Page 70 of Master of Netherfield
“There is war raging on the continent Caroline,” Charles reminded his sister. “The only Englishmen travelling around Europe today are spies and ambassadors. Mr Hurst is wise not to take our sister to France or to Italy. Armies marching back and forth across the landscape would hardly make for a suitable honeymoon.”
“Napoleon is so boring,” Caroline replied. “And who were those people you stopped to speak with?”
“That is my good friend Mr Darcy...”
“Mr Darcy!” exclaimed Caroline aloud as every head in the shop turned her way.
**++**
Elizabeth fought unsuccessfully to keep the smile from her face as she had her heart’s desire seated beside her. She poured and fixed his tea just as he liked it, made certain the plate of biscuits was placed just right before him and Georgie who chatted about dresses, letters and music. Fitzwilliam Darcy had walked into the tea shop, tall and handsome, caring for his sister as always; Elizabeth’s breath had failed her for a moment at seeing him for the first time in many months. She had read his letters to her father and kept each postscript written to her in a memory box in her room. She knew Georgie shared each of her letters with her brother and their second-hand correspondence had become very important to her.
Seated beside her at the table, he had asked for details on the turkeys she mentioned–it was fashionable to serve turkey at political dinners this season and to save the goose for the holidays. Perhaps it was a littletoo ‘familiar’ for them to discuss poultry, but it was a conversation possible after their friendship of many years.
“How fare the turkeys in Hertfordshire this spring, Miss Elizabeth?”
“They are well,” she replied. “The hens hatched out an even dozen in May and then another brood in June. We keep them penned to grow and fatten.”
“That is well but what of my political dinners next week? My cook cannot serve poults at the table,” Darcy lamented sorrowfully.
Rolling her eyes with great drama, Elizabeth explained, “We have three tom turkeys that would have been sent to Netherfield last year for Christmas and I am certain Mama will send them to London for your table. Mr Hill can catch them and send them to your kitchen door here in town.”
Grinning to have successfully teased Miss Elizabeth so, Darcy asked, “Would you be so good as to write to your mother and ask for the turkeys then? I know for a fact that the prime minister is fond of the bird at the dinner table.”
“They will be delivered to your London house by Saturday sir,” she replied. “A trio of turkeys is a pittance against what we owe the Prime Minister. The man deals with fools and politicians all day as my father, and you have often said. If he wishes to dine on foolish birds at night, it is the least we can do for him.”
William grinned and said, “I have missed your wit, Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana and I shall return to Netherfield in a few weeks, and I am determined not to travel out of the county for many months thereafter!”
“I have enjoyed my visit in town, but I also look forward to returning to Longbourn next week,” Elizabeth agreed.
“Are you excited about the presentation to Her Majesty and the ball?”
“Of course,” she said and then sighed. “There are so many wonderful things happening in my life that I do not have time to think!”
“I am certain your presentation will go well,” Darcy told her. “And I wanted to ask I might have the pleasure of the first set on Friday night?”
“Oh yes!” Elizabeth replied as her eyes sparkled with pleasure.
“And Miss Bennet, perhaps you would give me the second set?”
“Thank you, sir, I shall,” Jane replied. “My uncle has asked for my first set and the second with Elizabeth.”
“Mr Gardner and I discussed your dances,” Darcy explained.
“Were you worried we would not be asked to dance?” asked Elizabeth pretending to be affronted.
“No, we wanted to make certain we were able to dance with you before the young men of the ton descended upon the lovely ladies from Hertfordshire,” Darcy replied as Georgiana giggled and the Bennet sisters blushed.
At just that moment, the blonde headed woman at Mr Bingley’s table screeched out ‘Mr Darcy!’ and Elizabeth saw the man beside her cringe as the heads all turned in the direction of that table.
**++**
“Charles, you must introduce me to him!” demanded Caroline.
“In a tea shop Caroline?” asked Charles. “That is hardly what I would expect of you. Would you not prefer to be introduced for the first time at the ball on Friday night?”
“Introduce me now so I may secure a dance set with him,” she insisted.
“I think you should wait...”
