Read Online The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Elizabeth Adams - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Adams
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the
courtyard, laughing and congratulating ourselves, when in rode Cyril, bare as
the day he was born, red in the face and swearing at the top of his lungs. He
lunged straight for us on that enormous stallion and would have trampled us if
we hadn’t jumped out of the way.
“As it happened, we did make it clear, only to have him dismount and chase us around
the stable yard, screaming profanities and hurling rocks at us. Richard and I
were laughing so hard at the sight of him, we could hardly dodge the rocks.
Eventually, one of the stable hands fetched my father and he came to the yard
to put an end to things. He marched us all into his study and gave us a stern
talking to, then dragged us back to the stables and whipped us soundly. Cyril
was eighteen and didn’t care for it, but father was determined. We never raced
again; well, at least not with Cyril.”
His broad smile was contagious, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Forgive me sir, but it is a most entertaining story. I can just picture you
and the Colonel, running around a stable yard, dodging rocks from a half mad,
nude cousin. It really is too much!” She laughed in earnest now, partly from
the story, and partly because she just admitted that she was picturing a nude
man. A blush spread over her cheeks and she laughed even harder, embarrassed
that he must realize her embarrassment. Darcy joined her with his mild chuckle,
but mostly he just beamed at her while she blushed and laughed, enjoying the
companionship.
They walked a few more feet before Elizabeth spoke. “I believe you are right,
sir. That story is not at all appropriate for young ladies. I am glad Colonel
Fitzwilliam was unsuccessful in telling it in front of Georgiana. While it is
terribly funny, I don’t know how quickly she would recover from the shock. And
I’m sure the Colonel’s version is even less circumspect than yours.”
“I fear you are right, Miss Bennet. Richard has a flair for storytelling. The
facts are not always accurate, but you will not become bored.”
Elizabeth was having such an enjoyable time, she almost forgot she was with Mr.
Darcy.
“Mr. Darcy, I’m afraid I am in your debt.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I feel the cost of my escort was not equal to your rather illuminating
story. I fear the balance now weighs heavily on your side.”
“Does it now? Well, we shall have to even the score then.” He smiled at her
playfully.
“What do you have in mind, Mr. Darcy?” She smiled back, with a trace of a
challenge in her eyes.
“I believe I have some rather tedious meetings scheduled for this week.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I am sure that afterward, I will be in need of fresh air to shake off the
business of the day.”
“Will you?”
“Yes, quite. And I shall be too tired to read, but will want entertainment.”
“Entertainment?”
“Yes.”
“And who shall provide this entertainment?”
“Why you, Miss Bennet.”
“Me?” He nodded. “And what form of entertainment shall you require? Shall I
tell you a story? Or would you rather I sing to you?” she asked archly.
“Ah, Miss Bennet, you forget that you sing to me almost every night already,
quite to my delight. I think I would like a story.”
“And what kind of story would suit your fancy, sir?”
“One where at least one of the Misses Bennet is behaving rather badly and gets
properly punished, preferably you.”
“Mr. Darcy!”
His devilish grin was the only reply she was to have.
“Very well, then. I shall do my best,” she said with more calm than she felt.
By now they had circled the park and were coming upon the gates.
“Are you ready to return, Miss Bennet?” His voice was serious again.
“Yes, it is rather cold. It’s probably best we get back before my fingers lose all
feeling!” she joked.
“Are your hands cold?” he asked solicitously.
“A bit. But it is not far now, I shall be fine.”
Before she could protest, he took up the hand that rested
courtyard, laughing and congratulating ourselves, when in rode Cyril, bare as
the day he was born, red in the face and swearing at the top of his lungs. He
lunged straight for us on that enormous stallion and would have trampled us if
we hadn’t jumped out of the way.
“As it happened, we did make it clear, only to have him dismount and chase us around
the stable yard, screaming profanities and hurling rocks at us. Richard and I
were laughing so hard at the sight of him, we could hardly dodge the rocks.
Eventually, one of the stable hands fetched my father and he came to the yard
to put an end to things. He marched us all into his study and gave us a stern
talking to, then dragged us back to the stables and whipped us soundly. Cyril
was eighteen and didn’t care for it, but father was determined. We never raced
again; well, at least not with Cyril.”
His broad smile was contagious, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Forgive me sir, but it is a most entertaining story. I can just picture you
and the Colonel, running around a stable yard, dodging rocks from a half mad,
nude cousin. It really is too much!” She laughed in earnest now, partly from
the story, and partly because she just admitted that she was picturing a nude
man. A blush spread over her cheeks and she laughed even harder, embarrassed
that he must realize her embarrassment. Darcy joined her with his mild chuckle,
but mostly he just beamed at her while she blushed and laughed, enjoying the
companionship.
They walked a few more feet before Elizabeth spoke. “I believe you are right,
sir. That story is not at all appropriate for young ladies. I am glad Colonel
Fitzwilliam was unsuccessful in telling it in front of Georgiana. While it is
terribly funny, I don’t know how quickly she would recover from the shock. And
I’m sure the Colonel’s version is even less circumspect than yours.”
“I fear you are right, Miss Bennet. Richard has a flair for storytelling. The
facts are not always accurate, but you will not become bored.”
Elizabeth was having such an enjoyable time, she almost forgot she was with Mr.
Darcy.
“Mr. Darcy, I’m afraid I am in your debt.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I feel the cost of my escort was not equal to your rather illuminating
story. I fear the balance now weighs heavily on your side.”
“Does it now? Well, we shall have to even the score then.” He smiled at her
playfully.
“What do you have in mind, Mr. Darcy?” She smiled back, with a trace of a
challenge in her eyes.
“I believe I have some rather tedious meetings scheduled for this week.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I am sure that afterward, I will be in need of fresh air to shake off the
business of the day.”
“Will you?”
“Yes, quite. And I shall be too tired to read, but will want entertainment.”
“Entertainment?”
“Yes.”
“And who shall provide this entertainment?”
“Why you, Miss Bennet.”
“Me?” He nodded. “And what form of entertainment shall you require? Shall I
tell you a story? Or would you rather I sing to you?” she asked archly.
“Ah, Miss Bennet, you forget that you sing to me almost every night already,
quite to my delight. I think I would like a story.”
“And what kind of story would suit your fancy, sir?”
“One where at least one of the Misses Bennet is behaving rather badly and gets
properly punished, preferably you.”
“Mr. Darcy!”
His devilish grin was the only reply she was to have.
“Very well, then. I shall do my best,” she said with more calm than she felt.
By now they had circled the park and were coming upon the gates.
“Are you ready to return, Miss Bennet?” His voice was serious again.
“Yes, it is rather cold. It’s probably best we get back before my fingers lose all
feeling!” she joked.
“Are your hands cold?” he asked solicitously.
“A bit. But it is not far now, I shall be fine.”
Before she could protest, he took up the hand that rested
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