Elizabeth had never been incredibly interested in the modes of style and fashion, but she was despairing the lack of choice in her wardrobe at present. A few of her clothes remained at Longbourn, the rest in London, and whilst she was certain her husband would not begrudge her the purchase of a new dress, she had yet to act on the impulse. And so it was with a little regret she selected her outfit for the evening she and Darcy would be spending at Lattimer Place. At least I shall be comfortable, she thought, brushing down the familiar fabric, and turning her attention to the delicate ear-bobs that had been a recent gift from her husband upon their arrival in Derbyshire.
Unwilling to spend any longer on her appearance, which nought but the elusive change of dress could really change, she hurried down to the parlour that she might await Darcy and their departure there and was surprised to see him there ahead of her, standing with one hand at the mantelpiece. She hesitated a moment in the doorway until some sound betrayed her, and he glanced up, smiling at her.
"Good evening! You are ready early?"
"We are both ready early," Elizabeth said, with a self-deprecating sigh. "Although I am weary of wearing this same dress again. You must grow tired of seeing me in it always."
Darcy blinked, as if recognising the dress for the first time.
"It suits you so well," he said, dismissing her concerns. "And it will be new in Georgiana's eyes at least." He did not mention Caroline Bingley, and for that Lizzy was pleased, for she could already well imagine the reflections her friend might make on Lizzy's choice of dress. "But your wish for another reminds me we must hasten and send for your belongings from London and Longbourn." He nodded. "I shall do it tomorrow. And perhaps we might take a trip into town, for we can run to a new wardrobe, I am sure."
His eyes twinkled with amusement, but Lizzy's anxieties no more receded for the night ahead of them. She rubbed her hands together, palms clammy with nerves, and paced the length of the room.
"We ought not to leave yet, I suppose. It is too early, still."
Darcy said nothing, but she felt his eyes on her, watching her anxious progress to the window, and then back towards him.
"Forgive me, my dear, for I have not heretofore been known as the most perceptive of men, yet it seems to me that you might be a little nervous."
Elizabeth laughed and nodded.
"You are right! I remember the last time we dressed for a meal out together, in Scotland, when you were the one who was ill-at-ease. It seems this evening it is my turn."
"Why ever would you be?" Darcy frowned. "We are merely attending a meal with friends." He paused. "Well, acquaintances at least, for I do not know that I would consider Mr and Mrs Hurst to be particular friends. I suppose Mr and Miss Bingley have won their places in both our affections after their presence in Scotland…"
"There, you see, you have left out the most important person!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Tonight I am to meet the young lady who is to play a great part in determining our future happiness. Your sister, Georgiana." Elizabeth drew a breath. "Before tonight she was nothing but a name to me, as I have been to her, and tonight we shall meet face to face for the first time. What if -" her voice dropped so that when she spoke she sounded a good deal younger than her years. "What if she is not fond of me?"
This time Darcy laughed, a reaction so rare, still, that it caught Elizabeth by surprise and she frowned as she looked up at him.
"What you are suggesting is a pure impossibility!" he explained. "Georgiana is more inclined to like you too much than not enough."
"Your confidence in me is astounding," Elizabeth said, with a sigh. "But might I also remind you that you are a little biased?"
There was a knock at the door, a servant indicating that their carriage was ready to depart, should they wish to be on their way. Taking a fortifying breath, Elizabeth smiled and followed her husband towards the door. Already, it seemed to her like leaving a sanctuary, for Pemberley had become home to her so quickly that she was reluctant to leave it behind. Her anxiety over meeting Georgiana for the first time lessened a little as she reflected on Darcy's words. It was further tempered by her eagerness to see Mr Bingley once more, and she was at least satisfied to know in advance what reception she was likely to receive from both of his sisters. Mr and Mrs Hurst she had not seen since Hertfordshire, and she had little doubt her hosts would enquire interestedly in the changes that her status had undergone. She rolled her eyes skywards, already imagining Mrs Hurst's nosy questions, and the carriage lurched into motion.
"I feel I must steal Georgiana away to myself for a few moments at least, this evening, and tell her of Wickham's presence at Pemberley," Darcy said after they had travelled for a moment or two in silence. "It is not a chore I look forward to, and I wager she may already be aware of it, for Bingley suggested that the secret was out, but as I have had no communication with Georgiana myself I have no way of knowing how she receives the news."
"It will be kind to tell her in private," Elizabeth acknowledged. "And perhaps before we leave, so that if she is at all unsettled by the news, she might excuse herself early without prompting any questions." She paused. "She will surely be eager to plan for her return home. If Mr and Mrs Wickham are to stay at the Lodge, Georgiana can hardly be kept from returning to her own home for months on end."
"Wisdom, as ever!" Darcy said, with a slight smile, and reaching for his wife's hand.
"You are already concerned for Georgiana's wellbeing, and yet you fear you will not get on."
Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head, and wishing she could shed her anxieties as easily.
"It will be good to meet her at last. And to be reunited with our friends."
"Indeed! I know you have bitterly missed seeing Caroline Bingley every day since our parting in Scotland," Darcy said, with a wicked grin.
Elizabeth said nothing, but laughed, and they ended their journey with high spirits, her fears deliberately set aside as she determined to enjoy the evening before them.