Smiling, she greeted Smith, and her maid returned it cheerfully. “The master awaits you in the breakfast room,” she said, holding up the gown Elizabeth had selected the night before. It was a favorite. The color was between red and blush, and there were delicate yellow blossoms stitched at the neck, sleeves, and on the ribbon around the high waistline.
Smith made quick work of her mistress’s hair after slipping the gown over her head and fastening the many buttons. In a trice, Elizabeth was ready. “Will you show me to the breakfast room?” she asked her maid. Smith nodded and led her mistress out of her chamber and down the stairs. The hall directly across from the stairs led them further away from the front door. Near the end was a small room. Decorated in yellow and blue, the room’s atmosphere invited the occupant to relax. The morning sun poured through the window, warming the room.
“Good morning,Mrs. Darcy,” her husband said, standing as she entered the room. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said.
“Sit by me,” he commanded, indicating the chair next to his. “I do not wish your lovely countenance to be too far away.”
She obeyed him, silently frustrated at his officious and demanding nature. She ought to be able to pick whatever seat she wished since it was only the two of them.
“What will we do today?” she asked as she buttered a scone.
“I thought a tour of the house sounded agreeable,” he replied. “What say you?”
“Can we begin with the library?” She sounded eager, and her response caused him to smile. She rather liked it when he did so, and she wondered how often she could make him grin.
“If you like, though you must promise me that we will see the rest of the house. I am afraid once you set foot inside, I shall never be able to get you to leave.”
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, her earlier pique gone. “I promise.”
He chuckled. “Your reaction to this room will inform mewhenyou can see the library at Pemberley.” His warning held no threat or ire, and Elizabeth thought him to be teasing.
After their meal, he escorted her upstairs and through the doors to the library. She froze in the doorway, gasping in delight.
The room had two levels. The main level had shelves on three walls. The last wall had a window that, upon closer observation, looked out into the gardens. The second level could be accessed by a staircase on the wall across from the window. It was only wide enough to admit one person, and Elizabeth climbed it to the small walkway before the shelves on the upper level. She ran her hand over the spines of the books. “I could spend all day here,” she said.
“That is what I feared,” Darcy said from the lower lever. “I promise we can spend as long as you like in hereafterwe see the rest of the house.”
She did not wish to leave, but she climbed down the stairs and took her husband’s arm. He led her from the room, and she glanced behind them regretfully.
The tour of the house took some time, for Mr. Darcy took care to explain the subject of paintings, the origin of décor, and the history of the house. She listened attentively. His explanations were very interesting, and the more he spoke, the more she realized that her husbandwascapable of making conversation when he was comfortable.I shall have to help him be comfortable more often,she resolved to herself.
At the end of the tour, they returned to the library. Darcy ordered luncheon served there, and they dined at a table thatstood in the center of the room. After consuming their meal, Elizabeth perused the books, selecting two to take back to her chamber.
The rest of the day they spent agreeably engaged in each other’s company, and Elizabeth thought she might come to like being Mrs. Darcy very much.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
May 5, 1812
Darcy House, London
Elizabeth
It surprised Elizabeth to learn that she did not wholly object to her new husband’s company. His solicitousness knew no bounds, and he took every opportunity to lavish attention on his new wife.
They had no visitors those first two weeks; their knocker was down, giving the couple time to become used to sharing a home. Elizabeth missed her sisters and Georgiana. She missed Charlotte, too, despite knowing her friend resided just a few doors away.
At the end of their time in each other’s exclusive company, Elizabeth received a note from Lady de Bourgh inviting her to tea. They had much to discuss, or so the note said.
“Georgiana is to return today,” Darcy said over breakfast.
“I am glad. I have missed her company.” Elizabeth buttered her scone and took a bite.
“I hope you have had no cause to repinemycompany.” He winked at her, and she smiled.He is not so objectionable when we are alone,she thought. “I expect we shall have callers soon. Our wedding announcement was published yesterday.”
“Why the delay?” she asked curiously. They had been married for two weeks already. Was he ashamed of her so soon?
