Hi everyone! This is a short chapter which covers the time from the christening until the spring. It is a quick read but I hope an enjoyable one nonetheless. Stay tuned for further developments in the next chapter. :)

Also, a big thank you to the viewer who pointed out that, in chapter 12, the garden would be too cold for comfort. I guess I just got going and forgot about its being the dead of winter! It's all fixed now. Reviews with constrictive criticism to help me improve the story are appreciated just as much as sweet ones.

Chapter 14: January – March 1815

The following morning the guests began to leave, Mr. Collins, Charlotte and little Henrietta Collins, and the De Bourgh ladies being the first to depart.

Jane and Charles left shortly after, and took Kitty with them, to spend a few weeks of the season at Bingley's house in London, where his sisters were staying, before going back to Netherfield to prepare for the move to their new home. Kitty was not officially out, but there were plenty to private parties which she could attend, and Elizabeth agreed with Jane that the new scenery and experiences in Town would be good for her while she was under her eldest sister's watchful eye. Jane offered to take Mary too, but the later declared that she had no interest in London.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Mary departed a few days later, and Elizabeth, though truly sorry to see her father go, was happy to have a few peaceful, happy days with only her Aunt and Uncle Gardener and Colonel Fitzwilliam as her guests. These three were very welcome and all the occupants of Pemberley were sorry to see them leave at the end of the week.

"Promise you shall write when you get your next assignment Richard," requested Darcy earnestly, as the Colonel's horse was brought round. He was on his way north to visit his family, a task which often proved an unpleasant duty to him.

"I shall Darcy," he said, shaking his hand warmly. Then turning to Georgiana, "I expect a whole selection of new songs to listen too when I visit again. You are improving every day and I take great delight in your playing."

She gave him a bright smile. "I hope you come back soon Cousin Richard."

"As do I," said Elizabeth. "I must say Richard, you feel quite like my own brother already and I shall be delighted to see you here at any time."

He kissed her hand and gave her almost a wistful look before turning away to mount his horse and gallop out of the gate with a dramatic flourish of his hat.

"I do hope no harm comes to him," Georgiana said. "Dear Colonel."

Elizabeth looked at her quickly, but there was nothing more than friendly concern in her face. When her eyes traveled to her husband's face, Lizzy saw that his brow was furrowed in a worried frown. She took his arm and he gave her a slight smile.

"He is not going back to the wars yet," she said, in an effort to reassure him. He nodded and shook off his anxiety as he offered Georgina his other arm and the three returned to the house.

The rest of the winter passed quietly enough. Elizabeth and Georgiana agreed with Darcy that they would rather not go to Town at all this winter, since Lizzy preferred to reserve more time for her baby and Georgiana would not be coming out until the following year.

The snow was heavy in February and Georgiana and Lizzy enjoyed sliding down the hills around the house like little girls. It was not at all dignified, but it was great fun and they even persuaded Darcy to go down once. He was quite a sight as he came up out of a deep snowdrift that his sled had upended into. The ladies laughed until they cried and could not induce him to go again. Pleasant evenings were spent in the upstairs sitting room, with William in his cradle, Georgiana practicing pleasant, old fashioned airs and Darcy and Elizabeth talking quietly or working near each other.

February also took Darcy to Kent, for the wedding of his cousin to Lord Farley. Darcy found Farley to be a serious looking young man of six or seven and twenty; his only striking feature being his fiery red hair. He talked little, unless it be about the war with France which he had fought in since the age of eighteen. Darcy saw little affection in Lord Farley's behavior toward Anne and, thinking of his Elizabeth, felt a little sorry for both. There was respect on both sides however, and Farley appeared to be prepared to treat his bride with consideration and deference which Darcy felt was at least a promising foundation for a marriage. He was glad that Anne was to be well settled, and still more glad to return to his little family at Pemberley.

March brought the Darcy's first anniversary. They felt very blessed as they spent the day enjoying the first signs of spring and baby William celebrated the occasion by giving his mother his first real smile.

Meanwhile, on the continent, the storm clouds were massing again; storm clouds that would wash over England and alter the lives of many.