Mr Hayward called at Gracechurch Street the following evening. The case that had consumed so much of his time had finally concluded to his advantage, and his mood was jaunty.
‘The details are tedious, and I will not bore you with them – but suffice to say I’m pleased with both the result and myself, as I feel my client could not have had one without the other.’
‘I trust you made him properly aware of his double good fortune?’ asked Mr Gardiner, who had strolled into the drawing room to offer both his congratulations, and a glass of wine.
‘I’m afraid I did. A barrister in search of briefs cannot afford to be modest. Someone must sing his praises, even if it is only himself.’
As they raised their glasses to toast his success, Mary studied Mr Hayward with covert approval. He was so quick, so witty, so clever, she thought, so much more estimable in every way than Mr Ryder. There really could be no comparison.
‘You have been much missed, Tom,’ announced Mrs Gardiner, ‘but you must not think we have been solitary in your absence. Your friend Mr Ryder has been on hand to entertain us.’
‘Well, that is his particular gift – and his days are far more his own than mine – he has nothing to pursue but his own pleasure. Which brings me quite neatly to the object of my visit. Ryder intends to give a small dinner, and has asked me to discover if the three of you might be persuaded to come? He won’t embarrass you with an invitation if it would be unwelcome.’
Mrs Gardiner put down her glass, her expression a little wary.
‘Do we know who else will be there?’
‘I think it will be quite a select affair. To be honest, his apartments, while they are handsome, are not very large.’
‘I imagine the Hursts and Miss Bingley will be amongst the other guests?’
‘It is not very fair to put Tom to such a question,’ ventured her husband. ‘He can hardly answer for Ryder’s guests.’
‘I think it quite likely that they will be asked,’ admitted Mr Hayward. ‘Do you have any objection to them?’
‘I cannot say I find Miss Bingley much to my taste,’ Mrs Gardiner replied.
‘I’m sure we should not be obliged to spend any more time with her than politeness requires,’ observed Mr Gardiner soothingly. ‘Come, Mary, what do you say? Shall we oblige Mr Ryder with our presence?’
Mary could see her aunt would have been relieved if Mary had said she preferred not to attend, but she was reluctant to refuse. She was more experienced now in the arts of sociable dining, and had come to enjoy her place at the Gardiners’ table, listening happily to the lively conversations and sometimes contributing to them herself. It would be exciting to attend a dinner somewhere other than Gracechurch Street. Why should Miss Bingley’s presence deny her that pleasure?
‘It seems rather hard that Mr Ryder should be refused because we don’t find all his acquaintances agreeable. I am quite prepared to brave Miss Bingley’s presence if everyone else is prepared to do so with me.’
‘Very well, I bow to your wishes,’ replied Mrs Gardiner. ‘If you can face an evening in Miss Bingley’s company, I’m sure I can do the same.’
‘I think you may tell Mr Ryder that if he sends in his invitation, we will be pleased to accept,’ said Mr Gardiner, opening another bottle of the hock.
Mr Hayward lifted up his glass as invited, to have it refilled.
‘I’m very pleased to hear it; but I’m sorry to hear that any friends of Ryder’s should be so unmannerly that courage is required to endure their company!’
‘Ah, Tom,’ declared Mrs Gardiner, ‘if all of us were perfect, what would we have to talk about? Mr Gardiner and myself are immune to any darts the lady may choose to send in our direction. And as Mary has declared herself equal to the challenge, I’m sure we will all do very well. Though you must promise, Mary, to come and find me if her teasing becomes unbearable. She will be no match for us both, I can assure you of that.’