First (Wrong) Impressions: A Modern Pride & Prejudice (12 page)

“That can’t be true! Lizzy, you don’t actually believe it, do you?”

Lizzy shrugged. “Why shouldn’t I?”

“I can’t believe Darcy’s as bad as that.”

Lizzy took her seat on the couch. “Why not? He’s proud, rude, mean, heartless, asshole, asshat, ass…” She thought for a moment. “I’m running out of ass words.”

Jane shot her a reproachful look.

“I’m sorry, Jane. I believe George.”

“But how could Charles be ignorant of this?”

“Charles is a sweet and lovely man, but you have to admit he’s like the male equivalent of you.”

Another reproachful look from Jane Bennet. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“I’m saying that the two of you are eager to find the good in everyone and everything.”

“And you’re eager to find the fault in everything and everyone.”

“Bah.” Lizzy waved off her sister’s comment. “That’s Darcy.”

Jane let out a sigh and Lizzy waited to turn on the movie.

Finally, Jane broke the silence. “You like George, don’t you? That’s why you’re so hot to believe everything that he says.”

“Of course I like him. He’s scrubbing my floors all next week!” Lizzy laughed.

“Be serious.”

Lizzy let out another laugh before saying, “I just met him, but he seems nice. We got along really well.” Lizzy gave her sister a sly smile. “And he flirted with me nonstop all day.”

“I always wondered when the time would come that you’d find a guy you like enough to hold your tongue at work. Could this be the man?”

Lizzy pressed play and said, “Oh, shut up.”

Chapter 13

October 10

As promised, Charles threw a party at the newly-renovated condo overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. There were about forty people milling around by the time Lizzy and Jane arrived, and Mary and Lydia were already there. Lydia was dressed like a pop princess, and Jane was in a rather sexy, low-cut dress. Lizzy wore nice jeans and a pretty blouse; she didn’t own party clothes. Mary was in dress pants and a button shirt, so at least Lizzy wasn’t completely underdressed.

Caroline greeted them in a dress worthy of Hollywood award season. Above the knee, tight, low-cut, and backless. It sparkled and clung to her curves, and probably cost more than a used car.

Charles greeted them and kissed Jane’s cheek as soon as he saw her, taking her coat. “You look sexy, baby.”

Jane smiled prettily, and chucked him in the arm.

“Want to dance?”

Jane smiled. “That’s why I brought my dancing shoes.”

Charles helped Jane into her shoes and they laughed and giggled before heading out into the giant expanse that Lizzy assumed was supposed to be a living room. Whatever function the room normally served, it was now a dance floor double the size of that at most bars and wedding events. Furniture was pushed to the far wall and formed intimate cloisters for chatting.

“Lizzy, there’s food just through there.” Caroline motioned to a room on her left. “Your sister Mary said Lydia’s only staying for a couple of hours?”

“She has an audition in Banff this week, so Mom’s driving her out there in the morning.”

Caroline seemed relieved. “We already opened some of the wine and beer. I hope that’s all right, with your sister here.”

“Sure, that’s fine.” Lizzy was pleased to see Caroline being so attentive. Maybe her judgment had been off a little.

Caroline leaned toward her and said in a low voice, “I heard your sister mention that you were considering bringing…someone tonight?”

Lizzy shook her head.

“No? I understood that you and George Wickham are friendly.”

“Oh, um, he’s working for me right now. Just a short-term volunteer thing. We’re not dating.”

Caroline straightened and seemed satisfied. “Oh, good. I wanted to warn you that Charles and I wouldn’t be able to let George in, if he came. And let me give you a piece of advice, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Lizzy said in a voice that said she really did.

“Don’t believe everything George tells you.”

“Really? Do you know the history between him and Darcy?”

“I never knew the details, but I know that George has done everything he can to smear Darcy’s name. It’s probably why he’s in Edmonton and at your agency, you know. He likes to follow Darcy around as much as possible, to cause trouble.”

“It could be that George’s family lives in Calgary, and many of his friends are in Edmonton. These aren’t huge cities. It’s easy enough to bump into people.”

Caroline opened her mouth and it was clear from her expression that a hot remark was coming. But she seemed to recover. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend you. Have a nice evening.”

And with that, Caroline spun off to join some other well-dressed, tall women in the corner. A moment later, laughter erupted and they looked in Lizzy’s direction.

Lizzy felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but she made her way to the food room. If nothing else, she could hang out there and make herself sick on potato chips. Like at most parties.

When Lizzy arrived in the dining room, nothing resembled a potato chip. “Good Lord,” she exclaimed. There was no way Caroline had cooked all this herself; it must have been catered. The usual veggie tray with ranch dip from the grocery store was absent. In its place was a glass platter of grilled asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, cucumber cups filled with carrot curls, and vegetables arranged to look like different kinds of sushi. The potato chips had been replaced with baked pita chips and an assortment of multi-coloured circular things that Lizzy guessed were baked vegetable chips. Trays upon trays were filled with meats and cheeses, hummus and chutneys, and too many miniature foods to count.

“Quite something, isn’t it?”

Lizzy let out a gasp; she hadn’t realized anyone else was there. In the corner sat Luke and Liam, their plates piled high. “I didn’t know you were here already. Caroline didn’t tell me. Oh, Liam. I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Charles extended the invitation to Luke to include a friend, so he asked if I’d want to come,” Liam said, a bright smile on his face. “I love dancing, so I hope to enjoy a song or two with you tonight, Lizzy.”

Lizzy gave a small smile that was both polite and non-committal.

“Oh, I see William Darcy out there. Did you know he’s my patron’s nephew? Yes, he is. I have to go chat with him. Excuse me.” And Liam rushed off with his plate still in hand.

Lizzy turned to Luke, crossing her arms.

“What?”

She cocked one eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes. “Look, he had nothing to do and since he knew me and you, I thought I could invite him.”

“So?” She left the question hang.

Luke fidgeted. “Seriously, Lizzy? If a straight guy and a gal can be friends, I’m certain two gay men can be friends.”

She laughed and sat down next to him. “I’m just teasing. That flamer isn’t your type.”

“Please. I don’t even know what my type is.”

She nudged him. “I do. So, you want some serious gossip?”

****

“Are you sure it’s true?” Luke asked, when Lizzy had filled him in on all the delicious Darcy gossip. He seemed doubtful about the entire story.

“How can it not be?” Lizzy snapped. “George told me everything, and Darcy has bragged about that ‘good opinion once lost is lost forever’ nonsense. If Darcy wants to refute it, let him. I believe George.”

“Where is George? I thought you said he was coming.”

Lizzy sighed. “I have no idea. Not a word from him. No text or anything. He told me even this morning that he was going to come. I don’t know what happened.”

“Maybe he was afraid of Darcy.”

“Pfft.” She was about to say more, but Luke shushed her.

Darcy was approaching, dressed in a dark grey suit with a white shirt and a navy blue tie. He gave them a small smile. “Lizzy, would you like to dance with me?”

“I…I mean…Sure. Yes.” She inwardly cringed. Hadn’t she sworn never to dance with him and to hate him for all eternity? It would be awkward if she suddenly liked him after this. Of course, that wasn’t possible without the intervention of aliens or magical potions.

The generic dance music faded and, as Lizzy took Darcy’s hand, the slow, rich sounds of
Unchained Melody
began. Lizzy groaned, but then smiled at Darcy as he slowly swayed and stepped with her.

He didn’t speak, so Lizzy, unable to deal with the silence, said, “This place is gorgeous.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I hope Charles’s friends will be happy with the reno.”

“I’m sure they will.”

“The food is really awesome.”

“Caroline hired a caterer.”

Deciding she was unworthy of more than four word answers, Lizzy gave in to the silence once more.

“Did you work today?”

He speaks! “Just a couple of hours. I have to pace myself coming into the Christmas season. I can’t have my first meltdown before the seventeenth.”

“Of November?”

“December.” She laughed. “Generally, it’s weeks and weeks of a slow-burning, overwhelmed feeling before we all snap one by one. Luke usually crashes on the twentieth, so I gotta schedule my breakdown around the seventeenth.”

“It’s good to know that your breakdowns are predictable, at least.”

More than four words! He was practically chatty. “You haven’t been at The Faith lately.”

“No,” Darcy said. “I’m not keen on one of your new volunteers.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard many things.” Darcy stepped away from her and added, “I hope you won’t take one man’s word as gospel. Thank you for the dance.”

And he left her, before the music had even finished. Arg! What a freaking jerk.

For the next hour, Lizzy did little more than eat and chat with Mary, while Darcy ignored her, Luke was busy being stalked by Liam, and Charles and Jane were eye-sexing each other all over the freaking place.

“I’m so bored,” Lizzy complained.

Mary continued to stare ahead. “I gave up an anime marathon to drive Lydia here.”

“Take off. I can give Lydia a ride home. Jane’s not coming back tonight.”

Mary arched an eyebrow. “You think?”

Lizzy watched her sister and Charles slow dance. Jane was radiant and Charles glowed nearly as much. They were perfectly matched. They even looked good together. Lizzy had seen her sister have plenty of casual relationships, at least back when Jane was a skater, but Charles was different.

“I think Jane’s not going to come home for a while.”

“I like Charles,” Mary said. “I never liked Todd. He was rude.”

“I liked him at the time. Looking back, he was a bit of a jerk. I don’t mean the whole dumping Jane at the hospital thing, either. Just overall. He was a jerk.”

“You sure you don’t mind giving Lydia a ride home?”

“Take off. Go do your thing.”

“Thanks, Lizzy.” Mary looked in Darcy’s direction. “You know, Darcy looks at you an awful lot.”

Lizzy glanced across; Darcy met her eye for a moment before turning back to Caroline. “Because I’m the only person he’s ever met who didn’t feel honoured to be in his presence.”

Mary snorted. “Good night, Lizzy.”

“Good night, Mary.”

Chapter 14

October 14

Jane surprised Lizzy by staying home every night after the party. She said everything was fine with Charles, and that he was busy with Darcy and his sister, so she didn’t want to intrude. Lizzy was a bit surprised, and Luke’s little warning about Jane playing it cool set off small warning bells.

Lizzy didn’t have much time to worry about Jane and Charles, since she had to say farewell to the glorious body of George Wickham around The Faith. He’d finished his community service and, to celebrate, she was cooking him supper.

Jane, in her useful helpful manner, hovered around the kitchen like a mother hen. “Lizzy, are you sure you don’t want us to go out? I don’t mind. I can call Charles and ask if he wants to catch a movie.”

“Jane, listen to me. I am cooking George supper and nothing else. This is strictly a get-to-know-you night and nothing else is going to happen. You know what I’m like.”

Jane gave her a wicked smile. “You do like him.”

Lizzy stirred the chili “I think so. I don’t know. He isn’t in town for much longer, and I’m not keen on the long-distance thing.”

“I know,” Jane said. “I wanted to make sure, though.”

“Thanks. I don’t really know George that well. I’m not…well, you know.”

Jane put her chin on Lizzy’s shoulder. “You don’t need to explain, Lizzy. I know.” Jane headed toward the staircase and said, “Mary and I will be downstairs if you need anything.”

Lizzy smiled. “I’ll stomp on the floor if I need a timely rescue.”

“You do that.”

Jane headed downstairs and closed the door to give them privacy. Nervous twitches formed in Lizzy’s guts. She liked George, though she wasn’t sure if she
liked
him. He was uber-sexy and charming, but beyond the great biceps and smile, did he have anything in common with her?

Maybe. Maybe not. That was what tonight was about: finding out.

The doorbell rang and Lizzy’s heart fluttered. She took a deep breath before walking over to the door. George greeted her with a wide grin…and a dozen red roses.

“Did you know the house next door has the exact same address as yours?” he said.

Lizzy snorted. “Oh no! Did they steal my numbers again?” She let him in and accepted the roses. “Thank you, these are lovely.”

“You’re welcome and, yes, your house numbers are missing. However, I was offered several illegal drugs, a sixteen-year-old virgin, and a used car.”

“I’m surprised you showed up; that sounds like quite the party.” She motioned for him to sit and went back to the kitchen.

“I was counting on you being more fun.” He followed her and leaned against the small counter, just in her way, so that she’d have to keep reaching around him to get at anything.

Lizzy twitched a smile, though she wasn’t sure how to take the comment. She laughed it off and said, “Sorry, George, There are no sixteen-year-old virgins over here.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “Though that was damn tempting.”