Page 48 of Resilience

“Balderdash,” Darcy scoffed. “You may not show your rage like a bull in a china shop. You might even seem entirely calm upon learning the identity of the man, but the result will remain the same, and that is why I am sworn to silence.”

Richard rose and stalked from the room. Darcy wondered how much longer his cousin would take to be reasonable. That was, if he ever became reasonable again at all.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Kitty, you look lovely. Marriage obviously agrees with you. Lizzy, you look tired. I do hope you are not overworking yourself, helping our young sister.” Jane bussed first Kitty’s cheeks, then Elizabeth’s, as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

“Not at all, Kitty hardly needs my help with the household, I spend most of my time helping to look after Mr Denny. His friend Mr Walters is sitting with him tonight.” Elizabeth would not allow Jane to make it seem as if Kitty could not run her own home without her older sister’s help. Certainly, Kitty needed support just now, but any young bride entering such a situation would.

In the drawing room, Jane ignored the Darcys and the rest of the guests she knew would disregard her, and focused her attention on making herself agreeable to Kitty’s neighbours.

“Kitty was never much interested in domestic matters before her marriage,” Jane said companionably to Mrs Beaumont as they sat beside one another on a settee. “I am not surprised that my mother sent Lizzy to assist her.”

“I assure you, Kitty saw personally to all of the preparations tonight, Jane.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her sister. “It was so important to her that she show you the proper respect while you are visiting Derbyshire. With Mr Denny ill, one might have thought that Hawthorne Vale might not entertain at all, but Kitty would never allow you to return to Meryton feeling neglected.”

Elizabeth was grateful for Mrs Philpot’s punctuality and the determination of James to show his mistress in a good light when dinner was announced promptly only a few minutes later.

Elizabeth could not have been more delighted and proud when they filed into the dining room, which was glowing with candlelight and polished silver. James had outdone himself setting the table.

“Heavens, what a glare!” Jane shielded her eyes from the beautiful table settings. “I do not believe I have ever seen such a display.”

“I always hoped to see the famous Denny silver collection,” Mrs Gordenson murmured. “Well done, Mrs Denny.”

“This is only a small portion of the silver which my grandmother brought as a dowry when she joined the family.” Matthew replied. “Her father held shares in a silver company, and my wife was quite in awe to see it all when we arrived.”

“I certainly never expected such an extensive collection,” Kitty said. “I am proud to be the next caretaker of the Denny silver.”

“I fear I should be mortified to put on such airs,” Jane fretted.

“Somehow, I suspect that were you to obtain such a collection yourself, you would overcome your mortification remarkably fast, Mrs Bingley.” Priscilla observed from her place between Matthew and Mr Beaumont.

“I am certain any lady would,” Mrs Beaumont concurred.

James and the footmen served wine, then brought in the first course. Mrs Philpot had not disappointed them. Instead of white soup, mulligatawny was served, followed by stewed eels in cream sauce, pheasant with bread sauce, tongue, forced cabbage, boiled and buttered potatoes flavoured with rosemary, glazed carrots, turnips, as well as flummery and a queen of pudding topped high with meringue.

The first course was met with murmurs of delight. “You set a remarkably exquisite table, Mrs Denny,” Mr Gordenson complimented her.

“You are very kind.” Kitty’s face lit up.

“Yes, you are very fortunate to have such a capable staff.” Jane turned to Mrs Beaumont. “One cannot take all of the credit for oneself, can one, Mrs Beaumont?”

“I believe our sister is not lacking in the proper humility.” Mr Collins cleared his throat and attempted to steer the conversation to anything polite and civil. “Mr Darcy, do you think we will have more snow, or might the winter be behind us?”

“I think we have seen the last of the snow for the winter, though I have been wrong before,” Darcy answered.

The guests turned their attention to the food for several minutes, and Elizabeth noticed Jane fussing over the mulligatawny.

“Are you well, darling?” Mr Bingley asked from across the table.

“I am. The soup is delicious but rather strong in flavour, I do hope it is not unwise for anyone…delicate.” Jane pressed her hand to her abdomen as the footman removed the bowl of soup and replaced it with another dish.

“We shall have a delicacy in the next course,” Kitty informed the other guests. “Our cook and a woman on the estate know the secret to preparing foie gras, which must usually–”

“Does that not come from France?” Jane interrupted. “How continental. I do hope it will not prove too exotic for the palates of the gentlemen.”

“I enjoy foie gras very much,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said from his place next to Kitty. “I look forward to the next course with relish, Mrs Denny.”

“I believe we have found the secret Darcy and my mother have been hiding, for their tables have been the only ones to serve foie gras since the war started, Lady Jersey even once accused my mother of having it smuggled.”