Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Becton Jennifer

Author:Becton, Jennifer [Becton, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whiteley Press
Published: 2010-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Mr. Basford proved to be an excellent partner, and it felt natural to move with him around the floor. Charlotte found herself forgetting about the steps and the onlookers--including Mr. Edgington and Mrs. Holloway--and simply enjoyed being on the dance floor.

When the dance ended, he led her from the floor, and she was reluctant to go. When he returned her to her place near the balcony door, he gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. "Thank you, my friend."

She suddenly felt flushed and rather weak. A warm rush moved through her body at the sincerity in his voice.

Charlotte watched as Mr. Basford disappeared into the crowd. She realized that she was holding her hands in front of her as if to retain the feel of his hand on hers. Abruptly she relaxed her arms, letting them come to her sides and skim her skirt. She should not feel anything for him, of course, but there was warmth that still radiated through her body, and she did not know how to explain it. Thinking the fresh air might cool the heat that Mr. Basford had caused, she stepped onto the moonlit balcony.

The breeze did little to cool her cheeks, but there was no one else on the balcony and Charlotte was glad for the solitude. Mr. Basford persisted in her mind, however, and as she reviewed her interaction with him, she indulged in a bit of girlish fancy.

Mentally shaking herself, she pulled off her gloves and clutched them in her left hand. She should not be thinking of any man, not Mr. Collins, Mr. Edgington--the swine--or even Mr. Basford. She should be thinking of Maria and chaperoning her, as was her duty.

Charlotte turned to go back inside the ballroom and find her sister, but she stopped abruptly at the sight of Mr. Edgington behind her. His face was in shadow, and a shaft of light coming through the ballroom windows illuminated his fine dress clothes.

She glanced quickly around her. The far edges of the balcony were in deep shadow, but it appeared that they were alone.

"Mr. Edgington, I did not hear you arrive." Charlotte attempted to sound stern. Instead, she sounded as squeaky as a mouse cornered by a hungry cat.

"I did not mean to startle you, Mrs. Collins. My apologies."

Charlotte was on the verge of following her original intention of never again speaking to Mr. Edgington and returning to the ballroom, but he moved toward the railing, blocking her way. His face came into the light. He was smiling. He took his place near her and leaned his hands casually against the railing. "It is a pleasant evening, is it not?"

"For some, I suppose it is. But it is a very welcome relief from the rain."

"Yes, travel was quite difficult on the muddy roads."

"I imagine it was."

Charlotte leaned against the corner of the railing and looked at him sidelong. She must find a way to return to the ballroom. It would not do to be alone with this ogre.

Mr. Edgington moved slightly closer, his eyes intent on her profile.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.