Free Christmas With Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly

its audience.
    To look at it, you’d never know how very precious it was. It comprised of three slim volumes in dull brown boards with signs of water damage, and the spines were rough and had obviously seen some repairs. If it had been in a box at a car boot sale, most people wouldn’t have looked twice at it but this book had journeyed from 1813 to be with them today and it was a most welcome guest.
    ‘It’s probably not a good idea to pass it around at the dining table but there will be an opportunity for you all to get a closer look at it later,’ Dame Pamela promised as she wrapped up the three editions once more.
    ‘How extraordinary!’ Doris Norris said.
    ‘I can’t believe it!’ Katherine said.
    ‘Truly wonderful! ’ Gemma enthused.
    Dame Pamela left the room with the books and coffee was served.
    ‘I can’t believe she bought that first edition,’ Katherine said.
    ‘Why not when you’re as rich as Dame Pamela?’ Warwick said. ‘It’s too good an opportunity to miss.’
    ‘But think of the insurance!’ Katherine said.
    ‘Higgins has more than likely dealt with all the boring bits,’ Warwick said. ‘Dame Pamela’s probably got nothing more pressing to think about other than cherishing it.’
    ‘I can’t imagine owning something like that,’ Katherine said.
    Warwick’s dark eyebrows rose a fraction. ‘But you already do.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘How many first edition Lorna Warwick’s do you own?’
    ‘Oh, Warwick! That’s not the same thing at all!’ Kay said.
    He gave her a look of mock shock. ‘It might be – one day. Who’s to say which writers will be revered in two hundred years’ time. My books might become very valuable.’
    Katherine laughed but then she took his hand in hers. ‘I’m sure they will be because you write wonderful stories.’
    He smiled and took a sip of wine. Katherine watched as he drank and then her mind drifted back to the suitcase and his restless searching of the night before. As much as she loved him, she couldn’t help thinking that he was up to something.
     
    There was a showing of Northanger Abbey that evening and a lively discussion ensued about the sexiness of JJ Feild as Henry Tilney. Was it true to Austen or had Andrew Davies been at it again with his naughty pen?
    ‘I think Henry Tilney is the sexiest of Austen’s heroes,’ Doris Norris said.
    ‘What about Mr Darcy?’ Rose asked.
    ‘Well, he has that reserved sort of attractiveness,’ Doris said. ‘It’s sexy but not overtly sexy, if you know what I mean.’
    ‘I think Henry Tilney should definitely have a twinkle in his eye,’ Mia said. ‘Remember when he’s dancing with Catherine and teasing her mercilessly? I've always imagined a naughty little smile in that scene.’
    Discussion moved on - as it always did - to other Austen heroes.
    ‘Jeremy Northam has always been my favourite Mr Knightley and he would’ve made a wonderful Tilney. His tone is just right,’ Roberta said. ‘He is serious yet subtle. Absolutely perfect.’
    ‘Having seen Jonny Lee Miller again last night, I rather prefer him,’ Doris Norris said.
    ‘Oh, he wasn't right at all,’ Mrs Soames said, her cheeks flaming in annoyance. ‘Too soft. Not enough of a match for Emma. Besides, he was blond.’
    ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Mia asked.
    ‘I don't think blond suits an Austen hero. Except Mr Bingley,’ Mrs Soames said.
    ‘So you didn't like Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth?’ Mia said.
    ‘Captain Wentworth should not be blond,’ Mrs Soames asserted.
    ‘Why not? His hair might have been bleached blond by the exposure to the sun on his ship,’ Mia said.
    ‘But blond is so – well – feminine,’ Mrs Soames said.
    Doris Norris gave a little chuckle. ‘I once went out with a blond man and there was nothing feminine about him, let me assure you,’ she said with a twinkle that was worthy of Henry Tilney himself.
    ‘Now I come to think of it, there aren't that many