Page 66 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

It was raining heavily, and Elizabeth waited in the drawing room, wondering if Darcy’s aunt would brave the storm. She and Georgiana were to call on her this morning.

Higgins announced Lady Helen and Elizabeth rose to her feet and curtsied. The Countess stood at the entrance of the drawing room and studied Elizabeth from the top of her head down to her shoes.

“Georgiana, darling, go upstairs to your room and dress for shopping. I will speak with Mrs. Darcy first, and then I will send for you when I am ready to leave.”

Georgiana curtsied. “Yes, Aunt.”

Elizabeth remained standing until Lady Helen patted the seat next to her. “Come, my dear. Sit down. I must get to know you and learn what work must be done before you are introduced to society. Tell me, Elizabeth, what sort of education have you received?”

Elizabeth smiled, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

“I was educated by an instructor who studied at Cambridge in classical literature. I have studied The Odyssey, one of the two great Greek epics. I speak French and Italian, and I am well read in history and current affairs. I can hold my own with any man in conversation regarding politics. I enjoy the game of chess and often win, even if I play against a man. I play the pianoforte a little and I can sing.”

Lady Helen nodded. “Come with me to the music room. I must hear how well you play and sing.”

Lady Helen sat near the instrument, and Elizabeth sat at the pianoforte and sang the song she knew best. After she sang The Elfin King, Lady Helen asked for two more pieces. Elizabeth sang Earl Brand and The Cruel Brother.

“You have a lovely singing voice,” the Countess said at last. “That alone may serve you well. Yet your piano is less accomplished. Do you know at least four songs such as these?”

“Yes, my lady. I know twelve.”

“Very good. Select five and learn the accompaniments thoroughly. I shall send Georgiana’s master to you beginning tomorrow, and he will ensure your playing matches your voice.”

Elizabeth inclined her head. “Yes, my lady.”

Lady Helen shifted easily into French. “êtes-vous à l’aise en francais? écrivez-vous également en francais?”

Elizabeth answered at once. “Je suis très à l’aise pour parler et écrire en francais, madame.”

The Countess nodded. “Your accent is excellent. And I see that you are not vulgar. That was my greatest fear, for vulgarity is almost impossible to correct. Your instructor did you great credit.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I shall write to my father that he chose well.”

Lady Helen studied her thoughtfully. “Now, let me see your curtsy to a baron. Then to an earl. And finally, to a duke.”

Elizabeth complied, her movements graceful.

“Good. I shall send you a master to teach the proprieties of introductions and the modes of address. How is your dancing?”

Elizabeth laughed. “I know all the dances. Fitzwilliam has never found fault with me, and as you know, he is very particular. Wouldn’t he have said something to me if my dancing needed correction? He is not afraid to point out my failings or those of my family.” She bit back a grin.

The Countess leaned her head to one side, thinking. “Perhaps not. He may have been too besotted to notice. You will meet with the dancing master, and he will report back to me. If you dance well, you can forgo further sessions.”

She rose. “These next four weeks will be difficult but necessary. If you do not measure up to my standards, I shall delay your entrance into society until you are prepared.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, my lady.”

“Now ring for Georgiana. We must be on our way to the modiste.”

In the carriage, Georgiana turned to her sister-in-law. “Elizabeth, how do you like Pemberley?”

Elizabeth smiled. “It is lovely. Fitzwilliam has walked with me each morning, showing me the best paths.”

“And the house? Do you not find it lovely?”

Elizabeth flushed slightly. “Pemberly is lovely and elegantly appointed. I have not yet seen the entire house, though. Fitzwilliam has not yet given me a full tour. The days slipped away before we knew it.”

Georgiana frowned. “Two months is a great deal of time. Surely Mrs. Reynolds did not occupy you entirely with accounts and menus?”

Elizabeth flushed. “Fitzwilliam kept me occupied. With one thing and another, there was not enough time in the day.”

Lady Helen intervened smoothly. “Georgiana, how do you feel about attending a family ball this year? I am planning one for Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, and another for Richard and Anne. Phillip must also attend because I expect him to marry by the end of the season.”

Georgiana laughed. “Cousin Phillip is not so very old, Aunt. He is but two-and-thirty.”

“Two-and-thirty is old enough. He must begin his nursery, for your uncle grows no younger.”

The Countess turned to Elizabeth. “I should be happy if Phillip were to bring home a bride like you. Do you have any unmarried sisters?”

Elizabeth answered politely. “No, my lady. Jane, my eldest, is married to Mr. Bingley. My youngest is only fifteen. The rest of us are all settled.”

“Are your sisters as handsome as you, my dear?”

Elizabeth blushed. “Thank you, my lady. Jane is accounted the beauty of our family.”

“Then she must be a Venus indeed,” Lady Helen said with a laugh.

She sobered slightly. “Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam is a possessive man. You may not yet have seen it, but I warn you not to be surprised. You will need to temper your natural liveliness. You are a beautiful woman and will be much admired. I fear that my nephew will not bear it well.”

Elizabeth blinked. “Yes, my lady. I will remember.”

The three ladies spent the rest of the day at Lady Helen’s modiste.

The day was consumed by everything Elizabeth most detested.

She was measured to within an inch of her life, and then she was required to select patterns and fabrics.

By the time they left the shop, Elizabeth felt like she would scream.

She was ready to agree to anything, but Lady Helen was very particular and would not approve a pattern or fabric until she had looked at it from every angle.

That evening, Elizabeth picked at her dinner, and both she and Georgiana retired early.

Darcy entered Elizabeth’s chamber at half past nine and was surprised to find the candles out and his wife asleep.

He slipped beneath the counterpane, content to share the same chamber and bed with his lovely wife. He counted himself privileged to be in her company.”

What seemed a moment later, Elizabeth reached out to touch him, and he peered through the darkness. She was looking at him. “Fitzwilliam, come closer.”

He kissed her. “You are tired, darling. I will not tease you tonight.”

She lifted her head to kiss him. “I am never too tired for you, my handsome husband. Did you not know that you are my prince? You’ve walked straight out of my favorite French novel, and now you are here in my bed with me.” Her laugh was low and seductive.

He grinned down at her. “My dear Elizabeth, what did you drink with your dinner tonight? Surely not ratafia? Tell me, that I may see it served to you again tomorrow evening.”

She laughed as he moved nearer and began to kiss her collarbone.

Much later, his weight pressed warmly upon her, and she yielded with growing desire to the charms of her husband.

She sighed. “Fitzwilliam, are you the same man I once thought was cold and dispassionate? How did you manage to trick me so completely, sir?” He chuckled into her hair as he moved to kiss her again.