Chapter 29 Dining in Company #2
They arrived at the group across the room just as the dinner bell sounded. With haste, he introduced his sister to Elizabeth, who said kindly, “We will have to sit and be properly acquainted after we eat.” To his relief, Elizabeth’s warmth seemed to ease Georgiana’s anxiety slightly.
“Thank you,” said Georgiana. “I would like that.”
“May I hope to be fortunate enough to be seated near you?” Darcy asked Elizabeth.
“It is unlikely,” she said with a little frown. “You may depend upon my mother claiming both you and your cousin to sit near her.”
Darcy had estimated there were nearly fifty people crammed into the parlour and wondered where they might all sit to eat.
That question was readily answered when he saw that the dining room and drawing room had been opened to appear as one room, and an enormous table hired to seat them all.
The table was lovely with candelabra and vast arrangements of summer flora.
As Elizabeth had predicted, Mrs Bennet had placed him and Saye beside her; Miss Goddard was next to Saye, and Georgiana was beside him.
Elizabeth, he observed, was nearer her father, as well as Sir James and Mr Goddard and Miss Bingley.
His jaw tightened when he saw Sir James situated so cosily and comfortably in a place that should have been his own.
The dinner itself proceeded as most dinners do.
Mrs Bennet was a more able hostess than he had expected, despite Saye’s best efforts to provoke her into subjects more outlandish.
Miss Goddard was sweet but not overly so and held her part of the conversation as gently bred young ladies did.
Darcy glanced at Georgiana occasionally, hoping she would contribute something to it all, but the most she did was an occasional small smile or an ‘Oh no!’ as the situation demanded.
At the other side of the table, Sir James and Elizabeth appeared to be having a fine time with Mr Bennet and Mr Goddard; even Miss Bingley smiled.
When they finally finished, Mrs Bennet rose to lead the ladies into the drawing room. Georgiana rose with them but immediately leant over Darcy to murmur in his ear, “I am not feeling well.”
He peered at her countenance. “What is the matter?”
“It is, um…I would really rather not say.”
He turned to better look at her. She seemed excessively uncomfortable, unable to even meet his eyes. “You wish to remain, I am sure.” She forced a brave smile. “Perhaps a footman can escort me back to Netherfield. Or, if it is not too far, I could walk?”
That provoked him into action. “Of course not.” He rose from his chair and went to Mr Bennet, explaining, “Forgive me, sir, my sister is unwell. We will be sure to pass our regards on to Mrs Bennet on our way out.”
“Would you like me to summon Mr Jones? The apothecary,” Mr Bennet explained.
“I do not think it is as serious as all of that, but if it is, I will summon him directly.”
Georgiana had awaited him by the door to the dining room; she said nothing to any of the men, nor did she smile or nod as she quit the room.
“We must tell Mrs Bennet and thank her for the evening.”
“Must we?” Georgiana asked, sounding petulant. “I dearly wish to be in my apartment at Netherfield, as soon as may be.”
“No matter how we feel, it will never do to be uncivil,” he said chidingly.
The ladies were only just arriving in the drawing room as they entered, and all paused to look at them. He offered a general smile round the room and went directly to Mrs Bennet.
“My sister has taken ill,” he told Mrs Bennet. “I am afraid I must see her back to Netherfield.”
Mrs Bennet clucked over Georgiana and offered to send for Mr Jones, and while she did, Elizabeth moved towards them.
Addressing his sister, she said, “I am so sorry to hear you are ill, my dear. Perhaps some quiet time in a bedchamber would do the trick? You are most welcome to go and lie down awhile in mine?”
To this Georgiana only shook her head, her gaze on the floor.
Elizabeth walked out with them to the front hall. The carriage was being brought up just as they arrived at the front door, and Darcy sent Georgiana ahead to get into it, relying on the footmen to know what they were about in helping her in.
He turned back to Elizabeth who gave him a kind look that seemed—dare he hope it?—a trifle disappointed.
“What a good brother you are,” she said softly.
“I do hope she understands the great sacrifice I will make for her. I had planned to steal you away later.”
A light pink blush overtook her features, and she smiled with uncharacteristic bashfulness. “Did you? For what purpose, sir?”
In the lowest tone he thought she might hear, he said, “I was hoping you would ask me what I was thinking of again, so that I could show you.”
Elizabeth’s blush deepened, and she giggled as she gave him a charmingly sidelong look. “Then I must urge you, sir, in the future to steal off with me straightaway, rather than defer such schemes.”
“Duly noted.” His smile faded into a regretful sigh. “I am afraid I will not even be able to see you tomorrow. Bingley and I must ride over to Tilsworth to see a man about some horses.”
“They must be very fine horses.”
“We shall see. I daresay Bingley is seeking a wedding gift for his bride.”
He was right in thinking that would delight her; she regained her animated sparkle and said, “For Jane?”
Darcy nodded, enjoying the sight of her felicity. “For Jane’s carriage, more specifically. But pray say nothing of it, for the horses might not be what he wants.”
“I will keep it a secret,” she said excitedly. “Oh, but how thrilled she will be!”
Darcy laughed, delighted he was able to leave her feeling happy and already hopeful that this farm in Tilsworth might have not only one matched pair but perhaps even two.