Darcy flushed and looked down. He took a bite of ham, chewing it slowly.
She tilted his head. “I’d only heard of maidens doing that when they hoped to catch a finebeau.”
He felt his face go hot. Had he really been so infatuated all this time?
Elizabeth’s expression was not displeased, but it also was not delighted. She looked thoughtful.
They were quiet again. Both of them preoccupied.
After a while Darcy decided that it was not right for him to wholly abandon his earlier concern. “Do attend the dressmakers Lady Susan recommended. We will host many of my relations, including my uncle the Earl of Matlock, and his son Viscount Hartwood.”
“Ah.” Her voice was frosty and clamped down. “An earl.”
Elizabeth was gripping her fork in a vaguely threatening manner. The earlier relaxation and friendliness in her manner was wholly gone.
Darcy sighed. He absentmindedly took a big swallow of his coffee.Jove. Too hot. He nearly spat it out in shock, but managed to drink it all back, slightly burning his mouth and throat.
Either Elizabethwoulddress to the level expected by thetonwithout Lady Susan’s aid, or she would realize her own insufficiency during the Christmas holidays without Darcy needing to press her further. They would not yet be exposed to society in general. He only… Darcy wanted her to appear at her best.
His whole family would strongly disapprove of this marriage, and by not dressing properly Elizabeth would give them added reasons for censure. There was enough censure.
And it was her duty. It was her duty to play her part as his wife.
“Mr. Darcy, I simply do not wish to spend an excess on clothing. This is a firm determination I have made, and—”
“You used your arts and allurements to make me forget what I owed to myself and all my family,” Darcy suddenly snapped back, surprising himself. “Dressing properly for your position is a part of what you undertook to do when you chose to marry me.”
“Oh. So, I—” Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut. There was a long pause.
“They will judge me. Not you,me. Fromyouthey expect nothing. How you dress reflects upon everyone connected to the Darcy name. My family will watch.”
They ate together quietly now.
He supposed he had not spent much time imagining what life would be like with Elizabeth in that hurried week as he arranged everything necessary before his return to Netherfield. But he knew he’d expected her to talk and laugh with him. If they debated and argued, it would be with a lighthearted spirit. They shouldn’t be angry and cold.
Jove, he wasright.
Her clothes would not stand up to the sort of inspection they’d be given. Their implicit contract was for him to provide her the benefits of marriage to a man in his position, and for her to fulfill the duties of his wife. Those did notjustincludethe wedding bed. Those duties included being an ornament for the Darcy house, and now she just refused to take on that duty out of some misplaced sense of confidence in her own abilities and a worry aboutmoneyof all things.
“This is why you chose to marry me,” Darcy added harshly. “You wanted to be able to afford many fine dresses and carriages. And now you can. So do not pretend to frugalitynow. Just spend the money at the appropriate dressmaker, so you’ll do honor to the family.”
“Yes, whyelsemight I have ever done such a thing as use myarts and allurementson you. Why else would I make you forget what youowe.”
Darcy was unsettled.
They were both quiet as they finished the meal.
“What do you plan to do today?” Elizabeth’s voice cracked as she asked without looking at him. She pushed away her empty plate.
“I do not know.” He’d thought they’d spend the day together. He was thinking of attending on her when she went to Lady Susan’s dressmaker. It was silly, but he wanted to be near her as much as he could. That was suddenly impossible. “I’ll visit my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. His regiment is stationed in Surrey. Close enough. Also, I’ll talk with my man of business about the investments to make next time the coupons are clipped. You will have ample time to go shopping while I am out… Perhaps we can spend the afternoon together?”
“Shopping? Yes, that clearly is all I can want in life.” Elizabeth grimaced and looked down. “I apologize.”
“You have more than enough pin money, and the allowance for the first half is available to you as a draft on my bank. This was all set forth clearly in the settlement papers.”
“I—” Elizabeth slumped and sighed.
How the deuce was he supposed to talk with her? This was never so difficult before. He cast his mind over his acquaintance with Elizabeth to try to find a topic of conversation that wouldnotlead to her being annoyed again. “Perhaps books?” He smiled at her.
