Posted on Thursday, 7 January 1999

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, married now for six months, were sitting down to dinner with Georgiana Darcy.

They had finished the main course, and Georgiana let out a little sigh of contentment before addressing Elizabeth.

"That was absolutely delicious, what was it?"

"Ah, Kentish chicken pudding. Charlotte Collins passed the recipe on to me, and I had to try it." Said Elizabeth.

Georgiana knitted her brows in concentration. "Kentish chicken pudding? I don't remember ever having that when we visited our Aunt."

"Perhaps she and Miss De Bourgh are not as partial to pudding as we are?" Elizabeth looked slyly at her husband who for some reason was examining his wine glass with a sudden intensity.

"I happen to think that a wife should ensure that her husband has a good supply of pudding." Said Elizabeth. "You do like your pudding, don't you dearest?" This last was directed to her husband.

Darcy did not answer directly as he seemed to have swallowed his wine too quickly. He did, however, manage to nod his head in acquiescence.

"I am so glad my brother married you Elizabeth, I don't think he would have had as much pudding if he had married cousin Anne. Mind you, perhaps a few serves of pudding would do her the world of good," mused Georgie. Darcy was by this time as red as a beetroot.

As if to change the subject, Darcy gasped, "What do we have for dessert my dear?"

"I have arranged for cook to make your favourite tonight. Muffin pudding!" Elizabeth smiled sweetly at her husband.

Georgiana exclaimed, "Oh yum, that's my favourite too! I don't think I could marry a man who didn't like muffin pud." Darcy was choking.

As if on cue, and to stop further conversation, the pudding arrived, with the slightly spicy aroma wafting in with it.

They all tucked into the steaming delight, until they could eat no more.

"I could not eat another morsel." Cried Georgiana.

"What about you dearest? More pudding?" Said Elizabeth.

"No, no. That was enough.." He paused slightly, having recovered his humour. "..for now."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Well, perhaps a little bit later. I think I know where I can find some hasty pudding." Darcy bit his lip.

"Mrs. Darcy, I think you are a bad influence on my sister." He said.

"Nonsense!" She replied, and then addressing Georgiana, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, one way or another."

"Yes but..." said Georgiana. "...there is one drawback. You do seem to have put on weight, and I think the pudding must have had something to do with it."

"I believe you must be right, Georgiana." Elizabeth said very softly, and with downcast eyes.

Darcy sat bolt upright, looking quickly and intently at his wife. "You mean?"

Elizabeth simply nodded.

Darcy leapt from his chair, and coming round to his wife, gave her a big hug and a kiss, before proceeding to run around the room singing.

Mrs. Reynolds, at the other end of the room observed to one of the maids standing nearby. "I think the mistress will not be needing us too much longer tonight."