“How could he not?” I asked her. “You’re pretty amazing.”
“I just wish we could have more private time together,” she said, still looking at her hands. Her smile faded. “These openings and events are fun, but...” She sighed.
“But the crowds and photographers are too much for you,” I finished, squeezing her shoulder. Jane nodded sadly.
“I really would prefer to just go to a movie. Or cook him dinner here,” she said. “I don’t feel like I belong up there in front of everyone.”
I gave her a big hug. “You’re doing great,” I told her. “And you totally belong up there with him. You’re gorgeous, and you belong.”
She smiled weakly. “Thanks,” she said with a shrug. “We should get going, or we’re going to be late.”
I nodded and grabbed our coats. I made sure Lydia turned off the curling iron (she hadn’t) before we left, and together the three of us headed out of our building and down to a waiting limo. I was almost getting used to riding around in these things. It still felt luxurious to be chauffeured around the city this way, but I no longer felt like a newbie getting in and out of them.
Mr. Darcy and Charles weren’t waiting for us in the limo this time. They were already at the grand opening of Charles’ new hotel. There was a big party to show off the new building, and they were going to meet us there.
The drive was comfortable as we went to the far edge of the city to celebrate and see the new hotel. Lydia chattered happily as we drove, telling us how wonderful Wickham was and all the auditions she was going to go on.
About halfway there, Lydia pulled a flask out of her jacket and grinned. “Pre-game?”
“Yes, please,” Jane said, reaching over and taking a big sip. She sighed as it went down. “I hate being out in public.”
“Did you tell Charles?” Lydia asked. “Given the way he moons over you, he’d probably stop asking you to do this kind of thing.”
“No.” Jane held the flask in her hands and stared at it. She looked up at Lydia. “Because what if he decided not to invite me at all? It is his job, after all. I’d rather deal with the crowds and pictures than not be with him.” She took another sip. “Besides, I think I’m getting better at it.”
“You should just tell him,” Lydia told her.
“Thanks, little sister,” Jane replied, handing back the flask. I wasn’t sure if she meant for the advice or the whiskey.
“Anytime, big sister,” Lydia replied with a smile.
“My turn,” I said, taking a swig. The whiskey burned on the way down with a beautiful warmth. I could feel it seep into my toes. If nothing else, this would make me more pleasant to Mr. Darcy if I couldn’t manage to avoid him.
The limo stopped in front of a beautiful new hotel with a red carpet coming out the front door. Climbing out of the limo and stepping up onto that red carpet, I fel
t like I was important. It only got better as we walked right past everyone waiting to get in.
As soon as we stepped into the lobby, Charles came to greet us. Mr. Darcy was nowhere to be seen. Charles’ smile was solely for Jane as cameras flashed all around us. She kissed his cheek and turned a bright shade of red as a camera flash clearly caught her in the act.
“I’m going to go make some new friends,” Lydia announced. “Bye.”
“Hey, behave yourself!” I called out to her. I didn’t want another repeat of the gala. Or the club.
Please, please, please, let her not cause a scene this time, I prayed silently. I wasn’t holding out much hope.
I found myself standing in the lobby by myself. Jane and Charles were off to the side, talking to another couple. It seemed like everyone in the room was paired off, and I was the lone man out. For a moment, I wished that Wickham had been able to come. He would have kept me company and kept me laughing through the night.
I smiled thinking of Wickham. I’d done some research on him and his talent agency. I’d found that he was a real agent with real clients. None of them were very famous yet, but he was slowly making a name for himself in the industry. I couldn’t find much else on him, but I didn’t find anything negative either. I was just glad he wasn’t a scam.
I glanced around, finding only conversations already in progress. I decided I’d get a drink and then I could wander the new hotel. It was decorated beautifully with a large lobby leading into a comfortable lounge and bar. Everything sparkled.
I paused to notice one of the pieces of art hanging in the lounge on my way to the bar. It was the Gustave Loiseau painting from the fund-raising gala. I smiled to myself, knowing that Charles must have bought it and put it where he was sure Jane would see it. Having it displayed for everyone to see and enjoy would make her very happy.
I turned to walk away from the painting to get a drink and ran smack into Mr. Darcy’s chest. He caught me as I bounced off of him, making sure that I didn’t fall. He wore his trademark dark suit that fit him to perfection. His face was freshly shaven, and he smelled amazing because of course, he did. Memories of our dance and the passionate dreams that followed surged through me despite my best efforts to forget them.
“Oh, hello,” I said once I regained my balance. I wasn’t sure how to talk to him now that I knew the truth. I wanted to slap him again, but I knew that wasn’t appropriate. I needed to pretend to be civil. For the sake of Charles and his opening, at the very least.
“Elizabeth,” he greeted me. The way his accent curled on my name made me sound far fancier than I actually was. “Would you like to look around the hotel with me? I was hoping you would join me for a drink as we looked it over.”