Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton Read Free Book Online

recognizable now: Mr. Darcy. Apparently, a week or so of rest and relaxation hadn’t improved Mr. Darcy’s mood or manner; Elizabeth was amused. Not up to dealing with an awkward scene, she quietly turned and took a different path to find another entrance to the resort.
    Entering Merry Bar, she spotted Chau at the bar. As she made her way toward her friend, she passed a large group of women in elegant dresses and beautifully made-up faces. The women were subtle about it, but the full force of their scrutinizing once-over made Elizabeth feel graceless and gauche in her rumpled clothes and no makeup on her face.
    â€œYour sister was wondering if she should go and search for you.” Chau came from behind the counter. “She thought you were probably playing in the waves and forgot the time.”
    â€œI was,” Elizabeth admitted, smiling. “I was pretending I was a water sprite.”
    â€œMy father needs my help at the moment. I’m sorry I can’t visit.”
    â€œThat’s okay. I’m sorry I’m late.”
    â€œJane’s out in the patio area somewhere. She ran into some people she recognized who invited her to join them for a drink out there a few minutes ago. Come, meet my family first.” Chau pulled her toward a group of men behind the bar and introduced them.
    Upon hearing that Elizabeth was Mai Gardiner’s niece by marriage, and that she would be working at the resort, Mr. Luc immediately assured her he and his sons would watch over her carefully.
    â€œSorry about that,” Chau whispered when she and Elizabeth left the Luc men and headed to the patio. “My dad’s protective of you because he knows your aunt Mai.”
    â€œI’m touched. Believe me, I’m used to my aunt Mai’s relatives back home acting the same way,” Elizabeth said.
    Chau led her to Jane. Elizabeth’s eyes widened when she recognized Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy with her sister, along with two other women.
    â€œYou found me.” Jane smiled and introduced Elizabeth and Chau to the others before Chau left them.
    Mr. Bingley smiled at Elizabeth. “So glad to meet you, Elizabeth. Jane told us your family’s from Berkeley.”
    â€œYes, born, raised, and educated.” From his greeting, she realized he didn’t recognize her. Mr. Darcy’s penetrating eyes disconcerted her. Glad a table separated them and she didn’t have to shake his hand, she turned back to Mr. Bingley. “How do you like Da Nang?”
    Mr. Bingley said, “Such a great place. People are so friendly. I love the comfortable clothes they wear. My friend Oanh is going to get me some Vietnamese outfits.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth noted Mr. Darcy’s eyes still focused on her. When she turned to face him directly, he glanced away for a second, then back at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.
    Miss Bingley said, “If you’re going to look stupid, Charles, at least make sure the clothes are new. You don’t know what kind of hygienic habits these people have.”
    Mr. Bingley looked embarrassed. “Caroline, people in Asia took daily baths long before it caught on in Europe.”
    Miss Bingley’s lips curled. “I saw a travel show on TV where they showed these people drinking the same water they bathed in.”
    Mrs. Hurst added, “We brought our own drinking water.”
    â€œWe are very careful, aren’t we, William?” Miss Bingley turned to Mr. Darcy. “If you’re out of yours, I can share mine with you.”
    Feeling like she was in junior high again, Elizabeth turned to observe his reaction to Miss Bingley’s simpering offer. His expression inscrutable, he simply took a sip of his drink and didn’t respond.
    Jane said, “It’s good to be careful if you’re not used to conditions here.”
    â€œI have no intentions of getting used to conditions here. You’re