Hey guys, I'm still out of town, but I wanted to squeeze in posting this for you. I am almost done with writing and then it is a quick edit before publishing on Amazon. If you are on my Facebook group (just search Taryn Ann Edwards) or my newsletter, you will find out when pre-orders and the release will be. I am aiming for the first day of August as release.

With the way my schedule is going and me starting a new full time job, I am still not able to post as much as I would like, but I think I will be able to bump it up to twice a week. However, the book will likely be published before I finish posting can continue to read here for free or if you want to see the ending faster, you can purchase it. Either one you do, I still appreciate you all. Thank you again for your patience with me and for joining me on this journey.

-Taryn

The ball was going wonderfully. Elizabeth and Darcy greeted their guests as a united front and only a few people greeted her coldly, though they could not do too much with the fearsome Darcy standing by her side.

Once the guest were greeted, and that portion of their duty was over, Darcy and Elizabeth opened the dance floor with the first set. The band was lively, and, though the couple barely spoke to each other, the dance was pleasing to them both. Elizabeth even believed that she spied a smile playing at the corner of her husband's lips at one point. Seeing that sent a flutter of happiness through Elizabeth and she hopped that she would be able to bring a real smile to his face over the course of the night.

After the first set, Darcy bowed to her and thanked her for the dance, before making his excuses that there were a few people he needed to speak to. Elizabeth took that chance to find Jane and Georgiana, but was waylaid by her mother.

"Lizzy, what a wonderful ball you have been able to pull off. I was not sure if you were going to be able to do so without my expertise, but you have done an adequate job. And what a handsome couple you make with Mr. Darcy. Though I suppose as my son, I may call him Fitzwilliam." Mrs. Bennet giggled to herself in a way that made Elizabeth wonder if she had somehow gotten into the wine and sherry being served before the ball had officially started. Elizabeth had been so busy before hand, that she had not been able to see any of the guests that had arrived early.

It was also not lost on the young woman that her mother found such ease in calling Darcy by his Christian name, while Elizabeth, his wife, struggled to even think of him as such. There was the matter that her mother found such easy liberties with everyone, but Elizabeth still found the situation a mark against herself.

"It is set to be a wonderful ball, and of course I could not have planned it all without the training you have given me, mama," Elizabeth said, knowing that the best way to keep her mother in a good mood and hopefully not bothering the gentility that was abound was to compliment her and pacify her with words expounding her greatness as a mother. There was little else that Mrs. Bennet took greater pride in.

"I was just off to find Jane. Have you seen her?"

The question delighted Mrs. Bennet to such an end that Elizabeth suspected she could guess the answer.

"She is out on the dance floor. As you know, a beauty such as Jane would not be long without a partner. I saw several gentlemen eyeing her for a dance before one such sir swooped in and whisked her off for himself. With her staying her for two months, I am sure she will come home with an offer. Perhaps I should send Kitty and Lydia up to stay with you."

Mrs. Bennet's scheming mind sent horror through Elizabeth. She loved her sisters dearly, but would not subject her husband to a stay with both of her younger siblings so early into their marriage.

"Do you not think they are a little young for marriage prospects? With me married and Mary engaged, there is little to worry about. And as you say, surely Jane will have a suitor soon. You can take your time with Lydia and Kitty."

Mrs. Bennet's face looked as though she was ready to fight, but the reminder that she was well on her way of having three daughters married well did sooth the need to have her last two suitably engaged, too. "You are right, my dear. Perhaps a little more time for them to brush up on their accomplishments would be well suited for them."

"I think that is a wonderful idea, mama."

Just then an unusually exuberant Jane came over. Her cheeks were becomingly flushed from the rigors of dancing and her smile made her eyes sparkle. Elizabeth thought to herself that her sister would be most suited in a manor such as Pemberley. She had the intelligence and beauty to make a good mistress to a well to do home. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she thought that she'd best not let her mother hear such thoughts from her. It would send Mrs. Bennet into such a whirl that Mr. Bingley would no longer be good enough for her eldest and she would thing that Jane should hold out for someone titled.

"I think I need a cup of punch," gasped Jane when she reached them.

"Did your partner not offer to get you refreshment? How ungentlemanly," Mrs. Bennet huffed.

"Don't be angry, mama. I told him I would fetch my own refreshment." Jane tried to calm and appease her mother, but that did nothing but swing Mrs. Bennet's anger to her daughter.

"Why would you ever do such a thing? Now he will think you do not wish to strike up a better acquaintanceship."

"I hope I did not hurt his feelings, but I did not want to risk another set with him. I do not think my toes could survive it."

Elizabeth snorted. "I am sure there are many other men that wish to have their chance to dance with Jane. You would not want only one man to have the pleasure, would you?"

Finally regaining her calm, Mrs. Bennet nodded. Right you are. Let us get you something to drink, Jane, and by time you finish I am sure there will be another man who wishes to dance."

Mrs. Bennet dragged Jane off, leaving Elizabeth yet again alone. She was not so for long. Elizabeth felt a soft touch on the small of her back and looked up to see Darcy looking down at her. "Are you busy at the moment? There is someone I wish you to meet."

"No, I was just speaking to Jane and mama, but they went to get refreshments."

"Splendid. I hope they are both having a good time." Darcy used his hand's position on her back to guide her. It was such an intimate touch and Elizabeth felt as though her face was on fire and that every gentleman and lady in attendance was staring at them. Yet, still, the warmth of his hand on her back sent spirals of warmth all through her. It was a warmth that she wished to savor and wanted to have every moment of every day. A warmth the meant security and caring.

Elizabeth was not allowed to go too deep into her thoughts on Darcy's hand on her back. They soon reached their destination. Darcy lead her to stand in front of an older woman, who, if not for her sever expression, might have been called handsome. She was tall, almost as tall as Darcy, and particularly strong looking. All together, she painted a formidable picture. Elizabeth suspected who the woman could be and her suspicions and fears were confirmed when Darcy introduced her.

"Elizabeth, this is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Aunt Catherine, this is my new bride, Elizabeth Darcy nee Bennet."