Page 78 of A Most Beloved Sister
Elizabeth helped herself to some eggs and bacon from the sideboard, then took a seat at the table next to her friend. “What did you wish to speak to me about?”
“Charles informed me last night that he was successful in securing the special license!”
Louisa’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Elizabeth found her distress over the confrontation with Darcy melting away, eagerness taking its place.
“He has asked me to plan the wedding breakfast,” Louisa continued, “and I wanted to speak with you to begin making plans for all of Jane’s favorite dishes.”
“Oh, I can most definitely help with that! Jane has the sweetest disposition, and she will be agreeable about whatever food is placed in front of her. After living with her for almost two decades however, I have learned to recognize the signs of when she is truly enjoying her food, or if she is only eating to be polite.”
Louisa asked a footman to fetch paper, ink, and pen before continuing the conversation. “What do you recommend we serve?”
“Well, Jane prefers simplicity and elegance; she has never been overly fond of ornate, ostentatious foods. Since she seems to be in her best health in the early afternoons—and since we have the special license and are therefore not required to have the wedding between eight and noon—we could have the breakfast be a late luncheon or even an early dinner.”
Louisa nodded. “I believe my brother also would prefer a smaller group in attendance for the actual ceremony itself. Perhaps we invite people to attend a special dinner, then make the announcement of their marriage at that time, as opposed to having so many turn out for a wedding?”
“I think that sounds like an excellent idea.” Elizabeth beamed in return. “As for the food itself, since it will be later in the day, Isuggest we begin with a selection of cold meats and pies as a first course. If there is time or the means, we could even include some fresh salads and fruits? I’m afraid that the Netherfield hothouse will most likely be in a terrible state, as the manor has been vacant for so long.”
“I’m sure we can easily send for some things from London,” Louisa said. “If we send an express today, supplies could arrive as quickly as tomorrow afternoon.”
“Ah, it is as they say, then. ‘Wealth has great power to purchase pleasure.’”
At her friend’s questioning look, Elizabeth said, “It is a quote fromThe Canterbury Tales,by Chaucer, published in the late 1300s.”
“I am not familiar with the book.”
“The tales are mostly about a group of pilgrims who are traveling from London to Canterbury, and they have a story-telling contest. The story that contains this quote is about a married woman whose husband is away on a journey. She is unwillingly pursued by another man, and she eventually makes a rash promise with him. He uses his wealth to purchase a magician’s assistance in fulfilling his part. Her husband, upon his return, tells her she must keep her word. The wealthy man, upon seeing her sorrow, releases her from the oath, and in turn, the magician forgives the large debt. In the end we are asked to consider who acted the most nobly or generously.”
As Elizabeth recounted the story, Louisa leaned forward, her mouth ajar. “That is the most magnificent story I think I’ve ever heard. How beautiful! How in heaven’s name could you determine which person was the most noble? Just when I think I’ve determined it was the husband, I then think it was the magician.”
Elizabeth smirked. “Careful now, Louisa. You wouldn’t want to turn into a bluestocking!”
Louisa laughed, then turned her attention back to the menu for the wedding breakfast. “As for the main course, what do you say to a selection of roasted fowls and joints, accompanied by an assortment of vegetables?”
“Jane adores roasted hen, along with asparagus.”
“What of the wedding cake?”
“Her favorite flavor is strawberry, but she does also enjoy lemon. Either would equally suit her.”
The two ladies then turned their attention to the guest list, which included the four-and-twenty families with whom Mrs. Bennet frequently boasted of dining. “The Lucases, of course, and the Phillips. The Gouldings, the Longs, the Robinsons, and Kings. Oh, and we mustn’t forget Mr. Jones.”
“This is quite a large group,” Louisa remarked. “I had not expected Meryton to be so populous when Charles informed us he had let an estate here.”
“Since we are on one of the larger trade roads towards London, we actually have more traffic than some other market towns. When you include Netherfield, Lucas Lodge, Longbourn, Haye Park, Stoke, Ashworth, Purvis Lodge… well, all in all, there are probably about three thousand inhabitants who consider themselves citizens of Meryton.”
Now it was Louisa’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “Poor Caroline. If only she had known; I doubt she would have been half so condescending if she’d realized she was disparaging a village three times the size of the one most frequented by Mr. Darcy when he was at his estate!”
Elizabeth giggled before asking, “How does your sister fare?”
Sighing, Louisa shook her head. “I’m sorry to say that she did not take our brother very seriously. She refused one of the options he gave her, so while he was in London, he made arrangements for her to join our aunt in Scarborough. I’m surprised we couldn’t hear her protests all the way from town!”
“Does she not get on with your aunt?”
“Let’s just say that Aunt Ethel is a very devoted Quaker.”
Elizabeth’s round eyes and expression of mock horror made Louisa laugh until she gave a very unladylike snort.
Blushing, Louisa covered her mouth. “Oh, I do beg your pardon!”
