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a welcome distraction. Although still deeply grieved, she needed to be strong for her family the next day. It was time that she composed herself. Therefore, she finished her breakfast and dressed with the help of Mrs. Carroll; then she was left with Penny to pin up her hair.
    “Penny can direct you to the library when you are ready.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Carroll — for everything.”
    Mrs. Carroll patted Elizabeth’s hand and smiled before she exited the bedchamber. When Elizabeth’s hair was finished, she had Penny take her to Miss Lucas. Before entering to see Maria, Elizabeth asked, “Penny, after I check on Miss Lucas, where might I find the library?”
    “’Tis simple; it is to the left off the main hall, miss.”
    The young girl curtseyed and bobbed her head before leaving Elizabeth at Maria’s door. Elizabeth visited with Maria for a solemn hour as they reminisced about Lydia. It was difficult but good practice for condoling with her own family as she could see her young friend needed to talk. Elizabeth knew those at Longbourn might be in need of a listener. She could do that.
    Upon reaching the main hall, Elizabeth looked around her and thought briefly on their reception the day before. The house was quiet except for the occasional housemaid. Elizabeth admired the elegant home as she ran her hand along the ornate cherrywood baluster. When she looked up, she saw the butler, Mr. Carroll.
    “Can I be of service to you, Miss Bennet?”
    “No, I thank you. I was just on my way to the library.”
    “Very good, miss. It is just around the corner there, first door on the left.”
    “Thank you.” Elizabeth hurried around the corner, feeling conspicuous and not a little grateful that the master of the house was attending services. She was thankful not to worry about encountering him.
    As she walked down the hall, she admired the handsome décor of Darcy House. Never had she seen such refinement. It was neither garish nor ostentatious as Rosings had been. The richness of the wood paneling was warm, and the furniture, though suited to the fortune of their proprietor, seemed to have real purpose rather than simply to draw attention to an awkward taste. Having her attention thus occupied, she missed the first door, the door she sought. Upon reaching the second door, and believing it the library, she opened it gingerly and looked inside.
    She smiled widely at the richly appointed room and the long wall of bookcases filled with immaculately tended books. At one end of the room was a large mahogany desk with a couple of plush leather chairs. Opposite were large windows that overlooked the square. Elizabeth took a moment to admire the view and to breathe in the warm leather smell of books. What a beautiful library. She walked along the wall of books and ran her fingers across their bindings.
    Wordsworth, Donne, Shakespeare — all my favorites. She smiled at the variety in the collection. There were many titles she had enjoyed and a few others that now caught her interest. She reluctantly acknowledged that the collection spoke to the excellent taste of their owner. After choosing a book, she walked towards the large desk. She laughed to herself at Mr. Darcy’s choice of that particular piece of furniture. Mr. Darcy and his love of order. Ha! Of course, he would have a desk in his library. She walked to the large, leather chair and felt its softness.
    With contentment she had not felt for days, she sank slowly into the chair. It had a lovely lemon and sandalwood smell mixed with the scent of the leather. As she tucked her legs under her dress, she was reminded of her favorite chair in her father’s library. That thought comforted her as she settled in to read her book. Before she knew it, however, the soothing scents of the chair, combined with its warm embrace, lulled Elizabeth into a pleasant sleep.
    * * *
    Upon returning from Sunday services, Mr. Darcy leaned towards Georgiana and gave her a parting kiss on her cheek,