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Chapter 1
Posted on Tuesday, 4 May 1999
"Oh isn't that story grand?" Annabel sighed dramatically, with good success. She looked like a typical heroine, blond blue-eyed and horribly pretty. So a sigh that would look corny on any other girl made her look utterly distressed. She was so good at looking beautiful that she could actually wear the pink lace that made other girls appear mentally retarded.
"The new book? Pride and Prejudice. Glad you like it. It's a new author, a Miss Austen or something. Maybe she'll write more. But why did it take you so long to finish it?" Her companion was as far Annabel's opposite as it is possible to look without being ugly. Although her hair was brown, matching her eye color, she was fair. But it was the intelligence behind the brown eyes that gave the face an air of beauty.
"I've read it twice. Oh Rebecca, don't you wish it could happen to you? A tall, dark and handsome man sweep you of your feet?" Annabel was not really listening to her cousin. But then again it was rarely in her nature to hear other people.
"I'd say that nudging her off her feet would be a more appropriate metaphor. Besides, what would have happened if he fell of his horse and broke his nose? Would the match be so ideal then?" Rebecca felt irritated by Annabel's rapture and used her superior intelligence to puncture it.
"Don't be silly. Darcy would never do anything like that. He's too much a gentleman."
"Too gentlemanly to fall off his horse. I'm afraid the ranks of gentlemen have thinned out sharply with that new definition."
"If only there was a Darcy for us. Oh lord, send us our Darcies! I wish with all my heart for them to come soon!" Annabel looked up to the ceiling, imploring with her sapphire eyes. A tear even issued from one of them. A true damsel in distress.
"Ma'am, a Mr. Marcy is here for your father. Shall I tell him to call later?" It was the maid, a shy cautious woman, afraid of making any decisions of her own.
"Marcy? It sounds like Darcy so much. God must have heard me! No, Hill, show him to the sitting room. I shall receive him." Annabel was overjoyed at the speedy response of her angel.
"Ma'am? My name's not Hill. Its Betty."
"Hill it will be from now! Show him in."
"Yes ma'am."
"Good lord Annabel! Change her name just to match a story? Have you gone of the deep end? For your next trick will you change your name to Elizabeth?" Her cousin was very amused by the spoiled girl's antics.
"No. My middle name is already Elizabeth. So I will be content to keep my first name. Now come, Mr. Dar… Marcy awaits us!"
"Coming." As a mere companion of her rich cousin Rebecca had to bear her flights of fancy.
Chapter 2
"Miss Richardson, my name is Mr. Marcy, not Mr. Darcy." Mr. Marcy looked discomforted at the greeting but looked Annabel twice over. Most men did. In fact the last man not to had been blind. Rebecca looked over the young man. Tall, dark and handsome. He fit the bill perfectly. But he did not look very intelligent, just snobbish.
"Do excuse me. Now why do you wish to see my father?" Annabel clearly liked what she saw. He was also in her mind a perfect Darcy.
"We have business together. Now is he here?" Marcy was regaining his composure fast. Rebecca was impressed. Usually men took longer to face up to Annabel's comely face. Maybe he was smart after all.
"No, but do stay and talk. I long so for company." Annabel pouted. She knew that the story had Mr. Darcy hate Elizabeth at fist sight, but she wanted to hurry things up to the good part. When he expressed his love for her would be a good part.
"You have your companion, Miss…"
"Richardson too. We're cousins. Did you not notice the family resemblance? I'm afraid you must be quite blind sir." Rebecca did not feel like any pleasantries today. But in her heart she was impressed. This man was one of the few not to be enthralled by her fair cousin.
"Well then you will keep each other company and I will leave." He bade them a swift good-bye but as he was about to leave Annabel's father came in.
"Mr. Marcy! You are finally here! Come, We shall talk over supper!" Annabel's father was a loud round man, who liked his food and merely wanted to enjoy his twilight years in peace. Although this made many people think of him as a non-important person he was still crafty in a sly way.
"If you wish sir." Mr. Marcy spent most of the evening trying to avoid Annabel. Although the avoidance caused Annabel much distress but greatly amused her cousin. At one point Rebecca laughed out loud causing Marcy to ask her what was her diversion.
"Just how two people play cat and mouse." Was the cryptic reply. Rebecca was confident that he would not understand her answers. She had a talent for making them confusing.
"If you mean me and your cousin then I would entreat you not to laugh at me anymore, for I dislike being the fool, even for a ruler as fair as you." He understood and was offended.
"I shall make a deal with you. I shall not laugh but chuckle at your distress. No really, sir fool I will go to your aid. Annabel, come here." And Rebecca whispered a few words in her cousin's ear, causing the poor girl to charge upstairs.
"What ever did you say to her?" Marcy was amazed.
"I told her your favorite color was green. She is wearing a blue dress and now is changing into a green one. It will give you a short break. Now sir fool I cannot laugh at you, unless you give me another reason." Rebecca enlightened on the weary soul.
"You are as bad as Annabel I see. If not worse, for you are a clever serpent, when she is a stupid one."
"I thank you for the complement sir."
Chapter 3
"Oh, wasn't to die for?"
"Annabel, I've heard some really stupid things come out of your mouth. And today STILL takes the cake. Every slice. And no, you two did not "mesh" not "click" nor any other adjective you can find to try to describe it. The only thing that you did was scare him off. But I have to say, you did an excellent job of it." Rebecca had had enough. He had been rude, evil, rude, disgusting and rude again. Also he committed one of the worst offenses in her eyes, he had been boring. Heaven forbid that she have to suffer through one more night of him.
"I know! I shall invite him over tomorrow night! Won't that be fun! He is such good company!" Annabel positively squealed. Or at least any other girl would have squealed. Something about Annabel made it impossible for such a coarse word to be ascribed to her.
"Are you mad or just plain crazy?" Rebecca said very calmly, or at least in a manner that did not display the shrieking she wanted to give off.
"No, not at all!" Annabel widened her aqua blue eyes in horror. "I'm sane! Ask daddy."
"Calm down, Anna, it was just a figure of speech."
"Oh, a figure of speech." Annabel drew herself up to her full height and looked regal "then I shall forgive you."
"Whoopee. Break out the champagne."
Chapter 4
"Marcy."
"Whatever. Do come and sit next to me." Annabel was in fine form today.
"I'm fine here."
"No you aren't! Do it for a pretty lady? Please sir?" Annabel radiated sadness. "It would ever so please me."
Marcy plopped himself next to Annabel. She inched closer to him. Although Marcy tried to reject her advances even he could not totally escape her clutches. For even though Annabel had the brains of a lark, she was highly skilled in some fields, such as flirting.
"Sir do you love dancing?" Annabel inquired.
"No, I abhor it." Marcy replied, in hope of putting her off. To his amazement she laughed and clapped her hands.
"Perfect sir! But do come to the ball I shall be throwing next Monday. Oh do come, I shall be so happy if you do! And… my sister Lydia will quite be beside herself with joy."
"Cousin, you don't have a sister at all, much less one named Lydia."
"Didn't I tell you? I'm adopting tomorrow." Annabel was a terrific liar.
"Just like the "dragon" you adopted in your St. George phase." As good a liar as Annabel was, Rebecca was still a better one and could see through a liar.
"It was too!"
"Its wings were glued on! They fell of when you were presenting it to Lady Willams. She nearly fainted." Rebecca's beacon of truth shinned through the lies.
"Girls, don't fight. It is a sign of un-ladylike behavior." It was Marcy, cutting in.
"Really?" Too bad Rebecca was in no mood to be lectured.
"Yes. I take my leave now. I have no wish to stay in such company. However, I will accept your invitation if I may bring a lady along."
"Why of course sir!" Annabel felt very proud that she could hold in the tantrum till he was gone.
"A lady! But that means a rivalry! He's mine I tell you! Mine! Mine! MINE!"
"But Annabel, if he's Mr. Darcy then he has to have a Caroline." Rebecca pointed out common sense, but really wanted to spank Annabel.
"Oh, well then its okay." Annabel gave off a bluebird-day smile. "Come lets pick our dresses. You said he liked green the best?"
Chapter 5
Rebecca on the other hand had a more sensible dress. Although it was a rich blue it lacked the fripperies of her cousin's dress. She looked pretty in it, but never would be as fair as Annabel, whose best talent was to be ornamental.
"Come cousin, let us dance with Darcy."
"Marcy."
Annabel navigated the hallway leading to the grand stair very well. In fact, she nearly made it down the stairs before she started falling. But as it was Annabel, she had the luck (as she thought it) to fall into Mr. Marcy's hands.
"Good lord, Miss Richardson! Can you not find a more unsuitable dress? It is too long at the bottom, but does not cover your top at all!" Annabel was rather pleased with the remark. The dress had been designed to be revealing.
"I think it looks lovely." It was Frederick, Annabel's least favorite. Although she now thought of him very poorly, he still continued to love her.
"Oh do be quite Freddie. Now, Mr. Darcy who is the lady you have brought?"
"My sister, Abigail. Abigail come here." Abigail was a sweet sort of girl. However, that was her only quality to recommend her. She was average in looks, brains and just about everything else. Annabel immediately liked her, probably because Elizabeth and Georgiana had been friends. Abigail rather liked Rebecca better.
"Mr. Marcy, shall we dance." Annabel laid her dainty hand on his arm.
"No, I do not wish too."
"I will dance with you!"
"Shut up, Freddie!"
At the end Annabel resigned to dance with Sir Praking, a rich handsome man, but nothing compared to "her" Darc…Marcy.
Mr. Marcy himself gave a surprise when he asked Rebecca, who had been sitting out talking to Abigail, to dance. Annabel shot many evil glances at the direction of her relative. They both hoped that their dancing partners would be switched. It was shaping up to be a pleasant evening.
Chapter 6
"Do you like the ball?"
"I suppose."
Rebecca looked around in frustration for a conversation topic. He had blocked any advances she had made for petty speech. How very awful.
Finally she decided on a gamble. "Will you speak? Or have you lost your tongue to the wolves? You can tell me sir, I will not hate you the less, nor blame the poor wolves, who had gotten off with such a poor prize."
"Miss Rebecca, I can talk. However, I cannot talk as openly as you, nor with your brash confidence. I am of more genteel manner."
"Is genteel to remain aloof and silent? If so, I have been misled in my definition of a gentleman."
"Is lady-like to be open and say anything without thought nor care? If so, I have been mistaken in my definition of a lady."
"I merely say what is plain to me. And it is plain that you are a horrid spoiled brat."
"Likewise to you too."
"Now you resort to name calling."
"I follow the lady's lead in conversation. And you chose name calling, so I follow your lead."
"I am afraid you are mistaken, 'tis the man who must set the discussion. And you have set it to be in a most rude and horrible manner."
"How so? 'Twas you who began it."
"But merely because you would not talk, so I had to fill the void. Because you did not take matters into your own hands, I am not responsible for the poor job of mine."
"A true theologian."
"I learned from a master."
"I imagine he threw you out soon enough."
"No, but he told me to wary of foolish, foppish men. Sadly, I have not observed his good advice."
"How so?"
"I am dancing with you, am I not?"
The rest of the dance was in silence.
Chapter 7
"Oh, go away Freddie! You're being horrid."
"Must I leave you dearest?" Freddie had been her love when she had gone through her St. George phase. He was tall, blond, athletic and very stupid. Extremely stupid. In fact, that was his most prominent characteristic.
"Oh Freddie, when will you get a life."
"I desire no life, but merely to serve you."
"Haven't I heard this before?"
"I have made this pledge to you many times. When will you let me fulfill it?"
"Let me get back to you about that." Marcy and Rebecca waltzed by. "Oh Freddie, I should be the girl dancing with him! She has none of my beauty, none of my fairness. Yet he chooses her over me! And here I must sit, alone and uncomforted, while she seduces him!" The last sentences were not strictly true. She had refused none less than nine invitations, Freddie would do his best to comfort her and to stay by her side, and Rebecca was hardly seducing Marcy. But those facts would not sound romantic at all. And Annabel was nothing if not romantic.
"Why do you want to dance with him?" Freddie had caught on to how Annabel's large blue eyes followed Marcy around the room.
"Because he is the most wonderful man I know. He is my Darcy, my hero." Annabel was in rapture again.
"Oh." Freddie was mad, Freddie was angry. How dare he steal Annabel away from him? Who did Marcy think he was some kind of romance novel hero? He'd show Marcy, he'd get even.
A evil plan uncoiled in Freddy's head. Why bother just showing the man who was boss? Put him out of Freddy's way perfectly.
Freddie wanted to kill Marcy.
Chapter 6
"Do you like the ball?"
"I suppose."
Rebecca looked around in frustration for a conversation topic. He had blocked any advances she had made for petty speech. How very awful.
Finally she decided on a gamble. "Will you speak? Or have you lost your tongue to the wolves? You can tell me sir, I will not hate you the less, nor blame the poor wolves, who had gotten off with such a poor prize."
"Miss Rebecca, I can talk. However, I cannot talk as openly as you, nor with your brash confidence. I am of more genteel manner."
"Is genteel to remain aloof and silent? If so, I have been misled in my definition of a gentleman."
"Is lady-like to be open and say anything without thought nor care? If so, I have been mistaken in my definition of a lady."
"I merely say what is plain to me. And it is plain that you are a horrid spoiled brat."
"Likewise to you too."
"Now you resort to name calling."
"I follow the lady's lead in conversation. And you chose name calling, so I follow your lead."
"I am afraid you are mistaken, 'tis the man who must set the discussion. And you have set it to be in a most rude and horrible manner."
"How so? 'Twas you who began it."
"But merely because you would not talk, so I had to fill the void. Because you did not take matters into your own hands, I am not responsible for the poor job of mine."
"A true theologian."
"I learned from a master."
"I imagine he threw you out soon enough."
"No, but he told me to wary of foolish, foppish men. Sadly, I have not observed his good advice."
"How so?"
"I am dancing with you, am I not?"
The rest of the dance was in silence.
Chapter 7
"Oh, go away Freddie! You're being horrid."
"Must I leave you dearest?" Freddie had been her love when she had gone through her St. George phase. He was tall, blond, athletic and very stupid. Extremely stupid. In fact, that was his most prominent characteristic.
"Oh Freddie, when will you get a life."
"I desire no life, but merely to serve you."
"Haven't I heard this before?"
"I have made this pledge to you many times. When will you let me fulfill it?"
"Let me get back to you about that." Marcy and Rebecca waltzed by. "Oh Freddie, I should be the girl dancing with him! She has none of my beauty, none of my fairness. Yet he chooses her over me! And here I must sit, alone and uncomforted, while she seduces him!" The last sentences were not strictly true. She had refused none less than nine invitations, Freddie would do his best to comfort her and to stay by her side, and Rebecca was hardly seducing Marcy. But those facts would not sound romantic at all. And Annabel was nothing if not romantic.
"Why do you want to dance with him?" Freddie had caught on to how Annabel's large blue eyes followed Marcy around the room.
"Because he is the most wonderful man I know. He is my Darcy, my hero." Annabel was in rapture again.
"Oh." Freddie was mad, Freddie was angry. How dare he steal Annabel away from him? Who did Marcy think he was some kind of romance novel hero? He'd show Marcy, he'd get even.
A evil plan uncoiled in Freddy's head. Why bother just showing the man who was boss? Put him out of Freddy's way perfectly.
Freddie wanted to kill Marcy.
Chapter 8
"You overgrown ninny!"
"You, you Caroline!" Annabel was getting over excited. Freddie sat by her side protecting, worried over her mental health.
"Annabel, he asked to dance, it was only one dance, we barely said anything. Its not like were engaged now or something."
"But he wouldn't dance with me! He only danced with you and his sister! And he's supposed to be for me! I am to marry him!!!" Another of Annabel's talents was to speak in over punctuation. Very few people could do that. And of all those who could, very few were allowed to use sharp utensils.
"You can, I give you my blessing. Go ahead sweetheart." Rebecca did not fell like fighting over Marcy. He was at the bottom of her list of things to fight for.
"But he would wish to marry you! It's so obvious!" Annabel wailed.
"No, he doesn't. He just wants someone to fight with."
"But… that's what Darcy first liked in Lizzy!"
"Then I have an idea. You fight with him instead of being disgustingly sweet."
Annabel stopped in mid sob. A smile broke across her face, sunny as springtime.
"What a excellent idea! I think I shall."
Chapter 9
"What do you want now, Annabel?" Marcy had managed to procure a seat next to Rebecca, hoping to have intelligent conversation. Annabel would dash those hopes.
"I hate you. No, I loathe you! You horrible man!"
Puzzlement spread across Marcy's face. Annabel seemed like she was trying to act like a PMSy Rebecca. Amend that, he thought a PMSy, retarded Rebecca.
"Why?" He said.
Annabel broke down. Tears gushing, she cried, "I hoped it would make you love me! I am so in love with you, Mr. Dar… Marcy. I wish to be your wife oh so badly." Rebecca was impressed. This piece of overwrought acting was hardly easy, even for Annabel.
"You don't want to marry me."
"Why not?"
"For starters, I'm poor. I'm just a humble lawyer. I have no riches to keep you happy."
"You mean you don't have ten thousand pounds, or a manor?"
"I lack those."
"No lake?"
"None."
"Get out of my house now! You horrid beggar! I can't believe that I ever thought you a Mr. Darcy. You can't be! You have quite ruined the story! I shall never be Lizzy, no have her good fortune!" Annabel was hysterical.
Marcy left. Annabel cried, but then went to a dinner party where she met a rich young man who promised to take her walking. But Rebecca rather missed having a man to fight with…
Chapter 10
"Certainly." Said Rebecca.
Then, because it was Rebecca and not Annabel, she woke up before she could do anything.
"Why did I think about him? He's been gone for over a year now, and its not like I ever liked him anyway." Rebecca comforted herself with such common sense thoughts.
Never less, she brought up the topic of Marcy at breakfast.
"Anna, dearest?"
"Yes cousin? But do hurry, I have a meeting with my friend Lord Danerl, and his new acquaintance. He was just knighted a month ago, and maybe in want of a wife, to quote Austen."
"Speaking of Austen, remember that Marcy?" Rebecca broached the topic carefully, like one might feel a rotten tooth.
"Oh yes, him." Annabel's good mood did not extend to him.
"Why did you drop him like a textbook on the first day of summer?"
"Oh Rebie, it sounds quite silly. Because he broke the story. You see Darcy was rich so Marcy had to be too. And by not being rich he destroyed my world. It was ever so rude of him. You know how much I hate when someone kills the story I try to recreate." Annabel looked very unhappy, but at the same time mad at Marcy, who did not play to the T her Mr. Darcy.
"Oh." Rebecca was speechless. Her fickle foolish cousin. All Annabel cared about was her own little happy reality. And woe to anyone that broke it.
"Do you want to come with me to the party? You were invited also…" Annabel tried to cheer up her cousin.
"Umm, why not?"
Chapter 11
"Lord Danerl! How wonderful to see you!" Lord Danerl was a pleasant man. But because he was not a romantic one Annabel wished only to remain friends with him. He was quite content with merely admiring her from afar (or close if he could), and the friendship worked out well. Rebecca though of him as one of the better of Annabel's swains.
"Miss Rebecca Richardson, how pleasant to see you." He also remembered to butter up the relatives, and that was no minus in Rebecca's book.
"Lord Danerl, a pleasure likewise."
"Oh Annabel, do come and meet my friend. You see he recently gained favor with the king, and was granted much land. In fact he's now the Duke of Norseland. A very remarkable rise. He saved the king's life twice and helped the king negotiate a treaty with the French. And he's a great favorite with the Prince Regent too."
"My, his list of accomplishments go on and on. This man must be a wise and powerful man indeed." Rebecca was inclined to take the description with a pinch of salt, while Annabel took it with pepper. Annabel then remarked that she should like to meet him right away and the party went to the sitting room to greet such a noteworthy man.
Rebecca was the first in the room, as the other two were engaged in some very gallant flirting. When she looked at the occupant of the room she froze till her companions came in. Then Annabel shrieked.
"Uh, Annabel, allow me to introduce Robert Marcy, Duke of Norseland. This is Miss Annabel Richardson, and her cousin Miss Rebecca Richardson." Annabel's shrieking discomforted Lord Danerl. He felt a bleeding in his right ear.
"Marcy, what are you doing here?" Annabel finally croaked.
"I was invited to meet two ladies. At present I am still waiting." Rebecca smiled, he was still the same. She joined in.
"And I was brought her to meet a gentleman. However, as he has not come, likewise with your ladies, perhaps we should combine our parties till they do arrive."
Marcy turned to look at her. She stared back, noticing that his eyes were green. A girl's allowed to forget some stuff, she thought grumpily to herself.
"An excellent idea. Especially considering who it is from."
"Shall we stroll in the Gardens, Duke Marcy? I have heard they are wonderful this time of year."
"Two extraordinary suggestions in one day! How do you manage it Miss Richardson?"
"With practice I imagine that even you might be able to accomplish such feats."
Chapter 12
Rebecca was having a wonderful time. Duke Marcy was an excellent partner in the duel of wits that they played. He was the only man that she could respect, having years of observing Annabel turn all young men's minds into mush at a pretty smile. Annabel was not quite as happy.
"Becky, let's go. It's quite boring. The garden's are not as nice as I have been lead to believe." Annabel pouted.
"Becky! Listen to me! Let's leave!"
"BECKY!"
"Please don't leave Miss Richardson, for although the gardens are not perfect your beauty raises their perfection up several grades."
"Thank you Lord Danerl. But I feel that I cannot handle the conversation of four people, as my nerves are not what they were, perhaps we could go to be alone?" Danerl could not believe his luck; Annabel could not believe her bad luck.
"We seem to be alone, Miss Richardson."
"Why Yes, Duke Marcy. But pray tell why does it puzzle you? I thought you had more wit than that. It is not unusual for my sister to leave with a swain." Like Rebecca cared that they were alone.
"It is hardly proper." Marcy was suddenly freezing, losing his nerve and wit. Rebecca was amused.
"As you have said many times before, I am hardly a proper lady…" She helpfully pointed out.
"It is unsightly for a woman of your standing to be alone with a man of mine." He stammered.
"So you mean that because you are a duke you want no connection with humble me? Remember sir that you were a beggar before you were a peer of the realm." Now she was mad.
"No, no, no. I mean that people would think…" He was blushing. Rebecca was still too angry to notice it.
"So you don't want to be rumored to have such low tastes?"
"Not at all! I don't want your reputation to be as ruined as that of your cousin."
"What?!"
"Nothing." He regretted saying that.
"What do they say about her?" Rebecca asked in a tone of voice that implied that she would get the answer sooner or later, so he might as well give them sooner.
"They say that she is… easy. They give allowances for beauty, age and stupidity but they still say she is easy…to corrupt." He was now a cold distant figure in her view, not a human being.
"Do they say anything else?"
"I know that your reputation is not helped by hers."
"I have to go, now."
He stood by as she ran to the house, to collect Annabel.
Chapter 13
Annabel on the other hand was totally shocked. All of her hopes were built upon a good marriage after some flirtations and fun. She was not too empty-headed to understand now that she would have to hurry to realize those dreams. Then she could concentrate on being romantic. Perhaps she should consider Lord Danerl; he would be able to support her pleasantly.
"Ma'am, Mr. Freddie here for you."
"Send him in." Although she wanted a marriage, Annabel did not consider Freddie a contestant. He was too poor for her tastes. No, she would find a way to keep him out of her way while she fixed her situation.
"Anna, darling. I love you."
"Freddie get lost."
"I would gladly face a hundred swords than hear words of rejection from your lips."
"You just did."
"Why O jewel of my desire do you scorn me?"
"Uh… I love another."
"Who?"
"Uh… Duke Marcy."
"He is a duke now? Well, I shall avenge myself, Duke or no! Adieu fair Annabel. And rejoice for next time we are together I shall be able to make you my wife." Freddie was furious.
"Whopdido." Annabel didn't care.
Chapter 14
"Fine, fine."
"What would you think of Annabel Danerl?"
"Danerl! Are you out of your mind? Do you know how low she is? And how poor is her reputation?"
"I still love her, no petty things like that can keep me away from my love."
"You're a fool."
"No sir, I'm a fool in love. She is pretty, pleasant, will come with money enough. It will be a good match."
"I think that you are very eager to ruin your life. Pray tell sir, are you suicidal?"
"Not at all! Will you give your blessing?"
"I will only if I first judge the bride's reaction."
"Very well! A riding party will be the occasion of proposal."
"So publicly? Have you no sense of honor, as well as shame?"
"It will be a small party, just you, her, and I."
"But three makes for an uncomfortable gathering."
"We shall bring along her sister!"
"Cousin."
"Whatever. She can hardly hold a candle to my Annabel, but she will do."
"I disagree."
Chapter 15
"Annabel, come let's start riding before the sunsets!" Lord Danerl laughed, but inside he was just as nervous- would she say yes?
"The sun has set already. Miss Rebecca and I are prepared. Perhaps we should go ahead without you?" Duke Marcy was not nervous. Except when Rebecca looked at him…
"Oh no! Duke Marcy I am perfectly ready!" Annabel could not afford to seem irresponsible.
"Very well."
The party rode in two's, fairly silently. First came Annabel and Danerl, who were utterly engaged in each other. Then came Rebecca and Marcy, who were utterly engaged in the faults of each other, Rebecca having decided to forgive Marcy after the last meeting (or at lest forgiven enough to speak to him). However, he was edgy and nervous for some reason. Finally they reached a small grotto. Marcy requested a small conference with Annabel. She almost cried. He was going to be mean, she could feel it.
Instead he asked her several questions bout her relationship with Lord Danerl. Annabel was smart enough (but not much more) to realize that it meant that Danerl was interested in her. She bore the conference in flying colors. Till the arrow whizzed out of the trees and nearly hit Marcy, of course.
Annabel's screaming and shrieking brought her cousin and Danerl to the grotto. Rebecca caught a glimpse of a coat in the trees and ran to it, in hope of capturing the assailant. At which point an arrow came straight towards her. It was so fast that the option of ducking was out of the question. Most options other than get hit and die (or at least be in a lot of pain) were out of the question. She saw her life flashing in front of her eyes, then she saw Marcy flashing in front of her eyes. He had jumped in front of her and taken the arrow for himself. Angry, she resumed her chase to the Bowman. Climbing the tree she caught him and threw him down before the tears seized her. Was Marcy dead?
"Freddie! Good lord, why were you shooting!" Annabel was shocked. It was her foppish swain.
"I wanted to kill the competition for your lovely hand." He said weakly, like a child who knows he's getting a punishment, no matter what.
"Marcy isn't competition!"
"You said he was."
"Why with a bow?"
"Its romantic. We both like romantic stuff. A gun is so normal. This is like a personalized card!"
"A bow? And you think that's romantic?!"
"Give me five minutes alone with Freddie, and he'll never be able to look at a bow again (or look for that matter)." Rebecca begged. Danerl held onto her arm to keep her from attacking Freddie.
Lord Danerl put his two cents in. "My god! I should have been the one to be killed then, for I'm the one who's competition!"
"You mean?" Annabel was overjoyed. Her future was now settled. Her flirting hadn't wrecked everything after all.
"Will you?"
"Yes."
Two things wrecked this tender moment. One by Freddie, who had to be restrained by Rebecca (after a few moments he lay doubled up on the lawn, whimpering in a very high voice) and Marcy who said, "I'm not dead! Nice to know that if I died you'd be romancing without a second thought about me."
Rebecca ran over and hugged him. The few minutes she had spent in a world without Marcy were horrible (or horrid as an overly romantic person such as Annabel might say).
"Miss Rebecca that is hardly proper." Was the protest. But he held on for a few seconds to long.
"Like I give a"
"That is most unlady-like."
"Your point?"
"The point is that I think that when you become Duchess Marcy you would have to not say those words at St. James."
"Who said anything about me becoming Duchess Marcy?"
"I did now, didn't I?"
"In your most ungentleman-like manner, yes."
"Well, then kiss me Duchess Marcy."
"Let me think about that for a while. I have decided I shall."
"Good."
The two weddings were very happy. Freddie was sent to India in the army and later died (in a bar, dead drunk) there. Annabel fumed a bit about her cousin's wedding, but because it was so "completely romantic" in her view Annabel could not help but approve. Her own marriage was just a satisfactory to her.
As for Rebecca and Marcy, they fought till the moment in the ceremony that they had to kiss, and after wards too. But it was a happy fighting, and they never regretted for an instant their choice of partners.
The End