Maryanne sighed. “I’ll have to sell them eventually. Mr. Darcy said we might—he said it was to be our dowries, if we wished. I know, it… it seems rather cold to sell a gift.”
“He gave you something beautiful,” Elizabeth replied. “And the beauty is not simply in the vanity of the thing. The beauty is also in the caring—in seeing a kindness to be done and doing it.”
“Aye, miss.”
“Lizzy,” Jane called from across the room, drawing her attention. “Could you help with this bow? Clara keeps turning.”
“Only because I am nervous!” Clara protested with a laugh.
Elizabeth sniffed and squeezed Maryanne’s shoulder as she stepped away. And it was then that she noticed how all the girls were, indeed, wearing some sort of jewelry. More sets of pearls, several crosses set with rubies or amber or other stones. Each necklace was unique, each precious… just like the girls who wore them.
She sighed, her heart full of pride and joy in this man who had showered sweetness on so many who had probably seldom known a kind word in their lives. She crossed the room and joined her sister, and her hands fell to deftly fixing the satin ribbon.
“You have no need to be nervous, Clara. You look glorious.”
“Lizzy is right, Clara,” Jane agreed. “I think I have never seen anyone look so well in that shade, but with your auburn hair, gold makes you look so warm and radiant!”
“Oh, it’s not the gown, Miss Bennet. I’m so worried my Daniel might set up a fuss and refuse to stay in his crib and… oh, miss, who will be watching the children?”
“Ah,” Jane mused with a gentle smile. “Well, as to that, you will hardly believe it, but the vicar’s own wife said she would lend a hand in the nursery. Along with my sister Mary, who found that to be far more agreeable than wearing a ball gown. Is that not right, Mary?” Jane called.
Mary looked up from the lace she was trying to mend for a girl Elizabeth did not know. “Much more rational, and a goodly task for a virtuous person.”
Jane laughed. “There, you see? I daresay even our good vicar could not prevail on his lady to stay away from this evening. And I believe Colonel Fitzwilliam had a rather rousing game of Blind Man’s Bluff organized for the older children—before they are sent to bed for the night with all the sweeties Mr. Darcy brought for them from London, of course. Not to worry, Clara. I think everything is well in hand.”
“Well, that… that is a right treat, miss.” As Clara turned to inspect herself in the mirror once more, the door opened, and a new voice greeted the room. “Oh, my! This is where the magic is happening, I see.”
Elizabeth turned to find another young woman entering, but she was not one of the Netherfield girls. She was tall and possessed of a willowy sort of grace, but her cheekbones still bore the softness of youth. Her morning gown was of expensive make, with soft amber curls framing a delicate face that bore an unmistakable resemblance to… to Mr. Darcy.
“Mr. Bingley said I should come up,” she declared. “He said I might help. Where shall I start?”
Elizabeth tilted her head and stepped closer, a smile teasing her lips. “Wherever you like. Have you much skill with a needle?”
The girl’s eyes widened. “I amverygood,” she replied with frank honesty, and very little humility.
“Good!” Elizabeth laughed and leaned forward with a conspiratorial whisper. “Because Lydia is trying to help fit Miss Sophie’s gown, and I’m afraid poor Sophie might become a pincushion.”
The girl giggled. “You must be Miss Elizabeth Bennet. My brother has spoken of you.”
Elizabeth blinked, her composure faltering slightly. “Brother?” She sucked in a gasp. “You are Miss Darcy.”
“Georgiana,” she said brightly. “My brother and I arrived from London yesterday.”
“He, ah…” Elizabeth eased closer, her brow furrowed. “He wanted you to attend the party, did he?”
“Oh, yes. And he wanted me to meet you.”
Elizabeth blinked. “Me?”
“Of course. He said you are most kind and clever. And now I see he was quite right.”
Elizabeth flushed and glanced down, uncertain of how to reply. Jane stepped in, extending her hand. “Miss Darcy, it is lovely to meet you. I am Jane Bennet, Elizabeth’s elder sister.”
Georgiana’s face brightened further as she took Jane’s hand. “It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth recovered herself and gestured toward the table cluttered with brushes and ornaments. “Well, shall we, Miss Darcy? Let us see if we can relieve Lydia of that needle.”
Elizabeth adjusted the lacefichu on the young woman in front of her, tucking it gently into the top her bodice before stepping back with a satisfied nod. “There. Perfect.”
