Page 18 of Resilience

Her eyes narrowed in confusion as she laid the gown upon the bed. The gown looked strangely ruffly, as if slight flounces had been added. She gasped as she inspected the skirt more closely, and found numerous slashes in the silk.

“Lizzy! What happened to your gown?” Mary gasped as she entered the room to find Elizabeth sifting through the shreds of silk and ribbon in bewilderment.

“It is ruined.” Elizabeth whispered. “It came from the wardrobe this way.”

“It could not have! How could it?” Mary rushed to the wardrobe and began pulling out dresses and examining them rapidly, as Lydia and Kitty entered the room and began to exclaim over the damaged gown. After a close examination, it was determined that nothing else was damaged.

“Elizabeth and Mary Bennet, whatever have you done!” Mrs Bennet bellowed as she entered the room to see the mess of gowns and lace.

“Mama, something has happened to Lizzy’s gown!” Lydia cried, showing her mother the tattered silk.

“It looked very well two days ago when Lizzy and I trimmed our gowns together,” Mary insisted. “I do not understand what happened.”

“Elizabeth Bennet, how dare you ruin that gown just for attention before your sister’s engagement ball!” Mrs Bennet cried.

“Mama, I would hardly ruin my own best gown, the only one I have to wear tonight, when there are to be guests from London present at a private ball.” Elizabeth could not believe her mother would think such a thing.

“Well, who else would have done it? Jane? Lizzy, you have made some underhanded attempts to eclipse your sister in education and cleverness in the past, but this is beyond anything I ever believed you capable of.” Mrs Bennet shook her head and pointed at the gown. “Do something about it. You are not staying home, it will make the neighbours think you are jealous of your sister. Find something to wear!”

“What will you do?” Kitty asked as their mother left in a tirade of complaints.

“I will wear my muslin,” Elizabeth said with a shrug.

“Muslin! Lizzy, this is November!” Mary gasped.

“I will be freezing all night and look ridiculous, but I have nothing else that is white, and you are all too tall to lend me something.” Elizabeth was resigned. “None of you have a spare white silk anyway, and if I wear anything else, I will stand out like a peacock.”

“That is too bad, Lizzy.” Kitty was sympathetic.

“Then she ought not to have ruined her own gown, like Mama said.” Lydia tossed her curls and took Kitty by the elbow, dragging her from the room. “Come Kitty, before she ruins our gowns.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mary tutted as their younger sisters left. She looked at Elizabeth. “What do you think happened?”

Elizabeth sighed. “Jane.”

“Would she really do such a thing, Lizzy?” Mary asked in consternation. “I know that Jane has been rather…high-strung… since Mr Bingley arrived in Meryton. And it is obvious that the two of you have fallen out. But this is Our Jane!”

“I know, Mary, dear.” Elizabeth sighed as though she were exhausted. “I know.”

Chapter Nine

“Dear God, what are you wearing?” Elizabeth heard from behind her as she entered Netherfield’s ballroom after greeting Mr Bingley and leaving Jane and her parents in the receiving line. She turned to find Priscilla, Georgiana, and Mr Darcy staring at her gown.

“Prissy!” Georgiana hissed in alarm, wondering how her cousin could be so impolite as to point out the unsuitability of Miss Elizabeth’s gown to her face.

“Nonsense, Georgie, there has been mischief, and Lizzy is our friend. What on Earth has your sister done now?” Priscilla demanded as she turned back to Elizabeth.

“Oh! Nothing, of course. My ivory silk met with misfortune. I fear I am excessively clumsy.” Elizabeth bobbed a curtsey. “Mr Darcy. Georgie, it is very good to see you. Are you excited to dance with your brother at your first private ball?”

“Yes, I am, and Brother says I may also stand up with Mr Bingley and Mr Collins. Oh, and Priscilla says that young ladies stand up with their friends or sisters at private balls and assemblies in the country.”

“We do, and I am certain I will stand up with you as well,” Elizabeth promised, trying valiantly to avoid Priscilla’s eye. It was no good.

“Lizzy, come with me to my room.” Priscilla held out her hand. “My maid will still be in my dressing room, and I have at least three more white gowns.”

“Oh, I could not possibly cause any fuss!” Elizabeth insisted, blushing to have such a discussion in front of Mr Darcy. “I am perfectly well. This is the gown I would have worn to a ball if it were held in July…it is not so very unsuitable.” She trailed off, hoping her friend would leave the matter at that, but it was not to be.

“It is not July, Lizzy, it is nearly December. I insist. We will be back before the first dance if you hurry.”