Page 4 of First Impressions (Passion and Perseverance #1)
Chapter Three
Tonight, even though she wasn’t quite sure why, she tried a little harder to stand out against her sister – admittedly, a near impossibility.
As she curled her hair and pulled it back, she attributed the extra effort to wanting to make the best impression on the man who might be buying her family’s firm.
As she had predicted, the dress she rented fit perfectly and highlighted her features.
The spaghetti straps and low-cut back showed off her toned arms and back, and the silk material of the gown clung to her curves and made them look better than they probably were.
Earrings and a simple gold chain necklace topped off the look.
As she looked in the mirror, she saw that the red of the dress made her eyes appear like warm chocolate, an overall very sultry look.
Taking stock of the finished product, she believed that tonight she actually looked beautiful.
That notion was quickly suppressed as Jane appeared in her doorway, her deep navy gown accentuating perfectly her pale, delicate features as well as highlighting her sky-blue eyes.
With her hair was in loose, long curls and her makeup very natural, she looked effortlessly stunning.
It was hard not to be jealous of Jane, and others like her, who could look like a model in sweatpants and a t-shirt, but Beth could never really resent her for it.
Thankfully, she was always in too fierce a competition with herself to compare herself to others, much less her sister whom she adored.
“Wow, Beth! You look gorgeous, is that dress new?”
“Thanks! You too. Yeah, kind of. I just rented it this morning - thank God for same-day delivery on Rent the Runway. I completely forgot about getting something for tonight, but it worked out really well.”
“Definitely, it’s beautiful. Anyway, mom just texted me that they are in the limo and will meet us at the Plaza.”
“Alright, I’ll call a black car now then.”
They arrived at the Plaza a little after seven-thirty because of Saturday night traffic, but then again, it was always fashionable to be late.
The Gala was held in the Terrace Room, one of the smaller celebration rooms that they offered.
It was one of Beth’s favorite venues; reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance, with figures painted on the ceiling and crystal chandeliers crafted by Charles Winston (the brother of Harry Winston) as replicas of those that hung in Versailles, it exuded elegance.
As they entered the room, the cocktail reception was already in full swing and they were each greeted with a generous glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
A brief survey of the space told Beth that the Association’s Events Committee hadn’t changed the layout much since last year - a sizable dance floor in the center of the back of the room accentuated by decorative, ivy-covered columns at each corner; the live band was off to the left of the floor playing some classical pieces as people drank and mingled, and an L-shaped bar sat off the right, also adorned with columns at each end and at the corner of the ‘L’.
Interspersed on the tables, as well as decoratively on the floor, were large vases with abundant and expensive flower arrangements - filled with peonies, hydrangeas, and roses.
As only the most distinguished New York City lawyers were invited to the gala, the room wasn’t too crowded and Beth spotted many familiar faces from previous years.
Everyone seemed to be more energized than usual and Beth wondered if it was due to Charles Bingley being in town and the corresponding speculation of what business he had here, whom he might be partnering with, etc.
A few steps and sips into the room and she spotted her friend Char excitedly approaching her.
“Beth! I’m so happy to see you. Wow! You really outdid yourself tonight - you are looking hot!
Hi Jane, you look gorgeous as always.” Jane muttered a quiet ‘thank you’ as Char hugged her and continued, “anyway, you will never guess who is here! Charles Bingley, the son from the famous Bingley but that isn’t even the most interesting news, he brought —” Char was cut off by the arrival of Mrs. Bennet who appeared just at the precise moment to steal the thunder from her story.
“There you girls are! I’ve been waiting.
You will never guess who is here. I can’t believe your father didn’t tell me.
Charles’ ‘associate’ is none other than William Darcy!
He is the CEO of Fitz Corporation - one the most successful investment banking firms in the world.
Can you believe it? How your father did not recognize him is beyond me,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, in a frenzy over what this connection could mean for her family.
“And you know, Beth, I have it on good authority that he is single, so make sure that you pay extra attention to him.”
“Seriously,” Beth mumbled as she rolled her eyes at her friends.
Fitz Corp was an international investment bank, started by George Darcy and now owned by his son, William.
On a whole different scale than Bingley, William Darcy was one of the most eligible bachelors and one of the richest men in the world.
Fitz Corp was headquartered in NYC but had many locations throughout the world, and even though he was technically a resident of New York, Beth doubted he spent much time here at all.
Considering her years of PR work in the city, she still didn’t know very much about him; she’d only seen him in a few photos, mostly related to his business successes.
He usually managed to stay out of the spotlight - probably with the help of some not insubstantial bribes.
The only story that had really managed to be leaked involving him was about two years ago, claiming that he and Anne DeBourgh were in a serious relationship and that there were speculations of a secret engagement; however, the story quickly died with no definitive outcome.
Ironically, Anne DeBourgh was the daughter of Mrs. Catherine DeBourgh and therefore a diamond heiress, as well as Beth’s potential new client.
With Mrs. Bennet’s revelation, the room appeared in a whole new light.
While everyone still looked to be jovially enjoying themselves, there was a clear distraction and conscious focus on a small group of gentlemen who had congregated between the dance floor and the bar.
Beth saw her father and Char’s dad, Mr. Lucas, talking with two other gentlemen whom she assumed must be Charles and William.
The room seemed to be focused on these two dangerously handsome men.
As Beth took a closer look, she realized that the taller gentleman was possibly the hottest man she had ever seen.
With perfectly styled dark hair and an impeccably tailored suit that probably cost more than everything she owned combined, he looked like he had been ripped out of a GQ magazine.
From her recollection of the photos of William Darcy, which hadn’t prepared her at all for the man she was looking at now, she surmised that this must be him.
That left the other gentleman to be Charles Bingley, who, while still very good-looking and well-dressed, had wavy, dirty-blond hair and a lighter complexion; his appearance less harsh than his guest’s.
“Jane, Beth, you have to come over and be introduced. I’ve been talking to Charles about you, Jane, and he seems very eager to meet you.
He is just the nicest young man, I could not be more pleased – and very handsome, too,” Mrs. Bennet continued as she began to usher them over to where the group was standing.
Beth sent an apologetic stare to Char, who laughed and mouthed ‘I’ll see you later.
’ Knowing what she was walking into, she felt like she should really be on her second glass of champagne for this meeting to go over smoothly.
As they passed the bar, Beth chugged the rest of her glass and exchanged it quickly for a fresh one.
As they approached the group, Beth was able to get an even better look at one of the most successful men in the world, and boy did he seem bored; beautiful, but bored.
Mr. William Darcy was conclusively the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
Her increasing proximity to him revealed his distinct cheekbones and masculine chin, without even a hint of stubble; his tailored suit fit so snugly that every slight movement showed that he most definitely did not just sit behind a desk all day.
His presence exuded extreme composure and confidence.
Even though he was engaged in the conversation, nodding and responding to the comments made by others, his eyes were vacant – looking at whomever was speaking but seeing right through them.
It almost went beyond boredom, his eyes blasé, apathetic; he knew that he was above all of these people and it bored him.
A moment just before Beth and her family reached the group, those deep mahogany eyes stared straight at her and flared with emotion; his composure broken for a split second.
Whether she imagined it or not, the effect was still the same; a shiver ran straight down her spine and her nipples hardened as if his gaze had sent an electric shock right through her system.
Thank God, she had decided to at least put on nipple stickers since her dress didn’t allow for a traditional bra, otherwise her arousal would have been even more embarrassing.
Beth remembered to breathe again as they arrived at the group.
Looking at Mr. Darcy’s face once more, she wondered if she had imagined his reaction since his rigid suit of stoicism appeared to be back in place.