Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) by Alexa Adams Page A

it must have been very unpleasant for my family, but I think we would have somehow carried on regardless, don’t you?”
    “Most certainly!” he smiled.
    “But we are fortunate that was not the case. With the birth of Master Bennet-Collins late last year, we all now have the comfort of knowing the estate will remain in the family. My mother is quite relieved. But I mustn’t run on so about myself! Mrs. Rivers would be appalled. Please tell me what Cornwall is like? Miss Darcy has been telling me all about it. I think it must be beautiful, but in an unreal, almost intimidating manner, like a fairytale. One would not wish to live in such a place. Do you like it?”
    “Very much!” he laughed. “The scenery is dramatic and prone to play upon the senses, but I have never encountered anything sinister or monstrous, I assure you. The people possess the same superstitions as all others do, telling their tales of local enchantments, but it is all nonsense. I think Turnley the most wonderful place in the world, except perhaps Teggington.”
    “Teggington?”
    “Sir James’ estate. I spent as much time there as in my own home when we were growing up, and it is the only place to which I will even consider ceding preference over Turnley.”
    She looked thoughtful, and Mr. Brooks expected her to ask more about Sir James’ estate. That she did not, he thought admirable, but as he was unsure of what it portended for his friend’s chances with the lady, he continued to pursue the subject, sharing a few boyhood reminiscences intended to cast Sir James in the very best light. Kitty smiled, seeming content to listen to his stories, and Mr. Brooks enjoyed sharing his fond memories until their set ended.

Chapter 8
    Kitty proved a great success. A pretty lady, having been seen dancing with two highly eligible bachelors, as well as being known as a sister to the Darcys, ought to be a success, and while rumors of an insignificant dowry caused a few interested parties to turn away, it did little to stem her popularity. Perhaps this was because she displayed no shame about it, but more probable was the conviction that Mr. Darcy, if Miss Bennet were to make an advantageous match, would sweeten the deal.
    Sir James counted himself lucky to secure her hand for the last dance, especially as she could have so easily sat it out had she wished to avoid him. Little did either know that Mr. Bingley had intended to dance with his sister, he being a great one for dancing and Jane having tired of the exercise long ago, but upon seeing a proper suitor approach, he tactfully hung back. Kitty was in excellent humor: the first time Sir James had yet seen her so, and her conscious blush as he took her hand reassured him ten-fold that he had found precisely the right lady for him. As images of her established at Teggington began to form in his mind, she disarmed him by saying: “I understand from Mr. Brooks that you are quite in the habit of hazarding the life and limbs of your innocent victims, Sir James. My encounter with you was thoroughly unexceptional.”
    “He told you that?” he replied, taken aback.
    “Most certainly. He related to me, in great detail, the circumstances in which you trapped him in a hole in the ground, dug specifically for that purpose, resulting in a broken leg.”
    “But he was the French infantry, and I had to stop him from charging the hill!” he exclaimed in his defense. “Besides, the fall did not break Simon’s leg.”
    “No, he said he broke it on a ladder fashioned by you to extricate him from the trap.”
    “Well, yes, but it was very good of me to think of providing such a thing, even if I failed to execute the construction very well. I was only nine, you know.”
    “Old enough to know the repercussions of dangerous games.”
    “And it was I who ran to get help!”
    “I should hope so! Mr. Brooks seemed to think the story rendered you a very good chap indeed, but I think it a sorry tale of rescue when the