Page 42 of An Accidental Meeting
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst tittered, entirely oblivious.
Elizabeth did not believe she had ever met a gentleman who said so much without speaking, but if this was the sort of company in which Mr. Darcy regularly found himself, perhaps she understood why he had developed such a talent.
Mr. Bingley came near to ask, “Miss Bennet, I do not suppose your sister has a favourite flower?”
“She does, Mr. Bingley.”
The tips of his ears turned red. “Is it the daisy?”
Elizabeth smiled. Perhaps Jane had some hope after all. “It is, sir.”
Mr. Bingley smiled back.
"Mr. Bingley," Uncle Gardiner said, his tone friendly but firm. "I hear you are for Scarborough after Pemberley. You have been travelling a great deal this year."
"I have," Mr. Bingley replied, glancing at his sisters and Mr. Hurst, none of whom were looking his way.
Now that they were all assembled, Aunt Nora pulled the bell for the kitchen. “Shall we go into the dining room?” she asked pleasantly. Judge Darcy offered her his arm, and they led the way.
Mr. Darcy stepped to Elizabeth’s side and offered her his arm. “Miss Bennet, might I escort you?” He offered his other arm to Aunt Gardiner, leaving Elizabeth’s uncle to offer his own to Miss Darcy. Mr. Hurst was required to lead his wife and Mr. Bingley his remaining sister. Elizabeth, having been given precedence, did not see Miss Bingley’s reaction. She was glad of it, for she could almost feel the heat of the glares that must be aimed at her back just now.
“Did you like them, then?” Mr. Darcy asked in a hushed tone.
Aunt Gardiner pointedly glanced away as Elizabeth smiled at their host. “The ribbon was lovely.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I have not had much experience . . .”
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth told him, setting her teasing aside, “I was not prevaricating before. The flowers were much appreciated, as was the trouble it must have cost you. I like them very well indeed. Thank you.”
He straightened. “You are most welcome, Miss Bennet.”
Aunt Nora deftly arranged the Hursts and Miss Bingley at her end of the table, much to Elizabeth’s relief.
“Oh, but surely Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner ought to enjoy precedence this evening,” Mrs. Hurst said mildly. “After all, theyand Miss Bennet are here at Pemberley for the first time.” Mr. Hurst was about to sit in his chair when he suddenly grunted and looked over at his wife. Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Hurst had elbowed him.
“How considerate you are,” Aunt Nora said smoothly, “but we had the pleasure of the Gardiners’ company last night, as well as Miss Bennet’s. This evening, I should like to become acquainted with you.”
There was no gainsaying such a statement, and everyone was seated. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle made up the centre of the table with Mr. Bingley and Judge Darcy, leaving Elizabeth to sit across from Miss Darcy and next to her brother.
She could not have planned it better herself.
“Have you seen much of Pemberley yet, Miss Bennet?” Miss Darcy inquired once they were all seated and the soup had been served.
“Miss Bennet has had the tour,” Miss Bingley said from the end of the table.
“Perhaps she could tell us where the silver is kept,” Mrs. Hurst replied with a titter.
Mr. Hurst looked at his wife and then applied himself to the soup.
Elizabeth could not complain that Miss Bingley was being rude by calling down the table, for had she not done the same only one evening ago? Of course, her intention had not been to demean or belittle. It had done Miss Bingley no good to be disagreeable, however, for Mr. Darcy’s expression was rather grim.
“Did Mrs. Reynolds give you the tour?” Miss Darcy asked. “She took me on it once. I learned things about the house I never knew, and I have lived here all my life.”
“She did,” Aunt Gardiner said, “and it was marvellous.”
“I also appreciated your gardener showing us a bit of the grounds.” Uncle Gardiner added.
“Was that your favourite part?” Mr. Darcy asked. It seemed as though he was asking the Gardiners as well as her, but her aunt and uncle smiled knowingly and waited for Elizabeth to respond.
