Free Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly Page A

was sneaking a quick cigarette. Then there were the give-away shoes. Whilst a good majority did their best with replica shoes from the period, there were still a few kitten heels and trainers half-hidden beneath the long dresses. What would Jane Austen have made of it all? Mia couldn’t help wondering.
    There were so many magnificent costumes that it was hard to know where to look. Sky-blue and white seemed to be a favourite and it was such a fresh combination. Mia also loved the sweet apple-green and white she spotted a young woman wearing. It was all such a wonderful feast for the eyes and was rather like looking at a cloud of beautiful butterflies.
    Then they spotted a woman with bright purple hair.
    ‘ That’s not very Austen appropriate!’ Mia said in disgust. ‘You’d think she could have toned it down a bit for the festival.’
    ‘ I wish there were more men,’ Shelley said. ‘Most of them are old enough to be my grandfather.’
    But then they saw him – he was tall with bright chestnut hair and he was in full Regency costume.
    ‘ Oh, my goodness!’ Shelley exclaimed, a gloved-hand flying to her mouth. ‘It’s a real-life hero! Mr Darcy does exist!’
    Mia looked in the direction Shelley was gazing and there stood the most handsome man she had ever seen although he actually had his back to them so it was impossible to tell if he really was handsome but if the long, slim-fitting coat and elegant black boots were anything to go by then he was a real stunner.
    ‘ I’m going to propose to him right now,’ Shelley said, ‘and don't try to stop me! Men like this don't come along very often.’
    Mia giggled. Shelley was right. This man really stood out from the crowd. Not only was there a sorry lack of men in general but the ones who did join in the promenade tended to be a little older than your average Jane Austen hero.
    But, before Shelley had time to go down on bended knee, the hero turned around.
    ‘ Oh!’ Shelley gasped, not only because he was just as handsome as she'd hoped but because he was holding a tiny baby in a little papoose.
    ‘ Probably best that you don't propose to him,’ Mia said with a little smile. ‘I think he's already taken.’
    Sure enough, they then spotted a young woman with a tumble of fair curls tied loosely with a pale pink ribbon. She was wearing a simple white dress and a pretty rose-coloured Spencer jacket. A topaz cross hung on a fine gold chain around her neck and Mia immediately recognized it as a copy of Jane Austen's famous necklace.
    Shelley, who adored babies, couldn't resist saying hello and had approached the couple before Mia could stop her.
    ‘ What an adorable baby,’ Shelley said. ‘What’s her name?’
    ‘ Cassie,’ the man said.
    ‘ Cassandra,’ the woman corrected.
    ‘ Like Jane’s sister?’ Shelley said.
    The young woman nodded. ‘Cassandra Elizabeth Jane.’
    ‘ How perfect is that?’ Shelley enthused.
    ‘ Cassie for short,’ the man said.
    ‘ How old is she?’ Mia asked, peering down at the baby.
    ‘ Five weeks,’ the woman said.
    Shelley's mouth dropped open in wonder. ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed. ‘Then I'm guessing this is her first Jane Austen Festival!’
    The woman laughed. ‘And its youngest participant. It’s Dan’s first festival too,’ the young mother said, nodding to the tall gentleman beside her. I've been before but this is the first year I've dressed up and it's so much fun.’
    Shelley nodded enthusiastically. ‘I come every year. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
    It was then that the announcement came - the promenade was about to begin. Mia felt a funny fluttering in her stomach which she normally only ever felt when attending auditions.
    ‘ Come on, Robyn,’ the gentleman with the baby said and Mia and Shelley watched as she linked arms with him and they began to promenade.
    ‘ Isn’t that the most perfect family you’ve ever seen?’ Shelley said with a romantic sigh.
    Mia nodded. ‘They looked so