Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice Read Online Free PDF Page A

full and complete life without Rob.
       "There are a couple of new arrivals that might interest you." Leading her to a table in the middle of the store, he handed her an attractively designed trade paperback. "This is a strong first novel. Excellent characterizations, beautiful settings. But you might not like the ending. It's pretty painful."
       The chain of bells at the front door tinkled. Ed turned to greet the new customer.
       Cassie, perusing the cover of the book, recognized Calder's deep voice. Looking up, she acknowledged him with a nod of her head. He made no move to greet her, and she turned back to Ed as she set the book on table. "You know me too well, Ed. I like my coffee with cream and my literature with optimism." There were enough unhappy endings in real life.
       "Fair enough. Have you read this one?"
       "No, although I've heard of the author. She's supposed to be very good. Have you read it yourself?"
       "Not yet, but it's had excellent reviews."
       She could sense Calder moving behind her, inspecting the books on the shelves. Annoyed with herself for being aware of him when he didn't have the common courtesy to say hello, she forced her attention back to the conversation. "I'll give it a try."
       "Tell me what you think of it when you're done. Oh, and here's one other you might like." He pointed to a hardcover book. "I read this one as soon as it came in. It's quite compelling."
       Seeing the name of one of her favorite authors, Cassie picked it up, though the price of hardcovers went beyond her reading budget. "Oh, yes, I loved Embedded in Amber. I didn't know he had another one out."
       "Yes, and this one's at least as good. I think you'd enjoy it."
       Suddenly uncomfortable, she looked up to see Calder's eyes fixed on her in an unreadable look. She stared back at him challengingly, refusing to let him unnerve her. He didn't seem to be interested in the books. Was he bored with life in Woods Hole and killing time? Returning her gaze to the book, she ran her finger along the cover. Blazoned in dark blue letters across a picture of open sky was The Edge of Tomorrow by Stephen R. West.
       Regretfully, she returned it to its place. "I'm going to have to wait for that one to come out in paperback. With a book habit like mine, I can't afford to indulge in hardcovers. I'll just take the other one today."
       As Ed rang up the sale on the old-fashioned cash register, Cassie wondered what Calder was thinking. No doubt he had never thought twice about the price of anything in his life. Well, she was just one of the little people, and she had nothing to prove to him or anyone else.
       She paid for her purchase, said good-bye to Ed, and then turned back to Calder. He held a book in his hand now but was still looking at her with disturbing intensity. She smiled with apparent sweetness at him and said cheekily, "Lovely chatting with you, Calder. We'll have to do this again some time." She made a quick exit, leaving the bells on the door jingling behind her.
       Why did she let Calder disconcert her so much? He might be a fine-looking specimen, but he was a first-class snob with the social skills of a gnat. Why should she care what he thought of her? Perhaps it was because of Rob. Their conversation hadn't predisposed her to want male company, especially the great Calder Westing.
       She stopped at her usual spot on the bridge to look over the harbor and the fleet of small boats anchored there. The view never failed to bring her a sense of peace, something she needed today. She looked to see if the MBL boats were in the harbor, but they were still at sea for the day. Unexpectedly, the intensity of dark eyes staring at her came to her mind, and she shivered. What was wrong with her? She knew better than to look twice at a man like Calder. Attractive men were offlimits. She never wanted to go through what she had with Rob again.
       She shook her head,