When she dismissed them with a nod, he rose and turned to Elizabeth.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
Then he offered his arm.
“Mrs. Darcy.”
She placed her hand upon it.
Together, they left the room.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth entered the suite on Darcy’s arm, her heart flutteringwith the weight of everything that had passed and what was still to come.
He paused just inside, allowing her a moment to take it in.
The sitting room between the chambers was modest but thoughtfully arranged. A small bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with a surprising variety—poetry, sermons, a few novels. A chess set was already laid out upon a small table, alongside a deck of cards and a few other simple amusements.
It felt… comfortable.
Warm.
Like home.
Darcy released her arm only to take her hand instead.
“These rooms are yours,” he said quietly, indicating one door, then the other. “And mine here. We may—” he hesitated only slightly, “—use them as we find most comfortable.”
Elizabeth nodded, her fingers tightening faintly in his.
“There is a bell for a maid and valet,” he continued. “But…” His voice softened. “If you are agreeable, I would rather not have anyone else present this evening.”
Elizabeth looked up at him, noticing the tension in his shoulders. “I should like that,” she said softly.
Relief—subtle but unmistakable—passed over his features.
She gave a small, almost self-conscious smile. “Though I confess, I should be grateful for a few minutes to free myself from these hairpins. They are beginning to make themselves known.”
His lips curved slightly. “May I assist you? I am not entirely unexperienced.”
Elizabeth stilled.Is he saying… does he mean… surely he would not mention something like… likethaton our wedding night?
Her face evidently betrayed her feelings, because Darcy shook his head with a faint huff of breath. “That was poorlyphrased. I meant only that I have had some small experience—Georgiana has required help from time to time as she has grown, and I have observed Lady Anne remove her own pins often enough on the way home from one social gathering or another.”
He led her gently into her chamber.
The vanity stood near the window, the last light of evening fading beyond it. Elizabeth sat, lifting her hands to begin the careful work of removing the pins.
Darcy stood behind her.
At first, he only watched.
Then, slowly, he reached forward, his fingers careful as he located one of the pins and drew it free.
Another.
And another.
