Read Online Suspense and Sensibility Or, First Impressions Revisited: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery by Carrie Bebris - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Carrie Bebris
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to accept that.
Too, there had been no talk of dukes since Kitty had met Mr. Dashwood. In her eyes, he wanted no improvement.
"I believe you already possess Miss Bennet’s good opinion," Darcy said. "And today’s demonstration of a more serious approach to your affairs puts you well in the way of securing mine."
"My interest in Norland is genuine. I appreciate your guidance, Mr. Darcy" He rose and set his empty glass beside the port decanter. "Do you suppose the ladies look for our return, or have they forgotten us altogether?"
They passed the remainder of the evening in pleasant conversation with the ladies. Mr. Dashwood enquired whether Kitty had yet enjoyed many of London’s amusements. At her negative response, he insisted she allow him to escort her to the Vauxhall Gardens, drive her through Hyde Park, and visit Madame Tussaud’s. Before he left, he’d invited them all to accompany him to a concert the following night.
"Mr. Dashwood seems to have risen in your esteem tonight," Elizabeth observed as they prepared for bed. She had changed into a white lace nightgown and sat brushing her hair at the dressing table. "Of what did you speak in the library for so long?"
Darcy loosened his cravat. "He is developing a greater interest in his property at Norland."
A sly smile played across her lips. "Does he think of settling down?"
Recalling her earlier badinage about his love of sport, he deliberately withheld the information she sought, teasing her in turn. "A man requests bookkeeping advice and you are ready to order Kitty’s wedding clothes. That is a leap of logic I would expect from your mother."
"You accuse me unfairly. Besides" – she turned back to the mirror and continued brushing her hair – "I notice you did not answer no."
"If a lady has indeed inspired this newfound regard for Norland, I would not betray a gentleman’s confidence by revealing that fact to her sister. One might as well just tell the lady herself and spare the intermediary."
"You know me to be a better keeper of secrets than that."
"Who said I referred to you and Kitty? Perhaps I spoke only hypothetically"
"Oh – hypothetically." She set down the brush. "In that case, you need say nothing more." Mischief danced in her brown eyes, but he could not make out her meaning.
She worked her hair into a braid, then walked to the bed, slid beneath the covers, and opened a novel while she waited for him. He thought no more of Mr. Dashwood, or Kitty, or anyone save his wife. Anxious to join her, he finished changing into his nightclothes and went to extinguish the candle at the bedside.
She looked up from her novel. "What are you doing?"
He took the book from her hands and set it atop the night table. "You suggested we retire early tonight."
She picked the book back up. "Didn’t you realize, darling?" She cast him an innocent look and reopened the volume. "I was speaking hypothetically."
Six
Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband’s family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.
– Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 1
Upon learning that her son planned to hold his birthday fete at Norland, and that a certain Miss Catherine Ben-net topped the guest list, Mrs. John Dashwood paid a call upon the Darcy family.
The announcement of her arrival sent Kitty into a state of shock followed immediately by a flurry of nervous agitation. She cast aside her needlework frame and raised her hands to her face. "Mr. Dashwood’s mother! Lizzy, whatever shall I say to her?"
Elizabeth set down her own stitchery and rose in preparation for their visitor’s entrance. " ‘How do you do?’ might form a good beginning."
Georgiana, who had been practicing her harp in the corner, abandoned the instrument to join Kitty’s side in support. "I am sure she is as kind as her son," she said.
"Oh,
Too, there had been no talk of dukes since Kitty had met Mr. Dashwood. In her eyes, he wanted no improvement.
"I believe you already possess Miss Bennet’s good opinion," Darcy said. "And today’s demonstration of a more serious approach to your affairs puts you well in the way of securing mine."
"My interest in Norland is genuine. I appreciate your guidance, Mr. Darcy" He rose and set his empty glass beside the port decanter. "Do you suppose the ladies look for our return, or have they forgotten us altogether?"
They passed the remainder of the evening in pleasant conversation with the ladies. Mr. Dashwood enquired whether Kitty had yet enjoyed many of London’s amusements. At her negative response, he insisted she allow him to escort her to the Vauxhall Gardens, drive her through Hyde Park, and visit Madame Tussaud’s. Before he left, he’d invited them all to accompany him to a concert the following night.
"Mr. Dashwood seems to have risen in your esteem tonight," Elizabeth observed as they prepared for bed. She had changed into a white lace nightgown and sat brushing her hair at the dressing table. "Of what did you speak in the library for so long?"
Darcy loosened his cravat. "He is developing a greater interest in his property at Norland."
A sly smile played across her lips. "Does he think of settling down?"
Recalling her earlier badinage about his love of sport, he deliberately withheld the information she sought, teasing her in turn. "A man requests bookkeeping advice and you are ready to order Kitty’s wedding clothes. That is a leap of logic I would expect from your mother."
"You accuse me unfairly. Besides" – she turned back to the mirror and continued brushing her hair – "I notice you did not answer no."
"If a lady has indeed inspired this newfound regard for Norland, I would not betray a gentleman’s confidence by revealing that fact to her sister. One might as well just tell the lady herself and spare the intermediary."
"You know me to be a better keeper of secrets than that."
"Who said I referred to you and Kitty? Perhaps I spoke only hypothetically"
"Oh – hypothetically." She set down the brush. "In that case, you need say nothing more." Mischief danced in her brown eyes, but he could not make out her meaning.
She worked her hair into a braid, then walked to the bed, slid beneath the covers, and opened a novel while she waited for him. He thought no more of Mr. Dashwood, or Kitty, or anyone save his wife. Anxious to join her, he finished changing into his nightclothes and went to extinguish the candle at the bedside.
She looked up from her novel. "What are you doing?"
He took the book from her hands and set it atop the night table. "You suggested we retire early tonight."
She picked the book back up. "Didn’t you realize, darling?" She cast him an innocent look and reopened the volume. "I was speaking hypothetically."
Six
Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband’s family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.
– Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 1
Upon learning that her son planned to hold his birthday fete at Norland, and that a certain Miss Catherine Ben-net topped the guest list, Mrs. John Dashwood paid a call upon the Darcy family.
The announcement of her arrival sent Kitty into a state of shock followed immediately by a flurry of nervous agitation. She cast aside her needlework frame and raised her hands to her face. "Mr. Dashwood’s mother! Lizzy, whatever shall I say to her?"
Elizabeth set down her own stitchery and rose in preparation for their visitor’s entrance. " ‘How do you do?’ might form a good beginning."
Georgiana, who had been practicing her harp in the corner, abandoned the instrument to join Kitty’s side in support. "I am sure she is as kind as her son," she said.
"Oh,
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