“A gentlewoman must be careful,” she remarked, her eyes pointedly fixed on Elizabeth, “lest indulgence go straight to the waist.”
She did not remove her gaze from Elizabeth as she spoke, and Mr. Darcy raised an eyebrow at her before his smile widened into genuine amusement. Elizabeth was charmed and returned the smile just as he finished the last of his salmon in a single forkful. Miss Bingley caught the exchange and turned to frown at Elizabeth, but at that moment the footman returned.
The terrine that followed was equally well executed, and Elizabeth could not help admiring Miss Bingley’s talents as a hostess.
It yielded easily to her fork, and when she tasted it, she found it exquisitely seasoned, a mixture of pork and veal, with a small accompaniment of cold green peas. Elizabeth raised her eyes to Miss Bingley with genuine admiration. She knew very well how to set a table. Miss Bingley, however, had no attention to spare for Elizabeth; her entire focus was fixed upon Mr. Darcy.
“Tell me, sir, what do you think of my terrine? Is it superior to that which Lady Morris served at her dinner last week?”
Mr. Darcy took a measured forkful and chewed with care. After a sip of wine, he replied, “It is very good, Caroline. I commend you. I believe it is the very same delicacy that was served to us last week.”
Miss Bingley beamed. “It is. I told Cook I must have the receipt, and she managed to obtain it. You said you enjoyed it above all else that was served at Lady Morris’s table, and then I knew I must secure it.”
She laughed softly as his cheeks reddened.
“You need not have gone to such trouble,” he said. “I should have managed very well without it.”
“But why should you,” she returned lightly, “if a little exertion on my part might supply it for you at our modest dinner?”
Elizabeth perceived then that Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley were not yet betrothed, but if the matter rested with the lady, they soon would be. And if any exertion on her part might bring about that happy state, she would not hesitate. Miss Bingley knew her object well; the surest path to his heart appeared to run directly through his stomach.
The lamb that followed was carved by Mr. Bingley himself. Elizabeth declined the vegetables but accepted the meat, which proved irresistible.
“It appears our country maiden has not eaten in days,” Miss Bingley said. “She clears her plate as a beggar might.”
Elizabeth flushed, while Jane checked an involuntary gasp of embarrassment for her sister.
Mr. Darcy calmly responded. “Not at all. If one serves such a table, one must expect appreciation. I have eaten every morselmyself.” He glanced askance at her. “Does that make me a beggar as well?”
Miss Bingley colored. Mrs. Hurst frowned. Jane looked pained, and then, seeing her, Mr. Bingley cleared his throat.
“Caroline, pray remember yourself,” he said quietly.
Mr. Darcy regarded him with surprise, then conveyed a nod of approbation. Mr. Hurst merely snorted and continued eating.
Elizabeth met her aunt’s anxious gaze and offered a reassuring wink. When she raised her eyes, she found Mr. Darcy had observed the gesture, and far from taking offense, his smile deepened.
Dessert followed, a small tart adorned with raspberries. By this time, Elizabeth was very full, almost uncomfortably so, yet she could not resist tasting the tart. When the first forkful melted upon her tongue, her eyes closed, and an involuntary sigh of pleasure escaped her. She knew at once she would eat all of it and was grateful it was a small portion. It was exquisite. When she raised her eyes once more, Mr. Darcy was looking at her with an intensity she could not explain. By the time they were excused from the table, she was more than ready to leave and wished she might take a turn about the house to aid her digestion.
The ladies withdrew and were once again shown into the drawing room, where Miss Bingley immediately seated herself at the pianoforte and began to play. She was a skilled musician, and Elizabeth found genuine pleasure in the selections she chose. Taking advantage of the interval, Elizabeth sedately walked the length of the spacious room, completing several circuits before the gentlemen returned.
When Mr. Bingley entered, he made his way directly to Jane, and Elizabeth seated herself beside Aunt Maddie, feeling the better for her exertion. Miss Bingley played two further pieces and seemed quite prepared to entertain the company for the remainder of the evening, but her brother turned to Jane and asked, “Miss Bennet, will you play for us?”
“Sir, I neither play nor sing, but my aunt and sister are very accomplished.”
Mr. Bingley turned at once to the two ladies. “Would you do us the honor?”
Mrs. Gardiner rose, and Elizabeth followed. When they reached the pianoforte, Mrs. Gardiner asked quietly, “Shall you sing Earl Brand’s Ghost?”
“Yes, Aunt, though I fear I have eaten so much that I may fail at the higher notes.”
They both laughed at the jest.
“Very well,” Mrs. Gardiner said lightly. “Let us have it over with. I suspect Miss Bingley is eager to resume her place.”
Mrs. Gardiner was an accomplished pianist, and Elizabeth, gifted with a clear soprano, sang beautifully. When the song ended, Mrs. Gardiner rose, and Elizabeth was preparing to return to the sofa when Mr. Darcy spoke.
“I have seldom heard so fine a soprano. Miss Elizabeth, would you favor us with another?”
