Looking For Mr. Darcy

Looking For Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth walked into a bar for the first time in her life. It was her first time in the big city night scene. It was what they called ''Happy Hour" when all the single guys and girls leave their jobs and go for a beer. She was from a small town and always wondered how it felt to be in a place like that. She didn't want to go out at first because she didn't feel she had the right outfit but her best friend Jane insisted.

They were spending a few days in the metropolis attending a Seminar on Jane Austen. They both went to the same University and worked at the same school. They became best friends after their first class on English Literature a few years ago. Now they were getting close to the end of their course and thought that they should start looking for their Mr. Darcy. Jane was convinced that they could find some good prospects in that spot because outside in the parking lot they could see expensive cars everywhere. When they passed through Jane said:

"Look, Lizzy. I believe there are more chances our Mr. Darcy is here because nobody could just walk here. Look at their rides. At least one or two of these guys must be a good prospect. They cannot all be dimwits."

"I don't know, Jane, but I am glad you think so. Personally, I will be happy if I can get a decent conversation and a good drink."

"Cheer up, Lizzy. You won't get any attention looking like you lost your cat."

"I feel like I swallowed a cat. This dress makes me look pregnant."

"Oh, shut up and smile. And I said smile. Do not grin. Nobody needs to know you have all your teeth."

"Fine.''

Once inside, Elizabeth and Jane started looking around trying to see who look rich, intelligent, witty and good-looking. However, they would both settle for good-looking for now. There were not many women inside so it seemed all of the men present were looking at them.

''Lizzy, I feel naked.''

''Jane, I feel pregnant.''

''Oh, you can be so annoying. I already said you look great. What else do you want me to say?''

''That you need glasses.''

''Look Lizzy, those two are staring at us.''

''Jane, all of them are staring at us. There are not many female specimens out tonight.''

''I know, but those two are staring and talking about us. I swear.''

''How do you know?''

''I can tell by the smiles on their faces.''

''They are probably wondering what a pregnant woman is doing here on a week night in a bar for single people.''

''You are obsessed and I refused to dignify that with an answer.''

The two guys seemed to be still looking at them.

''Ok, Jane. I believe they look interested and somewhat interesting.''

''Lizzy, which one do you prefer?''

''Well, of course I like the tall one. You are shorter so you can keep the shorter one.''

''I don't mind. They are both very cute. I like their suits.''

''Of course you like their suits. Most of the guys you know do not even own a tie.

''Hahaha! How very true! It is definitely an upgrade.''

The two girls were having so much fun they didn't realize the guys were standing right next to them now. When Jane realized she let out a small cry and Lizzy almost spilled her drink. Great beginning. What would they think of them now - two simpletons that could not even hold a drink or look blasé and cool like sofisticated girls. The shorter one spoke first.

''Hi, girls. Would you like to join us for a drink? There is a table over there we can sit and actually listen to each other. The music on this side is a bit loud.''

That was not a bad line. Honest and direct. No jokes. No dimwit lines.

''That will be nice.'' said Jane.

''Fine by me'' said Elizabeth still feeling pregnant and wondering if one of them had a twisted fantasy about fucking a pregnant woman. She should hurry up and find a clever way to let them know she was NOT pregnant.''

They followed the two guys and to their disbelief they pulled the chairs for them to seat. They looked at each other and tried not to let their jaw drop. They had to be desperate for female company.

"First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is William, but you can call me Will. This is my friend Richard, but you can call him Fitz. Don't ask me why. He never told me." Pleasantries were exchanged and they introduced themselves as well.

Elizabeth did not like short guys and even though this one was still taller than her he still fit in the short category according to her standards. However, she had to admit his eyes were big and round with a tenderness about them she couldn't really describe.

"Ladies, what would you like to drink?" asked the tall called Fitz for some reason they would never know.

"I'd like a Cosmo" said Jane, indulging a fantasy of being Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The City.

"And I'd like a shot of tequila." said Elizabeth. Even though they did not look like perverts, she knew that a girl could never be sure and decided to order a strong drink so he would know for sure she was not pregnant.

Drinks were ordered and brought to the table and by the end of the first thirty minutes; Jane was engrossed in a conversation with Fitz while Elizabeth meditated on the fact that Will looked taller by the minute. The conversation flowed more than the drinks but the sensation of feeling light and elated persisted. Lizzy wondered why since they were talking about mundane subjects. He did have a wonderful sense of humor and better yet, seemed to find her quite amusing. It was so nice to be appreciated for a change. She could not remember the last time someone laughed at her jokes instead of having just a blank look on his face. He even finished some of her sentences.

“I love the way your eyes sparkle when you smile.” He said of all a sudden making her blush. Thank goodness for the dark ambiance or she would have looked like a twelve-year-old girl. She did let out a giggle but luckily he found it charming.

“It’s just the tequila shining through.” She said, even though she wanted to say he was the reason for that sparkle.

“I think not. I noticed it before you ordered your drink.” He said that and touched her hand under the table causing an electrifying response. He had soft hands, she thought. Feeling like a schoolgirl she gave him her brightest smile happy to share a secret with him. Elizabeth though the other couple wouldn’t have noticed their caresses even if they were over the table since Jane and Fitz seemed to be having a very animated conversation and were oblivious to what was happening around them.

The room was still crowded but they seemed to be suspended in time and space. All the noises seemed faint or maybe it was her heart that beat so loud. Listening to him she still managed to notice that his hair, darker than his eyes, was most alluring. She didn't know if it was the tequila or his hair look really silky and shiny. Before she could think, the words were already coming out of her mouth:

"Will, can I touch your hair? I made a bet with myself that I must a little tipsy because your hair looks too silky to be true."

"Be my guest, Lizzy. You can touch any part of me your heart desires."

That should have sounded a bit dirty but to Lizzy’s ears it sounded just right. Even thought she just met him, she felt a connection so strong that it felt they have known each other for years.

All of a sudden, they heard a noise or lack thereof, which indicated the bar was about to close for the night. The music had stopped. All you could hear was clings and clanks from the waiters cleaning up the tables. Elizabeth felt such a deep and instant sadness realizing that wonderful moment was coming to an end. Will must have felt the same because at the moment he looked at her and said, “Would you like to go to some place else?”

“Yes, please.” Where was her eloquence? Where was the cautious Elizabeth, always suspicious of everyone and everything? Was she really going to let this perfect stranger take her somewhere else in that big city she didn’t know? Why did she trust him? Could she be wrong if it felt so right? She thought not. She threw caution to the wind and decided to let him take her wherever he thought they should go.

She looked at Jane and asked her if she would go to the restroom with her. Jane agreed and there they went each one with a bigger smile on their faces. Once inside the restroom they burst out laughing like two teenagers. They laughed so hard, other people started looking at them as if they were wasted.

“Lizzy, could you imagine we would have so much fun tonight?”

“I have to be honest, Jane. I thought it was going to be a disaster. I came to please you and I am not sorry I did. Not sorry at all.” Lizzy said looking up as if daydreaming.

“I see how Will looks at you. I think you might have bewitched his soul.” Jane winked at her quoting their favorite movie.

Elizabeth laughed softly. “How about Fitz? He seemed to be quite interested in what you had to say.

“I know! It was quite refreshing.” Said Jane, using yet again another quote from their favorite movie. They both liked to insert parts of their favorite Jane Austen books or movie adaptations in their conversation. They even didn’t have to try really hard. They read them so many time it would be hard not to quote them.

“Well, Jane. I hope Fitz will take you home because I am not going home just yet.”

“Lizzy, please be serious! Where are you going with him? You don’t know where anything is here in the city or anybody for that matter.”

“I know him.” Elizabeth said with a smile on her face.

“Well, Lizzy, I do trust your judgment more than anybody in the world. If he was lucky enough to make you feel secure, I am sure he is a very good guy.”

“Thank you, Jane. It makes me feel better because I know I shouldn’t but I can help myself. He makes me feel so special. I never felt like this before. What if I am to die tomorrow? What if I never see him again for some reason? In a situation such as this, caution would be unpardonable. I would have to be out of my wits not to go with him.”

“And where are you going?” said Jane retouching her lipstick.

“I do not know and I do not care. She said he knows another place that will still be open at this time.” Lizzy finished adding more mascara to her long lashes. “Do you want to come with us?”

Jane thought about it for a moment and said, “I am not so enamored of my friend. He is nice enough but I also need a good night sleep to present my paper tomorrow.”

“So you do not mind if I do not go back to the hotel with you now?”

“Not at all, Lizzy. Enjoy your night. That is why I brought you here.” Jane hugged her friend and they both went back to the table to find Will and Fitz already by the door with their coats in hand.

They said their goodbyes and went to the parking lot to their respective cars. To Elizabeth’s surprise it was not a fancy car but one rather popular eco-friendly model. She thought she shouldn’t be surprised but she was nevertheless. That meant he didn’t care about what other people thought of him and that was very good indeed.

Once they got in the car, all the emotion that had built up earlier came back with a vengeance and she could feel the air pregnant with promises. They started riding around aimlessly, just enjoying each other’s company. When they finally arrived at their destination they found out it was already closed. How disappointing. He would have to take her home. He turned around very slowly and stopped the car for a minute. He looked at her and without saying a word put his hands on both sides of her face and gently touched her lips with his. His mouth felt wonderful. His lips were full and matched hers with perfection. His breath was fresh and inviting and she let herself get lost in that kiss. Finally, when she thought she was going to faint he pushed her away and gave a loud sigh.

“Elizabeth, it’s not safe her but please don’t make me take you back to the hotel now. I can’t part with you yet. You must come to my place. I promise you nothing is going to happen, unless you want it to happen. I just need to spend more time with you.”

She knew she did not trust herself at that point so she asked him if his building had a social area where they could sit and talk. He said they did have something of the sort and he agreed to it. He would have agreed to anything those eyes asked him to do. He was so attracted to her he felt his skin tingle every time he touched her. Being able to look at her and hear her voice should be enough. It would be better than nothing.

Once there, they sat on this big couch and tried to kiss but felt very uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the porter. Then Will had an idea. There was a big TV on the wall showing a football game. He embraced her from behind and cuddled with her in the big couch as if to watch the game. Little did she know that would make things worse. The way they were sitting his mouth was very close to her ear and he started whispering things to her that made her body melt. She didn’t protest so he knew she was enjoying it and gave wings to his imagination. He started to describe things that he would like to do to her until she couldn’t bear it anymore and asked him to go upstairs to her own disbelief.