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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 14, 2008 10:59:57 GMT -5
Darcy looked at her askance.
"You paint a most unflattering portrait of me," he said. "I confess, I enjoy my solitude, which I do not consider a particular fault, or in need of correction. But I hardly 'brood.'"
He thought she had the look of someone with a project in mind, and it unnerved him. He did not particularly like the idea that he was the project.
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Post by Anne on Oct 14, 2008 11:02:34 GMT -5
"Forgive my error in judgment then, and I shall leave you to your solitude's enjoyment," *she said with a smile, rising to go.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 14, 2008 11:07:24 GMT -5
Darcy rose quickly, unaware of the slightly perturbed nature of his movement.
"I did not mean to imply a constant desire to be alone," he said. Being made uncomfortable by Miss Shirley was preferable, he had to admit, to brooding over his situation.
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Post by Anne on Oct 14, 2008 11:12:22 GMT -5
*Anne glanced around. Various workers moved about the hotel and grounds, and Georgiana must be on the property somewhere, she reasoned.*
"...you're not alone, Mr. Darcy."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 14, 2008 11:24:08 GMT -5
Darcy looked down, somewhat chagrined.
"Of course not," he said. "I did not mean to keep you."
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Post by Anne on Oct 14, 2008 11:28:06 GMT -5
*Anne's smile forgave him in an instant.*
"Oh, it's not your fault...I have chores to do. And," *she added, glancing at the sky.* "I think it may rain in an hour or two."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 14, 2008 11:31:59 GMT -5
Darcy looked up, then back at her, a muscle in his jaw tensing slightly.
"You are always welcome here, Miss Shirley," he said with slight formality. "Please do not take my expression of a generally solitary nature as some indication that you are part of the crowd of society I mentioned earlier. I am, as you say, capable of more cordiality than I sometimes demonstrate. My sister and I will see you at the clambake."
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Post by Anne on Oct 14, 2008 11:35:17 GMT -5
"Of course," *she said, nodding. She stretched out her hand and took a brief step forward as if she were going to touch his arm, but fell back a moment later.*
"Goodbye, Mr. Darcy," *she said, leaving.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 14, 2008 11:45:57 GMT -5
Darcy inclined his head, wondering at the aborted movement. He watched after her for a moment, before sighing and shaking himself back into action. He had things to do, arrangements to make, a hotel to manage.
And the word "clambake" to find a definition for.
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Dec 23, 2008 12:27:20 GMT -5
**NEW DAY**
Darcy had noted the Englishman's arrival, but had had little to do with him. In fact, he was keeping quite busy, with the running of the hotel and regular correspondence both business and personal. Georgiana seemed to be flourishing as well, and he noted with approval the rosiness of her pale cheeks. An alabaster complexion may be all very well for society, but society was not altogether Darcy's recipe for happiness.
A week after the clambake, the promised invitations went out. There was to be a gala at the hotel, and Darcy meant it to introduce him to society here. He hated this sort of thing, but at least this was something approaching home ground. And it would be good for business, and for their reputation. Something Darcy was conscious of even when in society it would previously have been beneath him to notice.
He wondered if Miss Shirley would consent to help him with the arrangements. She had a good eye, and might be able to steer him clear of the faults of ostentation or condescension.
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Post by Willoughby on Dec 23, 2008 12:38:08 GMT -5
*Willoughby entered the hotel, stopping at the front desk to ask if there had been any messages.*
"A Miss Shirley left a card for you," *said the desk clerk.*
"Ah--is she long gone?"
"She just left, sir--walking about the path by the lawn back to the main road."
*Willoughby thanked the clerk and tucked the card into the breast pocket of his jacket, going back out to see if he might catch her.*
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