Pemberley Ranch - Jack Caldwell [47]
“I would like that very much, if that is all right with you,” Beth added.
Mrs. Burroughs seemed pleased that Beth had deferred to her. “I am very glad that you have become a friend to my daughter, Miss Bennet. It shall be as you wish.” The grand lady stood up, dismissing the other two. “Dinner is at six.”
“I hope Mother didn’t offend you,” a worried Anne asked as the two ladies walked to her room.
“Not at all,” Beth lied. The woman had deeply offended her, but she would keep it to herself rather than distress poor Anne. Beth was afraid the shy thing would break down at any time. “What is it you want to show me?”
Anne opened the door. “In here.” Beth followed her friend into a well-appointed bedroom to see a four-poster bed covered in ball dresses. Anne bit her lip as Beth gawked.
“I want you to take your pick,” Anne said. “For the party. I’d like you to pick a dress for the party, if you want.”
Beth wandered over to the bed, her fingers touching the soft fabric, her eyes delighting in the rainbow of colors. She knew none of her own dresses were as fine. Lace, silk, taffeta… she shook her head. “Anne, I don’t know how I can accept…”
“You don’t have to, you know. But I thought you may want to try one on. I’ve got so many, I… I thought it would be fun.”
Beth turned to Anne. “We’re not exactly the same size, you know.”
Anne blushed. “I know you’re… more endowed than I am.” It was Beth’s turn to blush. “But one of our maids is an excellent seamstress, and I just know she can make any alterations we need.” She looked down. “Please, Beth. I don’t have a sister to share these things with me. I’d really like it. Would you please?”
Beth’s last resistance to the gesture broke down. “Very well. But I can’t promise any will look as good on me as they undoubtedly look on you.”
A broad smile broke out on Anne’s face. “Let’s find out! I’ll call for Bertha now.”
An hour later, Beth looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror as she modeled a dress of pink silk and lace. “That is very nice,” Bertha the maid observed.
“I don’t know,” mumbled Anne.
“Anne,” cried Beth, “this is the sixth dress I’ve tried on. They’re all beautiful! I’d be happy with any of them.”
“But they’re not right! Are they, Bertha?”
“Do you have something else in mind, Miss Anne?” the maid asked.
“Don’t you think Beth would look best in a darker color?”
Bertha nodded. “Yes… but all these dresses are in light shades.”
A gleam was in Anne’s eye. “Wait right here.” She turned and reached into a closet while Bertha helped Beth out of the pink dress. When Beth turned, Anne was holding a blue dress. “Try this one, Beth.”
Beth admired the dress. It was dark blue silk with silver embroidery. It was the most beautiful dress Beth had ever seen.
“Oh, no, Anne, I couldn’t!”
The heiress would not take no for an answer. A few minutes later, Beth was twirling before the mirror, Anne clapping in delight. “Oh, it’s perfect! It’s perfect! Just like he—like I said it would be!”
Beth did not pay close attention to Anne’s words, for she was mesmerized by the dress. The dark shade set off her pale complexion while complementing her hair. It felt like a dream, and it moved as if it were alive. She felt like a princess.
Bertha watched with a critical eye. “If I let out the bodice…” She pulled at the top. “Yes, that will do. Lovely!”
“I don’t know what to say,” Beth said.
Anne walked over to take her hands. “I have plenty of dresses, and that one looks so well on you. Can we have it ready before the party, Bertha?”
“Oh, yes, miss. If I start right now, it will be done tonight.”
Beth tried to resist one last time. “Are you sure it’s no trouble?” Assured it was not, Beth had no other argument. “All right, then.”
Anne laughed and danced about the room.
July 3
Early the next morning, Anne rode her thoroughbred along Rosings Creek towards Rosings. About halfway there, she made her expected rendezvous with a tall, dark-haired man.
“Hello, Anne,” called out Will Darcy. “And how’s Princess today?”
Anne reached down to pat her beloved