The Ashes of Longbourn (20 page)

             
They all knew that the clothing should be made in several sizes, some fitting comfortably immediately, and others bigger.  She had already begun to add some weight; it was noticeable in her cheeks.  A month prior, Elizabeth’s cheeks were sunken and drawing attention to her frail appearance. Now there was a slight puff to her cheeks, and, although she was still frail, she was regaining some of her normal appearance. 

             
The modiste decided that some of the gowns would have extra room in the seams, so that they could be let out as needed to accommodate Elizabeth’s body as it changed. Normally Darcy disliked shopping; taking his young sister to purchase her wardrobe was always torture to him.

             
But he was now thrilled with shopping for Elizabeth.  He insisted on being present when his wife was visited by the modiste, giving his opinion on colors he thought would be perfect to accent her eyes and hair color.  Darcy also refused to allow Elizabeth to order only one or two gowns, as he insisted she required more clothing. 

             
“Lizzy, we will be taking in the fresh air daily; you dine with us most days, and even spend the evenings with us.  It would be ridiculous to only have one or two gowns which you could wear.  I would expect at least half a dozen gowns for the time being.”

             
“It would be a waste, William.  As I recover, my body will change.  I will require more clothing in a few weeks and it would be foolish to have so many, only to need new ones that are larger sized.”

             
“Elizabeth Darcy, I insist that you have more than one or two gowns that fit you.  I do not care if it is next week, a month, or six months from now when new gowns need to be ordered, you need something to wear now.”  Darcy looked into his wife’s eyes. “Even if you were to order one hundred dresses, it would barely begin to make a dent in your pin money.  Please, my love, I beg you to indulge me.”

             
Elizabeth finally threw up her hands in defeat.  “Very well, though I refuse to discuss more than six at this time.”

             
“Then we are agreed.  Just so that you are aware, when my mother would order gowns for the season, she ordered at least twenty five gowns, as well as morning gowns, undergarments, and much more.  You may expect me to add to your purchases if I do not agree with the quantity of items.”

             
Laughing, Elizabeth placed a hand on either side of her husband’s face.  “I cannot believe I would need so many gowns in my lifetime, let alone for a single season.  But I will concede this point.  Now, let us see if Mrs Bogs is ready for me.”

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 16

             
Darcy took his wife into the treatment room, finding Mrs Bogs had just finished setting up the tray of needles.  Today, it appeared that there were more needles than usual.

             
“Good morning, Mr and Mrs Darcy.  You are both looking quite well this morning.”

             
“And good morning to you, Mrs Bogs, did you have a pleasant night’s sleep?”

             
“I did, as I took a pleasant walk after dining.  I am finding your neighborhood is pleasant, even though it is winter; the weather is not the bone chilling cold I am used to.  I was born in Durham and lived there until my husband died some twenty years ago.”

             
“Then you are quite accustomed to severe weather which would refuse you the ability to even step outside in the winter.” Darcy stated.  “What do you have planned for this morning?”

             
“We are going to extend the acupuncture treatment now that Mrs Darcy is familiar with the procedure.  This means that the treatment will include not only her legs, but her back, shoulders, neck and head. 

             
Darcy frowned.  “Will that not be difficult to do through the fabric of her gown?”

             
Mrs Bogs realized that this would be a difficult step for the couple.  “Mr Darcy, your wife will not be wearing her gown for the procedure. I will have her lay on her stomach on the treatment table, draping some toweling to cover her…bottom.  I would ask you to stoke the fire as I prepare Mrs Darcy for the treatment.  We will need to keep her warm during the treatment.”

             
The expressions worn by husband and wife made it clear that they were not expecting such a turn.  “You are welcome to leave the room, if you are uncomfortable, Mr Darcy.  You had stated that you wished to be involved in your wife’s treatments, but I can understand that seeing your wife in such an … intimate manner, would be difficult for most men.  The treatment will take nearly two hours, so, if you wish, I can send someone to find you afterwards.”

             
Confused, Darcy looked at his wife to determine what she would prefer.  He longed to see his wife, to see her flesh and run his fingers over it. He also knew that Elizabeth was very modest, afraid that her scars would scare him away.  Elizabeth allowed him to see her legs, the injuries that she had survived, and he knew that it was difficult to allow him such liberty.  “I have no discomfort from remaining here during the treatment.  Lizzy, dearest, do you wish me to leave?  I would prefer to remain, but only if you are comfortable with my being here.”

             
Elizabeth smiled with relief.  “I would welcome you to remain.”  She was concerned, not knowing what her back looked like, not knowing what scars were there, not knowing what Darcy’s reaction would be upon seeing her body in such a manner.

             
“Then I will stay with you, my love.” Darcy said before he glanced at Mrs Bogs.  “What do you wish of me?”             

             
“Place Mrs Darcy sitting on the treatment table.  While you tend to the fire, stoke it to make the fire good and hot, I will assist Mrs Darcy in disrobing and position her on the table.  Once she is ready, you may take a seat near the head of the table. You will be of use in speaking with her, distracting her from the procedure.  Though it is not painful, the procedure is long and, without distractions, frustrating.  Perhaps while we prepare her, you could choose a book to read to her.”

             
“Shall I retrieve the book we were reading last night?” Darcy asked his wife.  He knew that it would take a great deal of restraint to see her body and not give in to temptation to touch her.  Having a book to look at would be a perfect distraction for his eyes.  Elizabeth nodded and Darcy stepped into their bedchamber to retrieve the book, and then quickly returned to stoke the fire.  Once Mrs Bogs announced that they were ready for him to take his seat, Darcy turned to see his wife lying face down on the table; only a towel across her bottom hid any of her flesh from his eyes. 

             
Her back had several large rough scars that appeared to be from burns.  The pain they would have caused her made his stomach turn.  How he wished he had been there to protect her the night of the fire.  He wanted nothing more than to kiss the scars on her body, make each of them disappear and return her to a time before the dreadful fire.  Darcy’s attention was drawn by Mrs Bogs’ hand hovering over the small of Elizabeth’s back.

             
“Ah, this is the area.” She said with a slight smile on her face.  “This is the area that is being stubborn in recovering.              There is a blockage from the scarring here.  Once we are able to work the area to encourage the flow of blood through here, to promote the healing process, we will know the true extent of Mrs Darcy’s injuries.”

             
Darcy watched as the nurse began to massage the scarred area.  When he noticed his wife watching him with a fretful look in her eyes, Darcy smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.  “Forgive me; I was intrigued with watching how Mrs Bogs works.  How are you?”

             
“I am well, dearest.  Have no fear.  Would you tell me the truth?”

             
“Of course, Lizzy, what do you wish to know?”

             
Elizabeth looked down to the floor as she spoke.  “How terrible does my skin look?”

             
Darcy realized that Elizabeth had never seen her body since the fire.  His heart nearly broke when he realized that she was most likely thinking the worst.

             
“Lizzy, would you like for me to bring a peer glass here for you to see your back?  It is not fair that you have been unable to view your body for yourself.”

             
Elizabeth was mortified.  “That would be improper for me to do.”

             
“It is your body, Lizzy. There is nothing improper in your seeing how you look, especially since you have no notion as to how the accident has affected you.”  Darcy looked at Mrs Bogs.  “Do you not agree, Mrs Bogs?”

             
“If you do not know what has happened to your body from your injuries, how can you work towards improving your health, Mrs Darcy?  There is nothing wrong with this.  Too many prim and proper ladies and gentlemen do not take care of themselves and it leads to early deaths, all for some mistaken idea of their believing it is best to be ignorant of their own bodies.” Mrs Bogs declared.  “That is why I do not hold to those notions.  It is my belief that it is better to know the truth than believe it is improper.”

             
Without breaking eye contact with Elizabeth, Darcy nodded his agreement.  “My love, you are here, in private, with your nurse and your husband.  There is no one here that will pass judgment against you, as we are encouraging you to do so.  Allow me to retrieve the peer glass from the dressing chamber.  I will be back in a moment.”

             
Darcy returned quickly, with the peer glass he had removed from the dressing table.  He held the glass so that she could see her back.  Mrs Bogs showed her the different injuries that had left their marks on her body.  At first, Elizabeth had a difficult time looking into the glass, though it did not take long until she was able to view the pain that had been etched into her skin months ago.

             
Mrs Bogs explained what she could about each section of the injured body before her, attempting to assist her employers to understand more of what had happened.  “I know that it is unique, but my mother always told me that the best way to conquer any problem is to see it for what it truly is and face it head on.  Now that you have seen what we have, and know what damage was done, you can understand more of what needs to be done.”

             
Tears were flowing down her cheeks and soaking the bedding on the table.  “I was always taught that it was improper show interest in one’s body.  Mamma used to tell us that only a shameless hussy would do such a thing.”

             
“Elizabeth, as much as I respect your mother for giving birth to you, your mother was a foolish woman who needed to realize what a miracle she had in having a daughter like you.”

             
“Mrs Darcy, I believe that you have been through enough for one day.  Now you have seen what you have been through, what your body has had to endure.  Tomorrow, we will work with the acupuncture needles as I had intended to do today, if that meets with your approval.”

             
Both Darcy and Elizabeth nodded their heads, ignoring the fact that Mrs Bogs had left the room. “William, do you regret marrying me?  After seeing the hideous monster that I have become, are you disgusted with my appearance?”

             
“Never, my sweet, beautiful, Lizzy, I can never be disgusted by your appearance.  I am angry at the men responsible for the injuries you sustained, of all that you have had to endure. But I do not regret marrying you or being with you.”  Darcy’s hand began to lightly caress the skin of Elizabeth’s back.  Shivers flowed through her as her eyes closed. 

             
“William, you do not have to…”

             
“Shhh. I wish to know more of you, my dearest love.  I have wished to know you, as a husband knows his wife, but have waited for I did not wish to rush you.”

             
“I have been afraid that you would flee from the sight of me.”  Elizabeth said as the currents of shivers flowed freely.”

             
Darcy’s lips began to follow where his fingers had been just moments before.  As his lips moved over her skin, his tongue insisted on tracing over her, tasting every part of her back that he could.  “Lizzy, I wish to make you my wife, if you feel you are strong enough.”

             
Hesitantly, Elizabeth moved so that she could look into her husband’s eyes.  Seeing desire that matched her own, a desire to feel the intimacy that is shared between lovers, she nodded her head. “I wish to be your wife, completely and forever.  Please, William, take me to our bed.”

             
Elizabeth giggled when she was in their bed before she had finished her words to her husband.  “William, you are behaving as if you were starved and I am a feast.”