Page 12 of Without Pride and Prejudice

“I would never, madam,” Kingston said, as dignified as possible.

“You know I’m just teasing you.” I would tell him to quit calling memadam, but I knew he would refuse.

“Yes, Miss Monroe. You arrived safely, then.”

“I forgot to text you. I’m so sorry. Yes, I’m here with His Grace.” I winked at Fitz, who didn’t look amused at all. He hated it when I was so formal with him. Although he hadn’t made good on his threat of never speaking to me again if I called himYour Grace.

“Very good, madam. That was the reason for my call. You weren’t answering your phone, and I wanted to make sure all was well.”

“You are the sweetest. I love you.”

Fitz threw me a scathing glance. “Is that all, Kingston?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I mean Alastair, sir.”

“Don’t go yet,” I interjected quickly. “You need to tell me if you heard Fitz practice his lines. Does he make a good Darcy?” I giggled.

“I wouldn’t know, madam,” he stammered.

“That’s too bad. Well, I’ll let you know how he did when the week is over. I’m going to extend my stay so I can come to Blackhaven. I can’t wait to see you.”

“I look forward to it, Miss Monroe.”

“That will do. Goodbye, Kingston.” Fitz hung up on him unceremoniously.

“Why did you do that?” I complained. “I didn’t get to say goodbye.”

Fitz whipped his head my way, taking his eyes off the road for the briefest moment. “Are you in love with Kingston?”

“What? No,” I laughed. “Why would you think that?”

“You just saidI love you,and you talk to each other more than is necessary.”

I tilted my head. “More than is necessary?”

“You know what I mean,” he said, flustered, so unlike his usual dignified demeanor.

“Clearly, I don’t.” I could hardly keep from snickering. I’d never seen Fitz like this. It was almost as if he were jealous, but that couldn’t be the case.

“It’s just not proper. He’s my estate manager and you’re my best mate. Not to mention, he’s too old for you.”

I broke out into fits of giggles, so much that I could hardly say, “Not proper? Why? Because I’m American and he’s British? And I don’t think a ten-year age gap is enough to raise any eyebrows.”

“This isn’t funny.”

“Actually, it is.” I got my snickering under control. “But there’s no need to worry. I don’t have any designs on Kingston. Besides, Anna loves Kingston, and he loves her.”

Fitz’s eyes widened incredulously. “That’s impossible. He’s twelve years older than Anna, and he’s ... well ...”

“He’s not of Anna’s station,” I stated what he was reluctant to say. Fitz, while proud, wasn’t a snob, as evidenced by the fact he encouraged his estate manager to call him by his given name. You wouldn’t find one employee of the estate who would say a negative thing about him. And it wasn’t because they were afraidof losing their positions—they genuinely thought him to be a good man. And he was, albeit a tad grumpy.

“It would be complicated,” was all he would offer. “But it doesn’t matter, because those feelings don’t exist between them.” His grip on the steering wheel told a different story than his lips.

I shrugged, knowing I was right, but seeing no need to argue about it—Anna was reluctant to admit her feelings, and Kingston would feel it a disgrace to do so. It was a sad situation. I’d offered to help move things along, but Anna had begged me not to. Probably because she knew of my terrible track record when it came to assisting people. Yet the longing I’d witnessed between the two was heart-achingly beautiful. I wasn’t sure a man had ever gazed as adoringly at me as Kingston looked at Anna. There had to be something I could do—perhaps if I got Fitz to give his blessing, it would help. I’d try to work on it this week, but first, I needed his opinion on my costumes.

I unbuckled my seat belt. “I want to try my costumes on for you while it’s still dark outside.”

Fitz startled, alarmed. “Put your seat belt back on. It’s not safe.”

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