Free Jane and Austen by Stephanie Fowers Page A

Nice, huh? Almost like Fran thought Elly would steal her friends away.”
    That had Austen’s attention, but then again, he was always indignant when he saw an injustice. “You didn’t say anything to your sister-in-law, Elly?” he asked.
    Elly’s hands knit together. “I didn’t want bad blood between us.”
    Taylor laughed. “Imagine how mad Fran was when she found out that her own brother fell for the girl she thought would steal her friends away from her.”
    “Oh no,” Elly said. “It wasn’t like that.” Her pretty face pinched with discomfort. “Of course Fran wasn’t upset.”
    Taylor nodded in true gossip fashion. “Fran was furious.”
    Eddy hid a smile. Apparently Taylor wasn’t exaggerating his sister’s rage, because he didn’t contradict it. He put an arm around his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “I fell in love with Elly the moment I met her. She’s the only one with the patience to listen to my boring sermons.”
    I realized that I had a cheesy grin on my face. This was why I loved romance—despite the pitfalls, the broken hearts, my pitiful attempts. Austen and I sat closer than we had before. I felt his warmth before I stiffened and edged away. I was still angry at him, and just to be clear, I leaned away from him.
    He turned, his eyes darkening on mine. If I didn’t know better I’d misinterpret that look as someone who was interested. But I knew better. It didn’t matter if I had accidentally declared my love; Austen wasn’t about to change his mind about me. This wasn’t some 80’s movie. Despite that fact, his hand went to my arm and I felt his thumb brush against my bare skin. His mouth opened to say something just as Ann-Marie finished another piece on the piano.
    “Very good, Ann-Marie,” Redd said in a powerful voice that interrupted the moment. “Remind me to come and listen to you more often. It might give me a reason to visit North Abbey once Taylor is gone.”
    Ah yes, another dig at me. Typical. I moved from Austen and his confusing “friendly” touches so that I could clear my throat. “We’ll try to provide more entertainment for you soon, Redd. Maybe a trumpet, some drums.”
    He didn’t laugh. Austen did.
    “That’s a compliment, Redd,” Austen said after a moment. “Jane doesn’t normally give anyone anything—her room, her time, her heart.”
    I fumed. “I gave you something,” I accused in a low voice. “You’re still wearing it.”
    His gaze followed mine to the offending item on his wrist. He shrugged. “It fits better on me.”
    Redd’s eyes alighted on the bracelet, and his chin whipped up. I felt the full brunt of his displeasure from his glaring, condemning grey eyes, made more dangerous under brooding brows. A muscle worked against his sculpted jaw, which was actually terrifying.
    Taylor had given me the bracelet. She had said something about how Redd thought it matched the color of my eyes. Had it actually been a gift from Redd then? The irony of my situation hit me—like a ten pound bar of iron to the face.
    Redd shoved away from the piano. “I must get going.” He looked everywhere but at me and I felt a little guilty.
    Taylor stood, too, and smoothed out her skirt. “Already, Redd? You just got here!”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll be back to kiss the bride.”
    “You’d better.” She touched his arm. “You must come to all my parties. I know there are a lot of them, but you knew who I was when we became friends.”
    Redd kissed her cheek with an indulgent smile. “I wouldn’t miss your parties for the world.”
    I frowned. Why was Taylor allowed the privilege of being friends—even before she was engaged—and I had to be the evil ex even though I never dated him officially?
    “I don’t know what will become of North Abbey when you are gone,” Redd told her.
    “Jane will be here.” Austen patted me on the back, continuing his little game. “She’s gearing up to be a great event coordinator.”
    Taylor nodded