Chapter 25. Gracechurch Street for Dinner
Charles Bingley arrived separately from Darcy and Georgiana at the Gardner home for dinner.
Before the time to dine, the family gathered in a well-appointed parlour with comfortable chairs and sofas as they shared news and discussed the day.
In conversation regarding the presentation to the queen and then the anticipated ball on Friday night, Charles learned that Miss Bennet already had been asked for the first two sets at the Musgrove Ball.
He immediately asked for the third set which would be the dinner set and Miss Bennet promptly accepted his offer.
Elizabeth was pleased to see Jane so interested in the young man that her uncle seemed to approve of immediately. Georgiana hinted to her brother that he should ask Elizabeth for the third set as well and he promised to consider it.
“Two sets in a single evening is very telling,” Darcy reminded his sister. “The papers would make a story of it.”
“The papers will make a story of your appearance after so many months in any case,” Georgiana replied. “And would you be pleased to see anyone else dancing with Elizabeth?”
“Anyone else?” he asked. “What do you mean?”
Georgiana teased her brother. “She is wearing her hair up and she will turn many heads Friday night. There certainly will be other gentlemen and rich lords asking Lizzy for a set after supper if not before. The gentleman who gets her third set will sit with her through all of supper.”
“I had not thought of that,” Darcy admitted.
“Brother, I think you should not wait long to declare your intentions,” Georgiana replied as if it were an accomplished fact already.
Darcy frowned at his sister who merely smiled and left her brother’s side to speak with Mrs Gardner.
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During dinner, the conversation around the table continued to centre on the Jane and Elizabeth’s presentation to the queen and the ball more so because Georgiana had many questions about preparations for both events.
When the gentlemen separated from the ladies after the meal, their conversation focused on the opportunities for the timber trade with the kingdoms in Scandinavia and with the British colony of Canada.
The British navy was the largest navy in the world and the government would continue to require a great deal of good timber to build and maintain the fleet.
Mrs Gardner, her nieces and Georgiana retreated above stairs to view the gowns for the presentation and for the ball. When the ladies returned to the parlour, Mr Darcy noticed his sister appeared to be content. As they made their way home, he asked, “Georgie, why are you so quiet now?”
She smiled and said, “Jane and Elizabeth will be the most beautiful young ladies Friday night. They will have full dance cards before the second set I am certain.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy frowned as once again he imagined Elizabeth dancing with different men Friday evening. He would ask for the third set and the last set as well...Mr and Mrs Bennet would not be pleased at the notoriety such a declaration would earn in the daily papers.
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