So, just FYI this is the second chapter i've posted today!

as per previous messages ,to make up for the angst I'm gonna post quickly. When i started reading it to edit etc i got totally hooked and re read the whole story, so i can hardly hold out on you guys. :)

loving the suppositions as to why Darcy is been so bull headed. I know hes had an important lesson, but I figured he has not had anyone to turn to for advice for so long, it must not come naturally. Just a lesson to be learnt, and he's gonna do it the hard way.

no blue couch, but a bit of family time.

Chapter 5

Whilst Elizabeth met with Georgiana in the music room; Darcy led Richard in to the study.

"What brings you to Darcy house?"

Richard frowned. "What a singular question. Surely you can be at no loss to imagine what brings me here?"

Darcy chuckled "I can think of many a reason, I am merely curious which is the most pressing!"

Richard groaned "mother!"

"Ah, Aunt Rachel has sent you to find out if I am holding my wife hostage from society?"

Richard laughed "not in so many words Darce, but she is curious when she gets to meet her."

"She could visit at any time."

"You know mother, even if she wanted to she would not without the knocker on."

Darcy frowned "she does not think as Lady Catherine does, does she? For I tell you now I will tolerate no ill will towards Elizabeth!"

"Woah, calm down. She is not entirely happy with you choice, but she will give her a fair chance, you know that. Father however, well... that I cannot guarantee."

Darcy sighed "I will talk to her about visiting tomorrow."

"I shall be happy to pass on the message. Now what were you and the lovely Mrs Darcy doing sitting on the floor of the ball room with an ice cube hovering between you?"

"I am teaching her defensive magic."

"It looked as if she was the one doing the teaching!"

"Well, her water magic is quite impressive."

"And her fire also!"

Darcy's eyes shot to Richard's.

"Come cousin, you told me she escaped from Wickham. You may not have given me the details but she must be rather powerful. Besides I knew about her dual talent from Rosings."

Darcy mulled over what he had said, and not said "she told you she was dual talented?"

Richard looked a little uncomfy "well, not in so many words. We were having a bit of a friendly competition. She displayed some of her fire magic, and water. I deduced the dual talented part."

Richard looked thoughtful for a minute then his eye's shot to Darcy's "you mean she is more than dual talented?"

Darcy looked around "I.."

"She is" He breathed, a note of wonder in his voice.

"Damn you Richard, how can you read me so?"

Richard smirked "hidden depths. Come man what is her third talent?"

Darcy took a breath and was just about to answer when Richard cut in, his voice a whisper.

"She's a true magician is she not?"

Darcy felt the blood drain from his face. "How?"

"A few things are making much more sense now. The talk about wind I had with her at Rosings, how she could fight her way out of that basement. Everything that Wickham has said, and the look on your face. Couple that with I am pretty certain that water magic cannot form a perfect icicle without some air magic."

"What has Wickham said now?"

"Nothing new. What have you done with the last information he passed on?"

"I am handling it"

Richards eyes narrowed "care to elaborate?"

"No"

"Can I help?"

"No"

Richard and Darcy both sighed, for different reasons.

"Very well. The hunt for Mrs Forster, should we even call her that?" Darcy shrugged "well, we found that she left the city. We think she headed back to Brighton, I wonder if she was hoping to secure some funds. The colonel is aware and on the lookout, but he cannot enlist any help for fear of having to give an explanation. He has passed about the story that she travelled to a sick relative. I think he wishes he can say she died."

Darcy shook his head in disgust.

"Any news on the cult she broke from?"

"Not surprisingly it is hard to chase down leads. Most people deny all knowledge, even if we try to say we are not interested in them, only in her associates."

Darcy nodded, head hanging in defeat.

"I have a man who is willing to try to infiltrate them."

Darcy looked puzzled.

"He is an ex army man, suffered an injury, walks with a nasty limp. No space for him in the army anymore. Been struggling to get by. I've found him jobs here and there. He's got a bit of magic, not a lot. He has been helping track Mrs Forster, so not known to the men we've been trying to talk to. He thinks he can get in, got a sob story all planned about army men stealing his life, wanting to steal magic back to help him walk straight again."

Darcy was just looking at him

"I said I would talk to you,"

Darcy frowned. "These people are dangerous." He paced the room, trying to walk off the agitation.

"He knows that, but with the right compensation" Richard trailed off.

"Whatever he wants."

Richard nodded "I'll see it done."

They talked a bit longer. He was just about to take his leave when he turned and looked long and hard at Darcy.

"What?"

"You haven't spoken to her about Wickham have you?"

Darcy tried to keep his face impassive.

"I can tell, I can see the strain on you, on you both. Others will too." And with that he turned and left the room.

Darcy slumped in to his seat, what was he doing? He heard the sounds of the piano, softly playing. The ache in his chest grew tighter.

...

Darcy had not reappeared until dinner, and with Georgiana there they did not discuss Richard's visit or her magic. Elizabeth knew she needed to ask him what he expected of her but she was a little afraid. If he forbid her from using magic around others she would have to obey, as his wife she had sworn before God to obey him. If she just didn't ask... Well her father had not been one to lay down many rules, the only one of any significance was to not reveal her true power. One not hard to keep.

Dinner had mostly been dedicated to discussing the pressing concern of the house of Matlock, in particular Lady Matlock's desire to meet Elizabeth. She was a little nervous but knew that delay would do nothing to help. Darcy spoke to her with such warmth and reassurance she could not help but be set at ease and found herself quite anticipating the visit

..

The next day Darcy told her they were expected at the Matlock's for a call, having sent a message across that morning. Elizabeth prepared with care, one of her new dresses being ready for the occasion. They travelled in the coach, the weather being unreliable.

"Am I?" Elizabeth started, then trailed off.

"Will you tell me about your aunt and uncle. The only frame of reference I have is your Aunt Lady Catherine, and while my courage may rise I am not certain what you expect of me" there she had said it.

Darcy frowned, catching the meaning of her last words despite her attempt to disguise them with others.

"What I expect of you?"

Elizabeth looked down at her hands. "You.. I..." She sighed "my last encounter with your family was not pleasant, Colonel Fitzwilliam left after seeing you yesterday. I assume they are unhappy with your choice?" She felt her eyes filling with tears as the thought of him being unhappy came unbidden to her mind, she blinked them away before Darcy could take note.

"Elizabeth I want nothing more than for you to be yourself. My aunt Rachel is" he paused "well she does not approve of our marriage but she is not cruel. She will approve once she has met you and understands why I married you. She bases her current opinion on the circumstances only."

Elizabeth was not sure she liked that explanation, even though it was better than a woman who would never accept her. But she supposed she would have to make the best of it. There was no more time for talking as the carriage was pulling up at a London home.

Darcy escorted Elizabeth in to the drawing room

"Mr and Mrs Darcy." The butler announced.

Elizabeth was shown in to a grand parlour, decorated in the latest fashions. It seemed to be somewhere between her tastes and Lady Catherine's. Maybe not quite as ostentatious as Rosings park but there was still enough display of wealth to make any visitor aware of it.

"Darcy" the voice called, a portly man of just over fifty stepped forward, clapping him on the back. "How good to see you m'boy"

Darcy shook hands "uncle" he turned and bowed to the lady who was sat regally in her seat, surveying the couple "aunt."

"May I present my wife, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy. My dear this is the Earl and Countess of Matlock."

Elizabeth curtseyed deeply as was befitting to members of the peerage.

The Earl looked at her for a minute then shrugged in a resigned way and suggested that he and Darcy talk over some business. Darcy shot Elizabeth a look but there was not really any way to decline without it seeming likes she couldn't manage to take tea with Lady Matlock.

"Sit down, Mrs Darcy"

She did.

There was a moment of silence whilst Lady Matlock looked her over as she poured the tea. Once they each had a cup there was a further moment of silence. Elizabeth thought to her self that this would be rather intimidating of it weren't for the fact that her courage was rising. She just sat, sipped her tea and looked at Lady Matlock, waiting for her to speak.

"My sister Catherine has some choice words to say about you."

Elizabeth smiled a grim smile "I am sure Lady Catherine has many things to say about many people, my lady."

"Seeing as you are not shy to venture opinions, would you care to determine how much is true?"

Elizabeth did not wish to be drawn in "I am certain Lady Catherine believes everything she says is true, from her point of view."

"Indeed." Lady Matlock raises one eyebrow, sipping her tea and allowing her gaze to sweep over Elizabeth again. Elizabeth thought she looked a little amused, but was also trying to intimidate her. She would not be cowed.

"But really ma'am, I prefer to make up my own mind about people in front of me."

There was definitely the minutest lifting of the side of the mouth now.

"Indeed" was the only answer then Lady Matlock sighed "I am assuming she was correct about your lack of family and fortune?"

"I certainly do not have a lack of family, I have family a plenty. My fortune is immaterial in my married situation."

"A lack of connections then?"

Elizabeth did not roll her eyes, however sorely she was tempted. "I suppose that is true."

"Your sisters?"

"My sister Jane is married to Mr Bingley,"

"Ah yes, Mr Darcy's friend from trade. He has done well in town, that will aid us."

"Aid us ma'am?"

"Let me be straight with you Mrs Darcy. I would not have wished Darcy to marry you, however it is done and no amount of ranting on the part of my sister will change that. Any noise will only serve the gossips and will damage our reputation as a family. I do not wish for a split with Darcy and I can see, by the manner in which he has thrown off Lady Catherine, that a rift is the only choice if we do not accept you. So accept you we shall."

Elizabeth could not contain the sarcastic remark "why thank you."

Lady Matlock narrowed her eyes at her "if you can prove to me that Darcy has not been made a fool of then my opinion of you may improve. I am warning you that you will not find much better out there. The ton is unforgiving and you will find many a door closed to you if you refuse to accept that the rules of society exist. Now tell me of your other sisters."

Elizabeth resigned herself to the interrogation. "My sister Lydia is married to a Captain Sanderson. He is the younger son of the Sanderson's of Yorkshire"

Lady Matlock nodded "very well. Your other two remain unmarried?"

Elizabeth nodded

"And your uncle is in trade?"

"One of my uncles is an attorney" Lady Matlock's lips twisted "the other, Mr Gardiner, is here in town and works in the import business."

"I have heard of the Gardiners" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise "it's not a connection that will get far with many people, but for some" she hummed "yes it may help. He is known for importing some of the finest silks and other rare beauties. His business is sought after. There are people that would not wish to offend you for this reason."

Elizabeth did not know how she felt about this sentiment, but she supposed she would have to accept whatever help she could get.

"When are you going out in to society?"

"I do not know ma'am. Mr Darcy mentioned that we may go to the theatre sometime, but we have not spoken of it since."

Lady Matlock was in full planning mode.

"Yes, the theatre, tonight. I know a few who will be there, and tomorrow you can come here for calls. There will be many, we can ensure you are present for the ones you need to be. It will drive the gossips crazy that some met you and some did not. Then tomorrow Lady Julia Grey, the countess of Warrington is having a ball. Do you have a gown?"

Elizabeth nodded

"Made by?"

"Madame Beaumont."

Lady Matlock nodded in approval. "It is settled then"

Elizabeth wasn't sure she understood what was settled but she dared not argue. She excused herself to use the necessities and left Lady Matlock running through a list of names of people to meet.