"My cousins are sweet and well-mannered children," Jane declared. "I am sure they will behave."
"You always put me at ease, my dear," Mrs Gardiner said, caressing Jane's hand. "But I do hope you are right."
"I rather worry whether Mr Bingley's sisters will attend and whether they will behave," Elizabeth murmured, still watching off the window.
"I worry about nothing. If I know Darcy, he has good brandy, a large library, and the capacity to resolve problems. I need nothing more," Mr Bennet concluded as Mr Gardiner nodded his approval.
Eventually, the carriage stopped before an impressive white house, light shining from every window. Breathing deeply, Elizabeth gazed at the imposing front and the massive door. She silently admired Darcy's home, yet her heart was stirred by far more than the grandeur of a mere dwelling—before her, she saw not just walls but the shape of her future, the threshold of a new life as Mrs Darcy. Once she stepped in, everything would feel different; soon, she would leave her girlhood behind to become a woman and the mistress of that house.
Darcy, accompanied by Georgiana, greeted them, followed by Bingley, happier than ever. The master of the house took Elizabeth's hand and brought it to his lips, his eyes capturing hers.
Ignoring the others, Bingley offered his arm to Jane, much to the general amusement.
"Come, let us enter," Darcy offered. "We are so happy to have you here."
"Very happy, indeed," Georgiana repeated with similar sincerity in her voice.
"As are we," Elizabeth responded with all the happiness in her heart while the kiss he placed on her hand still burnt her.
"You are the first to arrive," Darcy continued while leading the party inside. "Would you like to take a brief tour of the house before the others join us?"
"That would be lovely," Mrs Gardiner replied, smiling at Darcy's apparent anxiety and eagerness.
"But first, please make yourselves comfortable."
Footmen took the guests' coats and then disappeared in silence. Briefly introduced, Mrs Gibson, the housekeeper, and Mr Parker, the butler, warmly greeted Elizabeth, showing the way while the party slowly calmed and became more at ease with every step.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet, Mr Bennet," Georgiana said, overcoming her shyness and looking with confidence into his eyes.
"We are honoured, I assure you, Miss Darcy," Mr Bennet replied, looking at Darcy's sister with his fatherly eyes, certain that he gained not only a son-in-law but also the sixth daughter.
"We thank you for the invitation. This is a wonderful house," Jane offered, holding Bingley's arm.
"I believe we should be less formal since we are all family," Bingley said joyfully.
"I could not agree more," said Darcy. "Mr Bennet, would you like to see the library first? And we may start the tour from there."
"I would like nothing better, sir."
Half an hour passed, and their conversation bloomed into dozens of topics when Darcy and Georgiana showed the guests the main chambers of the ground floor, not only the library but also the music room and the impressive ball hall.
"And you did not see the hall from the first floor with Mama's art collection," Georgiana said with enthusiasm. Still, there would be enough time for the other places in the following days, months and years as Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding approached.
Elizabeth grew more comfortable as she succeeded in controlling her dilemmas. Holding Darcy's arm tightly, shemoved along the elegant house—followed by Bingley and Jane—looking at the paintings and admiring the exquisite collection of books in the library and the pianoforte in the music room. Georgiana walked with the Gardiners and Mr Bennet, doing her best to entertain them.
Eventually, they returned to the drawing-room precisely in time to receive more guests: the Hursts and Miss Bingley.
The greetings they exchanged seemed like lines in a play; Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst smiled, congratulating Elizabeth and Jane in dishonest tones. Fortunately, drinks as a prelude to dinner saved the situation, although it was apparent they were in the midst of a conflict, all parties expecting first moves by the others.
"How was your trip from Gracechurch Street?" Miss Bingley inquired with disdain while her sister completed coping her tone, "Quite long, from what I recollect."
"Long but pleasant," Mrs Gardiner replied politely.
"Have you been in this part of town before?" Mrs Hurst asked, and Jane paled with displeasure while Elizabeth's face coloured with ire.
"We have, and I trust we shall visit more often when my nieces are mistresses of houses in the neighbourhood," Mrs Gardiner answered with the same calm politeness and a hint of satisfaction.
The allusion did not go unnoticed, and Miss Bingley took it to heart, still trying to keep a smile on her face. "Mr Darcy, shall we have the pleasure of other guests? Charles told me it is a family dinner. Will some of your relatives join us?"
