Undoubtedly By Design (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)

The weeks of engagement passed in haste and anticipation for the betrothed couples and with even more joy for Mrs Bennet, causing a commotion which affected Longbourn as well as half of Meryton.

She was torn between expressing her admiration for her two sons-in-law but secretly favoured Darcy more, as she whispered to Elizabeth.

To his credit, Darcy bore all the attention reasonably well, and he slowly learnt to be more amused than irritated by Mrs Bennet’s behaviour, as well as by Mr Bennet’s constant teasing, which was equally uncomfortable.

The long walks with Elizabeth, where they enjoyed intimate conversations, mutual expressions of love, and some delightful moments of privacy, the chance to sit by her side at the dinner table and sometimes take her hand without anyone noticing, the time spent in the library making plans with his future wife, and the daily countdown to the moment of the wedding made everything worth the while.