“Just like she is inLittle Women. Warm, smart—challenging. I hope you can meet her too, one day.”
“One day? Let’s put her book out now and I can meet her tonight.”
“Well, it doesn’t really work that way. You don’t always get the characters you want.” Aurelia narrowed her eyes at Julia. “Do you think I would have chosen Blanche, Mrs. Jamieson, and Kitty?”
“Probably not,” Julia laughed. “But Kitty’s alright. I like her.”
Aurelia nodded absently, her mind stuck on what she’d just told Julia.She wondered again if the switch from lovely Lizzy, Darcy, and the others to Blanche, Mrs. Jamieson, and Kitty had something to do with Julia. But what?
“It’s hard to remember they’re characters and not real people,” Julia observed, interrupting Aurelia’s thoughts. “And it’s sort of strange that they know they come from books.”
“You get used to it. They seem like ‘real’ people the more you get to know them.”
Aurelia’s phone rang, and she startled for a second before answering it.
“How’re things this morning? Am I too early?” Antonia asked.
“No, we’re up. We’re just having some breakfast.”
“How’s it going?”
“We’re good,” Aurelia said, smiling at Julia and mouthingYour mum.“Do you want to talk to Julia?”
Antonia did, and Aurelia handed her phone to Julia, this time mouthingNot a word, and shaking her head to remind Julia to keep their secret.
Aurelia listened in as she washed up their breakfast things, but Julia didn’t mention their late-night adventure in the shop. When she hung up, Aurelia felt her body relax, not realizing how tense she’d been over what Julia might let slip.
“Can we watchPride and Prejudice?” Julia asked as she joined Aurelia in the kitchen. “I’ll never be able to read it in time to talk to Kitty tonight, and I promised her I’d report back on how she looks.”
“Actually, I was going to put their books away today and pick a few different ones. They haven’t exactly been the friendliest visitors.”
“No! I promised Kitty,” Julia said, her face falling. “Can’t we keep them around for a few more nights? She was going to show me one of the dances she knows.”
Aurelia groaned.
“That leaves me with Blanche and Mrs. Jamieson, and they’re unpleasant, to say the least.”
Julia gave Aurelia a desperate, imploring look, somehow knowing she would give in eventually.
“Fine, one more night. I’ll suffer for your sake,” Aurelia said with a drawn-out sigh.
“Thank you! And the movie?”
“I own two different versions—you can take your pick.”
“Of course you do.”
“Careful. Remember who’s doing you a favor.”
“Right!Cool—two versions,” Julia said teasingly. “Can we watch it now?”
Aurelia looked up at the clock: it was nearly ten and she should be opening the shop, but she was enjoying her time with Julia and finally being able to share her secret with someone.
“Alright, let’s do it. You get it cued up and I’ll take Biscuit out for a quick walk.”
“Really? Can we make popcorn? And hot chocolate! No, it’s too hot for that. Okay, but popcorn?”
“Sure. But don’t think you’re getting out of anything. You still need to actually readPride and Prejudice.”
