She grew shy and lowered her gaze. “Yes, sir. It is expected, is it not?”
He realized then that she had forgotten herself. Her candid reply was no invitation, only the simple truth. To ease the awkwardmoment, he spoke lightly. “Indeed, it is. Will your gowns be ready before our guests arrive?”
“I believe so,” she said, recovering herself. “We ordered a great many gowns, Fitzwilliam, for Mary, and I had scarcely anything fit to wear. I daresay you will have nothing to blush for when you see me in my new attire.” She longed for him with an ache she scarcely understood, her heart reaching toward his even as she sat beside him. In the quiet of that moment, she prayed that he might find her pleasing, not from duty, but from genuine affection. More than his regard, she yearned for his love and feared how deeply her happiness had already become dependent upon him.
Darcy watched the play of emotions cross her face as she spoke, and he groaned inwardly. He wondered how he would continue to restrain himself if she appeared in gowns that revealed her figure any more than those she already owned. Pulling his thoughts to the present, he was grateful she wore her modest nightdress. It made it just bearable for him to remain in a bedchamber with his alluring wife while forbidden to touch her.
She was silent now, and he bent his mind to the reason he was here, in her bedchamber with her; they were to study, but he said one more thing before turning the subject.
“Elizabeth, I once said that you would look lovely even in a gown made of flour sacks, and I meant it. Be assured, my dear, with you as my wife, I have nothing to blush for.”
“Thank you, sir. That is a very pretty speech, and I am grateful to hear it, especially considering the circumstances of our marriage.”
He picked up her book and turned his gaze on her.
“Are you ready to study?”
She was ready, and she asked her question without hesitation. “Fate is a major force in theOdyssey,sir. What think you of fate? Does mankind not have the power of choice? Is that not one of the principal lessons of Scripture?” She was a curious woman. She was also intelligent, and as she watched him expectantly with her brilliant dark eyes turned on him, he felt grateful that he had recognized her worth before it was too late, and glad that he had saved her from the rector. Now he had only to govern his manners and restrain his tongue, and in time her heart would surely become his.
Chapter 31: Guests At Pemberley
Mary and Georgiana were seated at the pianoforte in the music room, intent on a new and difficult piece. Mary stumbled again over the timing, and Georgiana had her begin the passage once more, her voice calm and patient. Elizabeth had just come in from the tree house, where she had spent a peaceful hour reading under the canopy of leaves. Now she stood quietly in the doorway, reluctant to disturb them. Yet Mr. Bingley and the Hursts were expected to arrive by four o’clock, and Mary still had not permitted Ellis to trim her hair.
Early that morning, Ellis had been firm. “If Miss Mary is serious about finding herself a husband, she must allow me to cut and style her hair. Her gowns are beautiful, made of fine fabrics, and her figure is lovely, equal to that of her two elder sisters, but her hair, my lady, is a disaster.”
Elizabeth had agreed. “Thank you, Ellis. Do you have time today? I will fetch her after I spend an hour reading and will remain in the room while it is done.”
Now, standing at the threshold, Elizabeth hesitated no longer. She entered the music room, and both young women turned at once.
“Mary, I need a word with you in my room,” she said.
Mary rose at once. “Of course.”
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. “Are you ready for our guests, dear? They arrive this afternoon.”
Georgiana’s eyes shadowed. “You are certain they are not bringing Miss Bingley?”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “Quite certain. Mr. Bingley wrote to your brother and said she is with her uncle Ambrose, who is determined to see her married to his son Augustus. Let us hope he succeeds, and we need never see her again.”
As they climbed the stairs, Mary asked, “What is it, Lizzy? Have I done something wrong?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, my dear. But the Bingleys and Hursts come today, tomorrow is church, and on Monday the Lewises arrive. It will be our first time at the Lambton church, and we must look our best. If Mr. Lewis proves to be a kind and respectable man, I hope he will take notice of you. But first, we must do something about your hair.”
Mary sighed. “Oh, my hair. Must it be cut, Lizzy?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said gently. “Ellis is waiting in my room. Tell me, why have you refused her before now?”
Mary hesitated. “What if she cuts it too short, or cuts it wrong? It takes so long to grow again.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Not yours. Your hair has always grown fast. I remember how Kitty and Lydia were bald forever, but you were born with hair that grew like a weed. Mama was forever trimming it.”
Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “Lizzy, Mama used to cut it badly on purpose. She said I was so ugly that it made no difference. One day, I begged her to leave it alone, and since then, she has hated me all the more. But at least she could not make me look worse.”
Elizabeth felt her throat tighten. “Oh, Mary. Ellis is not Mama. She is a skilled maid, and she will take great care. You must trust her.”
When they entered Elizabeth’s chamber, Jane and Ellis were already waiting. A chair had been placed in the center of the floor. Ellis gestured politely. “Please, Miss Mary.”
Mary sat, and Ellis draped a clean towel over her shoulders. Ruby stood nearby, watching closely; she would one day learn to trim hair herself.
