Foundation of Love: The Gypsy Blessing 2 (33 page)

“Lizzy, are you all right?” Anne looked at her over the camera, where she had been setting up the shot.

“I’m fine, Anne.”

“You’ve suddenly become so pale.”

Elizabeth could see Jane’s head turn quickly in her direction.

“Really, I’m okay. I was just thinking about dancing in these heels.”
At least that was vaguely the subject I was thinking about.

Jane’s half-curious, half-worried expression changed to a smile. “You’ll do well once you have a chance to get used to them, Lizzy.”

“Before we begin, I have an announcement to make,” Ann proclaimed. “I’ve decided what I really and truly want to be when I grow up. A photographer!”

“That makes a lot of sense, Anne.” Georgiana’s enthusiasm fairly bubbled over. “You already do a fabulous job.”

Everyone agreed.

“Thank you. As a photographer, I’d love to do a long photo shoot of all of you dressed like this, but we don’t have time now. You all are going to have to dress up for me again another day. For now, let’s just go with a classic group shot and then couples alone. Guys stand behind your dates and put your hands on their waists.” She looked through the camera lens. “Almost set.” Anne looked up from the camera and huffed. “Come on, Will, you’re too far away. Move in closer to Lizzy. That’s it! Everyone cozy up so we’ll all fit in the shot.”

Elizabeth glanced over at Brian and Georgiana.
They
weren’t cozied up, but Anne wasn’t pointing that out. Suspicion niggled at her mind.

William leaned down and whispered, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Elizabeth couldn’t stifle her shiver at the feel of his breath at her ear. She turned her head to look at him. His face was a lot closer than she was used to without heels; they almost brushed lips. She withdrew an inch and breathed, “Yes.”

A series of clicks that could only have come from the camera were the perfect excuse she needed to turn away from William before she ended up kissing him.

Strange, Anne is still fiddling with the camera’s focus, not taking photos. She’d better hurry before I make a fool of myself!

A few seconds later, Anne was satisfied. “Perfect!” She set the timer and rushed to get in the picture with Richard. “Everybody smile.”

The camera clicked several times in quick succession... the same sound she had heard just a minute ago.

I
knew
it was the camera I heard before. I wonder who Anne was sneaking photos of?

Anne turned to face the group. “Everyone move to the side except Will and Lizzy. You two stay right where you are; you’re standing in the perfect light from the skylight. Let me just zoom in.” Something happened to the camera, and the lens retracted. “Oh! I shut it off by mistake. Don’t move; it’ll take me a minute to set up the focus again.”

Elizabeth could have sworn Anne was holding back a mischievous grin. What was she up to? Had she guessed her feelings for William and was gifting her with a minute in his arms? Whatever it was, Elizabeth wasn’t going to complain.

Chapter
23

As William helped Elizabeth into the limo, she could almost see the waves of anxiety rolling off him, and instantly, she knew why. Months ago, Georgiana had told her that she didn’t remember the accident that had taken her parents’ lives and almost ended her own, but from what Charles had said, William had been driving behind them and witnessed the entire thing.

Many of the people he cares about are in these two vehicles tonight. No wonder he’s a nervous wreck!

As he settled in beside her and made certain everyone was wearing his seatbelt, it seemed as if each one of his muscles was rigid with tension. His leg was bouncing up and down with such force that the seat was shaking, and she was afraid he’d cut his finger if he didn’t stop turning his ring so forcefully. She wanted to wrap herself around him and whisper comforting words, but she was sure that would only make things worse.

Elizabeth placed her hand over his. He stopped twisting his ring and laced his fingers through hers, covering their entwined hands with his free hand. When he met her gaze, all she could see was complete panic. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his chest rise and fall so rapidly, she was afraid he’d hyperventilate.

Elizabeth smiled. “Did you know that the only fifteen-letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is
uncopyrightable?”

“What?” His voice came out with too much force, but she understood the reason behind it.

“I asked you whether you knew that the only fifteen-letter word that doesn’t have any repeated letters is
uncopyrightable
.”

“Can I ask why?”

“I’m pretty sure you can manage it.”

He furrowed his brow. A few seconds later, she could see he understood. “
May
I ask why?”

“Yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you say that?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t have said it?”

His knee stopped jumping. “It’s a strange thing to say.”

“Yes, it is.” She nodded.

“You’re not going to tell me why you said that?”

She shook her head.

“Can I ask—” He stopped to correct himself. “
May
I ask why not?”

“Yes, you may.”

He took a deep breath, and she felt some of the tension leaving his hands. “Why won’t you tell me the reason you said that?”

Elizabeth giggled. “I’ll tell you what—I’ll let you have twenty guesses as to why I said it. If you guess correctly, I’ll let you know.”

“Is it some sort of code I’m supposed to figure out?”

“No.” She held up one finger.

They went on this way for several minutes. Before long, Elizabeth was laughing, and William had relaxed considerably. Finally, the limo came to a stop.

He stared at her for a few moments before he whispered, “You were trying to distract me.”

She smiled her widest smile ever. “It only took eighteen questions.”

William never took his eyes off hers as the door was opened by someone outside, and Richard got out, followed by Anne, Charles, and Jane.

Elizabeth could see through the doorway that Richard was speaking to Georgiana, who had ridden in the other limo. Richie was pointing at their car.

Georgiana poked her head through the open door. “Are you two joining us, or did you want to take another ride around the block so you can arrive fashionably late?”

“We’re coming,” William said hoarsely. He cleared his throat and whispered to Elizabeth, “Thank you.”

William unbuckled his seatbelt and slid toward the door, then handed her out. He wrapped her hand firmly within his arm and covered it with his own. “Are you ready?”

She smiled brilliantly and nodded. He returned it, displaying his dimples. Dozens of flashbulbs nearly blinded her.

She held onto William’s arm a little tighter.
With my luck, I’ll fall off these heels right in front of the cameras and embarrass him.
Elizabeth looked around at all the photographers and then back at William. “Why are they taking pictures?”
I should have let him walk up alone. A “most eligible bachelor” shouldn’t be seen with someone like me.

“I asked a few high-profile friends if they’d buy tickets to this event. It’s a good cause, so they did. Wherever they go, paparazzi are sure to follow. Hold on tight; I tend to walk past them quickly.”

“I’ve seen your picture on the covers of those gossip newspapers at the supermarket checkouts occasionally, but it never occurred to me that they’d come all the way upstate to Meryton just to take photos.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll have to go check out the supermarkets.” He smiled again and more flashbulbs when off. They passed through the front doors to the hotel.

“They must like your smile to take so many.”

“I don’t think they’ve ever seen it before,” he replied under his breath.

Elizabeth heard what he said, but she couldn’t believe her ears. A minute later, she realized he was right. She had seen plenty of pictures of him through Anne, but had been shocked the first time she had seen him smile. Now, he smiled often, and most of the time, it was at her.

Maybe I’ll list it as an accomplishment on my resume. “I can make William Darcy smile.”

~%~

~The Ball at the Netherfield Hotel

William had relived their interrupted dance in the conference room many times, and it always left him longing for more. Tonight was the night, times three, and maybe more if Elizabeth was free. He might even dance to a fast song once he was sure there were no paparazzi in the ballroom. Dinner had just been cleared from the table, the band was readying to play, and he was her first dance partner of the evening.

As the band struck their first notes, even though Elizabeth was talking to Jane, he took Elizabeth’s hand and interrupted them. “Sorry, ladies, but you’ll just have to finish later.” He gestured at Charles and his eager expression on the other side of Jane. “Charles and I have this dance.”

He helped Elizabeth with her chair. “Do you mind if I leave my jacket here?” He indicated his tux coat hanging from the back of his chair. “After being casually dressed on jobsites so much lately, I’m not used to formal wear. It’s not very comfortable.”
Not to mention, it’s another barrier between us.

“As long as you don’t mind that I take off these shoes later. I don’t think I can take wearing them all night.”

“You can take them off now, if you want to. I promise I won’t step on your toes.”

She seemed to consider it. “Later.”

As he led her to the dance floor, William wondered why she had blushed.

Once there, he faced her and slid his arm around her waist. The warmth of her hand on his shoulder caused him to pull her closer than he should have. When she didn’t object, he began to lead her in the dance. The enjoyable feeling of her body moving with his made him thankful he had left his coat at the table. He examined her features. She seemed distracted and didn’t meet his gaze. Maybe he should put some space between them?

She looked up at him just then as if in answer to his thoughts. She said softly, “Thank you for saving me from that subject. Sometimes Jane’s passion for fashion design gets to be a little too much for me, especially in a setting like this.” She looked around them to see if anyone had heard what she said.

William stifled the urge to beg,
Look up at
me
!

Too caught up in his determination not to miss one moment of holding her in his arms, he hadn’t heard one word of her conversation with Jane, but he made a guess. “What is her verdict on the ladies gowns here tonight?”

Elizabeth smiled up at him.

Much better.

“Jane says mine is the most beautiful gown here, and she wishes she had made it. Of course, in my opinion, her designs that the others of our group are wearing come in a close second.” She spoke the next so softly that he had to lean in to hear it. “I hate to say it, but Mrs. Lucas gets both our votes on the worst. That color does not suit her at all.”

He turned his head to look at Elizabeth. His breath caught as he almost brushed her lips with his. Even if it had happened only by accident, he doubted that he could have stopped himself from taking more had they connected. He smoothly backed his head away a couple of inches and took a deep breath, but inhaling her scent that fully was not very helpful. He looked away.
Stay in control, Darcy!

As he looked around the room, he saw Mrs. Lucas and almost laughed. Pulling Elizabeth a little closer, he leaned toward her ear and whispered, “What could have possessed a woman with red hair to wear a clashing shade of orange?”

Elizabeth let out something between a breath and a moan then whispered, “If you want to remain ‘just friends,’ you’ll have to stop doing that, or you’ll drive me insane.”

William’s entire body stiffened. That
had
to have been his imagination! He pulled away to look at her. Desire darkened her eyes as she returned his gaze. He almost kissed her, but someone bumped into him, reminding him of their surroundings. When he tried to speak, he realized his respiration rate had increased dramatically. That was fine because he just
had
to try this again.

He moved in to whisper into her ear once more, “What did you just say?”

When Elizabeth made that sound again and shivered, it almost did him in. If he could only develop laryngitis, he’d have an excuse to whisper to her all the time!

He tried to move away from her this time to gauge her reaction, but she had tightened her hold on him.

Elizabeth asked in a panicked voice, “I said that out loud?”

He leaned down and whispered, “Yes. Can you please say it again so I know I didn’t imagine it?”

She winced.

He couldn’t stop himself from brushing his lips against her temple at her reaction.

There
had
to be a way around that agreement she had signed! It was just his luck that, at the very moment he needed to concentrate most, all his blood was racing away from his brain.

Think, Darcy!

The answer came to him in a flash.

It’s the only way.

William frantically looked around the dance floor. He froze when he found who he was looking for.

~

It was a good thing William was holding her up, because, if he hadn’t been, Elizabeth’s sense of mortification was so deep that she was sure she’d be curled up in a fetal position on the floor by now.
How could I have said that out loud?

“Come on.” William said distractedly.

With his arm firmly wrapped around her waist, he dodged other couples and danced Elizabeth to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. When he tapped the gentleman’s shoulder, Elizabeth hadn’t the slightest idea what to expect.

Gardiner turned, looked at William, then at Elizabeth, and his expression changed to one of confusion.

William looked directly at Gardiner. “Your firm is fired.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiners’ eyes opened wide in shock.

“What!” Gardiner exclaimed as the same time as Elizabeth.

William interrupted Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, who were passing by in the dance. “Please, I need you to witness this.” He turned to Gardiner and stated firmly, “Gardiner & Associates is most definitely fired from the Lambton Village Project. Darcy Construction and I are
no longer
your clients.”

William thanked the Lucases and turned to Elizabeth. “We need to talk—in private—right now.”

As William pulled her away from the dance floor, Elizabeth could see realization dawn on her uncle. His grin matched his wife’s, who obviously had already figured out what was going on.

Everyone understands what’s happening except me! Why are they happy about being fired?

Elizabeth tugged on William’s arm, and he stopped. “Will! Please don’t... don’t ruin
everything
because of something I said. If you’re uncomfortable with me, then Uncle Ed can find someone else to work with you.”

“It wasn’t because of what you said... not entirely, anyway.” He looked around at all the staring faces. “Please, Elizabeth, can we talk in private?”

She nodded.

He led her out of the ballroom and headed toward the lobby, then stopped to look around.

“Perfect,” he muttered, and then took her down a hallway that she knew led to an indoor arboretum.

Once they were inside, he took her to the far side of the room, behind some tall plants, to give them some privacy in case someone else came in.

Elizabeth caught his gaze. “Why did you do that—fire Gardiner & Associates? What about Lambton Village, Will? Your father’s dream...
your
dream...”

William stepped closer and took her hands in his. “Because I love you, Elizabeth, and I can’t go on for even one more minute without your knowing it.”