Kitty and Lydia were joining the family. They were given strict instructions not to speak to anyone unless spoken to and to behave with utmost decorum. Lydia rolled her eyes when first being told, but when her father had swiftly said she would not be going at all if that was her attitude, she deftly adjusted her behavior. She was allowed to wear her hair up for this occasion, though her dress was still one suited for a young lady not yet out—not the lower cut gowns of her elder sisters.

In the end, however, it did not really matter what Mr. Bennet had said to his youngest daughter, for she was so awed with the grandeur before her that she was silent and gaping, much like her mother. Kitty fared no better, staring with wide eyes at everything around her. Even the butler was the handsomest such man she had ever seen and she couldn’t help feeling that her sister was entering into an enchanted world of some kind, where everything was always polished and sparkling and no one ever spoke above a whisper. She half expected to find royalty in the drawing room when she entered, but there was only Mr. Darcy’s family.

Darcy met them in the entryway and led them to the drawing room himself, Elizabeth’s arm safely tucked in the crook of his elbow. He entered the room with his head held high, his pride in his bride more than evident. Those that knew him realized what he was doing. He had made his choice and would not be gainsaid. Anyone who stood against her stood against him, and he would not look kindly on her being mistreated.

He introduced the Bennet family, beginning with Elizabeth and her parents and ending with the Gardiners. He had been surprised to see them in the entryway, but now was not the time to discuss who was and wasn’t an appropriate dinner party guest. There would be plenty of time to discuss that after the wedding. Elizabeth had likely been confused when he said her entire family was invited. It was nothing but a misunderstanding.

The Bennets bowed and curtseyed and looked very charming, all done up in their finest clothes, the women all in new gloves and slippers. Mrs. Bennet smiled and looked at her daughters proudly. They may not be as wealthy as the painted peacocks before her, but they were the prettiest ladies in the room, she’d bet her dowry on that.

Darcy introduced his family, beginning with his uncle Lord Carlisle, the Earl, and his wife, Lady Carlisle. He was the brother of Darcy’s late mother and the father of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who stood in the corner smiling mischievously. Next was Lord Melburn, the viscount, and his wife Lady Constance Melburn, Darcy’s paternal aunt.