“I am glad to hear that! Oh, here is the letter. Mr Gardiner included you and Miss Darcy in the invitation, but he assumed you already have plans.”
“Did he? May I see the letter?” Darcy asked, surprised, reading with curiosity.
“Indeed, the invitation is clear. Allow me a moment to speak to Georgiana. We do not have any particular plans, so we might attend after all,” he said with a strange sense of joy. He overlooked the fact that he had already refused the invitation from the Matlocks. It felt more exhilarating to dine in Gracechurch Street than in Park Lane.
***
The house was beautifully decorated, with holly, hawthorn, rosemary, a few Christmas roses, and even a few sprigs of mistletoe. The dinner table was rich and a little crowded, filledwith so much joy and talking and laughter as Darcy did not remember experiencing in many years.
The Gardiners’ children had been shy and intimidated at first, but they needed only a few minutes to become easy and outspoken. They seemed attached to their cousins, especially to Elizabeth. The boys tried to act in a manly way, copying their father.
Darcy was enchanted to see his sister very much at ease and trying to make conversation with Elizabeth. He was also delighted that — as she had promised in her letter — Elizabeth whispered an apology to him, then welcomed him with a smile he had not seen before.
As much as he feared to assume too much, he could not overlook the obvious change in Elizabeth’s manners towards him. She was friendly, without doubt.
“I am truly grateful, and I thank the Lord for this lovely reunion,” Mrs Gardiner said sometime later. “Who would believe that an almost accident in Hyde Park would lead to such a wonderful outcome?”
“I must say I am grateful to Darcy for telling me about your presence in town,” Bingley added. “If not for him, I might have discovered the truth much later. I might have even left town, as I had several invitations to spend Christmas in the country.”
“We are also grateful to Mr Darcy and must thank him,” Elizabeth replied. Her voice was teasing, but the little smile on her lips and in her eyes was alluring.
“If we are to follow the same logical line, we should be grateful to Miss Elizabeth’s passion for walking, which led you to the near accident,” Darcy added, causing cheers of approval. Elizabeth was still looking at him, and he smiled at her.
“Mama always claimed nothing good would come from my wild habit of taking long walks. I am pleased that she was wrong,” Elizabeth joked.
After dinner, there was no separation, and — to Darcy’s astonishment — Georgiana mentioned she had seen a pianoforte in the corner and suggested some music. He could not remember another instance when his sister had offered to play, not even with their family. She always accepted any requests shyly but was reluctant to perform.
Bingley supported the request, and Mr and Mrs Gardiner thanked him.
“I wonder whether Miss Elizabeth or Miss Bennet could accompany me?” the girl suggested.
“Oh, my playing is quite poor,” Miss Bennet said. “But Lizzy performs beautifully. I am sure she would be delighted to play with you, Miss Darcy.”
“I would indeed be delighted to play with Miss Darcy — and ashamed,” Elizabeth said. “Your playing might be poor, Jane, but mine is not much better. And considering all the praise I have heard about Miss Darcy; I am sure she will be appalled to hear me.”
“That is certainly not the case,” Darcy interjected. “I have had the pleasure of hearing Miss Elizabeth play, and I was far from appalled. I shall not deny my sister’s proficiency, but it will certainly not reduce the charm of your playing, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mr Darcy, your choice of words is truly commendable,” Elizabeth responded, laughing. “You somehow managed to admit I play rather ill without offending me. I see a clear improvement in your wording, sir.”
He knew what she meant and answered, “I am trying to improve, Miss Elizabeth. I am counting on you for an honest critical opinion.”
“Then you will have it, sir. Be warned.”
There was more laughter, and they exchanged a few glances, ignorant of the fact that Georgiana as well as the Gardiners were watching them with either interest or puzzlement. Georgianaand Elizabeth played and sang together, and just as Elizabeth had estimated, one performance was exquisite and perfect, the other one pleasant and charming. Both received warm applause and congratulations.
“Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner, Georgiana and I were talking earlier today. We would be delighted if you would have dinner with us one day. You may bring the children too, but in such a case, we must make plans for you to stay overnight. We have plenty of rooms to accommodate you all.”
“Dinner would be wonderful, Mr Darcy. But to stay overnight — we would not dare. Besides, we do not wish to take the children out of the house at the moment, apart from some short walks in the nearest park,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“You may decide an evening, and we shall gladly attend,” Mr Gardiner added.
“Then, would December the 28th be convenient for you?” Darcy asked.
“Perfectly.”
The party ended late, close to midnight. The farewells were friendly, even affectionate, and Bingley promised to call again after Boxing Day.
“Upon my word,” Bingley said in the carriage that took them home, “I cannot remember when I last had a more enjoyable Christmas dinner. Perhaps in my childhood.”
