Two weeks later Georgiana arrived at Pemberley, her carriage pulling up to the main doors just as Elizabeth and Mr Darcy emerged from the house to greet her. Opening the carriage door for her Mr Darcy handed her down and placed a brotherly kiss on her forehead, delighted to have his sister back home. Stepping aside he allowed room fro Elizabeth to greet her sister in law. The two women curtsied to one another, Georgiana lifting her head with a shy smile as Elizabeth came forward to embrace her.

"I'm so pleased you could come and stay with us. I cannot tell you how much of a relief it will be to have the company of another woman, especially one who knows the house." Elizabeth said, kissing Georgiana on the cheek.

"I am happy that you agreed to my coming, I hope I won't be intruding on your privacy." She said quietly, her eyes flicking from Elizabeth to her brother and back again. She was unused to the idea of her brother being married still, since she had spent little time with them but it made her happy to see him so. However, she didn't think she had ever seen him as happy, his face, usually so grave and creased with a worry that never seemed to leave, was now free of such an expression and the love he so obviously felt for his wife shone through him. She was amazed at the change and heartily thanked whatever fate it was that had brought the two into the same company.

"Not at all! Indeed Permberley is as much your home as it is mine, more so in fact."

Mr Darcy smiled at how well they seemed to get on with one another, and now his sister would have the company of a woman about the house. "Come, let us go inside. I believe Georgiana may want some refreshment after her long journey." Offering Elizabeth his arm he led the way inside and into one of the smaller rooms dedicated as a parlour. Not that it was a small room, not by any stretch of the imagination. Like every other room at Pemberley it was light and airy, the windows facing north and offering a beautiful view onto the lake. It had been very tastefully decorated, the patterned wallpaper in an attractive gold and cream pattern stretched up to the picture rail above which it had then been painted cream. Seats of cream and pale green brocade were dotted about the room, mainly around the small circular table that now held the china, set ready for tea.

Playing the role of hostess, Elizabeth poured the tea and for a time the three sat companionably around the table talking of Georgiana's time in town and the coming house party.

"Elizabeth has managed the organisation of it beautifully with very little help from anyone." Mr Darcy said, looking down on the dark head of his wife with pride as she laughed off the comment.

"Do not believe a word your brother says Georgiana. That is an outright lie. Mrs Reynolds has been of immense help these last few weeks, indeed I believe she has done more work than myself. I could never have done without her."

With a very small indulgent smile Mr Darcy set the cup and saucer back on the tray and rose. "As much as I would like to remain ladies, I am afraid I must leave you, there is some business I must attend to."

"I don't think I have ever seen my brother so happy Elizabeth, I haven't seen his face so carefree in a very long time." Georgiana said as her brother left the room, accepting the refilled cup Elizabeth passed her.

"He is certainly very much changed since the first time we met. I often wonder if they are the same man."

Elizabeth did very little else that day except talk with Georgiana about various things and by the end of the day they were laughing and talking as easily as sisters. When Mr Darcy came down later that evening he was delighted to hear the sounds of his sister laughing, she was so quiet and shy her laughter was a thing rarely heard; perhaps Elizabeth would prove to be a good influence on his sister as well as himself.

The days went by happily, the three spending as much time together as business would allow, often taking long strolls through the gardens or by the lake. A great portion of Elizabeth's day was taken up by preparations for the fast approaching ball and the arrival of her sister and Mr Bingley as well as their other guests that would be staying. Mrs Reynolds once again proved her worth, pointing out the traditions that had to be kept and advising her on the likelihood of something new succeeding. She felt strangely nervous as the time approached, anxious that the ball should be a success and her position as mistress of Pemberley was important to her, she would not let her husband down and cause him shame. Her nerves were being stretched to their limit and it obviously showed in her face as her husband became increasingly concerned.

"My dear you do too much."

"But there is so much to do, and such distinguished guests from society are to come. Some of them are sure to be anxious to pick holes in the arrangements for this ball tomorrow!"

"It will be a great success; I have total faith in you. But it does not need this worry; if this is how organising such an event makes you we shall hold no more at Pemberley."

"Oh, but that would be such a waste of this house, and of the ballroom. I assure you sir, I shall be myself again as soon as this ball is over." And she was off again to make sure the rooms for those who would be staying at Pemberley would be ready.

He was still stood frowning after her when his sister walked by on her way for a walk in the gardens. "Is something troubling you?" She asked when she saw the look that sat uneasy on his face.

"I fear Elizabeth is taking too much upon herself. Surely Mrs Reynolds can help her."

"She does, a great deal. But this is the first ball Elizabeth has organised here as mistress, if all does not go well she fears to cause you any shame. She is in a strange place and has yet to learn all the traditions that must be held here. Do not worry yourself over it." Georgiana said in her soft voice. In the last few weeks she had come out of her shell slightly, Elizabeth's influence proving to be a good one.

The day of the ball dawned bright and clear, the sun sparking off the cool waters of the lake. Elizabeth was up early, making sure of the final arrangements before allowing herself to relax and prepare for greeting their visitors. It was the first moment she had really had to actually relax in days and wandered quietly from room to room, enjoying the solitude and calm while she waited for her guests. A few moments later Mr Darcy descended the stairs, greeting his wife with a kiss and pulled her arm through his. "Everything looks wonderful Elizabeth. This is the first time I have seen you so calm in days and the first time I have been able to have you to myself, though I fear that may be short lived."

Laughing lightly she leaned against him slightly as they walked, "I fear you may be right, Jane and Mr Bingley are due to arrive at any moment."

At her words one of the servants came through the door, "Mr and Mrs Bingley are here sir."

Leaving her husbands side Elizabeth ran through the house, most unbefitting of a married woman, to the hall where the couple were currently removing their outdoor coats. "Jane!" She cried, running up to the other woman and embracing her tightly. She hadn't seen her sister in months and was extremely pleased to see her looking so well. "I think being with child must agree with you Jane, I have never seen you looking as well as you do now. I hope you are treating her with care Mr Bingley." She said as she turned to her brother in law with a curtsey and offered her hand. He took it with a smile and planted a light kiss on it, taking her words as the jest they were meant to be.

"I am indeed Mrs Darcy. I believe I would have kept her at home if she had not insisted on coming to see you. I hope you are well yourself?"

"Very, I thank you."

"Charles." Said her husbands voice from behind her, she didn't even have to look at him to see the smile on his face.

"Darcy! Good to see you again man, it has been far too long." Mr Darcy stayed only long enough to greet Jane and welcome her to his home before the two men retired to his study.

"They will be in there for hours now. Come you must want some tea."

Elizabeth led the way to the gold and cream parlour she used for entertaining visitors as it was close to the entrance hall, close enough to know when another guest arrived. "I am so glad you are here Jane, I shall need your help tonight. Caroline Bingley is to be arriving shortly and will be staying here for a short time, I will need your presence to remain calm."

"Dear Lizzy," Jane laughed, "You know perfectly well that Caroline will have to curb her tongue now you are married to Mr Darcy, I am quite convinced that he will allow no slight on you."

"Maybe so, but I dread their remarks Jane. Mr Darcy married beneath him, I am quite aware of that and so are many others. I do not have your sweet nature to so easily forgive them." She had become very much aware of the pressure that now rested on her to give a good impression being the new mistress. It was a strange feeling to her to worry about what others might say or think, but it was not so much on her own part rather on that of her husband.

For a few hours more the two sisters chatted till the next guest arrived, her aunt and Uncle Gardner, the two people responsible for bringing herself and Mr Darcy together and so dearly loved by both parties.

Hugs and kisses were shared amongst the family, a warm welcome given to both. "I am so glad you could both come, I feared we may have lost your company you were so late in coming."

"We must apologise for that Lizzy, I had a few matters of business to attend before we left." Replied her Uncle, passing his cloak, cane and hat to the footman nearby. "Where is your distinguished husband my dear, I am anxious to speak with him again."

"He is in his study with Mr Bingley, I am sure he will welcome your interruption, he has been in there for several hours now. Daniels will show you the way." Elizabeth said, waving to the passing footman just as more guests began to arrive. "I'll have Marie show you to your room Aunt."

The next to arrive was Mr and Mrs Hurst along with Mrs Hurst's sister, Caroline Bingley and consequently Jane's sister in law.

Jane was at Elizabeth's side as she moved to greet them, the four women curtseying to one another while Mr Hurst gave a hasty bow.

"Thank you so much for inviting us Mrs Darcy, we have been looking forward to this with great anticipation."

"Indeed, we were a little surprised one has not been held earlier Eliza." Came Caroline's snide voice, the insult veiled as always, though still a barb that was as clear as day to the woman concerned.

"We would have done so Miss Bingley, but my husband and I decided to wait till Georgiana could join us from town." Elizabeth replied as her husband descended the stairs behind her.

"We did indeed; she would not have wanted to miss such an occasion. Forgive me for abandoning you and my duty as host my dear." He said as he came to her side, resting a hand lightly on her back. "Welcome to Pemberley Mr Hurst, Mrs Hurst, Miss Bingley, it is a pleasure to see you again." A small smile rested on his face, nothing more than a slight upturning of the corners of his mouth but it was more than was usually there. The look of chagrin on Caroline's face was hard to hide, she had come with the hope of finding Mr Darcy dissatisfied with his choice of wife, instead he was more at ease than she had ever seen him.

"Thank you Mr Darcy, as we were just saying to your wife, we are delighted to have been invited."

Calling over Marie again she asked her to show their guests to their respective rooms and as the disappeared from sight Elizabeth sighed, glad to have that first meeting over with, it had been much easier than she was expecting. Jane's words had rallied her spirits, she was secure in the love of her husband and she was determined not to let Caroline's barbs get to her.

After the arrival of Caroline and the Hurst's the visitors came in a flood, all of them seeming to arrive at once and Mr and Mrs Darcy scarcely had time to breath between greetings. Each was shown to their room and at last they were left alone, their last visitor having just been taken to their room. Elizabeth knew few of them, most being acquaintances of her husband, but they had all greeted her relatively warmly.

"Would you pleasure me with your company on a short stroll of the gardens before we must retire to dress?" Mr Darcy asked of his wife, offering his arm. Happy to accept his offer the couple strolled out to the gardens arm in arm. "I am sorry for leaving you alone to greet Caroline, I know her opinion of you is not of the highest. Please do not worry over her comments tonight, they are born only of jealousy."

Elizabeth found herself highly surprised at these words. True Caroline had made no secret of her admiration of Mr Darcy to anyone but this was the first time her husband had made any acknowledgement of her attentions.

"I shall do my best to ignore her comments and still be a good hostess. As mistress of Pemberley I cannot be seen neglecting any of my guests. However rude they may be. Put your mind at ease my dear, she shall not bother me in the least."

For a few minutes longer the two strolled in silence before retiring to their dressing chambers to prepare themselves for that evening.