Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice Read Online Free

another relationship where Erin's boyfriend sent her home with bruises. But after that experience, Cassie could understand why Erin would be anxious about being alone with a man she hardly knew. "All right, I'll come."

    With a certain sense of unreality, Cassie and Erin approached the heretofore forbidden guard booth at the entrance to Penzance Point. The guard, who had chased away many years' worth of exploring grad students, was perfectly polite when Erin explained they were invited by Mr. Dunstan. He called up to the house to confirm the information before waving them through.
       Cassie could see why the residents wanted to keep it to themselves. The walk along the winding road provided stunning vistas of Vineyard Sound and Buzzard's Bay. They passed a few old estates, as well as some elaborate newer houses. Scott's house, a modern construction of glass and wood, wasn't the largest or most extravagant, but it was big enough that she rapidly revised her estimate of its cost upwards. "I doubt if that cost less than five million dollars!" she whispered to Erin. What a contrast to the tiny, well-worn rental cottage she shared with Erin!
       "Oh, hush, Cassie! I don't even want to think about it! Remember, we're only here to have a nice afternoon."
       "And I thought you invited me to protect your reputation," Cassie teased.
       Scott met them at the door with a wide smile. He offered them a tour of the house, which only confirmed Cassie's impression of his wealth. She wondered if Erin understood what she was getting herself into. They ended in the dining room, where a catered lunch was set out.
       To Cassie's surprise, they were joined by a silent Calder Westing. She hadn't realized he was staying with his friend, or she would have thought twice about accepting the invitation. Maybe even three times. His presence made her uncomfortable. Every time she glanced in his direction, his eyes were on her. She had no idea what it was about her that bothered him so much. She was relieved when he disappeared again as soon as he was done eating.
       Scott shrugged apologetically. "Sorry about that. Calder can get pretty involved in his work and tends to forget about anything else."
       "I hadn't realized this was a working vacation for him." Erin took a sip of white wine.
       Scott hesitated for a second. "Well, he has some things he needs to do for the foundation he works with. But I'm more interested in what you'd like to do than what he's doing. What will it be? Swimming? Sailing? Lazing about on the porch?"
       Erin's face lit up. "I love to sail. Do you have a boat?"
       "I certainly do. Want to see her?"
       Cassie accompanied them as they went down to the water to look at the boat, but she doubted they noticed her presence. She was definitely a third wheel now. When the subject of going out on the water arose, she said she would be perfectly happy sitting on the porch reading, but hoped they would go ahead. Scott, looking delighted at the prospect of being alone with Erin, seconded the proposal.
       Cassie found a comfortable chair on the porch and pulled out the book she had brought with her. It was soothing to sit in the cool salt breeze, the view of the Sound stretched out in front of her. She'd be able to live anywhere with a view like this. But she couldn't complain. Woods Hole, surrounded by water on three sides, was a mecca for marine biologists, and she was lucky to get lab space there so early in her career. That was more important than a beautiful view.
       She had read only a couple of chapters before Calder emerged from the house and asked abruptly where the others were.
       She pointed out into the Sound. "They took the boat out. I decided to be a landlubber."
       "You don't sail?"
       "Actually, I do, though I haven't done it much. Not like Erin. She's from this area originally, and she practically grew up on sailboats." Looking out over the bay, she saw a few dark