Georgiana turned pink as everyone looked at her and smiled. Darcy warmly agreed, and then noticed Elizabeth, who was seated at the centre on his sister’s side of the table. Her eyes were downcast for a long time, as though she was either avoiding looking at anyone or intent on some inward reflection.
Be not alarmed, madam . . .
“And how does Darcy close his letters?” Balfour continued, when Georgiana did nothing but look embarrassed by their attention. “I suspect Miss Darcy receivesYour affectionate brother, but shall we go round to learn what valediction he uses? I most often receiveWith respect and affection.”
“With greatest affection,” answered Bingley.
“With respect,” said Utterson.
“What about you, Hurst?” Bingley asked his brother, who had his fork halfway to his mouth.
“Oh? Have I received a letter from Darcy?” Hurst turned to his wife as though she were his secretary. “I think I received a letter once when we asked to arrive at Pemberley early. I believe it closed withYour servant, sir.”
“And there we have an accurate representation of how dear we are to Darcy!” cried Balfour, looking pleased with himself.
Elizabeth raised her head and looked at him, briefly.I will only add, God bless you.He had begun the letter in anger, but ended it in charity. What did she think of everything that he had written in between the salutation and the valediction? Did it make her think better of him? Or did some of the expressions make her hate him?
“I hope that all of you who are onlySirorMadammight raise yourself in Darcy’s esteem.” Balfour raised a glass in salute.
“I shall do what I can,” Utterson muttered, lifting his eyes and taking a drink.
Mrs Lanyon took this quip as a sign that the ladies might go to the drawing room. The men stood as the ladies murmured to each other as they left. As Mrs Bingley and Elizabeth crossed in front of him, he heard the former say softly, “I like your hair tonight, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth was near to Georgiana, who turned when she heard this.She gave Georgiana an expressive smile. “It was a style Miss Darcy kindly suggested.”
Georgiana gave her a shy little smile of acknowledgement before leaving. When she reached the door, Elizabeth turned to look at him. She gave a half-smile and the slightest of nods before she left.
The number of cheerful voices,the clamour of laughter, had made a din of an extraordinary nature at Darcy’s table. Elizabeth had been surprised by how Darcy behaved amongst his friends.He was a charming host. He was esteemed by everyone, he tolerated their sporting with him—to a degree—and was even considerate ofher. He had a commanding air, but a patient demeanour amongst his friends.
“And with it she wore a turban of gold-spotted muslin, with bows and curls of white ribbon,” Louisa was saying to Mrs Lanyon, who avoided answering her as she made the coffee. Miss Darcy was making the tea, often looking over her shoulder at Mrs Annesley to see if she was making it correctly. “Did neither of you see Lady Enfield in town this winter?”
Miss Darcy shook her head, and Mrs Lanyon ignored her.
“Her gown was the invention of Mrs Gill of Cork Street. She always has a distinguishing taste and unique invention of dress,” added Caroline. “Does she provide gowns for you, Mrs Lanyon?”
“No.”
Caroline and Louisa exchanged a look at this short reply. “I know your husband left you a house in Harley Street. Perhaps you have not had occasion to be fashionably dressed by a lady at Burlington Gardens? I would be happy to introduce you.”
Elizabeth thought this amusing coming from a woman whose only claim to a house in town was her brother-in-law’s leased house in Grosvenor Square.
“I cannot consent to anything so needlessly troublesome to you.” Mrs Lanyon turned away, but Caroline would not be dissuaded.
“It is no trouble. We took our dear Jane to Mrs Gill, did we not?” Caroline gestured to Jane, who was compelled to rise and join theothers by the tea table. “One of her gowns is a French frock of muslin, with a demi-train and bishop’s sleeves. Perhaps you shall see it one evening. It is sure to do Charles credit.”
Jane flushed, but smiled. Mrs Lanyon scarcely looked at her and said, “I am sure Mrs Gill’s style and elegance is superior to most and inferior to none, but I shall see to my own gowns.”
Mrs Lanyon began to walk away when Caroline added, “Do you prefer India muslin, Mrs Lanyon? Or do you only wear muslin from an English mill? One must choose a favourite, you know.”
Mrs Lanyon stared for a long moment at Caroline before saying, “When there is no occasion for expressing an opinion, it is best to be silent.” She then went to sit with Mrs Annesley, and Caroline came near to Elizabeth whilst Louisa and Jane stayed at the table. Elizabeth had begun to notice the two married ladies were more often together.
“Well, Eliza, Mrs Lanyon does not invite pleasant conversation, does she?” Caroline said.
“It was a rather dull reply, but perhaps she did not care for your comment on the street she lives on.”
Caroline shrugged. “It was kindly meant.” She lowered her voice. “Mrs Lanyon is the sort to think highly of herself. She scarcely spoke to any of us at dinner or in the saloon this afternoon.”
Elizabeth nodded and looked at Mrs Lanyon, who quickly turned from watching them to look back at Mrs Annesley. She was perhaps thirty, with a brown complexion, amber eyes, and black hair, very like her brother. But where Mr Balfour was earnest and eager in conversation, Mrs Lanyon was cold.
