"Jane, it's breathtaking." Elizabeth Bennet sighed as she fingered the delicate lace of her sister's veil.

"Thanks Lizzy," came the muffled reply from her sister's closet. A pair of creamy satin heels dangled from Jane Bennet's slender hand, though the rest of her body was still hidden in her closet. "These are the shoes," she called, "and this," she added shyly, holding up a blue garter and emerging from the small walk-in, "is my something new and blue."

"Ooh la la, Jane. Please tell me Charlie isn't going to fetch that thing with his teeth. That is so tacky." Elizabeth reached for the garter and spun it around on her index finger.

Jane blushed. "I hope not. Charles can be unpredictable but I'm hoping he'll be too embarrassed to even try it."

"In public, at least," Elizabeth smirked.

"Lizzy!" Jane shouted. Her blush was fast spreading to her ears and neck. Elizabeth just shrugged and smiled sweetly at her sister. She knew her sister was shy about her relationship with Charlie Bingley, and she couldn't resist teasing her just a bit about it.

Elizabeth marveled at her sister's long fingers deftly folding the tissue paper over the veil, frowning at her own stubby ones. She had compared herself, as well as being subject to her mother's comparisons, to her lovely older sister Jane for the past 24 years.

Jane Bennet had long been determined to be the superior sister. The oldest of five daughters, Jane was beloved by both her mother and father, and generally her sisters as well. There were 10 years difference in age between Jane and the youngest, Lydia, with Elizabeth being less than two years younger than Jane. Mary came along 5 years after Elizabeth and then Kitty and Lydia in quick succession. Elizabeth was especially fond of her elder sister but being the closest in age, there was near constant comparison to endure. Where Jane was willowy, Elizabeth was slight (or stocky if you asked her mother). Where Jane was quiet and serene, Elizabeth was loud and bubbly (or brash, if you asked her mother). Where Jane was fair, well to own the truth, Elizabeth was fair as well.

Unbeknownst to many, Elizabeth and Jane were near twins in coloring. Creamy ivory skin, blond curls and bright blue eyes, though Elizabeth did possess the most interesting combination of one cornflower blue eye and one aquamarine eye. The reason this likeness was unknown to those who met the sisters was Elizabeth's early adoption of auburn hair dye. Garnier's Ginger Spice had been her best friend for the past six or seven years. Ever since high school, Elizabeth had felt the need to distance herself from her elegant and graceful and now engaged to be married older sister. And then there were the tattoos.

Elizabeth had a full sleeve of tattoos on her left arm and a partial sleeve on her right. She also had several along her shoulders and upper back. Her first tattoo had been an act of rebellion at 16 but she actually fell in love with the experience of having an indelible mark on her body. With every tragedy and triumph came another tattoo. She finally had the ones on her left arm connected with interwoven vines to create the sleeve. She was proud of her arms but it certainly didn't improve her tenuous relationship with her mother.

"So, remind me who I will be meeting tonight," Elizabeth petitioned as Jane packed her shoes into a matching satin drawstring bag.

"Charles's sisters Caroline and Louisa-"

"And what's their story?" Elizabeth interrupted.

Jane smiled indulgently at her sister. "Louisa is in publishing. She's the oldest sister and very sweet. She's about your height, maybe a little taller, with light brown hair and brown eyes. She has the cutest smattering of freckles, though she hates them because they make her look younger than she is and according to Louisa, not in a good way. She calls everyone 'dear' or 'honey' and she makes amazing lemon scones. She met her husband, Arnold-"

"Arnold?"

"Yes, Arnold, through work. He's a publishing executive. He'll be flying in Friday night for the rehearsal dinner."

"How'd he get a pass on the four-day extravaganza?"

Jane frowned. "Lizzy, you said you wanted to come for all of the events. If you aren't-"

Elizabeth rose off the bed and approached Jane. "I'm sorry. I do want to be here. Please ignore my whining. I am very excited for all the events. Please go on. Tell me about Caroline."

Jane tugged at her hair subconsciously, her smooth forehead wrinkled for a half second. "Caroline is the second child. She's tall, has jet black hair." Jane paused. "She's a very elegant woman."

Elizabeth waited for Jane to say more. When she didn't it was obvious: Caroline was the one to watch out for. "What does she do?"

Jane looked uncomfortable. "I believe she has a VP title in the Bingley Corporation."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "VP of what?"

"Public Relations, or something of the sort. She says she is the 'face' of the company."

"Mm hmm," Elizabeth said skeptically. "Is she as nice as her sister?" She knew her sister wouldn't lie to her.

Jane laughed. "Of course she is. Both of Charles's sisters have been nothing but nice to me. When I was in London for Christmas they took me to the theatre and out shopping. We got along... great," she finished weakly.

Elizabeth could tell that Jane's smile didn't quite reach her eyes and she vowed to watch the Bingley sisters at dinner, particularly the beast that was Caroline. "Well, cool. I think I can handle meeting my new sisters-in-law-to-be. Will this mean I now have six sisters? Yikes."

Jane's musical laugh rang out softly. "I suppose. And William will be there."

Elizabeth brightened. "The reclusive William Darcy?! You're kidding me. I thought Charlie was making him up. I'll finally get to meet him?"

"We really hope you'll hit it off," Jane said nonchalantly, turning to straighten the pillows on her bed.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why? You aren't trying any sort of matchmaking, are you? Though come to think of it if I was to be set up, I wouldn't mind a rich, handsome guy. You did say he was rich and handsome, right?"

"Yes, Lizzy, though I didn't think you were so vain."

"Yes, dahling. Only the filthy rich and devastatingly handsome for me from now on. I cast off the beggars, the plain, the 'good personalities.' Give me arrogance and disagreeability tied up in a gorgeous little mancake package." Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Seriously why would you think we'd be good together? I'm intimidated by rich people."

Jane laughed. "I didn't say 'good together' I said you'd hit it off. And rich people are just people, with personalities, hope and dreams. Look at Charles. You aren't intimidated by him. You and Darcy both enjoy photography," Jane screwed up her face. "Or music. Or reading. I can't remember what Charles said." Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Photography! Or music! Or reading! Be still my heart. "There was something we knew the two of you would click on."

"Well don't hold your breath," Elizabeth said hotly. "I can just picture him being this hot shot jerk from jolly ol' England, miserable to be in the U.S. and whose sole purpose is to make my sister's wedding miserable as well. He probably will make fun of my clothes, and my accent, and my job, saying some snide comment that begins with, 'All Americans' and ends with an insult he didn't even bother to thinly veil. Then I'll punch him in the neck for saying something rude and your wedding will be ruined." Elizabeth flopped onto the bed frowning, faking exhaustion.

Jane shook her head, laughing. "Help me bring these down to the car, Drama Queen. We need to leave by noon to get to Netherfield Manor on time. I want to check in with the wedding coordinator before their plane arrives from London." Jane looked around her room. "I can't believe that I won't be living here any more. You sure you don't mind if I clean it out after the honeymoon?"

"Well, you might find some missing articles of clothing and you can ignore the new tenant. His name is Gene and he promises to shower more."

"You are such a nut, Lizzy."

"I aim to please."

Jane and Elizabeth ambled downstairs and climbed in Jane's Honda Accord. The sisters did a quick verbal checklist of her wedding items.

"Dress?"

"Check. Shoes?"

"Check. Veil?"

"Check. Your dress and shoes?"

"Damn it."

"Lizzy!"

"Just kidding. I've got it all Jane. My suitcase for the Bennet-Bingley Wedding-stravaganza, my dress, my shoes, my make up. Your presents. My camera. I've got it all. And I think you do too. You've had the back of the car packed since yesterday. You were only putting in your bathroom bag, veil, shoes and garter in this morning. We're good." Elizabeth squeezed her sister's shoulder. "Everything is going to be wonderful. We're ready. You're ready."

Jane nodded confidently and scooped her hair into a ponytail. Elizabeth climbed into the passenger seat and leaned over to give her sister a hug. "Let's go get you married," she said enthusiastically.

Elizabeth let her mind wander as Jane drove the few hours to Netherfield Manor, the site of her upcoming wedding and the four-day wedding festivities. Five, Elizabeth corrected herself. It was probably the equivalent of 96 hours, or four days but it started tonight, Wednesday with dinner and stretched until Sunday brunch after the wedding was over. Elizabeth had received a few details from Jane about the days' events but wasn't really sure what she had agreed to. As her sister's maid of honor she would absolutely go along with whatever had been planned but was skeptical that even her cheery humor could last four - five - days with Charlie's sisters, a host of perfect strangers and her own dreaded family.

"Jane," she said suddenly, startling her sister and causing her to jump in her seat. "Tell me about this weekend. Do we have an agenda?" she asked sarcastically.

Jane colored. "Yes, actually. The wedding planner will give them to me today and I will hand them out at dinner. I don't remember all of the activities-" Activities?! "-but we have dinner tonight, boating and a barbecue tomorrow, tea for us girls on Friday." She put one finger thoughtfully to her lips, chewing on her nail. Elizabeth frowned at the long list. She truly loved socializing and meeting new people but this sounded exhausting. "Charles and his friends will go back out on the boat Friday for some fishing. Then we have the rehearsal and dinner Friday night. Our manicures and pedicures on Saturday morning and then the wedding, of course, on Saturday afternoon and finally brunch on Sunday. I think that's it."

Jane had vetoed a bachelorette party and bridal shower as soon as the subject was broached by none other than their mother and Lydia. In its place an afternoon tea was being planned. Elizabeth had hoped to help with some aspect of the planning - she loved to create signs and cards and as a photographer thought she had a decent eye for design - but the wedding planner was handling everything and Elizabeth had just returned from assignment in New Zealand a few days earlier and didn't have the strength to argue. She had decided then just to focus on the perfect gifts for Jane.

The obvious choice for a bachelorette party was lingerie or a sex toy but Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to embarrass her favorite sister and she didn't know how Charlie's grandmother would react to pink fur handcuffs. In the end she still purchased Jane lingerie but had shied away from the tacky, revealing looks that she had given to her friend Charlotte when she got married last year. Since Charlotte's marriage hadn't ended well, it probably was doubly good that Elizabeth had purchased Jane a modest lavender satin negligee and matching robe. Perhaps a red lace teddy was the gift equivalent to a kiss of death for a marriage.

"What are you thinking about, Lizzy?" Jane asked slowly after a few minutes. "You've got that look, like you're up to something."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Just how giving trashy lingerie to a bride seems to be bad luck."

Jane rolled her eyes. "Charlotte and Bill's marriage was doomed from the start. No amount of lingerie could have torn it apart, or made it stick together, for that matter." She narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Did you get me trashy lingerie?"

"Of course not," Lizzy said laughingly. Jane visibly relaxed. "I got you adorable and semi-modest lingerie." Jane pinked. "And handcuffs."

"Lizzy!"

"Just kidding. I was actually imagining what Grandmother Bingley's face would have been if you opened those at afternoon tea."

"She might have a heart attack," Jane murmured. She turned quickly towards the passenger seat. "Please make sure Mother and Lydia have not gotten me anything embarrassing."

Elizabeth grimaced. "Of course. As your maid of honor it is my duty to protect you from our family." Both girls smiled weakly as protection from the Bennet family was a real concern at this wedding. Their mother had legitimately fainted when Jane had announced her engagement last Easter. Thankfully she was standing near a sofa at the time and had slumped over one arm, breaking her fall. Lydia had gone into hysterics when their mother passed out and Jane and Elizabeth had spent the next few minutes reviving their mother and sedating Lydia.

At the time of their engagement none of the family had met Charlie save Elizabeth. Jane and Elizabeth had lived together in Los Angeles for the past few years after the Bennet family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Charlie had been in Los Angeles, scouting locations for a west coast office for the Bingley Corporation, when he ran into one Jane Bennet, his real estate agent's assistant. He immediately asked her out, she resisted as he was a client and finally relinquished after her boss encouraged the date. "Get him to buy the Bertram property," she had hissed to Jane.

They saw each other every night until Charlie's plane left for London. Jane was heartbroken for a few days until Charlie surprised her by moving back to L.A. permanently. He purchased a palatial apartment (with Jane as his Realtor, no less, who was aspiring to move in to the residential side of real estate) that was within 10 minutes of Jane and Elizabeth's tiny Spanish-style house. They had been inseparable ever since.

Elizabeth had been shocked by the alacrity of their relationship. From first date, to moving to another country, to engagement in three months. But she couldn't bring herself to disapprove. Jane had never been happier. She had dated a string of men who just didn't see what a gem she was. They only could see the blond hair, perfect skin, and model's form. They didn't care if she was shy around new people, they only wanted to parade her around in front of their friends and associates. Charlie hadn't even introduced Jane to his friends and family until they were engaged. He didn't put her on display and he respected her personality and opinions. Elizabeth fell in love with him and privately thought their whirlwind romance was terribly wonderful.

"I can't promise they haven't purchased anything tacky," Elizabeth went on, thinking about her mother's pliability and lack of good sense. "Perhaps Lydia has talked her into something awful. I'll be sure to intercept before they have a chance to give it to you in public." Jane breathed a sigh of relief. "When will the family be joining us?"

Jane avoided Elizabeth's gaze and looked out the driver's side window. "Friday," she said casually.

"Friday!" Elizabeth exploded. "Jane! How did you work that bit of magic? I am so looking forward to the wedding-palooza now."

"I knew you would think I did it on purpose but the girls are still in school and Father would only allow them pulled out for Friday. So, they're driving in Friday morning to be here for the tea and rehearsal dinner."

Elizabeth's smile grew as the thought of having a day to acclimate to Charlie's relatives without her parents and sisters present.

"Well, perhaps without Mom and Dad here I'll be able to get to know the future Mr. Elizabeth Bennet better. Do you think he'd have a problem renaming his company to The Mr. Elizabeth Bennet Company? He will take my name, you know. It does have such a nice ring to it."

Jane rolled her eyes in exasperation. She hoped William Darcy could handle her sister