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“It is not necessary,” Darcy began, holding up his hand. “My carriage, along with the rest of my travel party, will be delayed until sometime tomorrow. At least that is my hope. You see, there was an inconvenient mishap with my carriage. I am alone, save two others who have sought sleeping quarters in the stables.

“Very well, Mr. Darcy. If you will allow, may I show you into the drawing room and offer you a drink for your comfort while I oversee the final preparation of your apartment. I shall take the liberty of having a footman attend you once everything is ready.”

“I confess comfortable lodgings are precisely what I need; however, I do not mean to disrupt the household more than I have already with my late as well as unexpected arrival. I shall forego the assistance of a footman.”

“If you insist,” said the other man, his otherwise austere expression rather softened. “The drawing room is this way.”

The two did not walk very far before Darcy caught glimpse of a young woman heading up the staircase. What a stroke of luck for him, he immediately thought, if it was Elizabeth.

Dare I call out her name?

The older gentleman must have noticed the way Darcy looked at the young woman. He cleared his throat, effectively summoning her attention. Continuing her steps, she threw a quick glance over her shoulder and stole Darcy’s breath away.

Their eyes frozen on each other’s, Elizabeth stopped and turned.

“I believe I will manage on my own from here,” said Darcy.

“The drawing room⁠—”

“—I shall find it.”

“Your apartment⁠—”

“—Which do you intend to have prepared?”

“—The second floor, three doors down on the left.”

“Thank you. I shall require nothing else,” Darcy said, his tone meant to send the servant on his way.

Moments later, Darcy began a slow ascent up the stairway, and likewise, Elizabeth commenced a tentative descent until they stood face-to-face.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said.

“Mr. Darcy,” she responded, dropping a curtsy.

Remembering himself, Darcy bowed. Upon resuming his former attitude, he said, “I know the hour is late, and what I am about to ask of you may seem untoward⁠—”

“—What is it, sir?”

“Might I request the pleasure of your company in the library?”

“Sir?”

“Please say yes, despite the impropriety of such a request. What I have to say to you is so very important that it will not wait until tomorrow.”

CHAPTER 34

MOST ARDENTLY

Having endeavored for so long to erase the memories of the way he looked, the sound of his deep melodic voice, his brooding stare, and more importantly, all the feelings such recollections engendered in her, the sight of Mr. Darcy stole Elizabeth’s breath away.

Over the past few hours, she had resigned herself to their eventual meeting face to face, but she had supposed she had days before finding herself suffering such a prospect. Now she was walking along beside him through the halls of Netherfield.

Entering the room behind Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy closed the door. After a moment, he threw a quick glance about the dimly lit library. “This is a nice room.”

“It certainly has the potential to be,” said Elizabeth in reference to the wealth of empty space and the scarcity of books among the wall shelves. “Charles often speaks of his desire to make it one of the finest libraries in all the county.” She bit her lower lip while searching for something else to say. Finding her voice, she continued, “Although even he will allow that his library will be nothing in comparison to the library at Pemberley. I understand it has been the makings of many generations.”

Darcy nodded. “Indeed.” Closing some of the distance between them, he said, “Thank you for agreeing to speak with me in privacy.”