Will was feeling a little stressed. Bing had only just got out of the shower and Jane was due to arrive in a few minutes. He knew it would take Bing at least twenty minutes to apply his moisturisers and style his hair perfectly and he would probably want Will's opinion on every shirt in his wardrobe as well. Will supposed it was sweet that Bing was trying so hard but at the same time, he wasn't sure if he could cope with having to entertain Jane and finish cooking the meal all while attempting to contain the joy he felt about Lizzie's revelations earlier that day. His brain kept flashing back to the kiss, which although short, had been filled with the sort of electricity he commonly associated with fiddling around with computer cables. The daze these flashbacks created had nearly caused the death of his starter, a lightly grilled fillet of fish with a lemon sauce. He was cooking for Bing's apology supper as a way of making his own apology to both of them but he didn't feel that charred fillets of fish would send the right message.
He placed the plates in the warming oven, called a ten minute warning to Bing and heard the doorbell ring. It figured that Jane Bennet was one of those perfect creatures who always arrived on time. Muttering under his breath about what he needed to do next to garnish the main course, he opened the door and gaped in a most ungentlemanly fashion.
Why was Lizzie with Jane? Lizzie, looking beautiful in an amazing dress which covered her modestly in a way that drew the eye? Lizzie, who he'd been fantasising about kissing again since he'd kissed her for the first time this afternoon.
Jane broke the silence which was threatening to turn terminal. 'Umm, Darcy… Will, Lizzie told me what happened today and I… well, I texted Bing and sort of invited her along as well. We, Bing and I, thought it could be like a double date. Bing said you always cook too much so he was sure it wouldn't be a problem.'
He couldn't help responding to Jane's sweet smile but at the same time he could see that Lizzie was looking acutely uncomfortable and a nagging voice in his head was telling him it was his responsibility to fix that. With a sweeping gesture, he invited them in, letting Jane know that Bing was on his way and helping Lizzie off with her wrap in a way that meant he could touch as much of her bare shoulders as possible.
Jane moved off helpfully, leaving Will and Lizzie standing close together in the hallway. She initiated the kiss this time, resting her hands firmly on his chest and standing on tiptoe, leaving him little choice but to place his hands on her waist to support her as their lips gently touched. He lost himself in the softness and warmth of her mouth, breaking away to inhale the fruity scent of her hair before returning to her mouth, encouraging her to open her lips and deepening the kiss by pulling her further up and relishing in the feel of her body pressed close against his own.
They were interrupted by a gentle murmur of voices in the next room and he lowered her to the ground slowly, unable to let her go without a final press of his lips to hers.
He felt he'd done his job pretty well when he saw a proper smile on her face before she turned to join the others, not letting go of his hand as she walked. He followed her with what he imagined to be a fairly drugged look on his own face. He was still revelling in the previous moment when he had felt her warm body pressed up against his and she had seemed to want to be even closer, sliding her arms around his neck and even, he thought playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.
Lizzie seemed unaffected apart from the smile and a slight flush on her cheeks but from the looks Jane and Bing gave them, they knew exactly what had just occurred. He squeezed Lizzie hand and muttered something about checking on the food before letting go and heading to the kitchen. To his surprise, Jane followed him and started to help, tearing up thyme sprigs to garnish the fish.
He knew there had to be an ulterior motive to her unasked-for helpfulness and his suspicions were confirmed as soon as she began to speak.
'Darcy… Will, umm, just let me say this and then there will be no more mention of it.'
Without looking at him, she carried on speaking. 'I am very close to my sister, as I think you know. I have witnessed her with all of her boyfriends,'
He felt a momentary twitch of annoyance at the idea of Lizzie with another man, but continued listening.
'And I have to say that she was so happy when she came home this afternoon. I know when she is happy in a relationship and her smile just now confirmed it for me. Lizzie doesn't give her heart away easily and I want to tell you that if you, as I suspect, are lucky enough to be its holder, if you hurt her in any way, if you make her cry, if you insult her, I will know and I will extract my revenge in horrible and painful ways.'
With a sweet smile which contrasted hauntingly with the vicious words she had just uttered, Jane finished her speech, 'I think you make an adorable couple and you're perfect for each other and if I know Lizzie at all, she's busy subjecting Bing to the same speech so I'd better go and rescue him. I hope supper tastes as good as it smells!'
The last sentence was delivered as she wafted out of the room in a cloud of flowery perfume and a swish of her full skirt. He made a note never to get on Jane's bad side, underneath that soft exterior she was clearly harder than she looked. He felt sympathy for Bing as he guessed Lizzie's version was scarier than what he'd been subjected to.
The timer rang and he glanced over to the table, checking all was perfect before calling the others in to be seated. With a flourish, he served the starter, paying special attention to Lizzie's napkin as he spread it in her lap for her.
