Page 73 of First Impressions
“But you already turned him down, which usually means that you don’t want to marry the person. So, why wouldn’t you promise it? Do you want to marry him?”
“I do, God help me,” Beth responded with a groan. “Not that I’ll ever have the opportunity to tell him that now, but that’s all beside the point. I’m not going to make a promise that could affect my future happiness to someone who has no concern for me or my well-being.”
“I see. I mean, you are right. She’s crazy when she does these things,” Anne agreed. “I’m sure she didn’t take that well though either.”
“No, definitely not. She threatened me, my job, Gardiner Group, my sisters, my family, basically, anyone that she could if I did anything to interfere with your engagement.”
“Oh, Beth. I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something but once she has her mind set, that’s it; even if I told her that Darcy and I weren’t together and weren’t ever going to get married, she’d probably just try to find a way to blackmail usinto doing it after she destroys you for being the cause,” Anne responded, sounding remorseful but helpless.
“I know and I don’t want you to get involved. I’m sure she’ll be enough to deal with when that day comes. I can handle myself. Plus, after everything that’s been exchanged between Darcy and me, I might as well have just made that promise to her for the likelihood that he would ever think of proposing to me again.” She felt foolish for holding on to that one thread of hope that held her steadfast against acquiescing to Mrs. DeBourgh’s demands, but she just couldn’t seem to shake it.
“Well, you know I’m here for you if you need me. I’ll try to be on the lookout for whatever my mom has planned but it seems like she’s clever enough to have left me out of it so far.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe I just did that though; I should probably call Phil and warn him that we’re going to be dropped from your account…” Beth began to muse out loud.
“I’m sorry, Beth. I wish there was something I could do. I have to run though, but you can give me a call later if you want to talk.”
“Ok, thanks.”
When they hung up Beth immediately typed up an email to Phil, informing him that Mrs. DeBourgh was likely going to drop them the either today or tomorrow, trying to clarify as best as she could that it wasn’t because of the quality of work but for personal reasons that she just couldn’t explain to him right now. She told him that she understood if he wanted to let her go, even though she knew that he never would, but felt like she had to say it anyway since she had lost them a potentially huge client.
As she sent the email, the apartment door opened and Jane and Charles walked in.
“Hey!” she said awkwardly, closing her computer and putting a smile on her face. Walking over, she gave her sister and Charles a hug, wishing them “Congratulations,” since she hadn’t seen them since the official announcement.
“Hey, why are you home so early?” Jane asked.
“I had a meeting this morning for work and then I just decided to come home and finish up some stuff from here.What are you guys up to?” Beth didn’t want to dwell on her morning before it became apparent that something not-so-great had happened.
“Gotcha. Well, we just stopped here so I could change clothes and then we are going out for dinner and a movie if you want to come!” Jane graciously invited.
“Thanks for the invite but I think I’m going to stay in. I’ve got a bunch of work to do.” That, and the fact that she didn’t want to intrude on what was clearly a date night.
“Ok, well then I’m just going to change; I’ll be right back.” Jane hurried off down the hall leaving Beth and Charles alone.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, everything inside Beth begging to ask how Darcy was but knowing that she couldn’t be that person right now.
“I’m glad to see Jane, and you, so happy,” Beth began, trying to break the silence.
“Yes, she’s made me the happiest man, that’s for sure,” Charles agreed as he looked longingly toward the hallway where his fiancée had just disappeared. “You know I don’t blame Darcy for what happened, right?”
“No, I mean, I don’t know,” Beth stammered, unprepared for that question to pop up.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to put you on the spot. I just didn’t get to talk to you after what had happened between Jane and me and so I wanted to clear the air,” he began again awkwardly, “Darcy hasn’t had the easiest life, contrary to what you might imagine, and how he is, is a direct result of that. One of the biggest things he struggles with is that he is extremely skeptical of everyone, especially someone who is becoming very close to one of his oldest friends. I can’t say that I wasn’t mad, but I also can’t say that his concern wasn’t genuine. I don’t like how he felt he had to go about it, but I know that ordeal only made what I felt for your sister stronger.”
“I, uhh, I —” Before Beth could respond, Jane came jogging back into the room, changed and with a big smile on her face.
“Ok, I’m ready!” she said, excitedly, “Beth, are you sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yeah, I’m ok, thanks.”
“Ok, I’ll be home later.” Jane gave her hand a squeeze as she and Charles headed for the door. “Oh! I almost forgot, mom and dad are hosting an engagement party for us on Friday. Charles’ parents are coming into town for the weekend to meet me, officially, and celebrate. I’ll let you know the details later, but I’m sure mom will text you too!”
“Ok, sounds like fun!” Beth’s excitement was forced, but Jane was already too far out the door to notice.
The week couldn’t go quickly enough.
Chapter Forty-Five
