Georgiana turned to Jane. “Miss Bennet?”
“I should enjoy a cup of hot chocolate very much.”
She then looked toward Mrs. Gardiner. “And you, ma’am?”
“I should be pleased with a glass of canary, if I may.”
Darcy said, “I shall see to it, Georgiana. Pray attend to the Miss Bennets while I arrange the rest.”
When all had been attended, and refreshments had been served, Mr. Darcy joined the two gentlemen, and they fell into conversation.
Mrs. Gardiner and Jane sat apart and discussed the arrangements for the wedding breakfast. Georgiana settled next to her friend, “How do you fare, Lizzy? Are you falling ill?”
Elizabeth laughed and leaned closer. “I shall tell you, but you must promise to keep it a secret between the two of us.”
The young girl’s eyes widened.
Elizabeth loosened the shawl slightly and pressed her hand against the bodice where it puffed absurdly at the bosom. Her laughter threatened to escape again.
“Observe the calamity I am obliged to wear. It was the only dinner gown I could obtain in Meryton, and having had no occasion to wear it before tonight, I had no notion how large it would prove. Thus, I must endure it, for I have not the means nor the desire to purchase another dinner gown which I should likely never wear again.”
Georgiana examined the bodice and tugged at it. “It is exceedingly large, Lizzy. It is quite dreadful.”
She began to giggle, but then looked at Elizabeth with sudden concern. “I am not laughing at you, Lizzy, but this absurd dress...”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to suppress her own laughter. “Do not distress yourself, Georgiana. I can scarcely keep from laughing myself. Indeed, I believe that when I am old and gray,I shall recall this evening and recount the tale of the monstrous gown I was obliged to wear in the most elegant house in London, in the company of the best-dressed brother and sister in all the kingdom.”
This set them both to giggling.
It was then that the butler entered and announced Mr. and Miss Bingley’s arrival.
Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and made a droll face. “Miss Bingley was not expected, for she remained behind in Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth only drew her shawl more closely about her shoulders and prepared herself for whatever insulting remarks might follow.
Miss Bingley’s gaze fell upon Elizabeth, and she frowned as though silently asking what business had brought her there. Then she turned toward Mr. Darcy, slipped her arm through his, and pressed close beside him.
Elizabeth felt a sudden flare of anger. How dare that woman drape herself upon Mr. Darcy?
And then she watched as he disengaged himself from the woman’s grasp and stepped away.
Miss Bingley followed him with her eyes. Then she turned toward Elizabeth, who lowered her own gaze too late. She had been caught staring, and perhaps Miss Bingley had also seen her jealous ire.
Miss Bingley moved to sit beside Georgiana. The young girl was forced to shift closer to Mrs. Gardiner when Miss Bingley crowded her.
“Why, Miss Elizabeth, how came you to be invited to dine in Grosvenor Square? Surely you are in town only to purchase a gown for the wedding.”
Her eyes traveled deliberately over Elizabeth’s figure, noting every detail of the ill-fitting bombazine gown.
Elizabeth glanced down at herself and drew the shawl more closely about her shoulders, though the effort came too late. Miss Bingley’s lips curved with amusement.
“Why, Miss Eliza, that is not one of the mourning dresses you have worn in Hertfordshire. That must be the worst constructed dinner gown I have ever seen. Is it your own design?” she asked with a malicious laugh.
Georgiana gasped, and Mrs. Gardiner’s pained “Oh dear,” determined Lizzy to raise her eyes and wink at the two women.
Miss Bingley did not fail to observe the gesture.
“So, your gown is meant as a jest, is it?” she said with a laugh.
