Chapter 22
The Pemberley Ball appeared to be a raging success. After Will and I danced, he was approached by quite a few of the guests who desired a word with him. With his arm around my waist, he smiled and listened to them, skillfully finding ways to solicit a donation for the charity that Pemberley had chosen to donate this year’s proceeds. No one could complain of a stand-offish demeanor; however, I had a different perspective of those interactions.
Will’s arm around me was tense as was his entire body, yet others would only see subtle self-assurance. In flashes of a moment, his unease with the attention would peek through. I doubt it was obvious to everyone, but at some point, I’d become more in tune with his tells, and right now, I wanted nothing more than to whisk him to a quiet place and kiss away his discomfort.
I took Will’s hand in mine, and we worked our way across the room but before I could drag Will through a door to the side of the room, someone familiar stepped in front of us.
“Elizabeth Bennet? Excuse me, but I haven’t seen you since the funeral.”
I grinned at my uncle’s good friend. “Mr. James, I’m happy to see you!” I accepted the old man’s hand, but we didn’t shake. He held it and covered it with his spare.
“I must admit I’m surprised to see you at a Pemberley function. I hope you don’t intend to sell Novel Books. Your uncle—”
“No, I have no intentions of selling. I’ve simply become friends with the Darcy family. If you didn’t know, my best friend is also involved with Annie deBourgh.”
“We are also no longer seeking to purchase Novel Books,” said Will, whose hand had tightened around mine. “At one time, we’d considered the acquisition, but Liz is responsible for the success of that store as well as The Buttercream Beanery, her own brainchild. She’s also become an important person to my family, and I’ve no intention of interfering with her uncle’s legacy.”
Mr. James lifted his eyebrows. “I’m pleased to hear this. Luca was a wonderful man. I know he wanted his Betta to follow in his footsteps. It’d be heartbreaking if his wishes couldn’t be fulfilled.”
I squeezed Mr. James’s hand. “I don’t see any reason why anything so unfortunate should take place, but I appreciate your concern.”
He nodded. “I should’ve checked in before now, but I promise I won’t go so long in the future. Your uncle asked me once to keep an eye on you if something happened to him, but I’ve failed him so far. I’ll have to come have a cup of coffee and some cake in your café.”
“You’ll always be welcome.” As soon as Mr. James kissed my cheek, I tugged Will through that door I’d noticed.
“Where are we going?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
The next door along the hallway opened, and I pushed Will inside. “Liz, this is a supply closet.”
“So?”
After I turned on the light, I slipped my hands around his neck and pulled his head down so our lips could tangle. After no more than five minutes, his body relaxed, and he drew back, resting his forehead against mine.
“What was that for?” He was a bit out of breath.
“You seemed to need it. From the moment we stepped out on that dance floor, you’ve been stiff as a board.”
“I hate these things.”
“You told me something similar at the gala.”
He kissed my forehead. “Your uncle called you ‘Betta’?”
“He’s the only one who ever has. My parents called me ‘Elizabeth’ while my friends call me ‘Lizzy.’ That night I introduced myself as ‘Liz,’ I wanted to use a name no one else did. I don’t know why. It just seemed right.”
His knuckles grazed down my cheek. “And I did the same—I felt the same.”
After one last peck to my nose, he grimaced. “We should get back. I’d prefer to put you back in the car and go home. My aunt’s making me nervous. She keeps glaring at you.”
“Yeah, I noticed. I can’t imagine her saying something in public, though.”
Will chuckled, but not in a good way. “I wish I could be so optimistic. They don’t call her Cruella for nothing.”
When we returned, I glanced and met the eyes of my sister Jane, who’d now joined the glare-fest. The woman standing and glaring with Jane was familiar. That’s right! She was at Gigi’s party. She was that awful sister of Charlie Bingley. What was her name?
“Caroline is here. At some inopportune moment, she’ll latch on to my arm in her best impression of a lamprey.”
“Have you ever dated her?”
He shuddered. “God, no! I feared for my body parts—that she might cut them off and try to use them in her artwork.”
I covered my nose as I gave a small snort. “She mentioned at Gigi’s birthday party that she makes artwork out of doll parts, but I forgot to look her up afterward. Is she any good?”
Will pulled out his phone and after a few touches, held it out in front of me. I recoiled.
“Is that a rabbit?” The head was covered in doll hands with two prominent teeth made of. . .Were those tongues? Two doll arms reached from the poor creature’s head to complete the work. “I think that will give me nightmares tonight.”
The chuckle that met my ears was a good one this time. “Just protect me from her, will you?”
“I’ll consider it.”
He whirled me to the dance floor. “No, no considering. I need you.”
“Well, when you put it like that.”
During the dance, Jane and Charlie danced nearby. When the song ended, we started for the bar.
“Darcy!”
When we turned, Charlie wore a huge grin while he took Will’s hand and pumped it madly. “I thought I saw you as we entered, but you disappeared. Anyway, great turnout tonight, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Will. “I’m pleased. I’m sure we’ll raise a substantial sum.”
“William! Yoohoo!” Will flinched when Caroline barreled through the guests and, true to Will’s prediction, grasped his other arm, her pointy neon orange talons digging into his bicep. “I was beginning to think we wouldn’t see you tonight. You’re going to join us for Christmas again this year, aren’t you?”
“I’m so sorry, but Will’s joining me this year, aren’t you, honey?” It took everything I had to keep a straight face. Charlie’s eyebrows had risen to his hairline, which was receding quickly it seemed. Jane glowered, and Caroline’s jaw dropped.
“ You ,” said Jane. “Since when are the two of you a thing?” Jane’s tone was one I knew well. It held just a hint of a sneer, enough that someone who didn’t know her wouldn’t hear it, but I always did.
“Since you’re not close to either of us, I don’t see how it’s any of your business.” Will’s voice was hard. He must’ve recognized the tone as well.
I leaned across Will a little. “And Caroline, would you be so kind as to remove your talons from my man’s arm? I prefer it without poke marks.”
Caroline snapped her jaw shut and lifted one corner of her mouth. “You should know Will’s an old friend. If he had a problem with me touching him, he’d tell me himself.”
“Caroline,” said Will in a warning tone.
She flinched and removed her hands.
“And my name’s William to you. Only Liz calls me ‘Will. ’”
Charlie’s sister shrank back next to her brother and joined her hands in front of her. She bent forward a little and glanced at Jane, who rolled her eyes.
“If you’ll excuse us,” said Will. “We were just going to get a drink.”
I let my hand fall into his and followed him to the bar, his shoulders tighter than they’d been before we’d slipped away. Was he angry about what I said to Caroline? I couldn’t imagine him being upset, but Charlie did work for him. I doubted that he wanted to upset the man.
“Will?” I shifted my hand up to his shoulder. Was that shaking?
“Excuse me! Two doubles of Balvenie, please. Neat.” With both hands gripping the edge of the bar, he chuckled low and soft. “Caroline’s expression when you told her to remove her talons from your man. It was priceless. I’ve never seen her turn white before.”
I relaxed as I smiled. “Well, I had to show my appreciation to you for chastising Jane. No one ever speaks to her that way.”
“It’s about time someone did.”
“You know; I’d say Caroline is turning rather green right now.” The woman was staring at us as I spoke. I slipped my hand down his back as I leaned into his side, my breast crushed to his chest.
He was laughing harder when he handed me my drink. “She’s watching, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is.” I brushed my fingers along the top of his ass cheek for a brief second before setting my palm on his shoulder. “I’m sorry if I went too far since this is a work event for you, but I did glance around first. Dear Caro was the only one looking.”
He brushed my curls over my shoulder. “It wasn’t that risqué. Besides, if she gets the picture that I’m with you, it’ll be worth it. Maybe it’ll discourage those that want to try later as well.”
“Do you get hit on often?” A part of me didn’t want to know.
“Often enough. Most of the assistants who’ve tried haven’t lasted long. I’m quick to make reports and document any advances. My assistant, Gavin, also sits in on all meetings under the guise of taking notes for me. Most would think I can’t remember what I’m supposed to do, but he’s my safety net.”
I shook my head. “I’m glad I don’t have that problem. Most of the employees, other than management, are college students. I think enough fear of being fired exists for them not to try.”
After a sip of my Scotch, I glanced at the dance floor. “Who is that Gigi is dancing with?”
Will shot around and narrowed his eyes. “Grayson Chamberlayne. His parents own Chambers Publishing.”
I was familiar with the company. They made reference books and academic textbooks. Since we’d started selling books online, we’d begun carrying some college-level books to help compete with Pemberley and other collegiate book sites.
My date was quiet and glared until Gigi and Grayson stepped over to where Richard stood and began to talk.
“She can take care of herself, you know?”
“Hm,” he said low.
I set my empty glass on the bar. “I’m going to the ladies’. Will you be okay while I’m gone?” I didn’t want him to embarrass his sister when I couldn’t stop him.
“Do you want me to escort you?”
I grinned at his concern. “I can manage. Thanks.”
The facilities were easy to find, and once I’d washed my hands, I reapplied my lip gloss before stepping back into the hall.
“You aren’t good enough for him.”
I turned to face the owner of the voice behind me. None other than Mrs. deBourgh sat in a plush chair against the wall, her walking stick propped straight up with her hand on top.
“That’s for him to decide, not you.”
The older woman stood and stepped toward me, her walking stick being thrown forward with each step of that leg. “No, it’s for his family as well, and I am the closest relation he has.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Not that I’m aware of. I believe he would count Gigi and Richard as closer—Annie as well, of course.”
The woman slammed her walking stick on the marble floor. The wood vibrated so vigorously, it should’ve shattered with the strength of the impact. “Do not mention my ungrateful child’s name! She is dead to me.”
“That’s a shame. She’s a lovely woman, and Char is my best friend. They’re a great couple.”
“This has nothing to do with Anne and everything to do with you believing you can date my nephew. He deserves more than a harlot who would use him for his money.”
I opened my mouth to respond.
“I saw you run your fingers over his. . .over his. . .” She waved a hand in front of her. “Oh, you know what you did! It was the most shameful display I’ve ever seen.”
With a laugh, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Will certainly didn’t object, and that’s his decision to make—not yours. As for money, I may not have the Pemberley coffers at my disposal, but I don’t need whatever he has. I have my own home and my own money. I don’t want or need Will’s.
“Will? His name is William—Fitzwilliam to be exact. He’s named after his mother’s great family. It was natural that she marry a Darcy, who was from a good family. Don’t think I don’t know about yours, Miss Bennet. Your father’s business is bankrupt, your mother is using her credit cards faster than her husband can bring home his paychecks, and your sister is clinging to my nephew’s friend in the hopes of marrying well. I expect your father will be arrested for embezzlement at some point in the near future. He can’t help himself to his customer’s funds, whether he knows it or not.”
I kept my body straight and ensured no surprise whatsoever crossed my face. Even when I still lived at home, my father always argued with my mother about her spending habits. She wanted to decorate the house and dress like they possessed unlimited funds, which they didn’t. Nothing Mrs. deBourgh was saying was a surprise. In my opinion, it had been a long time coming.
“I have nothing to do with my parents. My uncle was, for all intents and purposes, my father, and he was the best man I’ve ever known. What my father and mother do doesn’t concern me or have anything to do with me.”
“It will tarnish the good name of my nephew!”
“Because he’s dating the estranged daughter of someone suspected of a crime? Somehow, I doubt Will will care.” I hoped he wouldn’t.
“Regardless, I’ll carry my point! He’ll not continue seeing someone like you. I have the perfect young lady—”
“Good luck with that. For your scheme to work, he has to be interested, and I can guarantee he won’t be.”
“Because you’ve bewitched him!”
A bark of a laugh escaped before I could stop it. “What is this? The 18 th century? You need to worry about your own concerns and let others live their lives.”
My cell phone rang, and I pulled it from my clutch. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to take this.”
At the sight of the number on the screen, I pressed to accept the call and brought it to my ear. “Mary, what’s wrong?”
“I finally told them. . .”
“How dare you!” My phone was pulled from my ear, taking several strands of my hair with it. “I did not excuse you, and how dare you turn your back on me!”
I didn’t release my phone, even though my scalp where the hair was yanked out from the root stung like hell. “What the fuck are you doing?” I wrenched my arm back from the old bat, who was stronger than she looked.
“Hello? Mary?” I glared at the old woman. “You hung up on her!”
“What’s going on?” I rubbed my head while Will strode up. “I could hear the commotion from the end of the hall.
“This harlot thinks she can have you no matter what!” When Mrs. deBourgh lifted her arm to point at me, the hair she’d pulled out hung from her rings.
“Is that your hair?” Will asked pointing.
I nodded. “I had a phone call from my sister Mary. I told your aunt I had to take the call, and she grabbed the phone when I tried to answer it.”
My phone vibrated in my hand. When I looked down, a new text had come in. “ Lizzy, I’m at the café. Mia let me stay when it closed. Mom and Dad kicked me out .”
“I have to go,” I said.
“Liz, wait!” Will took me by the upper arms. “I swear what my aunt says means nothing.”
I winced at the shrieking of his aunt behind me. “We’ll talk, but my sister is at the café waiting for me. She needs my help. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay. Please understand.”
His shoulders drooped but he kissed my forehead and stepped back. “You know I understand. Take care of your sister, but I will call you.
“Take my car so you don’t have to wait for a taxi or a car service. My driver will come back for me once you’re home.”
“Thank you!” I kissed him quickly on the lips, and without looking at Cruella, I hurried for the door.