“I’m surprised it isn’t green to match your chamber,” she said as she looked at the oddly-shaped chair in the corner she assumed was for being shaved in. She had seen an advertisement for one once.

“I do not like too much of the same color. It becomes monotonous,” he said.

“You do not like clutter and neither do you like single color schemes. What else shall I learn about you today?” she asked playfully. “Do you have a bathing tub?”

“Yes, it is through there,” he replied, gesturing to a door in the corner. “You may look if you wish.”

She opened the door and stepped onto the cool marble. The copper tub gleamed against the pale floors and a small window let in a thin ray of light.

“Mr. Darcy!” she exclaimed. “That tub is enormous!”

He smiled. “Yes, I ordered it when we became betrothed. It only arrived a few days ago. Do you like it?”

“I think I might drown in it! Thankfully mine is smaller. Is your old one in my chamber now?”

“No, I wanted you to have a new one as well. The tubs that were in our bathing chambers have been moved to guest chambers.”

“Ah. I’m sure the guests will appreciate it! Most only offer a hip bath. This is quite luxurious.” She ran her hand over the lip of the smooth copper appreciatively. “Tell me, why is this one shaped differently?”

Her tub was higher on one end than the other, allowing the user to lie back. This one was high on both ends with a dip in the center, presumably for entering the tub.

“This one is designed for two people. That is why it is so large,” he said simply.

Her eyes widened. “Two people! But why would two people want to bathe together? It hardly seems efficient.”

He chuckled at her innocence. “When one is bathing with another, efficiency is generally not on one’s mind.”

“Oh,” she said, suddenly comprehending and blushing a light pink. “And have you had many inefficient baths, Mr. Darcy?”

He was taken aback by her question, but answered. “No, actually I have never tried it. But I am convinced it shall be enjoyable.”

She blushed brighter. “Thank you for showing me your rooms, Mr. Darcy. I believe I would like to see the gallery again. We went through it so quickly last I was here.” She bustled out of the room quickly and he ambled behind her, a small smile on his face.

Dinner was a subdued affair. It was their first meal downstairs. They ate in the small dining parlor next to the music room rather than the large dining hall which would have felt cavernous with just the two of them. This table comfortably seated six and could be expanded to hold twelve if necessary.

“Do you like the room?” he asked her after catching her looking around for the third time.