Sweethearts and Snowflakes: A Christmas Pride and Prejudice Variation by Amelia Westerly

Author:Amelia Westerly [Westerly, Amelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Others POV, Sequel - Canon Compliant
Goodreads: 201742981
Publisher: Song Sparrow Press
Published: 2023-11-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

A Brotherly Inquiry

Engrossed in the many shelves of Pemberley’s library, Mr Lewis did not at first hear someone enter the room. It was not until Mr Darcy’s polite request to interrupt him that he realised he was no longer alone.

“Good afternoon, Mr Lewis. I hope you will forgive me for interrupting you.”

“Mr Darcy! Yes, of course. It is good you have come, or I might never have brought myself to the point of choosing a book. You have such riches here.” Mr Lewis greeted his patron with real eagerness. Quite aside from the general pleasure of Mr Darcy’s company, Pemberley’s library was in truth so large that it was better enjoyed with the help of some expert knowledge. In addition to being overwhelmed by the sheer number of books, there were many precious folios and antique volumes that Mr Lewis would hardly dare to examine without the presence of their owner, however much he might like to gain a better knowledge of them.

“Perhaps we might look over the library together,” Mr Darcy offered. “It has been the work of many generations, but I am tolerably familiar with it by now. I might show you some of our particular treasures.”

“I should like nothing better,” Mr Lewis said, as it was precisely what he himself had wished. Given the great interest of looking over Pemberley’s magnificent library and speaking of the volumes with his host, it was some time before he noticed a certain hesitancy about Mr Darcy, as though there were something he wished to say, but knew not how. Over the past months of gradually coming to know his patron, Mr Lewis had come to a startling realisation: the rich, powerful Mr Darcy, who had so much influence over so large a portion of Derbyshire, was in fact rather shy. His reserve, which was so apt to make others consider him stern and proud, was in fact only that of a quiet man who spoke with great care, and did not choose to speak when no one could be benefited by it.

“This has been a very pleasant visit,” Mr Darcy said at last. “I have always greatly enjoyed the company of the Gardiners and Mrs Bingley, but I had not previously had the opportunity of being well acquainted with Miss Mary Bennet.”

Mr Lewis’s consciousness of his own feelings readily explained the slight oddity of the remark. “I have greatly enjoyed making Miss Bennet’s acquaintance,” he said, with truth if perhaps somewhat less emphasis than would be strictly accurate. With a moment’s unease, he wondered if his patron might be engaging in the unpleasant office of warning him off the lady. While even the strictest judge of propriety could not have objected to the least word or action he had shared with Miss Bennet, it would not be surprising if Mr Darcy wished a very different suitor for his sister-in-law. Someone, perhaps, who had so much as a farthing beyond the living Mr Darcy himself had granted him.

Mr Darcy cleared his throat.

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