A Spring Sentiment: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 2) by Elizabeth Ann West

Mary, sitting next to the colonel, and couldn’t help sharing a slightly amused look with her uncle as she noticed Mary blush again. With a small smile, Elizabeth turned her attention back to her plate and took another bite of candied carrots.
    “Are you very fond of carrots?” Mr. Darcy interrupted her thoughts.
    Elizabeth compared her plate where her carrots were nearly gone and Mr. Darcy’s plate that had no trace of carrots ever being there. “They are a particular favorite of mine. But you appear to not enjoy them, sir?”
    “Indeed, I find myself much more pleased to leave the orange roots for those they are intended for.” He paused for a moment and then shared the answer with her as if he was releasing state secrets. “Rabbits.”
    Elizabeth couldn’t resist a good tease and turned her face to her fiance. She scrunched her nose up and down in a most impressive imitation of a bunny. “We heartily thank you, sir.”
    Darcy laughed and the novelty of the sound made the colonel and Mary stop their conversation to look at the couple across from them.
    “I say, Darce, heaven shines on a man whose wife can make him laugh.”
    “Hear, hear!” Mr. Gardiner answered and raised his glass in toast.
    Darcy wiped his mouth with his napkin to try to hide his continued jubilation. He reflected that in the future, he should be very mindful to not take a drink or mouthful of food when he was baiting the future Mrs. Darcy.
    “Thank you, Colonel. But I assure you, it wasn’t my intention to only make Mr. Darcy laugh, but also not take offense at his calling me a rabbit.”
    “Darcy! Surely not! From what I hear, Miss Elizabeth is a most ferocious knight, able to slay dragons!”
    Elizabeth rolled her eyes but it was her sister Kitty who jumped in to take the colonel’s bait. “What dragon? Lizzie doesn’t slay dragons. That’s absurd!”
    “Au contraire, Miss Kitty, I heard a report that she bested my Aunt Catherine, and if ever there were a dragon, it is she.” The whole table erupted in laughter as all present had been privy to some version of the truth that caused Darcy and Elizabeth to finally quit Hertfordshire. “I believe my mother plans to erect a statue to you in her garden: Elizabeth the Brave with a foot on Catherine the Coward.”
    “Richard, that’s taking it a bit too far.” Darcy responded.
    “I apologize, Colonel, but I fear that I side with Mr. Darcy. I am not proud of my actions towards your aunt, and I would hate to be the cause for a rift in the family.” Elizabeth found her hunger had simply slipped away as she was reminded about the potential consequences of her actions.
    The colonel waved his hand. “If I have offended, then I apologize, but I think you will find that more people in London are apt to shake your hand, Miss Elizabeth, than chastise you over standing up to Lady Catherine for the second time. Remind me to never get on your bad side, eh?”
    “Being on my good side or bad side is entirely up to you, sir.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and flicked her eyes to her sister Mary and back again.
    “Ho, ho! I concede, Elizabeth the Brave; this soldier will be on his best behavior.”
    Darcy frowned, not enjoying the familiarity of conversation passing between his cousin and Elizabeth. He cleared his throat and addressed Mr. Gardiner. “I brought a box of cigars from my private collection if you would like to partake?”
    Mrs. Gardiner acknowledged that dinner was over and began to rise from the table, causing the three men to also rise. “Ladies, shall we retire to the drawing room? I think we have certain plans to discuss,” she said as she made sure to lightly brush her husband’s hand as she walked by Mr. Gardiner standing proudly at the head of the table. The Bennet sisters and Georgiana stood and followed the older woman’s lead, with Georgiana making sure to smile and nod to her brother as a sign that she was quite comfortable.
    “Alright, gentlemen, since you are