Author's Note: Sadly, I don't own Pride and Prejudice...sigh...

Chapter 3

Brian came over the next day and Jess and he went to see a movie. As soon as they were gone, I took my bike and rode around the neighborhood. The summer air smelled wonderful as I rode around. As I passed the newly-moved-into-house, I saw the house for the first time in ages. It was very large and lavishly decorated with exquisite carvings on the pillars. I could see that there was a tennis court and pool around the back. It was the prettiest, and probably the most expensive, house in the neighborhood.

Someone was walking towards me from around the back and I realized I must have looked like a creeper, just standing there in the street staring. I swung my leg over my bike and was pushing off the curb when they called my name.

"Emily?"

I turned and saw it was David striding towards me. Realizing I was caught, I got off my bike and did my best to look casual.

"Hi, I was just riding by and thought I'd check the place out," I said, "It's really nice."

"Thank you." There was a couple seconds of awkwardness before he said, "Do you ride your bike often?"

"Sometimes, but mostly I like to walk," I said, "It helps keep my mind clear. There's a bunch of trails by our house so I go with my sister."

"I saw that you have more family than I was introduced to," David said with raised eyebrows.

"Oh yeah, I have two younger sisters. Louisa is the oldest by over two minutes and Kathleen idolizes her and does whatever she does. Some of those actions may be…inappropriate for their age and I always make my opinion known to them. Unfortunately they only listen to my mother, who has caught a case of extreme Main Line-itus. It's quite a common illness that I am afraid is very contagious. Anyway, she just let's them do whatever they want and my father can't control her."

"I see," he said, his expression remaining unchanged, "Let us hope that Brian does not catch it while he is with your eldest sister."

"My sister and I are immune," I said icily, "He has nothing to fear from Jess. But if you feel so strongly about him being around my sister, maybe he should be around someone more agreeable? Thank you so kindly for gracing me with your presence but if you'll excuse me, I need to get home."

I peddled home in a fury. How could he be so arrogant as to think that Jess was anything like Lisa and Kath? He acted like no one was good for him or his friend when, he knew, that Brian really liked Jess. I threw down my bike on the lawn and walked down the trails. Exercise always helps me calm down, it's my chemical make-up. I walked for hours without getting tired or thirsty and didn't arrive back at the house until dinner time. Jess was in our room humming All My Loving by the Beatles to herself cheerfully. It was her favorite song and she always hummed it when she was happy.

"I'd know that tune anywhere," I said as I came into the room, "I take it you had a good time?"

"He's such a nice man," Jessica said, smiling widely, "He paid for our tickets and the snacks, although I begged to let me do at least one. He didn't try to pull any funny stuff during the movie and he didn't choose a horror or sappy love story just to get close to me. It was a comedy and we laughed so hard that I thought we would be kicked out. And after the movie, we walked around the square and just talked. I haven't had that much fun with a guy since Dad took us to that baseball game and we caught the winning homerun ball."

"Jeez Jess," I said jokingly, "I don't get the feeling you enjoyed yourself."

"It was so relaxing though," Jess continued like she didn't even hear me. She probably didn't, she was on cloud nine. "Since he didn't try to bust a move on me, I didn't have to worry about being on my guard. But tell me what you did today!"

"I rode around the neighborhood and stopped to look at the new house," I said and told her about my talk with David. I didn't mention what he said about her but told her that he was very arrogant.

"I'm sure he's just nervous about being in a new country," Jess said and I laughed.

"He has a funny way of showing it then," I said, "If he's trying to make new friends then he is failing miserably. No Jess, you can't find anything good in a man whose arrogance far exceeds him when he enters a room."

"I still think you should wait until he's settled and try talking to him again," Jess said thoughtfully, "According to what I have heard from Brian, you two have a lot in common."

"A lot in common?" I said in outrage, "Jessica, we are the farthest apart as any two people can be!"

"Not according to Brian," said Jess with a chuckle, "He says that David is sarcastic and we all know you are, David has a temper and even you won't deny you have one, and you both hate kids."

"Everyone can be sarcastic and have a temper," I said furiously, "And I bet half the human population secretly hates little kids!"

"Whatever you say Ems," Jess said with a shrug, "Whatever you say."

I crossed my arms huffily. David and I have anything in common? Please, I was nothing like that arrogant, pompous man!

A week later, Jess received a text message from Brian asking for her to join him for dinner one evening at her convenience. Jess quickly replied, saying that Monday evening would be a good time for her. When Monday came, I was sitting on the couch that dark, cloudy day with a book in hand. My dad was watching the news before he had to go to work and the newscaster was talking about a summer storm racing across the east coast.

"Thanks Steve, it's said to be the worst storm in these parts since the one two years ago. Except lots of rain folks and wind gusts up to thirty-five miles per hour, so I would stay inside for the day."

"Dad, can I borrow the car to go over to Brian's house?" Jess asked, hearing the weather report.

"Certainly not," my mother answered, "Your dad has to go to work and I'm going to the mall with Lisa and Kath. They need something to wear for the start-of-the-year picnic."

"That's not for two months!" I said in shock, "You can go tomorrow for heaven's sake! It's raining cats and dogs out there and how do you except Jess to get to the house? You want her to walk or take my bike?"

"Your bike obviously," my mother said, "She'll be drenched if she walks Em!"

"She'll be drenched if she takes a bike," I muttered furiously. People say mothers are supposed to be self-less human beings when it comes to their children but my mother is the exception to that rule. Her selfishness never ceases to amaze me.

"Dear, maybe you should let Jess have the car today," my dad said and I thanked God that at least one of my parents had common sense, "It's supposed to be wicked out and the mall can wait at least one more day."

"I WANNA GO TO THE MALL…NOW!" Lisa screeched and I covered my ears.

"All right then," my dad said and took his coffee and left.

"You're not seriously leaving me with these morons, are you?" I called after him and he closed the door with a snap, "Great."

"It's fine Em," Jess said with a sigh, "I'll just call and say I can't make it."

"Oh no you don't!" I said, "I'll run beside you with an umbrella if I have to. We'll just make sure you dress warmly and have all your rain gear on. And who knows, you may be lucky and miss the storm."

When it came time for Jess to leave, it was a torrential downpour. I watched as Jess pulled on her rain gear and rode my bike down the street, waving good-bye to me with a huge grin on her face.

The things we do for love, I thought with a sigh as I curled up in a comfy chair and listened to the rain fall as I read. Soon I fell fast asleep.

"This is all your fault!" I shouted as I read the text Jess sent me early the next morning.

"How is it my fault?" my mother asked innocently.

"You refused to give her the car for one night because you just had to go shopping for yet another outfit for the twins because heaven forbid that they wear the same thing twice! And now she's got the flu and can't get out of bed!"

"She didn't have to-"

"Don't you dare say she didn't have to go!" I snapped, "Jess never does anything she wants to do because she doesn't want to burden you all and the one time, the one time, she wants to do something you tell her she can't!"

My mother was silent and I let out an angry groan. I grabbed my raincoat and umbrella, going towards the door while slipping on a pair of flip-flops.

"Where do you think you're going? It's pouring out!"

"Oh so now you care?" I spat, "I'm going to take care of Jess because you're obviously too busy to check on your own daughter. Mother, you need to look at yourself and analyze your parenting skills."

I went out into the rain and slammed the door closed. Seeing as Jess took my bike and no one else had a bike, why I don't know, I had to walk. I didn't mind, the rain-filled air smelled sweet and I love the rain. It was a warm summer rain so it felt nice when drops fell on my bare legs and feet.

I soon arrived at the house and ran up the lawn and to the door. I knocked and rang the door bell, shaking out my umbrella and jacket so I didn't drag too much water in. A man in a suit opened the door and stared down haughtily at me.

"My name's Emily Belitorini and my sister said she was sick. I wonder if I could see her?"

"Come in," the man said. It wasn't a cold tone but it wasn't a friendly one either.

I followed the man to a room where I handed him my sopping wet jacket and umbrella. I looked down and realized my legs and shoes were also soaked. The man didn't say anything so I decided he must have thought it all right to walk around the house in them. He led me to a door and told me to wait outside. I waited as I heard him announce me to the owners. He looked at me and nodded for me to enter.

Two older people, a man and a woman, were sitting with straight backs. They had graying red hair and I knew they must be Brian and Rachael's parents. Rachael was there and was looking at my soaked lower body with distain. David was there as well and he and the other man stood and bowed to me. I stood there with my hands in my pockets and decided that wasn't polite so I took them out quickly and placed them folded in front of me.

"Please, I'm sorry I kinda just burst in here but I heard that my sister was sick," I said earnestly, "Could I see her?"

"She's upstairs, she just had lunch," David said and I turned to him with a little surprise.

"Thanks," I said sincerely and left after nodding to them all. I raced upstairs and saw there were many rooms. However, only one had a woman leaving with a tray of a half-finished lunch. I went inside and found my sister lying in bed, looking absolutely horrible.

"Ems," Jess said hoarsely, sitting up a little, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh Jess, this is all my fault," I said as I sat by her bedside, "I shouldn't have made you come. How do you feel?"

"Fine," she said and suddenly began a fit of coughing. I raised my eyebrows disbelievingly and she added, "Well, I've been better but they've been so kind to me while I've been here. When Brian saw I was feeling unwell, he carried me up to the bed. His parents have had all the servants make sure I am well cared for. I feel like I'm being a burden though."

"You're not a burden."

I turned and saw Brian standing in the doorway. He flushed and began stuttering.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…didn't mean to eavesdrop, I j-just wanted to tell…tell you Emily that you are wel-welcome to stay with us until your sister is better. We really don't mind having you here Jess."

"Thanks Brian," my sister said and stretched, yawning widely.

"You should rest," Brian said kindly, "You need your strength to get better. Good afternoon."

He bowed and left. After making sure my sister was all right, I left her in peace and went downstairs to find everyone in one of the many sitting rooms. There were some books on the table and I picked one up, happy to see it was one of my favorite classics. Everyone else was occupied in something so I thought it wouldn't be rude to read over my favorite parts.

"Tell us Emily," Rachael said just as I opened the book, "How long have you lived here?"

"I was two when we moved from the city," I said, setting down the book, "My dad transferred to the local hospital here so we wanted him to be closer to work."

"Ah, your father is a doctor then?" the older man asked with interest.

"Yes sir, he's a cardiologist," I said with a polite smile.

There were a couple more seconds of silence and I went to grab the book when Rachael spoke again. However it was not to me so I flipped through the pages.

"David, who are you writing to now?" she asked with a hint of impatience.

"Guess," he said without looking up from his laptop.

"Well, you just wrote to your aunt the other day so I am assuming it is your sister Virginia. Please send her my love."

"Once again I am the simple messenger," he muttered but I heard him. I twisted my face to hide a smile and kept on reading as he continued in a louder tone, "Of course, she would just hate to not hear from you once out of the many times I write to her."

I turned my laugh into a cough and covered my mouth. Once I stopped, I found everyone looking at me and smiled nervously.

"I love Virginia as though she were my own sister," Rachael continued, "Did you know Emily that she is a most accomplished pianist?"

"Up until this point, I didn't know David had any relatives," I said, "But I'm glad to hear it."

"She's competed in a lot of competitions all over Europe," said Rachael and I knew what she was getting at. She was trying to compare David's sister to my own. "And is extremely friendly but polite. When is she coming David? I miss her already."

"When my aunt can bear to send her," said David, still typing, "My aunt is rather weak and needs someone to take care of her. My sister is home schooled so she is my aunt's nanny you could say."

"It must be a shame to be so far from her," I said, looking up from my book, "I know that if Jess was living across the ocean I'd die without her."

"But David was telling us that you have other sisters," the older woman said, looking up from her needlepoint, "Surely you would not be lonely with them around?"

I looked at the man bent over his computer. Good God, what had he told these refined people about my sisters?

"Yes, I have three younger ones. Margaret is also a great piano player and then there're the twins, Louisa and Kathleen. They have…unique personalities that clash with mine more often than Jess."

"There are six women in one house, including your mother?" the older man asked in shock, "How does your father survive?"

"He has his own bathroom," I said. I had expected laughter but all was silent. "He's at work a lot so he doesn't have to deal with us as much as my mother does," I said with a shrug.

Everyone nodded and went back to their work, except for David who had been working the entire time. I resisted the urge to sigh as I went back to my book. I couldn't wait to get Jess out of this place.

It seemed our mother forgot where we were until my dad came home at eight o' clock and asked about us. So at eight forty-five, there was a knock at the front door. I was pulling on the night clothes Rachael so kindly offered me.

"Her parents probably made her," I said when Jess remarked about the kindness of the sister.

There was a knock and a maid came in, curtseying when she entered and closed the door.

"Pardon me but there is a woman downstairs who says she is your mother."

I pulled a robe around me and went downstairs with the maid to find my mother examining the room, probably calculating the price of every single article of furniture.

"What are you doing?" she demanded upon seeing me in a nightgown and robe, "Where's Jess?"

"Upstairs resting," I said tersely, "She's got the flu because she was out in the rain."

"Well get her out of bed and into the car, we're leaving."

"She's too tired and achy to move!" I said, trying really hard to control my temper, "Mother, just let her stay the night. Brian said they didn't mind and I'll stay too. I don't want her to stay here alone another night."

"You'll do no such thing!" my mother snapped, "You've already overextended your invitation. Now get Jess and let's go. The girls are home and your father needs to rest. He's had a long day."

"Oh yes!" I said, finally cracking, "Because when the twins are home alone for more than two seconds, you begin to worry but you never mind when Jess and I are home alone for days!"

"Excuse me?"

I looked and found the older couple standing in the doorway with Brian. I could've slapped my head, they must've thought we were so rude! We were arguing in their house, in their presence!

"Hello, my name is John Matson and this is my wife Elizabeth," the man said with a bow, "We are Brian's parents. It really is no trouble to have your girls here. They will be in the same room and the boys will be on the other side of the house. This place is too large for us alone."

"Very well, if you insist," my mother said, taking out her keys, "Thank you, I better get home then. The girls can just walk home I think." She turned to me and I glared at her as she said, "I'm taking the twins shopping tomorrow so you have the key. Let yourselves in and start dinner. I'll have it all laid out."

"Yes Mother," I said, trying to be on my best behavior in front of the others.

My mother left and I turned to the Matson's, apologizing to them for having to see my mother and I arguing. They were nice about it so I soon went up to the room I was sharing with Jess and went to bed. It had been quite a day.

Author's Note: Thanks to those who have reviewed, your reviews brighten my day. For those who haven't reviewed, please make me smile and tell me what you think of the story. Do you hate it? Do you love it? Should I keep going with this story or should I stop? I'd really like to know what you all think. Also, I posted a Sherlock Holmes fanfic so check that out if you like mysteries. Thank you! :)