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“I know.”

She looked toward the windows again. Darcy understood the rest before she said it, and wished he might spare her the necessity without interrupting the words she needed him to hear.

“If I cannot help her—”

He turned toward her fully.

“Elizabeth, I loved you before I knew you could do anything beyond argue with me.”

Her mouth trembled, but the smile did not quite come.

“I do not mean that to diminish what you have done,” he said. “You saved my life. You are trying to save your sister’s. I am grateful for the first, and I shall hope with you for the second. Neither is the price of what I have just told you.”

She lowered her eyes. He held her hand without drawing her closer, allowing her the few moments she needed.

“Thank you,” she said at last.

“And Anna will remain here,” he added. “Whatever you decide about me, or whenever you wish to visit Longbourn. She is my niece. I should have made a home for her without waiting for you to show me why.”

“I did not think you would send her away.”

“No. I wanted to say it while we were speaking of the future.”

Elizabeth looked up. “Then I am glad you said it.”

He kissed her once, gently, sheltered from the windows by the turn of the wall. She held his sleeve and returned the kiss without the hesitation which had so troubled them in October.

When they drew apart, a voice called from the terrace.

“Miss Bennet?”

Sally stood at the top of the steps. “Mrs. Bingley asks whether you have her little scissors, miss.”

Elizabeth looked down at the workbag upon her wrist and began to laugh.

“I have. Tell her I am coming directly.”

The maid went inside. Elizabeth took the scissors from the bag, held them up for Darcy to see, and put them away again.

“I have obliged a whole household to search while I was occupied with my own happiness.”

“You do not know that the whole household has searched.”

“It may be wiser not to inquire.”

He escorted her up the steps. At the door she paused long enough to press his hand.

“After Jane is well,” she said softly.

“When you are ready.”

Elizabeth went upstairs to her sister. Darcy watched her until the turn of the staircase concealed her, then returned to the library, where a shelf at the height of her hand had acquired a new importance.

Chapter Fifty

JANE WISHED TO move her chair.

“Only a little nearer the window,” she told Elizabeth. “I should like to see something besides the bed whenever I look up.”