Chapter 28

As the younger generation made their way out to gather greens the next day, Elizabeth, with a wink at Jane, quickly gathered some of the snow that had fallen the night before and moulded it into a ball. Jane knowing what her sister was about moved to her side and as soon as Elizabeth had fired her first missle off, she took the waiting snowball from Jane's hand and targeted her next brother.

Georgiana, comprehending what was happening, quickly formed a snowball and threw it as Elizabeth threw a third, this time at Richard. Who having watched James and Henry get pelted by her accurate aim and stand there stupified, was quick to gather his own snow and cry, "So it is war you seek, little sister?" throwing his missle at her.

Elizabeth grabbed Georgiana and Jane's hands and ran. Anne from where she sat perched on the wagon that would transport back the greenery they found, with hot bricks and wrapped up in numerous layers against the cold and fussed over by her companion Mrs. Jenkinson, urged the three girls on as Richard gave chase followed by the others as snow flew back and forth between the combatants. It was Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana against the five Fitzwilliam males and Darcy.

Richard caught up with the three girls, stealthily sneaking up on them from behind, as Elizabeth paused to collect snow. Her brother though was quick to capitilize on what he perceived as an advantage and tumbled her into the snow with a gentle nudge. Laughing her offerred her a hand up, but with a mischevious grin she used his hand to leverage him down into the snow as well.

"Minx," Richard exclaimed.

"I find myself leery of offering my own hand to help you up, sister," David said standing above her and Richard having charged forward in an attmept to 'route the enemy.' "For I have no desire to make my bed among the snowfall."

"I have no such qualms," Darcy said offering his own hand to Elizabeth.

"You suspect I would not utilize the same maneuver twice?" She asked grasping it.

As he pulled her up, he said, "On the contrary. I have no issue with being pulled down into the snow by you. I cannot think of anyone I would rather pull me into the snow or enjoy such a thing more from."

Elizabeth blushed at this, while Georgiana giggled.

"Let us set about gathering the greens you insisted upon," James said deftly a moment later, removing Elizabeth's hand from Darcy, who still held it clasped in his own. "Shall we make it a competition? Who can gather the most greens?"

"We shall need lots of mistletoe!" Georgiana cried out.

"Lots and lots," Anne chimed in as the wagon rolled to a stop, having heard her young cousin.

"I am not bussing Aunt Catherine a hundred times. Spare me the mistletoe," Issac said with a shrudder.

"Our Aunt does not habitually stand under the mistletoe," Henry said with a laugh. "That was one time and you were a lad!"

"It is a memory that has not faded in ten years. I was convinced she would cane me when I kissed her cheek, but you had convinced me I absolutely must kiss whoever was under the mistletoe or receive no presents."

"Less mistletoe would not go amiss," Darcy said wryly. "No offense to you Anne, but-"

"Not to worry I shall assiduously avoid the mistletoe, William. And if I by chance find myself caught, I won't be offended if you don't do your duty. Someone else, anyone else, can certainly bestow the necessary kiss," Anne said quickly.

"Well, in that case, with out the problem of Lady Catherine out of the way, I wouldn't be opposed to covering the entirety of the Hall in it. The more the merrier, I say," Darcy said with a look at Elizabeth.

"And have all the chaps in these parts kissing my sister when they stop by to supposedly discuss horse flesh, but are in reality hoping to take a gander at the Hall's heiress? I think not," Henry said with a snort.

"I doubt it is me they would be trying to catch under it. It would be my Jane!" Elizabeth said with a laugh. "Poor Mr. Bingley!"

"Poor Jane!" Anne countered. "I would not doubt though that at least one gentleman would be quite determined to catch you under the misletoe, Lizzy."

Darcy watched Elizabeth converse animatedly with her father and eldest brother from her position of hostess during the course of the meal. She had suggested that her mother take the hostess role, but Lady Matlock had refused, stating the estate was hers, and therefore she should serve as hostess, while Henry who resided primarily at Harcourt continued in his role as Master. He could not wait to hopefully have her someday as his hostess at Pemberley, presiding over a similar dinner. The Fitzwilliams were a boisterous lot and he knew if he succeeded in marrying her, they would often visit.

...

The next afternoon, having heard the gossip about Lady Elizabeth having been found and that the entire Fitzwilliam family was in residence at Harcourt, the local families eagerly sent out their gentlemen to ascertain the truth of the matter with a visit to the resident gentlemen at Harcourt. Delighted to find out it was so, an invitation to the party at Harcourt was quickly issued for the upcoming Holiday Assembly. Henry, as the acting master and host for his party, accepted on behalf of the group.

More than one gentleman inquired on behalf of their wives if Lady Matlock was receiving vistors, assuring the gentleman the ladies had no wish to intrude on her time with her newly returned daughter, but wished to welcome the ladies of Harocurt to the neighborhood.

Lord Matlock spoke up each time and said, "My wife will appreciate their thoughtfulness in allowing her time with my daughter. We are naturally eager to show off Elizabeth, but are enjoying having her to ourselves. Lady Matlock will send round her cards when she is ready to receive visitors, will that suit?"

No one wished to offend the earl by gainsaying him and agreed, more than one privately winced at having to report home that the females of their household would have to, for the time being, forgo not just the opportunity to see the newly returned heiress, but have no excuse to visit Harcourt where so many eligible bachelors had currently taken up residence.

"Elizabeth! Just the person I was seeking," Darcy called out to Elizabeth, spotting her and his sister in the hallway. The two turned and stopped upon his hailing her.

"Oh," Elizabeth asked, raising her eyebrow in inquiry, as his long legs quickly closed the gap between them.

"Yes, you see," he said smiling, "one of the locals has just departed after inviting our party to the upcoming assembly. Henry did not hesitate to accept."

"An assembly?" Georgiana asked excitedly. "Oh Lizzy, you must tell me all about it as soon as you return! I won't be able to fall asleep until you have returned and done so! It will be wonderful I imagine," she said with a dreamy sigh.

"Why should you have to stay up and wait to hear of it, when you could join us and witness it?" Elizabeth asked merrily.

"I am not out yet," Georgiana said with a hint of a forlorn note in her voice. "Though I own I would like to see it."

"Georgie is right," Darcy added. "She won't come out for a few more years. And then she shall attend the balls of high society."

"An assembly in a country town is a far cry different from a ball in town among the ton. Surely, with so much of her family close by, she could be permitted to attend and watch the proceedings?" Elizabeth asked.

"I would stay close by Elizabeth's side and when she is dancing I would stay with Aunt Catherine or Aunt Susan," Georgiana exclaimed bouncing on her toes with excitement at the idea.

Seeing his sister's excitement and the determined glint in Elizabeth's eye, Darcy knew he would give in but decided to use it to his advantage. His eyes twinkling he said, "I would be willing to allow it, with a few strictures in place, on one condition."

While Georgiana squealed excitedly, Elizabeth inquired as to his condition.

"You see, you brother Henry's acceptance set off a flurry of your brothers determining who would claim your first set, your father intending to dance with you mother during the first. They scattered to the winds in search of you to secure it. I dare say it could come to blows if one of them secures it before the others. James attempted to claim his own precedence and rank, which did not go over well, I assure you. Seeing as how I found you first, I suggest you grant me the privilege of your first sets," Darcy concluded grinning.

"And thereby keep the family harmony and prevent my brothers from squabbling over it," Elizabeth said pertly. "You present it as an act of valor and sacrifice-"

"Oh it is no sacrifice," Darcy cut in quickly.

"Regardless," Elizabeth said smiling. "Your true motive is to usurp my brothers so that you may tease them. I am onto you, sir," she laughed. "I have seen how you enjoy teasing and plauging each other."

"If you wish to believe that is my only motive, you may for now," Darcy said carefully.

"Very well, if I am to agree to this scheme to tease my brothers, I insist one of the strictures be that Georgie is allowed to stand up for dances with our relations," Elizabeth said impishly.

"Consider it done, madame," Darcy said grinning broadly, delighted to have achieved his aim. "I shall certianly plan on standing up for a set with my sister."

"You shall likely have to stand up for a set with the younger females of our party," Georgiana said innocently. "It would be best if you secured a second set with Lizzy or Aunt Catherine may attempt to misconstrue Anne's dance with you. Jane naturally won't niether would Anne herself. If both you and Mr. Bingley danced twice with Jane, it might start speculation that you both admired her and where viying for her attention. Anne had such fun dancing with our party she confided she wished she had such diversion available to her at Rosings, even if she only had the stamina to dance a set or two over the course of a few hours."

"Well Elizabeth?" Darcy said supressing his grin. He knew he could undoubtedly rely on one of his male cousins to provide Anne with a dance or two and avoid raising his Aunt Catherine's hopes, but he would gladly deal with his aunt if it meant the opportunity to dance twice with Elizabeth. Under such a guise her father could hardly object over much, especially if he also partnered his own sister twice. His aunt pretensions were well known and his uncle, and the earl, knowing his intentions toward his own daughter, understood the importance of suppressing Lady Catherine's.