He stared at the flickering ruddy logs for a long time.
This way of thinking would not help him.
“Hello.”
Darcy turned with a start.
Elizabeth stood framed by the door, lovely as a picture. She was beautiful. She met his gaze with a weak smile. If only hecould believe she loved him…
Where did that thought come from?
Remembering Colonel Fitzwilliam’s advice totalkto her, Darcy stepped up to his wife. “Have you had your luncheon yet?”
“A great many fine tea biscuits,” she replied with half a smile, “but no real food.”
Darcy rang the bell and called for a light luncheon to be provided, and then the two sat down. “Did you go to the dressmaker Lady Susan advised for you?”
Elizabeth’s lips immediately thinned.
There it was, that block between them. Why was she suddenly so unhappy at such a simple question?
After the silence hung to the point it was awkward, Darcy made himself say, “In any case I imagine you ordered a great many dresses.”
“Only four,” was the slow reply. “That will be enough, I think.”
“No, no. You will certainly need far more than that.” He suspected he was missing something.
“I might purchase something further from a dressmaker in Derbyshire,” her voice was sharp, “once I am settled in the estate and have a better sense of what is needed.”
Darcy frowned and sat a bit further from Elizabeth, pushed off by her annoyance.
Then he made himself return and put his hand on hers. “My mother always purchased her dresses in London while she was alive. She said the best dressmakers in London simply have a trifle more than anyone else in the country.”
“Your mother was welcome to make her own sartorial choices,” Elizabeth said. “I shall make my own.”
How hard was it for her to understand? “You are taking her place, and you will be judged by that standard.”
“Yes. The daughter of an earl. I will be judged for howwell I can stand against the example of a sparkling daughter of an earl. No doubt she was the toast of the season she came out, a creature of such sublime magnificence that seven young louts ended themselves in despair when she at last settled her choice upon your father. Iwillbe found wanting by that standard.”
She pulled away from him. As she did, Mrs. North and two of the kitchen maids brought in a collection of trays with their light luncheon.
Elizabeth stared at the trays filled with cold meats, cheeses, breads, and what fruits were available in winter. “I thought that you had ordered alightluncheon.”
Darcy found he was not at all hungry, but he poured himself a glass of small beer. “What would you drink?”
Elizabeth shrugged.
Darcy sighed, and picked up a piece of bread, he tilted it from side to side. Shewaswanting the standard by which they would judge her.
“My family is… important to me,” Darcy said slowly. “We share ties of blood and long affection. When we meet over Christmas they will study you. And while therewillbe matters found wanting, it is better that there be fewer.”
Elizabeth poured herself a glass of wine, lifted it up, and then took a long swallow. “I am aware.”
“So then will you not buy additional dresses? — did you at least use the dressmaker Lady Susan advised?”
“I did not,” she replied stiffly. “As I told you I would, I was received by the dressmaker who my aunt has patronized these several years.”
“Then I will take you to Lady Susan’s dressmaker tomorrow. You must—”
