“Sure,” I replied without thinking. My smile was brittle as I realized I just agreed to spend time with him. I didn’t want to get a drink or anything else with him, but it was too late now.
“What would you like?” he asked, sounding like a gentleman, even if he wasn’t one.
“Um, champagne is fine,” I replied.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here,” he said, nodding his head and stepping away. I stared after him. Why in the world had I said I’d get a drink with him? I quickly came up with a plan to just disappear once he brought me my champagne. I’d say something polite, and go find Lydia. It wouldn’t be that hard to get away. I didn’t have to see the hotel with him.
“Are you okay?” Jane asked, coming up beside me. “You look like you might be sick.”
“I might be,” I replied. “I just agreed to a drink and a tour with Mr. Darcy. I can’t believe I said yes.”
“You’re being too harsh,” Jane scolded. “We haven’t learned his side of the story.”
“I don’t need to have his side,” I responded. She gave me a disappointed look, but I didn’t take it back.
“Fine,” she said with a sigh. “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet.”
I followed her to the lobby where a young woman was talking and laughing with Charles. They stood by a small standing table with a single rose centerpiece. It was exquisite and suited the hotel perfectly.
“Lizzie, I’d like to introduce you to Emma Woodhouse. She’s a friend of Charles’,” Jane said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I replied, holding out my hand. The young woman shook it and smiled.
“Excuse me,” Charles said. “Jane, will you come take a photo with me?”
“Don’t go anywhere. I need to talk to you,” Jane whispered to me. “Just stay here.”
I nodded. “Go take your picture. I won’t go anywhere.”
Jane forced a smile but went with Charles for the pictures she hated, leaving me with Emma.
“Jane tells me that you are a nurse?” Emma asked. “Is it anything like the TV shows?”
I smiled. “There aren’t nearly as many good looking doctors. I can honestly say that I have never hooked up in a janitor’s closet.”
“Darn,” she replied shaking her head. “TV falls short again.”
I laughed. “I do love it though. It’s a great job. Hard, but very rewarding.”
“That’s good to hear,” she replied. She took a sip of her drink and motioned to the bar. “Did I see you speaking with William Darcy?”
“I was,” I replied. “Do you know him?”
She shrugged. “A little. We spent some time together at a party in London once. He seemed like a decent person, but very busy with his business.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it,” I said. “I’d say he’s kind of a self-centered ass.”
“Wow.” She giggled. “You don’t like him much,” she noticed.
“He hurt a friend of mine over business,” I replied. “I’m afraid that I’m not his biggest fan at the moment.”
She nodded. “He does become rather cutthroat when it comes to his airline, but I think it’s just because it’s very important to him. When I met him, he was known for his charitable donations as much as his airline.”
“Donations are just money, and he has plenty enough of that,” I replied. “His behavior is inexcusable.”
Emma tilted her head and looked at me thoughtfully. “It’s a shame you don’t like him,” she said after a moment. “The two of you seem like a good match. I would have thought you two would hit it off.”
I laughed. “No way. I have decided that Mr. Darcy and I are mortal enemies,” I announced with a smile. “I think we have very different viewpoints on what is acceptable behavior in business.”