“Indeed, we are. Please, allow me,” Mr. Bingley offered as he held the door open so that both parties could enter.
Upon entering the bookshop, Elizabeth and her sisters headed in the direction of the sheet music. Mary approached a shelf and began thumbing through the pages. Elizabeth noticed Miss Darcy followed a few steps behind them. She watched as the young lady picked up a short stack of sheet music and sifted through it, creating a flow of air that blew through the blonde curls framing her face.
Smiling, Elizabeth asked, “Miss Darcy, are you in search of a particular piece of music?”
“No, not at all,” Miss Darcy said, blushing. “But I do like to browse. Sometimes when I travel, I come across bookshops that have unique pieces of music. I once found an old Scottish ballad that is quite beautiful.”
“What a fortunate find! What instruments do you play?”
“I play the harp a bit, but I am excessively fond of the pianoforte. Do you play?”
“Aye, but very ill indeed,” Elizabeth said, grinning. Nodding toward Mary, she added, “Mary is much more accomplished at the pianoforte than I.”
“Miss Darcy,” Mary said, “Even though she does not practice as she should, Lizzy is very skilled at the pianoforte.”
“Remember now, Miss Darcy, she is my sister,” Elizabeth said teasingly. “She is required to say good things, is she not?”
Darcy had been partly looking through some histories and partly keeping an eye on his sister, though she seemed to be faring well. The Bennet sister with the chestnut-colored hair and sparkling eyes had drawn Georgiana into conversation, putting her at ease.
“Lizzy,” called Mr. Bennet to the very same sister.
She excused herself and joined her father at the counter.
“Yes, Papa?”
Mr. Bennet looked at the proprietor. “Mr. Peterson?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I received a shipment this morning," the proprietor said to her. "Can you guess what was in it?”
Miss Elizabeth gasped. “Not Malcolm Dean?”
Darcy’s ears pricked up.Did she say Malcolm Dean?
“Volume II,” Mr. Peterson said with a smile as he handed the book to her.
“It got here so quickly! Thank you, Mr. Peterson. I cannot wait to read it.”
Darcy walked up to the counter and addressed Miss Elizabeth. “Pardon me, I overheard your conversation. Did you say that is volume II ofAn Exploration of the Canadian Wilderness?”
Miss Elizabeth smiled brilliantly. “Yes, it is. Are you familiar with the author?”
For a moment, Darcy was at a loss for words. He could do nothing but stare into the enchanting eyes looking back at him.He began to wonder at the exact shade of her eyes when he remembered himself.
“I—ah—yes, I am. After reading the first volume, I was eager to acquire volume II. I meant to order it before leaving London, but neglected to do so.” Darcy turned to Mr. Peterson. “Would you happen to have an extra copy?”
“I do, actually,” he replied. “My supplier informed me of the author's growing popularity, so I made sure to order an extra copy. Would you like to purchase it?”
“Indeed, I would,” Darcy said.
“Very good, sir. Give me just a moment.”
The proprietor walked to the back room. Miss Elizabeth walked away as well. Darcy could smell a hint of jasmine and citrus and . . . something else in the air around him. It was tantalizing. He first caught the scent as they followed the ladies into the bookshop. Now, he knew whose scent it was—Miss Elizabeth’s. While everyone’s attention was elsewhere, Darcy took the opportunity to observe her. He could not deny his attraction to her. She was lovely. She had a pleasing, shapely figure and the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.
Elizabeth stepped away and tried to slow her racing heart. When Mr. Darcy approached her, Elizabeth’s focus had still been on the unexpected, early arrival of her book. That is until he spoke to her with that voice of his—a voice so deep and warm it made her heart pound and robbed her of her focus. After Elizabeth confirmed it was Dean’s book she was in receipt of, he seemed to look deeply into her eyes for a moment. Had she imagined it? She certainly had not imagined how amazing he smelled.
In search of some distraction, Elizabeth looked around the bookshop. Though what she really wanted to do was look at him!He was so handsome, so incredibly handsome, but she could not just stand there gawking at him!
Determined to remain composed, Elizabeth redirected her thoughts. While she had been in conversation at the counter, Mr. Bingley had made his way over to her sisters and Miss Darcy and engaged them in conversation.
