Chapter Six

The next morning the Bennetts were sitting at the dining room table enjoying their breakfast. Bonnie couldn't stop talking about the ball and how Shawn asked Belle to dance twice. "I was at Salem Place this morning and I ran into Maggie Lucas who, unfortunately, couldn't make it to the ball last night; but her husband Mickey was there and he asked Mr. Bingley how he liked Salem. He said he liked it very much. When Mickey asked him if he found any of the young ladies interesting, Shawn mentioned that he thought Belle was the prettiest of them all! My Belle! Belle Bingley. It has a nice ring, doesn't it?"

Mimi sighed, seeing that her sister was getting embarrassed again. "Mom, I think you're jumping the gun just a little bit."

Bonnie placed her hand over Mimi's. "Oh, but Mimi, what Philip Darcy had to say about you. It just breaks my heart. What a miserable man!"

"Actually, mom, " Belle spoke up. "I was talking to Willow Bingley and I mentioned how he didn't seem to talk to a lot of people. She said that he really doesn't talk to people he doesn't know. She thinks he's a really great guy and very polite, and he is friends with Shawn…so that's got to say something."

"I don't believe he's great at all. Those who are considered polite are polite to everyone, not just people they're friends with. People kept talking about how he had a lot of pride. He seems to look down on the working class, too. I'm glad that he didn't want to dance with you, Mimi, and I hope you are too. I hope I never see you dance with that man."

"Trust me, mom. I can safely promise you never to dance with Philip Darcy."

"I think he has a right to be proud," Chloe said. "He's young, rich, handsome, and has so much going for him. What's not to be proud of?"

"Chloe has a point," Mimi agreed. "I guess I don't have much of an issue with his pride as I do with him degrading mine."

(AN: Even though I didn't include the character of Charlotte Lucas, I have decided to keep her family in the story in the form of Mickey and Maggie Horton. For Charlotte and Elizabeth's interaction, I substituted Charlotte with either Belle or Chloe or someone else. With Charlotte's absence, it will be interesting to see who winds up with her future husband, won't it?)

The following weekend, Maggie Lucas invited several families in Salem to her restaurant, Tuscany, to offer her own welcome to the Bingleys and even to Philip Darcy. Belle and Shawn had dinner a couple of nights after their meeting and became more acquainted with one another. Even Willow Bingley seemed to approve of Belle. She, however, did not seem to care too much for the rest of the family. The two youngest Bennett girls were scandalous in the way they danced with the gentlemen. Chloe was too plain. Mr. Bennett hardly spoke two words to her. Mrs. Bennett was nothing short of a gold digger. And Miriam Bennett…Willow couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something about Miriam she didn't like.

"Chloe, would it hurt you to crack a smile," Mimi teased. Chloe hated parties and would much rather being writing another song or perfecting her piano skills.

"Yes, I think indeed it would," Chloe said matter-of-factly.

Mimi laughed. "So, what do you think about Belle and Shawn Bingley?"

"I'm worried."

"Worried? Why? Look at them! Look how good they look together. Look how happy they look."

"It's apparent how happy he looks, but Belle--"

"Belle is thrilled!"

"Yeah, but she doesn't show it as much as he does. I think he really likes her, and I know she really likes him. But if she remains cautious, as she puts it, he won't know how much she likes him and he'll move on to someone who can show him."

"If he can't see how much she likes him than he's clueless!" Mimi cried.

"But, Meems, you only say that because you know how much she likes him and you know that she's shy about it. He doesn't know that."

"Yeah, but it's his job to find that out."

"Belle and Shawn haven't gotten to spend a lot of time alone together. It's kind of hard to find out how suitable someone is for you when you keep getting invited to dance with someone else. Belle needs to make every minute count."

"I don't think Belle really knows how she feels yet. I mean, she just met him last weekend. She really doesn't know him well enough."

"I just want her to be happy."

Mimi put her arm around Chloe's shoulder. "Me too."

The two girls watched as Belle and Shawn danced. Little did Mimi know that she too was becoming an object of interest in the sight of Philip Darcy.

Philip Darcy, for most of his life, chose to guard himself from any females he thought may be after his money. His friend, Shawn, never allowed himself to think about stuff like that, but Philip knew better. Philip made the conscious decision to not get involved with anyone when he arrived in Salem. After meeting the gold digging families at the ball last weekend, he was sure that he'd be able to stick to his guns. He had allowed himself to believe that he thought Miriam Bennett was decent looking and not tempting enough. It was pretty easy at first because the first time he saw her she was scowling. But when he saw her laugh, there was a sparkle in her green eyes that lit up the rest of her face, and Philip began to see her beauty. He noticed how her ginger curls bounced when she walked, and that she had a lovely shape. At first he thought her manners to be inferior, but he soon came to admire her liveliness. Philip watched her as she conversed with her sister Chloe, and he pushed himself to join in the conversation.

Mimi glanced to her right and noticed Philip looking at her. He quickly turned his attention elsewhere. "There he goes again," she said through gritted teeth.

"What?" Chloe asked.

"Philip Darcy!" Mimi whispered to her sister. "That's the second time I've caught him listening in on my conversation! Who the hell does he think he is?"

"Why don't you ask him?"

"If I catch him doing it again, I will!"

The girls were interrupted by Mickey who requested that Chloe perform a few songs, which she was very happy to do. Belle was still occupied with Shawn. Chelsea and Abby were off dancing. Mimi stood alone and wasn't aware that Philip was taking steps closer to her.

"Quite a party, isn't it?" Mickey asked Philip.

Philip cleared his throat. "Yes…indeed."

"Your friend, Mr. Bingley, seems to enjoy dancing. Do you dance, Mr. Darcy?"

"Not if I can help it."

Mickey noticed Mimi was standing in front of them. "Mimi, why aren't you dancing? Mr. Darcy, why don't you ask Mimi to dance? You'll certainly be the envy of many men."

Mimi smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Lucas, but I don't need to be set up with a dance partner. Just because I'm alone doesn't mean I'm desperate."

"Ah, but I know how much you enjoy dancing, and even though Mr. Darcy claims to dislike it, I'm sure he will sacrifice his discomfort for a beauty like yourself."

"Well, I wouldn't want Mr. Darcy to sacrifice anything for me," Mimi said with a cold smile in Philip's direction. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to compliment Chloe on her song."

Mickey watched in confusion as Mimi walked away. "Now I know Miriam Bennett to have better manners than that." As the next song began, Mickey was pulled onto the dance floor by his wife.

Philip stared after Mimi. Her refusal to dance with Philip didn't phase him. It just made her more interesting in his eyes.

"I know exactly what you're thinking." Philip looked at Willow. She raised her martini glass to her lips and took a sip. "You're wondering if these poor pathetic girls will ever find husbands with their annoying, meddling mothers breathing down their necks. I mean, do you think that's how these people really live?"

"I wasn't thinking that at all," Philip said. "I was thinking about being turned down by a little spitfire with the prettiest eyes I've ever seen and a face that's just as beautiful."

Willow nearly choked on her drink. "Really? And, um, who, might I ask, that girl be?"

"Miss Miriam Bennett."

Willow snorted. "Miriam Bennett? You're joking, right? Since when have you taken an interest in her? Is it serious? Should I buy my dress for the wedding now?"

Philip shook his head. "I knew I shouldn't have told you."

Willow laughed. "Oh, come on, it's funny! You'll marry Miriam Bennett and you'll have a charming mother-in-law who will always be at your house begging for money."

Philip was not phased by her words but did not speak up, which left Willow to assume that he wasn't serious about Mimi and was merely infatuated with her. But that was far from the truth…