“Is it from Aunt and Uncle Gardiner?” Kitty asked, nearly bouncing with excitement.
Elizabeth regarded the package dubiously. “It must be. Perhaps she has sent something for all of us and merely addressed it to me.” The Gardiners did occasionally send presents, but they were usually small; the family did not have the means for extravagant gifts.
The parcel was large and flat but not rigid, wrapped in sturdy brown paper and tied with string. It could easily be a garment—or several garments. Perhaps her aunt had sent shawls for all her nieces?
Jane handed her a small knife and Elizabeth cut the string, pulling away the many layers of brown paper. The paper inside the parcel was a fine, thin stuff, as if the garment needed to be wrapped in only the most delicate materials. As Elizabeth drew away the last bit of paper, all three women gasped at once.
It was an exquisite gown of sapphire blue silk trimmed with gold. Taking it by the sleeves, Elizabeth held it up so they could see the full length. The bodice and overskirt were made from the blue silk, but the underskirt was cream. The sleeves were short and adorned with a few gold beads. The bodice was cut fashionably low, but not so low that Elizabeth would find it immodest.
“Oh, Lizzy!” Jane sighed.
Elizabeth could only agree. Even when their father had lived, she had never owned a gown this fine.
“But who is it from?” she wondered. The Gardiners could not afford something this extravagant. A jolt of panic shot through her at the idea that the gown was from Mr. Darcy; he was the only person of her acquaintance who could afford it. However, she could not accept a gift like this from him; it would be entirely inappropriate. She would be forced to return it.
How cruel! Now that she had seen the gown, it would be very painful to surrender it.
Was that part of his plan? Elizabeth’s panic transformed into a general tingle of anxiety spreading through her body. He had been unusually civil and solicitous of her well-being.
Was he hoping to lure her with beautiful gifts and gradually seduce her into becoming his mistress? Certainly it was not an uncommon story: a young country woman lured by a wealthy man into trading her virtue for financial security. Mr. Darcy did not seem to be that sort of rich man, but what did Elizabeth know of the breed?
Kitty had been searching through the layers of paper. “There is a note!” She thrust it into Elizabeth’s hands.
Addressed to “Miss Bennet” in a feminine hand, the note was written on a page of expensive hot press paper. Elizabeth unfolded it, and her eyes immediately darted to the signature. “It is from Georgiana Darcy!”
“Who is that?” Kitty asked.
“Mr. Darcy’s sister!” Jane exclaimed. “When did you become acquainted with her?”
Elizabeth shook her head with a little laugh. “I have never laid eyes on the woman.”
“What does the note say?” Kitty asked. Elizabeth bent her head to read it.
Miss Bennet,
Forgive my forwardness in addressing correspondence to you when we have not been properly introduced. Although I do feel that I know you in some small measure since my brother has spoken of you warmly so often. It is my dearest wish that we may someday become acquainted.
I had this gown made for me in London but afterward did not feel it suited my coloring and complexion. I did not wish it to go to waste, so my brother suggested perhaps you might appreciate it since he believes we are of much the same height. It is a beautiful gown and deserves to be seen to its fullest advantage. I hope you will wear it with pleasure. Again, please pardon my presumption.
Yours & etc.
Georgiana Darcy
Elizabeth set the note back on the table, stari
ng at the gown. “I cannot accept it.”
Kitty made a noise of distress. “It is from his sister!” she said. “If it were from Mr. Darcy, of course, it would be improper. But there is no reason you cannot accept a gift from his sister!”
“It must be by Mr. Darcy’s instigation,” Elizabeth objected. “It might as well be a gift from him.”
“But, Lizzy, think. Mr. Darcy might be offended if we send his sister’s gift back,” Jane pointed out.
Elizabeth’s eyes fixed on the dress, and she acknowledged to herself that Jane had a good point. She did not want to offend Mr. Darcy. She had few allies, and he had resources that might help her save Longbourn from Collins.
“You should at least wear it and see if it suits you,” Jane insisted.
“Oh yes!” Kitty agreed with shining eyes. “It would be a shame if you never knew how you appeared when wearing it.”