Each person just stood there, afraid to say a word, unsure whether they would cause irreparable damage.

Just then, Georgiana pushed past her brother, running up to embrace the expectant mistress, and flooding her with enough questions so that she didn’t have the chance to utter a single word. “My dear Felicity, how good of you to come. You look very well. How is Kingston? You must come inside.”

With that, Georgiana clutched the woman’s hand, a little tighter than necessary and dragged her into the house, under the equally relieved eyes of each patron.

Lydia hooked her arm around her husband as Georgiana passed. She had known the young girl’s relationship with Wickham even before they eloped. Miss Darcy was not the only woman that her husband had romanced before...or even after they married. However, she was unlike the other whores that her husband entertained. She was sophisticated, wealthy, and accomplished; everything that Lydia had dreamed to be. For that she was an instant enemy.

She snapped out of her daze and broke away from her husband to meet her sister. She put on an obviously fake smile. At this particular point in time, she as past caring what her sister thought of her.

Elizabeth always wanted a close relationship with each of her sisters, but ultimately Jane was the only one that she could truly connect with. Even though she and Mary did have similar interests, Mary was too independent to let anyone in, so Elizabeth just let her in peace to herself. Kitty did allow her some consideration considering neither one of them could believe that they were related in the slightest. As for Lydia, they could have been friends if Lydia didn’t harbor such contempt for her older sister. Of everyone in her life, Lydia was the one who challenged her the most, even more than her husband. As with many sibling rivalries, Lydia’s hatred of Elizabeth stemmed solely from jealousy. Both o they knew that their father would always hold Elizabeth in the highest favor, and Lydia despised her for it, despite the fact that she herself was her mother’s favorite.

“You look most stunning tonight.”

“And you….” Lydia eyed her elder up and down in disdain. “You are most certainly having a trying time.”

She then leaned in and whispered, “You are so very lucky. My dear Wickham would never allow me to let myself go as you have.”

Elizabeth bit back a snarky remark. Even thought Lydia was due a good tongue lashing, this was neither the location nor occasion for such a thing.

“You should go inside. Mama and Papa have arrived and I’m most certain that she’ll be happy to see you.” Elizabeth made sure to let the lilt in her voice hint that their mother would be the only one to be pleased by her presence.

Lydia huffed, but gave her sister one last defiant smile, before she stalked inside, Wickham close behind her. The latter had been very silent during the entire greeting, especially since he could feel Darcy’s eyes burning through him from the moment that he came into sight.

“At least that didn’t go as horribly as it could have.” Darcy tried to salvage the atmosphere.

“Only thanks to Georgiana.” Guilty tears began to fill Elizabeth’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think that she would actually stoop so low as to bring him here. There is one thing that I can always credit to Lydia; just when I believe that she can no longer shock me with her impropriety, she succeeds with a stronger force than before.”

“You need not worry about her. I’m sure she will spend the night conversing with your mother. I just need you to keep calm. All of the stress is not healthy for you.”

“We should probably get inside, everyone will be expecting us.” She started to enter the party, when he husband grabbed her shoulder.

“They can wait.” He pulled her close, and their lips met.

Inside, Lydia reached her mother while Wickham reached the bar. Mrs. Bennett, slightly tipsy was being very chatty with her daughter on a reluctant subject.

“I can’t express my happiness, at Lizzie’s condition. My very first grandchild; isn’t it marvelous.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

“Oh, my dear, isn’t it wonderful how well Jane and Lizzie have done for themselves. I’m sure you share my pride for the two of them and what they have done for this family.”

“You seem quick to forget that I was the first to marry.” Lydia’s voice rose a little too high, causing some nearby guests to turn their heads toward the two of them. If there was one thing that society could never find their fill for, it was drama.

“I know my dear. It brought me great joy when the news of your marriage first came. But over time I have thought that if you had waited just a little longer, you could have done much better for yourself.”

Lydia tore away from her mother. “I have done just fine. I married the most handsome, wonderful man in England while Jane and Elizabeth had yet to receive any offers. They were two spinsters who ended up marrying two of the dullest men that I have ever encountered, and now they both look just terrible. Even Mr. Darcy is having a child with another woman.”

“Watch your tongue. You shouldn’t speak such malicious lies against your sister’s husband. God forbid, if she had heard you-

“It’s the truth; I heard it from one of the officers in Newcastle. Mr. Darcy took a mistress named Granville and now she is expecting his child.” Lydia then left to find Wickham, leaving her mother standing in the middle of the ballroom with her mouth hanging open.

Elizabeth sought out Jane and an apologetic Charlotte.

“Lizzie, I’m so sorry. Jane told me everything about that horrid woman. I was so wrong to say anything to you, when I obviously was mistaken about the situation. Can you ever forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. You could not have known. I believed the worst myself.”

“How is Mr. Darcy coping with the situation?” Jane inquired.

“As well as can be expected. As hard as it was for me to have thought what I did, it was much worse for him to have kept it secret for so long.”

“It is painful to think that so many others do not know the truth. Just think of the opinion they hold of Mr. Darcy.”

“You worry too much about what other people think. Neither Fitzwilliam, nor I care in the slightest what anyone thinks of us. What is going on is none of their business in the first place.”

“Well said Lizzie.” Charlotte proudly smiled at her friend, before her gaze locked on a figure from across the foyer. “Good Lord, is that-

“Felicity Granville.” Elizabeth finished for her after she turned. “Georgiana has apparently taken it upon herself to keep an eye on her for the rest of the night, poor girl.”

“I cannot understand the gall she must have, showing up here after everything that she has done.”

“She’s just that type of person Jane. You can be confident that I am as upset as you by her attendance. We all simply have to remain collected in the hopes of avoiding a complete disaster.”

Elizabeth then glanced at her surroundings, “Which reminds me, I should probably search for Mr. Wickham and try to keep him separated from Miss Granville.”

Charlotte shook her head, “I would check the bar Lizzie. I’m confident that is the surest place to find him.”

“That makes a great deal of sense. I just have to figure out how to keep him occupied. He and I have not exactly been on the best of terms since the scandal with Lydia.”

Charlotte giggled “He wouldn’t cause you any grief Lizzie. He’s still in love with you.”

“Bite your tongue.”

“Please, don’t tell me that you never noticed before. He was positively smitten with you from your first meeting.”

“As much as it pains me to admit it, I agree. Mr. Wickham has always had a great affection for you.”

“It does not matter for the feeling is not mutual.”

“What are you lovely ladies carrying on about?” Mr. Bennett’s cheery voice intervened.

Elizabeth placed her hand on his shoulder. “Papa, have you seen Mr. Wickham.”

A dark frown came upon his former blithe face. “Yes, I just saw him at the bar, drowning himself in whiskey. I am appalled at Lydia’s impudence.”

“Papa, I must ask you a favor.”

“Of course my dear.”

“Stay with him, and try to keep him out of trouble.”

“It is very important Papa.” Jane added.

“Will someone please tell me what is going on?” Mr. Bennett could never comprehend why he was always the last to know what was happening.”

“I will explain later, just right now I need your help.”

“All right sweetheart, I will keep him in check.” He placed a kiss on Elizabeth’s forehead before leaving to fetch his son in law.

He made it to the next room before he heard his wife’s shrieks. “Mr. Bennett! Mr. Bennett!”

Georgiana had spent the better part of the evening speaking with Felicity, all the while fighting the urge to pounce of her and rip out her ugly ebony locks. It was incredibly difficult to extinguish her feelings when she thought about all of the trouble that the woman caused for her brother and her sister-in-law.

As they were in the middle of a conversation about music, Darcy broke in and tugged Miss Granville by the arm a bit roughly, leading her into the nearest study. Georgiana followed them closely and shut the doors.

Felicity smirked in response to Darcy’s furious glare. “It wasn’t distasteful enough for you to force an invitation and then send that odious telegram to Elizabeth. You had to come and rub my wife’s face in it.”

She lifted her hands and shrugged. “I was simply curious to meet your new bride. I have heard much about her. Besides, you seem to have no trouble inviting George Wickham to the event.”

“I will speak to you no more about this matter, you came, but you will stay with Georgiana tonight and not say a word to anyone, on pain of your funds being disbanded.”

A scornful look was all that Darcy received in return. He could only hope that she cared more about his money that her spite. Just then, a bell sounded from the distance.

Georgiana nodded to her brother. “Come Miss Granville, dinner is about to be served.”

As everyone entered the large dining room, Darcy found his wife. “I have spoken to Miss Granville. Hopefully she will stay quiet for the evening.”

“Bless your sister; I just hope she is able to keep her under control.”

“I’m not too worried. Georgiana is much more intelligent than she reveals.”

“Well, Papa has promised to watch over Mr. Wickham, and Lydia will most likely spend the duration of the party with Mama. They are all seated together, so that should not be problematic.”

They entered the room together and Darcy leaned in. “Well, thank Heaven that you spoke to Miss Reynolds about Miss Granville’s seat in the case that she came.”

Elizabeth looked up at him in panic. “I thought you took care of that.”

The two of them watched on as they saw Felicity being seated across from Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, with the Wickhams to her right and Lady Catherine to her left.”

“Fitzwilliam, next year, I’ll heed your advice, and we’ll spend winter on a holiday.”

A/N: I am so very sorry for the incredibly long absence. All I can really say is that I have had a miserable three months. Without going into too much detail, I’m helping take care of a very sick family member. Anyway, I really appreciate those of you who have stuck with me and all of your kind reviews. I assure you, I won’t leave such a gap between updates again.

Until next time.