A Holiday to Remember

by Jennifer Redlarczyk

  “Her what?!” Caroline interrupted. “You listen to me, William Darcy! If I wanted to stand up there and make a singing fool of myself, I could easily do it. For your information, I happen to have far more integrity than to allow myself to be degraded in such a manner.”

  “Really? I didn’t know you sang.”

  “Well of course I don’t sing. But when I studied music at the conservatory, my professors all said I was multi-talented. I could have pursued an operatic career if I so chose, but classical piano happened to be my major. Once this song is finished, I’m sending everyone out to the terrace for dinner. And let me tell you, I had better not see that want-to-be Jazz Queen singing when I open up the floor for dancing. I won’t stand for it! By the way, we’re at table one. Wait for me, and we’ll go in together.”

  “Caroline….” She stalked off in a huff, ready to grab hold of the mic and make her announcement as soon Skip played the final chord. William, on the other hand, ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation and wondered what he ever did to deserve being stalked by one of the most irritating women of his acquaintance. This could prove to be a very long night. Adding to his frustration, he could see Richard was about to make his move on Elizabeth. Assuming the two of them would be dining together and with Caroline literally breathing down his neck, his apology would have to wait until later.

  Chapter 3

  And The Beat Goes On

  Bingley’s party continues

  Once the well-wishers had begun to make their way out onto the terrace for dinner, Richard stepped forward. “Ms. Bennet, you were awesome, and I can’t begin to tell you how much I’m looking forward to hearing your choir perform at the Foundation Gala.”

  “Thank you. My students are exceptionally talented. Please, call me Liz. And you are….”

  “I’m Richard Fitzwilliam—Director of Human Resources at Darcy Enterprises.” He held out his hand, which she reluctantly shook on hearing the Darcy name.

  Her face sobered as she arched an eyebrow in his direction. “I thought you looked familiar. I seem to recall seeing you at George Wickham’s hearing, and if I am not mistaken, you are a relation of Mr. William Darcy?”

  “Yes.” He uncomfortably cleared his throat. “It seems my cousin’s abrasive manner from that particular day has not been forgotten. He’s really not so bad once you break through his gruff exterior. Mind you, I’m not making any excuses. Darcy just happens to be a little intense when it comes to his sister.”

  “Is that so? I assume your definition of intense includes being judgmental and arrogant to the point of being rude?”

  “I plead the fifth.” He threw up his hands. “The truth is my cousin doesn’t always make a great first impression. Can we leave it at that and start again?”

  She studied him for a few moments before answering, “If you like.”

  “Thank you. I was actually hoping you might join me for dinner.”

  “Alright, if you promise to answer a few questions I have about the Foundation and at some point introduce me to Mr. Reynolds. I’ve yet to meet him.”

  “Then you’re in luck! It so happens we’ll be sitting at the Reynolds’ table, and I would be more than happy to introduce the two of you. You’ll like Bob. He’s the backbone of our charities.”

  “Good. I’ve wanted to personally thank Mr. Reynolds ever since he booked my students to perform at the Gala.”

  “It will be my pleasure to make the introduction.” He grinned and willingly escorted Elizabeth out onto the terrace.

  ~ ♫ ~

  Dinner on the heated terrace proved to be an elegant affair. Elizabeth was delighted to finally meet Bob Reynolds, and secretly reveled in the sumptuous five-course catered experience. The French cuisine had an Italian flair, and Elizabeth could not remember eating a tastier meal. Influenced by lively conversation, she was even inclined to admire the extravagant black and white decor, to which Caroline had added lavish gold accents and potted plants, reminiscent of the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago.

  Two tables away, however, a resentful William Darcy was forced to endure demands and complaints of Caroline Bingley throughout the entire meal. He often wondered how someone as likeable a Charles could be related to such a woman. If it wasn’t for a strong family resemblance, he would have sworn Caroline was switched at birth. She would not stop fawning over him with provocative conversation and her braggadocious demeanor had soured his appetite long before the food was even served. At this point, William couldn’t care less about the bouillabaisse soup or vegetable ratatouille or saignant steak cooked in flavorful wine and herbs.

  Other than attempting to carry on a reasonable conversation with Charles and Jane, his only pleasure came from an occasional glance at the beautiful woman who was unreservedly conversing with his cousin. While he couldn’t catch any of their conversation, he noted the way her eyes sparkled and how her infectious laughter seemed to light up the entire table. What a pity I offended her all those months ago. Elizabeth Bennet would have made a delightful dinner companion.

  ~ ♫ ~

  Following the meal, the guests leisurely returned to the main house, where conversations continued and the dancing was about to begin. As soon as Caroline excused herself to speak with the caterers, William took the opportunity to seek out Elizabeth. Richard had temporarily vacated his seat and was talking with one of his associates at another table. William wondered if she would even listen to what he had to say, since their last conversation still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  Approaching the table, William politely greeted Bob Reynolds and his co-workers before singling out Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet,” he quietly interjected taking Richard’s seat. “May I please have a few minutes of your time?” His mien was serious.

  “Mr. Darcy.” She stiffened and coolly replied, “Uh … yes, of course.”

  “If you don’t mind, could we speak in the library? I would prefer our conversation to be private.”

  “As you wish.”

  William helped Elizabeth with her chair and motioned to the hallway saying, “It’s this way.” Moments later, they were in the library, which unlike the rest of the house was quiet, save for the crackling of logs in the wood-burning fireplace.

  “May I get you a drink?” he offered. “There’s a small refrigerator with cool beverages and a wine cabinet if you would care for something.”

  “No, thank you, Mr. Darcy. I had more than enough at dinner, and other than water with lemon, I rarely drink unless it’s a special occasion.”

  “Miss Bennet….”

  “Liz, please,” she interrupted. “This formality is not necessary.”

  “Very well, then I prefer you call me William.” She nodded, and they both took a seat on the sofa.

  “For some time, I’ve wanted to apologize for my unreasonable behavior towards you and your aunt.” William unconsciously tapped his fingertips on his thigh. “I overreacted, and there was no excuse on my part for the unfeeling way either of you were treated by me or my staff during the incident with George Wickham. I hope my accusations didn’t cause any undue distress for Mrs. Gardiner.”

  “Thank you. I admit it was a trying time for her, and the studio did suffer a little because of the unwanted publicity.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear it.”

  “Nevertheless, everything is back to normal now. I appreciate your candor and will be happy to convey your apology.”

  “You were right, you know. If I had been more diligent when it came to my sister’s safety, the entire incident might have been avoided.” He sighed. “Since our parents’ sudden death, it has been difficult. Although we have other family members who live in the area, my sister tends to view me more as a father figure than an older brother. For nearly four years, I’ve been solely responsible for Georgie, but in this instance….” He shook his head. “My parents would have been horrified.”

  “Mr. Darcy … William…” Elizabeth briefly touched his hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss. At
dinner, Bob Reynolds explained what happened to your parents and how the proceeds from the Foundation Gala are given to Mothers Against Drunk Driving in support of families who have suffered similar losses. Until tonight, I had no idea your own family were victims. With Georgie being so young, I can understand why you reacted as you did.”

  “Even though my sister is a junior in high school, she is only fifteen. Because she skipped a grade, most of her friends from the Latin School are one or two years older. Last summer, I lashed out at everyone who was involved. I’d been working long hours, and Georgie, being out of school, obviously needed more of my time and was often bored. At the last minute, I foolishly allowed her to attend the festival without thoroughly checking out the plans. While Mrs. King arranged the transportation, I didn’t know there would be no other adult supervision until the day of the event. I could have easily put aside my work for one evening and assisted Mary’s mother. In the end, it was my own negligence that caused my sister harm.”

  “Possibly, but as a teacher of high school students, I know from first-hand experience you cannot be with your children twenty-four-seven. It doesn’t matter how bright your child is or how caring you are as a parent, every single day there is an opportunity for something to happen. We can only try to do our best and pray our young people will remember our advice and rely on common sense to see them through difficult situations.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.”

  “How is Georgie doing now?”

  “I’m sorry to say, not particularly well. After what happened last summer, she refused to go back to the Latin School. She said she couldn’t face the humiliation.”

  “Oh, no. She must be very lonely without her friends.”

  “She is. Bob Reynolds’ wife, Betty, whom you met at dinner, has been supervising Georgie’s home-school lessons. She’s a former school teacher and has been invaluable. But other than interacting with Mrs. Reynolds, my sister pretty much keeps to herself. She still refuses to see any of her old classmates, and on top of everything, I haven’t found a new piano teacher to replace your aunt. So far, I’ve had three different teachers come to our home, but none of them have worked out. As you can imagine, Georgie was quite attached to Mrs. Gardiner. I’m kind of at a loss as to what I should do.”

  “May I make a suggestion?”

  “By all means.”

  “Well, you know I teach at the Meryton Academy for the Performing Arts in the city, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Admission to our school is based on merit and talent. I’ve heard your sister play, and she is very gifted. If Georgie is willing, I could arrange an audition for her before the next semester begins. Assuming she is accepted, your sister could start in mid-January with the new term. Aunt Gardiner teaches privately at the school two days a week. Georgie could easily resume lessons with her or possibly try one of the other piano teachers if she prefers.”

  William shook his head. “It never even occurred to me to look for an alternative school such as the music academy.”

  “Why don’t we exchange numbers now and talk more about what the school has to offer over the weekend?”

  “I’d like that, if it wouldn’t be an imposition.”

  “Not in the least.” Taking out their phones, Elizabeth continued, “If Georgie likes my suggestion, the two of you can check out our webpage, and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you’re able to bring her to the academy one afternoon next week, it will be the perfect time to watch some of our performing groups rehearsing for the December Showcase.”

  “This sounds too good to be true. Liz, you are a life saver. How can I ever thank you?”

  “Don’t. Let’s just see how it all works out first. Do we have a deal?” Elizabeth extended her hand.

  “We do!” They shook on it. “I can’t begin to tell you how good I feel about your recommendations—relieved, actually. Listen, how about we put this aside for now and head on back to the party? I hear some great Latin music being played, and I’m not at all averse to dancing tonight.” He smiled broadly, bringing his dimples into full view as he pulled her to her feet.

  “The stoic Mr. Darcy dances?” she teased.

  “It’s been a few years, but I’ll have you know my parents loved ballroom dancing and insisted I take lessons when I was growing up. I imagine I can still shuffle through a fox-trot or even a cha-cha if you’re up to it. On second thought….” His eyes slowly traversed the length of her body in her tempting red dress. “Do you by any chance … tango?”

  “Tango?!” She flashed him a smile full of mischief. “Mr. Darcy, it so happens I do!”

  “Well then, Miss Bennet … the night is young and the music awaits us. Shall we?” William held out his hand and eagerly led Elizabeth from the library to the great room where the trio was currently playing Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars, an old classic by Antonio Carlos Jobim from 1960. Pulling her into his embrace, the couple moved in tandem as they flawlessly executed the sensual steps of a Bossa nova. Although it was not a tango, the Latin rhythms pulled both Elizabeth and William into the alluring wonder of the music.

  Chapter 4

  Caro’s Revenge

  The room itself wasn’t particularly warm, but each time William took Elizabeth through a turn and pulled her into his embrace, the heat emanating between the two dancers only increased. For William, the feel of her bare back was nearly his undoing. Her skin was warm and soft, and every time he touched her, fiery surges ignited his entire body. With their eyes never leaving one another, his urge to taste her tempting red lips only grew stronger.

  “William, I think you downplayed the extent of those youthful dance lessons,” Elizabeth said, attempting to break some of the physical tension which was building between them.

  “Perhaps I’m simply inspired by the beautiful woman I’m holding in my arms,” he returned causing her to blush. “In general, I rarely dance, but having you for my partner…. Well, let’s say I definitely would like to see if we can manage the tango before the night is over.”

  “Then we should go ahead and put in our request. Skip can play almost anything, you know.”

  “I’m not saying I’m an expert even though I attended many a class at my parents’ insistence. They were obsessed with the Argentine tango. One year they even dragged Georgie and me along with Richard and his parents to Buenos Aires, where they studied with a master teacher and actually participated in a dance exhibition.”

  “Buenos Aires?! I’m impressed! I take it then, Richard dances, too? He didn’t mention a thing at dinner.”

  “Back then, Richard hated dancing and refused the lessons. When we were in Argentina, he spent most of his time trying to charm the local beauties. My cousin, more or less, has two left feet—although he’ll try to make a good showing out on the floor.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Her eyes twinkled in amusement. “All in all, it must have been a very exciting trip for your family.”

  “Well, at the time, being a teenager and looking after my little sister while my cousin was off having fun didn’t leave me particularly enthused. But now, with my parents no longer alive, I find it’s one of my fondest memories. I’ll never forget the way they looked at one another when they danced.” He shook his head as if to put off the melancholy of the memory.

  “William….” She reached up and touched his cheek.

  “It’s alright, Liz,” he said, seeing the compassion in her eyes. He turned his head and lightly kissed her fingers before boldly taking her through another combination. By the end of the dance, William could hardly bear to part from Elizabeth. Refusing to let go of her hand he asked, “What do you think? Should we sit the next one out, or dare we go over and make our request?”

  Before Elizabeth could reply, the trio began playing Sway—a more up-tempo song with another Latin beat. They smiled at each other and both said Cha Cha at the same time. Seconds later William and Elizabeth were again dancing, and nothin
g else seemed to matter except their connection as they moved effortlessly about the dance floor.

  When we dance you have a way with me

  Stay with me, sway with me

  Other dancers may be on the floor Dear,

  But my eyes will see only you…

  Sway by Luis Demetrio—1953

  “William, I can’t remember when I’ve had this much fun dancing!” Elizabeth exclaimed when the song finished.

  “The pleasure was all mine, believe me.” His smile was disarming. “Come on, I see Charles and Jane. How about we go chat with them for a few minutes?”

  “What? Am I wearing you out, Mr. Darcy?” she teased.

  “I think not, Miss Bennet. As I said earlier, the night is young.” He squeezed her hand.

  “Darcy,” called Charles. “I see you finally took my advice and decided to enjoy yourself for a change. For one who doesn’t dance much, you were pretty convincing out there.” William shot him a pointed look, a little embarrassed by the compliment.

  “Charles is right!” Jane added with enthusiasm. “Watching you two is like watching Dancing with the Stars.”

  “Stop,” Elizabeth nearly pleaded. “We were just having fun, right William?”

  “Absolutely!”

  “In fact, we were about to ask Skip if the trio would play a tango.” The two grinned at each other in anticipation of the dance.

  “Say, wasn’t the tango a favorite of your parents?” Charles questioned.

  “It was.”

  Charles leaned in to William saying, “Of course you do realize Caroline will be stalking you once she hears a tango being played. In fact I’m surprised she isn’t out on the floor right now.” William frowned. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep Caro busy while you two have a go, won’t we, Janie?”