One Bride & Two Grooms by Christie Capps

Author:Christie Capps [Capps, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Timeless Romance for the Busy Reader
Published: 2019-08-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

How wrong he had been. Within two minutes of being in Elizabeth’s company the next morning, he knew his confidence had been misplaced. He knew the exact time, as he had checked his watch.

“Sir, as is the way with sisters, I placed your gift and letter on the side table in my chambers where I suspect it was Lydia who happened upon them. Deciding she needed the handkerchief more than I did, she placed it carelessly in her pocket.”

“Did she not realize it belonged to you?” he asked innocently.

“If it was indeed Lydia, she was fully aware the gift was mine. Her propensity to freely ‘borrow’ ribbons and such is known to all of us in the family.” Elizabeth took several steps before continuing. Her tone became sharp. “Needless to say, she was just as careless with your gift as she was in respecting my possessions. She must have shown the handkerchief to my mother.”

“I see.” He truly did not see. “Did your mother not like the pattern Georgiana affixed to the corner?”

“Mr. Darcy,” she huffed. “You do not see at all.”

Four more steps went by before, gratefully, she clarified.

“My mother, who is determined Mr. Collins shall prevail in this courtship contest, immediately absconded with the linen to show Mr. Collins. Therefore, this morning, I was gifted by him a package filled with yards of uncut cotton, skeins of the gaudiest colors of yarn, and needles the length and thickness of which I have never used before, nor ever will.”

“I see.” This time he really did comprehend her vexation. Not once when she took care of her sister at Netherfield did he see her pick up a needlework project to work on. “I take it that sewing is not your preferred means of spending your spare time?”

“No, it is not. But that is not the point.” She stopped. Using her index finger, she poked him in the chest. “Because of you, I now have in my possession enough fabric to clothe all five of us females in undergarments for the next several years. The yarn is thick and heavy, quite inappropriate for anything other than darning a man’s wool stockings. The colors Mr. Collins chose would need hidden at the bottom of the stocking by leather boots. The needles could be used in a sword fight with my worst enemy who, at this point, is definitely you!”

Although his inclination was to laugh aloud, Darcy mustered control of his expression.

“Worst enemy seems rather harsh for a gift of that nature, Miss Elizabeth.”

“You truly do not understand.” She flapped her arms and harrumphed. Poking him again, this time much harder than the last, she explained, “I despise needless needlework, Mr. Darcy. I would much rather fill my time with a good book, a sewing project that would be beneficial to someone in need, or good conversation. Now, I will be required to soothe Mr. Collins’ ego and my mother’s demands by spending hours in pointless activity using materials I would not have chosen in my lifetime.

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