Read B00CO8L910 EBOK for Free Online

standing serenely behind his desk, in his study! What is she doing here? Pull yourself together man. You look like a bloody fool — a mute fool.
    “Please” — gesturing to the chair — “will you not be seated, Miss Bennet?”
    She nodded and began to resume her seat when she shot up. “Oh, this must be your seat, sir.”
    He forestalled her movement by holding out his hand. “No, please. Indeed you are charmingly placed.” His lips twitched as he motioned to one of the seats in front of his desk. “Do you mind if I join you, Miss Bennet?”
    Elizabeth swallowed the lump in her throat as she stiffly resumed her seat. She felt as if she were now sitting on his lap, realizing that it was his accustomed chair. “Of course, Mr. Darcy, do be seated.”
    Darcy took his seat. She was uncommonly affected by his casual attire and ease as he threw one leg over the other and laced his arms across his chest. She tried not to stare. What is wrong with me? She forced a polite smile.
    “You have a lovely library here, sir.”
    Mr. Darcy’s lips smirked and humor lit his eyes. “Thank you.”
    He is laughing at me! Her courage was bolstered, and she raised her chin. “I have looked through your vast collection and must commend your taste.” She swallowed again as she saw the edge of his mouth turn up. Hateful, mocking man! What amuses him so?
    “Indeed! Well, I am glad you approve. These are some of my favorites from my collection.”
    Mr. Darcy was using all his powers as a gentleman not to grin at her error and reach across his desk to kiss her soundly for it. She did indeed paint a charming picture sitting in his chair; he knew he would never sit in it again without recalling that moment. It occurred to him that he had never sat on the other side of his desk before! However, he did not mind the change. He found the view rather arresting.
    “Your favorites? Are you saying, sir, that you have more books than this?” she asked incredulously, finally distracted from their awkward meeting.
    Her eyes roamed the bookshelves in his study. He had never been in her father’s study, though he must assume it did not contain such a collection as this.
    “Indeed, I do. Many, many more.” He was tempted to take pity on her and guide her to the real library but decided against it; he was enjoying seeing her at his desk more than he ought and was not ready to end their tête-à-tête.
    He studied her as she continued to contemplate his collection. The silence grew deafening, and Elizabeth keenly felt the awkwardness return. She felt his dark eyes upon her in that glaring, disapproving way. Her gaze fell to the desk and noted before her two large tomes in rich, leather bindings. Curiosity colored her features suddenly, and before she knew what she was about, she reached for one. She almost opened it when Mr. Darcy’s voice caused her to pause.
    “Are you interested in estate management, Miss Bennet?”
    There was that wry humor in his voice again. She arched her brows. “I have never studied it, Mr. Darcy. Is that what these books cover?”
    His reply was a half step too slow as he held desperately to the last vestiges of his self-control. He watched her thin, delicate fingers spread across the binding of his estate books.
    “Yes, I find those books essential to the smooth running of my estates,” he finally said evasively.
    Elizabeth nodded. His pleasant manners were making it difficult to remember how she disliked the man. And then there was the mesmerizing way his throat moved when he talked. Usually covered by his shirt and cravat, his neck was altogether distracting. Collecting herself, she looked down at the tome in her hands and thought, Well, estate management ought to be boring enough to clear these insufferable thoughts.
    Mr. Darcy held his breath. He knew that, in the next moment, she would realize her mistake. He watched her gently open the cover of the book and look at the first page. She seemed frozen, staring