As Elizabeth sat listening to Lady Catherine's droning pronouncements on Napoleon (a subject of which she knew very little), she congratulated herself for enduring yet another tedious dinner at Rosings without shocking her hostess.
She smiled slightly to herself recalling her previous comments to Lady Catherine. As she looked up, she noticed Mr. Darcy's eyes upon her, with a somewhat bemused expression. He was clearly curious as to her sudden humor. Dismayed, she looked down at her plate.
"Well, Aunt, I will remember all that you said when I next join General Worthington, but in the meantime," Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled momentarily at those gathered around the table, "perhaps it is time for coffee?"
"You mean, perhaps its time for port, don't you, Nephew? I see you, you don't fool me!"
"Ah, Aunt, as always," Colonel Fitzwilliam said, as he rose, "I bow to your superior skills of discernment." Offering her his arm and his best smile, he enquired, "Shall we go?"
To everyone's relief, Lady Catherine accepted her nephew's arm.
Slowly, everyone left the table and gathered in the great lady's overdressed sitting room.
As the guests filtered in one by one, the footmen laid out sweets, tea, and coffee.
Smiling slightly, Mrs. Collins turned to Elizabeth and said quietly, "Ah, look, Lizzy, your favorite, gingersnaps!"
"Indeed, Charlotte," she replied, "I have become rather attached to the gingersnaps at Rosings."
"What are you saying to Mrs. Collins, Miss Bennet?", Lady Catherine demanded. "I must have my share of the conversation!"
With a wry smile at Charlotte, Elizabeth turned to face Lady Catherine.
"I was expressing my delight in your gingersnaps, Lady Catherine."
"Well, Miss Bennet, I am sure that Cook will be happy to give you the receipt. Your mother will be pleased to have you make Rosings gingersnaps in your kitchens at Longbourn, I'm sure."
"Thank you, Lady Catherine, but I dare not accept your generosity."
"Dare not...? What on earth do you mean, Miss Bennet?"
"Lady Catherine, it would be much too dangerous."
"Dangerous? What nonsense is this? What can you mean, Miss Bennet?"
"Lady Catherine, if I were to suggest that any of her daughters enter a kitchen, except to give orders to the cook, I am sure my mother would die on the spot of the shock."
Elizabeth waited as a small titter of appreciation ran around the room at her joke.
"However, ma'am, as you are so generous to share it, I will certainly be happy to give it to our cook when I return to Longbourn."
"Very amusing, Miss Bennet," Colonel Fitzwilliam declared.
Lady Catherine was not amused.
"Perhaps a little music, Miss Bennet?", Lady Catherine asked, anxious to remove her from the gentlemen's presence.
"Certainly, Lady Catherine," Elizabeth replied and rose to take her place at the piano.
Colonel Fitzwilliam hastened to join her, declaring that he was sure Miss Bennet required someone to turn the pages.