Dirty Petticoats: Pride and Prejudice continues in a romantic comedy-mystery tale by Bianchi Moira

Author:Bianchi, Moira [Bianchi, Moira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HRC
Published: 2020-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

‡ 15 ‡

With the hotel in uproar due to the proximity of the ball, an event much more luxurious than originally planned, it was easy for Colonel F to sneak in unnoticed. He only needed to knock twice on the door for Annabel to pull him in.

In chuckles, he greeted her, she returned the embrace but couldn’t dissolve her worried expression.

‘No one saw me enter, pretty one. Your reputation is secured.’

‘I’m glad to hear.’

‘You don’t seem glad at all.’ He kissed her forehead and went to the table to rest his hat and cane. ‘All single ladies in the country are hosted here; if anyone saw me, it’ll be impossible to guess which lady I shall visit!’ A chuckle.

‘The ball is much talked about; sessions are even being reserved at the Blacksmith.’

‘The fake Gretna Green place?’

‘The one.’

‘Such a riot! What kind of silly fellow would think that a good idea of business?’

She frowned. ‘Single women are very hopeful of the outcome of this matchmakers’ ball. If the eligible bachelor who started the town’s fame will be present with his bride, they have all cause to expect valuable attachments.’

‘Darcy will be quite put out with this!’ The dashing colonel laughed openly. ‘It is he who you mention.’

Annabel nodded. ‘Your aunt also has great expectations for this event.’ She bit her lip. ‘She wants decisions.’

‘We do not need to follow my aunt’s orders, Annabel. She likes the role of dictator, but is harmless as a mouse.’

‘Mice can cause great damage; you know? Gnaw at the base of a dresser, for example.’ She pointed the first heavy furniture she saw. ‘One day it collapses.’

He shook his head. ‘Don’t let her intimidate you. Lizzy can help you with ways of maneuvering the old shrew.’

‘Lizzy is horribly headstrong, isn’t she?’

‘Very opinionated, yes.’

‘Not a good listener. I tried to explain to her what I learned from your aunt’s subtle hints and instructions, but she prefers to keep faithful to her own beliefs.’

‘It is because Lizzy has suffered a great deal of Catherine shenanigans, she knows what to expect and how to navigate.’

‘Will you let me tell you what I fear?’ Annabel asked sweetly.

He shook his head and enclosed her in a big affectionate hug. ‘Do not fear anything. The future is ours to decide, no one’s orders or opinions matter. You are content with your situation, I am satisfied with mine; if one day it is proved that being Mrs. Fitzwilliam is the right course for you, I shall take all measures to secure your company. But it’ll be something we saw fit, not my aunt’s opinion.’

She felt her insides warm up, a burning on her throat. ‘You don’t understand, Richard…’

‘Neither you need to, just humor Lizzy in this.’ He kissed her lips with a light, delicate caress. ‘And allow me to enjoy your presence here in Meryton. ‘

That she could do.

But arrogance seemed to run in the family, everyone knew better than anyone else. "In cauda venenum", her dead husband would say. Like a scorpion, the venom lied at the rear waiting to reveal its poison.

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