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“You are thebestbrother a girl could ask for.” She rose from the couch and hugged him. “Thanks for telling me about Elizabeth. Though I have to be honest, it sounds like you weren't very nice to her.”
“Yeah…I wasn’t. When I saw her on the beach with a camera aimed in our direction…” He shrugged. “It was a gut reaction, to chase her down and stop her.”
Georgiana nodded. “I know. It freaked me out too.”
“I think I might have redeemed myself a little at Whimsy.”
“Maybe. A little.” She grinned. “Try to have fun at the cookout, and I expect a full report when you get home.”
* * *
Elizabeth arrivedat the cookout early in the afternoon, and promptly lost track of Charlotte when her friend unexpectedly spotted someone she knew. William had shown up a short time later, and joined her, Jane, and Charles as they stood near the makeshift bar.
They all made small talk, and even though he wore sunglasses, she frequently felt William’s gaze resting on her. She did her best to ignore it, thinking he was probably reverting back to his aloof, unsocial ways.Maybe our short conversation at Whimsy was a fluke.
Unfortunately, she was finding it difficult not to stare athim. He was tall, easily over six feet, and was dressed casually in a pair of dark shorts and a crisp white short-sleeved polo shirt. He was clearly in good shape, and stood with his hands in his pockets, hiding behind his aviator glasses and that stony, impassive mien.
“Oh! You didn't happen to bring your guitar, did you?” Jane asked him.
Elizabeth had to stifle a laugh when William scowled at Charles, who suddenly found something interesting to stare at in the sky.
“And how would you happen to know I play guitar?” William asked.
“Oh, a little bird told me,” Jane answered with a grin. “I was hoping you would bring it and entertain us when the band is done. Charles says you're very good.”
“I fool around with it a bit, but this is kind of a big crowd. Maybe another time.”
Someone stopped to say hello, and it dawned on Elizabeth that the same thing had been happening since they’d been standing here—assorted guests would greet William and shake his hand, calling himMr. Darcyor evensir. He always responded cordially, and knew everyone’s name.
Her curiosity got the best of her, and using the bathroom as an excuse, she dragged Jane toward the house.
“All right, why is everyone calling himMr. Darcy?” she asked when they were inside.
“Because that's his name.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Who is he to all these people?”
“He owns a company called RJD Properties. Our law firm represents him, and a lot of the people here work almost exclusively for his interests. Like Charles.”
“Oh. So…is he Charles's boss?”
“No, because Charles is employed by the law firm. Will is a client.”
“Oh, okay. I get it. Um, I really do have to use the bathroom, so I’ll meet you back outside.”
* * *
Will sawElizabeth emerge from the house, and he watched as she stood on the deck and observed the goings on at the cookout. He’d been watching her for most of the afternoon, actually. He tried not to stare, but his eyes were continually pulled in her direction.
She was attractive. Beautiful, really. Her skin had the beginnings of a tan, and the sparkle of her eyes needed no enhancement. He remembered her telling Charles that she was a runner, and it showed; her figure was pleasantly curvy, and her outfit showed off toned arms and legs. Her dark brown hair shone in the sunlight, and he noticed she’d kicked off her shoes.
She was intelligent as well; he knew that from their dinner at Charles’s two weeks ago, and he’d listened today as she conversed with some of the guests. She spoke about her work with enthusiasm and seemed genuinely interested in learning about what others did as well. She could carry a conversation with someone she’d just met with ease but could be quite silly when she wanted to be, as he witnessed during her interactions with Jane. It was clear they were very close and shared the same sense of humor.
He watched as another woman approached her on the deck, handed her a beer, and said something to her. Elizabeth threw her head back and laughed, and he couldn't pull his eyes away. She turned in his direction, and even with her sunglasses on, he could tell she was looking at him. She took a sip of her beer, then looked away and talked to her friend again.
Time to be the perfect gentleman.
* * *
