Chapter 28

A few days in to their visit Elizabeth invited the McGraths, Mr Walker, the Cadogans and the Gregsons to dine. Mrs Gardiner was of course familiar with Mr Walker as he had been the vicar back when she was resident in the village. He had actually married her and Mr Gardiner.

Elizabeth had explained that the dinner party was a collection of their intimates in the local area. Unfortunately, Mrs Cadogan sent her regrets. The babe had been slightly feverish, nothing to worry about Mr Cadogan assured them, but enough to keep her at home. Elizabeth was sincere in her acceptance of the apology and a quick word in the ear of the footman saw the change at the dinner table managed easily.

The Gardiners were still chatting amiably with Mr Walker when the McGraths arrived. Introductions were made and Meredith moved to talk to the small party around the window including Mr and Mrs Gardiner and both the members of the clergy as well as Georgiana who was listening out for mentions of her brother as a younger man or her mother.

Mr McGrath stood with Darcy, Charlotte and Elizabeth. When the Gregsons arrived Elizabeth and Darcy moved to meet them and she was pleased to see Charlotte and Mr McGrath step further in to the room and further away from others in the company before turning to greet her friends from town. They had only arrived back in the neighbourhood a week ago and Elizabeth had only time to call the once before her relations had arrived. She was happy to improve on the acquaintance and was delighted to see Darcy make efforts to talk amiably with Mr Gregson. The two had many topics to discuss and soon were engrossed in a political discussion so Elizabeth and Mrs Gregson could converse in relative private

"Well Mrs Darcy, you do seem to suit Pemberley quite well! Or should I say Pemberley suits you well?"

"Dear me Mrs Gregson, are we not on informal terms yet? Please call me Lizzie. I need all the friends I can get. How else am I to fill this house?"

"Indeed Lizzie. You must call me Cass for Cassandra sounds too much like my mother admonishing me as a child!" Lizzie laughed

"Of course Cass. How was visiting your mother? That is where you have been since London is it not?"

"Yes well it was eventful. She still believes I was on the shelf so to speak and seems to think that this whole marriage has been some sort of illusion. But luckily we could give some news which caused her focus to be redirected!"

Cassandra gave Elizabeth a knowing look, their mothers seemed to be of similar temperament they had discovered. Elizabeth was just trying to figure a way of asking about this news without a direct enquiry when the dinner gong sounded.

Mr Darcy claimed her arm and Mr Gregson claimed his wife's. Mr McGrath offered his arm to Charlotte. Mr Gardiner offered both his wife and Miss McGrath and looked very pleased. Mr Walker and Mr Cadogan each offered an arm for Elizabeth's sisters and everyone followed the Darcy's through to dinner.

The evening passed off well. Not the first dinner that Elizabeth had hosted but the first with multiple families.

When dinner was over Elizabeth rose, and bade the ladies retire to the music room. She and Georgiana were to open the entertainment with a duet and Elizabeth had managed to convince Georgiana to perform a solo before the gentlemen rejoined the group. Cassandra was a proficient at the harp and even Kitty was persuaded to sing alongside Georgiana. Everyone was most effusive in their praise and Elizabeth retired for the night with many a pleasant recollection.