The ladies listened to Jane’s account as they drank their tea and ate dainty ham sandwiches. Then, Mrs. Gardiner ordered the carriage, and shortly thereafter, they were conveyed toward the Strand to begin the necessary purchases.
Upon reaching the shop, Mrs. Gardiner directed Elizabeth and Georgiana to another part of the establishment with one of the seamstresses, while she herself remained with Jane.
“My dear, I still retain the funds your father entrusted to me upon your previous visit. We must provide you with fresh linens, corsets, drawers, chemises, night gowns, a wrap, and stockings. Come, we shall begin.”
Elizabeth, meanwhile, found herself impressed by Georgiana’s discernment in matters of dress.
“Am I to understand that you select all your own patterns, fabrics, lace, and trimmings?”
The young girl beamed. “Yes, I believe it to be a gift, Lizzy, and with years of instruction under a master, I have improved a great deal.”
“Then you must assist me, for I generally wear Jane’s cast-off gowns and have rarely been allowed to choose for myself.”
The two young ladies seated themselves and examined the patterns. Georgiana brought one with three-quarter length sleeves to Elizabeth’s attention.
“These will display your wrists to advantage, Lizzy. And the neckline may be cut somewhat lower, for your bosom is not so large as to require concealment. The line will be graceful.”
She then turned to the fabrics. “This blue or this rose would suit your complexion. Either would heighten the natural bloom in your cheeks without rendering you too pale or too ruddy. Do you desire lace or any ornament?”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “No. I prefer simplicity and clean lines. My mother would have adorned a horse’s saddle with lacehad Papa permitted it. She was inclined toward excess in such matters.”
Georgiana regarded her. “It may instead be that you possess an instinct for what suits you. You are not tall, and an unbroken line without ornament will give you height. I believe you shall be very pleased with the result.”
The young girl reached toward the excess fabric that gathered at Elizabeth’s waist and gave it a gentle tug. “The surplus cloth collects here and gives the appearance of fullness.”
Elizabeth turned toward the mirror and saw that her friend spoke truly. “I have not been in the habit of attending to my dress, for I have never had any choice in the matter. I must learn to take greater care in the future.”
Georgiana placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “You will look exceedingly well in your gown, for it is to be made especially for you. I believe the soft rose will suit you admirably. It brings warmth to your complexion and lends brightness to your lips and eyes.”
When Elizabeth had been measured and her chosen fabric set aside, she said, “We have finished before Jane, come help me select slippers and stockings.”
She and Georgiana proceeded into the adjoining room, where slippers, stockings, reticules, hats, and bonnets were displayed.
“And a new reticule,” Georgiana added. She approached a shelf and removed one from its place. “This would be most suitable. It is pearl white and will accompany a gown of any hue. If you decide on slippers in the same shade, they will provide a pleasing contrast to your dress.” She turned to Elizabeth. “Do you possess a short string of pearls, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I have only a small cross pendant which my father gave me upon my fifteenth birthday.”
“If I were to lend you one of my pearl necklets, would you consent to wear it?”
Elizabeth hesitated. “But my sister, the bride, has no necklace. I would not wish to be dressed better than her.”
Georgiana leaned nearer and spoke in confidence. “I have seen the necklace Mr. Bingley intends to present her. It is composed of fine diamonds and sapphires, in an elegant setting. They are not at all ostentatious and perfectly suited to a country wedding. You may therefore borrow my pearls without hesitation. They will complement this reticule and your gown beautifully. Come, we must select stockings and shoes.”
When Elizabeth’s purchases were complete, she said, “There is time, so that we might cross the street and look into the bookseller’s shop. They carry music as well, Georgiana. It is small compared with Hatchards, yet we may pass the time while Jane concludes her business.”
They spent the next hour in the shop. Both selected sheet music, and Elizabeth was persuaded by the clerk to consider a newly published volume.
“Ma’am,” he said, “if you seek a fresh author, this work has but recently appeared and has met with considerable favor. It has the additional distinction of having been published anonymously by a lady.”
Elizabeth asked, curious. “Indeed, sir? A novel written by a lady? And it enjoys success?”
“It does. My patrons inquire frequently whether I have intelligence of her next publication.”
He retrieved the book from the shelf, and the two young ladies examined it together.
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. “I like it. I shall purchase it, and we may sit in a quiet corner of the modiste’s establishment and begin reading at once.”
They returned to Gracechurch Street by five o’clock and were shown into the drawing room, where Mr. Darcy awaited them.
