Page 35 of Cousin Elizabeth
Mary made a face at Beth, “You have already met all my friends. You will only meet a few more of the four and twenty families here abouts.”
“Well then, I must impress them! Make sure to let Kitty and Lydia do your hair. Make sure it’s pretty and soft.” She gave all her cousins a hug, and an especially long one for Mary since she knew she was nervous.
~~~~~
“Beth, would you mind coming to my room and giving me your opinion?”
“If you wish Carloine. About what?”
“I cannot decide between two dresses. I would like you to tell me which you think is best. Although your dresses are a bit less ornate than I am used to, they are lovely and go with your complexion very well.”
“Certainly. Lead on.”
There were two dresses laid out over Caroline’s bed when they entered her chambers. One was burnt orange and the other chartreuse. Beth could not hold back her exclamation. “WHYeverwould you wear such horrid colors?! You have red hair and alabaster skin! These will make you look like you’re seasick!”
Caroline was absolutely shocked by the outburst. “But..but..but these are the latest fashion. My friend said these colors were made for me!”
“That was not a friend, Caro.Thatwas someone who is jealous of your beauty and wants you to look ridiculous.”
Caroline stood with her jaw flapping and then she burst into tears. Beth hugged her and they stood rocking for several minutes then Caroline started laughing rather hysterically. “Everything I bought for our sojourn in the country are these colors! Why did no one tell me?”
“You were not wearing either of these colors when I arrived, and I thought maybe you were wearing an old dress last night at dinner. Your morning dress was very nice.”
“I saw how you were dressed the day before, and I did not want you to feel like I was trying to show you up.”
“Oh dear. Shall we have a look in your closet?”
“Nowthisis a beautiful gown!”
“But it is from two seasons ago!”
Beth squinted and pursed her lips, “Caroline, do you truly think men pay attention to fashion? I mean, there are some dandies who do, but are you trying to attract that type?”
“Well, no.” Caroline looked pensive and sad.
“Caro, I like you. I really do. I am not competition for you in any way. I will likely either never marry or marry some farmer in Virginia. I have no reason to lie to you. I understand your desire to climb the rungs of society, but you need to reflect a bit, will it make you happy? Mr. Darcy is a farmer. No, no! Do not say anything yet. He is a rich farmer, but a farmer none the less. He would spend all his time in Derbyshire if his Fitzwilliam aunt and uncle did not expect him to spend time with the ton. Are you interested in spending your life in the wilds of Derbyshire?”
“But surely, he would spend half the year in London! He…”
“He would want to have a family right away and only go to town for a month or two a year for business and to see a play or two. Do not lie to yourself. He would not change who he is for anywoman. And as for the viscount, you do not have the pedigree he requires.”
“But…but…”
“No buts my friend. If your true desire is to climb the social ladder, you must look elsewhere. A politician, a judge, a navy captain or army general. Someone ambitious who needs a beautiful and smart woman who will advance his career.”
“But I was instructed at one of the finest seminaries in England. I have twenty thousand pounds for a dowry! You said yourself I am beautiful. Why could I not attract a man of worth?”
“You have a rather narrow vision of a man of worth, Caroline, and Gigi’s dowry is twice yours. Mine is five times as much…that is between you and me…that only makes us more valuable to men who need money. It does not make us more valuable to men of worth.”
“Five times!You have one hundredthousandpounds?!”
“Well, dollars. It is the same. Anyway, the point is for you to find a man and a lifestyle that will make you happy. Mr. Darcy will not. Viscount Rosemont will not have you. Think about what youwantCaroline. But take your time. No need to hurry, but we doneed to hurry and decide on a dress. I still need to bathe and have a bite to eat. I do not like to dance hungry.”
Caroline again looked pensive and thoughtful, “Why did Louisa never tell me I look awful in those colors?”
Beth tipped her head to the side and raised an eyebrow, “What would you have said if she did?”
“I would have railed and told her she was wrong. Good lord, what a harridan I have been.”
