Page 114 of A Searing Acquaintance
“This?” Darcy looked around at the vast reception room filled with wedding celebrants. “It’s a fantastic party, but not this, not unless she wants it.” He shook his head and gave Charles a meaningful look. “I’ll do whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Tomorrow preferably.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, man in love, is quite a sight to behold. Rather priceless in fact,” Charles said smugly. “I bet I could sell tickets. Well, maybe not to Ted.” He raised his glass and laughed. To Darcy, it sounded suspiciously like a giggle. Yes, the groom was officially giddy.
“Shut it, Charles.”
“Be nice to me; it’s my wedding day. I’m a married man, and my best friend is in love with my wife’s sister. My wife, Darcy! I have a wife!” Charles grinned. “And just think, you’d never have met Elizabeth if it hadn’t been for me.” He clapped Darcy on the shoulder. “You guys have to name your firstborn after me.”
Darcy flashed back to the poker game. “Has Herb told Louisa? Have you? Was the bet enforceable?”
Charles nodded solemnly. “Yup. Their baby girl will be named Harold.”
“Are you serious or just seriously drunk?”
“Neither. I think he sent the guy a check.” Charles laughed. “Anyway, Darce, you’re my best friend. I need to ask you a huge favor.”
“It better not have to do with any of my future children.”
“Nah, Darcy spawn are safe. Here’s the thing.” Charles lowered his voice. “I cut a deal with Sylvia. She won’t sing, but only if she gets to be in the father of the bride dance. With you.”
“What? That makes no sense.”
“Shemakes no sense. You know what I mean. I have to dance with my mother.” Charles pleaded, “Will you do it? Please? Jane is so worried about what she might do here.”
Darcy took a deep breath. “Tell me you saved us from the Spice Girls.”
“I saved us from the Spice Girls.” Charles’s eyes darted across the room, searching for his bride. “So will you?”
“I won’t dance with anyone until I’ve danced with Elizabeth. But I’ll handle things with Sylvia.”
“But…”
“It will be fine; don’t be concerned.” Darcy grimaced then turned to the groom and patted him on the back. “However, you’ve lost all naming rights over my firstborn. And any others.”
Ten minutes later, as “Someone to Watch over Me” wound down and the bride and groom slowly pulled apart, the strains of “What a Wonderful World” drifted through the room. Ted rose and led Jane back to the dance floor. Charles took his mother’s hand and looked at Darcy, standing with his arms around Elizabeth.
Darcy whispered, “Give me five minutes?” Then he walked over to Sylvia.
Sylvia, eyes wide and expectant, stood quickly and took his arm. “Oh my. I’ve never danced with an Englishman.”
“I’m not here for that.” He led her to an empty table near the door.
“Charlie said you’d dance with me.” She pulled her arm out of his.
“I know. But we should have a conversation, and that’s difficult to do while dancing.”
Sylvia considered this and nodded. “Fine.” She sat down and patted the empty one next to her. He pulled the chair slightly away from hers, sat down, and crossed his legs.
“So, you really like Lizabit, don’t you?”
He nodded. “Elizabeth? Yes, very much.”
“Well, I have to say, that’s a surprise. She’s a tough one, you know, always standoffish, not like Jane.” Sylvia trailed off, watching Jane dance with Ted. “She’s always been an angry girl.”
“Perhaps her anger is grounded in events she had no control over as a child. Or nicknames she hates.”
“I’m her mother, and she treats me terribly,” Sylvia replied in a petulant voice.
“She’s your daughter, and you haven’t treated her well. You haven’t been around enough to know her.”
