"Thank you for having my sister to stay with us this spring darling, I do feel that this past year has been a bit difficult for her," Elizabeth said as she crossed from the door of Darcy's dressing room to stand next to his tall figure. He was calmly removing his jacket in preparation for bed. He looked down at her with a stoic face while she spoke. A face she used to mistake for haughty pride, but now understood it to be the face of a young man who felt the responsibility for the lively hood of many.
"Of course. It will be very healthy for her to be here, and with you as a role model," he responded.
Elizabeth smiled, he often complimented her for being a role model to his sister Georgiana. "Yes, I agree. I know you're too kind to say it, but my mother hasn't been a good influence on my sisters. Since Lydia removed from home, there's only my mother in the way of Kitty really coming into her own. It will do her some good to be here. Again I thank you darling."
"Your words not mine, but they are the truth my love," he said and bent down to give her a gentle kiss.
"I believe at one time you expressed that she had a total want of propriety," Elizabeth said teasingly to her husband.
His expression remained composed, "Ah my love, now you have a total want of propriety as you promised to never bring up that letter again, and here you are shoving it in my face."
"I value that letter. Without it we would not be married today. It opened my eyes to the prejudices we were both carrying. Without it I would not love you as I do now."
"Well it that case we must cherish it."
Elizabeth smiled, "Kitty really looked well this afternoon when she arrived. I'm truly happy she's here Darcy. In fact I'm going to have a word with her, before she falls asleep." Elizabeth moved towards the door, but stopped abruptly and looked back and him. "Oh and is Colonel… or I mean Lord Matlock still expected tomorrow?"
That face momentarily flashed a dark grief before returning to its usual stolidity, "Ah, yes, yes. Lord Matlock will arrive tomorrow. He has written he plans to attend our anniversary ball Tuesday next and stay a fortnight or so."
"Oh, wonderful Darcy I'm so glad. Although not nearly as handsome as you, he was always such an amiable man. I do hope his grief at the loss of his father and brother has not affected his kind countenance."
"I'm sure at the core he is the same my love. I am a bit concerned though. In his sporadic correspondence and the constant barrage of correspondence from my loving Aunt over the past year, I gather he's done a bit of raking. I hope his stay with us will be a turning point. He has a big responsibility now. He is accountable to his many tenants and those in his employ and I'm afraid if he continues this behavior he will lose their respect."
Elizabeth looked proudly on her husband, "Now it's your turn to be a role model."
Darcy nodded slightly and she left in search of her sister.