Page 13 of First Impressions (Passion and Perseverance #1)
Chapter Ten
“Are you ok, Beth?” Jane asked as soon as they walked in their apartment door. “You were really antagonizing Mr. Darcy at lunch. What’s going on?”
Beth sighed, still in disbelief about the words that were about to come out of her mouth. “Mr. Darcy kissed me,” she stated bluntly as she plopped down on the couch, staring off into space.
“Wait, what? Oh my gosh. Why? Are you ok?”
Unable to look Jane in the eyes as she related the entire incident, Beth rose from the couch and went into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. Who cared if it was only three o’clock - she needed it. As she sipped her Pinot, she told Jane everything that had happened at the firm earlier.
“I just don’t get it. One minute, I’m tolerable, the next he is kissing me, and then not even an hour later, he is staring daggers at me, shocked that I know anything about the world we live in.
First, privately insinuating that he does find me impressive and then publically insinuating that I’m not very accomplished.
My brain can’t figure out what he is trying to achieve. ”
Jane sat there for a moment, processing everything that she had said. “And he didn’t say anything about the kiss? Or his comments?”
“Nope. Not even a hint of an apology or explanation.”
“Hmm. That is really weird. He does seem like an odd man, very reserved and secretive. He seems like he shields himself from everyone, but I imagine all of those emotions build up and erupt at some point.”
“That’s one way of putting it; I mean have we ever heard anyone call him by his first name?
Even Charles calls him Darcy. I wonder if he lets anyone in - not that anyone would want to be let in considering how proud and prejudiced he is.
Still, I can understand the reserved part; I just don't understand how you can go from barely tolerating someone to kissing them. I can’t think about it any longer.
My brain has been going around in circles for hours now.
I don’t even know how I’m going to be able to be around him anymore,” Beth said as a whole new wave of anxiety came over her at the thought.
“Well, why don’t we stay home tomorrow and take a day for you to gain some space?”
“I don’t know. Things seem to be really great between you and Charles; he’s definitely really, really into you. I’d hate to keep you from him.”
“It will be fine. Do you really think that he likes me though?”
“Are you kidding? He’s practically obsessed.
I mean you could give him a little more encouragement,” Beth suggested.
She could tell her sister really liked Charles, but Jane was more reserved when it came to showing affection - maybe because of her personality or because she didn’t want to put herself too far out there and get her hopes up.
“I know, I should,” Jane admitted. “I just get afraid that I’m imagining it or something, and that if I seem too interested, I’ll be let down again.”
“I know, but you need to start reciprocating, otherwise he might get the complete opposite impression and think that you don’t care at all.”
Jane acknowledged her point. Their conversation continued for some time, fluctuating between Charles and Mr. Darcy, passing the rest of the day quickly.
Beth decided that her sister was right; she should work from home tomorrow to regroup and emotionally prepare herself to face him again.
She would stay home and send Mrs. DeBourgh all the information she had gleaned today.
If Anne wanted Mr. Intolerable, she could have him.