It was late afternoon when Elizabeth and Darcy finally reached Pemberly. The grounds were just as beautiful as they were when she first saw them. There was another carriage by the door when they arrived.

"Who could that possibly be?" Elizabeth wondered out loud. Darcy shrugged.

"We shall find out as soon as we get in." He got out of the carriage and offered his hand to Elizabeth as she stepped out after him. She graciously took it. A servant woman came running out.

"Sir! Ma'am! There are some people here to see. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner I believe." She smiled and bowed before her master. Darcy's face lit. The Gardiner.

"Thank you, Hannah." He said. Hannah bowed again and went back in. Elizabeth and Darcy followed.

The Gardiners were waiting for them in the guest room, happily situated on a small sofa next to each other. They have gotten considerably older and looked it. Mr. Gardiner's hair were streaked with lots of gray and wrinkles cris-crossed his face. Mrs. Gardiner, though with less gray hair, had as many wrinkles as her husband. The only thing that remained the same was their friendship and loyalty to the Darcys. They both smiled whey Elizabeth and Darcy walked in, the same worm smile that always greeted them.

"How wonderful to see you!" Mrs. Gardiner proclaimed

"I should and will say the same." Darcy replied. "Things are well, I presume?"

"Could not be better." Mr. Gardiner answered in his strong voice. "And I hope things are well here too? How is your son?" Elizabeth smiled.

"He should be in his room finishing his studies, but I daresay he is not there no longer, but off somewhere conquering the hears of many girls." They all laughed.

"I should not be so surprised." Mrs. Gardiner stated. "He has his father's good looks and his mother's amazing eyes. Oh, it shall get him in much trouble, it will." Elizabeth only smiled. A servant came in with tea and biscuits.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" she addressed her master. Darcy thanked her and said no. She left. The room was silent for a moment while the groups sipped tea. Elizabeth was first to break that silence.

"I trust everything is well in Derbyshire?" she asked, slightly leaning forward in her seat. The Gardiners nodded. A trifling conversation followed and went well into the evening. The Gardiners stayed at Pemberly for dinner which they claimed was the best they could ever get, which pleased Elizabeth. And after dinner, Elizabeth played the pianoforte for everyone. Darcy was thoroughly pleased with the entire evening and the visit, and before the Gardiners left, he invited them to the ball they were going to have in three days' time.

"They are such pleasant people." Elizabeth remarked. "I should be very disappointed if they were not to come to the ball."

Darcy nodded in agreement and led Elizabeth back inside after the Gardiners' carriage pulled away.