First Impressions: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Adaptation

Chapter 35

Mrs. Gardiner said nothing as she watched Liz fidgeting with the short hem of her floral dress. She said nothing as Liz arranged and rearranged her hair in the hallway mirror, anxiously inspecting the edges of her lipstick.

Barely more than acquaintances, hmm?

Liz ran her thumbnail over a tiny smudge at the left corner of her mouth before turning to her aunt. "Okay. Decent."

Mrs. Gardiner suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Good. Now we just need to wait—"

Before she could finish her sentence, her husband appeared. "Sorry about that," Mr. Gardiner called to them as he came back down the hall, holding his phone in one hand. Liz jumped back from the mirror, smoothing her skirt one last time.

When her uncle held the door open for them, she nodded her thanks and stepped out down the front steps and onto the sidewalk. What a difference one day made! Less than 24-hours previous, she had been dreading the sight of him. And now she was almost excited to see him again! She shook her head at the turn her vacation had taken.

It was an easy walk to the restaurant, now that they knew where they were going. One of the first on Main Street, in the little building pushed off the street by the short driveway. She couldn't help from rolling her eyes; it was just so Darcy.

It was also like Darcy to be punctual. She was slightly surprised when he showed up in a car that was not his Tesla—sleek and new, sure, but understated compared to his other car. But when he appeared from the driver's side, his smile was just the same as the day before; it was not un-cheerful, but it did seem slightly surprised at the situation it had found itself in. His eyes to Liz's face, then away, and back again.

"Hi." He closed the car door.

Liz barely registered that the passenger side opened and very quietly shut.

"I'm glad this worked out." He paused then, eyes still jumping away and back towards her face. He turned slightly, not quite looking at anyone when he said, "I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier, but, if you don't mind, I invited Bingley. He was already coming up from DC today and I thought he might... like to join us. He is running a little late, though, so if you don't... want him to come, I can warn him..." He trailed off as he found her face again. He found it excruciatingly difficult to focus.

She peered up at him long enough for him to tremble internally. He tried not to assume her mind, but it was difficult not to. Liz, for her part, was wondering exactly how far this newly benevolent, personable Darcy was willing to go. Finally, she said, "Cool. I'd love to see him again."

Darcy's exhale was more of a gasp than a breath. Liz turned to the girl who could only be Georgie Darcy. She had similar features to Darcy, especially her high-bridged nose and strong jaw, but they suited her. Combined with her long, dark lashes and large gray eyes, her face was striking. Her lips were slightly fuller than her brother's, with barely a hint of a cupid's bow on the top lip. She wore a thin swipe of lip gloss and eyeliner, but no other makeup to speak of. Similarly, also to Darcy, she was lean and tall. Liz supposed she must have taken ballroom dancing classes as well, because there was something of a dancer's poise in her movements and she had a very feminine, graceful air, even as her fingers twisted into knots at her waist. She was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans and a wrap blouse. The sleeves puffed up at her shoulders and came in tight at her wrists, fastened with three fake pearl buttons on each one. The cloth tied in a bow at her left hip with a deep V in the front, patterned with blue and white vertical stripes, interrupted with images of herons in various stages of perching and flight. Her dark brown hair was cut in a short, slightly wavy bob, which reminded Liz of Jazz era flappers, pinned back with a fake-pearl-encrusted snap clip that matched her cuffs and rested just above one ear.