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The door opened, and Elizabeth entered carrying a small stack of books. Richard rose with exaggerated courtesy.

"Miss Bennet, you arrive in time to deliver my cousin from a most painful conversation."

"Then I shall leave immediately," Elizabeth said. "I should hate to interrupt anything from which Mr. Darcy might profit."

"He was gaining nothing," Richard replied. "His understanding appeared entirely closed."

Darcy stood and took the books before she could protest. "I see your generosity does not extend to the library shelves, Richard."

"My generosity extends to permitting you to carry the entire burden."

Elizabeth regarded the volumes in Darcy's hands. "I had intended to return those myself."

"Then you may direct me where they belong," Darcy answered.

Their task took them to the far end of the room, where an upper shelf was reserved for the Earl's favourite histories. Darcy replaced the books while Elizabeth consulted a list she had made to help the old librarian locate several missing titles.

"I was told that his lordship possessed a German account of the Seven Years' War," she said. "I cannot find it."

"Would you read it for pleasure?"

"I should read it to understand why Richard thinks every historical problem might have been resolved by cavalry."

"That will require a much longer study."

He reached for a narrow volume. Their hands brushed as Elizabeth accepted it, a perfectly ordinary accident that nevertheless startled him. She looked up, and for an instant their conversation stopped. The silence might have become awkward had Richard not called from the other end of the room that the entire undertaking appeared to have deprived him of company.

"The gentleman has a gift for timing," Elizabeth murmured.

"One of his least useful gifts," Darcy replied.

That afternoon Lady Matlock took Elizabeth to call upon an elderly acquaintance while Darcy accompanied the Earl on business. When they met again at dinner, Elizabeth was laughing with Saye about a small disaster involving his tenants' village fair. Darcy found himself listening for the particular turn of her voice before distinguishing the subject. She looked across the table, caught his eye, and smiled. He was absurdly pleased.

After dinner Lord Matlock requested his presence in the study. The Earl had received an unwelcome letter concerning an investment, and Darcy gave him his opinion. The matter was resolved quickly, but his uncle did not immediately release him.

"You have been here often," Matlock observed.

"Georgiana has benefited from Elizabeth's friendship."

"She has. So have we all."

Darcy waited.

The Earl smiled. "You need not explain your visits to me, Fitzwilliam. You are always welcome. But if there is a particular reason you find our company agreeable, I should prefer to know whether my household is likely to be rearranged by it."

Darcy felt an unusual warmth in his face. "I have said nothing to Elizabeth."

"I did not ask whether you had."

"Then perhaps you had better tell me what you intended to ask."

"Only whether you have begun thinking seriously about her."

Darcy could have denied it. His uncle would not have pressed him. But Matlock had never treated him as a foolish young man, and dishonesty would have been an insult to them both.

"I believe I have," he said at last.

The Earl's expression softened. "Then think carefully, and remember that she has known more uncertainty than a young lady ought. I will not have her made to doubt her place in this family because your sentiments are unsettled."