Page 22 of A Certain Appeal
Darcy nods thoughtfully, though the corners of his mouth quirk.
“I’m gonna find a place for a proper scrubbing, then head to the hospital.”
“Bennet.” Charles stands, then sits quickly, pressing his temples.
“Easy there.” Darcy places a hand on his friend’s shoulder, giving him a few pats.
Charles takes in a long breath. “Bennet, I’d like to come, too. If you think Jane wouldn’t mind.”
I grin. “He’d like that.”
“Flowers, maybe?”
I nod, charmed by his nervous intensity. “That would go over well.” I turn to Darcy, wondering if he’ll be coming, too, but he’s frowning at his watch. The flicker of goodwill I was feeling for him gutters.This again?
“I have an appointment,” he mutters. “Would you like me to call you a car?”
“Oh, hell.” I frown, remembering my commitment at Pemberley. I’ll have to cancel. “Don’t worry about the car, thanks—the hospital is a quick subway ride from here.”
Darcy nods before eyeing Charles. “You’re sure you’re steady?”
“If I get woozy, I think Bennet is up to the task,” he says cheerily.
“Ms. Bennet is quite the caregiver.” Darcy says it with the same surprise as when he confirmed I climb, and I wonder if I should be flattered or offended.
I settle for indifferent. “What can I say? I contain multitudes.”
“So it seems.” Darcy studies my face like he’s searching for something. When his eyes land on my lips, his chest rises suddenly, heaving me back to the night at Meryton. My face goes flushed, the heat curling the edges of my indifference.
He sets his shoulders so firmly it looks as though he’s literally been reined back. “Give my best to Jane,” he rumbles, and turns to walk away.
I blink.That’s... it?I look to Charles for an explanation, but he just stands and sighs.
“Don’t mind him. We’re still looking for the spell that will turn him into arealboy.”
I nod, watching Darcy’s retreating form. Real boy or no, itisan excellent view.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Charles asks, standing at the end of Jane’s hospital bed. Charles has been in and out more times than I can count, retrieving little things for Jane: takeout from a Thai place down the street, a stunning peacock-blue cashmere throw from who knows where, and an assortment of shirts to choose from when Jane goes home tomorrow (today’s ended up in a hazmat bag). “You don’t need anything else?” He puts his hands on his hips and surveys the small space as if looking for something else to contribute.
“You’ve done too much already.” Jane’s words are thick from painkillers. He had local anesthesia for the stitches and received a solid dose of something after that’s left him endearingly loopy. “Thank you.”
“Absolutely.” Charles beams. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. You, too, Bennet. Are you sure I can’t pick up something for you? Something to change into tomorrow?”
I smile back. It seems Jane’s dad’s chief-surgeon influence extends to the opposite side of the country. Dr. Okogu pulled those very long strings to get his son a private room for the evening, as well as permission for me to stay as company. “Thank you, Charles. I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll be back by eight tomorrow,” he says, reaffirming his promise to be here for Jane’s release, provided we get the go-ahead from his doctor.
“Thank you again for that,” I say, meaning it. Toby was sympathetic when I called to tell him I wouldn’t be back this afternoon but made a point of confirming I’d be in first thing.
“Happy to help.” Charles rests a hand on Jane’s foot, rubbing it gently through the throw. He draped the blanket over Jane with such care earlier, I felt like a voyeur. “Good night.” He pats Jane’s foot one last time, then walks out the door.
Jane smiles at the empty doorway. “Ireallylike him, Ben.”
“I like him, too,” I say. “He’s a sweetheart.”
“I wanna call him.”
“He left six seconds ago.” I laugh. “Careful. He may not even be out of earshot.”
