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The coldness in Caroline’s voice ought to have warned her. Elizabeth persisted, unwilling to let a well-meant offer become an insult merely because she had explained it badly.

“Only if it pleased you. Or any of the others. Mary and I have shared things when neither of us had much occasion for a new gown. We always considered—”

“Miss Bennet, I do not require charity.”

Elizabeth stopped.

“I did not intend it as charity.”

“What did you intend? My brother refuses me a sum which would scarcely trouble him, and you offer to remedy the omission from Mr. Darcy’s generosity.”

That was not what Elizabeth had meant. Hearing it stated so, she understood why the offer had been received with so much anger.

“I was thinking of how we do things at home.”

“I am not one of your sisters.”

“No. I beg your pardon.”

The apology did not satisfy Caroline. She stepped back from the bed, leaving the blue sleeve where it had fallen.

“I am perfectly able to provide for myself. I do not need to borrow a gown, least of all one which our host has supplied for somebody else.”

“Then we need say no more about it.”

“You seem remarkably comfortable with the arrangement.”

Elizabeth looked at her. The desire to mend the conversation began to give way to something less generous.

“You have just heard me object to having it discussed downstairs.”

“An objection made after the parcels arrived.”

“When would you have preferred it? Before I knew there was to be an argument concerning them?”

Caroline drew herself up. “I should merely advise a little caution in the advantages you accept.”

“I shall consider the advice. I do not think I shall accept a reproach for offering to lend you a gown.”

For a moment neither spoke.

“You would do better not to repeat the offer,” Caroline said.

“You may depend upon me.”

Caroline left. Elizabeth stood beside the bed until the sound of her steps had faded, then smoothed the sleeve herself.

She had been foolish. Not because sharing a gown was shameful, or because Caroline had any right to be insulting, but because she had heard the argument with Charles and failed to consider how her offer would sound immediately afterward. She had thought kindness must be understood merely because she intended it.

She could own that much without agreeing to everything Caroline had said.

Later, Elizabeth put on the brown pelisse for a short walk with Sally. Sir joined them at the door and appeared to approve the new garment chiefly because it indicated an excursion.

The air had cooled. Beyond the shelter of the house she felt the wind against her cheeks, but the wool kept her comfortably warm. She could look at the changing trees without wondering how soon she must turn back. The hem cleared the path as Mrs. Mercer had promised.

She liked it exceedingly.

That, too, must be admitted.