Netherfield Prep (Austen Reimagined: P&P #1) Read online

  “Man, come on. Term is only two more weeks, then we can relax!”

  “Jackson, if you relaxed any more, you’d be dead,” I commented dryly and he laughed.

  He nudged me as I heard a shrill laugh and followed his gaze to where four girls were walking in to the dining room. My eyes immediately recognised the tall Brewer sisters, hurrying in ahead of their companions and giggling like hyenas. Behind them, it took me but a moment to recognise Lily and Anne, arm-in-arm and talking quietly to each other.

  “Damn, new girl’s hot!” Cassandra nudged Jax, who bumped into me.

  I glared at her. “There is no need to be so vocal.”

  “Didn’t I tell you he needs to loosen up?” Jax asked our cousin.

  “You did,” she gave me a quick look, “and you do.” She laughed, turning back to watch Lily. “What kind of seventeen-year-old doesn’t appreciate a fine form?”

  “Be careful, Cassandra, she may not bat for your team,” I replied, not wanting to tell her I was plenty capable of appreciating a fine form.

  In fact, watching Lily walk across the room had me very appreciative of her fine form. She was much less crumpled than earlier, and thankfully more clothed than I’d last seen her. She wore a long skirt now, which hid what I knew to be very attractive legs, and a singlet that clung to her generous curves in a way that made me want to cover her with my shirt…among other things.

  I shook my head and turned back to my steak.

  “Have you ever noticed that Anne girl before?” I heard Jax ask.

  “Which one?” Cass asked.

  “The one with the new girl.”

  “The new girl has a name,” I muttered.

  “Yes, I know. Yet, I’m not the one who insulted her after she told us her mother died, now am I?” Jax snarked.

  “You did what?” Cassandra choked on her cola.

  “I merely asked her a question,” I said, raking my hand through my hair. My eyes scanned the room, but I wasn’t sure what they were looking for until they found Lily again.

  The four of them were sitting at a table with a girl and guy who I barely recognised. She chatted animatedly with them, her smile lighting up her face as though the sun chose to shine over her like a spotlight.

  “Cass, back to this Anne girl…” Jax said.

  “I’ve seen her around I guess. I mean, she’s not unfamiliar, but I don’t know her. Why?” She laughed and I looked to Jax’s face. “You have a crush on the little nerd, don’t you?”

  I could tell by Jax’s lazy smile that he did indeed have his eye on this Anne girl.

  “Jackson-”

  “She is beautiful, Oz…” he breathed.

  I shook my head and looked at her again. “Yes, she is very attractive. Behind those glasses, if she cleaned herself up, I would hazard she could be the prettiest girl in the whole place.”

  Cassandra breathed out. “That’s a tall claim, Austin. What about Lily?”

  “You’re just interested because she’s fresh meat,” I answered.

  “Doesn’t answer the question, Cooper.”

  I looked at the girls again. Yes, Anne was a very good-looking girl, if a bit shy, and I stood by my statement. I was interested in why we had never noticed her before. However, there was a spark in Lily Brewer that held my interest far more readily.

  “She’s pretty, but she’s not my type,” I answered.

  At that moment, Lily looked up at me. A flicker of annoyance passed over her face before she turned back to Anne. Through the rest of dinner, she shot glances at me now and then. Which, of course, I only knew because I looked at her equally often.

  “Sure, brother, you tell yourself she’s not your type,” I heard Jax chuckle.

  ****

  Later, in our room, we were playing a game on our console.

  “Oi, do you think that Anne girl wants to go to the party with me on Friday?” Jax asked.

  “Lord, I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her and find out?” I asked as my avatar peered around a building.

  “You could ask Lily.”

  I rolled my eyes. He was always like this when he saw a beautiful girl; fall madly and instantly in love then try to pair me up with the closest girl to her.

  “Thank you, if I was inclined to invite a girl to these stupid parties, I’d like to think I could find my own.”

  “You’d like to think that, Oz.” Jax smiled. “But, you, brother, with your long hair, tattoos and very approachable face,” he laughed and my indignant splutter, “you haven’t exactly got girls clamouring to speak to you; oh, they’ll watch you intently, but none of them would have the guts to actually speak to you. You could try smiling once in a while.”

  “I smile.”

  “Ha! You smile about as often as I flirt with boys,” Cassandra said as she came in.

  “You’re not helping, cousin,” I muttered, throwing down my controller and getting up. “I could smile if I wanted to.”

  “You’re certainly a comedian,” Jax joked.

  I smiled as I hid my laugh.

  “See, look!” Jax pointed, looking to Cassandra for back up.

  “If I had any idea what your nutters were on about, I might be able to weigh in on this conversation.” She shrugged.

  Jax swivelled around and lounged back in his chair. “Do you think that Anne girl would go to the party on Friday with me?”

  Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “And, why do you want to ask her, Jackson?”

  He laid his head on the back of the chair and sighed. “She’s beautiful, Cass.”

  She looked at me and I nodded.

  “I know, don’t look at me. I tried to stop the madness, but it will just have to run itself out.” I smiled wryly.

  “Have you gone mad?”

  “I think he should ask Lily,” Jax said lazily.

  Cassandra laughed. “Because she’ll want to go with him.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked, looking between them.

  “Don’t tell me you wanted to ask her?” Cass laughed.

  “That’s not the point, if I did want to – which I don’t – but if I did, then I could easily persuade her.”

  “It would, first, require you actually wanting to go to a party, Oz, and I don’t see that happening.” Cass plonked herself down on my bed.

  “Make yourself at home, Cassandra,” I muttered.

  “I will, thank you.” She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Right, now, Jax, tell me about this Anne.”

  He blinked at her. “Well, she’s beautiful.”

  “Aha, because that is a great basis for a relationship.” Cass snorted. “In that case, Oz will have a million girls bursting in that door in any second.”

  “You saying I’m beautiful, Cass?” I smiled.

  “You both know you’re very attractive boys. And, if I batted for your team, I’d entirely have a go at both of you. Probably at once.” She winked and I laughed at her twisted sense of humour.

  “So, why aren’t girls lining up at my door if they are at his?” Jax asked.

  I snorted. “Are you blind, man? There are probably girls outside right now just waiting to bump into you.”

  “Do you think Anne’s there?” he asked, looking towards the door.

  “Lord, really?”

  Cass looked at me. “You know…I worry about him…”

  “You’re not the only one.” I smiled. “Are you going to the party with anyone?”

  She shrugged. “I’m going, but whether I’m going with anyone or not…” She winked.

  “You’re incorrigible, Cass,” I laughed.

  She lay down. “You know me, Oz. I don’t like to narrow down my options.”

  “I know you’re waiting for some rich lass to sweep you off your feet,” Jax laughed.

  “Did you just say ‘lass’?” I looked at him.

  “There’s nothing wrong with the word lass. It
’s very romantic,” Jax replied and I snorted.

  “And, you’re nothing if not romantic, are you, brother?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, I think Jax could romance the socks off a girl if he wanted,” Cass said.

  “I don’t imagine its Anne’s socks he wants to romance off,” I chuckled and Cass joined me.

  Jax narrowed his eyes at us. “I’ll have you know-”

  “I do not want to know what your intentions are for her, Jax,” I said, holding up my hand. “You can intend what you want, but don’t come crying to me because she’s clingy when you stop paying attention to her.”

  “I’m going to ask her,” Jax said.

  “You do that.”

  “You should ask Lily.”

  “For God’s sake, mate. I am not asking out the roommate of the girl you’re interested in. You can date a girl without me getting close to her friends. If they even will be friends.”

  “This is less about my needing a wingman, and more about your happiness, Oz.”

  I snorted. “I am perfectly happy, Jax.”

  “Tell us what’s wrong with this one.”

  “What is that supposed to mean, Cass?” I turned to her. She leant back on her elbows and her eyebrows were raised.

  “Tell us the last girl you were interested in.”

  I crossed my arms and looked between the two of them. “Anita.”

  They both snorted.

  “Anita? And, how old were you when you liked her? Ten?” Cassandra asked.

  “He was thirteen,” Jax replied. “And she was our babysitter.”

  “I believe she preferred the term Au Pair,” I replied.

  “I believe she preferred Dante the pool boy.” Jax snorted. “Besides, babysitter or Au Pair, she wasn’t exactly attainable, was she?”

  “Brother, she didn’t need to be attainable. You asked me the last girl I was interested in,” I replied.

  “Does no one else compare to her, Austin?” Cass teased, batting her eyelids.

  I thought about the redheaded Lily with her long, slim legs and bright smile, and grinned. “I don’t need a girl to make me happy.”

  “Don’t let Aunt Celia hear you say that.” Jax shuddered. “She wants us married off to our eligible ladies as soon as possible.”

  “Can we not finish school first? Must you find the love of your life before you graduate?”

  Jax shrugged. “I should think Aunt Celia would prefer us married already.”

  “That’s not even legal!”

  “Because that will stop her.” He snorted.

  “And, what will Aunt Celia think of Anne?”

  “Aunt Celia can bite me.”

  “If she can bite you, why do I have to find a girl?”

  “Because, you finding a girl will be the last thing she wants.” Jax grinned.

  “She still trying to get you together with Petal van What’s-her-face?” Cass laughed.

  “Aunt Celia is quite adamant Austin will marry Fleur van Wilhausen.” Jax giggled.

  “Because Fleur isn’t?”

  “Both Fleur and Aunt Celia can bite my arse,” I muttered, turning on my heel and walking out of the room.

  I needed to clear my head; I had a ridiculous redhead’s smile flitting through it.

  “I’m sure Fleur’d love to,” I heard Cass laugh through the closed door.

  Chapter Three: Lily

  My first week at Netherfield was as disastrous as I’d expected it to be.

  For starters, I had one uniform to last me the whole week. Secondly, Gemma and Kate were a right royal pain in my arse, not helped by the fact that Dad had called me on Wednesday as I hurried from one class to another. I’d answered my phone as I pushed through the throng of students in the hallway, rolling my eyes when I saw the caller ID.

  “Look, now is not a good time,” I said, looking for any signs to point me in the right direction.

  “Lily, is that any way to greet your father?” his voice was stern.

  “Do you not own a clock, Dad?” I snapped, my frustration rising, “I’m between classes and have no idea where I’m going. So, if it’s not urgent, I will speak to you later.”

  “You do not need to take that tone with me, Liliana Brewer. I only wanted to check you are taking care of your sisters? Lord knows they need some guidance.”

  “Jesus, Dad. As best I can, yes. Although, it is an awful lot easier now I’m on the same side of the world as them. You’re their father, as much as that’s worth, shouldn’t you be providing the guidance?”

  I could almost hear his jaw clenching and see his face flush. “You are testing my patience, Lily. I am your father. I deserve more respect-”

  “And, what about Mum, huh?” I asked, feeling a lump forming in my throat. “Did she not deserve more respect? I have to go.” I hung up on him and stood in the middle of the hallway, blinking back tears.

  I’d barely had any time to think about Mum in the last few days. She’d died of cancer, so it was expected, but I still hadn’t been ready to say that final goodbye. Knowing her departure meant I’d have to live with my father only made it worse, especially after all he’d put us through over the years. But, then I was shipped off to boarding school and had felt a small sense of relief.

  The hallways were clearing as students found their classrooms. But, I didn’t have the energy to move. Dad had always been an epic wanker. Though Gemma and Kate seemed not to notice, my stepmum, Claire, did. Why they were still together was beyond me. I’d watched him break Mum’s heart when he left her for Claire’s money… I assumed as long as he had it, he didn’t care what their relationship was like. Claire, though, I did like; she was sensible and kind, and loved the three of us equally.

  “Lil! There you are!” I heard Anne call and saw her hurry towards me. “Next time, I’m not even letting you go to the bathroom alone. So much for your map reading skills.”

  I choked out a laugh amidst the tears. “Sorry, I got totally disoriented. The kids are like a current.”

  She looked at me as though she realised I was about to burst into tears at any moment, but she said nothing. She smiled. “Yeah, you’ll get totally swept up if you’re not careful. Come on, this way.”

  She took my elbow and led me through the labyrinthine corridors for a most exciting English lesson. Seriously, it was thrilling, I tell you.

  ****

  There was a common room in the Longbourn dorm wing, and Anne told me that was where everyone hung out after lessons before dinner. So, that was what we did. I seemed to have accumulated a small group of people to sit with; along with Anne was her sister Marie and her friend Charlie, and of course Gemma and Kate.

  Marie was an odd sort, hidden behind lumpy woollen jumpers and tome-sized books, her thick glasses sliding down her nose. She was a plain girl, nothing like her older sister, with non-descript brown hair and eyes. When she talked, she seemed to constantly lecture, but I sensed she had a good heart.

  Charlie was lovely. He was a tall, lanky boy with brown hair and hazel eyes. We hit it off straight away, but I could tell as soon as I met him that there was no chance he’d be hitting on me. It’s not that I thought I was wonderful enough for every guy to fall at my feet, I just didn’t want there to be any chance guys would flirt with me; my dad had ensured that.

  Friday was no different. Although, I’d been told there was some party on that night, to which we could-

  “What’s he doing here?” I heard Kate squeal and rolled my eyes.

  “What’s who doing here?” Anne asked, looking around, and then gasped. “Oh my God!”

  I looked up at her, smiling at the look of absolute horrified excitement on her face and followed her gaze. Jax strode towards us, still in his navy and grey uniform, grinning at Anne. Austin followed behind, also in his uniform, but he looked more bored than ever. His gaze swept the room as though he had something gross under his nose and he’d much rather be leaving than ar
riving.

  “What an arse,” I muttered.

  Marie looked up. “Austin Cooper? Yes,” was all she said before going back to her book.

  Charlie and I exchanged a smile. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when Jax came up to us.

  “Lily, nice to see you.” He smiled. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he turned to look at Anne. “Anne, how are you?”

  Anne shot me a questioning glance. I shrugged and snuck a glance at Austin who stood behind his brother, his arms crossed as though he expected someone to come running up and attack them or something.

  “I’m fine, Jax, thanks. How are you?”

  He beamed. “Good, good. Uh…look, I was just wondering if you might want to go to the party with me tonight?”

  Gemma and Kate giggled and grabbed each other’s arms. I was about to hush them when Anne threw me another look, this one was more panicked than anything else. She looked up at Jax adoringly and I had the distinct feeling her brain had melted.

  I laughed. “She’d love to, Jax.”

  Jax looked between us, uncertainty marring his adorably open expression. “Don’t feel you have to. I-”

  “No, no. That would be great,” Anne said in a small voice, smiling.

  Jax beamed around at us again. “Awesome, I’ll, uh, pick you up at half eight?”

  “I can meet you there? Our wing’s a bit out of your way.”

  He chuckled. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

  She nodded, seeming not quite sure what else to say.

  “Great, I’ll see you ladies, then.” He bowed extravagantly.

  When he turned, Austin gave him a tight smile before staring at me. His intense grey eyes seemed to be looking for something in my face and I had the distinct desire to punch him in his smarmy face.

  “You right?” I asked him.

  He blinked at me a couple of times before turning after Jax, who was saying hello to every person he passed, regardless of the startled looks on their faces.

  “Oh my God!” Gemma and Kate giggled, falling about like the lunatics they were.

  I rolled my eyes at them, but couldn’t help but smile; they were infuriating, but they couldn’t help who they were.