“We are, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “Your sister is a charming hostess, and we have been admiring your prospect.” She held out her hand and he bowed over it. “I was reminiscing about the harvest festival your mother used to host when I was living with my aunt and uncle in Lambton, and we were permitted onto the grounds for the celebration. I remember being very impressed by the house, but much more impressed by the cold pies.”
He chuckled. “I cannot fault you for that. I recall those cold pies with great fondness.”
“And the river,” she said. “When the weather allowed it, everyone carried their plates outside and sat upon cloths on the lawn above. I thought it the height of elegance.”
Darcy glanced at the windows and then back at her with some amusement. “Eating on the grass?”
“Eating on the grassat Pemberley,”she corrected him with a little laugh. “Do not forget that very important distinction.”
For the first time since entering the room, his smile came easily. “It is indeed.” He turned then to Miss Elizabeth, suddenly conscious both that he had bowed again and that his bow came out a fraction lower than he had intended. Well, he could do nothing about it now.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet.”
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”
That was all she said, but the colour that came up in her cheek did not seem to be that of a woman who was merely being civil. He resolved not to read anything into it.
All the while, he remained conscious of Miss Bingley, sitting upright and silent, her fan moving with measured regularity as she watched him cross first to Mrs. Gardiner, then to Miss Elizabeth. The smile with which she sought to disguise her attention did not deceive him.
He gave her a bow of the depth civility required and not an inch more. “Miss Bingley. Mrs. Hurst,” he said, and sat down beside Georgiana.
It was not handsomely done, and he knew it. There had been a time he would have stood by and allowed Miss Bingley to arrange the conversation to her liking. He had done a great deal of that at Netherfield. Miss Bingley had been his hostess then, and he had let that fact excuse too much. Here, under hisown roof, the shame of it made him less willing to overlook her ill manners.
It was Mrs. Annesley who kept things afloat, as she generally did, drawing Mrs. Gardiner out on the country they had travelled and the places they meant yet to see, and proving herself by the ease of it one of the most well-bred women in the room. Mrs. Gardiner met her halfway and more. Between the two of them the conversation found its feet, which left Darcy free to speak to Miss Elizabeth, and since it might be unmannerly to speak with her and not others, he set himself the next best office—bringing her and his sister together.
“Georgiana was telling me of the new music she had brought from town,” he said. It was true, though the conversation had been brief and he had not thought much about it until now.
His sister coloured. “There is a set of Italian airs that I have been learning. They are not very difficult.”
“You will find me easily pleased,” Miss Elizabeth said, so kindly that Georgiana’s shoulders dropped an inch. “I am a sad, idle performer myself, Miss Darcy, which makes me a most appreciative audience. There is nothing so comfortable as listening to somebody who has actually practised.”
Georgiana laughed, surprised but delighted. Darcy cast his eyes down at the carpet so that no one should see the smile on his face. He was not entirely successful, and he could see out of the corner of his eye that Miss Bingley had noticed.
“We have been so fortunate in Derbyshire,” Mrs. Gardiner said, “that I confess I begrudge every day that brings us nearer the end of it. But Mr. Gardiner’s business will not spare him much longer. We are for the south again on Monday if the roads are kind.”
“How very unfortunate,” said Mrs. Hurst, though sheseemed to bear the disappointment well. “Derbyshire must seem quite a hardship to leave.”
“And yet business must be addressed,” Miss Bingley added, with a light emphasis on the wordbusinessand a smile of perfect civility. “You must be pleased you have been able to see so much of Pemberley before duty recalls you.”
“Ithasbeen a great pleasure,” Miss Elizabeth remarked with good cheer. “I begin to think duty very inconsiderate for calling anyone away from Derbyshire at such a season.”
Darcy was unreasonably pleased to hear that Miss Elizabeth approved of Derbyshire. She had appreciated Pemberley as well when she had been here on Tuesday. But he had not missed the impertinence in Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley’s responses and the poverty of mind that mistook such speeches for wit.
Another day, he might have felt all the embarrassment of his guest’s ill breeding. At present, however, he had attention for only one thing.
Miss Elizabeth was departing on Monday.
It was already Thursday, and as Sunday was a day of worship and they would likely leave the area early the following morning, he had only Friday remaining, perhaps Saturday. He had been conducting himself in the belief that there was time for her good opinion to build slowly and at no risk to anyone’s dignity, chiefly his own.
There wasnottime. “So soon?” he asked politely.
“I am afraid so.” Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes were on him, mild and far too observant. “The days have passed very quickly.”
And then Darcy, who distrusted impulsive actions on principle, heard himself speak. “Then you must come to us tomorrow,” he said. “We are to have a small party, not unlike the one you recall, Mrs. Gardiner, though with fewer guests. Some of the neighbours to spend the day out of doors while the weatherholds so fine. I hope you, Mr. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet will do us the honour of attending.”
Half a second after the words had left him, he recalled that there was in fact, no party planned for tomorrow. There were no neighbours invited, no day appointed, no rugs ordered, no tables, no ice, no lemonade, nothing whatsoever out of doors but a lawn, the river, and a great many trees. He had invited three people to an event which existed only because Miss Elizabeth was leaving Derbyshire on Monday and he had momentarily lost command of himself.
“How very good of you, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “We should be delighted. I can answer for my husband, who would forgo a great deal rather than miss a fine day out of doors and the opportunity for more fishing. And I believe I speak for my niece as well.”