“And out of it,” he added.
Her cheeks colored. Still clutching her bodice against her breast, she glanced downward. She remained mostly decent. The petticoat reached nearly to the floor, but it had been fashioned from fine linen and proved almost transparent. Even as she studied herself, the outline of her legs showed plainly beneath the fabric.
“I look a fright, sir, and should Ruby return now, the servants shall be scandalized.”
He crossed to the door and turned the lock. “There. The servants shall knock when they bring up the water.”
“May I assist you with your hairpins?”
She raised a brow. “You wish to help me with my hair?”
“Yes, ma’am. I should like it exceedingly.”
She did not respond but seated herself at the dressing table, still holding her bodice pressed to her breast.
He came to stand behind her. Through the mirror, she watched his face as he concentrated upon removing each pin with care so as not to pull her hair.
“Sir, we shall be here all night unless you make haste.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
He had nearly finished when a tap sounded upon the door. She hurried behind the screen while he answered it.
Martha stood there with two pails of water.
“Thank you, Martha. I shall take those.”
He carried the pails into the room, then shut and locked the door behind him.
He emptied the water into the tub and grinned at his wife.
“May I assist you, darling?”
She stood silent, looking at him.
“No, sir. Perhaps another time, but at present I feel exceedingly nervous and embarrassed. I am certain that with time and growing familiarity, I shall welcome your assistance with my bath, Mr. Darcy, but not this first evening.”
“Well, ma’am, a husband may hope. Goodness knows, you might have said yes.” He spoke with a grin.
“Sir, should I permit you such liberties, I doubt matters would end with the bath, and to speak honestly, Mr. Darcy, after such intimacies, I should scarcely know where to direct my eyes when we sat alone together at dinner.”
“Of course. I had not considered that.”
“And it is still daylight, sir.”
“Ah, yes. The cover of darkness shall likely help put you more at ease this first time.”
She lowered her gaze to the floor. “Yes, sir.”
He bowed. “I shall not press you, my love. But I confess I look forward to our time together. I shall take my leave through the connecting door.”
She raised her eyes. “Connecting door, sir?”
He gestured toward a wall panel, and only then did she perceive the concealed door.
Elizabeth offered a brief nod and waited while he bowed once more and departed. Left alone, she realized she had neither towel, wrap, nor soap.
She crossed to the connecting door and knocked. A moment later, he opened it.
