A Rival for Mr. Darcy by Jayne Matthews

Author:Jayne Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Fiction, Pride & Prejudice variation, classic British romance, contemporary romance
Publisher: Lia Fairchild
Published: 2016-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Lunch with Mary to discuss details for the wedding turned into lunch with her mother and Georgina as well. It was only the beginning, so she needed to find a way to accept the inevitable. Their fearsome foursome had a lot of work ahead of them. She probably would have been grateful for the help had she not been distraught over her encounter with Claude and the things he’d said about William. The whole drive over from the hospital her mind flip-flopped from believing Claude to chalking his story up to his failing memory.

“Lizzy, what on earth are you staring at?”’

Her mother touched her arm, making her aware of her rudeness. Menus and waters had been placed in front of them at some point without her noticing; she grabbed for her glass. “Nothing, I...was just thinking about William’s tuxedo.”

“Goodness,” Mrs. Bennet said, looking at a notebook in her lap. “That’s so far down the list. Besides, let William worry about what he’ll wear.”

All three women snapped heads in her direction. Elizabeth tried her best to ignore the obvious lack of acceptance from her mother since their engagement, but there were times—like right then—when the tone in her voice sliced through her. Even Georgina fixed a glare on the woman in defense of her brother. “I can help William if he needs it,” she said. “I’ve got fabulous taste.”

Elizabeth refrained from commenting; Mrs. Bennet turned from the penetrating gazes. “I’m simply famished...and I need a drink.” She waved her hand in the air. “Waiter...here, please.”

“William and I have already discussed possible attire for him and his groomsmen,” Elizabeth said to no one in particular.

The waiter finished speaking with another table he was at and walked toward them.

“We’re ready to order drinks,” Mrs. Bennet said, tersely.

Maybe it was Elizabeth’s sympathetic eyes, but somehow the waiter settled his gaze on her. “You made that pretty clear,” he said under his breath.

“Pardon?” Mrs. Bennet said with a disgruntled harrumph.

Elizabeth set her palm on her mother’s forearm and apologized to the waiter with her eyes. “Thank you, Jonathon,” she said squinting at his name tag. “I’ll have a raspberry tea, please.”

Once the waiter took the other drink orders and walked away, Elizabeth noticed her mother pouting. “Let’s have a look at the list mother,” she said, trying to distract her.

Mary had been quiet, but when Mrs. Bennet lifted the notebook from her lap, Mary snatched it from her fingers. “Thank you, mother. As the maid of honor, I believe I shall take charge now.”

Obviously Mary hadn’t seen her mother’s already sour expression or maybe she didn’t care. Even so, Elizabeth snickered and felt a refreshing burst of energy.

“Well,” Mrs. Bennet said, looking around the table. “I’m most unpopular today.” She plunged into her purse and pulled out a compact, checking herself in the mirror as if the cause were a smudge on her face.

“Oh, please, Mother,” Mary said. “You were rude to that waiter.” Without taking her eyes from the list she continued. “And this is not about you.

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