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“He did not mean scold as you are thinking, Mama.”

Darcy swallowed. This was not how his comments were supposed to have been received. His intent was to make things better for Elizabeth. Not worse.

“No, I did not mean anything negative by the choice of word. I only meant to assure you that your daughter is all that is proper and good.”

Mrs. Bennet’s replying smile caused her eyes to twinkle. “I will allow you to believe that, but I do know my daughter.” This last part was said with a wink and met with a “Mama, really!” from that daughter. Mrs. Bennet’s laugh was light and musical, much like her daughter’s was.

“I am pleased to finally be able to return some of the torment that has been my lot these twenty years.”

“Mama!” Elizabeth shook her head but did not look utterly put out, which caused Darcy to suspect that there was some truth – maybe even a great deal of it – in Mrs. Bennet’s words.

“Intelligent females are not without their challenges,” Mr. Bennet said.

“It is good to see you again, Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Miss Darcy. I guarantee you have not been forgotten, for your names have been mentioned many times during our forced confinement due to the rain.” He turned to Georgiana.

“My youngest daughters are eager to spend the evening with you – that is, when they are not dancing with a few lucky fellows.”

“I have promised myself to only dance half the dances with gentlemen,” Miss Lydia said. “And the rest of the evening I shall be at your service to dance or chat or do whatever it is one does when one is not dancing at a ball.”

“Mr. Bingley has a room set out for cards, but I do not play for money,” Georgiana said, “so it will have to only be for tallies on a piece of paper.”

“That sounds lovely,” Miss Kitty said. “I would like to hear all about what it is like to have a companion like Mrs. Annesley.”

Georgiana looked at Darcy. “Is it acceptable if we retire to the drawing room?”

“I will go with you,” Richard said. “That way, your brother and Miss Elizabeth can take a stroll around the rooms unfettered by care.”

“And this is why he is a colonel,” Mr. Bennet said to his youngest daughter. “You have to be very good a making plans to be one, you know.”

Miss Lydia huffed. “Of course, he does. For if he was tragically deplorable at making a good plan, the battle would be lost before it began. Is that not right, Mary?”

“I would have to agree that your reasoning does make sense,” Mary answered.

“Mary is very sensible,” Miss Lydia whispered to Richard, and if looks were daggers, those would have been the only words the youngster would be allowed to utter for the rest of her life, for her sister’s glare would have been her end.

To Darcy, it seemed that Georgiana was not the only one with matchmaking ideas for Richard and Miss Mary. It also appeared that Miss Mary was just as reluctant to be a participant as Richard was.

“It is good that some women are sensible,” Richard replied.

“She is also very clever and can formulate excellent plans, but she does not care to hear about fashion, so if we begin speaking about that, do you think you could perhaps discuss the best way to execute a plan with her?” Miss Lydia asked.

Richard looked befuddled and cast a wary look at Darcy. “I suppose I could, but only if Miss Mary wishes to discuss such a topic. Does she have a plan that needs to be carried out and is not sure how to do it?”

“Oh! I do not know,” Miss Lydia answered. “I thought you could imagine a plan and debate the best way to see it to success.”

Richard nodded as he followed Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty, who had each claimed one of Georgiana’s arms. “I see,” he said.

“Richard,” Georgiana said with a tip of her had towards Miss Mary.

“Ah yes, I seem to have forgotten my manners in the figuring out of plans and stratagems,” he said as he offered his arm to Miss Mary.

“Thank you, but I am capable of walking unassisted,” Miss Mary said.

“Mary!” Miss Lydia cried.

Miss Mary’s sigh could be heard from where Darcy stood with Miss Elizabeth, but she put her hand on Richard’s arm.

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “I fear your cousin may be in for a trying evening. Lydia is a lot like her mother, and Mrs. Bennet is an excellent planner when it comes to seeing her daughters matched.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now, where is the card room so that I can avoid the dancing?”

“Two doors down on the left. The library is just across the hall if it is needed.”

“See, now, this is why I think you will be my favourite son-in-law. Mr. Bingley is amiable, but you understand what a man, such as I, truly needs.” Chuckling to himself, he left them.

Mrs. Bennet was near Miss Bennet, who, of course, was standing near Bingley, and that left Darcy and Elizabeth relatively alone.

“Where is your cousin?” he asked.

“Papa sent the carriage back for him. That way we do not have to hear anything from him for at least another half hour or more.”

“I take it that your father is still not pleased with him.”

“No, not at all.”

“Do you wish to take a walk?” It would be better to converse away from the guests who were entering.

“I do. I adore seeing all the preparations before they are spoiled in anyway by the busyness of the evening.”

“Then, allow me to see that your desire is fulfilled.” He held his arm out to her, and once she tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, they set off to admire the work that Miss Bingley and Netherfield’s staff had put into the evening’s soiree.