First Impressions: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Adaptation

Chapter 19

While it is not a prerequisite to be a lover of Shakespeare as an English major, it certainly helps. Luckily for Liz, she was a rather ardent fan of the plays, even if she would never consider herself to be a Shakespeare scholar, as some people might expect. Even a few days later, thinking back on the absurdity of the conversation, she had to laugh.

An undergraduate Shakespeare scholar? Highly unlikely. Although, Liz thought suddenly, tapping the back of her hairbrush against one hand, poor Anne Darcy, if she wasn't talented as an artist, who knew what her mother might have shoe-horned her into being interested in? She shook her head, running her fingers through the newly formed curls to loosen them into waves.

She plucked up her cardigan from the top of the dresser on her way out of the bedroom. She could hear voices in the sitting room. "Of course, I would have come anyway, but since Lady Catherine herself recommended going to see it, I don't know how I could have possibly not seen this production." Bill, unfortunately, had also invited himself out to the theater. He had innocently asked Charlotte what day her tickets were for and then immediately purchased his own for the same evening. She had little hope he would be in a different section, knowing both his personality and her own luck of late.

Her mood, after he insisted on joining them in Charlotte's car, was only slightly mollified by his pious reminder that carpooling was good for the environment. "By letting me ride with you, we're saving the world an entire round trip's worth of gas!" he reminded them solemnly as he buckled himself into the front passenger seat. "Of course, it would be better if everyone walked, but needs must."

"Compromise—how about we pull over and you walk?" Liz muttered under her breath. Mariah knocked her knee against Liz's shin but covered her laughter with a cough.

He didn't hear her, continuing on with his environmental protection speech. "Or maybe I'll get out and walk..." she added after a few minutes, more to herself than Mariah. Her general interests in green energy and good environment practices were completely overtaken by the sixth minute into his rambling guidance.

Luckily, he had moved on by the time they reached the theater—though after fifteen minutes, even the history of the town and the acting company wasn't exactly riveting. She had a momentary detour of thought as he pulled out his ticket and, of course, was in the same row as they were. Right next to them, in fact. Ticket checked and guidance given by the usher, he picked up right where he left off. "In 1964, I believe, though I could be off by two or three years, Stanley founded the Hunsford Players with another four actors from New York. There was a very interesting exhibit on the actors' histories that they hosted just last year and the upstairs space! Of course, Lady Catherine offered some funding to keep the exhibit up permanently, but unfortunately—"

Feeling only a little bad about it, Liz took half a step back just before they stepped into the row and gently slid Mariah in front of her, so she had to sit in the seat next to Bill, rather than Liz. Charlotte watched it all unfold but waited until they were seated before leaning over to chuckle in Liz's ear before whispering, "That's a rude way to treat my sister, Lizzie."

Liz only shrugged, smiled, and opened up her playbill.

~~~~

The house lights rose at the end of the third act and Liz let out a long, slightly overdramatic, sigh, pressing one hand against her cheek. She glanced sidelong at Bill, weighing the risks of her joke. "I guess we'll have to thank Lady Catherine for the recommendation. The play is very good."

She watched amusement as he almost burst at the compliment she paid the lady. "Oh, absolutely. I will make sure she hears your thanks at the earliest available opportunity."