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Mrs. Bennet suffered an added note of vexation when Mary entered the room. “Mary, how on earth do you expect to catch a husband in such a gown?”

Confusion graced the younger woman’s countenance. “Husband? Mama, I assure you that I am not expecting to catch a husband.”

“March back to your room this instant and put on the gown I had the maid lay out for you. One might only guess what type of woman might capture the colonel’s fancy. After all, who would have thought that Mr. Darcy would prefer Lizzy? All you girls must be displayed to your greatest advantage.”

Hours later, Lady Catherine was astounded by the diverse guests assembled around her beloved late sister’s table. It is woefully plain to see that Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy is in over her head. How dare she place her ghastly mother next to me? The daughter of a tradesman seated next to the daughter of an earl?

Lady Catherine huffed. Clearly, Elizabeth knows nothing of protocol and etiquette. At least Mrs. Bennet has the good sense not to try to engage me in any sort of discourse.

Her ladyship observed Charlotte politely nodding in response to her husband’s nonsensical observation on the elegant table setting. Mrs. Collins seated next to her husband, her ladyship silently protested. Elizabeth’s sister Jane seated next to her husband, Geoffrey Collins. Do my eyes deceive me or are those two holding hands underneath the table? If her smiles are any indication, heaven knows what else is taking place beyond my view.

Her sardonic musings were interrupted when Darcy fulfilled his role as host in expressing his gladness at being surrounded by family members, both old and new, and then offered a toast to his wife.

Lord Matlock, in his highly prized role as head of the family, proposed the next toast.

“Mrs. Darcy, pardon me, my dear Elizabeth, it has been my honour and my great pleasure to welcome you and your son into our family. We are blessed and happy indeed to receive the rest of your family, as well. Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Collins, Mr. and Mrs. William Collins, Miss Bennet—” Oh, how Lady Catherine wished her loquacious brother would hasten to a conclusion. She fought to refrain from rolling her eyes.

“Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia, I welcome you, one and all, to our family.” The silly young girls were beside themselves with glee having been singled out by the aristocrat as their unrestrained giggles attested. Just when her ladyship was about to utter a silent prayer of thanks for the unexpected brevity of her brother’s speech, Lord Matlock raised his glass again.

“At the risk of speaking out of turn, I propose a toast to the increasing regard between my son Richard and my dearly loved niece, Anne.”

Lady Catherine gasped aloud. Surely, her brother was getting ahead of himself.

What is he about? Could he be any more blatant in attempting to force an alliance between Colonel Fitzwilliam and my Anne?

She had not failed to notice the two sat next to each other. Is Darcy’s wife in on my brother’s scheme?

Her ladyship had to admit that Anne never looked happier. A few moments of observation persuaded her there might be some merit to the scheme after all.

My Anne could do far worse than marrying my nephew. His being a second son guarantees that the two of them will reside at Rosings Park. I believe I should like having my nephew as a son-in-law.

Kitty and Lydia’s unseemly behaviour intruded upon Lady Catherine’s new found pleasure, and caused her to wonder at their even being at the dinner table. The younger ones out with an older sister unmarried ... heaven and earth.

I have never witnessed so much cleavage on display in my life. How does one support all of that weight with a mere corset? My Anne had better stake her claim on her cousin quickly with these wild Bennet girls roaming the halls.

Darcy and Elizabeth tucked Ben in bed earlier that evening amidst his protests of wanting to remain in company beyond his bedtime as he had done on Christmas Eve. Promises that Christmases to come would offer as much or more joyousness as this one, and that soon enough he would be allowed to remain awake longer, accompanied by an entertaining Christmas tale, sufficed to send the young man to dreamland with merry hopes for the future dancing in his head.

With Ben tucked in bed, Darcy and Elizabeth were at liberty to give their guests their undivided attention for the rest of the evening. After hours of lively entertainment and gaiety inherent in the Season amongst the family, Darcy and Elizabeth now sat upon the sitting room sofa basking in calm serenity. Finally, it was their time.

“You seemed surprised by your father’s invitation for us to visit Longbourn next year.”

“Indeed, especially in light of his dictate that I was never to grace the halls of his home again after spurning Mr. Collins’s hand in marriage.”

“I believe he would do anything to take back those words. He and I spoke at length after dining this evening once you ladies had departed the room. He expressed his unequivocal support of our marriage. Have you not spent much time with him since his arrival? Did he not convey his good wishes and support?”

“I confess to enjoying my papa’s company during those times when there was no possibility for such talk.”

“Well, I must see what I can do about that. Especially in light of how you manage it so I am forced to spend significant time with Geoffrey Collins.”

“Be careful, Mr. Darcy. I contend that I might manage the company of less than agreeable guests with far greater tolerance than you.”

“Perhaps. Of course, I have yet to see you and your brother engaged in any meaningful discourse.”

“I am guilty as charged. It will take some time, I imagine, before I am able to cast aside his cruelty and the bitterness of our acquaintance in Hunsford. With that said, I have witnessed no such harshness on his part towards from Jane. I judged her intentions poorly when she agreed to accept his hand in marriage; she cares for him deeply. She confided as much to me, which is surprising, for Jane rarely shares her true feelings with anyone.”

“I will endeavour not to say I told you so.”

“You are too kind, Mr. Darcy.”