by Jennifer Joy
Miss Darcy retired to her room to change out of her riding habit, and Elizabeth joined Mrs. Hill in the kitchen. She would make her cake soon and Elizabeth would rather keep her company than return to the drawing room. Her patience had its limit and Mr. Collins tested it like no one else. She had liked him much better when he did not reside under their roof.
Elizabeth heard the latest village gossip from Cook and Mrs. Hill while she sat out of their way on the chair at the end of the table where Mrs. Hill set out the ingredients for her gingerbread. Cook was in the middle of an engrossing tale about how Mr. Tanner had refused lodging to a man who had expressed his disapproval of one of the barmaids in an obscene manner when she refused to sit on his lap.
Cook exclaimed, "Lifted the man by the collar and tossed him out of the front door like a piglet, he did!” She stopped to chuckle, her words laced with laughter. "The man fell into a puddle of mud."
Mrs. Hill harrumphed. "Where he felt right at home, no doubt."
Cook stirred the pot, pulling out a smaller spoon from her apron to taste the seasoning and adding a dash of salt. "Mr. Tanner is a good man. He showed that man what was what."
"The best of men," added Mrs. Hill, suddenly stiffening her posture. "Oh, hello, Mrs. Annesley. Have you rested from your ride?"
Elizabeth whipped around in her seat. She had not heard the companion join them.
"I have, thank you." Mrs. Annesley stepped into the room to stand beside where Elizabeth sat. Touching her shoulder, Mrs. Annesley said, "Miss Elizabeth, I want to thank you for your thoughtfulness toward Miss Darcy."
"Think nothing of it," Elizabeth replied, glad someone had noticed. Sacrifices were so much easier to make when they were acknowledged.
"No, please do not minimize your kindness. It must not be easy to separate yourself from your betrothed when there is no one else with whom you wish to spend your time. I remember the feeling well and recognize the sacrifice."
Elizabeth placed her hand on top of Mrs. Annesley's. She may not gain Miss Darcy’s confidence anytime soon, but that need not prevent Elizabeth from befriending her companion. "Thank you, Mrs. Annesley. Miss Darcy does not take kindly to the news of her brother's engagement, does she?" she asked. Best to know for certain.
Mrs. Annesley took a seat beside Elizabeth while Mrs. Hill and Cook did their best to pretend they heard nothing. They were so obvious about it, Elizabeth had to clear her throat to disguise a laugh.
"I understand our present company to be trustworthy or else you would not ask that question here," said Mrs. Annesley, earning sighs of relief from the other two women in the kitchen.
“Without a doubt,” said Elizabeth, narrowing her eyes at Mrs. Hill and adding, “Although Father is convinced someone is tampering with his coffee.”
Mrs. Hill huffed. “If only he would take the tonic as the doctor ordered. It is for his own good, yet he refuses to drink it.”
“So you thought to disguise the vile potion in his coffee?” asked Elizabeth.
“That horrible beverage is bitter enough, I thought it would go unnoticed.”
Elizabeth grinned. “The potted fern on his desk seems to appreciate the daily dose of tonic. It is flourishing.”
Mrs. Hill plunked her hands onto her hips. “A lot of good that does Mr. Bennet.”
Mrs. Annesley smiled openly. “You have my utmost sympathy, Mrs. Hill. My husband was a strong man, but he bunched his mouth up like a child when he required a restorative.”
Elizabeth was curious about Mrs. Annesley’s life before the Darcys, but she would not inquire into her past before the servants. She did not expect Mrs. Annesley to trust them as she did.
“Since he refuses to drink the tonic in his coffee, perhaps a new hiding place is in order. Have you tried slipping it into his mulled wine?” Elizabeth suggested.
“It is worth an attempt,” sighed Mrs. Hill, grabbing a bowl and dumping measured weights of flour into it, creating a dusty swirl around her.
The screen of powder offered a certain amount of privacy. Addressing Mrs. Annesley, Elizabeth returned to the subject most influential to her future. “It is difficult when the ones we care for do not act as we wish them to. It is important to Mr. Darcy that his sister and I become close friends and, while I doubt she would do anything to disappoint him — her attachment is clear — I do not think her inclination toward me is favorable.”
Mrs. Annesley replied, "Miss Darcy wants nothing more than for her brother to be happy. However, she is jealous of him and fears his choice of wife will treat her like a child by assuming a motherly role. You can imagine how humiliating that would be for a young lady on the cusp of womanhood."
Elizabeth agreed. She would detest such interference.
Continuing, Mrs. Annesley said, "She also fears she shall be replaced in her brother's affections. I have explained how the love of a wife is quite different from that of a sister, but she is afraid she shall be neglected or, worse, forgotten."
Elizabeth shook her head. "William would never forget his sister."
"I told her the same. Which is why your move today was a smart one. You have made her doubt her assumptions about you."
"Thank you for telling me where I stand. It will make my battle strategy easier to plan," Elizabeth said, feeling mischievous.
Mrs. Hill laughed. "If I know my Miss Lizzy, she will soon turn Miss Darcy into her greatest ally."
Mrs. Annesley smiled. "I hold high hopes for Miss Elizabeth's success. Her happiness depends upon it."
The challenge clearly defined before her, Elizabeth took courage in her knowledge and experience. She and William had suffered worse trials than a needlessly apprehensive sister.
Mrs. Annesley said, "And now, Mrs. Hill, if you will allow me to help you, I have heard your gingerbread is without comparison and I should very much like to learn how you make it and be of some assistance. Miss Darcy feels dreadful she was unable to prevent the Hursts and Miss Bingley from adding themselves to our party on such short notice."
Mrs. Annesley had already pushed up her sleeves and stood from her chair to join Mrs. Hill on the other side of the table. Apparently, she was not too fine to work with her hands.
Cook said, “Those are the sort of folks who will turn a snub into an invitation if it suits their needs.”
Mrs. Hill sniffed. “Mr. Hurst has been sniffing around here too much of late. I do not like it.”
Elizabeth did not like it either, but she would not say more in front of Mrs. Annesley.
Handing Mrs. Annesley an apron to cover her gown, Mrs. Hill said, “Here, Mrs. Annesley, take this spoon and stir as I measure."
Mrs. Hill, in a merry mood, added a little extra sugar and cinnamon into the rich, brown mixture. Unlike herself, Mrs. Annesley remained impeccably clean as she mixed the ingredients. Elizabeth helped prepare the baking tins. Would she be welcome in the kitchen at Pemberley? She would make certain to befriend the cook and the housekeeper before anyone else.
Elizabeth was about to ask Mrs. Annesley about Pemberley when the maid peeked her head through the opening of the kitchen door. "Miss, Mr. Bennet sent me to tell you the Hursts and Miss Bingley have already arrived."
Mrs. Annesley wiped her hands on a cloth and rolled her sleeves down. She did not look pleased, but was too well-mannered to say so aloud.
Elizabeth noted, "Thank you, Betsy. I shall join them in a moment."
“They are here rather early,” mumbled Mrs. Hill.
“Do they think this is Hyde Park?” added Cook, who liked to keep up with the habits of the fashionable crowd for the sole purpose of criticizing them.
“I had thought Lady Catherine had brought Miss Bingley down a peg or two, but she still gives herself airs,” said Mrs. Hill.
For Mrs. Annesley’s benefit, Elizabeth explained, “Lady Catherine influenced the ladies of Almack’s to refuse entry to Miss Bingley. Being thus scorned by the pillars of society, she returned to Meryton with the Hursts. The timing of Mr. Bingley’s
wedding was a good excuse to flee London with a shred of dignity.”
“Is that why they stayed on at Netherfield Park?” asked Mrs. Annesley.
“Most likely, although I sense something else underfoot. Mr. Hurst has called more often than normal and it came as no surprise to hear they contrived an invitation to dine with us this evening.”
Mrs. Annesley sighed. "Yes, that was cleverly done. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley dote on Miss Darcy and were rather offended she had not yet called at Netherfield Park. My miss, being too inexperienced in dealing with people of a manipulative sort, made the mistake of mentioning our dinner party."
Elizabeth rose from her seat. "Poor thing. There is nothing worse than being used to accomplish another’s purpose. A long, uncomfortable evening awaits Miss Darcy tonight." Sometimes a little discomfort is good. Miss Darcy had best accustom herself to the feeling.
"I had best go to her," said Mrs. Annesley, taking off her apron and folding it neatly on the table.
“And I had best join our company in the drawing room,” said Elizabeth.
Mrs. Annesley, who still stood by the table, asked, "You do not think Miss Bingley has her sights set on a certain gentleman here, do you?" She looked intently at the women in the kitchen, as if their answer was of great import to her.
Cook scoffed. “Who? Mr. Collins?” She smacked her leg and laughed. “Pardon me for speaking ill of a man of God and a relative of Mr. Bennet, but it would serve Miss Bingley right to end up with a man like him.”
Mrs. Hill added, “She still holds a candle for Mr. Darcy, I daresay. She will not give up hope until Miss Lizzy signs her name next to his in the registry.”
Mrs. Annesley asked nothing more, but Elizabeth could not help but notice how the lady breathed a sigh of relief.
Elizabeth watched her closely as she said, “As for Mr. Tanner, Miss Bingley would consider him too far beneath her to notice. She would be offended at the very idea of a connection with a tradesman.”
“Is he truly as kind as he seems?” Mrs. Annesley asked.
Cook replied, "Mr. Tanner? He is the best of men. As honorable as Mr. Darcy, if you ask me.”
Mrs. Hill nodded in agreement, as did Elizabeth, who added, “Mr. Tanner is too honest to pretend to be anything other than what he is.”
Her answer satisfied Mrs. Annesley. She said, “I am glad for Mr. Darcy’s sake. They have become close friends, and I must ensure his influence with Miss Darcy’s brother will have nothing but a positive effect on my young lady.”
That was why she wanted to know about Mr. Tanner’s character? For Miss Darcy’s benefit? Elizabeth watched Mrs. Annesley from the corner of her eye as they left the kitchen, but the companion looked doggedly forward, her expression as impossible to read as William’s had once been.
The maid met them in the hall to inform them Miss Darcy had joined their company in the front parlor.
Mrs. Annesley stepped back to allow Elizabeth to enter the room first. Miss Darcy politely sat with her hands clasped in her lap as Miss Bingley fawned over her familiarly. Elizabeth saw a flash of relief in the girl’s expression as Mrs. Annesley joined them. The same relief was evident on her father's face as he rose from his chair.
"Lizzy, look who has been so kind as to arrive early to our dinner party. I expect Mr. Darcy and Mr. Tanner will arrive soon, which reminds me … I had best see if my decanter is full." He excused himself to see to his liquor supply.
Elizabeth suspected he would not hasten to return, but would find some reason to linger about it. She would have done the same.
"Mr. Tanner? The innkeeper?" asked Miss Bingley with her nose firmly in the air, the disgust in her tone impossible to ignore. Apparently, Lady Catherine's cut had not lowered her overly high opinion of herself in the least.
Mrs. Annesley rested her hand on top of Miss Darcy's. The young lady's lips were pursed together so tightly, Elizabeth wondered what words needed to be held back with such vehemence. She would have loved for Miss Darcy to utter them if only to see Miss Bingley’s reaction.
In a conversational tone, Mrs. Annesley said, "Is he not also the elected village constable? He must be highly esteemed amongst the villagers."
Miss Bingley snorted. "Of what good is the position in such a secluded place as Meryton? I daresay they would sooner elect the butcher or a farmer than the innkeeper."
In a cold, shaking voice, Miss Darcy said, "Mr. Tanner has been nothing but kind to my brother and me. It is my understanding he performs his duties admirably well."
Another snort. "He was the one who took pleasure in arresting Mr. Darcy when that rascal, Mr. Wickham, got himself shot. A more disagreeable man I do not know."
Mrs. Annesley patted Miss Darcy's hand. Of all the names to be mentioned, Miss Bingley had to pronounce Mr. Wickham’s. Elizabeth’s hackles rose at the unjust comparison. As if Mr. Tanner and Mr. Wickham could possibly have anything in common.
Elizabeth said, "All too often we see only the qualities we choose to see, those which are more similar to our own." Now, that was a bit too harsh. In an effort to soften her cut, she added, "It is no wonder you prefer society in town." Even when society no longer preferred Miss Bingley, nor accepted her calls. So much for softening her blow!
Elizabeth regretted the words the second they departed from her mouth, leaving Miss Bingley to hiss in a breath and Mrs. Hurst to harrumph in offense.
Elizabeth decided it best to bite her tongue.
Miss Darcy, however, was either oblivious to the cut or very clever indeed. She asked, "You did not stay long in town, Miss Bingley. Did you find the dreary weather too disagreeable for your liking?"
More like the closed doors and supposedly empty homes when Miss Bingley called on those who had once professed themselves to be her friends. It was amazing what one word from an influential lady such as Lady Catherine could do to change established acquaintances. Elizabeth hoped Lady Catherine was too occupied with the health of Miss de Bourgh to bother taking aim at another target, namely, herself.
Chapter 12
Darcy had the distinct sensation he had arrived just in time.
The tension in the parlor was palpable. Worse even than the ride to Longbourn with Tanner, whom he had dragged away from the inn. He cleaned up nicely, but though he had accepted Mr. Bennet's invitation, Tanner had done everything possible to delay their arrival. Now, observing the occupants of the room, Darcy was uncertain whether Tanner had done them a favor in delaying their arrival or not.
Miss Lydia held her hand over her mouth as if she would burst out in laughter were she to remove it. Miss Bingley’s flushed complexion and sour expression, as well as Mrs. Hurst’s snappish eyes, determined them to be the source of Miss Lydia’s amusement.
There was an empty chair by Elizabeth and a space Georgiana patted next to her on the settee. Had the two ladies sat closer to each other, Darcy could have pleased them both, but he could not very well drag a chair to the middle of the room so as to sit between them. And so, he went to the fireplace and stood there with his arm propped on the mantel.
Elizabeth's eyes flickered like the flames warming him, full of mischief. She arched one eyebrow and bobbed her head as if to say, "Well played, William." Richard had been correct about Georgiana. However, Darcy knew Elizabeth. She would see any resistance from his sister as a challenge, amiably turning the acquisition of her friendship into a game. Such was her way.
Georgiana, on the other hand, acted with the perfect indifference she had been trained to wear since birth, whilst in the company of people with whom she did not share the intimacy of friendship. It pained his heart to observe her aloofness.
They were called into the dining room where Mr. Bennet offered the foot of the table, a position of honor, to Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins was too pleased to be thus exalted before their guests to note it was the place farthest away from Mr. Bennet (though the table was not large enough to isolate him completely) and, as such, every bit as pleasing to Mr. Bennet for its dist
ance away from his cousin than for any honor Mr. Collins understood the gesture to possess.
Darcy sat between Elizabeth and Georgiana and, adopting Elizabeth's playful view in place of his normal brooding, he prepared himself for an emotional game of Tug-of-War.
Georgiana touched his arm and he had just leaned toward her when a loud crack had him whipping his head around in time to see Mr. Bennet fall to the floor, the broken pieces of his chair surrounding him.
Darcy jumped to his feet as Elizabeth did.
Mr. Bennet gathered himself to a more dignified seated position on the floor. Propping his hands on top of his knees, he laughed as Elizabeth knelt beside him, her eyes searching for signs of injury.
He brushed off her hand. "My only injury is my pride, Lizzy. Alas," he said as he accepted Darcy's hand to pull him up. "I was concerned the entertainment of the evening would be insufficient and the conversation restrained. I hope to have broken through the awkward social formalities present as effectively as I broke my chair. Now we may enjoy a fine discussion with our meal."
Another chair was brought in and Mr. Bennet sat — albeit with a good deal more caution. Darcy held his breath when the chair protested Mr. Bennet's weight with a groan, but the wooden legs held.
With another chuckle, Mr. Bennet said to his guests, "I have been meaning to replace some of the furniture at Longbourn, but hesitated to do so, uncertain where to begin. Now, I know precisely where to concentrate my attention." Holding up his spoon, he said, "The dining room it is!"
Miss Lydia giggled and Miss Bingley attempted to look appalled.
Mr. Hurst seemed relieved Mr. Bennet had finally taken the first bite, signaling it was permitted for all at the table to eat. Between sips of white soup and not-so-discreet nudges from Mrs. Hurst, he deemed to converse. "It can become costly to furnish a household. Mrs. Hurst has excellent taste if you should require assistance."
Mr. Collins shared his opinions on the superiority of the furnishings at Rosings, of which Elizabeth requested a description worthy of the lofty dwelling of his patroness.
