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There was another reason than Mr. Bingley’s sisters, Elizabeth realized when she had had a moment to digest the news. Mr. Bingley was doubtless aware of her mother’s inevitable reaction to the engagement. Mrs. Bennet’s delight at the prospect of Jane marrying into “5000 pounds a year,” would be as vocal as it would be exuberant, and unseemly in the current company.
“I’m so happy for you, Jane,” Elizabeth said warmly. She gave Jane a hug. “Mr. Bingley is a very fortunate man.”
“And you, and poor Mr. Darcy?” Jane asked. “Does that gentleman have any hope of his fortunes improving?”
That is a very good question, thought Elizabeth. She was quite certain that she did not know the answer to it.
Christmas dinner was indeed a feast! It was everything the Bennet family had hoped for and more, though there were not so many guests as there had been the previous evening.
Conspicuous by his absence was Mr. Darcy, who Elizabeth had not seen since the morning Christmas service in the chapel—which had been conducted by Mr. Collins with a great deal of ceremony, and much praising of Lady Catherine and the many Christian qualities she exemplified—and she wondered where he could be.
It was very odd for him not to be present at Christmas dinner of all times. She worried that he might be ill, or had suffered some accident, but no, surely she would’ve heard if that had been the case. Perhaps he had left Rosings Park, and returned to London?
But Georgiana was there, seated by Mr
. Pettigrew, and it was unlikely that Darcy would’ve left without her, unless he had been called away by some urgent business.
The Bennet family was again seated at the same table as Mr. Bingley, and his two sisters and Mr. Hurst, and throughout the meal Elizabeth watched as Mr. Bingley and Jane exchanged meaningful glances.
Caroline Bingley was seated next to another gentleman, and since he was not with his mother, it seemed to Elizabeth that she fared somewhat better than she had done with Mr. Smythe.
The dishes were so many and varied that the table nearly groaned beneath their weight, and the footmen were kept busy removing plates and trays, and bringing new ones.
Elizabeth lost count of the courses. She thought there must’ve been above twenty. There was white soup to begin the meal, of course, and vegetables of every kind and there was an endless variety of fish dishes, together with roast beef, venison, mutton, and brawn. Fowl dishes too, enough, had they have been in flight, Elizabeth thought, to darken the sky—goose, capon, pheasant, grouse, pigeon, and partridge—all prepared in cunning and artful ways.
The dessert courses were still more delightful, with black butter, trifle, and the crowning glory, the Christmas pudding!
“A gold sovereign!” Kitty exclaimed joyfully, and so loudly that Elizabeth could hear her even though she was not at their table but was again seated at the main table beside Anne, to whom Kitty exclaimed, “I did not see it until you pointed it out to me!”
Elizabeth watched as Kitty raised the coin in the air to admire it and display it to her friend.
“There is nothing in mine,” said Mary. “Not so much as a thimble.”
“I’ve found something,” Elizabeth said noticing something shiny in her pudding. It was round, and made of silver, though it was not a coin. With her fork, she pulled it from the pudding and held it up.
“It’s a ring!” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Our Lizzy’s found the ring for the bride!”
Chapter 14, Boxing Day
Feast of St. Stephen
Elizabeth awoke early from a dream that she could not recall. It was very pleasant and put her in good spirits. When she looked out the window of the upstairs sitting room at the freshly fallen snow and saw how pristine and beautiful Rosings Park looked in its formal winter whites—unmarred by so much as a footprint—she hurriedly dressed, bundling up to go out-of-doors for an early morning walk in the crisp virgin snow.
When she was dressed, she ran down the stairs two at a time and was nearly to the doorway when she heard a voice behind her.
“Miss Bennet?”
She turned. It was Mr. Darcy.
“Good morning,” Elizabeth said.
Mr. Darcy had his arms full of boxes. He looked at her hesitantly.
“Can I help you with those?” Elizabeth asked.
“Please,” said Mr. Darcy. “It’s Boxing Day, and most of the servants are off, including my valet.”
It was the custom to give servants the day off on Boxing Day and to give them small gifts as well. Elizabeth had given Giselle a silk handkerchief.
