Lizzy donned her best day dress. She was unwilling to leave Lady Catherine waiting for long. What was the woman doing here? She had not been expected until later in the week.
Still, Lizzy wanted to look her best. As Barnes laced her, Lizzy finger-combed her hair to add body to the curls. Her headache, though fading, had left her looking wan. A faint application of rouge and lip pomade brought her features back to life.
Despite her rapid heartbeat, she forced herself to walk at a stately pace. As far as Lady Catherine knew, Lizzy was soon to be mistress of Pemberley. She was determined to look and act the part.
Escorted by the butler, she strode into the drawing room, head high, shoulders back. The lady waiting for her looked positively leonine in a beige wool day dress with a fur collar
