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“I make it sound as though I have already answered this request.”
Charles spoke without raising his voice. That made his weariness more apparent than anger would have done. Elizabeth had heard him yield to Caroline often enough over arrangements which mattered little to him. He was not yielding now.
“Mr. Darcy appears to understand what a young lady requires,” Caroline said.
“Lizzy did not bring a wardrobe for a Derbyshire winter because she has never needed one in Hertfordshire. Darcy offered to provide what was wanting. Her father agreed to it. I see no resemblance to a request for a new gown when you have several which you have scarcely worn.”
Elizabeth felt her face grow warm. “I should not like to be made the example on either side.”
Charles looked ashamed. “You are quite right. Forgive me.”
Caroline said nothing.
“I shall take this to Jane,” he continued, raising the book. “Caroline, if there is a necessary expense which I have overlooked, tell me what it is. Otherwise, the answer remains the same.”
He left them, and Elizabeth found herself wishing he had taken her out of the room as readily as the book.
“Brothers are very easily satisfied with another woman’s appearance,” Caroline said.
“I have none, and cannot compare your experience with my own.”
“You must find that an advantage.”
“I have been glad to acquire Charles by Jane’s marriage, if that may count.”
Caroline put the letter upon the table. “Mrs. Reynolds tells me you chose blue silk.”
“I did.”
“A difficult colour if it is not properly chosen.”
“Jane thought it suitable.”
“Jane would think you becoming in a bed curtain.”
Elizabeth could not entirely deny it. “Then perhaps you should inspect the gown and provide a less partial opinion.”
She had meant it as a light answer. Caroline accepted at once.
They went upstairs together. Sally had finished putting away the paper and gone to attend another duty; Sir had abandoned the window seat for some more promising company. For once, Elizabeth’s room contained only the two women.
Caroline examined the blue silk first.
“The finish is plain.”
“I asked for it to be.”
“So I perceive.” Caroline lifted the sleeve a little and let it fall. “The cloth is better than I should have expected from a local dressmaker.”
Elizabeth ought to have accepted this limited approval and said no more. Instead she remembered how eagerly Kitty would have inspected every seam, and how readily Jane would have offered her the use of anything she particularly admired.
“You might borrow it,” she said.
Caroline looked up.
“If you should wish for a change. We are not precisely the same size, but Sally might advise us whether it could be managed without spoiling the fit. Jane and I have often contrived it.”
“You propose that I should wear your gown?”
