Why hello there. It's me again. Congratulations! You've just won Chapter Nine. So, what are you gonna do next?

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Conceit and Contemptuousness

Chapter Nine

The day proceeded on as usual. At dinner Mother announced that Miss Collins would be staying with the Lucases for the remainder of her visit. I breathed a sigh of relief.

A few days later I found myself seated upon a swing in the park. The sky was overcast and gloomy, but so was I. There hadn't been a peep out of Miss Wickham and the Models were leaving Seattle in a few weeks. There was no explanation from Sam about her strange behavior at the Ball, but I had expected as much.

My mood brightened when I saw Shane walking towards me.

"Shane!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Freddie," He began, with a look of seriousness upon his face. "I've come to tell you the news. Miss Collins and I are… engaged."

"Engaged!" I nearly barked. "To be married?"

"Yes of course. What other kind of engaged is there?" He replied.

My shock must have shown, because his normally mild demeanor became quite angry and defensive.

"Oh for Heaven's sake!" He exploded. "Freddie, don't look at me like that. There is no earthly reason why I shouldn't be as happy with him as any other."

"But the girl is ridiculous!" I charged.

"Oh hush!" He reprimanded. "Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I've been offered a comfortable home. There's a lot to be thankful for."

"But…" I started.

"I'm twenty-seven years old," He interrupted. "I've no money and no prospects. I'm already a burden to my parents and I'm frightened. So don't you dare judge me Freddie!"

He turned and added, "Don't you dare!" And with that my best friend was gone.

That unexpected visit did nothing to help my sour disposition. I just sat there on that swing, gawking. Suddenly I felt a raindrop upon my nose. I jumped up and dashed home, which I reached before the torrential downpour began.

I strolled into the apartment happy to have escaped death by soaking, only to find John curled up on the sofa in the fetal position, appearing to be miserable. This was quite unusual for him.

"What's wrong?" I implored.

"I got a letter today from Spencer Bingley," he answered.

"Well what was so terrible about it that it caused you to crouch on the sofa in the fetal position?" I asked.

"Go ahead; read it. I don't mind." He handed me the piece of paper, and I soon saw what was bothering him.

My Dear John,

I regret to inform you that we are relocating to Olympia for a while. I do not know when or if we will return. While I'm there I will be reunited with my beloved friend George Darcy, quite possibly the best trombone player this side of the world, of whom I soon hope to have the pleasure of calling brother.

Sincerely,

Spencer Bingley

There was more, but since it consisted entirely of a description of George's perfectness I decided to omit it.

"Maybe she doesn't like me!" John blubbered. Oh, how I despised Spencer Bingley at that moment. Anyone who could do that to another person was obviously not a person at all.

"Don't be silly!" I slapped him out of his delirium with a conveniently placed roll of newspaper that had been located on the end table. "Of course she likes you! I bet this whole thing was Spencer's idea. He's taken it into his head to marry Sam for her money. He's trying to make the match more probable. At the moment, Sam is betrothed to the son of Lord de Briggs. If Carly were to marry Mr. Darcy, it would be more likely that Sam would become engaged to him instead of Jeremy de Briggs. He's taken Carly away because he believes that she has become too attached to you! You are obviously a threat to his master plan." I concluded.

"You really think so?" He questioned.

"Of course," I answered. "You two belong together like Romeo and Juliet. Only without the pain, suffering, and death."

"Thanks for cheering me up." He finally lifted himself off the couch. He still appeared dejected, but it was a start.

"Call Aunt and Uncle, and ask if you can stay with them in Olympia for a while. Then go there and win your woman back!" I suggested.

"Yeah," He responded. He smiled as he grabbed the closest phone. My work here was done.

AN: Read and Review.... or else!