Chapter 3 #3
“We should change the subject—this is hardly a conversation proper for dinner,” Lady Augusta interjected. “How impolite of us that we have bored our guests with the family’s issues.”
“We have no reason to claim any boredom, when we are in the company of such excellent brandy,” Mr. Bennet replied.
Lord Barrington tipped his head in a friendly nod.
“I am glad you are enjoying the brandy, sir. Mr. Gardiner, Sir William, I hope you approve of it too. A good drink is often a man’s best friend in times of need. My aunt, Lady Sedgewick, can be a little overwhelming, especially on early acquaintance, but she is an excellent lady.”
“She is overwhelming even after a long acquaintance,” Lady Colleen said. “She demands everyone follow her orders diligently. One cannot expect someone to neglect their own life in order to obey her requests.”
“She expects Barrington to marry a woman that perfectly fits her own image of accomplishment; that will never happen as their opinions on the matter are quite the opposite,” Mr. Lambert laughed.
“Enough on this subject!” Lady Augusta interfered energetically. “Dinner is served. I hope you are all hungry.”
∞∞∞
As they sat around the dinner table, Elizabeth exchanged glances with Jane, her father and her aunt.
Everything that had occurred thus far was very strange and she was feeling very uncomfortable.
The conversation had touched on a private matter that should never be revealed to strangers.
For people of such consequence, it could not be explained away as a simple flaw.
Elizabeth suddenly recollected her discussion with Wickham and the memories made her head spin while a peculiar perturbation further increased her discomfort.
She attempted to smile and be attentive to her companions but she met with little success. From Wickham to Darcy and their horrible fight was one step which her mind made easily, and her distress destroyed any enjoyment.
For the rest of the party the dinner seemed to progress pleasantly enough. The courses were all delicious and helped animate the discussions.
Lord Barrington’s noble friends—all part of old and rich families—showed courtesy and even friendliness to the Gracechurch Street guests.
They expressed curiosity towards both Elizabeth and Jane, without any peculiar preference.
Maria was still awestruck by the grandeur of the surroundings and of the company, so she remained silent most of the time.
The Bennet sisters—feeling uncomfortable and uncertain about the reason for their presence in that house—were less talkative than usual and refrained from saying much except answering any questions posed to them.
To these new acquaintances, they appeared shy and reserved, even more so by comparison with the other elegant and voluble ladies present.
After dinner, the gentlemen were invited for a drink and a cigar and the ladies amused themselves. Lady Augusta enquired further about Hertfordshire, about their extended families, about their customs in visiting London and about Mrs. Gardiner’s interests.
The two young ladies, Miss Lambert and Lady Colleen, appeared rather bored.
However, their manners remained polite and lacked arrogance or disdain.
When the gentlemen returned, they indulged the request for some music and each performed admirably, enjoying the praise and applause.
Elizabeth and Jane decidedly refused any invitation to play or sing.
Eventually, the evening came to an end for their party, as Mr. Bennet claimed they still had a long ride back home.
After a warm farewell and a promise to meet again, they returned to Gracechurch Street in the same elegant Barrington carriage.
At the end of the day, it had been neither the most annoying, nor the most delightful gathering.
“Well, I am glad we are done with it,” Mr. Bennet said. “Sister, I beg you do not accept any other invitations on my behalf. I cannot drink enough brandy to alleviate such boredom.”
“Was it so unpleasant?”
“I would say the dinner was excellent and the company agreeable. Despite being introduced at St. James’s, it was the first time I had engaged myself in conversation with a countess,” Sir William said solemnly.
“You are much more a man of society than I, Sir William. I wish nothing else but to spend the rest of my evenings in the library. I still wonder why these people needed our presence. I suspected Lord Barrington had been charmed by my daughters but I saw no sign of partiality.”
“Let us agree it was an odd caprice of a rich family,” Mr. Gardiner concluded, while the carriage drove steadily along London’s animated streets.
The season had begun and, for many young people of consequence, it was a time for entertainment. Elizabeth and Jane, however, counted every minute until they reached the Gardiner’s house and found comfort in the solitude of their shared chamber.
For both, the evening had been tormenting without any particular reason and each was reluctant to express her distress to the other.