Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (81 page)

Nodding, he encouraged her, “Tempt not a desperate man.
¹⁸
  Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips.  “Your every look tempts me, and I assure you, I am desperate to go.  Come…Come away…”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will follow me to the dining room?”  Lady Lucas called.  The soft look of surrender in Elizabeth’s eyes dissolved.

“Damn.”  He cursed as the spell was broken.  “You did not hear her.  We are leaving.”

“We cannot, Will.  Tempting as it is.”  She whispered.  “We must stay. This is for my sisters who remain behind, this is for my father.  It is not for me anymore.  Soon we will be at Pemberley, but they must live in this neighbourhood, we cannot go, I cannot shame them.”

“Elizabeth . . .”  He knew it was useless to argue.  “We will stay only if you allow me to soothe you when we return home.” 

“Oh Fitzwilliam, when have I ever said no?”  Elizabeth laughed, and he smiled.  “It will not be so bad.”

“Your unending confidence amazes me.”  Darcy stood and offering his hand, looked to the dining room.  “I wonder what the seating will be?  I want you near me, not at the other end of the table.”

“You know that if you are by Lady Lucas, I am destined for Sir William.”  Seeing his unhappiness, she smiled, “Knowing Lady Lucas, it will be something that suits her desires rather than strict protocol; hopefully Jane and Charlotte were able to influence her.”  Elizabeth held his arm, and found to their embarrassment that everyone was waiting for them to lead off the parade.  “The privilege of rank, I suppose.”  She noticed that de Bourgh and Mary were just behind them, followed by Bingley escorting Maria.  “Oh dear, Lady Lucas has indeed struck.” 

Darcy noticed Bingley’s amusement and smiled.  “You cannot blame her for trying.”

Arriving at the dining room, they found that Lady Lucas’ arrangements
had
prevailed, and that she had forgotten the size of her table.  The room was long enough, but the dining area itself was clearly made of two tables, unfortunately of unequal heights, and even this was not sufficient to accommodate her ambitious guest list, as a secondary table, tucked alongside the main one was prepared.   “Come in everyone.”  She began arranging them as they entered.

Hurst saw the small table and murmured to Louisa, “They can play Whist while they eat.” 

“Hush!”  She hissed. 

“At least they will be comfortable; we will barely be able to lift our forks to our mouths!  Look how tightly we will be packed!  I will be wearing the soup down my waistcoat!”

“Mr. Hurst!” 

“It seems to be a table for unruly children.”  Mrs. King smirked until she realized that her daughter was stationed there, as were Abbey and Miss Goulding.  Her eyes narrowed when she looked back to Lady Lucas, who smiled sweetly as she directed Bingley to take his seat at Sir William’s left, and seated Maria by his side.  “Calculating witch!” Mrs. King hissed, then noted that the only single man to be with the girls was Mr. Collins.  “Well at least that Miss Martin is not near Mr. Bingley!  Let Mr. Collins have her!” 

Mrs. Goulding was just as angry.  “Well he certainly is not going to be courting my daughter!  Why the very idea, a curate wanting to marry!  He can have Miss Martin!”

“What are you saying of my niece?”  Mrs. Long demanded. 

Bingley sat down and turning his head to the left, he spotted Abbey trying to look at him.  He closed his eyes, accepting his fate, and discovered that if he adjusted his chair a little, he could manage to politely converse with Maria and attempt to keep Abbey in view.  It was a small victory, but he gladly took it. 

Lucas, on his father’s right, looked at Bingley’s predicament and chuckled at his mother’s devilish plotting, and wondered why he was seated where Elizabeth belonged.  Robinson, on Maria’s left, joined his amusement and helped along by her elder brother, engaged Maria in conversation. 

Darcy saw Elizabeth to her seat and while holding her chair, looked down the table.  She felt him stiffen and followed his stare.  “Oh no.” 

He leaned down.  “We will exchange seats, love.” 

“No.”  She watched as Lady Lucas pointed her mother to the chair on her left.  “I will be fine.  You are too large to sit here; you need to be on the end.  Besides, you are the guest of honour.”

“No, I will not have you suffer, at the least exchange seats with Lucas . . .”

“She would not dare cause a scene here.”

“She did in the drawing room.”  His voice had become tight and dangerously low.

“I helped that along, Will.”  Elizabeth took his hands that rested protectively on her shoulders.  “I can bear her for one meal.”

“Lizzy!”  Jane whispered.  “I told Mama to calm herself.  Are you well?  You were supposed to be in Robert’s place.”

“I will be fine.”  Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hands and stone-faced, walked around the table to take his seat on Lady Lucas’ right.  He watched as Mrs. Bennet discovered that she had been seated between Elizabeth and Mary.  She paused for a long moment, and noticed Mr. Bennet seated across the table between Robinson and Jane, staring at her intently.  With a loud sigh, she flounced into her chair. 

De Bourgh turned to Jane and whispered, “Nobody knows of the situation between the Darcys and your mother do they?”

“No, I do not believe they told anyone other than we sisters and Mr. Bingley.”

“Well, let us hope that the menu contains some meat that requires much chewing!”  Mr. Bennet said sedately as he leaned back in his chair and looked around Jane to de Bourgh.  “That will keep the conversation to a minimum.” 

“Your optimism is admirable, sir, but I fear that it is misplaced.”  He looked up as footmen, some clearly grooms cleaned up and pressed into service, began ladling out the soup, which was consumed fairly quickly and quietly.  Next the meats arrived and as was the custom, the gentlemen carved, serving themselves and helping the ladies to fill their plates. 

“Mr. Darcy.”  Elizabeth said with a smile.  “May I have some of the potatoes?”

He looked around for a footman to carry her the bowl, and seeing nobody about, covered for Lady Lucas’ embarrassment.  “If I might have your plate, Mrs. Darcy.” 

She handed it to Hurst who passed it to Darcy. “I cannot remember the last time you served me, Mr. Darcy.”

He smiled to see her spirit rising.  “Well that is a situation that must be corrected, and soon.” 

“I would have had bowls on both sides of the table, or at the least have enough servants that the guests do not have to perform their duties.”  Mrs. Bennet observed. 

“You have always set a fine table, Mrs. Bennet.”  Mrs. King agreed.

Lady Lucas lifted her chin.  “I prefer to offer variety rather than quantity.”

“And you have certainly achieved a beautiful display of the season’s best, Lady Lucas.”  Elizabeth said with a smile.  “I am happily impressed.  Charlotte and Jane told me how you have been planning this evening.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy.  I must apologize for serving pork.”  She turned to Darcy.   “I know how it is not popular in the highest circles.  Perhaps you would prefer the mutton further down?”

He paused from carving the meat before him.  “My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam convinced me long ago of the worthiness of the animal, and has even managed to persuade his parents, Lord and Lady Matlock, to enjoy its flavour.”

“My goodness Mr. Darcy, you labour as a servant, you eat as one, tell me, do you have haunches hanging about in your parlour?”  Mrs. Bennet asked.  Mrs. King and Mrs. Goulding gasped.  Jane started.  “Mama!”

Darcy’s eyes fixed on her. “Do you remember our earlier conversation, madam?  I am exercising great restraint.” 

De Bourgh and Hurst hurried to diffuse the insult but Mr. Bennet spoke first.  “Mrs. Bennet, do we have haunches hanging from our rafters?  Perhaps we should leave now and look.” 

“I have not been invited to Pemberley, how could I know what was there?”  She turned to Elizabeth.  “How strange it is that after over two years of marriage, I have yet to see this place and must rely on the descriptions given by others.”

“I supposed that you have had no opportunity to come, Mama.”  Elizabeth said evenly.

De Bourgh spoke up.  “I have not seen it either, Mrs. Bennet, do not feel left out.  It is a long and arduous journey, and one that I doubt we will undertake soon.” 

Mr. Bennet nodded.  “It is an expensive journey as well.  My funds are earmarked for more concrete projects, the dower house for one.  I am afraid that we must be satisfied with our daughter coming to the neighbourhood when she can.”

“And we are glad that the Darcys have joined us at Netherfield.”  Hurst smiled at Elizabeth.

“I have not seen Rosings, either.”  Mrs. Bennet said to de Bourgh.

“And you never will.”  Mary said under her breath.  Mrs. Bennet turned to look at her but found that Mary was placidly eating and took no notice of her stare.

“How long is the journey to Pemberley?”  Lady Lucas asked. 

“Three days from London, madam.”  Darcy said quietly.  “It is quite taxing, and not to be entered into lightly, particularly in times of inclement weather.”

“Of course you have your own carriage.”  Mrs. Long smiled.  “How fortunate you are!  You must have many!”

“I have several.”  He acknowledged and looked down at his plate. 

Lady Lucas was watching the stiffness between Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet with curiosity.  “Tell us all about Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!”

“I am sure that you have heard enough of it from your daughter, Mrs. Lucas.  I do not wish to monopolize the conversation.”  He looked to Elizabeth pointedly; his patience had nearly reached its end.  She sat back as the servants arrived to clear away the main course and deliver the dessert of salad and cheese.

“Jane, perhaps you can tell us what is next for the cottage?”

“Oh, well we have found a man to lay the wood floor over the flagstone, and . . .”

“Capital, capital!”  Sir William cried from the other end of the table.  Heads turned but the individual voices could not be discerned amidst the rest of the dinner’s noise.  Maria’s giggles rose above it and every female in the room turned to see who had inspired them. 

Abbey looked away from her plate to see that her view of Bingley was lost behind Mr. Goulding’s ample form.   She recognized his laughter, and looked down again.

“Mr. Bingley.”  Mr. Long spoke from across the table.  “I hope that your party will join our pew again for church tomorrow?”

Bingley’s smile grew.  “I will be glad to attend services with you, sir.”  He turned his head to seek Abbey but she was hidden.  Frustrated, he moved his chair back and caught her eye at last before turning back to her uncle.  “Perhaps Miss Martin might share her prayer book with me again.  I am afraid that mine remains missing.”

Unable to converse with him, Abbey strained to hear, but only caught Robinson’s remark.  “Did you perhaps forget to pack it, Brother?  Or is it misplaced from lack of use?”

“Really Mr. Robinson, how can you joke about such a thing?  I am sure that Mr. Bingley is quite devout.”  Miss King smiled at him.

“It is rude to talk over people.”  Miss Goulding said, glaring at Miss King.

“Not if you want to get some attention.”  Her father said to her pointedly and shifted again to block Abbey’s view of Bingley.  “Get to it!” 

“I cannot raise my voice to speak, either, Papa!”  She protested.

“I am afraid that Mr. Collins is your man for an example of devotion, Miss King.”  Bingley said as he shifted his chair again.  “I have always needed a good motivating factor to encourage my attendance.”

Collins eagerly jumped in.  “Yes, yes indeed, I am most devout, of course, a man such as I should not be left to be a curate, but I will undoubtedly find a benefactor who feels that I am worthy of . . . Mr. Bingley, is there a living associated with your estate?”

“I am leasing only, sir.”

“Oh.”

“My experience with the church will not be in the giving of livings, only in attending with good people.”  He tried to see Abbey and his frustration was beginning to show.

“It seems that you have found at least one.”  Robinson turned to see Abbey blush and clearing his throat when he noticed the frowns from Miss King, and Miss Goulding heard her father’s exasperated sigh.

“I have indeed.”  Bingley smiled, at last catching a fleeting look at Abbey, and returned to Mr. Long.  “This neighbourhood is most welcoming, and I am sure that I will enjoy the people here.”

“Well said.”  Lucas laughed and raised his glass.

“Flattery but not fawning, sincerity, that is admirable.”  Mr. Bennet murmured and returned to his observation of the other end of the table.  “What have I missed, Jane?”

“Oh, Papa, I fear Mama, she is vindictive tonight.  Lizzy is not happy and I know that Mr. Darcy probably is not either, but I cannot see him.”  Jane looked helplessly at Lucas who could not hear, but could just see Darcy’s frozen visage and how he touched his temple.

Mr. Bennet sat back and tried to see Darcy but failed.  “De Bourgh, how is your brother?  I cannot move to see him.”

“Neither can I.  We are jammed in here so tightly, no wonder emotions are high.  Watch your daughters and I think you will know his opinion matches mine.” 

“Brilliant seating, Lady Lucas.”  Mrs. Long observed tartly as the cloth was removed and the final course of syllabub was brought out.  She looked over to her husband and was relieved to see him nodding to her with a reassuring smile.

“Yes, giving your daughter a chance at both bachelors.”  Mrs. King said icily.

“Mr. Collins is with your girls, he is quite eligible, or he will be one day.”  She smiled sweetly at Mrs. Bennet.

The ladies’ heads turned to the small table, and observed as Collins, sweating profusely, chattered non-stop to the three young women while Mr. Philips and Mr. Goulding ate in silence. 

“Mr. Robinson is in mourning, so you can hardly call him eligible.”  Mrs. Goulding glared back at Lady Lucas.

“Oh, yes, how correct you are.  I suppose that Maria will have to entertain only Mr. Bingley then, of course he is in mourning, too.”