As he tipped her face up, Ella blinked away any telltale moisture so she could look at him with clear eyes. "I believe pride is an emotion I do not have much familiarity with," she answered, quietly. "But I understand it as you have said." It did not take much; even her new ladies preened quite a bit at being chosen to serve her. Ella comprehended why now much more than she had before. "It is likely why Lady Mary fights so fiercely to dress me as she likes," she added, with a ghost of a smile.
Since her other hand was still in his, Ella again squeezed gently. "I would not see you hold yourself too accountable for any loss of freedom for me, Felix. I have many freedoms here: the freedom to speak, to make choices, to have friends, even. If I have lost anything, those more than make up for it." And to divert him from feeling such guilt, she added, low, "Furthermore, as my ladies have repeatedly pointed out, I have a handsome new husband to show for it." It was meant to distract, much in the same way he had done earlier with the ribbons of her shoes, but it was also quite true. Ella was finding herself grateful that Felix was as kind as he looked.