Miss Ellis accompanied Charlotte to the large haberdashery at Harpenden and asked the clerk to bring out the bottles of carmine and henna. Charlotte stood near the window while Ellis held up first one color and then another to her face and hair. At last, she selected a shade of henna that was several degrees darker than Charlotte’s hair and a tint of carmine that appeared to Charlotte to have no color at all. When Ellis purchased it with the money Elizabeth had given her, she applied the light stain to Charlotte’s lips and held up a small mirror for her to see.
Though the tint was hardly visible, it gave her lips definition. Charlotte saw that her lips were pretty. They were full and shapely, now that one could actually see them. She felt her eyes grow moist.
Ellis patted her hand. “You are a very attractive woman, Miss Charlotte, though your coloring does not help you. Mrs. Darcy is a stunning beauty because her long, dark lashes draw one’s attention to her eyes, and her brows frame them so that she is striking to behold. And her lips are naturally pink. But with these two little bottles, you will draw eyes as well.”
As they walked toward the bookstore to join the others, Ellis explained how to prepare the henna and how to apply it. When they entered the shop, Elizabeth looked up and gave her friend an enthusiastic embrace. “You are a beauty, Charlotte.” She stepped back and studied her from head to toe before turning to Ellis. “Do any of my gowns suit her coloring? She is sotransformed that I would like to gift her one to wear at Jane’s wedding.”
Ellis considered the question. “Your rose gown would suit her hair and complexion.” She plucked at the sleeve of Charlotte’s dress. “Miss Charlotte, this gown does nothing for you. You must avoid yellow, straw, puce, and brown. Ask the draper to show you fabrics with blue undertones. You may wear red, pink, green, and salmon, but the color must have blue undertones to keep it from draining your complexion. I am sorry, miss, but you look quite haggard in this shade.”
Charlotte sighed. “All my gowns are in the shades you mentioned. I did not know any better. I thought them neutral and practical.”
Ellis clucked her tongue sympathetically. “If you wear a fichu of the correct color, over your gown, next to your face, it will help. And if you cover these drab, life-draining gowns with a blue, red, or green pelisse and a matching bonnet, you will manage well enough until you can replace them.”
Charlotte turned to Elizabeth. “May I take Ellis to the draper so she can help me choose fabrics for three pelisses?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Have her show you which patterns suit your figure as well. A pretty color is only half the battle.”
When Elizabeth and Georgiana had finished their shopping in the bookstore, they joined Charlotte at the draper’s counter and listened as Miss Ellis explained how to determine which fabric colors would suit one’s complexion. She wrote down each color, determined to change her style. She purchased the fabric and pattern for one pelisse and one fichu to wear over her gowns until she could afford better ones.
During the drive home, her friend would remain for luncheon, after which Ellis would begin fitting and altering Elizabeth’s gown for her.
“Charlotte dear, I am determined that you shall be as pretty as Queen Guinevere, so that you may attract your own Sir Lancelot. Though in this case, there shall be no affairs. Everything shall be entirely proper.”
Charlotte sighed contentedly. “I do feel as pretty as a queen, and my formerly dull life seems quite turned upside down. I need only wait to meet my knight in shining armor, and all will be well.”
Elizabeth stood with Jane, and Mr. Darcy stood with Charles, as witnesses to the marriage. She watched her sister’s face as she recited her vows and felt grateful that all had ended well for her dear sister. Elizabeth thought, somewhat traitorously, that she could never abide living with a man like Charles, for his indecision would drive her to distraction. And in truth, her own pert opinions and strong character would likely drive him to an early grave.
Her eyes lifted to Mr. Darcy’s face. He was looking at her, perhaps remembering when they too had stood at this very altar only months before. So much had changed in that time. She smiled at him, and he returned her smile with one of his own. She saw his even white teeth and his dimples. He was happy, and she was grateful to acknowledge that she was happy as well.
When the ceremony was concluded, and the four of them moved to the register to enter the marriage lines, Darcy drew near and took her hand in his. After they had signed, they followed Jane and Charles down the nave and out of the church into the courtyard. The leaves were turning, and most of the fields hadalready been harvested. They were to remain in Meryton one more night before departing for London. Elizabeth wondered when she might next see her father.
She was standing in the church courtyard when Lydia came running up and threw her arms around her. Her little sister had grown over the summer and now looked down upon Elizabeth.
“I have grown, have I not, Lizzy?”
“You have, Liddie. You look very grown-up, and soon you will be sixteen. How is life in London?”
“I love it. Uncle and Aunt have taken me to the theater six times. I have also seen one opera and one ballet. I have been to visit many museums and art galleries, and to Vauxhall Gardens, and the Royal Menagerie. But I did feel sorry for the animals.”
At that moment, Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward reached them, and Elizabeth embraced them warmly.
“How is baby Aimee? And little Edward?” she asked.
They spoke together until most of the carriages were gone, and then Darcy drew near.
“I believe we have a clear road to Longbourn now. Nearly everyone has left for the house.”
Laughing together, they moved to their carriages and returned to Longbourn for Jane’s wedding breakfast.
When they arrived, Elizabeth surveyed the tables scattered in the courtyard and felt a thrill when she saw Mr. David Goulding, heir to the Goulding estate, seating Charlotte at a small table set for two. He had been away nearly five years with the East India Company. His countenance was swarthy from too muchsun, but he was an attractive man, perhaps two years older than Charlotte. From what Elizabeth could see, he was smitten.
She was smiling to herself when Darcy bent near and asked quietly, “What devilry are you about now, darling?”
She giggled. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, it is not devilry. I am performing a duty on behalf of Cupid. I believe my friend may have met her knight in shining armor.”
His gaze swept the courtyard, but when he failed to locate her friend, he asked, “You are speaking of Charlotte from the other day, or is this another friend? I do not see her in the courtyard.”
“Yes, sir, I am speaking of my friend Charlotte. She is the woman in the rose-colored dress, and the tall man seated beside her is the gentleman I believe will marry her, for he is quite smitten.”
