For a few days, there was an unhappy lull at Pemberly that could not be lifted by any distraction. Elizabeth had taken to her bed for most of the morning after the commotion, feeling terribly unwell, but she refused to see the doctor and was up by noon, determined and stubbornly pressing on with the day. She had decided that running was not something she would take into her habit.

Georgiana kept to her rooms, sometimes taking meals there and she had not practised her music. That is what worried the young couple most. Mr Darcy, having failed at cheering his sister, and also still not having the information he so wished for, regarding that unhappy evening, sat with his wife and began,

"Who should we invite to Pemberly my dear?"

Elizabeth smiled at such a sudden and unexpected question for they had been silent for over an hour whilst they both occupied themselves, the gentleman with reading and the lady with embroidery.

"Whatever can you mean?" She asked, flinching where she caught her finger with a pin.

"I believe that since Georgiana will not take a holiday and the house has taken on a somewhat melancholy air, it would feel more joyful and safe if there were to be more people here, just for a fortnight perhaps, they could arrive at the same time as your sister Catherine if they wish, do you agree?"

Elizabeth could only see sense in what her husband said, and upon agreeing, he asked her again who she would like to see amongst the party.

"Mr and Mrs Bingley of course" he began for her and it gave her great joy to think that her sister Jane would soon be there with her once more, for there was something of an intimate nature that she wished to discuss with only her.

"Well" She began, " it does depend entirely on how big this party is to be, but I will start by suggesting your cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, oh and I don't suppose we should slight Miss Bingley and also Mr and Mrs Hurst," Elizabeth added as an afterthought, "they would be terribly affronted"

Mr Darcy made an amused noise and told his wife that she was too kind for her own good and it would be her undoing, for he knew how ill they had treated her previously, and were now filled with false admiration and flattery for his wife, because she was held in high esteem by many member of valued society.

They, between them drew up a list and Elizabeth flexed her fingers with a deft smile,

"Shall I write to Miss Bingley?" she asked making her husband laugh,

"Yes do," He answered, "I am sure nothing else would both please and vex her more!"

For the first in those few days, Georgiana's countenance lifted. She exclaimed that she would very much like to receive the company of those friends and would be pleased to become better acquainted with Elizabeth's sisters, Jane, Mary and Catherine (Kitty).

"Oh please don't assume that I am not content with your company Elizabeth!" She said quietly, "it is just that when we have guests and the house is busy, I find it hard to be unhappy, I do long for some noise!"

Elizabeth laughed and a badly pinned curl dropped and tickled her face, which made them laugh harder once again,

"This will not do!" The woman cried, tucking it behind her ear for that moment, Elizabeth understood all too well the occasional need for a break in the peacefulness of things. Coming from a much smaller residence , and being one of five sisters, Pemberly was at times overwhelming despite all of its beauty and splendour.

Within a day, responses were beginning to arrive. Mary had declined, saying that she needed to be at home at present, also the collins' were forced to decline due to unforeseen circumstances, Elizabeth detected the hand of Lady Catherine, but knew better than to pass comment. Charles and Jane however were to arrive the very next day, along with kitty, who was to travel with them, Mr and Mrs Hurst the day after with their sister Miss Bingley, who was 'delighted' to be received at Pemberly . The Colonel would also be joining them, but would have to delay his journey a few more days due to business matters.

Feeling pleased, Elizabeth spoke of this to her husband and sister in law at dinner, saying that it would be a happy party. But Georgiana seemed a little confused, she rarely asked questions except when in the company of family and close friends.

"I know it is bold of me to ask but I wondered if your youngest sister would be joining us?"

"Oh- Lydia?" Elizabeth's face coloured and she looked upon her husband for guidance but he said nothing, seeming unsure but, almost, she suspected, waiting to see how she herself would approach this subject, she would talk to him later about her dislike of testing. Thinking before she answered, Elizabeth decided that it was best to be honest and speak the truth.

"You see Lydia may come here but she will not accept the invitation because her husband is not welcome."

Georgiana pursed her lips and said no more. Elizabeth wondered if the young woman had realised who she may be referring to and hoped that she had dealt with the conversation correctly, and not caused offence. It seemed that she had not for Georgiana began discussing a matter about the gardens and Elizabeth was for a moment released from conversing and allowed herself to think for, it seemed, the first time since they had returned home. She was still troubled by the thought of the man at the window, she had not wanted there to be a gruesome accident but at the same time,not knowing where this fiend had vanished was very unsettling. But there was too much for the young Mrs Darcy to arrange, for her to have time to sit in leisure and think. She had ordered the food for the following day and now began making arraingments for the bedrooms to be prepared to receive their guests. Elizabeth did not feel herself unequal to the task but she began to appreciate how much work it took to manage a house the size of Pemberly.

Whilst walking in the gardens later that evening she envisioned her guests arriving, and felt how keenly she longed to see her sisters, they had not seen each other for almost four months and Elizabeth hoped that they might stay for the summer, but she knew that was wrong of her and that she couldn't keep them all shut away at Pemberly to herself. She tried to console herself in the knowledge that more happy occasions would bring them all together many more times before Michaelmas came upon them.

"Elizabeth!" a voice called from behind her and she recognised it to be her husbands,

"what are you doing out here at this hour, it is too cold surely!" He scolded gently, but with a smile,

"I was just taking a turn about the gardens" she answered, not willing to divulge all her thoughts to him, "Would you join me?"

He took her arm willingly and together they walked the lawn and through the orchards, the smell of apple blossom was invigorating.

"You are happy dear, are you not?" Mr Darcy asked, looking down at his wife with genuine affection. Elizabeth often wondered how she could ever have mistaken that look to be anything else.

" I am yes, very much so" she daringly reached up and kissed him on the face, making him laugh at her quaintness,

"Why do you ask?" she wondered as they began walking once again, "I know that our first week here has been overly eventful, but otherwise, I don't think I could ever be displeased with Pemberly!"

"It is just that sometimes you have this expression, I cannot work out what it means!"

"oh ?" she asked, amused.

"I mean that you seem to be deep in contemplation, quite often infact and I was hoping that those thoughts that took you from us are happy ones and not something otherwise unsettling"

"no, not unhappy" Elizabeth reassured him deciding that they were not all unhappy thoughts, " I could never be unhappy with you my dear."

Content, Mr Darcy suggested that they turn around just as light rain could be felt,

"Are we never to have any time out doors" his wife said in good humour, beginning to pick up her speed, but then remembering how running had affected her the last time she checked herself and stopped, allowing her husband to lead her home again.