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Edward said with sincerity, “After seeing this library, yes, I believe he is.”

Elinor stared at him. “Edward. You have ruined a perfectly serious moment.”

“I am perfectly serious. It is an excellent library. I have become very attached to it. Have you seen this desk? It is a magnificent piece of furniture.”

She shook her head and smiled. “I thought you approved of Henry because he loves our daughter.”

“I do.”

“And the library?”

“Strong supporting evidence.”

Elinor laughed. “You are impossible.”

His voice softened again. “I want Sarah to marry a man who will value her as she is. Henry has seen every difficult part of her and seems to like those parts almost as much as the rest.”

Elinor smiled. “That is true.”

“And if he can make her as happy as you have made me…” He stopped.

Elinor looked at him for a long moment. “I think,” said she quietly, “that may be the best reason of all.”

Edward kissed her forehead.

The next morning Ned appeared at breakfast looking entirely innocent. He took his seat, buttered his toast, and said nothing.

Marianne noticed. “Ned, you are remarkably quiet.”

“I have been told I talk too much.”

Marianne glanced at Elinor and smiled. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very well.”

“Good.”

“Thank you.” Then Ned said, without looking up, “Henry has not returned from his walk yet. I would not be the least surprised if he was going to ask Sarah to walk this afternoon. Can I join you?”

Sarah’s face warmed. “Not today.”

Henry arrived shortly after.

He was received with perfect civility, which meant, naturally, that everyone was watching him.

Sarah tried not to, but across the room she caught Henry’s eye.

“Sarah.”

“Henry.”

“It is an unusually fine day. I wondered whether you might like to walk in Hyde Park this afternoon.”

Ned grinned and took an exceptionally large, very noisy, satisfying bite of his toast with the expression of a fifteen-year-old whose suspicions had just been confirmed.

Sarah’s colour rose, but she decided that she no longer wished to pretend she had not been waiting for it.

“Yes, I would like that very much!”