“No.”
“Good, let’s go.”
I followed Manda to the bed and breakfast Nadine and Lily were staying at. Nadine had assured me it had a lovely little tea parlour during the time Lily had been staring at me like I’d grown two heads. Damn, she was beautiful when she was flustered. Honestly, she was beautiful all the time, I just liked the way her cheeks flushed when she was nervous.
“Austin-”
“Ouch!” I yelped as I walked into a pole outside the B&B.
Manda sighed, pulling me into the tearoom, “Come on, lover boy.”
Lily and Nadine were waiting for us. Nadine was eyeing me very appreciatively and Lily wasn’t even trying to hide her amusement. Why did she have to be so damned pretty? She was just in jeans, a jumper and sneakers, but she looked amazing to me.
“Left our brain at home again, did we?” she asked, with a wry smile.
“Oh, I do like her already, Oz.” Manda beamed as she sat down. “Amanda Cooper. Mandy.”
Lily smiled just as warmly, but there was a question to her face. “Lily Brewer, my aunt, Nadine Gardiner.”
“Nadine, hi, lovely to meet you. Yeah, Dad gave me the Cooper last name when he adopted me,” Manda explained with a smile. “I often wonder if he gave me all the brains in the deal too.”
Lily laughed and snuck me a look. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Excuse me, I’m very intelligent!” I said, indignantly.
Lily and Manda shared a look as though they’d been best friends for years already. I was starting to wonder about the wisdom of introducing them.
“Lily and Amanda, best friends already. Why am I not surprised?” Jax asked from behind me.
“Jax!” Lily grinned and jumped up to hug him. “I didn’t know you were coming as well.”
Manda shot me a humoured look and my return look told her to shut it.
“Yeah, thought I’d come past and say hi since you’re in the area.”
Lily beamed. “Aunt Nadine, this is Jax. Jax, my aunt, Nadine.”
Jax was the perfect twin, as per usual; he was friendly and easy-going, effortlessly charming, and not unintentionally insinuating his sex appeal was so great that every woman in the vicinity was going to rip her clothes off for him. He chatted with Lily and Nadine pleasantly while I sat by feeling utterly inept.
“You’re doing fine. Just be yourself,” Amanda whispered, nudging my knee before she turned back to Lily.
Yes, I can do this.
“So, Nadine,” I smiled, “Lily tells me you do a lot of travelling?”
Nadine turned a wide smile on me. “Does she now? Well, I do like to make sure I enjoy myself now it’s just me. I’ve really only got Lily to leave my money to, and she’d much rather I spend it on myself.”
“That’s...very generous of her,” I said, not quite sure what else you’re supposed to say in those situations. I watched Lily from the corner of my eye; she was laughing with Jax and Amanda and shaking her head.
Nadine laughed and waved away my words. “It’s got nothing to do with generosity. When it comes to money, Lily just-”
“Aunt Nadine, you should try those muffins, they’re really good!” Lily said loudly, cutting her off.
“Pass one over then, Lil,” she replied before turning back to me. “So, what are you planning for after school, Austin?”
I wondered if Lily’s interruption had been accidental or intentional, which led to me wonder what Nadine had been about to say about Lily and money.
God, if Lily was feeling insecure about the fact her family wasn’t as well off as ours… Seriously, I thought I had a chip on my shoulder!
We all talked for a while about all sorts of normal, interesting things that you talk about when you’re getting to know people. I directed most of my conversation to Nadine, which seemed safest given the way Lily kept looking at me. She looked all kinds of confused and thoughtful when she looked at me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk to her without asking what the hell she was thinking. And, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what it was.
Nadine was nice, once she’d stopped looking at me with smouldering eyes – though, I had no one but myself to blame on that one. She was easy to talk to and I could see where Lily got a lot of her wit. Obviously, her father had missed out on the family’s share.
“Please tell me you’re coming tonight, Lily!” Manda cried.
Lily looked to me, blinking like an animal caught in headlights. “Uh, no, I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Oh, Lil, no! You have to come!”
“I...uh...” She looked at me again.
“What’s tonight, dear?” Nadine asked.
“Jax and Austin’s very famous New Year’s party. And this year it’s combined with their eighteenth birthday! It’s going to be amazing! Our cousin, Cass is a master party planner and we’ve gone totally nuts this year!” Amanda’s face was lit up with excitement and I knew the two girls had probably put everything they’d had into this party for the last year, despite their protestations they only started planning it two months ago. “Lily was one of the first on the guest list, but it seems she won’t come.”
I hid my smile at Manda’s batting eyelids and charming pout. Amanda was one of the nicest people I had ever known; she never used her charm falsely or tried to beguile people, she was just lovely. But, that didn’t stop her from piling on the charm when she wanted something. Her wanting something was just usually more along the lines of what she thought would make people happy, rather than charming herself into someone’s bed.
“Oh, Lily!” Nadine said. “Why didn’t you tell me? You should go if you want. Don’t worry about me for the night.”
Lily flushed. “Oh, no, I... It’s fine. I didn’t bring anything to wear anyway.”
“At least, join us for dinner first?” Amanda said. “Please, you must, I insist. If I have to wade through the party without you, you must at least come to dinner beforehand. Do not leave me with these two knuckleheads!”
“Not sure about knuckleheads, but, please, do.” Jax nodded.
Lily looked pointedly at me. “If Aunt Nadine doesn’t mind...” she started, not sounding entirely convinced.
“It’s just something small before the party, just us. Manda always makes sure we eat well before we drink.”
“That’s very sensible.” Nadine smiled. “And, Lily, you should definitely go. Otherwise, you’ll just be hanging around with us fuddy-duddies here all night. You can have the car.”
“There’s no need. We’ll send a car,” Amanda said, sounding much more like the owner of Pemberley than me.
“It’ll just be small...? I seriously have nothing to wear.”
“Well, presumably you have something, or you’d be naked.” Amanda smiled as I choked on my coffee.
Lily blushed as she looked at me. “No, obviously. But, I have nothing suitable for a party.”
“It’s nothing formal, Austin wouldn’t hear of it.”
“Apologies if I didn’t feel like spending my eighteenth birthday party in a suit, Mandy.” I grinned at her and she stuck her tongue out at me.
“Still, I’m wearing a dress and you can’t stop me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, sister.” I put my arm around her and kissed her head.
I looked up in time to see Lily smiling at me before she hurriedly looked away, but still smiling.
Jax smiled to Nadine. “Right, well it’s settled then. If you don’t mind, Nadine, we’ll send a car to kidnap Lily at about five-thirty?”
“That is absolutely fine, boys. And, if you manage to keep her hostage the rest of the night, good for you.”
“Aunt Nadine.” Lily grimaced, but was smiling slightly.
“I’m serious. Amanda, boys, you keep her as long as you can keep her. The more I don’t have to worry about her, the better.” Nadine gave Lily a wink and a smile.
“We’ll do our best, I assure you!
” Manda laughed as Lily rolled her eyes.
“Right, well, I guess we’d best make tracks,” Jax said standing up. “We’ll see you tonight, Lil.”
“That you will,” Lily said, looking at him, pointedly.
Jax laughed and hugged her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Amanda followed suit, looking the most comfortable out in public that I’d seen her in a while. As much as I wasn’t sure that Amanda’s meeting Lily was good for me, it was obviously good for her.
Lily and I stood awkwardly in front of each other for a moment, then she hugged me tightly. Embarrassingly, I might have smelled her hair a little as I wrapped her up in my arms, forgetting for a moment we were in public.
“Austin?” she said quietly with a laugh. “I will see you in a few hours.”
I cleared my throat and let her go. “We’ll see you soon. Nadine, pleasure seeing you again. Have a wonderful night.”
“I will, thank you, Austin. You, too.”
I bowed to her, wondering instantly why the hell I’d bowed like some Regency dandy, and Manda thankfully pulled me out of there before I made more of an idiot of myself.
“Well, all things considered, I think that went well,” Jax said, waving to Lily through the window as she and Nadine finished their drinks.
“Yeah, if you think Austin being a nervous wreck was doing well,” Manda laughed, putting her arm through mine.
“Ah, he did all right,” Jax said. “Could have actually talked to Lily, but I guess these things have to be taken one step at a time.”
“Hugging me was a good plan. She liked that.” Manda leant into me as we walked back to the car.
“I’ll have you know, it wasn’t a plan; I just like my big sister,” I replied, putting my arm around her.
She chuckled. “And, that right there is how you get her to realise she’s madly in love with you.”
“True that!” Jax said.
“Right, when you’re both done giving me courting advice-”
“Courting?” Manda and Jax snorted.
“You’re lucky she can tell us apart, brother, or she’d think this romantic Austin is actually my wonderful self.”
I rolled my eyes and walked away from them.
“Wait, she can tell you apart?” I heard Amanda ask, her voice tinged with shock, awe and understanding. “You never told me that! Oz!”
Chapter Forty-Five: Lily
I stepped out of the car, hoping I looked all right in my new top and shoes, and trusty old favourite jeans.
“Lily!” Amanda called as she jogged down the front steps to meet me.
I’d thought she was pretty before, but she was now obviously dressed for the party and looked stunning. She was almost as tall as the twins, and wearing a very nice cocktail dress and heels.
She hugged me and dragged me back up the steps, helping me get my coat off when we got in the door.
“Amanda, you look wonderful!” I smiled as she hung up my coat in a dedicated coatroom off the front hall.
“You, too.” She smiled, looking me over. “And, you said you didn’t have anything for a party.”
I laughed. “There’s no guarantee I’m staying. And, Aunt Nadine and I may have done some shopping this afternoon.”
Amanda laughed too. “A little shopping is always helpful. You had some good luck; that top makes your eyes sparkle!”
I giggled. “Thanks.”
She grabbed my hand. “Come on, come through. We’re not having anything fancy, some nibbly things in the sitting room. We were going to have something a little more...fancy,” she pulled me close as we walked down the hall, “but, we had unexpected early guests, I’m afraid.” She grimaced. “Cass brought stupid Petal with her and Williams is here already.”
“Petal?”
“Fleur van Wilhausen.” She put on a very snooty tone.
“Oh, her. Joy.” I shared her grimace and she laughed.
“You’ve met her.”
“I’m sorry to say I’ve had the privilege.”
Amanda snorted. “Glad to know I’m not the only one who hates her. Cass used to, but she’s been weirdly pro-Fleur the last few months.” She shook her head. “I so don’t understand it. It’s like she suddenly thinks Fleur’s the one for Oz. I swear she’s gone mad,” she whispered before addressing the room we were entering, “hey all, look who I found!”
“Lily!” Jax called out, jumping up and coming to hug me.
“Hello, birthday boy!” I laughed as he lifted me off my feet.
“And, what about me?” Austin smiled.
“Yes, hello to you, too,” I replied.
His hug was no less warm but a little less enthusiastic. I had a moment to see Fleur and Cass over his shoulder. Fleur ignored me well and good, but Cass gave me the worst hidden stink eye in the history of passive-aggressive stink eyes. Hunter was nowhere to be seen.
“Williams is in the billiards room, playing with himself,” Amanda said.
“Thanks for the crotch update,” I chuckled and she laughed.
“I’m sure he’d be quite pleased to hear his crotch was being discussed,” Austin said with a grin.
“Come and sit down, Lil, and help yourself to some food,” Amanda said, taking my hand and leading me to the couch. “I’ll go and see if Williams is done.”
She hurried out, throwing a smile back to me.
“The Military College boys didn’t stay long this year,” Fleur said to the room.
“About as long as usual,” Cass replied, eating a chip.
“I imagine some people are quite missing them.” Fleur looked at me quite pointedly, and seemed to be waiting for me to answer.
“I suppose so.” I shrugged. “Though, I can’t really imagine why.”
“Really? Cass here told me you were close to one of them in particular.”
I looked to Austin then the door I’d last seen Amanda go through. “Did she? I can’t think who she might have been talking about.”
“An Australian boy. Liam someone?”
I looked up quickly as Amanda walked in. Her face was pale, but I seriously hoped she hadn’t heard Fleur’s big fat mouth.
“Uh, Williams is...playing another game,” she said, looking around at us.
I stood up quickly. “Mandy, why don’t you ask him if he’ll take the both of us on. Although, perhaps don’t use those words...” I smiled as I realised what I’d said.
She grinned. “No, I imagine he’d have a field day with that.”
“Best not let him get too excited, or he’ll be unbearable. I’ll just grab a drink and meet you in there.”
Amanda looked around the room again, then nodded and left.
“I’ll come and show you where the drinks are,” Cass said, looking at me with a slightly evil smirk.
Wanting a word with her anyway, I indicated she show me out. I caught Austin’s eye as I walked out. He was looking at me in thanks and I motioned for him to stay put. He looked at me questioningly and I nodded. His look told me he was appreciative. I smiled and followed Cass out.
Cass led me to the kitchen.
“You certainly didn’t dress up,” she said as she opened the fridge.
I blinked at her. “Wow, Fleur really turns on your bitch mode, doesn’t she?”
She smiled at me. “I don’t know what you mean, Lily. Beer? Wine?”
“Beer is fine, thanks.”
She got two out and passed one to me.
“Watch yourself tonight, Lily. Be sure not to bat above your average.” She started to walk past me and I blocked her path with my arm, anger flaring.
I was so sick of her and her wankiness. I was sure she’d put Fleur up to mentioning Liam before. How much of the whole deal Cass knew, I didn’t know. Still, it seemed super poor form to mention Liam in front of Austin, let alone where Amanda might hear.
“I assure you, Cassandra Morley,” I hissed, “I could buy Rosings dorm rooms for Anne and
my whole family, and still have enough left for a house in town, if that’s what I wanted. That I don’t feel the need to flaunt my money around or spend it on worthless crap merely goes to show how little I care about your status symbols. You just be sure you don’t give anyone cause to mention Liam again, ever. Quite aside from the fact that Austin doesn’t want to hear his name at his birthday party, I doubt anyone needs to hear that shithead’s name again. I can promise you, if I ever hear his name from yours or Fleur’s lips, you will seriously regret it.”
When I’d met Cass, I’d assumed her weird behaviour was because she had a thing for Austin and was jealous that he spent more time insulting me than her. When I’d found out she was his cousin and had no interest in guys, I assumed she just hated me because I was poor and not good enough for her precious posse. Now, I saw she was jealous...but it was because she liked me.
She was looking at me, stunned and obviously trying to keep up her look of detachment. But, behind the false disdain and shock, she looked at me the way Jax and Anne had looked at each other after they’d been separated, she looked at me the way Austin had looked at me when I rejected him, she looked at me like someone looking at the person they loved and would never be with.
I had a sudden panic attack while I wondered if I looked at Austin like that now.
Jarred and awkward, I pulled away from her, not sure what to say.
Cass saw something on my face, though I don’t know what, and her face hardened, her smile rueful. “You’re telling me your family’s rich?”
I fidgeted, hating the way that had slipped out. “If that’s what you take from that statement.”
“You’re telling me, Claire and Daniel Brewer could put their children in Rosings, but stuck them in Longbourn?”
I fidgeted some more. “I didn’t say that.”
“What?”
“I really don’t see how it’s any of your business where my money comes from.”
“So, you’re rich then?”
Her tone pissed me off more, like it mattered. She sounded like she’d just realised I was wonderful; conveniently, moments after she’d heard I wasn’t some pauper.
Netherfield Prep (Austen Reimagined: P&P #1) Page 30
