Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress Read Free Book Online Page A

being all at sea with their display.”
    Anne laughed. “I’d be happy to arrange slices of cake, or anything at all! Show me the way.”
    The curate was rather shocked to find the baronet’s daughter in his kitchen but she protested against being shooed out. Anne took pleasure in selecting the prettiest floral china and deciding what must go where, and then she and Lieutenant Wentworth took everything out into the garden to cover it all carefully with snowy cloths before the guests arrived.
    â€œI was rather hoping you might help me with something else later on,” he said, as they both took the ends of a tablecloth between them. “I have a feeling that your particular talents will be needed.”
    Anne couldn’t imagine what he meant, though she expressed her willingness to be of help.
    â€œI noticed when we were in church last Sunday how you kept some of the noisier children amused with pencils and paper. I confess; it was your gentle way with them that impressed me. You seem able to make them do as you wish with the smallest effort.”
    â€œIdle hands are often mischievous ones. I find if the children are occupied, it follows they are no trouble. Their contentment had little to do with me.”
    â€œYou are too modest, Miss Elliot. I’ve seen how your particular methods work on the most troublesome case. I am certain you could persuade anyone to anything. Indeed, no one could be safe from the charms of Miss Anne Elliot.”
    Anne could not decide what he meant nor did she know how to answer. Smoothing the corner of the cloth with her fingers, she avoided looking up directly at the face she knew was scrutinisinghers. “Lieutenant Wentworth, I fear you greatly exaggerate my abilities, and I own, I do not quite know what to say.”
    â€œJust promise that you will assist me. The fact is that my brother has put me in charge of the running races for the children this afternoon. I admit, I’d rather face a whole fleet of the French Navy than a gaggle of small children.”
    Anne laughed. “I haven’t much experience at organising races, but for my own part, I must say that the thought is not such a terrifying one compared to fighting old Boney.”
    â€œThank you, Miss Elliot, I knew you’d come to my rescue.”
    Anne was thankful that she spied her basket of roses just then, giving her an opportunity to be busy. She set about snipping the stems and arranging them in a vase under the watchful eye of her friend. They were alone, but the garden was alive with the music of soft air murmuring in the trees. Birds chirruped in a larkspur sky, and the sun’s warmth drew the fragrance from the petals blushed with pink to match her cheeks.
    â€œI love to watch someone else working,” said Lieutenant Wentworth, coming closer to observe Anne’s movements.
    He enjoyed watching her dainty fingers fly. The scissors flashed, a snip here, a tweak there; Miss Elliot was most accomplished. A stirring breeze snatched at her sprigged muslin, outlining her pretty figure and playfully shaking her dark curls.
    Anne fixed her eyes on the base of the silver vase where the sun winked in a bright star. Her mind was not entirely on the task. She knew that he was staring, and when she looked up his penetrating expression was entirely her own.
    â€œOuch!” she exclaimed, as the thorn pierced her flesh, at once wishing she’d been paying attention. And when he rushed to her side, she was mortified. He would think she’d pricked her finger on purpose.
    He took her tiny hand. Anne felt the warmth and strength ofhis long fingers pressed against her own. Her breath quickened. A bead, like a ruby red jewel, spurted to the surface of her skin. She eased her hand from his grip to bring her finger to her lips knowing that his eyes were on her mouth. Just a small scratch, the flow of blood was easily stemmed, but not before Lieutenant Wentworth took her hand