Page 111 of Shields and Roses

"Speaking of sharing, your sister let my sisters know she brought the miniature chessboards as you requested. However, your instructions were to deliver them to you directly. That has left Kitty and Lydia eagerly anticipating your visit so you can accept delivery and pass them on."

"And what is your advice for the situation? Do I request Georgiana to bring them and pass them on to your sisters now? Or do I wait until later?"

"Later, I would say. After all, we are about to welcome guests on their first visit to our home. We would not want their attention diverted any more than it already is."

"Well, I certainly know about having my attention diverted today. Later it is, then. I suppose we have to go in as well?" he asked.

"I am afraid so," she said, and even though her tone was teasing, he could also see her regret. "After all, they are my relatives and without them I would not have attended the assembly in Lambton. I must welcome them here properly."

"Since you put it that way, I can see why they deserve the attention. I do claim another walk later this afternoon, though. I do not think I could stand another evening apart without a little more time for just the two of us to fortify me."

"I certainly have no objection," she said. "But we had best go in now." They had almost reached the side door already, so the front drive was not visible. However, they heard the unmistakable sounds of yet another carriage arriving. "I wonder who that could be," Lizzy added.

Darcy opened the side door, but before they entered, he quickly stole a kiss. "To fortify me for whoever might have arrived," he explained with a smirk.

Lizzy stepped inside and then turned back, rose up on tiptoes and kissed him quickly.

"Same here," she said before walking inside ahead of him.

Chapter 51: Chaos

Darcy and Lizzy entered the sitting room to find a scene of happy chaos. The party from Netherfield, minus Miss Bingley, was just finishing the round of introductions and greetings. Now, they were starting to break up into conversational groups spread throughout the room.

Bennet, Sir Phillip and Darcy's uncle had engaged Lord Sheldon and Mr. Damask in conversation in a section of the room convenient to the door. Bingley appeared trapped on the side of the room with the older women. Darcy suspected that he had been making the introductions and worked himself into a corner. As Darcy started to join the other men, Bingley gave him a look that clearly asked for a rescue. Not seeing a ready way to help him without exposing himself to the same danger, Darcy offered his friend nothing more than a slight shrug and a sympathetic look.

Above all the other conversation, Mrs. Bennet's voice filled the air as she enthusiastically thanked Mrs. Damask and Lady Sheldon for hosting her girls and introducing them to society, particularly that of Sir Barnaby Linton. Her effusions of gratitude allowed for no doubt that Jane's impending wedding was a direct result of their hospitality.

Jane welcomed her friends, Mrs. Cathcart and Lucy Cathcart, while making them acquainted with Kitty and Lydia. Their group was quieter than the one Mrs. Bennet presided over, but Lydia's voice could still sometimes be heard above the din, only to be lowered after a meaningful look from Miss Parks, who stood nearby.

"Well, well, Darcy," said Bennet teasingly as Darcy and Lizzy approached. "When did you arrive?"

"As I am certain you already know, sir, I arrived a little while before the rest of the party from Netherfield Park, since I came over the fields on horseback. I have been out walking in the garden with Miss Elizabeth and my sister."

Bennet raised an eyebrow questioningly as he made a show of craning his head to search the group assembled in the room, while the other men chuckled. "I see Lizzy," he finally said, "but where is Georgiana?"

His question was answered by the sudden arrival of Darcy's sister. She almost stumbled into the room while carrying two small packages. At the sight of all the people, Georgiana stopped short and her expression froze into a look of fear.

While he might not have been willing to rescue Bingley, Darcy would do whatever was necessary to help Georgiana. He headed back to the door, accompanied by Lizzy, who obviously had the same idea. Their progress was stopped short as Kitty and Lydia rushed over to his sister, loudly exclaiming as they did.

"Oh, Georgiana! Are those the chessboards?"

"Can we see them? Please? Oh, do say we can."

"So much for waiting," Lizzy murmured.

Georgiana looked helplessly at Darcy, even as the others in the room noticed her arrival and silenced in expectation of an introduction. Darcy cleared his throat, but before he could continue, Mrs. Hill also appeared in the doorway, closely followed by Anne and Martin.

If he had thought the room was chaotic before, now it was simply an explosion of sound as Kitty and Lydia still asked about the chessboards, Anne greeted Darcy, his uncle and the de Bourghs and Mrs. Bennet loudly wondered what was going on. Bennet, Mr. Damask and Lord Sheldon were all laughing at the situation and everyone else just seemed confused.

Darcy looked at Lizzy, unsure of what to do. She smiled at him and quietly said, "You know how to take control. Go ahead."

Darcy cleared his throat again, this time very deliberately and loudly. "Excuse me," he said, just as loudly. "I think we have a few more introductions to take care of. If you will all allow me, I will make them."

The room quieted down. Lydia and Kitty still had their attention focused on the packages Georgiana held, but they knew without Darcy's permission they would not get their prizes, so they waited with the rest.

Darcy started by essentially announcing the presence of Georgiana, Anne and Martin. "Now, although Georgiana is already known to several of you," he said, "It would probably be best if I simply go around the room to introduce everyone who does not yet know my cousins, and those who do not know Georgiana can greet her then as well."

Although traditionally, he would have started with the person of highest status – Lord Sheldon – Darcy decided that it would be best to introduce the elder Bennets as host and hostess. Bennet simply offered them welcome, but Mrs. Bennet was almost as effusive in her welcome to Anne as she had been with Georgiana. Much to Darcy's surprise, Anne responded in kind.