He got out and ran around to open my car door. It made me smile and feel important to be treated like a lady. I was a self-sufficient and strong woman, but it was nice to be taken care of too.

I babbled in the elevator about the weather on our way up. It wasn’t because I thought the weather would interest him, but more because I was afraid I would want to kiss him if I didn’t keep my mouth busy.

Even in the pale neon glow of the elevator, he was the most handsome man I’d ever met in real life. Being in the elevator with him close enough to touch, I could smell his cologne. I remembered the way he made me feel. I could feel myself leaning toward him, wanting to feel that again.

I needed to get a grip on myself and my hormones. I’d hurt him, and I needed to go slow if I wanted to regain any of his trust. I was still surprised that he had agreed to the drink. I didn’t want to push my luck too much and kissing him in the elevator would definitely do that.

Relief washed over me as the elevator doors opened and I hadn’t done anything I would regret or that would embarrass me. I had kept a respectable distance and had remained appropriate. So far, so good.

I hurried into the hallway, glad to have a little more space to lessen the temptation to touch him.

I knew that I shouldn’t feel this attraction. I knew that he had every reason to hate me. Yet, despite it all, he was coming with me, and we were having a lovely evening.

I had no idea how it was going to end. I half wanted it to be in my bed, but the idea terrified me as well. I had no idea what I was doing.

I opened the door to the apartment and held it open.

“Here’s my apartment,” I announced, feeling dumb. “Please come in.”

“Oh, thank god you’re home,” Jane cried, jumping up from the couch and rushing over. Her face was wet with tears, and her hands shook.

“Jane? What’s the matter?” I asked, putting my hands on her shoulders. The poor thing was trembling all over. “What happened?”

Jane’s lower lip trembled. “Lydia’s run away.”

I took a step back in shock and ran directly into Mr. Darcy. He was strong and stable behind me, and it gave me some comfort to know he was there.

“What do you mean, ‘run away’?” I asked, my heart already beating hard.

“Lydia ran away with Wickham,” Jane explained. “They’re in LA. She says he’s going to make her famous, and...”

Her voice caught, and she had to take a breath.

“And?” I pressed. I already knew there was nothing good that could come next. Jane didn’t fluster easily. Something was very wrong with this trip.

“And I checked with his office,” Jane said slowly. “They fired him two weeks ago. He put a girl in a porno without her consent and took the extra money without telling the company.”

“No...” The floor fell out from under me. It was a good thing that Mr. Darcy was behind me or I would have collapsed to the floor. As it was, he had to half carry me over to the couch. My feet didn’t seem to know how to work properly. This was the worst possible outcome to this situation.

“I’m so sorry, Lizzie.” Jane joined me on the couch and took my hand. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“It’s not your fault, Jane,” I told her. Shock settled on my limbs, heavy and awful. “How did you find out?”

“She left a note,” Jane explained. She pulled a small piece of paper out of her pocket. I could see Lydia’s handwriting on it. “It only says she’s in LA with Wickham for a big role. That’s why I called his office.”

“She would have left me a note, too,” I said, rising to my feet. Mr. Darcy rose with me, making sure I was still steady.

I ran to my room and found a small piece of folded paper on my bed. It struck me as important that I had made my bed this morning, but it didn’t matter now.

My hands shook as I picked up the note and read the messy writing.

Dear Lizzie,

When you get back, I’ll already be in Los Angeles. I don’t want you to worry, but this is my big break, and I couldn’t have you talk me out of it.

I told Wickham that I wasn’t an heiress, just like you asked me to. You were right; I should have told him all along. Now that he knows, he’s taking me to Hollywood! He says he has a gig for me there and that it will make me a star.

I had to borrow some of your money to pay for plane tickets, but I promise I’ll pay you back once I get the money for this part.

You’re going to be so proud of me. I promise.

Love,

Lydia

“Stupid girl,” I whispered, wiping a tear from my cheek. How could she be so foolish? How could I have not seen this coming?

“Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy stood in the doorway to my room, waiting for me to tell him to come in. Concern filled his strong features, and those blue eyes wanted to help me.

“What do I do?” I asked him. I felt the tears coming and closed my eyes. “This is bad. This is so bad.”

“Let me see,” he said gently, taking a step toward me. I handed him the letter and watched his face as he read it. His eyes narrowed, and his brow grew dark. His jaw pulsed with tension as he finished reading it.

“This is my fault,” he said softly, his voice low. “If I’d exposed him earlier, she wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“No,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “This is my fault. You told me what he was. I didn’t tell my sister because I didn’t want to hurt her. Now, I’ve hurt her worse. If I had just told her what you told me, this never would have happened.”

“Elizabeth, I’d like to help.” His voice was soothing as he put a hand on my shoulder. I wanted to lean into him and steal his strength, but I didn’t deserve that. So I just stood there.

“Thank you,” I said. He offered me back the note. The paper felt so flimsy in my hands. My sister’s future was about to rip like the paper. I needed all the help I could get. “I need to call some people.”

“Of course,” he agreed.

“I have an uncle in California,” I said, more just to keep myself talking and from freaking out rather than actually trying to communicate. “He might be able to help. At least he’s a lot closer.”

“Yes,” he agreed. He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” I told him.

“Call me William,” he replied.

I nodded, unable to speak anymore. Tears were threatening to spill out all over the place.

“I’ll leave you now,” he said, giving me one last squeeze. “Please call me if you need anything.”

I nodded again, pulling out my phone and looking for my uncle’s phone number. I wasn’t sure if I could get a hold of him at this hour, but I had to try. I wondered what time it was wherever my parents were.

I wondered what my mother was going to say.

The front door shut with a soft shush and click. Mr. Darcy was gone. I suddenly felt less strong than I had a moment ago. I could only imagine what kind of terrible situation Lydia was in. There was nothing good that an out-of-work agent could do with a broke girl. I just hoped I was wrong.

I took a deep breath and dialed the phone, wishing with all my heart that Mr. Darcy still had his hand on my shoulder.