Chapter 18 #2
"If you let me see—nay, if you let me visit your Garden of Delight while you are unclothed with the candles alight, I will let you read a book of my choosing from my illicit collection."
I knew he would choose the tamest book in his collection, but I also knew it was the best offer I was likely to get.
"All right, we have an agreement."
Darcy stood. My eyes immediately began roaming.
"You are ogling me."
"Your powers of observation are most extraordinary, Darcy. It must be your scientific turn of mind which gives you such perspicacity."
He teasingly gave the coverlet another tug in response.
"You keep your naughty books under your bed?" I asked as he knelt down and extracted a large box (much more promising) from beneath the four-poster.
"I did. I am going to move them because I know you are relentless and will sneak into them if I do not."
I could not refute this.
Still on the floor (and still deliciously nude) he selected a tome from the box.
"Here is your book."
I took the offering. "Tom Jones," I said, reading the cover. To add insult to injury it was only the first volume. "Not fair."
"You did not specify." He was most proud of himself.
"You, sir, are dishonorable."
"Indeed," he replied. Then he grabbed the coverlet away leaving me bare."And you, my dear, are beautiful."
I snatched it back, covering myself once more.
"Tom Jones does not count and you know it!"
"It was not originally part of my collection, no. I hid it to keep it away from Henrietta."
"You played me false."
"It is hardly my fault you are a poor bargainer, Lizzy." It was the first time he had called me Lizzy and I might have taken a moment to revel in the lovely sound of it from his lips if I had not been so determined to have my way.
I leaped at the box. I had to reveal my bare bottom in the process, but sometimes delicacy must be sacrificed in the pursuit of education.
The exposure proved enough of a distraction, I reached the box before Darcy could stop me.
Grabbing the first item my hand fell upon I yanked it from the box.
It was a folio and the contents flew out, scattering everywhere.
"You have naughty pictures as well," I said picking up the nearest engraving.
"I collected those years ago—at university," he said. He was as shamefaced as a child caught sneaking sweets from the kitchen.
"I'm sure," I said, examining my catch. "This couple is copulating like livestock, rather how I thought it would be done actually. Can we try it like this?"
Darcy looked as though his cravat was too tight, except of course he was completely naked. He also appeared more aware of his nudity than he had been previously, he took greater pains to cover himself before finally answering, "Yes, of course."
"And this?" I asked holding up another illustration.
"Yes."
"And this?"
"At your service."
"Good Lord, perhaps not like that."
He made as if to snatch the pages away from me, but then dropped his hand before he could execute the attempt.
Clearly he knew me well enough to know any endeavors to stop me would only further my determination to see every illustration.
"You are going to shock yourself so completely you never allow me to visit your garden again," he said.
"Oh, this one depicts two ladies and one gentleman. And here, two gentleman and one lady," I said, tilting my head this way and that as I looked at the engraving, trying to understand what exactly was meant to be happening. It seemed the addition of another participant rather complicated things.
"I would prefer to keep this just between us if it is all the same to you."
"I concur," I replied, my voice sounding hoarse.
"I told you you would be shocked."
"I am not shocked," I said. But perhaps it was time to put the illustrations down.
I grabbed for a book before Darcy could stop me. Nevertheless he tried to pull it from my grasp, I ignored him.
"Oh, this one is in French."
"You already have your book," he chided.
"Do not worry. I cannot read it anyway. If you had known how appallingly poor my French is you would have given me this book.
My Italian is non-existent, by the way. And you've seen me at the instrument and on the dance floor.
I could never be considered an accomplished woman by the lofty standards you laid out at Netherfield. "
"You will remember Miss Bingley said most of that."
"Yes, your only contribution was that a woman should be well read. In the spirit of that—" I made another attempt at grabbing a book this time Darcy stopped me.
"How do you ever expect me to learn if you deny me education? I fear I will make for a very dull lover if I have no understanding of the possibilities."
"No man could find fault with your performance, I certainly cannot, and if another should I will have to kill him and not just for the crime of insulting you."
There is something about an otherwise perfectly reasonable man threatening to murder someone for one's honor that is thrillingly delightful. It is not a sensible delight, but it is a delight all the same.
"Mr. Darcy, are you threatening to duel my fictitious lovers?"
"Yes, Mrs. Darcy, I am."
Darcy made as if to kiss me, I used the opportunity to dive for another book.
"Fanny Hill—hey! That one looked perfectly harmless!" I said as Darcy snatched the book away.
"It isn't."
"It said it was a memoir. And I have seen it before."
"Have you? In your father's library?" he asked doubtfully.
"No, I saw Mama reading it. That is why I remembered the title. She rarely ever reads anything longer than a gossip sheet. Is it truly a naughty book?"
"Quite." Darcy chuckled. I did not see how my mother reading naughty books was amusing. The thought of it made me slightly ill.
"I should be allowed to read it if my mother has read it."
"I cannot give you this book. I keep from you it not only for the sake of your morality, but also because it is illegal and I do not wished to see you in gaol for it."
"That book is illegal?"
"Yes," replied Darcy, "They all are."
"What is the penalty if one is caught in possession of one?"
"Transportation."
"Really?!"
"Or possibly confiscation and a small fine. I'm not certain."
I was undeterred by threat of punishment. "I want another book."
"You have your book."
"It does not count!"
"You have your book and now you must fulfill your half of the bargain," said Darcy as he gathered the other end of the coverlet which guarded me.
I clung tighter to my shield. "I will not forget you perfidy."
"Dearest, I am going to make you forget your name."
That sounded most promising. I released the coverlet.