**Hi again - I wont be able to write for another week or so, so thought I would knock a couple more chapters. Enjoy! :-)

If Colonel Fitzwilliam had any idea of the conversation Darcy and his wife were having, he may have been alarmed for himself. As he was ignorant however, he was also unaware of the danger he was setting himself up for. Rather conveniently, he'd inherited a large estate from a distant relation, just as a battlefield injury forced his retirement from the army. He had mused on the idea of settling down before now, but his changed circumstances, and seeing how well the marriage state suited his cousin, had made him determined to find a wife, and he had told Darcy so. His thoughts as he entered his own townhouse were not of marriage though, he was reflecting on the very great pleasure his new acquaintance had afforded him this evening. A friend, she had called him - he found himself feeling quite cheerful at the prospect of another female friend, having found her sister Elizabeth such a charming one herself, he had high hopes of being kept much occupied by his cousin and the sisters at Darcy House.

Mary's thoughts were similarly occupied as she readied herself for bed that night. She had dressed this morning in much the same way she had done for the last few years. She had selected her high-necked gown the exact colour of dirt that was far too large for her slight frame. She'd styled her own hair, smiling at the overstatement that was, since she'd merely pulled it all back and tied it in a severe bun, ensuring her high cheekbones looked sharp and unapproachable. How differently she shall prepare for the day tomorrow morning. Elizabeth told her they would go shopping, and Mary for once looked forward to the activity. Tomorrow would be the first day of Mary's new life.

She closed her eyes and recollected a favourite moment with Frederick, like a well-loved book it was just tatty memory. Their eyes had connected as he caught her in a stumble. Her eyes snapped open as she cursed her faulty memories, what shade of blue were his eyes, she wondered frantically? More thoughts crowded her mind – was his hair dark blonde, or was it brown? Did he really smile at her crookedly, that way she remembered so fondly? Realising her mind had been filling in the blanks for years she moaned into her pillow, "Oh Frederick. What a poor mourner I have been for you, how can I forget one I still love so dearly?".

Mary knew she had more sense than to let such thoughts overcome her. She thought of Frederick and knew he would have been annoyed at her. He was so practical, he would have told her she had been ridiculous all this time, and she knew he would have been right. It had been almost five years since she'd last seen him, admired his tall form and friendly countenance. She had no portrait of him to aid her memories, but she did have his letters, written in his not quite neat hand, and she could read of his love for her and imagined him sitting at his desk, full of life when he wrote. It had to be enough for her, and she believed, for the most part, it was.

And so, she awoke the next day and admitted Elizabeth's lady's maid to her chamber and allowed her hair to be styled for the first time in years. The maid chatted as she worked "If I may Miss, the gown Mrs Darcy sent you looks very well on you, and…" she fussed a little with the curls around Mary's face "… there we are, done!" Mary was not about to get into the habit of preening in the mirror, but she checked it briefly and was reminded of her dear sisters. She smiled and made her way to breakfast.

The morning was almost over, and Mary was tired already, "Lizzy, I would not wish you to think me ungrateful, I appreciate…" her sister guessed her thoughts "… but you are finding there is not much joy to be had in shopping? Do not concern yourself, my dear Mary for you may recall I do not enjoy the activity much myself." She grinned, "in any case, we have ordered enough gowns and bits and bobs that will do you very well for your time in London. Shall we find some refreshment?" Mary, unaccustomed to moving at her sisters' quick pace agreed it was a good plan.

"Mrs Darcy, Miss Bennet!" Mary and Lizzy greeted Colonel Fitzwilliam with warm smiles, "Colonel, how lucky we are to come upon you in this part of London" said Lizzy, "we have tired of shopping and are about to find some tea, would you join us?"

"I thank you, I have completed my business this morning and so find myself at leisure to accept your invitation." As each lady took his offered arms, he was able to confirm one of his first impressions of Miss Bennet - she really was quite short. He guessed she must be a half head shorter than her sister who was short to begin with. The Colonel himself was quite tall and very well built – he was quite sure he made a spectacle walking with two tiny women on each arm, being obliged by the great difference in height between himself and his companions, to bend his knees a little with each stride.