"I would prefer to keep this just between us if it is all the same to you."
"I concur," I replied, my voice sounding hoarse.
"I told you you would be shocked."
"I am not shocked," I said. But perhaps it was time to put the illustrations down.
I grabbed for a book before Darcy could stop me. Nevertheless he tried to pull it from my grasp, I ignored him.
"Oh, this one is in French."
"You already have your book," he chided.
"Do not worry. I cannot read it anyway. If you had known how appallingly poor my French is you would have given me this book. My Italian is non-existent, by the way. And you've seen me at the instrument and on the dance floor. I could never be considered an accomplished woman by the lofty standards you laid out at Netherfield."
"You will remember Miss Bingley said most of that."
"Yes, your only contribution was that a woman should be well read. In the spirit of that—" I made another attempt at grabbing a book this time Darcy stopped me.
"How do you ever expect me to learn if you deny me education? I fear I will make for a very dull lover if I have no understanding of the possibilities."
"No man could find fault with your performance, I certainly cannot, and if another should I will have to kill him and not just for the crime of insulting you."
There is something about an otherwise perfectly reasonable man threatening to murder someone for one's honor that is thrillingly delightful. It is not a sensible delight, but it is a delight all the same.
"Mr. Darcy, are you threatening to duel my fictitious lovers?"
"Yes, Mrs. Darcy, I am."
Darcy made as if to kiss me, I used the opportunity to dive for another book.
"Fanny Hill—hey! That one looked perfectly harmless!" I said as Darcy snatched thebook away.
"It isn't."
"It said it was a memoir. And I have seen it before."
"Have you? In your father's library?" he asked doubtfully.
"No, I saw Mama reading it. That is why I remembered the title. She rarely ever reads anything longer than a gossip sheet. Is it truly a naughty book?"
"Quite." Darcy chuckled. I did not see how my mother reading naughty books was amusing. The thought of it made me slightly ill.
"I should be allowed to read it if my mother has read it."
"I cannot give you this book. I keep from you it not only for the sake of your morality, but also because it is illegal and I do not wished to see you in gaol for it."
"That book is illegal?"
"Yes," replied Darcy, "They all are."
"What is the penalty if one is caught in possession of one?"
"Transportation."
"Really?!"
"Or possibly confiscation and a small fine. I'm not certain."
