I've decided that this is one of my favorite chapters (I say that every time, I know), but I love exploring Georgiana Darcy. It's a filler chapter until the BIG one tomorrow.

Chapter 25

Georgiana was preparing for dinner and she was searching frantically for her mother's necklace. "My mother's rubies! Where are they? I cannot find them!" She was nearly in tears. "Oh!" She called for her abigail. "My mother's rubies. Have you seen them?" She was tearing apart her vanity. "I was sure that I had them here."

"Oh Miss Georgiana, they are in your brother's possession. Something happened, and they were given to him for protection." Darcy had not wanted Georgie to know about the incident with Caroline Bingley. To him she was far too impressionable now, and he did not want her faith in humanity shook. She was the only link to their mother he had left.

Lady Anne Darcy, was as beautiful in as she was on the outside. Where her siblings were vain, and felt entitled to every single thing given to them, Anne Darcy was the exact office, in which she gave more than she received. When you met and talked she treated nobody beneath her. Even the servants were her equal.

And while Darcy had grown up, mostly, with a mother, Georgiana had not. She died shortly after childbirth, with unforeseen complications, leaving behind a brokenhearted husband and son, and a daughter, almost identical in her appearance.

Darcy once told Georgiana that she looked exactly like their mother and she took it to heart. She immolated her behavior based on stories. Though she was part Darcy too, and her temper when she chose to show it, though it was quite adorable, could be something fierce.

Georgie had clung to her mother's jewels, and clothes, that were not so fashionable now, but they had useful accessories made out of dresses that her mother worn at one point in her young life. A shawl, a new dress, even a comforter, made for her by Mrs. Reynolds. They were all she had left of her.

At Sarah's words, Georgiana sank onto the floor, finally releasing the tears that she was trying keep at bay during her desperation. There she cried, and cried, until her aunt, who had come in search for her, because she was late for dinner. After seeing her young niece on the floor devastated, the Countess, ignoring custom, sat on the floor beside her and pulled her into her arms.

And she just let her cry.

Darcy was worried. He had not seen Georgiana all day, and as she was hardly late, he sent the countess to look for her. This was his pre-wedding dinner. Tomorrow he would be married to the love of his life. She would be his wife finally!

Charles was there, as was the entire Bennet clan, and the Lord and Lady Woodward, and Lady Wooten. The children remained quartered upstairs, but would be brought down after supper to meet those that would become their new family. Colonel Fitzwilliam was there, making jokes to Darcy about what tomorrow night would bring, as his older brother nagged him along, in good humor.

The Earl was enchanted by Elizabeth, as was most who came in contact with her. Never had Darcy seen his uncle laugh so much.

Lady Catherine would be arriving tomorrow. Though she was disappointed, she dearly wished Darcy would marry her beloved Anne, she could see the sensibility in the connection of Darcy and the dowager. Especially since she was related to the duchess herself by marriage through both of their late husbands.

Mrs. Bennet, was in a deep conversation with her youngest daughter. Lydia had caused a scene, and Mrs. Bennet, who saw the reactions of those distinguished guests among them, even her second eldest daughter, decided to correct her behavior before she did anything else to embarrass the family that night.

Mr. Bennet was actually enjoying himself in a social setting for once, he enjoyed his conversation with the Earl and his daughter thoroughly.

Everyone was amused at Charles and Jane, who stood in a secluded corner, barely acknowledging anyone's presence, it was as if they were in their own little world.

Remarkably, nobody asked about one Mr. Wickham and Caroline Bingley.

There were much more important things to discuss.

Georgiana and the Countess made it their appearance just after supper, and right before the children were presented. Darcy gave his aunt a questioning look, but she just shook her head silently. She would talk to him, and her new niece, later.

The children were brought in by their mother, and grandmother. Elizabeth and Darcy had wanted this introduction done as privately as possible. Darcy had already considered them his kids, and made his opinions known to their mother.

Twins were a rarity among the ton. They were like an exotic location or a foreign land less traveled. So when William and Sophia entered the room, everyone was taken aback. Elizabeth and the late duke had made sure that the children were out of the public eye, so while everyone knew that they had a set of twins, nobody had actually seen them except for family and close acquaintances.

The Countess of Matlock's emotions were already frayed because of her earlier conversation with Georgiana, the sight of the beautiful babies brought her to tears once more. "Oh! They are beautiful!"

William clung to his mama, while Sophia found her target in Mr. Darcy and quickly, forgot manners, as nearly two year olds often do, and ran to him, causing the room to erupt into laughter, and the tense moment was broken. Everyone gathered around, and took turns acquainting themselves with the babies. The countess did not want to let them go. It had been too long since she had a child in her arms. She was going to enjoy being a great aunt very much she thought.

Georgiana Darcy, was excited about becoming an aunt. The children improved her mood greatly, and young William took a liking to his future aunt. In fact, it was she who got him to speak the first time that night, to her great pleasure, he called her his, "Annie."

And for now, we will assume that means Auntie.