Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of November 20, 2001
Chapter 9
Morning came. Elizabeth and Will's world was changed forever. The Doctors released Elizabeth and they went home. The pain and slow pace of the proceeding day had not diminished. They both felt retched and did not know how to comfort each other. They eventually wound up lying in bed, not quite awake, not quite asleep for days or maybe weeks. Elizabeth and Will did not talk about what happened; they went through the motions of life but could not bear anything real.
Elizabeth could not cry for the first three days, but when she finally could she sobbed hysterically. Her heart was broken and she did not know how to relate to Will. They had such different personalities, of course they would mourn in completely different ways.
The first thing that Elizabeth did was go on the birth control pill.
Will made all of the necessary phone calls to family and friends. One week after the miscarriage, Will went back to work. He found that concentrating on work distracted him from grief. Seeing Elizabeth cry so openly made him uncomfortable. He could never cry in front of someone else, or possibly that was a skill he developed while attending an all boy's boarding school.
Life became stale in the Darcy house. Elizabeth felt she was trapped in a vacuum. There was no place for her to hide from her utter devastation. She began to feel like nothing more than a fixture in Will's life. She was like furniture; his servants tolerated, pitied, and gossiped about her.
Elizabeth Bennet hates pity.
Will was a zombie. He was distant and cold again. He did not know what to say or how to act around Elizabeth. Personally he was eager to move on with his life. Elizabeth, he hoped, would be a part of it.
Elizabeth was distressed by Will's reaction. She needed the friend she made the first day in New York. She had the guy Clay and Jane set her up with. As upset as she was, she could not blame Will. Elizabeth knew he was mourning, in his own way.
Elizabeth found it too hard to dive back into her novel, she asked for and received an extension from her publishers. She found Will's house stifling when she was alone so she began spending her days shopping, in the park, or visiting anyone she knew. Will's acceptance and willingness to move on mad her uncomfortable. She did not want to be the hysterical female who was supported by the strong male.
She cried nearly every day. Georgiana tried to keep Allison away from her. Seeing a child constantly could only add to the pain. The situation was not explained to Allison, when she walked in on Elizabeth crying one day, she did not know what to think.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in." Elizabeth wiped the tears from her face as she attempted to compose herself.
"That's okay. Are you sad?"
"Yeah, yeah I am."
"Why?"
Elizabeth tried to explain what happened without discussing subjects that should be explained by her mother. "Will and I were going to have a baby, but something went wrong. Now were not going to have the baby and I miss it."
"I'm sorry; I miss my dog, Simon, he died last year. Would it help if I drew you a picture?"
"Of course it would. Can I hug you?"
"Okay."
Piece by piece, Elizabeth mended. Her relationship with Will was damaged; they both accepted that and hoped that it wasn't permanent. Their routine changed, they spent as little time as possible together, they did not share every detail of their day the second Will walked in the door, they did not stay up late every night talking and making love.
After a month in this stale, depressed house that was once a place of happiness for Elizabeth, she knew she had to get away. She was not mending as fast as she would have liked to and the publisher was pressuring Shelia.
Will had taken to sitting in the library until it was time to go to sleep since the miscarriage. Elizabeth never sat with him. When she entered the library Will did not notice. He was sitting at a large desk in front of the window; his head lie on the desk as he sat crying.
Will could not express his grief to anyone, even Elizabeth. He thought that he was sparing her feelings by not mentioning his own pain. He imagined that Elizabeth's pain out weighted his and he did not want pour salt in her wounds by forcing her to take care of him.
"Will?"
He looked up to see Elizabeth crouching by the side of his chair. He rolled to chair back from the desk so he could get a better look at her while he tried to pretend that he was not crying. As he shifted the position of the chair, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and sat on his lap. It was their first intimate physical contact they had since they lost the baby. For a while, they just held each other and cried.
"I love you," Elizabeth said as she began to kiss away Will's tears. The kisses gradually grew deeper and longer until they made love for the first time it what seemed like an eon.
"Will," Elizabeth said as they were lying on the floor. " I think about the baby every second I'm in this house. I need to get away. I can't get better if everything and everyone I see reminds me of the miscarriage."
"Oh."
"It's not you. I have to get away; the publisher is breathing down my neck. I need to write. I want my life to be normal again."
"I have a cottage in Maine; you can go tomorrow if you want." Will's voice was stiff and uncomfortable. He meant it when he told her that he did not know how he would live without her; despite her assurances, he did not know if she would be back.
Chapter 10
Elizabeth was breathtaking that evening. Will nearly forgot his resolve to forget her. He helped the ladies take their coast off as he greeted them. He immediately sensed a change in Elizabeth's demeanor. She looked at Will like he was a mouse and she was a hawk.
"Can I get any of you a drink?"
"Please, Rum and Coke," Elizabeth replied.
"I'll have the same."
Will went to get Elizabeth and Jane's drinks. When he returned, Jane was telling Elizabeth to behave herself. "Don't I always?"
"No." The Bennet girls seemed embarrassed when they realized that Will heard part of their conversation. Jane was soon occupied by Clay; this meant that Will had Elizabeth all to himself. Will was both excited and terrified of spending this much time with her. When her friend Charlie arrived, he was disappointed to loose her attention.
Charlie had a lot of news of her own. The annoying French artist, Victor Collins, had fallen in love with her. He asked her to move to San Francisco with him. Charlie agreed, but she was a bit afraid to tell Elizabeth.
"Charlie, what the hell, are you brain-dead?" Charlie's fear was correct.
"No, I like him."
"Your life is here."
"I can be a journalist in California, too. Victor moves around a lot. We are going to New York when his job in San Francisco is over. I know what I'm getting myself into."
"Really?" Elizabeth sounded less than convinced. Will Darcy interrupted her from further yelling at her friend. He had regained his ability to talk to Elizabeth while she was staying with Clay, much to Elizabeth's chagrin.
"Hi, Elizabeth. Would you like to dance?"
"Well . . . I was talking to my friend here." There was something in his eyes frightened Elizabeth, but in an intriguing way. "Okay."
Will was a very good dancer. He had undoubtedly had much practice.
"How is your mother?"
"Mom's crazy, but productive."
"That's good." Their conversation would have stopped here if Elizabeth did not meet George Wickham earlier that week.
"What do you do anyway?"
"I'm president and CEO of Darcy Enterprises."
"What does Darcy Enterprises do?"
"My grandfather started a real estate development firm which my father took over. He started buying more businesses until he couldn't run all of them anymore. Then he began buying businesses that weren't doing so well and hiring new management. He changed the name to Darcy Enterprises somewhere in there."
"Oh, thanks for clearing that up. I met someone the other day who you used to know."
"I used to know a lot of people, who exactly?"
"George Wickham."
Elizabeth could not have imagined a better reaction. Will turned pale and stiffened. He wished to say something clever, but could not think of anything.
"What did he have to say for himself?"
"He's trying to start his own Internet Company now. It seems he's gotten over the lay off." Will was not listening closely. He was just talking to hear the sound of his own voice. When the dance was over, he politely left Elizabeth and kicked a brick wall.
"What happened to him?" Charlie later asked.
"I called him on something. I met this guy, George Wickham. George used to work for Darcy Enterprises. Will's dad and George were very close so George Darcy made George Wickham president of some pharmaceutical corporation that the Darcy family just bought. When Will's dad died and Will took over Darcy Enterprises, Will fired Wickham for no reason. The thing is that George Darcy gave the corporation to Wickham, but Will refused to obey the wish."
"Are you sure you should believe this guy, you just met him this week."
"Yes, I believe him. That's ironic because I have this friend who just told me that she just knew she should move in with this creepy French artist."
"Point taken, lets eat." Elizabeth and Charlie were seated at the same table as Mrs. Bennet and Will Darcy. Elizabeth insatiately developed a migraine.
"You know I gave up meat fifteen years ago. I'm convinced that it has added years to my life. That much red meat can't be good for someone who has as much stress as you Mr. Darcy." Sarah Bennet said as she doused her vegetables with butter and salt.
"Mom, you know that you're not supposed to have butter and salt. They are bad for your heart."
"Lizzy, that's nonsense. Butter and salt are completely natural, they can't hurt me."
"So is lithium. Since you don't eat meat you don't get enough protein so you're naturally a bit weak adding fat a salt to your diet is a bad idea." Will Darcy was laughing at what Elizabeth said and provoked angry stares from both Bennet women.
"I've hardly talked to Jane all night. I hope that Clay is the one. My poor Jane wears her heart on her sleeve; she's nothing like this one," she motioned to Elizabeth."
"Mom!"
"I'd hate to see poor Jane heartbroken again. I thought that she'd never recover from Roger and that was only seven or eight months ago."
"Mother, not now!" Elizabeth leaned over and whispered something in her mother's ear about Will being the enemy.
"Jane is such a sensitive girl, but she always has the strength to move on when she has to. At least she gives that impression to others."
Will was listening to the conversation. He did not suspect Jane and Clay's relationship was that serious? He'd have to talk to Clay about it before Clay made a mistake. He had to leave before he made a mistake himself. He felt very deeply for Elizabeth, but he was not sure what he felt. She was infuriating, funny, and enraging. At times he wanted to punch her (not that he would ever really hit a woman) and kiss her in the same instant. It suddenly dawned on him, as Sarah Bennet was explaining charkas to Charlie Lucas and some French artist: he loved Elizabeth Bennet.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth missed Will greatly. She knew that if she called, she would run home. The sound of Will's voice had a powerful effect on Elizabeth. So during her stay in Maine, she exchanged letters with Will.
Elizabeth was always a bookish nerd. She always knew a good book store the way an alcoholic knew a good bar. She found a good bookstore in Champton. Elizabeth would often spend an entire afternoon browsing the bookstore. One afternoon, she was thumbing through a paper back copy of Loki's Revenge when a man approached her.
"Don't buy that; you'll just be supporting an old alcoholic's drinking habit."
She looked up to see a man who would have been attractive fifteen years ago. Now, he had the washed out look of a middle-aged man who betrayed the ideals of his youth.
"Go away," she told him."
"You're new here, aren't you?" The man stayed. "The regular customer's won't be up for hours."
"Who are you, and why won't you leave me alone?"
"I'm the owner; I'm bored and I feel that it is my duty to prevent you from buying a novel by a washed out, middle-aged man who betrayed the ideals of his youth."
"I realize that you think that you're an expert on the matter. Not everyone can run a small bookstore in a small town in a small state. Most people think that C. Riley Jones is a genius."
"I had no malicious intent, I just wanted to warn you. At first glance you seemed to posses intelligence and taste. I apologize."
Elizabeth chose to ignore the man, but get the novel to spite him. She also picked up a book on seventies history. The man who harassed her checked her out. He smirked at her selection and slipped something into Loki's Revenge.
Elizabeth held her head high and pretended not to notice has she walked out of the store. When she got to the car she sat on the hood and read the note.
Thanks for the drink.
Chester Riley Jones.
Elizabeth did not believe that C. Riley Jones worked in a bookstore. The man in there bothered her, but she had to go back because she forgot her keys.
The man was smirking when she walked in.
"Back so soon?"
"I left my keys, I came back to get them."
"Oh, these?" The man held them in front of him, just high enough to be out of Elizabeth's reach.
"Yes, I'd like them back, please."
"Alright. One condition. You have lunch with me."
"I can't. I'm busy." Elizabeth was extremely frustrated.
"It's non-negotiable."
"I really need to get back to work."
"Where do you work?"
"I'm self employed."
"Then your boss will understand. You have no excuse."
Elizabeth needed her keys; she had no choice. She asked, "Where do you want to eat?"
"There's a wonderful restaurant across the street. I'll be ready to go in two seconds."
Chapter 12 Flashback
Will had and Clay really did have some important business to take care of in New York. Will was happy to have an excuse to get away from the Bennet sisters. He was too vulnerable to be around Elizabeth and he felt that Clay needed to reexamine his relationship with Jane. Will and Clay did have that talk. Clay was hurt. Will felt sorry for his friend, then he remembered how so many people warned him against marrying Anne.
He suddenly felt lonelier than he ever had before. He had his friends, extended family, and Georgiana and Allison, but something was defiantly missing in his life. He missed Elizabeth. His life was so dull. He never felt bored in New Jersey because Elizabeth was always yelling at him
As sad and lifeless as Will's life now the only thing he could do was move on. He buried himself in Darcy Enterprises. It was getting easier and easier to spend every waking moment working. The company was getting a little too big for one man to handle. He would have to do something about it soon. For now, he enjoyed the distraction from Elizabeth.
As hard as he tried, he could not forget her completely. He was surrounded by things that reminded him of her. His sister started wearing Elizabeth's perfume. His secretary was reading the book Elizabeth was reading when they were at Clay's house. He found himself watching things on TV that Elizabeth would enjoy. The harder he tried to escape it, the more things reminded him of Elizabeth.
Will was looking forward to forgetting Elizabeth in California. California was Anne's home. Whenever Will went there he always brooded about his failed marriage. He was looking forward to brooding over anything but Elizabeth Bennet. He found his chosen task exceptionally difficult when he found the above mention Ms. Bennet sitting on his aunt's couch on his second day in San Francisco.
Elizabeth was shocked when Clay suddenly packed up and left New Jersey. He had businesses to run and he did not seem like the kind of guy who would just take up and leave in the middle of a relationship. Jane was heart broken. She began spending more and more time at the clinic.
Elizabeth and George Wickham went on exactly two and a half dates. Elizabeth bore him no ill will. They just were not right for each other. He was a nice guy; she knew they would be friends if she had the time. Whenever they did spend time with each other, he told her more and more about the Darcy family. Will controlled his poor sister with an Iron fist; she was in her early twenties and she had never lived apart from Will. Elizabeth pitied the girl, but Wickham also told her that Georgiana was a typical stuck up society girl.
When Charlie first started begging Elizabeth to come to San Francisco to visit, Elizabeth absolutely refused. She could not stand the thought of staying in the same apartment as Victor Collins. Charlie kept begging and told Elizabeth the Victor was living in the hotel. The owner thought that he should get a sense of the building so Charlie and Lizzy would have the place to themselves. Elizabeth truly did want to see her friend. There would be no permanent damage to her psyche if Victor was living in another building so she had no choice but to agree.
She had been toying with an idea for a novel she hoped that a different coast would inspire her. She also harbored hopes of getting her friend away from Victor. Elizabeth flew out to California. She spent several days hanging out with Charlie. Elizabeth was staying in the guest bedroom of Charlie and Victor's apartment.
"Charlie, I hate to rain on you're parade, but you are way to good for that guy."
"Liz, I know that Victor is a hard person to like, but we understand each other. I don't love him and he doesn't love me and we're fine with the situation. We're getting married. I get to experience his life style for a few years after which, hopefully, I'll have enough research to write a novel like Jackie Collins or Eliza Rose Lucas. I also want children. This may be my last opportunity to naturally have children."
"Charlie! That's ridiculous. What if the right guy comes along while you're playing house with Victor?"
"Lizzy, I never bought that romantic stuff. I don't think that the right guy will ever come. I have to control my own life. I like Victor, almost. I am fine with the situation. I'm a grown up, my mistakes are my responsibility. This is what I want; I understand if it confuses you. You and I are very different people. We aren't going to want the same thing. What do you want?"
"Charlie, don't shift the focus of the conversation. We're still talking about how messed up you are."
"For better or worse, I'm walking into this situation with my eyes wide open. Now that I'm in a relationship, even a fake one, it is my girl duty to meddle in the lives of my single friends. What do you want in a guy?"
"Perfection. I guess I'll settle for someone who doesn't annoy me."
Elizabeth began to tolerate Victor Collin's company. He was full of praise for his latest patron, Catherine de Bourgh; he insisted that Elizabeth accompany them to her place for dinner that evening.
Catherine de Bourgh's house was obviously expensive. The building was richly ordained with marble and surrounded by sculptures and fountains. The interior was finely decorated with gaudy fabrics that screamed wealth, yet bad taste. Victor took her on a tour of the house. The tour would have never ended if a tall, thin woman hadn't interrupted him.
"You must be Miss Bennet; I'm Catherine de Bourgh. Welcome to my home."
"Thank you for having me."
"It is no problem. We are having a large party. One more won't make much difference. This is my daughter Anna," she indicated a much younger, mousy looking woman who sat in the corner. "Anna is just about to graduate law school." Eager to avoid Victor's name-dropping and brown nosing, Elizabeth engaged Anna in conversation.
"What type of law are you going into?" Elizabeth asked.
"I won't be practicing right away. I'm going to work for my cousin in New York. I'm trying to make living arrangements right now. It is a little difficult to do from across the country."
"What does you cousin do?"
"William runs a corporation. He owns a little bit of everything."
"Miss Bennet, my nephew is Fitzwilliam Darcy. You must have heard of him," interrupted Catherine
Elizabeth and Charlie exchanged worried looks. "Yes, I met him a few months ago in New Jersey."
"I wonder what he was doing there. He only leaves the city on business."
"He was visiting a friend, Clay Bingley."
"Oh yes, he recently acquired a publishing firm. He insists on hiring his friends and family. Poor Clay really isn't cut throat enough for the business world."
"I didn't know that he owned FitzGeorge."
"Well, he does own a bit of everything." Before Catherine mentioned it, Elizabeth had no idea that Will was Clay's boss. It certainly shed a new light on their relationship. Elizabeth was interrupted from her musings by the entrance of Will and his cousin Rob.
Will was shocked to see her. She was beautiful. He stared at her while his aunt made the introductions. He was foolish to think that he could ever forget her. After properly greeting his aunt and cousin, he approached Elizabeth. He asked how her family was, and then had nothing else to say.
Catherine was busy showing off her latest artistic discovery. She flaunted Victor to her nephews, particularly her richer nephew.
"William, you should really consider putting some art into at least one of you buildings. You know it gives the employee's something to look forward to."
"I believe that my staff prefers three weeks paid vacation to the artistic pretensions of some heartless CEO."
"Victor's work is really groundbreaking. You must see the mural he is working on for the hotel."
"I must object, ma'am," interrupted Victor. "I never let anyone see my art work before it is finished. I believe that it takes the integrity away from the piece. I do not mean to scare you. All of my clients are satisfied. Rosie just sent me a fruit basket in thanks of a sculpture I did for her garden. Donald and the writer Eliza Rose Lucas gave me a healthy bonus." The conversation was interrupted by an unexplained fit of laughter from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth found Will irritating. She could not believe what a coincidence it was; she was certain that she would never see him again. She was relieved when finally gave up the idea of a conversation between the two of them. When Will backed off, he discussed Anne's new job with his cousin and Aunt. He was too distracted by his other cousin and Elizabeth to get into a conversation.
Elizabeth and Rob hit it off immediately. They were flirty, yet could have a decent conversation. Rob asked her to go out the next night. She was a little confused when Will came along.
Chapter 13
Jane enjoyed spending time with Will and doing something for Elizabeth. Jane did not know how to react when Lizzy lost the baby. She was anxious to do anything for Elizabeth.
Will and Jane got along surprisingly well. They both loved Elizabeth and Clay. Jane believed that she and Will had the most in common from that group. Elizabeth and Clay were fast with their emotions and quick to judge. Jane and Will thought their lives out, like a giant chess game, before they made the slightest move.
Jane took Will with her when she went shopping for a Wedding Dress. Will was incredibly patient, had wonderful taste, and his name got them into every bridal salon in the city. Will took her to wonderful restaurants. They both realized how why Elizabeth and Clay care so much for the other. The day they finally bought Jane's wedding dress, they went to a special restaurant for lunch.
"This is where I asked Anne to marry me."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. When I think about what I had with Anne, I only realize that it is nothing compared to what I have with Elizabeth. I wish she were here, now."
"She had to go."
"I know. That's what makes it so hard. She's been writing me everyday." Will was silent for a few minutes, and then an astonished "Oh my God!" passed his lips.
"Hello Fitzwilliam"
"Hi Anne. I thought you were in Germany."
"I just got back. I see you're back to blondes."
"This is Clay's fiancé, Jane. You remember Clay, you waited until the divorce was filed before you went after him."
"Vaguely. I'm glad he's found such a pretty companion and I'm sorry you're alone Will."
"Will's going to marry my sister, Ms. Darcy."
"Oh, pity. Tell your sister that she better make sure she knows what she's getting herself into before she dives into Will's world. Will may be very loving, but he is also very unforgiving. Our mutual friend, George Wickham learned about that the hard way."
"You don't know what your talking about Anne. Elizabeth knows everything about me."
"That's what you think now, Good bye Will. A pleasure to meet you Miss ?" When Jane made it clear that she would not tell Anne her last name, Anne walked away to her own table and gave them sharp looks throughout the meal.
"Will, I'm sorry. I had no idea that she was that bad."
"Yeah. Lets forget about her."
Will and Jane finished their meal at the same time Anne finished hers. They were all leaving the restaurant at the same time."
"Anne," Will blurted out suddenly. "Can I talk to you?"
Chapter 14 Flashback
"Will do you have a problem with Elizabeth?"
"No."
"Then why are you staring at us?" Will did not answer. "You're not going to try to break us up are you?"
"I don't think that I could if I wanted to."
"You like her don't you?" Will again did not answer. "This is defiantly an interesting development."
Will "accidentally" met Elizabeth all over town. He believed that she started to like him and looked forward to impressing her at the hotel opening. He could always impress women when he was in formal wear.
Rob and Elizabeth went to the opening of La Grand de Bourgh together, to the dismay of Will. Will had nothing to worry about; Elizabeth and Rob realized that they had more fun when they were friends. Will watched them the entire evening. He wanted to ask Elizabeth to dance, but she was avoiding him. Catherine introduced Will to several insipid socialites. Elizabeth was growing more and more beautiful as the night progressed. He needed fresh air.
He immediately regretted leaving the safety of the hotel.
"Hello Fitzwilliam"
"Hello Anne."
****
Rob was trying to help his cousin out all evening. He constantly told her what a wonderful friend, cousin, brother, and uncle Will was. He talked about the charity Will founded. Rob told Elizabeth everything remotely pleasant about Will, even how he had prevented a friend from proposing to a veterinarian from New Jersey.
Rob and Elizabeth followed Will outside. When Rob perceived Anne, he pulled Elizabeth back inside.
"That woman is Will's ex-wife."
"Is that bad?"
"They had a messy divorce. He adored her. She cheated on him. "
"Poor guy," Elizabeth did feel a bit sorry for him.
"Do me a favor." She got a feeling that it would not be a favor that she enjoyed by the tone of Rob's voice. "Pretend to be Will's date."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"Anne dumped him when his little sister got pregnant. He's not over her."
"That's not fair Rob. I'll do it, but you owe me!" Elizabeth walked outside and pretended to be looking around. She pretended to not notice the woman who was talking to Will as she slipped his arm around his waist. "Puppy, I've been looking all over for you." She hugged and kissed him deeply. The kiss was surprisingly pleasant, considering whom she was kissing. As she pulled back, she whispered, "Play along."
"Anne, this is my friend Elizabeth."
"Friend? If we're friends; I'd hate to see what you and Clay do when no one's around."
"Lizzy, this is my ex-wife Anne."
Elizabeth pulled away from him and stiffened. "Oh, I've heard so much about you." The tone in Elizabeth's voice suggested that whatever she had heard about the other woman was negative. The women shook hands. "I'll let you two talk." Elizabeth turned and started to walk away.
"It's alright. I was just about to go inside," Anne said.
"Thanks so much," he said when Anne was out range.
"Thank your cousin. You both owe me. Now lets go show off." Once inside, they acted like a normal couple; they danced and held hands. No one really noticed except Anne, Charlie, and Rob.
Finally, the moment they had all been waiting for came, the unveiling of an original mural by Victor Collins. The crowd was silent as the velvet shroud was removed from the wall. It was clearly not what Catherine had expected. The background was a vibrant landscape. A hot pink forest bordered a lime green lake. In the center was a pure, white chicken. The lobby erupted in applause; it seemed like everyone loved it.
Charlie and Victor were spending the night in the hotel so Will drove Elizabeth back to the apartment. The conversation on the way back to the apartment was limited.
"May I pry into your personal life?" Elizabeth asked.
"If you must."
"Was your mother anything like Catherine de Bourgh?"
"My mother was shorter, other that that yes."
"Sorry."
Will was forming some desperate resolution. He knew that tonight would be his last chance to start a relationship with Elizabeth. Will was too emotional for much more conversation and Elizabeth was too tired. Will knew he had to say something about their few minuets as a couple. When he pulled in front of the building.
"Why did you call me puppy?"
"I don't know. I never feel comfortable saying 'honey' or 'darling.' I never have pet names for my boyfriends but I thought that this situation called for one."
"Thank you again. Do you want me to walk you to the door?"
"No. I should be fine." Will brushed a strand of Elizabeth's hair from her face as she took her seat belt off. He leaned in to kiss her again. To Elizabeth's surprise, she kissed him back. When she realized what was happening she pulled away and started stuttering. "Ahh ahh I haf. fe. I have to to go."
Will couldn't believe his stupidity. He drove off and started to pack for a business trip to Paris. He was ashamed. He should have said something to her, but he did not know what. Will was too distracted to pack. He found himself driving around town. At two in the morning he wound up back at Charlie and Victor's apartment.
He saw a light on in the front room. That was enough encouragement for him to go to the door. Elizabeth was writing something and was distracted from the time. She was startled when she heard a knock on the door. Elizabeth was upset when she peeked thought the peephole and saw Will Darcy. Nonetheless, she opened the door and let him in. Will mumbled and paced around nervously.
"I was packing for my business trip to Paris after I dropped you off. I had two suitcases full when I realized that I forgot something important, but I wasn't sure exactly what. Naturally, I rifled thought my suit cases and looked for what I missed. I found that I didn't forget anything. I was angry and I was repacking-then it hits me. What I was forgetting wasn't a thing, it was a person. Specifically you. I forgot you."
"What!"
"I forgot you. I've been in love with you almost as long as I've known you. I tried to forget about it because we are so different. I thought that I was doing the right thing, but I've been thinking about you constantly. I can't fight it anymore. I love you. Will you go to Paris with me?"
"No Will." The silence that followed could have killed Elizabeth. She didn't want to hurt Will, but she was offended by his assumption that she would be his on command.
"What?" Will was angry and hurt at the same time. He honestly thought that she would be thrilled to go with him. What woman would not be thrilled?
"That was a beautiful speech. I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty ice pick than touch you."
"I see. Your reaction wasn't quite what I expected. I don't know what I did to provoke such hatred . . ."
"You," she tried to find the perfect word, "suck". You're stuck up and you treat everyone like dirt. Including me and my sister." William was obviously surprised that Elizabeth knew that he separated Clay and Jane.
"I won't pretend that I don't know what you're talking about. Clay is young and impulsive. I warned him against getting too involved in his relationship with you're sister. I only wish that someone would have warned me as I warned him."
"Clay is a two years older that I am. You manipulate and bend people to your will. You don't have friends and family, you have lackeys. When someone like George Wickham challenges your whishes, you kick them out of your life."
"Elizabeth, you don't know what you're talking about. I see how you feel about me and I'm sorry that I burdened you with mine. I apologize for bothering you at this hour. Goodnight." With that, he left.
Chapter 15
C. Riley Jones enjoyed tormented the young woman he just met. From their conversation, he easily observed that she was intelligent and well educated. The young lady was dark and aloof. He could tell that she wanted to get her keys back and never speak to him again so he ate his meal has slowly as he possibly could.
"So, have you read my book?"
"You never wrote a book. You're a sad, pathetic man who is, at best crazy in a sweet say, at worst crazy in a slasher movie serial killer way."
The man laughed, but said, "Very true, very true, but I did indeed write that book." He pulled out his wallet and showed her his driver's license. He was who he said he was.
"I was led to believe you had nothing left to say to me; at least that's the impression that your lawyer's gave me."
"I'm not sorry about what happened to us. We were entirely awful to each other, but we never should have been married."
"We never really were, Fitzwilliam."
"We were too young."
"We were young, but we both grew up fast. We are responsible for what happened to us."
"You told my sister that it would be better for the family if she got an abortion," Will said.
"Oh! Our divorce took long enough to finalize. I would have thought that you could have found something else to complain about. God knows I did."
"I always treated you well."
"You were polite to me. A woman wants more than that from here husband," Anne explained.
"I was never around a normal couple, I thought that everyone acted like we did."
"No. Normal couples are all over each other, at least while they are alone. Normal couples don't meet because their mothers had the same shrink. Normal couples talk to each other."
"I know that now, I want to know why I couldn't make our marriage work."
"You didn't want to," Anne said.
"That's ridiculous! I went to the marriage counselor. I supported all of your little . . . things you did."
"No I'm not ridiculous, you wanted to have a trophy perfect marriage without putting any work into it. I wanted the same thing, so it wasn't a problem until my sister got married."
"What does Toni have to do with this?"
"Toni and John are in love. They need each other. At first I thought it was nauseating. Then one day, I was jealous. I wanted a close loving marriage."
"Anne, I did love you."
"You didn't need me."
"That wasn't personal Anne. I never needed anyone."
"That's why all of your relationships have failed. Don't marry this girl. It's hard to be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. It's harder when Mr. Darcy would rather spend time at the office than with her."
******
Elizabeth and C. Riley Jones were silent, completely silent. Elizabeth could not believe that he was wasting away in a bookstore in Maine or that she had been so rude to him. They ordered their meal when the waitress came to their table.
C. Riley Jones wanted to make her talk, after their food came he started asking her questions.
Elizabeth was not about to talk about her books under the name Eliza Rose Lucas, so their conversation was limited.
"Why are you here, Miss Bennet?"
"You wouldn't give me my keys back."
"True. I like you Miss Bennet. You're the first woman that interested me is a long time. You are very beautiful; I'd like to get to know you."
"I have a boyfriend whom I love very much."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you love your boyfriend very much?"
"I'm not sure. I just do."
"I'm truly sorry to hear that. Where is he?"
"New York."
"And you're here, in Maine?"
"So you see."
"Let me guess. He is intensely private and very serious. You had a disagreement so you just had to get away from him."
"We didn't have a fight. Our relationship is fine. I just need a vacation."
I don't think that you would be in Maine while he was in New York if you had a good relationship. How long have you been seeing each other?"
"About six months."
"I'm sorry if I doubt the seriousness of you're relationship, Miss Bennet, but if you were my girlfriend, I wouldn't let you out of my sight for a second." He meant to compliment her, but Elizabeth found him trite and condescending. There was a period where Elizabeth would have found him attractive, but that period of her life disappeared with her retainers.
"Chester, I do not find kidnapping or obsequious flirting charming."
"Point taken."
******
"Anne, I didn't think that you were so hurt."
"I got over it. Like you said, we were never right for each other. You just have to learn to deal with your shortcomings in relationships. One of my therapists told me that; who, by the way, you paid for."
"I don't want to."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't want to accept my shortcomings. I need Elizabeth."
"You should be telling her this."
"I can't. She's in Maine."
******
"As fun as it is to analyze me, why don't we talk about you for a while?" Elizabeth asked.
"Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Why are you living here?"
"This is where I grew up. I just came home to die, like so many of our wilderness friends."
"You don't strike me as the small town type."
"That's because I'm incredibly pretentious."
"Well duh."
"My parents were actually servants. They worked for the Fitzwilliams, a very rich, high class family that used to have a house here?"
"Really?"
"I would go to work with my mother when I didn't have school. I would spend hours in the library?"
"What happened to the family?"
"That was quite a scandal." Elizabeth considered shifting the topic on the conversation, but curiosity got the better of her. She suspected that he would tell her about Georgiana and Ally. "The Fitzwilliams gave the house to their oldest daughter when she got married. She married a very rich man named George Darcy. The Darcys didn't come here together, but Mrs. Darcy came here a lot. The house burnt down, that's how the late Mrs. Darcy became 'the late' Mrs. Darcy."
"What's scandalous about that?"
"She wasn't alone. Her husband's friend was with her."
"Oh. How did the family take it?"
"Not well. Mr. Darcy became very depressed and devoted himself to work. He practically adopted Mr. Wickham's son."
"Who?"
"The man who was found with his wife."
"And you know this because your family worked for the Fitzwilliams?"
"Yes, why is this so hard for you to understand?"
"I know the family."
"They still have a cottage that was part of the estate. When they do come, they never come to town." The waitress approached and gave Mr. C. Riley Jones the check. "Miss Bennet, Thank you for a wonderful meal. I enjoyed your company. I meant what I said earlier. If it turns out that you've put too much faith into this Prince Charming of yours, my door is always open."
"That's not what will is like at all. He is the only man who was willing to let me be myself-no questions asked. That's why I need him." Elizabeth said these words to herself more than the man sitting across from her.
"Alright, I believe you." He said as he slid her car keys across the linoleum table.
Chapter 16 ~ Flashback
Miss Bennet,
I did not write this to reopen last night's wounds. To spare both of us pain, I will be as direct as possible. This letter is not an apology or renewal of the offer I made last night, it is an explanation. Last night, you made two severe attacks on my personality. The first was that I separated my friend Clay from your sister Jane. I did.
My reason for separating the couple was a tad nobler than you may believe. Clay is an irresponsible person. His family is very old money, which unfortunately means that his family fortune has dwindled but his family's expenses have not. This places Clay in a position of responsibility that he is not qualified for. I tried to help my friend by giving him a job. Clay's family owned a publishing firm that his father had to sold to pay off his mother's debt. My friend did learn the business so I gave him a job in a publishing firm I bought in New Jersey.
Unfortunately, Clay is also very trusting. The combination of irresponsibility and blind trust is destructive. Women have always been drawn to Clay for many obvious reasons. They assume that his family has money a prey on him. I am always a bit cynical and suspicious when he says the word "girlfriend." When I met you sister, I discovered that she was much smarter than any other woman he dated and that Clay was serious about her.
After observing your sister and asking Clay a few questions. I came to the conclusion that Jane did not love Clay. When I came to the conclusion that your sister didn't love my friend, I decided to call a meeting in New York and warn Clay. His sisters and I had no trouble convincing him that Jane was indifferent. He asked me to transfer him into a different branch of the company until he was over Jane. After what you said about the matter last night, I realize that I may have made a mistake. If I did, I am truly sorry for any pain I've caused your sister.
The other attack leveled at me dealt with George Wickham. Since I have no way of knowing what he told you, I am forced to tell you everything about my relationship with George Wickham. George and I were friends a very long time ago. Our fathers were friends; Mr. Wickham worked for my father's company so we were around each other constantly. Mr. Wickham and my mother died at the same time. My father took special care of George and his mother.
By the time I entered high school, George and I were no longer friends. Because of the affection my father felt for George, we were forced to spend many hours together. I finally became free of George when I went to College. George is two years older and by the time I went to school, he had already flunked out. Unfortunately, my father took pity on him and gave him a job running FitzGeorge Publishing, the company Clay ran.
My father became very sick soon after I graduated. Before his death, he discovered that George was embezzling from the company and fired him. My father was heartbroken by the betrayal, but I was relieved because I thought that George was finally out of our lives.
George claimed that my father promised him a substantial inheritance. The Will said nothing about George and he couldn't produce any evidence. George's attempts to take the matter in court were thrown out almost immediately. At this point in his life, George Wickham had no education or hopes for employment. He pleaded with me to give him a job, but I absolutely refused.
For a few years, I heard nothing about George Wickham. I had hoped that he fled the country or married some frivolous heiress. He had not. Five years after my father died, my then fifteen-year-old sister Georgiana went on a vacation to Martha's Vineyard. She was staying with a friend's family; this was the first time that she was not directly supervised by a family member. George Wickham entered our lives again.
I later learned that a servant of ours, Mrs. Young, had kept in touch with Wickham and told him that Georgiana would be in Martha's Vineyard. I don't know what George's exact plans were, but when I discovered the relationship I was furious. George claimed that he would sell his story to the tabloids. I chose to call his bluff; I threaten to turn him into the police for statutory rape. I took all of my anger out on George, but my poor sister felt awful. She was already shy, but when she returned home she practically became a shut in. Two months after she returned home, she discovered that she was pregnant.
Georgiana and I discussed all of her options. She choice to keep the baby, but not have George Wickham involved in the child's life. I had no idea what to do, so I consulted my cousin Rob. He is an executor of my fathers Will and therefore has a stake in Georgiana. Rob advised me to take Georgie to Europe. She could have the baby there and come back to America when it was safe. I took my cousin's advice. Clay also knew a little of the matter, he still does not know who Allison's real father is, but his name is on her birth certificate. George Wickham does not know that he is a father. I trust that this secret will go no farther than you. Many lives could be ruined if this secret came out. This is part of the reason why I did not tell you this last night. I broke several laws. Georgiana, Clay, Rob, and I may go to jail if anyone ever finds out. George Wickham could also sue for custody and child support for Ally.
I apologize for any incontinence or pain I cause you in this letter, but I could not forget our situation without explaining and defending my self. I hope that you believe me, but I am not ignorant enough to think that possible. My cousin, Rob, knows every detail. He will be willing to confirm everything I have told you. I hope that both of us can forget the last few months. I wish you every happiness possible.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Chapter 17
"Hello?" The connection was good for a cell phone. Elizabeth could barely make out the words spoken.
"Will, it's Elizabeth."
"It's great to hear your voice."
" I need you; I'm ready to come home. I can pack in like half an hour and be there tonight."
"Honey .I don't know how to say this - "
"Oh God." He didn't want her to come home.
"No, it's not that. I'm on my way to Maine. I'm sorry, I know you wanted to be alone; I just need to see you.
"I need to see you too. Where are you?
"That's a very good question, I'm not sure."
"Call me when you figure it out."
"Alright."
"I love you," she said.
"I love you," he said.
Elizabeth immediately started to get the house ready for Will. She by started cooking something for dinner. She was never a good cook, but she was learning how easy it was to follow a recipe. In the middle of her work, will called to say when he would arrive. Special preparations were necessary for the bedroom. She changed the sheets, brought in wood for the fire and found every candle in the place. By the time Will got to the cottage, Elizabeth was exhausted.
"I'm so glad you decided to come."
"Good. I was a bit worried that you'd be mad at me. I promised that I would let you have your space, but I couldn't take it any longer." They kissed like it had been months, not weeks, since they last saw each other.
"I missed you so much, Will. I wasn't pushing you away, you know that right?"
"Yes. I know you, Elizabeth. You needed to sort your emotions out without any external distractions. I'm an external distraction. You are the only person who can make Elizabeth happy."
"I'm glad you understand. This place is great, do you spend much time here."
"No, not really. My mother died up here, so my father was never eager to bring us up." What C. Riley Jones was probably true. Elizabeth felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry."
"That's alright. Do you like it here?"
"Yeah," Elizabeth suddenly felt vulnerable. She grabbed Will's hand. "Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you put your things away?"
"Alright."
Elizabeth set the kitchen table and lit several candles while Will was upstairs. For the first time in any relationship, Elizabeth knew what she wanted. They ate a quite dinner. The food wasn't as horrible as Elizabeth expected it to be. When they were finished eating, they cleared the table and did the dishes. Then they sat down in the family room.
"Will, I finished the fourth edition of my draft yesterday."
"You finally decided on a title?"
"No, not yet. I'll get it for you." She pulled a thick book-like contraption from the shelf. "Read the dedication." She threw the book on his lap.
He smiled as he read the first page.
To Will, my love, my friend, and my archenemy.
You make every cliché about love a little less obnoxious-for that I am eternally grateful.
"Thank you."
"Do you still want to marry me, Will?" Elizabeth tried to sound as casual as possible.
"Yes."
"I agree. I want you to marry me," she said.
"Honey, you had valid fears to avoid this situation."
"I can't explain it, you and I are just right for each other."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
Elizabeth nodded
"Why did you change your mind?"
"This is going to sound ridiculous, but I swear that it's true. I met C. Riley Jones in the bookstore in town. He hit on me and when I told him that I had a boyfriend, he doubted the seriousness of our relationship because I was here and you were in New York. That made me realize how important you are to me and how lucky I am to have a man who knows me so well and likes me anyway. On top of that, you were willing to sacrifice what you wanted for me. Any you're really hot. Hurry up and marry me before I freak out." Somehow Elizabeth made her statement sound like a single sentence.
"I'm confused and a little afraid of you now."
"That's good. I can work with fear."
When they were in bed later that night, Elizabeth indeed freaked out. "Are you sure you want to get married, Will?"
Will had been sleeping, he disliked being woken up like that. "What?"
"Do you still wanna get married?"
"Yes. I love you. I want to spent the rest of my life with you, but now I just want to sleep."
"Do we have to have a big wedding or can we go Vegas and get married by an Elvis impersonator?"
"Elizabeth! If you let me go to sleep now, I will spend ten million dollars and let your mother plan our wedding. Goodnight." He rolled over and deeply sighed.
Elizabeth slipped her arm around his waist. "I love you."
"Me too," Will's tone became much more gentle. "Go to sleep."
Chapter 18 Flashback
Will Darcy had never been turned down by a woman. Will Darcy rarely had to ask a woman out; he did not know how to react to Elizabeth Bennet's rejection. She was the only woman who interested him since Anne left him. He knew that he could not leave the situation the way it was. He had to explain some crucial facts to Elizabeth before he left; yet he could not face her. Five hours and three drafts later, Will had what he wanted to tell Elizabeth in letter form.
He told her the whole truth. Will admitted that he had deliberately transferred Clay to get him away from Jane. He told her about what George Wickham had done to his family, and later his little sister. He told her everything and he trusted her with information that he did not trust his wife with.
After dropping the letter in the mail slot, Will went directly to the airport. He took a private plane to Paris. He spent many hours staring at the beauty of France while he tried to convince himself to convince himself to forget Elizabeth Bennet. He did not succeed.
William missed her. He hated himself for missing her, but he missed her nonetheless. His misery only increased when he remembered how intensely Elizabeth hated him. One very drunk afternoon, his life changed. A picture of Will and Elizabeth ended up in a San Francisco Newspaper which Rob saw fit to send to him along with a note that read "You two would make a cute couple if you'd stop trying to claw each other's eyes out for a five seconds." Will's reaction was less than sane. He decided to play 70's rock star and smash every bit of furniture in his bedroom. To avoid embarrassing publicity, he later bought the hotel. As will was staring at his ragged reflection in the mirror of his posh hotel suite, Will started to hate himself. He saw what Elizabeth had seen in him since their first date.
Elizabeth was glad she woke up before Charlie got home the next day. She was still awestruck by Will's proposal. Elizabeth valued Will slightly more than her friend's mother who called her a hamburger during her pre-adolescent angst. Will's ability to feel any emotion, however fleeting, impressed her. She was also confused. After their first meeting, Will slipped in under Elizabeth's sexual radar. Elizabeth assumed that Will wanted nothing to do with her and was convinced that he hated her until he told her otherwise.
When she found the letter on the floor near the door, she did not know what to think. She spent much of the day reading and rereading Will Darcy's letter. Her first reaction was anger. She did not believe a word that Will wrote. She could not believe that he had the gall to write her a letter after what passed between them the night before. Then Elizabeth remembered a conversation she had with Rob. Rob was defending Will's protectiveness over his sister because Georgie's heart had been broken by the father of her child. Almost immediately, Rob asked her to not tell anyone what he said about the father of Georgie's child. A very few people knew who he was-now Elizabeth was one of them. George Wickham was the father of Georgiana Darcy's child; it was a writer's dream.
She doubt that Darcy really loved her; her experience as a Romance Novelist had taught her that people more in love with the notion of being in love than they have actual experience with the emotion. However, Fitzwilliam Darcy did not seem like the kind of person who could convince himself that he was in love with anything.
Elizabeth was tired of knowing Will Darcy. She was tired of dealing with the insanity that came from knowing him. She was sorry that she had to hurt him, but she glad that she would never see him again.
Chapter 19
"Did Anne have this?"
"No. She wanted a new one."
"Good, cause I think that it would be bad luck if I had the same engagement ring as your first wife."
They did not tell anyone they were getting married. Georgiana and his staff were told that Will had business in Nevada and Elizabeth did not want to be away from him any longer. Darcy arranged the entire trip. He was more accustomed to travel than Elizabeth and he had access to several private jets. Elizabeth was still a bit impressed by the frills of Darcy's life. As much as she hated to admit it, she liked the luxury.
Will enjoyed spoiling Elizabeth. She was always happy when he lavished gifts on her and she was always cute when she was happy. It was a way for him to express his love. He would find jewelry and books that he thought she would like. It reminded her that Will was thinking of her; and on a less cerebral level, she liked pretty things.
This was Elizabeth's first trip on a private plane. She was intrigued by all of the interesting little gadgets. Will bought a book to read, but couldn't concentrate. He sat next to Elizabeth and kissed her.
"Are you still afraid?"
"Yes."
"We don't have to do it if you don't want to."
"What if we hate each other in two years?"
"Then we will hate each other. There is no answer to that question. That's why I'm not with Anne anymore."
"Will, why do you love me?"
"You're the only person I know who isn't afraid of me. You make me laugh. You smell good. You're hot. Can I stop, or should I keep going."
"You should've said that last thing first. You always know how to calm me down. Hurry up and marry me before I panic again." Will pulled his fiancé into his arms and kissed her. They slept until the plane landed.
Will's aunt Catherine owned a hotel in Las Vegas that Will stayed at whenever he was in Nevada. He did not think that it was a good idea to go there with Elizabeth. Instead, Will paid for the honeymoon suite in a luxury hotel. They decided to settle into the room before they got married. Elizabeth was duly impressed by the grander of the suite. At seven o'clock, they were paging through the yellow pages looking for an appropriate chapel. After a brief discussion they settled on a twenty-four hour chapel that was not overtly tacky. The ceremony was short and legal, which was all they wanted. In the tradition of wedding nights, they did not wake up until early the next afternoon.
"Mrs. Darcy, wake up."
Elizabeth said something that Will could not make out. She ruffled her hair and rolled over. "I can't believe we're married. Are you going to start walking around the house in your underwear and I'm going to put on like fifty pounds."
"If you want. Where would you like to go on our honeymoon?"
"I get more?"
"Mhhmm."
"Yeah. Where do you want to go?"
"I have a hotel in Paris." Will had not intended to discomfort Elizabeth or himself, but intentions sometimes get lost in everyday conversation. The mere mention of one French city caused them both to think of their time together in California and the following weeks.
"Paris is too traditional, what else do ya got?" Elizabeth said in a tone that was much more comfortable than she was.
"London?"
"Too cold. Will you can stop hitting on me. It worked, now your stuck with me."
"Don't remind me."
Their lives were changing. Although both knew what they were getting into and they both were looking forward to the strange world together, they were leaving the familiar and the future had no guarantee. Elizabeth's fear of intimacy lessened as Will accommodated her wish for him to stop "hitting on her all the time."
Elizabeth's novel was published three months later. She used her real name for her writing for the first time since she was in college. The novel received enough critical praise for the critics to become embarrassed when Elizabeth finally reveiled her life as Eliza Rose Lucas when publicizing her third published novel as Elizabeth Bennet; the plot centered around a cheesy Romance Novelist who reluctantly fell in love with a loner who abandoned his life as a corporate executive to live in a cabin in California.
The End