Page 83

“What is this?” Uncle Gardiner asked.

“Pudding,” Aunt Gardiner announced with remarkable force. “I believe it is time for the pudding.”

“I planned to speak with you after dinner, sir,” Mr. Darcy said.

Her uncle set down his glass and stood. He looked at Mr. Darcy and then walked out of the room. Mr. Darcy rose, placed his napkin on the table, and went out after him.

Elizabeth was distracted as the children named all the games they wished to play later and asked her if she would play with them. She said no to a few and then made a promise about something without realising what she was saying.

It felt an age, but her uncle and Mr. Darcy returned after about ten minutes.

“What did he say?” she whispered.

“Yes. But we shall speak of it later,” he said, for everyone about them other than the children was pretending not to listen.

Whether the pudding had actually been ready or whether they were ready for it was immaterial. It arrived a few minutes later, crowned with holly and flaming with brandy, to the delight of all four children.

After dinner came Uncle Gardiner’s mulled wine. Mr. Darcy accepted his glass, and Elizabeth waited as he drank.

“Well?” she asked.

Mr. Darcy took another sip. “I am considering it.”

Elizabeth was nearly gleeful when she said, “You are trying to discover how it can possibly be good when it began with a wine you would not have chosen.”

Uncle Gardiner was interested in this revelation. “Is that so?”

“I may have expressed some small doubts,” Mr. Darcy said while giving Elizabeth a reproachful glance. “But it is excellent. What is in it, other than the wine?”

Uncle Gardiner tutted. “Certain things I do not intend to discuss with a gentleman whose relations may include members of parliament and customs officials.”

Mr. Darcy chuckled at that and took another sip.

After the food and wine were cleared away, Uncle Gardiner proposed Snapdragon.

Mr. Pye inspected the bowl.

“You are not afraid, are you, Mr. Pye?” Miss Bingley asked.

He straightened at that. “Of course not.”

“You appeared concerned.”

“I will go first,” Mr. Pye said.

In the end the children were kept safely back. Mr. Pye captured a raisin on his second attempt. Mr. Bingley snatched one and immediately dropped it. Jane laughed at him and declined any interest in attempting it herself.

Miss Bingley captured one on her first attempt. “You see?” she said. “Nothing to it.”

“I was distracted,” Mr. Pye protested.

“By what?” There was a short silence, and Miss Bingley’s complexion flushed.

“Oh,” said Margaret.

“Charades,” Aunt Gardiner announced.

They adjourned then, the children leading the way. But as they passed the stairs, Mr. Darcy pulled Elizabeth into a little alcove beneath them. There was not much space. Elizabeth’s back was against the wall and Mr. Darcy’s back was to the passage, which she suspected was deliberate.