Pride Before a Fall: A Pride & Prejudice Sensual Variation by Cora Aston

Author:Cora Aston
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Naughty Bits (aka PWP)
Publisher: Longbourn Lady
Published: 2020-09-12T04:00:00+00:00

Fitzwilliam inclined his head when she excused herself and walked away, drifting into the crowd and pausing next to a plain, brown-haired gentlewoman. She glanced at him once as she settled into her conversation, then did not look his way again. It gave him leave to stare at her to his heart’s content, to attempt to tease away her layers and determine what it was about Elizabeth that fascinated him so.

Other than her beauty, her fire, her will, her intelligence.

Having engaged this woman’s mind for the last several days and finding himself nearly impressed by the enthusiasm of her arguments, if not quite the sophistication, he realised that redirecting her attention away from Netherfield was a pointless endeavour. Rather, it was time to switch to plans to mitigate potential damage. Elizabeth Bennet was not a gentlewoman who would fade quietly into the night if a loved one was harmed.

Fitzwilliam felt his lips thin as he thought, his expression settling into its usual forbidding mask so he might avoid being approached. He had planned to reveal all to Charles this week during the planned evening entertainment. He knew Bingley would have trouble believing even Fitzwilliam unless he was shown with his own eyes. Bringing Bingley into the room while the Hursts, Caroline, Wickham and their two other gentlemen guests were engaged with the local flowers they had carefully cultivated, would be the most direct method.

The last time Fitzwilliam aided a young woman, Wickham had prompted the others to a confrontation. Fitzwilliam’s loyalty was in question.

Let them question it. True, there were those in the wider circle who could be considered dangerous, but then so could he.

Fitzwilliam eased away from his position, stalking Elizabeth. He wanted to know what she was discussing, and as his ears picked up words here and there, he abandoned any attention to the rest of the gathering.

Intent, he did not note the man who drew close to him until Wickham spoke. “The little mouse turned out to be a beauty, didn’t she? You watch her so intently. Allow me to procure her for you.”

Fitzwilliam did not react outwardly. “Have you abandoned all pretense at civility?” What had Hurst been thinking in cultivating the acquaintance of such a man?

“It was merely an offer. Of friendship, if you will. I have noticed how you watch her but appear hesitant to persuade her to your . . . will. You are rich, of good family—you could have any of these creatures you desire.”

There was something in Wickham’s voice. A thread of jealousy, perhaps. Instinct prompted Fitzwilliam to deny any interest in Elizabeth. Wickham would be just the type to entangle her out of competition, or even spite.

“If she is too much of a challenge, I am certain the younger one would be amenable to our entertainments.”

Fitzwilliam said nothing.

“No?” Wickham shrugged, voice light. “Never mind then. The older.”

Neutrality was not working. “I am uninterested in Miss Elizabeth in every sense of the word. She overestimates her wit, and others her beauty. Her family is barely a step above common, and their manners not at all.

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