“Take it or leave it, Caroline. You asked for my honesty and that’s all I have to say on the matter.”
“I saw the way you looked at her all night.”
“Did I? I don’t remember.”She looked incredible.
“My sister said you danced with her.”
“I don’t remember that either.”It was amazing.
“She said you tried to kiss Elizabeth and that’s why you really fought with Wickham.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything about last night.”Louisa saw what she said.
“When you hit him, you said it was for Gigi. What’s up with that?”
“Nothing I care to discuss.”
“Wait, you remember hitting George, but nothing else?”
“That about sums it up,” he said.
“And you’re sure you don’t remember what happened between you and me on the beach?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he said, holding her gaze.
“That’s disappointing.”
“Why don’t you tell me how it started?” he baited, hoping for clarity.
“Well, after the reception, we took a walk on the beach together and then ... you kissed me, saying that you loved me. Next thing I knew, your hand slid up my dress and we got down and dirty in the sand, then we did it again on the covered lounge.”
That is not how he remembered it but nodded. “I’m sorry. I have no recollection.”
“Well, I’ll never forget it.” She searched his gaze. “So, are we still good?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Nothing’s changed?”
He paused, searching her face. “If I slept with you, then yes, everything has changed ... if you end up pregnant.”
“But we’re still together, right?”
“All the more reason to stay the course.”
“And what about the painting acquisition?” she asked.
“Unless you want to, I see no reason to end your contract with La Tempera.”
She grinned and squeezed his hand. “Great! Then I’ll see you tomorrow night after my final gown fitting ... for dinner?”
“Sounds good. I’ll take you for Thai food.” He smiled weakly.
It was clear to Caroline that her Darcy was gone, not coming back to her. His muddled mind and heart had been pierced by memories and desire—and not for her or the future they had planned as Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Defcon One alarms went off in her head the moment he saw Elizabeth wearing that pink satin dress. She knew it was a matter of time before she’d get kicked to the curb and felt like absolute shit about it. She was a fool to have thought the wedding would take place and credited her intuition, having called it the day she signed The Marriage Pact:You’re a complete dumbass if you think not mentioning her or wearing a suit ... dumping the booze, or getting your business groove back is going to wipe her or the pain out of your mind.Apparently, Lizzy wasn’t as canceled as she or even Darcy believed.
Poised to do the unthinkable to recover from her dejection and blow to self-esteem, she rapped on a hotel suite door. Waiting, she held her breath.
“Yeah, yeah. Hold your horses.”
