Author's Note: Hello, my readers. I'm so sorry I didn't get this published sooner, but I've been so busy the past few weeks. Two weeks ago I had a dance recital, lst weekend I had a piano recital, and this week I had final exams. But to make up for my abscence, I'm gifting you two chapters. So, enjoy. Also, PLEASE REVIEW!
Conceit and Contemptuousness
Chapter Six
"Boys, this is your second cousin thrice removed, Shannon Collins," My father said. Oh, yes, I had heard of Miss Collins. Through some fluke she would be inheriting the apartment instead of one of us. I looked the girl in front of us up and down. She was a tad bit short, with curly brown hair and brown eyes.
"I'm so excited to be staying with you!" She said. I noticed her gaze kept drifting to John. 'This can't be good,' I thought.
"Miss Collins, won't you join us for dinner?" My father asked.
"Oh, I'd be delighted!" She said. She seemed a bit overexcited. We all stepped into the Dining Room and pulled out our chairs. We sat down and Mother brought in egg casserole. The dish was fluffy eggs with large amounts of cheddar spread through, along with crumbly bits of bacon and bread. We said the blessing and dug in.
I almost laughed as I took in the eating habits of Miss Collins. She cut ridiculously tiny pieces and swirled them on her fork before zooming them into her mouth. Stifled chuckles came from all corners of the table. Apparently I was not the only one who thought it was funny.
"So, who am I to thank for the meal?" Miss Collins inquired.
"I made it," My mother says. Miss Collins applauds-I find that sort of odd.
"Well, it is absolutely delicious!" She comments. The rest of our dinner continues in silence until Miss Collins interrupts the peaceful bliss of noiselessness.
"I brought with me my entire collection of work on Pi. I'd like to read it to you." We all suppress a collective groan, except for Mark, who actually enjoys hearing lectures about Pi. I mean, I love working with numbers, but hearing about them before I go to sleep would likely cause excruciating pain of the brain.
"Sure," I say, using my good manners.
"Delightful," She says. It sounds slightly funny when she says it.
We all cleared the table and retire to the family room where Miss Collins pulled an immense book of calculus from her purse. I have to wonder-how in the world did she fit that thing in there?
Anyways, she begins to drone on and on… and on… and on… about Pi. I've always wondered how there can be so much to say about Pi. Pretty soon, all five of us brothers start to yawn, and mother sends us to our rooms for some much needed sleep, and a break from calculus. I mean, it's not everyday you make a new acquaintance and meet the person who would be removing you from the house once your father died who spoke quite eloquently on matters of a mathematical nature. But as I left I heard a snippet of a conversation.
"As you know, the Lord de Briggs is my esteemed patron. He pays for all my schooling in mathematics. He sent me out to look for a husband. I was hoping to pick one from your sons, and the eldest Mr. Bennet has caught my eye." I heard Miss Collins whisper, quite loudly in fact.
My mother sucked in a breath and replied, "I am sorry to say, but I believe John is madly in love with our neighbor, and that he will propose soon." As soon as I heard this I bolted past my brothers to my room, trying to hide from what I knew was coming next.
"But Freddie is a handsome boy, is he not?"