Austen Box Set

by Hart, Staci

  A tight laugh fought its way out of my narrowing throat. “I’m not mad. I’m gutted.” I ran a hand over my mouth. “I don’t even know what happened to me, how I got here, how I came to care so much, so fast. But here I am.” I spread my arms in display. “Welcome to hell.”

  “Greg…” Cam started, concerned.

  I took a breath. Let it out. Straightened my face.

  My heart did what it wanted.

  “I’m fine. Really. I’ll be fine,” I insisted, pushing the line we all knew was bullshit. “Seriously, stop looking at me like that. I just…I just need a minute after spending an entire day thinking about how upset she is and how much I hurt her.”

  They didn’t look like they were buying it, but Cam sighed. “All right. We’re around, if you want to talk about it.”

  “Thanks, Cam, but there’s nothing left to say. And Rose, thanks for the tickets and for helping to get Annie behind the piano. You should have seen her face.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. “I’ll be in the cage if you need me. We got that whiskey shipment in today.”

  “Sure, okay,” she answered, touching Rose’s arm.

  And then I was alone once again with nothing but my regrets to keep me company.

  All That Glitters

  Annie

  “Okay, open your eyes.”

  I did as I’d been told, drawing in a breath of surprise when I saw myself in my bedroom mirror.

  The makeup artist stood at my side, smiling as she watched my reaction, my eyes roaming my face and hair in wonder.

  “I can’t believe that’s me.”

  I turned my head side to side, inspecting my hair, which was piled in romantic curls on my head. A gold velvet ribbon wound around my crown twice at intervals, weaving in and out of my hair in a Grecian fashion. The fascinator was pinned just above my ear, a beaded pair of leaves over a frame of creamy feather tips. And my makeup, though simple and natural, changed my face somehow, opened my eyes up, made them brighter, brought color to my cheeks and lips.

  It was miraculous.

  “Like it?” she asked eagerly.

  “I love it,” I breathed. My eyes moved lower to the angry, welted scar between my breasts, which were pinned and swelling from the confines of the bodice of my dress.

  I ran my finger over the scar, wishing I had the porcelain décolletage of the movies.

  “Did you want me to cover that up?” she asked. “I have some stage makeup that covers up tattoos and scars.”

  But I smiled. “No, that’s all right. It’s just as much a part of me as anything else.”

  The doorbell rang, sending the dogs on their tear through the house. I stood, gathering my skirts and hurrying out of the room as best I could, nearly falling over when I saw Will just inside the door.

  He was utterly gorgeous—from top hat to riding boots and everywhere in between.

  But my heart swung back when it remembered the pain he’d caused, swinging even further away when I wished for a fleeting moment that it were Greg standing in the entry in a cravat and tails, smiling at me like I was the center of the universe.

  Will doffed his hat and bowed as I approached. “Why, Annie, you look lovely tonight and all nights.”

  I curtsied, lowering my eyes and composing my thoughts as Susan wrangled the dogs away.

  He replaced his hat and took my gloved hands in his, pulling me close enough to speak in a hush, “I’m sorry, Annie. I…I am a jealous man, and that jealousy drives me to say things I shouldn’t. I’m sorry I was harsh. I’m sorry I hurt you. Am I forgiven?”

  I smiled, but the gesture was thin. I’d not yet healed from the lashing, but the bandage was a beautiful effort. With some time, I hoped we could put it behind us. But if his habit of flying off the handle was any indicator, it would only be a matter of time before we found ourselves there again.

  For now, I would have faith.

  “Of course I forgive you,” I answered as his thumb stroked my hand through my satin glove.

  And with that liberation, he brought my hand to his lips.

  Mama was at my side, and Susan approached, red-faced and smiling as she brushed an errant hair from her face. “Will Bailey! How is your mother? Well, I hope.”

  “She is. Thank you, Mrs. Jennings. Though I’ve barely seen her; she’s working on a charity ball for next month that has had all of her attention.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. It’s stunning every year, and the amount of work—oh!” she breathed, glancing behind me.

  I turned to find Elle entering the room, blushing prettily, her skin like a dish of cream against the deep teal of her dress.

  Mama’s eyes were teary. “Oh, Elle, you look radiant.”

  And she really did. Between the shine of her dress and the flush in her cheeks, she was practically glowing.

  “Thank you,” she said, looking down.

  It almost made me feel bad for the surprise I was going to spring on her at the mixer.

  Susan looked us all over proudly. “You all look wonderful. These costumes are simply amazing. Here, let me take your picture.” She opened her hand for my camera, which was nearly the sole content of my small handbag.

  We posed for a few photos before Will offered his arm. “We should be going.”

  “Yes, of course,” Mama said.

  I bent to kiss her cheek before taking Will’s offering.

  And then we were off.

  The chatter in the car was excited and buzzing, the three of us laughing and happy and subject to the magic of the evening.

  But when I walked in the door of the bar, that magic was sucked out of me in a whoosh and replaced with something far more real.

  I saw Greg behind the bar the second I passed the threshold, my feet still moving as I walked at Will’s side, my hand in the bend of his elbow.

  But when my eyes met Greg’s across the room, the room stilled, quieted, disappeared, the thread between us tightening with my lungs.

  He stood tall, the overhead lights casting his eyes in shadows from the line of his gathered brows and highlighting the hard edge of his jaw. A cravat of crisp white linen was wrapped around the column of his neck and tied in a loose knot at the place where I knew I’d find the hollow of his throat, if I’d been able to slip my fingers into the tie and unfurl it. The dark coat over his vest was tailored to perfection, the shoulders straight and marking the broad expanse of his frame, the tapering to his waist with buttons that served, in my mind, only to accentuate that lovely angle of his body.

  But it was his eyes, dark and shrouded, that held everything in me still, commanding me without the need for a single word.

  A tug of my hand snapped the connection.

  Will smiled at me as if he’d asked me something.

  “What was that?” I muttered.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  I smiled back. “Just water, thank you.”

  He patted my hand before letting it go. “I’ll be back.”

  I chanced a look back at Greg. He hadn’t moved, but somehow, everything about him was harder, more insistent, more desperate.

  Elle took my arm. “Where do you have to be?”

  I glanced around, finding the table a little in from the bar. “Right over here. I’m running the register on the Book and Booze special all night. Think you’ll be all right?”

  “I’m sure I can manage,” she answered with a smile.

  And when I scanned the crowd and saw Ward, I smiled back. “I bet you can. Look.”

  I nodded in his direction, and she gasped.

  “Annie, oh my God.” Her voice was low and frantic. “What did you do?”

  I shrugged. “Oh, I didn’t tell you I invited him? Hmm, I swear I mentioned it.”

  “No, you most certainly did not mention it.”

  “I just figured he’s single too. I mean, technically, it is singles’ night.”

  Her blush was so furiously pretty, I could barely stand it, and neither could Ward, it seemed. He
waved and began making his way over.

  Her arm tightened in mine, her voice low. “Oh my God, oh my God.”

  “What is the matter with you? He’s a friend, isn’t he?”

  She leveled me with her gaze. “He is my boss.”

  I shrugged again. “You’re not allowed to talk to your boss outside of work?”

  “No, it’s not that. I just—” She froze, her eyes darting away.

  “Good evening, ladies.” Ward’s voice was deep and velvety, his smile a little crooked as he bowed. He wore a lovely Regency suit, perfectly accurate, even down to the cravat.

  Really, it was the most brilliant dream realized—a room full of masculine necktie porn.

  “That costume is perfect, Ward. Where did you get it?” I asked.

  “My mother knows of a rental place she’s used for parties before. Thanks for the invitation by the way. This is spectacular,” he said, glancing around.

  It really was. Cam had gone a little extra, stringing hanging lights covered by small paper lanterns across the open space. Candelabras dotted the room on available surfaces, lit with electric candles. She’d even had dance cards made, which were sitting on the table where I was supposed to already be.

  “Well, I need to go clock in and get to work. Ward, will you keep my sister company for me? I’d hate for her to stand here in that dress all alone.”

  His smile widened. “Oh, I don’t think such a thing could ever happen, especially not in a dress like this.”

  She blushed so hard, I thought she might faint from a rush of blood to her head.

  I laughed. “I’ll be back in a bit. Have fun!” I called as I headed to the back.

  Greg’s eyes were on me—I could feel them like a tether—but I kept my chin up and my feet moving, clocking in once in the office and collecting the iPad and credit card reader before making my way back out.

  The table at the front was marked with little signs, dance cards, name tags, that sort of thing. Jett sat after, looking dapper as hell and as natural as an Austen hero. His hair was raven, his eyes the color of cornflower, rich and velvety blue, shoulders wide and nose elegant. He was checking IDs and issuing wristbands, taking down drink and book combinations for the Books and Booze deal. Ruby was in charge of pulling the books and drinks once they were purchased, and I was set to take orders from suitors and ladies alike.

  Will was at my elbow a moment after I sat down, and he set a tall glass next to me.

  “Thank you,” I said and took a sip, nearly choking when it hit the back of my throat. I looked at the glass as if it contained poison. “This is not water.”

  He bent to bring his lips to my ear. “It’s vodka and water.”

  Panic rose in my chest. “I can’t drink this!” I hissed. “I’ve never—”

  “I know,” he soothed. “Another first. And here’s to many more.”

  He clinked his own rocks glass to mine and took a sip. I didn’t.

  “Will, I’m working. This is wrong.”

  At that, he knelt next to my chair, putting him just below my eye-level, his gaze turned up to mine, handsome and persuasive. “It’s just one drink, and it’s a tall. No one will know, and you won’t get drunk. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of you.”

  I didn’t want to be a baby, and I didn’t want to tell him no. I wanted to be the cool girl, the easygoing, anything-goes girl. And I didn’t want to fight with Will anymore.

  So I sighed and said something I would later come to regret very deeply.

  “All right. Just one.”

  Anywhere But Here

  Greg

  For some reason, I kept expecting things to get easier.

  I wasn’t exactly sure why—they’d been on a steady decline for several days, longer, if I were being honest with myself. And over the course of three hours, they kept speeding downhill.

  Seeing Annie walk through the door left me first breathless, then seething. The sight of her at the table in my line of vision was the sweetest torture; sweet because it was her, and she was dazzling in that dress, torture because the smile she wore had nothing to do with me. It was for the bastard at her elbow. And he didn’t leave her side for any longer than he had to.

  I wouldn’t have either, had I been him.

  The night moved on as time did, with no care for the ache in my chest or the anger buried in its center. It was nearing eleven, the bar packed to the seams with people in costumes. They had really shown up for the occasion, most of them dressed in stunning gowns and finery. Of course, Cam threw a couple of legendary regency costume parties—among a host of other costume parties and singles’ nights—every year, so people committed to springing for the good stuff.

  I’d bought my own costume, as had most everyone at the bookstore. Before the first historical party, Cam had even given cravat-tying lessons. I’d laughed about it at the time, but—no lie—once I had seen how the girls at the bar reacted to that strip of linen around my neck, I’d found myself fully on board.

  Cam had only said I told you so once.

  But that night, Annie was set apart from everyone else in the room. I could imagine her in a ballroom long ago, her face lit by candlelight, her gloved hand in the hook of my elbow.

  I could imagine her anywhere but here, with him. That reality was the one thing I couldn’t find a way to suffer.

  Fortunately, we were busy, and keeping a wall of people between us seemed to be my only defense. I was flanked by Beau and Harrison, each in their own costumes, the three of us like veritable gentlemen, if it weren’t for our filthy mouths. Though we always found ourselves speaking a little more eloquently in cravats and collars.

  I tossed a coaster down, offering my bartender smile as one customer moved, and another stepped forward. But the smile spread genuinely when I saw that it was Elle.

  “Good evening, Miss Daschle,” I said. “Might I offer you something to drink?”

  She laughed. “Thanks, but no. I was actually about to leave, but I wanted to swing by to see you first.” Her face grew curious and sincere. “How are you?”

  I drew in a breath and kept my smile fixed. “Fine.”

  “Because Annie isn’t.”

  “Are you sure of that? She seems like she’s doing just great.”

  “Well, looks can be deceiving. She told me what happened.”

  With nothing left to deny, I gave up the fight. “I don’t know, Elle. I’m not sure what to do.”

  “You’re angry with her, I know, but—”

  “I’m not angry. Not with her. I’m hurt, but not by her. The entire thing is my own doing.”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “I don’t much either.” I sighed. “Annie didn’t do anything wrong, and it’s not her fault she’s ended up in the position she’s in. I knew better than to get close to her, but…well, I couldn’t help myself. You know, I think I knew from the very first moment I saw her that it would all end in tears,” I said with futility. “And now, she’s with him, and that’s what it is.”

  Elle’s eyes were heavy with sadness that weighed down the corners of her lips in a frown. “You won’t talk to her at all?”

  I shook my head. “I can’t trust I’ll keep my feelings to myself anymore. Not now that she knows. I can’t pretend anymore, Elle.”

  At that, she nodded with understanding behind her eyes and reached for my hand where it rested on the bar. “I suppose that’s fair. And I hope it gets easier, Greg. For both of you.”

  “So do I.”

  We said our goodbyes, and with a parting squeeze of my hand, she turned and walked away.

  I blew out a breath and took the next drink order, and within a couple of customers, I had compartmentalized as best I could.

  Until I tossed a coaster that read All is fair in love and war and looked up to find Will in front of me.

  He looked ridiculous in a fucking top hat, his smile smug and eyes cruel. And I wondered just how the hell he’d landed a girl like Annie. />
  I reminded myself that he was a spectacular liar—that was how—which didn’t make me feel better.

  “Tall Grey Goose and water,” he instructed curtly.

  I said nothing, just reached for a glass and scooped ice in.

  He half-turned, looking back at Annie. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  I set the glass on the bar and turned for the vodka.

  “That dress was practically made for her. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll see it in a heap on my floor tonight.”

  Hot coals burned in my belly, the steam climbing up my throat. I poured the vodka. “Maybe, if you keep talking, I’ll see you in a heap on the sidewalk.”

  Will laughed. “I told you not to get in my way. I told you not to give me a reason to twist the knife. But you didn’t listen. Can’t say I’m all that surprised.” He picked up the coaster and held it up in display. “How appropriate.”

  I picked up the soda gun with a hand shaking with desire to grab him by the throat, unfulfilled with the task of topping the glass off with water.

  Will Bailey was not worth losing my job over.

  “She made her choice,” he said when I didn’t respond.

  “Yes, she did.” I set the drink in front of him.

  “Put it on my tab.” He picked up the drink before stepping back, that horrible smile of his hitting me like a spear in the breastbone.

  He disappeared, and the next person moved into his place to order a drink, so I accommodated them, all while attempting to calm myself down with little luck.

  What I needed was to leave, but there was nowhere to go. I was caught in a cage of mahogany and overhead lights, a spotlight on my discomfort, lighting me up for the whole world to see.

  A moment later, the crowd opened up, and I saw Annie sitting at the table, her lips smiling at Will and her gloved hand around her drink.

  The drink I’d just poured.

  The nuclear explosion that went off between my ears was deafening.

  I turned on my heel and flew out from behind the bar, weaving through the crowd toward her, stopping only once I reached the table.

  Shock registered on her face when I snatched the drink from her hands and smelled it.