by Krista Lakes
I nodded to the secretary and escaped down the elevators and out to the lobby. My lips still tingled, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I felt lighter than I had in months and I knew it had to do with Mr. Darcy.
I needed to see Jane. I needed to tell her that I’d seen him.
Outside his building, the wind was cold and sharp. It felt good against my hot cheeks, and I loosened the buttons on my jacket. Everything was hot from being with him. I stepped out onto the sidewalk and looked up toward his office. It was silly, but I thought I could see him looking down at me.
I waved and smiled, even though it was stupid. It probably wasn’t even his office, yet I liked the idea of him watching me and smiling.
Chapter 21
I knew the way to the art museum with my eyes closed. I loved visiting Jane at her work. The museum was always full of beautiful objects, but the backroom where she worked at restoring priceless artwork was the true treasure trove.
I waved to the security guard and docent who smiled and waved back as I headed to the work area. I slipped through a work door and followed the scent of paint. Jane was at a speckled sink cleaning her brushes.
“Guess who?” I said, stepping out from behind a canvas.
Jane grinned. “Lizzie! What a nice surprise. I was just about to stop for lunch. Want to join me?”
I nodded and came around to stand by the sink as she methodically worked the brushes clean.
“I’d love to,” I told her. “I need a drink.”
She glanced over at me. “What happened in the last two hours that requires a drink?” Concern flickered across her face. “It’s not Lydia, is it?”
“No, no. Lydia’s fine,” I told her. I took a deep breath and stood before her. “I think I like him.”
Jane just frowned. “Like who?”
I hesitated, but Jane was my best friend. If I couldn’t tell her, then I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone.
“Mr. Darcy.”
Jane laughed. “Are you serious?” She laughed some more before looking at my face and seeing that I was. “Oh. My.”
“Yeah.”
She managed to look thoughtful for about two seconds before cracking up. “You can’t be serious, Lizzie,” she said, trying to keep herself composed. “Do I need to send you the video of the two of you arguing? You hate him. You slapped him in the face the first time you met him. You don’t like him.”
“I didn’t say he wasn’t an ass,” I retorted, crossing my arms. I didn’t like her laughing at me. “I said I might love him.”
That sobered her up fast. “Whoa.”
“I mean, like. I meant I like him.” I tried to cover it up, but it was too late. I’d said the L word.
“Oh, nononono,” Jane replied. She wasn’t laughing anymore. “You don’t make a slip like that without meaning it.”
I slumped against the wall. “Then you get my problem.”
“Oh, Lizzie.” Jane sighed and put her brushes away to dry. She picked up a towel and dried her hands. “What are we going to do with you?”
“Buy me a drink?” I offered. “That’s a good thing to do with me.”
Jane chuckled and put her arm around my shoulder. “All right. Come with me.”
Together we walked out of the back area and into the main museum. I loved this place nearly as much as Jane did. There were big windows down the main corridor that let in lots of natural light but kept the paintings out of the sun. Beautiful works of art filled the space, creating a tranquil sea of emotions captured forever.
Jane stopped short, nearly knocking me over in the process. She stood rock still in the middle of the gallery staring straight ahead and going pale. One look at her face told me what she saw, and sure enough, there he was.
Standing in the center of the sunlit gallery was Charles Bingley.
His reddish hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a suit that reminded me of Mr. Darcy’s. He stood strong, but I could see his hands shaking even from this distance. He was staring hard at Jane.
“Jane?” he called out her name. His voice didn’t shake, though.
Jane was as much a statue as any sculpture in the room. I gave her a gentle push on the shoulder to make her take a step forward. She glanced at me, fear in her eyes. I motioned her toward him
“At least hear what he has to say,” I whispered.
She nodded and took a hesitant couple of steps, stopping short of being near him.
“Hello, Charles,” she whispered. I sent as much positive energy her direction as I could.
“Jane, I came to apologize,” Charles announced. He took a step toward her and then hesitated.
“For what?” Jane asked, her voice coming in slightly stronger.
Charles took a deep breath. He looked around the room and then focused on her. His eyes softened, and he smiled. He took another step.
“I’m sorry for ever leaving you,” he told her. He went to one knee and held up a small, black velvet box. Everyone, even me, gasped. “Never leave me again.”
He opened the box and presented it to her. Even from where I was standing, I could see the glimmer of a diamond.
Jane stood there for a moment, then slowly nodded. A combination of a sob and a laugh left her as she flung herself down and into Charles’ arms.
“Yes,” she whispered, still laughing and crying at the same time.
I pulled out my phone and quickly snapped a picture, knowing that Jane would want the memory. It was beautiful. He had her in his arms as they were surrounded by the beautiful works of art they both so loved.
He’d picked the perfect place to propose. This was Jane’s pride and joy. Proposing here demonstrated that he did know her. He loved her. The whole room radiated with their love, and it was more beautiful than the art.
I wiped a tear from my cheek and smiled. I was so incredibly happy for Jane. Something bittersweet tugged on my heart. Mr. Darcy was behind this, too. I knew it. He had told his friend to go back to Jane. He’d admitted he was wrong.
Charles was helping Jane stand. She just held onto him and smiled wider than I’d ever seen her smile before. She radiated such joy, and she wasn’t going to let him go anytime soon.
I looked around, watching the art patrons clap and cheer. A dark figure by the door caught my attention. It was Mr. Darcy. He smiled as he caught my eye before turning and disappearing out into the street.
I went to catch him, to thank him yet again for making the people I cared most about happy, but Jane called my name. I turned to answer, and I knew he was gone. I looked one last time and then headed over to congratulate Jane and Charles on their soon to be happily ever after.
Chapter 22
A few days later, I sat behind the nurses’ station filling out paperwork. Despite going to a paperless system years ago, I still somehow managed to have mountains of paperwork for my patients. I just wanted to finish and head home. I’d already reported to the night nurses, so once I finished putting in the last few sets of vitals and notes, I could leave.
A shower and bed sounded like the best thing in the world.
“Hey, Lizzie,” the charge nurse called to me. “There’s someone here to see you.”
Lydia and Jane rarely visited me at work, and if they did, it was always at lunchtime so I could buy them cafeteria food. I knew it wasn’t them, and despite my dreams, I knew that Mr. Darcy would never show up here.
I sighed, hit save, closed my screens, and went to see who wanted me. Maybe it was a former patient. Those always made my day.
It was not a patient.
I came to the entrance of the unit to find a woman in an expensive pantsuit and a mean look on her face waiting for me. She looked like a grandmother, but without any of the requisite kindness. I recognized her from Mr. Darcy’s office.
I had a bad feeling about this. I just wanted to go home and take a shower.
“Do you know who I am?” the woman barked as soon as I got near. She had the same accent as Mr. Darcy,
except his sounded much suaver. Her’s sounded mean.
“You’re Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy’s COO,” I replied politely. Maybe she had a legit reason to be here. I hoped that Mr. Darcy was okay.
“Good. You’re not as stupid as you look,” the woman replied.
I bit my tongue. “How can I help you, Ms. de Bourgh?”
“Can we speak privately?” She gestured toward the gaggle of nurses trying to overhear what was going on.
“Of course. There’s a doctor consult room over here,” I told her, motioning down the hallway. We stepped into a small room with four comfortable chairs and a table. A whiteboard hung on the wall opposite of the door.
“I’m sure you know why I’m here,” Catherine announced as soon as she stepped into the room. Her small statue somehow dominated the entire thing.
“I’m afraid I don’t,” I said, shaking my head. “Is Mr. Darcy alright?”
“That’s what I’m here to see to.” She looked around the room in disapproval before coming back to me. She somehow looked less pleased as she looked me over. “Why were you in Mr. Darcy’s office yesterday?”
“I wanted to thank him,” I replied honestly. “He did something kind for me.”
“No other reason?” she pressed. “You did kiss him.”
“I did,” I confirmed. She walked around the small room as I spoke, making me feel like I was being interrogated by a caged tiger. “I kissed him in gratitude because, as I said, he did something kind for me. He is a good man.”
Catherine spun on her heel, surprising me with a sudden advance into my personal space. “Do you intend to seduce my nephew?” she asked, point blank. “Because I will not allow that.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, completely taken aback.
“He is needed by this company,” Catherine informed me, not really explaining herself. “He is the life force of this company, and you cannot distract him.” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you been sent by a competitor?”
“What? Ma’am, I have no idea what you are talking about,” I replied, taking a step back. She continued to stay in my face.
“He left a very important meeting to go to California for no reason,” Catherine told me. She kept stepping forward, making me retreat. “The buyout nearly failed because of it, and I want to know why. I flew all the way from London. You’re the only reason I can come up with.”
“Ma’am, I’m afraid I don’t have any explanation for you,” I stated, using my best customer service voice. I didn’t add on, “and even if I did, there’s no way in hell I’d tell you,” because that seemed like a worse idea than taunting a bear.
“I will not allow you to destroy everything I have worked so hard to achieve,” the small woman shrieked at me. Her tone set my teeth on edge.
“You mean what Mr. Darcy has worked so hard to achieve,” I corrected her. I was fine with her talking down to me, but not him. It was his company. Not hers.
“You are impertinent!” She took a step back, mouth open and unhappy. “You will leave William alone. You are not his equal. You are nothing but a harlot out for his money.”
My mouth opened in shock. She was furious, and I could do nothing but stand there and take it. “Ma’am-”
“I saw you in his office yesterday. I saw the way he looked at you,” she sneered. “I know what your sister is willing to do for fame. Your whole family stinks of scandal. I know it all, and I will not tolerate it!”
I couldn’t believe she was speaking to me this way. All I wanted was my shower. I took a deep breath, drawing on reserves of calm I didn’t know I had.
“Ma’am, thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to make sure that I know my place,” I told her, doing my best to keep my temper in line. “Now, please excuse me. I have work to do.”
I pushed past her to get to the exit, but she slammed her hand down on the table hard enough to make me jump.
“You selfish girl!” she snarled. “Do you think that I do this for him? I do this for the company. How dare you put his company at risk for your greed and lust!”
I bit my tongue hard enough to draw blood.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you think I’m doing,” I told her. “I am hardly a distraction.”
Catherine narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play coy, young lady. It doesn’t become you,” she sneered. “William’s place is in London with his company. Not here in New York. This is a temporary stop, and I will not have him move his headquarters here. I will not let him throw away the company we have built.”
“He’s moving his headquarters?” I asked, surprised. “Why?”
“He says New York is the better location,” Catherine spat. “I say it’s you. You have tainted his mind and made him, and now me, come to this wretched city.”
“I didn’t make you, or Mr. Darcy do anything,” I told her. “Least of all have him move his headquarters.”
“Now, swear to me that you will leave him. Swear to me that you will leave him to his work, and tell him to go back to London,” the old woman pressed. She came forward and stuck her finger under my nose. “You are beneath him, and I will not have him throw it all away for a stupid girl who only wants his cash flow.”
I was so angry I was unaccountably calm. Maybe it was because I was at work. Maybe it was because I was tired. Maybe the stars had simply aligned, but for once, I was furious yet able to keep my wits about me.
“I will not.”
She glared at me and reached for her purse. “Fine. How much will it take?” She pulled out a checkbook.
“Excuse me?” I asked, not quite following.
“How much money to leave him alone?” she asked. She looked me over once. “You look like fifty thousand would make your life better.”
“No.” I didn’t even hesitate.
“Fine.” She scribbled numbers on the check and ripped it out, holding it up to me. “One hundred thousand dollars never to see him again.”
The idea that she thought she could buy me was infuriating.
“There is no amount of money you can offer me,” I informed her, still floating in my calm anger. “I will see him as he sees fit. If he wishes to see me, then he may. It is his decision, not yours.”
“I do what is best for him!” Catherine shrieked at me. She was not calm. She did not have my cool, detached anger right now.
“No, I care for him. I respect him,” I told her. “You are doing neither of those things by showing up here and trying to buy me off. Now, you will leave, or I will have security escort you out.”
Despite my calm bubble, I was shaking with rage. I had never wanted to beat the crap out of someone so badly, yet I managed to keep myself standing with my hands to myself.
“You intolerable whore!” Catherine screamed at me. I was glad these doctor consult rooms were soundproofed. I opened the door leading out to the hallway and held it open for her.
“You have now insulted me in every possible way,” I informed her, surprised at the even control in my voice. I felt like screaming, but I wasn’t. I spoke evenly and calmly. “You can have nothing further left to discuss. Good night, Ma’am. If I see you again, I will call security.”
“How dare you!” Catherine screamed at me. She sounded like a bitter, broken old woman. If I hadn’t been so furious, I would have pitied her.
She stepped out into the hallway and stomped away. Her heels clicked on the floor hard enough to drive holes into the linoleum, but I just stood there, making sure she left my unit.
“Are you okay out there, Lizzie?” one of the nurse’s asked, peeking her head into the hallway. Maybe the doctor consult rooms weren’t quite as soundproofed as I thought.
“It’s fine,” I told my coworker as I headed back to my computer. I still had to finish my work. “It was just an angry old woman.”
I went to an empty patient room and shut the door so that I could finish charting in peace. I was still shaking and furious, yet oddly calm. I didn’t quite under
stand it.
I couldn’t believe that Catherine had come to my hospital. I replayed the entire visit in my head, trying to make it make sense. I wasn’t a threat to Mr. Darcy’s business. He would have to want to be in New York all the time to make his headquarters here. He loved London. Why would he do that?
For me?
That was laughable, and yet...
It made hope flare up for a moment before I put it back in its place.
I had burned the bridge between the two of us. I could cry at the ashes all I wanted, but I was the one that lit the match. As much as I wished this conversation and him moving his headquarters meant something, I knew he wasn’t mine and never would be.
Chapter 23
Two days later I woke before dawn. It was my day off, so I didn’t need to be awake, yet I couldn’t go back to sleep. I itched to get up and move. My brain was too full and my heart too tender to sit in bed and think.
I put on my favorite black exercise pants and a soft sweatshirt. Outside, the dark air frosted with every breath and ice hung on the tree branches and buildings as I walked to Central Park. It was quiet in the early gray morning. There were only a few runners pounding the pavement, but they kept to themselves, huffing and puffing like dragons in the gray light.
It was as close to being alone in the city as I could get.
A layer of snow glistened and glimmered on the grass. No one had disturbed it yet, so it was still perfect and white. For a moment, I could imagine that there were no other people in the entire world. It was just me and the cold.
I wished the cold could freeze my hope. I wished that it could freeze the ache inside of me every time I thought about him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and how much I cared for him. It was terrible torture to know he was in the same city and yet not knowing how to tell him what was in my heart.