Upon their return from the expedition, all the ladies went upstairs to rest and change. Elizabeth, who had several things on her mind, set asideThe Preludeand decided to go downstairs to the library to see what books – if any – Miss Darcy possessed.
As she walked into the room, she found Mr. Darcy pulling books out of wooden boxes and arranging them on the empty shelves. She quickly stepped back, trying to retreat as quietly as possible, but her foot caught on the edge of a box she had not seen. The books toppled, and as she swung her arms around to balance herself, she caught the edge of an inkpot and the dark ink spread across a pile of papers neatly set up on the desk.
“Oh, no!” she cried, setting the inkpot upright again, staining her gloves but succeeding in saving most of the papers.
“Miss Bennet strikes again,” he said, striding over and ringing a servant. “Are you always heavy-handed, or does this only happen in my presence?”
He was smiling, but his words, as usual, struck a negative chord in her heart. “I can assure you, I am neither heavy-handed, nor am I awe-struck in your presence. There is a simple explanation. Boxes do not belong in the center of the room. I was not expecting such a close encounter with one.”
His lips twitched. “I did not expect anyone to come to the library, since it did not previously contain any books. But I see you were hoping to find something a little more entertaining thanThe Prelude.”
“It is my first visit to the library, Mr. Darcy. I was unaware that all the shelves would be empty. And I was indeed hoping to find something lighter than Mr. Wordsworth’s tome. As it turns out, I was right.” She bent down and picked a book out of a box. “What do we have here? Anne Radcliffe’sThe Italian? I suppose it is a good place to start if you want to encourage a love of reading in Miss Darcy.”
“You have read it already?”
“Of course. Have you?”
“Of course.”
Elizabeth examined him, puzzled. “I would not have expected you to be the type to be interested in Gothic novels.”
“Where would you suppose my interests lie, then?”
“I would expect you to read something related to the rotation of crops, or field drainage. Something perhaps by Jethro Tull.”
“It is a rational conclusion,” said Mr. Darcy. “I have, of course, read many such books. It does not mean that, like you, I do not sometimes wish for something lighter to read.”
“It seems, for once, that we are in agreement.” She smiled at him, and to her surprise, he smiled back. The smile softened his eyes, and she stared at them, fascinated by the change. Then, as he returned her gaze, she looked away quickly, mortified to be caught staring.
She said the first thing that came into her mind. “Now that you are here, Mr. Darcy, I wonder if I may have a word with you. I have a question concerning Georgiana.”
“Very well.” It was astonishing how quickly the smile disappeared to be replaced by his usual expression of caution and suspicion.
“Do you believe in plain speaking, Mr. Darcy?” She sensed that he did, or she would not have asked him the question.
“I do, absolutely.” His tone was firm. “I hope you will be comfortable expressing any concerns you have to me, especially if it pertains to my sister.”
“It does pertain to your sister.” As his expression changed to concern, she hastened to reassure him. “But it is nothing to worry about. It is about fiscal matters.”
He nodded, his expression grave. She assumed that meant she could forge ahead.
“Miss Darcy and I went on a shopping expedition today, and it occurred to me that I know nothing about her financial situation. She claims she has plenty of pin money, and she wants to spend some on new clothes. It is her first time buying clothing without Lady Matlock, you see, and she is perhaps a little too – enthusiastic.”
Darcy chuckled. “Is that all? Well then, we are safe. Georgiana is not a spendthrift. If anything, she is generally too nervous about overspending. If she indulges herself a little, there is no harm to it. You need not be concerned.”
He looked so relieved, she hesitated to take it further. Should she tell him about Georgiana’s gifts? The image of his face as she held the vase, the accusations of stealing, rang through her mind. She had to bring it up. It had to be made clear from the very beginning.
“And in the interest of plain speaking, I wish to tell you that Miss Darcy has offered to buy me some articles of clothing. Ihave told her to wait, that I do not know if it is appropriate, but she will not take no for an answer. However, I do not wish to be accused of taking advantage of Miss Darcy’s fortune – or of stealing,” she said, with some bitterness. “Nor do I wish to be described as a stray when she bestows her kindness on me.”
Mr. Darcy paled. “What gives you that idea?” he said, swallowing hard.
“I heard someone saying it when I was in Pemberley.”
Guilt was written all over his face. “If you overheard that unfortunate remark, Miss Bennet,” he said, “then I am very sorry. I offer you my humble apologies.”
“What if I had not told you I had overheard you?” she said, more directly, now that he had acknowledged it was him. “Would you have apologized?”
“It is immaterial, surely, I have addressed the matter.”
