AN: I'm so sorry for yet another delay. There has been many changes here with a new job amongst them.

Thanks for your patience. xo

The summons to dinner saw the end of dancing and Elizabeth's interest was taken with the natural pairings happening around her. Miss Darcy returned to her brother's side. Her cheeks slightly flushed. Mr Hurst sought his wife, gazing lovingly down at her abdomen before offering her his arm. Mr Bingley assisted Jane who blushed with pleasure at being singled out. Elizabeth was not surprised in the least to witness this pairing. That Dr Clarke sought out Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam offered Charlotte his arm was only natural since they were the last dance partners each had. Whether this had happened by design or not though, Elizabeth was unsure. Everyone seemed content enough however and when Mr Darcy turned back towards her and offered his other arm to Elizabeth she accepted it willingly, and the three of them followed the others to the dining room.

When Richard looked up after seating Charlotte he noticed the delight in Georgie's eyes as Darcy took his place beside Elizabeth. Darcy's reserved mask was still in place but somehow his features were softened. Elizabeth looked pale but composed. Making eye contact with Georgie, Richard gave a slight nod towards the pair, winked and grinned before turning to say something to Miss Lucas. Georgie pressed her lips together to try and conceal the delight she felt, looking down demurely at her hands resting in her lap as she felt her brother turn towards her. Darcy, sensing her agitation examined her closely. Upon realising that she was happy, not distressed he glanced towards Richard who was sitting opposite him. Richard's look of angelic indifference failed to convince Darcy that mischief wasn't afoot. Unable to deduce anything from either relation he chose to ignore them and enjoy his meal. It was a relief to him that his sister's mood was much improved. Richard would reveal all his observations and opinions eventually and sooner if he felt Darcy unwilling to take the bait.

The mood at the table was much livelier with the removal of Miss Bingley. No one had anticipated that her absence would make such a positive impact on the atmosphere of those that remained. There was so much ease and laughter that the gentlemen did not linger long over their port and cigars, keen to return to the ladies.

Mr Hurst surprised the guests by staying awake for the evening and actively engaging in conversations. Bingley and Louisa smiled at each other, knowing that it was his self defence mechanism for dealing with an annoying sister-in-law that caused him to feign sleep and drink to excess. Darcy challenged him to a game of chess, whilst Jane, Bingley, Drew and Charlotte sat down to play Vingt-et-Un. Mary and Georgiana sat huddled together on the chaise-lounge pouring over sheet music and Louisa quietly sewed by the fire. Lizzy attempted to read but found it difficult to focus on the words as they soon became blurry. She closed the book with a sigh and sat talking occasionally with Mrs Hurst while watching the gentlemen play chess nearby. Her father had taught her to play and she felt a twinge of longing to return home to the comfort of her posessions and family. She glanced over to Jane, who seemed delighted with these new friends. A wave of pleasure overcame her as she realised how happy her sister truly was and how frequently Mr Bingley stole glances at her.

She returned her attention to the chess game which was quite evenly matched and Elizabeth moved further forward in her seat to better watch. Mr Darcy noticed her movement and glanced up at her, giving her a slight, distracted smile before returning his attention to the board in front of him.

Richard, who had excused himself earlier to deal with some pressing correspondence returned and after silently surveying the room joined Mrs Hurst and Elizabeth on the sofa engaging them both in conversation to the detriment of Darcy who found it more and more difficult to concentrate on the board in front of him, much to Richard's great amusement.

"My cousin is playing rather poorly this evening Miss Elizabeth, wouldn't you agree?" Richard said.

"On the contrary, Colonel, I believe both Mr Hurst and Mr Darcy are playing remarkably well. They are quite evenly matched." Elizabeth replied with a smile. Mr Darcy frowned at the board before moving his knight, a move that had Elizabeth take a sharp breath in.

"Do you play Miss Elizabeth? I sensed just now that you disagreed with my cousin's last move." Richard asked.

A slight blush formed on Elizabeth's face, unsure whether to answer truthfully or not. She stole her glance away from the board for a moment to see whether the Colonel would be critical or not before answering, "I am afraid to admit that I do play Colonel. As we are a house full of women my father decided that some proprietary must be cast aside in the name of sanity. As we share a similar disposition, Papa taught me all manner of things unsuitable for a gently reared lady."

"Intriguing, I must hear more but first tell me the mistake you feel my cousin made with his last move."

Elizabeth leaned slightly closer to the Colonel so as not to be overheard and aid Mr Hurst in his move. Mischievously, the Colonel shifted forward to hear better, smirking at his cousin's scowling face behind Elizabeth. Darcy's frown deepened causing Richard's dimples to show. Richard raised his eyebrows in challenge to his cousin before turning his attention once again to the intriguing woman in front of him.

"I'm afraid your cousin has created an opening that could leave his king quite vulnerable. If Mr Hurst uses his bishop to take Mr Darcy's rook then Mr Darcy will be in Check. Then depending on the following moves, Mr Hurst could have Mr Darcy in Checkmate in as little as three moves. If Mr Darcy pursues the course I anticipate, he cannot obtain check in less than 4 moves. Of course there are so many variables that it is all purely conjecture at this stage. Quite a fascinating game though isn't it?" Elizabeth said as quietly as she could, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. Impressed with her mind, Richard leaned back in his seat processing the moves as Elizabeth saw it. Being quite the strategist and knowing his cousin as intimately as he did he tried to imagine what Darcy's next move would be, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Leaning forward he softly said, "I believe you might be correct Miss Elizabeth, however if Hurst uses his rook to take Darcy's queen, which is the bigger temptation after all, then subsequent moves shall see Darcy win instead." Elizabeth gave all her attention back to the board, mentally making the move Richard discussed and playing the likely moves from then. Seeing the likely outcome she looked back up at him and smiled in agreement. "I believe you may be right Colonel." She said in a normal voice. "We shall just need to wait and see which move Mr Hurst makes."

Hurst looked up at the pair and smiled. "As you two seemed to be experts on the outcome of the game, perhaps you would like to take over." He offered.

"Scared you can't beat my cousin on your own Hurst?" Richard retorted with a grin.

"That sounds like a challenge for you to play the winner of our game, Richard," Darcy stated as Hurst took Darcy's queen.

"I would prefer to watch Miss Elizabeth beat you Darcy." Richard replied nodding to Elizabeth and then the board to draw attention to Hurst's error. Darcy swooped and had achieved checkmate in three more moves as Richard had anticipated.

"I don't believe I am recovered sufficiently to play an entire game yet," Elizabeth demurred. "I thank you for your confidence in my skill though." She said with a smile.

Darcy stood up to stretch and walked over to pour himself a drink while Hurst set up the board again.

"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Hurst challenged the Colonel. Richard grinned and glanced towards Elizabeth and then his cousin before taking Darcy's seat.

"I'd be delighted to supplement my meagre soldier's income with some funds from you," He replied cheekily. "Challenge accepted."

Darcy returned and took the Colonel's vacated seat near Elizabeth to watch the game.