Page 28 of First Impressions
Wow, did that feel good.Char had been right – making Darcy jealous was the way to go.It isn’t fun when someone brushes you off without explanation, is it Mr. Intolerable?She hoped he was enjoying the taste of his own medicine because she certainly was. Not only had she provoked him, but she’d managed to stay unfazed by his attempt to confront her; with a self-satisfied smile, she addressed her clients.
“Mrs. DeBourgh, Miss DeBourgh, thank you so much for coming tonight. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”
“Yes, yes. Of course.” Mrs. DeBourgh responded distractedly as her eyes were busy scanning the room, probably for the one man that Beth was trying to avoid.
Turning to her daughter, Beth took a good look at the woman who had secured Mr. Darcy. Anne DeBourgh looked like a model. She had to be at least five foot ten and veryskinny, almost to the point where she looked unhealthy. She had short, chin-length wavy, blond hair, blue eyes, and the perfect smile. Maybe she was a Victoria’s Secret Angel, for all Beth knew; she definitely looked like she could be one. Not sure what to expect from someone so gorgeous and rich, let alone Mrs. DeBourgh’s daughter, Beth took the initiative and introduced herself.
“You must be Anne. I’m Beth Bennet from the Gardiner Group. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Yes, very nice to meet you too.” Her response very quiet and meek, making her seem much younger than she was; it wasn’t at all what Beth was expecting. She expected a coldly confident response, more fitting for someone of her stature and status. Her tone indicated no desire to be in control of the situation as if that possibility had never even crossed her mind. With how controlling her mother was, she probably never had much of a choice either.
“Please feel free to pick up some refreshments at the bar. You will be sitting at table number one with my family and me.” As she moved to the side to point out where the bar was, she gave Mrs. DeBourgh a clear view of her quarry.
As recognition dawned on her face, Mrs. DeBourgh smiled and said, “Yes, I’m quite thirsty. Let’s go get a glass of wine before dinner, Anne.” Her daughter, seeing where and to whom they were headed, silently nodded in assent.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet.” The slight smile crossing her face indicated just how pleased she was that Beth had obeyed her demands.
Chapter Nineteen
As she watchedthe DeBourghs walk away from her towards Mr. Darcy, Beth finished the remainder of her glass of wine. Unable to stop herself, she turned her head to see Darcy and Anne’s reunion.She wished she’d been stronger. Anne walked right up to Darcy, who embraced her in a tight hug and kissed her cheek. As his lips left her skin, he opened his eyes and looked right at Beth, daring her to keep watching.Apparently, two could play at that game.She quickly turned her head away, trying to ignore the sting of jealousy that shot through her when she saw their warm embrace. She’d never seen him interact so familiarly with anyone before. She wished Anne would have been a cold bitch, just like her mom, then she wouldn’t feel guilty for hating her right now, but she did and she felt miserable. She regretted instigating his anger, she regretted giving Mrs. DeBourgh a straight shot to him, but mostly she regretted pushing him away.
Buthe wants you to leave him alone.Then why did he approach her?He wants to be with Anne.Then why had he kissed her? Why did he desire her?
She was staring off out the ballroom entrance when a waiter stopped in front of her to offer her a new glass of wine which she readily accepted. She needed to drown out the voices in her head and she needed to stay away from Darcy.
When she turned around, she saw that Anne and Darcy were still talking closely and Mrs. DeBourgh was curiously missing. Unwilling to torture herself by being near them any longer, she walked off purposefully towards the other end of the room in search of Jane, whom she had yet to see. Stopping to welcome a myriad of guests along the way, she finally paused on the other side of the dance floor where she deemed herself a safe distance away from seeing anything that would further upset her. Taking a moment to look around the room for her sister, she saw Jane and Charles by the far corner of the bar on this side of the room talking to George and Lydia. Jane looked beautiful as always, wearing a dusky rose, strapless,form fitting gown that Charles clearly appreciated; then again, he always looked at Jane in awe. Beth made her way over to the group, hoping that as long as she was in proximity to George, Darcy would keep his distance.
She felt a hand on her elbow and immediately flinched; turning her head, she met the eyes of her concerned father.
“Oh hi, dad. I didn’t see you there,” she said, trying to keep her voice light.
“Are you ok, Beth? You seem a little jumpy.”
“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. You just scared me; I was focused on finding Jane.” She gave him a hug, trying to make her story sound more convincing.
“Ok…” He responded with worry in his eyes. “Have you seen your mother?”
“No, not since earlier.”Thank God. “Sorry.”
“Alright. I guess I’ll try over by the entrance.” He gave her a half smile and grabbed her hand. “If you need anything, you come find me, ok?” Her dad knew her too well not to realize that something was up, but he also knew that she liked to handle things on her own.
“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek, but before she could escape to Jane unscathed, she heard her mother approaching and cringed.
“John! Beth! There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been? Have you heard who is here?” Her mother’s cheeks were flushed - from exertion at rushing over to them or from excitement, it was hard to tell.
“I’ve been looking for you, dear. I left you with George and Lydia and when I found them again you were gone,” John said, trying to calm his wife down.
“Yes, well I had to deal with Kat who’s upset that George is Lydia’s date and that she couldn’t have one. I told her that Beth doesn’t have a date either, and you don’t see her falling apart, do you?” Even though she was sure her mother thought what she had said was a compliment, it certainly didn’t sound like one. If she only knew how close Beth actually was to falling apart.
“Anyway, have youseenwho is here? You won’t believeit.”
“Dear, if you would just tell me, I promise to believe it.”
“Mrs. DeBourgh – of DeBourgh Diamonds! And her daughter, Anne. Did you invite them? How did they get here? Is there something that you aren’t telling me?” Her mother pried.
“No, mom. She is my client and I mentioned our event in passing and she graciously offered her support, so I sent them invitations.” Her mother’s eyes widened realizing that her daughter actually worked with some pretty famous people.
“Why didn’t you tell us? We should have greeted them immediately! Where are they sitting? Are they with us?”
