Author Note: Once again, thank you so much for all the feedback you're offering. I have a page of notes from comments that were left ready for when I do my next round of editing. I appreciate both praise and critique, as while the praise does wonders for my motivation, critiques do wonders for strengthening my story before I publish (which I do intend to do).

I do want to reiterate, this is a very rough, first draft. At this stage, I am not even thinking in terms of whole chapters. Instead, I am posting literally scene by scene, as they're written. This means some postings will be shorter than others. I hope that doesn't make reading along too frustrating, but if it does, perhaps just wait until there's been a few updates :)

Lizzie could scarcely believe what she saw or, more to the point, who she saw as she made her way into the church. She curled her fingers into her hands to keep from rubbing her eyes.

Having assisted Jane to fix her dress and hair following the extended carriage ride, Lizzie had honoured her father's request to give him time alone with Jane. She gave her sister a final supportive hug and stepped back, acknowledging both Jane's nervous excitement and Papa's obvious pride in his eldest daughter. Jane had secured a very fine match in Mr Bingley and Lizzie held every confidence they would live their lives very happily together—so long as the carriage mishap and their mother's hysterics did not ruin the ceremony.

She'd hurried to follow Mrs Bennet into the church, praying the woman would get control of her nerves before she made it through the vestibule. Once inside, and confident Mama was settled with her sisters, Lizzie's attention was drawn to the man her sister would soon call husband.

Mr Bingley had handsome features, with his fair-coloured curls and clear blue eyes. To Lizzie, he was almost a little too pretty. But, he was very much the embodiment of all Jane had described when, as girls, they had talked late at night of their dreams for the future.

Yes, indeed. Lizzie could see clearly the love Mr Bingley held for her sister shining from those blue eyes of his. Jane would be a very happy wife indeed, with a husband who plainly adored her. She smiled and curtsied before her soon-to-be brother then turned to the gentleman by his side.

The joy Lizzie felt when she thought of her sister's future was swiftly forgotten. She had expected to face the portly and dismissive Mr Hurst, but instead faced someone much worse. Of all the fine men Mr Bingley could choose to have stand with him at his wedding, what could possibly possess him to choose this particular man.

This man was everything Mr Bingley was not. Dark, unruly hair that framed even darker eyes. He held his head high, displaying his strong jaw and stern features. There was little joy at all to be found in this man's expression.

Lizzie's fingers curled even tighter into her hands and she fought to maintain composed features. She swiftly curtsied to the stranger who had left her standing muddied beside a broken down carriage, then moved aside and turned to await Jane and Papa.

The wait is not long, and very quickly the ire Lizzie felt for the insolent stranger transformed into happiness as her father and beautiful sister approached.

Mr Bennet addressed the pastor and Mr Bingley. "I do beg your pardon for the delay."

Mr Bingley's gaze strayed to his bride. "It matters only that you are here now, and that your daughter is still willing to become my wife." He smiled as though he had not a care in the world, but Lizzie heard the subtle waver of his voice.

"Well, my dear?" Mr Bennet prompted his daughter.

Jane's voice was soft, yet clear. "Yes. Very willing, sir."

Bingley's smile grew to an almost impossible size, and Jane responded by lowering her gaze in a demure fashion. The moment was broken only by a deep throat clearing by the stranger.

"Oh, do forgive my manners. Mr Bennet, I would introduce you to my dear friend, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire. Darcy, this is Mr Bennet of Longbourn." He gestured to Mrs Bennet who had left her position with her daughters to join the party at the altar. "And the delightful Mrs Bennet. Mrs Bennet, may I introduce to you my good friend, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy." The men each gave a slight incline of their head in acknowledgement of the other.

Mrs Bennet curtsied. "Mr Darcy, my daughters Miss Bennet, soon to be Mrs Bingley, and Miss Elizabeth." Both girls curtsied and Darcy nodded his acknowledgement. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my younger daughters so that the ceremony might begin." She looked pointedly towards the pastor before curtsying once more and returning to the pew with her daughters.

Fortunately, the pastor took Mrs Bennet's cue and began proceedings, ending the awkward introductions. Unfortunately, Lizzie found herself the subject of Mr Darcy's unnerving attention throughout the ceremony.

As Jane and Mr Bingley recited their vows, as they exchanged rings, as the pastor blessed their union, every time Lizzie glanced across to Mr Darcy, his gaze was on her. Even as the happy couple sealed their vows with a kiss, still he watched her.

Lizzie scowled. How was she to relish in the delight of her favourite sister being wed to her beloved when she was being studied so scrupulously. She noted the slight rise of the corner of Mr Darcy's mouth and deepened her scowl. Was he enjoying her discomfort?

She returned her attentions to the happy couple and to the pastor who advised the wedding party would adjourn to the vestry to enter the marriage lines in the register. Lizzie refused to look, but she was entirely aware of Mr Darcy's presence by her side as they made their way to the room.

"I trust the man I sent was able to assist with your carriage repairs?"

Lizzie turned to Darcy as she considered his words. He cheeks heated, and she was certain they had filled with colour. "Sir, I must apologise. I have been remiss in not thanking you sooner for your thoughtful deed. Yes, the man you sent was of great assistance. A skilled rider on a swift horse to return the short distance to Longbourn and retrieve the part necessary for the repair was most helpful, indeed." She curtsied and began to turn to congratulate her sister.

"Good. I would have stopped to offer assistance myself had I realised it was Bingley's bride who was waylaid."

Lizzie said nothing.

"You see, I travelled a great distance this morning to stand by Bingley's side. I feared I had misjudged the time necessary to make the journey."

"Well you were certainly travelling at great speed." Try as she might, the look on Mr Darcy's face told Lizzie she'd failed to keep the bitter note from her voice. She took a breath and forced a smile before continuing. "It matters not, Mr Darcy. You made it to the church, and in sending a man to offer assistance, my sister was spared the shame of arriving to her wedding on foot."

This time Lizzie did turn away. After signing the register as witness, she stood aside to allow Mr Darcy access to do the same. Jane motioned her further away from the men.

"Oh Lizzie, was that not the most wonderful service?"

Lizzie took hold of her sister's hands. "I could not imagine a single way in which it could be improved, Mrs Bingley."

Jane smiled, then looked over Lizzie's shoulder. "And what do you think of my husband's friend, Mr Darcy?"

Lizzie laughed. "Married not yet one hour and already you are trying to find me a suitable husband, Mrs Bingley? Mama would be proud."

Colour drained from Jane's cheeks and Lizzie immediately recognised her error. "Oh sweet, benevolent sister of mine, surely by now you realise I only tease you. Why, there is not a single comparable trait between you and our dear mother."

"Elizabeth, for shame, you mustn't speak of Mama in such a manner." The words were said in censure, but a tinge of colour returned to Jane's complexion.

Lizzie wrapped her arms around her sister and held her tight. "Oh Jane, I am going to miss you so very much. I suspect, if there is to be any peace in the house, I will need to render myself mute around Mama in your absence."

Jane laughed, the sound delicate and reserved. Not for the first time, Lizzie envied her sister the ability to control her emotion.

As they stepped out of the embrace, Jane grabbed hold of Lizzie's hands. "Promise me, Lizzie, if Mama becomes too unbearable, you'll let me know. You will always be welcome to stay with us." She again looked over Lizzie's shoulder. "Though, perhaps you will find a husband of your own sooner than you expect."

"If you refer to Mr Darcy, I can assure you there is little chance he would make an offer, and less chance still it would be accepted."

"Oh Lizzie, Charles has spoken so highly of Mr Darcy. He was to arrive at Netherfield with the Bingleys but instead chose to attend to his sister who suffered some ordeal. Charles did not offer me detail, but I gather Miss Darcy was quite distressed. As her guardian, Mr Darcy, who spends much of his time managing his family's vast estate, chose to forgo his visit to Netherfield to instead offer comfort to his sister. From what Charles has described, I believe Mr Darcy to be a most noble gentleman indeed."

Lizzie looked from her sister, down to her muddied gown, and then back to her sister. She furrowed her brows and opened her mouth to respond, but closed it again. No good would come from speaking ill of Mr Darcy to Jane, for Jane could see goodness is everyone. "Come along. Mama's nerves will not take it if we don't return soon."

Author note: Eek! The first conversation with Lizzie and Darcy. I foresee a great deal of editing happening with this scene. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I am posting now so that I can keep moving forward with the first draft. Apologies for typos!