A few days later, Elizabeth and Lizzy returned to the modiste for a final fitting. Lydia could not declare the dress anything other than perfect for at least half an hour. The modiste had nearly finished noting the needed measurements when Lady Matlock and Lady Isabella entered the shop.

"Oh Lizzy, such a pleasure to see you again." Lady Isabella immediately exclaimed upon seeing Elizabeth.

Elizabeth laughed at the sight of Lady Isabella as she strutted around the room admiring Elizabeth from every angle. "Yes, my cousin should really enjoy seeing you in that outfit. If only there were a ball, we could show off to the world how marvelous you are." She paused in thought. "Mama, there are not many in town at the moment, however, there must surely be enough to host a ball to launch Lizzy into our society."

Lady Matlock calmly discussed the particulars and decided that a fortnight would be enough to plan a ball worthy of such an event. She even added that it would help guide the narrative they were creating.

Elizabeth wished to say there was no need, but Lydia looks positively delighted. Despite her denial of any troubles verbally, Elizabeth could tell she was beginning to see the weight of her problems. Therefore, in a rare act of solidarity with Lydia, she agreed to the plan. Lady Isabella and Lydia became fast friends in the next half hour as they planned all of the details in a nearby tea shop. Lady Matlock listened patiently while Elizabeth merely attempted to avoid rolling her eyes as the plans grew ever more extravagant.

When they left the tea shop, they ran into Mr. Denny, who announced that his orders had been completed and he was to return to Meryton the following day with an invitation to send any letters to Longbourn. They agreed to meet for supper at Darcy's townhouse. Lydia avoided flirting with Mr. Denny, which he appreciated.

Arriving home, Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy waiting impatiently in the foyer for their return. Lydia hurried upstairs with her new ribbons, eager to make up a bonnet. Mr. Bennet was ensconced in the library, so Elizabeth followed Mr. Darcy into his study where he quickly stepped behind the door and pulled Elizabeth to him and show her how much he had missed her while she had been gone. When he finally allowed her to catch her breath, he complained that her father was far too clever a chaperone. "If only we could marry soon."

Between breaths and more kisses, Elizabeth managed to reply, "Perhaps we can. The readings of the banns have already begun. We could marry almost as soon as we return to Hertfordshire." Feeling content, she settled her head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. With her eyes shut, she sighed in contentment before she explained having met Mr. Denny and their conversation. "I could tell my mother in my letter to her to begin preparations for the wedding. While we do not exactly know when we ought to return, we can certainly prepare. No one would think we were rushing. Papa would prefer we return home as soon as possible. He cannot enjoy being our chaperone. Speaking of which, we should probably move to the drawing room where servants might see us."

Mr. Darcy agreed and reluctantly pulled away. "You are correct as always, but now I wish we would hurry to Hertfordshire. I long for the day I need not avoid your bed chamber."

Elizabeth blushed and led them out of the room without replying.

"We have some time before dinner. Would you like to see your future rooms? You ought to begin taking note of what you should like to change."

The thought of seeing her future chambers excited her, and she agreed quickly. Sending a footman in search of the housekeeper, Mr. Darcy led her to the long-anticipated mistress' chambers. At the door he paused. "These rooms have been cleaned thoroughly, however; they have not been redecorated since my mother lived here. A few cherished pieces were moved to Georgiana's room when she moved out of the nursery. I also took her comfiest settee to my room. You must not feel like you need it to remain as it is for our sake."

He opened the door and allowed her to enter what would be their shared sitting room. As he had warned, most of the sofas and tables had been removed, leaving only a few chairs along the wall and a sofa in front of the fireplace with a handsome marble mantel. "The wallpaper is a little outdated, as you indicated. I am pleased there is a bookshelf, even though the library is very close." She moved to observe the books. They were some of her favorites. "Either your mother and I had very similar tastes, or you prepared this bookshelf for today."

With a chuckle he moved to stand behind her. "I knew you would appreciate that. If it were not for the fact that I love hearing you play piano, I may prefer to spend most of our evenings here. I hope you choose a sofa that will accommodate the two of us." Unable to resist her charms, he placed his hands around her waist and bent to kiss her ear as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

After allowing him the liberty of a few moments, she reminded him that his housekeeper would arrive soon. He smiled but refused to remove his hand from her back as he escorted her through the room to what would be her bedchamber. Sensing the danger of being in a room with a bed, he paused and let her walk in alone. "I have some ideas for furniture I might enjoy. The bed appears perfectly comfortable." She moved to the window to observe the garden view. There were half a dozen roses, all different colors, interspersed with gardenias, jasmine, and lilies.

"The smell from the garden must be heavenly."

"Yes, it is." Mrs. Smalls, the housekeeper, replied.

Mr. Darcy moved away from the door frame, knowing their chaperone had arrived. He quickly moved a curtain aside to reveal a small balcony. Turning the handle, he opened the door and led Elizabeth outside where there were a couple small chairs and a table barely fit in the small space. With a deep breath, Elizabeth sighed in contentment. "We might spend most of our time here instead of in the sitting room."

The smile she gave him was more brilliant than he had seen in some time. Thrilled that her fears over Lydia were finally fading into the past, he claimed her hand and led her into his room. "This is unconventional; however, I hope that you will be comfortable in every room of this house. I hope you approve." With a wide grin, he pulled her over the threshold and watched her take in all of the furniture and wall coverings.

The room was darker than the mistress' chambers. It seemed to suit him perfectly. She moved to the settee in front of the fireplace and sat carefully on the edge before she leaned back and made herself comfortable. "I see why you moved this here."

Mrs. Smalls moved forward to announce that there were a few pieces stored in the attic that might be to Elizabeth's liking. "Perhaps we can also visit Mr. Hale's furniture shop. He sells some of the most sought-after furniture."

Elizabeth agreed and with a glance at her future husband as he stood beside his bed, she followed the housekeeper to the attic.

An hour later, Elizabeth joined the gentlemen in the library, where they were playing a game of chess. Moving behind Mr. Darcy, she observed the board as she explained her plan to visit the furniture shop the following day. When she finished, she leaned forward and moved Mr. Darcy's knight into a better position.

Mr. Bennet was not pleased. "Lizzy! I am not playing against you! When did you become my adversary?"

With a laugh, Elizabeth explained that her allegiances were shifting with each passing day, as they should. "Or do you hope that Mr. Darcy and I will be always at odds?"

"You haven't been at odds for some time, my dear Lizzy." Mr. Bennet sighed. "Well, dinner should be soon, so I suppose you should help him beat me in the next three moves or so. If anyone can, it is you." He chuckled for a moment. "Well, Mr. Darcy, at least you know your winter evenings will not be boring, so long as you accept defeat gracefully." He moved his rook in defense.

Mr. Darcy was still staring at the board, attempting to figure out what Elizabeth was planning to do and did not respond immediately. "Oh, yes, I presume to be very preoccupied." He moved towards his king, but a cough behind him stilled his hand. He looked at Elizabeth who was staring at another piece. "What good would that do me? I should lose my other knight."

Elizabeth chuckled as she rolled her eyes and moved the piece as she had planned. "You are not thinking of the long term. A sacrifice here and there for the good of the king and queen."

"You had best watch and learn, my boy." Mr. Bennet chuckled as he accepted the inevitable and claimed Mr. Darcy's knight. "Lizzy, I would have won if it were not for you."

Elizabeth moved her last piece before declaring Mr. Darcy could figure out the rest and she moved to a book she had left in her chair by the window. Mr. Darcy watched her in amazement as the final move became clear. Speechless, he was saved from gloating by Lydia arriving in a huff to announce dinner was ready and they should already be heading to the dining room.

With a laugh, Elizabeth accepted Mr. Darcy's arm and explained that her grandfather Gardiner had been a chess champion at Oxford and had taught her before he died. "My Uncle Gardiner was not patient enough to think through the best strategies, and since he never had a grandson while he lived, he chose to teach me instead."

"So, you are saying I should play with Mr. Gardiner a few times before I attempt to play with you?"

Elizabeth agreed as she moved to her seat. Lydia stole the conversation, having been visited by Lady Isabella earlier that day to discuss the ball. About a quarter hour into dinner, Mr. Bennet claimed a headache and removed to the library. "There is too much talk of lace for my poor old ears."

"Oh well, he need not hear all our plans. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Denny, you do not mind talk of lace. Lady Isabella has so many decisions to make. She offered to send me to her home yesterday to help. She likes my help."

With a glance at Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth agreed to the plan. "I will be with Mrs. Smalls, and I am sure you have no wish to join us to look at furniture, so you may spend the day with Lady Isabella."

Mr. Darcy turned to Mr. Denny to continue their conversation, so Elizabeth continued speaking with Lydia, though she knew Lydia was speaking loud enough for all to hear. She was glad when the time came to retire to the music room. Lydia helped turn the pages for her while she practiced a few tunes she thought Mr. Darcy might like to hear. When the gentlemen entered, Lydia rose to sit with Mr. Denny while Mr. Darcy claimed his seat beside Elizabeth. As she had planned, Mr. Darcy was more than willing to help her sing with the music. Mr. Bennet emerged from the library long enough to listen to the performance before he announced his retirement for the night, effectively ending the evening. Mr. Denny said his adieus and claimed three letters for Longbourn before leaving in Mr. Darcy's carriage. Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth climb to the second floor where the guest chambers with her father and Lydia, wishing she did not have to sleep so far away from him.

Inside his room, he remembered the vision of Elizabeth on his settee, and the memory was far more provoking than any previous memory of his mother.