She was worth too much to him now.He would not let her go—not for anything, and not for anyone.
“I heard you are planning a trip to The Lakes this summer and that you plan to stop in Derbyshire for some days.”
“That is right,” said Mr.Gardiner, thrown off by the sudden change of topic.They had been speaking of the Gardiners’ oldest son attending school soon.
“I would be pleased for you to stay at Pemberley while you are in the area.”
Mr.Gardiner was taken aback.“That is very generous of you, Mr.Darcy.”
“Please, call me Darcy.”He stole a glance at Elizabeth and saw she was watching them carefully.
“You may call me Gardiner.”
Mrs.Gardiner rose then to lead the ladies out and as Elizabeth passed him, she grasped his hand for a brief moment, a beguiling smile directed solely at him.
He sighed in relief.He had fixed what was wrong, and she was his again.
Wednesday, You Dreadful Day
“Thiswillnotdo.”Elizabeth threw a pink gown onto the bed, on top of the pile of gowns already there.
“What about the green?It brings out the flecks in your eyes,” suggested Jane.
“It is two years old and has been laundered more times than I care to think about.It is a favorite, but I do not think it appropriate for meeting a countess.”
“I am sure we will think of something.Aunt is only a little taller than you.She has said you may borrow one of her gowns.”
“I had not wanted to do so, but it may be necessary.Oh, why must you be so tall and elegant so that I cannot share in your new gowns!”
They laughed together.Jane had ordered several new things when she came to Town, as they usually did.Part of Mr.Gardiner’s import business included fabric, and he was a source of quality cloth the Bennets were happy to take full advantage of.Jane would look lovely at dinner in her new blue silk evening gown, but Elizabeth was the one on trial, and she was no closer to finding something suitable than she had been a half hour ago when they began their search.
Just then, Mrs.Gardiner came bustling into the room.“Girls!You will never believe my good luck!”
“What has happened?”asked Jane.
“I stopped in at Madame Claudine’s to pick up my new dress this morning, and look what I found!”
The maid behind her held up an elegant evening gown in a soft yellow, tiny crystal beads sewn onto the bodice.
“Aunt, did you have this made?”
“No, and that is the lucky part!As I was trying on my gown, Madame told me about a young lady who had had a new wardrobe made up for the Season, then at the last moment, the lady decided not to come to Town, and not to pick up her order.Madame was terribly put out, as you can imagine, and I could not help but notice that the gowns looked very near to Lizzy’s size.She compared the measurements and you are surprisingly similar.With a tiny bit of adjustment, this gown will fit as if it were made for you.”
“Aunt, you didn’t!”
“I most certainly did!No niece of mine will go into an earl’s house feeling underdressed.I am not married to the best fabric supplier in London for nothing.”
Elizabeth could not help but be relieved as she touched the delicate silk of the gown.It truly was perfect.The style and cut were those she favored, and the color would be flattering on her.She had not liked to think of it, but she was nervous about meeting Mr.Darcy’s family.His sister was easily the most important person in the world to him, even more than herself, and she knew he took his duty to his family very seriously.She would not like to fail such an important test.
“Aunt, you have saved me!”
“Say that after you have tried it on.”
In short order, Elizabeth was taken out of her day dress and had slipped into the new gown.“I am afraid to move for fear of breaking such a delicate concoction.It is lovely.”
She twisted slowly in the mirror, looking at the intricate bead work around the neckline, and the way the back fell slightly longer than the front, almost but not quite a train.
“It fits beautifully!A tiny tuck in the bodice and it will be perfect.”
