Page 126 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“My mother would have expected the next mistress of Pemberley to make her own home here.”

Darcy crossed to a pair of empty bookcases beside the fireplace.

“I thought these would be useful. I moved my mother’s books to the library.”

Elizabeth joined him and ran her fingers along one of the shelves. “For my father’s books?”

“Yes.”

She looked at him.

“I know how much they mean to you, darling. There should be room for a great many here, and if there is not, we shall add more shelves.”

Elizabeth looked again at the empty bookcases.

“There are trunks and trunks of Papa’s books in the Phillipses’ attic for I have had nowhere to put them.”

Darcy took her hand.

“Now you do.”

Her eyes filled.

She stepped closer and put her arms around him. Darcy held her against him and kissed her temple.

“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”

He drew back enough to look at her. “I hope you will be very happy here, Elizabeth.”

“I am happy, sir. So long as we are together, I can be happy anywhere.”

When they returned to the drawing room, Caroline looked from Elizabeth to Darcy and quickly lowered her eyes.

During dinner, Elizabeth sat several places from Darcy. Once, when she reached for her wineglass, she found him watching her intently.

She winked.

His mouth curved into a smile.

Elizabeth returned her attention to Jane, who was telling her about something little Edward had done during the journey. Mr. Bingley, seated near enough to hear, listened to the woman he adored.

When Elizabeth glanced up, she found Caroline watching Darcy then she met Elizabeth’s eyes. “I do not believe I have ever seen Mr. Darcy so happy.”

Elizabeth looked across the table at him.

“Neither have I.”

After dinner, Georgiana played for them. When she finished, Darcy went to speak with her before she left the pianoforte.

Caroline watched them together.

“Georgiana has changed since London. She seems much more at ease.”

“She is.”

Darcy returned a short while later carrying a book.

“I found this for you.”