Page 40 of Third Time is the Charm
Had Charles caught Darcy with his sister? Was that what was going on?
No, he wouldn’t want Jane in there for that – or his parents.
Beth reluctantly tore her gaze away from the door, making her way back down to sit next to Col.
“Did she say what’s going on? Charles didn’t look happy,” Col asked.
“Not really – something having to do with his sister.”
“She’s crazy,” Mary mumbled, having been silent this entire time.
Beth’s head turned fast to stare at her, unsure if she was referencing Caroline or just talking to herself about someone else. “Caroline?”
“Yeah,” Mary replied, giving Beth a face that said ‘duh!’
Beth’s lips thinned slightly, the thought dawning on her that Mary had been with Darcy when Caroline interrupted them. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, first, Charles didn’t want her in the wedding at all,” Mary began with a huff, annoyed that she was having to explain herself. “So, Jane had to convince him that she was his sister and it was the right thing to do to still let her be a part of the day. But, mostly, because she was really weird and rude for interrupting us in the middle of the song.”
“Oh,” Beth replied, thinking that there was more to the story than Mary just thinking, although rightfully so, that something was weird.
Noticing the look Beth gave at her answer, Mary huffed and continued, “I wasn’t finished. Also, she refused to go away when Mr. Darcy told her that she wasn’t supposed to be there.”
The door to the building opened, catching Beth’s eye before she could respond to Mary, Caroline walking out, rage bubbling out onto her pristine face as she walked directly towards the exit to the courtyard. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley were right behind her out of the door, taking a few steps behind her before stopping and watching her leave. Jane slipped out next, her face flushed, and Beth could tell that whatever happened in there was upsetting to Jane. She gave Beth a weak smile before she was intercepted by two couples, looking to congratulate her before they left.
“Looks like something serious,” Col murmured to her.
“Yeah, really,” she agreed, turning to face him, only to notice her mother heading directly for Jane, her brows furrowed in determination.Oh no.That was not what Jane needed right now.
Grabbing Col’s hand, Beth stood abruptly, leading him over to her mother; she mouthed ‘sorry’ to him just before grabbing her mom’s attention. “Mom, hey, what’s up?”Ugh, not a good start.
“I don’t know, but I’m intending to find out; Jane, Charles, and the Bingleys all disappeared – some of the guests have asked me why. I need to know what is going on.”
“Oh, well I just wanted to introduce you to Col,” Beth said, slapping a smile on her face. “Col, this is my mother, Irene Bennet. Mom, this is Colin Dempsey, my date.”
Her mother’s eyes widened as the reality of whose presence she was in overtook her need for information. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dempsey,” she said in a dramatic apology, characteristic of her blatant need to impress everyone.
Col fell right into step with her plan, engaging her mother in conversation while Beth kept an eye on Jane… and the door behind her, waiting for Darcy to exit. The conversation between her mother and Col became a dull buzz, that shattered into silence when Darcy finally emerged with Charles – both looking grim. Charles leaned in and actually hugged Darcy before giving him a brief nod and walking towards Jane.
Her skin prickled as Darcy’s gaze locked with hers, walking towards her as if his body had no other choice. Her breath caught, forgetting her surroundings, her mother, her date, everything except the anticipation of being nearhimagain. He made it around Jane, just a few steps away from her, when she felt the weight of Col’s hand coming to rest possessively on her back, like an anchor being reeled back in from the depth of the sea.
Where she’d been happily drowning.
She saw the look of hurt cross Darcy’s face; the cold sting of reality doused her as she turned to see Col, in slow-motion, lean down and kiss her on the cheek. “I’m one lucky man to have your beautiful daughter on my arm tonight, ma’am,” she heard Col say to her mom.
Her eyes opened, head turning back to look at Darcy, except he was gone.
“Well isn’t that just lovely,” Mrs. Bennet replied, her eyes shining with pride, and the need to share that juicy tidbit with whatever guests and friends were left. Excusing herself, she began to flag down Mrs. Lucas.
“Did I do good?” Col asked with a proud smile on his face. “I’m assuming you were trying to spare Jane from her prying questions.”
She was, and he did. He’d distracted Irene with the enticing prospect of his relationship with her daughter; the problem was that his audience hadn’t stayed limited to only her. His gesture seemed to have convinced Darcy, too. And she shouldn’t be mad at Col for it;but, she kind of (guiltily) was.
“Yes, thank you,” she said with a tired smile. “I think I’m ready to head out, if that’s ok with you?” Beth just wanted to go to bed – family was so exhausting.
Col’s arm tightened around her waist, pulling her against him as he leaned down to kiss her again on the side of her head.God, why did he have to be so sweet?For a second, she let her eyes close and melt against him, willing her body to feel something, to want something, to wanthim.
But, all she felt was tired.
