Georgiana was already speaking with Lady Catherine and looked up as her brother and Lizzy entered the room. “Good evening, Brother,” she said as she ran to greet them.
“Ah, there you all are at last. Georgiana, Anne and I have had a wonderful visit while you all were napping. I hope your rooms are to your liking and you are warm enough.”
“Warm enough?” Fitzwilliam scowled. “Are you mad, Catherine? It must be nearly eighty-five degrees up there, at least as hot as Spain in July. It’s late September, you know, not early January.”
“Well, you may be accustomed to sleeping on the ground, exposed to heaven knows what with cloven- hoofed animals and ensigns milling about, Hottentots running naked here and there. But gently bred ladies, especially those who are breeding, need warmth and comfort.”
Fitzwilliam bowed. “And, evidently, parboiling.”
Lady Catherine’s foot began tapping in aggravation. “Richard…”
“Very well, I stand corrected, once again, dear Aunt Catherine. If Elizabeth, Anne, and Georgiana are comfortable, the Hottentots and I can just open a window.”
“Well, no need to drag foreigners through the house.” Nodding majestically to her guests, Catherine turned toward Lizzy’s father. “Mr. Bennet?” She smiled warmly, and her eyes twinkled.
“I would be most honored, your ladyship.” Catherine placed her hand upon Mr. Bennet’s arm while Fitzwilliam escorted Anne and Darcy escorted his wife and sister into dinner.
All at once, the doors to the dining room were flung open to reveal a magnificently decorated table in the finest-looking room Lizzy had ever seen. There were huge murals painted on the walls and ceiling, and tapestries that rivaled any museum’s. Vases of immense floral bouquets graced the halls and table. Larger-than-life statues in cut stone stood in a huge circle that surrounded the dining area. Massive crystal chandeliers glittered above, being magnified by huge gilt-edged mirrors. It was breathtaking.
“Darcy, you won’t believe who’s still in service here. Old Margaret MacLeod. Can you believe it? I’ve had my eye on that bit of fluff since she was a vixen of seventy-two.” Each heavily ornate chair had its own footman who hurried forward to assist with seating.
Everyone laughed, except for Lady Catherine, whose eyes narrowed at him. “Richard! I really cannot condone this manner of discourse. Old Margaret has been with me practically from my conception, even before, if my memory serves. Please show her some respect.” Lady Catherine took her place at the head of the table, motioning to the others to be seated.
“We often speak of you, you know,” Catherine continued, nodding for the wine to be poured. “Yes. When I assure her you will probably one day be hanged, well, it just seems to cheer her so.”
It was a pleasant surprise to Mr. Bennet, the atmosphere in the dining room so informal and lighthearted, everyone laughing and talking at once. It wasn’t at all what he had expected. A rather unusual family, this, not the stuffy aristocracy he had vaguely remembered from his youth and had been dreading. Not in the least.
He looked first at Fitzwilliam, whose head had shot back with laughter at his aunt’s remark. Mr. Bennet liked Fitzwilliam immensely, admiring his disarmingly easy manner and gentle wit.
He cast his gaze at his son-in-law, who had become a constant source of friendship and strength to him. It was evident now that the proud, arrogant man Mr. Bennet had feared would dominate his beloved daughter had never really existed at all. In reality, Darcy was a well-read, educated gentleman, and more importantly, someone who adored Lizzy, providing her with a happy, secure home.
He looked across at Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, normally shy and modest away from her brother’s side. She was relaxed and laughing heartily here, a reclusive beauty emerging in their midst.
Finally, he looked to his side at his beloved Lizzy, happier than he had ever seen her.
“Mr. Bennet,” called Aunt Catherine. “No introspection is allowed at table this visit. There will be no serious thought tonight in deference to the youngsters with whom we find ourselves. We would not want to call attention to their intellectual inferiority in any way. We are family and will enjoy the time we have together, for too quickly it can be taken from us.” Aunt Catherine looked meaningfully at him. She understood the devastation in losing a spouse, no matter how tenuous or difficult the relationship. It was half of your life that would never return.
“My very thoughts, Lady Catherine,” replied Mr. Bennet after a moment’s pause.
“Tell me, Mr. Bennet, how can we amuse you during your visit? Do you hunt?” Lady Catherine was spooning her turtle soup, blowing delicately to cool it.
“No, Lady Catherine, I am afraid I do not,” Mr. Bennet replied, also sampling his soup. “I am certain an animal would sooner die of laughter than gunshot wound if I even made the attempt.”
“Excellent, excellent. I abhor blood sports of any kind, animals being far superior to many people of my acquaintance.” She selected a small roll and broke it, dipping it deftly into her soup.
“Charades? Do you enjoy charades, Mr. Bennet?” Motioning to a footman, she signaled him to clean up the crumbs that had mysteriously appeared around her plate after she broke open the roll.
“Unfortunately, I detest them, your ladyship.” Mr. Bennet nodded when asked if he would like more soup, and his wineglass was again filled. “More often than not, I shout out the answer so that I can return to my seat and then feign embarrassment at my faux pas. With my advanced years, younger people usually assume me to be lack-witted and forgive me.”
“Wonderful. Very clever.” She was beginning to warm tremendously to her guest. “Anne thinks they are absolutely ludicrous, and I am in complete agreement with her. Even though she would be an excellent player, if her health would permit it.”
They all glanced over at Anne, who blushed at the attention being shown her and then spit something she could not chew into her napkin.
“Cards, Mr. Bennet? Do you play cards?” Lady Catherine was pointing energetically to him with the leg of a small capon. “Answer this correctly, Mr. Bennet, and we have the promise of an exceptionally enjoyable two weeks ahead of us.”
“I am afraid, your ladyship, that I tend to drift off while playing cards. At least I make a concerted effort to, and then I deliberately snore very loudly in the hopes that I will be thought enfeebled and asked to retire early.”
Lady Catherine was overjoyed. “Thank heavens. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have the perfect houseguest in our midst, and I was afraid this was going to be a taxing two weeks of nonsense. Now we can just relax and do whatever we want. I, for one, plan to read, eat, and sleep, hopefully not all at once.”
Mr. Bennet relaxed visibly. “I believe I know now why Lizzy loves this family so well.”
Darcy had little prepared Lizzy and Mr. Bennet for the quality of service and the quantity of food served. There was at least one attendant for each person at table, and a stream of servers coming and going with all variety of removes—exotic meats and strange vegetables, out-of-season fruits, and generous libations. There was even a string quartet in attendance, playing at the far end of the room.
Mr. Bennet watched amazed at the carefully orchestrated ballet of service. If they were not so professional, he could easily have expected flying trays and dropped puddings, he mused.
“Darcy, I see you two have the imperial apartments up there in the golden tower. Quite an improvement, or so I was informed by your valet.” Fitzwilliam had finished up his meal and was leaning back in his chair. “While you are dreaming happily in the suite usually reserved for royalty, try to keep in mind that I am located over the poultry house. It is just as you remember, I am sure—thumbscrews, the rack, chains on the walls. You both must come and visit me there once the ice lining the hallway thaws. Bring a physician.”
Lady Catherine was unsympathetic. “When you finally marry—and you
“Well, I was thinking, dearest Aunt, that since I am now a famous and decorated war hero, you would feel
