AN – I'm not too sure of the exact customs and protocol surrounding death in Jane Austen's time period. I hope I have done justice to the events directly following the demise of Mrs Bennet. For those who are wondering, Mrs Bennet suffered Apoplexy, otherwise known as a stroke. There is a theory that a cerebral vascular accident (CVA in medical speak or just plain stroke) of the hippocampus (lower brain) might cause the type of memory loss experienced in this story. However the best neurologists of today argue that it would be an initial event soon followed by a massive stroke causing death.

'Mr Bingley,' Hill exclaimed as she opened the door to Longbourn. Distressed, she had not the time to make to death wreath to attach to the knocker advising guests of the great tragedy.

'Madam,' Mr Darcy bowed, understanding some great event had befallen the Bennet's since last night, 'might we see Mr Bennet.'

Nodding with pursed lips, she allowed them into the entry hall. Moving to the book room door, Mrs Hill knocked. It was not her place to tell these particular gentlemen of the happenings overnight. When an answer did not come, she looked at the callers with a heavy heart. Just as she turned to accept their cards and request they depart, Miss Bennet appeared at the top of the stairs.

'I have all the black material I could find,' she stated, her tone mournful and eyes red from tears.

'Jane,' Charles exclaimed. Suddenly embarrassed by the use of her Christian name, he blushed.

'Mr Bingley,' Jane demurred, carefully negotiating the stairs with her heavy burden. Handing off the bolts to Mrs Hill, she said to the lady, 'Elizabeth has the rest. Please send Myer to retrieve them and then establish if we have black dye. My sisters are choosing which of their gowns will need to be coloured. I shall see to our guest. Oh and please have the wreath of morning placed on the door as soon as may be.'

'Yes Ma'am,' Hill curtseyed. The demonstration of submissiveness to Miss Bennet stated that her mother had passed and she now took the place of Mistress of Longbourn.

'I am grieved for you, Miss Bennet,' Darcy saved the moment with his saddened tone. The pang of loss for his parents hit him squarely in the chest and his thoughts travelled to Elizabeth. 'Please forgive Mr Bingley and myself for calling at such a time and pass on our deepest sympathies to your father and sisters.'

'Papa,' Jane tried desperately to keep the tears from her eyes, 'is in great need of male company, Mr Darcy. Do I ask too much for you to visit with him in this hour of need? I feel my father would welcome any advice from those who have suffered such a loss.'

'I am at your disposal,' Mr Darcy bowed in such a reverential and humble manner it almost broke Jane's heart.

With that, she showed the men into the book room. Announcing them, Mr Bennet looked up with melancholy eyes. He did not stand but indicated they should take the chairs before his desk. Frances spoke of Mr Bingley's great admiration of Jane and suspected he would soon make an offer. She also hoped to change Elizabeth's great prejudice against Mr Darcy over the courtship of her eldest daughter. Now the lady would not be here to see her children happily situated. However, Michael Bennet wanted to grant her last wish.

'My wife,' Michael almost choked over the word, 'enjoyed your ball last night, Mr Bingley. We discussed your calling today, although for a very different reason.'

Darcy and Bingley glanced at one another. Indeed it had been Charles intent to offer for Miss Bennet this very day. The two men spoke of the reformation within the Bennet family. While Darcy still held reservations, he could no longer withhold his support of Bingley choice. Miss Bennet, as the daughter of a gentleman could only increase his standing in society. While wealthy, the money sustaining Netherfield came from trade and it would take many years to remove the memory.

'I have lost my wife,' Mr Bennet's brown eyes turned cold and for brooding. 'Had this occurred a seven night ago, I cannot lie, I would have been delighted. However I am sure you heard of Mrs Bennet's recent illness, indeed you saw the effects of it last night. I remember the joy such felicity and respect in one's partner in life can bring. I wish that for my Jane and Elizabeth. I believe your coming today is fortuitous. Frances would have been delighted with such son in laws.'

'Mr Bennet,' Darcy started. His quick mind soon understood where this conversation intended.

'It was my wife's last wish that Jane's heart be satisfied. Her admiration for you Mr Bingley is absolute. I hope you have come here today to make her the happiest creature for she deserves no less,' Mr Bennet let his words sink in with a penetrating glare.

'It had been my intention,' Bingley started, somewhat disconcerted by the topic under the circumstance.

'My daughter's will be in mourning for six months. Let me be very frank,' Mr Bennet folded his hands and turned his gaze to his interlinked fingers, 'I loved and respected the woman I married. Through my own folly, Mrs Bennet and I grew apart. I have hidden among these books for to many years, allowing my daughter's too much independence. Elizabeth and Jane are all that is good and proper. They will make fine wives. I suggest you use this morning time well, Gentlemen for it was my dearest wife's wish they both soon be married.'

'Thank you, Mr Bennet,' Charles looked and sounded astonished.

'Go, Mr Bingley,' Michael looked up to watch the man stand, eager to be at Jane's side. 'I believe my Jane will take great comfort in your presence at such a time. I shall have a private word with Mr Darcy.'

Waiting until the door once again closed, Mr Bennet observed the tactum man before him. Darcy swallowed several times. Obviously he needed time to think upon Mr Bennet's words.

'Tell me the truth of Mr Wickham,' Mr Bennet demanded the moment Darcy went to open is mouth. The story that came out did not surprise Michael. 'My wife suspected at much, as did I. I recognise there is much more of a personal nature that you do not wish to impart, nor do you have any current intention of making an offer to my Elizabeth. It is my wish you tell my daughter the truth, Mr Darcy. I have hopes it will change the nature of the acquaintance between you.'

Nodding, Darcy though on this for several minutes before answering, 'is there anything I can do to aid you at this time. My own excellent father passed away suddenly four years ago. It proved to be a very dark time in my life.'

'I believe I would take great comfort in your experience,' Mr Bennet then outlined his requirements.

A week later, Mr Bennet, flanked by Mr Gardiner, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy approached the Longbourn Parrish. His daughter's, because of their gender had been relegated to the outside of the building in the falling snow. Only Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Phillips braved the weather to join them. The funeral and wake over, all dressed in black, the Bennet family removed to Pemberley to share Christmas with that family. Hence too went Mr Bingley. Mr Darcy did not extend an invitation to Charles sisters who stayed in London.

Mr Bingley returned to Netherfield in February with the Bennet family, engaged to Jane. They would announce their betrothal in May, after the mourning period, allowing only four weeks for the bands to be read and marry in June. Elizabeth remained at Pemberley, her acquaintance with Mr Darcy and his sister requiring more time to form a deeper bond. She returned to Hertfordshire at the end May to help her sister prepare for her wedding. Darcy waited until the Bingley's married before announcing his intention to wed the second Bennet daughter once they returned from their honeymoon. Elisabeth remained at Longbourn for her three month engagement while Mr Darcy spent much time travelling between his friend's estate and his own.

Mary and Catherine went to London to stay with their Aunt Gardiner after the sojourn at Pemberley. Mary met and fell in love with a young curate. They would have to wait almost two years to become partners in life. Reverend James Smith secured a valuable living in Derbyshire allowing him to take a wife. Catherine remained at home to care after her ailing father who refused to give up his black coat and cravat.

What of Lydia you may ask. No she was not forgotten in the attics of Longbourn with only bread and water (mores the pity), nor did she redeem her behaviour. Mr Darcy took her in hand as her father often wanted to do when she attempted to flirt with every eligible man on his estate. He sent her to a boarding school where she acquitted herself very poorly. In diffidence to Elizabeth, Darcy engaged a very sever companion who left his employ within a month. At his wits end, the girl decided on a career in the theatre and ran away to join a troupe in Ireland, where she found her true calling. Socially the Bingley's and Darcy's could not acknowledge the relationship when Lydia turned up in one of the most fashionable theatres in London. However Mrs Grantly, as she became known, rose to become quite famous and very well off. We will not make mention of the string of admires who flocked to the young lady. Happily she never increased. It would have reduced her fun in life.

Mrs Bennet, looking down form her place in the clouds, smiled joyfully. Four years after her demised, her husband joined her. He would soon be at her side and together they would look over their children. Strangely, Mr Bennet's passing brought Catherine's great love into her life. Although not completely acceptable, Mr Purslow, the funeral directors son and heir took a liking to the last Miss Bennet as he prepared for her father's cortege. As the birth of Elizabeth's first child approached, Catherine married from Longbourn and Charlotte finally removed from Lady Catherine's condescension.

'Mr Bennet,' Frances greeted her husband as he approached the pearly gates, 'how fortunate I misplaced my memory.'

'I believe it was a most welcome event,' he agreed, offering his arm and leading her into their eternal future.

I am sure this will delight many of you. I am considering a much longer story with the same style of Mrs Bennet. It might be a while in coming as I have to complete my other projects first.