Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe

Wickham's lack of invitation," observed Mary, who loved to reflect and sermonize on the folly of others, "in my opinion, such deliberation is ill conceived. If you dwell for just one moment on the real likelihood of such a summons to our misguided sister and her husband from Mr Darcy, who we know to be a rational man, you must also know it to be highly improbable."
    "Oh, Mary, hold your tongue. Mrs Wickham can come to Pemberley whenever she likes, whatever you might think on the matter," rejoined Mrs Bennet loudly, with an expression of exasperation.
    Mrs Gardiner advanced quickly to reach Mrs Bennet's side, to greet her and divert the course of conversation, just as Mr Darcy entered the hall to welcome his guests. He had thought it prudent to allow Elizabeth a little time with her parents and sisters before he came on the scene. His manners were as impeccable as ever and Mrs Bennet became quite girlish in her manner at his attentions, patting her curls and looking at him under her lashes. When Lizzy was able, she could not resist catching her husband's eye, raising her own heavenwards. She felt such a mixture of pride and love for all that he represented to her, the man who in disposition and talents suited her to perfection.
    No sooner was the Bennet family installed--dispatched to become acquainted with their rooms over which Mrs Bennet was soon exclaiming, not only at the size, but also at the number assigned to them--than Elizabeth's sister, Jane Bingley, her husband, and his sister arrived. Never was a reunion more joyful between two sisters who adored one another and who had never before in their lives been separated for so long. Jane still had the glow of a new bride about her and Lizzy was overjoyed to see Bingley again. Elizabeth was not so pleased to see Mr Bingley's sister Caroline, who had in the past been the cause of a temporary rift between Jane and her husband during their courting days, not only separating them but informing Jane of her wish that her brother be married to Miss Darcy. But she received her with much civility, which in the circumstances was highly gratifying, as she recalled with a certain glee that Caroline had at one time fancied that she might take on the role of the mistress of Pemberley herself. How very satisfying it was to be addressed by Caroline Bingley as Mrs Darcy.
    "My dear Mrs Darcy, how splendid it is to see you again. It is exceedingly kind of you to invite me to Pemberley for Christmas, which, as I am sure you have heard, is always unsurpassed in both hospitality and by its splendour." She turned to Mr Darcy, who was regarding her with what Elizabeth had come to recognise as the expression he reserved for those he could not tolerate--a look of polite indifference, but happily undetected by the person on whom it was bestowed. "Oh, Mr Darcy, we have enjoyed one or two merry Christmases together, have we not? Such parties and balls that I have been quite spoiled forever. I do not think I shall ever enjoy such entertainments again. But, forgive me, Mrs Darcy, you are hosting a grand ball on the morrow, are you not? What felicities we shall enjoy, I cannot wonder. Do you remember, Mr Darcy, when Reynolds fetched out the old fancy costumes from the attic and we dressed up? I thought I should die laughing when I saw you as Robin Hood and I was Little Bo Peep, as I hark back. What fun we had. Do you recall, Georgiana? You were the sweetest lamb, all in white with a pink ribbon on your tail."
    Miss Bingley, having found a willing listener in Georgiana, immediately led her away talking at the top of her voice about the wondrous parties of the past.
    Elizabeth was starting to feel quite sick with nerves at the prospect of the coming ball. She did so want it to be a success and, whispering into Mr Darcy's ear when the others were busily engaged in directing the servants with their luggage, said, "Oh dear, do you suppose we should have had a fancy costume ball?"
    To which came the rapid