I don't own Pride and Prejudice
It was early afternoon when Fitzwilliam returned with Jane. Elizabeth surprised her husband when she hugged him before her beloved sister, but had hidden said surprise from her well.
Introductions were made, and bags were taken to their respective rooms. Mary almost looked disappointed when Jane explained that she had packed her things as well.
"Mary sweetheart, I don't mind continuing to share dresses should you choose. We are the same size, so no extra work is created for the maids to do so." Mary tried to hide how happy the words made her, but Elizabeth saw it clear on her face.
"Oh, Mary, I almost didn't recognize you." Jane said with a bright smile as she pulled the younger girl into her arms. "You look so lovely."
"You don't think this goes against everything Fordyce has taught?" Mary asked. From the hopeful look in Mary's face, Elizabeth knew just how to answer.
"Not at all my dear, you are too sweet and good to let yourself become vain, which is what I believe is meant to be taught." She reassured her sister, and Mary couldn't help but return her smile.
"Oh yes, Mary, now you have no excuse not to get the colors of fabric we pick out for your gowns tomorrow." Kitty then turned to Jane excitedly, "Aunt Gardiner replied to Fitzwilliam's message, she said she would be free to go shopping with us tomorrow." She then went on to excitedly tell their sister about their first shopping trip and anything else they had done in town.
"Lady Camille, what a pleasant surprise." Elizabeth said as they exited the house the following day, and ran into the woman on the stoop. "Allow me to introduce you to two more of my sister, my eldest sister Miss Bennet, and my next youngest sister, Miss Mary Bennet. Girls, this is our friend, Lady Camille Harrington."
The girls all exchanged pleasantries, "I'm afraid you just caught us on our way out to meet our Aunt Gardiner for some shopping. You are welcome to join us if you like."
"A splendid idea!" The young woman smiled, "I must confess that I've been positively green with envy since Kitty told me of her getting to pick the fabric for her gowns straight from the warehouse. I haven't been able to stop imaging all the different color and fabric choices."
The six ladies climbed into the Darcy carriage, and headed off to their aunts house. Once there they took tea with her, before she joined them for shopping.
While at the house, Elizabeth had begged a private moment with their aunt, claiming she had a marriage question. When really she just informed her of Mary's desires and apprehension when it came to her new dresses. The two agreed that since Mary seemed to almost cling to Elizabeth, it would be up to her to help the girl make her decision, while her aunt would distract the other girls if they started to overwhelm the younger girl.
Before long they were all walking into her uncle's warehouse. "It is even greater than I imagined." Lady Camille exclaimed, before doing a marvelous impression of one of Elizabeth's young cousins when they were let loose in a candy shop.
"Mary, this silk is just the color I have been imagining for you since I showed you the dress." Kitty exclaimed, running over to said silk, and holding it out for her sister to see.
"It is so fine..." Mary said apprehensively.
"It would make a lovely ball gown, and as we are now expected to attend high society events you should have a fair number of silk gowns." Mary looked horrified at the thought, and for the first time in her life, Elizabeth found herself cursing her parents for their parenting skills. It was a testament to just how neglected Mary was that she was petrified of going into society, but sadly, she was too old to delay being presented like Kitty was.
Taking her to the side she hugged her close to comfort her, "You have nothing to worry about, Fitzwilliam and I will be with you the whole time. I would gladly forgo dancing until you are comfortable on our outings, this way I am at your disposal as you need me."
"Oh Lizzy, I couldn't ask you to do that." Mary cut her off, "I know how much you enjoy dancing."
"I enjoy making you feel secure even more." She then gave a sly smile, "Besides, Lydia already caught me a husband, when do I need to dance for."
Mary laughed as she dried her tears, stealing herself, she walked back to Kitty and smiled, "I do like this color, would there be a suitable fabric in it for a day dress too?"
Kitty practically squealed with excitement as she threw her arms around her sister, "I hoped you would love it, you shall be so pretty in it." She then grabbed Georgiana's hand, "We'll go find the one for the day dress." She smiled when their aunt followed the younger girls to keep an eye on them.
"Now, I almost feel ashamed for having to ask, but what is your favorite color Dearest?" Elizabeth asked with a blush, and judging by the sad look on Jane's sweet face, she didn't know either.
"I've always liked the blue or green dresses you've worn." Mary said shyly, and Elizabeth smiled.
"I saw the most perfect silk the last time I was here, let's see if we can find it shall we?" Taking her sister's arm they set off, Jane following behind. Luckily they didn't have to go far, "What do you think of this one?" She asked, draping a piece of blue silk that was so pale it almost looked like she was draped in ice. What was truly stunning about it was how it made Mary's light blue eye almost glow.
"Oh Mary, that is beautiful!" Jane gasped, and they watched as Mary fingered the silk lovingly.
"We'll take it." Elizabeth told the worker, who made note of what they wanted.
"Oh Miss Mary, I am absolutely jealous, I could never wear that color even half so well as you could. You must wear that gown to my parent's ball in February!" Lady Camille came out of no where, "It is one of the primer events of the season, everyone who is anyone is invited."
"Oh, that reminds me, the reason I came to call today was that my Mother has decided to have a ball in honor of your marriage." Camille smiled, "Invitations will be sent out once we confirm the date. I know your husband expressed his wish to celebrate the holiday season at his estate, so we were hoping to have the ball at the beginning of the season, when you return to town."
"I know of no prior engagements for that time, and it leaves us plenty of time for Mme Bellamy to finish all the gowns." Elizabeth confirmed. She would have argued that it was not necessary, but knew it would be futile as Lady Camille and her mother, the duchess, would not relent once they settled on an idea. She was also grateful for the support they were showing her marriage.
"Mme Bellamy, you mean Mme Escoffier doesn't make your gowns?" There was shock in her voice, but no judgment.
"I find Mme Bellamy gowns are a bit sturdier, the sticking seems to hold up just a bit longer. I also know she allows more room for alterations, we have altered a couple of my gowns to fit Jane. There was very little room for error, but they did fit her." Camille looked surprised as she compared Elizabeth to her taller sister.
"I can see her work is fine indeed, I always just assumed you got your gowns from Mme Escoffier, as the rest of the Ton does. I hope you don't mind if I have some of my gowns made at your modiste, I will be sure to tell her to do your sisters wardrobes first." Camille smiled kindly at Mary, who blushed a bit, stepping closer to Elizabeth.
"Now, I heard tell of a trip to the museum, and a purple gown requirement," The lady changed the subject. "I have already picked my fabric for the event, but I found a divine color for Miss Mary here, I simply must show it to you." Taking Jane by the arm she led them over to the bolt she had talked about. "Will this not look beautiful on Miss Mary." It was a pretty orchid purple, that Elizabeth agreed would look well on her much shyer sister.
"It is perfect, but do you like it Mary?" She asked, and watched her sister consider it.
"It is very pretty, but we've picked out two expensive fabrics already. I'm sure I should be fine with a borrowed dress, or with one of the ones Jane brought from home." Mary looked away sadly, "I am not so pretty as to require such finery. Perhaps it would be better suited for Kitty or Jane."
"Nonsense, your new brother has given me plenty for a new wardrobe for you and Jane, and has instructed that each of you has whatever you desire...within reason of course." She said for Jane and Camille to hear, "As for not being pretty enough for it, I can assure you dear sister, you are more than pretty enough for anything in all of London." She then spoke quietly to Mary herself.
It took some doing, but eventually Elizabeth got Mary to pick out enough fabrics to make her wardrobe. It did get easier once Camille and Jane went off on their own to pick Jane's fabrics. Elizabeth noticed how Mary's eyes were more drawn to blues than greens, so she made sure to point out any in that color that would look well on the younger girl, though she pointed out a fair number of greens as well. She felt the blues represented her sister's calm demeanor very well. The only color she argued with her sister on were then less than flattering blacks, browns, and grays she had always favored.