‘Forgive me for asking, but is there a problem?’
‘A problem?’ I echoed.
‘Yes, I feel for you as I myself was pregnant almost immediately. In truth, I believe I conceived on our wedding night. Buttwo a half years—that is a long time to wait.’
She leaned in closer to me. ‘Can he not?’ she whispered, then lifted her little finger into the air along with an eyebrow.
I inhaled sharply. That was going too far!
‘It is a common issue and nothing Max need be ashamed of,’ continued Elizabeth blithely. ‘Edward was the same for a while between our second and third. But the doctor prescribed a dailytablespoon of ginseng and a cold bath once a week, and he was ready to go once again—’
‘I assure you,Max has no problems in that department,’ I interrupted hastily, not wanting further details of Edward’s marital prowess.
‘Oh, then why have you not ...?’
Lord, she was not going to let it alone.
‘It is simple enough,’ I said tightly. ‘I have decided not to have children, and Max supports my decision. I thank you for your concern, but we are both perfectly happy, and there is no problem or anything else that needs discussing.’
Elizabeth seemed not to know what to say to this except to mutter ‘extraordinary’ under her breath and was content to be silent for the remainder of the walk until we reached the house.
***
I mentioned the conversation to Jane later on when we were getting ready for the ball, and she was shocked at Elizabeth’s gumption.
‘I am sorry she interrogated you so. She should not have made enquiries of that nature,’ she said, smoothing her white muslin down over her pink silk slip. I gestured she should turn around so I could do up the small ivory buttons. ‘It is onlybecause she is popping them out left, right, and centre that she thinks every other woman must do so as well.’ She shrugged her shoulders in indignation, and the button I was struggling to do up slipped out of my grasp.
‘Speaking of popping out, stand still. These buttons are fiddly.’
‘Sorry.’
‘Well, I told her the truth, and she barely managed to disguise her shock. I am only mentioning it to you because she may want to discuss it, so be warned.’
‘If she does, I will say that she needs to keep her nose out of your affairs!’
‘All right, but perhaps word it more gently. I do not want to offend my host when I have only just arrived.’
I knew Jane could be snippy when she decided to voice her opinions.
Her buttons done, I turned my attention to my own white gown. It was the nicest and most expensive one I owned. The muslin was shot through with gold silk thread, and it had a small train. My dressmaker had assured me it was the height of fashion in Paris. Not that I’d had any chance to wear it yet living in Derbyshire—balls were few and far between in our part of the country.
Once we had affixed our white ostrich-feather headdresses, we were ready.
‘Good enough for first bench material I should think,’ Jane declared, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
‘First bench?’
‘Yes, the first bench is closest to the dancing and where the eligible young men can take their pick of a partner. Elder ladies and children are on the second bench.’
‘I should be on that one then since I am an old married woman,’ I said. ‘Look, I have crow’s feet.’ I scrunched up my eyes, causing faint wrinkles to fan out.
Jane giggled. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. You will be on the first bench with Lucy and me. I expect you to be in high demand since you look so beautiful.’
‘You have to say that as you are my friend, but thank you.’
There was a light knock at the door, and Lucinda called out, ‘Are you ready? Can I come in?’
‘Speak of the devil,’ I murmured, and Jane giggled.
