After replacing almost all the items into their proper slots, refusing to be embarrassed at a single man seeing something so personal, she glared at him, challenging him to question her good sense.
“I want one of those,” was all he said.
“Do you have your phone handy?” The lift of his brow indicated her inquiry had caught him by surprise. When he returned with it, she lined up the feminine care products and asked him to take a picture. “This way you will know exactly what to look for in case you are called upon in an emergency. However, I highly recommend you do not run out.”
He snapped a photo. “Thank you!”
She could hear the relief in his voice. Placing his phone on the table between them, he leaned forward to clasp her hands, which still held the box and package. When he looked down and saw what he was touching, he let go quickly, pulling his fingers back as if he had been scalded by fire.
Chuckling, Elizabeth packed the items away. “Your sister is taken care of for the next few hours. I will leave this bag here in case she needs anything. Perhaps we might head to the store?”
“Certainly.” He grabbed his keys and waited for her to let Gianna know where they were going.
As they drove, Elizabeth asked about Gianna. “Why haven’t I seen her before? Does she not want to socialize with you, or do you not want her to?”
His reply was immediate. “I would have her with me all the time if I could. I am not hiding her away in her room. I am not that kind of brother, Elizabeth.”
She heard his disappointment and felt bad that he had to defend his actions. Vowing to put Jane’s admonition to use, she softened the tone of her voice and proceeded in a kindlier manner. “No, I could tell right away that she is shy. And I understand her not wanting to hang around with Caroline.”
He snorted. “If Caroline was not Charlie’s sister, I… well, I have no desire to speak of Miss Caroline Bingley.” He smiled. “In truth, my sister was accepted at Juilliard last fall as a piano prodigy. Her spring term ended in May and she wanted to spend the following six weeks enjoying a private tutoring session with one of the instructors who will be leaving at summer’s end. Gianna arrived two days ago.”
“Then you do not spend much time together?” Just the thought made Elizabeth sad. She couldn’t imagine being separated from Jane at that early an age, although she would have loved to have been absent from the constant bickering between her parents and the demands made by the youngest Bennet siblings. Moving out as soon as she could after graduating high school had been a blessing, although she and Jane often made the twenty-mile trek home.
“No, we spend as much time together as possible. We share our home in New York City, so I see her every day. Currently, it is undergoing a complete renovation to update the electrical system and the plumbing. That is why I came with Charlie and Gianna is here now. She stayed at the home of her professor while I was in Meryton. Is there anything else you would like to know?”
She caught his expression from the corner of her eye. When Elizabeth realized the edge of his mouth was lifted, she felt free to tease.
“I do hope your being away from work will not break the bank with all you will be buying for your sister.”
“Like you, I work from home, Elizabeth.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he kept his eyes on the road. “Also, like you, I am a writer. However, unlike you, I pen legal thrillers instead of romance.”
Swiveling her head, she stared at him. “How do you know these things about me when I had no idea you were an author?”
He sighed, again looking at her in the mirror. “Apparently, I have more of an interest in you than you have in me.”
“Humph!” Elizabeth recalled Jane’s comment about him not hating her. Maybe she had been correct. What a shock! “Do you write as Will Darcy?”
“Do you write as Elizabeth Bennet?” He glanced at her as he turned into the store parking lot.
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
“Ha! I know you do not write as Elizabeth Bennet.” She snorted.
“Funny!” He was at his most sarcastic. He pulled into a parking spot as far away from the door of the supermarket as he could get. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
By the time they got back in the car, the poor man was traumatized. In addition to the required items, he had purchased six bottles of wine, three packages of LED lightbulbs, four car magazines, and one loaf of French bread. Elizabeth did not say a word as he stuffed the bags into the trunk of his car.
He said nothing as he held her door and walked around to get in the driver’s seat. Holding the keys in his hand, he stared at the top of the steering wheel. Once his breathing was regulated, he spoke. “They probably think I’m an alcoholic redneck with an IQ of 30 and the social skills of a hermit.” He put his hand up to his mouth. “Six bottles of wine and a loaf of bread. What was I thinking?”
She wanted to howl in laughter, yet realized his manhood would feel the pain if she did. “I think your black American Express and the particular vineyards you selected elevated you from redneck to a social sphere far above the supermarket employee, and me.”
“That woman is probably laughing at me.” He still wouldn’t look anyway other than forward. His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
“Not out loud.” She was trying to help, truly she was, as she surreptitiously wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes in a struggle to contain her mirth.
“I will have to find somewhere else to shop. I will never go back there. Ever!”
She could no longer help herself. Peals of laughter rang out as she clutched her stomach. Seconds later, he joined her.It was a beautiful sound. Refreshing. Healing.
“I will have to get used to this, won’t I?” He dropped his chin to his chest in resignation, covering his eyes with his palms.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. When you have a young, healthy female in your home, you will—until she learns to shop and drive by herself—need to occasionally make a dash to the store.”
She was surprised when he reached over and clasped her hand in his. “You have my sincerest thanks, Elizabeth. I would not think of doing this without you.”
What a strange man! His actions and attitude that afternoon were in direct contrast to the aloofness he had displayed over the past weeks. That he had cared enough to learn about her personally mystified Elizabeth. Who was this man and what was he about?
“Before we return to Bingley’s, would it be appropriate to recognize this milestone in Gianna’s life with a token?”
“Do you often buy her gifts?” Elizabeth asked.
“To be honest, I usually give her money because I am afraid of purchasing the wrong thing. So, no, I do not often buy her gifts.” He finally turned to look directly at Elizabeth. “I am not a good brother, am I?”
Squeezing his hand, she eased the way for him. “You cannot think that, Will. The simple fact that you thought to gift your sister with something to make this day special for her is amazing and, I would imagine, very rare. Let’s get her flowers, something she can press together inside a journal or diary if she keeps one.”
“She does.” His relief was palpable. Elizabeth was surprised at how good it made her feel.
When they arrived back at Bingley’s, Gianna was planted on the sofa with the bag of chocolates open in front of her, Clueless in the DVD player, and a grin on her face.
Tilting her head towards the screen, Elizabeth asked, “You like?”
Gianna giggled. “I can’t believe Cher sent herself flowers to make a boy jealous, and the way she drives her Jeep is hilarious. I plan to drive just like her when I’m old enough to get my license.”
Elizabeth snorted. “She didn’t have a license.”
“I know.” Gianna’s eyes popped open as she looked behind Elizabeth. “Flowers? For me?”
At her brother’s nod, she jumped up and rushed at him like a linebacker in a championship
football game. Ignoring his outstretched hand with the dozen carefully-arranged white roses, she hugged him around his middle and squeezed tightly.
Elizabeth took the bouquet from him for damage control. When Darcy wrapped his long arms around his sister, a misty film covered his eyes. “You will forever be my girl, Gi. Even when you grow up—all the way up, you will be my little girl.”
“Oh, Will.” Gianna pulled back and looked at her brother’s face. “You don’t mind, truly?”
Softly, he scoffed as he gave her ear lobe a tug. “I will confess that this is hard on me. Your reaching this milestone forces me to admit you are becoming a young lady. It was hard enough when you stopped letting me put your hair in twin pigtails, Gi. I fear you will rush headlong until your independence takes you away from me much sooner than I would like.”
She patted his chest. Elizabeth felt like a voyeur peeking in on the most intimate exchange between the brother and sister.
“I promise I will not desire any other kisses except these chocolate ones for many years to come,” Gianna teased.
Dropping his cheek to rest on top of her head, he hugged her to him. Pain flashed across his face, and Elizabeth knew she was witnessing him at his most vulnerable state. “Please do not tease me about kissing boys, Gi. I cannot take much more after today, okay?”
“I love you, Will.” Before he could reply, she stepped back from him and reached for the flowers Elizabeth held. “I love roses, too.” Lifting them slowly to her nose, she breathed in deeply. “Oh, yes. I love roses. William, I thank you that my first bouquet is from the best man I know.”
Walking into the kitchen to retrieve a vase, the young girl had no clue of the devastation she left behind. Her brother was completely and utterly undone.
Seeing his emotions so exposed revealed a new side to the man, something so unexpectedly remarkable that Elizabeth wondered at the face he presented in public. Instinctively, she knew Darcy’s unveiling of the tender man underneath the stoic front was something few ever saw.
What caused him to surround himself with an impenetrable shield which allowed few people close to him? Had Caroline Bingley been privy to the man behind the mask? Why was he allowing Elizabeth to see him this way?
She shook her head and busied herself placing the purchased items in Gianna’s new personal bag.
As Darcy was unloading his sacks, Charles and Caroline returned home. He took one look at the items on the counter and inquired, “Do we need lightbulbs?”
Elizabeth didn’t even snicker, though she wanted to. When Gianna returned, she set the vase on the coffee table in front of her. Elizabeth sat next to her.
Caroline Bingley flipped her hair back, looked at the screen, and said, “Oh, I adore this movie. I am so Cher in real life.”
Elizabeth figured this was an accurate evaluation of Caroline’s personality in one sentence. The struggle to hold in her laughter was real.
THREE
By the time Darcy returned Elizabeth to her apartment, arrangements had been made to meet in three days for a shopping excursion to buy undergarments and clothing to fit a developing girl. Elizabeth had noted the worn sports bra Gianna had been wearing. It had little elastic left and revealed far more than it covered. The girl definitely needed new clothes.
Elizabeth was pleased when Jane agreed to accompany them to the mall. When they arrived at Bingley’s home, Darcy was standing next to his sister and, at first, Elizabeth feared he planned on going with them. However, he pulled her aside to place a well-stuffed envelope in her hands. Money. Lots of money.
“She needs everything from head to toe, for summer and the upcoming seasons. Winter is cold in New York, so do not hesitate to purchase whatever you feel she needs. Should you run out of funds, please text me, and I will meet you to provide more.” He bowed to her. “I am in your debt.”
The corner of her mouth lifted. “Darcy, we will determine her current size and purchase what is needed right away. The rest can be obtained online if you would like.”
“No, I think she would be more comfortable with you to guide her.”
Tilting her head, she looked at him closely. “Are you now settled with this change in your sister?”
“I am resolved.” He shrugged his shoulders at his admission. Then, he looked directly at her, stepping so close she could smell his aftershave. It was delicious. “I would ask a favor, if I might?”
“Certainly.” Her innate curiosity or the foggy haze of pheromones blooming where they should not have been, moved her to readily agree. This was Will Darcy, the most arrogant man on earth, for heaven’s sake!
“Should she see something other than clothing that sparks her interest, would you make note of it, please? As mentioned before, I struggle with knowing what to get her. I would like to mark that special move into her teens with something she will cherish for years to come.”
“Of course, I will.” Blinking rapidly, she looked away.
“We are ready, Lizzy.” Jane and Gianna were standing by the front door. “Are you?”
“I am. Let’s go shopping.” Waving the envelope at Darcy, she stuck her arm through Gianna’s and walked her out the door.
Six hours later, three exhausted and smiling females returned to the Bingley home. Their arms were loaded down with brightly colored bags filled with lovely items Gianna couldn’t wait to remove from their tissue to place carefully in her closet. Both Darcy and Charlie offered to help carry their burdens, but none of the ladies relented. They were their treasures to bear.
“Shopping? You went shopping without my guidance? Why, I am the maven of fashion in this little berg.” Caroline folded her arms across her chest, tilted her nose in the air, and spewed irritation with every whiny word she uttered. “Darcy, why didn’t you ask me? I would gladly guide Gianna into a wardrobe fit for a teenager.”
Gianna hesitated in front of Caroline, which made Elizabeth stop immediately behind her. The young girl radiated disquietude at being confronted, and Elizabeth knew what Darcy meant when he said Caroline intimidated Gianna. Elizabeth would not tolerate disrespect.
“Thank you for kindly welcoming us to your home, Caroline. I hope you are well?” Stepping in front of Gianna, she continued, “If you will excuse us, we will place these purchases where they belong and visit when we return. Come on, Gi. Your brother can answer for the arrangements he made. Let’s put these things away.”
Elizabeth felt no regrets at throwing Darcy under the bus. Bumping her shoulder against Gianna, they started walking to her bedroom. Jane followed.
As they traversed the hallway, they heard Darcy’s reply to Caroline’s question. “Both Elizabeth and Jane have experience helping their younger sisters shop, Caroline. They know where to go and what to purchase. As far as I know, you have purchased your clothing online since we have been here.”
“Oh, Darcy,” she gushed. “You noticed my new bikini? The red one? I had you in mind when I ordered it.”
Elizabeth wanted to gag. “Good grief!” she murmured.
“She tries too hard with Will,” Gianna explained. “It makes him uncomfortable.”
While Elizabeth wouldn’t have minded hearing more, Jane had an aversion to speaking ill of anyone. “Then, what lesson do you learn from this that you can use when you find someone you are attracted to?”
“Years from now. Many, many years from now,” Elizabeth inserted to Gianna’s chuckle. “Never mind, let’s talk about something important like which outfit you will wear first. Any preferences?”
Before the girl could answer, Darcy approached. “Gi, one moment. Would you show me your purchases?”
At that, all three girls turned, Gianna with her eyes bugged out, Jane with her shoulders shrugged, and Elizabeth wearing a snarky grin.
“Really?” Gianna’s tone rose with each long, drawn-out syllable. “You want to see everything in the bags?”
“Well, not the intimate items, of course.” A lovely red hue crept up his neck to settle on his che
eks.
As the bags were unpacked and the tissue unwrapped, three female voices exclaimed with pleasure as each item was exposed. They had been in and out of so many different stores that it had been difficult to keep track of all the purchases, so Elizabeth paid no attention when Jane uncovered a pair of shiny black men’s boxers adorned with bright yellow minions with a variety of obnoxious expressions on their faces.
It had been an impulse purchase Elizabeth couldn’t resist after recalling her comment to Jane about Darcy’s excessive pride. Plus, they were on sale.
Stymied, Darcy looked to his sister, his brow raised. “You bought me boxers?”
“Lizzy did,” blurted Gianna. “And she said the funniest thing when she took them from the rack.”
“Gianna!” Elizabeth hissed, feeling her face flame.
“Exactly what did she say?” Darcy looked between both ladies, a smirk softening his mouth as his color returned to normal.
“Gianna Darcy, no!” Elizabeth’s plea fell on deaf ears as chortles of pure glee burst from both Gianna and Jane.
“She said…,” the girl wiped her eyes with the tail of her shirt. “She said, you never know when your brother needs a few minions to hang out with—whether he wants them or not.”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth grabbed the underwear out of Jane’s hands and thrust them at Darcy’s chest. She refused to look at him to gauge his reaction but had no doubt he was stunned at her doing something so shockingly forward.
“It was funny at the time,” she muttered.
“I imagine so,” was his immediate reply.
“Oh, LOOK!!!” Gianna held up an adorable white push-up bra with pink polka-dots and matching bikini panties. “Aren’t these absolutely PERFECT?”
Something: Old, New, Later, True: A Pride & Prejudice Collection Page 8
