Georgiana had barely been still for a quarter of an hour altogether. Since arriving at Netherfield, she had embraced her brother, rejoiced with Charles Bingley at the news of his engagement and hurried to bring Darcy up to date on all the happenings at Rosings. Lady Catherine was, by all accounts, rather disappointed that her curate had been seemingly spurned by the Bennets, who must think very highly of themselves indeed to spurn such a practical match. Still, the newly arrived Mrs Collins - nee Lucas - was proving herself amiable and useful and utterly redeemed her husband, which person Georgiana did not greatly esteem.

"He made such a funny figure, William, that I could scarcely attend to all he said, I was struggling so hard to maintain my composure and not betray myself by laughing at his continuous sermonizing." She smiled, bowing her head contritely. "Still, he appeared to think very highly of you and by extension, I think I endeared myself to him as well. And he did not speak too unkindly of his "spirited cousin Elizabeth", though I wager his opinion was tempered by his wife, for I believe it to be true that Charlotte Collins is a great friend of Miss Elizabeth's."

Here, Georgiana, at last, paused for breath, fixing her attention squarely on her brother, so that Darcy was forced to offer a disinterested "Hmmm" in response. The appearance of disinterest, anyway, for he found his ears pricked up at every mention Georgiana made of Elizabeth, though the two young women were at present nought but names to one another.

"I was surprised to hear of your return to Hertfordshire, brother, and still more by your summoning me here for Christmas."

Darcy frowned and Georgiana hurried to placate him

"Oh, do not misunderstand me, William. I am delighted to be here, for I have not seen enough of you since - since Ramsgate." Georgiana's happy manner faltered a fraction and he reached his hand out, resting it gently on Georgiana's clenched fists.

"We needn't talk of it, Georgiana, unless you wish to." His lips quirked. "Not to me, either. I am sure you will find a firm friend in Miss Bennet. That is, Miss Elizabeth. Should you wish to discuss the matter with one more inclined to understand your feminine sensibilities…" he trailed off, feeling inordinately aware of the curious stare his sister had fixed upon him.

"That is the third time you have mentioned Miss Elizabeth in the past quarter hour," she observed, with a knowing smile.

"Is it?" Darcy shrugged. "If she has been a feature of our conversation it is likely because you sought to mention her after your meeting with Mr Collins. There can be no other reason."

"Indeed." Georgiana laughed. "Well, I shall turn your words back upon you, brother, and declare there is no need for us to discuss it further. Come! Do permit me to see the house a little more before your friends arrive. I would ask Mr Bingley for a tour but he looks so out of his depth in arranging the particulars of our dinner that I could not dream of adding to his anxieties." She slid her arm through the crook of Darcy's and drew him to his feet.

The pair were making their way back downstairs when Georgiana discerned the sound of a carriage approaching and pushed Darcy forward.

"They're here!"

"Apparently," Darcy remarked, with an irritable smile at the sudden fit of shyness that prompted his sister to hide, ineffectually, behind him as the door flew open to admit Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mr and Mrs Bennet and the five young ladies.

"Mr Darcy!" Mrs Bennet cooed, her previous dislike of him utterly remedied by what she perceived to be his direct intervention in Bingley's proposal to Jane. "Who is that hiding behind you? Why, this must be the famous sister we have heard so much about. Step into the light, dearie, and be introduced to us. We shan't bite!"

"Unless you annoy us greatly," Mr Bennet said with a smile. "Come, my dear Mrs Bennet and let us go into the sitting room. I hardly think stairwells and corridors the best place for new acquaintances."

Mr Bingley's appearance in the doorway of the parlour captured Mrs Bennet's attention and she flounced in that direction on her husband's arm. Taking a deep breath, Georgiana stepped forward and was met with a warm smile by Elizabeth.

"You must be Georgiana," she said, her eyes travelling momentarily to Mr Darcy's and then back to his sister. "You must not mind Mama," she lowered her voice to a whisper. "She is harmless, or relatively so. Particularly if you are not a wealthy man in need of a wife, would not you say, Mr Darcy?"

"I can scarcely comment," he replied, but a rogue smirk belied his polite response and he was rewarded with a smile from Elizabeth, who stepped forward and walked with Georgiana.

"When did you arrive?"

"This afternoon, Miss Elizabeth."

"Oh, call me Lizzy!" Elizabeth said, warmly. "For I have it on good authority that we are going to be great friends."

"Very well, Lizzy." Georgiana's features brightened at the instruction and Darcy was pleased to see the two young ladies he most respected finding a friendship he himself had hoped for.

How is it I only now recognise your kindness, Elizabeth? he silently asked her back, as they walked into the sitting room. Your kindness, your humour, your warmth. How glad I am to see you care for my sister so readily, as I hoped you would. I only wish you might one day grant me the same permission to call you not "Elizabeth" but Lizzy, and not "Miss Bennet" but something else altogether. His lips quirked, at the name that flitted through his brain as fleetingly as a wisp of smoke. "Mrs Darcy."