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“It is the least I can do after my own children ruined your dress!” Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed.

“Truly Lizzy, I am well aware of how quickly a lady’s clothes wear out with four little ones; half get stained and the others are ripped or stretched beyond imagining!

” Seeing that her niece was not yet convinced, she tried a different tactic.

“Oh, come now, Elizabeth. You must allow me the pleasure of shopping with a young lady; Edward is no fun at all!”

“Why do I feel my ears burning?” came a deep voice from the doorway. The ladies dissolved into giggles while Mr. Gardiner moved to settle himself by his wife. When she had explained the situation, he turned to his niece.

“Yes, you should certainly have some new dresses. Anything to save me from spending hours at the milliner, never knowing whether I am supposed to respond that I like or dislike a pattern!” They all chuckled at this, knowing that Madeleine Gardiner was far more efficient in her shopping than most ladies.

“But seriously, Lizzy— you must have a new evening gown for the Carlisles’ ball next week; it is going to be quite the event and your aunt is having one made up especially as well.”

Madeleine added, “And a new morning dress, as well, to replace the one my little hoodlums destroyed when you took them out to the park to fly their kites.”

She chose to ignore the furtive looks between her husband and niece and the pleased grin that flashed across that gentleman’s face when Lizzy whispered, “They flew! Even Amelia’s!”

Clearing her voice in mock disapproval, Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes twinkled.

“Perhaps we can work out a trade. You shall have a new gown, but in return you must fashion a dress for Rebecca’s dolly from the remains of your kite-flying dress.

She has been twitting Jonathan constantly for tripping you into that mud puddle and announced to me that when she is grown up, she shall never wear any other color—your blue sprigged muslin is simply the most beautiful fabric in the world. ”

Laughing at her aunt’s overly dramatic testimonial, Elizabeth agreed and it was decided that they would venture out to the shops the very next day.

The Gardiners were well known among the London intelligentsia and evenings were often spent at poetry readings or scientific demonstrations.

Their dinner guests ran the gamut from politicians to artists, a countess determined to improve hospital conditions and university dons fond of intelligent conversation.

In short, life at the Gardiners’ was never dull and fed Lizzy’s mind in a way that she had not even recognized she was missing.

Elizabeth’s moments of melancholy came primarily from her sister’s letters.

Jane wrote of happenings in the village and the estate, but there was little of herself in her notes and Lizzy knew it was because of her sister’s continuing despondency over Mr. Bingley.

However, her guilt did not let her refuse the Gardiners’ invitations and they kept her busy in a swirl of doings and seeings.

The plethora of entertainments was in part purposeful; Mr. Bennet had spoken to his brother and sister and, without giving many specifics, let them know that Lizzy suffered from an argument with an admirer.

Deciding that her niece would benefit from exposure to a broader circle than the four and twenty families with whom the Bennets usually socialized, Mrs. Gardiner had even accepted an invitation to a grand ball that was being hosted by an old family friend to celebrate the debut of an earl’s niece.

The ball was certain to be well-attended and the Gardiners were determined that Lizzy would be admired.

Although Elizabeth was not prone to the love of shopping often attributed to elegant females, she freely admitted to having a most excellent day with her aunt.

That lady was in her mid-thirties and her vitality made it easy for Lizzy to consider her as a friend rather than an elder relation of her mother’s generation.

After visiting Mrs. Gardiner’s modiste and choosing styles and fabrics, they adjourned to a popular chocolate house for a bit of refreshment.

“I cannot wait to see you in that rose silk that you chose for your ball gown, Lizzy. It truly makes your skin glow.”

“Thank you, Aunt.” Elizabeth pulled a small swatch of the fabric from her reticule and rubbed it between finger and thumb fondly. “At the risk of sounding vain, I will admit that I am looking forward to it as well.”

“There is nothing wrong in taking enjoyment from looking our best. I dare say that the world is a much prettier place with ladies wearing silks than it would be if we all appeared in sackcloth. And I should know, as my own husband’s warehouse is filled with a rainbow of those fine fabrics!”

After some laughter, Elizabeth fingered the silk in her hand and said wistfully, “I was only thinking on how beautiful Jane would look in this. I feel rather ashamed to have something so exquisite made up just for me. I am just enough taller and thinner than Jane that we can remake her dresses to fit me, but with the bust already taken in, I shall never see her wear it.”

Mrs. Gardiner considered the younger woman for a minute.

Although Madeleine had been the eldest child in her own family, the deaths of her parents and siblings had left her dependent on the charity of relatives when she was barely eighteen.

Her cousins had all been very kind and embraced her like a sister but Madeleine had an inkling of what the second Bennet daughter was feeling.

“Elizabeth. You are a beautiful young lady; just as lovely as Jane.”

Her niece was already shaking her head. “Aunt…”

“No, Lizzy. Listen to me for a moment. Your mother does you a disservice, always praising Jane’s beauty and dismissing your own.”

Slightly pink with embarrassment, Elizabeth protested, “Aunt, this is really not necessary. I am well aware of my looks.”

“No, Lizzy— you are not; that is just what I am trying to tell you. You must know that your mother was a truly beautiful woman when she was young. I can only guess that she favors Jane because your sister looks so much like Fanny did at that age. Although their personalities could not be more different,” added Madeleine wryly.

Elizabeth did not bother to stifle her giggle.

Mrs. Gardiner tried again. “Jane is all that is sweet and serene. However, the point I am trying to make is that you undervalue yourself. You know that you are intelligent and well-educated, thanks to your father, but you have also grown into a beautiful young lady. I want you to remember that when you walk into the Carlisles’ ball.

Do not dismiss your own attractions, Lizzy; not every gentleman desires a sweet and serene wife! ”

Elizabeth smiled weakly; her aunt’s words reminded her forcibly of Mr. Darcy’s preference among the Bennet sisters.

Seeing that Mrs. Gardiner was about to speak again, Lizzy was quick to interject.

“Thank you, Aunt. I understand what you are trying to tell me and I promise to consider it carefully.”

The two women regarded each other fondly. Finishing her hot chocolate, Mrs. Gardiner straightened her cup and folded her napkin. “Well, shall we take a last look for ribbons and slippers to match our new gowns before we go home? ”

Several hours later, the two ladies returned to Gracechurch Street, tired but well-pleased.

Mr. Gardiner was given to understand that their expedition had been successful and his purse not too greatly damaged.

After some teasing that he would have to visit his own tailor if he was to escort two such lovely ladies to a ball, conversation drifted to other topics.

A noted poet and his wife were expected for dinner, so Elizabeth excused herself early to dress.

In her room, she reviewed several of the author’s published works, hoping that she would not embarrass herself in conversation.

She need not have worried. While the poet was shy and serious, his wife was merry and pleasing. Side by side, the couple was an inspiring example of a relationship based on mutual affection and respect, in which differences in temperament complimented rather than grated.

After farewelling the guests, Lizzy climbed the stairs to her room but paused at the landing to peek out the window.

Parting the curtains so that she might look up at the moon in the clear night sky, a movement below caught her eye.

Leaning slightly to the left, she saw the poet and his wife walking down the sidewalk.

For just a moment, they paused before the gentleman made a deep bow to his wife and the lady curtsied.

When she was spun around in an impromptu waltz on the quiet street, the lady tipped her head back and laughed with pure joy and abandon.

Feeling as if she had intruded on a most intimate moment, Elizabeth allowed the curtains to fall and skipped up the stairs to her room.

She was blushing slightly and did not care to share the reason, even with her dearest aunt and uncle.

Without bothering to call the maid, she quickly changed into a nightgown and brushed out her long hair, binding it into a braid even as her mind was far away.

When Elizabeth had finally blown out the candles and curled up under the blankets, she gave herself over to the deep feelings that the impromptu dancers had stirred within her.

Why should it affect her so? She knew any number of people who might act in such a way; she could easily imagine Mr. Lucas or young Mr. Goulding engaging one of her sisters so.

Well, perhaps not Mary unless the middle Bennet sister had been truly struck by an affection.