Meeting Mr Darcy?

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This was the perfect place to hide away and read. The sweet aroma of the flowers surrounded Bethany as she read, where no one could disturb her.

“So this is where you are. A rose sitting among the flowers.”

Graham gave her a wide smile, showing off his golden tooth. He was proud of that tooth. So much for thinking she had found the perfect hiding spot. Her heart sank.

“Good morning, Graham.” Bethany kept her face in her book, thinking he would get the message that she didn’t want to be disturbed.

“It’s a good morning indeed, sweet Bethany. Would you care to come on a walk with me?”

Did she look like she wanted to take a walk? Oh, how could he be so clueless. It seemed that no matter how much she refused to show interest in him, he kept pursuing her, like a hound dog.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she kept reading. Surely, he would get the hint.

He snatched the book out of her hand. Her jaw dropped. How dare he!

Reading the page she had been on, he closed the book but held onto it. He held it up high, out of her reach.

“I can assure you I will be much more interesting than whoever this Mr Darcy character is.”

Bethany almost choked on her laughter. There was no comparison between Graham and the handsome, eloquent Mr Darcy.

He held out his hand to her. She had no choice but to take it. The insufferable man had her book in his other hand down by his side.

But she let go of his hand when they started walking. She would walk beside him, but she didn’t need to hold his hand.

They started walking down the garden path, and Graham gave the book back to her. She felt like turning around now that she had her book back, but she figured that a little walk with Graham would be okay. It was a pleasant day to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful flowers.

“Have I ever told you the story of how I got my golden tooth?”

“Yes,” she thought of saying , “many times,” but let it go. It didn’t matter he would tell him anyway. He liked the sound of his own voice. Bethany guessed that his voice echoed inside of his head. Probably too much empty space. Oh, she should be kinder, but … why couldn’t the guys in her novels be real.

Her mind went back to Mr Darcy and what he had said to Elizabeth before Graham had snatched her book away.

“What do you think?”

Bethany didn’t know what to say, she hadn’t heard the question. Graham had been droning on about his golden tooth and how he got it after his original tooth had been knocked out. He was on a ladder trying to rescue a stray kitty from a tree, and he fell. But he now has a cat as a pet. That was one thing he had going for him. He liked animals.

If she was totally honest with herself, maybe he did have other positive attributes. She often was running from his advances , not giving him a real chance.

Graham stopped walking and turned to face Bethany. “My feelings will not be repressed any longer. You must allow me to tell you how much I ardently admire you.”

Bethany was dumbfounded. Had he really quoted a passage from Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice?”

It wasn’t the passage that her book had been opened to when he snatched her book away.

“You appear shocked, my lady. Do you think that men can’t appreciate Jane Austen’s writings as well?”

“Ummm…no….I..I..You….took me by surprise, that is all.”

“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I do not wish to be parted.” Graham replied.

Bethany smiled. She didn’t know what to say. Perhaps she had misjudged him.

“So, back to my question. Would you grace me with your company for dinner tonight?I will pick you up at 6?”

She hesitated but said yes. She would finally give him a chance.

He took her hand in his and gave it a soft kiss. “Parting is such sweet sorrow, but I shall see you before tomorrow. “

Bethany let out a small giggle. Was Graham actually trying to be charming? Had her assumption of him been all wrong?

She bid him goodbye and found herself looking forward to the evening ahead. A guy that read Jane Austen couldn’t be all bad.

Graham was elated. It had worked. A little time spent reading and memorizing the highlighted phrases in his sister’s books had got Bethany’s attention. Now, if only he could keep it. Time would tell.

Finding Mr. Darcy

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Yvette stood there patiently as Eva tried to fix her gown. At least she was trying to be patient, she was anxious for Eva to be finished, so that they could both leave. The Ball was starting in the next half hour, and she did not want to be late!

“You have to hold still”, Eva said, when Yvette unconsciously moved.

“Will you be finished soon?”

“I am finished now.” Eva replied, stitching the last stitch. “Now try not to tear another hole in it tonight.”

Yvette made a face at her. “I can’t help it snagged the sharp corner on the table at the bottom of the stairs.”

“If you had been walking like a proper lady, instead of running, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“We all know that I don’t fit into the “proper lady” category.” said Yvette, and Eva laughed.

“So true! In fact, I am surprised you are even going to the Ball. Is there something you aren’t telling me? Did a guy finally catch your eye?” Eva asked while raising her eyebrows at her.

Yvette shook her head. “Most definitely not. Can’t I go to Balls for more reasons than just to meet a guy? What if I only want to enjoy a good night of dancing?”

Eva put her hands up in the air. “You know I am only teasing. I am glad you are coming with me!”

“Well someone has to look out for you. That Chris guy isn’t good enough for you, I am counting on Landon being there. I have seen the way he looks at you.”

Eva blushed, ” I think we shall be going.” she said, ” Should I help you down the stairs?” she grinned as Yvette rolled her eyes at her.

The Ballroom was stunning! Eva looked at all the glamorous young ladies and began to doubt herself.

“I see that look,” Yvette said, “Stop it! You light up this ballroom, and don’t look now, but Landon is coming this way.”

Yvette smiled at Landon and Eva dancing together. She really hoped that he was seriously interested in Eva, for he was such a charming, pleasant guy, the perfect guy for her dear friend. He didn’t have much hair, but that was fine. Yvette thought his baldness gave him a suave, and dignified look. Not everyone had to have luxurious wavy hair like Gerald did. Yvette wondered how much gel he put on his hair to get the waves to stand up just right.

The night was going well. Yvette had danced with several different men, and was beginning to grow tired. The guys had been nice, but the last one Alex, lingered in her mind. She didn’t know why, for she doubted that she would see him again.

She noticed that Eva had pretty much stayed with Landon the whole night. Chris had tried to cut in, but Yvette walked over and intervened. She danced with him a few times, just to keep him away from Eva. She caught Eva’s look of gratitude and smiled back.

Later in the night, when the dancing was almost over Eva pulled Yvette aside. Her face was flushed and light was dancing in her eyes. “I won’t be riding home with you tonight, Landon said he will take me home.”

Yvette smiled giving her a quick embrace. “I knew he liked you! Call me in the morning!” Eva gave her hand a squeeze and walked back over to Landon.

Well Yvette decided that she would go ahead and call it a night, her feet were tired. A bubble bath would feel good and then her novel was calling to her to be read. She was anxious to continue reading about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Were there any Mr. Darcy’s in real life?

She headed for the stairs, walked down the stairs, not running this time. When she stepped outside she saw that it was raining hard, and of course she hadn’t brought an umbrella with her. She started running and didn’t see the curb right in front of her. Ooh OUCH! She had tripped over the curb, and landed in a puddle.

The night had been going well, now she wasn’t so sure as her ankle throbbed and the wetness soaked through her gown. She tried to stand up and groaned as she tried to put weight on her foot.

“Excuse me Miss, do you need help?”

Yvette looked up to see a young man standing in front of her. ” Alex?”

“Well your memory seems to be good, so I guess you didn’t hit your head.” Alex said with a grin. “Here, lean on me, and show me where your car is.”

Yvette started hobbling, leaning on him. They had to go slow, but he didn’t seem to mind, though he was getting soaked.

When they reached her car, he went to the passenger side and asked for the keys. She looked at him.

“You don’t really think you can drive with a hurt ankle, do you?”

Yvette said,” I guess not, but..”

“I will take you home and then call a taxi, no problem.”

“Thank you”, she winced as she got in the car. Her ankle really was throbbing now.

She gave him directions to her house and soon they pulled into the driveway. He came over to her side, helped her out of the car and up into the house. Yvette was constantly thanking him, thinking of what a gentleman he was.

When they entered her home, she thanked him again and was expecting him to leave. “Why don’t you go change out of your wet gown and I will make you something hot, coffee or tea?

Yvette felt a little dazed. “You really don’t have too, but coffee would be great. The Keurig is on the counter.”

It took her some time to get changed out of her wet gown, but she managed, and once she had dry, comfy clothes on she hobbled back out to the living room and the couch.

“Your coffee my lady!” he said with a wink, as he served it to her on the couch. He also had a ice pack in his hand for her ankle. He grabbed some throw pillows and gently propped her ankle up on them. “Can I turn on the tv for you or get you a book, anything else you need?”

Yvette pointed to the book on the coffee table. “Ahh! Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. You enjoy the classics?”

“Yes!” she replied, “I have read all of Austen’s books.”

“I enjoy the classics too. I have read many of Shakespeare’s works.”

Yvette was impressed, most guys thought the classics were boring, at least the guys she had met.

He handed her the book and then said that if that was all, he would be on his way. He said the look of a drowned rat doesn’t quite become him, so he would like to change into some dry clothes.

“Do you have your phone?”

Yvette realized she didn’t and asked him to get it for her. She didn’t want to miss Eve’s call, but figured she wouldn’t hear from her until morning!

“Thanks again for everything.” she said to Landon, after he called a cab.

“My pleasure, not every night that I get to help a damsel in distress.” and he smiled. “I do hope your ankle gets better. I enjoyed dancing with you tonight.”

“I enjoyed it too.” she replied and they gazed at each other for a few moments.

“Well, I better go, don’t want to keep the cab waiting. Enjoy the book, Mr. Darcy is a pretty good guy, isn’t he. ” He gave a wink, and walked out the door.

Yvette stared at the door for a few moments lost in thought. What had just happened? She shook her head, she better start reading to clear her head.

She was caught up in the book, when the phone rang a half hour later.

“Hello?” she heard a deep voice on the other end.

Was he really quoting Shakespeare? She couldn’t help but feel a little fluttering sensation, as she put down her book, and listened to Alex on the other end.