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"So what are we having?" Lizzy asked as she opened the refrigerator and looked in. "Sandwiches?"

"Sounds good to me," Olivia said as she went into the butler's pantry for the bread she and Richard had picked up that morning at the market. Lizzy began to pull out an assortment of cold cuts out and cheeses while Olivia collected condiments. "So, Lizzy, how do you like it here in paradise?"

"Oh, I love it here. It's so beautiful and quiet. And William assures me that it will be just as quiet when the rest of the family descends upon the place next week."

"I like the idea of a family compound. Having separate cottages gives everyone a bit of privacy. In Connecticut I am always mindful of the fact that our bedroom is right across the hall from GB's."

"That must put a damper on things." Olivia smiled archly and Lizzy laughed. "I stand corrected!"

"Where there's a will, there's a way," she said cryptically.

"I know," Lizzy mugged. "I have a Will of my own." The two women shared a laugh as they turned their attention to the sandwiches.

"We bought chips and pickles, too. They're around here somewhere."

"Here are the chips," Lizzy said as she reached for the bags on top of the refrigerator. "So, how are you enjoying Cape Cod?" Olivia sighed wistfully.

"Not as much as I'd like to. I can't get past the fact that Richard's only going to be here for a week."

"But he'll be back."

"I know, but--." Lizzy wrapped a sympathetic arm around her friend's shoulder. "I suppose I should be happy that he's opening a new office in Washington. But I can't say that I'm happy about being separated from him for a week and a half."

"I know. I hate it when William is away, too. Say, why don't you go with him?"

"I'd just be in the way. He's going to be very busy most of the time and wouldn't have time for me until after the opening, anyway."

"I guess not. I'm glad William is only going down for the last few days," Lizzy said.

"Lucky you. You get to have him here while I get to sleep alone in a cottage built for two," Olivia pouted. She quickly straightened her face and shook off her funk as she glanced out the window and saw Richard approaching the main house, which housed the largest kitchen and social spaces used communally by all the Fitzwilliams.

"Hello, beautiful ladies," Richard smiled as he entered the kitchen and went to the sink to wash his hands. "What's for lunch?"

"We're making sandwiches, Einstein," Lizzy said from the table where a dozen and a half slices of bread were arranged and being prepared in assembly line fashion.

"Be nice or I won't ask you to dance this afternoon," Richard replied as he went to the table and helped himself to a slice of ham.

"Excuse me?"

"I came to inform you ladies that this afternoon's activities will include a dancing lesson."

"You're kidding, right?" Olivia asked. "I'm planning to bake this afternoon."

"Nope. I have engaged Mrs. Wycleff, the woman who taught Fitz and me to trip the light fantastic, to give us a few foxtrot lessons."

"And you did this because..."

"Because I love you madly and don't want you to embarrass yourself by falling over my feet at our wedding." Olivia's mouth fell open.

"Are you calling me a bad dancer?"

"No, Angel. I just want you to be a better dancer," Richard replied diplomatically as he reached for a slice of pickle. Lizzy slapped his hand away. "Actually, I just thought it would be fun. She was that lady you saw me speaking with outside the bakery this morning."

"I should have known you were up to something," Olivia said. "Dancing lessons, eh? So what's a foxtrot?" Richard turned to Lizzy.

"May I?" Lizzy put down her knife and allowed Richard to take her into his arms. The two executed a perfect foxtrot around the kitchen as Richard hummed a Gershwin tune. When they returned to their starting point, Richard released Lizzy with a flourish and a bow. She curtseyed in return. Olivia looked on, stunned.

"You've been holding out on me, Bennet! Where on earth did you learn to do that?" she asked Lizzy.

"At dancing school back in Brooklyn; I did the cotillion thing when I was sixteen," Lizzy said sheepishly as she went back to spreading mustard on the slices of bread. "Didn't you take dancing lessons once?"

"I took tap dancing when I was eight. Amazingly enough, there were precious few cotillions in Elverson when I was growing up," Olivia retorted.

"Lucky you! There were more than I could stand in Greenwich. Fitz and I must have escorted a dozen girls apiece to some sort of debutante function every year through college," Richard said with a shake of his head.

"Poor thing," Olivia cooed.

"I wonder if they were chosen by lottery or if it was a general free for all?" Lizzy smiled.

"Mrs. Wycleff arranged all the escorts, according to height and social status, I think," Richard answered exasperatedly. "We got all the tallest ones, including the evil twins once."

"What time is this lesson?" Olivia asked. "I wanted to test a couple of cake recipes today," she pouted. Richard told her the time and kissed away her pout.

"Don't worry, I'll stick around and help you test your cakes afterward, okay?" He slipped out of the kitchen and calm was quickly restored.

"Why are you testing recipes? You're supposed to be on vacation," Lizzy reminded her friend.

"I know, but the Celebrations site is going to have a feature on small at-home weddings next month and I want to have some really good, fool-proof cake recipes on the board."

"Speaking of weddings, have you and Richard chosen a date yet?" Olivia sighed dramatically.

"No. I guess I should be worried. He hasn't asked me in twenty-four hours."

"So the wedding plans have been put on hold?" Olivia shrugged.

"I think we'll wait until after Jane and Charles have tied the knot. Things will be quieter then."

"But then you'll be approaching Thanksgiving." Olivia sighed again. "Oh...it's a sore point, isn't it?" Olivia laughed.

"I love the man to death, but he's been making me crazy. I told him to go ahead and plan the wedding and let me know when he picked a date."

"What did he say to that?" Lizzy laughed.

"He gave me one of his patented Richard looks--you know, the kind that makes you adore him and scares you to death at the same time?" Lizzy laughed as Jane entered the room. She joined the others in helping with lunch, which was soon served on the deck. After a very pleasant repast, Richard suggested that everyone go and change.

"Mrs. Wycleff will not be pleased to see us in our bathing suits."

"Oh, I don't know. She might make an exception for William," Lizzy drawled as she headed off toward her bungalow. At Richard and William's insistence, the women all returned wearing skirts, save for Georgiana, who steadfastly refused to participate. She defiantly came down to the party space in the big house in shorts, risking Mrs. Wycleff's censure. When Mrs. Wycleff appeared, Lizzy and Olivia exchanged a glance and sighed at the matronly woman, who looked over each of them carefully as Richard made the introductions.

"Your fiancée?" she repeated as she looked at Olivia disparagingly. "I haven't seen an announcement anywhere."

"We haven't made any," Richard said easily. "But it's not exactly a state secret..." He fell silent as he fell under Mrs. Wycleff's glare. He had always been one of her favorites, but even Richard dared not press his luck. "Where are you from, my dear? I am not familiar with the Crenshaws." Lizzy suppressed a laugh as Olivia flustered for an answer.

"I'm from Pennsylvania," she managed as Richard took hold of her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Found her there, right on the edge of George Knightley's property," he volunteered. Mrs. Wycleff brightened. The reference to the Knightley name was enough of a connection to satisfy her ruffled feathers.

"What was all that about?" Olivia whispered to Richard as Mrs. Wycleff went over to speak to William and Georgiana, who slipped out of the room at her earliest opportunity.

"She's something of a snob, I'm afraid. If you don't have a pedigree, you should be marrying a Jones, not a Fitzwilliam, as far as she's concerned," he explained.

"Humph! I'm not hopelessly in love with someone named Jones," Olivia said through her teeth. Richard smiled and kissed her, earning a stern glare from Mrs. Wycleff, who had turned in time to catch the action.

"Do you think you can manage to restrain yourself for the space of an hour? A ballroom is not the place for such behavior."

"Yes, ma'am," Richard replied automatically. Olivia smiled as Mrs. Wycleff looked at Jane's short skirt with disdain.

"Why do I suspect that this wasn't the first time she's uttered those words?" Richard shrugged.

"At least on those occasions I was kissing someone she would have approved of," he smirked. Olivia punched Richard in the arm. Mrs. Wycleff turned as Richard howled.

"Why don't we get started? William, dear, why don't you bring your lovely partner to the center of the floor? Yes, now take your positions; William, you know where to place your hands, and Lizzy...very nice." Richard sighed and folded his arms as William and Lizzy flawlessly executed each of her instructions.

"Mrs. Wycleff, Lizzy already knows the foxtrot," he revealed, as the instructor lavished praise on Lizzy.

"Oh? Well, why didn't you say so? Let us have a look at you." She went to the stereo and put on a recording while Lizzy stuck out her tongue at Richard. The music began and William led Lizzy around the dance floor with practiced ease. Mrs. Wycleff was delighted and joined Jane and Charles in applauding the couple.

"Now, you two," she said, turning to the others. "I assume you do not know the foxtrot?"

"Jane skipped the debutante ball," Lizzy whispered to Will. "She was in her rebellious period and threatened to run away if our grandmother made her do it." William raised his eyebrows in surprise as he watched Jane gamely attempt the complicated steps. Richard, meanwhile, gave Olivia a few pointers, so that by the time Mrs. Wycleff turned her critical eye on the pair, Olivia was confidently following Richard's lead. Mrs. Wycleff threw herself into her work and once inhibitions were overcome, the lesson became quite fun, even with Mrs. Wycleff's occasional censure. Lizzy and William practiced turns (and dips while Mrs. Wycleff's attentions were engaged elsewhere), while Jane and Charles worked to master the basic steps. As the lesson came to an end, William thanked Mrs. Wycleff and escorted her out while Richard and Olivia continued to practice. When William returned, he found Jane and Charles collapsed on the sofa in exhaustion.

"That was a lot of fun, but what I really want to do at my wedding is dance to something really fun," Jane exclaimed. Richard smiled and changed the music to something with a Latin beat. He led Jane to the floor and struck up a far more animated lesson. Lizzy beckoned William and quickly rose to join them as did Georgiana, who emerged from hiding as soon as Mrs. Wycleff was gone. Charles pleaded fatigue, so Georgiana partnered Olivia while Richard danced with Jane. Lizzy cajoled Charles into dancing and William took his turn resting while the others danced. Finally, Olivia begged off, declaring that she had to go bake. The others gave up then, and Richard went to the kitchen to help Olivia. Lizzy remained behind with William and Georgiana to help put back the furniture that had pushed aside to create a larger dance floor.

"So, when you two get married, will it be the foxtrot or the merengue?" Georgiana asked cheekily. Lizzy's mouth fell open, but William answered without skipping a beat.

"I'm thinking something retro. Perhaps we'll hire Chubby Checker and do the twist." Georgiana laughed hysterically and left as William flopped into a chair with a smug smile on his lips. Lizzy sat on his lap.

"And what do you know about Chubby Checker, or the twist, for that matter?" William shrugged.

"It worked didn't it? She left us alone, and that was my objective."

"Well done," Lizzy praised, wondering if he would say anything further about his sister's reference to a wedding between the two of them. But William seemed content to just sit and enjoy the quiet as he watched the view of the bay through the picture window. "She seems to think we'll be getting married soon," Lizzy assayed after a time.

"Maybe she's mistaken us for Fitz and Olivia," William said softly. Lizzy looked up at him doubtfully, but William's eyes were closed and she could not tell whether or not he was teasing. Lizzy sighed and turned back toward the view, frustrated in her effort to get William to discuss even a hypothetical marriage. William smiled at the back of Lizzy's head, taking her frustration as a positive sign that Lizzy was growing impatient for a proposal.

William soon dozed off and Lizzy made her escape. She and Charles went over to his cottage to do a little work while Jane took a walk with Georgiana. Richard entered the quiet room where William remained and sat down. He opened his Companion and booted it up. William opened an eye.

"I thought you were baking."

"I was, but Livy is trying to recalculate a recipe--downsizing it, I think--and she said she couldn't think with me in the room." William smiled to himself and closed his eyes once more. "Hey, did you see this article in today's Times? It's about computer security and it mentions F/F rather prominently."

"I'm on vacation, Fitz. The only thing I'm interested in right now is sleeping and Lizzy--not in that order, of course." Richard smiled.

"I don't believe that for an instant. You've already read it."

"Jo sent it to me this morning." William opened his eyes again as Richard began to type on the keyboard. "Can't you do whatever you're doing somewhere else?"

"Nope. The one downside to being here in paradise is that I can't go wireless. And this room is the only one in the house with a three-pronged outlet."

"...Except for the kitchen, right?" William smirked. Richard smiled back sheepishly. "So what are you doing?"

"Wedding plans," Richard murmured as he scanned his files.

"I thought you hadn't picked a date yet."

"Oh, I've chosen one. I just haven't discussed it with Livy yet."

"Is that wise?" William asked as he sat up in his chair and regarded Richard.

"Probably not, but sometimes ignorance is a pretty good substitute for the facts." William blinked at Richard for a moment.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to explain that to me, Fitz."

"Every time I suggest a date to Olivia we get into an argument as to why it's wrong. So I figure if I don't tell her a date we don't have to fight about it. As a matter of fact, I think that was her idea."

"You two don't really fight about it, do you?" William asked with some concern.

"No, I guess you can't really call it fighting when Livy is laughing at me the whole time."

"She seems to do that a lot."

"Laugh at me? Yes, she does, doesn't she? What do you think that means?" Richard asked innocently, but William didn't take the bait.

"How do you intend to break it to her that you've chosen a date without her permission? And what if she refuses to go along with it?"

"She won't."

"How do you know she won't?"

"She wants to marry me, Fitz."

"So?"

"So she will." Richard smiled confidently and opened a file. "Now, I have a favor to ask." William raised an eyebrow, but then he sighed and listened to Richard's request.

"I'd be delighted," William smiled when Richard had done. He closed his eyes and smiled as Richard continued to type away.

Part 28

By the week's end, the entire Fitzwilliam clan had assembled at the shore. The senior members of the household took up residence in the big house, while the younger set moved into the remaining cottages. Richard and Olivia moved from their own cottage into the one Charles and Jane occupied to make room for the twins. The new arrangements also meant that Olivia would not be alone when Richard left. She grew quieter as the week drew to its inevitable conclusion, and Richard began to worry about her. Bess also noticed Olivia's mood and suggested that the women take a walk together on the beach.

"So, I've been drafted into helping with the wedding preparations," Bess opened. Olivia laughed.

"He's co-opted you, eh? What does he have you doing?"

"Oh, this and that...I don't think I'm supposed to tell." A look of alarm appeared on Olivia's face.

"Oh, lord! What is Richard up to?" Bess laughed.

"Nothing dire, I assure you. But I'm far more concerned about you right now."

"About me? Why?"

"You don't look happy." Olivia sighed deeply and dropped all pretense of being cheerful.

"I'm not. Richard is leaving tomorrow and won't return for ten days. What's the point of having a summer vacation if I have to spend it alone? We were supposed to have this time together. We'd worked for weeks to match up our schedules and then he had to push back his opening. All our plans have been ruined." Olivia fell silent and then became contrite. "I'm sorry, GB. I shouldn't be taking this all out on you."

"Oh, it's all right, dear," Bess assured her with a comforting hug. "I thought you needed to share it with someone. I trust that you have already discussed this with Fizz?"

"Yes, but we both know that we can't do anything about it. William has offered to fly me down to Washington when he goes as a surprise for Richard. I intend to take him up on it, but that still means that we'll be apart for a week," Olivia pouted.

"There, there, child. Don't go making that dreadful face!" Olivia giggled as she recalled Bess's objection to her tears on the night of William's Christmas party.

"Sorry!"

"Good, because I have far more pleasant things in mind for us today," Bess said enigmatically. Olivia looked at her in confusion. Bess drew Olivia over to a bench beneath a tree and the two women sat down.

"I know that you have no family, save for an estranged step-brother somewhere, so I've appointed myself your next of kin," Bess began.

"Thank you, but why? I stand to acquire you as a grandmother as soon as Fizz and I tie the knot."

"Well, I thought you might want someone for the premarital side of things." Olivia frowned for a moment, and then a smile suffused her pretty face.

"Are you going to tell me about the birds and the bees?" Bess shook her head.

"You really do deserve that boy," she laughed. "But I had something else in mind. First of all, a girl needs a wise old woman to talk to in the days before her wedding...a mother, a grandmother, an old aunt...it's absolutely essential. Someone has to show you the lay of the land, explain how to deal with husbands...that sort of thing. So, I am presenting myself as your counsel."

"I appreciate that, Bess," Olivia said as she kissed the older woman's cheek.

"I also think that no girl should go shopping for a wedding dress without a trusted advisor along. Now, I know you have Lizzy and Jane to call upon, but I do love to shop."

"...And I suppose that an opportunity to spy for your grandson has nothing to do with it?" Olivia teased. Bess smiled innocently.

"I won't tell him a thing about your dress, I promise." Olivia was dubious.

"All right, GB, what are you and Richard up to?"

"We aren't up to anything, I assure you! By the way, have you started looking for a dress yet?" Olivia shook her head.

"We haven't even set a date."

"Well, that's no reason to wait, child! We need to get a move on! I'll speak to Hugh about us going into Boston for the day. We'll do a bit of looking, shall we?"

"What's the rush?" Bess smiled again.

"It takes a while to find the perfect dress, and you are planning to marry soon, aren't you?"

"I think it'll be sometime in the late fall," Olivia shrugged.

"Well, all the bridal magazines and web sites--including yours, I might add--suggest that the bride pick her dress three to six months in advance. Besides, it'll give you something to do instead of mope around and wait around till you see Richard again." Olivia conceded that it might be a good idea and a plan was formed to travel into the city for a day of shopping.

Lizzy spent Sunday morning in the pool swimming laps while William watched her, mesmerized. He refused to join her for a time, content to watch. When she succeeded in coaxing him into the water, they raced the length of the pool several times, Lizzy winning every heat. William was a graceful loser, insisting, however, that his opponent used her feminine wiles to distract him.

"Besides, why on earth would I want to get ahead of you?" he teased. "There's no fun in that!"

"It's a race, William. That's the whole point," Lizzy retorted.

"Well, that may be your point," William conceded with a smile.

"How am I supposed to improve my lap time if you throw every race?" William shrugged.

"My time seems to be improving very nicely," he replied. Lizzy gave up and left the pool, ordering William to swim twenty more laps as punishment for his behavior.

Charles teased him for it, but when William and Jane convinced Charles to join him, they raced and William beat him easily. He climbed out of the pool very satisfied with himself to the cheers and catcalls of Jane and Lizzy.

"I did warn you that I was getting faster," he joked.

"What's going on?" Georgiana asked as she stepped out onto the deck where the others sat. Lizzy looked up.

"Oh, Gee, I didn't realize you were ready to leave. Where's Richard?"

"He's probably saying goodbye to Olivia for the fortieth time," Georgiana quipped. "They've been at it forever."

"Wait till you become seriously involved young lady," William said before he thought better of what he was saying and stopped himself. "Well, never mind. I'm sure they'll be here in a minute." As William spoke, Richard came out onto the deck.

"Ready, Gee? The stuff's all in the car," he said quietly before he went and said his goodbyes, first to Charles and Jane and then to William and Lizzy. "Take care of her for me, Bright Eyes," he said as he gave Lizzy a hug. Lizzy smiled and assured him that she would.

"Where is she?"

"Back at the cottage...she didn't want to come out." Lizzy nodded and sat down as Richard left. She decided to give Olivia a little time before she went to check on her. When she did she found Olivia sitting on the porch knitting a sweater.

"How can you work on that in this heat?" Lizzy moaned. "It makes me hot just to think about wool."

"It's for him," Olivia said simply, as she continued to work, her fingers never missing a beat although her eyes were clouded with tears. Lizzy nodded and sat down.

"I was speaking to Hugh earlier. He says that you and Grandma Bess have cooked up some scheme to go into Boston." Olivia smiled and nodded.

"She thinks it's time I started looking for a wedding dress. You'll come with us, won't you?"

"To pick out your wedding dress? I wouldn't miss that for anything."

"Thanks," Olivia said with a slight sniffle. Lizzy took pity on her and went to offer a hug.

"Oh, Livy! It's not the end of the world! You'll see the big lug again next week! You know, after all those times you laughed at me for crying over men... You're nothing but a big old mush ball." Olivia laughed in spite of herself.

"Well, I never used to be, but--."

"I know, I know. Richard has a way about him, right?" Olivia nodded sheepishly. Lizzy sighed wearily and hugged her friend more tightly.

Lizzy returned to her cottage, where William had just emerged from the shower and was dressing.

"I hope you left me some hot water."

"Why? You seem to do so well in cold water," William replied cheekily. "How is Olivia?"

"Depressed. To look at her, you'd think Richard had left her for good." William smiled.

"They are rather besotted with one another."

"So are we, but you wouldn't see me blubbering like that if you went on a business trip!" Lizzy said as she slipped out of her bathing suit and stepped into the shower.

"Why not? Don't I merit a few tears?"

"No," Lizzy replied saucily, "I'd probably throw a party to celebrate." She quickly ducked behind the shower curtain and screamed as William reached into the shower and turned the water to cold. "All right!" she cried after fending him off and turning the water back to hot, "I would cry, maybe...maybe a little...a very little. But Richard had already been gone an hour before I went to see her and she was still teary eyed."

"I think it shows a rather sweet devotion to my cousin. You might take a page out of her book and learn to appreciate me more."

"Or...?"

"No threat, just a suggestion," William said as he laid aside his hair brush and left the bathroom. "You know, Olivia might have something to cry about when Fitz is out of sight," he mused as he sat on the edge of the bed and donned his sandals. Lizzy poked her head out of the shower.

"You don't think he'd cheat on her, do you?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that. But he will plot..." Lizzy was immediately curious.

"Plot what?" William regretted bringing up the topic.

"You never know with Richard," he replied as he reached for his watch. He headed for the door, hoping to curtail any speculation on Lizzy's part. But Lizzy finished her shower and tracked him down as quickly as she could. To her disappointment, she found him sitting with Olivia and Charles. Lizzy frowned as William smiled back at her innocently.

"Ah, here she is now," William said as he slid over a bit to allow Lizzy to join him on the settee.

"Given up on knitting, I see," Lizzy said. Olivia reached into her bag and produced a finished sweater.

"I was only working on the neckline when you saw me," Olivia explained. "I'm all done," she said as she hugged the sweater to her chest. Lizzy rolled her eyes and William shot her a look.

"So when do we go to Boston?" Lizzy asked, politely changing the subject.

"Boston? What's this about Boston?" Charles asked.

"Oh, GB thinks that we should go into Boston and look at wedding dresses. I think she's just trying to distract me," Olivia explained.

Two days later, a DARCO helicopter landed on the south lawn of the immense property and a short time later it whisked Olivia, Lizzy, Kathleen, and Bess off to Boston. Lizzy and Olivia were surprised to find that Hugh had not only arranged for a limousine to meet the women, but had secured rooms for them at the Copley Plaza for their stay.

"But it's just a day trip," Olivia protested.

"Did I ever say that?" Bess smiled demurely. "You can't possibly make a decision on a dress without taking a little time to think about it for a bit. We'll stay overnight and then we won't have to rush things."

"But I have no intention of choosing a dress now! I just wanted to look at them!"

"Oh, but you might see something that you like," Bess said. Lizzy concurred.

"I like the idea of an overnight trip. It'll give us a chance to just hang out for a while. It's been years since I've been in Boston." Olivia sighed. "You have your cell phone, Livy. Richard will be able to reach you," Lizzy added exasperatedly.

"Am I that pathetic?" Lizzy nodded, but Kathleen hugged Olivia.

"I completely understand how you feel, dear. When Hugh went off to Korea I thought I might end up in an asylum."

"...And I was all for committing her," Bess said with a wink. "Now shall we go? I've made a few appointments--."

"Appointments?" Olivia cried.

"Well, you can't get into the finer salons without one," Bess explained. Olivia eyed her suspiciously, but she allowed herself to be led to the first of many shops. "I took the liberty of choosing a few that I thought might suit your taste. I also told them your size and asked them to pick out a few things."

"What's the rush?" Lizzy said. "They haven't even set a date yet! You don't even know what kind of wedding they're having."

"Actually, we have made some decisions about that, Lizzy," Olivia admitted shyly. "We want a very small, intimate wedding, nothing stuffy or formal...just family and good friends. Richard said he'd plan everything according to my wishes, so that's what we're going to have." She looked to Bess for confirmation. Bess nodded.

"Then I suppose this is out of the question," Lizzy said as she looked longingly at a formal gown covered with embroidered lace that was on display. She stared at the dress in awe. It was the dress of her dreams.

"Would you like to try it on?" A sales associate appeared at Lizzy's elbow and smiled. "It's beautiful, isn't it? I call it our fantasy gown. It's the dress every girl dreams of being married in." She lifted the dress off the display hook and held it up in front of Lizzy, who envisioned herself marching down the aisle in the ivory confection, its long train trailing behind her. Lizzy smiled into the mirror as in her mind's eye she reached the altar and took hold of Richard's hand... Lizzy blinked as Richard's image reminded her that it was not her own wedding she supposed to be thinking about.

"No!" Lizzy blurted as she was startled out of her reverie. "I...I'm not the bride," she managed as she blushed crimson. She turned and pointed to Olivia. "She is."

"Oh, forgive me," the sales associate smiled. "The way you looked at that dress..." Lizzy self-consciously averted her eyes. "Maybe another time?" she said to Kathleen, who nodded knowingly.

"Yes, and soon," she murmured to the sales associate as she walked her over to Olivia. The woman introduced herself as Marie and led Olivia and Bess into a private room to show her the gowns that had been put aside for her. Kathleen remained behind to watch Lizzy, who went from one gown to another, a tiny smile playing about her lips.

"I rather liked the first one best," Kathleen said aloud when, on impulse Lizzy took a gown down from the display and held it up before her. Lizzy guiltily spun around. "I think William would, too."

"Do you really think so?" Lizzy asked wistfully.

"Yes. Olivia and Richard will have a wedding that suits them: classy, but a little off beat. You and William are another story," Kathleen said as she took the dress from Lizzy's hands and replaced it with the first gown. "I see you and William in a very classic, formal, traditional ceremony. This is your gown." Lizzy allowed herself a moment to imagine herself beside William at the altar. The dress practically glowed amid the candlelight. Or perhaps it was just the reflection of the sparkle in William's eyes...

"Except that William has not proposed," Lizzy said with more feeling than she'd intended.

"I think it's only a matter of time," Kathleen smiled. "I know William, and I know he wants to marry you someday. But some men will take their time about these things..." Lizzy brightened a little. 'Why don't you try it on?"

"Oh, I couldn't," Lizzy said hastily. "If nothing else, it would be presumptuous. And besides, we're supposed to be helping Livy find a dress."

"My mother is with her. We'll just be a few minutes to and then we'll join them." She called for another associate before Lizzy could voice a protest, and Lizzy was whisked into a dressing room.

Just down the hall, Marie gave Olivia a critical look and instantly discarded several gowns from the rack of dresses that had been set up for Olivia's perusal.

"These are not for you, I think," she said. Olivia glanced at them and concurred. "Ah, but this one..." She picked up a simple but elegant gown and handed it to Olivia, who smiled. Marie selected a few others for Olivia to try on.

"Where's Lizzy?" Olivia asked as Kathleen entered the room.

"She'll be with you in a moment," Kathleen said with a twinkle in her eye. "Oh, Olivia," she gasped when she took in the full image before her. "You look beautiful." Olivia turned and looked in the mirror.

"I never dreamed I'd be trying on wedding dresses and liking it, you know? I could never see myself in one of those big, puffy things with all the lace, and the flounces, and the ruffles--." Two doors away, Lizzy was resplendent in a gown that was the epitome of what Olivia claimed to detest. It fit her perfectly, as though it had been made for her and was merely waiting for her to come and claim it as her own. Kathleen entered the dressing room and the sight of Lizzy took her breath away. The sales associate placed a veil on Lizzy's head to give the full effect and both Lizzy and Kathleen began to cry. But Lizzy quickly sobered and changed out of the dress to go be of use to her best friend. When she had left the room, Kathleen went to the sales associate and smiled.

"We'll take it." She handed the woman a charge card and told her where to ship the gown to her house in Greenwich, Connecticut. The sales associate explained that the dress was just a sample and that it would need to be fitted to Lizzy's precise measurements. It was arranged that an identical dress would be made up and shipped in six weeks. Alterations, if necessary, would be taken care of at a later date.

Olivia didn't find a suitable gown at the first salon. The second salon offered to make Olivia a gown to order, but Olivia couldn't see any need to make such a commitment. At a third shop she found a bridesmaid's dress that she liked, but Lizzy thought it too austere for a bride or bridesmaid. The women finally went to lunch to rest and refuel.

"I really liked the last gown you tried on at the first salon," Lizzy opined as she picked at her chicken salad. Her mind was still on the dress she had worn briefly at the salon. She saw herself and William gliding across a ballroom floor to the cheers of their friends as they had their first dance as husband and wife.

"...in that, Lizzy." Lizzy looked up. She hadn't heard a single word Bess had said. Kathleen smiled at Lizzy understandingly.

"Oh, I don't think so," Kathleen answered for her. "I think that the tea length was nice."

"Well, there's no rush," Olivia repeated. "So we needn't make any decision now. I have to admit, though, this is a lot more fun than I thought it would be." Bess patted her hand.

"Good. I hope you feel that after you've tried on a few more dozen dresses. Eat up, child! You'll need your strength for later." Olivia smiled indulgently and did as she was bidden, and soon the women were off for another round of shopping.

With Bess's help, the week passed rather quickly for Olivia. She never did find a wedding dress, although with subtle pressure from Bess' co-conspirators, she did buy one or two things to wear when she saw Richard again, and Kathleen insisted on buying her a lovely pale lavender party dress because "it made Olivia happy to try it on." When Saturday morning rolled around, Olivia and William flew to Washington. They arrived at the Watergate Hotel and William cursed under his breath the moment they entered the lobby.

"What's wrong?" Olivia asked. William pointed. Across the lobby, Richard sat in a comfortable easy chair reading the Washington Post.

"I should have known he'd be down here. He usually waits for me in the lobby. I was hoping to sneak you in," William explained as Richard looked up. He stared for a moment, as though his eyes had deceived him, but when Olivia smiled, he dropped the paper and rose to his feet. William sighed and gestured for Olivia to join Richard as he went to check in. Olivia didn't have to go far; Richard closed the distance between them in a few large strides and embraced her in a bear hug. "She'll be staying with him," William explained to the amused receptionist. Richard released his hold on Olivia only to hug his cousin.

"Remind me to be a lot nicer to you, Fitz," he smiled.

"Don't I always?" William quipped as the threesome crossed the lobby and headed for the elevators. "I take it you'll want to cancel our lunch date?" he asked Richard, who smiled back at him sheepishly. "Then I think I'll have a light lunch and then pay a visit to the National Gallery. I'd like to renew my acquaintance with a few masterpieces." William smiled as he stepped off the elevator and went to his room. Olivia and Richard continued up one more floor and went to his room.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Richard asked as he pulled Olivia into his arms as soon as he'd closed the door.

"That would have ruined the surprise, wouldn't it?" Olivia smiled.

"I don't care. I would have been just as glad to see you, maybe more because I would have been anticipating your arrival." Olivia laughed as Richard nuzzled her neck. "Boy you smell good."

"Thanks! I took a bath this morning."

"You feel good, too. Mmm, I've missed you so much."

"Me, too, Tiger." Olivia said as she held Richard tightly and closed her eyes as he showered her face with tiny kisses.

"So, did you find a wedding dress?" He murmured as he buried his face in her neck once more. Olivia frowned.

"How did you know I was looking at wedding dresses?"

"You told me, remember?" Olivia did not remember doing any such thing, and surmised that he had been talking with Bess. "No matter. We can look for one while you're here." Olivia was immediately suspicious, but Richard had begun to unbutton her blouse and he managed to keep her distracted from the subject for the better part of the next hour. But later, as she lay in Richard's arms and watched him smile at her drowsily, she recalled her question.

"Honey, why are you and Bess so eager for me to choose a wedding dress? We haven't even decided on a date for the wedding yet." Richard blinked at her and yawned hugely before he answered.

"I'm just going by the lists in all those wedding books. They say that the bride should pick her dress as early as possible. I hear they take months to make. Jane chose hers in March and she isn't getting married until October."

"That depends on what the bride chooses to wear. I don't know what I want to wear yet. If we're having a small wedding, I don't even need a real wedding dress. I did try on several, but most of them were a bit much for what we're having."

"I bet you looked terrific in all of them,' Richard replied with a dreamy smile. Olivia ran her fingers through his hair.

"As I matter of fact, I did. Everyone said so," she said archly.

"That's because you're going to be the most beautiful bride in the world."

"Don't let Charles hear you saying that!" Olivia smiled. Richard shook his head.

"Jane is a beautiful woman, I grant you, but she couldn't hold a candle to you, as far as I'm concerned. What does that expression mean, anyway?"

"That she won't set my gown on fire at my wedding?" Richard laughed and pulled Olivia closer. "I think every groom thinks his bride is the most beautiful woman in the world on her wedding day," she said as she stifled a yawn of her own.

"That's appropriate, I think."

"Agreed. Hey, you should have seen Lizzy at the bridal salons. She looked at every gown as though she was just itching to get into one. I think she's ready to walk down that aisle."

"Unlike you, Miss Cold Feet?" Richard teased.

"I do not have cold feet!" Richard raised an eyebrow. "Well, not about marrying you, anyway. I just think we should pick a reasonable date."

"Yeah, yeah," Richard yawned again. "But I think you're right. Lizzy is ready for marriage."

"What's William waiting for, then?" Olivia asked as she played with a strand of Richard's golden hair.

"I don't know. He said something about waiting till she was practically begging for it," he chuckled.

"Well, if William had been in Boston, I'm sure Lizzy would have begged."

"Now, she'll make a beautiful bride," Richard declared.

"More beautiful than me?" Olivia pouted.

"That remains to be seen," Richard smiled impishly. "You'll have to pick a wedding dress and marry me so I'll have a basis for comparison when Lizzy and Fitz tie the knot."

William joined the pair for dinner that evening, where talk naturally turned to business. Richard got William caught up on all that had transpired since they'd last spoken, and then the trio spent a pleasant evening listening to jazz in Georgetown. Sunday was spent sightseeing and just enjoying the city (Olivia refused Richard's suggestion that they go shopping), and when Monday morning rolled around, Richard and William went off to work, leaving Olivia to fend for herself. She did go shopping then, and actually found herself looking at dresses appropriate for a small wedding. She found a dress she really liked, but was afraid to make a decision about it on her own. She returned to her hotel and got her camera and returned to the store to take pictures of herself in the dress. Then she caught a cab and went over to the offices of Fitzwilliam/Fitzwilliam.

"May I help you?" the receptionist smiled.

"Yes, I'd like to see Richard Fitzwilliam, if he's available."

"Do you have an appointment?" Olivia shook her head. "Oh, well, he's very busy. I don't know if he'll be able to see you," the receptionist replied as she began to dial the number of Richard's secretary.

"In that case, is William Darcy available?" The receptionist looked up at Olivia with new interest.

"Who should I say is asking for him?"

"Olivia Crenshaw." The woman nodded and spoke for a moment with the person on the other line.

"Mr. Fitzwilliam is in a meeting. I can try Mr. Darcy for you." She dialed again as Olivia took a seat and looked around. "Mr. Darcy is also in a meeting, but his secretary asks that you wait for Mr. Fitzwilliam in his office." She directed Olivia to a suite down the hall.

"Hello," Olivia said to the woman who greeted her with a gracious smile.

"Hello, Ms. Crenshaw. I'm Roberta. Mr. Darcy said that I'm to give you the VIP treatment while you wait for Mr. Fitzwilliam. Would you care for some coffee?"

"I'd love some," Olivia replied. "And I can't believe that you've worked with Richard for a whole week and are still calling him Mr. Fitzwilliam." The secretary laughed as she filled a mug.

"Oh! That's just for your benefit. He told me on the first day that if I called him anything other than Richard to his face he'd dock my pay." Olivia laughed and shook her head.

"That sounds more like my Richard." Roberta's eyes lit up.

"Your Richard?" Olivia explained that she was Richard's fiancée.

"Oh, no wonder you're a VIP. I should have recognized you. I think your picture's on his desk." Olivia blushed slightly.

"Speaking of desks, I wonder if I might borrow the use of a computer for a few minutes. I need to send an e-mail."

"Well, I suppose Richard wouldn't mind if you used his," Roberta said as she led Olivia into the inner office and left her to her task. Olivia looked at the picture of herself that Richard had brought down from the Cape. It pictured her standing on the beach in a bikini. Olivia shuddered.

"No wonder she didn't recognize me," she murmured as she turned the picture away. When she looked at the computer screen on Richard's desk, Olivia was amused to see his Instant Messenger list on the screen. In addition to her own name, she saw William, Charles, and Bess. "Don't tell me they're not in cahoots," Olivia said as she sent a message to Richard's grandmother, who was fortuitously online.

Hello, GB. This is Olivia, writing to you from Richard's office.

Hello, Olivia! How's my adorable grandson?

As adorable as ever.

Give him my best.

Will do. Is Lizzy around? I have something I'd like to show the two of you.

Give me a moment and I'll fetch her.

Okay. Olivia used the interval to upload the picture from her camera. She saved it as a file, printed out a copy for herself and then e-mailed it to Bess.

Hi. Livy! This is Lizzy! How'd the big reunion go?

*sigh*

Details, woman!

Later. I just sent Bess an e-mail. I want the two of you to look at it and tell me what you think. A minute later she got a mixed reply.

Oh, Livy, I think it's wonderful!

GB thinks it's wonderful. I think it's nice, but I still think it's too plain.

Lizzy, you know my "no lace" policy.

It's a wedding dress, Livy! It's supposed to be FEMININE!

I hardly think she'd be mistaken for a boy in it.

Thank you, GB.

It's your wedding, dear; you should wear whatever you please.

And you can always wear it to a ballgame after the wedding.

Don't hold back, Lizzy. Tell me what you really think. :P

I think you should buy it if it makes you happy.

I think you should keep looking.

*sigh*

"What are you doing in here?" Olivia looked up and saw Richard enter the office with a woman on his heels. It was the woman who had spoken.

"Roberta said it would be okay if I used Richard's computer for a few minutes," she replied evenly, her eyes on Richard, who smiled and went around the desk to make his way to her side.

"Well, she shouldn't have done so without Mr. Fitzwilliam's permission," the woman declared angrily. Richard stopped and turned to regard her.

"Lighten up, Laura. It's perfectly all right," he said as he kissed Olivia's brow. "Angel, this is Laura Hilton, who will be managing the Washington office. Laura, this is my fiancée, Olivia Crenshaw." Laura regarded Olivia with some disdain as Olivia smiled politely and said hello.

"Am I interrupting something?" Olivia asked. "I can wait outside, if you two need to work."

"No," Richard said as he tossed the file in his hand onto the desk. "This can keep until after lunch. Why don't we meet at two o'clock, Laura?" The woman smiled thinly and assented. She left the office and Richard shuddered. "What an odd duck she is! Very competent, but not much personality." He abruptly shifted gears and smiled. "So what are you up to?"

"I didn't come to wangle my way into a free lunch, if that's what you're thinking. I needed to send Lizzy something," Olivia replied as she surreptitiously attempted to shield the screen from Richard's view. "If you give me a minute, I'll be done."

"Okay. Say, you don't mind if Fitz eats with us, do you?" Olivia said she'd be delighted if William joined them, as she quickly ended her conversation with Bess and Lizzy. She deleted the file and turned around as Richard hung up the phone and spoke again. "Good, he should be out of his meeting and in here in a minute." Olivia slipped the print out into her bag and smiled.

William, Richard and Olivia returned to Cape Cod in time for a huge clam bake that Hugh planned for the assembled family. The event marked the end of the twins' visit, as well as some other members of the family. Richard and Olivia only stayed on for another week; they both had to return to work. On their way home, they spent a weekend in Connecticut checking on the progress of their house, which was already under construction. William and Lizzy stayed at the Cape till the end of the month, both working a few hours each day over the Internet. When Lizzy met up with Olivia for brunch on her return, Lizzy expressed her frustration as they sat in a restaurant a short distance from Jane's shop.

"I think I'm not cut out for country life. I loved Cape Cod, but by the end of last week, I was desperate to see a yellow taxi cab or inhale fumes from a city bus. I guess you can take a girl out of Brooklyn, but you can't take the Brooklyn out of a girl." Olivia laughed.

"I'm still a country girl at heart. But I know what you mean," she said as she toyed with her gazpacho.

"Still, it was nice having William all to myself for a month," Lizzy conceded.

"I suppose, if you like that sort of thing."

"I do, thank you very much," Lizzy smiled. "Speaking of 'I do'," Lizzy began, but Olivia raised her hand to cut her off.

"Don't go there." Lizzy laughed.

"Well, at least I have Jane's wedding to look forward to."

"Yes," Olivia said somewhat bitterly. "You do that."

"That bad?" Olivia nodded.

"He won't tell me anything about the wedding anymore. In fact, he even made a big show of encrypting all the files on his computer related to it, as if I was interested in spying."

"Aren't you at all curious as to what he's up to?"

"I figure he'll tell me when he's ready," Olivia sighed. "The little boy in Richard won't let him keep a secret for very long. He's far too impressed with his own cleverness." Lizzy laughed at this depiction of Olivia's future husband.

"He may surprise you." Olivia smiled.

"Yes, he may at that. Now, why don't we go look at Jane's new shipment of jewelry? I hear she has a bracelet with my name on it." Lizzy took the hint and dropped the subject.

A few hours later, Olivia unlocked the door to Richard's apartment--she continued to think of it as his apartment although she had lived there for the better part of the past seven months--and entered, her arms full of groceries, the paper, and dry cleaning.

"Richard?" she called out as she carried her burden into the kitchen and rested the groceries on the counter.

"In here." Olivia followed her ears to the master bedroom, where she found Richard sitting cross-legged on the bed. He was making an adjustment to her appointment book, as Olivia quickly realized with a frown.

"What are you doing with that, mister?" Richard looked up and smiled.

"I'm scheduling your vacation. It's nearly the middle of August, you know." Olivia sat on the bed and scooted over to sit beside him. He kissed her temple as he handed her the book. She looked at the two-week period that encompassed the latter half of the month and eyed him suspiciously.

"We just had a vacation, remember? And what makes you think I'll be available then?"

"I asked Amy and she assured me that you were free. Besides, you run an Internet business. It's not like you couldn't handle things from Scotland if something came up."

"Scotland? Ooh, I've always wanted to see Scotland."

"And now you will. And I can show you my little castle and tell you all about my plans for fixing it up."

"I thought it was being fixed up already," Olivia replied.

"Oh, it's been made habitable...well, at least part of it has...but it still needs a good deal of work and it needs to be decorated. And it also needs a proper kitchen," Richard winked.

"This is beginning to sound like a working vacation." Richard wrapped an arm around Olivia.

"Not at all. It'll be romantic and magical: just the two of us, a couple of servants to manage all the work, and the gorgeous scenery."

"Mmm..." Olivia snuggled in Richard's arms. He looked down at her for a moment, until Olivia looked up and their eyes met.

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Olivia answered without hesitation.

"Do you mean that? Right now?"

"Silly Man--it's 4:26 on a Saturday afternoon, and we've been having this conversation for a zillion weeks. No, not right now, but at a more reasonable time, yes."

"How about August 18th?" he promptly responded. Olivia eyed him suspiciously.

"Why does that date sound familiar?"

"It's the date we gave the family back at Christmas," Richard replied. Olivia gaped at him for a second then glanced down at the calendar still in her hand.

"How did you manage to remember that? Oops, sorry, can't make it; I'll be flying to Scotland on that day."

"We can fly to Scotland after the wedding, silly," Richard rolled his eyes. "It's customary to begin the honeymoon after the service." Olivia's mouth fell open again.

"You have this all figured out, don't you?"

"I certainly do, and it was all so easy, thanks to your web site. I found a space--my parents' garden--ordered a trio to provide music--you said you liked the idea of a harp, so I included one. Let's see, I ordered a tent, rented glassware and silver...my mother thinks I should use her china because she has a set that matches the color scheme: soft blues and lavender...rented linens, and arranged for the service itself, of course." Olivia felt her heart pounding and tears welling up in her eyes.

"What about the food? And the guests?" Richard wiped away a tear.

"Mother's handling that along with the cook; I don't want you working on your wedding day. Grandma Bess arranged for the cake. As for guests, you said twenty was the ideal number, but I wasn't sure what twenty people you had in mind, so I invited ten and will let you pick out the rest. By the way, my parents have invited another ten of their own. We have a rather large family, as you no doubt recall." Olivia threw her arms around Richard's neck and kissed him. She abruptly ceased and leapt to her feet.

"The 18th is next Saturday! That's only seven days away! I don't suppose you've given any thought to what I should wear?"

"I've been trying to get you to buy a dress for weeks, you know. I did look at dresses myself--and as far as I was concerned, you'd look stunning in any of them. But I was afraid that if I chose the wrong one you'd call off the whole thing and leave me."

"Leave you? You just try and get rid of me!" Olivia held onto Richard as he allowed himself to fall backward on the bed.

"Speaking of leaving me, I have to bring up a few serious issues, if you don't mind." Olivia rolled off of him and waited to hear what he had to say. "I spoke to my attorney...I wanted to put you into my will, you see. My attorney insists that I have you sign a prenuptial agreement. I didn't want one, but I talked to my dad and he agreed that it would be wise."

"What's in this prenuptial agreement?"

"Well, it's very generous--too generous for some--but since I have every confidence that I won't be needing it I didn't see any reason to be stingy."

"What's in this prenuptial agreement?" Olivia repeated. Richard sat up and reached for a largely manila envelope that lay on the nightstand. He pulled out some papers and handed them to her. Olivia began to read, mumbling to herself, until her mouth fell open and she looked up.

"You are worth...omigod! I had no idea you were that wealthy!"

"What are you reading?" Richard peered at the papers in her hand. "Oh, that's just a financial statement. And that one's the will." He took the papers from her and shuffled them so that the prenuptial agreement was in front and handed them back to Olivia.

"You want to give me ten percent of that?"

"I don't want to give you anything! I want you to stay married to me until my dying breath!" Olivia smiled and promised to sign the agreement at her earliest opportunity. Richard told her that he could arrange that at the office Monday morning and bent to kiss her. Olivia pulled away from him after a minute.

"So let me understand this: everyone knows I'm getting married next Saturday except me."

"And anyone else you care to invite to the wedding," Richard replied. "Oh, and Lizzy. Fitz and I agreed that she shouldn't be told until you were." Olivia smiled. "No, it's not that we didn't trust her, exactly. We just thought that you should be able to tell your best friend yourself." Olivia sat up and reached for the phone.

William and Lizzy were sitting in the kitchen having tea when the phone rang. Lizzy rose to get it.

"Hi, Lizzy," Olivia said as soon as she heard Lizzy's voice. "What are you doing next Saturday?"

"Next Saturday? Will and I have plans to go up to Vermont for a few days. More time in the country, what a concept." She glanced at William dully, who suppressed a smile.

"Oh, then you won't be able to come to my wedding," Olivia pouted.

"Your wedding? Your wedding! When? How? William, Livy and Richard are getting married! You are marrying Richard, I take it," Lizzy gushed. Olivia--and Richard, who could hear Lizzy's screams--laughed at Lizzy's excitement. "Oh, Livy! Oh, Livy I am so happy for you both! But when did this happen? And why are you getting married next Saturday? William has been planning this trip all week and now we'll have to cancel it...to go to your wedding! What a pity," Lizzy laughed. William smiled broadly as he watched Lizzy dance around the kitchen. Olivia, meanwhile, handed Richard the phone to give her ear a break.

"Hello, Bright Eyes. I take it you're pleased with this development?"

"That's an understatement. Richard, I am so happy for you! I can't think of two people more deserving of such happiness."

"What about you and Fitz?"

"Well, aside from me and Fitz, I mean. Oh, Richard! Why next Saturday? Why such short notice? There aren't any other surprises coming, are there?"

"No, no, nothing like that. And the only people who've had short notice are you and the lovely bride to be. I thought I'd throw a surprise wedding, you see."

"A surprise wedding? I always thought that the bride was supposed to be in on the surprise."

"Amateur. Anyone can pull off a surprise wedding when the bride knows about it!"

"Wait a minute..." Lizzy turned and looked at the grinning man at the table. "You already knew about this, didn't you? And you didn't tell me?"

"Hey, don't look at me," William cried. "It was Richard's idea!"

"He's right, Lizzy. I thought it would be best if Olivia was able to tell you about it herself. I thought you'd want to hear it from her. Besides, if I told you, she wouldn't have anyone left to tell."

"You are an absolute gem, you know that?"

"Wait a minute." Richard handed the phone back to Olivia and then called out to Lizzy to repeat the compliment.

"I said you were an absolute gem. It's so thoughtful of you, although I'm not sure how I'd feel about a surprise wedding," Lizzy said with a pointed look at William.

"Lizzy, I think you'd feel great about it," Olivia smiled. "I know I do! But if I'm going to pull this off I'm going to need something to wear. Want to go shopping?"

"Well, William and I had plans for tomorrow, but I'd rather go shopping with you," Lizzy said. She realized that William had been lying to her about the proposed trip to Vermont and made a face at him. He sat and watched her contentedly. She seemed overjoyed at the prospect of Olivia and Richard's wedding. Would she be as happy when it came time to contemplate her own? William certainly hoped so. He had decided on a course of action; all he needed was the right moment to pull it off.

"Lizzy, I think that you're more excited by this than I am," Olivia said as she held the door for her friend, whose arms were laden with shopping bags.

"Aren't you excited?"

"What part of ecstatic don't you understand? I'm just not as gushy about things as you are," Olivia teased.

"No, you're just weepy." Olivia acknowledged that she was.

"Crying in private is much more dignified than doing cartwheels down Fifth Avenue," she sniffed haughtily. Lizzy laughed.

"Well, I have three dresses. What about you?" Lizzy asked as the women crossed the street and entered a restaurant where they gratefully threw down their bags and sat down.

"I don't know. There was that dress in Washington..."

"No!" Lizzy cried. "You don't want me looking more like a bride than you do."

"It wasn't my idea for you to buy that frou frou thing," Olivia said as she gestured toward the large Saks Fifth Avenue bag beside Lizzy's chair. "Of course, if you were to wear that other number--."

"Can't. Richard gave me clear instructions as to what colors I am permitted to wear," Lizzy said as she perused the menu.

"You're joking!" Lizzy dug through her bag and pulled out a note from Richard to which several fabric swatches were attached.

"He told me I must complement these," she said as she handed it over.

"When did he give you this?"

"He didn't. William gave it to me this morning. Richard had pre-arranged things, you see." Olivia rolled her eyes. "By the way, I learned a juicy bit of news today. Oh, but it's supposed to be a part of the surprise, so I can't tell you.'

"Lizzy!"

"Sorry. I know this is all torture, but it's your own fault. You should have bought that dress in Boston."

"I know. But it just wasn't the one."

"Well, I know what we do next." Lizzy dug into her bag again and produced a page torn from the newspaper. "We shop the showrooms for sample sales. Remember Lana? She found her dress in one day for a quarter of the retail price. And with your reed-thin size, we ought to find a huge selection to choose from." Olivia sighed.

"All right, but not until I've had something to eat." She scanned the menu and ordered a burger when the waitperson appeared. Lizzy promptly canceled that and ordered a salad for her instead. "You can gain weight after you've taken your vows, not before."

Late Monday morning, William walked into Richard's office suite. Anne smiled and informed him that Richard and Olivia had gone out to get a marriage license. William nodded and strolled down the hall to say hello to Danielle.

"Well, Dani, it looks as though we've been successful all the way around."

"Come again, boss man?" William sat down and crossed his legs.

"I take it you've been invited to the wedding."

"Oh, that...yes," she smiled.

"And judging by these first quarter results for the Cook's Companion and Celebrations, Etc. sites, I'd say we've also acquired a very handsome asset to the Darcy team as well."

"We are good, aren't we?" Danielle said with a tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

"I think we can be justifiably proud of our achievement," William said.

"Oh? Should we be taking credit for Richard and Olivia's happiness? Come on, William, all we can claim credit for is facilitating a match made in heaven."

"Even heaven can use a little help, sometimes," William smiled.

"And what about you? I don't recall seeing a ring on Lizzy's finger last time we met. And if I was a betting woman, I would have said that you'd beat your cousin to the altar." William smiled.

"All in due time."

"Oh?"

"Trust me. You'll be among the first to know," William said as he rose to his feet. "Have you eaten yet?" Danielle shook her head and William promptly invited her to lunch.

Olivia was sautéing vegetables when the phone rang. She called out for Richard to answer it, but he didn't reply, so she pulled the pan off the stove and went to pick up the phone herself.

"I was hoping you'd be home this evening," Kathleen replied to her future daughter in law's greeting.

"Kathleen! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Olivia said as she took the phone back into the kitchen and resumed her task.

"I've had a call from Lizzy. She said that you hadn't picked a dress yet." Olivia sighed.

"Well, technically, no."

"Technically?"

"Well, I've had a few ideas, including flying down to Washington and getting that dress I liked."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"Oh, don't say those words, Kathleen! Lizzy said those words whenever I thought I had found the right dress on Sunday and every time she did, I balked. I never dreamed this would be so hard," Olivia admitted as she heard Richard enter the apartment. "Where have you been?" she whispered to Richard as he entered the kitchen. He smiled and pulled two containers of ice cream from the bag he carried.

"You looked a little depressed," he said by way of explanation as he put them into the freezer. Olivia rolled her eyes. Richard kissed her brow and left the kitchen. Olivia stirred the vegetables into the pasta and lightly tossed the mixture.

"I'll be happy when this is over," Olivia confessed. "Lizzy thinks I should starve myself this week; Richard bought me chocolate covered strawberries at the office and two pints of Haagen Dazs for dessert tonight. That's my whole week in a nutshell--the agony and the ecstasy." Kathleen laughed.

"I wouldn't succumb to Fizz's diet plan if I were you. But what are you going to wear, Livy?"

"I don't know," Olivia whined plaintively. "Lizzy has a dress, GB has a dress, you have a dress and I'm going to walk down the aisle naked." There was silence on the other end of the line for the moment, and Olivia thought for a moment that she had offended Kathleen. But a second later she heard Bess's reassuring voice.

"I have an idea. You may not like it, but if you do, I think it will solve your problems."

"I'm all ears."

"Well, if you want that dress in Washington, I'd be happy to go and fetch it for you. That would save you some time and energy. But I had another idea that might work. Do you think you can get away for lunch tomorrow?" Olivia said she could, and Bess suggested that they meet at the Fitzwilliams' New York apartment. "We'll come down to the city in the morning and I'll make us a nice lunch."

"That sounds lovely. Even if I don't care for your idea I'm sure I'll feel a lot better." Bess laughed. Olivia said goodbye to Bess and Kathleen and called Richard to get ready for dinner.

"Pasta Primavera? I brought in pistachio ice cream, woman! Where on earth are your priorities?" Richard teased as he set the table. Olivia ignored him as she served up the pasta in huge bowls and the couple sat down to eat.

"This is delicious," Richard volunteered.

"Thanks," Olivia replied quietly. Richard looked at her carefully. "Go on, say it."

"Say what?"

"Say 'I told you so.' You tried to get me to pick out a dress weeks ago and I procrastinated. Now I'm suffering for it," Olivia pouted.

"I'm not gloating over it, if that's what you think. I'm just sorry you couldn't find the right dress."

"I want to look perfect for you." Richard smiled endearingly.

"You'd look perfect in anything you choose to wear." Olivia reached out and touched his cheek.

"Thanks, Tiger. But I can't find anything to wear."

"Maybe you're trying too hard," Richard suggested.

"Ah, the vaunted Fitzwilliam logic," Olivia teased.

"I just mean that you're stressing over this when what you should be doing is looking ahead to Saturday. You should be relaxed and happy, not frazzled and morose."

"Morose? I look morose?" Olivia frowned.

"I see I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands," Richard declared. He rose and fetched the telephone. He returned to the dinner table and dialed Olivia's office. "Hello, Amy, this is Richard. Olivia will be working from home tomorrow...maybe the rest of the week."

"Hey!" Olivia cried.

"She'll give you a call in the morning. Bye," Richard said before Olivia could grab the phone from him.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because you need to chill out, sleep late, and relax."

"I can't relax!" Olivia cried. Richard smiled and took her fork from her.

"Of course, you can. I'll help." Olivia looked at Richard doubtfully, as he lifted a forkful of pasta to her mouth.

"I can feed myself."

"Not fast enough. Humor me." Olivia dutifully opened her mouth and Richard fed her the last of her meal before offering her a sip of wine. Then he cleared the table and left the room for a few minutes. He returned with his sleeves rolled up. "Your bath will be ready in a few minutes." Olivia smiled wanly as Richard pulled her to her feet and steered her down the hall. Olivia allowed herself to be gently prodded toward the bathroom, where Richard had run a bath and laced it with scented oils. He helped her undress and get into the tub. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes," he said as he closed the door and left Olivia to soak in the candlelit room.

Olivia slid down in the water and exhaled as the healing waters began to have their effect. From down the hall she could hear the strains of the Chopin prelude Richard was playing on the piano and smiled to herself. In minutes, she closed her eyes and became totally relaxed. But Richard was back before she knew it, holding her fluffy pink bathrobe. Olivia reluctantly stepped out of the tub and into the robe. Richard wrapped it around her and held her tightly for a moment as she wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. Then he lifted her and carried her out of the bathroom and laid her on the bed.

"Comfy?" Richard asked. Olivia nodded.

"Good. You just relax," Richard said as he handed Olivia a cup of tea with honey. Olivia smiled.

"Thank you, Fizz."

"You're welcome, Angel," Richard said as he sat at the foot of the bed and took one of Olivia's feet into his lap. He began to massage it gently and Olivia closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure.

William refilled the wine glass Jane held up for him.

"This was a good idea," he said. "We should do this during all their evening meetings," he declared.

"I'm all for it. I'd get to see you more often," Jane smiled. "But you're evading my question. When are you going to propose to Lizzy?"

"What makes you think I plan to propose?" William asked innocently.

"I saw the Tiffany bag in the limousine on the way here,' Jane replied.

"That might be Richard and Olivia's wedding present," William suggested.

"...And you're giving them what, matching key chains?" Jane countered. William laughed at her remark, but grew uncomfortable under Jane's challenging stare. "Come on, Will! We have a half hour before we have to meet up with Charles and Lizzy. I'm going to winkle it out of you." William sheepishly averted his eyes momentarily before he looked Jane in the eyes and confessed.

"That package actually does contain a set of matching key chains. They're for Fitz and Olivia's new home. And before you ask their real wedding present is a wine cellar that I'm having installed in the house. I'll have it stocked after they return from Scotland." Jane smiled and nodded her approval.

"I still can't believe that Richard managed to pull off a surprise wedding!" Jane said as she shook her head with a laugh.

"He wanted to keep it from her until Friday, but I pointed out to him that Olivia might need more time than twelve hours to pack for a honeymoon, not to mention that they'd need to get a license before the event," William smiled.

"And she still has nothing to wear?" William shook his head.

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that Lizzy has been more of a hindrance than a help to her," William sighed. Jane burst into laughter.

"I can believe that! Lizzy has a very set notion about how a bride is supposed to look and I'm sure it has nothing to do with what Olivia wants." William was instantly curious. "She thinks that every bride should be a vision of lace, silk and satin, pearls, and everything feminine. Olivia is into a funkier, more hip look. It's a doomed pairing. I guess if it was just a party dress they were looking for it would be okay. But a bridal gown--."

"What's so special about a bridal gown?" William asked as he rested his chin on his cupped hand.

"Well, I can't speak for Livy, but for Lizzy a wedding gown is something magical. From the time we were very little Lizzy has had a clear picture of what she wanted to look like as a bride," Jane smiled as her eyes lit up with the memories of her youth. "She would describe the perfect dress every time we played pretend. It was ivory silk covered with hand-embroidered lace, a long train, and buttons down the back. She said it had to have a low-cut neckline--as much as the priest would allow, anyway--because she was going to wear pearls and she didn't want the lace to get in the way. She said that her veil would have the same lace and it would be as long as the train of the gown," Jane said as she stole a glance at William. She knew that he was lost in a reverie.

William stood at the sun-drenched altar of the church in Greenwich where his parents took their vows. It was the place where he had always wanted to marry. He considered the grand old church as an essential element to finding the happiness that his parents had known throughout their marriage. He glanced around as a steady stream of anonymous women came down the aisle in pale pink gowns, but he had eyes for only one woman that morning. She finally made her appearance on the arm of his Uncle Hugh. William smiled as Lizzy began to float down the aisle, a vision shrouded in an ethereal veil. He watched her proceed down the aisle as she whispered something to Hugh; she never appeared more beautiful than in that moment when she raised her eyes to meet his and smiled. William felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Breathe," Richard said with a knowing smile. William nodded and slowly exhaled as Lizzy drew closer...

"...And she always described every detail of her ensemble--from the silk peau de soie shoes she'd wear, to how she intended to pin our mother's sapphire pendant into her gown as the element of something old in her ensemble." Jane suddenly fell quiet and William noticed the sudden change in her demeanor.

"Are you all right?" he asked as he reached for her hand. Jane nodded, although it was obvious that she was near tears.

"Yes, it's just that we always used to pretend...we'd dream about weddings as we sat in the bottom of the closet in my parents' bedroom surrounded by our mother's fanciest dresses. It just occurred to me that we never played that game again after the accident that took our parents' lives."

"And it also just hit home that your parents didn't live to see either of you married," William added gently. Jane nodded as William squeezed her hand.

"It's funny...it never bothered me until now. I mean I thought about it...I've thought about it many times since Charles and I became engaged. But it never bothered me like this until I started to think about Lizzy's wedding." William smirked in spite of himself.

"You'll both miss your parents on your wedding day, as Olivia will miss hers." Jane nodded.

"The 'Orphan Girls of Elverson,' that's us," Jane managed with a wry smile.

"Well, look on the bright side: none of you is going to be an orphan for much longer." Jane recovered herself quickly and looked up at William.

"None of us, eh? How much longer?" Jane challenged. William rolled his eyes.

"All right, I'll confess. I've already bought a ring; actually, I bought it months ago after I saw Lizzy compliment one that was very similar to it. Of course, at the time I didn't realize that she wouldn't be ready for a proposal..."

"...And now that you know she is?" Jane prompted.

"All I'm waiting for is the right opportunity."

"Hey! You aren't falling asleep, are you?" Olivia opened her eyes and gazed at Richard.

"I thought the whole idea was for me to relax," she said drowsily.

"It is, but you have to put on your jammies and have dessert," Richard said with a boyish smile.

"What if I don't want any dessert?" Richard laughed as he pulled her up so that she was sitting and began to untie her robe. Olivia yawned as Richard slipped the robe off her shoulders and pulled a soft cotton nightgown over her head.

"You will have dessert, young lady. None of this nonsense about watching your figure..."

"That's your job," Olivia said before he could finish his line. Richard smiled and disappeared for a few minutes, presumably to fetch the ice cream. Olivia smiled as she rose from the bed and returned to the bathroom to wash her face and take a look at her hair.

"Where are you?" she heard Richard call from the bedroom. Olivia returned to the bed and Richard placed a tray over her lap.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "Hey, that's an awfully big bowl of ice cream."

"I thought we'd share," Richard explained as he held up his spoon.

"Good man," Olivia smiled. She dug into the ice cream and fed Richard the first spoonful. "So tell me about our wedding." Richard shook his head.

"I want it to be a surprise." Olivia laughed as she put a dab of ice cream on Richard's nose.

"It can't be much more of a surprise than it already is," she reasoned as Richard wiped his face with the back of his hand. Olivia clucked and wiped the hand with her napkin.

"I still have a trick or two up my sleeve," Richard confided.

"That's what I am afraid of."

"Don't worry. It'll be a lovely ceremony. I think it will meet with your approval. I've tried to incorporate everything I've ever heard you say about the kind of wedding you wanted." Olivia frowned.

"What did I say?"

"Let's see: you said you wanted a very small wedding with just a few close friends and family; that your colors would be lavender and blue; that you wanted a garden setting with live music; and I think you said something about a tea party, but I have no idea what mother did regarding that aspect of things. She and Mr. Fong planned the menu."

"Who's making the cake?"

"GB took care of that." Olivia waited, but no additional information seemed to be forthcoming.

"What about flowers?"

"That was also GB's responsibility. She said that the florist has promised lilacs. He's having them shipped in from somewhere."

"You needn't have," Olivia said, but Richard silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"Of course I had to. They're your favorite, and I wouldn't dream of seeing you married without your favorite flowers."

"I love lavender, too, and it's actually in season, you know," Olivia reasoned.

"I know," Richard said cryptically. Olivia waited again, but Richard seemed content to feast on pistachio ice cream and stare at his future wife.

"You aren't going to tell me, are you?"

"No."

"But you always break down and tell me everything! You know you can't keep any secrets from me!" Richard smiled.

"Okay, I'll reveal one secret. I am the happiest man alive," he said as he fed Olivia the last of the dessert.

"I already knew that," Olivia giggled as Richard picked up the tray and put it on the floor.

"You sound terribly sure of yourself."

"I am," Olivia said as Richard climbed onto the bed beside her. "Are you going to turn in like that?" she asked as she glanced at Richard's attire. Save for his shoes, he was still fully dressed.

"Oh, I'm not going to bed now, you are; you need to rest."

"But it's barely nine!"

"I know, but you've had a long, stressful day and I want you to rest."

"But I'm not even sleepy! Well, not very sleepy," Olivia amended when Richard gave her a doubting look.

"Would you like me to read you a story?"

"No, that's okay. You just go and do whatever it is you're planning to do. I'll amuse myself," Olivia said. Richard gave her another doubting look. Olivia caressed his cheek. "Thank you, Fizz. It was very sweet of you to look after me like this," she said sincerely.

"I intend to take care of you for the rest of my life," Richard said simply. Olivia smiled radiantly and Richard indulged his urge to kiss her. He held her in his arms and the couple talked about their future together for several minutes, until Richard realized that Olivia was fast asleep. Then he eased her onto her pillow and turned out the light. Richard picked up the tray and slipped out of the room. After disposing of the tray, he went into the living room and dialed his mother's number.

"I finally got her to sleep," he reported. "Yes, I'll make sure she remembers your lunch date...I'm sure she'll feel much better in the morning, but she'll start stressing out all over again if--. Really? What does GB have in mind? Oh, come on, mom, you can tell me! It's my wedding, after all. Hey, that's not fair!" Down the hall, Olivia could hear Richard whine. She smiled to herself and rolled over in the bed. She slept like a baby that night and awoke feeling better than she had in weeks.

Lizzy poured a dollop of milk into her coffee and walked out of the conference room, nearly colliding with Charlotte as she reached the door to her office.

"Hi, Char," Lizzy said as she stepped around her and entered the room. "What's up?"

"Charles asked me to give these to you as soon as possible. He said that if you approved the story boards I could go ahead with them."

"Oh," Lizzy said as she looked at the mock-up of the web page Charlotte had been working on for several days. "These look really good, Char. I hope our client likes them as much as I do. Go ahead and upload them." Charlotte smiled, relief apparent in her face. But she was not quick to run off.

"So what are you doing this weekend?" she asked.

"I'm going to a wedding. Richard and Olivia are getting married," Lizzy answered casually. She glanced up and saw Charlotte's surprised expression. "And before you ask why you weren't invited, it's going to be a tiny ceremony, mostly immediate family, I think."

"I thought Olivia didn't have any family," Charlotte countered.

"Well, Richard has enough for both of them. I think Olivia said that there were going to be twenty-five guests in total; twenty-six, if her step brother decides to come."

"Why such a small wedding? I thought that society weddings were always huge." Lizzy sighed patiently.

"It's not a society wedding, Char. It's the wedding both Richard and Olivia wanted. They're going to be married in his parents' garden in a very simple ceremony and reception, and then they're flying off to Scotland for two weeks."

"If I were marrying a millionaire, I'd go all out and have the wedding of my dreams," Charlotte said. Lizzy bit her tongue; she had come very close to agreeing with her.

"Actually, it is the wedding of Olivia's dreams. Just because she's marrying a wealthy man, she didn't see a need to give it up. And Richard, the dear that he is, went to great lengths to see to it that it came off exactly as she dreamed it."

"He is a honey. They always seem so happy together when I see them," Charlotte said wistfully. Lizzy smiled.

"They are."

"So, when are you and William going to tie the knot? It seems to me that you're overdue for a big rock."

"Not too big; who said that anything over two carats is vulgar?" Lizzy laughed. "I agree wholeheartedly. I wouldn't be able to lift my hand if William gave me anything larger."

"So, the two of you are contemplating marriage?"

"I didn't say that," Lizzy said hastily. "We're not in any rush."

"Well, what are you waiting for? You saw how every woman in the tri-state area was glomming onto him at Missy's birthday party! You'd better secure him while you have the chance." Lizzy laughed.

"I distinctly recall you saying that about Richard a while back."

"And you lost him to Livy!" Charlotte sneered. Lizzy rolled her eyes.

"I didn't lose Richard to Livy, he...stepped aside in favor of his cousin," she finished awkwardly.

"And then he met Livy..."

"...And apparently took your advice," Lizzy chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he 'secured' her at his earliest opportunity. He proposed to Livy a few days after their first date. Of course, she didn't tell me about it until months later."

"You're kidding!"

"Nope! She and Richard have been engaged for the last eight months, most of the time without my knowledge." Charlotte smiled impishly.

"And are you and William harboring any secrets of your own?"

"None whatsoever." Lizzy said evenly. She stared down Charlotte, who took the hint and went off to her own office. Lizzy sighed and turned to her computer. "None whatsoever," she repeated as she looked at her naked ring finger.

Continued In Next Section