Read Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) for Free Online Page A

I feel so tired all the time, and my appetite is almost nonexistent. How can I expect to have my wish fulfilled if I am not in good health?”
    Elizabeth frowned, “Perhaps you should seek medical advice as well. You do not look quite yourself.”
    Jane shook her head. “I am sure I will be well in a few days time. It must just be the town air.”
    While the ladies entertained themselves in the parlor, the gentlemen had abandoned the dining room for a quick game of billiards – an activity quite compatible to a glass of Madeira. Their conversation ranged from politics to business, finally landing on family life. This led Bingley to express his concerns for Jane’s health. “She has not been feeling quite herself lately, and I was hoping that the change of scenery and activity of London would restore her normal energy, but if anything, she seems far worse. I know not what to do.”
    Darcy looked thoughtful. “You know, Bingley, I could almost say the same about Elizabeth. She seems perfectly hale, and her appetite, if at all changed, has only increased, but suddenly she sleeps far later than she used to. I noticed she was pale when I returned yesterday, but she insists nothing is amiss. Perhaps, after a year of marriage, our wives grow bored of us?”
    Mr. Gardiner chuckled, “Or perhaps they are hiding another inevitable result of marriage, and one far more flattering to yourselves.”
    Mr. Bingley puzzled over this before he caught the older gentleman’s meaning, the huge smile that formed on his face causing Mr. Darcy to laugh. “My word!” he exclaimed. “That would be something rather exciting, would it not, gentlemen?”
    “If it is true, it surely would,” replied Darcy. “Time will certainly tell. They cannot expect to keep such news a secret forever,” and he landed the winning shot of the game.

Chapter 6
    Pleasant companionship and good food were not balm enough to prevent the visions that tormented Kitty’s sleep that night. She tossed and turned into the morning hours, unable to still her fevered mind. The encounter with the gentleman in the curricle had been most unpleasant, but she thought it isolated. Now to discover the driver to be the intimate friend of the Darcys! She shivered in renewed horror at the thought. The most wretched part of the association was that he seemed to take great delight in her discomfort. She had grown somewhat inured to the other ladies at Mrs. Rivers’ teasing her, but she was entirely unaccustomed to being the brunt of a gentleman’s jokes. She thought it most unfair and vowed to do her best to avoid his company.
    The Darcys, too, were up late, having much to discuss before they retired for the night.
    “I received a letter from Mr. Westover today. Someone has been pilfering poultry. He has also informed the magistrate.”
    “I did not know you had such weighty parish matters with which to contend. Certainly my impressions of Sir James could hold little interest for you at such a time.”
    Mr. Darcy smiled fondly at her. “Certainly not! You are in my debt one character sketch, and I expect you to pay in full.”
    “He seems very agreeable – an engaging mind, pleasant manners, ready humor – but there is something odd about him which I cannot quite put my finger upon.”
    He laughed. “There is a great deal odd about Sir James Stratton. I always said it was because he hailed from Cornwall, for there was a bit of otherworldliness about him, but Brooks is a solid enough fellow, so it must be something else.”
    Elizabeth laughed. “Mr. Brooks certainly is solid. Georgiana is quite fond of him.”
    “How much can change in just a few days absence!” he lamented, shaking his head sadly despite the smile gracing his lips. “I am striving to reconcile myself to the notion. It would be far more difficult if he were not such an unexceptional choice for her.”
    “You would rather she fall in love with an objectionable man, so you might have reasonable grounds