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26
The next song began, and once again Will sang along with the melody as he held Elizabeth in his arms. He was glad she’d pulled him away from a confrontation with Catherine; he would speak his mind but not here, and not now.
Elizabeth squeezed his shoulder. “Look at my sister and Charles. I can’t believe they’re engaged! I never expected it. Did you know?”
He nodded and spied the happy couple swaying together, absorbed in one another. “Charles swore me to secrecy.”
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to see Richard standing next to them. “May I cut in?”
Will frowned. “No.”
“You can't saynobecause it's not really a question,” Richard said plainly. “It's just a polite way of saying it’s my turn. Do you mind, Elizabeth?”
“Of course not,” she responded, and smiled sweetly at Will.
“Come on, give her up,” Richard said.
Will sighed. “Fine.” He gave Elizabeth a kiss before releasing her, and left the dance floor.
Georgiana and Matt were standing near the bar, and as he made his way over to them, someone took hold of his arm, halting his progress.
“Darcy.”
He immediately knew who it was and turned to face her. “Remove your hand, Caroline. Now.”
She did as he asked. “We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say that you would enjoy hearing.”
“I didn't tell her anything that wasn't true.”
“You told Elizabeth we’ve slept together.”
“I said no such thing. If she told you that, she's lying. I'm only looking out for you and your best interests.”
“You may not have said it outright, but you certainly implied it. And where do you get off thinking you have a right to look out for me? How could youpossiblyknow what's best for me? You’re an acquaintance, nothing more, and that’s only because you're my best friend's sister.Iknow what's best for me, and it certainly isn't, and never will be, you.”
She drew back as if she’d been slapped. “Surely you can't mean that. I’ve always thought of you as a friend, Darcy.”
“No, Caroline, you think of me as a prize to be won. When you look at me, you see something to attain. Elizabeth doesn't see me that way and never has. I was drawn to her, I fell inlovewith her, because she is the exact opposite of you and nearly every other woman in this room.”
Caroline paled. “You'll be sorry. The time will come when she isn't enough, when you need more, when you miss this life and get tired of playing in a sandbox. This is where you belong. Your life is here.”
“My life is where Elizabeth is.”
She shook her head. “You'll regret it.”
“I won't, and I certainly won’t have regrets over you. Move on, Caroline.”
She eyed him for a moment before turning and stalking off and Will took a deep, calming breath. He glanced toward the dance floor, and saw Elizabeth watching him closely, her expression one of concern. He smiled and blew her a kiss, and suddenly Anne was standing next to him.
“Thatdidn't look like a friendly conversation.”
“It wasn’t, but it was long overdue.”
She grabbed his arm. “C'mon, you owe me a dance. Your girlfriend is stuck with Richie, so you might as well dance with me.”
Will allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor. He winked at Elizabeth, who smiled in return. Richard was clearly entertaining her, and Will was grateful he was making her laugh. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset by Caroline and Catherine.
