At length, Lady Helen declared, “My nephew’s carriage has arrived for us. Collect your reticules, ladies. We are leaving.”
She addressed the seamstress.
“Miss Gibbs, we shall return tomorrow. Now that we have ordered Elizabeth’s walking dresses and day gowns, we must direct our attention toward ball gowns.”
“I believe three shall suffice. I doubt I shall persuade my nephew to attend more balls than that. Come, girls.”
Elizabeth settled against the squabs of the carriage, grateful to rest her feet. She curled her toes within her slippers and rotated her aching ankles.
Lady Helen said, “At least you possess beauty and a fine figure, so dressing you has not proved an impossible task.”
Then, beneath her breath, she muttered, “Fitzwilliam never stood a chance.”
Georgiana caught the remark and glanced toward Elizabeth to judge her reaction, but her friend had not heard, for she was rubbing her temple.
Lady Helen did not speak again, and the two young ladies relaxed.
When they arrived, Mr. Darcy awaited them in the drawing room.
Pleasure transformed his expression the moment Elizabeth entered. Georgiana hurried to him and embraced him as was her habit.
“Brother, you shall never believe the difficulty we encountered in finding patterns that properly flatter Elizabeth’s figure.”
Darcy lifted his brows while his gaze traveled over Elizabeth’s form.
“How can that be, Georgiana? Hers is the most perfect figure imaginable. I have never known a woman more beautifully proportioned than Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth flushed with pleasure while Lady Helen rolled her eyes and settled into her favored chair.
“Nevertheless, Nephew, dressing for the ton remains a fine art. It requires an eye for fashion as well as the selection of fabrics in texture and color that flatter the wearer.”
“Tomorrow, we shop for three ball gowns, sir. You shall commit to attending at least three balls, or society may conclude that you are ashamed of your intended.”
“Of course, my lady. I shall attend whichever three balls you consider the most advantageous.”
“Once we have selected the fabrics for the ball gowns, I shall bring you swatches so that you may choose appropriate jewels. I reserve the right of final approval, for a woman, especially one of her age, may ruin the effect by adorning herself with too many pieces at once, as though determined to parade her wealth and consequence. Gibbs shall attend us. That one understands her business.”
Mr. Darcy settled beside Elizabeth upon the settee and devoted his attention to her while she answered Lady Helen’s endless questions. At last, Lady Helen excused them. They rose from the settee and made their farewells. He longed for a few minutes alone with his betrothed, but they remained perpetually surrounded, if not by members of his family, then by members of hers.
As they traveled to Sir Gareth’s townhouse, he asked, “Was my aunt particularly dreadful today, my darling?”
Elizabeth lifted tired eyes to his face. “No, sir. She is very knowledgeable. You must not suppose that I take offense at her manners.”
Georgiana said, “Fitzwilliam, Aunt Helen is not pleased with how matters stand.”
Darcy lifted his eyes to his sister and interrupted her before she might continue.
“You judge correctly, little sister, but Aunt Helen’s sentiments signify nothing to us. I am exceedingly happy.”
His gaze settled upon Elizabeth.
“And I pray Elizabeth is also happy.”
He offered his hand to her.
“What say you, darling? Is our love worth all the trials you are about to endure, my aunt being the first and most formidable among them?”
Elizabeth placed her hand within his and brushed her thumb over the smooth skin of his knuckles.
