I don't own Pride and Prejudice.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, what a pleasant surprise." Elizabeth smiled when the man was admitted to the parlor a few days after their shopping trip. This time Mary and Jane joined her, in one of their few new day dresses that had been delivered that morning. Mary was still very nervous about being considered out in their new society, and sat very close to Elizabeth.
"Please, allow me to introduce you to our older sister, Miss Bennet." The Colonel barely spent enough time exchanging pleasantries before settling himself next to Mary.
"Miss Mary Bennet, allow me to say you very well this morning." Elizabeth couldn't contain her smile when she saw Jane's surprised smile at being so ignored in favor of their shy sister.
"I must say, that gown reminds me of a flower grown in my mother's hot house." His smile was warm as he tried to engage her sister in conversation.
"Forget me nots, I was trying reminded of a flower when I saw this shade at the warehouse, but I could not for the life of me think of which one." Lady Camille chimed in from her spot next to Jane.
"A favorite flower of mine, and I must say, a very becoming color on Miss Mary here." He said, his eyes never wavering from her shy sister.
"You said you saw the fabric at a warehouse." One of the matrons asked, obvious disdain in her voice.
"I was most intrigued when I heard Mrs Darcy took her youngest sisters to their uncle's warehouse to pick the fabric for the new gowns she was going to order them." Lady Camille nodded her head excitedly, "Miss Darcy and Miss Catherine Bennet spoke of the trip with such excitement when they sat in our box at the theater, that when I found out Mrs Darcy was making a return trip for gowns for her other sisters, I could not help but invite myself along. Indeed, it was a most wonderful experience, for never before had I seen so many different bolts of fabric and in so many different colors and textures. I dare say, I could have bought out the entire warehouse myself."
"Personally, I don't see the point in going to a warehouse to pick fabrics, Mme Escoffier has the finest bolts of all the fashionable colors." One young lady sniffed.
Glancing at Mary, and seeing her and the Colonel happily discussing the book Elizabeth had suggested her sister read when Mary asked for her opinion on broadening her mind, she turned to the ladies assembled in her parlor. "Personally, I never cared to follow what was considered fashionable when it comes to clothing options, and encourage my sisters to do the same. Consider the fact that a woman's attire can often be considered her suit of armor. If she is pigeonholed by the color choices, her armor may be considered weaker, and affect her confidence. However, if she truly feels beautiful in what she is wearing it will show on her face, in her posture, as well as in her demeanor. I would much rather my sister's look their best and meet society with their heads held high, than potentially be trampled on because they do not feel as if they measure up to their true worth."
She saw some mothers dismiss her words, "I believe that to be sound thinking." A voice came from the doorway, and she smiled at her husband as he entered, Mr Bingley right behind him. "I for one never know what color ladies find fashionable, but do know that I enjoy it when my wife wears green, and that I happen to think my sisters Miss Darcy and Miss Mary are very handsome in blue, just as Miss Catherine wears pink well same as Miss Bennet." Mr Bingley had taken the seat right next to Jane once he'd exchanged pleasantries with Elizabeth and some of the other guests.
"I'm sure you would find it quite the coincidence to know that you have also just listed our favorite colors as what we look best in. Miss Darcy herself told me she adores the color blue, and is most excited when she gets to wear a new dress in that color. It is the same with Miss Catherine and pink. I believe those colors look the most flattering, as they are the ones they are happiest wearing."
"I myself think it sounds like such fun to be able to walk through a warehouse and see what fabrics are offered there." One of the younger girls spoke up. Elizabeth was not surprised to find that most of the women said to be on the cusp of entering the first circles were resistant to her way of thinking, while the ones who had a long way to go, if they ever made it at all, seemed to find it had merit.
"My mother certainly enjoyed it when her personal friend, Mrs Gardiner, escorted her though Mr. Gardiner's warehouse. I assure you, he had bolts, the likes of which I have never seen. How fortunate it was that I met Mrs Darcy and her aunt shortly after her arrival. Her friendship has been invaluable to me, along as have the perks of her uncle owning his own warehouse." Lady Camille exclaimed.
And just like that, Elizabeth found herself in the midst of women clamoring to be her friends, hoping there would be a repeat of the shopping trip to the warehouse in their future.
"Miss Clark, you look absolutely lovely in that dress." Elizabeth smiled when the young lady was admitted into the parlor, the lavender gown she wore complementing her chestnut hair and blue eyes quite nicely. Everyone had followed through with the plan to wear purple, even Fitzwilliam wore a purple vest under his gray coat. The colonel had somehow found out the color Mary planned to wear, and had a vest made to match, while Bingley wore a purple coat.
"Thank you, I was quite pleased with how it turned out myself." They young woman said with a shy smile. Fitzwilliam offered her his arm, ready to escort her to the waiting carriage for their outing. Mr Bingley had been kind enough to bring his own, so they were not too cramped for the ride to the museum.
"Darcy, my boy, what a pleasant surprise!" An older couple approached them within the first five minutes of entering the museum.
"Uncle James, I did not realize you were back in town." Fitzwilliam smiled at the man, "Allow me to introduce you all..." James and Evelyn Darcy smiles never faltered and the introductions were made, and Elizabeth was hopeful that she would like these relatives of her husband. James Darcy was a judge, and he and his wife had been away visiting their oldest son.
"I wish I had known you would all be here today, and all wearing the same color, for I have a new purple gown I have been dying to wear." Aunt Evelyn smiled at the group.
"Oh Aunt, it was Lizzy's idea that we all wear the same color, and it so much fun." Georgiana gushed, and the elder couple couldn't contain their surprise. "I was so excited when she told us the plan, as I fell in love with this fabric when we saw it at the warehouse, but it wasn't in fashion, so I thought I'd never get a chance to wear it."
"I'm glad you wore it my dear, it is very pretty on you." Evelyn Darcy smiled as she pulled the young girl into a warm embrace.
"Lizzy says we should feel free to wear any colors we want, even if they aren't in fashion at the moment. As long as they make us happy, that is all that should matter." Georgiana gushed as the group continued on through the museum.
"She is very much correct, this Lizzy." The older woman smiled.
"Sorry, Elizabeth's sisters have always called her Lizzy, and she said I could do the same as I am her sister now too." Georgiana said proudly.
"Well, if she can bring such a smile to the face of my favorite niece, I look forward to getting to know this Lizzy." The older woman smiled as she tucked her arm through her nieces, as her husband offered his arm to Kitty.
"I always wanted a sister, and now I have four of them." Georgiana gushed, "Kitty has even taught me to retrim old bonnets. However, my favorite are our night time chats before bed between all of us. Kitty is also going to come out with me, so I should not be half so scared next season."
Elizabeth felt her husband squeeze her hand that was resting in the crook of his elbow with us free hand. She also saw the appreciative look his aunt shot her. She could not for the life of her think what could have caused such appreciation in the two. Georgiana was such a bubbly, sweet girl, if a little shy.
"Cartwright, Miss Anderson , what a lovely surprise." Fitzwilliam greeted their friends, and made the introductions to the group, Miss Anderson returning the favor and introducing her brother, who offered his arm to Miss Clark.
"I had heard a rumor you might be attending today, but felt it was just that, a rumor." Cartwright smiled as he struck up a conversation with her husband.
"Miss Anderson, I did not get a chance to speak with you after we parted for the supper set the other night. How did your dress fair the rest of it?" Elizabeth smiled as the couple joined their group. She also noticed that Miss Clark and Mr Anderson were conversing with Mary and the Colonel who was smiling broadly as he escorted her.
"It held up quite nicely, and my maid has since been trying to recreate the stitch, she said it held beautifully for such a temporary thing." The young woman smiled.
"I would be happy to show her the stitch, my sister, Jane, and I have repaired many a torn hem with it over the years."
"I must confess, you are not like anyone expected to be the future Mrs Darcy." The girl blushed, the moment the words left her mouth.
"I could not agree more with you my dear." Evelyn Darcy's voice rang out, and the two young women blushed, not having realized she had joined them. "You are what I had hoped for my niece and nephew." She smiled warmly, "However, I, like many others, thought he held the opinion of certain family members in too high regard to marry where they did not intend." Looking toward where Georgiana and Kitty were giggling at something her husband said, "I am glad to see we were all wrong."