Elizabeth forced a smile. “As you see.”
Caroline rose and reached forward to tug at the loose bodice. “Why, my dear, your figure is quite boyish. You possess scarcely any bosom at all. You are quite flat-chested.”
She tittered. “No gentleman, not even one so kindly as Mr. Darcy, could be persuaded to overlook such a defect in a woman’s figure. I see nothing that could possibly recommend you to a man of wealth and status.”
Mrs. Gardiner sat in astonishment, her expression one of complete disbelief. Neither Elizabeth nor Georgiana found the words to answer her.
Then Miss Bingley did the unthinkable.
She extended her arm and tilted her glass. The wine trickled down the front of Elizabeth’s bodice and then soaked into the skirts of her gown.
Elizabeth started in surprise, but the act was done before she could draw back.
Miss Bingley watched the spreading stain with a look of cold satisfaction.
“There, you need never wear that particular gown again, for it is stained beyond repair. I will be certain to explain to Mr. Darcy that your carelessness sent you upstairs for the remainder of the evening.” She sniggered. “You will not be missed, I assure you.”
Elizabeth looked down at the dark fabric now clinging to her.
Miss Bingley continued, her voice edged with disdain. “I fear you cannot appear at dinner in such a state. Your bodice is quite soaked. It clings in a most improper way. One can almost see through the fabric.”
She regarded Elizabeth from head to foot with open contempt.
“That dress leaves very little to the imagination.” Her eyes narrowed on Elizabeth’s bosom. “Why, the fabric is nearly transparent. From where I stand, I can plainly see the form of your bosom, and no gentleman ought to be subjected to such a display.”
Elizabeth finally found her voice. She rose and met the malicious woman’s gaze.
“Which is it, Miss Bingley? Am I flat-chested, or do you now concede that I possess a bosom? You cannot maintain both arguments at once.”
Elizabeth glanced down and drew her shawl tightly across her bodice. Miss Bingley exaggerated. The fabric was far too heavy to become transparent, yet it clung to her curves, and she could hardly eat dinner in such a state.
Georgiana rose. “Come, Lizzy, to my room. Though you are shorter than I, I believe one of my older gowns may serve well enough. Come.”
She turned to Mrs. Gardiner. “If dinner is announced while we are away, will you kindly make our apologies and inform my brother that we shall not be long?”
Then she leaned toward Elizabeth and said in a low voice, “We shall take the servants’ stairs.”
She gestured toward the rear of the drawing room, opposite the entrance where the gentlemen still stood in conversation. The two young women slipped quietly from the room and hurried up the back stairs to Georgiana’s chamber.
As they ascended, the young girl could scarcely contain her indignation. “That woman is a perfect torment, Lizzy. I have long seen the calculation in her manner, but I never imagined she would behave with such malice.”
They stepped into the hall and hurried toward Georgiana’s room. Once inside, Georgiana called to her maid.
“Jenny, pray assist Lizzy with her gown while I find another for her to wear.”
The maid hastened into the bedchamber and stopped short. “Oh, miss, your dress is quite soaked.”
She began unfastening the buttons of the damp bodice while Elizabeth worked at those of the skirt. Her chemise and corset were also wet.
“I shall bring you fresh undergarments, miss,” Jenny said.
Before long, Elizabeth was dressed again in dry garments and wearing a lovely gown which Georgiana had outgrown. The young girl stepped back to admire the result.
“You truly are as pretty as a china doll, Lizzy, and the jonquil silk suits you perfectly. This gown is a year old, and I was shorter then. The length is perfect on you.” She stood back and looked over her friend. “Your figure is fuller than mine, but the gown drapes well. Come, or we shall keep everyone waiting for dinner.”
Elizabeth thanked Jenny for her help. “Please discard that dreadful gown. I hope never to see it again.”
“Yes, miss.”
