Chapter 54 The Picnic
An invitation from the Gouldings arrived late in August.
Mrs. Goulding was hosting a picnic at Goulding Park to welcome Mr. Bingley more formally to the neighborhood. The gathering would include several families from the surrounding estates, with luncheon served on the lawn and games afterward for those inclined to participate.
Kitty turned to her father, her eyes alight.
“May we go, Papa?”
Thomas Bennet looked over the top of his book at his daughters.
“It has been more than three months since your mamma died. You need not participate in any riotous games, but I see no harm in taking tea with our neighbors and helping to welcome the newest residents of Netherfield. You are not proposing to dance until two in the morning.”
Kitty smiled. “Then we may go?”
“You may.”
Lydia had been examining a length of muslin at the table. “Papa, I prefer to remain at home with you.”
Mr. Bennet looked at her for a moment. “Of course, my girl.”
Kitty came around the table and put an arm briefly about Lydia's shoulders before taking the invitation from Jane to see it for herself.
* * *
On the morning of the picnic, Bingley's carriage appeared on the Longbourn drive with Caroline, Louisa, and Mr. Hurst already inside.
Mr. Bennet watched from the drawing-room window as Bingley climbed down.
“He has come three miles in the wrong direction.”
Elizabeth joined him at the window. “So, he has.”
Bingley was admitted moments later. His attention went directly to Jane.
“Good morning. I hope I have not kept you waiting.”
“No, sir.”
He offered his arm, and Jane took it.
When they reached the carriage, Bingley handed her in with particular care before climbing in beside her.
Hurst leaned toward his wife.
“Your brother has driven three miles to collect Miss Bennet and must now drive those same three miles back before proceeding toward Goulding Park. Courtship appears to be very hard on the horses.”
Jane smiled at Mr. Bingley as the carriage moved down the drive.
A second carriage arrived several minutes later.
Elizabeth went to the window before an elegant barouche came fully into view. Darcy stepped down as soon as the horses stopped.
Elizabeth met him outside.
“An open carriage. I did not know you owned one, sir.”
“It has been in London, Elizabeth. I sent Peter to fetch it for the picnic.”
“All the way from London, sir?”
“Especially for you, darling.”
Mr. Darcy lowered his voice. “I know how much you enjoy being out of doors, Elizabeth. I wanted you to enjoy the journey there and back as much as the picnic itself.”
She placed her hand in his when he offered it.
“You are very thoughtful, sir.”
They turned when the other Bennet sisters approached. Mr. Darcy handed each of the sisters into the barouche, then turned when Thomas Bennet approached.
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Sir.”
Thomas Bennet looked at the open carriage, then at his three daughters and Georgiana.
“You appear to have anticipated every objection I might make.”
“I have learned the value of preparation, sir.”
Mr. Bennet said his farewells and returned to the house.
Darcy took his place, and the barouche moved away from Longbourn.
Late August had begun to soften the green of the hedgerows. Blackberries darkened among the leaves, and clusters of hawthorn berries showed red along the lanes. The day was warm without being oppressive, and the movement of the carriage brought a pleasant breeze.
Elizabeth looked across the fields.
“You were right about the barouche, sir. It has been a lovely drive. I have not yet decided whether it justified sending Peter all the way to London, but there is still the return journey.”
Darcy looked at her. “I am confident of my eventual vindication, ma’am.”
Elizabeth laughed.
Kitty gestured toward a distant house. “There is Goulding Park.”
The house stood beyond a broad sweep of lawn where servants were already moving among tables set beneath the trees. Carriages approached along the drive, and then the barouche turned through the gates and continued toward the house.
* * *
The Gouldings had arranged the picnic on the broad lawn behind the house, where several large trees provided shade. Tables stood beneath them, and servants carried baskets and dishes from the house while the arriving guests gathered across the lawn.
Mr. and Mrs. Goulding received the Netherfield party near the terrace.
“Mr. Bingley, we are delighted you have decided to make Netherfield your home for the next two years,” Mrs. Goulding said. “I hope we have all made you and your family feel welcome, sir.”
“You are very kind. I already begin to feel quite settled.”
He glanced down at Jane, who held his arm.
Mrs. Goulding smiled. “I see you have already made the acquaintance of some of our neighbors.”
Mr. Goulding called to a tall young man who was speaking with Alexander Lucas several yards away.
“Steven.”
The young man excused himself and came toward them. Alexander followed close behind.
“My eldest son, Steven Goulding. He has only lately returned to Hertfordshire.”
Steven bowed as the introductions were made. When Kitty was presented, his gaze lingered for a moment before he bowed to Georgiana.
Mrs. Goulding took her son by the arm and said, “Steven, you have not yet met the Merriweathers. Come along, son, and I shall introduce you.”
Kitty watched them go before Georgiana slipped her arm through hers and drew her toward the lawn.
* * *
By the time luncheon was announced, the shade beneath the trees had become welcome.
Bingley found a place for Jane beneath a spreading beech and saw her settled before going to the tables. He returned with a plate and placed it before her.
“I was not certain whether you preferred the cold chicken or the ham, so I brought you some of each.”
Laughing, she thanked him.
He set a glass beside her and took the chair nearest hers.
Caroline approached a moment later.
“Charles, have you forgotten that you have a sister?”
“Forgive me, Caroline. I was not thinking.”
He rose and went back toward the tables.
Caroline sat beside Louisa.
“These days he appears incapable of thinking of anyone but Miss Bennet.”
* * *
After they had eaten, Kitty and Georgiana stood at the edge of the lawn gathering ripe blackberries when Steven approached them.
“Miss Catherine Bennet.”
Kitty looked up at him.
“I heard your sister call you Kitty earlier. I understand your close friends use the name.”
“Yes, sir.”
“May I call you Miss Kitty?”
“Yes. Please do. I should like that.”
Her berry-stained handkerchief slipped from her hand.
Steven bent and retrieved it before she could.
“Here you are, Miss Kitty.”
He held it out to her.
“Thank you, sir.”
Their eyes met as she took it, and Steven smiled.
She colored.
Mrs. Goulding called to Steven from across the lawn.
He bowed. “Miss Kitty. Miss Darcy.”
He went to his mother.
Kitty watched him cross the lawn.
Georgiana took her arm. “He seems a pleasant gentleman. I wondered whether you knew him.”
“I have never met him before, but I should like to know him better.”
The two girls turned back to the berry brambles, eating blackberries as Kitty began listing everything she found attractive about young Mr. Goulding.
* * *
“Let us go to the retiring room, Georgie. My hands are sticky.”
Georgiana looked at her own fingers. “Mine are stained from the berries. I doubt soap and water will remove it all.”
As Kitty and Georgiana skirted the terrace, they passed small groups of neighbors sheltering from the sun while they watched several young boys compete at archery.
Near Mr. Steven Goulding stood two other young gentlemen, and as the girls approached, Kitty heard one of them say, “That is Miss Kitty, is it not?”
“Yes, Miss Kitty Bennet,” Steven said.
“A pretty girl.”
“Very.”
The gentleman glanced after Kitty. “A pity Miss King is not so pretty. I heard your mother tell mine that she has chosen Miss King for you.”
Steven frowned. “My mother has chosen a great many things for me.”
“Ten thousand pounds must have made Miss King particularly easy for her to choose.”
Steven looked at him. “Ten thousand?”
“She inherited it from an uncle. Your mother has made no secret of her admiration for the match. Nor is she the only mother in the neighborhood to have noticed Miss King’s fortune.”
He glanced in Kitty’s direction. “Miss Bennet, I believe, has very little.”
Kitty took Georgiana’s arm and continued across the lawn, pretending she had not overheard.
“Mr. Goulding thought I was pretty until he heard I had no money,” Kitty said when they were beyond hearing.
Georgiana glanced back toward him. “Ten thousand pounds is rather difficult to compete with when one's mother has set her heart upon it.”
Kitty raised her eyes toward the drive, where an elderly lady was being handed down from a carriage. A small young woman with auburn hair and freckles offered her arm.
“That is Miss Mary King. The heiress Mrs. Goulding has chosen for a daughter-in-law.”
“The freckled little girl?”
“Yes.”
Georgiana took Kitty’s arm and drew her away. “Come, Kitty, my dear. Let us find some tea and cake. They may provide you a little consolation.”
* * *
Mary Bennet spent much of the afternoon among the older ladies of the neighborhood. Mrs. Marshall detained her with news of her eldest daughter's apprenticeship, and the rector's wife stopped her soon afterward to discuss clothing still needed by two parish families before autumn.
Elizabeth noticed early in the day that whenever she looked toward Mary, Alexander Lucas was somewhere nearby. Amused by the discovery, she turned to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I believe my sister Mary has attracted a suitor.”
“Yes. I have noticed that young man following her about since we arrived.”
They watched as Mary crossed the lawn to speak with Mrs. Talbot, Alexander following close behind. When Mrs. Fernside joined them, he remained at Mary’s side and listened while she described what was still needed for the parish families.
Elizabeth laughed when she saw Mary step away from the group and walk directly into Alexander.
He caught her hand as she stumbled against him.