Lizzy's POV

In the few days leading up to the Meryton Festival, Jane and Charles did something together every day. They Facetimed when the paparazzi were still outside of Netherfield. After the pictures of Darcy, Caroline, and Charles at the restaurant and the paparazzi deciding that nothing was happening between Mr. Darcy and the mystery woman, they departed from their stakeout. With the paparazzi gone, Charles brought Jane's car over.

Jane contemplated inviting Charles to our Tuesday family lunch, but I convinced her not to since they weren't an official couple. There was no reason for Charles to face our mother and sisters more than needed. He would be scared.

Mom was full of news on Tuesday at lunch. Over our homemade meal, she shared about a new moneymaking scheme she was starting to help lower her and dad's debt. She was turning my and Jane's old room into an Airbnb and was in the process of listing it. She had already taken all of our memorabilia out of it, repainted the accent wall, and bought new decorations. She planned on renting it out for stays over two weeks long. Her reasoning? So she wasn't constantly having to wash the sheets and clean the room.

Mom also wanted to know about our visit to Netherfield. Surprisingly, she didn't say a word about the tabloids. I obviously didn't bring it up. Lydia didn't mention anything about it, and neither did Katie. I was confused but thankful, which made the lunch pass without much injury.

Charles and Jane volunteered at a dog shelter for a few hours. The next day, Charles drove Jane to one of Merytown's parks and unloaded canvases, paint, brushes, and a variety of snacks out of the back of the vehicle. They then had a grand time painting the scenery and snacking. From the pictures Jane showed me, Charles was an accomplished artist. As soon as Jane had arrived home, and Charles, like a gentleman, walked her to the door, she immediately grabbed a hammer and nail and hung up her canvas in her room.

Me? I just listened to Jane gush about her great dates.

I glanced at my chair, where Jane was sitting on the phone with Charles, and continued to get ready for my volunteer two-hour shift at the ticket booth. I could only hear Jane's side of the conversation, but I knew Charles was just as interested as she was. The memory of Jane's glowing face from Wednesday when Charles asked her if she would go with him tonight, Friday night, as a date to the festival was imprinted on my mind. Jane requested that I come along as a third wheel, and I agreed. They planned to get downtown when my shift ended at seven, and I would meet up with them.

My car had been fixed. Thankfully insurance covered most of the damages, and I drove to the festival. Right on time, at the end of my shift, Charles and Jane appeared to get tickets. Once I finished, I found them enjoying supper from one of the local organization's food booths. Jane rocked her high-waisted pants with her floral shirt tucked in. I glanced down at my skinny jeans and fitted white top making sure everything was in order.

"Where to?" Charles questioned after I had eaten a hamburger from the Methodist Church's food booth.

Jane grinned, "Do you like scary rides?"

He cringed, "As much as I would like to say yes and seem like a macho man, the answer is no. I hope that isn't a problem?"

She shook her head, "Not at all, neither one of us like them."

I nodded most emphatically in agreement.

Charles sighed, "Well, that is a relief. I do have good aim if I have to throw any darts..."

She gave him another small smile, and I felt like an intruder. "I might just have to watch that later."

Charles looked away, scanning the options, then his face lit up, and he turned back to us, "I know! Follow me."

I shrugged at Jane, and in just a few steps, I saw through the milling people, and I knew where he was going.

The carriage ride.

I smirked over at Jane, and she gave me a quick, secret, delighted smile. "Hey Charles," I called, "How is this going to work? I don't have any tickets on me, and there is no way I'm letting Jane go on a romantic carriage ride by herself on a date with a guy who is prone to flattering her."

"I wasn't planning on it being just the two of us," he said as he held out enough tickets for the three of us, if not even a few extra.

We made our way to the horse-drawn carriage and said our hellos to the carriage driver, Don. Despite the warmth, the stooped man wore a suit jacket and a traditional livery hat.

After the hellos were exchanged, Don asked, "Who is this lucky man, Miss Jane?"

She blushed, and Charles stuck out his hand to Don, "I'm Charles Bingley. It's a pleasure to meet you."

They shook hands, and I expanded the introduction, "Don has been giving carriage rides for years during the festival, and they are by far the best in Merytown."

"Oh please, Miss Lizzy, you know I'm the only old geezer around here with a carriage like this. It just tickles me pink that people want to ride in it."

I shook my head at the adorable man, "He repaints it white every year so it gleams, and he lets anyone pet the two horses. Speaking of, may we?"

"Of course, of course, go ahead. My Bessie and Dolly always love pettings."

Jane and I moved to the front of the horses and let them nuzzle our hands. Charles stayed and talked to Don and gave him a lot of tickets, more than what I thought the sign said for just three people.

I looked at Jane, "This is your first carriage ride at the Festival, isn't it?" She ran her hand along Dolly's long face, "Mhmm. I hope it is good."

"I am sure it will be."

When we finished petting the horses, we walked back to the men. Don opened the door of the landau carriage and held it, gesturing for us to climb up the steps. Jane moved to go first, and Charles held out his hand, she took it, and he handed her up.

To my surprise, Charles climbed in next, not even giving his hand to help me up. Odd.

Gee, thanks, Charles. Very gentlemanly of you.

Reaching up, I was about to grasp the side of the open-air carriage to hoist myself up when a hand materialized out of nowhere and firmly took mine. I let out a soft gasp of surprise and looked to see to whom it belonged.

Darcy.

I gasped again, momentarily paralyzed and shocked at the contact of his warm hand holding mine.

Regaining thought, I made it up the rung steps and climbed in, letting go of his hand and sitting across from Jane and Charles. I turned to Darcy and gaped at him with wide eyes, and he stared back. My mouth was open and probably looked like a fish, but I was confused and didn't care.

What was he doing here? And why had he done that?

Through the fog in my mind, I heard Charles ask, "Aren't you going to get in? I paid for you too."

Darcy kept his gaze on me, then muttered, "Sure," and climbed in. Unfortunately, the only seat open was the one right next to me. Once he sat down, Darcy didn't look at me while I continued to stare at him.

Charles called out to Don, "Ready when you are."

Darcy turned his head and stared into the crowd, pointedly ignoring me. As the carriage first jolted, he stretched out and flexed his hand, then curled it into a fist at his side, still keeping his gaze averted.

What was that? If it was so odious for him to touch me, why go to the trouble? I don't understand him.

The fifteen-minute ride was one of the most awkward experiences of my life. Darcy practically hugged the side of the carriage leaving me as much room as humanly possible. He never uttered a word, yet he looked over at me every two minutes. I rolled my eyes each time he did look at me. Jane and Charles had their own conversation going that I listened to and laughed at, but I didn't say much. I was more than happy to let Jane have her own time with Charles, who might be the love of her life.

For the majority of the ride, I looked outside the carriage at the people we were passing. Most of their faces were lit up with the joy of doing something out of the ordinary. The festival was an anticipated event that only happened once a year. There were mothers trying to keep track of their children, kids running around with their new light-up toys, groups of teens having fun and going on one too many rides, couples out on a date night, tourists taking in the sights and shopping the vendor booths, old high school friends catching up under the alcohol tent, and couples from all walks of life on the pavement dancing to the band. It was incredible to see.

I love small towns.

Finally, the swaying of the carriage came to a halt. As soon as Don got down and pulled out the steps, I jumped out without a second look at anybody in the carriage. Charles handed Jane down, and Darcy climbed down last.

I noticed Charles didn't immediately let go of Jane's hand once she was down.

We said thank you and told Don goodbye as we stepped away. Well, at least three of us did.

''What do you guys think of doing some of the carnival games?'' Charles asked.

I smiled at him, ''Charles, around here, 'you guys' is pronounced 'y'all.' but I'll let it slide with you.''

''Sorry, I apologize, I'm not a southerner.''

Jane patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I like your accent. You said you were good at darts?"

"Yes indeed. Where is that booth? I simply must prove my worth."

We walked through the crowd to get to it. While Charles, Jane, and Darcy waited in line at the balloon dart trailer, I bought myself a few tickets. I rejoined them when only two people left in front of our group.

When they were done, and the man replaced the balloons on the board, he walked up to us, "Hello folks, how many?"

"I'm paying for this lady's entry as well as my own," Charles handed over the required number of tickets, then took his and Jane's darts, and laid them on the counter.

I stepped up next with my tickets.

"No, I'll pay, I insist," Darcy stepped around me to hand up tickets.

"No really, Mr. Darcy. I can pay for my own entry."

''Darcy or William, remember?'' He said as he received the darts.

Why did he want me to keep calling him his first name?

"Okay, fine." I huffed, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Here you go." He carefully handed me five darts, and I made sure our hands didn't touch, then I laid them on the counter.

Jane threw her first dart, and it hit the outside corner, far away from the last balloon. I shot her a questioning look. Jane could throw a dart as well as anyone I knew. She winked at me, and I turned around to laugh. Jane was about to make Charles pull a Hallmark guy move. This was by far the boldest thing my sister had ever done with a man. It was shocking.

I went next and hit a balloon, but it didn't pop. Charles made one pop, and Darcy's hit a balloon, but it didn't pop either.

Jane went again, but her throw was so weak that the dart only bounced off the balloon. I smacked a dart into my balloon with a gratifying pop. Charles and Darcy both popped theirs too.

Jane looked at Charles, "You do know how to throw a dart. Good job. What is it I'm doing wrong?"

I smirked at Charles as he willingly fell for the trap.

He stepped closer to her, "Do you mind?" he asked.

"Please, show me."

Charles held Jane's wrist and demonstrated the throwing movement. Then he held one hand on her shoulder while the other was on the wrist to show her how it all correlated to help with her posture and aim.

A voice in my ear said, "She already knows how to throw. What is he doing?"

I looked up at Mr. Darcy right next to me, "How do you know?"

"Don't insult my intelligence. Jane already had the right posture, and she smiled when the first one landed on the outside. The look exchanged between you two, and your reaction was more proof. As for the second dart, any person with average intelligence would know that you have to have more power than that to pop one of the balloons."

"Okay, okay, I wasn't aware that you had intelligence. Sorry. As to what he is doing, can you really not tell?"

I pulled out my phone and took a picture of them with Charles' arm wrapped around Jane.

"Making a fool out of himself?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, like this?" Jane asked as she sent the dart straight to the middle of the balloons and popped one.

"Yes! Great job."

I went again, and mine bounced off, which irritated me, Charles' didn't pop either, but Darcy's did.

Jane picked up her fourth dart and flicked it into another balloon, easily popping it, then smiled.

"You sly thing! You already knew how to throw. You just wanted to distract me so you would get the prize and not me."

Jane shrugged and smirked, "Sorry, not sorry."

We finished the round with Charles winning a small stuffed animal. He immediately gave it to Jane, and I took a picture of them together as they posed holding it.

We went to a ring toss trailer next, and while we waited in line, I heard someone call my name.

''Hey, Ms. Bennet!"

I turned, "Locklynn! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be studying?''

''And not having any fun? No, thank you.''

I shook my head and smiled, "Alright, have fun tonight.''

''Ummmmmm...'' She looked at me with a smirk, and I raised my brow.

''Yes?''

"Are you going to introduce me to your date?"

What.

''I think I already know who it is,'' she kept the smirk on her face.

''What? No, no, no. I mean, yes.'' I could feel Darcy tense up next to me. Oh, hush your mouth, sir.

"Yes, this is Mr. Darcy. No, he is not my date."

She looked between the two of us. "Whatever you say Ms. Bennet.''

I looked at her styrofoam cup, "Where did you get your drink? Was it somewhere over here or back with the food booths? I need water."

"It was at the food booths. I haven't seen any for sale on this block."

Darcy cleared his throat, ''Excuse me,'' and walked off.

I looked back at Locklynn, ''See, I told you, not my date.''

"Then why did he just walk off like you offended him?"

"Hardly. He simply cannot stand being around or being associated with me."

"Right. I'll head off. I just wanted to tell you hi and meet the man from the pictures in person. I didn't want to say it in class, but those were some pretty steamy pictures of you in the magazines."

Oh no.

"Locklynn, what do you know?"

"Don't worry. I will say, I think it is time for your monthly chat with Mrs. Bell."

"Mrs. Bell had something to do with the magazines?"

"Why do you think there hasn't been a fallout here locally? She's the reason."

"God bless that woman. I love her. I had forgotten she mentored you too. Alright, I'll see you later, bye!"

We parted ways, and I turned to find only Jane standing at the booth with her stuffed animal. She said Charles had gone to the bathroom. The two of us stood amongst the bright lights and loud sounds, the smell of fried food drifting around us as people passed. Some we knew through our church, lifelong acquaintances, committees, or clients.

I soon recognized Lydia and Katie making their way toward us, both in their crop tops and shorts, hauling a guy along with them.

"Incoming younger sisters, pulling fresh meat," I muttered to Jane.

"I wonder who the man is?"

"We will find out shortly, I am sure."

I plastered a smile on my face and turned to face my sisters. Lydia had her hand tucked through a guy's arm and held a beer in the other hand.

"Jane! Lizzy! I am so glad we found y'all! You have to meet George. He just moved to town."

We both shook his hand, and I was impressed with his grip on my hand and his looks. George was a little bit taller than me an athletic build and had an impressively chiseled jaw.

Before I could even ask George anything about himself or why he was new to town, Lydia and Katie launched into a protest against Boris Collins, my parent's first Airbnb guest. Somehow this man had found the listing as soon as it was posted and came on Thursday. It sounded odd.

"He's awful! Boris is one of the most boring men I've ever met, and he's ugly. He drones on and on. I hate him living with us, and it is for three weeks! I don't know how I will stand it."

I edged away from their tirade against Boris because they were focused on Jane, the more sympathetic of us, and sidled up next to George.

A girl has to make her move when she can.

"Sorry, I know they are a lot."

He gave a pleasant chuckle, "Don't worry, I understand family can be crazy and complicated."

The perfect opening.

"Are you from a big family?" I asked, angling towards him.

He gave me an attractive smile, "No, I wish I was. Unfortunately, I'm an only child. Big families always seemed so full of love and energy. If you don't mind me asking, do you like being from a family of all girls?"

He had an accent I couldn't place.

"That's a loaded question," I laughed, "There are advantages and disadvantages. The best part is that we can borrow each other's clothes." I eyed my sisters, then lowered my voice, "I'll tell you a secret, sometimes we do it without asking the other person."

He snickered and leaned towards me, whispering in my ear, "Don't worry, I won't tell."

I felt a shiver race through me as his warm breath tickled my ear.

What was I doing? Why was I flirting with this guy I didn't know anything about?

I smiled as he stepped back, "Are you a good secret keeper?"

"Oh yes, one of the best."

"On your honor?"

"On my honor." He replied solemnly, placing one hand on his heart.

I giggled, then realized Darcy was back and standing on my opposite side.

"He has none." Darcy spat out.

I looked at Darcy, shocked.

What was going on?

Darcy was red and seething with anger. It was the most emotion I had ever seen him show. My head swiveled to George. His face had gone ashen, and his jaw was slack as he stared at Darcy in shock.

I felt something cold pressed into my hands and looked down. Darcy was handing me a chilled bottle of water. I wrapped my fingers around it, waiting for him to let go.

Except, he didn't let go. His hand clenched the bottle so hard I thought the top would pop off.

I tilted my head up at Darcy, "Thanks?"

My response made him let go. Then he immediately clenched his now empty fist.

Darcy had a vein ticking ominously in his jaw. George looked like he had seen a ghost.

I took a step back in case Darcy took a swing at George.

After a few tense seconds, the men broke eye contact, and they both looked at me.

Weird.

"N'ont rien à voir avec lui." ground out Darcy, and he turned and stalked away. 

I looked around, but nobody else caught the exchange. Lydia, Katie, and Jane were still talking, and Charles was returning.

After a few seconds of silence between George and me, he gave a stifled chuckle, "Well, that was unsettling."