Page 7 of First Impressions
“Of course, Mrs. DeBourgh. I’m more than capable of handling everything for you,” Beth reassured her.
“Wonderful. If you could provide me with an update by the end of the week and then at the end of this month we can start work on the summer party. It’s been a pleasure, Miss Bennet. I knew I wasn’t wrong in choosing you for the job,” said Mrs. DeBourgh as she stood to leave.
As she left the restaurant, Beth wondered what the woman could possibly have planned for Mr. Darcy; maybe she was still intent on his marrying Anne – the poor girl. Whoever ended up saddled with Mr. William Darcy was in for a very sad life, that was for sure.
As Beth headed home for the day, she tried to figure out how to explain to her family why she was going to be hanging around the law firm so much for the next several weeks. She finally decided to tell them it was because Phil, being good friends of her family, wanted to make sure that with ownership of the firm changing, that there would only be positive press associated with it. It wasn’t a great reason, but it’s not like she could tell them that she was sent there as a spy. She would tell Jane though; she told Jane everything.
When her sister got home that night, her face lit up as she recalled how she spent her day with Charles - going overthe history of the firm, taking him for a tour, having lunch together. It was clear that Jane was head-over-heels already. Apparently, Mr. Darcy had had other business to attend to today and wasn’t there, but he was going to be at the firm tomorrow talking to the other associates and employees.
“It just feels like we’ve known each other forever. We were basically together the entire day and there was no awkward silence where we had run out of things to say; it just felt so natural to be with him,” Jane gushed warmly recalling the object of her affection.
“That’s wonderful! I’m sure he feels the same way too. I’m so happy for you!” Beth exclaimed. Jane was obviously falling in love with Charles, but Beth didn’t want to tell her that quite yet and have her recoil from her happiness in fear that he might not reciprocate her feelings.
When Jane had finished telling her about her day with Charles, Beth told her about the meeting with Mrs. DeBourgh; Jane was shocked. Beth, though, left out the part where she was supposed to squeeze Charles for information if she couldn’t get it from Darcy directly; she didn’t want Jane to be nervous having Beth and Charles in the same room.
Jane, of course, always giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, suggested that maybe Anne DeBourgh was still so upset over their breakup that Mrs. DeBourgh wanted to make sure that she didn’t bring her daughter any place that he might be. Beth admitted that could be part of the reason, given that one incident she had read about, but she couldn’t refute it without mentioning the request for information about Darcy’s personal life and if he was dating anyone. It seemed like there was more to her demands than the need to simply protect her daughter; Mrs. DeBourgh was too smart for that – she had other, bigger plans in mind.
Before heading to bed, she gave Jane a heads up on her cover story for why she was going to be at the firm frequently over the next few weeks; Jane thought it was a very plausible reason, though, and that it would be good for her to be there anyway.
“Then you can also see Charles and me and give me your opinion of his actions; I want to know if you think hereally likes me or not,” Jane suggested hopefully, needing Beth’s validation on his feelings for her.
“Ok, I don’t need to know that he’s really into you, but if it will ease your mind…” she trailed off as she texted her father to let him know to expect her tomorrow morning.
Beth got ready for bed and as she climbed under the covers, tried not to think about having to deal with Mr. Intolerable tomorrow morning, hoping that at least his memory would let her sleep in peace tonight.
Chapter Eight
Determinedto be prepared for battle, Beth spent some extra time getting dressed and even putting on makeup that morning. She picked out her light blue, V-neck chemise dress with a navy blazer and navy pumps - trying to keep her clothing light in case she had any hot flashes again. She kept telling herself that she wasn’t trying to impress Mr. Intolerable with her appearance, that she was a professional woman and had a job to do. Unfortunately, the small voice of reality inside her head reminded her otherwise.
Jane and Beth rode quietly to the Longbourne firm together, one overwhelmed with anticipation, the other with anxiety. Jane informed her that Charles and Mr. Darcy were due in at the firm around eleven this morning when they would do a brief tour since Mr. Darcy hadn’t been present for the one yesterday, introduce them to some of the key employees, and then take them to lunch. Beth nodded, trying to reassure herself thatshe could do this.
When they arrived, Jane went up to their father’s office to go over a contract for a client of theirs and take care of some other minor business tasks before their guests arrived. The firm was three floors - the reception, as well as interns and junior associates, were stationed on the first floor, Jane and the senior associates on the second, and her father and Bill Collins on the third floor along with some conference rooms. While there was an elevator, it wasn’t very conveniently located, so most people just used the large, decorative staircase that went up to the center of each floor. Since Jane was upstairs working with their dad, Beth took over her office, setting her purse and briefcase down behind the desk, pulling out her laptop and opening her email to check in with her assistants and begin some client work. Before she knew it, Jane was standing in the doorway with a big smile on her face.
“Dad was just buzzed that Charles and Mr. Darcy are here,” Jane said, excitedly.
Beth tried to put on a brave face and followed her out of the office. As they walked down the stairs to the reception, Beth managed to get a glimpse of Mr. Darcy first. He was facing away from them, attired in an impeccably cut navy suit. Even without seeing his face, he seemed like a statue - poised and rigid, probably determined to glare intruders into submission. By complete contrast, Charles had his elbow resting on the reception counter and was cheerfully chatting with Claire, the receptionist. He noticed the girls first, his face lighting up on seeing Jane.
“Good morning, Misses Bennets!” he exclaimed jovially as he began to walk to greet them with a large bouquet of yellow tulips in his hand. “These, my lovely Jane, are for you for graciously agreeing to put up with me for the second day in a row.”
Charles handed a blushing Jane the flowers. She closed her eyes and took a moment to smell them, pleasure spreading across her face as she quietly thanked him.
At his words, Beth held her breath as Mr. Darcy turned to face them, hoping her uneasiness didn’t show. When he saw her, his reserve visibly faltered as his mouth parted ever so slightly. As soon as his eyes met hers, there was a distinct flash of desire which was immediately suppressed by his mask of composure. His mouth forming a grim line, he followed Bingley toward them and murmured a low, “Good morning.”
“Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you so much for coming,” Beth smiled and replied very cordially, trying to ignore the heat that had begun to diffuse throughout her body. Deliberately not making eye contact with Mr. Intolerable, she continued, “if you’d like to follow us, we can drop Jane’s flowers in her office and then continue on with the tour.” The group made their way back to the second floor and into Jane’s office.
“These are so beautiful, Charles. Thank you so much. I know I have a vase right back he—” Jane spoke as she made her way around her desk, not realizing that Beth’s laptop bag was on the floor. Her heel got caught in the strap and she half fell onto the desk chair, dropping the flowers onto the floor.
“Jane! Are you ok?” Charles exclaimed as he rushed behind the desk to help her.
“I’m so sorry, Jane; I left my bag there. It’s my fault.” Beth went over and began to pick up the flowers from the floor as Charles lifted Jane up to sit on her chair.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. I just hope I didn’t crush the beautiful flowers,” Jane tried to reassure them as she stood back up and grabbed the vase behind her desk for Beth to set the tulips in.
“They are good as new,” Beth said as she arranged the blooms.
“Oh good.” The relief visible on her face. “Now before I fall again, let’s get on with the — ow!” Jane attempted to stand and take a step toward the office door but found that she was unable to put any weight on that ankle without it giving out.
“I must have twisted it. I’m so sorry for the trouble everyone,” she apologized profusely as she allowed Bingley, who had caught her again as she stumbled, to guide her back to sit down in the chair.
