Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of August 11, 2002
Jump to new as of September 10, 2002
Lizzy's morning at the boulangerie went considerably more smoothly than the day before. It was actually very pleasant since it was Francois' day off. She had prepared all of the breads for the morning and early afternoon rushes and made a delivery to the Grand Hotel.
Jane stopped by in the morning to finish a shopping list. Charles was coming meeting her shortly at the apartment to take her shopping. She went into the kitchen with Lizzy for a few minutes while Lizzy was forming some small loaves.
"So, how was the movie?" Lizzy asked not looking up from the dough. She heard Jane sigh but no reply.
"Oh, it was so nice. He is so.... just what he should be. I only felt badly when we met up with Agnes."
"Oh?"
"Charles' French isn't that good. I mean, you know, he can order, and buy things, but keeping up with a conversation with a lot of people talking was a bit of a challenge."
"Who all was there? I thought it was just going to be Agnes?"
"Well, practically everyone from my store, about 6 people. Even Marie came, and she was the worst for Charles. She flirted shamelessly with him, speaking a mile a minute in her Toulousian accent."
"No! What on earth did poor Charles do?"
"He tried to keep up with her, but I am afraid that he made a quite an impression on everyone. When she asked him to sit next to her in the film, he pointed at me and said something about pigs! I think he was trying to say something about cushions."
Lizzy let out a peel of laughter, "Oh, Jane that is too much!"
You haven't heard the worst of it, everyone made pig noises at me for the rest of the night!" Jane responded. "And the movie was bad," she paused thoughtfully, "but I had a nice time anyway."
Lizzy looked up brushing a curl off of her forehead with the back of her hand and scrutinized Jane's expression, "Really? A nice time? I think you are holding out on me by the look on your face."
Jane blushed, "Nothing happened. I just enjoyed sitting next to him. He would lean over occasionally and whisper in my ear. He has such a nice voice," she paused, "But then, those moments seemed to lose a little of their charm when someone else in the group noticed him whispering. Then I would hear pig noises again," she rolled her eyes.
Lizzy laughed heartily. "At least he was good-natured about it. Did you do anything afterward?"
"We went to his villa and talked for a while. William was there too. I really like him, Lizzy. I'm glad you want to get to know him."
Lizzy didn't say anything; she just worked a little more vigorously with her dough. Jane went on, "He mentioned that you are going out with him tonight."
"Uh, yeah."
"Good. Make sure you get a good nap this afternoon since you didn't get to bed 'til after 10." Jane teased.
"And just how could you know that?" Lizzy cried trying to sound vexed.
Jane was making her way to the front of the store, ignoring Lizzy's last comment, "Well I should go, so I don't miss Charles. If I don't see you beforehand, have a good time tonight."
"Mmm hmm. See ya." Lizzy called not looking up. Jane looked back at her a little concerned. It was clear to her that Lizzy was interested in William. It was also clear that Lizzy was completely uncomfortable with feeling that way.
Jane thought about her conversation with William and Charles the night before as she walked back to her apartment. William hadn't said that Lizzy has done anything per se. But it was clear that something had happened. She just hoped that Lizzy hadn't panicked. She sighed, unhappily, thinking of George. I wonder if Lizzy has gotten over him completely? She shook her head and hurried to her flat in time to meet Charles and took off with him to go shopping.
After Jane left, Lizzy was alone with her conflicting thoughts. She was so excited to go out with William she felt giddy, but she was also a little afraid. Because she knew she was attracted to him, and for so long she had tried to avoid anyone who elicited even a fraction of what she felt was building between her and William. The whole situation just seemed out of character for her. She had no details about who this guy was; she just wanted to go out with him because, well, he made her pulse race.
She shook her head and tried to concentrate on work. She looked around at the kitchen, finished the last batch of bread and began to clean up. By 1 o'clock, she went home. She had a small snack on their balcony, then fell asleep reading a book.
A few hours later she woke up to the sound of keys jingling awkwardly in the door. She opened the door for Jane and Charles. Jane and Charles each brought in several sacks, "Wow Jane, storing up for the winter?"
"No, just taking advantage of being able to shop with a proper car!"
"Yes, Jane didn't seem to be convinced when I offered her to take her shopping whenever she wants in the future. She, evidently, has a horror of riding with your groceries on your scooter," Charles laughed good-naturedly.
"You aren't kidding; she usually takes the bus. We can't fit much on the scooter. So my thanks for your tolerance of Jane's shopping spree, Charles. It was good of you to help her."
"It was my great pleasure, Elizabeth." Charles made that statement without taking his eyes off of Jane.
"Charles, can I get you something to drink? You've seen the groceries, so you know what we have to offer." Neither he nor Jane responded. Lizzy smirked at them and continued, "Jane why don't you drag the chairs out to the balcony. I will bring you two some refreshment and put the groceries away," Lizzy offered.
Jane and Charles agreed and Charles lifted both chairs and took them to the balcony. Elizabeth took them some grape juice and went back into the kitchen to put things away. When everything was settled, she went to their dressing room and changed into her running clothes.
When she came out, Jane and Charles were readying themselves to leave. "I'm on my way out, so you're welcome to stay," Lizzy said lacing her sneakers.
"Oh, actually we are going to Charles'. He picked up a few things at the store too and needs to get them home. Are you going running with William now? Why don't we give you a lift to the villa?" Charles offered.
"Um, well. OK. I don't usually ride to where I start exercising, but why not."
They all left the apartment together and took Charles' car to the villa. Lizzy was impressed. The car was a very nice black BMW with leather interior, and it started to dawn on her that these guys were not your run of the mill men. They had met them at Lumos (very ritzy), they rented a villa that backed to the beach, and they had a very nice car. She forced herself to stop thinking along those lines and think of which route she wanted to run today.
In a couple of minutes, they pulled onto the sidewalk in front of a gorgeous villa. Charles grabbed his bags and led the girls into the house. Lizzy caught sight of William on the couch. He was lying on his stomach asleep. Charles and Jane disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Lizzy to decide whether or not to wake William up.
Well, she thought, he did say he wanted to go and to stop by when I was ready. So she cleared her throat and let out a few "Ahem"s. But he didn't stir.
She carefully approached the couch, mindful to not run into one of his feet that was dangling off of the couch. "Uh, William," she said softly. No reaction. She tried again, louder, "William."
Still no reaction. She put her hand lightly on his back and said his name again. He moved slightly. "William, do you still want to go for a run?" She asked, gently nudging his shoulder. He reached around for the source of the poking at his shoulder and heard her saying his name.
He slowly opened his eyes and twisted around so he could see her. It was her, and he was so delighted that he grinned up at her, touching her face lightly. "This is a pleasant way to wake up."
She had been caught up in the sweet moment of his waking. But his touch on her face, made her feel on fire and she jumped back hitting the coffee table with her shin. "Ouch."
William sat up abruptly when she jumped back and kneeled down in front of her looking at her shin. "It's not bleeding, but it'll probably throb for a while," he spoke quietly. "Why don't you sit here," he gestured to the couch, "while I go change my clothes." He stood up and left the room.
Lizzy sat on the couch, shaking her head in irritation at herself. Ugh. Why am I so jumpy. It felt nice. She put her head in her hands and took some deep breaths. She realized she hadn't heard any noises from the kitchen and wondered what had happened to Jane and Charles. She heard laughter from outside and went out to the open balcony off of the living room.
She saw Jane and Charles playing on the beach, oblivious to everything else. She smiled to herself, "Jane is so happy."
"Yes. She seems to be, but so is Charles." She started at the sound of William's voice behind her and turned to face him.
"You have a great view from here."
"Yes. This is where I saw you from last night."
"Oh," she looked around shyly, "Are you ready?"
"Yep. Take mercy on me though. It's been a while." She smirked at him, thinking that the route she had chosen to take would not really qualify as merciful. She wanted to see what he was made of. So when they stepped out from the villa, she stood looking uphill toward the lighthouse with her brow furrowed.
"Can't decided whether to test me or not, hunh?" William teased.
"What, oh, um. I guess I have been caught," she exclaimed, giggling a little. "Well then, if my plot is out in the open, I guess I will have mercy on you." She turned in the opposite direction and started off downhill toward the shore road.
William kept up with her, but her pace was not conducive to conversation. When they reached the south pier past her favorite rocks, she turned around and they went back, keeping up a good pace despite going uphill. William was impressed at the shape that she was in; she didn't seem to be struggling at all.
William didn't try to start a conversation with her when they slowed the pace as they neared his house. She seemed to be lost in her own world and it afforded him the chance to observe her discreetly. She looked determined, concentrating on what, he wasn't sure.
When they arrived at his house, they walked around a little and stretched. "Sorry, I forgot to stretch when we started," Lizzy said looking at William like she had just noticed him there for the first time.
"No problem."
"I guess you probably think that going with me was a bit of a waste of time?"
"Not at all, why would you think so?"
"I'm not very companionable. Jane used to go with me, sometimes, but she says that I tune everything out."
William had just been stretching slowly, keeping his eyes down during this conversation. He didn't want to get caught watching her. Sure she was sweaty at the moment, but he could also see her muscles flexing and contracting as she stretched and it was starting to do things to him. He listened to her more intently and realized that she was a little uncomfortable.
"Well, Elizabeth. I hope we can go again, often."
"But it can't be any fun, since I don't really talk or pay attention,"
William interrupted her, moving closer and looking into her eyes, "Elizabeth, I find even your silence, companionable."
She wanted to look away feeling overcome by the underlying emotion in his words, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his. She knew she should feel panicked, or that she usually would, but strangely, she started to relax.
He noticed her breathing more evenly and not wanting her to leave just yet asked, "Do you want to come in for a glass of water?"
She nodded her head and they went inside. Jane and Charles were in the kitchen where Jane appeared to be teaching Charles how to make a proper chocolate mousse.
"Hmmm," Lizzy looked over the bowl with a critical eye, "You seem to be folding the egg white in with a little too much enthusiasm."
Jane and Charles laughed as Jane said, "Yes, I was just trying to explain that to him."
William and Lizzy had their water and observed the baking lesson. When they finished their drinks, William looked at the time. "Almost 5. Are you hungry?"
Lizzy looked a little sheepish, "How American of me, but yes. I didn't have a proper lunch, so I am getting quite hungry."
"Great. Me too. Why don't we both get cleaned up, and head out to dinner. We'll find something that opens at 6. What time should I call round for you?"
"Um. I can be ready in half an hour, if you like. Or longer. As you wish."
William looked at her in disbelief, "I have a sister, and she couldn't possibly get ready to go out after running in only a half an hour. I think it takes her that long to shower."
"Well, I'm not your sister, and I could be ready in 20 minutes, shower complete if I needed to." William raised his eyebrows at her.
"OK then. I'll pick you up at 5:30." He said with a challenge in his voice and started walking her to the door. He paused and offered her a ride back.
"No, thanks. I can run there in less than 5 minutes. But, um. Where are we going tonight?"
William looked a little self-conscious, "I hadn't decided yet. Do you have a preference?"
"No, not at all. I just want to, uh, be dressed appropriately."
"Oh, well, let's try one of the restaurants on the beach at Anglet, does that sound all right?"
"Sure, I'll see you in 30 then." And she started home. Her thoughts engrossed in determining what to wear. By the time she got home she had decided on her red scoop neck and black skirt that showed off her legs admirably. Her last thought as she climbed the stairs to her flat was that she hoped the restaurant wouldn't serve exclusively seafood.
"Wow, less than 30 minutes, and you look stunning."
"Thanks," she said flashing him a smile. He led her out to the car and opened her door, holding her hand as she lowered herself into the car. As he walked to his side of the car, he thought of how her perfume lingered in the air and he breathed in deeply.
They took the shore road North toward Anglet, neither saying much.
"So how were Jane and Charles when you left them?"
"Oh, uh, fine. I think they were going to try to cook some kind of dinner to go with their chocolate mousse.'
"Mmm. Jane's an excellent cook."
"I bet you are not so bad yourself."
"Actually, I think Jane and I do best when we cook together, you know play to each other's strengths."
"You do it often? I mean, living together I would assume so," William wondered if he could have asked a stupider question.
"Um, sometimes. We don't do much together in the apartment, the kitchen's too small. But we try. You see we are starting to amass personal recipes for the future." She knew she was being vague but she wasn't sure she wanted to explain her dreams to him just yet.
Luckily for Lizzy, William had to make a last minute turn, so his attention was diverted. They drove another few minutes before arriving at the restaurants that lined the Anglet beach.
William parked the car and got out to open Lizzy's door. She was looking for her purse on the floor, so she didn't realize that was his intention. Needless to say, she was very surprised when he opened the door for her. But she liked it.
"You know, you have some very old-fashioned manners."
He frowned, "Oh. I'm sorry," he said lamely, thinking of many of the "liberal" women he had taken out who read him the riot act for such things.
Lizzy saw his dejected manner and reached her hand out to touch his arm, "You misunderstand. I like it. Thanks."
"Oh," he paused and turned to face the restaurants that lined the boardwalk, "So would you prefer seafood or Italian? I've been to the little Italian place before and it was excellent."
Elizabeth made a face, "Oh Italian sounds great. I don't really like seafood," she said a little sheepishly. "I mean, I know I live on the coast, and I even like snails, but I can't eat anything that has roamed in the ocean."
William laughed at her crinkled nose, offered her his arm and steered them toward the Italian place.
The restaurant had barely opened, so they were seated immediately at a table with a view of the ocean. They listened to the specials and ordered and then realized that they were all alone... with hours ahead of them. They both felt a little shy of a sudden.
William looked at Elizabeth, with a contemplating gaze. "What is it?" Lizzy questioned.
"You know. I have known you for 3 days. And I know nothing about you. But I feel like I do. I feel like I can talk to you for hours and hours, if I can just get started," he smiled self-consciously.
"I think I understand. So, getting started," Elizabeth paused for a second and started to panic that maybe they had nothing in common after all.
William saw her discomfort and his mind searched for a starting place, "Elizabeth, you started talking about needing to amass recipes. What for?"
"Oh, uh. Well, it's sort of embarrassing. I mean you must be a businessman of some sort. Um," she bit her lower lip and squirmed in her seat.
William watched her growing discomfort with the concern at first, then some amusement. "Elizabeth, just tell me. I already think that you are a beautiful and intelligent woman." He smiled at her encouragingly and put his hand over hers on top of the table.
Her face flushed and she took a drink of her water, "It's really not a big deal. It's just a dream that Jane and I have had forever, and when we used to talk about it to people, we would get made fun of. So we stopped sharing it with people."
William looked at her questioningly. She was taking another sip of water and it didn't seem like she was going to go on, "So, you're dream?"
She let out a beautiful laugh, twinkling with mirth, "Oh, right. It makes me so uncomfortable now, I think I subconsciously dodge it. Jane and I are going to open our own bakery/patisserie type of shop," she got a far away, thoughtful look in her eyes and continued, "We're not sure of the exact location yet. We know that the location will make or break the shop, regardless of the food that we serve. East coast for sure, but we are going to just keep our eyes open as we visit different towns over the next year or so. Somewhere touristy but tasteful."
"That sounds wonderful."
She looked at him, a little startled, "Yes. Well we've been saving up since we finished school. We think we could reasonably start up in a couple of years."
William could hear the longing in her voice, "It's nice to have a dream to anticipate though, isn't it? I confess, I admire you both for taking the matter into your own hands, so that you will eventually realize that dream," he gave the hand he was still holding a light squeeze.
She blushed becomingly, "Thank you."
"No really, I am constantly around people who claim that they can't possibly achieve their dreams. Because they're impossible or their families wouldn't approve. In truth, they are just too afraid to try."
"Their families don't approve? I can only imagine what type of scheme that would be." She said raising an eyebrow at him, teasingly.
He missed her meaning at first, then burst out laughing as their first course arrived. When the server left, he tried to clarify, "It's nothing as insidious as that," he winked, "It's that oftentimes they are expected to run the family business, and it's not what they're interested in or, well, some of my friends were a little spoiled growing up and so they don't care to work at anything." He looked a little embarrassed as he said the last part and cleared his throat.
Elizabeth felt that she had a small glimpse into his world, which seemed even more exclusive and grander than she had imagined. She tried to imagine what kind of world he really came from, and only envisioned sleek cars, mansions, luxurious women, and every toy imaginable. She thought about herself, Jane, and the rest of her family and cringed at the stark contrast.
She took a spoonful contemplating what he said. They ate quietly for a while, when she finally responded, "I think I understand a little," she smirked, "but I confess that my main understanding I think comes from silly books and films. I feel like a character out of one. But I would be the girl from the wrong side of the tracks."
William heard the wistfulness in her voice, "I hardly think that, Elizabeth. You seek knowledge, the improvement of your person, your mind. You're not afraid to work hard. For that much, I think that we are equals, Elizabeth."
"How can you say that I work hard, or the other stuff for that matter?"
He was surprised that she sounded a little defensive, "Well, I can't think of many people that I know who would have, and actively pursue a career that would ensure that you will have to get up at wee hours in the morning regularly. And when I was at your apartment yesterday, I noticed the stack of books next to your bed. You have a variety of interests."
"How do you know they are my books and not Jane's? I don't think that you know which is my bed."
There it was again, the delightful arch of her eyebrow, that he was learning could come to her expression when she was teasing as well as when she was angry, but for the life of him, he couldn't tell which she was right now.
"Jane doesn't seem to need to be reading up on bread baking or the fine art of growing different species of wheat."
She looked down, "Oh."
"Don't be embarrassed. I shouldn't have pried like that."
She gave him a small smile, "Not at all. I was just uncomfortable thinking that you had tried to figure out which bed was mine."
"Why would that matter?"
"It's just, uh, personal."
He laughed out again at that, "Elizabeth Bennett, you are the most unusual woman."
Mercifully the next course came at that moment. And they both excused themselves from conversation while they ate their delicious food.
William attempted more conversation with her on a safer subject, or so he thought, "So have you and Jane looked into the business side of setting everything up. I mean, there's more to it than just finding the capital to put forth."
Elizabeth was just finishing her last bite, and put her fork down slowly. He saw something in her eyes flash, he wasn't sure but he thought that it was amusement. Could she be laughing at him?
"I assure you, Mr. Darcy, Jane and I have thought through all aspects of our business venture. We have, between the two of us, been well-educated in business. And I expect that we will have no more difficulties than the next small business owners."
Now what, he thought, hearing the twinge of anger in her tone, "I didn't mean to sound condescending. It's just that well, you both seem to be of a creative turn of mind, and I thought, well. I have rather significant experience in business matters."
Elizabeth just looked at him, her eyes dark with anger. "You didn't mean to sound condescending? Twice?" She paused, and eyed him with a new, somewhat negative curiosity, "So what are you? Some kind of executive for a family firm that you didn't actually have to work into?"
His eyes flashed back dangerously and he snapped, "No, I guess I did inherit my position. But you set your sights too low for me, madam. I am the CEO of Lambton Industries and head of the board for the Pemberley foundation!"
Elizabeth's mouth opened, but she had lost her voice. While both companies he mentioned were based in England, she knew them both intimately. One of her last duties before going on her leave of absence from her firm was to file the papers in a multi-million dollar suit against Lambton industries. It was one of the largest textile companies in the world, and at least the small textile mills in the US had enough and wanted that monopoly pulled down, the portions of it that dominated the US market anyway. She was astonished and not unaware of the impropriety of a personal relationship with him. Why, oh why, hadn't she put two and two together?
He threw his napkin down on the tablecloth and ran his fingers through his hair, unwilling to look her in the face. She said nothing. Slowly, he turned his head and what he saw in her eyes astonished him. It was great fear and great remorse, and he instantly felt bad for having lost his temper with her so entirely. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. I oughtn't to have raised my voice..." he trailed off as she leaped out of her chair running out of the restaurant. Her only thought was that she had to get away.
She kept running until her feet hit the sand. She took off her shoes and she walked the beach in the direction of Biarritz, calculating how long it would take to walk back to her apartment. Her mind turned to William and at that moment, she heard him call out to her, drawing nearer.
"Elizabeth, please stop. I'm sorry. Please."
She stopped in her tracks, knowing that she had to disclose who she was and that she should have known him. And she felt irritated with herself as she realized that there would be no further getting to know him, and that fact bothered her.
He approached her, putting his hands on her shoulders. The sun was setting and the wind off of the ocean swept her curly hair over his hands. He turned her to face him, slowly, and was surprised to see that her cheek was tear-stained. He wiped it gently with his hand and felt her body stiffen at his touch. He wondered why she had run away.
She was in turmoil. At once her body reacting to the feel of his hand on her face hotly, while also knowing she was about to make his anger in the restaurant seem like a defective fire cracker. Yes, she thought dully, here come the big fireworks.
She pulled his hand away from her face, but he stayed a firm grip on her hand. She was afraid of his reaction to who she represented and found the anger she had earlier had dissipated, "William. I have something to say. And I don't want you to worry about being a gentleman and taking me home afterwards. I'll count myself lucky, if you just swear and walk away."
He saw it again in her eyes, the fear and the remorse. He started to try and say something comforting, but she stopped him.
"Please let me say this. I apologize. I should have recognized you by your name alone when we first met. You must believe that I really didn't know who you were until tonight when you told me."
He looked at her confused. Every woman in England knew him by sight, but while his companies were well-known in the US, he as the figure head was not.
"You see, I am on a leave of absence from my real job, for this year. Jane and I both have quite, er, intense jobs that cause us to need to be at the forefront of what's going on in business," she trailed off, realizing that she was talking in circles.
"Oh, blast. Forget trying to be gentle, or I'll never get to my meaning. I work for the firm that is leading the suit against Lambton industries. I specialize in monopolies. William, I am an attorney, and I actually prepared the initial papers for the suit."
She had said all of that in such a rush that his head was spinning as he tried to keep up with her. As her facts registered in his mind, the hand holding hers grasped more tightly until she left out a whimper of pain.
He looked down at her and saw her eyes filled with tears looking down at her hand in his, which he was crushing. Abruptly, he let go. He turned and walked toward the water.
She took a long, last look at him and started slowly walking down the beach again, toward Biarritz. She felt heavy. She felt as though she had deceived him, even though she honestly hadn't made the connection of who she was.
Her feeling of betrayal was acute, and she marveled in how she could possibly feel so much about a mistake. Her thoughts turned painfully and abruptly to George. Betrayal. But that was intentional, premeditated, calculated... She willed her mind to stop, flinching as mental images flashed in her mind. She and George at the Halloween party where they met, their strolls, the skinny dip in the hot springs in the dead of winter, her watching him sleep in her bed.
She had stopped walking, hot tears streaming down her face. The hurt from the past welling up inside of her, making her guilt even more palpable now. Then she heard something amazing: the sound of footsteps near her on the sand. She felt him approaching her.
By now the sun was entirely gone and their light was provided solely by the moon and the few stars that could compete with its light. She shivered in the cool gusts coming from the ocean.
"I believe you," he said quietly.
She wasn't sure if she had heard him properly, he had spoken in such a low tone. She turned around and saw him standing near her, but closer to the breaking surf, staring out at the ocean. "You believe me?" she asked wiping away the tears that were cooling on her face.
He nodded. She wasn't sure what she should do next. "Thank you for that, William," she sighed heavily. "Thank you for everything the last few days. Goodbye."
She turned to walk away but was stopped at his touch on her arm. "Elizabeth. Um, you said you were on a leave of absence?"
"Yes, 'til next summer, the end of it really," she answered not understanding why he wanted to know. She just wanted him to let her go and not prolong their necessary parting.
But she couldn't help herself and moved closer to him, so she could see into his eyes. And she saw a pensive intensity in his eyes.
"William, what is it?"
"Do you do any work for them at all while you are here?"
"No."
"Nothing at all? Do you contact them, or do they contact you for anything?"
"No. Jane and I don't even have a phone."
He looked at her as though she had just announced that she was from Mars. She laughed a little, happy to feel some of the tension in the air go away, "It's too expensive and well, the only people who would want to call would be our sisters to beg a visit or our mother to ask about our men prospects. So we elected to write instead."
A smile slowly crept across William's face. And was as abruptly driven away by his pensive look again.
"William, what is it? Can I do something for you?"
"Yes. I want you to promise me not to have any correspondence or contact whatsoever with your firm on your leave. I know that I have no right to even ask that, but ..."
She began to be irritated again, feeling that it wasn't a request but more a command, until it occurred to her that he could be facilitating their being able to enjoy each other for the remainder of his holiday. And she wanted that, she realized, very much she wanted to get to know the man who could make her laugh, angry, and desirous within minutes of feeling each sensation.
"OK. I promise." It didn't feel strong enough or binding, so she impulsively stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear, "There now, it is sealed with a kiss."
He was startled and pleased with her quick show of affection. And he felt relieved not to lose her company. He took her hand and they walked along the beach in silence.
They walked for a while, slowly slipping into comfortable, safer conversations. William looked up at the moon, commenting on its beauty to her and squeezed her hand. She wanted to diffuse the romance of the moment, afraid of their mutual attraction. So she poked William in the side, tickling him slightly. He jumped and tried to get retribution. She danced around before him for a moment and then tore off down the beach.
William took off after her expecting to catch her quickly, but she was quick. When he finally overtook her, he all but lifted her off of the ground as he reached for her waist in an effort to catch her.
Elizabeth was startled by the feeling of his hands on her small waist and the lurch her body made as it came to an abrupt halt. As she stopped, she felt her feet slipping out from under her on the sand and fell into William, resulting in their both falling onto the sand. They both laid there stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily at their chase and relief of the evening's earlier tension being gone entirely. It was in this moment, that Elizabeth realized that his strong body (warmed from the exertion of catching her) was in fact under hers. Her face not inches above his own.
William heard her laughing subside and opened his eyes hoping that she had not just realized that she had injured herself in their fall. He was met with the vision of her beautiful face just above his, some of her curls dangling down onto his face, in a somewhat tickling manner. For a second he forgot himself and reached one of his hands to put on the back of her neck and bring her lips down to eliminate the small space between her lips and his. But just as their lips were about to meet, she practically leaped off of him, jumping several feet away.
Startled, William tried to cover the awkwardness, "I apologize. I can only have your beauty in the moonlight as my excuse for my behavior." He said that quietly while looking toward the waves.
Elizabeth was puzzled and she blurted out "What behavior? It was I who lingered on your body and ..." She trailed off realizing that she had said that out loud. She took a few steps toward the waves, willing them to come and swallow her up. Her face was burning. And she felt very insecure.
When William heard her voice trail off, he realized that he hadn't been the only one to have felt the attraction. He got up and walked closer to her near where the waves were breaking.
"Elizabeth," He stopped. He didn't know what to say and since she was looking at the water and not at him, he decided to take the safe approach. Remember man, you've known her for three days.
"Excuse me. What was that?" She thought she heard him mumble something about 3 days.
William was embarrassed. What was it with this woman that caused him to titter and forget himself like a boy with his first crush. "I was just thinking, that I have only known you for three days."
"Oh." Elizabeth replied softly, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She felt as if she could just listen to him all night. But he had stopped talking. I must find some way to get him to keep speaking, she thought. So she said the next thing that popped into her head. "You were correct, you know. The moonlight tonight could make just about anyone forget who and where they are." Oh, gosh. What did I just say?
William was surprised by her statement, but took it as encouragement and grabbed for her hand, never taking his eyes off of the ocean in front of them.
"You know, I usually don't go out much when we come here. Or at home for that matter. But Charles made me promise. He finds it so easy to talk with strangers. And finds pleasure in making new acquaintances. He also likes big groups of people. Where I find that I am much more content to be in the presence of one or two good friends." With that statement, he squeezed Elizabeth's hand.
For Elizabeth's part, she was completely confused, but more at herself than this man. She felt his sincerity and was ready to trust him at his word. And she thought, "That is exactly what is wrong with this. When was the last time I trusted any man at his word. And certainly not after only three days acquaintance."
"If you wish it, then I will release your hand. But I would rather not. And I swear to you," pausing emphatically, he turned himself to her and she looked at him "that I can be trusted at my word. Let me have your hand for now and I will earn it as we get to know each other in the coming weeks."
Elizabeth had barely kept up with what he said after she realized that she had spoken her thoughts out loud yet again. She no longer trusted herself to have a private inner dialog. She looked into his eyes, leaning in to get a closer look.
William was startled to see her leaning in, and thought about kissing her again, but decided better of it and waited for.. he wasn't sure what. He could feel her penetrating gaze into his eyes. It made him slightly uncomfortable, as though she could see straight into his soul, or at the very least, his heart. Her expression changed slowly from one of tentative probing, to a relaxed, contented ease. And she gave him a small smile.
She shivered at a gust of wind that whipped around her and he motioned for her to sit down next to him. As they sat down, she took back her hand and William felt extremely disappointed. Then he felt her wriggle in the sand until her side was close to his. He could feel parts of her leg and arm and hip touching his. And it gave him a thrill, that mildly disconcerted him. And he realized that their position on the sand didn't lend to holding her hand comfortably anyway. He sighed contentedly.
Elizabeth was relieved to see him relax as she leaned into him a little. She was hoping that he wouldn't take her letting go his hand now that they were sitting as any kind of rejection.
At length, she spoke quietly "I also prefer the companionship of just a few people, and like our friend Charles, my sister suffers from lack of company."
Her understanding made him smile. He relaxed and leaned his elbows back in the sand to stare up at the stars and she leaned a little more against him.
"You know, I wouldn't trade the moon in tonight just for the pleasure of being able to see even more stars." William murmured, smelling her signature citrusy perfume.
"No. But aren't they so lovely in a scene like this?" she marveled staring at the sky.
"True, but no amount of their beauty could make up for missing the silver light of the moon make your face glow so becomingly." He hoped he hadn't gone too far. But he just couldn't stop himself.
She turned to look at him again and saw the same sincerity in his eyes. So instead of replying with words, she grabbed his arms, helping him into a more upright sitting position, stood up, lightly kicked apart his legs, moved herself around in front of him, and sat back down with her back to his chest and leaned back.
William was very surprised but completely delighted. He didn't move to put his arms around her. He just let her lean against him and he put his chin on her head, feeling her soft curls on his face.
She felt his warmth radiate into her and felt that just being in that position with him was a wonderfully, warm, hug.
They both closed their eyes and thought, "This is heavenly. I never want to leave."
Chapter 8
Posted On: Saturday, 7 September 2002, at 3:17 p.m.
Turning over in her bed for about the sixth time in 15 minutes, Lizzy rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and tried to stop a groan, thinking: "Dumb body, It's Sunday. We don't work today, so let's sleep in. OK?"
She closed her eyes tightly, willing herself to fall back to sleep, but to no avail. She turned onto her back and stretched her body until it shuddered lightly. She sighed and a small smile came to her lips.
She thought of William and how their evening ended, at least what she could recall anyway. She remembered sitting with her back to him, leaning against him and hearing at once the lulling rhythm of his breathing and the swelling waves. She remembered her face feeling stung from cold wind, but the rest of her being decidedly warm. And falling asleep.
Poor William, she thought giggling a little, he was so stiff from sitting in one position but didn't want to wake me. A barely audible laugh escaped her. She heard a grumpy "Hmph" from the other side of the room.
"Sorry Jane," Lizzy whispered.
"Oh, don't bother whispering now, Lizzy. I'm awake now. I might as well spare you of having to relive last night twice, you can tell me about it as you reminisce, with that silly grin on your face." Jane's tone was irritated, but Lizzy knew Jane liked to come to the world slowly in the mornings. "So, I take it that you had a nice evening?"
"Mmm. Hmm."
"Lizzy it's too early to play 20 questions. So out with it, then maybe I can still get some sleep. What time is it anyway?"
Lizzy looked at the clock to confirm what she already new and blurted out, "6:30" then dove under her covers waiting for the barrage of objects from Jane's side of the room. Lizzy counted each time her covers were pelted with an object. When she reached 6, she lifted her head out from underneath the covers, only to be hit in the head with a slipper.
"Ouch. Hey that's not fair."
"Yeah, well it's not as effective to throw things at you when you know exactly how much ammo I have!" Both girls collapsed into a fit of early morning giggles. "So really, what happened last night?"
Lizzy told Jane about her evening, from telling William about their dream store, to her upsetting discovery about who he was.
"Oh, Lizzy, you didn't know that? I thought you would have put that together right away. I recognized him the day I met him here."
Lizzy fell back into her bed with a loud sigh, "Oh Jane. I was such an idiot, then I ran away. And well. Let's just say, I wish I could blame my behavior on my hormones. Because I was a sight to behold last night."
"But you seem so happy this morning."
"Yeah. William's amazing. He didn't care. He just wanted to make sure that my leave of absence wasn't lip service. Anyway. We spent quiet time on the beach after that, and I fell asleep in his arms."
"Wow. That's huge for you, Lizzy. Well done."
Lizzy blushed, "It's hardly something that I should praised for, or censured for, for that matter."
"Lizzy, you know what I mean. You haven't let any guy near you since George. And you felt relaxed enough with William to fall asleep in his presence."
Lizzy frowned, "Yes, I suppose that I did."
Jane could hear Lizzy's uncertainty, "Now don't go getting all freaky after the fact. I think it was a good move. You have got to start somewhere."
"I know," Lizzy mumbled into the pillow she had just pulled over her head. "George."
Both she and Jane were quiet as his name seemed to reverberate in the room. Lizzy closed her eyes tight and tried to get a mental picture of him, his sneering smile, his dangerous eyes. But nothing came to her. Instead she felt lighter as William's image seemed to take form in her mind of its own volition.
"Lizzy, you all right?" Jane asked propping herself up on her arm.
"Yeah. I think so. It was a long time ago Jane. I like what I know of William. But let's talk about something else, like for example, how was your night?"
Jane was quiet for a while. Lizzy whispered, "Jane, are you still awake?"
"Yes."
"Thinking about Charles?"
"Yes."
"Did you kiss him?"
"Lizzy," Jane cried, "Of course not. I have only known him for a few days."
"He didn't try, hunh?"
"No." Jane laughed.
"Would you let him if he did?"
"Hmmm. Yes," she murmured, exhaling slowly.
"Good. I think he's nice. So what are you guys doing today?"
"Well. It depends on the weather. We might go for a drive into the wine country, stop off see some vineyards and chateau, or we might play on the beach. You two?"
"Mmmm. Actually we thought we might take a ride too. So since there is only one car, I guess we will all go together. Great idea, we can pack a picnic lunch and eat out in some field somewhere. How does that sound?" Lizzy said animatedly.
"Perfect, but something sounds even better right now," Jane's voice lacked Lizzy's enthusiasm.
"Yes, Jane?"
"Sleep!" Jane flopped onto her stomach and covered her head with her blanket. Lizzy laid there for a while longer thinking about William and what to make for their picnic. She got up and made dough so they could have homemade bread and then decided to go running. It was not even 7:30 and she was quite sure that Jane would still be asleep for a while.
At William and Charles villa, their recap of the evening had taken place the night before.
They were each stretched out on the two couches in the living room, William complaining about his aching body. Charles had been surprised at how late William had gotten back. And a small alarm started to go off in the back of his mind. He was not excited to see Jane's reaction to William mucking about with her sister.
They had been lying silently for a while when Charles enquired, "So how was it tonight?"
"Great, horrible, pretty good, then wonderful."
"What happened?" Charles had to bite back saying What did you do.
"Dinner was fine, and then, I can't even remember. She shared some personal stuff, that let's just say, I could have responded better to."
"What did you say?" Charles' tone was accusatory.
"Relax, Charles. It's not whatever you are thinking," William gave Charles a warning glance, "Has Jane talked to you about their dream shop?"
"Yes. I think it's great and they'll do well."
"So you know their, uh, credentials as it were?"
"I know that Jane is a CPA and Lizzy has a law degree.
"So, you didn't know who Lizzy was working for before they came here?"
"No, Jane never mentioned it. Why does it matter?"
"Nothing really except for the fact that she works for the firm that is suing us."
Charles looked at William perplexed, "What are you talking about?"
"The American suit against Lambton Industries. Really Charles, do you pay attention?"
Charles was getting a little bothered with William's tirade, but decided to take the high road, "So that was the horrible part of the evening. So what. They both have leaves of absence and from what I understand from Jane, they don't have much contact with anyone outside of Biarritz. So relax and enjoy yourself. Speaking of which, it seemed like you came back in a good mood."
William lay quiet for a little while, "She is so different from the usual girls I go out with."
"What girls you go out with? When is the last time you went on a date?"
"I guess it has been a couple of years."
"Yeah, and those girls shouldn't count. You great cad."
"Come on Charles," William said tiredly. He knew now where this conversation was going to go and wasn't really in the mood.
"Have you gotten it out of your system?" Charles asked quietly.
"Gotten what out?" William stalled.
"Well, uh" Charles coughed, "Sowing your wild oats, shall we say?"
"I think you are the only man I wouldn't belt for that, Charles," William said sternly. He sat up and looked at Charles, "You know that I have. And you better than anyone knows why I was such a cad. I think that I am almost willing to enter into a normal relationship with a woman."
Charles nodded, accepting the answer for now. He knew threatening William to be good to Elizabeth just for the sake of his budding relationship with Jane wouldn't hold water right now.
So he settled for reminding William that the Bennet girls were both nice girls.
"Jane and I are going for a drive in the countryside. Why don't you and Elizabeth come?"
"Actually, we had the same idea."
They agreed to make it a foursome, and Charles got up and excused himself to bed. William went to his bedroom and opened the windows. He undressed and laid on the bed, getting lost in his thoughts. Thoughts that were stirred up by Charles' reminder of the past.
After college, he had retreated into himself, mostly due to his parents' deaths. But he also felt that with his parents gone, the scampy upperclass women seemed to be throwing themselves at him with even more fervor. And he hated it. He tried being out right rude to them, disdainful, cold, distant and anything else that he thought would cause a person to leave him alone. But most of these ladies seemed unaffected. He even indulged in a couple of one-night stands. Just to acquire the reputation of a cad. He thought that maybe the women would be less likely to go to his bed if they knew it didn't even guarantee he would be there in the morning. That strategy had worked much better than any others; he had gotten rid of his casual admirers, but not the ones that irritated him the most, and quite frankly, frightened him most. The worst of whom was Caroline Bingley. At least he had realized that she was the desperate type; therefore, bypassing the idea of sleeping with her to get rid of her. He shuddered just at the thought of sleeping with Caroline.
It was such an awful existence. And it had been so effective that the reputation had remained with him although he hadn't indulged in any conquests in over 2 years. Now that he was a little older, he had occasional thoughts that his reputation might be a bad thing when he did want to find a woman to settle down with.
His eyes were getting very heavy and his last thoughts were of Elizabeth and her fine eyes.
Elizabeth quietly left the apartment and headed for the beach at a brisk pace, trying to convince herself that she hadn't chosen that route because it was the most likely she would see William. She shivered as she turned the corner to the main street, where there were less obstacles to block the wind from hitting her full force.
The wind was strong, sharp, and cold. Elizabeth had on a sweat shirt but had worn her running shorts and as she descended the stairs to the beach her legs were stinging from the colder air that was moving in.
Deciding that she would feel better as soon as she started running, she stretched quickly and set off north on the beach toward the lighthouse. She ran most of her route when she noticed that the sky had darkened to a grey black, the clouds looks menacing, and the waves were cresting higher than normal. She started to debate on whether to go home when the downpour started. It was fierce and sudden. The wind was driving the rain around her, limiting her visibility. She was completely soaked in minutes and freezing in the driving rain. She thought about going home before realizing the smart thing would be to continue to William and Charles. It was only a little further up the beach.
The wind was really galing now and Elizabeth was staggering in the sand to keep her footing as she continued toward the area she thought the villa should be. She realized that the waves were reaching higher onto the beach, leaving her with less and less of a safe path. As she was looking to the ocean to determine how much beach she had left, she stumbled on the sand and fell awkwardly on her ankle with a small cry of pain.
She knew she had to get to the villa quickly, but as she tried to get back up, her ankle gave out under her, and she realized she might be in serious trouble. She tried not to panic as she felt herself becoming more cold, and wet, but her ankle was burning hot. Tears started to escape from her eyes as much from the pain as the fear and frustration of her situation. Why, she thought, didn't I pay more attention to the weather when I got up.
At that moment, she felt a hand on her head. Startled, she looked up and saw William looking down at her in concern.
"You're hurt?" He yelled to be heard over the wind.
"Yes, my ankle," she yelled back, more tears streaming down her face.
He kneeled down and gently picked her up and carried her toward the villa, which she hadn't realized she had been almost in front of. As he rounded the front of the villa, which sheltered them from some of the wind and rain, she noticed a heat warming the side of her body closest to him and let her head rest against his chest.
William was surprised at how light she was to carry, and he was very concerned by how cold and red she was. He had just gotten out of bed and went to look out the window of their living room to watch the storm when he noticed a figure stumbling out on the beach. It took some time for him to see through the driving rain that it was Elizabeth. It was then that she fell, and he ran out of the house to go and get her without thinking of shoes or a shirt.
He was carrying her into the villa now, tempted to call for Charles (who wasn't an early riser, and mornings were about the only time of day that you could actually see Charles in a bad mood). William decided to wait until he could see if she needed to go to the hospital.
He brought her into the couch and as he began to set her down, she protested, "I'll get the couch all wet."
"I don't care about the couch." He set her down gingerly and grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch to put over her shivering form.
When he pulled away, Elizabeth felt a strange loss, of warmth and something else she couldn't define. She looked at him now wondering what had made her feel that way, when it finally registered in her mind that he was barechested. He was wearing only some flannel pajama bottoms that were wet from the rain. He seemed to be just as soaked as she, and she was more than a little fixated on his form. He was so muscular, so sculpted, well-tanned, in short, very desirable.
"Elizabeth, answer me." William said to her sharply, but with a very concerned look on his face. She hadn't responded to his questions and was now quite flushed and red, making him worry that she had been exposed too long in the cold and rain. Her eyes had a faraway look and it seemed like she was staring right through him.
She blushed hotly thinking he had discovered her ogling him. And replied weakly, "Sorry, what was the question?"
"Look in my eyes, Lizzy." William said, turning her chin to have her looking at him.
"William, I am fine, other than my ankle, and that I am cold, really." She was touched and a little alarmed by the amount of concern evident in his eyes.
"Let me look at your ankle, OK?" She nodded and he pulled the cover off of her legs. He didn't need to ask which was injured. It had swollen well beyond the normal size of her other ankle. He touched it softly and she shuddered. "I'm trying to be as gentle as I can, but we have to determine if you broke it. Did you hear anything snap when you went down?"
He was gently probing her ankle and foot, rotating it slightly, and she was trying not to concentrate on his strong, warm hands. Why didn't I notice that before, she wondered?
"Elizabeth, are you really with me?" He was staring at her eyes. Again she thought he had caught her and could read her thoughts.
She blushed again, "Um. No. I didn't hear anything. But I'm sure that I would have been able to with how loud the storm is."
"Well, I don't think it's broken. Just badly sprained. Let's wait out the storm a little before we take you to hospital. In the meantime, we need to keep it iced and elevated." He looked up at her face again, "Lizzy, your lips are blue and you're shivering, you need to get warmed up and fast."
Before she could question him or protest, he lifted her gently off of the couch and carried her toward the bedrooms. They entered a room that she surmised as being his and he laid her on the bed. At first, she had just been happy to be so close to him again, to feel his warmth and strength, then the reality of where they were hit her and she panicked.
"Um, William, really. I'm fine. Why don't you just drive me home and Jane can help me?" She almost pleaded, looking pale.
"No, Lizzy. The storm is too bad to be out in, even in a car. And how would you and Jane get to hospital later. Not to mention that you need to get warm now." He patted her cheek, like she was a small child and went to his bathroom and started filling the tub with hot water. "Sorry I don't have anything nice to put in the water." He called from the bathroom. "Oh, wait. I do have some bubble bath that Georgie forgot to take out of my travel bag."
Lizzy sighed loudly when he started the water, relieved that that was how he was going to get her warm. She giggled a little at where her thoughts had wandered in her panic. Of course, William's not going to hop into bed with me to get me warm. She laughed aloud at that, and he peered around the corner of the bathroom to make sure she really was all right. He was suddenly concerned she might already be developing a fever. But she seemed to just be cheerful and he thought to himself, rare is the woman I know who wouldn't be complaining loudly of her injuries. Not my Lizzy, he thought proudly.
When the bath was more than half full he came back to her and carried her to his bathroom, where they both realized she was a little overdressed for a bath. William took Lizzy's sweatshirt off of her. He stopped moving as he saw her wet white tee-shirt underneath, and he could make out her red sports bra underneath. He looked away quickly. Lizzy was almost as embarrassed.
William set her on the sink's countertop and reached behind the bathroom door for a towel. "Here, uh, you can use this. Um, I mean. Do you," he took a deep breath and finished hurriedly, "Do you think you can undress yourself and wrap this towel around you?"
She nodded and William continued, "OK. Then, call me when you've got the towel wrapped around you." William felt like he was escaping the bathroom, none too soon.
Lizzy did as she was told. She was pleased to see how big the towel was on her. It covered her very well. She called him back in. "OK. So now what? I know I can't get in on my own."
He took a deep breath and lifted her up, carried her to the tub and placed her in it, towel and all. He turned his back to her, "OK. Now if you'll give me the towel..." he trailed off.
Lizzy realized quickly that he had put too much bubble bath in, so he wouldn't be able to sneak a peek if he wanted to, so she unwrapped herself and made sure she was settled under the bubbles before telling him she was ready.
He turned back to her averting his eyes, and consequently not being able to find the towel in her hands. "It's OK, Will. The bubbles were a good idea." She giggled to herself at their strange situation.
He stole a quick look at her and relaxed. He took the towel from her and left the bathroom. In a few minutes, he returned with hot chocolate, two dry towels, and a bag of ice. "It's not Jane's chocolate, but it will warm your insides up. I brought you fresh, dry towels for when you get out. Are you feeling any warmer yet?"
"Yes. Much. Thank you so much, Will. I really don't know what to say." She said softly.
Will didn't want her being too serious in her current state, so he gave her a devilish grin and plunged a hand in down by her feet.
She screamed in surprise, "Will, what are you..." She stopped as she felt him lifting her injured foot gingerly out of the water. He placed a towel on the side of the tub to cushion her foot and wrapped the ice pack around her foot.
"Yow!" She cried as the cold from the ice mixed unpleasantly with the heat of her foot from her injury and path. "That doesn't feel good."
Will smiled, "I know, but your ankle needs to be iced, not heated! So you just be my good little patient, OK?"
"OK, but it is really unpleasant. If you want me to be good, you will have to keep my mind off of it. Is that a deal?"
William didn't answer. In fact, he left the room to a very surprised Lizzy, who wondered what she had done wrong. After a few minutes, he was back with a chair he put next to the tub. Much to Lizzy's disappointment, he had put a shirt on and changed into a pair of jeans.
"So, how should I distract you?"
Lizzy had several ideas pop into her mind, all of which would have involved his not having changed clothes, and as she pondered them, her face went scarlet.
William saw this and thought she was in too much pain, so he called out for Charles, without thinking.
In a couple of minutes a very disheveled Charles wandered into William's room. "Wow," he yawned, "What a storm."
"In the bathroom, Charles."
As Lizzy realized she was about to have another male intrude on her bath, she squeaked and sank lower into the water.
If Charles had still been somewhat groggy when he entered William's bedroom. He was fully awake and a wash of emotions at seeing Lizzy in William's bath. "What the hell. William, damnit. I thought you were being serious last night."
Lizzy and William both looked at Charles, stunned by his outburst. Lizzy looked questioningly at William, feeling even more embarrassed as she started to realize what could only be Charles' conclusion to seeing her in William's bath.
"Charles, calm down. It's not what you think. I saw..."
But Charles interrupted William mid-sentence and spoke with a cold voice that Lizzy could never have imagined Charles possessing, "William, I am disgusted. You are ..."
William interrupted this time, "I suggest you let Lizzy tell you how she came to be here since you won't listen to me, and I am afraid that you are dangerously close to saying something that you will regret later."
Charles bit back a retort and turned his disapproving gaze onto Lizzy, "Well? From the little Jane has told me about you, I can only imagine what you will have to invent to save William's skin."
"Charles, relax. You're wrong totally. I went running this morning, not paying attention to the weather. It was not great when I started out, but you know how quickly the weather can change down here. Soon it was the full storm, and I twisted my ankle. At least William thinks that it is twisted."
"You have too much range of motion, I think, for it to be broken," William said quietly, looking at Lizzy, marveling at her poise in such an awkward situation.
"That's it, really?" Charles asked more quietly.
"Yes," Lizzy and William both answered him back, with a little exasperation in their voices.
All three were quiet for a time. The water was cooling rapidly and to Lizzy's horror, she noticed the bubbles were beginning to thin to a dangerous level. She cleared her throat, "Well, now that we are all friends again. I wonder if I could trouble you to leave me while I get out?"
Both men looked at her directly. William felt hotter as he could make out the curves of her bare shoulders and used all his self-control to keep himself from allowing his eyes to stray any lower. Charles shot one warning look at William and left the room.
William started to leave, but Lizzy called out to him, "Uh. Will, I uh, the way this tub is. I'm afraid that I need assistance in getting out." She blushed fiercely and couldn't meet his eye.
William raked his fingers through his hair, resisting every natural impulse in him and tried to think of a way out of the tub not involving him touching her.
He told her to wait a second and he left the room. By the time the bubbles were really very thin and Lizzy wasn't sure she could even feel good about letting him back in. But the water was getting quite chilly and her ankle was protesting about its perch on the end of the tub.
William returned quickly but stayed at the doorway. He threw her a wet towel. "I warmed that towel under hot water. Just wrap it round yourself again, and I'll get you out like I got you in."
"Thanks." In short order Lizzy was wrapped in the towel, if somewhat awkwardly. "Ready," she called more confidently than she felt.
William approached the tub and lifted her gently out of the water. Water rushed off of her, nearly taking the towel with it. He deposited her on the sink counter again, and left the bathroom.
She heard him rummaging about in the other room. He came back and threw her a soft robe and said, "Let me know when you are dried and dressed. I'll come in and carry you to the living room."
Within 15 minutes she was dry, warm, and happily being attended to by both William and Charles, who were making her breakfast.
The three sat easily eating their breakfast. Lizzy noticed a small lull in the storm and realized that Jane would be up by then and likely concerned at Lizzy's whereabouts. They agreed that the storm had subsided enough for Charles to go and get Jane, clothes for Lizzy, and bring back a list of other things Lizzy wanted.
After Charles left, William retrieved a couple of pillows from his room and an additional blanket. He positioned himself on one end of the longer couch and a pillow where he thought it would be most comfortable to her to lean up against him. She felt herself being pulled to him and put her head in his lap. They hadn't said much and now he was looking down at her face tracing her jaw line and forehead with his finger. He started running his fingers gently through her wet hair.
They both wanted to ask each other more about what Charles had said about the other, but they were both a little afraid of what their responses might be instead. They both relaxed and enjoyed the moment, and within a few minutes, they were both asleep, each with their own small smile on their lips.