Page 66 of Compromise & Consequence
He loved her!
How in the world was that possible?
Her own heart and mind were beginning to soften concerning him, but his past actions had been so vile… How could she possibly forgive and forget so quickly? She had to maintain an air of reserve and watch him carefully. Leopards did not change their spots and taciturn gentlemen from Derbyshire did not become social butterflies overnight. And yet, he had not prevaricated in his declaration. No embellishments, no coy looks in her direction to see if she was impressed by his stand against his aunt. He said the words as though they were fact, and neither his cousin the colonel nor his uncle had seemed surprised. Mr. Darcy was a mystery she had not the energy or slightest hope of unraveling at this time.
The other event from today, which she cherished, was seeing Sophia and José again. They were always such pleasant company and she had looked forward to traveling with them to Spain when the duke finished his assignment as ambassador and returned home. She was glad Lord and Lady Matlock had already decided to accept and acknowledge her before learning of her family background, although it did not hurt for their newest niece to have a duke and a king as distant relatives.
Danvers waited for her and when she entered the bedchamber, asked if she wished to bathe before going to sleep.
“No, I might fall asleep in the water and drown.” She turned so her maid could unbutton her dress. “Ask me on the morrow. I might have a long soak after my walk.”
“As you wish, Mrs. Darcy. The footman who is to escort you has asked if you wish to take some bread for the ducks.”
“I would. Thank him for reminding me.”
Elizabeth appreciated the thoughtfulness of Mr. Darcy’s… no, of their servants. It was time she quit dividing her thoughts into his and hers. For a successful marriage, she must begin to think of everything as theirs and ours.
She thought, after such a busy day and tumultuous evening, she’d fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Instead, she lay awake for another hour, the room draped in darkness. Mr. Darcy loved her. How was that possible? She knew his attitude toward her had softened, given that he asked permission to use her given name and had traveled to Meryton with an amended marriage settlement – all before he knew of her elevated connections. Maybe their marriage could succeed. And with that on her mind, she slid into the welcome arms of Morpheus.
She could do this.
***
She could not do this! That odious man masquerading as her husband had invited the Bingleys for an evening’s amusement of cards. The Bingleys! When he casually dropped the catastrophic news like a misplaced cannonball at breakfast that morning, she almost picked up the teapot and poured what remained all over his favorite fawn-colored breeches that clung so lovingly to his muscular thighs.
“It is a longstanding invitation, Elizabeth. They have alwayscome here for Twelfth Night, and I did not even think about it until Jenkins asked what I would wear this evening.”
“You do realize Jane arrives this very afternoon to stay until we return to Meryton for Charlotte’s wedding.”
“I agree the timing is less than desirable.”
“Less than desirable.” She snorted softly. “You are the master of understatement. I would not be caught out like this if you let me keep a social calendar of what is happening in our home.”
“Surely when you meet with Mrs. Whittaker to go over the household accounts and menus, you would have discussed tonight’s refreshments.”
“You have not given me any authority in this house, Mr. Darcy. Several weeks ago when I suggested I speak with Mrs. Whittaker about the week’s menu, you accused me of undermining your housekeeper’s decisions. You let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I am Mrs. Darcy in name only. Since then, I have done nothing but embroider, read books, and take long walks to your footmen’s despair.”
“You have not made any decisions regarding the running of the house at all?”
“Other than replacing the linens and that reprehensible furniture in my bedchamber, I have done nothing.”
Oh, dear, she had not meant to letthatbit of information slip out. Perchance he would think she replaced the furniture with items from the attic.
“Elizabeth, it was not my intention to undermine your authority−”
“No? You forget, your grand strategy was for me to be hidden away at Pemberley. You had absolutely no plans for a wife here in London. You say you wish our marriage to succeed, and that starts with you showing me respect, which will flow downthrough your staff. As it is, Mrs. Whittaker thinks I am but a child who cannot handle anything beyond deciding which spoon I should use to eat soup.”
“I will speak to the senior staff. You are my wife and mistress of this house. Forgive me for not seeing the obvious. You do have my respect and admiration. Having said that, I am sorry you are being forced to entertain those you are not fond of.”
“I will have no problem as hostess, it is my cousin I worry about.”
Her mind scrambled to find a gracious way out of the upcoming debacle. Jane would be mortified to spend time in their company knowing what she did now of the Bingleys’ jaundiced opinion of their family. If only she had an ally in her corner.
She then recalled the letter from Jane shortly after Christmas, whereupon she mentioned the colonel’s introduction to the family and of Lydia and Kitty being relegated to the nursery. All in all, very bland, but for Jane to even mention a gentleman’s name was telling. Her budding regard was tantamount to a declaration of love, or at least an infatuation.
Yes! Having Colonel Fitzwilliam as one of the guests would do nicely.
“What about one of your family members? I know it is last minute, but might Georgiana, or one of your Fitzwilliam cousins be amenable to bolster our numbers and provide a social hedge around my cousin?”
