Colonel Foster inclined his head. “I will inform you as soon as we learn more.”
The gentlemen thanked him and took their leave.
***
That morning Anne asked Elizabeth if she might accompany her to the dressmaker in Meryton. Though the request seemedordinary, Anne smiled shyly and said, “I think I should like to choose for myself.”
Elizabeth readily agreed, though she suspected their walk through Meryton would not pass unnoticed. News of the fire at Longbourn had spread quickly, and she had not yet ventured into the town since that night.
Her expectations proved correct. Before they had gone far along the street, they were greeted by several acquaintances eager to express sympathy and to hear some account of what had occurred. Elizabeth answered their inquiries with patience, assuring them that the family had been fortunate that no lives were lost, though the house had suffered greatly.
Elizabeth suspected that Anne missed very little.
When at last they reached the dressmaker’s door, Anne paused only a moment before entering, then proceeded without seeking guidance.
Inside the shop, Mrs. Turner stepped forward. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. Turner. This is my friend, Miss de Bourgh.”
Mrs. Turner curtsied politely. “Good morning, Miss de Bourgh. How may I assist you ladies this morning?”
Elizabeth glanced toward Anne.
Anne smiled. “I require some new dresses. Something quite unlike this, I think.”
Mrs. Turner nodded and walked slowly around Anne, studying her figure with a professional eye.
“You have a very slight frame, Miss de Bourgh. I should recommend styles that are more elegant in line. They will suit you extremely well.”
Anne’s expression brightened at once, with a degree of animation Elizabeth had seldom seen in her. “That sounds wonderful.”
The next hour passed in a pleasant bustle of fabrics and fashion plates. Anne was measured, several materials were selected, and by the end of it she had ordered half a dozen dresses.
Mrs. Turner smiled approvingly. “We should have two of them completed within three days.”
Anne laughed. “I can hardly wait to show them to my mother.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am quite certain it will be memorable.”
***
When Anne and Elizabeth entered the drawing room, the rest of the Bennet family were already assembled. They crossed the room and took seats near Mr. Darcy.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet sat near the fireplace, conversing quietly. The sight surprised Elizabeth, for her father rarely joined the family at tea. Mrs. Hurst occupied the sofa beside her husband, idly turning the pages of a book of fashion plates.
Miss Bingley was pouring tea and attending to the company with such cheerful animation that Elizabeth wondered whether the tea had been strengthened with something more spirited than usual.
Elizabeth accepted her cup. “Thank you, Miss Bingley. You appear especially cheerful today.”
Miss Bingley laughed as though the remark were particularly diverting. Elizabeth took a cautious sip but detected nothing unusual.
Soon Lady Catherine de Bourgh entered the room with Mr. Collins and seated herself with her usual air of authority.
Elizabeth hid her smile behind her teacup as she watched Miss Bingley move about the room like a butterfly, pouring tea and pressing cakes upon the company with tireless enthusiasm.Glancing toward Mr. Darcy, she saw that he too appeared amused. Their eyes met briefly, and they shared a small smile.
Lady Catherine noticed the silent exchange but offered no remark.
Elizabeth turned to Anne. “My good friend Charlotte Lucas is to be married tomorrow morning. Would you care to join us?”
