I am the type of person who wants to see the best in everyone so when I see Lydia being judged harshly it makes me want to give her a more fleshed out character. As I have said before, I think people don't really give her credit for being not yet 16 in the original. I think most people are pretty short-sighted and selfish at 16, I know I was. Anyway on with the show.

Chapter 1- or The Arrival

"Madam, your sister is here to see you." Alfred announced, while Elizabeth was exiting the nursery after a quick story with the children.

"Oh, wonderful! I was not expecting Jane to visit today! Please show her to the morning room."

"Not that sister, Madam."

Elizabeth's stomach sank ominously.

"Which of my sisters do I have the pleasure of a visit from?" She asked.

"Mrs. Wickham."

And there it was, the cause of her increasing sense of dread. What to do? What was she to do? She could not very well refuse her own sister entrance to her home but then, what of her husband? Luckily, this situation had never arisen before. In Elizabeth's opinion, this was because Lydia did not waste time and money traversing the country, when she could just as easily send a letter asking for money. All the while she was thinking, she had lost track of time - that is until Alfred cleared his throat, reminding her that she had guests in need of attending.

"Oh goodness me. Never mind seeing to her, Alfred; I will take care of my sister." She said with a strained smile. Then a thought crossed her mind, as he was turning to go. "Where is my husband?" She asked.

"He is out helping Mr. Taylor with his irrigation problems today, and should be out until supper."

"Thank you." Elizabeth returned thankfully before making her way to the front door, where she indeed found her youngest sister.

"Lydia, how lovely to see you. I must have missed the letter you sent to tell me you were coming." She said with practiced manners.

"Due to matters beyond my control, I did not have time to write." She almost sounded serious for the first time in her life. "Are we to be invited in or shall we be expelled from the place like ruffians?" She continued, starting to sound more life her usual self.

"That depends on who is in your party, as you well know, dear." Elizabeth answered calmly.

"Really, Lizzy, it is raining and the children are in a drafty, old, hired coach waiting to catch their death."

"This is not going to end well." Elizabeth thought but there was nothing to be done for it; her poor nieces and nephew could not be held accountable for their parentage. "Go and get the children, Lyddie." She conceded.

"Mrs. Reynolds?" before she could even finish the elder woman's name, Mrs. Reynolds was at her side.

"Shall I prepare a room in the east wing for Mrs. Wickham and let Maria know that she will have a few extra charges? Perhaps Katie would be able to lend a hand." She offered.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds; you are, as ever, a treasure. I am sure cook could spare her assistant for a few days. Hopefully, my sister's visit will be brief." As Mrs. Reynolds hurried off, Elizabeth smiled at her favorite member of the staff.

When Lydia bustled in with her children, she offered, "Lydia, Let us retire to the Conservatory for some tea while your room is prepared."

"Do you have any wine and perhaps some food for the children? We missed breakfast in an effort to get on the road early this morning." She asked, leading herself down the hall as if she knew where she were going, a line of children following in her wake.

Elizabeth ushered her guests into one of the rarely used parlors and rang the bell, ordering a light repast. The children had grown since she had last seen them several years ago at her parents' house. Little George was now almost 10 and was already measuring at Elizabeth's shoulder. He sat as close to his mother as possible, gently bouncing baby Amelia on his lap. Next to him sat Julia, almost eight and already a very beautiful child. She was fidgeting with a ragged doll, twisting the fabric of her dress between her fingers. Meanwhile Lucy was completely oblivious to everything, wandering the room completely unchecked.

"How long do you think you will stay?" Elizabeth finally asked.

"Oh, Lizzy, you will never change." She chuckled to herself completely avoiding the question.

"George, how are you getting on in your lessons?" Elizabeth continued.

"Quite well, Aunt." He replied.

"What is your doll's name, Julia?" She continued trying to make conversation with anyone at this point.

The young girl inched closer to her brother, elbowing him to produce the answer.

"The doll's name is Cordelia." He answered.

Elizabeth smiled at the name. It was one of her favorite characters. Luckily, she was spared from making further conversation by the arrival of the meal. By the time everyone had eaten their fill, Mrs. Reynolds had returned to say the rooms were ready.

"Lizzy, I think I will lie down for a bit." Lydia said. "Be a lamb and make sure the children are settled, will you?"

"Of course." She replied in her most patient hostess voice."Mrs. Reynolds, could you see my sister to her room?" The older woman nodded. "Children, would you like to go and see your cousins?"

Julia nodded excitedly, while George merely stood shifting the baby to his hip and taking Lucy by the hand.

"I can carry Amelia for you." Elizabeth offered.

"NO!" He responded a little too harshly. Elizabeth was confused, but she understood that he did not know her very well. Clearly, he was the protective big brother type, much like her husband.

As they made their way slowly up the stairs, Elizabeth continued to try to get to know her new houseguests.

"How is the weather in New Castle this time of year?"

"We were in London, Aunt." George replied, clearly confused.

"London?" She was confused now. Clearly there was something she was missing and only time would give her the rest of the puzzle. "Were you visiting the Gardiners?"

"We have been living in London nearly a year now, Aunt Elizabeth." Now George was looking at her as if she was in the cups.

"I do not believe your mother had informed me of that." She returned.

"Married women never have much time for writing." Julia said, in a perfect imitation of her mother.

"Of course not, dear." She smiled. "And here is the nursery. Annie, come and greet your cousins."

Anne Darcy was eight years old and a princess. She had everything a girl could want, except a sister. Upon laying eyes on Julia she rushed over and pulled her into the nursery.

"Come and see my dollhouse." She insisted. The girls rushed away, Lucy following.

"George, this is Miss Maria Williams, the nursery maid; she can take Amelia so that you can either play with the others or find something to amuse yourself."

"I thank you, Aunt, but Amelia does not like strangers. I am happy to take care of her myself." Still not taking his eyes off the other children.

"If you insist," she accepted."If you change your mind, she is here to help or can get you anything you need."

With nothing left to do, Elizabeth decided to go finish looking over the household correspondence she had been putting off.

Several hours later, she returned to find the nursery unnaturally quiet. She soon found George in a rocking chair with Amelia in one arm, Lucy in the other, a book balanced in his lap, reading to all the children. Even young Henry and James Darcy sat in rapt attention. She was mesmerized; usually her boys were never still. She stood for several minutes listening to the story.

"Oh, Mother," Annie ran over excitedly, "George has been telling us the most amazing story. There was a dragon, and a princess, and a brave knight, and an evil sorcerer…"

"That does sound wonderful, dear. Are you enjoying your cousins?"

"Yes! Julia knows so many songs; she is the most beautiful singer I have ever heard." The little girl proclaimed. "She promised to teach me all her songs, but then George said it was quiet time and we would have to practice later."

"Well, George is right. I was just coming to make sure that Maria did not need any help tending the little ones, but it would appear that she has it all in hand."

"Oh no, Mrs. Darcy, I haven't had to lift a finger." She insisted. "It was all young Mr. Wickham."

"It was nothing Aunt; I was just about to put the babies down and help the girls wash up for supper."

Elizabeth was amazed by her nephew; in appearances, he looked very much like his father, but in actions he seemed to take after his Aunt Jane. With her help clearly not need, she kissed the children and went to tell her husband about their company.

"What have they broken now?" He asked as she entered his room excusing his valet.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"The last time you looked at me like that, James had broken my snuff box." He continued.

"Nothing like that, William…"

He raised a brow at her.

"Lydia and the children are here!" She said with a false cheerfulness.

"Why?"

"I have no idea. She just arrived and she has not told me much of anything." She admitted.

He thought for a moment, "There is nothing to do about it now, my dear, but Georgiana and her husband return from the continent next week."

"She will be gone by then; I will make sure of it."

"Shall we go to supper?" he asked offering her his arm.

"Of course."