Page 43 of A Marriage is Arranged

As the days passed, Louise’s initial sorrow was replaced by a sense of the injustice of her situation. She too became more and more angry. To be the wife her husband wanted, she had completely changed her way of life and even her appearance. And what had he given up? Nothing. He was continuing to visit his lady-love, for that was how she interpreted his after-dinner disappearances, while she did all she could to keep his home running smoothly and appear in public as the elegant Countess. The more she reflected on these injustices, the angrier she became, until she decided she would make him pay. She would make him see she was not to be the mouse at home while he played with the cat abroad.

Véronique had by now sent her a number of gowns, day dresses, evening and ballgowns and even a gown to wear when carriage driving in the park. The Earl had thought she might enjoy this, but when he asked her to accompany him, she politely refused. The reality was that with her emotions roiling she did not think she could sit close to him alone for so long without exploding, but she told him it was because she had nothing to wear. The park was well known for being an unofficial fashion parade and she did not want to appear without the appropriate apparel.

“Order something, then,” he said. “Have them send me the bill. ”

After some thought, she ordered the driving outfit and told Véronique to send the bills for all her new gowns to her husband. She could have paid for some of them herself, but why should she?

Let him pay , she thought savagely. He wants an elegant wife. It’s up to him to afford it.

The Earl was increasingly annoyed that while his wife was pleasant and smiling to everyone else, to him she was merely coolly polite. His temper was not improved when the third fortnight of their marriage began and he declared his intention of visiting her. She refused him.

“As I recall,” she said calmly, “the contract said on dates mutually agreeable . This date is not agreeable to me. I prefer to wait.”

He scowled with frustration, but would not let his anger show.

“Very well,” he said. “Perhaps you would be good enough to let me know which date is agreeable. Until then, I shall importune you no further.”

Now, when he saw the eye-wateringly high bill for his wife’s gowns, his brows rose.

“Goddam it!” he swore. “So I am to have all of the disadvantages of being a married man and none of the advantages!”

His anger led him to mention the bill to Louise, something he would never normally have even considered.

“I received a large bill from your dressmaker. Have you nothing left of your allowance?”

“Yes, I have, but you said to send the bills to you.”

He racked his brain. “When did I say that?”

“When you told me to order a carriage dress.”

“As I recall, we talked only of that specific item.”

“Oh? Is that what you meant? I misunderstood. I’m so sorry. Would you like me to give you what I have?” Louise feigned surprise.

The Earl would have died before accepting money from his wife.

“Of course not. It’s of no matter. I’ll pay the bill. But perhaps you will have the goodness to warn me in future when I am to expect such an outlay.”

“Yes, my lord.”

But things were to go from bad to worse.