Page 107 of Shields and Roses

"A kinder, gentler version," said Darcy.

"Indeed," agreed Bennet.

"Well, then," Peter said, "now that I have safely delivered Georgiana to your care, I should plan on visiting Catherine tomorrow or the next day to see what I can do to neutralize her somewhat, as well as giving her the news of the deaths."

"Does it need to be in the next few days?" Bennet asked. "Mr. and Mrs. Hanson will be arriving tomorrow, and you will probably want to speak with your niece first. Mary and the Gardiners will be here Thursday and Mrs. Bennet will be hosting a large dinner party on Friday. Unless you think the secret is in imminent danger of getting to Lady Catherine, it might be wise to wait."

"Anne is coming here too? That is excellent news. I will wait to speak with her, at least. Where are Richard and his new wife staying? I would like to speak with him as well, even if it is just briefly."

"They are at Darcy House," Darcy said. "I gave them the run of the place."

"Thank you," Peter said, "and thank you Bennet for standing in for me in the role of his father at Richard's wedding."

"It was more a case of Mrs. Bennet standing in as his mother, I would say. To help her accept the sudden wedding and not be upset that it might take away from Jane, he told her she was the closest thing he currently had to a mother. We heard no objections from her after that." Bennet chuckled.

"I will have to thank her this evening. After all, he wasn't exactly lying about that."

The three of them heard a great commotion in the corridor. "It seems the ladies are back," Bennet said. "Let us all go and hear the news of their shopping success."

"Yes," said Darcy. "I also want to introduce Georgiana to them before they discover her on her own in the music room. Then we can all hear about the amusements of the day."

In full agreement, all three men rose from their seats. Although normally he would have let the older men precede him, this time Darcy slipped out first, hoping to find Georgiana and help ease her into the new phase of her friendship with the Bennet sisters.

Chapter 50: Gathering

Darcy found Sir Phillip at the door of the music room. As Bennet had predicted, the young man had been drawn in from the garden by the sound of the pianoforte playing. On seeing an unknown young woman playing, he had stationed himself just out of her view so he could listen without frightening her.

When the commotion in the entryway began, Georgiana had stopped playing and waited, unsure of what to do. Darcy arrived as she was still sitting at the keyboard, deciding whether to go investigate. Motioning Sir Phillip to enter the music room with him, Darcy provided a quick introduction. As she and Sir Phillip greeted one another, Bennet and Peter arrived at the doorway behind them. Bennet suggested it was time Georgiana meet the other residents of the house. Although she was still somewhat nervous, she agreed, and they followed the sound of excited female voices to the parlor where the ladies were returning to discuss their expedition.

Any doubts Georgiana might still have had about Kitty and Lydia's welcome of her were quickly dispelled by their squeals of joy when Darcy made the long-awaited introduction. Jane and Lizzy welcomed her more sedately, but with visible pleasure at her arrival. It was Mrs. Bennet, however, who provided the most enthusiastic welcome, cutting over all the other greetings and gathering the surprised girl up in hug.

"Oh, my dear Georgiana! I may call you Georgiana, may I not?" She barely waited for the young woman's surprised nod before continuing, "I am so glad you have arrived safely! We have been looking forward to your visit ever since your brother said he would send for you, and now here you are," she gushed.

Her excited joy was sincere so far as Darcy could tell. He wondered if he should rescue his sister from their hostess and started to step forward. Lizzy noticed the movement and shook her head while giving him a reassuring smile. With a hint of a nod to acknowledge her message, he remained in his place even as Mrs. Bennet continued.

"Now, I want you to simply consider yourself one of the family, just like your cousin, the Colonel, does. He told me he thinks of me like a second mother and I wish you would as well. Or if that is not comfortable for you, think of me like an aunt. Yes, call me Aunt Fanny, as my brother's children do. That will do nicely. Oh, it will be such a joy to have you here."

Darcy could see his sister was feeling stunned by the enthusiasm, volume and content of the words pouring from her hostess' mouth. He was feeling somewhat stunned by it himself. He was proud of Georgiana for retaining enough composure to smile and nod in agreement with Mrs. Bennet before Kitty and Lydia took his sister gently by the arms and led her off to a corner to talk.

The feeling of surprise continued for Darcy when, after Mrs. Bennet proclaimed herself delighted to see Peter as well, she looked over at the younger girls and said, "I hope you do not mind me claiming your niece for myself as well, Viscount Rand. It is just that I know the poor girl has grown up without any mother at all. Even though she declares she has the best of brothers, and I am certain it is true, she has also written that she has been very lonely and in need of female company." She turned to Darcy, "I know you have done your best to make her happy, Mr. Darcy, but sometimes a girl just needs a mother or aunt to help her along."

"I thank you, Mrs. Bennet," Darcy said, finally finding his tongue. "I know I have not been able to give her that special guidance a mother, aunt or sister would. I truly appreciate your kind welcome to her. You must know she is very precious to me, so seeing her welcomed as family makes me happy as well." He bowed.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy," she said, waving a hand dismissively, "you just leave her to us." With that, she drew Peter away to speak with Mrs. de Bourgh. As they went, Darcy heard her begin to describe Richard's wedding to his uncle.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Darcy turned to Lizzy, who had come to stand next to him while her mother had finished greeting Georgiana. "Did you have any idea your mother intended to welcome my sister like that?"

"Does it bother you?" she asked, cocking her head slightly even as she stepped a little closer to his side.

"No,” he said, smiling brightly at her. "I was simply curious."

Bennet cleared his throat behind them, and they heard Sir Phillip snicker. Darcy realized they were being teased. He lowered his voice slightly as he said to Lizzy, "Has all that shopping made you too tired for a walk in the garden?"

"Nothing would please me more," she said. Seeing him look over at Georgiana, she added. "Have no worries. She is in good hands."

"I have no doubts at all on that score," he said, offering his arm. "Come, while we walk you can tell me all about your visit to the village."

They headed outside followed by more quiet laughter from Bennet and Sir Phillip.