]Earlier we learn that Darcy is expected at Pemberley with "a large party of friends", and Mr. Gardiner goes fishing with some of the men, but we never learn more about them. (I wonder where the ladies of the party disappeared to during the Gardiners' morning visit to Pemberley, or were the Bingley sisters the only women in the group?).

I believe that if Darcy had brought more people than the Bingleys, JA would have at least mentioned that there were other ladies/gentlemen there. Darcy brought only four people with him, but perhaps to Mrs. Reynolds that would mean a "large" party. (Four additional rooms to have ready, four more places at the dinner table, foor more people the footmen would have to wait on, etc.)