What Would Lizzy Bennet Do? (41 page)

“If you don’t help with the work, don’t expect to share the fruits of our labour,” he called out after her. “More pie for you and me, eh, Martine?”

More pie is the last thing either of you needs
, Emma thought uncharitably as she went upstairs to get ready. Mr Bennet was already plump as a partridge, and Martine’s jeans strained to cover her bum. If she lost a stone the girl had the potential to be a knockout.

Oh, well. Rome wasn’t built in a day, she reminded herself, and giving a makeover to a girl like Martine – who, despite her pretty face and sweet nature, had neither money nor education to recommend her - would require more than twenty-four hours.

But the idea of taking Martine under her wing, turning her from a rough-edged country girl and polishing her, like one of daddy’s Pippins, into someone more refined – more
worthy
- took hold in Emma’s thoughts and wouldn’t let go.

She went into her bedroom and picked up her handbag. In truth, she had no real reason to go to Litchfield; the pantry was stocked, thanks to Martine, and there was nothing she needed from the shops, no mail to take to the post office. But the girl’s words had piqued her curiosity.

Someone’s bought the manor house up on the hill. A bachelor
.
From London
.

The news, Emma decided as she went downstairs and let herself out, was most intriguing…

…and worthy of immediate investigation.

CARINA™

ISBN: 978-1-474-04742-5

What Would Lizzy Bennet Do?

Copyright © 2016 Katie Oliver

Published in Great Britain (2016)

by Carina, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

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