Page 15 of A Searing Acquaintance
“Caroline—”
“You know you agree with me,” she hissed. “That tomboy sister ofhers will probably make sure all of us do too. And it’s not as though you enjoyed your previous ordeal at that stadium.” Caroline snorted and clattered away in her inappropriate footwear.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and clutched the drawer handle. She rose slowly and glanced at Darcy, still standing near the door, holding the leash and the paper towels. His eyes widened when he saw her.
“Um, good morning.”
“Hmm…” She eyed him carefully and turned back to the counter. She pulled open the refrigerator drawer and grabbed a peach yogurt.
“I brought you coffee earlier. You didn’t answer your door.”
“Oh, I’m a heavy sleeper. Or maybe I was in the shower,” she lied.
“I see. How’s your leg?”
“Fine. Thank you for your help last night.”
Elizabeth pulled open more drawers until she found the flatware. She grabbed a spoon and started eating her yogurt. She hoped he’d go away, but Darcy lingered, watching her, until the dog whined and he recalled the need to go clean up her muddy trail.
Elizabeth watched him walk away and then glanced at the clock. She’d spent the hours since dawn embarrassed and angry, but for her sister’s sake, she wanted to rein in her feelings and hold her tongue. She wouldn’t have to see him again after today, and she could endure it until mid-afternoon.
During brunch, her resolve to leave as soon as politely practical only deepened. Jane and Charles arrived tired, giddy, and nearly oblivious to everyone around them. They had spent the night in bunk beds in a tiny roadside motel cabin, which made for endless giggling and recitals of summer camp stories. The other new arrivals were less than pleasant company. Herb was aggravated by the mud splattering his brand-new Audi, Louisa was annoyed she’d forgotten her Xanax, and Caroline was irritated that Darcy wouldn’t join her in ignoring the Bennet girls. Perhaps, Elizabeth thought, he was collecting more data on them; he certainly seemed far too intent on staring at her.
Jane swallowed a bite of the fresh-baked bread they’d bought at the motel owner’s adjacent bakery and smiled at her sister. “Lizzy, I’m going to stay another day or two, okay? After last night, I’d like to relax today and enjoy the house more tomorrow. Can you stay too?” Her sisterly stare conveyed more than the stated question; it was a plea for support in the face of the twins’ arrival.
Geez, Janey!“Nope. Gotta get back. Big project.”
“But…”
“And I like the train, no problem.”Liar!
Darcy cleared his throat. “I’m heading back this afternoon if you’d like a ride.”
“No, thank you. I have a round-trip ticket. And I find the train relaxing.”Since when do I lie all the time?
“Do you take public transit to your work?” Caroline asked in a brittle voice. “Don’t you own a car?”
“Yes, I do, but I lent my car to a friend so he could impress his girlfriend’s parents with a six-year-old SUV instead of a motorcycle. It was nice to get some reading done on the train. I like my car, but relying on it all the time is expensive, not to mention bad for my carbon footprint.”
“Your what?” Caroline looked horrified.
Elizabeth smirked. “Oh…you know. My carbon footprint. Like knock-off Jimmy Choos.”
Bingley laughed out loud, but Darcy appeared oblivious as he patted his mouth with his napkin. Jane sent her sister a “behave” look and pouted that they wouldn’t have more time together.
Darcy went searching for Elizabeth right after brunch. She hadn’t looked at him during the entire meal, and she’d ignored his attempts at conversation. Was she angry with him? Was she embarrassed? That wasn’t his fault. Was she feeling guilty because of the boyfriend? Again, not his fault.
He wanted to talk to her, to seek out her feelings about what had occurred between them. He knew the smart thing was to avoid her, but he couldn’t just walk away. Not yet. He would put her out of his mind tomorrow. He’d resolvedthatmuch in the wee hours once he realized how close he’d come to losing himself in the moment. A sofa in someone else’s house wasn’t the place for sex, and as sharp and witty as Elizabeth appeared to be, she’d put him in an altogether uncomfortable situation. Or maybe he’d let her put him in it. The latter option was one he wasn’t sure bore further exploration. Whatever Darcy was, he wasn’t vulnerable to women, especially tipsy, sharp-tongued ones. Especially one who kissed as well as she did. Anyway, he didn’t want to dwell on the details. It hardly mattered who was more at fault, but it was only proper to maintain cordiality and display his manners. And perhaps buy her a proper dinner. Or at least give hera ride home. Get some closure. It was all a bit confusing. He hated being confused.
He found her in the barn, sitting on a bale of hay. The black kitten was curled in her lap.
“Are you taking that one home with you?”
“What?” She looked up, surprised.
“The kitten. Black cats have a hard time finding homes. Same with black dogs. People can’t see their faces. They prefer lighter fur.”
“Uh, I wasn’t…I don’t know. I wasn’t planning on it.” Elizabeth stared at him as if he had two heads.
