[for Mr Darcy] [backdated]

[bennetsister]

Elizabeth was enjoying her married life every bit as much as she expected she would. Mr Darcy was the best husband she could have asked for; attentive, generous, and kind, in his own quiet, formal way. There was no note of discord or unpleasantness between them. That they were entirely suited for each other only became more and more evident with

Comments

[most_ardent]

It was, Darcy believed, one of the critical duties of any devoted husband to not only recognise his wife's shifts in mood, but to attend to her needs in such a way as to ensure contentment even when her spirits were down. As such, he paid close attention to the ministrations of his bride, in the hopes of knowing her all the better, and marking when his intervention might be needed.

Elizabeth had always been an extremely competent young woman, and was becoming quite skilled at keeping house. Her passions were wide and varied, her enthusiasm untempered. Yet, the intense focus with which she had attacked her duties today was curious to Darcy, who was quick to notice the lack of buoyant spirits that typically accompanied most anything his wife chose to do.

After a moment's hesitation in the doorway, Darcy crossed to Elizabeth and pressed a lingering kiss to the crown of her head as she sat mending.

[bennetsister]

"Hello," said Elizabeth, who was truly glad to see him. She looked up from her work, kissing his cheek. She was certain that Darcy did not fully understand how much she appreciated small gestures of affection such as that one. "I hope your day has bene pleasant this far."

[most_ardent]

Darcy could have answered in the affirmative, but did not, instead pulling a chair before Elizabeth's so that he might be closer to her. "Is something troubling you?" he asked, one hand gently curved over one of her knees.

[bennetsister]

Elizabeth looked down at the material in her lap, smoothing out a wrinkle, and did not answer straight away. She would certainly never lie to her husband -- the very idea of it was unthinkable and repulsive -- but she felt her disappointment was rather selfish, given the short time they had been married. She felt as though she really did not have a genuine cause to be disappointed, not yet, and was unsure of what his opinion might be.

In any case, he had asked, and she would be honest. "A little, yes," she admitted, looking up at him, and her hand covered his, squeezing lightly. "But it is something rather selfish of me, I'm afraid."