Page 31 of Shields and Roses

Lizzy nodded. "She told me she wants her mother to see us at our best right from the start. That is why she did not have us down to greet her parents when they first arrived a little while ago. I think it was her way of giving us confidence that we are making a good impression as we step forward into this new adventure."

"I know I feel better wearing my finest evening gown," Mary agreed. She and Lizzy stepped aside so Jane could descend the stairs ahead of them, taking precedence as the eldest.

As she moved in front of her sisters, Jane said, "Well, let us go meet them. I look forward to finally making the acquaintance of our hosts for this autumn."

As they entered the parlor, they took in their first impressions of the previously unknown relatives by marriage. Madeline's father had curly brown hair, just going gray at the temples, that was pulled back into a queue, tied with a small black ribbon. It was probably a style he had worn since the fashion for wigs died out and he found it comfortable enough he had never chosen to shift to one of the more modern cuts. His sturdy oval face went along with his long frame. He had probably appeared gawky and loose-jointed in his youth. Even though he had settled into his middle years now, some hint of those awkward days remained in his build and movements. He was not really handsome, but he appeared cheerful and good natured as he stood chatting animatedly with Edward.

By contrast, Madeline's mother was everything that was elegant in face and form. She was slender and a little taller than average and her features were well-proportioned. She must have been a stunningly beautiful young woman and still was lovely now. The elegance extended to her style of dress, from the cut of her fine silk gown to the matching thin band shaping and holding a fashionable arrangement of curls in an intricate pile on her head. Her hair had probably been a deep strawberry-blonde at one time but had lightened with age to a blend of white and gold with hints of red that showed up in the flicker of the candlelight. When she turned at the entrance of the three young women, they could see approval in the dark blue eyes that were just like their aunt's.

Smiling, Madeline gestured for them to come nearer and be introduced. Without even thinking about it, they lined up by age like they had done so many times before. As each young woman was presented, she dropped a perfect curtsy, the product of hours of training from Miss Stanton. Madeline nodded to herself slightly in approval. They made a good display.

"Madeline has told me so much about her Bennet nieces over the years that I feel I already know you," Madeline's mother, Honoria Damask, told the young women. "May I drop the formality and call you by your first names?"

"Certainly, Mrs. Damask," Jane agreed, offering another slight curtsy as she spoke for all three sisters.

"Superb," the older woman said happily, "and none of this Mrs. Damask business. Call me Aunt Honoria. I am your great-aunt after all, even if it is only by marriage. Oh, this is going to be such fun. Having you and your sister to escort to parties and dances will give me a reason to enjoy all the gatherings like I did when Madeline and her sister were your ages."

"And you must call me Uncle Gerald," her husband added. "I will also be very glad to have you visiting, although with two such lovely young ladies in our house I may need to beat the local men away with sticks. I am just sorry that Mary will not also be joining us."

Mary curtsied in acknowledgment of the compliment, but Madeline answered for her. "Now, Father, why should you and Mother have all the fun? I am truly looking forward to introducing Mary to those of my acquaintances remaining in town for the autumn, just as I did for Jane and Elizabeth in previous years. We must build Mary's confidence so she will feel comfortable when all three attend events of the Season this coming spring. The older two have had the practice to handle themselves well in any setting. Mary needs that chance. There will be another time for her to visit Rosehaven."

"That is true enough," her father said pleasantly. "I suppose we should not be greedy about it."

"Yes, you both are correct," Honoria agreed, "but I am still excited to have new company. Jane, Elizabeth, I know Madeline has probably given you her view of the relatives you will meet. All the same, I think we can enjoy spending some of the time before dinner is served discussing what you can both expect from this visit."

Madeline gestured for everyone to sit. While they all sat close enough to converse as a group, Gerald and Edward sat a little back from the others. Honoria drew Jane and Lizzy to sit on either side of her on the sofa and Madeline kept Mary close to her.

"As I think you know," Honoria began, "We plan to stay here for a week. I have a little shopping to do and would like Madeline and you girls to join me. Gerald and I will also want to spend some time with our grandchildren. It seems they are growing up so quickly. In another ten years it will be Jane, Elizabeth and Mary's turn to help their cousins along in society just as we will do for you now."

"I hope we find a good place to help them from," Lizzy said.

Honoria patted her hand. "I am certain you will, dear. Madeline assures me that all three of you have the manners and education to make good matches and I can see you all have the looks and style to attract the interest of the men to whom we will introduce you. The important job will be finding matches that will make you happy, as unfashionable as that consideration may be."

With a smile for her husband, Madeline said, "I have always been glad you supported me when I chose to marry Edward over the more socially acceptable suitors who came calling. Mrs. Bennet might argue that any match is good, but the richer the man, the better the match. I do not agree. We will make sure all of my nieces are well-settled with men who will appreciate them for who they are."

"Hear, hear," Edward said with a laugh. "Bennet feels the same and my sister will not sway him on this point."

"Once all the vital shopping and grandchild-coddling is done, we will be heading back to Derbyshire," Gerald told them. "I must warn you that I like to make the journey quickly, with minimal stops on the way. If all goes well, we will have only one night on the road, but it will mean early starts and long days traveling."

"Yes," Honoria added. "Neither of us care to spend any more time at inns than we simply must. Even the good ones are noisy, and you never know who you will run into or what you will find."

"Exactly," Gerald said. "Always people going in and out. I once had my luggage stolen while the men were unloading it from the carriage. You just cannot be careful enough. I've considered purchasing a small house midway between here and Rosehaven, but since we do not maintain a house in town, we do not travel here often enough to make the expense worthwhile unless I could get a very good deal on a place that could be self-supporting."

"Since Meryton is less than half a day's journey from London, Jane, Mary and I have never spent a night in an inn. I know the one in Meryton is considered a rather rowdy place. None of the young ladies of the area would think of entering it unaccompanied."

"That is wise practice in any inn," Gerald told them.

"We are looking forward to the journey no matter how quickly it is accomplished," Jane said. "Lizzy and I will try not to cause any trouble."

"Oh, I am certain you will not," Gerald said. "I just wanted to warn you about how we prefer to travel."

Honoria continued, "Once we reach Rosehaven, we will take a few days to rest and let you become accustomed to the ways of the household before the family house party begins. Madeline's sister, Estelle, will be visiting with her husband. Their two boys are still at Eton, as I expect you know, although the elder, David, will be heading to Cambridge next year. In addition, both my sisters and their families will be joining us. It will be such a lively party!"

"Aunt Madeline told us one of your sisters married a man whose family name is Rose," Lizzy said.

"Yes, although most people forget that, since they go by Lord and Lady Sheldon. We like to joke among ourselves that we have a very botanical family since my other sister married a man named Wood. Maria, that is Lady Sheldon, has a son and daughter who are both married. They will be joining us along with their spouses. Imogene and Sir Harold have two married daughters whose husbands preferred to stay at home and tend to their own estates for the harvest."

"Aunt Madeline has told us a little bit about her sister, but what are your sisters and their families like, Aunt Honoria?" Lizzy asked.