Page 56 of Obligation and Redemption
“I hope you have been able to catch up on some rest. I assumed that you would keep country hours, but I see that you have already taken on London habits.” Although said in jest, his wife took it as criticism.
“I prefer early mornings, especially when coupled with a morning walk, but I find little to motivate me while in town.”
“Would you prefer an early morning walk then?” Again, Elizabeth thought he was making fun of her country ways, provoking her.
“The only thing I prefer over walking is running.” She waited to see his reaction to the news. It was true that she enjoyed the thrill of running down a country lane, but she would never dream of doing so in London. But he did not know that, and she awaited his rejoinder with calculated mirth.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Indeed,” was all the response she could invoke.
Overcoming her disappointment, she smiled and said, “I believe you wished to take me on a tour of your home. I await your pleasure.” They started with the shared sitting room.
Elizabeth had not ventured anywhere that would bring her closer to Mr. Darcy’s own room, so although her chamber was adjacent, she had remained ignorant to its contents.
As they entered, she noticed a door on the far side, which she presumed opened to Mr. Darcy’s own bedroom.
After confirming her supposition, he mentioned that he had rarely spent time in this room since his parents died, only enjoying its comforts when his sister was in residence.
Their shared sitting room had a door into the hallway from whence the tour began in earnest.
Elizabeth’s heart was cheered at her surroundings.
The home was finely adorned, but comfortable.
The tour took longer than Elizabeth anticipated, for the home was larger than she had originally thought.
Darcy made it a point to give small histories of the artefacts and collections that arrayed the rooms. She had to admit that she was impressed by his comprehensive knowledge of his own home and that he was skilled at communicating this knowledge in an entertaining and thoughtful manner.
Elizabeth’s inquisitive nature took over as she questioned him about what she saw, thus demonstrating a true enthusiasm rather than an ostentatious show of interest. When explaining where his family had acquired a vase, she sought all the particulars: Who had purchased it?
Was it gifted? At what time period was it acquired?
What was the style? Did he have any others from the same collection?
Darcy was pleasantly surprised by her curiosity, for he had given the same tour on several occasions to many friends and acquaintances, and never had anyone shown such interest. He looked at her puzzled.
“Sir, you have a strange look upon your face, and I cannot make it out.”
“Do you always ask so many questions?”
“If you would rather I not, I can always take your lead and be taciturn and reticent. ”
He was about to say that he would not have her change on his behalf, but was that not exactly what he was hoping for?
Rather, Darcy suggested they move on to the next room, which happened to be the library, and in the case of his London home, also his study.
She entered, delight written all over her countenance.
Elizabeth walked around the room running her finger along the shelves as she slowly perused their contents.
Suddenly she turned to him and exclaimed with true joy, “How marvellous!” Darcy could not help but smile, the first genuine smile – that was not at her expense – she had ever seen on his handsome face.
Slightly unnerved by the prospect, she looked away, back to the selection of books.
“You must spend all of your time reading! How could you not with such temptation before you?”
What he found most tempting at that moment was not the supply of books. To hide his wayward thoughts, he put on a stern visage that left Elizabeth in confusion.
He truly is an enigma. She shrugged her shoulders and began searching for her first selection. She mused that a person could endure a great deal in order to have access to this library.
“If you enjoy this room, you will be pleased to know that the library at Pemberley is no less than four times as large.” Elizabeth turned around to him, mouth agape, then realising her faux pas, quickly closed it and gave a slight blush along with a raised brow.
“Then I look forward to experiencing such a spectacle.”
“We have seen most of the house and can finish on another day, if you would like to take time in here.” Darcy was truly pleased at her genuine delight upon experiencing his favourite room of the house.
Although also his study, where he must perform business, in general he found the room to be a haven of sorts.
“I would like that very well.”
“Then I will leave you to it. We will depart for your appointment at the modiste in an hour.”
“You are coming with me then?” She could not imagine he would have any desire in joining her shopping. He must want to make certain I buy appropriate clothes for my new station in life. I wonder if he will always be so troublesome.
“Yes, I plan on joining you this time. The modiste will need to be informed of my expectations and your needs for the upcoming seasons.”
“Will you also be picking out the fabric and cut of the gowns?” Elizabeth asked with a challenge to her voice.
He had planned that very thing, but her asking him in that saucy manner made his plans seem an absurdity, even to his own mind. So, instead of replying in the affirmative, he only said that he would be happy to assist in choosing the most becoming colours for her complexion.
Before he left the room to give her some privacy, Elizabeth asked, “You said this is also your study?” He nodded. “Then please, do not let my being here keep you from your own pleasure. You will not disturb me in the least if you choose to stay and see to your own responsibilities.”
“Perhaps later.” Staying in the same room with a woman, who by all rights and privileges was his for the taking, while she admired his domain with sincere transport, was too much for a man determined to give her time before enjoying her again. “I will see you before we depart.”
“ELIZABETH, you must have at least seven winter gowns for use at Pemberley and another ten for spring that would be appropriate for social events and also enough day dresses to get by until we are able to return to purchase more; not to mention nightwear and undergarments.” This brought a deep blush to her cheeks, but Darcy continued on.
“You also will need outerwear for the frigid Derbyshire winter, along with shoes, bonnets and gloves. You must be reasonable!” He had become increasingly frustrated at Elizabeth’s attempts at thwarting the purchase of her trousseau. She refused to see reason.
“I am not in need of so many dresses. Truly! I am perfectly content with what I already have. I will own that having something new to wear to balls or the theatre would be of benefit, but I need no day dresses. I prefer a simple style, without all the embellishments that adorn the ladies of the fashionable set. I will feel like a peacock!”
The seamstress looked on the couple that had excused themselves to the other side of the room for a private conference.
She found amusement in the irony of what she witnessed.
Never in all of her years had she experienced a customer who was arguing with her husband that she needed fewer clothes, for it had always and often been the opposite.
She noticed an exasperated Mr. Darcy calling her over, so she joined them.
“Madame Alexandra, I apologise for our delay, but I believe we are ready to begin again.”
At the end of the long afternoon, they had picked out Darcy’s requisite number of gowns, but at Elizabeth’s unwavering insistence, with limited ornamentation.
However, Darcy was able to convince her to purchase some gowns of his own choosing, one in particular that would be daring in the drop of the décolletage and stunning in colour.
The dress would be made from a midnight blue silk that made her skin look like cream and her eyes like emeralds.
Elizabeth blushed at the thought of wearing such a dress and blushed anew at the implication behind Mr. Darcy’s desire for her to wear it.
The visit to the modiste took much longer than either had planned, so the remainder of her purchases would have to wait for another day.
They arrived at Darcy House, each ready for some respite before dinner.
The remainder of the evening was similar to the one before, with a meal followed by Elizabeth’s exhibition upon the pianoforte.
There was very little conversation throughout the evening as each had exceeded his and her own fill of the other over the course of the afternoon.
In many ways they had to agree to disagree, but in the end, it was Darcy who had the upper hand, for Elizabeth no longer had the freedoms that she had enjoyed as a Bennet, freedom to choose her own clothes, walk when and where she pleased, eat as much or as little as she wished; no, she was bound to someone who had not her benefit at heart but his own selfish needs.
Elizabeth bristled at the idea that despite her opposition, in the end Darcy would have her become a wife of his own choosing.