Page 62 of Companions of Their Youth
“I protest!” Elizabeth said lightly. “I only prefer books when the alternative is to watch others lose at cards.”
From across the room, Jane giggled softly at something Bingley said, causing him to beam. Elizabeth continued speaking, eager to prevent the man’s sisters from intruding on her sister’s joy. “I was fortunate that Mark’s note included a request that a servant tuck two into my trunk before it was sent here from Longbourn.”
Darcy’s eyes glinted. “Then he must be the ideal brother.”
Elizabeth laughed. “He would be even more ideal had he asked for a half dozen. I have already read both books since yesterday morning.”
“You read quickly,” Darcy said, clearly impressed. “I brought an entire trunk of books with me—though I suspect that makes me sound rather eccentric.”
She gave him a teasing look. “Not at all. Only suspicious. Was it a scheme to injure the footmen, or do you travel with your own burly library porter?”
He smiled faintly. “It was asmalltrunk, I will have you know. Only my valet and two additional men were required.”
“Such necessity for a traveling library?” she gasped in mock outrage. “Sir, you astonish me.”
He lifted a hand in mock defense. “Bingley reads very little and I feared Netherfield’s library would be sadly neglected.”
“Ah,” she said, grinning, “so your plan was to endear yourself to the staff through fractured spines.”
Darcy chuckled quietly. “I confess, I had only myself in mind. I am an intolerable fellow on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to read. It truly was a kindness to my hosts.”
Miss Bingley, not to be outdone, interjected with a sigh. “Indeed, Charles has done nothing with the family library. It is a dreadful oversight in this day and age.”
Darcy nodded. “Quite so.”
“But Pemberley,” she continued with transparent pride, “boasts one of the finest collections in the country. Mr. Darcy has spent years curating and expanding it.”
Darcy shifted slightly, seeming discomfited by the praise. “It has been the work of several generations, not solely my own.”
“Still,” Elizabeth said with sincerity, “to maintain such a collection and value it enough to carry books with you—well, that is no small praise in my eyes.”
He met her gaze and, to her surprise, offered, “If you would care to borrow any, Miss Bennet, I would be honored to share them.”
Her eyes lit with genuine delight. “I should like that very much. That is most generous of you.”
“I shall send a servant with something tonight. Do you prefer any particular type of book?”
Elizabeth bit her lip. “I ought not to say. It may shock you.”
“I suppose the classics are lost on country tastes.” Miss Bingley sniffed. “Not everyone has had the benefit of seminary schooling. I am quite devoted to Shakespeare and the poetry of Cowper. My admiration for the bard is boundless.”
“I do enjoy a good comedy,” Elizabeth replied lightly. “Much Ado About Nothingis a favorite of mine. But I also enjoy treatises on land management, and”—she lowered her voice with playful solemnity— “the occasional gothic novel. Though I shall not ask whether you brought any of those.”
Miss Bingley gave a scandalized gasp. “Surely Mr. Darcy would never have such vulgar reading material!”
“I did, in fact,” Darcy said, lifting an eyebrow. “Two, to be precise. My sister wished to read them, and I thought it wise to review them first.”
Miss Bingley colored. “Oh! Well… I daresay dear Georgiana would never wish for anythingtrulyimproper. Not all novels arevulgar, of course. I have read several, and I should be delighted to recommend a few in my next letter. For Georgiana’s sake.”
Darcy inclined his head politely, though his expression was unreadable.
Just then, Elizabeth noticed Jane shifting wearily in her chair. Her color had faded a little.
“I believe we must say goodnight,” Elizabeth said, rising at once. “Jane is fading.”
Jane opened her mouth to protest, then clearly thought better of it. “Yes, I think so.”
Bingley leaped to his feet. “Allow me to escort you both upstairs.”
