***HELP! I obviously need a Beta. Anyone interested?****
The Doll Chapter 2 - Mid -May - The Wedding
It was really a crying shame, Elizabeth decided as she watched him cross the dance floor, that William Darcy was such a boring stick in the mud. He was a very attractive man. But, she'd be lying if she said she hadn't been dreading their obligatory maid of honor/best man dance all week. She turned to Charlotte who was standing next to her. "Do you remember what my mom told us prom night?"
"Oh, Lizzy, quit it! You know you really cannot tell how good a man is in bed by the way he is on the dance floor."
Elizabeth gave her a knowing look as she joined Darcy on the dance floor. She'd pegged him as one of those uncoordinated, nerdy white guys who simply rocked back and forth in time with the music, but as soon as he took her hand in his she realized how very wrong she was. He was a sensational dancer. As he led, she marveled at the fact their bodies seemed to have a natural affinity for one another.
His silence was the only anchor she could cling to her reality. It helped her to remember how weird he was. How he must be hating this dance every bit as much as she was. She would not torture them both by trying to start a conversation with him. Besides, she told herself meanly, it was unlikely he had anything to say that would amaze the room
Sighing, she glanced over his shoulder taking in the crowd. There were several attractive available men in the crowd thanks to Charles who had delivered on his promise to invite many of his single friends, but she had not met one who had appealed to her so far. There were several uncommonly pretty woman too she noted. Catching the jealous eye of more than one, she fought the urge to smirk as Darcy smoothly waltzed them around the dance floor.
He destroyed her sense of ease when he said, "The wedding was beautiful." Darcy had barely said ten words to her the entire day. He chose to start talking now?
"Even though I didn't think so at first, my friend and your sister do make an excellent match."
What did he mean he hadn't thought so at first? "Well, I'm glad you approve of them."
He offered, "You make it sound like they needed my blessing?"
"Not Jane, but didn't Charles?" She challenged, looking up at him. Even in heels, he stood three inches taller than her. Another annoyingly attractive point in his favor.
Their song ended not a moment too soon. His warm hand pressed lightly against her bare spine causing a rippling sensations ricocheting throughout her body. "Thank you for the dance, Elizabeth. It will be the highlight of my evening."
She snorted. His sarcasm was really unnecessary. His face was serene and there was absolutely no indication their dance had affected him in any way while her body felt like it was a house on fire. To be honest, his calm indifference just pissed her off. She rolled her eyes knowing she was being immature. "You're so very welcome, Will."
When she made to pull away, he momentarily tightened his hold on her stopping her. "Elizabeth, have I said something to upset you?"
She shut her eyes wishing for his inability to feel. "Of course not."
"You seem upset."
"Well, I'm not." She seethed. "I should know how I feel, shouldn't I?"
He cocked his head at an angle but his blank expression did not change. "You were upset yesterday when I arrived late. You look just like that now."
She couldn't help correcting him. "Do you mean when you stood me up, Will?" Yesterday, they were suppose to meet at Kelloggs to pick up the table center pieces for today's reception at noon. When she'd gotten to the venue and after she'd lugged in all of the forty-two boxes by herself, he'd finally showed up well after two.
"Yes, I suppose, technically one could say I stood you up." He agreed, then added in his fluid voice. "But, I did eventually meet you here. And, I apologized."
Darcy had apologized. It was done without an ounce of sincerity and explained that he'd been working late in his lab and had simply lost track of time. Weirdo! It did nothing to soothe her anger that he put the majority of the centerpieces together by himself. In fact, it was particularly unsatisfying that he never showed the slightest trace of impatience no matter how many times she made him move the same centerpiece from table to table until the overall effect was deemed perfect.
"You know what, let's not argue." She held up a hand, well aware of the fact he was not arguing with her. It was a dig. "Let's just agree to get through this reception, okay? After today, we won't be seeing each other for a few months. I think it'd be a good idea when Jane and Charles return from their honeymoon that we both find excuses to not start those infernal Monday dinners back up."
Without waiting for a response, she headed toward her seat at the head table fighting an overwhelming desire to cry. It must be the stress of the wedding that was making her so emotional. Feel this way!
"Yes, Yes. It is time, ladies!" The DJ's overexcited voice taxed the sound system in the reception hall before Beyonce's voice came through, "All the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies put your hands up!" The DJ stopped spinning the song, before clarifying, "All the single ladies out there proceed to the dance floor. It's time for the bride to toss her bouquet."
Before she could plan a stealthy retreat from the reception hall, Charlotte ambushed her from behind and drug her by the arm back to the center of the dance floor. When she made to object, Charlotte cast her a resigned look, "If I have to do it, so do you!"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother had moved to the edge of the floor and was eyeing her rather suspiciously. There was going to be no escaping this humiliating rite of passage. She felt very much like a show pony on display and backpedaled to the rear of the group!
Giggling and glancing over her shoulder at the gathering women, Jane had never looked more beautiful. It was Elizabeth's firm opinion that there was no one else in the world who deserved happiness more than her angelic sibling. After much good natured ribbing from the gathered circle of guests, Jane launched the bouquet of roses and babies' breath in a high arch over her head.
The reaction of the women present was comical. It all happened in slow motion all around her. Elbows were throw, hair was pulled, feet were stomped on. Two women, both spinsters in their early fifties, banged into each other mid-air. Her younger sister, Lydia actually stepped on the back of one of them in her enthusiasm, but just managed to tip the offensive object in her direction. Charlotte made a grab for it but instead of the bouquet caught Lydia who was being pulled backwards to earth by gravity. Elizabeth threw up her hands in an effort to protect herself but ended up spearing the ribbon of the bouquet with her ring finger. Bringing her hands down, it was clear she had 'caught' the very object she had wished to avoid.
Elizabeth weathered the glares of open hostility from several of the women. Jane bolted across the distance to her and wrapped her in an almost painful hug. "I can't believe you caught it! I told you there will be a man coming into your life. It will be soon, you wait and see." Elizabeth turned to slink off the dance floor, but the DJ reminded her not to go too far away as she would be needed after the garter toss.
Then, it was the gentlemen's turn. All available single men in attendance filed onto the dance floor. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad? Elizabeth could not help but feel her self-confidence raise as several of the men eyed her with open appreciation.
A chair was produced and Jane took her seat blushing. The DJ asked Charles if he was ready to get the garter from his wife. After rubbing his hands together and biting his lip, he indicated he was. The DJ playfully reminded the happy couple that Charles was not allowed to use his hands in the process. Moving to 'Let's Get It On,' Charles reached Jane, slowly working her skirt up around her thigh, carefully keeping her covered, while he dipped his head under his wife's skirt. Charles made quick work of his project before he jumped up holding the garment high above his head for all to see.
Finally, the guys gathered in a circle and the garter was launched. There was movement in the group of men and finally after a scuffle of some duration, Vince, one of the Brody twins, rose victorious. As Leggs by ZZ Top blared through the sound system, she was brought to the chair Jane vacated by her mother. There was nothing for it. Instead of sitting like a sour puss, she might as well enjoy being the center of attention. She swiveled in her chair, smiling widely at Vince then playfully curled a finger in his direction. The crowd cheered appreciatively.
Grinning wickedly, Vince played along swinging the garter around his finger. He dropped to his knees in front of her, he grabbed her foot, made a show of first removing her high heel before he ran a finger along her instep making her laugh, and finally he slid the garter high up and under her skirt. Never before had Vince, who was a son of one of her mother's best friends, seemed so attractive. After she regained her shoe and they had their picture snapped together, Vince hovered at her side placing a possessive arm around her waist. It felt nice. He was not a stranger, but an old friend she had not seen in a while. The best of both worlds, something new while being something old too.
When they were no longer the center of attention, he quietly asked if she would dance with her. She agreed. The lights lowered to match the slow music that the DJ played. She looked up at him as his hands planted on her hips. Anticipation bloomed as she was sure she'd enjoy this partner much more than she had her last.
Vince smiled down at her, "So, Little Lizzy Bennet has all grown up, I see."
She quirked an eyebrow. She had last seen Vince a few years ago, but she looked very much the same now as she had then. He swayed her to the right. "Have I grown up?"
"Yes, you have. I mean you certainly didn't look like this the last time I saw you. I'm kicking myself now. I should've taken your mom up on her offer to come to the club and go swimming with your family last summer." To the left.
"Really?" She was not surprised to hear that her mother had attempted some match making effort on her behalf. She did it all the time. To the right. She felt as if she were at a high school dance. "Did my mom invite you?"
"Yes, she did. If I'd any idea what I was missing, I wouldn't have avoided it so thoroughly."'
Elizabeth laughed at his expression. "I hope you wouldn't have made it so easy for her." He looked confused. "My mom loves the thrill of the chase."
"And does her daughter? Enjoy the thrill of the chase or does she prefer to be caught?"
"I'm not sure if I should say." She flirted. "All I will admit is that I'm in debt to you for last summer. On the off chance you were going to show up, my mom would drag me off bikini shopping. I got some rather nice pieces thanks to you."
"Well, I'm glad you got something out of it." He pouted before turning her in a small circle. Look out, she thought dryly, this guy had some major moves. She thought again about the comparison her mother had drawn between a man's ability on the dance floor to his skill in bed. "Though I would hope you would've enjoyed my company more than a new bikini."
"I don't know. Some of them were pretty spectacular."
He pulled back from her and made a show of glancing over her entire body. Swayed rather woodenly to the left. "I don't know if anything could improve on this dress. Damn, it's sinful."
"Is it?"
"Yes, I can think of only one better place for this dress than on you."
"And where would that be?"
Vince smiled. "On my bedroom floor."
Eww! Elizabeth could barely contain the groan. He was a sports agent, you would think he really would have better material. When he pulled her closer, Elizabeth realized the bulge in the front of his trousers was not much of an inducement either. She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed gently when he started grinding against her.
"I don't think this is a good idea. Your mom and mine are probably watching us right now from behind one of those potted plants. You know what my mom will be thinking."
Vince wasn't willing to give up yet. He pounced, kissing her with gusto. She endured his attention but felt zero fireworks. Elizabeth was able to extricate herself from his embrace disgusted that he tasted strongly of beer and Jagermeister bombs. No, there was no way she could go home with him.
Besides, enough damage was done. Her mother was probably high fiving his, toasting with champagne, already planning the nuptials to officially unite the two families on account of that one brief kiss. Elizabeth could already hear the call tomorrow morning. Her mother with excited orders to spill on her night of debauchery. There were no boundaries as far as her mother was concerned. Even if her mother was not a renown sex therapist who delighted in prying into all aspects of her daughter's lives, she would be cross-examined. Vince turned her again, right, left, right, left. She glanced over his shoulder bored and her attention landed on Darcy of all people. He was sitting at the head table by himself, stiffly watching the people interacting around him clearly wishing he were anywhere else. Not enjoying a minute of his best friend's wedding.
The slow song petered out and the DJ announced it was time for the father and daughter dance.
With a lump in her throat, Elizabeth watched as her father proudly led Jane to the dance floor. After a few moments, Charles led her mother to the dance floor. It was difficult to imagine how a man as quiet and reserved as Benjamin Bennet had met and fell in love with someone as exuberant as her mother. Well, Elizabeth supposed, her parents did have their quirks and there was the occasional argument. No one could hold a grudge like her mother and her father could be quiet flippant on occasion. Once when she had been ten, there was even a short separation and talk about a divorce. However, the two had reconciled. A few months after her father had moved out, he moved back in and their relationship grew even stronger. In fact, Elizabeth sighed with relief, her parents were going to be leaving for their thirtieth anniversary cruise to Alaska in just a few days. She'd only have to endure her mother's hounding about her singlehood for forty-eight hours.
Then, it was time for the couples' first dance. Elizabeth was touched by the way Charles approached her father respectfully before folding her sister carefully in his arms. Tears stung her eyes. She knew it was a purely selfish thing, but she could not help but wonder when was it going to be her turn. When would she find such happiness? She wouldn't be satisfied with someone with Charles' sunny disposition - he smiled too much - but she hoped someone out there would cherish her the way her brother-in-law clearly cherished her sister. She wanted to be a man's partner. Bring out the best in him and have him bring out the best in her. Was that really too much to ask?
When other couples were told to join in, Vince sheepishly approached her again. "If I promise to behave myself, Lizzy, will you dance again with me?"
She smiled at his contrite tone and agreed. After all, dancing with Vince was better than sitting out the dance entirely as a wallflower.