What Would Lizzy Bennet Do? Read Online Free PDF Page A

screen?’
    ‘I didn’t think it was worthy of mention,’ she said, and lifted her brow. ‘We didn’t speak; he was studying a script. And he looked exactly like Mr Wickham, in his breeches and boots and regimentals. And yes, he’s very handsome.’ She frowned. ‘Wasn’t he engaged to that department store heiress last year? The blonde one, what was her name…?’
    ‘Holly James.’ Charlotte retrieved her
Hello!
magazine and began flicking once again through the pages. ‘Yes, they were engaged for about ten minutes. I often wonder why they broke up after only a week. I bet there’s a story there.’
    ‘Who knows?’ Lizzy said, and shrugged. ‘Actors are odd ducks. From what I’ve heard, Ciaran is the perfect choice to play Mr Wickham. He’s a player, and
not
just onstage.’
    ‘Well, of course he is,’ Charli said, and smirked. ‘I wouldn’t mind playing with him.’
    Lizzy frowned. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. He’s far too old for you, and he has a very bad reputation. Besides, he wouldn’t give you a second glance, not with Cara Winslow and all those other pretty actresses in his orbit.’
    Charlotte narrowed her eyes. ‘I bet he would. I bet he’d give me a second glance, and perhaps even a third.’
    ‘Well, you won’t be finding out,’ Lizzy retorted, ‘at least, not today. We’re all going to the circus.’
    ‘What fun,’ Emma said, deadpan.
    ‘It
will
be fun.’ Lizzy, her mind made up that she and her sisters were going to the circus, glanced at Emma. ‘We can all go, you and me and Charli, and spend the day together. It’ll be like old times.’
    Like it was before their mother died, she meant. When they used to do things together as a family.
    ‘Sorry, but I’m going out to lunch with Harry later,’ Emma said, not sorry at all. ‘Which reminds me – I need to start getting ready.’ She picked up her tea and newspapers and departed without another word.
    ‘Cow,’ Lizzy said, but without much feeling, and glanced at her sister. ‘What about you, Charli? You and I can still go, make a day of it. Stuff our faces with chips and Chupa Chups.’
    Charlotte laid her magazine aside with a sigh. ‘I suppose we could. I don’t much like the circus, but I can’t bear the thought of sitting here like a saddo all day.’
    The two girls got dressed and left a note on the kitchen table for Mr Bennet to say they’d borrowed his Mini, and drove themselves into the bustling seaside town of Torquay to spend their day at the circus.
    ***
    It was late afternoon when Lizzy and Charlotte, sunburnt and feeling faintly nauseated from too much sugar and not nearly enough sun cream, returned home with peeling noses and aching feet. The stuffed giraffe and hedgehog they’d won were tossed on the back seat, and their faces were sheened with perspiration.
    ‘I’m going upstairs to have a lie down,’ Charli said. ‘I feel awful.’ She eyed Lizzy in pity. ‘Ugh! You’re as pink as a lobster.’
    Lizzy groaned. Why did she never remember to wear a sunhat?
    ‘Had fun, did you?’ Mr Bennet asked as he glided up on his bicycle and dismounted.
    ‘We did. And don’t tell me you’ve been out riding this entire time,’ Lizzy said in surprise.
    ‘No. I rode over to say hello to Araminta Hornsby. And to take her some scones I made this morning.’
    Poor woman
. ‘And who is Araminta Hornsby?’ she asked, curious. ‘I’ve never heard you mention her.’ She fell into step beside him as he headed for the front steps.
    ‘She’s the new church organist. She has a real flair with those foot pedals and stops.’
    ‘Elizabeth!’
    She turned around, startled. Only one person ever called her Elizabeth.
    ‘Hugh,’ she breathed, and stood rooted to the spot as he approached.

Chapter 5
    Hugh Darcy wore khaki trousers and a white polo shirt, and his feet were thrust into a pair of dock shoes. He was alone.
    ‘I apologise for my appearance,’ he said, almost as though he’d read her thoughts. His