Read Online An Autumn Accord: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 4) by Elizabeth Ann West - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elizabeth Ann West
Tags: Jane Austen, pride and prejudice variation, jane austen fan fiction, pride and prejudice series
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dinner.”
Caroline pretended shock her brother would insinuate she was merely in the dining room to anticipate the arrival of a man she had once designed to catch as her husband. “I merely thought it a pleasant idea to have my maid wake me early, especially so that I might dine with my brother and my intended.”
Charles frowned. “Does Lord Bergamote rise so early? I’ve not seen the man take breakfast since we retired to the country in the middle of July.” Charles loaded his plate with a healthy portion of hams and jellies, popping a number of Cook’s warm rolls on top. “Are you planning to eat, Caroline, or continue to stare out the window pretending no interest in the arrival of the Darcy carriage?”
“ You’ve become so ornery, brother. I thought you found the country most agreeable. You said as much when we changed our plans to follow the Hursts to their much nicer estate in Somerset. Instead, we practically banished ourselves to a county no one cares about, and I hasten to think none of our friends even know exists.”
Her brother tore viciously into a roll with no sense of polite manners or decorum. Swallowing the chunk of bread he chewed with his mouth half open, slanting his eyes as he followed his sister’s progress to her normal seat on his left. Charles took a sip of coffee served by the footman. “It was your behavior, Caroline, that had us uninvited to the Hearst estate. Do you not recall how you held it against Louisa after the birth of young Sarah? Did a day pass that you did not mention her failure to produce an heir?”
“ And you wanted to come back here because you thought she would be here. Living with her poor widow mother, Mrs. Bennet. Admit it.”
“ Tis not true.”
“ Oh please, you stay up half the night drinking your way into oblivion and rise with the sun to ride your horse on every lane and road from here to Meryton and back. Jane Bennet is not coming home to her mother’s bosom. She enjoys the protection of the Countess and Earl of Matlock! Charles was about to continue his argument with his sister when the tall, devilishly dark Lord Bergamote strode into the room. He gallantly strolled to Caroline’s side and offered her a good morning whilst kissing her hand. Charles stabbed at the ham on his plate, insistent he would eat his fill before the French lord’s behavior stymied his appetite.
“ Bonjour, Charles. I thought to rise early today so that I might join you on your morning ride.”
“ As you arrived in my carriage, sir, from London to Netherfield, I was unaware you also had a horse in my stables.”
Caroline offered a flirtatious giggle to Lord Bergamote as he shrugged and began to fill his breakfast plate with pastries. “Stop your silliness. You and I both know there are a number of horses in the Netherfield stables that would suit his Lordship.”
Lord Bergamote held up his hand gently and nodded to Caroline. “If your brother does not wish for me to ride with him, I can hardly complain of your company all morning as a waste of time.”
Charles stared at his plate and realized he was no longer hungry. Flustered and aggravated at both Jane Bennet being mysteriously away from Meryton and his sister’s engagement to this Frenchman, Charles Bingley threw his napkin on his plate and stood from the table. “I shall give instructions to the stable master to ready a horse for you. I intend to leave in twenty minutes’ time and hope I can count on you for punctuality?”
The Frenchman carefully sliced his ham with dainty, formal manners and used his fork to raise a bite to his lips. “Your timing suits me perfectly, sir.” Lord Bergamote enjoyed his first bite with a slow and sensuous chewing motion that left Caroline mesmerized across the table.
Bingley scowled and whirled around, making a hand motion to instruct the footman to observe his sister and her beloved as he stormed from the breakfast parlor. A few hours to endure pompous Frenchy
Caroline pretended shock her brother would insinuate she was merely in the dining room to anticipate the arrival of a man she had once designed to catch as her husband. “I merely thought it a pleasant idea to have my maid wake me early, especially so that I might dine with my brother and my intended.”
Charles frowned. “Does Lord Bergamote rise so early? I’ve not seen the man take breakfast since we retired to the country in the middle of July.” Charles loaded his plate with a healthy portion of hams and jellies, popping a number of Cook’s warm rolls on top. “Are you planning to eat, Caroline, or continue to stare out the window pretending no interest in the arrival of the Darcy carriage?”
“ You’ve become so ornery, brother. I thought you found the country most agreeable. You said as much when we changed our plans to follow the Hursts to their much nicer estate in Somerset. Instead, we practically banished ourselves to a county no one cares about, and I hasten to think none of our friends even know exists.”
Her brother tore viciously into a roll with no sense of polite manners or decorum. Swallowing the chunk of bread he chewed with his mouth half open, slanting his eyes as he followed his sister’s progress to her normal seat on his left. Charles took a sip of coffee served by the footman. “It was your behavior, Caroline, that had us uninvited to the Hearst estate. Do you not recall how you held it against Louisa after the birth of young Sarah? Did a day pass that you did not mention her failure to produce an heir?”
“ And you wanted to come back here because you thought she would be here. Living with her poor widow mother, Mrs. Bennet. Admit it.”
“ Tis not true.”
“ Oh please, you stay up half the night drinking your way into oblivion and rise with the sun to ride your horse on every lane and road from here to Meryton and back. Jane Bennet is not coming home to her mother’s bosom. She enjoys the protection of the Countess and Earl of Matlock! Charles was about to continue his argument with his sister when the tall, devilishly dark Lord Bergamote strode into the room. He gallantly strolled to Caroline’s side and offered her a good morning whilst kissing her hand. Charles stabbed at the ham on his plate, insistent he would eat his fill before the French lord’s behavior stymied his appetite.
“ Bonjour, Charles. I thought to rise early today so that I might join you on your morning ride.”
“ As you arrived in my carriage, sir, from London to Netherfield, I was unaware you also had a horse in my stables.”
Caroline offered a flirtatious giggle to Lord Bergamote as he shrugged and began to fill his breakfast plate with pastries. “Stop your silliness. You and I both know there are a number of horses in the Netherfield stables that would suit his Lordship.”
Lord Bergamote held up his hand gently and nodded to Caroline. “If your brother does not wish for me to ride with him, I can hardly complain of your company all morning as a waste of time.”
Charles stared at his plate and realized he was no longer hungry. Flustered and aggravated at both Jane Bennet being mysteriously away from Meryton and his sister’s engagement to this Frenchman, Charles Bingley threw his napkin on his plate and stood from the table. “I shall give instructions to the stable master to ready a horse for you. I intend to leave in twenty minutes’ time and hope I can count on you for punctuality?”
The Frenchman carefully sliced his ham with dainty, formal manners and used his fork to raise a bite to his lips. “Your timing suits me perfectly, sir.” Lord Bergamote enjoyed his first bite with a slow and sensuous chewing motion that left Caroline mesmerized across the table.
Bingley scowled and whirled around, making a hand motion to instruct the footman to observe his sister and her beloved as he stormed from the breakfast parlor. A few hours to endure pompous Frenchy
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