"Many more than I expected," William said honestly, his mind drifting to his coworkers. They were the sort of people he would want working at Pemberley, and that was the highest sort of praise William Darcy would ever give another company.
He chuckled at her comment, the reverberation deep in his chest. "Yes, the sanity bit is rather important. I would not want to be vulnerable to the supernatural." He has plans to begin lessons to better prepare himself for he doubted that running and cycling would be helpful in defending himself. Maybe he would find another form of exercise he enjoyed.
He was entranced by Lizzie, though he made certain not to stare at her as she licked at the ice cream. William half-expected for Gigi and Lydia to walk into the shop at any moment. It wouldn't be entirely surprising. "Fitz would be proud," he sighed. It seemed that Gigi was bent on recruiting Lydia Bennet in her scheming, and William wasn't sure if he should be annoyed or grateful that she had such a close friend. Gigi, he knew, was worried about him ending up alone in life, and right about now? He could understand why she felt that way.
Especially when his brain shorted out at Lizzie's offer to bring him to a bookstore. "Yes, books are always solid company. Not always entertaining, but generally informative." William almost choked on his words, and he was so grateful he managed to get the words out without too much stuttering. Hoping he didn't sound too eager, William said, "I'll make the time," as he checked his watch. It wasn't particularly late, and leaving meant facing Gigi and her probing questions. He would easily choose to spend more time in Lizzie's company. "I would like that very much."