Page 26 of Compromise & Consequence
“I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Burke.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Burke closed the door and the jangle of keys let Elizabeth know the housekeeper had joined them.
“This is my housekeeper, Mrs. Whittaker.”
Another log of insult was added to the woodpile.
“Welcome to Darcy House, Mrs. Darcy. Would you care to refresh yourself before you dine?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“The footmen should have already unloaded your trunks. Can a maid press a fresh dress while you wash up?”
It was apparent the housekeeper had noticed the dirty hem ofher gown peeking out from beneath the cardinal redingote.
“No thank you, Mrs. Whittaker. My husband was firm in his desire that I wear only this particular dress on my wedding day.”
Mrs. Whittaker’s eyes rounded in tandem with her mouth and she felt Mr. Darcy stiffen by her side. These were his orders, not hers; he would learn to live with the consequences of his temper.
“I see,” the housekeeper said. “Very well, follow me.”
“I will see my wife to her chambers, Mrs. Whittaker. I am going that way myself and would like a private word with her.”
Without saying anything more, Darcy once again took hold of her elbow and steered her up the main staircase and down the hall. All too soon she was being directed into a large bed chamber filled with heavy ornate furniture that crowded out anything good, or pleasant to look at. She hoped the rest of the house did not contain such vulgar furnishings. She’d go mad if it were. Her lone trunk sat in the middle of the room, a sad testament to how her life would be going forward.
Darcy turned on her.
“What did you think to accomplish, embarrassing me in front of my staff?”
“I am not the one who insisted I wear a ruined dress to my wedding. Those were your orders. Not mine!”
“Enough!” He paced away and then back. “This is untenable. You will have to visit a modiste tomorrow and have some things made up.”
“With fifty pounds, exactly what do you think I can purchase? You have a sister who is still growing. You know the cost of a lady’s wardrobe.”
“Your clothes are not fit for a scullery maid. It will not do for Mrs. Darcy to be seen in cotton dresses and made over bonnets.”
She bristled at his derogatory language. Cotton dresses, indeed!
“Mayhap you should have thought about that before you demanded I take nothing more than one trunk. As it was, you were going to send me on to Pemberley without so much of a thought as to warm winter clothing, boots, muffs, and heavy coats. This dress and redingote would not have kept me warm for long. Unless that was your plan. That I freeze to death before I arrived, and you would become the much-pitied widower.”
“I will admit I acted recklessly and will have to make amends. Before we dine, please attend my study.”
He gave her a curt bow and left her room via the connecting door, reminding her in a tangible manner that he slept only a few steps away and the door could never be locked from her side – a wife could not refuse her husband’s entry – it could only be locked from his.
She brought out the few belongings her trunk held, placing the brush and comb set aunt and uncle had given her by way of a wedding present on the small table in her dressing room, which housed at least five wardrobes, all empty. Lizzy Izzy was lovingly situated on the small chair in the corner, while her mother’s jasmine perfume and the box which held the pearl necklace were tucked away in the top drawer.
Elizabeth had refused to wear either when she said her vows, as she did not love Mr. Darcy and he most assuredly did not love her. Not even five minutes after Mr. Darcy had left, a servant knocked on the door. When she entered the room, her eyes widened in surprise as she scanned the furnishings, making Elizabeth think the room had been decorated in a different manner than it was now. She quickly recovered and said, “I’m to help you dress for dinner.”
“Your name is…?”
“Betty Danvers, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Danvers. I must continue to wear this gown for the evening, but shall require your help before bed and also tomorrow morning.”
“You’ve no others to wear?”
