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The Bingley-Bennet engagementannouncement managed to take Elizabeth’s mind away from the evening ahead for a short time, but as soon as the limousine pulled up in front of the waterfront hotel, her stomach began doing somersaults.
Will and Charles exited the car first, followed by Georgiana and then Jane. After a moment of hesitation and a mental pep talk, Elizabeth was the last to step out.
Georgiana chose to wait just inside the entrance of the hotel for Matt, who’d texted her that he would be there shortly. She wanted to wait for him, she said, rather than walk in as a third with Will and Elizabeth. After assuring Will his sister would be fine, Elizabeth squared her shoulders and took Will’s arm.
Jane and Charles had already moved a good distance ahead of them, and Will, likely sensing Elizabeth’s nervousness, squeezed her arm as he escorted her through the hotel’s lobby.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he murmured.
She smiled. “You have, several times. Thank you.”
“Have I told you how much I'm looking forward to dancing with you?”
Her lips twitched. “Yes.”
He slid his hand under her wrap to stroke her bare back. “Have I told you how good you feel, how soft your skin is?”
Her cheeks warmed, but she smiled brightly. “Mm...I think so.”
His hand traveled up to the nape of her neck and briefly flirted with her curls. “Have I told you how much I love your hair down, just like it is now, so I can play with it and wrap it around my fingers?”
Her blush intensified, but she realized her nerves had calmed. She gradually became aware again of the crowd of people milling about around her, and before they walked in, she took a deep breath and turned to him.
“Thank you.”
He smiled widely. “My pleasure.”
They walked through the doors and into a smaller room that led to the ballroom. There were photographers and press here, waiting to catch glimpses of the upper echelon of Boston society. As soon as they walked in, they were blinded by flashbulbs, and she heard voices calling out Will’s name. Most only wanted a picture, and he was happy to oblige. Elizabeth stood silently by his side, smiling when she needed to, and after a few minutes spent appeasing the paparazzi, he escorted her into the ballroom.
It took nearly twenty minutes for them to reach their table. Will was repeatedly stopped by acquaintances, and Elizabeth had been introduced to at least a dozen people. They arrived at their table to find Charles and Jane in conversation with another couple, and when the man turned to glance in their direction he smiled broadly.
“Darcy!” he called out, and walked toward Will and Elizabeth.
“Richard, how are you?”
Richard ignored Will’s extended hand and instead gave him a quick hug. “Good to see you. And this must be Elizabeth?”
Will nodded. “This is Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is my cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam.”
Richard was as tall as Will, but his hair was lighter and his eyes were blue. She smiled, feeling immediately at ease.
“It's nice to meet you, Richard. Will has spoken of you quite a bit.”
Richard laughed and grasped her hand lightly. “Well, if he's said anything bad, just remember he has a tendency to exaggerate.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
Richard turned to the woman who’d come to stand slightly behind him and reached for her hand. “Lauren, I'm sorry. Come and meet my taciturn cousin and his lovely girlfriend. This is Lauren Jeffries. Lauren, this is Will Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.”
Lauren was strikingly beautiful. She was tall and had long, straight black hair, large brown eyes, and fair skin. She and Richard made an attractive couple, but she seemed a bit shy. As usual, Elizabeth and Jane chatted away, observing the other guests and ogling dresses, and eventually, Lauren's reserve slipped away and she joined in the conversation. Elizabeth told her about Jane's engagement, and there was appropriate oohing and aahing over the ring.
Elizabeth noticed Will frequently glancing toward the door and knew he was watching for Georgiana. She finally appeared, walking with a handsome young man, and Elizabeth grinned. She turned to Will, who noticed her grin and rolled his eyes.
Georgiana finally reached them, and after greeting Richard enthusiastically she was introduced to Lauren, and then proceeded to introduce Matt to everyone. As Matt was pulled into conversation, Elizabeth spoke to Georgiana quietly.
“He's very handsome.”
Georgiana's already pink face turned a shade darker. “He is, isn't he? There's something about a man in a tux.”
