Elizabeth, who had remained more composed than the rest, felt her colour rise in spite of herself.
Darcy had come.
The party was received with every attention Mrs. Bennet could command.
Mr. Bingley entered first, his manner open and animated as ever; Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst followed, their civility unimpaired, though not without effort. Last came Mr. Darcy – and with him, a young lady whose quiet elegance and evident delicacy of manner at once distinguished her.
“Miss Darcy,” said Mrs. Bennet, with particular emphasis, “we are quite honoured.”
Georgiana curtsied, with a gentleness that might have passed unnoticed had it not been so sincere.
Darcy’s eyes had already sought Elizabeth. For a moment, they said nothing, but the understanding between them required very little expression.
After the first civilities, Georgiana advanced, guided – though not directed – by her brother. “Miss Elizabeth,” she said, with a softness that did not preclude earnestness, “I am very glad to make your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth smiled. “The pleasure is entirely mine.”
There was a slight hesitation, then Georgiana turned to a servant who had followed her.
“My brother desired me to bring this,” she said, and a basket was placed upon the table. “It is from Pemberley.”
Mrs. Bennet’s attention was instantly engaged. “A basket! From Pemberley! My dear Miss Darcy, you are most obliging…”
The contents were soon revealed: preserved fruits, fine cheeses, and other delicacies of a kind not commonly found atLongbourn, arranged with a care that suggested more than mere form. There were jars of apricot and other preserves, neatly sealed and labelled; several small rounds of fine cheese; a parcel of cured ham; and, to Mr. Bennet’s particular delight, a bottle of dark glass set carefully to one side.
“For Mr. Bennet,” said Miss Darcy, with a gentle inclination of the head. “From Pemberley.”
“My dear Miss Darcy! You are excessively kind,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Mr. Bennet is vastly obliged, are you not? A bottle from your own cellars! Nothing could be more elegant.”
Mr. Bennet nodded in satisfaction.
Lydia, meanwhile, had no such restraint. “And this-what is this?” she cried, leaning forward without ceremony. “It smells delicious.”
“Lydia,” Elizabeth said, though not without a smile.
Kitty hovered near, equally interested, while Mary examined the labels with quiet approval.
Elizabeth glanced at Darcy.
He did not speak at once, but there was the faintest suggestion of a smile in his expression. “They are produced on the estate,” he said at last, with composed ease. “We make use of what the land affords us.”
Miss Darcy coloured slightly. “The preserves are from the gardens,” she added, softly. “I sometimes assist in their preparation.”
“You do more than assist,” Darcy said, without looking at her. “My sister takes a particular interest in such matters.”
Elizabeth’s eyes returned to him. “And the rest?” she asked.
“Our tenants supply the cheeses and the ham,” he replied. “We endeavour to encourage their industry – and to see that it is properly rewarded. They are very good.”
Mrs. Bennet, who had been turning the bottle with great satisfaction, looked up. “A most excellent arrangement,” she declared. “Nothing speaks so well of a gentleman as the management of his estate.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly, as though the praise were of little consequence.
Elizabeth, however, was still considering him. There was no display in what he said – no effort to impress – yet the quiet assurance with which he spoke of it, of land, of people, of responsibility, carried a weight she had not expected.
“You take a great deal of care,” she said.
“I take responsibility,” he returned.
