Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t going to let him know that. “Yes, but everyone has hair. Conversation is as much about the things we have in common as it is about the experiences that make us unique.”
    Darcy turned his head to stare at her for a long beat, and then turned back to the road. “I cut my hair because it was becoming more important than my music. I don’t want people to associate my name with my appearance. I want to be known for what I play.”
    Elizabeth was impressed by his answer. “I can understand that. It really pissed me off that none of the record companies would meet with us, or even respond to us, until we started including our picture with our demo tapes.”
    Darcy nodded once. “It’s harder on women musicians. There is much more focus on your appearance.”
    They pulled up to the store. Adam’s was a combination garden center and gourmet market. Elizabeth hung a shopping basket over her arm and looked at the produce section. “Do you like strawberries?” she asked, eyeing the first harvest of the season.
    “Yes,” he replied, slightly surprised. “But Caro is allergic to them,” he recalled.
    Elizabeth nodded and passed by the rest of the fruit. She moved on to the bakery and chose a fruit tart and a chocolate cheesecake. “That ought to satisfy everyone,” she smiled to her companion.
    Darcy walked with her to the register and offered to pay. Elizabeth assured him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. She shrugged and waited in line. While waiting, she noticed the checkout girl watching them closely. When Darcy handed the girl his credit card, she giggled and blushed, but quickly processed the transaction. Darcy took the card back with a confident smile and warmly thanked the girl, which produced even more giggles.
    “Does that happen often?” Elizabeth asked as they walked back to the parking lot.
    “What? Being recognized?” He shrugged. “Not very often.”
    “Do you mind it?” She was annoyed somehow by his behavior with the girl, and she realized she was now trying to provoke him.
    “Not when people are polite about it. I hate it when people I don’t know stand and talk at me like I’m their best friend or something.”
    “Hmm,” Elizabeth said noncommittally as she got into the car.
    “Elizabeth, you better get used to this. Once your video hits MTV, your private life is over. You’ll have to be able to handle it.”
    “You seem pretty sure we’ll be a success.”
    “I believe you will be,” he answered. “You are a talented band, and you are going to have the label marketing supporting you.” He didn’t sound too convinced, but Elizabeth was willing to take him at his word.
    “Can I ask you a question?” Darcy said softly.
    Elizabeth snapped out of her thoughts. “Of course.”
    “Why ‘Long Borne Suffering’?”
    Elizabeth smiled ironically. “It’s actually a joke about my mother.”
    Darcy looked at her, willing her to continue.
    “My mother will sometimes go on these rants, complaining about things, the way everyone does, I guess. She always ends with ‘You don’t know how I suffer!’” Elizabeth grinned. “When we were putting the band together that seemed like a funny joke, so we picked it and it stuck.” She shrugged. “It’s too late to change it now. Why ‘Slurry’?”
    “It’s just a name,” his deep voice said darkly.
    Elizabeth didn’t believe that for a moment, but she also recognized that he didn’t want to talk about it. She had clearly reached the limit of questions she was allowed to ask for the day.
    They rode the rest of the way in silence. Darcy stayed for the dessert and then left quickly afterward. Elizabeth, for her part, was glad to see him go. She spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the company of her family, the Lucases, and the Bingleys, forgetting about Darcy and his coldness.

Chapter 3
     
    The blonde who walked out of the loft on Broone Street was not exceptional in appearance. She was attractive, but not so much