- You look remarkably well today Mrs Darcy, her husband said with a bow when Elizabeth entered the small, upstairs breakfast-room which Darcy preferred when he was not entertaining.

- Thank you Sir, she replied with a radiant smile and joined him for tea and hot rolls.

The morning sun on the fresh flowers, which had been sent down from Pemberly's hothouse, caught her eye, but she did not notice the small box until he handed it to her.

- I hope you will wear this tonight, he said.

It was the most elegant pearl necklace she had ever seen.

- Thank you, it is beautiful! But - must I wait until tonight?

Before he could answer, she unlocked the chain which held the topaz cross her father had given her many years ago and replaced it with Darcy's pearls.

- Will this do?

She made a playful gesture with her hands. He caught one and raised it to his lips. When she did not inquire further, he asked:

- Do you not want to know our plans for the evening?

- Pray tell me. Where are we going?

- I hope you will accompany me to the Opera and tonight's performance of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. The Italian mezzo soprano who plays Cherubino is the talk of the town this season... I can assure you!

- Then I will come, she said with mischievously laughing eyes. And I will most certainly wear your pearls!

After breakfast Elizabeth met the rest of the house-servants and then Darcy and Mrs Adams showed her around in the house. Darcy especially wanted to discuss some changes on the first floor.

- My parents chambers are essentially as they left them, but recently we have used them as guest rooms. When Bingley is in town, this is where he stays. My rooms were originally designed for my grandfather and as you can see I have not altered them much. Yours are next to mine. They were my grandmother's chambers, and Elizabeth, I think we must consider what changes need to be done.

When she expressed her reluctance to alter any of these elegant rooms, he reassured her with a broad smile, that he had no intention of doing more work than she considered necessary. But she must promise him to give this some thought. Should they keep their present rooms or make other arrangements?

Later that the day, after some shopping and a long walk in St James's Park, Elizabeth was inclined to agree with Edward Gibbon, who had described London as crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure. But she did not mind the busy life of the city as long as she knew that her real home was at Pemberly.

The library was a lovely place to relax before dinner. It was a lofty room lined with books. The French tapestries and the large Savonnier carpet with its geometrical pattern in blue and gold, gave the room an elegant and yet comfortable atmosphere. Everywhere Elizabeth saw piles of new acquisitions, waiting to be catalogued and read. There were also papers like The London Chronicle and The World laying about. She picked up Humphrey Repton's book on gardening and a small volume of Cowper's poetry and moved towards the window.

- St James's Park is amazingly beautiful. Also when covered in snow, like today, she said as Darcy handed her a glass of wine.

- But will I ever be able to remember the names of all the people we met?

- You are in luck. There will be several opportunities to practice these coming weeks.

Darcy showed her the cards they had received. The newly wedded couple seemed to be requested everywhere, and now it was necessary to discuss their social calender. They would meet with Colonel Fitzwilliam and other of Darcy's relatives and friends, who were already in town for the season. And they would have her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner for supper, of course. In the mornings there would be fittings for the new gown Elizabeth needed for her presentation at court, and in the afternoons she was to sit an hour for François Gerard, whom Darcy had commissioned to paint her portrait.

Next week Jane and Bingley had promised to come down for five days, and then travel with them to Derbyshire and the Christmas celebrations at Pemberly.

- Is seems we have some very busy days ahead, Elizabeth said with a mocked solemn expression, and then added:

- I think I better rest while I can... and you Sir, what will you do???

... to be continued [I hope...]