Georgiana took Elizabeth’s hand, and together they hurried down the hall and descended the servants’ stairs once more.
They entered the drawing room and had scarcely taken their seats when the butler appeared to announce dinner.
Mr. Darcy turned from the gentlemen and addressed the company. “Mrs. Gardiner, if you will allow me, I shall have the honor of escorting you and Miss Elizabeth into dinner.”
Caroline’s color rose to her hairline, though she spoke not a word. Elizabeth did not fail to observe the flash of displeasure that crossed her countenance.
When they entered the dining room, Mr. Darcy continued, “Mrs. Gardiner, I must beg you to take the foot of the table and toact as hostess this evening. When dinner is concluded, you will oblige me by leading the ladies out. Georgiana, you will sit at my right, and Miss Elizabeth at my left.”
When all were seated, Miss Bingley found herself placed beside Mr. Gardiner, as far removed from both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth as the length of the table would permit. Moreover, she was left the odd person out, seated beside an empty chair.
Elizabeth felt it keenly. It was surely Caroline’s comeuppance for forcing herself upon the dinner uninvited and for her attack with the wine.
When the footman placed a bowl of turtle soup before Elizabeth, her eyes brightened. She lifted her gaze to Mr. Darcy and found him smiling at her.
“Sir, it is turtle soup. My favorite.”
“Yes, indeed it is, Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “You may request a second helping if it pleases you.”
Her smile widened. “You jest, sir.”
“No indeed, ma’am. I mean to have a second helping myself, and you may do the same if you wish it.”
Mr. Bennet looked between them with satisfaction. “Well, Lizzy, how can you refuse such encouragement? I believe I shall help myself to another serving as well. Mr. Darcy, this turtle soup is the finest I have ever tasted.”
“You may thank Miss Bingley for the recipe,” Mr. Darcy said. “My cook requested and obtained the recipes for this evening’s dinner from the Bingleys’ cook.”
Elizabeth raised her napkin to her mouth and tried to conceal a giggle.
Mr. Darcy regarded her and said, “I observed how much you admired the dinner served at Charles’s table. I knew that I could not do better than to offer the same here tonight.”
Elizabeth did take a second helping of turtle soup, as did all the gentlemen.
Miss Bingley, however, was so filled with resentment at being seated beside the tradesman and his wife, and at discovering that her cook’s recipes had been used, that she scarcely touched her food, determined to mark her displeasure.
When the terrine was served, Elizabeth laughed. “Sir, you were in earnest. These are all the same delicious dishes that were served at Mr. Bingley’s table.”
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth. As I recall, you took great pleasure in the offerings that evening.”
“I did. It was among the finest dinners I had ever eaten, and I believe this one shall prove the same.”
“And that, Miss Elizabeth, is what persuaded me. Your enjoyment gave me great pleasure.”
She laughed again. “Really, sir, you are quite droll.”
“As are you, Miss Bennet.”
When the third course was being served, Mr. Darcy appeared to observe Elizabeth’s gown for the first time.
His brows drew together. “Miss Elizabeth, did you not begin the evening in a black bombazine gown?”
She laughed. “Yes, sir. Are you only now discovering, halfway through dinner, that I am wearing a jonquil gown?”
He regarded her with interest. “Have I seen this gown before? It appears familiar.”
“Yes, sir, you have. This gown belongs to Georgiana.”
The young girl reached across and playfully swatted his arm. “Brother, do you pay so little attention to women’s clothing? We endure a great deal of trouble and expense to look well for the gentlemen in our lives, yet they pay very little attention to what we are wearing.”
