7. Chapter 6:From the overflow of the heart

Chapter 6: Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks

Neither willing to insult his lady guests nor give Wickham the opportunity to escort his sister, Darcy handed Georgiana to Bradley. Taking Mrs. Cooperton's ample arm, the young gentleman watched as the other ladies were claimed by their escorts. Lackely approached Caroline and was received with a gracious smile. Bingley offered Rebecca his hand and was similarly accepted. Edwards nodded to Wickham, contented to know that Wickham had no access to any of the unmarried women.

The dining room glittered, candlelight sparkling off the mirrors and polished metals in the room. The long mahogany table already held a bounty of dishes displaying the best efforts of Pemberley's able staff. Rich red walls added warmth to the atmosphere, seeming to enhance the tempting smells that filled the air. The crackling fire in the elegant fireplace drove the last vestiges of the spring chill to the room, completing its welcoming aura.

"This is the kind of table Pemberley saw when your dear mother was here," Mrs. Cooperton whispered to her escort. "She and your father would be proud. They would have honored this occasion too." She smiled up at him warmly.

"Thank you." Darcy blushed under the praise.

Georgiana glanced unhappily over her shoulder to see George Wickham at the rear of their party. I so wanted to sit with him as well. Now I will not have the opportunity to speak with him as I had hoped. She sighed a little unhappily.

The gesture was not lost on Bradley, who immediately noticed her attentions toward the attractive young man. I wonder if young Darcy realizes he has already gone to work on his sister? The vicar glanced back as well, with a look of warning clear in his blue eyes. You will not have her, if it costs me everything, you will not.

"Mr. Darcy!" Caroline gushed upon seeing the elegant room. "I have rarely seen a room appointed with such good taste!" Her eyes danced about the room enthusiastically. How much more exquisite could this room become with the touch of a mistress' hand? Charles was correct, we two have very similar tastes.

Darcy escorted Mrs. Cooperton to the place of honor beside him at the head of the table. Since the table lacked a hostess, it was understood that Bradley would sit to Darcy's other side. As the rest of the guests arranged themselves at the table, Cooperton, Bradley and Edwards entered a silent collusion to insure that Wickham sat well away from the unmarried ladies and that Georgiana and her friend were seated together. *

Taking his place at the head of the table, Darcy nodded his quiet approval Their host cleared his throat. "On this occasion, it would seem most appropriate that I ask our new vicar to bless this meal." His broad smile enhanced his handsome features.

Georgiana caught Wickham's eye and rolled hers. He smiled bravely at her. How can my brother be so unfair to poor George? He should be the one we are honoring right now.

Bradley nodded at his host, then bowed his head. His rich, warm baritone filled with room. "We thank you, our Heavenly Father, for friends and family and food. In Your Grace you have allowed us to gather to celebrate Your Goodness to us all. We are humbly grateful. Amen."

A brief silence followed. Cooperton's affectionate laugh broke it. "You have once again revealed why we all hold you so dear! What is there not to love about a short winded clergyman?"

They all laughed, Bradley loudest of all.

How vulgar. Caroline turned aside to offer a sour expression to her brother. He glared briefly at her. Insufferable! Charles seems to see nothing wrong with such improper humor! Such company is bad enough, a steward's son and a cleric! But now to joke about it?

Darcy rose to begin carving a large joint of beef.

"You may laugh, Cooperton," Bradley began, glancing at his company, "but that reminds me of a very important lesson I learned at Cambridge."

At least he had a gentleman's education. That is something to be grateful for.

"And what would that lesson be sir?" Bingley asked gamely, his own warm smile matching the vicar's.

"That a man of too many words is usually a man of too little sense." Blue eyes glittered in the candlelight.

"Reverend Bradley!" Mrs. Cooperton exclaimed, fanning her face with her hand to cover her broad smile.

"Is it not said that even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent?**" Bingley remarked cheerily as he served the ladies beside him from the dishes nearby.#

"Indeed! Indeed!" Cooperton agreed heartily, performing the same service for Caroline.

"Charles!" Caroline reproved with a hiss. "My brother means no insult…" She turned to the vicar on her right. It does not suit to insult our host's guest like that, even if he is only a clergyman!

"There is no offense, Miss Bingley, I assure you," Bradley quickly soothed. "Your brother is only too correct. You cannot judge a man simply by the number of words that come from his mouth alone. By our words will we be acquitted, and by our words we will be condemned.+" He suppressed the urge to glance down the table toward Wickham. "So one is wise to count them carefully."

Cooperton and Edwards caught one another's eyes before taking a fleeting look at the steward's son.

"A man is only as good as his word, is he not?" Darcy's deep voice seemed to resonate in the room. "My father often repeated that lesson."

"Indeed he did," Cooperton quickly agreed. "In fact, I remember once when you were just a young man…"

Darcy looked aghast. "No sir," he firmly declared. "While I am host at this table, we will not engage in reviewing my boyhood foibles!" Although his words were stern, the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his mirth.

At the other end of the table, Georgiana leaned toward her friend and whispered, "How can he insult my brother like that! How can he be so rude at our table?"

"Dearest, you are too easily distressed. Why must you continue to take offense on behalf of others? Can you not see that they are joking?" Rebecca laid a gentle hand on her friend's arm.

Georgiana's dainty lips pressed into a pout. "I do not think it proper to be joking about their host."

"Your brother does not seem to mind. Look, do you not see him smiling?" Miss Lackley glanced up to Darcy. He is indeed a handsome man. I wonder if he could ever see me as more than his sister's friend. Somehow, I think not. She sighed.

"I do not see his own behavior as so very proper tonight either. Have you not seen the way he is ignoring poor George at the end of the table?" The younger woman insisted petulantly.

"He is sitting at the far end table! Calling across such distances is rude!" Rebecca's patience was wearing thin. Perhaps he should not have allowed her to attend dinner tonight. She does not seem to be herself in this company. I wonder why, but I fear I have a good idea.

Overhearing the young ladies, Edwards frowned to himself. Sadly they are right. It is not appropriate to be discourteous, even to him. "So Mr. Wickham, what brings you back into our neighborhood after such a long absence?" The question sounded forced even to him.

Wickham turned to regard the grey haired man. "I had heard that Reverend Harris had passed."

"You came to pay your regards?" Lackley asked, now taking his share of the conversation.

"No," Georgiana cut in.

Rebecca turned to her friend horrified at her rudeness. "Georgiana!" she whispered. I have never seen her so ill mannered. She must know that she cannot speak out so!++

Ignoring the harsh look of her friend and the discomforted glances of Lackley and Edwards, Georgiana persisted. "He was promised the living that Mr. Bradley was given."

A hush fell over the table. None could ignore the grave expression that fell over Darcy's face at his sister's transgression.

Quickly Bradley jumped in, "My dear, Mr. Wickham has not yet taken orders. The living would have to remain vacant and the parish unattended for quite some time if Mr. Wickham were to have it." He has corrupted her thinking! How has he managed to spend time with the girl? Surely her brother would not have permitted it.

"I do not see how it is so very bad a thing that the parish should be without a rector." Georgiana persisted, oblivious to the appalled stares around her.

Wickham turned his face away from the rest of the diners to smirk quietly. Lackley forced his expression to remain neutral as he watched the man on his left, disapproving of what he saw. Noticing Lackley's attention, Wickham quickly schooled his features into a more proper expression of alarm. Wide eyes affected innocence as he turned back to his host shaking his head in protest.

"Except for Sundays, what does the vicar really do? Visit the sick and console with the old? Are those not done by the mistress of the estate as well? Is it so bad if those go unattended for a time?" A girlish frown creased her face as she turned to stare accusingly at her brother. "As for reading sermons…"

"Georgiana!" Darcy rebuked sharply, an angry vein protruding from his forehead.

Surely he would not expect the mistress of his home to attend to such things? To visit tenants -- sick ones at that? Surely he would never…would he?" Caroline added her own look of horror to the others on display at the table. His taste is surely elegant and the estate very fine, but if that is what he expects of its mistress, it would come at a very high cost indeed.

"It is all right," Bradley softly said, laying a hand on Darcy's forearm.

"No, sir, it is not. Clearly being in company has proven to be too much excitement for her." He stared apologetically at his vicar for a moment. Turning to his sister, he glowered.

He's never looked at me that way before! What have I done? The young woman lost the color in her cheeks. He's just a vicar after all. Aunt and Uncle Matlock say my brother thinks far too much of him for his own good.

"You may return to the nursery, Georgiana. I will speak to you in the morning." Darcy's pronouncement startled his company.

She opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed it upon meeting her brother's eyes. Tears sprang to the young girl's big blue eyes. Hurriedly she jumped to her feet and fled the room.

Shaking her head, Rebecca wondered what to say. How could you say such a thing and embarrass your brother so? And for the steward's son?

"Please, forgive my sister," Darcy turned, embarrassed, from Bradley to the rest of his company.

"Do not trouble yourself, my friend," Bradley smiled.

"The young do not always know of what they speak," Cooperton added, sharing a meaningful glance with his wife.

She nodded soberly at her husband. I will have a talk with her. The girl is old enough to know the truth now. It seems she has been left to her own, without a Mother's guidance, for too long. Forgive me Anne.

From the foot of the table, Wickham watched Darcy's discomfort with dark satisfaction. You cannot so easily dismiss me, old chum. Though you have made sure all here remember I am only the son of your father's steward, I will be certain you remember your father's promises to me, one way or another. He promised me the life of a gentleman. I will have that. I will have what I deserve, Darcy. You have no choice but to give it to me. I will see to it.

Darcy rang the silver bell, sighing when his servants appear to clear off the dishes from the first course and bring in the second. He could not help but be relieved that the conversation ebbed in the wake of their service. What has gotten into her? I have never seen my sister behave this way before. Tonight of all nights. How could she dishonor Bradley this way? How could she shame all of us with such conduct?

"Mr. Darcy," Caroline's nasal voice pierced through his distracted reverie, "you set such an elegant table, sir. Without a mistress, I must ask you, who plans your menus for you?"

For once he welcomed such an inane question, glad to leave more serious considerations behind. "Mrs. Reynolds, my housekeeper. She has been in this household since I was a child and was my mother's most trusted aid. She carries on the traditions of my mother."

"She does it so well, Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Cooperton agreed. "Anne set such a beautiful table for her guests. Mrs. Reynolds has kept her ways alive and well despite her being gone all these long years. The touch of a good mistress can linger long in her absence."

"I believe my sister is looking forward to soon being mistress of my estate," Bingley glanced at his sister with warm amusement. "I expect she hopes to set as fine a table as this someday."

"So you have recently purchased an estate?" Lackley asked, a little relieved to be able to enter the conversation finally. "I have only recently purchased my own in this neighborhood."

"Truly?" Bingley grinned to find himself in like company. "I am just now in the market for one. Here I thought myself to be in the company of only old landed families like Darcy here."

Brushing his unruly hair from his face, Lackley shook his head. "I only wish that were so, but alas it is not. My own family just recently joined the gentry themselves. It was my father's dying wish…"

"Likewise my own!" Bingley exclaimed. "A kindred spirit indeed!"

"I thought that you and Lackley might have much to discuss, Bingley," Darcy finally admitted. "I believe his insight could prove valuable to you this season."

"Always looking out for me Darcy! I should very much like to talk with you Lackley."

"Then I must have you to tea and to tour my estate!" the young man readily agreed. "What say you, perhaps in two days? Give my sister a chance to practice as hostess herself?"

Rebecca blushed warmly under her brother's fond gaze. "I would be honored for your company, sir. Perhaps your sister might join you as well?" Expectant hazel eyes turned toward Caroline.

Startled from her own thoughts, Miss Bingley took a moment to reply. "Yes, certainly. Thank you." So he has not been landed long. I wonder how his estate compares to Pemberley. Surely it cannot be nearly so grand. He is very much like my brother though. That is not entirely a bad thing. His sister is very young, in her first season perhaps? She will not be unmarried long. I am sure. Especially if her dowry is ample. She glanced back at her host. I wonder if he is considering her? She is quite young, though. Certainly not up to the standards his mother set. Mrs. Cooperton seems to be making that clear. No, I think he will want a more mature woman to host his table. Yet, what of her dowry? That could sway him. I have heard nothing about that. I will have to find out. What impact will that have on her brother's estate? Will it unsettle his prospects? Or has he planned for its loss? You see father, you taught me more than you thought. Smiling to herself, she turned her eyes on Lackley now. He is a well looking enough man, but he can't be much older than Charles. His disposition seems easy, though. That might not be a bad thing. I wonder what his estate is like?

Caroline was left alone to her considerations for several minutes while the servants cleared the second course to bring in dessert and pour the sweet wine.

"You are far too kind!" Bradley exclaimed, noting the dishes that now graced the large table. "I am sure Mrs. Reynolds had no idea of my favorites. It is no coincidence that I see them all set before me."

Darcy blushed and smiled at his guest, a hint of sadness still in his expressive dark eyes. He rose to his feet and lifted his crystal glass. "A toast to our faithful friend."

"Here, here!" Edwards and Cooperton called in agreement, rising themselves, followed by the rest of the company.

"To Bradley. May his wisdom guide yet another generation in Derbyshire." Darcy raised his glass high.

"To Bradley." His guests agreed and sipped their wine.

The man himself looked down humbly, warmed by the affection of his friends. "If the good Lord wills it, I hope to know your children and grandchildren as well." I dearly hope we can set his sister to rights first though. I cannot let her father down. I promised to watch over her. How badly have I failed her?

The diners enjoyed the array of sweets Pemberley's kitchens provided, bringing the meal to a close.

Darcy noted his guests were sated, nodding to himself. "Since we have no hostess tonight, shall we all repair to the drawing room?" he offered, rising once more.

Poor man. Caroline looked sadly at the handsome gentleman. He so regrets the lack of a mistress. Surely he could use the solace a competent, accomplished woman could provide. Perhaps he just needs a little help to see that. She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. But just what would he demand from her?

His guests rose. Taking Mrs. Cooperton's arm, Darcy led them from the dining room back to the drawing room. In pairs the guests filed out behind them, until Edwards and Wickham were left.

"After you sir," Wickham graciously bowed as Edwards walked through the door ahead of him. While Edwards followed the others towards the drawing room, Wickham turned down another corridor, unnoticed by the rest of the party.

*Regency Encyclopedia-At this time, guests at parties were not assigned seats for meals. Seating was determined by chance and no attempt was made to alternate men and women at the table.** PR 17:28#Regency Encyclopedia- It was not good form to ask a neighbor to pass a dish. It was equally bad manners for the ladies to help themselves; they had to be served by the gentlemen.Mt 12:37Regency Encyclopedia-Prior to coming out, if a girl happened to be at the dinner table with adults, she was expected to remain quiet and to speak only when asked a question.