He led her to some seats in a sheltered area. It formed a small alcove protected by the tall trunks of some tropical specimen unknown to him. They sat down to eat, their thighs and shoulders touching. The food was cold as well, but that was not surprising.
“So, did you find some tasks to occupy you?”
“I have assigned myself the goal of arranging the books in the library. We will have to move Mr. Prescott’s books to the attic, because book space is limited, but for now I have placed them in piles on the floor. You will have to write and ask him if he would like them forwarded to Bath.”
“So many things to take care of! At least you are doing something you enjoy. I remember how much you loved the library at Founder’s Hall.”
He remembered her twirling in the sunbeams. She had been so full of joy. At the time, he had not appreciated her as he did now. He had been completely absorbed in finding a way to Bond, and nothing else mattered.
“That library was much more beautiful than this one, but yes, I am enjoying the work. I will also confess that I am dipping into some of the books along the way. I am hoping to find something that will shed light on Bingley’s condition.”
His heart clenched at the thought of Bingley, lying unmoving in the Healer’s Hall. If the Healers were not keeping him alive with their magic, he might well not even be alive.
Tonight, Darcy resolved, he would spend a long time with him.
“I will be going to see Bingley straight after this. Would you like to come with me?”
She shook her head.
“I wish I could, but I do not think I will be welcome.”
“Ah. The notorious Warden’s affliction.”
“I suppose I should be happy they have not called it the Bennet Curse.”
She laughed, and he laughed with her, somewhat reassured that she was beginning to recover from the blow of that encounter.
“So how are the teams doing. Did you accomplish a great deal?”
“We are progressing quite quickly. The Maidens’ Hall section will be ready by tomorrow morning. And we should have the bedchambers ready for all the other ladies the day after. I have picked out a room for you that I think you will like.”
“Thank goodness. Having a group of young apprentices sharing the hall with us has not been conducive to a good night’s sleep. Even though they were really trying to be considerate by whispering. I cannot wait to have a room of my own.”
She threw him a meaningful look from under her eyelashes.
“I hope you do not intend to lock the adjoining door between us this time.”
He was consumed by guilt. He had not yet told her of his plans. He had no intention of having an adjoining bedchamber, but how could he explain it to her without making her feel rejected?
“There will not be an adjoining door.”
She frowned.
“Are you saying they will not even be giving us an adjoining bedchamber?”
Darcy flushed. This was more awkward than he thought.
“It is not ‘they’ who have decided it, whoever ‘they’ are.”
“I am talking about the Council, and well you know it. They are no friends of mine. They seem determined to thwart any chance of mine at happiness.”
The bitterness in her tone made him wince. He was half-tempted to abandon the idea, but he had to stand firm.
“Please trust me when I say it is better this way. I do not sleep much. I would only disturb you.”
Her expression made it clear she did not understand at all.
He gave a brittle laugh. “I haunt the hallways like a ghost.”
