Edward, seated on her right, responded accordingly. “What is inside?”

“A hat,” Georgiana said and then smiled brilliantly at Edward. “Your turn, Cousin.”

Edward obligingly said, “I have a basket.”The group boo-hooed his having to carry about an imaginary receptacle, but he good-naturedly pantomimed selecting an object and placing it inside.

“What is inside?” Charlotte dutifully replied. She had abandoned her husband to Lady Catherine’s company and had happily joined the group.

“Ice,” Edward declared.

Charlotte frowned. “Must it be ice? Is there not another word beginning with the letter ‘I’?”

“No commentary, Mrs. Collins,” Edward laughingly chastised. “The word is ice. It is your turn to use the letter ‘J.’”

“All right,” she chuckled. “I have a basket.”

“What is inside?” Manneville took his turn.

“A jar,” Charlotte said.

Manneville didn’t wait for the obligatory group teasing. “I have a basket.”

Caroline, who sat beside him, coyly asked, “What is inside?”

But Manneville ignored her flirtation and set his gaze on Kitty. “A kitten,” he announced.

Kitty blushed, but otherwise shrugged off his pointed remark. However, Mr. Winkler sat forward in his chair as if to challenge the American.

Edward jumped into the mix, trying to defuse the situation. “No fair, Manneville,” he said a bit louder than necessary. “It isn’t courteous to use other players to create your responses.”


Darcy joined his wife and her parents. “You didn’t wish to play parlor games?” he asked as he took possession of Elizabeth’s hand.

“No, thank you. I’m quite content to spend time here before the fire.”

Darcy understood; she’d missed her parents desperately. “You’re exceptional at word games, my dear,” he observed.

“I’ll enjoy the frustration when the letter ‘X’ becomes impossible to fulfill.”

“Edward will serve as chaperone for the group,” Darcy said.

Mr. Bennet added, “Your cousin seems a right fine gentleman. I wish I had realized so at Lizzy’s wedding.”

“It was an exciting time,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Our Elizabeth becoming Mrs. Darcy so shortly after Jane had married Mr. Bingley.”

“My friend letting Netherfield was a fortuitous event for us both.” Darcy brought the back of Elizabeth’s hand to his lips. “But you’re correct, Mr. Bennet. The colonel possesses all the qualities of a true gentleman. Edward has been my best friend, as well as my cousin.”

“I believe the colonel serves as Miss Darcy’s guardian,” Mr. Bennet noted.

“We share guardianship,” Darcy corrected. “My father thought it best in case something happened to me before my sister came of age.”

Mrs. Bennet said, “Miss Darcy must be quite excited about the possibility of her first Season.”

Darcy responded, “We may have to consider a shortened stay in London.”

“Why ever for?” Mrs. Bennet inquired.

“My confinement, Mama,” Elizabeth explained the obvious. “The Season begins before my delivery.”

Darcy took on a serious expression. “Neither my sister nor I would consider London if Elizabeth couldn’t join us.”

“But surely the Countess could sponsor Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet pressed.

“Mama,” Elizabeth warned.

“The Darcys are a family, Mrs. Bennet, and Elizabeth is an integral part.”

Mr. Bennet quickly added, “It doesn’t damage a girl’s presentation to be a bit older. Most serious suitors would prefer that the young lady not be straight from the schoolroom. Miss Darcy is beautiful, talented, and quite personable. With her connections, she’ll be a prime contender for debutante of the year, no matter in which Season she makes her entrance.”


“There is no word for ‘X,’” Bingley protested.

Edward corrected, “There is a xebec.”

Southland explained to a perplexed-looking Bingley, “A small, three-masted Mediterranean vessel.”

From where he sat, Darcy added “Xylem, Bingley. It’s a woody plant.”

“Xiphi. A sword,” Elizabeth challenged. “It is one of my favorite Greek roots.”

“Xyster,” Mr. Bennet placed another word into play.

“One could always use Xanthippe,” Georgiana said softly.

Bingley laughed lightly. “Point well taken, everyone. I shouldn’t play word games with those who devour books.”



“Miss Catherine.” Winkler approached Kitty near the instrument as she straightened the music sheets employed by both Mary and Georgiana earlier in the evening. “I would take my leave from you.”

Kitty turned her back to the room to ensure privacy. “I wish you might stay longer, Sir.”

“Do you?” he asked suspiciously.

Kitty’s mouth set in a straight line. “When might I have spoken an untruth to you?” she asked tersely.

Winkler, likewise, stiffened with her tone. “I know of no prevarication on your part, but I’m a man who wonders why a stranger expresses intimate thoughts about a beautiful woman.”

“You consider me beautiful?” Kitty asked, ignoring Winkler’s other remarks.

He closed his eyes in frustration. “Miss Catherine, you’re well aware of my feelings.”

“I’m aware, Mr. Winkler, but a woman doesn’t tire of hearing a gentleman say so. Promise me that you’ll shower me with compliments. I’m quite vain,” she said teasingly.

Winkler started to reach for her but quickly dropped his arms to his side. “Catherine, I’d give you anything within my power,” he hissed. “But I need to know of Manneville’s attentions. It’s uncharitable of me to speak, but I fear with you, my reason is lacking.”

“There’s no Mr. Manneville,” she whispered reassuringly. “My mother thought the gentleman a possible suitor and has thrust me into the man’s path, but I’ve given him no encouragement.”

Winkler grudgingly noted, “I do not wish to press the point, but the gentleman could offer more than I. My living cannot compare to Manneville’s wealth. We’ve no official engagement, Catherine. If you wished me to step aside, I’d do so. I want only your happiness.”

“If you truly wish my happiness, Mr. Winkler, you’ll speak to Mr. Darcy in a speedy manner,” Kitty declared.

Winkler’s smile widened. “Tomorrow, Catherine.”



Elizabeth tapped lightly on Georgiana’s door. Within seconds of her entreaty, Georgiana’s maid answered the door. “Is my sister available?” It was an impulsive act. With fondness Elizabeth remembered how when she’d first arrived at Pemberley, she and Georgiana had daily shared sisterly secrets. Elizabeth had desperately missed her nightly talks with Jane, and Georgiana had needed someone to share the anxieties of a young woman, one finishing her time in the schoolroom.