Charles cut her off. “You forgot your mobile at home.” The voice on the other end grated her nerves, and she took a deep breath. “Elizabeth, hello..?”
“Oh, hello, Charles. Yes, I was running late and forgot all about it. I’m really busy; what do you need?” Elizabeth asked absently as she glanced at her screen, adding a missing period.
Charles was unaffected by her nonchalant tone. “I wanted to apologize for last night. Also, I’ll be home late again tonight.”
Elizabeth groaned. “It’s our anniversary.”
He replied after a delay. “I completely forgot.”
“How could you forget? It’s our five-year anniversary. I’m starting to think you aren’t as committed to this relationship as I am.”
“I’m sorry, and don’t accuse me of not being committed—you live in my house. Isn’t that enough? I love you, my darling. I promise to make it up to you.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She wanted to throw the phone. Instead, through clenched teeth, she said, “No, darling, staying in your house is not commitment. A ring is.”
His voice grew tense. “Stop being needy, Elizabeth. A piece of paper should not define my love for you. Why ruin a good relationship by getting married only to later divorce?”
The words crushed her, and she thought she could hear her heart shatter. She put the receiver down and closed her eyes in an attempt to fight the tears. After taking a few breaths, she picked up the phone.
“Hello, Elizabeth, are you there?”
She could only get out a “Yes.”
“Darling, I am very sorry. We’ll have to talk later. I’ll try to get home as soon as I can,” he calmly stated.
“Don’t worry about it. I have to work late anyway, and I don’t know how late I’ll be,” she said spitefully. She didn’t plan on staying late; she only wanted to annoy him. It was a childish move, but she didn’t care.
“Elizabeth, please relax. I need to go now. I’ll see you later tonight.”
Elizabeth hung up without saying another word. She put her head on the desk. She felt an urge to take out her phone and text Darcy, but she didn’t know what she would say, and she knew she would be playing with fire. What she really needed was a break and some food. As if reading her mind, Jo approached with a salad, a bottle of water, and half a roast beef sandwich. “You are a lifesaver,” Elizabeth said.
“Of course, I am. Super Jo to the rescue!”
Elizabeth took the food. “Dork.”
Jo smirked. “Yes, and you wouldn’t have it any other way!”
“Indeed, I wouldn’t.” Elizabeth smiled.
“So, can you break away from your desk and join me for lunch?” Jo inquired.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I still need to get this manuscript done.”
Jo pouted. “No fun. You seriously need to get a new job.”
“Yes, and a new boyfriend,” Elizabeth mumbled.
Jo raised her eyebrows. “Have you finally come to your senses?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Yeah, another ‘I need to work late tonight,’ and he forgot about our anniversary.” She paused, unsure whether to divulge the rest of their conversation or last night’s events, because she knew Jo would open a can of whoop-ass on him. She loved her to death, but she was hotheaded, and Elizabeth did not want to complicate the situation.
Jo hugged her while Elizabeth remained sitting. “I’m sorry, honey. What a jerk!”
Elizabeth relaxed in Jo’s embrace. She did not know whether she wanted to hit something or cry.
“Well,” Jo started to say, and pulled away. “Uh-oh. I sense a disturbance in the force,” Jo whispered, looking around. “Here comes your worst nightmare. Mr. Grayson looks like he’s about to hang somebody.”
Elizabeth glanced up. “Shit, he’s heading this way. You better go.”
Jo snuck off before Mr. Grayson could see her. His voice echoed. “Miss Bennet, I must inform you I am leaving early. Transfer my calls to my cell phone.”
Elizabeth sighed. Thank God he was leaving.
“This does not, however, mean you get to slack off. I expect that manuscript on my desk by tomorrow morning.”
She only nodded. She was afraid that if she spoke, she would only dig herself into a deeper hole. He shuffled into his office to gather his things and then walked toward the elevators. As soon as he disappeared behind the silver doors, she spun around and ate her lunch. She did not call Jo back to join her. She wanted time alone with her thoughts. Her job was hell, and her relationship was not what she’d thought it would be.
When she’d met Charles on holiday in England, he’d seemed perfect for her. Their meeting had been a cliché, to say the least. Elizabeth had been sightseeing with a tour group at Lancaster Castle and had wandered away without realizing it. She’d stood alone in a vast library, in awe of her surroundings, and when she turned around to follow the tour guide, nobody was there. Nobody except Charles, however. The whole time he’d been watching her with amusement. She blushed as he flashed her a dazzling smile.
“You look like a lost puppy.” He sauntered over. “You are in luck, milady. Your white knight has come to your rescue.” He bowed. “I am at your service.”
Elizabeth could not help but be awestruck by the handsome stranger who stood before her. She laughed. “Sir Knight, I must decline your offer. I need not be rescued. I can find the group on my own.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “My fair damsel, I must insist. You are the fairest of all ladies here today, and too lovely to be on your own.”
She continued to protest. “Kind sir, if you helped me I would not want to leave, and I do not want to miss my ride to my hotel.”
“Well, you are in luck. I so happen to have left my horse at home and driven over here. I can return you safely to your quarters.” He smiled.
Her heart melted, but she was hesitant. He took her hand and kissed it. “I promise you will be safe in my hands. No harm shall descend upon you.”
She shook her head and started to turn away, when a young man came in. “Oh, sorry to intrude, Mr. Davenport. I thought the group had left. I came in to tidy up a bit for the next group.”
Mr. Davenport smiled and turned to the young man. “No need to bother, but you might help me convince this fair maiden that I mean no harm.”
The young man smiled. “It’s true—he wouldn’t hurt a fly. You can trust him with your life. Mr. Davenport is a good man.”
“You are too kind, James. No need to lay on the flattery, though. She might think I’ve paid you.” He laughed heartily.
James stuttered, “No, not at all, but you are safe. Please excuse me. Have a good day, ma’am.”
“See, I told you I was a good man,” he beamed.
She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you sure you didn’t plant him to lure American girls? How does he know you?”
He grinned. “Well, I work here as the curator, which makes me a qualified tour guide.”
“How convenient.” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “You are very insistent, sir knight. I surrender.”
He flashed another dazzling smile. “This is strictly professional, and it is my duty to make sure you arrive at your hotel safely.”
She’d pretended to be apprehensive, but the truth was, he was so charming she’d become enamored with him. She believed in love at first sight, and from that moment on, they spent the next three days together. She’d fallen hook, line, and sinker for his Hugh Grant-like charms. He was tall, dark, and handsome, and his British accent had done her in.
He’d told her he loved her, sparks had flown, and they’d maintained a long-distance relationship for two months before he’d decided he was going to move to New York to be with her. She could not have been happier.
For the first year, Charles had lived with Elizabeth in her small studio apartment. After learning that he had squandered his money on failed business ventures because he trusted the wrong people
, she’d loaned him money to start his consulting firm. It was the money her Aunt Jane had given to her as a birthday present, which could have easily bought her a new car and a house in the Hampshires, but Charles sucked her dry. Since Elizabeth put others before her, she found herself sweet-talked into helping him. Charles had become successful at the age of thirty, and as soon as he was financially stable, he bought a house and she moved in.
Four years later, her relationship and career were at a stalemate. She couldn’t leave her job, but she could leave Charles. She still had bills to pay and was in debt after she’d loaned Charles that money. On several occasions, Elizabeth tried to remind Charles that he needed to repay her. When she did, Charles would guilt her, telling her that the reward of staying in his home was his way of paying her back and she needed to let it go.
After disconnecting the call, she debated the pros and cons of leaving Charles. She loved him, yet she wanted marriage and children, and he did not. Then again, perhaps Charles was right—maybe he didn’t need to show he loved her with a piece of paper. People lived happily together and unmarried. She did not want to leave him; she had grown comfortable with him. She tried to convince herself that complacency was better than being single. She finished her lunch and went back to working. Elizabeth thought the more she dove into her work, the more it would distract her.
Hours had passed, and Elizabeth grew frustrated. She let out a sigh, rubbed her eyes, and noticed that the office was only dimly lit. She got up from her chair and surveyed her surroundings. She was alone. Elizabeth slumped back down and checked her clock; it was 8:00 p.m.
Breaking Elizabeth out of her funk, she heard, “You really should go home, and later we’ll go find you a hottie at the club.”
Elizabeth turned, smiling at the sight of Jo. Rolling her eyes, she replied, “I probably will go home to an empty house. The only hottie being a cup of hot chocolate.”
Jo snorted. “Lame.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I’m not setting another foot in a nightclub or bar after last night.”
Jo’s eyes lit up. “It wasn’t so bad after all. You got to meet your Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “He is not my Mr. Darcy, Jo.”
“Well, he can be, if you play your cards right and dump Charles’ sorry ass.”
“That is the last thing I need to do! He’s not my type. He’s too . . .”
“Devastatingly handsome, rakish, or sexy as fuck.”
“Oh my god, Jo! You’re terrible, and no comment.” Elizabeth turned twenty shades of red just thinking of the man.
“You do think he’s sexy as fuck!”
“More like arrogant, stuck up, and too sexy for his own good.”
Jo laughed. “See, I know you all too well.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Then you would know, I’m done with this conversation, and I want to go home.”
Jo put her palms up. “Okay, but not so fast, I’m heading out with you.”
Elizabeth turned off her computer, gathered her stuff, and jumped in the elevator with Jo.
“So, that Darcy . . .” Jo started as she hit the garage button.
Elizabeth turned to her friend and narrowed her eyes. “If it will make you shut up, I’ll tell you something that went down last night, but don’t freak out.”
Jo crossed her heart. “I promise.”
“Darcy was in my house last night, he brought Charles home, drunk on his ass.”
Jo’s eyes bugged out, and she started to speak, but Elizabeth placed her fingers on Jo’s lips. “Not a word.”
Jo shook her head exuberantly and motioned for her to continue. “It turns out that Mr. Darcy is one of Charles’ clients and they were at the bar that night with him. He tried to give me his card, after Charles tried to rip me a new one in front of Darcy. I didn’t take it, but he did put his number in my phone.”
The elevator door opened, and they stepped out. Jo couldn’t contain her silence any longer. “Shut the front door! You’re kidding me, right?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, and Darcy looked like he wanted to dropkick Charles’ ass out the door.”
Jo stopped and placed her hands on both of Elizabeth’s shoulders, looking her dead in the eye. Elizabeth noticed a vein beginning to throb, which happened when Jo was pissed off. “Listen to me very carefully. I’m worried about you. Please understand that you are no man’s doormat. It’s time for you to listen to my advice and dump him. For him to talk to you like that in front of Darcy or anyone is uncalled for. The cherry on the cake is that when you add up the late nights, it sounds like he’s drifting away, and he might be getting it elsewhere with no strings attached.”
Tears began to burn Elizabeth’s eyes. She bit her lower lip; she was afraid of losing it. She didn’t want to go into detail about how she’d been afraid Charles was going to hurt her last night or how he had accused her of wanting Darcy.
“Also, I hate to say this but if he’s the bigwig that was chasing a bimbo while schmoozing that Freddie Mercury wannabe and Darcy, then he needs to go now. I will gladly take the trash out for you.”
Elizabeth shook her head to clear the cobwebs. She felt pulled into a million different directions. She couldn’t understand how or why she let a man do this to her. She was desperate for love after her aunt passed away, and if she was really honest with herself she was afraid of being alone.
“Seriously, Lizzie, I’m sorry, but you need for someone to keep it real and make you see what an ass he is.”
Elizabeth remained silent as she listened to Jo, and Jo scooped Elizabeth into her arms for a big bear hug. “Lizzie, I love you, and I want what’s best for you, even if it’s not with Mr. Darcy or any man, but you can’t live like this anymore. You gotta do you.”
Elizabeth nodded silently and finally found her voice. “Well, it’s time to face the inevitable.” She slumped her shoulders and pulled away. “It’s okay, you don’t have to follow me.”
Jo laughed and pointed to her car. “Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not stalking you. I’m actually parked next to you.”
They walked together, and Jo did not pursue the subject of Charles again. When they arrived at their cars, Jo hugged Elizabeth again. “Drive safely, and when you get home, throw a rock at his head so he knows he can’t treat you like shit.”
Elizabeth laughed and rolled her eyes. “I plan on it!” They separated, and Elizabeth got into her crappy Honda, which was due for an upgrade soon. As she waited for it to heat up, she turned on the radio. “Hard Candy Christmas” came on, and she let out a sigh. “Sing it. I’m barely getting through too.” She pulled out of the garage and onto the street. Rain assaulted her windshield, the drops hammering out of tune with the song.
“Great,” she mumbled. She was thankful she didn’t live too far away because she did not like the way the rain was coming down. The fat droplets pelted her windshield and she couldn’t see the road. She drove until she could pull over to the shoulder. “Un-fucking-believable,” she yelled as she hit her steering wheel in frustration. She turned off her radio and sat in silence. She closed her eyes to count to ten but was interrupted by her phone ringing. She grabbed it off the charger, and the caller ID flashed ‘Darcy.’ How did he get my number? She bit her lower lip, debating whether to answer or not. “I just can’t deal with him right now.” She clicked ‘ignore’ and, without warning, her car shut off. “Dammit, you’ve gotta be kidding me.” She hit the steering wheel. “Piece of shit!”
As if he was reading her mind, she received a text message from Darcy.
Darcy: I’m sorry about last night, I want to make it up to you. Dinner tonight?
Elizabeth: Impossible, I’m stuck on the side of the road. My car crapped out on me.
Her phone rang again, and it was Darcy. Before she could get anything out, he spoke. “Where are you? I’ll come to pick you up.”
Her mind went numb, but her body was covered with goose pimples. She blurted out, “How did you get my numb
er?”
Darcy chuckled. “When I had your phone, I sent a text to myself.”
Elizabeth didn’t know whether she wanted to slap or kiss him for being so smooth.
“So, are you going to tell me where you are or not?”
She sighed; the last thing she wanted was to be stranded in the rain, and it didn’t look like it was going to end soon. “Fine, I’m by Gramercy Park.”
“Okay, stay put, I’ll be right there.”
“Like I’m going anywhere.”
He laughed and hung up.
“Man of many words, just like the fictional Mr. Darcy.”
Twenty minutes later someone knocked on her car door. She jumped and found herself staring at Darcy. He motioned for her to get out of the car. She gathered her stuff and unlocked her door. He held it open for her and placed an umbrella over her. “Thank you so much for rescuing me.”
“It’s my pleasure to save a damsel in distress. Now you can’t say no to dinner since you can’t run away.”
She shook her head. “It was all planned, huh? You made my car break down.”
Darcy let out a hearty laugh. “I’m not that powerful, but I’ll have to thank your car for breaking down.”
He opened up the car door for Elizabeth and she slid onto the warm leather seat. She melted beneath the warmth of his Mercedes. He slid in next to her and started driving.
“Where are you taking me to?”
“Do you like Italian?”
“Is the Pope Catholic?”
“Italian it is,” he laughed.
“You should probably take me home. I don’t think it’s safe to drive in this weather.”
“Nonsense, it’s only a little rain.”
They sat in silence and she stared out the window. The rain slightly subsided. Ten minutes later they arrived at their destination. It was a tiny, quaint Italian bistro. She started to open the door. “Do not even think about it, Miss Bennet.”
She shook her head. He got out of the car and walked over to her side to let her out. Her heart raced as she fumbled to unbuckle herself. She couldn’t believe she was in this situation. However, if she were honest with herself, she was glad Darcy had rescued her.
Returning to Mr. Darcy Page 3
