Page 52 of Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy

He looks directly at me, and I swear I kind of melt a little. “I fear not every lady here is handsome enough to tempt me.”

The surrounding crowd quiets at his cut, their timing perfect. Obviously, they’ve done this before, and with Lady Catherine’s instruction, I’m sure.

“How fortunate for us, then, that your tastes are so particular,” I say, giving him a condescending grin.

Darcy bows and then walks away.

“Well, at least one of us is having a good evening,” I say, with a head nod in the direction of Jane and Bingley, who are lining up to dance.

“It’s a fine evening, Lizzy. You should dance too, my dear,” Mr. Bennet says.

“Perhaps, though, not every partner is worth the effort.”

After my line, the music begins as Lady Catherine had instructed, and everyone starts to dance.

That’s it for our lines, and now we get to enjoy the rest of the evening dancing and indulging in Regency-appropriate refreshments. Except that we have to stay in character, which means Zane and I, as Darcy and Elizabeth, are supposed to keep a healthy distance from each other. Which, honestly, stinks. I wouldn’t mind him stepping on my toes a time or two tonight.

I’m asked to dance by one of the staff before the next set begins, so I put my shawl and reticule on a chair and join him on the floor, getting in line at the end. I spy Zane at the other end, dancing with Charlotte.

We spend the next hour dancing, laughing, and chatting, all while staying in character. I dance with Mr. Collins, who’s not playing himself tonight and is looking incredibly handsome in a cravat rather than a clerical collar, and also once with Wickham, who’s also not here as himself. I think one time is enough with him. The man is a sleaze. I catch him staring at my chest more than once, and it takes everything in me not to call him out on it. It’s hard to believe Monroe was engaged to him not that long ago. Especially when I see him currently cozying up to the woman playing Caroline and the two of them laughing as he pours something from a flask into their lemonade.

Thinking of Monroe makes my heart do a sinking thing. She should be here, laughing and dancing with us. I can only hope that she’ll wake up and come back to the park. I’d give up the part of Elizabeth in a heartbeat to have her here.

When we’re not dancing, some of the locals strike up conversations with us, acting as if they know us from town, asking about our family and making other polite chitchat. Honestly, it’s probably the highlight of the night for me. The extras here are so invested, and they take their roles so seriously. At one point, I overhear Zane discussing the weather with an older gentleman, and I can’t help but snort out a laugh—loudenough, I think, for him to hear, because he gives me a comical scowl.

I’m standing by the refreshments table, sipping a glass of lemonade, when Zane approaches.

He picks up a drink and holds it in front of his mouth. “And how are we tonight, Miss Bennet?” he asks, looking away from me so it doesn’t look like we’re talking.

I snort. This is so dumb. We should be able to just talk to each other, even if, at this point in the story, we’re enemies.

But I play along, picking up my drink and doing the same. “I’m doing well, Mr. Darcy. How about yourself?”

“I’m having a most pleasant time,” he says. And I actually think he means it. I’ve watched him tonight, dancing and chatting with some of the locals, a reserved look on his face. He’s Mr. Darcy, after all—practically the star of the show—and he makes for a very dashing one. He’s gathered quite the audience a time or two, especially among the older ladies.

“I’m glad to hear it,” I say, keeping my glass in front of my mouth.

“I think an older woman in a blue dress pinched my butt a moment ago,” he says, and I practically spill my drink at the shock of it.

I’m laughing behind my glass now. “That’s scandalous,” I say.

“Very,” he agrees.

“You look stunning tonight,” he says, after a beat of silence, dropping his accent. I’m glad he’s avoiding looking directly at me, so he doesn’t see the blush creeping into my cheeks.

“Thank you. So do you,” I say, also dropping my accent. For a moment, it’s just Zane and Macey, and my heart picks up its pace.

“After this is over, want to meet up with me somewhere?” he asks.

“Like where?” I ask. Lady Catherine has spies everywhere, as was clear after Monroe and the duke’s little tryst.

“I know a place,” he says. “Just be outside your house after everyone goes to bed.”

“You mean sneaking out?” I ask, acting appalled, but really my stomach is full of butterflies, and my heart is practically galloping. It’s ridiculous. I’m getting ahead of myself. Zane probably just wants to hang out. Still, the thought of finding a dark corner where he takes me in his arms and ... no. Nope.Do not go there, Macey.

He gives me a quick double eyebrow lift before looking away. “Sounds fun, right?”

It really does.

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