Page 14 of New World Tea Company
“Charles, Mr Darcy brought me a gift,” she announced.
Louisa pushed her way forward with her snips and said, “Let me cut the twine, Caroline.”
“Hurry,” the younger sister replied. “I am certain it is some beautiful cloak or lace for a dress.”
Charles and Geoffrey glanced toward Darcy, who did not appear disturbed by Caroline’s words. With the twine snipped in two places, Caroline could open the package. When she identified the gift, the gentlewoman fell silent for a long, heavy moment.
Then she announced to everyone in the manor, “Tea! Mr Darcy brought tea leaves as a gift!”
While Geoffrey and Charles muffled their snickers, Louisa said, “A singular gift, Mr Darcy. Fresh tea leaves are always needed in a good home.”
The lady gathered the package from the table while Caroline stepped away. Louisa glanced toward her sister, who remained silent. Turning back, Louisa handed the package of tea leaves to the footman, who disappeared into the back of the manor where Mrs Hobbes would be found.
“Your gift is most appreciated, Mr Darcy,” Louisa said. “I plan to invite several neighbourhood ladies to tea in the coming days, and fresh tea will make their visit memorable.”
~~~
When it was time for supper, the family and their visitor gathered in the same dining room used for breakfast. Mrs Hobbs made certain the platters of food were placed on the table and then departed with the footman.
“A single course, sister?” asked Miss Bingley from her new place to the left of her brother. Across the table, Mr Darcy placed food on his plate while Charles smiled at Louisa, who sat in the hostess’ seat at the other end of the table with her husband to her left.
“Yes, Caroline,” Louisa replied. “There is no reason to have the footmen here for unnecessary moves of bowls and platters tonight.”
Caroline Bingley was discouraged in her campaign to gain Mr Darcy’s attention and listened quietly as the man spoke with Charles about rents, tenants, the steward and ploughing the fields in autumn. She cared for none of their conversations.
At the end of the meal, Mr Darcy spoke to Miss Bingley and inquired as to her observations of the neighbourhood. While her family cringed, fearful of the next words to be spoken, Caroline expressed her frustration with the lack of fashion and suitable conversation at the one gathering she had been forced to attend.
“Then you should have remained at Netherfield, Miss Bingley. At my home in Derbyshire, I spend most of my nights reading in my library.”
“In the winter, I am sure, but what of all the months in London?”
“My library in London offers a quiet location to read as well.”
Caroline’s confusion was obvious in her next question. “But you receive invitations to dinners and reviews every night of the week, I am sure of it.”
“Indeed, but I never respond to any of them unless there is something of importance to the prime minister or the Countess of Matlock.”
“But when you marry, you and your wife will attend the glittering gatherings, surely.”
“No, my wife will enjoy reading by my side,” Darcy stated as a simple fact.
Caroline did not attempt to hide the disappointment on her face. When the footman returned with a teapot, everyone noticed the fresh tea served after dinner.
~~~
Chapter 6.Tea and Green Feathers
The third afternoon following the assembly, Louisa Hurst and Caroline Bingley called on Mrs Bennet at Longbourn. The Bennet sisters were with their mother in the parlour when Mr Hill announced the two visitors. All six Bennet ladies stood when the guests entered the parlour and were greeted warmly. However, Caroline sneered when she noticed the sisters were variously employed with mending garments or decorating bonnets with rooster feathers.
Mrs Bennet sat aside her knitting to welcome Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley and order a tea tray. While they waited, Mrs Bennet spoke at length about the lovely gown Miss Bingley had worn to the assembly. Caroline accepted Mrs Bennet’s compliments but looked uncomfortable receiving the accolades of the local gentlewoman. Mrs Hill, the Longbourn housekeeper, brought the tea tray herself, and Mrs Bennet summoned her daughters to serve the beverage. Jane and Mary poured, fixed, and delivered cups to Mrs Hurst, Miss Bingley, and Mrs Bennet before fixing cups for their sisters who remained at the table with their mending or bonnets. Then Jane and Mary joined their mother and the visitors to converse as they drank tea.
“Why do your other daughters not sit and speak with visitors, Mrs Bennet?” asked Caroline when she noticed that Elizabeth continued with her sewing, while Catherine and the youngest daughter remained at the table, working on bonnets.
“Miss Bingley, I assure you my girls take every opportunity to enjoy company,” answered Mrs Bennet.
Smiling gently, Jane explained, “There are garments to mend and bonnets to refresh, but with five sisters, we can crush visitors with questions. To prevent guests from beingoverwhelmed by our number, some of us come forward, and others hold back when there are only a few visitors.”
Mrs Hurst said, “That is very thoughtful of you, Miss Bennet.”
