Chapter One

Jaya turned to her sister, "It's you he wants to eat with, you know, the rest of us are just there to…"

"So I have someone to talk to," Lalita finished. They were waiting for Darcy to arrive to pick them up. He had invited them to dinner along with his sister, Georgie. Lalita had accepted more out of the inability to come up with a reasonable excuse not to go, his offer coming so out of the blue.

Jaya smiled, "He's not that bad. He was charming today actually."

Her sister shook her head, "I'm sure it's just his business face, like Kohli saying they now had the home court advantage."

"You didn't seem to mind so much. Honestly Lalita, you insist you can't stand him but when you're around him, you're quite receptive to…"

"To what?" Lalita asked not liking what Jaya was implying.

"To him." As if that explained everything.

Snorting, Lalita dismissed such an idea. "Now you're sounding like Chandra. She's always seemed to notice Darcy's attentions and loved the idea of the two of us…"

Just then Darcy's convertible pulled into the driveway, momentarily stopping Lalita from speaking. She was beginning to wonder if everyone in LA had a convertible. Saying goodbye to the family, they walked outside to greet them. Darcy and his sister were getting out of the car.

"Hi," Darcy said, looking more than a little nervous. "You know, we do have some time before our reservations if you want to sit here for a while…"

That would only give Chandra a chance to grill Darcy about his intentions, so Lalita shook her head. "No, they are in the middle of…something. Let's just go." Anything to get this night over and done.

"Fine by me," Georgie said, beaming, "I'm starving." With that, she hopped in the backseat where Jaya joined her, forcing Lalita to take the front seat next to Darcy.

As they drove away, Jaya asked, "So where are we going?"

Georgina said, "My brother wants it to be a surprise."

Glancing over at Darcy, Lalita looked to see if he would let on about where they were headed. He just smiled, and before she could stop herself, she returned it. Turning her head so Jaya couldn't see, Lalita berated herself for whatever was going on lately between them. Just because Darcy made a long International flight pleasant did not undo all his past behavior. The rudeness may have been gone, but he was still arrogant and rich. Not that she had a problem with his money, it just seemed to create an entitled attitude, which definitely turned her off. Of course, Lalita had never dreamed how much money he actually had, until she saw the LA hotel and met his mother.

Thinking of Mrs. Darcy made Lalita twitch with irritation. Noticing, Darcy asked, "You comfortable? Are you cold?"

Glancing over at him, she said no. She realized then that Darcy was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. Obviously he was nervous. He had been earlier at lunch too, though Lalita had no doubt it had more to do with his mother. She had never witnessed such a display of contempt for others, which even extended to her own children. The way she spoke to both Darcy and Georgie irritated Lalita. Had she always treated them this way? Was Darcy's father like her too? His mother had made a snide remark about Darcy taking after him that was said in such a way it was obvious she didn't approve. But judging by Mrs. Darcy's own behavior and what she disapproved of, it only spoke well of the senior Darcy.

They arrived at a Mexican restaurant called Casa Vista. The place, though certainly nice, didn't have the sophistication and airs Lalita had expected to be taken. She felt a little overdressed.

"I'm glad Will wanted to come here," Georgie said. "I've never been to India but I wanted you guys to experience Mexican style food. It's delicious, especially here in California."

Jaya and Lalita walked in. Everyone had smiles on their faces and a mariachi band was playing to the side. The hostess, a plump Mexican woman, smiled when she saw them enter. "Senor Darcy! Oh, and Senorita Georgina! I'm so glad to see you back in town!"

Darcy smiled and to Lalita's shock, kissed the older woman on the cheek. "Angela! I didn't think you would be working so late! "

The older woman laughed and gestured for them to follow her. "Oh, I saw your name down on the reservation list. Haven't seen you in so long; I had to stay and see my favorite customer!"

Lalita continued listening to the exchange. Did Darcy pay this woman to talk him up so? But his attitude with her seemed so sincere. Darcy's smile had never faltered since walking in, probably the longest Darcy had gone wearing one. Lalita couldn't stop staring, while she always had to admit he was a handsome man, a genuine smile with laughter made a remarkable difference. When he turned his eyes to her, Lalita could feel herself blushing again.

"Have you two been to a Mexican place before?" he asked.

Jaya answered first, "It's the first time I've been, but I think Lalita has been before, when we were in London."

Darcy's face fell so Lalita wanted to explain. "Well, yes, but it was a long time ago and it's certainly a different environment in England. This was..your idea to come here?" She still couldn't believe he would like such a place.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to make sure you guys got the full cultural experience. But of course, it didn't occur to me that Kohli might have taken you to a place like this already. I'm sorry, I should have asked."

His humility unnerved Lalita more than his laughter did. She started to tell him it was ok but found her mouth was dry. Thankful for the water the waiter had just brought, Lalita drank it.

Time passed and the meal had long been eaten. His nerves wouldn't let him fully relax, yet Darcy was really enjoying himself. Though not as shy as himself, Jaya was much more talkative than she ever had been, and Georgina's presence took the pressure off. As if in direct opposition, Lalita said little, but she was smiling and laughing out loud to which he took to be a good sign. Thanks to Georgie, he knew how to read Lalita's body language better, and felt confident that he was managing to undo the damage he had done in India.

Of course, it wasn't easy taking dating advice from his baby sister. But Darcy knew he had a real second chance with Lalita, and didn't want to screw it up. He had filled Georgie in about Lalita long before that day, the good with the bad. Georgie did idolize her brother for many things, but knew he had a hard time in mixed company and she had guessed being in a foreign country had made things all the worse for him.

Earlier that day, after they separated from Lalita's family, Darcy was completely confused about how to feel. He could tell Lalita had warmed to him some, but she also might have just been polite. He'd worried about his mother around them, but Lalita standing her ground made him admire her all the more. She had defended her opinions in a respectful way, without taking it too far like he would have.

Georgie had also been impressed with Lalita. She noticed Lalita's attentions to Darcy but felt the Indian woman was keeping her distance. Georgina was a little worried she had been a little too pushy selling her brother, she adored him that sometimes she forgot not everyone could see his big heart.

A round of drinks had been ordered. Darcy raised his hand in a toast manner, gesturing to Lalita, "Here's to the only person I've seen stand up to my mother."

Lalita looked embarrassed. "I hope I wasn't too rude."

Georgie laughed, "It's good for her."

She smiled and Darcy felt the need to go on. "It reminded me of being in India. There I was, trying to figure what was going on, and you were jumping down my throat."

"You deserved it," she said.

Darcy felt a slight kick under the table and he glanced at his sister. This was a sign they had decided to use and he realized Lalita's manner which had relaxed over dinner, was now back to the formal tone she took many times when they first met. Clearing his throat, he decided to be honest, "I know I can be thoughtless at times, especially when I'm nervous. Let me say, I never intentionally meant to be insulting or offensive."

He stopped there, staring at her. She had cast her eyes down at the table, her face unreadable. After a beat, she raised them and they stared for what seemed like an eternity.

He didn't realize he was holding his breath until Jaya spoke, "The band is good."

"Hmmm," Darcy nodded, grabbing a quick sip of his margarita. Glancing back over at Lalita, he saw her eyes were still on him. Not able to resist, he pointed to her, "Why don't you show them how it's done."

"Oh, no, no." Again her eyes cut down. Was she blushing?

Feeling playful, Darcy joked, "Well, you know, I guess your guitar playing can't really compare to your sister's snake dance."

The three laughed, leaving poor Georgina in the dark. "What?"

"Their sister does this awesome snake dance."

Again, Georgina's bewildered expression left them to laugh some more. Jaya and Lalita quickly filled the younger woman in about the entertainment that happened at dinner a couple of months earlier.

"Well," Georgie said, smiling, "sorry I missed that. I will have to look that up when I return to class in the fall."

"Oh that's right," Lalita said. "You're in school. What are you studying?"

"Music," Georgie said. "Though not guitar I'm afraid."

Lalita glanced over at Darcy, "I wouldn't think so. "

"Actually my favorite is the composition classes but I do love the piano."

"She should," Darcy said proudly, "someday she's going to be a famous concert pianist."

Georgie ignored him. "Music is something that gives me such joy. I do admit my dream is to travel the world in concert but let's just make sure I graduate first."

Jaya said, "That's great you have an opportunity to take a gift you love and dedicate your life to it."

"Do you study here?" Lalita asked.

"No, in New York at Julliard."

"That's a prestigious school," Lalita said, "Of course, with your family money you can afford to go to go to the best…"

"Actually," Georgina interrupted, "I'm on scholarship. My mother wasn't keen on me taking this direction with my life and so it's been something I've had to do on my own."

Lalita didn't respond immediately. After a few moments of silence, Jaya said, "But a scholarship to Julliard is a real accomplishment. It speaks a great deal of your talent."

"Like I said, she's going to be a famous concert pianist someday." He honestly did believe it.

"Admittedly it's a part scholarship. But Will picks up the rest on his own money, and he helped me get a job so I can pay for my room and board."

Darcy blushed, hoping it didn't seem like they were showing off again. He had been furious with his mother for not seeing his sister's talents and allowing her to pursue a dream she had a real chance at, but he had to admit despite objections, Georgie now had a better grasp of living in the real world and he knew she wasn't the same sheltered girl the Wickhams of this world could take advantage of.

The conversation had gradually moved to education in India. Darcy enjoyed listening to what life was like for the Bakshi sisters growing up. Before long, they realized the restaurant was half empty and it was very late.

As they were leaving, Angela had brought them a dessert, from the back, on the house. She wanted Lalita and Jaya to take some back to their house. Heading out to the car, Darcy held the plate while the women got in. He noticed that Lalita didn't seem to mind sitting in the front seat this time. He waited as she got situated, and putting the seat belt on before he handed the food to her. Though she had a firm hold on the plate, he didn't immediately let it go, but held it until she looked at him. He had leaned in closely and whispered, "Hold it tight, I'd hate for it to spill on you and ruin that beautiful dress."

He then walked to the other side and got in. The ride back home was quiet. Looking at the rear mirror, he could tell his sister and Jaya were very tired. The full meal and the late night were getting to them. Glancing at Lalita, Darcy quietly said, "What are your plans tomorrow?"

He apparently interrupted her thoughts as Lalita jumped at the sound of his voice. "Hmm? Oh, we were going to do more sight-seeing. Kohli can't take us so it will just be my sisters and me."

"Where are you thinking of going?"

"Well," Lalita said, "Lakhi may overrule me, but I'd love to go to the Natural History Museum."

"Oh, that's Will's favorite museum! He could give you a tour!" Piped up Georgina in the back, her fatigue clearly removing any subtlety for helping out her brother.

"Yes, well I'm not sure…"

Jaya cut her sister off. "No, I want to go too. Do you think you could take us tomorrow morning? Lakhi can stand to see more museums and less beaches and shops."

"Sure, I would be honored to," Darcy said while he pulled into the driveway. "Let me help you out of the car since you have that dish."

Jumping out, he ran over to help Lalita out. As he handed the dessert back, she said "Thank you." It might have been his imagination but she lingered longer than was necessary.

As he watched the two women walk to the door, he called back, probably too eagerly. "So I'll pick you up at nine?"

He was desperate for Lalita to give him some sign she was glad he was joining them, but it was Jaya who turned and answered that was fine. Not willing to let it get him down, Darcy got back in the car while his sister remained in the back seat.

"Well I am going to concentrate on the positive. In India Lalita would have made up an excuse not to go tomorrow. The fact she remained silent is definitely a step in the right direction, right?"

"Right, big brother." Georgie said smiling. As Darcy pulled out of the driveway, he couldn't see Georgie's face or he would have asked about her continued smile. What she saw that he didn't was Lalita remained at the door watching them drive away in the shadows, still holding that plate.