Prude & Prejudice Read online

  “I told you before, Louisa, that night in Paris was just a one off thing. I was feeling lonely after Val left and it should never have happened.”

  “Come on, William, it’s been a year since Val broke off the engagement. You need to start living again.”

  “I will when the time is right and the right woman comes along.”

  “Okay then, it’s you’re loss. You can retire to your lonely bed and dream about Prudence Higginbottom and her fine pair of ….eyes.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  There was the sound of chairs scrapping along the floor and someone took the stairs from the kitchen to the first floor, while someone else walked towards the door. Prudence hurried down the hallway and back into the living room. She was just in time too because William Darling was not far behind her.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d come back,” he said.

  “I’m just clearing up. I won’t take long.” Her mind was in turmoil and she did not know what to think. What did he mean when he said she had made some interesting comments about immigration, and why did he seem so surprised when her mother had mentioned his grassroots movement? And what about what she had found out on the internet about his cheating ways? He certainly did not sound like someone who slept around and used women. None of it made any sense and she was beginning to wonder if she had misjudged him.

  “Take your time. How’s your mother?”

  “We got her home and into bed safely. She’ll have a bit of a hangover when she wakes up, but she’ll be fine.”

  “She has some strong opinions, and from some of the things you’ve said, I take it you share them.”

  “I don’t share my mother’s opinions at all, but lately I’ve discovered that even I can become intolerant and prejudiced when I feel like things are changing too fast. It’s helped me understand why people have such strong reactions.” She smiled sheepishly.

  “I guess we’ve all got prejudices, no matter how hard we try to conquer them. Anyway, I’d better get some sleep. I’ll see you later.” He gave her a smile and then turned away, and Prue was left feeling more confused than ever. Was he referring to his own racial intolerance when he said everyone had prejudices? Was this an indication that he was starting to reconsider his views? She’d been on the verge of asking him about what she had overheard when he’d cut the conversation short, and now she might never find out. One thing she did know for certain; William Darling was far less objectionable than she had originally thought him to be.

  ****

  The next morning it was Adelaide Higginbottom’s turn to face up to her embarrassing drunken behaviour from the night before. Prue had not finished cleaning up at Charles Bradley’s house until well after three and she had spent the night at her parents. She was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee with Mary and their father when her mother came down the stairs with her hand shielding her eyes from the morning light.

  “My God, what happened to me last night? I think someone spiked my drink.”

  “That’s what you said when you got drunk at the Whitley’s sixtieth wedding anniversary and fell onto the cake,” said their father.

  “What?” exclaimed Mary and Prue at the same time.

  “Alright, that’s enough. I can’t really remember much about last night, but I hope the damage wasn’t too severe.”

  “I think we can safely assume that our business relations with Organic Feasts are herewith terminated. Oh, and Cate’s romance with Charles Bradley is over before it even started, but apart from that everything is dandy.” Mrs Higginbottom sank into a chair and closed her eyes.

  “Was I really that bad?”

  “Worse. You drunkenly proclaimed your opinions for all to hear on immigration and then added your views on gay marriage for good measure. You basically made a complete spectacle of yourself.” Her mother groaned softy, and although Prue remembered what a hard time she had given her so recently over her own drunk outburst, she could not help feeling sorry for her.

  “Don’t worry too much about it, Mum, people will forget soon enough. I should know. We’ll survive without their contract with all these new people in town, and if Charles Bradley is going to be turned off by this then Cate deserves better than him. Can I fix you something for breakfast? You’ll feel better.”

  Her mother looked up in surprise. “Aren’t you going to give me a lecture about my intolerance and racism?”

  “Would it make any difference?”

  “Probably not. I’m really not a bad person, Prue. I just don’t like the way things are changing so fast. When I go into the city sometimes I cannot even see a white face in the crowd, and that scares me.”

  “I know, Mum. I once thought that opinions like yours came from hatred, but now I realize that it’s mostly fear. I just wish you would try to keep an open mind because there are people out there who exploit your fears to create real hatred and violence. Dad’s right, the whole of human history is the history of immigration. That’s not going to change now, especially with technology breaking down borders so fast. I think you need to judge people for themselves, not their race, and accept the fact that no one owns this country or any other country just because they happened to be born in it. There’s more than enough to go around in this world and the real crime is that some countries have so little that people are forced to leave so their children can have a decent quality of life. I wish that’s what people would get angry about.”

  Her mother sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I’m just getting too old. It’s easier for you young people to adapt to all these changes and understand what’s going on.” To Prue’s surprise she reached across and took her hand. “I think I was far too harsh on you when you had that little episode at the pub. I’m sorry, Prue, I should have been more supportive. You girls are adults now and you’re going to make mistakes, but it’s not my place to judge you. From now on I’ll try and remember that and be less critical.” Prue was stunned to the core. Never in her life had her mother apologized to her or admitted she was wrong.

  “Wow, Mum, I don’t know what to say. Maybe you should get drunk more often if this is what it does to you. Now, what can I get you for breakfast?”

  Prue made a full English breakfast for her parents and sister, and they lingered over it as they shared the Sunday papers. They had just finished eating when the phone rang and Mary answered it.

  “It’s Cate.”

  “Tell her I’m asleep,” said Mrs Higginbottom. “I can’t face her just yet.”

  “She wants to talk to Prue.”

  “How are you feeling?” asked Prue when she picked up the phone. “What? Today, are you serious?”

  “What is it?” demanded their mother as soon as she got off the phone.

  “Cate just got a call from Charles Bradley and he wants her to go around there for lunch today.”

  “That’s great news,” said Mrs Higginbottom, jumping up from the chair, and then sitting back down abruptly as the blood rushed to her head. “Obviously he still likes her.”

  “He’s invited me too.”

  “Why on earth would he want you there?” said their mother indignantly, but Prue’s look reminded her of her promise to be less critical. “That’s lovely dear, I’m sure you’ll have a very nice time and you can tell me all about it when you get back.”

  Prue was still in shock at the turn of events when Cate picked her up a short time later.

  “How’s Mum?” she asked as soon as Prue got into the car.

  “Strangely humbled by the experience. What did Charles say on the phone?”

  “Not much. He just asked if we were free for lunch.”

  “Why has he invited me do you think?” Cate glanced at her briefly before turning her eyes back to the road.

  “For the sake of his friend, Mr Darling of course. Last night before Mum got hold of him I was talking to him for a while and he asked all sorts of questions about you.”

  “Really? When I went back to clean up after the pa
rty I overheard him and one of those cows talking in the kitchen, and it seems like he’s not as bad as I thought he was. I’m just so confused about him because I heard him saying those vile things about immigrants with my own ears.”

  “Maybe you misunderstood what he was talking about. It pays not to jump to conclusions.”

  “Possibly, but there are some other things I found out about him as well. I did a search online and found that his former assistant has put a post on a cheating website. She says he cheated on his fiancé with her, and then when the fiancé found out and left him he told her he loved her and then cheated on her. He fired her when he moved onto his next conquest and wouldn’t even give her a reference. I know it was definitely him because there was a photo.”

  “My God, Prue, you don’t actually believe everything you read online do you?” said Cate incredulously. “Charles told me all about this Georgina Wickham. Apparently she’s a real piece of work who tried to hit on both of them, and when they rejected her she took them to court for sexual harassment. She has a history of making these types of claims with other employers. She was laughed out of court.”

  “Oh,” said Prue, feeling a little ashamed at her naiveté and readiness to believe the worst of the man who had insulted her. What if she really had taken his comments at the function out of context and completely misunderstood him? By this time they had reached the house and as they pulled up Charles Bradley came down the front stairs to greet them. He did not look in the slightest bit angry or upset as he kissed them both on the cheek.

  “How’s your mother feeling this morning?”

  “Listen Charles, I’m just so sorry about everything. Mum’s very opinionated but she’s not usually that bad,” said Cate. He waved her apology away.

  “Don’t think anything of it. My mother is exactly the same and we have arguments over that kind of stuff all the time. Come inside, lunch will be ready soon.” At that moment William Darling appeared on the terrace and he looked at Prue. She tried to return his gaze, but it was hard when her heart was pounding and her cheeks were blazing. He really was a very good looking man, and she was flattered that he seemed so interested in her despite everything that had happened. She could not afford to get carried away with her feelings, though, when she still did not know exactly what kind of person he was. As he walked towards them he greeted Cate first.

  “Hello, Cate, good to see you again,” he said before turning to her. “Would you like to go for a walk with me until lunch is ready?” Prue’s heart began pounding even faster.

  “Okay, why not,” she shrugged, trying to act casually. She glanced at Cate, who smiled her encouragement and exchanged a meaningful look with Charles. They set out in silence across the green expanse of lawn towards a shady clump of trees in the distance. It was a beautiful sunny day and Prue relished the feeling of warmth against her skin and the sight of colourful butterfly’s dancing across their path. When the silence became uncomfortable William Darling finally spoke.

  “You’re probably wondering why I’ve asked you to walk with me.”

  “I just thought you wanted to give Cate and Charles some time alone together. I’m a bit surprised I was invited to lunch at all.”

  “I asked Charles to invite you because I want to get to know you better. I think we got off on the wrong foot and I just want to find out why.” They had reached the trees now and he leaned up against a trunk and looked up into the branches above his head while Prue stood in front of him.

  “Yes, I agree we did get off on the wrong foot.”

  His eyes returned to her face. “From the moment we met you seem to have taken an instant dislike to me, and I’m not sure why. Have I done something to offend you?”

  Prue took a deep breath. “Well, yes, actually. You were extremely rude to me at the first function we catered for your company. You made fun of my name and then you insulted my appearance by saying I wasn’t a delicate flower. It really did not do much to endear you to me.” To his credit William Darling looked very embarrassed. He pushed himself away from the tree so he was standing directly in front of her. He was quite a bit taller than her and she had to tilt her head to look up at him.

  “Oh, man, I was just having a joke with Charles. I had no idea you heard me. I’m really sorry, that was horrible of me. I was in a foul mood that day because I had spent the morning helping the caretaker clear out the function room, and when Charles asked me to help you I was fed up. That’s why I made that crack about the hired help, but that’s no excuse. As for your appearance, you looked so ridiculous in that oversized jacket that I just couldn’t resist trying to be funny. Please accept my sincere apology.”

  “There’s one other thing. On that same day I heard you talking about immigration, and how much you were opposed to foreigners coming into this country. You said they were taking jobs and destroying our way of life.” He looked puzzled.

  “I don’t recall saying anything like that. Are you sure you haven’t got me confused with someone else?”

  “It was definitely you. You said you wanted to start a grassroots movement in this town because governments weren’t listening and people needed to take things into their own hands. ” Recognition dawned on his face and he began to laugh.

  “What is it?”

  “I was talking about corporate farms, not immigrants. These huge agribusinesses are moving in all over the country and driving out farmers. They’re using methods that aren’t environmentally friendly and growing inferior produce because all they care about is short-term profit. They are destroying vibrant farming communities and forcing families from the land who have been there for generations. It’s something I feel very strongly about.”

  “Oh,” said Prue as the extent of her misunderstanding sank in. “All this time I’ve been thinking you were prejudiced against other races when in fact you were talking about something that I completely agree with. I believe that small scale organic farming is the way of the future and I’d love to join your movement. I can’t believe I misinterpreted you so completely. This is so embarrassing.”

  “Maybe if I hadn’t insulted you first you would have kept an open mind, but as it was you were prepared to believe the worst of me because you wanted to. I have to take my share of the blame for your misunderstanding. Do you think we can be friends now?”

  “I can’t see why not.”

  “So when you said those things last night about dirty foreigners, you were being sarcastic. It all makes sense now,” he said with a laugh.

  “Yes, but unfortunately I can’t say the same thing about my mother. She really does believe what she said, but I don’t think it’s completely hopeless.”

  “It’s not your mother I’m worried about. Even when I thought you were an intolerant nut case I still couldn’t stop thinking about you. You really are a very interesting young lady, you know.”

  “And you’re quite an intriguing man.” They were standing very close together now and Prue could feel the electricity pulsing between them.

  “I’m really looking forward to getting to know you, Prue. And just for the record Prudence Higginbottom is a lovely name.”

  “Don’t push it. I have major issues over my name, and you’re very lucky I found it in my heart to forgive you for mocking it.”

  “Yes, I am very lucky that a girl like you is interested in a man like me after the unchivalrous way I behaved the first time I saw you. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Lunch must be ready.”

  “I’ll race you.” With those words she took off across the lawn with William Darling hot on her heels. By the time they reached the house they were both out of breath and laughing, and Prue felt a tingle race up her arm when he took her hand and helped her up the stairs. She gave thanks that her first impressions had turned out to be so wrong and she was thrilled to discover they had so much in common. The future suddenly looked very bright indeed, and she could not wait to find out what it held for her and Mr William Darling. It seemed that a
gainst all expectations he might live up to his name after all.

  THE END

  About the author

  Francene Carroll is a true romantic at heart. She has written a number of books in the romance genre ranging from paranormal romance to comedy and suspense. She enjoys writing stories with interesting twists and turns, and she tries to keep her readers guessing till the end. You can visit her blog at:

  http://francenecarroll13.blogspot.com.au/

  or her website at:

  www.francenecarroll.com

  Other books by Francene Carroll:

  Pleasure Island

  When Jackson Moore and Allie Read are paired up for reality show Pleasure Island the challenge is simply to outlast their opponent. Both believe they will win with ease. What they do not realize is that they are about to face the greatest challenge of all – falling in love.

  Jackson Moore is a typical Hollywood bad boy and millions of women would love to be stranded on a desert island with him. Not every woman finds him irresistible though.

  Allie Read is an uptight documentary filmmaker with no tolerance for men like Jack. It does not take long for the sparks to fly between this mismatched pair, and no one is more surprised than Allie when she finds herself becoming attracted to him.

  As their physical attraction heats up Jack and Allie struggle to control themselves in front of the cameras, while at the same time dealing with their unexpected feelings for each other.

  EXCERPT

  “And that brings us to the end of the show,” said Pam as she beamed at them from the security of a studio in L.A., thousands of kilometers away. “You might not be seeing us for a while, but we’ll definitely be seeing the two of you. I’d like to remind you that this is the last time you’ll have any contact with another human being besides each other until the show is over. Good luck, and remember to keep it real.”

  The screen went black, and he was suddenly alone with Allie again. He wished that Pam hadn’t felt the need to remind them of just how cut off from the rest of the human race they were, because the thought sent a cold shiver down his spine. He looked across at Allie to see how she was taking it, but she was already off the lounge and walking toward the kitchen. She shot a disdainful look his way, but she didn’t say another word. Pam had explained that they didn’t officially have to start spending time together until eight o’clock the next morning, and after picking something out of the fridge, Allie made her way straight to her room with her dinner, closing the door loudly behind her.