I have a feeling Mrs Bingley has outdone herself tonight,Jane thought as she enjoyed the dish in front of her.
“And the vile beast had a gun right to poor Oliver’s head, you all know Oliver? Young Oliver, whose mother lost her husband last year, and works her farm quite on her own with her little ones? Can you only imagine if she had lost her eldest son as well, and just when he was of an age to take employment, and give something to his dear mother on quarter day?” Mrs Bennet said to Lady Lucas.
“The poor boy!” Lady Lucas tutted.
“Ihad a gun held tomy head,but Mama does not find that of interest,” Kitty whined.
“Yes, yes. Kitty had a gun held toherhead too; as she insists on reminding us at every opportunity.” Mrs Bennet dismissed her fourth daughter, who was outraged.
The third remove was a pork loin roast with buttered potatoes and a number of other side dishes. When the servants withdrew again, Jane addressed Mrs Collins.
“Mrs Collins, I hear that you enjoy a pleasant parsonage and parish. How do you like being a clergyman’s wife?” Jane asked as she listened to that lady’s husband heap praise on the boiled potatoes nearby.
“My husband is not the only one with many blessings to be grateful for,” Mrs Collins answered. “I find my situation very comfortable. The parsonage is pleasant and well appointed. We can very happily start a family there. I am ever so grateful to my husband’s patroness, for while she is reputed to be rather forward with her advice, she truly has the best intentions. It would be beneath her dignity for her parson to live in anything less than genteel comfort, and so I was well pleased when I arrived in Hunsford after her diligent attention to the house. And the parishioners are lovely people. The tenants and farmers in the parish are all hardworking, God-fearing men, and their wives are pious, caring women. Everyone works hard and takes care of one another in Hunsford, and I find my work alongside my husband rewarding and worthwhile. He has designed a new charitable programme for the needy, and I am so proud of his work.”
“And he seems to be an appreciative and considerate husband,” Janesupplied. “He speaks of you with such reverence and contentment, Mrs Collins, you must feel very gratified by your match.”
Mrs Collins agreed, and the ladies gave their attention to their plates, for the cooking was divine.
The next course was broiled salmon with a delectable creamed spinach that only could have come from the hothouses of the rich at this time of year, and assorted winter vegetables with rich sauces. Jane enjoyed the course thoroughly, and the next remove was a flavourful onion soup that Mr Hurst exclaimed over as superior to even the richest ragout, with trout, and a giant ham. The man complimented Mrs Bingley liberally, while his wife rolled her eyes and spoke only to his brother, ignoring her other dinner partner, Lady Lucas.
The next course was a haunch of venison, served with roasted squash and apples, parsnips, and two pies, both savory and sweet. By the time the roast pheasant and buttered lobster served with macaroni and cheese came out, Jane thought she might actually die if she ate any more. She eyed the macaroni and cheese, a favourite, on her plate, and thought that perhaps she might manage just a few bites more, for Mrs Bingley’s sake, since her host had gone to so much trouble.
“Make certain you save room for pudding, I have been memorising all of the foods you say are your favourites since you arrived.” Elizabeth teased her friend, who was staring at her macaroni and cheese dubiously. Even Mrs Bennet, who was the area’s premier entertainer, could not match this dinner.
“Pudding?”Jane laughed in disbelief. “Do not tell me you have room for pudding!”
Elizabeth winked at her. “We will walk longer and more briskly tomorrow morning, my friend, or I shall never fit into my wedding dress. But we ought not eat again until the ball, for Jane has planned more than thrice as many courses. And the ball will follow the London style and end with a lavish breakfast!”
“How fashionable!” Jane was impressed.
“We will even introduce the waltz to Meryton!” Elizabeth giggled.
“The village will never be the same!” Jane was enjoying herself a great deal tonight.
Jane had a firm rule to always do justice to a servingof macaroni and cheese, and so she did, and as she later cleansed her palate with fruit, also from the hothouses of the rich, and then dipped her spoon into the positivelydivinelemon syllabub, Mrs Bennet spoke again from the end of the table.
“And she is to have arewardas well! More than two thousand pounds! Sister Gardiner, when her money arrives, I shall count onyouto take her to town and assist her with aproperwardrobe! My Lydia will certainly be married quickly once she is well attired, and her sisters have placed her in the paths of rich men!”
“I am not to spend my reward, Mama.” Jane saw Lydia suddenly realise that this was the moment that her mother was going to get very angry about her money.
“Butwhy?”Mrs Bennet asked in outrage. “Your father would never take it from you! Thomas! You would never take away Lyddie’s reward that she earned for being a heroine?”
“She took it away from herself.” Mr Bennet shrugged in disinterest.
“I have asked that it be paid to Charles, and he shall save it to be added to my dowry, Mama. I am certain that a dowry will help me marry far more than a wardrobe. Besides, I am not out, and I have much to learn before I am ready to be out again. I am not accomplished enough.”
“Paid to Charles!” Mrs Bennet said in shock. “Why on earth should it be paid to Mr Bingley?”
“Because Papa will let you and me spend it, so that he can prove that I am a silly girl who cannot learn.” Lydia tossed her curls. “I have learned already, and I will not do it. The money is for my dowry, small as it still will be, it is something.”
“Miss Lydia is working on her accomplishments. And learning to play chess,” Georgiana spoke up timidly. “We spent two hours today, me and Lydia and Kitty and Mary, and I think they will all be fine players.”
“Chess?” Mrs Bennet said. “Who cares about chess?”
“Lizzy plays chess, and she is marrying Mr Darcy,” Lydia pointed out.
“I do not believe I could have marriedanylady if she did not play chess,” Mr Darcy agreeably added to the conversation. “A lady who can play chess is an intelligent woman who can think and plan, and willmake not only a wonderful mistress of Pemberley, but also a fine companion to my future life. I enjoy playing chess very much, and as isolated in Derbyshire as we shall be, who else should I play with?”
