The room was beginning to fill quickly with people much to Mary's dismay. Lizzie had promised her it would be a small gathering and this certainly wasn't one. Mary stood close to her parents feeling very uncomfortable with so many people in one room. She looked up to see her sister, Lydia, dancing merrily with an officer. As Mary watched she thought to herself how she wished to possess that stamina of dancing and talking with the opposite sex. She sighed annoyed and tired but knew that the night had only begun and the newly weds had yet arrived. Glancing to her side she noticed her parents had left her. Slightly panicking she looked around the crowded room looking for any signs of them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom Bursley talked amongst his three companions. They had come to Pemberley from London to see their close friend, Darcy as a married man.

"She's very plain looking; don't know what Darcy sees in her." His companion, Robert said as he snatched up a glass of wine from a passing server.

"Robert I'm sure William is much in love with her, do not ruin this night for him." Kevin sternly said.

Robert merely rolled his eyes but kept quite. To lighten up the mood between his friends Tom inquired, "Is her family here?"

"Course." Robert replied as he pointed out Kitty who was laughing with the same officer she had been dancing with. "That there is her sister, Kitty and over there is her other younger sister Mary." He pointed to her as she rushed to the back of the room. "The eldest is married to Mr. Bingly, probably arriving at the same time they are." Robert added taking a sip of his wine.

Mary pushed herself to the back of the room away from dancing couples and happy conversation. Making sure no one was looking she took out from her hidden pocket a small book. Looking up once more to see if anyone could see her, Mary huddled away into her own world. Moments later, the room fell silent as someone loudly announced, "…Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Darcy." Everyone clapped and congratulated the couple.

Mary grudgingly put her book away and walked towards the happy couple.

"Mary!" Lizzie exclaim upon seeing her.

Mary hugged her sister and whispered, "I've missed you. How was your honeymoon?"

"I missed you too." Lizzie whispered back as she pulled back from the hug to look at her. "It was absolutely lovely."

"I'm glad." Mary said then looked over at her brother in law and asked, "How are you Mr. Darcy?"

"Please call me Will, we're family now." Darcy said smiling down at her.

"Of course, I…" Mary started until someone rudely cut in saying, "Darcy old man."

Darcy turned to see good friends from London walking towards him.

"Tom, you made it." Darcy said happily as he embraced his friend. "This is my dear wife, Elizabeth."

Tom slightly bowed saying, "Pleasure."

"Nice to meet you."

"And her sister Mary Bennet." Darcy added.

Tom caught his breath as he stared at the raven hair beauty. Mary looked up to meet his eyes and blushed deeply as she bowed and murmured, "Good evening."

Unable to reply Tom continued staring at her completely transfixed.

"Tom?" Darcy asked amusedly.

"Oh yes." Tom replied blinking rapidly. "Pleasure." He took her hand and placed a quick kiss.

Completely stunned by this, Mary stared at him as if he was playing some practical joke on her. But he stood there looking at her with a steady gaze then turning away when Darcy asked him a question. By this time the whole Bennet family had surrounded poor Mary and was inquiring rather loudly about the fine fellow in front of her.

"I don't know mother, I believe its one of Darcy's friend."

"He's very fashionable." Mrs. Bennet admired.

"Mother he can hear you." Mary harshly whispered wanting nothing more to escape from her mothers side.

"Oh Tom, these are the rest of the Bennet's." Darcy introduced finally acknowledging their presence.

"Mr. Bursley!" Kitty exclaimed flirtatiously as she offered her hand.

"Uh, Miss Bennet." Tom said bowing.

Kitty giggled and looked over at Mary triumphantly. Mary rolled her eyes at her sister's behavior and walked away.

"Forgive my daughters behavior," Mrs. Bennet started giving Mary a shrewd look, "how long will you be staying here in Pemberly Mr. Bursley?"

"For a month ma'am." Tom answered.

"How perfect, we'll be staying here just as long, right Mr. Bennet?" Mrs. Bennet asked looking at her husband expectantly.

"Give or take." Mr. Bennet mumbled as he pulled her away.

Lydia was left there admiring Tom with a sly smile upon her face. Tom looked at her awkwardly as he slightly bowed muttering, "Excuse me."

Kitty stared at him walk away.

"Kitty you will behave." Lizzie said knowing her sister too well.

"Oh Lizzie, you worry too much." Kitty carelessly said as she skipped away.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a long month." Darcy whispered to his wife.