Chapter 37 Shopping for a Wedding Gown
The following day, Mr. Bennet sat in the drawing room with his two daughters, awaiting Mr. Darcy’s arrival. He had taken a seat in the corner with the newspaper in hand, though he listened with half an ear as Jane spoke of the purchases yet to be made.
“Lizzy, I know you dislike shopping, but I saw no slippers at Clara’s that pleased me, nor a bonnet suitable for the ceremony. I am considering a veil instead.”
Bennet lowered his paper and regarded Elizabeth. “My dear, you look as fatigued as I feel. I slept poorly and bear the marks of it. And you, Lizzy, wear an expression of decided discontent. I had believed all women delighted in shopping.”
Elizabeth turned toward her father, her lips pinched. “Not this woman, Papa. Were it not that I must be fitted this afternoon, I would remain at home with my new book.”
He laughed. “I intend to call at Hatchards while I am in London. Shall I collect you on my return? It would spare Jane and Maddie your countenance and allow them to shop in peace.”
Elizabeth considered. “If you would, sir, I should be very grateful. I confess I do not relish sitting in a corner of a shop, listening to endless discourse on the price of muslin or the weave of worsted.”
He smiled. “Very well. Do you suppose your fitting will be concluded by three?”
“I believe so, sir. Clara conducts her establishment with efficiency.”
“Then it is settled. I shall collect you on my way back from Hatchards.”
The Darcys arrived precisely at eleven. Georgiana, upon seeing Elizabeth, hastened to her side and began speaking excitedly. Mr. Darcy interposed.
“My dear Georgiana, we have not yet been announced.”
She cast him a look that suggested formalities were unnecessary among friends.
He entered and bowed. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”
At the sound of his voice, Mr. Bennet rose. Darcy turned, and his brows lifted slightly in surprise. He bowed again. “Mr. Bennet. I had not expected to see you here, sir.”
“I have business in town and chose to conclude it while my daughters were here.”
Mrs. Gardiner entered. “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, pray be seated.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Mrs. Gardiner, I fear I must decline, for my solicitor expects me. Before I go, I wish to extend an invitation. If you are not already engaged this evening, would you join us for dinner?”
Mrs. Gardiner answered with a smile. “Sir, we are not otherwise engaged. We shall be delighted.”
“At what hour shall I return for my sister?”
“We shall return from our shopping by five.”
“And would seven be convenient for dinner?”
“Perfectly, sir.”
Darcy then addressed Mr. Bennet. “Sir, may we hope for your company as well? Do you intend a prolonged stay in London?”
Thomas Bennet regarded the tall gentleman. “That will depend upon the speed with which my affairs are concluded, Mr. Darcy. However, I shall be present this evening and accept your invitation.”
Elizabeth spoke then. “Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to show us your library? Georgiana once permitted me to view your rare Homer. I believe my father would greatly enjoy seeing your collection.”
Darcy looked toward Mr. Bennet, whose expression had grown attentive.
“It would give me the greatest pleasure, Miss Elizabeth. I shall gladly conduct you and any of your party who wish for a tour. Sir, I possess a French edition of the Metamorphoses published in the mid-sixteenth century. My father would have reveled in it, but sadly, I did not acquire it until after his passing.” After a brief exchange, Mr. Darcy excused himself, and the ladies departed for the modiste.
That evening, as they dressed for dinner, Jane turned to Elizabeth. “I never imagined I should have another opportunity to see that lovely house.”
“Nor I,” Elizabeth replied. “Perhaps you can visit the conservatory with Georgiana, while Papa and I examine the library, for I know you have no interest in books.”
“Nor does my aunt, though she and Uncle Edward will surely enjoy the conservatory.”
Elizabeth ran her hands down the skirts of her black bombazine dinner gown and sighed. “It is a pity we must appear dressed like two old crows instead of wearing gowns suited to so elegant a house.”
Jane made a face. “Yes. At least my gown is well cut. Yours is quite unfortunate, Lizzy. It is a pity that was all you could obtain in Meryton. Had you told me it was so ill-fitting, I could have altered it this afternoon.”
Elizabeth stepped before the mirror and turned this way and that. She tugged at the fabric bunched at her waist and then pressed a hand to the bodice. “This gown fits abominably. The bosom appears to have been designed for a matron of sixty.”
Jane tried to suppress a giggle. “It very likely was. I had not realized how poorly it suited you.”
Elizabeth groaned. “At home, it mattered little, for we have lived quietly, but now I am tempted to remain here rather than show myself in Grosvenor Square looking like a fishwife. I had no occasion to wear this unfortunate gown in Meryton. I ought to have tried it on this morning.”
Jane crossed to her trunk and drew out a dark, closely knitted shawl. “Wrap this about you. It will conceal the ill-fitting bosom and the extra fabric bunched at your waist. The bodice is far too long and wide for you, Lizzy, but the shawl will go a long way toward hiding its defects.”
Elizabeth draped it about her shoulders and examined herself again in the mirror. She raised her brows. “It does conceal much. I believe I may endure the evening so long as I remain properly hidden within the folds of this shawl.”
When they arrived at Darcy House, the gentleman himself assisted the ladies from the carriage.
Elizabeth was the last to descend, and both Gardiner and Bennet observed as Mr. Darcy took her hand and elbow with great care, guiding her down the steps as though she were a delicate glass figurine rather than the lively young woman who spent her youth climbing in trees.
Upon entering the house, he relieved her of her gloves and bonnet and would have assisted her with her wrap, but she said, “Sir, I prefer to keep my wrap about me to ward off the chill, if you do not object.”
“Not in the least, Miss Elizabeth. Pray allow me to conduct you to the drawing room and place you beside the fire, where you may warm yourself.”
Her relatives watched as he offered his arm and led her to the hearth. He drew a chair nearer the fire and seated her there. He then placed a screen before her and asked whether she would like a rug over her legs.
She laughed. “No, sir. The fire is quite sufficient. Already I feel perfectly comfortable.”
Georgiana hovered anxiously at her side, her hands clasped together. “Lizzy, have you taken cold? Shall I bring you something warm to drink? I can send to the kitchen for hot chocolate.”
Elizabeth turned to Jane with a grin. “Georgiana, hot chocolate happens to be the favored drink of both my sister and me. If it is no inconvenience, I shall gladly accept.”
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.