“Are you not the least pleased that your priceless possession has been returned to you?”
Darcy flattened his palms over his hair, which was in shocking disarray.
“How did Miss Molesworth respond to your request to return thegui?”
“She conferred with a gentleman, who I believed was her father as the voice sounded feeble and weak. She expressed concern you might arrive to retrieve it, and they agreed to my entreaty.”
Darcy shoulders lowered into their natural position.
“Very well,” he muttered. “I suppose we must prepare for dinner.”
Elizabeth could have cried with relief. She had chosen a sensible husband, but now she was truly pressed for time. As much as she would have liked to enquire about the preparations for the evening’s meal, it was too late to confer with the housekeeper. She had just about enough time to change out of her day gown into her evening attire. Mr and Mrs Hurst were coming for dinner, and she had been unable to avoid inviting Miss Bingley, too, despite how little she enjoyed her company, so looking her best was of the essence.
She rang for her maid and was prepared in time to greet her guests.
“What an exquisite necklace!” Mrs Hurst exclaimed upon espying her.
“Yes.” Elizabeth adjusted the drop pendant. “Mr Darcy gave it to me this morning.”
“It has been an expensive day,” Darcy remarked flatly in what must have been an unthinking moment of exasperation. “The necklace was nothing compared to willingly allowing Miss Molesworth to abscond with my Shanggui.” He added aloud what he surely had meant to be a thought.
Darcy looked as shocked as Elizabeth felt and met her gaze with a plea to be pardoned, but the damage was already done.
“The one you kept in your library?” Mr Hurst queried, a deep frown marring his bloated features.
“The very one,” Darcy confirmed lightly. “Fortunately, Elizabeth managed to persuade Miss Molesworth to return it.”
“She demanded the gift be returned?” Miss Bingley smirked whilst her head moved between Darcy, Elizabeth, and exchanging sly looks with her sister.
The aforementioned ladies’ incredulous laughter added insult to Elizabeth’s injury.
“What a terrible mistake! I am sure it is the most sought-after piece of Chinese art in all of England, and Mrs Darcygaveit away? I cannot account for it.” Miss Bingley turned to her hostess. “What could you have been thinking?”
Elizabeth chose to avoid the question and guided her guests to the dining room. It was a blessing to sit opposite Darcy on this occasion, as she usually sat beside him when they were alone. She had erred, but it was not necessary to advertise her blunder to all and sundry. Especially in the presence of Miss Bingley.
When the strained dinner was over and the guests had left, Darcy announced that he had business in his study.
“You may retire, dearest. I shall be but a moment.”
“I shall join you.” It was in her interest to gain more knowledge upon the subject of Chinese artefacts.
“That would not be productive. I shall finish my letters much quicker without you distracting me from my purpose.”
“Will you allow me to fetch a book? I shall be out of your way within minutes,” Elizabeth promised.
Darcy nodded with a deep sigh that made Elizabeth hasten to retrieve the tome she wanted and leave as promptly as possible.
She put the book on a table while she undressed before settling in a chair by the fire. She might as well read while she waited for her husband to join her.
Elizabeth awoke in the morning to a cold and lonely bed, still in her robe, with a vague memory of being carried in Darcy’s arms.
Chapter 10 Paradise Lost
Matlock House, April 30th
Darcy was staring out of the carriage window with a sort of coiled readiness that made Elizabeth’s stomach tighten. Miss Darcy would have been a welcome distraction, but a sore throat prohibited her from attending.
She smoothed the skirt on her new Dhaka muslin and silk evening gown and straightened the diamond necklace, still trembling from dressing for the evening. The dress, stays, and slippers had been delivered half an hour ago. The last fitting and adjustments had been done with not a minute to spare, and once the gown adorned her body it was abundantly clear that two grave mistakes had been made. Firstly, the stays were too short, or the bodice was missing a layer or two at the top. She could see her areolas through the sheer fabric. Secondly, the split in the skirt ran so high she was certain someone might glimpse her bare buttocks when she moved.
