CHAPTER 34 Dinner at Netherfield
“So who is coming again, Lizzy?” asked Kitty as the five women and Mr. Gardiner made their way to Netherfield in Darcy’s carriage. (Bingley’s had been sent to Meryton to pick up the Philipses.)
“I am not certain, dear,” said Elizabeth.
“All I know is that some of those we met at Rosings might be there. The Earl and Countess of Matlock, perhaps. Or Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter Anne. Perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam, the earl’s second son who is courting Anne, and his sister Lady Diana.
Perhaps Georgiana Darcy. I do hope she shall come for I enjoyed meeting her and would like to know her better. ”
“Is she very elegant, Lizzy?”
“Oh very, Kitty. She dresses rather well, though she is both kind and somewhat shy. I am certain you shall like her.”
“Caroline Bingley has said that she plays the pianoforte quite well,” said Mary.
“Unfortunately I never had a chance to hear her play while we were in London, but there is a good chance that she will play while here.”
Half an hour later they were shown into the drawing room of Netherfield and were greeted by the full company of Darcy’s relatives.
Elizabeth smiled widely to see them all, and felt almost as if they were already her family.
The Philipses arrived shortly afterwards and introductions were made.
People broke up into various groups. Jane guided Kitty and Lydia to a place beside Lady Matlock and Georgiana, while Lady Catherine beckoned Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips to her side.
She heard Mr. Collins’s name mentioned a few times and could only hope that he would not be arriving anytime soon.
Her two uncles and Lord Matlock sat in armchairs by the fire discussing the current political climate in London, while Darcy, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam stood in a spot by the windows talking in low voices.
Anne and Diana immediately approached Elizabeth and inquired after her wellbeing.
Anne then mentioned that Richard had proposed and that they were to wed sometime at the end of summer.
Diana, on the other hand, told her that she was glad to be away from London, very much relieved to be given a reprieve from the general activities of the Season.
It was then that Elizabeth suddenly realised how similar Darcy was to his beautiful raven-haired cousin.
They were too much alike to fall in love.
“Darcy has written to us that your youngest sister is to marry,” she said. “Congratulations.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “We both know that it was a patch up job and would never have taken place without some monetary inducement being given to her suitor.”
“Still,” said Anne, “one must be pragmatic about it and be thankful that it has turned out so well.”
“Yes, I suppose one must,” said Elizabeth, thankful that her new relatives did not hold her sister’s weakness against her.
“I am surprised not to see Bingley’s sisters here,” commented Diana. “Especially the younger one who thinks very highly of herself. I know that Darcy has been avoiding becoming compromised by her in the past.”
“Really? And how has he done that?”
Diana leaned in and whispered, “He has had his valet, Fletcher, sleep in his rooms on occasion.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Could he not simply have locked his door?”
“Not at Netherfield…where she has a key.”
Though Elizabeth knew it was not proper to speak of Caroline Bingley so, she was hard pressed to conceal her laughter. It felt good to be giggling once more with women her own age after the past few days of silence and tears at Longbourn.
Presently dinner was called and Elizabeth was pleased to have Darcy escort her mother into the dining room.
Bingley announced that, because it was an informal family dinner, everyone could sit where they wished.
Predictably, Lady Catherine picked a seat at one end of the table, while Bingley gave up his spot on the other end to Lord Matlock.
“I just wished to thank Lady Catherine for having me at Rosings for the past few weeks and who also, has so generously offered to act as hostess.”
“You are very welcome, Mr. Bingley,” said that lady with a flourish.
Elizabeth, who chose to sit next to Lady Catherine, also expressed her gratitude, not only for hosting the dinner but for making a point of speaking to her mother earlier.
“She has been quite distraught lately,” she explained, “but I see that tonight her spirits seem lighter. And I believe we have you to thank, Your Ladyship.”
“Thank nothing of it, Miss Elizabeth, for I myself know what it is like to lose a beloved husband. Sir Lewis passed away after fourteen years of marriage.”
“It cannot have been easy,” commented her Uncle Gardiner who sat on Lady Catherine’s other side. “Especially to run an estate as large as Rosings. I have heard Mr. Collins speak very highly of it, you see.”
“True, Mr. Gardiner, Rosings is quite large. But there are times when one must call upon one’s fortitude in order to carry out the business of living. But yes, it was quite difficult.” She then turned to Elizabeth. “By the way, I have convinced Mr. Collins not to leave Rosings for some time.”
“Oh! Thank you, Lady Catherine,” said Elizabeth. “I must confess to being surprised not to see him here…sooner.”
“Enough of that, for you must now refer to me as ‘Aunt Catherine’ whilst I shall call you ‘Elizabeth.’ We are soon to be family, after all. But you are correct, I was only able to keep Mr. Collins from coming by telling him that he must act in my stead.”
“And what have you requested that he do?” asked Mr. Gardiner.
“Nothing much, really. Simply keep a watchful eye on the tenants and parishioners thereabouts. I must say, he was very happy to do so. He takes his duties quite seriously, you know.”
“Indeed. Mr. Collins is very loyal,” murmured Elizabeth.
“As well he should be,” said Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth then looked across the table at Lord Matlock who had invited her mother to sit on his right, while Darcy sat on her other side.
Between the two of them, they seemed to keep her mother well occupied and she could not help but smile at their kindness.
She admitted to herself that, despite the passing of her father, she had not enjoyed a dinner this much in a while.