Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star (21 page)

“You look great, Jane,” Richard added warmly, and Jane smiled with real pleasure.

“Thanks, you have all been so good to me.”

The meet-and-greet was set up differently that night. Instead of the two tables set on opposite sides of the room, the Slurry and LBS tables were put at a right angle to each other and Charles and Jane were careful to be positioned next to each other at the apex.

LBS had long ago adopted Slurry’s practice of standing in front of the tables to greet their fans, rather than hiding behind them. It was a small thing, but it made it much easier for the fans to feel as though they connected with the stars when they could touch them.

When the fans entered, Slurry had the unusual experience of being practically ignored, as everyone wanted first to meet Jane. Elizabeth watched Jane carefully with a sense of worry. Jane had grown very quiet as they got ready, but once people started talking to her, shaking her hand, and telling her how they admired her bravery, the smiling, gracious Jane was back and Elizabeth relaxed.

Her eyes traveled to where Darcy was standing and she watched him observing Jane as well. She watched as he seemed to reach a similar conclusion about Jane and then his eyes met hers. They were both satisfied that Jane was okay. Elizabeth had time to raise one eyebrow in acknowledgment, which he returned with a slow nod, before they were both distracted by admirers seeking their attention.

***

A few days later, Elizabeth was in the green room practicing alone when she heard Mr. Collins’s high-pitched nasal voice call her: “Lizzy!”

Elizabeth sighed. It had been five days since Collins had joined the tour, and he had made a point of speaking to her every single day. Elizabeth was sick of it.

At first he had criticized her. He was disappointed that Elizabeth wouldn’t play “Everything You Are,” even though it was Jane’s song, and he was embarrassed by the way Elizabeth had spoken to Darcy. Then, after Elizabeth had proven herself onstage, he fawned over her, offering “helpful little suggestions,” which made her want to heave.

“Lizzy,” he said again, “I’d like to have a word with you.”

Carefully arranging her face into a polite smile, she said, “Yes?”

Collins smiled, showing a row of disturbingly perfect teeth. “I wanted to take a moment to tell you how proud I am of your work this week,” he told her, his voice oozing with flattery. He placed a hand on her upper arm and Elizabeth tried not to flinch. “You’ve really saved the day, and you should know that Ms. de Bourgh has noticed as well.” He winked. “If you play your cards right, Lizzy, this could lead to a solo career.”

Elizabeth struggled to keep her smile as she discreetly moved her arm away from his grip. “Thank you, Mr. Collins, but I’m really not interested in a solo career,” Elizabeth told him for the eighth time that week. Collins couldn’t get it into his head that someone might actually want to be in a band.

“Please, call me Bill.” He smiled again. “Now I have to be honest with you, I’ve been watching you, Lizzy, for a long time. I’m sure you’ve noticed, haven’t you? A smart girl like you.”

Elizabeth’s smile faded and she lifted an eyebrow in puzzlement. “Oh?”

“You know I have always admired your musical talent, Lizzy, but I can’t deny that lately I have been feeling something more for you.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrow dropped. “Oh.”

“You don’t need to act surprised, Lizzy. I won’t hold it against you. I know you are a good girl, and you would never pursue me for the benefits I could bring to your career. You’re an artist, and I respect that,” he said conceitedly.

“Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth began.

“Bill! Bill, Lizzy, please, call me Bill,” he said with forced sincerity.

“Bill,” Elizabeth said the word awkwardly, “I’m afraid you misunderstand, or I misunderstand—”

“All right, Lizzy,” he said with a patronizing smile, “I’ll spell it out for you.” He took her hand and leaned closer. “I’ve been watching you for a long time, and I’ve become completely smitten with you. You are a very beautiful girl, Lizzy; you’ve stolen my heart.” He smiled at her sickeningly.

Elizabeth eyes grew huge as she forced herself to accept his meaning. “What? Mr. Collins! I-I’m shocked!”

“Really, Lizzy? Did you really not know?” he asked mischievously.

“Not at all!” She was horrified. “I’m sorry, but I really, I mean, this is so unexpected and, and, what about our professional relationship?”

“Lizzy, you sweet thing, I see I have overwhelmed you with the power of my passion,” he tut-tutted her. “Don’t worry, my dear, I’ll make sure this doesn’t get out. Actually, this can only help your career,” he added thoughtfully. “After all, I have so many connections, and I am on very close terms with Lady Catherine herself,” he added confidentially. “I know that you want to make the most of your career. I’ll make sure that you get only the best: song rotations, video shoots, TV appearances.”

He looked at her with a smug confidence that disgusted and appalled her. She was dumbfounded. “Why me?” she asked both the man in front of her and God.

“Well, isn’t it obvious, Lizzy? The road is a very lonely place and I’ve become entranced by your talent. Not to mention the fact that Jane is already with someone else—”

“Excuse me!” Elizabeth exclaimed quickly, ignoring his protests. “Mr. Collins, I have to stop you. I’m sorry, but I do not want a relationship with you, I never have.”

“Lizzy, it’s all right. I can see what the problem is. I know you don’t want to damage your reputation, but don’t worry. I assure you, no one will think less of you for our love.”

“Mr. Collins, you are not listening. I do not want a relationship with you. Not now, not ever!” Forcing her mouth shut to keep from saying any more, she stormed away from him and locked herself in her dressing room.

She sat down in a chair and didn’t move for a full five minutes, outraged. She was shocked that he could have said such things. As she recalled their conversation, her astonishment grew. To think that she would fall for such an obvious line! And the fact that he didn’t even have the decency to pretend that she wasn’t his second choice after Jane!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How dare he think he could bribe her with offers of song rotations and video shoots! Did she honestly come across as that easy? What did she have to do to be taken seriously as a musician?

Her anger grew, not only at Collins but also at Darcy and any other man who thought that she would pawn herself out for her career. She had not been lying that first night of the tour. She would do what she had to do to succeed; she would play whatever skanky club or travel as long as she must, but she’d be damned before she tried to sleep her way to the top. She was going to make it on her music or not at all.

When the time to perform came, she squared her shoulders and walked out of her dressing room. Claiming her guitar, she took the stage, where she proved to herself and everyone there that she was talented in her own right and that she would never be anyone’s whore.

***

Darcy watched the monitors, transfixed by what he saw. Elizabeth had impressed him all week as she had performed her solo show, but tonight was significantly different. Tonight she was on fire. There was a passionate energy about her that was so bright, it was almost painful to watch. He had no idea what inspired her, where her fire came from, but he wanted it, he wanted her. He wanted to capture her energy and pull it deep inside. She had never been beautiful or more desirable than right now.

When she came off the stage, he was in the instrument area, preparing. She came in with the energy of the show still around her, flashing in the darkness like light glinting off the blade of a knife.

“Elizabeth?” He had not used “Lizzy” since their fight.

“Darcy,” she answered coolly.

“You were outstanding tonight,” he told her, feeling suddenly embarrassed in her cold gaze. “I just wanted to tell you.”

Elizabeth watched him, her calm exterior revealing nothing of the turmoil she felt inside. Her heart leapt at the words of praise that were so uncommon from him, yet her head told her he was just like the others, seeing her as someone who would sell out at the first decent offer. “Thanks,” she said quietly as she turned her attention to her instrument. Her guitars, as least, had never disrespected her. “By the way, Darcy…” she said in a very remote voice.

“Yes?” he responded, trying to disguise the surge of hope he felt.

“Next time you are speaking to your
good
friend Lady Catherine de Bourgh, you might want to mention to her that Bill Collins is trying to trade professional favors for sex,” she said, somehow managing to make it sound as if she were insulting him.

He stood there in shock, wanting to reach out to her, to say something, anything, but she clearly wasn’t interested. “I… I’ll do that, Elizabeth,” he said, his low voice even softer than usual.

It was as if she did not even hear him. She closed the case and stood, walking away without even a glance at him.

Darcy watched her silently, his emotions churning. He swore to himself that something would be done. He’d be damned if he let Collins do something like that on
his
tour, especially to her.

He frowned as he thought of Elizabeth. It was as though she hadn’t heard him speak when she left him. Darcy felt as if they were no longer on the same planet. All the warming between them he had tried to build up during the tour was destroyed. He felt that Elizabeth was farther from him than she had ever been.

It didn’t matter, he told himself, she’d never really cared for him. She had made that clear from the start of the tour, and he was a fool to think he could ever change her mind. In a dark mood, he took the stage to play that night, and later both the audience and Elizabeth were impressed with the expressiveness of his performance.

***

Jane looked up and laughed. Charles stood before her, wearing jeans and a T-shirt with JANE emblazoned across the front in large letters.

Charles smiled back brilliantly. “You approve?”

“I do,” Jane said. “But I think you are missing an apostrophe
S
at the end.”

Charles made a show of looking at the shirt. “Oh, so I am. Silly me.” He looked back at her, taking her into his arms. “I’ll have to change that tomorrow.”

Jane nodded. They both knew that tomorrow she would see the doctor and most probably would be allowed to return to work. She had no feelings about it though. The whole topic left her completely numb.

“What are you thinking about, sunshine?” Charles asked, his voice warm in her ear.

“Tomorrow,” Jane said simply.

“You know you don’t have to go back if you aren’t ready.”

“I know,” Jane nodded, her eyes finally meeting his. “But I’m not sure how I feel, really.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I know I’m sick of doing nothing, and I hate missing out on all the excitement when my song is doing so well.” Charles nuzzled her hair as she spoke, absently. “Did you know ‘Everything You Are’ was on
Top 20
today?”

“No,” he grinned, his voice pleased.

Jane nodded. “It didn’t rank, but they named it as being close and showed a clip.”

“That means you’ll rank next week,” Charles told her authoritatively. “Maybe we can fly up to New York on our day off and you can do a spot on the show.”

“Really?”

Charles nodded. “It’d be a good time for that. Give the song a boost. I’m sure Alex and Collins are working on it.”

“What happened to Mr. Collins, anyway?” she asked, puzzled. “Why did he leave so suddenly?”

Charles shrugged. “Will said he had some business in the New York office.” He smiled and rubbed his face against hers. “Where you will be going soon, and I would be honored to fly with you, my lady.”

Jane smiled back luminously and kissed him slowly, her mouth delighting in the taste of him. They kissed until Jane could feel him becoming erect against her, then she stopped and pulled back, resting her head on his shoulder. “Sorry,” she muttered.

Charles shook his head. “No worries, angel. You can’t help the fact that you are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Jane smiled and blushed. “You know, Charles, I am feeling better.”

He drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “I can see that,” he told her, his hand slipping down to lightly pinch her bottom, prompting a giggle. “But you are still not all better until the doctor says so and—” he raised his voice a level, cutting off her protest. “We are kind of lacking in suitable locations, my dear.”

Jane’s expression fell and she nodded, conceding his point.

Charles placed a hand on her cheek and lifted her face to his. “Tomorrow,” he kissed her forehead, “you see the doctor,” he kissed her left eyelid, “and,” right eyelid, “we,” right cheek, “will be,” chin, “staying,” left cheek, “in a hotel.” He paused and kissed her lips lightly. “Then, my love, we will be able to see exactly how much better you are feeling.”

Jane grinned and squeezed him tightly. “I’m looking forward to that, Charles.”

“Me too, sunshine.” He let her go and picked up his bass. “But now, I’ve gotta go be you. Will you watch me?”