Part 1
Furrowing his eyebrows, Will Darcy sighed in frustration as he watched Elizabeth Bennett saunter around the dance floor in the arms of yet another interested male. Where had he gone wrong? He would have to be an idiot not to recognize the contempt in her eyes every time she looked at him. And that hadn't been very often tonight.
It had all been over a stupid foot-in-mouth comment he had made when he first met her a few weeks ago. And unfortunately, ever since then, his embarrassment around her had kept him from behaving like a normal human being.
But who could behave normally around someone who seemed so perfect? The perfect mix of compassion and spunk, she readily reached out to everyone around her, immediately making them feel as if they were important to her. She conversed easily with everyone she came in contact with, and had a natural intelligence that made her deep green eyes sparkle. She was intelligent without being arrogant, and opinionated enough to stand against the harshest of critics.
Which she no doubt considered him as. Why hadn't he learned to keep his opinions to himself? Mentally slapping himself, he realized just how ridiculous the whole conversation had been. He had been so distracted by her, that he hadn't paid a bit of attention to the conversation at hand. When the George Wickham band had been mentioned, he had come back to earth and suddenly blurt out, "That womanizing jerk shouldn't be allowed two feet within any woman unless she intends to sleep with him that night."
It had been the wrong timing, seeing as how Elizabeth had just finished retelling the story of how they met, and how he'd asked her out on a date the next night. She had turned fiery green eyes on him and snapped in return, "Are you insinuating that I would fall into bed with just anyone, Mr. Darcy?"
He had stood there, completely stunned, realizing that she thought he had just compared her to a tramp. In his shock, he simply reddened and stood in agonizing silence as the group all stared at him expectantly. His non-answer proved to be worse than anything he could have ever said to try to smooth things over.
Sighing in defeat at the memory, Darcy turned back to the table to refill his glass of punch and noticed a smirking Carolyn Bingley coming his way. Inwardly groaning and trying to keep the disgust from showing on his handsome features, he steeled himself for yet another onslaught from the flamboyantly dressed floozy approaching at lightning speed.
"Why WEEEEEUUUULL!" came her shrill southern drawl, turning quite a few heads in the room.
Wincing as he tried to protect his eardrums, he smiled slightly and replied, "Hello Carolyn."
"Oh it's soooo good to see you again, Weeuul! I have just beeyun dreamin' of seeyun little ole' you for the lawngust time!" she swooned, draping her long bony fingers over his arm. Twirling in front of him, she asked, "Don't you just Luuuuuuve my outfeeut?"
William watched her turning figure with a straight face, trying not to get sick on the spot. She was wearing an entirely too tight skirt that seemed to stop halfway up her long stick thighs, and her body seemed to radiate a strange orange tint that he couldn't explain. Seeing the plunging V of her loose-fitting frilly peasant shirt, he prayed that she wouldn't bend over where he knew he would have to witness more than he ever wanted to see of Carolyn. Swallowing his true sentiments, he stammered, "You look unique tonight, Carolyn."
It was then that Charles, her brother, stepped up beside her and pulled her into a hug, winking at Will. To his nervous surprise, Elizabeth herself, and her sister, Jane, came with Charles. He had never been more glad to see people in his life.
"I didn't see you arrive, Lyn, honey, where have you been?" Charles asked her, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
Frowning at her brother, Carolyn replied, "I was tryyyun to have a decent conversayshuun with Weeuul heeyer." Feeling Elizabeth's curious eyes on him, Darcy felt the color drain from his face in embarrassment as Carolyn blew him a wink and a kiss and continued, "You know he's my fayvoRITE person to tawlk to."
"You know, I was thinking about making some changes in the library. Would you like to take a look?" he suddenly asked.
Glancing back and forth between Charles and Will, Carolyn seemed to be in the deepest quandary. Darcy knew her love for home décor, and almost laughed at the distressed look on her face from having to decide between him and the chance to spend more money on her brother's house. In the end, the money won out and she murmured, "Weeyul, honey, don't leave. I'll be right back."
The look of gratitude on Will's face was obvious as he let out a pent up breath of air and his shoulders slumped in relief. He found the two females surrounding him, laughing quietly at his expense.
"Oh Weeyul, honey," Elizabeth imitated, batting her eyelashes dramatically at him.
Jane giggled and scolded, "Lizzy, stop it."
Uncomfortable under Elizabeth's teasing, Darcy looked down at his feet nervously and replied softly, "I can't stand it when she does that."
"What? I thought you'd be jumping at the chance at such a fine lady bestowing her attentions on you," Elizabeth replied with a smirk.
Lifting his eyes and locking onto hers, he suddenly replied quietly with meaning, "There's only one person here tonight that I would jump at the chance to win her affection, and she presently seems to despise me with a passion."
Taken aback by his heartfelt reply, Elizabeth's beautiful face immediately flamed at the implication. Had he just said what she thought? Was he referring to her? No, he couldn't be. One of the richest men in the country couldn't possibly find anything even remotely interesting in her.
Yet as she continued to look into his intent brown gaze, she felt as if she were suddenly in danger of drowning. Neither had noticed that Jane had conveniently slipped off at that moment.
Licking her lips and swallowing, Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, and then shut it again, not sure of what she wanted to say. Seeing her indecision, Will smiled slightly and replied, "Look, Elizabeth, I meant to apologize earlier about that first day we met. I wasn't following the conversation well, and I never intended to insinuate that you were anything less than a virtuous woman."
Finding his choice of words funny, she laughed slightly and asked, "Virtuous?"
Embarrassed by her teasing, he shrugged and replied, "Well, I mean, that you weren't, well, you know..."
"You don't have to explain, Will. I understand," she replied with a humorous smile, placing her hand on his arm reassuringly. The touch seemed to send a weakening sensation through both of them, causing the smile to immediately fade from her face. Looking up at him with wide eyes, she stammered slightly, "I - I'm just not used to people having such an archaic vocabulary."
"Archaic?" he asked, his eyebrows lifting in amusement, relieved to see her uncomfortable for a change.
"Well, I mean - ah - I mean," she stammered, and then finally laughed at herself. "When you work with the rowdy crew that I do, you very rarely hear civilized conversation."
Smiling easily and revealing an adorable pair of dimples, William replied, "Rowdy crew, huh? You make it sound like you work with a bunch of monkeys."
"Close enough," she retorted with a roll of her eyes. "Marketing firms don't tend to attract the sanest crowds, especially when you have to work the hours that we do."
"Do you specialize or simply take whatever account that is given you?" he asked her, eager to continue the first easy conversation they had ever had.
Shrugging, she explained, "It really depends. I'm senior to most in our department, however, there are only two females in a firm of about 15, and I happen to be one of them. Makes competition a bit of a headache." Suddenly lifting her head with a confident smile, she murmured, "But my work generally speaks for itself."
Frowning slightly, he felt his ire rise at the thought of Elizabeth surrounded by testosterone guided jerks all day long, but instead murmured, "Do you find yourself being discriminated against because you're a female?"
"Not really, because my boss, Stan, knows he can depend upon me." Letting out a sigh, she replied, "But it does get frustrating to have to listen to those guys drone on about how much better they are than everyone else."
Nodding, he suddenly asked, "Would you mind if I saw your work sometime?"
Elizabeth stood and stared at him shocked silence. Trying to keep her mouth from hanging open, she stammered, "E-excuse me?"
Pleased with himself for bringing her to speechlessness several times that evening, Darcy smiled and repeated, "Would you mind if took a look at your work sometime?"
Watching him without comprehension, she asked him, "Well, sure, but why would you want to see MY work? You have some of the top names in the country working for you."
Shrugging with a smile, he replied, "Because I've seen your quick wit and your intelligence, Elizabeth. Sometimes people are just that - names. I was an underdog myself, at one time, and I tend to find the freshest ideas come from those who aren't merely trying to rise up the company latter, but those who genuinely love their work and want to do the best they can."
Looking at him in disbelief, she asked him, "But I thought you inherited your Father's business?"
Grinning, Darcy replied, "I did. But before I Did, I had to prove to my Father that my MBA wasn't just a piece of paper but a way of life. That's how Darcy Enterprises gained a valuable asset about three years ago."
"FD Connect," Elizabeth stated, her mind somehow beginning to register the magnitude of Darcy's wealth.
Nodding, he smiled and explained, "Before Dad would take me on, I had to start from scratch with a completely new business and make it work." Rubbing his jaw ruefully, he explained, "I know my name gave me advantages that most wouldn't enjoy at 25, like a $20,000 business loan with hardly any credit history of my own, but I knew what I wanted to do and I stuck to it. Darcy Enterprises began a long time ago as one of the forerunners of computer technology - what better compliment than his own internet service provider."
Staring in amazement, Elizabeth asked, "You're kidding? You started that business and built it from ground up?"
Feeling a bit shy under her scrutiny, he smiled and replied, "Pretty much so, yeah."
"And now it's the leading internet provider in the country," she replied in awe. "I am impressed to say the least, Darcy." Trying to make out the difference in the man she thought she knew, she asked, "And what did your father say?"
Laughing he replied, "He was happy, to say the least. What man wouldn't be when he gets to add a million dollar business venture under his ever expanding company?"
"So he made hired you?" she asked, prompting him to continue the story.
Chuckling, he replied, "He made me second in command." His face sobered slightly as a cloud seemed to pass through his once warm brown eyes. "I didn't realize that it would be for such a short time, though."
Remembering that his father had died at an early age, Elizabeth asked softly, "What happened to your father?"
"He died of a heart attack a year later, leaving me with one of the largest business in the Western Hemisphere in my ill-prepared hands, and a sister ten years younger to take care of," he told her softly, the pain still fresh in his eyes.
Feeling compassion, again, Elizabeth reached out and placed her hand on his sleeve. His dark, intense gaze turned to meet her soft green eyes in question, and she smiled slightly, murmuring, "If it makes you feel any better, from everything I've read about James Darcy, you have not only met his expectations, but you've exceeded them."
Watching in amazement as his eyes misted over with emotion, Elizabeth felt his hand come over top of hers and squeeze tightly. Leaning forward and pressing a kiss against her cheek, he told her, "You'll never know what it means to me to hear that."
The vulnerability of this man that she thought was made of steel completely shocked her. The CEO of Darcy Enterprises, the man that everyone recognized as the savviest businessman in the market, was showing his weakness to her, Elizabeth Bennett. Closing her eyes at the feel of his warm lips against her cheek, she felt her heart nearly stop as he paused for a moment and his voice gently soothed her nerves. When he pulled back, the true affection he felt seemed to be written in his eyes. How could she have ever thought this man arrogant and unyielding?
Then the memory of the comment about Wickham returned, and she felt a bit of her skepticism return.
Darcy saw the doubt creep into her eyes and he felt his heart sink a bit. Smiling slightly, he told her, "Well, I best be going. I've got a meeting tomorrow that I need to be ready for."
Nodding, she pushed the strange feelings he was evoking in her aside and replied, "Of course. I enjoyed talking with you tonight, William."
Smiling in pleasure at the way her sweet voice caressed his name, he replied, "I loved every minute of it. I hope we can do it again soon." He then gently reached up and let his finger run down the side of her face, murmured, "And you should never settle for someone like George Wickham, Elizabeth. You deserve so much better." With that small touch, he was gone.
Turning to stare after him, Elizabeth chewed thoughtfully on her lip. What was his aversion to George Wickham? Feeling her whole body warm as she remembered the sensation of his lips against her cheek and his finger gently tracing her jaw, she let out a sigh and asked aloud, "Just what are you about, William Darcy?" This was the question she finally went off in search of Charles Bingley to find out.
Part 2
Several days had passed since the party at Charles' house, and Elizabeth had not been able to put Darcy from her thoughts. The evening now seemed to be a distant dream - one that left her feeling bereft at its absence.
Staring down unseeingly at the papers on her desk, she contemplated the long conversation she had shared with Charles' after Darcy had left. She had asked him about George Wickham, and found that the man truly was a scoundrel. Charles hadn't known what had happened, but he did know how protective of Georgiana William was, and explained that something had happened between the singer and his sister to make him resort to drastic actions.
"That was a close call," she muttered to herself, glad that she had heeded William's comment.
Turning back to the memory of the conversation they had that night, she seemed to be able to remember every detail - from the look in his eyes when he discussed his father to the gentleness of his touch before he left. A far cry from the man she thought she knew - the proud looking man on the front of Forbes magazine.
Sighing in frustration, Elizabeth crumpled the piece of paper in front of her into a ball and trashed it. She wasn't getting anywhere on this project. Seeing movement at her doorway, she looked up to find an ashen faced secretary staring at her with her mouth open.
Alarmed, Elizabeth asked, "Shannon, what is it?"
Her eyes widened as she shook her head, and then replied, "Mr. William Darcy is here to see you, Ma'am. THE Williams Darcy."
Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock and she stared at the secretary for a moment. Forcing herself to remain calm, she replied, "Well, please, send him in."
Quickly looking down at her clothing, she winced at her rumpled pants suit and quickly tightened her hair clip in the back. What was he doing HERE?
It was then that he peeked his head around the doorway and smiled tentatively. "May I come in?" he asked, his face a boyish mixture of nervousness and hope.
"Please, come in and sit down," she said with a nervous smile. "It's good to see you Wi- ah, Mr. Darcy."
Shaking his head as he took a seat in the chair closest to her, he told her, "Please, call me Will. There's no need for formality." Not when I'm so crazy about you, he thought to himself.
Clearing her throat and coming around the desk, she leaned against the corner and asked, "So what brings you here?"
Grinning easily, he set his tall frame back in the chair, relaxing a bit. This was an area he was familiar with. "Two reasons, actually." Pulling his briefcase into his lap, he popped open the lid and pulled out a manila envelope. Reaching forward, he handed it to her and explained, "I've told you before that I believe the best talent isn't necessarily in names. So I've got a product there that I need to sell. I want you to come up with the how."
The sudden authority that came over him amazed Elizabeth. One moment he was the shy vulnerable man she had seen at the party, and in the next, he was powerful businessman, ready to strike a deal. The change fascinated her and she seemed to look blankly down at the envelope in her hand.
"Elizabeth?" he asked softly, watching with concern.
Shaking herself, she gave him a distracted smile and murmured, "Sorry." Pulling out the papers, she perused its contents and found herself contemplating the software in front of her. "Wow," she murmured softly, reading the product proposal. "This won't need marketing, Will, it will sell itself," she told him, now completely ensconced in the documents before her.
"I've included some schemes that my marketing department came up with, and I haven't been happy with any of them." Looking at her with a serious look, he told her matter-of-factly, "I know you can do a better job."
Surprised by his firm faith in her ability, she continued reading through the material, and had to admit that none of the options appealed to her. Thinking through the concept, she realized that she was already coming up with ideas.
Watching the emotions play across her face, he tentatively asked, "So, do you like it?"
"Like it? This is a gold mine!" she replied with a laugh.
"Then you'll do it?" he stated more than asked.
Looking up to meet his eyes again, she felt the breath leave her body. This was the chance of a life time - no matter how intimidating the billionaire in front of her seemed, how could she pass it up?
"I'd love to," she breathed, still amazed that he would even ask her.
Shutting the briefcase and standing to his feet, Darcy smiled and told her, "I'm glad. I look forward to seeing what you'll do with this."
Remembering he had said there were two things, she asked, "Wait, you had something else to say?"
Grinning easily, he explained, "Oh yeah. I had something else to ask you." Looking at the floor and then back into her confused green eyes, the shy Darcy appeared once again as he explained, "I wanted to offer the project to you first, so you knew that I am truly interested in your work as a professional, and I'm not using it as an excuse to get close to you." Glancing behind him to make sure they weren't being over heard, he lowered his voice a bit and continued sincerely, "But on a personal level, I find you completely amazing, and I'd love the opportunity to get to know you better. And, well, I was hoping that you might consider going out to dinner with me."
Letting a slow smile spread across her face, Elizabeth studied his handsome features for a moment, amazed again at his easy manner. Finally she told him, "I'd love to get to know you better, William. Dinner sounds great."
Smiling in relief, he murmured, "Great. Is Friday okay?"
Nodding, she replied, "Friday sounds great."
"Okay, I'll call with the details that afternoon. I have a brief meeting before work ends and that will determine what time I can pick you up," he explained quickly. Walking towards the door, he told her, "Thank you again for your time, Elizabeth, and I look forward to seeing you on Friday."
"Me Too," she answered with a soft smile.
He turned to leave, but leaned back in the door and told her, "And thanks again, Elizabeth, for hearing me out. I really am looking forward to Friday."
Laughing at his boyish behavior, she nodded as he disappeared through the doorway again and found herself more than delighted with the turn of events. The guys in the office were NOT going to believe this!
Part 3
Setting back in her chair and watching Darcy sip at his wine, Elizabeth smiled slightly and murmured, "I have to admit, Will, I'm quite surprised at how well this evening has gone" They had just finished a wonderful meal in one of the city's most expensive restaurants, and were just finishing desert.
Giving her an odd look and a small smile as he placed his wine glass on the table, he asked her, "What do you mean?"
Choosing her words carefully, she replied, "Well, I have to admit that my first impression of you wasn't very favorable"
Grinning ruefully, he readjusted his large frame in the seat and replied, "I can understand why" Shrugging, he continued, "But it seems that where you're concerned, Elizabeth, I become like a 13 year old boy with a bad crush"
Laughing delightedly, Elizabeth replied, "What do you mean?"
Feeling his cheeks warm slightly, he toyed with the napkin by his plate, not willing to look her in her eyes. "Every time I'm around you, I want to impress you so badly, that I get nervous and say the wrong thing." Glancing up at her shocked expression, he continued, "That's what that night was, you know" Hesitating shyly, he explained, "I was so taken by you that I hadn't been paying attention to a word you said. So naturally when I spoke, it was ill-timed and grossly out of place."
Feeling her heart warm in her chest at his sincere admission, Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. This had to be the sweetest thing anyone had ever admitted to her. "You've got to be kidding?"
Looking away from her uncomfortably, he replied, "Well, IˇKˇ¨
Seeing his uncertainty, she quickly amended, "I mean, you've got women throwing themselves at you all over the place. What would make you notice someone like me?"
Smiling slightly, he leaned forward and took her hand in his across the table top, his eyes twinkling as he met her own confused gaze. "Because when we met, you had the most delightful laugh and captivating smile I had ever seen. I was amazed by your quick wit and your intelligence," and he paused, gently teasing, "Once I was able to comprehend what you were saying." Continuing on, he told her, "Your compassion for other people shows in everything you do, and your unpredictability and creativity are refreshing." Letting his thumb gently caress the top of her hand, he continued, "I don't meet many women like that in the circles I travel in, Elizabeth."
Swallowing as she felt her face warm in response to his gentle remarks, she stared at their linked hands on the table. Having her hand in his felt so strangely natural that she wondered where her dislike had ever come from in the first place. This man was not what she had expected by any means. Looking up to find him watching her intently, she smiled and replied, "That's quite brave of you to admit, Darcy. A lesser woman would use that knowledge to her advantage and milk you for all you're worth."
Without flinching, he replied quietly, "A lesser woman would have dismissed me the minute I made my first blunder" Smiling slightly, he added, "And I'm so glad you didn't."
Smiling softly, she squeezed his hand and replied, "I'm glad I didn't, either."
They continued smiling at each other for a moment until the waiter came with the check to break the strange spell that had come over them. Elizabeth balked when she saw the total and watched in amazement as William simply signed his name and let the waiter continue on his way.
Looking up to find her startled expression, he smiled and stood, holding his hand out to her. "Ready to go?"
Nodding, she slipped her small hand into his larger one and replied, "Yeah"
They continued the evening, taking a stroll along the waterside and discussing everything they could think of from their childhood experiences to their college exploits ˇV covering a lifetime in one night. Their hands never separated through the rest of the evening. When Will finally arrived at her apartment, he got out of the BMW and escorted her to the front door. Smiling slightly, he told her, "I believe this is one of the most amazing nights I've had in quite a while, Elizabeth."
Blushing at the compliment, she murmured, "Me too, actually" Chuckling softly, she looked back up at him and explained, "I still find this so amazing, Darcy." Shaking her head, she told him, "How can a man as rich and powerful as you are, and so in control of everything around him, be so sensitive and gentle around someone like me? I've never seen you act this way before, and I'm shocked."
Drawing his hand up to gently cup her jaw, he murmured, "What can I say? You simply bring out the best in me" Leaning forward, he slowly pressed a soft kiss against her lips, lingering for a moment, then pulling back with a smile.
That gentle kiss did more to undo her than any passion filled assault could have ever done. Looking back at him with a hint of emotion in her eyes, she whispered teasingly, "What? You're not going to try to get me to take you upstairs for the night?"
Chuckling softly, he let his hand slide down her face in a gentle caress until he positioned his forefinger under her chin and lifted her mouth up to his for another soft, unhurried kiss. "I don't want to do anything to blow this, Elizabeth, he whispered gently. "I'm in it for keeps."
Gasping softly, she began to reply, and he placed his finger over her lips and murmured, "Shhhhh. Don't think about it now. We've got all the time in the world."
Sighing and smiling up at him, she reached up and took his hand in hers, closing her eyes and pressing the back against her cheek. She enjoyed the warmth of his skin and the masculine scent that clung to him. Suddenly kissing the back of his hand, she looked up at him and told him, "I look forward to this, William."
Enjoying the sound of his full name coming from her lips, he felt his chest tighten at her tenderness and whispered, "Goodnight, Elizabeth."
Stepping back from him as their hands continued to hold on, she smiled and replied, "Goodnight, William." When they finally couldn't hold on anymore, they reluctantly released hands, watching each other intently as they moved away.
Waving slightly, Darcy watched as she punched in and disappeared, with one more smile and a wave before she left.
Smiling and letting out a happy sigh, Will watched a bit longer as a light came in one of the upstairs apartments, and he began to climb into the black luxury car, noticing the curtains moving a bit. Finding a silly grin come to his face, he suddenly hoped it was Elizabeth watching him. Chuckling at himself, he climbed into the car and navigated his way home. And of course, it WAS Elizabeth. And she continued watching until the taillights were long gone out of sight.