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“Miss de Bourgh always dines early,” Mrs. Jenkinson began, but Anne surprised both women by interrupting her.

“I should like to join the family for dinner, if that would not be an imposition,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.

“I am not particularly fatigued, and I would enjoy becoming better acquainted with Georgiana again, as I have not seen her in some years, and of course to meet your sister, Mrs. Darcy.”

Mrs. Jenkinson’s expression suggested this was a most unusual departure from routine, but Elizabeth was quick to respond before the companion could object. “We should be delighted to have you join us..”

With a final assurance that they need only ring if they required anything, Elizabeth took her leave, closing the door softly behind her. She stood for a moment in the corridor, processing the events of the afternoon, before making her way to the master suite to await her husband.

She did not have long to wait. Darcy joined her within a quarter hour, his expression amused as he closed the door behind him.

“Well,” he said, coming to sit beside her on the small sofa near the fireplace, “that was certainly unexpected.”

Elizabeth could not help but laugh, though the sound held more bewilderment than humour. “Indeed. Your aunt has a remarkable talent for creating chaos.”

“A talent she has refined over many years,” Darcy agreed with a wry smile. “How is Anne settling in?”

“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” Elizabeth replied thoughtfully.

“She seems terribly constrained by Mrs. Jenkinson’s constant vigilance, though there were moments when I glimpsed what might be a genuine personality beneath all that carefully cultivated fragility.

She has requested to join us for dinner, which Mrs. Jenkinson clearly considered a shocking departure from routine. ”

“That is... surprising,” Darcy admitted. “Anne rarely asserts herself in such matters. Perhaps being away from Rosings, and from my aunt’s immediate influence, has emboldened her.”

“I hope so,” Elizabeth said sincerely. “She seems to be desperately in need of some freedom to discover who she truly is, beneath all the restrictions placed upon her. But what of Georgiana and Kitty? How did they receive the news of our additional guest?”

Darcy’s expression softened with fondness. “Georgiana was her usual gracious self, of course. She expressed immediate concern for Anne’s comfort and offered to play something soothing this evening if Anne would enjoy music. Kitty was more openly curious, but equally welcoming.”

“Three debutantes,” Elizabeth mused, shaking her head slightly.

“I confess, I am somewhat overwhelmed at the prospect. Managing Georgiana and Kitty’s introduction to Society seemed challenge enough, given my own limited experience and acquaintance in London.

Now we have Anne to consider as well, with all her supposed health concerns. ”

“We shall not be entirely alone in this,” Darcy reminded her. “I will write to my aunt and uncle Matlock tonight to inform them of these developments and inquire when they expect to arrive in London. Aunt Margaret will be a valuable ally in navigating the Season.”

Elizabeth nodded, though she could not quite suppress a flutter of apprehension at the mention of Lady Matlock. “Yes, of course. Your aunt has been most kind in her correspondence. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with her.”

Darcy, ever perceptive to the nuances of her mood, raised an eyebrow. “You seem uncertain. Has my aunt given you reason to feel uncomfortable?”

“Not at all,” Elizabeth hastened to assure him. “She has been nothing but gracious in her letters, and was perfectly civil when we met briefly at Jane’s wedding. It is merely that I have had little opportunity to know her well, and she is... rather formidable in her own way.”

“Less overtly intimidating than my aunt Catherine, perhaps, but no less a force to be reckoned with,” Darcy agreed with a small smile.

“She will like you very well, Elizabeth. Indeed, I believe she already does, from what she has written to me. She values intelligence and honesty, qualities you possess in abundance.”

“I hope you are right,” Elizabeth said, attempting to set aside her trepidation.

After all, Lady Matlock had indeed been perfectly pleasant when they met, and her letters even before that had been warm and welcoming.

Perhaps it was the prospect of relying on her guidance in matters where Elizabeth herself felt so uncertain that caused her anxiety.

“In any case, her assistance will be invaluable, I am sure. Particularly as we now have the added complication of finding a suitable husband for Anne.”

Darcy’s expression grew thoughtful. “That will be no simple task. Anne has lived such a sheltered life; I am not certain she has any clear idea of what she might want in a husband.”

“Perhaps that is where our real challenge lies,” Elizabeth mused. “Not merely in introducing Anne to society, but in helping her discover her own preferences and desires. She has lived so long under Lady Catherine’s thumb that I wonder if she even knows her own mind.”

“A fair observation,” Darcy conceded. “And one that makes our responsibility all the greater. We must ensure that Anne is not simply transferred from my aunt’s control to that of a husband who might be equally domineering.”

Elizabeth felt a surge of admiration for her husband’s insight and compassion.

Despite his occasionally reserved demeanour, Darcy possessed a deeply caring nature, particularly where family was concerned.

“We shall do our best for all three girls,” she assured him.

“Georgiana, Kitty, and Anne each deserve the chance to find their own path to happiness.”

Darcy leaned over to kiss her, smiling fondly.

“Before we are swept up in these new complications,” he said softly, “I want you to know that I have complete faith in your ability to manage this unexpected situation. You have proven yourself time and again to be equal to every challenge, Elizabeth. This will be no different.”

Touched by his confidence and support, Elizabeth leaned into his embrace for a moment, drawing strength from the steady reassurance of his presence. “Thank you,” she murmured. “With you beside me, I believe I can face even Lady Catherine’s machinations with some equanimity.”

“That is fortunate,” Darcy replied with a hint of humour in his voice, “as I suspect this is merely the opening salvo in what promises to be a rather eventful Season.”

Elizabeth laughed despite herself. “Then we shall face it together, as we have faced everything else. Though I must say, after the events of the past year, I had rather hoped for a period of relative tranquillity.”

“Tranquillity?” Darcy echoed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “With three young ladies making their debut in London society? I fear, my dear, that tranquillity may prove elusive for some time to come.”

With a final squeeze of his hand, Elizabeth rose and moved toward the door, her mind already turning to the myriad arrangements that would need to be made.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would meet them with all the grace and determination she could muster.

Though, she could not help but wonder what other surprises might be in store for them before the Season was through.