****
I sat in our room, more like a small apartment really, reclining on the couch with Charlie. I had no idea where Seb was; he’d wandered off after lunch and said he’d see us later.
I’d waved away Charlie’s apologies for Lady Celia the night before and we were onto other topics.
“So, how is everything? How’s Annie?” Charlie asked.
I sighed. “She’s braver than I think I’d be. She seems to be pleased it happened, like she’s got no prospects now.” I shook my head. “I don’t know. I had such high hopes for Jax, but he seems little more than a puppet for Austin and Cassandra. He honestly seemed like he liked her, but at one word from them...he’s over her.”
“Do you know what they said?”
“No doubt it was the inferiority of her connections,” I scoffed.
Charlie gave a sad smile. “And, she’s really handling it well?”
I nodded, still surprised myself. “Yep. She was pretty down to begin with, but then she seemed to think it was her fault or something. I don’t know. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism?”
“She’s always been hard on herself, blaming herself over others,” Charlie said.
“Yeah, I figured as much. Shame really, she and Jax would have been perfect for each other; they both seem incapable of hate.”
Charlie smiled. “And, what about Liam?”
I laughed. “He’s moved on to Regina something-or-other.”
“Queenie?”
I nodded. “That’s the one.”
“You don’t seem terribly upset.”
I smiled at him. “I’m actually not, surprisingly. I guess I didn’t like him as much as I thought I did.” I shrugged and sipped my coffee. “I will say-”
“Lily! Charles!” Seb’s voice preceded his entrance.
Charlie and I just had time to share a snigger before he entered.
“Look who I found!”
I looked up, my smile dropping as I saw Austin walk in behind Seb. But, my smile was back when I saw Williams behind him. I laughed and jumped up, giving Williams a hug.
Seb invited them to sit. Austin did so in a chair about as far away from anyone as possible, looking sullen and uncomfortable – so not much different to his usual expression, really. Williams, on the other hand, sat next to me on the couch and couldn’t have been more of a gentleman.
“I didn’t know you guys were coming. I guess her being here makes more sense now,” I said, smiling at him.
Williams, likewise, was smiling back at me very pleasantly. “Well, if we’d known you were coming too, we would have given you a lift. How did you get here?”
“Bus, much to Austin’s horror, I’m sure.” I smirked, throwing him a knowing glance.
Williams laughed. “Yes, I can just imagine Austin’s face if he ever had to catch the bus.” We both looked to him. “Yep, I think your face would probably look something like that, mate.” He chuckled and turned to me. “How have you been? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since practice.”
I smiled. “Yeah, good. Busy with that history essay, but otherwise fine.”
“Killed many zombies?”
Even Charlie laughed with us as he said, “I was always convinced that’s what she was doing whenever she told us she was studying.”
“Cheeky.” I smiled at him. “But, yes, I’ve been killing a lot of zombies.”
Williams smiled at me. “That reminds me, you’re coming for dinner, aren’t you?”
“We are, yes. It was very kind of Austin’s aunt to ask us. She did fail to mention you’d be joining us, though?” I turned to Austin as though asking him a question, but found he was studiously staring at Williams.
I watched him for a few moments, wondering what on earth he was thinking, but gave up when his scowl deepened. I turned back to Williams and found him watching me. I started and looked at the time.
“Right, well, as much as I love your company, Williams, I need to get ready for dinner.”
He looked me up and down. “I’m sure you’ll pass Celia’s muster.”
I laughed a little too wildly at that. “I assure you, I won’t. You should have seen me last night-”
“You looked beautiful, Lily,” Charlie said and I heard the chastising tone in his voice. “You even managed not to spill anything down your front.”
I chuckled. “On that we agree. But, no. I need to up my efforts.” I looked pointedly at Seb, who had stayed oddly silent. “I can’t look sloppy in front of dear Lady Celia.”
Seb coloured somewhat, but I had no idea what was going through his head at that point; it could be any number of things. I had the mad urge to say ‘negligee’ again and see him blush.
“Really, I’m sure she’ll think you’re lovely in whatever you wear.”
“I doubt it’s really my clothes that bother her. Besides, if I don’t go and clean myself up, I may as well go to dinner in my negligee.” There, I did it anyway. And Seb coloured terrifically while Charlie hid a smile.
I saw Williams’ eyes flash and he grinned. “We couldn’t have that, could we, Oz?”
I could tell by his tone what he really thought of that idea and I laughed as I turned to Austin, who surprised me by being rather red in the cheeks himself. Austin stood and stretched his neck.
“Somehow, I don’t think Aunt Celia would approve,” he said. “Come on, Williams, let’s leave Lily to get ready.” He looked me in the eye as though with a challenge as he said, “we wouldn’t want her to have to wear her negligee.”
I smiled at him, despite myself. “No, that would be terrible.”
One eyebrow rose and he nodded perfunctorily. “Williams.”
Williams stood and hugged me. “We’ll see you at dinner, Lil. Hopefully, in more than your negligee.”
“See you, then.”
I let them out and turned back to the others. I forgot what I was going to say as I saw Seb’s face; he was bright red and looked like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. I shared a quick glance with Charlie, both hiding laughs, and left to let Seb compose himself.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Austin
Thankfully, she was wearing more than...negligee when we entered the dining room, but that didn’t stop Williams eyeing her like a piece of prime meat.
To be fair, I can’t say I blame him. She stood by the fireplace in an ivory dress that even Fleur would have envied the way it clung to her body in all the right places and flowed where it needed to. She wore tall but elegant nude heels and her hair pooled around her shoulders, the front pulled back with a simple headband that matched her dress. She was stunning, but I did wonder how much of Williams’ stare was born of a deeper emotional attachment.
I had no time to say anything to him, though, as my aunt saw us.
“Hunter! Austin!”
It figured his name was the first out of her mouth.
“Celia.” Williams smiled with devastating charm as he went to kiss her hand.
I didn’t miss the look he threw Lily while Aunt Celia was beckoning me over. Williams went and stood next to Lily as I stepped up to my aunt.
“Your first name’s Hunter?” I heard Lily laugh as she hugged him.
I clenched my jaw, wondering when all this hugging business had started.
“Austin,” I heard Aunt Celia’s reproach before I saw it in her eyes.
I leant down awkwardly and kissed her cheek, and she bade me sit by her.
“How is school, dear?”
“Fine,” I answered, listening to Lily laugh at something Williams had said.
“Just ‘fine’? How is the clash? Your studies?” Aunt Celia’s tone demanded I look at her, but my gaze kept shifting to Lily and Williams.
“It’s all going well.” I rambled some more after that, not sure exactly what I said, but alternately trying not to look at Lily and not being able to stop myself.
I saw Aunt Celia’s face light with the n
ewfound knowledge of something and I silently cursed my wandering eyes. She turned to Lily and Williams.
“Hunter, what are you two talking so animatedly about?” she called.
Lily seemed to choke on her drink for a moment, but Williams gave Aunt Celia his usual charming smile. “Sport, Celia.”
“Of sport? Oh, then do join us in your conversation, for you know sport delights me. If I had ever had time to learn, I should have been a great sportswoman. How is Amanda’s tennis, Austin?”
“She’s playing well, though hasn’t had much time for competition of late,” I replied, holding back the urge to roll my eyes at her; the woman had no talent at sport and quite honestly only ‘loved’ it as much as she did for the social aspect.
“That is good. Remind her for me that one cannot excel without practise.”
“I promise you, she practises as much as she is able.”
“Good, good. One cannot practise these things too much. I shall email her and remind her myself,” Aunt Celia prattled. “I discussed the merit of practise with Lily and Charles last night. I even suggested that Charles could join some kind of club while Sebastian’s at the country club. Charles shouldn’t be in the way at one of those places.”
I turned away so she wouldn’t see the annoyance on my face while she kept talking.
When I finally turned back, I saw Williams and Lily had moved down to the pool table and Lily was leaning over the table trying to reach a ball with her cue. Williams said something to her with his charming grin on his face and she laughed.
I couldn’t take any more. I wasn’t going to sit by and watch as Williams wormed his way into Lily’s heart or bed. I stood up abruptly, interrupting whatever Aunt Celia was talking about now.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
I walked to the other end of the room.
“Why, yes, Hunter,” Lily giggled, “I have played this game before. I know I’m terrible at sport, but- Austin, have you come to frown at me while I pot any balls but my own? I tell you now, I’m too stubborn to be frightened by you.”
“I have known you long enough to know you enjoy giving opinions not your own,” I replied sardonically.
“Hear that, Hunter?” Lily asked, turning to him while still leaning across the table. “Austin may well be encouraging you not to believe a word I say! How unlucky I am to meet someone who knows me so well. Although, two can play at that game, Oz, I’m sure I could tell Hunter here a few things about you.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” I smiled.
“Go on then, Lil.” Williams grinned at me.
“Do you know, the first time I met him...and prepare yourself for something terrible here. Do you know he was terribly rude about my lack of hired help? All this after I found his lost backpack. And, he didn’t even offer to carry my suitcase!”
I watched her watching for my reaction. I nodded, conceding. “I didn’t know you at the time, Lily. I was merely surprised you had a suitcase with you in the library.”
“Oh, no. School is hardly a place to meet new people and be polite.” She grinned. “Hunter, where’s the best place to take this from?”
“You took me off guard and I’m sorry to say I’m not very good with strangers,” I said.
“Why do you think that is, Hunter? With all his breeding and social obligations, but still unable to interact with strangers?”
Williams smiled. “Because he’s never really tried.”
“On the contrary, Williams. Unlike some people, I merely lack the ability of conversing easily with people I’ve never spoken to before. I’ve never been good at reading people to manage conversation which would appeal to them.”
Lily looked down at the pool table. “I’ve never been so good at...sports like others. I don’t run as fast, jump as high, kick as strongly, hell I can’t even aim this damn stick like others. But, I have always considered that my own fault for not practising, rather than my body is not as capable as someone else’s.”
I smiled. “True. You’ve spent your time doing other important things. No one who knows you could ever find you wanting. Neither of us perform for strangers.”
Aunt Celia came over and watched Lily and Williams play for a while.
“Lily seems to have an air of being able to play well if she practised more. Fleur is quite good at snooker, is she not, Austin? I’m sure she would be, had she the time.”
I saw Lily watching me as I answered Aunt Celia, annoyance barely concealed from my tone. I knew my face was stony; every time Aunt Celia gushed about Fleur, I just shut down. I just couldn’t bear to give Aunt Celia any ammunition to throw Fleur and me together. I wasn’t going to outright tell her there was no chance in hell for me and Fleur, but neither was I going to give her any evidence there would be.
Aunt Celia rambled on about Fleur and Lily, and comparing everyone’s sporting ability for the rest of the evening. Sebastian and Aunt Celia sat next to the pool table while Charlie and I joined Lily and Williams’ next game.
“Shall we play doubles, Oz? You and Charlie against me and Lil?” Williams asked.
“Go on, then.” I looked to Charlie, who nodded slightly uncertainly.
“I’m not very good...” Charlie said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Lily laughed. “No, but then, neither am I.”
“It’s practise, Lily,” Aunt Celia called out.
Williams and I exchanged a wry glance where she couldn’t see us.
“No worries, Lil,” Williams said, going to stand next to her. “I’ll help you. Shall we break?”
I nodded at him, chalking my cue.
“Here, Lil.” Williams put the cue in her hands, stood behind her and helped manoeuvre her into the right pose.
I watched him with his damned hands all over her as he showed her how to take the shot, talking her through it. I gripped the cue in my hands tightly, my knuckles going white. Lily laughed at something Williams said and I felt Charlie nudge me.
“You all right?” he asked.
I’d never really spoken to him while he was at school, but he seemed like a nice guy. I pulled my eyes from Williams’ hand on Lily’s waist and turned to him.
“Fine, fine. Just knowing we’ll have to work hard. Williams is good at this.”
Charlie nodded towards the other two. “He might be pretty distracted.”
I felt my jaw clench and I went to take my turn, which I annoyingly missed.
“Austin, dear, I thought you were good at this?” Aunt Celia called.
“Haven’t played in a while,” I lied, trying to smile at her politely.
Williams potted two balls on his turn and Charlie managed to move the balls around to make things easier for the others. When it was Lily’s turn again, Williams took up position behind her as she smiled back at him.
“Hunter, it’s very good of you to help, poor Lily,” Aunt Celia said.
“Yes, indeed, Hunter,” Sebastian agreed and I rolled my eyes; the guy was such a suck-up.
Williams beamed up at Aunt Celia with that annoyingly charming smile. “Oh, I’m very helpful, Celia. Always thinking of those less fortunate than me.”
He gave me a small wink and I forced myself to grin back at him. I knew exactly why he was doing it; Williams was doing what Williams did best and using every opportunity to cop a feel of a female form.
And, he totally knew how I felt about that particular female form.
Not that it matters, I reminded myself. As far as Williams is concerned, I’m still not going to do anything about it.
Williams and Lily beat us since I was too distracted by his hands on her to do enough to counteract Charlie’s terrible play. Then, dinner was served and Aunt Celia forced Lily to sit between me and Charlie.
“We’ll have to swap teams after dinner, Oz,” Williams said, grinning at me.
I poured myself more wine, then saw Lily’s glass was empty. I held the bottle to her in question.
“Yes, thanks.” She smiled and I saw her shoot an exasperated glance at Sebastian.
I tried to hide a smile as I poured it for her.
“What?” she asked, taking a sip.
“We don’t always choose our family,” I replied.
She looked to Sebastian where he was yammering away in Aunt Celia’s ear, then looked to me and nodded, her face now grim. “That is sadly too true. I guess we can only do the best with what we’ve been given and love them anyway.”
I felt there was more to what she was saying and I was pretty sure it was directed at me, but I didn’t have time to puzzle out her meaning.
“Come on then, Charlie, let’s show Oz and Lily who the reigning champs are,” Williams said, grinning.
Charlie stood. He still looked kind of hesitant and shy, but he nodded and high-fived Williams as they walked back to the pool table.
Lily drained her glass. “Right, you’re going to need to be better than you were last game,” she said, “otherwise, we have no hope!”
“I wouldn’t dream of letting you down,” was already out of my mouth before my brain knew what I was saying.
She looked at me oddly. “All right, then.”
Charlie broke and, between him and Lily, the set up was a right mess when Williams stepped up. When it was Lily’s turn again, it wasn’t much better and she looked a little confused.
“Austin, help your teammate,” Aunt Celia chastised.
I wondered if Aunt Celia had any idea what was actually involved in helping your teammate in pool – namely putting your hands all over them, which I didn’t want to be doing in front of my aunt – or whether she was just that oblivious.
I looked to Lily and she nodded slightly, so I stepped up behind her and helped her line up a shot.
“Sorry about this,” I said in her ear, trying to ignore the feel of her body under mine and between my arms.
“Seriously? Austin, you have a woman’s body up against you; just own it,” she laughed.
She leant over further and her butt pushed back into me. I looked up at Williams, who winked at me, and couldn’t help but grin at him. I was tempted to pull away from her so she didn’t feel the effect she had on me, but I didn’t; my mind was whirling with an idea and me pulling away from her was not going to help me if I went ahead with any of it.
Netherfield Prep (Austen Reimagined: P&P #1) Page 19