The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini Read Free Book Online Page B

house? How depressing,” he said. “It’s got a lot of good memories for me. It will be good to live there again. Maybe get married, pop out a few kids, liven the place up a bit.”
    “When you do, invite me over.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. “This is for you,” she said, handing him a little box.
    “Christmas isn’t until next week,” he protested.
    “Open it anyway.” He slipped the ribbon off and removed the lid. Inside was a little black book. He looked at her sardonically.
    “Start filling it,” she smiled. He laughed.
     

Chapter 5
    Lou Hurst looked critically at himself in the mirror. He adjusted the hat on his head.
    “You look fine,” Elizabeth sighed as she pulled on her gloves. “Come on, we can still get a few runs in.”
    “Do you think that snowboard instructor is gay?” he asked her.
    “Yes, I do,” she answered. He smiled.
    “Want to take some lessons?”
    “Lou, I already know how to snowboard.”
    Lou gave an exasperated sigh. “So do I. Honestly, Lizzy, you have no imagination!”
    “You go ahead; I’d just cramp your style anyway. How about I meet you back at the lodge for dinner at six?” Lou nodded.
    They headed out together and separated at the base of the slope. Elizabeth always tried to get at least one trip to Tahoe each year, usually to ski, but the hiking was good as well. Jane didn’t snowboard or ski but Elizabeth and Lou had been doing it together since high school. What she liked about Lou, that she didn’t get with Jane, was that when they were together, they didn’t have to be together. She’d taken several vacations with Lou where they spent days apart and only joined up for dinner. It was nice to have that independence.
    She did a few runs; the weather was still brisk and the snow pack was good. Her cheeks and nose were pink when she stepped into the café for a hot chocolate.
    “Miss Bennet !” She turned and, to her shock, was greeted by Judge Darcy. She looked at him in astonishment.
    “Judge Darcy, what a surprise,” she said. She certainly wasn’t going to lie and say she was happy to see him. For crying out loud, she saw him practically every day, did she need to see him on weekends too?
    “Yes, indeed,” he said. He seemed at a loss for words.
    “Do you ski often?” she asked, wanting to make polite conversation and then leave as soon as was socially acceptable.
    “Yes, well, when I can. A few times a year. And yourself?”
    “No, usually only once a year.”
    “I see you snowboard?” he said. She nodded. He looked different; she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The glasses; he wasn’t wearing the glasses. And he was wearing a ski cap. And, surprisingly, he cut a fine figure in his ski suit. He reminded her not a little of Speed Racer, she thought wistfully. Speed, Speed, where have you gone? went through her mind.
    “Yes, I took to it more easily than skiing,” she replied. He nodded.
    “I learned both at the same time in high school,” he commented.
    In high school? They had snowboarding back when you were in high school? she thought.
    They were joined by a willowy blond in a pink cap. The blond looked up expectantly at Judge Darcy but he was looking at Elizabeth strangely.
    “Yes, they did,” he said.
    Good lord, had she said that out loud?! The blond was laughing at them.
    “I’m Georgiana,” she said, putting her hand out.
    Darcy seemed to remember himself and said, “Georgie, this is Elizabeth Bennet , she’s an attorney in my courtroom.” He looked at Elizabeth again with some consternation.
    Elizabeth shook Georgiana’s hand and murmured that she was pleased to meet her. Just then, Lou appeared at her side.
    “Who’s this?” Lou asked pleasantly. He rubbed his hands together and took Elizabeth’s drink from her, sipped it, and gave it back to her.
    “Judge Darcy, this is my good friend Lou Hurst. Lou, this is Judge Darcy and Georgiana, his ... daughter?” she finished quizzically. Georgiana