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"Did you recognize him? Maybe he’s a celebrity."
Elizabeth pictured the dark-haired man with the intense brown eyes. He was certainly handsome enough to be a movie star, even though he’d been dressed casually in khaki shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His hair was shaggy and in need of a cut, and his face looked as though it hadn't encountered a razor in a while.
"Earth to Lizzy..."
"Sorry, I was trying to place his face. He was really good-looking, but I didn’t get a celebrity vibe. Ugh, he was just so rude! And a little self-important. To think I was following him to get his picture! It’s ridiculous."
Elizabeth sipped her wine, and then it dawned on her.
"Oh! I bet the woman he was with is someone he’snotsupposed to be with. Maybe they’re having an affair, and he's worried about getting caught. They certainly looked cozy. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I'll develop the pictures, give them to him, and be done with it." Elizabeth looked at Jane with narrowed eyes. "So who's this Will person? You’re not trying to set me up, are you?"
"No setup, I promise. Charles and William have known each other since they were kids. I've only met him once, but they’re best friends. In fact, William is the one who persuaded Charles to buy this house. He's staying with his sister at their family home, a little further down the beach." Jane glanced over the railing of the deck. "Here he comes now."
Elizabeth followed Jane’s gaze, and her breath caught. Long sleeved T-shirt, khaki shorts, wavy brown hair, and walking at a steady pace along the water’s edge. His identity was unmistakable.
This is not happening.
Charles came outside to refill their wine glasses, and caught sight of his friend. "It's about time, Darcy! Come on up."
William made his way up the stairs to Charles’s deck, and Charles welcomed him and gestured to the women.
"You remember Jane, of course. And this is her sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is my good friend, William Darcy."
"Hi Jane, good to see you again." William flashed Jane a quick smile, then turned to Elizabeth. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," she responded, offering her hand and a small smile—which probably looked more like a grimace. He reluctantly shook it, those deep brown eyes searching hers, then glanced at Charles.
"Um, sorry I’m late. Let's get those steaks going, I know you've been waiting."
The men disappeared inside, and Jane looked at Elizabeth. "So? What do you think?"
"What do I think about what?"
“About William. He's handsome, isn't he?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I met him for two seconds. He doesn’t seem very friendly."
"I’m sure he’ll loosen up as the night goes on. Just give him a chance."
"Whoa, hold on. You said this wasn’t a setup. Knock it off."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Fine. Come on, then. We can make the salad."
The women walked inside, and while Jane headed toward the bathroom, Elizabeth walked to the kitchen. When she heard William’s voice, she paused outside the doorway.
"I’m fine, don't worry. I'll be the perfect gentleman. But I'm not interested in getting involved with anyone, especially one of those Cape Cod beach girls you've always been so fond of. Have your fun with Jane, but please don't foist the younger sister on me."
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose and her cheeks warmed.
"I'm notaskingyou to get involved with her, I’m asking you to benice. I know it’s a stretch for you sometimes, but don't be such an ass.” Charles lowered his voice. "And leave Jane out of it. You know she's more than just some fun to me."
"I apologize, I shouldn’t have said that. And of course I'll be polite, but that's it. I have no interest in getting to know Elizabeth Bennet."
Suddenly William came around the corner and nearly plowed into Elizabeth.
"Oh. Um, sorry," he mumbled. "I didn’t know you were there.”
She tilted her head and grinned. “Obviously.”
