Chapter 22 #2
Bingley cleared his throat, coughing slightly. “We were hoping, Miss Darcy, that we could stay at Pemberley. Darcy made the invitation when he stayed at Netherfield…”
“And you came without prior notice! Well, this is decidedly improper!” exclaimed Lady Catherine. “You expose us to scandal, sir, without Darcy present!”
Once again there was an embarrassed silence; but it was obvious that offering them hospitality could not be refused.
Had Mr. Darcy really offered an open invitation for the Bingleys to stay?
Once again, Elizabeth relieved the awkwardness.
“Perhaps, if Mr. Bingley’s party were to stay in the west wing, and Mr. Hurst were to act as host, then propriety would be satisfied. ”
Georgiana’s countenance brightened. “Of course. Ah, here are the refreshments. Let us take tea and then see to having your chambers made ready.”
Quietly, Elizabeth stood and exited the room.
She would speak to Mrs. Reynolds—rooms would have to be readied, and Cook would need to be informed of the extra guests for dinner.
She sighed. It was unlikely the Bingleys would leave before Mr. Darcy had returned.
A quiet family welcome was now forfeit. Elizabeth had noticed the covetous look on Miss Bingley’s face whenever Mr. Darcy’s name was mentioned.
The lady was handsome, no doubt, and she possessed a fortune of twenty thousand pounds.
Would she make him happy? Of this, Elizabeth cared deeply—she wished Darcy to find a wife who would marry him for himself—not for wealth and reputation.
Certainly, Miss Bingley wished to elevate herself in society; her fortune came from trade, whereas Darcy represented old money, land, and connections.
Marriage to him would gain Miss Bingley entry to the highest circles of the ton.
Was the lady aiming too high? Oh, how Elizabeth wished they had never come!
She quickly wrote a note to be delivered by express to Mr. Darcy in Dublin. He was already aware that Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh were guests—and now the Bingleys had joined them.
* * *
“You take dinner remarkably early,” said Miss Bingley as the party assembled in the drawing room. “The fashion in London is to dine at seven o’clock.”
“The kitchen begins early, for the outdoor staff are already at work, and they breakfast at seven. Country hours serve the purpose of the estate, and not that of the house,” said Elizabeth, stepping to the sideboard. “What is your preferred drink before dinner?”
“Is there Madeira? It has become quite the thing in London’s circles.” Mrs. Hurst walked to gaze out the window, where the sun was beginning to cast long shadows across the park. “Oh, it is a very fine aspect—I just adore being at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth poured Mrs. Hurst a Madeira from the decanter and turned a questioning eye to Miss Bingley. “Oh, if you must, a sherry, I suppose,” said the lady. “But surely the butler should serve?”
“He has been temporarily called away, but assures me he will be available to serve us at dinner.”
“Well, I suppose you should do it, then.” She sipped her drink, wrinkling her nose.
“Oh, this is not the Amontillado I prefer. Whatever is it? For it is certainly not to my taste.” Miss Bingley ostentatiously placed her glass on the sideboard, causing a little to splash onto the varnished woodwork.
Immediately, James stepped forward, took up the glass, and wiped the surface before it stained.
“Our apologies, Miss Bingley. But the house has economised during Mr. Darcy’s absence. Lady Catherine and Miss Darcy prefer a light, dry sherry—the Manzanilla, that Winthrop has decanted. Perhaps you would take something else?”
At that moment, Georgiana, Anne, and Lady Catherine entered the room. They were talking animatedly and could scarcely contain their good humour.
“Mrs. Elizabeth, a sherry if you will. I am so glad that Winthrop does not serve the Amontillado, which is far too nutty for my tastes.” Lady Catherine, a smile on her lips, turned to Miss Bingley.
“You do not have a glass; you shall have mine—Lady Matlock tells me that the Manzanilla is all the rage in London. Do you wish your usual negus, Anne? And the same for you, Georgiana?”
Once Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley came down, Winthrop called them in to dinner. He apologised to Elizabeth for his absence, informing her that the footman, who had suffered a fall, had recovered.
“Have him take the remainder of the evening off, if you will,” Elizabeth replied quietly.
“It would be better if he were fully recovered on the morrow—I am sure we can cope at dinner without his services. Could you also speak to Mrs. Reynolds? Some sherry was spilt on the sideboard; James wiped it dry, but there might be a mark which needs polishing.”
Mr. Hurst led in Lady Catherine and Georgiana, followed by Mr. Bingley with Mrs. Hurst and Anne on his arm. Elizabeth and Miss Bingley came in behind.
The conversation was rather desultory. Mr. Hurst, sitting at the foot, was more interested in his wine and the meal than in leading the table. Lady Catherine sat quietly with a smile touching her lips; she did not speak, though she had often dominated any discussion.
“I had heard, Miss Darcy,” said Miss Bingley, “that your companion was from the district.” She turned to Elizabeth. “You certainly have benefited from Miss Darcy’s way of speaking, Mrs. Elizabeth; some might mistake you for coming from London.”
There was sudden silence around the table, as all, save Mr. Hurst, looked at Miss Bingley in surprise. Georgiana coloured, for she was unaccustomed to such deliberate discourtesy.
“My companion Mrs. Younge has returned to her family at Bakewell—a very gracious lady.” Georgiana spoke confidently, so changed from the diffident young woman who had greeted Elizabeth seven months ago.
“It was my privilege to have her attend me. With Lady Catherine in the house, there is no need for a companion—indeed, Lady Catherine, my cousin Miss de Bourgh, and Mrs. Elizabeth are all the delightful company that anyone could desire. I am certainly not starved for company or amusement.”
“But Mrs. Elizabeth, you are so involved with the household.” Miss Bingley had noticed the close familiarity that existed between Elizabeth and Georgiana, and was persuaded that the lady stood between her and gaining Miss Darcy’s favour.
“Ah, I believe I understand,” she continued, “you are Miss Darcy’s assistant.
Certainly an estate such as Pemberley—why, there must be over thirty indoor staff—would be too much for Miss Darcy to manage on her own.
I could scarcely contemplate it myself, even though I was trained for the role at a leading private seminary.
How thoughtful of Mr. Darcy to see to your comfort in such a practical way. ”
Mr. Hurst had now ceased eating, for he had become aware that the table, previously gone quiet, was now as cold as the Derbyshire Peaks in winter. The chill was broken by a throaty laugh.
“Miss Bingley, you are such a treasure,” exclaimed Lady Catherine.
“Do you think, Mrs. Elizabeth, that it is a very fine joke—that Georgiana Darcy cannot manage the household? That she, raised at Pemberley, the daughter of Lady Anne, my beloved sister, could not manage her birthright? That she requires more assistance than that offered by Mrs. Reynolds, Winthrop, and Baxter? How droll you are, Miss Bingley. Both Miss Darcy and Mrs. Elizabeth seem highly diverted.”
“Nevertheless, perhaps you have the right of it, Miss Bingley,” interposed Elizabeth, smiling sweetly.
“I am indeed something of an assistant, though not to Miss Darcy who, I can truly say, is a very dear friend. No, we should not dissemble, for we are all her guests, and disguise of every sort is her abhorrence. In truth, I am the private secretary to the head partner of Child & Co. in London. Some might call it an honorary position, for as a gentlewoman—my father’s estate is in Hertfordshire—naturally, I am not in employment.
Yet, I am indeed of service to the bank here at Pemberley, but of a private kind.
Now, I suggest we all partake of this very fine ragout—likely, it is Mr. Hurst’s favourite, as he is well ahead of us at the table. ”
Miss Bingley gave Elizabeth a sharp, shrewish look, certain that the lady was but a servant.
She could not pursue the matter further at the table, and remained mostly silent for the remainder of the meal.
Lady Catherine took up her accustomed role and led the conversation, which continued when the ladies retired to the drawing room.
The men soon joined them and, after Miss Bingley had entertained them on the piano-forte, they all retired early.
* * *