Page 73 of A Certain Appeal
Jane answers on the first ring. “Bennet,” he whispers. “I’m hiding in the stairwell. What do I do?”
On the other side of the table, Chloe and Gales blink at the overheard intensity.
“Well, for one,” I say, “shame on him for dropping in unannounced at your work.”
“Do you really think I’m thinking aboutmannersright now?” Jane’s whisper-shriek is incredulous and so very un-Jane.
“Sorry! No, just... hear him out.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later, or maybe Charles will. He’s been a wreck, so... let him talk?”
A pause. Jane sniffs. “He’s been a wreck?”
I smile. “You’ve both gotten a raw deal, and I’ll go into it when I get home. Just be honest with him, Jane.”
He’s quiet for a long moment. Then, quietly, “I’ve missed him so much, Ben.”
My heart turns to mush. “I think we both know what you need to do.”
“Yeah,” he says, already lost to whatever he’s scheming. “N’kay. Bye, Ben.”
“Bye, babe. Be brave.” I slip my phone back into my purse. Darcy must have cleared things up with Charles. Giddiness washes over me, and I let out a giggle. He did it.
Gales and Chloe watch me with mild interest. “I take it we won’t be seeing Jane later?” Gales offers.
I grin. “I have a feeling he won’t be resurfacing for awhile.”
CHAPTER
20
“Let’s go inside.” Chloe reaches for the door.
I swat her hand. “No.”
“You’re the one’s who’s been raving about this place. I wanna see it.”
Chloe’s shoot wrapped before lunch because the actress she was working with ended up getting whisked away to rehab. I’ve taken the day off to kick around the city with her, and after we met up with Jane and Charles, who briefly emerged from their cocoon of bliss for lunch, she requested a peek at Pemberley.
“You’re seeing plenty.” I point to the sunrise motif above the double doors. “The lighter bits in between the brass? I’ll bet it’s mother-of-pearl. Probably original, too...”
“Huh.” She sounds less than impressed. “I thought that was half a clock.”
“You pain me.”
Chloe makes for the door again.
“No! What—”
“Don’t be a weenie. It’s probably locked.” She tugs and the door opens toward her. Her jaw drops in exaggerated surprise. “Or maybe not!”
“Chloe—”
She opens the door wider. “What is your deal? Mr. Happy Hands is on the other side of the country and you’ve been here before. If we’re busted, say you left a jacket or something.”
“Chloe.”
