Page 58 of First Impressions (Passion and Perseverance #1)

“M-me too.” Beth hugged her younger sister as she began to cry.

Aside from their mother, Kat had taken Lydia’s disappearance the hardest since they were the two closest in age, and closest to each other.

Since they’d found out that Lydia had left, Kat had kept herself locked herself in her room, coming out for food and to see if they had heard anything from Phil or their dad yet.

“It’s ok. Dad’s going to find her,” she said trying to convince both of them. Kat just nodded and went back upstairs to her room.

Beth sat down on one of the bar stools in the kitchen and drank her tea in silence, trying to think of any other way to locate Lydia. She was stirred from her thoughts by the sound of Jane’s determined footsteps approaching the kitchen.

“What’s up?”

“Dad just called, Ben’s roommate said that he saw Ben leave with George and some girl this morning. He thinks that they were headed out to the Hamptons,” Jane couldn’t conceal the hope that escaped in her voice.

“Thank God.” Beth hugged her sister with a huge sigh of relief. They hadn’t found her yet, but at least they had a lead. “Have you heard from Charles?” She thought he would have been over to their house by now.

“Yes, he was with dad and Phil this morning. He’s on his way here now that they are headed to the Hamptons,” Jane answered as she opened the fridge to find something to eat. “Aside from the way it ended, how did your trip go yesterday?”

Beth shuddered at the question, the pain of missing Darcy shooting through her. Thankfully, Jane was still looking away and didn’t see her reaction.

“It was ok.” Not convincing.

“What happened?” Jane asked as she closed the fridge and came over to sit next to her, clearly picking up that something aside from Lydia’s travesty had occurred.

“Well, Darcy owns the Rockefeller estate that we went to.”

“You’re kidding.” Jane gasped. “Was he there?”

“Well, not at first, so it was ok, but then he came home with his sister.”

“What did he say? What did you do?”

“Well, we had an awkward conversation for about a minute while we were alone. It was like we both wanted to say something about what had happened between us except completely different words came out instead,” Beth laughed at how stupid it sounded.

“But then, the housekeeper and Phil came back looking for me so we were interrupted. Darcy brought his sister home with him, so he introduced me to her and then asked if we wanted to stay for lunch. I, obviously, tried to leave and not impose, but he insisted and basically bribed Phil, who hardly needed bribing. So we sat down to lunch but that was when I saw your text.”

“Oh my gosh! That’s crazy. Do you think he still has feelings for you? Did he act like he did? What was his sister like?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that in his letter he said he wanted to forget that he had ever proposed to me and after everything, I want to respect that.

” No matter how much she tried to read into every word or movement that he felt otherwise.

“His sister was awesome though - so sweet. She seemed younger than her age though, like very innocent, compared to Lydia or Kat but maybe that’s a good thing given the current situation.

He apparently told her a lot about me and she seemed like she really wanted to get to know me but then the afternoon got cut short.

” Beth took the last sip of her tea and looked at Jane.

“I can see why Darcy is so protective of her and how George was able to take advantage of her feelings for him. God, I can’t believe him.

What an ass,” Beth shook her head in disgust, still shocked at how willing she had been to believe his charm and sob story.

“Yeah, he seems to know just how to take advantage of people,” Jane agreed. “I’m glad you liked her though. Do you think there is any chance you will be able to see her again?”

“I don’t know. Even if Darcy wasn’t there, the thought of being so close to him but still so far away…” she trailed off, “I just don’t think I can handle that right now.”

“I’m sorry, Beth.” The sadness in Jane’s eyes almost made her start crying again; she quickly stood up, trying to physically shake off the thoughts of Darcy that seemed ever present.

“You would love her though; she’s perfect, just like you,” Beth teased as she put her cup in the sink, trying to steer their conversation towards a lighter note .

Jane rolled her eyes at her sister, about to respond when the doorbell rang. Beth saw her eyes light up with hope and excitement, knowing that it was probably Charles at the door. She gave her a sheepish smile and rushed out of the kitchen to let him in.

Beth gave them a minute alone in the hall before following her sister out to see if Charles could give them any more details about finding Lydia.

“Hey, Charles,” Beth said awkwardly, still unsure how much he knew about her relationship with Darcy. “So what happened this morning? Was Ben sure that they went to the Hamptons?”

“Well he wasn’t sure if that was their final destination, but I guess George was there this morning, packing a bag when Lydia showed up.

Ben seemed to think that George hadn’t planned on Lydia being there; he looked like he was just packing an overnight bag and then was surprised by Lydia’s arrival,” Charles revealed.

“Your dad and I think that George probably planned on disappearing before Lydia or her family could force him into marrying her or some sort of commitment.”

“What a lowlife,” Beth said in disgust.

“Yeah. So, when she showed up at their place, it took him by surprise, but he told her that they would go visit some people in the Hamptons for a few days. Maybe he didn’t want to create a scene?

Or he changed his mind? We’re not sure,” he continued.

“I have a feeling he’s going to take her to the Hamptons, get her settled, and then disappear.

By the time she realizes he left her and contacts either friends or family to come and get her, he will be long gone. ”

“How terrible,” Jane gasped. “Poor Lydia, she will be heartbroken.”

“Well, I think your dad and Phil will find them both before it gets to that point. Hopefully, they can resolve everything amicably.”

“Did they just leave for the Hamptons?” Beth asked.

“Oh no, they left Ben’s place by nine-thirty this morning. I had to take care of a couple things for a friend before I could get over here. So, they’ve definitely made it there by now. Hopefully, they’ve found her.”

“Oh, I see.” Darcy.

“I know your dad only wants to call once everything has been fixed; he doesn’t want to take your mom on an emotional rollercoaster with every step.” Jane’s concern for their mother washed over her face and seeing it, Charles gave her a smile as he gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

Beth nodded her head in agreement; it was probably for the best to only update her mom once Lydia was found.

Suddenly, a piercing scream came from the second floor.

“JANE! BETH!” their names followed the scream that came from their mother and they both rushed up the stairs, fearing the worst.