Hearing a knock on the door, Elizabeth called, "Come in." Seeing who entered, she smiled, "Oh, it's you, dearest. I must say I am very pleased that you are home again. For good this time, I hope."

Georgiana returned the smile as she hugged her sister-in-law and took a seat on the divan. "I am glad to be back at Pemberley as well. I look forward to the birth of my nephew or niece."

Elizabeth rubbed her burgeoning stomach. "As do I, my dear, as do I. Yet the doctor says I still must wait another two to three months. I can not fathom getting any larger than this, but it seems that I shall. Being great with child is not so very great. The back aches, the swollen ankles, looking more like a bovine than a human are all parts of being with child that I do not relish."

"Oh Lizzy, do not worry over your looks. You are absolutely gorgeous. You have a certain glow about you. My brother can hardly keep his eyes off you."

"I must say I disagree with you, but I do appreciate the compliment. Now, you must tell me all about your trip to London. Did you have any adventures or meet any interesting people?"

Georgiana blushed. "I did not really have any adventures, but I did make a new friend."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Really? Male or female?"

"A...a man," she stumbled.

"Tell me more."

"Oh, Lizzy, his name is Lucas Sotherby and he is the most wonderfully kind man I have ever met," Georgiana gushed. Her cheeks rosy with joy. "I met him at a dinner the Bingleys hosted. We talked all night long for we have so very many things in common. And ever since, whenever we attend the same balls, he dances almost all the dances with me even though his friends tell me he is rarely inclined to dance."

"Well, I must ask you a most important question," Elizabeth began in a mock serious tone. "Is he good looking?"

Georgiana's poor face reddened again. "I know that looks are not everything in a man, but yes, he is quite dashing."

"As all kind, young men should be."

Georgiana bit her lip. "About that. Mr. Sotherby is not quite so very young. He told me he is two and thirty."

Elizabeth had to admit she was a little taken aback. Her sister-in-law was a mere girl of only seventeen years. It was not unheard of for men in their thirties to pursue girls in their teens, but given Georgiana's trusting nature she had some doubts about the motives of this man.

"Is it only friendship you feel for him?" she asked once her surprise had worn off.

"For now, but my heart longs for so much more. I can almost imagine him as a...a husband. Lizzy, you mustn't worry. He is indeed a good man. Nothing like Wickham. I learnt my lesson the first time. I am being cautious with my heart. I promise."

"I know that you are, dearest."

"Lizzy, may I ask a favor of you?"

"Of course."

"Mr. Sotherby has written to me and informed me that he is currently in Derbyshire for the next few weeks. I would so love to see him and for you and my brother to meet him. Do you think we might invite him for supper tomorrow? Will you ask my brother to invite him?"

"Um...well...alright, I will speak to him but I can not make you any promises."

"Thank you!" Georgiana said as she rushed to Elizabeth and hugged her neck in elation. "You are the best sister a girl could ask for."

"Well, I try," Elizabeth replied with a sly grin.

Darcy swirled the amber liquid around in his glass. A sign to Elizabeth that what she had told him had unsettled him and that he was now mulling over what she had said.

"I have heard of this Lucas Sotherby. He is actually the Earl of Wessex."

"I did not know that. Very interesting, indeed. Do you know anything else about him? Does he have the title without the money? Could that be why he is interested in our Georgiana?"

"Your clever mind and fast deducing never ceases to amaze me, but no the Earl of Wessex is extremely wealthy. Caroline Bingley would have never invited him to dinner if he were poor."

Elizabeth nodded her head. "You are right, my love. Caroline's snobbery would never allow for a man who did not make at least 5,000 pounds a year to be at her dining table...But Georgiana is very much in danger of becoming quite enamored with this Earl of Wessex. Do you suppose that there might be nothing wrong with him at all? And that he could honestly be a nice man who has taken an interest in your sister?"

Her husband shot her a doubtful look. "I do not like the sound of him. Sure, business wise, he is up to snuff, but I know nothing of him personally. He could consort with prostitutes for all I know."

Elizabeth chuckled. "I highly doubt that. But there is only one way for us to truly ascertain his character. We should invite him to dinner."

Sighing, Darcy sat down beside his wife. Setting down the blanket she was knitting for the baby, she made room for him to lie his head down on her lap. She gently stroked his temples to help alleviate some of his stress. Elizabeth knew his younger sister's marriage prospect was a trying matter for him.

"I did not know that I would have to deal with this now. She is but seventeen. She should still be playing with her dolls for heaven's sake."

"Fitzwilliam, you are being a little fastidious, are you not? She is young, true, but that does not mean she can not make a perfectly fine match at this age."

"Well, we both know how her last choice turned out. You must pardon me for being suspicious."

"I know dearest, Wickham deceived us all."

"Not me," Darcy interjected.

"Yes, love, you are the wisest of men and you could never be bamboozled," Elizabeth replied with a hint of sarcasm. "But let us give this fellow a chance. We might be pleasantly surprised about what we discover. From what Georgiana told me he sounds like a polite and gentle man. She needs someone like that. Someone who will take his time with her. Be careful of her feelings."

"You are right, Lizzy dear, but she is still my little sister...Hey, what was that? Did your stomach move just now?" he asked in wonderment.

"The babe. He kicks."

"I know he kicks, but I could see his foot through your dress. Is he trying to come out through your stomach?"

"Don't be silly. He just does that sometimes. It is perfectly normal."

"It does not look normal. It is most decidedly strange, but yet quite mesmerizing. Look he's done it again!" Darcy cried in amazement when their unborn made his presence known once more.

"Yes, it is quite amazing what our little one can do," Elizabeth replied, smoothing her hand over her belly. "Now, about tomorrow?"

"Yes, madam. I will go and visit and extend an invitation for supper."

"Wonderful. Georgiana will be pleased."