Being Mrs Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Lucy Marin

Author:Lucy Marin
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2020-03-16T04:00:00+00:00

Dinner with his family provided Darcy with more to contemplate. Elizabeth sat impassively and ate little, which concerned him. As his aunt spoke about the Season and shopping and everything she intended to accomplish in the coming days, he recalled Elizabeth saying that she would do whatever was expected of her. He wondered just how large a gap there was between what she was expected to do and what she would like to do.

Given the speculation regarding their marriage, they were right to dread this Season, but there was more to the Season than gossip. Would Elizabeth enjoy the balls and concerts and parties? Darcy knew Georgiana loved shopping, but did Elizabeth? And what was her rapport like with Lady Romsley? His aunt lacked delicacy, and, while he was grateful that she was willing to help Elizabeth become established as his wife, he wondered whether Lady Romsley’s advice and assistance might be officious.

When the earl spoke, it was easy to see the tightening of Elizabeth’s jaw, and he could hear a gentle tap-tap noise which could only be her foot hitting the floor. He wished he had told her that his uncle frequently spoke to all of them in such harsh, demanding tones. It would not belie her feelings, but it might have helped. Darcy spoke, hoping to distract Lord Romsley. Elizabeth’s surprise was expected, but still disappointing. That did not signify. What was important was that her foot stopped tapping at the floor, and her jaw relaxed enough to allow her to eat her dinner.

It was a small victory, but he was glad of it.

ELIZABETH WAS surprised and suspicious when Lady Romsley deferred to her choices and desires regarding colours and styles for her new garments without argument. As Elizabeth had another matter worrying her, she chose not to think about it. They were in the carriage, on the way to yet a different warehouse—this time in search of bonnets—when Elizabeth took advantage of a private moment.

“Lady Romsley, it is Fitzwilliam’s birthday next week, and I would like your assistance finding an appropriate gift for him. I have turned my mind to it,” not for very long, admittedly, “but I am afraid I have been unable to settle upon anything.”

“I am so pleased that you are making the effort to be a good wife to my nephew. Of course, I would be very happy to help you select something.”

After they purchased two bonnets for Elizabeth—one a deep red that Lady Romsley said went very well with her complexion, the other a blue creation adorned with flowers and ribbons that made Elizabeth think of the spring—they went to a jewellery shop. Elizabeth overlooked the snuff boxes the countess suggested since Fitzwilliam rarely took snuff, and purchased a fob watch. Having accomplished this task, she asked Lady Romsley’s advice regarding how to mark the occasion.

“I thought perhaps a dinner for some of the family would be best. We have just arrived in town, and there is not much time to make arrangements,” Elizabeth said.

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