Page 29 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
N estled in bed, Elizabeth looked around. It was full daylight though the curtains were still closed. She spotted Lucky in a corner, sleeping soundly. Only then, did the revelation strike her: she was in her new apartment in her new home.
She tried to recollect which of her memories was real. Her meeting with Georgiana, the paintings in the gallery, and her remembrance of Lady Anne, the dinner…then he came with a bottle of wine, and she remembered them talking and drinking—and nothing else.
“We are actually spending the wedding night together, are we not?” she had asked him, and the meaning of her words coloured her cheeks and put a knot in her stomach.
How did she dare say such a thing? She could only hope that he would blame the wine she had drunk—which was equally outrageous for a lady. Indeed, what would he think of her?
She rang for Molly. The maid helped her dress and told her that Mr Darcy had been in the library for at least two hours. Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley were in the music room. No, they had not breakfasted yet. Yes, Molly had taken Lucky out and walked him briefly.
Elizabeth left her rooms in search of the others with Lucky trotting at her feet. She glanced around to remember where the main rooms were situated. She finally found the library, briefly hesitated, and then knocked and opened the door after she heard his inviting voice.
She saw Darcy at the desk and tried to read his expression. He greeted her and encouraged her to come forward. At his side, however, was his dog, Titan, a Great Dane with spots similar to Lucky’s but of a much more impressive size.
Titan showed his displeasure towards the newly arrived animal. Both dogs seemed ready to fight, but Darcy’s strong voice calmed Titan and made him retire to the fireplace. Lucky was still fixed on his opponent.
“They need to learn to accept each other. I will ask Stevens to take them together on a long walk every morning. Titan has been accustomed to master the house.”
“We appeared unexpectedly. It is no easier for the dog to accept our intrusion than it is for the rest of your family,” she said, attempting a smile while he helped her to sit. “I overslept. I am sorry. I usually wake up very early.”
“You are part of my family now,” he said in earnest. “I am glad you rested longer. I believe you were very tired.” A small smile appeared on his lips.
“Yes, I was.” She paused a moment then continued, daringly. “I know I had one too many glasses of wine last night. That has never happened to me before. How did I get to my bed?”
“Easily…with a little help.” His smile grew. “Yes, it was obvious you were not accustomed to the wine. I hope you are well?”
“Yes, perfectly well, thank you,” she replied, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“Excellent. Then allow me to inform you about our daily plans. I need to work several hours after breakfast. Georgiana studies every day around noon, and Mrs Annesley watches her. You could join them if you want, or you may find a book to read if you prefer. Lady Matlock sent a card. She wants to visit if it is convenient for you. She will host a small party on New Year’s Eve.
I believe she plans to introduce you to some of her friends.
This might be a daunting task, but I am afraid it must be done. ”
He paused briefly, allowing her time to answer, but Elizabeth only nodded, a tentative smile frozen on her lips.
“I took the liberty last week, after we agreed upon our marriage, to order you some new gowns. Lady Maryanne helped me. You will need them for the Season and for the Twelfth Night Ball. A modiste will come later to take your measurements for the final fitting. Please feel free to tell her anything you wish to change. I ordered five gowns. You may add as many as you think necessary.”
Elizabeth watched him in silence, as she wondered how he could change so frequently in such a short time.
He spoke, with no smile to warm his countenance—just a business arrangement.
No detail escaped his attention and nothing remained outside his control.
She knew he was doing it for her benefit, but she missed the previous night’s short encounter when he seemed so open and at ease in his casual clothes as he invited her to have a glass of wine with him and carefully covered her with the blanket.
Which of his many faces truly belongs to him—to my husband, she found herself wondering as she spoke up with a calmness that surprised her.
“Thank you, I believe five new dresses will be more than enough.”
“Then shall we go to breakfast? Georgiana and Mrs Annesley must be waiting for us.”
He politely directed her to the breakfast room while he continued to speak of the next days’ events. Elizabeth listened and approved in silence.
They all gathered at the breakfast table, and Georgiana, as well as Mrs Annesley, greeted her with obvious pleasure. To Elizabeth’s astonishment, Lucky hurried towards Georgiana, and she welcomed him with a smile and a caress.
Mrs Annesley informed Elizabeth that she had Mr Darcy’s permission to visit her expectant daughter in Scarborough for three months, beginning at the end of February, and she asked whether Elizabeth had any objection to that arrangement. Elizabeth had none.
Soon after breakfast, Darcy returned to his business, and to Elizabeth’s disbelief, Lucky joined him, abandoning his mistress with only a brief glance.
Despite the revelation of their previous encounter, neither Georgiana nor Elizabeth found much to say to each other, and a sudden awkwardness fell upon the chamber.
Mrs Annesley inquired about the Bennet family, and Elizabeth answered warmly.
Then she mentioned her relatives in town and that she expected her sister Jane to arrive soon with her uncle and aunt.
Later, events followed precisely as Mr Darcy had said.
The modiste came to take her measurements, informing her that two gowns would be delivered on December 31 and asking whether she could possibly come to the shop for the final fitting of the Twelfth Night ball gown.
Elizabeth accepted it, spoke little, and thanked her.
As the modiste left, Elizabeth felt burdened by the complete silence of the house and recollected that time of the year at Longbourn: much laughter, many fights and arguments, and voices raised in joy and happiness.
Nothing at Longbourn could compare with the splendour of her husband’s house, yet it seemed so still, lifeless, and cold in its perfection.
She wondered whether anyone ever spoke or laughed loudly in that impressive edifice.
She glanced through a window. It was still snowing steadily, and she missed the smell of freezing air.
Perhaps tomorrow she would take a stroll around the house.
Yet, it was not likely, as she was expecting Lady Matlock’s call—a visit that brought Elizabeth equal curiosity and concern.
What should she expect from such an illustrious lady who was aware that she only married because of unfortunate events and malicious gossip?
Elizabeth ceased her thoughts, and after a brief hesitation, she returned to the library door and knocked reluctantly. Darcy’s voice invited her to enter.
“Is everything well? Were you pleased with the modiste?”
“Yes, all is well, thank you. I only wish to borrow a book if you do not mind. Oh, and I should take Lucky. He can be troublesome at times.”
“Please choose any book you prefer. Shall I help you? Do not worry about Lucky. He is quite well behaved,” he replied with a warm smile, and she felt herself suddenly blushing.
Elizabeth stepped around the impressive library, overwhelmed by the richness of the book collection.
She looked at each item, but she felt herself growing warmer as her husband’s gaze burned her back.
He was staring at her—she was certain of that—and she imagined he was impatient with her indecision.
In haste, she grabbed a volume of Shakespeare.
“I believe this is it. I will return to my room to read now.”
“As you wish. Will you not join Georgiana in the music room? She is with Mrs Annesley.”
“I do not want to interrupt her in the middle of her practice. I hope to meet them later.”
She left the room in a hurry and noticed that he continued to stare at her. He still made her uncomfortable, something their marriage had not changed in the slightest.
***
Darcy gazed at the closed door. He had been tempted to ask her to stay and read on the couch near him, but somehow he had felt ill at ease doing that, which was quite ridiculous. After all, she was his wife.
He was unaccustomed to the idea of Elizabeth being in his house. Thinking of her had kept him awake so many nights that it seemed unreal to have her so close. Yet, she was quite real. And she still kept him awake—which was proved the previous night when, unlike her, he had barely slept at all.
He had found their little interlude the previous night quite charming, but once he was alone in his room, sleep would not come.
Her presence in the next room troubled him until dawn: her image, her scent, her smiles, her teasing words, her eyes glancing at him through her eyelashes, the softness of her skin when he removed her robe, her hair falling heavily on her bare shoulders, her warm body undisguised through the thin fabric of her nightgown.
He regretted his promise not to consummate their marriage for the present.
He knew he could help her enjoy their marriage bed, and it probably would strengthen their bond.
A moment later, however, he rejected such thoughts, which he knew to be only the result of his weakness, selfish desire, and strange lack of control where Elizabeth was concerned.