The next day, preparations began for the inauguration of the Scott Library to the public. Edgar and his father were in good spirits and, from early in the morning, they were giving orders to the servants.
"I'm not at all convinced the library should be on the first floor," said Mr. Scott to his son as they were having breakfast.
"This also bothers me," Edgar replied. "Why not move it to the living room on the ground floor?"
"And the living room on the first floor?"
"If we don't make a design change, visitors will have to enter through the main entrance, then climb the stairs to the first floor, and then what? Look for the right door?"
"One could always put a sign on the door," said Sofia from behind them. She approached their table and sat with Nanny beside them.
"A sign won't contain the curious minds of our visitors," Mr. Scott chuckled.
"Any other ideas?" Edgar asked, looking at Sofia defiantly.
"Move everything to the living room?"
"I think it's too late. The rumor is already out that the library will be inaugurated tomorrow," Edgar replied.
"But no invitations have been sent out, unless I'm mistaken..."
"No, I haven't written them yet," Edgar said. "I was planning to do it this morning."
"I think we need to move the inauguration date and get to work," Sofia smiled.
She stood up and went upstairs. She entered what was supposed to be the new library, grabbed a couple of books, and took them to the living room.
"The first step is done," she said, smiling.
"Miss Swan, but what about breakfast?" Edgar asked.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry right now," Sofia replied, putting the books on the floor, and turning to grab more.
"Then I'll help," Edgar said, standing up from the table.
But she didn't turn or answer him. She simply smiled pleased with herself and continued.
"A young woman as slim as you shouldn't be doing these tasks," he told her when they were alone in the library.
"But I'm a commoner, isn't that so?" Sofia responded angrily, grabbing more books and placing them on her lap.
"I never said that," Edgar replied.
"But you thought it."
"You heard something that my father and I said yesterday, but..."
"But what?" She looked him up and down. "What excuse will you come up with?"
"There are no excuses for my behavior."
"To be clear," Sofia said firmly, "I'm not interested in you. Medicine is the only thing I care about. If I get into the faculty, I will rent a place nearby, and if I fail, I'll leave London forever. Whatever happens, there's no chance we'll meet again because I'm a very busy woman and I certainly don't participate in balls."
"Is this your first ball? Is that why you're so grumpy, you're nervous!" Edgar exclaimed.
"I'm not nervous at all."
"But it's true, it's your first ball."
"Why are you so happy about it?"
"Because I think you'll like it."
"You can't know what I like or dislike," Sofia said as she went down the stairs carrying the books.
"You'll love it to death," Edgar chuckled.
"I haven't received any invitation."
"You will," Edgar said, and he also picked up a couple of books and carried them down.
When the servants started helping them, Edgar and Sofia fell silent. The girl scanned each title, hoping to find something useful for her university entrance exam. She had spotted three, but was afraid to take them. So, she left them on the floor with the other books.
Then, the servants carefully brought the shelves and placed them against the living room wall.
"Well done, guys," Edgar congratulated them. He picked up the first books from the floor and placed them on the highest shelf of the bookcase. Coincidentally, they were the same three books Sofia had been eyeing.
"He's doing this on purpose," the girl thought.
"Did you say something?" Edgar asked her.
"Is there a reason you put those three books so high up? Not everyone could reach them."
Edgar pretended not to understand the question. Then, he started reading the titles and realized.
"Ah, well, not many people are interested in medicine these days," he replied. "And those who usually are, are tall enough to reach them from that height."
Edgar approached the shelf, stretched out his hand, and grabbed the first medical book.
"Here you go," he added, handing it to Sofia.
"I don't need it," the girl said.
"Well, then I'll put it back," he said, placing it back where it was.
"Still, you'll need something to read to pass the exam," Edgar pointed out.
"I think 'The Basic Principles of Medicine,'" Sofia replied, reading the title of that book, "are already in here."
She pointed to her head.
Sofia thought Edgar would laugh, but that didn't happen.
"Excellent," he simply said, and resumed working.
On the highest shelves, in addition to the medical books, he also placed his father's accounting books. Then, he took the children's and young adult novels and placed them at the bottom, within easy reach.
"These go here," he commented, "since they're for a very young audience."
"He'll be a great father," Nanny said. Sofia didn't respond.
All she cared about was getting those three books back.