Page 118 of Shields and Roses

"That will all depend on how quickly they were able to leave this morning," Lizzy reminded him. "Add four children to the party and it is easy to have unexpected delays."

"I have just about lost this game," Kitty said. "Perhaps you should play the next with Lydia to take your mind off the wait."

Bingley agreed and changed places with Kitty to begin a new game. Georgiana continued playing the pianoforte in the background while Kitty, Lizzy and Darcy watched the chess match.

~o~

"They truly are late," Lizzy said to the small group sitting in Bennet's study. Lord Sheldon had joined Bennet, Bingley, Lizzy and Darcy for a time while the others in the party were either sitting with Mrs. Bennet or enjoying the music being provided by the other young ladies in the music room. It was nearly four in the afternoon, and the party from Netherfield had arrived an hour previous expecting to find the Gardiners and Mary already there.

"The last word we had was that they intended to leave early and should have been here before noon," Bennet said. "Ordinarily, if Gardiner knows he will be delayed, he will send an express. I think he would also do so, if possible, should their carriage break down on the way. After all, we have plenty of people with carriages available to go pick them all up in that event. It must have been something unforeseen that has made them late without them being able to see how late they would be."

"I hate to think of all the possibilities," Lizzy said.

"Your uncle is a seasoned traveler," Lord Sheldon said. "While we are all concerned, do not borrow any worries. I am certain they will be here as soon as they can."

"I know you are correct, but normally I would ease my worries by going for a walk. The news about Mr. Wickham being on the loose prevents that outlet for my energy."

"I would be happy to walk with you," Darcy said.

"No," objected Bennet. "You are as much of a target as she is. Until we know more about where he is, I would not feel comfortable even just having the two of you walk on your own in the garden. You could easily fight him off if he is unarmed, but we do not know that for certain. You would have little defense against a gun."

Whatever response Darcy might have made was interrupted by a knock at the study door. Mrs. Hill looked in.

"Sir, the stable boy you set to watching the road just reported seeing a carriage top the rise. I have come to you first as you requested."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hill," Mr. Bennet replied. He struggled to his feet as he excused the housekeeper. Turning to the others, who had all stood in preparation to leave the room, he said, "I wanted to have a chance to get to the door before the rest of the crowd."

Taking the servants' route, which was a little faster than twisting through the main corridor, the small group made their way to the entry. They arrived just before the group from the sitting room, who had spotted the carriage through the windows as it came into the drive. Because of the number of people who wanted to welcome the arrivals, the group spilled out the door and gathered on the front steps.

Darcy heard Lizzy breathe a sigh of relief as she recognized the carriage. "It is them," she said softly.

"Who else did you think it might be?" he asked.

"I had a sudden fear that it might be your aunt come to cause trouble."

"I am glad I had not considered that possibility, or I would have been very worried myself," Darcy told her. "Now we just need to learn what delayed them so."

That appeared to be the question on everyone's minds, because it was asked repeatedly amidst the greetings. Edward, Madeline and Mary all asked to hold the explanations until the children were settled and the adult travelers could go in and sit down. The children had no problem speaking up, however.

"Lizzy! Lizzy! Papa shot the wicked man with the Colonel's pistol!" shouted the oldest boy, rushing over to his favorite cousin as soon as he tumbled out of the carriage. He grabbed her hand and bounced on his toes in excitement as he spoke.

The next oldest joined him and added, "The man had red lines all over his face. He tried to grab Mary, but he called her Elizabeth Bennet. That is you! Why would the wicked man want to hurt you, Lizzy?"

"Wicked man!" Darcy exclaimed. "Do they mean Wickham?" He turned to Edward for confirmation.

Edward nodded and Lizzy quickly asked, "He attacked Mary thinking she was me?"

Edward gestured for calm in the explosion of exclamations that followed. "Please!" he said loudly, cutting through the din. "Can we please get the children settled first, so the adults can sit down and tell the story in an orderly fashion? I know I could use a drink!"

Although eager to learn more, the others agreed to his request. Speculating on what might have happened, they began to head inside. Madeline and the nursemaid the Gardiners had brought with them gathered the children together to take them upstairs. The young ones went with good grace after Lizzy promised to play with them in the garden after the adults had their discussion.

"Make it soon, please!" the oldest boy asked.

"As soon as I can," Lizzy promised.

They clattered up the stairs followed by their mother and the maid. Meanwhile, the rest of the party headed into the sitting room. Mrs. Bennet called Mrs. Hill and ordered drinks sent in while everyone else claimed seats in their favorite part of the room. Madeline soon joined them, having settled the children in the nursery. It was only when the tea arrived and Kitty and Lydia started serving it that they noticed someone else was missing.

"Where are Mary and Mr. Bingley?" Mrs. Bennet asked loudly.