Page 13 of Without Pride and Prejudice
“I’ll be fine.” I carefully climbed into the back seat. “I need you to tell me if the dresses show too much cleavage.”
“You’re going to undress in the back seat?” he spluttered.
“That’s the plan.” I situated myself in a luxurious captain’s seat and grabbed one of the dresses Fitz had laid on the seat next to me.
“In front of me?” His shocked eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.
“Just keep your eyes on the road. And even if you peek, it’s not like I’ve ever been handsome enough to tempt you.” I threw in a littleP&Preference for the fun of it.
“Is that what you think?” He sounded upset.
“Uh ...” The bite in his tone took me aback. “I just assumed you didn’t find me attractive.”
“Of course I find you attractive,” he spat before his tone softened. “It is many years since I have considered you one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
“Oh my gosh. You did memorize your lines. Youspeak Darcywell,” I gushed, feeling a little fluttery. Which was weird—not a bad weird, but definitely strange. I hadn’t felt that way around him for a long time. I’d buried those long-ago hopes deep, deep down in my heart, knowing any romantic notions would only torment me and place a wedge in our friendship. And to be honest, any other romantic attachments as well. It would have been wholly unfair to compare another man to Fitz. In a picture dictionary, Fitz’s photo would be next todemigod.
“That’s not Darcy,” Fitz said, offended. “That’s me.” He exhaled dramatically. “Monroe, you’re beautiful.”
I reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You really think so?”
Fitz patted my hand. “I’ve always thought so.”
“Wow. I had no idea. Thank you, Fitz. Honestly, I’ve been feeling a little down on myself lately.” Not that looks should define you, but I had questioned if maybe I was unattractive. When your fiancé breaks up with you, it kind of messes with your head.
“Please don’t tell me it’s because of that prat Tony.”
I sank back into the seat and sighed. “Maybe. You know, I was supposed to get married two days ago.”
“Are you still trying to get over him? Do you still love him?” Fitz steeled himself, waiting for my reply.
“Weirdly, no. Which I know doesn’t reflect well on my character. Ugh,” I lamented. After some serious soul-searching the last few months, I’d realized that Fitz was right—Tony didn’t treasure the things I did. Our relationship had been prettysuperficial, and I cringed, knowing I’d thought myself in love. “What if I’m really a Lydia?” This question had plagued me, especially since Pride and Prejudice Park deemed Tony a Mr. Wickham. I could totally live with being a Jane, perhaps even a Mary or Kitty. But never Lydia. Of course, like most women, I wanted to be an Elizabeth, and I hoped I was. But I bet she wouldn’t have shown up to the airport to meet a duke wearing three bonnets with dresses draped around her shoulders.
“Monroe,” Fitz said my name with some of the tenderness he rarely showed. “You’re no Lydia. She was selfish, and you are anything but.”
“But am I an Elizabeth? What if they cast me wrong and I ruin the entire experience for everyone?” It was the last thing I wanted to do.
Fitz caught my eye in his rearview mirror, his lips ticking up into an almost smile. “As long as you don’t try to help anyone, you should be fine.”
“Oh, ha ha. I’m being serious.”
“So am I, love.” There was zero hint of teasing in his tone.
Huh. Fitz had never called melovebefore. Not that it meant anything—plenty of Brits used the term casually. Fitz wasn’t usually flippant about these things, so I was sure it was just a slip of the tongue. Hmm. “Fitz, please. Do you think I can be Elizabeth?”
He thought for a moment. “Monroe, you are headstrong, and you do have fine eyes.”
I smiled at the compliment, more so that Fitz had even noticed I have eyes.
“You adore your father, and you don’t let anyone tell you how to live your life,” he continued. “And her own Mr. Wickham even managed to fool Elizabeth Bennet for a time, despite being warned about him. You had no such warning. The only thing youlack is her pride and her prejudices, but I’ve always admired that about you.”
He had no idea how much better he was making me feel. Especially since ... “I think Tony did fool me. I ran into his mom last week, and she made a weird comment after telling me how much she missed me. She said that as much as it pained her not to have me as a daughter-in-law, her son didn’t deserve me after what he’d done to their family. When I asked what she meant, she wouldn’t say, and just ran off crying. I’ve been wondering what he did ever since.”
Fitz breathed out loudly, to the point of almost snarling. “The man is a bloody knobhead. Don’t let him consume any more of your thoughts.”
“Knobhead?” I giggled, even though I knew it meant an idiot.
“Yes. Knobhead.” He grinned.
