“Yes, Catherine.”
Catherine turned to look at Elsie, taking in her T-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. “I see now why things didn’t work between you and Collin.”
Elsie wasn’t sure how to answer that. Thank you? “I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
“That’s right. You have your shirt business with your sister.”
Elsie’s phone pinged and lit up with a text message. It was sitting on the coffee table between her and Catherine. Elsie reached for it, but not before Catherine leaned over to read the message. The woman’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Why is my nephew messaging you?”
Elsie cradled her phone against her chest. She’d finally created a contact for Will last night. Just in time for Catherine to see his name splashed across Elsie’s phone.
Charlotte shot her a sympathetic look. “Elsie and I are both acquainted with Will. He stayed in our hometown with Charlie Bingley for a few weeks.”
“And does he send you messages as well, Charlotte? Telling you good morning and hoping you’ll have a safe trip?”
“Well, no. I … I’m not going on any trips.” Charlotte glanced at Elsie, an apology in her eyes.
Elsie had been prepared for the unexpected, but this? She couldn’t even process her feelings about Will texting so soon. Not with Charlotte’s obvious curiosity, and especially not with Catherine’s unrepentant snooping. But it was her nephew and it made sense she’d be interested in his love life. Elsie would act like this didn’t bother her, for Charlotte’s sake.
“Go change, Charlotte. Put it away carefully.” Catherine dismissed her with a half a wave. When Charlotte was safely out of the room, she narrowed her eyes at Elsie.
“I thought you weren’t interested in a relationship. Maybe you’re just not interested in new money. Will is twice the man Collin is without trying. It’s in his blood. I admire your taste, but really, you have no business trying to reel in a Darcy.”
“I’m not trying to reel him in—”
“Do you realize the tickets to this event Charlotte’s preparing for are ten thousand dollars a person? It’s a sold out event. Will and Gianna Darcy will be there. Collin and Charlotte will be there. Anyone who is anyone will be there. But you won’t.”
“What does that have to do with—?”
“You will return to your one-horse town, taking your delinquent little sister with you, and cease contacting my family. Immediately.”
Elsie’s mouth dropped open in shock. Okay, never mind. She was not going to let this go. And she was tired of being cut off so Catherine could insult her further. Elsie squared her shoulders and took a step closer, invading Catherine’s personal space. “So, when do I get to read your text messages and give you orders, Ms. De Bourgh? I think you’re forgetting the fact that I don’t work for you, nor do I care what you think of me.”
Charlotte walked back in, eyes wide. “Is everything okay?”
“Love you, Char. I gotta go.” Elsie went over to give her a hug. “Good luck,” she whispered in Charlotte’s ear. Then she hightailed it out of there because as much as she’d enjoyed her show of bravado and the woman’s shocked reaction, if it came to a hair-pulling fist fight, she wasn’t sure she’d win.
When she was safely in the elevator, Elsie pulled out her phone and read the message from Will.
I hope you’re having a good morning. Drive Safe.
She smiled, though the novelty of it had been ruined by his aunt.
I’m having an interesting morning. Thanks.
He was quick to respond.
Good interesting or bad interesting?
I’m not sure yet.
Elsie wasn’t sure of a lot of things. She wasn’t sure what to make of Will Darcy. She wasn’t sure where this thing, whatever it was between them, was going. But she sure as heck wouldn’t let Catherine De Bourgh decide.
She told Jane all about her breakfast with Charlotte on the way back to Meryton while Jane drove at a leisurely pace. Lydia had left them behind a few minutes into the trip, too impatient to caravan.
Chapter 25 ♥Pesky House Guests
