Chapter 25
Elizabeth could not deny that she needed gowns—Mrs Macy had been exceedingly generous, but Elizabeth had needed very little in Weymouth—but it surprised her that Darcy and Saye would shop for them with her.
Saye was quite eager for the task, as he evidently considered himself a first authority on the fashionable world, but she could not imagine how Darcy would divert himself.
“It is quite tedious to shop for gowns, all the fittings and fabrics.”
“Then it shall be my task to entertain you while they fit you.”
“What will people think of a husband accompanying his wife to the modiste?”
Darcy smiled at her. “That he loves his wife so much he cannot bear to be parted from her?”
Elizabeth blushed and looked away.
As had been predicted, Saye’s dog, a Pomeranian whiter than Saye’s own starched cravat, immediately relieved himself on Darcy’s boot.
Darcy, having fallen victim to such mischief before, only scowled at his cousin and cleaned his Hessians with a handkerchief.
Before he could speak a syllable however, Bennet appeared.
Bennet, who was usually quite timid around dogs, was enraptured by Florizel and immediately fell to his knees to play with the pup.
Florizel was likewise enthralled by Bennet, and this forestalled any complaint on Darcy’s part.
They spent a good bit of time shopping over the next days.
Darcy insisted if Elizabeth saw something she liked, it would be purchased, and he was unyielding in the matter.
Left to her own devices, she would not have bought half as much, but she suspected that was why he wished to accompany her.
He seemed to derive some pleasure to see that she was, despite her protests, enjoying selecting new clothes and all the trimmings.
She was ever mindful of Lady Matlock’s encouragement to appear as though all were well with her marriage.
She took Darcy’s arm whenever possible, smiled, flirted—she hoped it was a convincing show.
Darcy appeared to be taken in by it and took some liberties—including kissing her on the street!
—that she bore with a feigned smile. She hated such pretence but understood the need for it.
Saye was, as promised, actively engaged in the process as well.
Although his tastes were more showy than Elizabeth might have tended towards, she could not deny that he had an eye for what suited her.
There was one gown in particular that was purchased on his direction—a deep indigo velvet with golden trim.
She thought it a bit overdone for a woman not being presented at court, but Saye assured her it was just the thing.
He then sent Darcy to the jewellers for sapphires, admonishing him not to purchase a ready-made piece but rather to order something.
Elizabeth felt awkward, knowing the costs involved and feeling rather uselessly fine, but Saye was not to be gainsaid and neither, it seemed, was her husband. She would be spoiled, and there was nothing to be done for it.
“Elizabeth?”
She turned, seeing a sweet, flaxen-haired beauty had entered the shop.
“Miss Goddard!” True pleasure bolted through her along with a little alarm.
Miss Goddard had been a friend in Weymouth, but what would she think now, seeing the husband so many had believed was dead?
She went to greet her friend, her mind trying desperately to recall what she had told the lady about her circumstances.
The ladies curtseyed to one another and then, after a small giggle, embraced. “How wonderful to see you. So far from Weymouth!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“I am here with my aunt. I think she is to be stuck with me until I find a husband.”
“You are new,” Saye announced, sweeping in from nowhere, Florizel barking madly alongside him. “Who is your aunt? Anyone?”
“Saye,” Elizabeth admonished. “Miss Goddard, allow me to present my cousin Viscount Saye. Saye, Miss Lillian Goddard.”
“Goddard?” Saye looked as if he were in deep thought. “Charlescoate Park. So that means your aunt must be…?”
“My mother’s sister,” Miss Goddard retorted. “I was not expecting to see you, Elizabeth, but I do hope—”
“So where do you stay in town? May I call?”
“I am sorry, sir, but I am simply not interested in someone who advances with all the dignity of a cheetah killing a zebra.” Miss Goddard turned to Elizabeth. “Good heavens, what relations you boast!”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth said with a weak smile. “In fact, I should like to speak more about that to you. Will you call on me? I shall make sure there are no rogues lurking about the place when you come.”
She spoke the direction quickly, and Miss Goddard promised to send a note. She left with a scowl in Saye’s direction. When the door closed behind her, Elizabeth turned to scold her cousin but stopped when she saw the expression on his face.
“Saye? If I did not know better, I would say you looked…” She glanced at her husband who had come to join them.
“Lovesick,” Darcy finished.
“I have met my wife.” Saye heaved an enormous sigh. “Really, Elizabeth, where have you been hiding such an enchanting creature?”
“You have offended her grievously,” Elizabeth admonished.
“Oh la, I did not.” Saye went to a nearby glass and examined himself critically. “Still as handsome as ever, yet she did not fall into me! Vixen! But it worked, I am in her thrall.”
“Her aunt is the Countess of Albion.”
“Really?” Saye stopped admiring his good looks and said, “Well, that is a connexion I would not mind having.”
“I do not think she liked you, Saye,” Darcy opined. “I was only here a minute or so but—”
“But nothing,” Saye replied smugly. “See if I am not engaged to her by the end of the month.”
It being September, the shops were busy, as the ladies of the ton visited town in autumn for new things for the festive season and to place orders for the forthcoming Season.
None, however, purchased nearly so much as Mr Darcy bought for his wife, and soon much of society was all in a twitter with rumours and speculation of the amount of money he had spent on her.
Miss Caroline Bingley, returned to town to visit her sister, heard more of it than she ever wanted to within the first day of her stay. She had funds sufficient for one gown—two if she chose her fabrics prudently—and her need for economy further increased her pique.
There was no question that Eliza Bennet had ruined her life.
A harmless prank! Nothing worse than what they had all done to one another at school, but now here she was, nearly a pariah in the society where she should reign as queen.
Her brother and his Miss Bennet gave her no money, and stupid Hurst drank all of his, so she was living off her own interest. Ridiculous.
She needed to marry, but how could she when she was stuck off in Scarborough all the time?
The only eligible gentlemen who came to Scarborough were in their sixth decade, minimum.
She entered the shops just after the Darcys and Saye had departed, and sat meanly listening to the effusions of the shop girls over Mrs Darcy’s selections, which were evidently the finest materials made into the most fashionable gowns.
The shop girls also had much to say of Mrs Darcy’s loveliness, mentioning her light figure specifically. It was utterly intolerable!
The unlucky girl who earned the task of assisting her was questioned mercilessly.
“I would imagine Mrs Darcy needs a new wardrobe as she can no longer fit into her other?”
“I am sure I do not take your meaning, ma’am”
“It can be so difficult for ladies to regain their figures after childbirth. You are young, but you will see one day.”
“Lord willing,” the girl agreed. “Raise your arms, please.”
“Is she much altered? I have heard her face is painfully thin and her complexion lacks brilliancy. I am sure I should hardly know her.”
“Her complexion seemed quite fine to me, ma’am.”
“She has never been very stylish, you know. It comes from being raised in the country with but few trips to town. I am sure you must have all struggled to entice her to choose the more fashionable items.”
“Not at all, I assure you. In fact, her selections were very elegant, first to last.”
“Well, it would certainly surprise me.” Caroline was quiet for a few moments.
“Her hair is always so-o-o extraordinarily untidy. I declare, I cannot think why—Oh!” Caroline shrieked as a pin poked into the sensitive skin under her arm. “Will you please have a care!”
The girl looked up, her face blank. “I do apologise. Perhaps I should work quietly to avoid further mishap.”
Caroline scowled and spent the rest of the fitting musing hatefully on how very much she despised Eliza Bennet and the fact that she was living the life that she, Caroline, was meant to have.
It should be she visiting the exclusive modiste for an untold number of fine gowns, richly decorated, and she who deserved the adoration of Darcy for having given him his heir.
Stupid Eliza Bennet. If only she had just died in the country.
That night, as Darcy’s valet readied him for sleep, his heart pounded furiously.
It had been a source of great astonishment that Elizabeth’s invitation to sleep in her bed was to be extended.
He had not thought it so, but when she casually had asked him whether he would be joining her as they retired, he was quick to agree.