Smitten With Sense: A Modern Sense And Sensibility Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 4)

by Keena Richins

  A warrant. And she was heading toward cops right now. He couldn't help the grin spreading across his face. "But, will it stick? Is there enough proof?"

  "I can't guarantee anything, but I'll say she will have a tough time proving her innocence. In the meantime, your mother has dropped all charges and, I believe, will be directing all her fury against Lucy."

  His mother finally saw the truth. Too bad she had to lose both her sons as well as the reputation of the business before that happened.

  "So, I'm free to go?" Edward couldn't help clarifying. "I can leave the state?"

  "You can go anywhere you want to go."

  He wanted to shout with elation but managed a very enthusiastic expression of gratitude instead. Once his lawyer hung up, he faced Harv.

  "I'm free!"

  Harv laughed and leaned over the fence to wrap him into a big hug. "I knew things would work out. They always do. So, what—oh, here comes Star."

  They both turned as the van screeched to a halt beside them.

  "Is everyone okay?" Star barked as she rolled down the window. Edward noticed a rifle in her lap. She must have heard the gunshots.

  "My knight in shining armor," Harv said with a grin. "Hi, Beautiful. Everything is good. Did you call the cops?"

  "It was the first thing I did when I heard the gunshot."

  "Good. That Lucy lady was here but she decided to rush off and meet the cops."

  "You didn't shoot out her tires?" Star demanded as though it was a standard procedure.

  "He shot the two front ones," Edward piped up, "But Lucy's unstoppable."

  "She might think she is," Star shot back, "but she won't get far. Harv, come through the fence. I'll give you a ride back to the house."

  "Actually," Edward cut in, "I'd like a ride as well. Or rather, could I be that chauffeur you wanted for Boston?"

  Star stared at him. "I thought you couldn't go?"

  "He got a phone call," Harv offered. "He's now free as a bird."

  Star immediately demanded details and Edward rehearsed to both of them of what happened.

  "Ha, you weren't playing by her rules," Harv said. "That's probably why she came after you again. Sounds like your brother was giving her the adoration she wanted but you refused, which made her want it more from you."

  Star nodded. "Narcissists can be like that. They'll ruin the people that won't give them want they want."

  Edward sighed. "I don't really care what her motivation was. I just never want to see her again."

  Harv grinned. "Well, you might want to see her one last time. Star, let's get you two packed and on the road. He needs to see this Lucy get arrested."

  "You bet," Star said, revving up the engine and speeding to the cottage. Less than ten minutes later, Star had her bags packed and loaded and she and Edward barreled down the dirt road just in time to find flashing lights surrounding Lucy's car.

  "This the trespasser?" one of the cops called to Star.

  Star glanced at Edward and he let his eyes fall on Lucy. She was in total innocent mode, but none of the cops seemed to care.

  "That's her," Edward confirmed to Star. "And there should be a warrant for her arrest."

  Star passed along the information. Lucy continued to insist she had done nothing wrong and she shot a glare at Edward as if it was all his fault. Edward, for the first time in years, grinned with pride. For once, he was glad it was his fault. He hoped she ended up in jail for decades.

  "She's not as pretty as she was on TV," was Star's only remark before turning the conversation to the Dashwoods. Harv had apparently dropped that Edward was in love with Elinor and Star wanted all the details of the romance. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to tell.

  "She may not even like me back," Edward confessed at the end. "I mean, I was focused on making sure she didn't fall for me. She could easily be in love with someone else by now." Harv may have insisted Brandon wasn't interested, but that didn't mean Elinor wasn't interested in Brandon.

  "Elinor has a good head and an empathetic heart. I'm sure if you explain the situation, she'll be open to you."

  That was Edward's hope and he spent the two-hour-long drive formulating a grand speech that would convince Elinor he was serious about her.

  Chapter 27

  Ominous clouds hovered over Boston when Edward entered the city and he couldn't help thinking it might be a bad sign. During the drive, he'd come upon another problem. While he had a speech ready for Elinor, he was still wearing the too-big-clothing he'd borrowed from Star and Harv. Begging for her forgiveness and love while wearing those might remind her that he was also penniless and jobless. Perhaps rushing to her side was a bad idea. He should have focused on regrouping his life before confessing to Elinor.

  But Star scoffed when he brought up the matter. "If she turns up her nose because you're not wearing the latest fashion, then she's no good for you in the first place."

  He sunk lower in the driver's seat, not at all reassured. Nor did it help when the ominous clouds released their pent-up moisture, dumping buckets of rain. Not only was he going to show up in old, baggy clothing, but he was going to be drenched as well.

  "I'm going to drop you off at the entrance," Edward said as he pulled into the hospital's parking lot. "Then you won't get—" Whatever he was going to say died as his eyes fell a very familiar figure standing at the entrance. Despite the pouring rain, he instantly recognized Elinor, talking with someone. It took him a second more to realize she faced Brandon who held out his hand as if expecting her to grab onto it.

  "That's Elinor!" Star called, apparently spotting her as well. She suddenly grabbed the wheel. "Get out and get her."

  "But—"

  "I'll park the car. Go and get your girl! Quick, she's heading inside!"

  Edward obeyed, leaping out of the vehicle. "Elinor!"

  Both Brandon and Elinor turned as if wondering who was the maniac yelling in the rain. Edward didn't care and raced through toward Elinor, waving. But she took two steps back, straight into Brandon's waiting arms.

  "Elinor," Edward couldn't help calling as he neared her, hoping it could wave a magic spell and she'd leap into his arms instead of Brandon's. Instead, it did the opposite. Elinor pressed herself against Brandon, even gripping his shirt as if Edward was a thief about to attack. Her mouth moved as if she was whispering something to Brandon, but then she faced Edward.

  "Edward, go with Brandon—"

  "No." He wasn't going anywhere without Elinor.

  "But, the police—"

  "What about the police?" He looked around, suddenly wondering if Elinor was in trouble. Or did Brandon do something illegal? "Did something happen?"

  "We heard you pleaded guilty," Brandon offered, his voice steady and matter-of-fact as if soothing clinging women happened to him all day.

  "I didn't do that," Edward said.

  "But," Elinor began as if completely confused, "Frank Churchill told Tom—"

  "Whatever was said," Edward cut in, "was incorrect. My brother pleaded guilty, not me."

  "So," she scrunched her eyebrows together like she always did when trying to fix an insurmountable problem, "So you haven't escaped from jail?"

  Where did she get that idea? "No."

  "And you won't be in jail? At all? Ever?"

  The relief in her voice made him smile. "Yes," he said. "I'm free. To do whatever I want."

  Now was the moment for her to spring into his arms. However, she pushed Brandon away and turned away from both of them as if unable to stand the sight of either of them. He had no idea what that meant, but he didn't think it was a good sign. Time for his grand speech.

  "Elinor, I know I treated you badly. And I pushed you away for months. And I have nothing to my name now. And Brandon is far better than me and a whole lot wealthier." He shot a glance at Brandon, but the man seemed unphased as if he had no interest in being involved. Emboldened, Edward took a step toward Elinor who still had her back to him. "But you can't be with him. Please.
Give me a chance. A second one. If you can. Please."

  Elinor hunched over, covering her face as if she had no idea how to handle any of this. Brandon took a step forward, hand outstretched as if going to save her from Edward.

  "Elinor," Edward rushed on, "I—"

  "Just stop," her voice cut through him.

  He froze. So did Brandon. The two stared at Elinor. Edward couldn't believe it. He couldn't have lost already.

  "But—"

  "Just," Elinor began, turning at last toward him. No fear or revulsion was on her face. Instead, it was joy and relief. "Just tell me you love me already."

  His brain stalled. If she wanted him to confess his love, did that mean, she loved him already? He didn't have to convince her? She was already his?

  He broke into a big grin. "That I do." He cupped her face between his hands. "Since the day I walked into your office."

  She seemed confused by the statement so he decided to go for something for concrete: he leaned in and caught her lips with his.

  He wasn't sure how she'd take it, but when she pressed into him, her hands winding into his wet hair, he was pretty sure she was okay with the kiss.

  She pulled away first, though. He searched her eyes, trying to deduce what she was feeling. It was weird to think that the girl he'd been dreaming about for the past three months had likely been doing the same thing back despite his attempts to keep their relationship platonic.

  She suddenly giggled like she was drunk on something, then kissed him, and he had a feeling she was drunk on him. He had no problem with that.

  He pulled her into a tight hug, not caring that his drenched clothing was getting her all wet. She was his. Finally his. And no one was going to hurt her or ruin her just because he was with her.

  "The instant," he breathed into her ear," I knew I was free, you were the first thing I thought of."

  She pulled away to gaze into his eyes. "Really?"

  "Yeah." He drank up her gaze, never wanting her to look away. But the topic of Brandon came up and the two of them realized the man had left.

  "He must have gone back inside," Elinor said.

  "So, you really don't like him?" Edward couldn't help asking.

  She laughed. "He's a good man, but," she paused long enough to kiss him, "he's not you. He's too quiet."

  He raised his eyebrows. "You don't think I'm too quiet?"

  "You have the perfect balance. Not too chatty but can still engage in a conversation. And you like all the things that I do and you're so smart and so patient with my dad and so considerate to ensure my employees would have a good home—"

  "Norland!" He'd nearly forgot. "I got Norland back for you."

  She stared at him. "What?"

  "It's a long story, but it's yours if you want it."

  He expected her to be ecstatic, but she seemed to mull over the news for a moment.

  "Only if you come with it."

  He laughed and pulled her in close. "Only if you come with it, too."

  "You bet," she whispered before their lips caught each other once more time.

  Chapter 28

  Jess was over the moon when the two of them went to meet her the following week at a fancy restaurant in New York City.

  "My only stipulation," she said as she handed them the contracts for Norland, "is that Elinor can't quit being my new artist. You're too good. And it will allow me to keep tabs on my fake ex."

  "As long as he stays mine," was Elinor's reply, snuggling into Edward. He'd explained the whole fake relationship mess before the meeting and Elinor had accepted the situation without complaint.

  "Oh, no competition here," Jess said with a laugh. "He's far too boring for me."

  "Thanks," Edward remarked dryly. "How's George?"

  Jess sighed. "He's no longer in Boston. I'm not sure where he went. But, rest assured, I'll swoop in when I find out."

  Elinor stared at the both of them and Edward explained the little he knew about George, but when he looked at Jess for the rest of the story, she just shook her head. "Only if it has a happy ending; then I'll tell the saga. Now stop fussing about me and go live your own happy ending!"

  They readily agreed and invited her to the wedding, but she declined, stating she didn't want any more gossip to show up about her and Edward. The focus needed to be all on Elinor and him.

  Edward did extend an invitation to Harv and his family and while they were unable to make the wedding, they did allow them to honeymoon free of charge on the farm and was impressed when Edward learned how to gallop on a horse.

  Since Edward was no longer on speaking terms with his family, he didn't bother to invite them to the wedding and only informed them of the happy event a week after it happened. Fanny was the only one to respond and while she did manage to squeak out a stiff congratulations, the rest of the phone call was spent ranting how Elinor's father had regained enough of his mind to revoke her husband's position of power over the Dashwoods.

  "It was never your money, Fanny," Edward cut in her rant. "And you still have Mother's inheritance."

  "But the business is tanking! You must come and fix it! You were always good at that!"

  It was nice knowing Fanny recognized his abilities, but he had no desire to be involved with his family's business anymore. "I have my own business to run. Bye, Fanny," he added when she began to protest and hung up.

  While he had intended for that to be the last communication with his family, Elinor seemed more willing to forgive them, especially when their first child came along. Edward offered the olive branch to his mother and was surprised when she accepted it. Despite her cold attitude, she did shower her new grandson with gifts, and when Robert was released early from jail on good behavior, she even brought him along a few times.

  Lucy, on the other hand, not only was sentenced, but Edward's mother managed to succeed in regaining everything Lucy had accrued while blackmailing both of her sons as well as suing Lucy for everything else she owned, leaving Lucy as penniless as Edward once had been.

  Knowing his mother would hunt Lucy down if she ever dared to get near him, Edward was finally able to relax and enjoy living in the suburbs, working in his dream office, and making Elinor laugh every day.

  THE END

  Author’s Note

  I hope you enjoyed Edward's story. In the original Sense and Sensibility, Edward is often on Elinor's mind but rarely on screen, leaving Elinor (and the readers) to guess as to what he was doing. This gave me a lot of freedom in designing his side of the story.

  Edward's main obstacle is Lucy Steele, but the original trap (which I won't reveal for those who have not yet read it) is no longer as much of a problem as it was in Jane Austen's time. However, I still wanted to capture the feeling of helplessness that Edward suffers through most of the novel until he's finally freed. I believe I managed it, but you'll be the ultimate judge on that.

  If you liked this retelling, please leave a review. You have no idea what a huge help it is to have over a hundred reviews so every review counts.

  Please check out the rest of the series for my other modern retellings of Jane Austen's books or visit my website, keenarichins.com, to learn more, or sign up for my newsletter so you can know the instant the next book comes out!

  Other Books by the Author

  Pemberley Estates Series

  In the world of Pemberley Estates, Jane Austen's characters mingle with each other in a modern setting, helping or hindering depending on their personalities. Check out the rest of the series and see where your favorite character pops up:

  After a stroke that devastates the mind of her father, Elinor expects her life will never be the same. But she wasn't expecting to lose her job and her family home thanks to a legal technicality.

  Facing ruin, Elinor prepares to fight against the selfish, cruel man who would ensure that ruin. However, Edward turns out to be the opposite, a kind soul who only wants to fulfill his duty. So Elinor hatches a new plan: get Edward on her side and uti
lize their own legal technicality. The only problem? Edward would have to go against his very influential and wealthy family.

  Would he risk losing everything—his job, his family, and his massive inheritance—to save Elinor?

  At seventeen, Anne found the love of her life in an ambitious, yet troubled ex-foster boy. However, her wealthy family persuaded her to keep on her path to a prestigious career instead of running away with a boy with no future.

  Eight years later, she finds herself with no career, little money, and a heart still pining for that ex-foster boy. When she accidentally runs into him—now handsome, rich, and working for the prestigious Pemberley Estates Corporation—she discovers he still hasn't forgiven her yet. How in the world is she going to convince him to give her a second chance?

  At nineteen, Rick Wentworth found the love of his life. Or so he thought.

  Dumped because he wasn't good enough for her high-and-mighty family, Rick left, swearing he'd never return. Eight years later, he's an Acquisition Manager for the prestigious Pemberley Estates Corporation, traveling the world and loving his life. Then he accidentally runs into his old love and feelings he thought were long gone come rushing back. But he's determined to resist. She dumped him once; he won't let her the chance to do it again, no matter how badly his heart wants to be hers.