Again, very sorry for the long wait between chapters. 3

The weeks passed quickly by and before Elizabeth could barely believe it, there was a chill in the air and the leaves began to turn. She quickly fell into a routine at Pemberley, happily learning all she could from the housekeeper, Hannah, and Georgiana regarding the inner workings of the great estate. She also made it a priority to shadow Darcy as he visited the estate and its numerous tenants, eager to meet each and every acquaintance. But it soon became obvious to Elizabeth how much her new sister had taken on in lieu of no mistress, and Georgiana confided in her almost weekly how pleased she was to have her.

"Tis no surprise, I suppose," Elizabeth replied to Georgiana's declaration as they quietly studied their needlework in the late morning light of the parlor. "You are still so young, dear sister. You should not have the responsibilities of the household to weigh upon you."

Georgiana eagerly nodded. "You are quite right, Lizzie. Fitzwilliam did not wish anything to fall to me once Father died, but without him or Mother, I could not bear watching him burn oil throughout the nights in order to catch up on household tasks. It was the least I could do in lieu of him taking care of me."

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. "You are very kind, but do allow yourself some youthful freedom now that I am here. Mrs. Reynolds has been most efficient in her tutelage of me. I may even dare to throw an autumn picnic for the local tradespeople and their families." She grinned mischievously to Georgiana. "Do you think I am mad to do so this early in my tenure?"

"Not at all. It will be excellent practice for the Christmas ball."

Elizabeth froze and blinked a moment before meeting Georgiana's hopeful grin. "Christmas ball?" she stuttered. A town picnic was one thing. An extravagant ball as hostess was quite another.

Georgiana dropped her needlework and grasped Elizabeth's hands in earnest. "Please do consider it. I have heard tales of past Pemberley's Christmas events when my mother was still alive. Fitzwilliam himself detests balls in general, but even he admits to the magical state of the house during those holidays. I am anxious to enjoy one myself."

Elizabeth continued to blink at Georgiana as Hannah walked in with shawls in hand. "Time for your morning walk, ma'am. You asked me to remind you as you plum forgot yesterday." She covered Elizabeth's shoulders with the soft fabric. "I retrieved yours as well, Miss Georgiana, in case you'd care to join Mrs. Darcy."

Georgiana stood with Elizabeth. "Hannah," she said quietly as she thankfully took the shawl, "do you recall any balls at Pemberley, perhaps when you were my age or younger?" Elizabeth pursed her lips at her sister in silent admonishment, but she also was curious to hear the answer.

Hannah nodded right away. "Aye yes, the Pemberley Holiday Ball, of course." She sighed happily. "The late Mr. and Mrs. Darcy only threw one party a year, but it was such a sight to see. My mama would bring me to help decorate the ballroom ever since my arms were strong enough to carry a vase safely to and fro." She turned to them again and adjusted straightened each shawl. "And the mistress and master never forgot their staff or their families. As soon as the formal ball was wrapping up, the house staff would join the rest of the town for an all night shindig at the Inn you'd never did see. All compliments of the Darcys. Such fine people they were."

Georgiana glowed with the information and then looked hopefully back to Elizabeth. "Think of it, Lizzie! We could invite our neighbors, friends - and don't forget our families! Could you imagine such a Christmas?"

Elizabeth began to walk outside with Georgiana's hand tucked in her arm. To think of seeing her family again, on Christmas, was better than a dream. A dream that she wasn't sure was yet possible, but it stirred some excitement in her. And then she recalled her recent correspondence.

"I shall need to speak to Mr. Darcy of course, but please do not yet get your hopes up, dear Georgiana. I fear my presence at Pemberley may not entice everyone to join us in celebration."

Georgiana snorted a most unladylike snort. "If you are referring to my aunt and uncle Matlock and their desire to believe every word from Lady Catherine, then you may be correct." Pausing a moment, she then added mischievously, "But oh, hang them."

Elizabeth gasped, but could not smother a giggle. "Georgiana!" The younger lady had opened up quite a bit to Elizabeth recently.

Georgiana blushed. "Forgive me, Lizzie. I should not speak so; Fitzwilliam would be livid if he heard me."

"Where on earth have you heard such language?"

Georgiana grinned. "My cousin Richard - Colonel Fitzwilliam - well, he tends to slip into what he calls 'sailor talk' after a brandy or two. I find it hilarious."

Elizabeth grinned. "And your brother?"

"He hides the brandy."

The women chuckled together before sitting down on a garden bench to admire the grounds and catch their breath. After a few moments, Elizabeth noticed right away a change in Georgiana's demeanor as the girl became lost in thought. Elizabeth clasped her hand in encouragement if the girl wished to divulge. This had been happening all the more often as Georgiana shed her shyness with Elizabeth bit by bit.

Georgiana sighed. "My brother and Richard have been my only family dear to me for too long, Lizzie. I cannot sufficiently describe what your presence means to me, and how much I already love you." Elizabeth gave her a warm smile and squeezed her fingers. "Lord and Lady Matlock were once close to Fitzwilliam and me, especially when I was younger. Lady Matlock was almost a mother figure to me." She paused. "That all changed about a year ago."

Elizabeth waited a moment to see if she would continue but she did not. "What do you mean? Did something happen between the Darcys and Matlocks?"

Georgiana chewed her bottom lip in deep thought before sighing once more and shaking her head. "Not strictly speaking no, but more that the aftermath of something I had done caused strife between our families." She then added quietly, "I had never seen my brother so angry."

It became clear to Elizabeth that Georgiana did not how to continue. She turned towards her and this time held both of her hands in earnest. "Dear sister, I am sure Mr. Darcy did not mean to be angry with you. I can tell very much how much he loves you, whatever your folly."

Georgiana instantly shook her head. "No, no, you misunderstand me. Fitzwilliam's anger was not directed toward me." Elizabeth waited patiently, but the anticipation was killing her. This was obviously some great Darcy drama that still plagued her new sister. It was eating her up inside to see Georgiana so forlorn.

"Last summer," she began, swallowing hard, "I found myself to be…" Georgiana awkwardly coughed and blushed before continuing. "I allowed myself to be swayed - by a young man." Elizabeth did not reply as she could tell there was more to come. Georgiana coughed again, looking down at their clasped hands. "You see, I believed that he loved me, and I loved him. At least what I thought was love at the time, now I know it was just menial infatuation. A girl's crush on an older boy."

Dread filled Elizabeth; she could feel Georgiana's shame. Her mind flew instantly back to her first carriage ride as a new wife and Darcy's harsh reaction to his sister being married off - even in jest. The circumstance and his tone was crystal clear to her now.

"I…I…even at the time, I knew it was wrong, but I agreed to marry him. To elope to Scotland."

Elizabeth could not help it, she gasped. Tightening her grip, she encouraged Georgiana to continue.

She sighed once more. "Fitzwilliam discovered us just in time, thankfully, and it was made plain that this young man did not care for me. He simply wished to marry an heiress." She lifted her eyes to meet Elizabeth's and they were filled with tears. "To think of the shame I could have brought to Pemberley, to my brother. It still sickens me to this day."

After a few moments, Elizabeth dared to speak. "You are but human, dear Georgiana, and it is clear to anyone that Mr. Darcy loves you very much. His affection for you is infectious."

Georgiana attempted a smile. "I do not doubt his love, nor the love of Richard. They both saved me from ruin and thankfully do not speak of the incident. You are the first soul I have spoken to on the matter, but Fitzwilliam has assured me I should trust you implicitly, even though I have come to that conclusion myself." Elizabeth flushed with pleasure.

The younger woman sat up straighter as she continued. "You see, as Colonel Fitzwilliam is son to Lord and Lady Matlock, naturally the news of the incident became known to them. He was staying at their manor at the time." Georgiana faltered a bit then. "My aunt Matlock wrote to Fitzwilliam. I do not know every detail, but I do know they wished never to see me again."

Georgiana looked so small in that moment that Elizabeth was compelled to throw her arms around her in an embrace. They held onto each other like that for a long time. Georgiana did not cry, but Elizabeth could feel the weight of the burden she just shared.

When they finally broke away, Georgiana gave her a watery smile. "So you see, I do not much care if Lady and Lord Matlock pay us a visit at the Christmas ball. They are determined to believe we Darcys are a polluted sort."

Elizabeth laughed and hugged Georgiana again. "I do believe Lady Catherine used that exact word when she hounded me in Kent. We shall remain polluted together, even if we hold a Christmas ball." She pulled back a moment to look at Georgiana before tucking a lock of hair back affectionately. "Do not make yourself uneasy over the past, sweet girl. Your future is very bright." She leaned in to add in a whisper, "So yes, hang them!" The women giggled once more together on the garden bench.

Darcy watched the pair from the window overlooking the great landscape. He smiled softly to himself as he witnessed their embrace, and even more so when they laughed together. His heart swelled in his chest. If all that would come from his marriage to Elizabeth was a companion for Georgiana, then he decided it could be enough for him. Georgiana meant everything to him.

"Ah, there you are!"

Darcy turned toward the open door and he couldn't help a wide smile break across his face. He watched as his cousin strode towards him to shake his hand. "What on earth are you doing here? I had thought you'd return to Bath with the regiment."

Richard slapped a hand Darcy's back in greeting. "Seems they need a break from me. Something about 'obsessive fortitude' or the likes." He sat down next to the brand tumbler and helped himself. "Forced leave through the holidays, bloody savages." He drained his glass quickly before filling it up once more. "Lucky for you, the Earl and Lady Matlock recently received an invitation from your lovely wife to visit Pemberley at their earliest convenience. And lucky for me, they rejected the generous offer to get to know their newest relation, resulting in you receiving me - a very pleasing companion to you as you well know - rather than my father - a very formidable man of poor taste in liquor and stimulating conversation, as we are both well aware."

Darcy rolled his eyes and snorted softly before grabbing the snifter and storing it within a cabinet away from sight. He then sat opposite of Richard, crossing his legs. "I am aware I should not have been surprised that your mother and father refused to visit and meet Elizabeth given their most recent sentiment toward myself and Georgiana, but I admit I was still disappointed."

Richard took another swallow and grimaced. "After Lady Catherine and her tongue were done with them, you are right - you should not have been surprised." He then added softly, "But you should also still be disappointed. Mrs. Darcy is a treasure that they know not what they are missing."

The men sat in silence a bit longer, Darcy suddenly wishing he did not store the brandy away so hastily. Reading the conflict on his cousin's face, Richard reached across and handed Darcy his glass, which he drained completely in the next moment.

After several minutes of silence, Richard risked asking next, "How goes married life, Darcy? Pray, convince me to settle down with tales of happiness."

Darcy snorted again but smiled softly. "Elizabeth is an exemplary mistress of Pemberley. She is kind and thoughtful, and her eagerness to learn is touching."

Richard waited a few beats for more, but when nothing came, he added, "And what of her new relations? For a lack of a better term, has she 'hit it off'?"

Darcy smiled tightly. "She and Georgiana are quite close, I am pleased to say. You will be shocked to see how much your cousin has grown in both stature and mind since you've last visited. Although I cannot attribute her growth in body to Elizabeth, I can safely say that she has influenced Georgiana is such a way that I am afraid she is quickly becoming a young woman before our eyes. She's always been a lovely girl, but she is truly a lovely woman now in knowing another lovely lady such as Elizabeth."

Richard nodded, but he still had not received what he was prodding for and Darcy knew it. In an attempt to stave off more probing questions, Darcy added, "Elizabeth and I enjoy frequent visits to the tenants together. Their love for her was immediate. I quite enjoy our trips, and I think I can safely say she does as well, or at least she seems to."

Richard laughed. "I do not see Elizabeth shying away from having an opinion, so I gather you must be right. I am happy for you, Darcy. A marriage bred from friendship is a happy thing indeed. The late Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are a prime example, and I wish you every happiness."

Darcy thought to himself quietly for a moment. Richard was correct; a friendship with Elizabeth could make way for a very pleasant marriage together, even if she never loved him. Could what they have be considered as such? He stood suddenly and walked back over to the window overlooking the garden. There he watched again Elizabeth and Georgiana conspiring together, and he smiled.