Page 16 of Idle Gossip

“Such a bold color. Why not this pale rose? It is better suited to a young lady.” Mrs. Bennet looked at it longingly.

“By your own profession, I am soon to shed the name of Bennet, Mama,” Elizabeth said convincingly. “This will be perfectly suitable.” It was the fashion for young ladies to wear light colors, but Elizabeth had always looked better in rich, jewel tones. Mary, too, shared that trait. She looked positively sallow in pastels. Perhaps I can convince Mary to wear my blue ballgown, she mused. It was the proper shade and would not wash her complexion out.

Mrs. Bennet was convinced, and she and Jane were allowed to arrange the details of their own gowns. Jane’s would have some lace—not the excess their mother wished, but enough to add elegance to the gown. Elizabeth chose to have flowers in a lighter shade of green embroidered on the sleeves and hem of her gown. A lighter green ribbon would be embroidered with forest green thread and be tied about her waist. Her hair would have another green ribbon woven throughout.

She selected shoe roses to add to her dancing slippers as well.

“Your father is very generous,” Mrs. Bennet said as they left the shop. “He has agreed to the funds for our little trip.” Lydia and Kitty ran ahead, their ribbons in their hands.

Officers dotted the street, adding splashes of red to the usual scenery.

“Let us go to Lucas Lodge,” Mrs. Bennet declared. “I owe Lady Lucas a call. We can tell her about the new gowns.”

Mrs. Bennet’s petty competition with that family made Elizabeth sigh. What was more, she did not wish to see Charlotte and her smug satisfaction.

I shall never be allowed to forget it if she is right.

They were welcomed into Lucas Lodge’s drawing room. Elizabeth was assaulted with memories of Charlotte pointing out Darcy’s attentions in this room.

And she was right. That smarted.

“Have you heard that Netherfield is to hold a ball?” Mrs. Bennet said without preamble. “We were told of it but a few days past.”

“The news has reached us, yes,” Lady Lucas replied. “We are looking forward to the event.” There was a stiffness in her voice, and Elizabeth could see the jealousy hidden just beneath the polite reply.

“Elizabeth and Jane are very fortunate,” Charlotte declared. “I am very happy for them.”

“If only all ladies could have such fortune,” Lady Lucas responded.

The entire visit was awkward, at least in Elizabeth’s estimation. Charlotte was warm and happy—basking in her superior understanding of the gentlemen at Netherfield Park. Elizabeth spoke little, silently stewing about the situation.

A few days later, she and Jane walked into Meryton. Elizabeth was getting used to people walking up to them and offering their congratulations. It was pleasant, but also forced into her mind the realization that it might not be as easy to call off the courtship as she once thought. There would be consequences, and they would all land on her.

As they approached the haberdashery, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy standing outside a shop. Miss Long stood beside him, her hand on his arm.

She clenched her jaw, irritation at her familiarity threatening to choke her. As she drew closer, she noted Mr. Darcy’s aloof expression and the distance he kept between them. When his gaze landed on her, his face morphed into pleasure.

“Miss Elizabeth! There you are. I am so pleased you have arrived.”

Miss Long dropped her hand and stepped back, displeasure on her expression. “If you will excuse me,” she said, “my aunt is waiting.” And with that, she was gone.

“You have saved me,” Darcy whispered. “Miss Long has friends in town. She has surmised that the rumors have resulted in our…connection.”

“And now she wishes to take my place? Why not let it be known that the ton had the wrong lady from Hertfordshire?” The thought curdled her stomach.

“Because they do not have the wrong lady.” He offered her his arm, and she took it. “Now, where to, Miss Elizabeth?”

It was only much later that she realized she had sought him out. Elizabeth felt comfortable enough in Darcy’s company now that she desired to be in his presence. His pleasure at her approach offered greater satisfaction.

Jane noticed too. “You like him,” she teased.

“I do not hate him as I once did,” Elizabeth amended.

“You think that, if it brings you comfort.”

I am beginning to like him. Elizabeth would admit it only to herself.

When the invitation to the ball finally arrived in Mr. Bingley’s hands, her first thoughts were not about Jane’s engagement or the anticipation of attending a private ball. She wondered instead if Mr. Darcy would ask for more than one set.