Darcy's Unrequited Adoration by Victoria Newton

Author:Victoria Newton [Newton, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Thorns Press
Published: 2019-11-16T05:00:00+00:00

“You shouldn’t have gone to such trouble for me, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet said, seated in the blue parlour before her former employer.

“Now, Constance, it is my pleasure,” Mrs. Darcy smiled, “and what good news you come to me with. Although, I shall regret losing our Lizzy as a governess for my grandson.”

“You will not lose me,” Elizabeth muttered.

“She is quite sure she shall not receive any offers at all,” Mrs. Bennet said, glowering at her daughter.

“Well, we shall not lose hope for her, especially not if I appeared at the ball and showed preference for her company,” Mrs. Bennet said in a conspiratorial manner.

Elizabeth’s mouth fell open. ”You are so generous, Mrs. Darcy, but would that not affect your reputation?”

“Nonsense, my husband is well known for his eccentricities, and as such I am permitted some of my own,” Mrs. Darcy laughed. “After all, greater scandals have not affected it one whit. Why should such a minor thing as this?”

Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably at the veiled mention of Arabella Darcy’s past indiscretions. But Mrs. Darcy appeared quite at ease. “Now, show me the new purchase, Constance,” she said with a smile.

“Of course,” Mrs. Bennet said, fumbling for the packages.

Mrs. Darcy eyed the pale green fabric with a critical eye before looking up at Elizabeth.

“A lovely color. And will look well in the candlelight. It will suit Elizabeth quite prettily.”

“Then, it shall do?”

“No,” Mrs. Darcy said thoughtfully. “In fact, if the baroness’ ball is in a week’s time. There will not be enough time to send this to a London seamstress and have her stitch it. The season is too near and they will be over their heads with orders from all of the ladies in London.”

A look of panic crossed Mrs. Bennet’s face. “Then what shall we do?”

Mrs. Darcy smiled warmly. “A simple thing. I shall have one of my gowns fitted for her. I have a few in mind and Lizzy can try them on to see what suits her best.”

“Oh, no, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet sputtered,” You do not have to do that!”

“That won’t be necessary,” Elizabeth put in hastily, “ I can make do with a seamstress in the village.”

“My dears,” Mrs. Darcy said, “I have so many gowns, they hardly fit in the wardrobes in all of the east wing of this house. I can very easily spare a few.”

She dismissed further protests and rang for a maid to bring them to a spare bedchamber. Elizabeth was made to try on every dress that her employer directed while her mother looked on with eager anticipation. Each gown was finer than the last, and Elizabeth could not decide which one looked best—she felt out of place in all of them. She allowed the older women to make the decision for her. It seemed as though hours had passed when they finally settled upon a gown which was declared fine enough to make her look like any of the debutantes at the London seasons.

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