while shopping for fabric. His aunt had heard the tale from Lady Parkhurst earlier, but enjoyed getting the other side of the story.

"I am glad to see Miss Bingley has taken my requirements seriously," Aunt Susan said after they had discussed shopping for the new gown. "With the connection to us, she could do well for herself if she does not shoot herself in the foot by acting out."

"That is becoming ever more clear to her, I think," Elizabeth replied. "She did present herself well this evening. Several men asked her to dance."

"Your uncle's nephew seemed quite taken with her at dinner," Aunt Susan said. "She has a good dowry and she is pretty enough. I will do what I can to promote her interests. Being separated from her sister while Mr. and Mrs. Hurst visit his parents at their estate has made her much easier to work with."

"I think she is glad not to have her sister around now that she knows about the gown. I must say that you were certainly sneaky with the way you forced Sir Roger to acknowledge us," Elizabeth said. "I cannot tell you how grateful I am."

Jane quickly added, "And me as well. It has been so hard not being able to call on Aunt Clarissa or even write to her over the last few years. Even though she had to hide her visits with us from Sir Roger, we treasured any time with her when we were younger. It would have been devastating to meet her at a social event and have to pretend not to know her in order to protect her from her husband's wrath."

"Well, we have sorted that out in language he can understand," Aunt Susan said solemnly, then they heard the laughter in her voice as she added, "He never stood a chance once Madeline, Clarissa and I decided to work together."

Darcy found himself laughing with all the rest. At the same time, he took it for the warning it was. If the women in the family conspired against him, he also would not stand a chance.

~o~

Whether as a reward for dancing all the sets or just to please Jane and Elizabeth, Aunt Susan conspired for Richard and Darcy when her husband and older son arrived the day after the ball. Well, conspired might not be the best term, but she certainly put a quick stop to the teasing offered by the newcomers.

"Sisters? Really, Richard? Are you, Darcy and Bingley so desperate, or is that unimaginative, that you all decided to marry into one family? And not even as noble one at that. Could you do not better or did you decide it was time to just settle and be done with it?" Henry asked mockingly after the barest minimum of a greeting.

Darcy found himself glad Georgiana was spending the day with the Bennets and Maria if that was how his cousin was choosing to be. He felt even more glad his sister was absent when his uncle added his own comment with a disappointed shake of his head.

"That is hardly a way to build connections, boys. You know it is your duty to increase the consequence of our families, not diminish them. You owe that much to your heritage..."

"Stop right there, both of you!" Aunt Susan said in a quietly icy voice. "Have I not told you both more than once how pleased I am about the matches these boys have made? How much I approve of these young women?" She glared at her husband and oldest son. "Whether this is some poor attempt at teasing or an accurate reflection of how you feel, by mocking Richard and William for their choices, you also mock me for my belief in them. Worse yet, you did not even look around first to see if the young women or Georgiana, who looks on them like sisters, were present before you began to spew out your unmannerly comments, although I have also told you more than once that the Bennet sisters are often our guests here."

All four of them looked ashamed, although for Darcy and Richard it was merely a conditioned response to the displeasure in Aunt Susan's voice and regard. Henry had gone quite red as he attempted to peer around his mother.

"Are they?" he asked, grimacing a bit. Darcy was pleased to see his discomfort.

"No, they are not," Aunt Susan said flatly, still obviously displeased. "Fortunately for the two of you. I expect much better behavior when you meet the Bennet sisters and their families at dinner tomorrow. Richard and William have chosen well and are well matched in all the ways that truly matter, whether the family gains additional social connections or not. Jane and Elizabeth are just the brides my boys need. Now it is time for you to get out there and find yourself someone as suitable, Henry."

Although he still looked somewhat ashamed under his mother's glare, Henry smirked at his brother. "So, Richard, does your betrothed have a sister for me, or have they all been taken?"

"Oh, there is one left," Richard said, his own smirk quickly matched by Darcy's, "but Kitty is too young for you. She needs a few years of training with mother and her very formidable aunts before she will be ready for the marriage mart."

"Exactly," Aunt Susan agreed, a hint of amusement and fondness creeping in under her stern expression. "And you need to broaden those connections your father thinks are so important. After all, Henry, you are the heir."

For all her teasing words, Darcy was glad not to be on the receiving end of the glare she gave his uncle as she mentioned connections. The Earl took it well, only a slight reddening of his cheeks betraying the verbal hit. The older man cleared his throat nervously.

"Yes, well, now that we are in town Henry can start making himself seen at all the best events. Richard's betrothal will help there. Once one young buck from any good family is engaged it tends to open season on the single ones from every other good family. And with William off the market as well some of those who have been holding out for the prize will shift their attention your way, son."

Henry groaned and Darcy's smirk widened. The Earl was absolutely right. Not only would there be a number of women whose hopes, however unreasonable, had been disappointed by the two betrothals, there would also be the ones who had no care for Darcy or Richard but would do anything to catch a future Earl. Henry was now the fox and all the hounds would be baying for his blood. Darcy pitied him, but after years of being teased about his own aversion to being chased he was also glad to see his older cousin now put on the spot, especially when Aunt Susan weighed in on the matter.

"And make no mistake, Henry, you will be attending events, both to show your support of the matches your brother and cousin have made and to represent our family well. I expect you to be pleasant and to participate, whether it be a dance or a soiree. You may have mocked William for hiding behind pillars and scowling at all comers, but I know you do the same. No more."

Having laid down the law, Aunt Susan then hugged her oldest son, giving him a kiss on the cheek before moving to her husband and taking his arm. "I am glad you have both arrived safely," she said. "It is time we celebrated Christmas as a family again, especially now that we have our new connections to rejoice in. Dinner tomorrow will include William, Georgiana, all the Bennets, Bingley and his younger sister, the Gardiners, Sir Roger and Lady Morton and Sir Roger's nephew. These people are all to be considered family. Treat them as such."

With that pronouncement, she led her husband away. The Earl did not resist. In fact, his sons and nephew caught the hint of a grin as he shook his head before giving his wife a kiss on the cheek.

Henry breathed out noisily once they were out of sight. "Whew! I think I really stepped in it that time. Talk about being hoist by my own petard. Well, come on you two, tell me everything you could not trust to a letter. What I am I facing tomorrow? And why is Bingley's sister part of the group? What about the Hursts? Oh, and are you sure this Kitty, is it, is too young?"

Darcy started laughing and was joined by Richard. When they got control of themselves, Richard gestured towards the door after giving his brother a light punch on the shoulder.

"Come on brother, we can go hide in the library for a bit of privacy while William and I fill you in on all the details."

Still chuckling, Darcy followed his two cousins out the door as they headed to their old hideaway from fussing nursemaids and frustrated tutors. The library was the perfect place to bring Henry up to date on all the news that could not be sent by post. It would also be a chance to give Henry another warning, just in case Aunt Susan's was not enough, that no disrespect towards any of the Bennet sisters would tolerated. That was a non-negotiable.