A/N: Sorry for the long absence. School has started and real life is taking its toll in a big way. So here we go, a few steps forward and many steps back!

Certain members of the Bennet family were looking forwarding to the impending dinner at Netherfield. Surprisingly, Mr. Bennet, who usually eschewed social gatherings, was among them. He had come to enjoy his conversations with the Earl of Matlock and his son. He was also curious to see how Elizabeth and his future son in law would interact. They had not seen one another since the confrontation over Doctor Peterson at the Gardiner's home. He hoped his daughter's much improved demeanor since her return to Longbourn would continue when exposed to her fiancée.

The family set off to Netherfield with great expectations for a lovely evening. All except Elizabeth that is, she was a basket of nerves. She was determined to act graciously but was worried that Mr. Darcy would set her off and she would embarrass herself in front of his family whom she really did admire. Elizabeth was repeating her new mantra, self-control, self-control, under her breath. Her aunt kept giving her sidelong glances in the carriage. Elizabeth knew her meaning. She was to behave as she had solemnly promised earlier in the day. She gave her aunt a smile to attempt to put her at ease. Her aunt's only response was to raise her eyebrows in warning or disbelief, Elizabeth was not sure.

The family exited the two carriages they had taken to Netherfield and were welcomed by an exuberant Mr. Bingley who kissed both of Jane's hand for far longer than appropriate. Mr. Bennet could not resist teasing him and asked the young man if he had missed tea as he seemed utterly famished. Bingley and Jane turned bright red and the rest of family giggled at his accurate depiction of Bingley's behavior. The remainder of the residents were waiting to greet them in the foyer. Elizabeth put on an extremely cheery smile and addressed all present graciously including Lady Catherine. When it was her turn to greet Mr. Darcy she smiled wanly, curtsied very quickly and turned to speak with Lady Matlock. Mr. Darcy taking a cue from Elizabeth's manner acted in the same way sans curtsy of course.

Lady Catherine could see the lack of warmth in their acknowledgement of one another and found it perversely amusing. She decided to play with her nephew a bit. "Why Fitzwilliam, is that anyway to welcome your fiancé after a long absence. You are being married on the morrow. I am sure a kiss would be considered quite acceptable. You are amongst family." she said with a malicious grin.

Darcy was taken aback and was doing his best to come up with an excuse when his uncle chimed in. "Well Catherine, as odd as it sounds, I heartily agree with you. Come Darcy, welcome the lovely Miss Elizabeth properly." the Earl urged.

Darcy knew he should act in accordance with his uncle's wishes and in truth his own. In light of the earlier set down from his family he realized the necessity of behaving in a more accommodating manner. He doubted she would slap him in front of both their families but he had been wrong in predicting her reactions to his behavior in the past.

Every set of eyes in the foyer turned to look at the mortified couple. Darcy felt as if his legs weighed five hundred pounds as he moved towards Elizabeth. He bent down towards her ear and whispered "Try not to blame me for this. It is obviously not my doing but I will certainly not disappoint my relatives or myself for that matter." He then took her hands in his own and placed a lingering kiss upon her cheek. The display was followed by polite applause and a rather loud whistle from Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth turned an unnatural shade of red from both embarrassment and anger at herself for not being more disgusted by his actions. Most of the party assumed it was maidenly discomfiture but one among the group knew better.

Darcy offered himself as her escort as they made their way into the drawing room. He could barely feel her touch upon his arm but at least she did not assault his person. He escorted her to the settee and attempted to make small talk although it was not his forte. "How have you enjoyed your return to Longbourn?" he asked hoping he chose a peaceable topic.

"I am quite happy to be home. I have missed Hertfordshire. I am glad to be able to engage in my rambles. I find it good for my disposition. I am always in a better mood after a long walk." she replied without rancor.

"Well, thank goodness Pemberley is a large property. There are miles of paths on the estate. If exercise puts you into an agreeable mood we shall have you on a schedule, perhaps three walks a day." Darcy said with the semblance of a grin. As soon as he replied he realized he had probably offended her again and waited for a bitter retort.

Elizabeth however surprised him immensely, she almost giggled. "Mr. Darcy was that joke? I was not sure you were capable."

"It has been known to happen. I will try to regulate myself more conscientiously in the future." Darcy said a bit unsure of her reaction.

"Please do not. I dearly love to laugh and as some have said humor is good medicine. I have found myself in need of jocularity these past months." Elizabeth replied.

"Well, we must have you in good humor, for both our sakes. Mayhap I will hire a court jester if it pleases you. Unfortunately, I believe have already exhausted my reserve of amusing anecdotes. Maybe I will just have Richard live with us on a permanent basis. He will fill the position quite credibly." Darcy replied.

"I think there is no one who could do a better job." Elizabeth agreed. "Do you think he would agree to wear a costume, maybe a pointy hat and bells on his shoes?"

"I would pay a good deal of money to see Richard attired as such." Darcy said smiling. "Do you draw? I would love to have such an image captured on paper to take to my club."

"I am afraid I do not but my sister Kitty is an excellent artist. Perhaps we can convince her to do the honors." Elizabeth said with a smile.

"Fifteen minutes, we should make a note of the date and time for perpetuity." Richard said quietly as he walked over to the couple. "Fifteen minutes we have been in company and there has been no argument or glance that could maim from either of you. I am quite proud. Have you discovered a topic of conversation upon which you both agree? I am in astonishment. Do please share the nature of your discourse."

"We were actually discussing you Richard. We have decided that you would make an excellent court jester for Pemberley. Miss Elizabeth and I were deciding on your costume. She insists you wear bells on your shoes so we can hear you coming. I think we will call you Patches." Darcy said with a bit of an edge. His first amicable conversation with Elizabeth in quite some time had been interrupted by his oaf of a cousin.

Richard laughed heartily. "If my dancing around the drawing room at Pemberley will keep civil tongues in both your heads I volunteer for the position. In fact, I will start now." He began dancing a jig and probably would have continued if not admonished by both his aunt and mother for his unseemly exhibition.

Dinner was announced soon after Richard's cavorting was squashed. Darcy escorted Elizabeth to the dining room but they separated almost immediately upon their entrance. Lady Matlock had arranged a very formal gathering and the neither of the engaged couples were seated near their betrotheds. This was quite a relief for Elizabeth she needed time to reflect. She was as astonished as the Colonel that she and Mr. Darcy had gotten along with no animosity whatsoever albeit for fifteen minutes. Darcy's mind was similarly engaged and he felt a glimmer of hope that the jovial Elizabeth he fell in love with was making an appearance at last.

Dinner proceeded in a cordial manner. Anne de Bourgh was seated across from Mary Bennet and they seemed to find much to speak of. Lydia and Kitty spent the meal conversing with Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy furtively listened to their conversation as much as he could but did not discern anything objectionable. They seemed to be discussing fashions and shopping. Lady Catherine of course dominated the conversation around her rarely requiring a response beyond agreement with her dictums. Mrs. Bennet found herself the object of the great lady's discourse regarding the rearing of daughters. Mrs. Bennet enjoyed the attention from her titled guest and did an admirable job of fawning over each of Lady Catherine's pronouncements.

After the meal was finished the ladies returned to the drawing room leaving the gentlemen to their after-dinner pursuits. Nearly an hour later the gentlemen joined the ladies led by an eager Bingley who had been away from his Jane for far too long. He immediately suggested dancing and Georgiana and Mary agreed to play the pianoforte in turns. Elizabeth was asked to dance by the Earl and had a very agreeable time jesting with the older gentleman. She then danced with Bingley and the Colonel before being asked to dance by her fiancée. The danced at first without speaking until Darcy broke the silence. "You did say to me once that we should not spend an entire set together without speaking. Shall we try to find another mutually agreeable topic of conversation?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment and said "I like your Fitzwilliam relatives very much. They have been most charming and more welcoming then I would have ever imagined." The impetuous devil on her shoulder thought about saying they are nothing like you. I am amazed that you are related. The angel however, or her aunt on the other shoulder won out. The evening was going well and Elizabeth was determined it would not end badly because of anything she said.

"They feel the same about you and your family. My aunt and uncle are quite taken with the residents of Hertfordshire." Darcy replied trying to keep the amazement out of his voice.

"I see that my sister Mary and your cousin Anne also seem to be quite comfortable with one another. It was a bit of a surprise. They are both usually withdrawn in company." Elizabeth.

"They do seem to have an affinity for one another. Perhaps they are kindred spirits. They are both often overlooked." he replied.

"That is a very astute observation sir." Elizabeth answered.

"Was that a compliment Miss Elizabeth? If so I may faint away from the irony." Darcy said with surprise.

"I do not believe I ever disparaged your intelligence sir. I have quite often bemoaned the fact." she replied.

"Yes, I remember. You wished for stupidity in a husband." Darcy said with a touch of a grimace.

"No, not stupidity in a husband, never. Just in my dealings with you." Elizabeth answered sassily.

"Well, I will take it as a compliment. Accolades regarding myself are few and far between I am afraid, coming from you." Darcy said hoping it would induce her into giving him another.

"Mr. Darcy, are you fishing for compliments?" Elizabeth said with a roll of her eyes.

"Desperate men do desperate things." Darcy said with a hint of a smile.

Before Elizabeth could reply the dance ended. Darcy escorted her to a chair and Bingley stood to make an announcement. "I would like to take this opportunity to give my lovely fiancée a gift. It would make me very happy if you wear these tomorrow on our wedding day." Bingley said as he handed Jane an ornate velvet box. Jane opened the box and gasped as did her mother who had hurried over to her side. In the box was a beautiful parure set with sapphires and diamonds. "I thought the sapphires matched your eyes." Bingley said gallantly.

"Oh, Charles, they are lovely. I have never seen anything so beautiful." Jane gushed with tears in her eyes.

Darcy suddenly felt very small and did not like it one bit. He inwardly cursed Bingley for his presentation of the lavish gift in company. Why couldn't he have done so in private. He should have a gift for Elizabeth as well. Without thinking of the attention, he would garner or the ceremony tomorrow he pulled the emerald ring from his pocket and walked towards Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth, I have something for you as well. Would you accept this token of my esteem? I believe your eyes are green." Darcy said very awkwardly.

"Yes, they are. Thank you, sir, that was very considerate." Elizabeth said as she took the ring from him in astonishment. She was shocked that he had thought to get her a gift. She was almost touched at his generosity until Lady Catherine began to speak.

"Nephew, why would give Miss Elizabeth your Aunt Matlock's ring?"