I have not given up on The Jane Plan. I actually had the next three chapters written but I decided I did not like what I had (way too much for a teen rating) and I am going to re-write it. Patience will be rewarded. I am off on Friday and hope to have at least the kinks worked out of the next two chapters.
For those of you who didn't know, I've had a very rough last few months with real life issues that have sapped my creativity. I have 10 chapters of GOF already written so basically I'm just posting what I already have of this story - I hope you don't mind.
Fibby - I promise I will write you back a long, satisfying email as soon as I get a minute. Love your Crazy Canadian Bacon. No Rob Thomas is mine - tho' I might be appeased with either Chris Hemsworth or Alex Skarsgard.
This Girl Is On Fire
CHAPTER 4 Success is Getting What You Want
"Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get" ― W.P. Kinsella
Darcy stared out from the top floor windows of the building that bore his name. Normally, the view motivated him, inspired him, but today, looking out the floor-to- ceiling windows, he saw but did not really appreciate the sunrise. Sighing, he glanced at his watch which indicated it was now just after six. Elizabeth's appointment was less than two hours away and he felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation at her arrival.
After dropping her off at her place, Darcy had come directly here compelled to review the contract she would sign. He'd spent most of the night making revisions, closing the far too many loopholes he discovered in the document, then he'd emailed his efforts to Richard to review. He stood up to stretch his back, working muscles kinked by his night's endeavors.
He was not tired. Quite the opposite. A dormant part of him, the part he swore had died with his father, had somehow been resurrected. Now awakened, it was ravenous. It was damn near salivating at the prospect of being all alone with Elizabeth and going through the creative process with her.
In his private bathroom, Darcy stripped out of his jeans and sweater. He went through his morning ablutions, emerging in a crisp black business suit and tie from the selection he kept in his office. Looking at his reflection, he did not see any traces of the sleepless night around his eyes. That was good. He wanted to appear confident and professional —in charge—when they met today. She could not know the prospect of working with her had kept him far from sleep. Satisfied with his appearance, he returned to his office to see if Richard had responded to his email.
Discovering no response, his mind returned to its previous preoccupation. What was she doing right this moment? Was she as excited as he was? Did she have any inkling of how special the music they were going to make together would be?
He wished he knew, but Elizabeth was a difficult woman to read. On the long ride to her apartment building after she finally accepted his offer, the woman only spoke to give him directions. Most women would have yakked his ears off to fill the silence in their excitement or made a deliberate pass at him, but it was refreshing she did neither.
When they parked in front of her building, Darcy almost stopped her from getting out. The very brick of the ramshackle twelve story building appeared tired of holding it together. She had to be joking! Someone as vibrant as she couldn't possibly live in such a place. However, she thanked him for the ride and got out of his car without a backwards glance. Fearing for her safety, Darcy literally had to run the few steps to catch up to escort her inside. He hadn't expected a doorman, but to discover there were no security locks on the front door to the building alarmed him. Anyone passing by could simply enter the building. It wasn't safe for her to live like this!
Inside the lobby, Elizabeth didn't even approach the elevator letting him know over her shoulder that it was out of order. The stairwell was thankfully well lit, but he swore he smelled faint traces of urine as he carefully followed her up the narrow passage. With a trained eye, he noted several tell tale signs of a rodent infestation and his horror grew.
After going up three more flights of stairs, they exited into a dimly lit hallway. It took him a few seconds for his eyes to adjust, and as Elizabeth fumbled with her keys he could hear the soft sound of her labored breathing. The sound distracted him from his growing concern of her living arrangements to concern over her cardiovascular fitness.
As the owner of her label, it would be irresponsible not to address the matters head on. There was a practical side for his concern, he reminded himself. Out of shape and overweight she could collapse due to exhaustion. Developing endurance would help her deal with the demands her success was going to place on her. Her touring and promotional engagements would seem like marathons compared to her limited work at The Hole.
Finally, she opened the door to her unit and Darcy followed her in uninvited, curious to see her private living space. Even though it was clean, tidy and smelled wonderfully of her—an enticing blend of musk and vanilla—it was shockingly tiny and depressing. He bet if he had wanted to, he could have stretched out his arms and touched the walls on both sides of her apartment. The all purpose room served as her kitchen, living room and bedroom. Every piece of furniture, which there was not much, was old and scarred. Her kitchen table, which could maybe seat two, seemed to serve a dual purpose as a dining space and a makeshift desk. Along the far wall, there were two doors. One stood open revealing a small closet which was meticulously organized. The other door, which was closed, he figured must conceal her bathroom.
A tiny futon was wedged under the only window in the space, a rickety fire escape the prominent thing of interest in the view. There was a nightstand next to the futon, with a lamp and alarm clock. The only items not precisely orderly in her apartment were the stack of what appeared to be magazines next to the nightstand. Something about the disorder drew him and as he moved closer, Darcy realized they were not magazines at all but a stack of cheap spiral bound notebooks whose covers were severely creased.
"Those are my song books." She sounded nervous at his inspection. "I like jotting my thoughts down. It's been that way since I was a kid."
He counted at least thirty of them. "Do you compose too?"
"Sometimes. Lyrics come easily, but melodies are much harder for me."
It was the opposite for him. Darcy heard the symphony of life all around him while he struggled to express himself in words. Selecting a notebook from the top of the stack, he thumbed through it. Each page was full of her neat hand writing, page after page of songs and ideas. There had to be dozens to choose from in this one book alone. He stopped randomly on a song she had titled Tipsy.
With his back to her, Darcy read it aloud. He was struck once more by the originality of her words and poetic license. She was an impressive lyricist as well as a singer.
In the theater in his mind, she was on a stage under a spotlight, the sound of the various combinations of piano, strings and guitar needed to bring the song to life sprang unbidden. No, he corrected himself immediately. That was wrong. Tipsy was a sultry song. Teasing and slightly yearning. She would start off alone, without accompaniment. Draw in the audience. He could hear the baseline starting, softly plucking. Yes, that was it.
Shutting his eyes helped Darcy bring the melody into sharper focus. The saxophone, the soft marriage of the trumpet, maybe a violin for balance. The score was just at the edge of realization, his fingers itched in desperate need of a pencil and sheet music.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and the spell was broken. His attention riveted to her standing by her open front door, looking at him expectantly. "Well, thanks again for the ride home, Will. I'm a little tired, and I'd really like to get some sleep now."
Fighting back a laugh of disbelief, Darcy literally could not remember a time when a woman had kicked him out of her place. Most of the time, they begged him to stay. Glancing again at her living space, Darcy's gaze fell to the futon and he wondered how it was even possible for her to even entertain her male suitors here. He realized he wanted very much to stay. If only to dig through her vault for the promised masterpieces within.
"It's really late, Will." She glanced into the hallway to reinforce her wish to be alone. Another time, he told himself. They'd have years to explore the fruits of her talent.
At the door, he handed her notebook over to her waiting hand with a great sense of reluctance. Struggling to maintain his professional demeanor, he said, "As we discussed, I want you at Darcy Records at 8:00 am. Sharp. Don't keep me waiting."
"I won't. Goodnight." Then, without another word, Elizabeth shut the door in his face.
Darcy felt the loss of her presence keenly. Like a candle being snuffed out in a dark room. His hand raised of its own volition. Powerful was the urge to knock, to have her open the door. The desire to convince her to let him stay was as primal as it was perplexing. For several long minutes, he stood staring at the closed door between them confused by this irrational longing to remain in her company.
After a moment, he found himself grinning at her closed door. Yes, Elizabeth was definitely different from any other woman he had ever encountered. She amused him. Intrigued him. Was a challenge to him.
As Darcy walked down the staircase leading to the lobby of her building, he found himself humming the melody he had composed in his mind for her song. Thankfully, the distance from her seemed to help clear his head. The concerns he felt about her living conditions returned. He consoled himself with the fact that she would be moving to better accommodations when the advance was paid. While twenty-five thousand was not much money, it would be enough for her to move to a more acceptable location. Someplace safe where he would not have to worry about her.
Blinking, Darcy returned to the present and checked the clock on his wall. Was time moving at all? Desperate for a distraction, he called his sister. Georgiana answered whining how he always seemed to call on the only morning of the entire week when her first class wasn't until noon.
Interrupting her sleepy tirade, he stated, "And here I thought I had news you might be mildly interested in about Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth?" Then, a much more focused, "Was the demo that good? You never did send it to me."
He didn't want to tell his sister that he had not even bothered with one. "We're signing her contract this morning."
"I told you!"
Darcy smiled at his sister's enthusiasm. "I do believe you might have mentioned something about signing her."
"Let's go out tonight and celebrate! Just the three of us - you, me and Lizzy."
"I can't, Georgie. I'm swamped." Besides, Darcy didn't want to celebrate. He wanted to create. In order to do that, he had a lot of projects that needed to be tied up or delegated so he could be free to work exclusively with Elizabeth. Just the thought of guiding her, being alone with her - images that had nothing to do with work swarmed him. Adrenaline flowed. God, what was happening to him. Georgie was quiet, had he missed something she said? "What was that?"
She sighed. "I said I worry about you, Will. You work too hard. You've been rather distracted lately, you know?"
Yes, he had been distracted. He expected after signing Elizabeth that this annoying preoccupation with her would subside. His interest usually waned with a woman after a few weeks when he got what he wanted. It would this time too. He was positive.
To his sister, he said, "I promise I'll take a few days off." Just not anytime soon. He shut his eyes organizing the next few weeks in his mind. "After Elizabeth signs her contract this morning, I have her meeting with Suzzanne Valentine."
Georgie whistled. "Bringing out the big guns, are we? She did a magnificent job with Cara last year, and the look she created for Justin and his band of dorks for their last tour was phenomenal. Suzzanne's fantastic and Lizzy will love working with her." His sister's opinion meant a lot to him. It was his greatest wish that after her graduation that she would come to work with him and Richard at Darcy Records
"I think so, too. I needed someone I trust that can move quickly. I want to have Elizabeth in the studio laying down some tracks within the month."
"That fast?" He disagreed. Signing Elizabeth to a contract felt like it had taken forever. "Will Barry or Gia produce her?"
"Neither." He had no doubt that Elizabeth would enjoy working with either one, but he knew only one person who could extract the exact sound he wanted from her. "I'm producing." His sister's stunned silence spoke volumes through the phone. "You know, I do know a little about what we do here, Georgie."
"I know. It's just you've never produced an artist before." There was a small pause, "Why now?"
Richard's arrival spared Darcy from having to come up with an explanation. His cousin did not appear amused in the slightest, and he glanced at his watch. Seven.
"Sis, I have to go. Our cousin finally decided to join me at work. I'll give you a full update later tonight." As soon as he hung up, he was quick to address Richard. "You clearly have some thoughts about the changes I've made?"
"Thoughts?" His cousin held up several pages he had in his hands. "Where do I begin? She gets creative freedom to pick half her songs?"
"On the first album, Richard. She won't sign otherwise."
"So? Move on to the next artist. Isn't that what you always say? What you always do?"
He feigned a disinterest he did not feel. "She's not like all the others."
"I see." Darcy knew Richard didn't. There was no way he could without hearing her for himself, seeing her in front of a crowd. He squashed another spurt of anxious energy as his eyes drifted once more to check the time. "A twenty-five thousand advance? For an unknown artist?"
After seeing her place, she obviously needed the money more than he did. He fought a sudden urge to double it. "If the money is going to be a problem, I'll cover it out of one of my personal accounts."
"You know very well that insignificant amount of money is not an issue." Richard sighed, taking a seat in front of his desk. "What concerns me is that you're setting a dangerous precedent here. Changing our standard contract? You don't want other artists finding out about these terms and leveraging demands like this in their own contracts."
"I'd walk away from any other act before I'd agree to the terms I've given her."
Richard held his gaze for a long time, before he slid on his reading glasses, "You've changed the language in the exclusivity clause. Our standard contract is written not to permit our artists to perform anywhere without the implicit approval of Darcy Records. Why the change? And what precisely is The Hole?"
"I agreed to allow her to give her current employers," here Darcy used the international symbol for quotes with his fingers, "The Hole notice. It's literally a dump that offers live entertainment in the Lower East Side."
Richard consulted some notes. "Have Mr. Masters and Mr. DuRone been consulted?"
"No, they haven't." Darcy couldn't imagine that would be a pleasant meeting. He was stealing their best talent right out from under their noses.
"Did she provide you a copy of her contract with them? Do you anticipate a lengthy buy-out negotiation?"
"There is no contract with her current employer." Richard's eyebrows rose into his hairline. "Other than being lucky enough to discover Elizabeth - they're definitely not very astute business men." He bristled remembering his interaction with both of the owners. "However, she is rather loyal to them and is adamant about giving them two weeks notice. After that, our clause will begin."
"Why not just wait until the two week's are over? What's the rush to sign her now?"
"Because," Darcy tried mightily to keep the edge from his voice, "I want her signed this morning." What he didn't say was that if she was given time, he feared Elizabeth might change her mind. He did not have the vaguest idea what had made her finally say yes to him at the subway station. The reason would no longer matter as soon as she signed on the proverbial dotted line; she would no longer have the option to walk away from him. She would, for all intent and purpose, belong to him. It was something he wanted desperately. He was willing to make concessions he otherwise would not in the interest of expediency.
"Alright, boss." Nodding, Richard made an entry on his computer. "I'll take care of the notification of the separation of her employment and provide formal notice of our proprietary rights once the contract has been executed."
For the next half hour, Darcy was lost in his own thoughts as his cousin competently transferred his changes into legalese.
Richard made a choking sound. "We're hiring a dietician for her, a stylist, and a personal trainer? We're going to spring for all of her hair, makeup, jewelry and clothing expenses? We don't normally include this in an initial contract, even when there is definite brand recognition."
Darcy swiveled in his chair, putting Richard at his back and drank deeply from his cold coffee. He knew what he wanted. The sun was moving, rising—the same trajectory Elizabeth's career was going to take. She was going to be a star. He had no doubt about it at all. It was a little like knowing the winning lottery numbers before a drawing. "It's written the way I want."
"Are you that sure? She's a nobody, Will." Darcy fought the strong reaction that leapt in him to have someone describe Elizabeth in such a way. "A three-year contract? Wouldn't it be better if we—"
"No, it wouldn't be better. I need three years with her." His voice was surprising clipped, exposing the unusual irritation he felt. Darcy stood up, moving toward his windows. He wasn't green in the industry, and he'd signed more than his share of acts over the last eight years. They had always been profitable. Even though he knew rationally all of the arguments Richard were making were valid, he found he didn't appreciate this line of questioning.
Darcy didn't want to cause his cousin to become apoplectic, but he had originally considered a five-year or a ten-year contract, but eventually settled on three. Elizabeth might, after all, object to such a length of time. She might get sick of touring and want to settle down at some point. She was young enough that she might even want to start a family.
His cousin continued to question, "And she gets forty percent after expenses?"
"It's what I promised her." Her sad apartment surfaced again before him.
"Jesus, Darcy, did you also happen to promise her one of your kidneys?" He shot his cousin a withering look. Richard removed his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed loudly. "At least tell me you didn't offer her any part of the merchandizing?"
"It never came up." That, at least, was true.
"Thank God. If she's half as talented as you believe, we should get a nice return. Hopefully, it will be enough to help defray some of these upfront expenses by lowering her percentage there."
"No." Darcy said quickly, "Give her the standard percentage rate. I don't want her to have any reason to reject this offer."
A queer look draped over his attorney's face. "What artist in their right mind starting out would reject the opportunity to be part of Darcy Records, Will?"
With Elizabeth Bennet, nothing was guaranteed. Until she signed her contract and belonged to him completely, he would not be able to rest.
*(*
"You're going to put a hole in that expensive rug of yours if you insist on pacing." Darcy ignored Richard, glanced again at his Rolex. He felt restless. Perhaps it was the effect of his sleepless night, but every minute that ticked past made it even more apparent that she wasn't coming, that she had already changed her mind. He should have spent the night with her. They could have figured out a way to make the futon of hers work.
"It's only eight fifteen." Richard offered, "Hardly anything to be concerned over."
Maggie buzzed his office and he took a deep, steadying breath before answering her.
"You asked that I inform you the minute Ms. Bennet has arrived. She's here. Jacob just called up."
"Have him send her up to the conference room on 12. Make sure the receptionist there understands that she is to be made comfortable." Overwhelming relief coursed through him. "Were you able to get a hold of Dr. Tanner? And, Ms. Valentine?" His secretary confirmed she had secured the requested appointments. "Very good, Maggie."
When he straightened his tie, he found Richard watching him closely. "What?"
"Nothing, Will. Nothing at all." But, the look on his cousin's face was one of amusement. Darcy didn't feel amused. He was too keyed up for humor, and he didn't feel like fooling with his cousin's antics today.
Upon entering the large conference room, Darcy's gaze hunted for her. She was standing next to the bank of windows peering down admiring the view. The sight of her slowed the hungry something down inside of him. The anxiety that had made his morning so difficult to bear dissolved.
Elizabeth turned at the sound of their arrival and Darcy saw her for the first time in the natural light of day. His heart froze in near shock. Without stage makeup, with just the ambient light on her, her unusual face looked deceptively young. Her hair was in a hastily-made pony tail, she wore faded jeans and a tattered Ohio Buckeyes sweatshirt that had obviously seen better days, but she looked strangely fresh and unbelievably innocent. An unexpected surge of protectiveness flew through him.
After introducing his cousin to her, Darcy endured what he felt was an unnecessary discourse between Elizabeth and Richard about college football. Finally, they took his suggestion and adjourned to the large table in the room to conduct business.
"Elizabeth, will your attorney be joining us?" Richard asked placing her thick contract on the table.
"I don't have an attorney." She stifled a yawn. "Do I have to have one?"
"No, of course not." The barely detectable glee in Richard's voice grated on Darcy. She should have an attorney here watching out for her interests. How did she not know this? "If you have any questions, I assure you that Will and I will be more than happy to address them with you."
"Great!" She picked up the heavy contract, weighing it in her hand for a moment before she placed it on the table in front of her. She reviewed the document carefully, reading it slowly and to his impatience, quite too thoroughly. Darcy had been watching her so closely that when she looked up, it startled him. "I do have a few conditions I didn't think about last night."
"And those would be?" He sounded colder than he intended, but the trepidation was returning. He didn't like this talk of more conditions. Why couldn't she put pen to paper and just sign the blasted contract like a normal person? It was a good deal for her. He had tried to think of everything to tempt her.
"I can't work the week of Thanksgiving. I'd planned to go home for a visit with my family, and I've already bought the ticket. It's non-refundable. I haven't seen them since coming to New York, and I really would like to go home as planned." She chewed on her lower lip, adding, "I also can't work on Valentine's Day. Ever. Jane died on that day. I just know I wouldn't be able to perform."
Her smoky eyes were so full of pain that he found himself wanting to agree to whatever it took to take that haunted look from her eyes. He nodded stiffly. Anything, she wanted as long as she just signed.
As Richard added the language to the agreement, he asked, "Any other changes you wish to make or discuss, Ms. Bennet?" Darcy glared at his cousin for even making the offer. He did not want lengthy contract negotiations. He wanted this over today. Now. This impatience was new. He usually could be counted on being the calmest head in the room. He rubbed his damp palms on his pants. Damn, was he nervous?
"No, it all seems terribly straight forward." She gave them a sleepy smile, "Do one of you boys have a pen I could borrow?"
Darcy handed her one of his own. Then, it was done with a flourish. The contract was turned to him and Darcy's signature appeared below hers. Their names twined forever on the document. He rose to his feet and stretched out his hand to her. "Let me be the first to welcome you into the Darcy family."
While Richard left to make copies for both of them, Elizabeth looked about the room and shifted in her seat almost as if she were uncomfortable. "So, when do we get started?"
"Yesterday," he answered.
She laughed. A miraculous sound that did something to him. He didn't remember a time when he had felt so raw, so exposed as he did with her. "We've got to move quickly. Our first priority is getting you into performance shape. Then, getting the album recorded. Finally, the promotion and touring obligations."
She nodded solemnly, looking frightened.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine, Elizabeth." He reached across the table and placed his hand on hers, "I won't lie. For the next couple of months, your life is going to get exceptionally busy with all that has to happen to finish your first record. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'll be there to help you through it all. Every step of the way. Putting together a record requires a lot of coordination."
When Richard returned with the original signed contract, Darcy withdrew his hand from hers. His cousin had obviously caught the tail end of their conversation because he offered, "Normally those details are worked out between your agent and your producer."
"I don't have an agent." She continued on airily, "I've never needed one before."
"Then, your producer will probably work directly with you." Richard turned to him. "Do we know yet who is going to produce the album?"
"I am."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Richard pause in gathering his belongings before looking between him and Elizabeth. She was distracted by staring at her advance check in shock as if she couldn't believe it were real to notice. Again, his cousin said, "I see."
"I'm sure you have other things to attend to this morning now that you are done here." Darcy pointed out.
"Of course, I do." Before he left, much to Darcy's annoyance, Richard stopped at the door and addressed Elizabeth directly. "It has been a real pleasure meeting you. I certainly look forward to hearing the music you make with Will."
"Me too." She reminded him of a cat as she stretched her arms and legs simultaneously. "I'll do my best to not let him down."
"I have no doubt you will more than exceed his expectations." Darcy's glare finally chased his now interfering cousin from the room.
Once they were finally alone, Darcy got straight to the point. He provided Elizabeth an outline of what activities he had planned for the next two days. "Tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up for your first meeting with Dr. Tanner, your dietician, and then we'll head to the gym so we can go about selecting a personal trainer for you."
"Tomorrow?" Her eyes widened. "Is that really necessary to start all of that now?"
"Yes." He could not concede the importance of getting her health in hand. Her eyes lowered and she almost seemed to shrink in her seat. He reminded her gently, "You just signed the agreement that you would meet Dr. Tanner weekly until I have him replaced, or I decide you no longer need his services. You also agreed you'd work out at least five days a week for a minimum of an hour a day." He'd never felt bad about being honest before he met her. Shifting, he leaned forward, trying to explain in a way that wasn't so offensive. "You're going to be under considerable stress touring and promoting. Carrying extra weight is bad on your heart. A dietician will help you—"
"I'm not completely ignorant, Will, I know what a they do." Her voice was sharp, her eyes watery and he prayed mightily that she wouldn't cry. He wasn't sure what he would do if she did. This struggle to control himself around a woman was alarmingly new and left him feeling a little out of his element.
To distract them both, he stated, "That's tomorrow. Today, you will meet with Suzzanne Valentine. I've hired her to be your personal stylist. She's the best I have ever worked with, and we have a close business relationship. She will keep you from - "
"Embarrassing the label?" She finished for him. Clearly, he was making a mess of this line of conversation. He found himself scrambling for a subject that would rouse her interest. Make her smile at him again.
"After our visit to the gym tomorrow, I'm going to introduce you to Paul Windale. He'll be our sound manager. He has lined up some musicians for us to audition to play on the album. We'll see who—" She frowned, a look unnatural for her. Seeing her response, it took considerable effort for him not to snap in irritation. He fought to keep his voice even. "What is the problem?"
"Since it's an audition, would it be possible for The Hole House to try out too?"
The ink on the contract was already dry. He had no reason to make any concessions for her. No reason whatsoever. However, as hope blossomed on her face, Darcy found her idea not without merit. She was used to those musicians, and they already knew some of the songs that she would more than likely choose to fill her half of the CD. It might be expedient. In the end, he could find no problem with permitting Elizabeth this latitude.
"I'll have Richard make the suggestion when he consults with Mr. Masters and Mr. DuRone later today. Of course, the band would receive compensation if they are selected."
"That'd be great." He felt ridiculously happy when she smiled at him brightly. "Max'll be so excited." Max? Oh, yes, the bassist. He'd forgotten about him. Was he the reason she could not be rid of him fast enough last night? She reached out and covered his hands, her face blossoming, her voice eager. "You'll really like him, Will. He's been giving me free bass lessons for months."
"Free lessons." He repeated dully. From his experience, nothing in this world ever came free. The memory of the handsome bassist rocking closely next to her as they performed Super Massive did nothing but cement the certainty while he might be able to tolerate the man long enough to get the album recorded, he doubted, and doubted rather strongly, that either man would like the other. Darcy decided as he stood to escort her up to his office that these little free lessons were going to have to cease. If Elizabeth wanted lessons in any subject, he'd make arrangements to provide them to her. Preferably himself.
^^v^^
When she followed him back to his office for their meeting with Ms. Valentine, Elizabeth wasn't surprised to find that the waiting area outside of Darcy's office was larger than her entire apartment. The chrome furnishings were all ultra modern, traces of silver and blues playing a main theme in the expensive framed paintings and plush upholstery of the many sofas and chairs littering the area. Along the far wall in an imposing glass case that ran the length of the office was a visual representation of Darcy Records collection of platinum records. Immediate to the front of the doors, an imposing desk was manned by a vibrant woman between fifty and sixty with short-cropped gray hair. Darcy stopped there and the woman handed him an imposing stack of mail.
When Darcy, who was absorbed in reviewing his messages, did not make the introductions, Elizabeth extended her hand, introducing herself. The older woman seemed to look at her appraisingly before she took her offered hand. "Maggie Reynolds."
"A real pleasure to meet you, m'am."
The older woman continued to stare at her until the ringing of her phone startled her into action. Excusing herself, she answered the line with polished professionalism. "No, I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy is not available. I'll take a message if you –"
A second line rang, and to Elizabeth's amazement, a third one, then a fourth. Evidentially, it was a three ring circus keeping Will Darcy organized. Oblivious to the frenetic efforts of his secretary, Darcy's attention never wavered from the many messages he was processing.
When he did finish, Maggie intuitively sensed it and put the caller she was speaking with on hold.
"These need to be answered before day's end. I'll send you the appropriate responses via email on those. These need to be scheduled," he glanced briefly in her direction, "sometime in the next two weeks. If they can't accommodate my schedule, then I'm frankly not interested. Call Ms. Richardson and let her know I can attend the premiere since I will already be in Paris on business. I'll fly into Rome, but I won't be staying the weekend. I have responsibilities here that require my attention. This stack can be sent the normal not interested responses."
"Very good, Mr. Darcy."
"Elizabeth and I are expecting Ms. Valentine, who as you know, is running late." Darcy consulted his watch looking displeased, before glancing her way again. "Please ring through to my office when she arrives. I don't want any other interruptions until then. We will await her arrival in my office."
"I understand. No interruptions." Maggie repeated. His secretary's eyes briefly drifted in her direction, as if curious, then snapped back to her employer. Personally, Elizabeth decided she'd rather be in the bright lobby with one of the trendy magazines that dotted the tables in the waiting area than alone with Darcy in his office without any interruptions. "Will, you're obviously very busy, and I don't want to intrude. I'll just hang out here and keep Maggie company."
His secretary's eyebrow rose. Elizabeth did not imagine many people avoided private time with the enigmatic man to her right often.
"Elizabeth, if I wanted you to wait out here, I would've said so. Now, if you please?" His voice was authoritative. Left no real choice, she dropped the magazine. Maggie gave her an encouraging smile as she followed behind him.
In his office, a space even larger than the lobby, she found the same color pattern as the outer office, but in darker and decidedly more masculine hues —he had to be a fan of the combination of silver and blue —and whoever decorated the space had amazing taste. It was beautiful and she had no doubt, functional.
Removing the jacket of his suit, Darcy lowered himself into an impressive chair behind a massive desk while Elizabeth selected a chair in front of him, feeling oddly like a child summoned to the principal's office.
He offered her a drink from the small mini-refrigerator built into the small bar, but she declined. The crystal decanter that sat atop it held what she suspected was an expensive scotch. It strangely beckoned and she wondered what he'd think if she poured herself a shot so early in the day as she struggled for her natural equilibrium. Elizabeth almost felt panicked.
What have I done?
Without considering all the ramifications or even consulting her father for his opinion, she'd just recklessly committed the next three years of her life to this man. She cast about for a topic for them to discuss fighting her way through her anxiety. "I don't know how much you're paying that woman, Will, but she needs a raise."
"What woman?" he asked as he riffled in a drawer to his left. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out some impressively thick folders and laid them on his desk. He stretched as if his shoulders were bothering him.
"Maggie. If that's how she has to work all day, I don't know how she doesn't run screaming from the building." Elizabeth tilted her head to the door behind her. "If I had to do that all day long, I'd have left you ages ago."
All of his movements halted, his attention sharpened on her. "Since we have a contract, that is not possible. You should know that I expect my employees to honor their commitments and give me the best they have. I expect them to work hard for me." Message received loud and clear. She looked longingly at the liquor again.
Darcy flipped one of the folders open and started reviewing the documents before him. He continued unexpectedly, "Maggie's been with my family a long time. Prior to working with me, she worked for my father until his death."
She remembered reading somewhere his mother had passed when he was but a teenager. It was one of those innocuous things one picked up from the constant media coverage of influential people. "Is it just you and Georgie, then? No other brothers or sisters? Or a wife somewhere?" She knew he did not wear a wedding ring, but some men didn't. "A girlfriend?"
"Yes, it's just the two of us. No other siblings. No wife." He made a note on the document before crossing out a paragraph he obviously did not like. His gaze lifted, meeting hers. "No girlfriend at present."
She had to look away. Good God, he could supply enough electricity to run a small town. It was entirely too early for a dose of Will Darcy. She ran a hand absently along the armrest of her chair. "Tell me about Ms. Valentine."
"What do you want to know?" He returned his attention thankfully to his paperwork.
"What's she like?"
He shut the first folder. Opening a second one, he signed his name on a page, dating the document carefully. "Suzzanne's a very stylish, professional woman who has impeccable taste."
Not like me, then. She'd chosen this path voluntarily, Elizabeth reminded herself. It was much, much too early for regrets. She was just nervous, growing ever more so, as she waited to meet this woman who would have control over her person for the foreseeable future.
Quietly, Darcy moved onto a third folder.
Her eyes drifted to the huge flat screen television mounted on his wall to the right of his desk. "Watch a lot of football on that thing?"
"Not really. I'm usually at the game in my private box if I want to watch one." She should have realized he owned a private box. She was amused that his eyes never left the paper he was reading. "Do you like football, Elizabeth?"
"I'm from Ohio. Is there any other sport?" She teased, but he did not give any indication of amusement. He was an enigma, this man. "Sundays during football season are a family ritual. Where I come from you have to choose between the Browns or the Bengals. My dad grew up in Cincinnati so we are die hard Bengal fans. I mean you can always expect a lot of heartbreak from them. In that, at least, they are terribly consistent. I think we're all masochists. Or does it make me a sadist? I always forget which likes pain."
"They both do." Darcy's hand touched the knot at his tie. "A sadist enjoys giving pain and a masochist enjoys receiving it."
Of course, he would know. He probably knew all sorts of carnal things. She giggled nervously, "Oh. I'm a masochist then. I guess."
He reached up and this time did loosened his tie, moving onto a fourth folder. She felt like an idiot. Talking to him was definitely out to pass the time. Bored, she decided to explore her surroundings instead. There were several paintings on the wall but they were too abstract to hold her interest for long. They were no doubt ridiculously expensive. Drifting to the area where his many degrees and awards were mounted, Elizabeth was surprised by his credentials. "You're an attorney?"
"Yes, but I don't practice. I leave all the legal aspects of the business for Richard to wade through. I don't enjoy it like he does. In fact, I think I only took the bar to please my father."
He had sacrificed so much time and energy in pursuit of something he did not enjoy in order to please his father? She was surprised. "And, you have an MBA." From Harvard, no less. She hated feeling impressed when she knew that was purpose of their prominence in his office. Teasing, she turned to face him. "Will Darcy is a well educated man."
"I'd like to think I am." He had moved without her hearing and was no longer sitting behind his desk, but on the corner of it. Perched as he was, he watched her with those devastating indigo eyes like some dark bird of prey. He didn't even have the grace to look uncomfortable being caught doing it. She was half a room away from the man but it felt as if she was standing inches from him. The man was magnetic. It took great effort to resist his pull.
A buzzer rang. It rang again. Still, he did not move. Was there something wrong with his hearing? Maybe she was suppose to answer it? "Are you going to get that?"
Darcy blinked. The line rang again and he reached over to press a button on his desk phone. "Maggie, I asked for no interruptions."
"Ms. Valentine has arrived."
"Ms. Valentine?" He hesitated, then shook his head as if he had forgotten. "Yes, of course, please send her in."
Darcy rose retightening his tie, slid back into his jacket and indicated that they would be using the table with the chairs in the corner of his office.
A stunning, svelte blonde appeared in a dress the color of puce, rushed forward in impossible heels, apologizing to Darcy profusely about the difficulty she had in finding a spot to park her Jag. Elizabeth watched in fascination as the woman pouted prettily at him and leaned in to kiss him on his cheek, leaving a liberal smear of what she could only guess was expensive lipstick.
"Suzzanne, let me introduce you to Elizabeth Bennet." As he wiped the blonde's mark from his face with a tissue, he nodded in her direction.
The woman turned clear green eyes her way. Puzzled, Elizabeth decided, best summed up the expression on her stylist's face. The woman looked between her and Darcy several times, before coming forward to shake her hand. As they shook, she could not help but compare the woman's softly manicured hands against her own calloused fingers. She wasn't the only one making a comparison. Suzzanne took her hand back, rubbing the fingers as if she had touched something she distinctly did not like.
"Well, Will. You certainly weren't wrong. This will be a challenge." Elizabeth tried not to bristle at the insult. Obviously, she had been discussed. She could only imagine what he'd told this woman after his brutal honesty to her face in her dressing room. It still hurt on a feminine level to know that he thought so little of her physically. "When will she need to be ready?"
"Two weeks, three at the most."
Suzzanne gasped, "So soon?"
"Yes. I plan to get her into a studio as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. As soon as her album is finished, her life is going to quickly become very hectic. There won't be much time for all that she needs done between finishing the album and its release. We need to take our every advantage."
Suzzanne stepped between her and Darcy. "Well, let me see what I'm working with here. Turn for me."
Cursing her choice of jeans and her dad's favorite sweatshirt, Elizabeth turned clumsily in a slow circle keeping her eyes firmly on the toes of her Timberlands.
The woman tsked. "Oh, Will. Will. Will. You're going to owe me after this." The professional batted her eyes at him as Elizabeth fought a strong urge to roll her own. "You'll have to take me somewhere really nice to make it up to me. Maybe Cabo, again? You remember the last time we were both there?"
Elizabeth wondered if Suzzanne knew about her competition. The lovely Ms. Richardson with whom he was going to attend the premiere in Italy. She would have felt sorry for the stylist, if Suzzanne had not sighed regretfully before returning her attention to Elizabeth, circling her like a buzzard. "We're going to have to make appointments with Fredrick for her hair, Petunia, no Regalias for her manicure and pedicure. She's going to have to have the works—a facial, a brow wax, leg wax and skin treatments. I'd suggest Scalias for those. I'll place some calls today, but they don't usually have any openings for weeks, sometimes the wait can be as long as a month, which could be problematic with the deadline you've set."
Darcy returned to his desk, pressing the button on his phone again. "Maggie, Ms. Valentine has given me a list of appointments she needs to have made for Elizabeth." He repeated the list her stylist gave him verbatim. "Please let the establishments know that I have personally requested their services, and they need to be calendared. Emphasis needs to be placed on sooner rather than later. This week would be ideal, but next Thursday is the absolute deadline. Tell them their cooperation in this project will be rewarded and remembered."
"Isn't it exciting to see a man who can take charge of things?" Suzzanne said in a dreamy whisper. Even though it had been solicited, Elizabeth knew her advice was actually not needed. Their new arrival clearly had a case of hero worship. Personally, she thought Darcy sounded a bit full of himself. What did rewarded and remembered mean exactly?
When he finished with his secretary, she saw her stylist's lips curl into a predatory smile. "And, my budget, Will?"
"We'll discuss that when we're alone."
Maybe the compliments and flirtation were working, Elizabeth thought. Or, maybe this is how Darcy operated, interchanging women like he changed his undies. A woman in every port is what her father would have called it. She had to admit Suzzanne was a beauty, and Darcy clearly admired her work. Really, who knew how this odd man's mind worked or what attracted him?
"Over lunch?" the stunning woman suggested hopefully. "Maybe Bar Masa? I hear their new caviar roll is to die for."
She couldn't help herself, this time Elizabeth did roll her eyes. Who really ate caviar for lunch? Oh, wait, very stylish, professional woman who had impeccable taste did. The two were made for one another.
Pressing the button to Maggie again, Darcy issued additional instructions. "I need a reservation at Bar Masa for lunch today. Tell Kylie that I'd like a table for two somewhere in the back with some privacy."
Elizabeth noted she wasn't being included in the invite to this lunch with the beautiful people. That was alright, she conceded, since she was sure she would not have been able to stomach caviar on top of the blonde's coquetry. Darcy was probably worried how much she'd put away. It was with great difficulty that she did not burst out laughing at the ridiculous behavior of the fawning woman.
Besides, she had some celebrating of her own to do with her friends at The Hole. Malcolm and Phillip had both seemed very happy for her when they talked this morning even though it meant they were losing her. Maybe to celebrate, she'd splurge and buy them a round of yummy hot dogs from the vendor cart that was across from the bar. Her stomach quivered in anticipation of the unhealthy treat.
"Notify Sal that I'll need him to drive. I don't want to deal with parking." He added before hanging up, "Thank you, Maggie. I'd really be lost without your help."
When he rejoined them, Suzzanne pressed herself against him and expressed her gratitude by running her finger along his tie. Feeling distinctly like a third wheel and not wishing to see the two of them make out, Elizabeth couldn't get out of the office fast enough.
Grabbing her purse and her coat, she said, "Well, I think I'll just shove off now."
Darcy was a strange one. As if hadn't noticed the blonde woman practically glued to his waist, he moved forward blocking her exit. "Remember, Lizzy we have a big day planned for tomorrow. Expect me at your place at nine to pick you up. Unlike today, you need to be on time. Leave your cell phone number with Maggie, so I can contact you later if there are any changes to our schedule."
Darcy watched Elizabeth leave his office with rather mixed feelings. If he didn't need to speak privately with Suzzanne, he would've much rather enjoyed being alone with her. She fascinated him. All sleepy innocent one minute, dirty tease the next. He wondered if she was a masochist as she claimed, or if she had introduced the topic to capture his attention. She didn't have to resort to such tricks. She had his attention. Far too much of it, he realized, unable to tear his eyes off of her as she gathered her belongings and left. She didn't even look back once in his direction. If she had looked at him, he might have been tempted to leave with her.
He consoled himself that there would be time for them to get to know one another better. They had three wonderfully long years ahead of them. He smiled at the thought. Then, he shook himself from such nonproductive musings. Right now, he had to make Suzzanne understand what he wanted and what exactly Elizabeth needed to be successful. This was the priority.
There was also the matter of Suzzanne's brazen behavior that needed to be curtailed. He didn't appreciate her implying more to their personal relationship than there actually had been. It was true that they had enjoyed each other's company one summer briefly several years before, but it had only been a short, ill-conceived fling. It was well known in their circle that Darcy didn't do relationships. Suzzanne had been informed of this before they started, and he did not mince words with her when he ended it. He didn't want to examine too closely why it grated on him more than usual that she had chosen to act this way now in front of Elizabeth.
"Suzzanne, " he began after they arrived at Bar Masa and he had given the waiter their order, "I am aware that Elizabeth is—"
"A train wreck of the first order." He bristled at that assessment. "Really, where did you find her? I hope for your sake that she's sings better than she looks, because otherwise I don't know how she's going to be profitable for you. Did you feel her hands? What has she been doing with them, using them on a cheese grater? Those fingernails! And I'm literally afraid of what she's hiding in those boots." She sipped from the champagne she had requested.
Was this a mistake? Darcy was beginning to think it was. "If you think this project is beyond your ability and you don't think you can get her ready in time –"
"Oh, no! You know I'll work a miracle for you." Suzzanne licked her lips suggestively. "I can't have her wandering around town, ruining the Darcy brand, can I?"
Elizabeth would hardly ruin their brand. It was time Suzzanne understood. "Elizabeth Bennet is going to end up being the face of Darcy Records."
Suzzanne looked confused. "Really? You think she is going to be a major hit?"
He did. Darcy knew as soon as the first song hit the airwaves her popularity would spread like a forest fire. Her voice would burn into the collective and climb the charts. After putting her out onto the world stage, he really wouldn't have to do anything at all. Except reap the benefits.
Suzzanne seemed to realize he was not going to clarify and continued in a more respectful tone. "Well, I hope you're doing something about her weight. It is a concern. She's what—a size 12 or 14—it's going to be difficult to find any upscale designers that carries that size. I hope you have her taking diet pills. Though, I have a friend who lost loads on Ecstasy."
Darcy's hackles rose. Elizabeth had better never resort to taking drugs. He'd only heard good things from Esme about Dr. Tanner, which was why he was prepared to pay that man's exorbitant fees. He wanted her healthy in mind, body and spirit. However, he told himself, Suzzanne would not be doing her job if she had not referenced the weight issue. Had he not himself had concerns?
"And, of course," Suzzanne continued, "I need to know how much you are giving me to work with her. I have to budget for wardrobe and incidentals."
"Your services and the purchases will be made with the corporate account." Her sea green eyes widened perceptively. He usually kept her budget under close scrutiny, but Elizabeth needed so many things. "What's important is that she needs to be happy with the purchases you make. I want her comfortable with every piece of her new wardrobe."
"An entire wardrobe?" Suzzanne lowered her champagne flute in surprise. "Not just pieces for a tour?"
"That's right. She needs everything from outerwear to—" He stopped talking as his mind raced ahead of him creating a smiling Elizabeth lounging in his bed in a black, lacy bra and matching panties holding a whip. He wondered again if she liked to give or receive pain. Realizing his distraction, he forced the image from mind. "Shoes. She'll need shoes, and work out gear, casual wear and formal wear to get started. She frankly needs everything. I want the best quality money can buy."
"I see. You know, I'll have to hire a personal shopper if you expect all of this done in such a short time." He hadn't expected that, but accepted it might be a necessity. She ran a finger along the lip of her flute. "Any special incentives?"
"If you can have the primary needs of her wardrobe in place within two weeks, I'll double your retainer as a bonus."
"That's nice, Will," she rubbed her hand over his, "but that's not exactly what I was hinting at. How about I have her ready ahead of schedule, and we go away for a long weekend?"
Darcy pulled his hand back as slowly as he could so as not to insult her. However, he had to stop this notion of hers before it went any further. "Suzanne, I hope you understand that I'm not interested in picking up where we left off a few summers ago."
"That's a pity. We were pretty good together, if you remember."
He didn't. Not really. "Working with Elizabeth will consume all my free time for the foreseeable future." He needed to make sure Suzzanne really understood. "I need your focus, like mine will be, to be on her. And only her."
"Only on her?" The blonde smiled regretfully at him before tilting her glass in his direction. "I guess I'll just have to satisfy myself with your profitable business offer."
Suzzanne could always be counted on to do what was in her best interest. "One more thing. Her hair. You didn't see it because she wore it up today, but it's—" He paused, searching his vocabulary for the right adjective, then saying slowly, "Perfect. It's absolutely perfect the way it is. I don't want a hair on her head changed."
"It's perfect? "
"Yes." He felt odd catch in his chest and took a deep breath, "I hope you know this is not going to be a short assignment. I'll need to retain your services for months, possibly years, to help fill out her wardrobe for pieces as she loses weight, as styles change, and for the events she's invited to. It's very important to me that she isn't plastered on any of those idiotic Not Hot or Worst Dressed lists." He thought they were foolish, but he had seen how the public criticism had hurt his sister when she had a rare fashion missteps in her teens. He was determined to spare Elizabeth such awkwardness. She was fragile. Sensitive. "It's important to me that she feel good about herself. That she feels beautiful and confident at all times. Can you do that for me?"
"Of course, Will. You can count on me." The stylist's smile had turned brittle. " I know exactly what to do. Just leave it up to me."