Pride: an austen reimagined novel | 1

Chapter Nineteen: Lily

I woke to someone shaking my shoulder and calling my name.

"Ugh, what?" I mumbled. "I'm embarrassed enough as it is, can't I sleep in?"

Anne chuckled. "Kissing a boy isn't as embarrassing as it would have been to wake up next to him."

I tried to push that thought out of my mind; after having images of Austin in bed running through my head all night, it was the last thing I needed now I was awake.

"True. And I can't believe he sent Cass over to warn me off Liam," I scoffed and sat up. I yawned and stretched. "What time is it, and why are you up and dressed?"

Anne smiled. "It's about ten. I would have left you longer, but you have a visitor."

"Doesn't explain why you're... Wait, visitor?"

I told myself that, no, that wasn't my chest fluttering in anticipation that it was Liam to explain why he hadn't been at the party. Neither was it my stomach fluttering at the thought it was Austin to go round two after last night.

Anne's face fell in sympathy.

"Oh, no... Please, no..."

She nodded.

I groaned. "Fine, let him in."

Anne cocked an eyebrow at me. "With you like that?"

I looked down at myself. "Sure, why not?"

"You're a braver woman than I."

She got off my bed and went to open the door. As I'd expected, Seb swept into the room. He was holding a rather limp daisy that he proffered as he bowed low.

"I'll, uh, give you some space," Anne said.

"No, Anne, it's fine," I said, hopping out of bed and sounding very whiny.

Anne looked between us.

"Uh, if you wouldn't mind giving us a moment... Please?" Seb smiled and I wanted to roll my eyes at his simpering nature.

Anne threw me an only half-apologetic, half-amused look and hurried out.

"Seb," I started, "what can I do for you?"

"Ah, well... You see," he chuckled, "where to begin? I have, for some time, known I would need an assistant when I graduate and I feel it is only sensible to choose among my cousins. Almost as soon as I first came to Netherfield, I singled you out as the companion of my future life. In my choice, though, does come another...proposition."

He forced me to take the wilted daisy and I stared at him, not quite sure what to say, but knowing full well what I wanted to say. Aside from the fact that everyone knew he had eyes for Anne when he first came to Netherfield! God, work for him? That sounded like the most useless trumped up waste of my life.

It turned out, I didn't have to answer right away.

"You see, I have become very fond of you, Lily. And, I know that us being together would only enhance our...professional relationship. Aunt Claire will no doubt be thrilled to have one of her daughters work with me and, if we marry, you will inherit part of her estate through me. Without my partnership, you will inherit nothing of the company, though I would never dare remind you of that once we were married. I hadn't realised how sensible a choice it was to have you work for me when my mind was on matters of the heart, but it all seems fated. I can only imagine how flattering it would be to work with my partner every day. I can assure you, I will be a firm but fair boss and romantic partner. You must let me proclaim the violent nature of my affections. If you-"