Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud Page B

insignificant next to him. “Thank you,” she said softly.
    Darcy nodded once and rose while Elizabeth put the acoustic guitar in its case. She didn’t see Darcy move off to go onstage as she thanked Ronnie and ran for her friends. Joining them, Tommy quickly led the three women and Alex to the elevator, which took them to a private, lush hallway. After a short walk, skybox number twelve appeared before them and Tommy directed them to stay there until the show was over, when he would come and walk them backstage.
    Smiling, they entered the small room to find two surprises. The first was a small spread of food on a table along the back wall. The second was Bill Collins, standing in front of the glass wall, stuffing his face.
    He turned with a start and smiled beneficently, “Oh, there you are! Just in time!” he said loftily as he licked his fingers then held out his hand to the girls. “I can’t tell you how proud of you I am. You girls put on a lovely little show. Even Ms. de Bourgh was impressed.”
    Elizabeth was horrified, but by quickly getting a drink from the minibar she was able to avoid touching Collins. A silent yet urgent conversation, conducted only with looks, got Alex to sit between Collins and the girls. They just settled down into their seats when the intro tape ran out and the arena grew silent.
    Darcy’s flawless guitar flooded the room. Elizabeth’s jaw dropped as first Richard’s drums and then Charles’s bass exploded with a crash of lights and pyrotechnics. The crowd roared as the lights came up and the show started. Elizabeth sang softly along with Charles, smiling at Jane and Charlotte, who were singing as well. They all knew the words so well: words about searching in the dark, trying to find answers, trying to know what one’s life path is.
    As Elizabeth watched, her hair swinging unconsciously back and forth to the beat, she considered that Darcy probably wrote those words as well. They seemed so doubtful and questioning, from a man who seemed so secure and in control. The enigma of it challenged her mind and she watched him, trying to reconcile all she knew about this puzzling man. Try as she might, she could come to no conclusion about Darcy. She resolved to find out more about him and allowed herself to enjoy the show.
    Slurry was tight and masterful in their playing, but there was more to it. They did more than simply play music; they knew how to communicate with the crowd, to move it and control it. It was amazing. Elizabeth was impressed not only with the music but with the whole experience. She watched the thousands of people below her, laughing, singing, and dancing. It was only when the band broke for intermission that she realized that she had not been still once during the entire set.
    “ Wow! ” Charlotte said as Elizabeth and Jane smiled and nodded in agreement. “Oh my God!” She laughed, giddy. “That was so intense!”
    “They’re extraordinary,” Elizabeth observed, grinning in spite of herself.
    “Hey, don’t sell yourself short!” Alex objected. “You girls rock too, you know.”
    “Alex, thanks, but we are nothing like that,” Jane gently disagreed.
    “I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” their manager objected. “Seriously, I really think you have as much talent as them.” He nodded toward the stage. “You just need a chance.”
    Elizabeth smiled gratefully. “Well, this is certainly going to be our big chance.” She looked at the crowd. “And I’m going to do everything I can to succeed.”
    “I’m so pleased to hear that, Lizzy,” Collins said silkily. “That’s the kind of attitude that is going to get you places. Stay focused on your goal.”
    Elizabeth nodded, but she didn’t like the way he was looking at her. As quickly as she could, she turned back to the stage, to watch the band begin the second half.
    The crowd was deafening as they screamed at Slurry’s return. Charles smiled broadly and waited a moment for the crowd to quiet