I don't own Pride and Prejudice.
"Well my boy, it is time to compare our work, and have the ladies declare a winner." James Darcy said, the moment he stepped out of his carriage upon arriving at Pemberley. In his hand was a small shirt, with crudely stitched sailboats on in. However the small dress with some sort of flower in it in his nephews hand was nothing to write home about.
Georgiana, true to her words had gone to pester her brother into learning to stitch, but it was James Darcy's challenge to see which could do better that sealed the deal. Looking at the end products, Elizabeth was glad she had ordered extra of everything.
"I believe you are about to be disappointed uncle, as I assure you I shall be the one to win this challenge." Fitzwilliam said as he held up the little dress with a flourish.
"Not so fast young man, I believe my work to be quite fine." Uncle James said, matching his nephew's flourish as he held up the little shirt.
"And I believe we ladies would like to get out of the cold." Elizabeth laughed as she looked between the two men, drawing Mary closer to her for warmth.
"Then decide quickly, and we can all go inside." Uncle James said with a grin.
"Come ladies, we shall let the men freeze out here on their own." Aunt Evelyn spoke, already ushering them up the stairs as if they were all little ducklings.
Luckily, Fitzwilliam had the good sense to abandon his uncle, in favor of escorting his new wife into their home. Once again, the servants were lined up, waiting to meet the new mistress of the house, more than one eye traveling to the little dress held tightly in the master's hand.
"Now that introductions are done, on with the judging." Uncle James held up his shirt again, and Fitzwilliam followed suit.
"Goodness, I have not seen such sorry stitching since I was six and tried to copy my mother." A voice came from behind them, "Tell me, did you prick your fingers often?" Olivia Darcy's laughter rang out, the gentleman next to her looking amused. She had been staying with Andrew at the family estate, so had ridden to Pemberley with him.
"See brother, did I not tell you that our cousin came with pretty sister?" She then gave an exaggerated sigh, "Sadly, the ones already out have gentleman I respect vying for their attentions." She then noticed Charlotte and grinned, "It would appear they brought one for you after all."
"Olivia, that is highly inappropriate." Aunt Evelyn admonished, while Charlotte blushed.
"I see no problem with it, we are all family after all. Better to show Mrs Darcy what she married into now." Olivia laughed.
"Just because you lack the ability to behave appropriately, sister, does not mean the rest of us do." Andrew sounded like he was admonishing his sister, but his eyes told another story.
"You're just jealous that I have been invited to the nighttime discussions, by our dear Georgi, and you're too boring to even be considered." Olivia truly looked pleased to be included in the group.
"Perhaps Fitz and I will have to have some of our own." Andrew shot back.
"I thought that is what the separation of the sexes was for." Elizabeth said with a raised eyebrow, causing the group to laugh.
"She has you there cousin, you are going to have to work a lot harder to out wit my wife." Fitzwilliam smiled proudly, "and since we finally have a break in your bickering, allow me to introduce the rest of my guests."
"Before you do, we almost forgot the reason we came out here to meet you..." Olivia tried to cut him off.
"FITZWILLIAM GEORGE DARCY!"
"Your Aunt Catherine is here." Olivia finished quickly.
"HOW DARE YOU MARRY SOME NO GOOD COUNTY UPSTART! YOU HAVE BEEN BETROTHED TO MY ANNE SINCE YOU WERE CHILDREN, AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT HER!"
Lady Catherine was a tall woman, with broad shoulders and a sturdy look about her. Her clothing was that of which Elizabeth would have expected to see in the palace drawing rooms. Her manners made it easy to tell she was related to the Earl of Matlock.
Her daughter Anne on the other had was everything her mother was not. Her clothes hung off her too thin frame, and she appeared to sag under the weight of them. Her pale almost translucent skin had Elizabeth worrying she would pass out any minute. Her hair, a dull brown color, was thin and held back in a tight bun that seemed to pull the skin around her face taunt.
"Mrs Reynolds, is there a guest room available for Miss de Bourgh? I believe she would like some rest?" Elizabeth broke in, getting a grateful look from the young lady, and surprised looks from everyone else in attendance.
Shaking off her own shock, Mrs Reynolds was quick to reply, "I'm sorry Ma'am, we had just enough time to prepare for the present guests." She figured there had been extra rooms, but Maria and Charlotte claimed those.
"She can have my room Lizzy," a quiet voice spoke up from somewhere at the back of the group. "I don't mind sharing with..."
"Me, oh please say you'll share with me!" Georgiana cut Kitty off, though she lacked her normal bubbly excitement. If this is how Georgiana acted before meeting her and her sisters, she could understand the looks of appreciation they all got. "Please Brother, Lizzy, it is just what I always imagined having a sister would be like, and I promise we would be most well behaved."
"It is not your behavior I worry about, but wether or not you two will ever sleep." Fitzwilliam's teasing smile brought shy smiles to both girl's faces, "That being said, if Elizabeth and Kitty do not mind, I see no reason not to allow it."
"I loved sharing a room with Jane, so have no reason not to allow it." Elizabeth smiled when Georgiana turned hopeful eyes to her.
"I would love to share a room with you." Kitty said, taking the younger girl's hand.
"Now that that is settled, Mrs Reynolds, could you have someone escort Miss de Bourgh up to what would have been Miss Catherine's room." She then turned the the young lady, "Is there anything you desire sent up to you? Tea perhaps, or some lunch if you have not eaten."
"Tea would be nice, I find myself not very hungry today." It made Elizabeth worry to hear the girl hadn't been hungry all day, it was mid afternoon already.
"Perhaps we shall just send up some broth then. I find it not too filling, but has the wonderful ability to restore my energy when I find myself waning." Miss de Bourgh gave a slight nod in acceptance, before following a maid up the stairs.
"Not so hasty if you please, what gives you the right to order my daughter around in my nephew's home?"
"I am the Country Upstart your nephew married. That makes me the mistress of his homes, and therefore it is my responsibility and honor to care for any guests that enter it." She did not back down from the bluster of this woman, knowing that it would frame all future interactions between them. "Your daughter looked like she could use the rest and refreshment, so I supplied it. Just as I hope anyone would for any of my sisters if roles were reversed."
Lady Catherine studied her intently, "You speak your mind most decidedly for so young a person."
"My father felt daughters should be educated if they so chose. I was his favorite pupil." She did not look away from the woman.
"What's done is done, it would be most scandalous to end the marriage now." Lady Catherine sniffed, "I came here expecting to find one of those little tarts the ton is so fond of turning out, and instead found you. I don't know how I feel about that yet, but there is potential for me to like you...time will tell."
"That it will, your Ladyship." Elizabeth held her head high.
"Now, your sister was given a magnificent name, why has it been so shortened?" She had obviously realized that Kitty was short for Catherine.
"I'm afraid Kitty is still growing into her name, but she is getting there." She smiled at her sister, and got a shy smile in return.
"I see, Georgiana," The young girl jumped hearing her name called out, and looked terrified, "Introduce me to these new sisters of yours."
Georgiana was hesitant in her introductions, obviously intimidated by the woman in front of her. "And these other two young women."
"These are friends of the Bennet sisters, Miss Charlotte and Miss Maria Lucas." Her husband said with such a look that she noticed the moment the names registered with the older lady, however she kept her mouth shut.
"Lady Catherine, I apologize for not having rooms ready for you and your daughter, perhaps you wouldn't mind joining me for tea while we wait for one to be prepared."
"She can have my room Lizzy, I don't mind waiting for one to be prepared." Of course Jane would offer up her room.
"Wait, if Georgie and Kitty are sharing, that means you can share with me. I've never had sister's either, so this is the perfect chance for me to experience this aspect of it." Olivia spoke up, cutting off Mary before she could make the offer to share with Jane. "This will also allow Lady Catherine to share the same wing as her daughter if you don't mind sharing with me in the guest wing."
"I would be happy to share with you." Jane smiled at the younger girl.
"If your offer for tea still stands Mrs Darcy, I should be happy to join you once you've had a chance to refresh yourself." Lady Catherine offered.