The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Elizabeth Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

gifted.”

“Thank you, Miss.” Hannah flushed and curtseyed, then ducked out through the
servant’s entrance. 

Georgiana came up behind her with a long piece of green ribbon. She held it out
shyly to Elizabeth. “I think this will look lovely around your waist, Miss
Bennet.” Elizabeth noticed it was the same shade of green as Georgiana’s dress,
and that she was wearing a pink ribbon almost identical to Elizabeth’s dress
color. 

“I think you are right, Miss Darcy. And just think how well we shall look
together coming in to the dining room in all our finery?” Her eyes twinkled and
Georgiana’s shyness instantly melted away.

As the ladies entered the dining room, they heard the sound of men’s
voices. 

“Richard!” Georgiana left Elizabeth’s side and flew toward a tall, broad man
with shaggy, sandy-colored hair. 

“Georgie!” He opened his arms to her and embraced her fully, leaning back as he
did, so that her feet came off the ground a bit. “It is good to see you, my
girl!”

They smiled broadly at each other as he set her down and released the embrace.
“Ah, but where are my manners!” he said as he looked toward Elizabeth, an
appraising look in his eyes. Elizabeth noted they were the same shade of blue
as Georgiana’s.

“Richard, may I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Miss Bennet, my cousin, Colonel
Richard Fitzwilliam,” said Darcy. 

Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed, “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth
curtseyed. “Miss Darcy has told me so much about you.”

“Do not worry, Miss Bennet. It can’t possibly all be true!” he said with a
smile. 

Elizabeth smiled brightly in return as she headed toward the chair he pulled
out for her. Tonight Elizabeth was seated next to Georgiana, who was still on
Darcy’s right, with Colonel Fitzwilliam on his left. As the Colonel looked up,
he caught the edge of a scowl on Darcy’s face. But, not having the slightest
idea what it was about, he dismissed it as another of his cousin’s moods. 

As the first course was being served, Georgiana peppered Colonel Fitzwilliam
with questions about where he’d been and what he’d been doing in the ten days
since she had last seen him. After a short lull, Elizabeth joined in.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I understand from Miss Darcy that you are quite the
practical joker,” Elizabeth addressed Fitzwilliam across the table.

“Oh she told you that, did she? And on whom does my fair cousin accuse me of
playing these practical jokes?” he asked with an innocent smile.

“So far I have heard only of ones played on your brother, the Viscount.”

“Ah, dear Cyril. If he wasn’t such an easy target I wouldn’t play so many jokes
on him. Although the best one was when Darcy and I here -”

“That’s quite enough, Fitzwilliam,” Darcy interrupted.

“Oh come, cousin, the ladies want to be entertained,” the Colonel said slyly as
Georgiana muffled a giggle.

“Surely there are better ways to entertain them than with your sorry stories.”

“And what do you suggest cousin? Shall you sing for us instead?” Colonel
Fitzwilliam asked.

Darcy glared a hole through Colonel Fitzwilliam and said in a steely voice,
“No, I have no such intention. I merely meant that perhaps that particular
story was not fit for feminine ears.” He gestured slightly with his head toward
Georgiana. 

“Do you sing, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked before she could resist teasing him.

Darcy’s head turned back towards Elizabeth to make a biting comment, but just
before he was about to speak, he saw the gleam in her eye and knew she was
teasing him. 
Here we are again, Miss
Bennet. Who shall be the victor this time?

“Not in public, Miss Bennet.”

“What he means to say is only while bathing!” laughed Fitzwilliam.

Darcy flushed a deep red and his eyes became steely, but not before he caught
Elizabeth looking down with a deep blush