All Hallow's Eve by Wendi Sotis Read Free Book Online Page A

would I.”
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    Aft er receiv ing a report that Elizabeth was sleeping soundly, William bid the ladies goodbye . E ven though he was exhausted , he declined the offer of the use of a horse for his return trip to Netherfield. He required some time alone to think about all he had learned since beginning his walk the night before .
    Noticing the position of the sun, William realized that his life had changed immeasurably in fewer than eighteen hours. When he had left his room last night , his most pressing concern had been rooted in the anticipati on of British society’s reaction towards Elizabeth if he should make her an offer since her position was so far beneath his own . Y et , this morning , he found himself a member of a secret society and Soul Mate to the same woman, who in this society actually held the highest status possible, but hid her true position . He had been pulled into a completely different world , one that he unknowingly had been born into, and one that coexisted with that which he ha d been brought up to understand.
    Which “ world ” was more important? How d id the others balance their dual lives? Did they pay more attention to one or the other? He wished he had thought to ask his parents for advice when he could have. He would have to depend on Elizabeth or Mr. Bennet for answers.
    For now, until he determined how to manage , he would have to attend whichever one had the m ore urgent matters —and there was nothing more urgent to him in either “ world ” than Elizabeth ’s safety .
    Of one thing he was certain : no matter which society he was in, he would always be required to shoulder the burden of secrecy —a difficult task indeed for one who abhorred disguise of any sort!
    Mr. Bennet’s comments concerning adher ing to the rules of modern propriety when in public made him think there were different rules of propriety when among st only T ribe members. How far did these rules deviate from the ones he had known all his life? Would he be able to adapt?
    When William finally arrived at Netherfield, he found Bingley waiting for him. “ Where on earth have you been, Darcy? Did you not remember we were to go shooting this morning? You must have left very early for me to have missed you . ”
    “ I apologize, Bingley . You are correct ; I did not remember. I had some business to attend to . ”
    “ Business! What kind of business could you possibly have had while rambling about the countryside without your horse so early in the morning ? ”
    William eyed his friend closely. Was Bingley contacted the previous night, as his parents had alluded to? Would he have believed it was just a dream, as he had himself for all these years? What would it take to help him to understand that last night’s visit ors had been real? After witnessing the Sanun , it was simple for him to understand, but how could he explain to Bingley what was expected of him? William realized he should have been anticipating the answers to these questions on his return walk to Netherfield instead of those on which he had ruminated .
    “ You and I must have a long discussion about this , Bingley, for my business includes you as well, but it will have to wait a little while. I am in desperate need of a short rest and a bath! Before I retire , I should inform you that this sudden business also involves my cousins, Lord R eginald and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I have sent an express requesting them to join us here , but i f it is an imposition , we can stay at the inn . ”
    “ Do not give it a second thought; o f course they are welcome to stay at Netherfield, Darcy! There is plenty of room, and besides, Caroline will be thrilled to have a viscount as a guest . I should tell her immediately so that she can direct the staff to make appropriate arrangements for their comfort . When shall we expect them? ”
    “ Thank you, Bingley. I hope that they will arrive very soon, but I cannot imagine that it would be before late to day , though