A/N: Sorry it is taking so long between chapters. I do my own editing, and between kids school and housework it's hard to find a few moments to myself to sit down and write.

A/N #2: Thanks for the reviews and input. I did make the Gardiner/Phillips correction, and a small grammatical correction. I'm not nor have I ever claimed to be an expert on the Regency era. I am reading a few books about the time, which helps a lot, but there will be mistakes. Unless it is glaringly in err, or distracts from the plot, I'm probably not going to make the corrections. The Matlocks will come in to play, and I'm going to try my darndest to get the titles and how they are spoken to and introduced correctly, but if I'm wrong, don't bother telling me.

Also, many people keep asking why Elizabeth simply won't tell everyone how Darcy won her hand. The simple reason is that she's ashamed of it all. She knows in order to secure her family's future (especially Jane's) she has to marry Mr. Darcy and letting the cat out of the bag could ruin her family, and Darcy's family, which will soon become her own. I'm sorry if my writing hasn't made that plain.

Well, as Jet says, EXCELSIOR!

Chapter 12: Dinner At Darcy House

In less than two days time the entire neighborhood had heard that Elizabeth Bennet was to be wed to Mr. Darcy, by special license, out of her Uncle's House in London. She was to have her entire trousseau made up in London, and her sisters were to be her bridesmaids. The day before Mrs. Bennet and her two eldest daughters were to leave they had an impromptu gathering at Longbourn where many of their friends came to congratulate Elizabeth and wish her luck. Among those present were a few Officers, namely Wickham.

Elizabeth had blushed deeply when she first saw him, ashamed of what he might think of her. She had tried desperately to keep herself separated from him so that she wouldn't have to explain herself. What explanation could there be? She suddenly realized his many good qualities, and despite him having disinherited a friend of hers, she was to marry him? No, there could be nothing gained by such a conversation, except further humiliation.

But, alas, such a large quantity of people in such a small space made it hard for Elizabeth to always be watching where he was. She had gone to the refreshment table to pour herself some punch when she heard Wickham congratulate her.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said into her cup, afraid to look up into his eyes.

She had not harbored any hope that Wickham would propose to her himself. Indeed, they had come to an understanding that even Officers of the Militia must eat, and therefore try to marry up. She had even heard a rumor that Mary King and Wickham had been in each other's company of lately. So why then did she feel so guilty?

"Please, do not feel as if you have to make any explanation to me." Wickham said in a soothing voice.

Elizabeth dared to look up into his compassionate face. She smiled. "I have no explanation to give other than Mr. Darcy made an offer and I found that I could not refuse him."

"I understand, I truly do. I had thought briefly there that it would be Mr. Collins who would make an offer," Wickham looked in the direction of said man who was looking about the room. "Perhaps we are more alike than I had first thought." He finished, suggestively.

Elizabeth was about to question him, when Kitty came running up to her. "Oh, Lizzy, please save me!"

Kitty had grabbed Elizabeth by her shoulders, almost knocking her cup out of her hands, forcing her to turn around.

"Has Mr. Collin's affections been hoisted onto you?" Elizabeth asked Kitty, who was crouching behind Elizabeth.

Kitty groaned, "Lizzy, I am sorry I ever teased you about that man. Please forgive me, and hide me?"

Wickham laughed, "Well, I shall leave you two. Once again, congratulations." Wickham had left the room then and gone out with a fellow Officer, leaving Elizabeth very sorry indeed she could not fully explain herself.

Elizabeth had done her duty by her Mother. She smiled, accepted everyone's congratulations, and only inwardly wished she would drop through a hole in the ground and be covered up. The gathering had ended, and the last guests left just as the skies were starting to grow dark. The trunks were packed and waiting by the stairs for tomorrows journey. A very tired Elizabeth made her way up the stairs and into her room. As she lay in bed, many thoughts floated through her mind. But just as she was drifting to sleep she pictured Wickham, smiling at her. What could he mean they were more alike than not?

When the ladies from Longbourn arrived at the Gardiner's home, they were only too glad to finally be out of the coach and inside. They quickly washed up and met Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in the parlor for a cup of tea, while the children played in the adjoining room with puzzles.

"There is a letter for you," Mr. Gardiner handed Mrs. Bennet the letter that had come that morning.

"It is from Mr. Darcy," she said giddily, grinning at Elizabeth. "He invites us to dinner this evening, and is extending the invitation to you two as well," she motioned to the Gardiners, "and hopes to introduce us to his sister. He does have such a fine hand." Mrs. Bennet held the letter up for everyone's perusal.

"How very thoughtful," Mrs. Gardiner said.

"I must admit I was shocked when Henry wrote saying his favorite daughter was to be married. I hadn't even heard Darcy was in the neighborhood." Mr. Gardiner laughed.

"I did write to Aunt Gardiner about him," Elizabeth confessed, looking up at the room. Her face blushed as she recalled the many inconsiderate things she had to say about him to her. What must she think of her?

Mrs. Bennet spent the better part of the next half hour regaling the Gardiners about Darcy's income, his family home, his London home, and anything else she could recollect having heard about him. Bingley's name invariably came up, and Mrs. Bennet then proceeded to tell them how that man had strung dear Jane along, then up and left the county. Jane herself looked down at the cup in her hands, too embarrassed to look up.

"Though now that they are both in London, and Lizzy and Bingley's good friend are to be married, they are sure to be in each other's company again." She beamed at the prospect.

"Shall we not get ready for supper?" Elizabeth asked, noting the time.

"My, of course. Lizzy, you must wear your muslin gown, it becomes you so well."

Lizzy and Jane were to share a room that belonged to one of the Gardiner's girls, while Mrs. Bennet was to have the guest room. Jane helped Elizabeth dress and do her hair, and she returned the favor.

"You look beautiful," Jane said, looking at Lizzy through the reflection of the mirror. "I only wonder that you are to see your betrothed after a few days separation, but you look as if you are a lamb being led to slaughter."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and gave a great sigh. She must tell Jane…she would tell Jane.

"Jane I-"

"Girls! The carriage is here!" Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice came billowing up the stairs.

"I guess I'm just nervous." Elizabeth finished saying, then grabbed the shawl that was draped over the bed, and exited the room, followed by Jane.

The carriage ride was more comfortable than the open roads, and not long at all. It had grown dark outside, and with a thick covering of fog Elizabeth had hoped the carriage would get lost and that they would need to return home. Alas, soon they arrived at the steps of Darcy House. Mr. Gardiner exited first, then helped the rest of the ladies down, and taking his wife's arm in his own, led the procession up the steps where they were greeted by a well attired servant.

Mrs. Bennet immediately began looking about her. The entry way was grand, indeed. Marble floors, gold trimming, and even a very nicely made wall paper. "Look at all the candles," she whispered, noting the chandelier above them, and others around the room. After their outerwear was removed, the servant led them up the stairs and to a nicely furnished sitting room.

"What a lovely room," Mrs. Gardiner said as she sat down.

"A bit out of fashion," Mrs. Bennet sniffed. "You shall need to bring it up to date, Lizzy, once you are married."

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed for the first time upon entering the house she realized that she would soon be its Mistress. These would be her rooms. These her chairs, servants, and candles, all of it. Somewhere in this house would be her boudoir. She felt her cheeks grow more crimson and tried to think of anything at all that would help calm her.

"Lizzy, come look," Jane beckoned from the mantle above a well-tended fire.

Elizabeth walked to her sister and looked at a couple of small portraits of a man and woman. She had first thought the man was Mr. Darcy, but there were slight differences. "This must be the late Mr. Darcy and his wife." She mused. He was indeed a very handsome man, and so was his son she had to admit. She wondered if Georgiana took after her Mother's looks, whose beauty was bright and glowing, a direct contrast to the dark good looks of the man.

A cold draft broke her thoughts, and she turned to see the doors had been opened. Mr. Darcy walked into the room with a young girl on his arm, who did indeed resemble the late Mrs. Darcy. It had only been a few days since she last seen him, and felt somewhat ashamed at their last meeting. But, she thought, bringing her head up high, it is his own fault for procuring a wife through a card game.

Mr. Darcy brought his sister to their group and began the introductions. Elizabeth took this opportunity to scrutinize her. Wickham had said she had grown proud and disagreeable, but all Elizabeth could see was a sweet girl who was a bit shy.

"Ever since Will has said he was to marry you I was quite anxious to meet you," Georgiana said to Elizabeth after the introductions were over.

Elizabeth looked up at Darcy, wondering if he had told his sister about his winning hand. "The pleasure is all mine," she responded. "I am told you play the piano forte?"

Georgiana looked down at her hands, "A little," she confessed. "Though Will tells me you play quite well, even with distractions. I find it quite difficult to concentrate when others are moving about the room or talking too loudly."

Elizabeth looked up at Mr. Darcy to gauge his reaction to his sister's proclamation, but was quite taken back by the intense look in his eyes as he stared at her. Her mother was talking to him, but all his attention had been on herself. He smiled when he noticed her looking up at him, and a slight fluttering sensation entered her stomach. These were almost like the same brooding stares she had noticed during his tenure at Netherfield. Perhaps he hadn't been scrutinizing her character, as she had thought.

"Miss Elizabeth," Georgiana startled Elizabeth out of her musings.

Elizabeth was about to say something when a servant entered the room and announced dinner. Darcy took his sister's hand in his arm and led the group down the stairs and into the dining room. There was a long, dark table sitting atop a beautiful rug. The fire in the hearth filled the room with its warmth. Darcy sat at the head of the table with his sister on his right, and Mrs. Bennet on his left. Elizabeth was next to Georgiana, with her Aunt Gardiner beside her, directly across from her was her Uncle Gardiner, with Jane to his left. With a nod of his head, Darcy motioned for the first course to be served.

Elizabeth ate the dish before her without tasting it. Indeed, hours later as she lay in bed she wouldn't have been able to recall what she had had to eat. The air was thick with tension, all through the first course. She begged within herself for someone to please break this unbearable silence.

"Why Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Bennet started. Elizabeth groaned inwardly. Anyone but her Mother. "You have a lovely home, though a bit outdated. Did your Mother decorate its rooms?"

"Yes," Darcy replied between bites. "My Mother had each room decorated to her liking, though I intend to have the rooms updated before Georgiana's season."

Elizabeth looked at Georgiana and saw her give a small smile. After a moment Georgiana looked up at Elizabeth. Conversation began to take place amongst those at the table.

"Will you play for us after supper?" Georgiana asked, as the next course was being served.

Elizabeth looked up at Mr. Darcy for approval. After he gave a slight nod she said, "Of course, if you will help turn the pages."

Georgiana smiled, "Very well."

"We will barely have time to get everything together before the wedding," Mrs. Bennet's voice interrupted their small talk. "I'm afraid a few items will have to wait until after the wedding. We hope to go out tomorrow to pick out dress patterns and fabrics."

"We just got in a shipment of fine silk, Fanny. You should bring Elizabeth down to look at them."

"Of course! Mr. Darcy, do you plan on staying here for the season?"

"No," Darcy replied. "I hope to finish my business in town before the wedding, then retire to Pemberly. I do have an appointment Friday next with a carpenter and decorator to look at the house if Miss Elizabeth would care to join us and share her input."

"Why that sounds lovely," Mrs. Bennet accepted the invitation on her daughter's behalf.

Darcy had been looking at Elizabeth, then gave a small sigh when Mrs. Bennet interjected. He supposed he would have to get used to that woman's ejaculations. He was only too thankful that Pemberly was such a long distance from Longbourn and would not be conducive to much visiting.

"We have had news that Mr. Bingley and his sister have taken up residence in London," Elizabeth said, careful to gauge Mr. Darcy's reaction.

"Yes, Miss Bingley followed in her brother's wake."

"Miss Bingley wrote that she did not think they would be returning to Netherfield at all." Elizabeth ignored the subtle cough that came from Jane's direction.

"I do not know Bingley's long term plans, but I would not be surprised if he did stay."

"Well," Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, "if he does not intend to return it would be best to break his lease so that another family may take up a more permanent residence."

Darcy stared at Elizabeth a moment, trying to figure out where these questions were leading. Was she trying to trap him into saying something? To give away any of Bingley's secrets?

He finally said, "I would not be surprised if that was his intention."

Elizabeth's cheeks grew red, "I presume you will invite him to our wedding?"

"I had not thought of it, but I suppose if you wish it I will send the invitation."

"I do," Elizabeth stated resolutely, "I do wish it very much."

Their eyes were locked, unaware that the entire table were staring at them. The strange tableau was interrupted when the servants began taking away the last of the dishes.

"Gardiner," Darcy said, rising from his chair, "would you care to join me for a drink?"

"Yes, yes."

Darcy watched as the ladies followed his sister out of the room and up to the sitting room. He poured himself and Gardiner a drink, and talked about his business, but Darcy's mind was entirely on Elizabeth and the soft aroma of lavender she left behind.