Page 33 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“How lovely. Jane, would you assist me in working them into my hair?” Elizabeth turned and selected a small bunch of pink and yellow ranunculus and gave them to Charlotte. “It is quite decided, Charlotte. These red roses would not look well at all with your lovely jewels. You must wear them yourself, and put these flowers in your hair. Ask Lydia to help. She is so good at it. My father will be so pleased.”

“Miss Elizabeth. I am so glad you are here.” Darcy bowed, practically glowing with happiness as he took her hand briefly and pressed it. “I must help my father receive our other guests, but I will join you in the drawing room quite soon. My cousin is waiting for you there.”

Elizabeth smiled shyly and thanked him for the flowers, then greeted Darcy Senior and Georgiana, who would serve as hostess for the evening.

“Good evening, Georgie, you look lovely,” she whispered to her young friend.

“I am so nervous!” Georgiana whispered back anxiously.

“Do not be, my friend. Your father and brother know what they are doing, and they will guide you well.”

“But Miss Bingley will be here, and although she pretends to be kind to me, she is always so unpleasant.” Georgiana looked worried as the next carriage drew up.

“Always follow Priscilla’s lead, or in her absence, mine or Jane’s, until you are more sure of your replies,” Elizabeth advised as she followed her family into the drawing room.

The Darcy cottage was quite a bit larger than many others in Ramsgate, and the dining room was generous. As a result, including the Bennets, there were more than fifteen people in the drawing room when they arrived.

“How many people are invited?” Elizabeth asked Priscilla when she entered the room.

“Including your family and ours, the table is set for twenty-four.” Priscilla looked lovely as she spoke with the assembled guests. “The dining room only seats thirty, so the table shall be nearly crowded.”

Present was the Bennet family, two gentlemen who were calling upon Mary, the magistrate, his wife, their daughter, and two gentlemen calling upon her, as well as Mrs Younge, and Mr Wickham, who were talking quietly in a corner.

Ten minutes later, there was a commotion in the hall as Lady Barry arrived, a rare occurrence in Ramsgate, for the woman favoured nearly no family with acceptance for invitations. A moment later, she entered the room upon Darcy’s arm, having denied the honour of being escorted into the drawing room by his father. Darcy’s father and Georgiana followed them.

“Is this everyone?” Elizabeth thought it looked rather shy of twenty-four guests.

“All but the Bingleys.” Priscilla laughed derisively. “They always arrive last. Miss Bingley believes it makes an impression, but then she gets petulant when her hosts do not wait all night to greet her by the door. Darcy has warned the butler that if they arrive after we have been seated for dinner, to turn them away.”

“Good heavens,” Elizabeth murmured as she turned and bussed Lady Barry’s cheek.

“Lizzy-girl, you look lovely, as always. How convenient that your flowers match those in the room. Quite the declaration. Miss Bennet, I hear that you have lately had a fright, but you look none the worse for it. Reggie’s girl, a pleasure to see you again.”

Jane and Priscilla curtsied in respect as Lady Barry turned to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, this is all done up very handsomely. Your mother would be well pleased.”

Lady Nibsby, the wife of the magistrate, looked on in awe as the elusive neighbour who humoured no hosts and admitted few guests spoke to those around her with her own brand of affection.

“Young man, still your mother’s eyes and your father’s height and seriousness. Poor boy, what misfortune to be born fifty years older than the rest of us. You are improving slowly and imperceptibly. I am quite certain I know why.” She eyed Elizabeth with a grin before turning to the magistrate’s wife, who had only ever been admitted to her parlour twice in many years. “Lady Nibsby, is that your daughter by the window with that young rascal? She has grown up quite pretty.”

“Thank you, Lady Barry. Shall I call her over to be introduced?” Lady Nibsby blinked in surprise.

“No need, no need.” Lady Barry turned back to Georgiana. “I heard your father say as we entered the drawing room that not all of your guests have arrived. How inconsiderate of them to be late.”

As if her words had conjured them, the Bingleys were announced to the room by the butler, Mr Bingley looking sheepish, knowing they ought to have been on time. Miss Bingley looked as petulant as Priscilla had predicted, eyeing Darcy with disappointment not to have entered the drawing room upon his arm. Mr Hurst looked disinterested, and Mrs Hurst looked quite bored.

“Heavens, that gown is the most vibrant shade of coquelicot I have ever seen. Has anyone ever told her that it is entirely the wrong colour to complement her hair?” Lady Barry asked Elizabeth, making no effort to lower her voice.

“It seems to be a favourite shade of hers, this is the fourth gown I have seen her wear in that colour,” Elizabeth whispered as Miss Bingley glared at them.

“I shall have to accompany that woman to the dressmaker without delay, for all of our sakes.” Lady Barry thumped her cane in amusement. “Hair like hers requires greens, ivory, fawn…earth tones. Has no one ever informed her?”

“I really could not say.” Elizabeth attempted to maintain a straight face, though Priscilla made no such effort and expressed her amusement openly.

Mr Bingley's sisters had called but once upon the Bennet ladies, obviously at Mr Bingley’s insistence, and were quite rude when their call was returned. Mr Bingley was all that was attentive, amiable, and solicitous to Jane. He called upon her daily, but Elizabeth had no desire to spend very much time in the company of his family. Jane appeared to like the gentleman, perhaps a bit more than Mr Lovett, but she was not encouraging him very much. She was still affected by her experience in the phaeton accident, and unsure about which gentleman she should wish for attentions from.

“Dinner is served,” announced the butler proudly.

Georgiana timidly accepted the arm of the Lord Arlington, as Lady Barry reluctantly took Darcy Senior’s arm.