She looked down at their joined hands and said, “I marvel that we are sitting here, in your home, alone, my hand enclosed in yours. I could never have imagined such a thing happening between us.”
“Elizabeth,” he said softly, “I love you.”
She lifted her eyes to his face and saw the truth in his expression. As he leaned closer, she closed her eyes and felt the warmth of his lips upon hers. At first, the touch was gentle, a mere grazing of lips, then he pressed them more firmly against hers, his arms drawing her close. When he drew back, he searched her eyes.
Her face flushed, and she looked down at her hands. “Have I overstepped, Elizabeth? Should I apologize?”
She shook her head. After a moment, she said quietly, “No, sir, there is nothing to apologize for. I am not offended, only embarrassed, but my first kiss was lovely. When I enter this room, I will always remember it with pleasure.”
She looked up at him hesitantly. Darcy straightened, a smile touching his lips. She had not invited more, but neither had she pushed him away. True, she had not returned his embrace, but she had leaned into him. He felt hopeful. She liked him; in time, she would come to love him, but for now, he would not press his attentions on her lest she develop an aversion to him.
Darcy stood, moved to the nearest window, and worked a lever that drew the drapes back. Sunlight streamed in, flooding the space and revealing the farthest corners of the room. Elizabeth turned slowly, taking it all in. “This library appears to be as large as a ballroom,” she said.
He nodded. “It is. It was added to Pemberley about seventy years ago. A study of the bedrock was completed before construction, and the foundations were specially designed to bear the weight of the books.”
Elizabeth was impressed. “Do you employ a librarian, sir?”
“I contract with a man who works at Cambridge,” Darcy replied. “He likes to take on additional work during the summer months.He organizes the volumes added since his last visit and updates the catalog.”
He led her to a section of shelves where several large ledgers rested. Taking one down, he said, “This is the current ledger. It begins with January 1, 1805. Each new book is entered here.” They studied the pages for several minutes, and Darcy showed her how to locate any title in the collection.
“May I see your sets ofThe Odyssey?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Crossing to a nearby desk, he retrieved a ring of keys, then led her to a glass-fronted cabinet. Unlocking it, he gestured to the books arranged neatly along the left-hand side. One entire shelf held all twenty-four books, bound in fine leather and embossed with gold leaf.
“Is this the rare ancient set, sir?”
“Yes,” he said.
“What year was it printed?”
“In the year 1614. It is one of George Chapman’s first translations.”
Darcy carefully closed and locked the cabinet before leading her to another shelf. “This set,” he said, “was translated by Alexander Pope and published in 1725. It is the edition I use for casual reading.”
Elizabeth said, “The set you gave me was also an Alexander Pope translation. We have enjoyed reading it, sir. I love reading about Penelope. She was a strong woman and was ahead of her time.”
Darcy’s expression softened. “Then you will have ample reading material for several long winters,” he said, smiling as she laughed with him.
They walked through the various sections of the library before rejoining the others for luncheon. It consisted of an elaborate collation of cold meats, several kinds of cheese, an assortment of breads with fresh butter and jellies, and apples, oranges, and sweetmeats.
Darcy poured a little ratafia into Elizabeth’s glass and leaned toward her. “How are you holding up, Mrs. Darcy?”
“I am very well, sir. My sisters and I are to walk in the gardens after luncheon. Georgiana has offered to take us to the folly. She says there is a magnificent view of an old castle from that location. Jane and Mary hope to sketch it.”
“And you, Elizabeth? Do you draw?”
She smiled ruefully. “No, sir. I play the pianoforte a little, sing, and study.”
He chuckled. “How have I not yet heard you sing? Perhaps you will favor us with a song tonight after dinner?”
“I will. It will be my pleasure.”
That evening, after dinner, Darcy invited the ladies to exhibit. To his surprise, Georgiana offered to begin.
Richard leaned toward him. “Having three sisters has been good for Georgie. She has never before played in company and usually refuses when I ask her to perform for my mother.”
