Mr Darcy wasn't one of the party that first came to Netherfield leading to altered events at the beginning of the story. Jane and Bingley came to an understanding much quicker than in the original novel and Darcy and Elizabeth first meet at Bingley and Jane's wedding.

A/N I do not own any of the characters, they are of course borrowed from the wonderful Jane Austen. Okay guys well I promised a longer story for next time and here it is, this will be a multi-chapter fic but I've not finished writing it so I'm not sure exactly how long it will be yet. As always reviews are hugely appreciated, they make my day :). Hope you enjoy!

"My dear sister" Mrs Phillips exclaimed as she bust into the sitting-room of Longbourn. "I have such news to tell you as you would not believe." Pausing here only to say a quick hello to all her nieces who were present, she continued hastily with her story. "I have heard such scandalous tales.."

"Of who sister? Who?" cried Mrs Bennet excited at the thought of a scandal.

"Of Mr Wickham!"

"Mr Wickham! That charming young officer?"

"To be sure sister, he is in debt with every tradesman in town and now it appears that he has compromised one of Mrs Longs nieces and refuses to marry her for such a small dowry."

"But surely they will be made to marry; Colonel Forster will not allow him to behave in such a disgraceful manner!"

"Ahh but this is the worst part, Mr Wickham it seems has fled in the night and not told a soul whence he has gone. Now what do you think to that? Mr Wickham who half the town were in love with has proved to be quite the scoundrel!"

"Oh the poor Longs how they must be suffering" Jane said sympathetically a look of horror still written across her face. Her naturally sweet disposition would not allow her to think ill of others easily, and this shocking conduct from one she had considered so amiable had shaken her.

"I for one had always distrusted his appearance of goodness, and I'm inclined to believe that Miss Long must have been hoping to trap him into marriage for she really is quit plain and…"

"Mamma you mustn't say such things. I'm sure Miss Long would not have risked her good reputation for that" said Elizabeth mortified at her mother's insensitive remarks.

The remainder of the morning was spent discussing the gossip until Mr Bingley was announced. Upon entering the room his eyes immediately searched out his beloved Jane's. Had it really only been last night when he last gazed into those beautiful blue pools…

Mr Bingley was as gay as ever and though not intending to be rude he was really only focusing his attention on Jane at the present and the couple were soon seated slightly away from the rest of the group, lost in their own private conversation. Mrs Bennet was obviously delighted at the prospect of such a good marriage for her daughter and was effusing the benefits of such a match once again to her sister and expressing her hopes that this may "throw her other girls in the way of other rich men" Try as Elizabeth might she could not deter her mother from such a subject whilst Mr Bingley was in the room. Even with the wedding only a week away Elizabeth was still worried that her mother's conduct would convince Mr Bingley of Jane's only marrying him for his money, which of course was false. Luckily on this occasion Mr Bingley seemed too engrossed by his fiancé to hear, but she was sure his sisters had often heard such speeches from her mother and feared they were not above using this information to try and break off their brother's engagement.

Mrs Phillips soon announced that she was leaving and a plan was formed of the Bennet girls and Mr Bingley walking into Meryton with their aunt in order to collect some orders from the local shops for their mother. Only Mary declined to go saying she had much better spend her time practicing a new song she was learning. Elizabeth prayed she would practice hard, for they were sure to hear her play it at the wedding.