Chapter 35

Mrs. Bennet checked on the dinner table one last time. The candles were lit and the centrepiece, masterly done, had a lovely hue. She had directed Jane and Elizabeth to build the decoration around a lovely figurine of a shepherd. Jane and Elizabeth in turn had asked Lydia and Catherine to help them come up with some aesthetic ideas. The result was indeed beautiful, Mrs. Bennet thought as she adjusted it a little. They had added a small table to one end to make it possible for ten people to sit around it. It was not the maximum she could have at her table though. If she wanted, she could have sixteen people around the extended table quite comfortably. The capacity would be used during the festivities of the twelve days of Christmas.

In the neighbourhood, everybody felt privileged to be invited to her dinners as they were always well presented, well cooked, tasty, and plenty. She was famous for creating new dishes for special occasions as well.

Two suitors were coming to dinner. She had gone so far as to send a boy to Netherfield to talk to the cook if she could share any preferences. She could hardly believe it was happening at last. She blessed the day that Mr. Bingley took Netherfield. There were no proper prospects for her girls for miles. She also still felt guilty for offering Elizabeth to Mr. Collins. She shuddered.

She heard the girls coming down the stairs and as a good mother, she went to check on them.

The Bennets and Gardiners did not have to wait for long. The guests promptly arrived and were announced. Bingley widely smiled at everyone till his eyes rested on Jane. How does this woman do this? Every time I see her, she takes my breath away. His attention was momentarily lost to the others in the room. Darcy was not better. After a quick notice of the two strangers in the room, his eyes immediately went to Elizabeth, the guests observed. Elizabeth let out her breath in relief. It was still incredible for her to see him at Longbourn after… after he left. He had come back. She dared to hope that he had come back for her. If only her body would cease trembling; if only the butterflies in her stomach would fly away…

The present author will not bore the reader with reciting the greetings and formal introductions between the parties. Everything went very well as everybody aimed to please.

'Mr. Darcy, my sister-in-law is also from Derbyshire.' Mrs. Bennet helped to get the conversations started.

'Indeed? Where are you from, madam?' Mrs. Gardiner smiled.

'Lambton.' Darcy's eyes widened.

'Lambton? What a coincidence. Then you know of Pemberley.'

'Yes, Mr. Darcy. I have even visited it when it was open for Christmas once.' Elizabeth joined them.

'Your aunt, Miss Elizabeth, knows the place I live!' He grinned.

'Yes, and it is truly a magnificent estate. The Darcys have a reputation for being good masters. I still correspond with a few people from there and they consider you, Mr. Darcy, the best yet.' Darcy reddened up to his ears.

'No need to feel embarrassed about such an endorsement, Mr. Darcy. Well done, young man.' Elizabeth looked at Darcy with wonder. You can tell anything about me as long as it makes Miss Elizabeth look at me like this, he thought to himself. He swallowed.

'I am sorry if I spoke out of turn, Mr. Darcy. I thought it would be nice for you to know what they say about you.' Mrs. Gardiner was mortified for not checking herself. She was just so affected that she said what she was thinking. After all, the likes of her, although by now the wife of a successful man, did not usually talk to the master of a huge estate. What is more, she had grown up with the Darcy name. She could just imagine the reactions of her corresponding partners when she related the event.

'Please, do not apologize, Mrs. Gardiner. Thank you for your sentiment.' He made a small bow. 'When did you leave the area?'

'About ten or no, eleven years ago. I went back every year until my father died. He ran Parker's Emporium1 in…'

'Parker's? I shop there! My family had always shopped there. It always has a very fine selection. The goods are as good as in London.'

'That is the point, Mr. Darcy. My husband supplies the shop still with the new owner. They have kept the business as it was in my father's time. That is how I met my husband. Mr. Gardiner was creating a circle of shops that would sell London quality in the country.'

'That is interesting. Bring the merchandise to the people. They are in the country for at least half of the year. Very clever.'

'Do I hear the word merchandise?' Mr. Gardiner joined his wife. He wanted to support his wife. The question made everybody chuckle.

'I just mentioned how we met.'

'Indeed? Well, I must say that that business trip was the best decision of my life. I ended up not just with new contacts, but this lady here captured my heart. First, I said goodbye to her thinking that building my business had a priority, but it did not take many months, and I was begging her to join me as the partner of my life.' Unconsciously, Darcy glanced at Elizabeth next to him, and she looked back at him. They both stepped closer to each other.

'Have you… ever regret your choice, Uncle?' Darcy fidgeted. He paid attention to her uncle's answer.

'Regret? This beautiful woman? She ended up helping me build my business. Without her quiet counsel, I would not be now where I am. No, no regrets at all. She was the making of me.' Darcy let out his breath he did not realize he was holding. No regrets. I believe Miss Elizabeth could do the same for me. Make me a better man. He looked down at her. How I want to be a better man for you, … Elizabeth. Elizabeth felt his gaze on her. She shivered from its intensity. Would he regret her if he pursued her?

'Oh, Mr. Gardiner. The things you say.' Mrs. Gardiner demurred.

'Maybe you should take your sister-in-law's advice and not feel embarrassed at such an endorsement.' Darcy said valiantly.

Mrs. Bennet joined Mr. Bingley who, naturally, was next to her Jane already.

'Mr. Bingley, I am very glad you could join us tonight. I hope you will have a great evening.'

'Thank you for your invitation. I am sure I will. It was very kind of you, just before Christmas.'

'Oh, we were going to have guests anyway. Where seven people dine, there is place for three more.'

'Thank you, madam.'

'Mr. Bingley, may I ask if you have prepared anything for your tenants? For Christmas. If not, I have some things you could use as gifts.'

'Thank you, Mrs. Bennet, but after our talks, I have done as you, and we have prepared gift baskets for the families. They are not yet personalized, but I did what I could. I may have gone overboard, but I enjoyed organizing them with the housekeeper. What we could buy we bought here in Meryton. For the baskets and some things like orange, I had to send for a nearby town.'

'I am very impressed, Mr. Bingley. Good for you. It is true, it is a nice feeling to share. I did not always think so, but years of experience had taught me… So, what will be in the baskets?'

'Let me see. The cook made family-sized pork pies and plum bread; from London, they will have some bitter chocolate and marzipan; raisins and cleaned walnuts; dried apricot inspired by Darcy; I got them smoked ham... oh, and an assortment of spices. There will be ribbons and a dress length of cloth for the wives and some fine pocket knives and a book on farming for the men. For the children, I have pencils and paper.' He proudly related the items he had arranged for the families.

'Pocket knife? What a great idea! I will use that for next year. You have done well, Mr. Bingley. Just see how the faces of the people will light up when you give them the gifts. I know who can read and who not, I will make a list for you. It would be a bonus if you distribute them yourself, with help of course. Mr. Bennet and I will go around our families together.'

Mrs. Bennet announced the dinner shortly after. Mr. Gardiner offered his arm to her while Mrs. Gardiner was escorted by Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet had prepared the seating plan to suit everybody. She let Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner sit with her husband on both sides, then on opposite sides Mr. Bingley with Jane and on the other Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Then also on both sides, she had the younger girls with Georgina next to herself. This way she thought the guests could have their stimulating conversations, and she could control the younger girls on her side.

Mr. Darcy nodded toward Mrs. Bennet thanking her for placing him next to Elizabeth. She smiled and nodded in return. Elizabeth seeing the exchange reddened like red appearing on a ripening apple. Darcy helped her with her seat.

'Did you know your aunt was from Derbyshire?' She nodded. 'Yet you never mentioned it.'

'There was no point. You dismissed them when I mentioned my relations.' She looked past him to her aunt. Darcy followed her eyes.

'I am sorry. You are right… I did. I know it is a poor justification, but it was not personal. I am a result of my education, my status. I reacted as expected. But you must know, I am not hopeless. After all, Bingley is one of my best friends.' He looked at her beseechingly.

'No, you are not hopeless.' And they were lost in each other's eyes. They heard someone addressing Darcy. They reluctantly came out of their haze.

'Mr. Darcy, how long are you planning to stay in the neighbourhood?' Jane thought it appropriate to remind them where he and her sister were. He cleared his throat.

'We do not have fixed plans, Miss Bennet. For now, we are quite at our pleasure.' He managed a polite answer. He almost blurted out that he would not leave until he secured her sister's hand.

'That is very good to hear. I hope you will find what you are seeking.' Darcy just noticed the same cheeky expression that he now associated with her sister. So she can be quite impertinent, too. He chuckled inwardly. Bingley, pay attention; this lady will eat you for dinner.

Roz, thank you for your comment. It is correct if I found the right part. I meant that it was Darcy's notice that woke up Mr. Bennet about his wife

1 A large shop that sell many different types of goods