“Yes, very much. The paper is particularly pretty.”

“My mother chose it shortly before she died. The paper came in after the funeral but my father did not hang it. I found it a few years ago and had it put up. It suits the room admirably, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it does. And how perfect that you can have such a pleasant reminder of your mother on a regular basis,” she said.

“Yes,” he said plainly, looking at his plate.

“What shall we do the remainder of our time in London? We leave in five days, correct?”

“Yes. Did you want to do any shopping? It might be a good idea to order a new coat and fur lined boots. We have no plans to return to town before winter.”

“I suppose I could. I imagine I have enough new gowns for some time, but of course I will need more now that I have married such an important man.”

“You certainly shall. Important men never like to see their wives in the same dress twice.”

She laughed. “You are getting very good at teasing, Fitzwilliam.”

“I have an excellent teacher,” he replied and took her hand on the table. She blushed unexpectedly and looked down.

“Are you ready to retire, Elizabeth?”

She looked up and recognized the look in his eyes. “Yes, Fitzwilliam. I’m ready.”

Chapter 24

Bingley collected Jane at the Gardiners early the day after the wedding. Mary and her Aunt Gardiner accompanied them as chaperones. Jane was grateful her mother was too tired from the wedding to want to do the job herself.

It was fairly early in the day and the menagerie wasn’t too crowded. She held Bingley’s arm as they walked around and looked at the animals, commenting on their size or coloring and whatever else came to mind.

“I’ve always thought it interesting that the male animals are more colorful and showy than females. So different from the way people behave,” Jane mused.

“It truly separates us from the animals,” said Bingley. Jane gave him a quizzical look. “Our women are so beautiful,” he said softly, looking directly at Jane.

She blushed and moved on to the next exhibit. “How are your sisters?”

“Louisa is well. She just informed me last week that she is expecting a child this Christmas.”

Jane smiled brightly. “That’s wonderful! Please give her my congratulations.”

“I shall. She and Hurst plan to leave for his estate shortly before attending a house party in July. They will remain in the country for the rest of the summer. She hasn’t yet decided if she will return to town for her lying in.”

“Will Miss Bingley accompany them to the country?” she asked. She leaned over to look at a small monkey of sorts sitting in the bottom of a cage.

Bingley moved closer. “That is undecided. It depends largely on what I do this summer.”