Page 37 of Third Time is the Charm
She blushed, “thank you.” She enjoyed his compliment – who wouldn’t? But she felt the sting of disappointment when the words didn’t excite her as Darcy’s had done when he had told her the same thing earlier.
The song ended and the real dancing music started. Using his hold on her waist, Col immediately pulled her out to the dance and against him. Beth laughed at the suddenness of his move, and then at his faux-serious face as he began to show her those infamous dance moves of his.
The classic, foot-stomping, hip-swaying songs that the band kept playing, along with Col’s enthusiastic dancing and relentless attempts to have her dance too, preoccupied her mind and she let her tension drain away as she just gave in to the feeling of having fun underneath the night sky. Even though the buzz of Darcy’s continued stare electrified her cells, Beth told herself it was from the wine.
Something she needed a little more of.
Practically pulling Colin away from the dance floor, and the bevy of onlookers who, by now, had realized that it was indeed Patrick Dempsey’s brother whom the younger Miss Bennet had brought as her date to the wedding. Laughing, they stopped by where Lydia and Mary were still standing and talking – Lydia’s feet too sore to think about dancing to anything upbeat, and Mary, well, Mary was too shy to ask someone or dance on her own, instead preferring to critique the crowd as though it was a conscious choice to remain on the sideline.
“Colin, these are my younger sisters, Lydia and Mary. Guys, this is Colin,” Beth introduced Col as they joined her sisters. He knew about all of them, but he’d never met them.
“It’s great to meet you ladies, I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you,” Col said with a smile, leaning in to hug both of them. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?” he asked, graciously.
Lydia’s eyes widened. “I would love a glass of ice water, please,” she requested.
“Of course, anything else?” He now turned his gaze to her.
“Just a glass of white wine is fine,” Beth said with a smile; she wasn’t looking to get drunk tonight, even though the amount of questions and confusion running through her mind would have certainly enjoyed the numb respite. “Have you been drinking water, Lydia? Maybe you should sit down…” Beth said to her sister as Col walked off towards the bar.
“I have. I’ve already had one glass since we’ve been out here; I just hate having to pee all the time,” she grumbled.
“Do you want to sit down?” she asked again.
“Well…” Lydia trailed off, her eyes darting to Mary who was looking expectantly at the dance floor, the hope in her eyes, that someone would want to dance with her, was crystal clear.
“I need a break from dancing for a minute, so, why don’t you sit? Mary and I will keep an eye on the dance floor,” Beth said with a smile, giving Lydia the excuse she wanted to rest her feet, and the comfort that she wouldn’t be dragging Mary with her; Mary didn’t like looking like a loner, even though most days she enjoyed it. If Lydia had left to sit, Mary would have gone with her, even though Mary was dying to dance.
“Thanks,” Lydia answered gratefully, waiting for Col to return with her water before she waddled into the building to relax on one of the couches inside.
“So, Mary, see anyone who catches your eye?” Col asked with a smile, trying to draw out her younger sister. “We danced past a lot of these guys, so you tell me who and I’ll tell you if he’s a good dancer and worth your time.”
A blush crept into Mary’s face. “I’m not sure,” she responded quietly. Beth couldn’t tell if there was a guy she thought was cute or not; Mary was her one sister who could be difficult to read.
“Well, you let me know. Can’t have you dancing with someone who has two left feet!” Col got a smile to break over Mary’s face with that one – and over her own. Most people just tried to write Mary off, or just ignore her if possible – which could be easy since she was quiet around people she didn’t know, but instead, Col jumped right in and tried to engage her instead of keeping his focus solely on Beth. It was wonderful for Mary, but for Beth, his focus elsewhere meant that hers became more concentrated on the steady burn throughout her body, that she no longer would try to blame on the alcohol.
A burn that was becoming hotter and harder to extinguish.
The band transition to a slow song and Beth groaned inwardly, meeting Col’s gaze with a pleading smile. She didn’t want to leave Mary alone to go dance with Col.
At least that was the reason most of her didn’t want to go dance with Col.
A small, yet potent, part of her just wanted to forget everyone and everything else and go find Darcy; they needed to clear the air between them. He needed to clear the fog that swirled around in her head, filled with dusty, half-lucid speculations as to what had really happened between them, and what he’d meant when he’d said that he never wanted Caroline.
“Why would they play a slow song?” Mary grumbled. “That’s one way to empty the dance floor…” Her tone was one of annoyance, though only to conceal her desire to dance with someone, and her hurt knowing that she wasn’t going to get that chance.
Col listened and then gave Beth a slight nod, understanding her dilemma; then, as though looking for some small consolation for not being able to dance with her, he reached down and grabbed her hand, intertwining his fingers in hers. Her head ducked for a moment, noticing the few curious stares and hushed conversation from those who’d left the dance floor lacking a partner;people loved to talk.
Her face flushed slightly from the embarrassment; she didn’t want to be the topic of conversation again, but she didn’t want Col to be concerned either. He’d put up with a lot today, not to mention just coming down here when he has so many other things that he could… and probably should, be doing.
Beth felt the steady fire inside of her burn brighter, anticipation spreading in her cells, sensing that the source of their energy was getting closer.
Darcy.
Before she could look around to find him, Mary said, “You guys can go dance if you want to; I’m fine here by myself.” Even though she put on a brave face, Beth could see her eyes glassing over, knowing that evenshe,Beth, had someone to dance with and yet, Mary still had no one.
Col stayed silent, waiting for Beth to make the decision and respond. She looked towards the dance floor and her breath caught. Her gaze captured by a singular molten stare, one that was approaching them directly. Her mouth parted in shock and concern.
What was he doing? Did he see Col take her hand?
