They walked in silence up the broad staircase, but when they entered Mary’s bedchamber, Elizabeth drew a small roll of notes from her pocket and handed it to her sister. “Put this in your reticule. It is part of my pin money, and I mean to spend it on you. We are likely to invite other local bachelors while we have guests, so you must look your best. What say you, Mary?”
Tears filled Mary’s eyes. “Lizzy, I rarely have new gowns. I cannot believe you are doing this for me.” She threw her arms around Elizabeth’s neck, and they embraced, holding each other for several moments.
When at last they drew apart, Elizabeth spoke in a low voice. “I believed you would oppose me in this.”
Mary shook her head. “No. All my gowns are plain, brown, and practical because Mama spends our pin money on Jane and Lydia. My dresses are made of the least expensive, coarsest fabrics out of necessity.”
Elizabeth was stunned. “I had no idea. Most of my gowns are hand-me-downs from Jane, so they are made of fine fabrics and pretty patterns. I always supposed you preferred practical gowns.”
Mary sat on the edge of the bed, weeping. “Yes, your hand-me-downs, if they survived, went to Kitty. Mama said they were too good for the likes of me.”
Elizabeth sat beside her and slipped an arm around her waist. “I thought I was the sister Mama disliked most. It seems there were two of us. Well, we are far away from her now. If you do not find a husband, you are welcome to live here with me for the rest of your life. But first, I will do all in my power to find you a suitable match.”
Elizabeth rose and studied her sister. “Mary, do you need your spectacles only for reading, or also for distance?”
“Just for reading,” Mary admitted.
“Then why wear them all day?”
“Out of habit,” she said. “I do not wish to break or misplace them.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth said. “We will stop at a jeweler’s and see if we can purchase a chain for your spectacles so that you can hang them around your neck, or perhaps we could purchase a clasp to pin them to your morning gown.”
Elizabeth crossed to her dressing room and opened the wardrobe. A few gowns hung neatly within. She turned to Mary. “I do not see one gown to salvage. These are only suitable for working in the stillroom or for tenant visits.”
The four young women made a merry company as they traveled toward Kimpton. Darcy had sent the two Miller brothers to accompany them for protection.
“Georgiana,” Elizabeth said, glancing across the carriage, “Fitzwilliam tells me you know the best modiste in Kimpton.”
Georgiana looked uncertain. “Elizabeth, we have always gone to Madame Mariana’s shop because Aunt Helen prefers her, but I cannot say I think much of Aunt Helen’s taste.”
Elizabeth’s brows lifted. “I have thought you prettily dressed, very elegant, and in a style that suits you.”
Georgiana smiled faintly. “I refuse to purchase my gowns in Kimpton when my aunt comes to visit. I always manage to fob her off so that she buys her own gowns, and I wait until I am in London when Fitzwilliam can accompany me. We manage quite well, for the modiste I use has an excellent eye for style and would never dream of letting me leave her shop ill dressed.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Oh dear, we are sorely in need of a skilled modiste. Is there another in Kimpton?”
“Yes, I believe there are three or four,” Georgiana replied.
Elizabeth turned to her maid, “Ellis, when we arrive, have Peter take you to the other shops so that you may learn which modiste is best.” The maid agreed. “We will stop at a few jewelry shops to search for a chain for Mary’s spectacles. Would a quizzing glass or lorgnette be appropriate for a young woman? She will need something for reading at home, something to wear in the drawing room when we have guests, and another for dinners or balls.”
Ellis said, “Mrs. Darcy, I would recommend both. The quizzing glass can be worn on a velvet ribbon or kept in her reticule, and the lorgnette will serve as an elegant accessory for evenings out.”
Miss Ellis studied the youngest Bennet sister. “You have very thick hair, Miss Mary. It is too heavy to dress elegantly. If you will allow me, I can trim and thin it a little so that we may style it in the same fashion as your sisters’. Would you permit that?”
Mary nodded, blushing faintly. “Yes, I should like to wear my hair more attractively.”
Ellis turned to Elizabeth. “Ma’am, have you decided who will act as your sisters’ maid while they stay at Pemberley?”
Elizabeth started. “I had forgotten! Forgive me, Ellis. Have you any recommendations?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ellis replied. “There is a young woman named Ruby who works in the scullery. She is kind, alert, and industrious, and most importantly, she keeps her own counsel. I believe she would serve your sisters well.”
“Excellent, Ellis. I will speak with Mrs. Reynolds when we return and ask that Ruby be reassigned to assist my sisters.”
“I will train her myself, Mrs. Darcy,” Ellis replied with satisfaction. “As I do for you, she will learn to do for them.”
When they reached Kimpton, Elizabeth directed Peter Miller, “Please drive Miss Ellis to each of the dressmakers in town. Robert will remain with us.”
