Not two hours after Kitty and Lord Matlock's private breakfast meeting the Bennet family party arrived by carriage. After coming in from the cold, greetings were made all around. Mr. Bennet was pleased to see his favorite daughter looking so well. Mrs. Bennet only had a few minimal complaints about the bumpy ride and "would have enjoyed the trip immensely if it has not been for Mr. Bennet's snoring." Mary, who always got a bit sick from a rocking carriage said hello to all, and went to rest.
After the brief reception Mr. Darcy asked Mr. Bennet to accompany him to the study. Mr. Bennet respected and appreciated his son-in-law and obliged him, although he would have liked to have a moment or two of solitude first. Lord Matlock followed directly behind the pair.
Darcy and Lord Matlock had discussed previously how to approach the subject of Kitty's engagement with Mr. Bennet. Their plan went off smoothly. Mr. Bennet was no fool and he had a feeling there was more to the story of the engagement than the younger men let on. However being of a generally complaisant attitude, and pleased that his middle daughter had made such a advantageous match, he didn't press the matter. He trusted Darcy to make these kinds of major decisions for the family, and in fact probably relied a little too heavily on his son-in-law.
After the marriage terms were agreed upon Mr. Bennet stood to shake Lord Matlock's hand and spoke kindly of his middle daughter, "Kitty has much improved as of late. You seem a kind and agreeable man. I think you'll be happy together." Mr. Bennet stepped toward the door and before crossing the threshold looked back at the tall pair before speaking, "Please make sure I'm out of earshot when Mrs. Bennet is informed." And with that set off to find his solitude, which was easier at Pemberley than Longbourn.
Elsewhere in the house the ladies conducted a similar discourse, the lady's though, had many more exclamations than the gentlemen's.
"Kitty, oh Kitty! My dear, dear girl! A countess!" Mrs. Bennet practically jumped with joy on the carpet of her dressing room when told the news. Her daughters Kitty and Elizabeth had wisely chosen to tell her in as private a room as possible, and followed her to her dressing room soon after her arrival. This decision was rewarded as their mother continued her effusion, "I always thought you were the most beautiful of my daughters Kitty. Everyone else liked Jane or Elizabeth. But I've always known you to be the prettiest, and I've told them too, but would anyone hear me? Of course not!" Mrs. Bennet took a breath. "Kitty, my child! Just look at you! So tall! So fair! What Earl wouldn't want you?"
Kitty and Elizabeth rolled their eyes at each other while their mother spewed excitement.
Moving into the sitting area of her assigned bedroom Mrs. Bennet continued, "I must sit down. Kitty ring for tea! No not Kitty. Elizabeth, your sister Lady Matlock and I would like some tea. Oh, where are my salts?"
It continued like this through their refreshment and on for the better part of an hour. Finally both daughters excused themselves and left their mother to her own gleeful mutterings.
That evening the Darcy Family, Bennet Family and Lord Matlock shared an enjoyable meal. Kitty had wisely requested that Elizabeth take care in her seating plan as she feared Mother may not be equal to sitting next to or even near Lord Matlock. Through this strategic placement a lovely meal with pleasant conversation was had by all. It lasted through the evening and into cards, when there was one slight slip of propriety by Mrs. Bennet who thought it prudent to tell Kitty from several seats over that she "had liked a handsome Redcoat very well in her day, but a Redcoat turned Earl was truly quite the prize."
Kitty looked immediately to Lord Matlock upon hearing this exposure from Mrs. Bennet. It seemed he had heard, but to her delight he winked at her in response, and spoke some kindness to her mother. It was Darcy and Elizabeth who looked more uncomfortable than the rest of the party.
Kitty especially enjoyed herself, as Lord Matlock paid her some particular consideration by standing near her, advising her on her card play and speaking general niceties to her. Perhaps to help soothe her earlier concerns about Mrs. Bennet, or she hoped from a growing partiality to her, but whatever the reason she was pleased with his attention. She looked forward to the ball, and dancing with her fiancé.
The morning would bring close to twenty more overnight guests for the ball which was to be held the day after next. The expected guests included Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, as well as Caroline Thomas, and her new husband Mr. Thomas. As the party broke up and said their good-nights there was a decided excitement in the air.