Chapter 26

"My dears! You are home at last! Oh, how I have missed you." Mrs. Bennet bellowed as the carriage arrived and Mr. Darcy helped the ladies climb down from the carriage.

Once they were all assembled, Mr. Darcy escorted them up the stairs to greet Mrs. Bennet, who had not yet stopped talking of how happy she felt. Jane took her mother's hand and quieted her long enough for Mr. Darcy to introduce his sister to the Bennet ladies.

Mrs. Bennet had been told much of how proud Miss Darcy behaved, so she greeted her as warmly as an equally proud hostess would. "The pleasure is quite mine, Miss Darcy. You must be tired after such a long journey. Come inside. We will have tea served soon." Perhaps it would have sounded better if she had said it as warmly as her conversation had started.

Elizabeth blushed at the slight, but she encouraged Miss Darcy, who was feeling terrified at being the center of attention in front of so many, to join her inside. The rest of the family followed with Mr. Darcy taking Jane's arm. In the parlor, Elizabeth took control of the seating arrangement. She paired Mary with Miss Darcy and encouraged them to speak of composers. Lydia and Kitty had already hidden upstairs in hopes of going through Elizabeth and Jane's trunks for new dresses. Jane sat with her mother and began speaking immediately of the new lace she had purchased with her aunt.

This left Elizabeth to entertain Mr. Darcy. After pouring tea for him, she claimed her seat with alacrity and began asking him about how his horse fared on the journey. The conversation lasted for only a few minutes before Mr. Darcy asked how much of this tea had been planned in the carriage.

"Oh, no, I could not have discussed such a topic with Georgiana present. Jane and I had the particulars worked out before we went to bed. Miss Darcy is too gentle and shy to meet all of my family at once. I am fiercely loyal to my family, but I do not deny they are a bit much at times." Elizabeth laughed.

"So, this is for my sister's benefit and not mine?"

Elizabeth thought about her response for a moment before replying, "Perhaps I wished to keep your sensibilities intact your first day here as well. There is no need to throw you in the proverbial lion's den the first day."

"Then you wish for me to succeed."

Elizabeth smiled. "Of course, I wish you to succeed. I have enjoyed your company since I have gotten to know you."

Mr. Darcy gave his first real smile of the day. Unfortunately, it only lasted a second as a shriek sounded from above, followed by hurried footsteps down the stairs and Lydia flying into the room with one of Elizabeth's dresses. "Lizzy, how did you get these roses on your dress? I know you have not the hand for it!"

Elizabeth was suddenly engulfed in the dress she had worn to the theater and her sister hurriedly took the seat in between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who had to scoot aside to make room on the sofa. Elizabeth laughed as she noticed Mr. Darcy's discomfort. He tried to smile back, but it turned into more of a grimace.

"Miss Darcy is very talented. She sewed them for me. I enjoyed wearing this dress to the theater. It felt like a new dress, even though it has been worn more often than I would care to admit."

Lydia did not wait for Elizabeth to finish. She burst out of her seat almost as soon as she knew Miss Darcy's name. Poor Miss Darcy was then inundated with questions about how to sew the rose decorations which she could hardly answer fast enough as Lydia's excitement knew no bounds. Her shyness was sorely tested, but Elizabeth could not see any way to help her. However, Miss Darcy persevered admirably. Lydia was so enamored of Miss Darcy's work, there was no malice in any of her words and she barely noticed how uncomfortable Miss Darcy felt.

Poor Mary, who had also been pushed to the side by Lydia's energy, simply took up a book and waited for her conversation to resume.

Lydia could not speak fast enough. Eventually, she remembered the next assembly would be the following evening. "You must sew one of my dresses! Please say you will. My papa is being dreadfully unpleasant and has refused to buy a new dress. I thought the money he was saving with Elizabeth and Jane being in London would make him more reasonable, but his purse strings are so tight!"

Elizabeth sighed as she knew she had to defend her father. "Lydia, that is because you already spent your pin money for the next three months on dresses. I agree with Papa. He has been more than lenient with you." She looked over at Mr. Darcy and attempted to change the subject. "Would you and your sister like to join us at the assembly?"

Mr. Darcy had not been listening completely as they had been speaking of dresses for so long, but he registered just enough information to know he needed to answer in the affirmative. The skeptical look Elizabeth gave him told him he might not have answered correctly. Lydia seemed unamused; knowing he would attend did not bring her joy. Instead, she remembered other important information Elizabeth would wish to hear.

"Lizzy! You have not heard our news. You will be so happy! But first, you must promise to lend me this dress." Lydia moved back over to Elizabeth's side, once again causing Mr. Darcy to scoot away.

Elizabeth gave him a shy smile by way of apology before telling Lydia she would wear her green dress for the evening, leaving this one available for her sister.

Lydia shrieked in triumph, and almost left the room in her excitement before she remembered what she needed to say. "You will be so happy to learn that Miss King has been taken away by her uncle. Wickham is no longer engaged! I knew you would be so happy, for he has always been a favorite of yours."

Elizabeth could not listen as Lydia prattled on. Her face drained of color as she looked to see Miss Darcy's ashen face too. "Lizzy, why are you not happy? Wickham is safe!"

Elizabeth took a deep breath as she tried to think of what to say to help her distressed friend. "I am relieved to hear Miss King is safe." After a moment's thought, she added, "I believe I am tired of sitting, for that is all I have done today. I should like a turn about the garden. Mr. Darcy, would you and your sister join me?"

Mr. Darcy, whose face had turned red at the mention of Mr. Wickham, nodded his agreement.

Lydia refused to go out, insisting she would try on her sister's dress to see if it would need to be altered. Jane declared she would rather continue sitting with her mother. Mary was so engrossed in her book she did not hear anything. So, Elizabeth escorted her two guests to the small garden outside her father's library, exactly as she hoped she would.

Elizabeth took Miss Darcy's arm and led her down the path. The path was not wide enough for the three of them, so Mr. Darcy followed closely behind. He listened, but even though he could not hear what they said, he could see the result as Miss Darcy relaxed her shoulders and her breathing began to be less forced. Wondering what they could be saying, he sped up to get closer, but Elizabeth gave him a look that said to stay back for a moment longer. Resigned, he waited for them to finish.

After three loops of the small garden, Miss Darcy turned to take her brother's arm. "I am so happy to be here with you, Fitz. However, I should like it very much if I could remain in my rooms instead of going to the assembly. Elizabeth assures me that it will not be considered an insult as I am not out."

"That is true, but first we must be invited to stay here. If you are feeling well, perhaps it is time to return to the parlor."

The ladies agreed, and they moved towards the house. When the path widened, Mr. Darcy stepped to Elizabeth's side and silently thanked her for speaking to his sister. They did not make it very far into the house before Mrs. Bennet came into the hallway agitated to meet them. "Mr. Darcy, I did not know Netherfield is not open yet. You cannot stay at the inn. With the assembly, there will not be any rooms fit for use available. I shall go speak to Mrs. Hill. You must remain here." She huffed as she turned and briskly walked down the hall until she disappeared.

Elizabeth chuckled to herself as she turned to see Mr. Darcy dumbfounded. "I see Jane has spoken with my mother on your behalf. Mrs. Hill will see to it that your luggage is removed from the carriages. All is settled. I can show you to your rooms if you would like to refresh yourself."

Mr. Darcy shook himself of his stupor. He had never heard someone else manage his affairs without his input before. "I would not wish to put anyone to any trouble."

"There is no trouble. As my uncle no doubt told you, my mother was born to be mistress of an estate. Her temperament ensures all will be done for your comfort. Come, your rooms are already prepared, I am certain."

Elizabeth led Miss Darcy upstairs and showed both where their rooms were before announcing she would meet them in the parlor as soon as they were ready.

AN: Sorry if this chapter was a little stilted. I had lost my way and could not decide what I wanted to happen until inspiration hit yesterday. I am not quite sure what I want to happen at the assembly, but I have plans for a walk to Meryton half-prepared. Hopefully, it will all come to me soon. I hate when I can't post quickly. Parent teacher conferences are on Thursday (the 11th). If you read this, maybe send a small prayer for calm and tranquility for that evening for me. I have had my first part of the vaccine and am feeling fine. Cases have calmed slightly in AZ, making me feel slightly less anxious. I had probably 10 students sick with covid in January. Now, I have lots to deal with students who have lost motivation because this quarantine seems never ending, but we will pull through together, as I tell them.

I look forward to reading your reviews, even if they are critical. I appreciate constructive criticism.