Page 10 of First Impressions
The doctor was stillwith Jane when Beth entered the room, so she took a seat on the small settee to gather her thoughts.
What. Just. Happened.
If she didn’t still feel like she was running a fever and that her lips were continuing to swell by the minute, she would have thought that she probably did just fall down the stairs and bump her head a little too hard. The physical remnants of that kiss, however, were too blatant to ignore.Why did he kiss her? He thought she was ‘barely tolerable’. Not only did he think that, but he knew that she knew he thought that. Not to mention, he didn’t even address her slip that referenced his insulting comment.
How does one go from unapologetically thinking someone is barelytolerableto kissing them as if their life depended on it, as if it were the only remedy for an ‘unquenchable need’? That was what Beth couldn’t wrap her head around. And then, to top it off, there was her reaction to the whole thing. What wasshethinking?! This was the too-proud, too-good-for-everyone, too-self-assured, too-prejudiced, Mr. Intolerable himself that she basically threw herself at without a wisp of hesitation. She couldn’t understand her immediate reaction to him; it was like she couldn’t stop herself from kissing him back. Even just recalling her response to him was starting to warm her insides again.
What was wrong with her?
Just when her head started to explode with plausible reasons, she heard Jane in the background. “Earth to Beth! Are you ok?” Jane said with a concerned look on her face. Even the doctor had paused in the midst of putting the air cast on her ankle to look over his shoulder at Beth.
“Yes, sorry. Just a lot on my mind at the moment,” she responded knowing she would fill Jane in on the details as soon as they were alone. Jane seemed to get the message asshe gave Beth a small smile and thanked the doctor for his help.
“How long do you have to wear the air cast for?” she asked Jane.
“He said two weeks and then see how it feels. It’s a very minor sprain; I feel so stupid.”
“Don’t - it was my fault for leaving my bag there. Plus, Charles seemed to enjoy the chance to nurse you back to health.”
Jane laughed as a blush crept onto her cheeks. Before she had a chance to probe into Beth’s complete distraction, the men returned from their tour ready to head to lunch. Thankfully, practical Jane had worn flats to work, so they were still able to walk to the Italian restaurant, DeNardi’s, across the street. Even though it couldn’t have taken Jane twenty steps to get there, Charles had put up some resistance, insisting that they hail a cab to take Jane around the block and bring her up directly in front of the restaurant. At the ridiculousness of that suggestion, he subsequently offered to carry her across the street to avoid any weight being put on her ankle. After Jane convinced him that that wasn’t necessary either, she gave him the consolation of allowing him to escort her across the street, assuring him that she would rest some of her weight on his arm.
Lunch passed uneventfully for Beth. Aside from what she hoped was a not-too-obvious distraction, she superficially participated in the conversation when required, even though her thoughts were solely occupied by the man sitting across from her.
Avoiding direct eye contact at all costs, she snuck glances at him throughout the meal looking for any sign that he was as affected as she, but with no success; the man was a statue. When his eyes settled on hers, she realized she had begun to stare and darted her eyes away. It seemed like the business discussion was set aside for the time being as her father began to question the gentlemen on more personal matters.
“So, Darcy, do you have any other business keeping you in the city? Or is it just for Charles here?” Jim asked.
“Not especially. My sister is at Columbia, so I’m trying to spend some time with her before I leave,” Darcy responded, his face softening at the mention of his sister.
“Oh, very nice. I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“Yes, Georgiana is ten years younger than I am though, so I try to keep her separated from my work and all the press that goes along with it.”
“Well, that’s very good of you. You are more than welcome to bring her to our Charity Ball if you would like, unless you had someone else in mind.”
Darcy’s eyes flashed to Beth for a moment, recalling her statement about finding a ‘tolerable date,’ and where that conversation has subsequently led.
“Thank you, sir. I will keep that suggestion in mind.”
“You should bring her, Darcy. It’s not like anyone else is going to want to go with you,” Charles joked at his friend.
“There are plenty of people who would be more than willing to go,” Darcy stated as a matter of fact.
“Yes, but not for your winning personality.” That joke earned Charles a laugh from everyone else at the table and a cold stare from Darcy, suggesting an end to this line of discussion.
“So where does business take you next, Darcy?” Jim redirected the conversation as it was clear Mr. Darcy was not too thrilled with its present location.
“Probably Singapore. There are several promising business opportunities there that I’d like to explore, but I have a few commitments that I need to finish out in the city first before I leave. I’m hoping to be there by the end of the year,” Mr. Darcy offered in an unusually forthcoming display.
Beth thought that Mrs. DeBourgh should have just hired her father for all the information he was able to get out of Mr. Intolerable.
“The tax incentives that they offer business owners to come there and start businesses are really doing wonders for their economy. I think Asia is definitely the up-and-coming area to be for entrepreneurs,” Beth interjected, trying to focus her mind on bland facts instead of her feelings. At herstatement, his mask faltered again in surprise at what she had said. She wasn’t an idiot, really, what did he think of her?
“Are you planning on moving to Singapore to start your own PR firm, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy asked her directly.
“Not quite. I’ve done several events and pieces for clients who are expanding their businesses into Singapore and have discussed the issue at length with them. Does it surprise you that I know a little something about the business world, Mr. Darcy?” she challenged him with a little more attitude than she meant. After what he had just said about her less than an hour ago, this shouldn’t be surprising to him…
Unwilling to back down, however, she met his gaze with fortitude and prepared for the worst. At her comment, his demeanor cracked and that spark of anger and desire flashed in his eyes for a brief moment.
