Elizabeth was more active than her sisters, and thus had always been a fraction slighter.She was also less well-endowed with womanly curves than Jane and Lydia.Only Kitty had a similar figure to hers, and their tastes were so different that they rarely shared clothes.
Mrs.Gardiner’s maid marked the dress where it required a tuck, and Elizabeth gladly handed it over to her.She promised to have it ready in plenty of time to dress for dinner.
“I am so glad you like it, for I have something else to tell you.”
She led her nieces to her dressing room.
“Oh, Aunt!You didn’t!”
Mrs.Gardiner laughed delightedly.“I did!The entire wardrobe cost barely more than a few gowns.Madame was eager to be rid of it, and you know she owes me a favor.I told her we would take it all if you liked it.Oh, do not make that face, Lizzy!Your father sent your uncle funds for new gowns, and this was barely more.It is not every day one is courted by Mr.Darcy of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth was wavering.She hated to think of her aunt spending so much on her, but if the clothes had truly been inexpensive, and her father had sent money for them, she could not complain.And how lucky to find gowns already made up!They had found a similar gown for Jane once several years ago, and it had felt like winning a thousand lottery tickets.
“Very well, Aunt, I accept.”
Mrs.Gardiner squealed, though she would never admit to such an unladylike sound, and they began sorting through the clothing hanging in the dressing room.There were ballgowns, dinner gowns, and two more ornate gowns suitable for the theater.There were several walking dresses and those suited for morning calls.There were matching reticules, spencers, and a long pair of elegant gloves that fit perfectly.There was a cloak lined with soft satin, and more bonnets than she could count.
“I did not know Madame made bonnets,” said Jane.
“She does not make them, but she adorns the forms the milliner sends her.”
There were stockings, and stays and chemises, and a dressing gown so beautiful and soft that Elizabeth could not stop running her hand over it.
“Lizzy, this is …” Jane could not find the words to continue her sentence.
“I know, Jane.I cannot believe it myself.But I am so very relieved.Mr.Darcy is always so well put together.I would not like to appear dowdy beside him.”
“You could never look dowdy.”
Elizabeth gave her sister a look and Jane could not help but laugh.“Well, no one will dare call you dowdy now.”
“No, they certainly shall not.”
Elizabeth ran her hand along another gown and wondered how she would feel, adorned in such finery every day.Rather like she would feel as Mrs.Darcy, she imagined.What a wild thought!
The gown was ready in time for dinner, just as the maid had promised.Elizabeth was bathed, dressed, and coiffed with an attention for detail she had thought only to see on her wedding day.She had never been more well put-together, and the reflection in the mirror went some way to dispelling her nerves.
Mr.Darcy was in the drawing room when she entered with Jane and her aunt, and she had the pleasure of seeing him slack-jawed and wide-eyed for a full two minutes before he said anything.Jane and Mrs.Gardiner shared knowing smiles.Elizabeth could only blush and look to the floor, then thank Mr.Darcy for his compliment.At least, she thought it was a compliment.His voice sounded rather choked and his words were not entirely clear, but she felt that he was pleased by her appearance.
Soon they were in the carriage and on the way to Lady Hopewell’s townhome.
“Might you tell us a little about your family, Mr.Darcy?”asked Mrs.Gardiner as the carriage trundled through London.
“Of course.Lady Hopewell is my father’s younger sister.”
“Oh!I had thought we were going to the home of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s parents,” interjected Elizabeth.
“I apologize for the confusion.Colonel Fitzwilliam’s father is Lord Blackburn.He was my mother’s elder brother.”
“Is he older or younger than Lady Catherine?”asked Elizabeth.
“Lady Catherine is four years his junior.My mother was the second in her family.”
“I see.”Though she did not.Lady Catherine was terribly bossy for someone who had no younger brothers or sisters to order about.Or perhaps that was why she was so determined to direct her environment now?Elizabeth faced the window to hide her smile at the thought of Lady Catherine as a frustrated eight-year-old, desperately trying to get her elder brother and sister to listen to her.
“Lady Hopewell was my father’s second younger sister.He was the eldest in his family.Next is my aunt Helen Brigsby.She lives in Somerset with her husband—I do not know when we shall see her next.Then my aunt Lady Hopewell whom we shall see tonight.She is often in Town and is fond of entertaining.My father had a younger brother who joined the Navy.He moved to Upper Canada with his prize money when I was still at Eton and I have not seen him since.”
“How adventurous!I had not realized the Darcy family was so large,” said Mrs.Gardiner.
