Kate collapsed into the chair and preceded to fill her plate with her desired lunch. Her mother wasted no time asking questions about their first ball.

"Oh, you must tell me all, dear. Your sisters haven't been very forthcoming, but surly you will be kind enough to fill me in on all the happenings!"

Kate sighed. "It was exhausting. Nothing at all like local, country dances. It was so crowded, and there were many people curious about us. I danced several dances and met many new people. Lady Matlock took great pleasure in making sure everyone knew she had made our acquaintance first. Our dresses fit in to the present fashion, so we did not stand out in that sense. There were many beautiful, if not overdone, gowns. Is there anything else you would like to know Mama?"

"I swear, you girls take delight in vexing me. If I had only been allowed to go. I do not understand why I cannot."

"Mama," began Jane, "you are in delicate condition. It is true that under normal circumstances, you would be allowed to attend these events, but the doctor believes that it is best for you to take it easy. It shan't be for long, and you can still help select fabrics for my wedding clothes. Aunt Marianne has set a date to do so, all she needs to know now is where exactly you would like to go. There are other plans to be made as well, all of which you can do from the comfort of the parlor."

All the sisters smiled at Jane. She had such a way with their mother.

"Oh, alright. There is nothing else for it. Lord, please let this be a son."

"Come with me, Mama. How about we sit down and discuss some of the plans now, and I will fill you in a bit more on our evening." Jane escorted her mother from the room.

"Bless Jane," said Lizzy. "No one handles Mama better than her."

"So I have seen," replied Georgiana. "Well, are you going to tell us what all happened?"

Lydia nodded her head in agreement. Both she and Georgiana were not out yet, so they were itching to know what it was like.

"There really isn't that much to tell," said Kate. "It wasn't too different from the Matlock ball, other than there being far more people there. Mr. Darcy and the Colonel were still determined that Lizzy and I were not to dance with anyone they don't approve of. I think I would be very upset with him if I didn't realize his intentions."

"I thought he was going to give you every opportunity to know what you want?" asked Lydia.

"He did, but knowing my cousin, he has no plans to allow her to do so from the shadows," chuckled Georgiana. "And I imagine my brother has similar plans."

"So it would seem," said Lizzy quietly. "The gentlemen did their best to intimidate any would-be suitor that came our way. Lord and Lady Matlock didn't seem keen to correct their behavior, so I assume they approve. Our Aunt obviously found it very amusing."

"I can't say that I really mind. You can tell the one who are after fortunes, and Lady Julia had pointed out some gents that she said we should avoid. They are hard to miss, to be truthful," said Kate.

"Yes. They had a certain look in their eye. I had never noticed it before, but Lady Matlock said to look for it."

"Jane and Mr. Bingley had no eyes for anyone but each other. It was really quite endearing. Miss Bingley appeared to be the only one not amused by them. She looked very unhappy. When she wasn't sneering at her brother and Jane, she was trying to hang on Mr. Darcy's arm."

Lizzy stabbed at her potatoes. "Indeed she did, though he would politely brush her off each time. How can she not take the hints he gives her. He danced once with her, as did most of the gentlemen amongst our friends, yet she seemed to think that showed his preference for her."

"Until he danced a second with Lizzy, that is," put in Mary. "She was absolutely livid after that."

"Nothing else phenomenal happened, except to Mary," said Kate with a smirk.

"Mary! Oh, Mary, please, do tell!" exclaimed Lydia.

"Nothing happened. Dr. Anderson was there and he apologized for what he called his unintentional slight towards me a few weeks ago, at the Matlock Ball."

"That is not all. He claimed Mary in conversation most of the night and informed her that his cousin, Mr. Williams, is to take a house in Hertfordshire, and he is going with him. He is looking to set up his own practice and had heard that the area could do with another doctor."

"What house are they to take?" asked Lydia.

"Purvis Lodge. Mr. Williams is going to have a little work done to the place before they take residence in May."

"That will be good for the neighborhood. That house has stood empty longer than Netherfield did. Mama says it is because the attics are dreadful. Perhaps that is something he intends to update."

"So, Mary, what did you and Dr. Anderson talk about?" asked Georgiana.

"Nothing of consequence. He mainly inquired about the area and the other families in the area. I believe Mr. Williams is actively seeking a wife."

"But what about Dr. Anderson? Does he not seek a wife as well?"

"Men in his position are privileged not to depend on marriage to be happy. He makes his own way. I am sure he is the kind of man who would only be pulled into matrimony if he fell love."

"I take it that you forgave him?" inquired Lydia.

"Yes, though I told him that I cannot promise that my opinion of him is changed, completely anyway. He replied that he looked forward to seeing it changed."

Kate and Lizzy gave the other girls significant looks. There was more there than Mary let on, or perhaps more than Mary knew herself. The young women finished their lunch and moved about their days. The older girls sent messages to answer the calling cards that had been left, and made plans to head to a tea house after perusing the bookstore around the corner. Lydia and Georgiana were to join them, of course.

Georgiana and the sisters discussed their purchases over tea. So far, they had had a lovely afternoon. Jane had even joined them after settling their mother in her room. In the middle of tea, Lady Julia approached them with a friend in tow. It took Kate only a second to recognize her.

"Lady Julia. Lady Blakeston, how wonderful it is to see you."

Lady Julia smiled at all the young women before her. "I am very pleased to see you all, as well. If I had known you would be taking tea here today, I would have been sure to have you join us. Lady Blakeston, you were introduced to Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, and Miss Westfield last eve, but allow me to introduce my niece, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and the youngest Bennet sister, Miss Lydia. Ladies, this is Lady Hannah Blakeston."

"It is a pleasure. Lady Matlock cannot stop talking about how fond she is of you all."

They had small talk for a few moments before Lady Blakeston took her leave. Lady Julia looked relieved.

"Aunt," said Georgiana, "I thought you didn't like Lady Blakeston?"

"She is definitely not one I would consider a friend, but there was no logical reason for me to decline her invitation. Remember Georgiana, you must be careful not to slight anyone without just cause."

"Yes Aunt."

"That said, I fear I must give you warning ladies; watch out for her middle son, Geoff. Kate, she questioned me a great deal on you and made sure I knew she lamented the fact her son didn't have the chance to dance with you last eve. Steer clear of him, my dear. He was never a friend to Richard. In fact, Richard is not fond of him at all. I do not know what all happened between them, but Lord Matlock informed me that their last meeting left Geoff with a blackened eye," she finished in a near whisper.

"Thank you, Lady Julia. The Colonel told me much the same after I was introduced to Lady Blakeston." After maneuvering her out of the way of the middle Blakeston, Kate had asked him what he was up to. Several young men had been introduced to her, but he did nothing. She could tell he did not like him. His answer was simply that they man was very much like Wickham. Kate had forgotten about it until this moment.

"I am glad. Well, I suppose I shall see you all at dinner tonight. Good afternoon."

The ladies got into their carriage and headed home.

"What all did the Colonel say about Mr. Blakeston?" asked Jane.

"Nothing more than Lady Julia. He said he is the sort to be avoided," she said, giving her friend a significant look. Georgiana instantly understood. That was one gentleman she, too, would be avoiding.

"You don't think that he is just trying to keep you out of the reach of any other?" asked Lydia.

"No. I was introduced to many gentlemen last eve. He wasn't pleased, but he did not interfere beyond making sure I didn't dance with any of them," she chuckled. "I do not believe he is the type of man to go back on his word. He may do all he can to keep my favor, but I doubt he would ruin a man's reputation to do it."

Dinner was pleasant that evening. It seemed that they now had regular friends in Town to occupy their table, including the Gardener's. When the gentlemen joined the ladies after dinner, Kate told Richard of her encounter and the conversation that followed. To say he wasn't pleased is redundant.

"He will do well to 'steer clear' of you. I swear, if he tries anything…."

"He will not get the chance. Aunt Mari doesn't allow us to go anywhere without at least 2 other persons. At balls, we have been instructed to stay near each other and to always be escorted back to her. If we step outside, it must be as a group. She is leaving nothing to chance, and I see the benefits."

"That doesn't mean he won't try something." He massage the bridge of his nose. "Well, did you enjoy yourself last eve? Any new beaus I need to run off."

Kate laughed. "No, I assure you, Colonel, there were no new gents that ran away with my heart. I find that my favor is still drawn in one particular direction."

"That is good to know. My father sent Darcy and I a note this morning, commending us on our intimidating stances. He did, however, remind us that our goal is let you and your sister find your own happiness. I do not wish to over step my bounds."

"I do not think you could over step your bounds. For me to find someone amongst society, I would have to be looking, and I am not."

"And what are you doing then? Is that not the reason one participates in this yearly charade?"

"I am simply wanting to experience this society I was thrust into two years ago, to make connections, widen my circle of friends. Of course, I believe I accomplished this without the help of Town. I wanted to something more than the quiet, country life I have always known. That, and it is almost expected that a lady of my status would take part in this 'charade'. I find myself longing for Dylan. It shall be a while before I see it again."

"Because you are heading to Longbourn?"

"Yes. Mama will be allowed to travel in March, and Aunt has decided that we shall take our leave of Town when Papa takes her home. There is Jane's wedding to prepare for, and then we shall prepare for a new Bennet. What of you? What plans do you have in the works?"

"I had planned to tell you about that this evening. I received a letter from my superiors this morning. I must be at my post in three weeks. It was decided that I shall be officially considered retired at the end of May, and I need to make sure my replacement is ready. I am sorry to say that I shall miss your birthday, but as a consolation, we can celebrate that I shall be able to, thereafter, decide where I go and when I shall be there."

"That is a wonderful consolation indeed, but whatever shall I do without you here for six weeks? Who shall stand behind me and glare at any gent who dares ask me to dance?"

"Darcy and Bingley. Bingley has expressed that he, especially, will take his brother role seriously. And I plan to write Georgie every day. She will keep me informed of your comings and goings."

Kate couldn't help but laugh.

"What so funny?" asked Lizzy. She and Darcy had come to chat with them, having left Jane and Bingley to discuss their wedding with Lady Julia.

"The Colonel is to return to his post in three weeks' time. In the time he is away, he has people to keep him informed on my activities. Also, Darcy and Bingley have volunteered to intimidate would be suitors."

"Mr. Darcy shall be very busy then, as he is determined to scare mine away as well. Whatever would we do without them, sister?"

"We would, undoubtedly, fall for some rake out for our fortunes. How lucky we are to have such able men to protect our sensibilities."

"Hear, hear!" Lizzy and Kate laughed together.

It took me a while to get this one done. It is pretty much fluff to get the story moving along, with maybe an antagonist introduced. So, plans have pretty much been laid out. In March, the Bennet family is headed back to Longbourn, Richard is headed back to his post, Mr. Williams and Dr. Anderson are headed to Hertfordshire. As you can guess, the next major part of the story will be taking place there. Darcy and Georgiana are going to be going to Pemberly until it gets close to the wedding. They will then take up residence with Bingley, as will Richard, once he is officially retired from the military. I can't help but see Kate and Richard has friends, as well as a romantic couple. I keep thinking, 'They're a bit too open for the time,' but I simply can't write them any other way. Believe me, I have tried. When I write their interactions, I just feel like they accept that they are going to marry, but that there are things they want to have done before then. It's not quite the same with Lizzy and Darcy, though it kind of seems it. They are still dancing around each other, though they have admitted the attraction to those around them. I had planned on Darcy being a little bit awkward, but that isn't happening. There will be jealous Darcy, however, and he is not far away. I really do get it now, when authors would say the characters take on their own life. I'm all 'get back in line' and they're like 'no'. Next up, more letters! Yay!