Misgivings & Mistletoe ('Tis the Season Collection): Variations on a Jane Austen Christmas by Karalynne Mackrory

Author:Karalynne Mackrory
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Read, Sequels, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2021-10-25T04:00:00+00:00

THE COOL WATER slaked my thirst most satisfyingly. I lifted the glass to my forehead to feel the cooling relief before handing the tankard to the waiting footman and retrieving the towel he held out for me. Blotting the perspiration from my face and neck, I felt my friend slap my shoulder as he retrieved his own towel from the footman.

“I thank you for the match, Darcy. Though it cannot have been much of a challenge for you, I appreciated the chance for exercise.”

“You are not unskilled, Bingley. You ought to take up with my man Woolings at the club.”

Another footman presented our fencing foils tucked within the velvet folds of the travel case for approval and, once granted, closed the case, and exited the ballroom presumably to return them to our rooms. We were secluded there where we had set up for our exertions. Last evening, the weather had turned wet once again, precluding any outdoor activities for the gentlemen of the house. This morning I noticed the rain had turned quickly into another heavy snow, brushing the landscape all the same stark white.

“Perhaps I may when next Mrs Bingley and I travel to London.”

While Bingley did have some talent in the fencing that I had long enjoyed, as he said himself, he was no challenge. We were matched well enough to provide the desired release of energy; however, that was the extent of it. A part of me had hoped Mr Gordan might be up for a match when Bingley presented it to the gentlemen of the house this morning. It might not have been entirely sporting of me for I was certain I could best him. Truthfully, I had wished to trump him most thoroughly, but the gentleman had not seemed interested in taking up swords for exercise. I could not, without revealing sentiments I hoped to keep hidden, appear too eager to match him by repeated requests.

To my way of thinking, Mr Gordan paid far too much attention to Elizabeth and her sister than was proper. At times I was relieved to see him focusing his charms on Miss Catherine, only to be incensed that when her back was turned, or she became occupied elsewhere, he would immediately pay Elizabeth his attentions. Frankly it was appalling how capricious he was with his interest, and I could not like him for it.

My valet would not thank me for the damage I might have done to my shirt as I tore it off over my head rather forcefully. My thoughts were perhaps readily apparent as I grabbed the clean replacement handed to me and jerkily pulled it over my head to cover my bare chest once more.

Jealousy, plain and simple, was the root of my problem with Mr Gordan, a man of mild temper and witty repartee. It tasted bitter and clouded my mind of rational thought. I envied how easily he conversed with the ladies and detested every beautiful smile he stole from Elizabeth in the process.

Feeling

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