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Over the next week, Lizzy and William saw each other four times. They had brunch on Sunday, dinner on Tuesday, snuck out for a Wednesday matinee, and dined at Windows on the World on Friday night. In all that time, however, Lizzy never called Richard as she had intended to do. At first she had been eager to tell him of his success as a matchmaker. But how could she express her happiness knowing that it would only add to Richard's misery? Lizzy was also forced to admit to herself that she dreaded calling his office and hearing Anne's voice. It still bothered her that Richard had gone out with another woman, although she knew that she had no right to feel that way. In her e-mail to Lizzy Friday afternoon, Olivia suggested that Lizzy was actually just being selfish.

Has it occurred to you that your reluctance to call Richard has more to do with your own guilt about being happy at his expense rather than any desire to spare his feelings?

I don't want to hurt him any more, Livy.

Lizzy, you can't hurt him anymore! Stop thinking of yourself for one minute; don't you think that Richard needs closure on this?

Lizzy was forced to concede (as she almost always was) that Olivia was correct. Lizzy dialed Richard's number at his apartment, but she got his answering machine. She left a brief message to give her a call and hung up. That night, the first night she spent with William, she lay in his arms wondering how Richard was doing. She and William had not discussed Richard all week. It seemed kind of odd, in retrospect: in any conversation with one Fitz the other was almost invariably mentioned. Lizzy closed her eyes and snuggled closer to William, who kissed the nape of her neck before falling asleep. The next morning, Georgiana started when she entered the kitchen and saw Lizzy at the table. Both women blushed, but Georgiana was the first to recover and she took a seat across from Lizzy.

"What are your plans for today, Gee?" William inquired.

"I'm going to hang around here for a while, then I'm off to the airport to pick up Richard," Georgiana replied as she poured out a glass of orange juice.

"Is Richard away?" Lizzy blurted out.

"Richard is in Scotland. His grandmother died last week and he and his parents flew there for the funeral and the reading of the will. If I remember correctly, he stands to inherit her estate," William said matter-of-factly. He glanced at Lizzy over his coffee cup. She looked slightly stricken. "I'm sorry, Lizzy, I thought you knew."

"How could I know?" Lizzy said a bit harshly, then looked away, embarrassed. William reached out and took her hand.

"I thought he might have called you or something. You said that the two of you were planning to stay in touch," he said softly. Lizzy acknowledged that his reasoning was sound, but she still felt the awkwardness of the moment. She looked up and saw that Georgiana was looking at her with the same intensity that so unnerved her at the beginning of her acquaintance with William.

"Will you...will you please give Richard my condolences when you see him?" Lizzy managed. Georgiana nodded, and as soon as the rules of etiquette allowed, Lizzy left the table.

"You look horrible!" Georgiana cried as she hugged Richard with all her might. Richard kissed her forehead.

"I'm happy to see you, too, gorgeous!" Richard smirked, as she led him back to her car. "How are things on this side of the pond?"

"Okay, I guess," Georgiana said evasively. Her mind immediately flew to the sight of Lizzy and William kissing at the breakfast table that morning. She tried to push it from her mind, but as if he could see it there, Richard demanded to know what was going on.

"Nothing," Georgiana replied. Richard took the car keys from her hand.

"Tell me." Georgiana shook her head.

"It's not for me to tell." Richard nodded as he pocketed the keys and leaned against the car.

"This is about William and Lizzy, isn't it?" Georgiana reached out to hug him, but he grabbed her hands. "It's all right, Gee. I'm the one who wanted this, remember?"

"I think it's serious," Georgiana said, as she dug into Richard's pockets for her car keys. She retrieved them and opened the trunk. Richard threw his bags in and went around to the driver's side and got in.

"It always was," Richard said as he took the keys from his cousin and headed back to the city.

"I'm really sorry about your grandmother, Richard. I know how close you were."

"Thank you. I was able to take some comfort in knowing that she died peacefully in her sleep, but I'm really going to miss the old gal, Lizzy," Richard admitted as he lay on his sofa , one foot casually thrown over the back. "How are things with you and Fitz? Gee says she thinks it's serious." Richard heard the awkward pause, and wished she would just say it and get it over with.

"What did William tell you?" Lizzy stalled.

"I haven't spoken to him. Besides, I already know the man's perspective on this; I want to know how you feel." That was as much of an admission of his feelings Richard was ever going to reveal to Lizzy. She took courage from his revelation and told him the truth.

"You were right about him. You were right about everything, Richard. We are perfect for each other," she answered, and she felt a tiny heartstring pop in her chest when she heard Richard's sharp intake of breath. But his response revealed no sign of his emotional state.

"I'll skip the 'I told you so's' and get right down to brass tacks: how many sons are you going to name after me?" Lizzy managed a laugh as tears ran down her cheeks.

"I still can't feel right about all of this, Richard," she confessed. "I mean... you--."

"Lizzy, don't. Please...don't do this, okay? I just want you and Fitz to be deliriously happy with one another," he smiled.

"We are, and we have you to thank for it. You are truly the most wonderful man in the world, you know that?"

"Everyone says so!" Richard quipped, though inside his heart he could take no comfort in her praise. "So when do we eat?" They made plans for lunch on Monday and Lizzy slept a bit better that night.

William and Richard left a meeting with a few of Fitzwilliam/Fitzwilliam's investors and walked out of the Wall Street building. Richard looked at his watch.

"I'm outta here, cuz. I've got lunch plans." They agreed to talk later back at the office. Richard hailed a cab and left William at the curb. William checked his own watch and pulled out his cell phone.

"Hello, William. This is a pleasant surprise," Lizzy glowed.

"I have another one. I'm downtown, not too far from you. How about lunch?"

"I'm sorry, William, but I'm meeting Richard for lunch today," Lizzy responded.

"Oh!" William countered, looking down the block where Richard's cab had disappeared. "Would you mind if I joined you?" Lizzy hesitated.

"I think you should ask Richard about that, Will."

"He's not here. In fact, he just left me without mentioning that he was on his way to meet you," William said, slightly peeved by his cousin's behavior.

"Well... this is going to be our first face to face meeting since...maybe it would be better if it was just the two of us. I'm sorry--."

"No need to apologize, love. I'll talk to you later," William said and shut off his phone. He pulled up the collar of his coat and decided to walk off the pang of jealousy that had suddenly overtaken him.

Lunch with Richard was like a reunion of two long lost friends. Lizzy had entered the restaurant with some trepidation, but within minutes Richard had put her completely at ease, and they laughed and talked about a million things as if nothing had ever parted them. Lizzy returned to her office in excellent spirits. She found a bouquet of roses on her desk from William.

The flowers are beautiful. What did I do to deserve them?

You've made me the happiest man on the face of the earth.

And all I get for that is a measly dozen roses? You were willing to offer much more just to keep a little secret once.

Speaking of secrets, someday you must tell me what's up between you and Caroline.

Me and Caroline? What are you talking about?

According to Charles, you have some sort of voodoo charm or something that makes her scared of you. Lizzy laughed aloud.

Oh my! I'd completely forgotten about that. Pity, too, I could have used it several times these past few weeks.

I hope you'll let me borrow it sometime.

It's not the kind of thing that can be lent!

Won't you tell me what it is?

Hmmm...Someday, perhaps. When I know I can trust you.

Don't you trust me now? Lizzy nearly jumped out of her skin when Charlotte entered the office.

"This just came for you," she said, as she eyed the roses that lay in their box on the desk. Charlotte placed the vase of daisies on the table and, with an odd look at Lizzy, walked out. Lizzy leaned over and inhaled the daisies' fresh scent. She read the card, although she knew instantly that they were from Richard. She turned back to the computer.

Of course, I trust you with my life. But with my Caroline blackmail kit? That's another story.

Blackmail, eh? I am most intrigued. How was your lunch with Richard?

It went very well, thank you. Lizzy hoped that William would not ask any more about it, and he changed the subject. William made plans to pick Lizzy up for dinner the next day, and they each turned their attention to work. The next afternoon, William came in to pick Lizzy up personally. He hadn't been in her office since he'd cleaned it several months ago.

"I see you've let the place slide a bit," William said as he slid into the office and surprised Lizzy with a kiss at the nape of her neck. Lizzy laughed and invited him to dust anytime the mood struck him. William sat down while Lizzy cleared up a few things. She left him alone for a moment to take something in to Charles and when she came back she spied William reading the card that was still attached to the vase of daisies on her desk.

"I took your roses home with me, although I admit that they're a poor substitute for you," Lizzy purred.

"Are these a good substitute for Richard?" William said a bit coldly, and Lizzy felt stung. She turned her back to him as she put some papers into her bag and didn't answer. William sighed and apologized.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Lizzy turned around.

"No, you shouldn't. Shall we go?" she said evenly. Over the next two weeks, Lizzy continued to be frustrated by similar comments made by William. He invariably apologized, although he denied being jealous of Richard. William couldn't explain what came over him, but whenever he heard Lizzy mention his name, or when Richard mentioned hers, William found himself fuming inside.

But Livy, why should William be jealous of Richard? He knows that I love him; I've told him so at least a dozen times. Richard and I are only friends. We talk on the phone a lot and we have lunch every once in a while, but that's it. And not even alone! Charles usually joins us! What has William got to be jealous of?

Now you decide to be rational? Lizzy, jealously is an irrational emotion, and in William's case it probably has more to do with something between those guys and very little to do with you.

But he's making me crazy! Before I felt guilty about Richard and tried to avoid him. Now I'm feeling guilty every time I speak to him.

Have you spoken to William about this?

Puhlease! He can be the living equivalent of a stone wall when he's in denial. Actually, that's a trait the Fitzwilliams seem to have in common.

Good luck!

Thanks. You're a big help!

Lizzy was surprised to find Georgiana in her office when she came out of a meeting with a client one afternoon. She greeted Georgiana warmly, and suggested that they go out to a local diner for coffee.

"Now, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Lizzy quizzed Georgiana over coffee and a shared slice of pumpkin pie. Georgiana bowed her head.

"I came to see you about Richard."

"What about Richard. Has something happened to him?" Lizzy cried.

"Oh, no, nothing like that," Georgiana reassured her. "It's just that I'm a little worried about him. He hasn't been himself since...well, you know."

"I know," Lizzy admitted. "When we talk, he behaves like the Richard I met last summer, but I know that deep down inside, things aren't the same for him." Lizzy sighed. "I wish I could do something about it. Lord knows I try."

"Well, maybe you shouldn't try so hard," Georgiana said softly. She glanced up at Lizzy. "Maybe you shouldn't try at all. I don't think you should see Richard for a while, Lizzy."

"What?" Lizzy's mouth fell open in surprise, then anger took over. "Did William put you up to this?"

"No. It's just that he seems so sad all the time...Richard, I mean. I know that he's trying to stay friends with you, but I just think it might be better if he made a clean break with you.'

"You think," Lizzy repeated. "Don't you think that it should be Richard who decides whom he should see and whom he shouldn't? In fact, shouldn't you be having this conversation with him?" Lizzy hissed menacingly.

"That's just it; Richard would never stay away from you voluntarily. That's why I am asking you; I know you'll want to do what's best for him," Georgiana said, looking into Lizzy's eyes with that Darcy intensity.

"You mean what you think is best for him," Lizzy said rising. "Georgiana, you have no right!" Lizzy threw down a couple of dollars and walked out of the restaurant. So was so angry that she walked some time before she returned to the office. When she reached her office she found a message from Richard. Defiantly, she called him back.

"Hi, Lizzy," Richard said dully.

"What's wrong, Richard?" Lizzy's voice registered slight alarm.

"Nothing," he sighed. "Look, I have to cancel our lunch for Thursday. We can reschedule soon, okay?"

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"Why are you canceling lunch? Did Georgiana put you up to this?"

"Gee?" Richard was surprised. "What would Gee have to do with anything?" Lizzy sensed that Richard was holding something back.

"William, then. Did he tell you not to see me?"

"Fitz would never do anything to--."

"Don't lie to me, Richard. I know that William has been jealous of our friendship. Has he tried to pressure you to--?"

"Lizzy! Don't get your knickers in a twist about this. I just think that we..."

"You just think! Really! Well, I just think that I ought to have a few words with William." Lizzy hung up before Richard could say anything more. He closed his eyes and shook his head. The last thing he wanted was to make trouble between Lizzy and William. That's why he bowed to William's subtle suggestion that Richard was spending a bit too much time with Lizzy for his own comfort. Richard had tried to reassure William that their relationship was completely platonic, but in the end, Richard decided that in the interest of the budding relationship, he'd make a further sacrifice. Now he found himself once more at the center of a controversy.

Lizzy exploded at William over drinks at the Top of the Sixes, a restaurant on the top floor of 666 Fifth Avenue, a mid-Manhattan office building with sensational views of the city. She leaned forward so as not to be overheard, but her anger was self-evident.

"Why William? What on earth possessed you to interfere in my friendship with Richard?" Lizzy hissed. "You said, yourself that you wanted us to remain friends. Now you pull this stunt!" William began to speak but Lizzy's tirade was not over. "And now Georgiana's getting into the act. What right has she to tell me to stay away from Richard?"

"Gee? I didn't put Gee up to--."

"No, she came to me of her own volition. But where do either of you get off telling me whom I can be friends with?" Lizzy cried, her voice increasing in volume just slightly. William touched her hand and she yanked it away, but she understood the message and lowered her voice. "I don't understand," she concluded, and the hurt in her eyes made William uncomfortable.

"Look, Lizzy. I do admit to speaking with Richard. But I never told him to stay away from you. I just...well, I may have said something to the effect that you two seem to spend a lot of time together."

"May have said? A lot of time together?" Lizzy paused as a waiter placed an appetizer between the sparring couple. "William, I have seen Richard only three or four times since I came back to New York."

"That's a lot of times to see a friend in one month," William tried to reason. Lizzy crossed her arms.

"Oh? And is there some golden rule that says that I can't see my friends whenever I want to?" William picked at the mussels on his plate.

"Why do you want to see him so often?" he asked evenly. Lizzy held her breath for a minute.

"All right, William, have it your way," she said rising from the table. William instinctively rose as well, a bit alarmed. "Of course, if I am to stay away from Richard, I'll have to forego your invitation to spend Thanksgiving in Connecticut with your family," she spat, tossing down the napkin.

"Lizzy, please don't," William pleaded as he followed her to the door. "Come back to the table and let's talk about this."

"I don't want to talk about this, William. I want you to think about what you're doing. You are asking me to make a choice between my love for you and your friendship with your cousin, and I don't think that's fair. Take some time over the holidays and see if you don't agree with me. Call me when you've come to a decision," Lizzy said. She turned and left William standing, open-mouthed, at the elevator.

Do you feel any better?

Of course I don't feel any better! I feel miserable! Lizzy grabbed her head and ran her hands through her hair frustratedly.

Perhaps you overreacted a bit.

You know, you're even more annoying in black and white! Olivia sneered at the message.

But I'm still as objective as I ever was. Why did you think it necessary to test William?

I'm not testing him. He's testing me!

Richard's right: you do deserve each other.

Believe it or not, I actually turned to you for sympathy.

I'm here for you. I would hold you and make it better, if I could, you know that.

Why don't you? Can you come up here to spend Thanksgiving with me?

My Aunt Marie has been kind of hinting that I should go to her for the holidays, this being my first Thanksgiving without dad, but I think I can get out of it. When do you want me to come?

Would immediately be too soon? I am in desperate need of your sober, objective, wisdom.

I'll be on the first train I can get as soon as I tie up a few things and get Marisa to watch the cat.

Make it fast. I need you.

Yeah, yeah. You just want me to make the turkey.

"Lizzy, why don't you call him?" Lizzy shook her head. "Then call Richard," Jane cried. "I feel terrible about leaving you all alone at a time like this." Lizzy went to Jane and hugged her.

"I wouldn't have you postpone your vacation with Charles for anything in the world," Lizzy whispered, knowing that this was the weekend that Charles planned to finally pop the question. "Livy will be here tonight, and I'm fine."

"Call him, Lizzy. Make William see reason. After all, he and I are friends and he has no qualms about calling me or seeing me whenever he wants without regard for Charles." Charles walked into the living room and picked up Jane's skis.

"Who has no regard for me?" he asked with a worried look at the two ladies. Jane shook her head.

"We just think that William is being a bit ridiculous about Lizzy's friendship with Richard." Charles agreed. "Charles, is there something between Richard and William that you know of that can explain his behavior?" Jane asked as she shouldered her tote bag.

"None that I can think of," Charles shook his head. Lizzy practically had to push the couple out of the door to get them to leave, but once she was alone, she did feel a bit bereft. She went to her little laptop and opened it.

William, please know, that even though I am angry about this thing about Richard, I still love you. But we need to resolve this before it drives an immovable wedge between us. I don't think that either of us want that.

Lizzy amended her statement to include Richard before she hit the send button.

I know that none of us want that. A few hours passed before Lizzy got a return message.

I love you, too. Let's discuss this after the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving. Lizzy sat back and heaved a sigh of relief. She turned off the computer and put it away. A few minutes later the doorbell rang.

"Well, I'm here," Olivia said. "Let the commiseration and cooking begin." She dropped her bags when Lizzy grabbed her into a fierce hug and pulled her inside.

Part 6

As soon as Olivia's things were stowed in the guest room, Lizzy and Olivia found themselves in the kitchen preparing dinner. As usual, Olivia did most of the cooking. Lizzy set the table and boiled pasta while Olivia sautéed an assortment of vegetables with chicken for a quick stir-fry. They sat down to dinner and planned the Thanksgiving menu while they ate. After dinner, Lizzy and Olivia adjourned to the kitchen to bake apple pies.

"I didn't know how many apples to buy," Lizzy confessed. "Is five pounds enough?"

"Lizzy, there will only be two of us! You can make two pies with all those," Olivia exclaimed when she looked at the huge bag of apples.

"That sounds about right, then," Lizzy joked. "One for each of us." Lizzy assembled the utensils and ingredients needed for making the pies while Olivia washed her hands. Lizzy washed her hands as well, and when Olivia handed her the towel, Lizzy spontaneously reached out and hugged her.

"Thank you again for coming up on such short notice, Livy," she exclaimed. Olivia hugged her back.

"What else do I have to do on a Tuesday night?" Olivia pulled away and put Lizzy to work peeling and slicing the apples while she got started on the pie dough.

"So what's William doing for the holidays, now that you've abandoned him?" Olivia asked as she floured her work surface. Lizzy shot a look at her.

"You needn't worry about William being all alone for the weekend. Our original plans called for us go up to Connecticut tonight and spend a couple of days at William's house and then to join all the Darcys on this continent--five--and all the Fitzwilliams (about 22, I think) at Richard's parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. So you see, 'abandoning' William wasn't so much about making him suffer as it was about preventing World War III." Lizzy dropped a handful of apples into acidulated water. "On top of everything going on between us, we would have been forced to deal with a houseful of inquisitive relatives, to boot. I was a little apprehensive about the whole thing even before we argued. And before you ask, no! My apprehensions had nothing to do with our fight." Olivia shook her head as though she hadn't even considered such a notion.

"Have you seen or spoken to Richard since your big blowout with William?" Olivia asked a short time later.

"No. I'm still ticked at him for caving in to William's pressure."

"Lizzy, you know Richard's position on this--he's doing all he can to promote your happiness," Olivia reasoned.

"And nothing to promote his own," Lizzy countered. Olivia paused at her task and stared at Lizzy.

"You're still upset that he dumped you, aren't you? Eliza Bennet, you a quite a piece of work! I should have become a shrink. I could make a fortune plumbing your depths."

"A lack of a shingle doesn't seem to have prevented you!" Lizzy retorted.

"Yeah, but without a credential I can only do it for fun."

"Speaking of 'fun,' and 'happiness,' and Richard, he owes you a dinner, now that you 're in New York."

"Oh, brother! That was about as subtle as a Scud missile!"

"I learned everything I know about subtlety from you, Livy."

"Oh, really! In that case, I'm doomed!"

"Good! Then we can skip the preliminaries. Why don't you give him a call? I have his number," Lizzy prodded.

"So have I, remember?" Olivia scoffed.

"Well, then: what are you waiting for?"

"I should have expected this! Why are you so eager for me to see Richard when just a few weeks ago you were losing sleep because you saw him out with another woman?"

"Because you are perfect for Richard, just the kind of woman he needs; much better for him than I could ever be." Olivia arched an eyebrow as she reached for a pie pan.

"I'm not even going to ask what that is supposed to mean." Olivia expertly transferred a sheet of pie dough to the pie pan. "How do you know that other woman isn't perfect for him?"

"She's just his assistant or something, and it wasn't even a date. Richard had just taken her out to dinner for her birthday," Lizzy stated smugly. This time, both of Olivia's brows shot up.

"You asked him, didn't you? You couldn't rest until you'd wrested every single detail out of him, could you?" Lizzy's blush answered Olivia's question. She rolled her eyes as she began to cut strips of the leftover dough to make a latticework to cover the pies.

"So are you are you going to call Richard or not?" Lizzy asked impatiently as Olivia began to stir sugar, lemon juice, and spices into the apples.

"Tell me something, Lizzy. How does my calling Richard fit into your little scheme? Do you mean to curb William's jealousy by finding Richard another woman to occupy his time, or am I simply meant to be your revenge on Richard for dumping you?" Lizzy laughed heartily, albeit somewhat self-consciously.

"Either way, he's quite a prize, so enough with the psychoanalysis, already! Are you going to call him or shall I?" Lizzy managed as soon as she found her voice.

"I thought you were mad at him!" Olivia shot back.

"Then my calling him will only lend credence to your revenge theory." It was Olivia's turn to laugh.

"What's his e-mail?" Olivia acquiesced. "He's probably left town by now."

"I have his cell phone number memorized. You can call him right now no matter where he is."

"I'm hip deep in flour right now, Lizzy."

"Then let's get these pies in the oven." The women applied themselves to their work and the pies were in the oven in a few minutes. Olivia barely had time to rinse the soap off her hands before Lizzy offered her the phone. "It's 917-555-1318." Olivia took a deep breath and dialed. She immediately walked out of the kitchen to find some privacy.

"Hello?" Richard spoke into his phone in speaker mode as he applied the emergency brake.

"You may not remember me," Olivia began, "But I have a coupon redeemable for one free dinner in New York." There was the briefest pause on Richard's end.

"Olivia? Of course, I remember you! How are you? More, importantly: where are you?" Needless to say, Olivia was extremely impressed. She smiled and slid into an easy chair.

"I'm at Lizzy's house."

"I wish I had known that a couple of hours ago. I would have swung by and said hello. I've just arrived in Connecticut. In fact, I had just turned off the engine when the phone rang." Richard smiled and waved at one of his young cousins who stood on the front steps of the Fitzwilliam house wondering why Richard wasn't getting out of his car. "Are you spending Thanksgiving in town?"

"If by 'in town' you mean New York, yes. It'll be a very quiet affair, just Lizzy and me."

"Lucky you! I'm spending Thanksgiving with four generations of Darcys and Fitzwilliams, most of whom I don't remember from one year to the next. We're thinking about renting out the nearest stadium just so we can get everyone into one photo. Of course, it'll be an aerial shot," Richard grinned. Olivia's laugh caused Lizzy to poke her head in to look at her.

"Sounds like a houseful."

"I think there'll be around thirty of us," Richard said as his cousin's mother came to the door to collect her son. She stood there for a moment, apparently wondering why Richard was in the car talking to himself. She shook her head and looking back twice, escorted the boy inside.

"That is a houseful. They aren't all staying, are they?" Olivia said jokingly.

"Oh, no. Most of my family lives quite near. But if we had to put them all up, my dad's house has six empty bedrooms, and the two guesthouses can sleep another six or more. I guess William's house up the road could handle the overflow." Olivia was a bit surprised at the matter-of-fact way in which he was able to conjure up accommodations for thirty people. Olivia's house would be considered crowded with a quarter of that number. After a second, curiosity took over. "I suppose you can fit all those people into your dining room?"

"Easily. My mother hosts dinners for twenty-four about twice a month. Luncheon for four would be more of a challenge. How long will you be in New York?" Richard asked, as Olivia saw Lizzy enter the living room with a book and sit down. Olivia was not fooled by her sudden interest in Northanger Abbey.

"I'll be here for about a week. I intend to do some Christmas shopping while I'm in town.

"Good, because I would like very much to make good on my marker." Olivia took the phone away from her ear and looked at it.

"Sorry, Richard; you're going to have to translate that last bit." Richard's laugh tickled Olivia's ear.

"I was just stating my willingness to fulfill my obligation to feed you." Olivia saw that Lizzy was straining to listen. Richard turned on the courtesy light and dug into his briefcase in search of his appointment book.

"Lizzy sends her regards, Richard," Olivia said, looking at Lizzy pointedly.

"Put her on for a moment, will you?" Richard asked. Olivia crossed the room and handed the phone to Lizzy, who was gesturing wildly to avoid having to take the phone.

"I have to check on the pies," Lizzy assayed.

"It's a cordless phone, Lizzy," Olivia smirked. "Here. On second thought, you stay and talk. I'll go check on the pies." She handed the phone to Lizzy and left the room.

"Hello, Richard," Lizzy sighed.

"You're still mad at me." There was no question in his voice.

"I'm not mad at you...I...I'm disappointed," Lizzy decided.

"Is that supposed to be an improvement?" Richard said as he peered out the window and saw William coming out to the car. "Look, can we have a holiday truce? I just want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving." Lizzy returned the wish and gave the phone back to Olivia as soon as she returned.

"How are the pies?" Richard teased.

"They're just fine."

"Pumpkin?"

"Apple, and if you don't stay in Connecticut too long, I might be able to save you a piece."

"Hmmm...If I leave right after the soup, I can probably make it to Brooklyn in time for dessert."

"Don't you like your mother's cooking?" Olivia asked innocently. Richard laughed again.

"Cooking? I doubt that my mother knows how to boil water. To her, the kitchen is the place where one goes to discuss menus with the cook."

"Oh." was all Olivia could manage, remembering that she was talking to the multimillionaire son of a multimillionaire.

"Don't be impressed. I've always envied my friends who had mothers who actually did 'motherly' things," Richard grinned as he rolled down the window. The next voice Olivia heard was William's.

"Who are you talking to?" William asked suspiciously.

"Olivia Crenshaw," Richard replied. "Lizzy's friend from Pennsylvania. Would you like to say hello?" William backed off slightly and asked Richard to extend his regards.

"Why don't you come into the house? It's freezing out here," William said as he turned and stalked back to house.

"Well, someone isn't in a good mood," Richard said. "May I call you back tomorrow, Olivia? My mother and father are about to come out after me now. I think my car is turning into a tourist attraction!" Richard opened the car door. "Look, I doubt that my folks are really going to allow me to escape before at least three helpings of dessert, but maybe we can plan something for Friday,"

"I'd like that, Richard," Olivia said shyly. She gave him her own cell phone number and they said their goodbyes. Olivia put the phone down and went to take the pies out of the oven. Lizzy leapt out of her chair and followed her to the kitchen.

"Well?" Lizzy pried.

"Well, what?" Olivia replied nonchalantly. Inside her senses were tingling. She was already looking forward to Richard's call. But she wouldn't give Lizzy the satisfaction of telling her anything and rather enjoyed Lizzy's efforts to cajole the information from her.

"I told you everything about both Richard and William." Lizzy reasoned.

"That was your choice, Lizzy. I didn't compel you to gossip."

"Are you going to see him? Did he ask you out?" Olivia put the kettle on and turned to Lizzy, hands on her hips.

"You asked me to call him and I did, right?"

"Right. But--."

"Ah, ah, ah! No 'buts,' Lizzy! I'll tell you something if and when I deem it necessary," Olivia promised and laughed all the way back to the living room.

"You are my revenge on Richard!" Lizzy called after her.

If so, thought Olivia, I can't wait to make him suffer!

"I didn't realize that you knew Olivia Crenshaw so well," William remarked as he raided the Fitzwilliam refrigerator. Richard found the bread and brought two plates to the counter. Both he and Richard had driven up after work and were famished.

"So well as what?" Richard asked as he reached for the mustard.

"Well, you were talking on the phone with her!" Richard chuckled.

"You talk on the phone with complete strangers every day, Fitz," Richard pointed out.

"I don't call them up! What made you call her?"

"Who said I did? She called me," Richard revealed as he layered a slice of bread with cold cuts. William reached over and grabbed the mustard jar.

"Really? How'd she get your cell phone number?" Richard bit into his sandwich.

"I imagine Lizzy gave it to her. She's in New York; I asked her to look me up if she ever came to the city," Richard explained in hopes of shortening William's interrogation.

"Did you talk to Lizzy?" Richard cast his cousin a withering glance.

"We said hello."

"How is she?" William persisted.

"I didn't ask," Richard admitted. "I was only interested in wishing her a happy holiday." William ate for a few minutes in silence. Richard rose from his stool at the granite-topped island and went to the refrigerator. "Would you like a beer?" William nodded and Richard pulled two bottles from the shelf and went in search of glasses.

"I'm sorry, Richard," William said when Richard had settled into his seat once more. Richard looked up from his plate.

"For what?"

"For behaving like a perfect jackass. Lizzy's absolutely right. I have been jealous of you."

"Why?" Richard was incredulous. "What have I got that you haven't?

"Magnanimity. And $17.3 million, according to the latest pundits." Richard shook his head.

"I understand the part about the bank account, but what's this about magnanimity, or whatever it is you just said?"

"You have generous nature--no, more than generous. I couldn't do what you did for me and Lizzy," William admitted.

"And you resent me for it." William nodded.

"Something like that...yes. I don't like feeling inferior to you."

"You're not!" Richard blurted, nearly knocking over his glass as he threw out his arms in a wild gesture. "I've always envied you! You're a self-made man, you've accomplished things by the age of thirty that most people couldn't even conceive of, you've got more poise in one hand than I have in my entire body, you speak four languages fluently...you've been voted one of the sexiest men alive, for God's sake!"

"So what?" William interjected.

"...And you have the love of a wonderful woman," Richard concluded, but William was in no humor to be consoled.

"You could have had that woman," William said as he stared into his glass. "But you gave her to me."

"And that makes you inferior?"

"I wouldn't have given her up," William said simply.

"And I could never have made her happy the way you have. That certainly doesn't make me a better man, Fitz," Richard rebuked him. "What's this really all about?"

"I think this is about an old grudge I've been carrying around since we were kids." William wore a wry smile as he spoke.

"What?" Richard looked at William.

"You did it then, too. I've always resented that." Richard put down his beer and placed both palms on the table. He looked at William.

"Would you mind telling me exactly what you're talking about?"

"Remember Annette?" William asked. Richard remembered her well, one of many girls they fought over in their teen years. For a time, they had engaged in a rather nasty competition over every pretty girl who caught their fancy. It became a contest of wills, driven more by ego than any real desire for female companionship. Richard relied on his outgoing personality to attract the opposite sex; William attracted them effortlessly with his looks alone. The men often resorted to fisticuffs to settle matters, with William--the larger of the cousins at the time--inevitably the victor. But Richard, more often than not, got the girl in the end because he used his charm to win the girl's affections. The only time William prevailed was when Richard lost interest in the competition, or when Richard believed that William had truly fallen for the girl.

"The girl you stole from me in the tenth grade?" Richard creased his brows in confusion.

"The girl you let me steal from you in the tenth grade. I knew you let me have her and it absolutely spoiled it for me."

"Is that why you dumped her?" William glared at Richard.

"You're missing the point."

"If you're trying to tell me that I've spoiled things for you and Lizzy by stepping out of the running then you're right: you are a jackass!" Richard glared back at William.

"I'm not that much of a jackass!" William declared.

"Good. Then why don't you stop behaving like one and go apologize to Lizzy?"

"You're the one I should apologize to, Richard, if you will forgive me." William extended his hand to Richard, who eyed it suspiciously.

"Why do you begrudge me a friendship with her?" he demanded.

"I don't!" William ran a hand through his hair. "I...I don't know!"

"Don't you trust Lizzy?" Richard persisted.

"Of course, I do!" William spat back.

"But not me. I'm noble and self-sacrificing, but I can't be trusted with your woman," Richard taunted.

"You're in love with her, Richard!"

"I had feelings for her, yes, William. Had! We're just friends now. And that's all I want us to be. Look, Lizzy is absolutely crazy about you and you're crazy about her. Why can't you just be happy with that?"

"And what about your happiness?"

"My happiness? I thought we were talking about you and Lizzy? What are you worrying about me for?"

"Like it or not, Fitz, you are inextricably linked to Lizzy and me. I'd like to think that that will change sometime soon, but for now..." Richard threw his hands up and extended his right to William.

"I'm not even going to pretend to understand this, but if it makes you happy..." Richard grasped William's hand.

Lizzy and Olivia had changed into pajamas and were lying on Lizzy's bed watching an old movie when the phone rang.

"Hello?" Lizzy said.

"Hello, Lizzy, it's me." Lizzy smiled.

"Hi, handsome. You made it up to Connecticut safely?"

"Piece of cake. There was no traffic, which is why Richard and I decided to come up here tonight instead of tomorrow. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Olivia's here; she's visiting for the weekend."

"So Richard told me. Lizzy...I called because I was hoping to convince you to change your mind about coming up for the holiday."

"Will, I admit that things got a little out of hand the other night...perhaps I overreacted, but I think, in retrospect, that it's probably for the best that we spend this time apart. If I went up there with you and things didn't work out, we'd be miserable, not to mention trapped with all those people watching us."

"I'm miserable and you're not even here!" William whimpered. Lizzy tried to suppress a laugh at William's attempt to sound pathetic.

"Would you have us both be miserable?" Lizzy teased.

"I thought you liked us doing things together." This time, Lizzy laughed outright.

"Well it's too late to change things now. I have a houseguest." Lizzy said.

"Bring her along. Richard's parents are always happy to add a new face to their table."

"She just got here and she's just unpacked," Lizzy said with a glance at Olivia, who was looking at her oddly. "I can't ask her to just pack everything up again and go up to Connecticut. Besides," Lizzy said, lowering her voice to a whisper, "you seem to have forgotten that we agreed not to see each other until after the holidays."

"You agreed to that, not me. Listen, I know we have some things to work out, but they aren't going to be addressed while we're fifty miles apart."

"I doubt that they can be addressed while we're in a house with two dozen strangers, either," Lizzy shot back. Olivia slid to the edge of the bed and discretely slipped out of the room.

"We won't be in a houseful of strangers. You can stay here at my place. It'll be just you and me and Olivia and Gee," William said. "We'll have plenty of time to ourselves. We'd only have to be at my uncle's house on Thursday night."

"And what will Olivia be doing while we're off addressing these things we have to work out?" William was slightly annoyed by Lizzy's sarcastic tone, but he knew that Lizzy had a valid point.

"Well...Gee is here, Richard's just down the road, and--." Lizzy suddenly brightened.

"You're right. I forgot about that..." William began to see a ray of hope.

"I had a talk with Richard tonight," he said, trying to further convince Lizzy. "I apologized for my behavior towards him. We've made our peace and I promised to improve my behavior towards both of you. In fact, he was the one who suggested that I call you."

"Did he, really?" Lizzy asked, beginning to look forward to the possibility of being with William. But she was also probing for signs that Richard was interested in Olivia. "And I suppose this last minute invitation was also his idea?"

"No, but I know he'd be glad to see you both. Will you come?" Lizzy hesitated and William applied his charm for all it was worth. "I haven't been able to sleep these last five nights without you." Lizzy felt her resolve beginning to crumble. She put up a pro forma argument, then consulted Olivia and asked her if she would be willing to spend Thanksgiving in Connecticut.

"You'd go to any length to get me near Richard, wouldn't you? You'd even stoop so low as to make up with William," Olivia teased as she consented. Lizzy playfully yanked on Olivia's ponytail as she went off to repack. Since Lizzy had to hold down the fort at Cherry Blossom on Wednesday, Lizzy told William that she and Olivia would arrive in the evening.

The following morning, Lizzy and a skeleton crew put in an abbreviated workday at Cherry Blossom. Olivia went out to do some shopping, but she planned to meet Lizzy at the office and they would leave for Connecticut from there. When Olivia arrived at the office she stopped to speak with Charlotte before heading to Lizzy's office. Olivia handled a lot of the overflow work for Cherry Blossom on a freelance basis. She and Charlotte often communicated by phone and by e-mail but rarely had a chance to see each other face to face. Lizzy thought she heard Olivia's voice and came out of her office to investigate. When she saw Olivia, she shrieked.

"Omigod, Livy! Your hair!"

"Isn't it great?" Charlotte cried. "I like it shorter, Olivia. It really brings out your eyes." Olivia poked at the wisps of hair that framed her face. On a whim, she had gone into a salon and had more than six inches lopped off her shoulder-length hair.

"You cut your hair! What are you, crazy?" Lizzy exclaimed. Olivia turned and stared at her.

"You don't like it?"

"It's not about what I like. What about Richard?"

"What about Richard?" Olivia repeated, mystified.

"Richard likes long hair!" Olivia rolled her eyes.

"It's my hair, Lizzy. If Richard doesn't approve, that's his problem." Lizzy started to protest but realized that it was too late to do anything about the matter. She gathered her things and a short time later the women were on their way to Connecticut. Olivia copiloted the car while Lizzy drove and, making good time, they arrived in Greenwich at about 5:30. William came out to the car to greet them and show them into the house.

"I don't know if you met my sister when she was in Pennsylvania," William said as he introduced Olivia to Georgiana. Olivia smirked at Lizzy when Georgiana complimented her hair. Georgiana greeted Lizzy rather coolly, and William looked at Lizzy apologetically. Lizzy immediately resolved to speak with Georgiana as soon as possible and apologize for her behavior at the diner. After serving his guests a glass of restorative sherry in the living room, William led his houseguests upstairs. William took Olivia to a guestroom that looked east toward the Fitzwilliam estate. Leaving her to get settled, William led Lizzy down the hall.

"Well, do I show you to a guestroom, or the master suite?" William purred into her ear. Lizzy smiled.

"Which is the better room?"

"That depends on what you want a view of," William whispered, with a kiss on Lizzy's neck. "Would you care to explore your options?" A half hour later, Lizzy and William came down to the living room, where they found Olivia and Georgiana reading. They both reddened slightly when Olivia glanced up at them. William took the friends on a tour of the house. When they returned to the living room, William suggested that they go out for dinner, since Mrs. Reynolds was off for the holiday and wouldn't return until Friday. Lizzy immediately suggested that they call and invite Richard to join them. William flinched involuntarily and Lizzy caught the gesture. She asked if she could speak with William in private. They were about to step into the hall, but Olivia excused herself and left the room. She went up to her room to remove her contact lenses. She had just taken the second one out of her eye when she heard her cell phone ring.

"Hello?"

"Is there still any pie left?"

"Two whole pies, and they're nearer than you think."

"Oh? What does that mean?" Richard asked, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm less than a half mile from you at William's house."

"With the pies?" Richard smiled.

"With the pies," Olivia repeated.

"Does that mean that you and Lizzy will be joining us for dinner tomorrow? I'd better tell mother; she'll probably want to annex Rhode Island for a little extra elbow room."

"Are you always such a comedian, Richard?"

"No, but if you're around me for any length of time, you probably won't believe that. So how did you two come to be in Connecticut? Last I heard you and Lizzy were having an intimate supper and I was green with envy."

"William called late last night, and next thing I knew, I was packing for the weekend," Olivia replied, settling back on the huge bed.

"Cool! Have you eaten yet?" Olivia asked.

"No. I believe Lizzy and William are downstairs arguing about that right now."

"Arguing? Why?"

"I'm not really sure."

"Well, if you'd like to get out of the line of fire, I can be there in about ten minutes. Why don't you grab your coat and meet me out front."

"What about Lizzy and William?" Richard snorted.

"Let them make their own dinner plans." Olivia hung up and looked in the mirror. She sighed and put her contacts back in. She changed her top and reached for her coat. As she headed downstairs, she encountered Georgiana.

"Where are you going?" she asked Olivia.

"I'm meeting Richard for a bite to eat." Georgiana glanced at the door from behind which heated voices emanated.

"Mind if I tag along?"

"I don't if Richard doesn't." And so it came to pass that when Richard pulled up to the house he found two women waiting for him on the steps. Richard got out of the car and walked over to where Olivia and Georgiana were standing. He was dressed all in black, pants, cashmere turtleneck, and leather pea coat. He looked very different to Olivia from the man that she had found on her porch.

"Hello, Gee," Richard said, and kissed her on the tip of her nose.

"I need to get out of here. Do you mind if I horn in on your date?" Richard smiled and nodded. Georgiana glanced at Olivia and then bounded down the steps and got into the back seat of Richard's Jaguar. Richard turned to Olivia and stopped cold. The woman he remembered, in a ponytail, jeans and apron, without a stitch of makeup, had been transformed. She still wore jeans, but Olivia's hair had been cut short in a flattering and stylish cut that gave new emphasis to her delicate features; she was wearing a touch of makeup, pearl studs in her ears, and the glasses that had been perched on her forehead for most of the evening Richard spent at her house were nowhere to be seen. Had he encountered her on the street, he might not have recognized her.

"You cut your hair!" was all he could say. Olivia smiled, and Richard offered her is arm and escorted her to the car. He opened the door for her and then went around and got in on the driver's side and turned to look at Olivia once more. She blushed under his scrutiny.

"You really hate it, don't you?" Olivia looked at her lap.

"I think it's fabulous!" Richard replied. "Why should you think I'd hate it?

"Lizzy said you liked long hair." Richard shook his head.

"I may have said that I liked her long hair, but I would never presume to prescribe that length for all women. And you should never pay attention to any man's opinions on such things anyway. I'll let you ladies both in on a little secret: men have no idea what they want until they see it." He smiled at Olivia and turned his attention to the road. He suggested that they go to the local diner.

Georgiana observed the entire scene with great interest, from the way Richard was looking at Olivia when he made his comment, to the slight blush on Olivia's cheek. She almost wished she hadn't accompanied the couple, but since she had, she was determined to find out more about Olivia and consider the obvious potential of the relationship she saw blossoming before her.

"Exactly what is that expression on your face supposed to mean?" Lizzy demanded.

"What expression?" William asked innocently. Lizzy put her hands on her hips.

"I mentioned Richard's name and you made a face."

"I was not making a face...I was just...why can't we have some time together alone?"

"We just did 'have some time together alone'," Lizzy reminded him as she turned out his rumpled collar. William smiled at the memory, but Lizzy grew serious.

"I thought you decided that you weren't going to be jealous of Richard anymore," Lizzy pouted.

"I'm not jealous!" William declared a little too hastily. Lizzy gave him a dubious look. "I just wanted us to spend our first night together alone. We can see Richard tomorrow." Lizzy smiled.

"How are we going to spend this night alone when we have two other people to think about? I did warn you, darling, that if I came up, I would be bringing a guest." William sighed and put his arms around Lizzy's waist.

"Well, you can't blame me for trying," he murmured as he nuzzled Lizzy's ear. "All right, you find the girls and I'll call Fitz." The pair parted, William into the study to use the phone, Lizzy into the living room. A few seconds later, they met again in the hall.

"Fitz isn't home," William said. "Let's just go into town and grab something. I'll get my coat and bring the car around front," he said as he ran up the stairs.

"Livy and Gee aren't in the living room," Lizzy called after him. "Would you see if they're upstairs?"

William knocked at his sister's door and then poked his head into her room. It was empty. When he walked past Olivia's room, the door was open and there was no sign of her either.

"Odd," he said as he descended the stairs. "They aren't upstairs." He threw his coat down on a bench in the hall and he and Lizzy proceeded to spend the next several minutes searching the house for the missing women.

"They aren't here," Lizzy concluded, when she met up with William in the kitchen. "Maybe they went out."

"They can't have gone out. Gee rode up with me, and Olivia rode up with you and our cars are both still in the driveway," William said as he peered out the window.

"Is there another car they could have used?" William shook his head.

"Impossible. There is a car, but it's in the garage, and they couldn't have gotten it out of there without moving one of ours. Besides, it's Gee's convertible and she wouldn't take it out in late November."

"Well, this is quite a mystery," Lizzy said, sliding onto a stool at the counter. "Do you suppose they were kidnapped by fairies?" she said jokingly. "Maybe they took a walk," she added more seriously.

"At this hour? In the dark?"

"You did say that Richard's parents were about a quarter mile up the road." William shook his head again.

"Well, if they did go outside for some reason, they ought to be back soon. Meanwhile, I'm starving," William declared as he went to the refrigerator and began rummaging. Lizzy rose and slipped off her coat.

"Allow me." Lizzy came out of the refrigerator with eggs, Canadian bacon, cheese and butter. She found potatoes and onions in the pantry and ordered William to start peeling them while she put a pot of water on the stove. William made a mess of his assignment, and after laughing at his efforts, Lizzy took the knife from him and made short work of peeling and dicing the potatoes. In minutes, Lizzy had sautéed onions and added the parboiled potatoes and sautéed them while she cooked the bacon in another pan. William just sat and watched in awe.

"How did you survive in college?" Lizzy asked as she stirred the eggs, cheese and diced bacon into the cast iron skillet to complete the frittata. William looked slightly abashed as he answered.

"I had someone cook for me."

"You took your housekeeper to college?" Lizzy sputtered.

"I had an apartment off campus, and there was someone who came in twice a week to prepare meals during the day. I'd just heat them and eat when I got home, or else I ate out." Lizzy shook her head and laughed.

"It's good to be the king," she muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" William asked.

"Can you cook anything? Anything at all?"

"I can make an omelet."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would love to have seen your cooking skills in action," Lizzy smirked.

"You should have asked," William replied as he rose and found things to set the small table in one corner of the kitchen.

"How come you know how to cook an omelet? No, no...on second thought, I probably don't want to know."

"Don't worry, it's nothing too scandalous. We were in Paris, Fitz and I, about ten years ago. We met a woman who was studying at the Cordon Bleu..."

"Who won?" Lizzy demanded knowingly; Richard had told her long ago about the cousins' competitive years.

"Fitz. But somewhere along the way, I learned to make omelets and a really good crème brulee." Lizzy smiled as she brought the frittata to the table. William brought out a bottle of wine and a loaf of crusty bread. The couple sat down at the table and began to eat. "This is very good," William complimented.

"Thank you. I can find my way around a kitchen, but my talents don't begin to compare with Jane's or Olivia's," Lizzy admitted.

"So Olivia makes more than great oatmeal cookies?"

"Are you kidding? I gained five pounds while I was in Elverson. Livy cooks as though at any moment Gourmet magazine is going to show up for a photo shoot. Every meal is a work of art and a feast. She's such a good cook she actually put herself through her last two years of school with her baking."

"But can she hold her breath for three minutes?" William quipped.

"No, but that's a skill that only comes in handy if you're a--."

"A what?" William propped his head and looked deep into Lizzy's eyes. She blushed and lowered her head.

"Actually, I'd hoped that you'd forgotten about that," she confessed as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"You haven't answered my question," William reminded her. Lizzy looked into William's eyes.

"I know, but it's so hard to think when you look at me like that."

"Like what?" William asked, momentarily distracted. Lizzy took the opportunity to rise from the table to retrieve the pan and piled more food onto William's plate. "What if Gee and Olivia return?"

"You can make them omelets," Lizzy smiled.

Richard held the door open and Georgiana and Olivia entered a diner that appeared to be from another age. The décor was reminiscent of the early fifties, and the staff waiting on tables looked as though they had been there just as long. The trio slid into a booth that Richard had frequented on a daily basis as a high school student and every chance he could whenever he was in Connecticut. The waitress who brought over menus had known him since he was a small child.

"Two dates, Richard? You're breaking my heart!" Richard smiled and kissed her on her cheek.

"Hello, gorgeous," he said to the blushing sixty-year old. "Allow me to introduce my cousin, Georgiana Darcy, and my friend, Olivia Crenshaw. Ladies, this is Irene, the best waitress in the State of Connecticut." The waitress gestured as if to deflect Richard's flattery before she looked at the two women appraisingly.

"Georgiana Darcy...Will's sister? You've turned into quite a looker, hon--just like your brother." Irene turned to Olivia. "And this one's a keeper, Richard--if you know what I mean." She nudged Richard slightly, who smiled as Olivia blushed furiously. She pulled out a pen. "You'll have a root beer, just a little ice, and a twist of lemon," she said to Richard. She looked up. "And what'll you ladies have to drink?" Georgiana opted for water, but Olivia ordered the same as Richard. Irene recited the specials, left the table and returned with the drinks. She took the women's orders--there was apparently no need to ask Richard--and disappeared.

Richard entertained his company with tales of his "misspent youth" in the tiny diner. Irene brought the other waitresses by to meet William's baby sister and to universally approve Richard's date. Both Georgiana and Olivia blushed through it all, especially when Agnes insisted that, "you girls are too skinny" and brought them free ice cream sundaes. Richard refused dessert, claiming that he was waiting for some of Olivia's pie. This set off another round of discussions among the waitresses who were disposed to think very highly of a "pretty young girl who could cook for her man."

"But she's too skinny for our Richie," Phoebe was overheard to say as the three left the diner and piled back into Richard's car.

"Don't worry," Irene responded. "The love of a good man will do wonders for her figure."

Lizzy and William were lounging on the sofa in the media room watching an old movie when they heard the door open. They were too comfortably intertwined to move, so William simply shouted, "We're in here, Gee." A moment later, the trio appeared at the door.

"Evening all," Richard smiled as he entered the room.

"Oh!" Lizzy exclaimed, sitting up. "I thought that was Gee and Livy returning."

"It is," Olivia said as she and Georgiana followed Richard into the room. The three newcomers took places on the sofa and chair on the opposite side of the room. Georgiana was careful to sit so that she had a good view of Olivia and Richard. She thought that she had seen signs of something, at least on Richard's part, while they were in the diner.

"What have you two been up to?" William asked, as Lizzy simultaneously demanded, "Where have you guys been?"

"We went out to eat," Georgiana said innocently. It was William's turn to sit up.

"How? Your car is barricaded in the garage!"

"We went in Richard's car," Olivia put in helpfully. William turned to his cousin, who bore a Cheshire cat grin, for an explanation. He shrugged.

"It's no great mystery, Fitz. I called Olivia and invited her out. Gee wanted to tag along, so she joined us. We went to Harpy's. The girls all send their love." Lizzy furrowed her brows.

"But how did you...when did you..."

"I believe you two were having a little tiff at the time," smiled Georgiana.

"Now that we've cleared up that mystery," Richard smiled, "Where's the pie?" Lizzy immediately protested that she and Olivia had baked the two pies for Thanksgiving Day dessert, but Richard quickly dissuaded her from attempting to save them for the feast.

"The cook and his assistants have been working on dessert all day," he said. "We have three apple pies, three pumpkin...well, two and a half...one mince pie," he stopped and made a face. "What else... gingerbread, pumpkin ice cream, eggnog ice cream, a trifle, cranberry sorbet, and a fruit compote for the geriatric set." Lizzy laughed and conceded. William and Richard needed no more encouragement; they rose and headed for the kitchen, and Olivia and Georgiana started to follow. But Lizzy reached out and touched Georgiana's arm to stay her as the others left the room.

"Gee, I want to apologize for my outburst last week," Lizzy began, as she shifted uncomfortably.

"I was going to apologize, too. I was way out of line going to you like that. And boy, did Richard read me the riot act when he found out about it!" Gee admitted.

"I'm afraid that was my fault," Lizzy revealed. "I read him the riot act first."

"Look, can we just forget the whole thing happened?" Georgiana asked. "I think I was premature in suggesting that...well, I think Richard's in better shape than I first thought." The two women smiled knowingly and went to join the others in the kitchen.

The following morning, everyone slept in at the Darcy house, except for Olivia. Accustomed to rising before six every morning, she found herself wandering about the house fully dressed and ready to face the world by 6:30. She went into the kitchen and snooped around. Finding what she needed in the pantry, she began making biscuits. When they were done, Olivia made a cup of tea and ate biscuits with jam while she stared at the scenery outside her window. When she had cleaned up, she went upstairs, pulled on a fleece jacket and made her way outside into the chilly morning. She began heading east, towards a thicket of trees. She was so fixated on the sights before her that she didn't hear the car pull up alongside her until Richard lightly tapped the horn. Olivia jumped and screamed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," Richard said, getting out of his car and coming around to the passenger side, where Olivia held a hand over her chest and gasped for air. "Are you all right?"

"If I don't see my hundredth birthday, let it be on your conscience," she threatened. Then she straightened up and smiled. "Good morning."

"Good morning," Richard beamed. He looked in the direction where Olivia was apparently headed. "Where are you going?"

"I have no idea. That little thicket looked interesting and I thought I'd go explore. Everyone back at the house is still asleep." Richard shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned on the Jaguar.

"Well, I can tell you from experience that there's nothing really interesting in that thicket, unless you like thorns. If you'd like some company and something more interesting to look at, I'd be happy to give you the grand tour of the estate." He opened the door of the car and Olivia got in.

"What brings you out so early on a holiday morning?" Olivia was curious.

"I had to send some papers off to my attorney in Scotland, so I had to go into town where the main post office is always open," he responded as he reached over and turned on the heater.

"On Thanksgiving Day?"

"It's not Thanksgiving in Scotland, dear, and those papers were time sensitive."

"What is your attorney doing in Scotland, if I may ask?" Richard smiled.

"He lives there," he replied matter-of-factly as the car came to a stop before the massive Fitzwilliam homestead. "I won't bother to take you in there just yet. You'll see plenty of the house this afternoon. Let's start the tour at the stables and work our way around the property."

"Are we going to tour the grounds in the car?" Olivia asked, feeling a bit disappointed. She wanted the exercise as well as the tour. Richard laughed.

"We can walk it if you prefer, but I have to warn you: our property is 500 acres, and Darcy's is not much smaller."

"Can we just hit a few of the highlights this morning and maybe see some more another time?" Richard assented, and the pair began to walk toward the stables.

"So why do have an attorney who lives in Scotland" Olivia asked, picking up the thread of conversation begun earlier. "Couldn't you find one nearer to home?"

"He is near to home," Richard smiled.

"Oh. I was under the impression that your business was located in New York."

"I'd better explain. A short while ago, I lost my grandmother. She lived in Scotland and I used to spend at least part of every summer with her since I was a boy. She owned a castle, and when she died she left it to me."

"Your grandmother lived in a castle?" Richard stroked the ears of his horse, which had poked his head out to greet him.

"No one lived in the castle. It's been uninhabitable for years. My gran lived in a house not much bigger than yours, but she did own a fair piece of property, and on that property lies my castle."

"So your attorney in Scotland..."

"Is taking care of matters pertaining to my gran's estate." As he spoke, Olivia could detect just a hint of a Scottish accent coming out. She wondered if Richard was aware of it.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"My attorney?" Richard quipped, as he led her toward the formal gardens, which were still beautiful although months beyond the blooming season.

"Your castle!" Olivia cried.

"Oh, yes...the castle. I plan to renovate it and live in it."

"You're moving to Scotland?" Olivia managed, startled at his revelation.

"Well, not all the time, but during the summers, perhaps. It has been my dream to live in that castle since I was a kid. That's why my gran left it to me. She knew how much I loved the old place."

"It sounds as though you two were very close," Olivia replied, feeling a twinge of envy.

"We were. I was her favorite boy, and she had twelve grandchildren and great grandchildren, mind," Richard said proudly.

"No doubt, you charmed yourself to the head of the pack," Olivia laughed.

William rolled out of bed later that morning, bleary eyed, and listened to the sound of Lizzy's voice. She was singing something unidentifiable, yet like a siren's lure, William found it enchanting. He lay back and enjoyed the music for a minute, but it stopped abruptly. William got out of bed and went to investigate. When he reached the tub, his heart almost stopped. Lizzy was lying at the bottom of the tub staring up at him through the water. William panicked and reached out to grab her, but she stopped him with her hand. William's heart was pounding when she calmly sat up, still smiling.

"I just wanted to see if I could still do it," she panted.

"Do what? Give me a heart attack?" William cried, still gulping air himself. Lizzy laughed.

"You're so adorable," Lizzy whispered as she leaned forward and kissed William's lips. He smiled, but then pulled away and held her at arm's length.

"Just what the heck were you trying to do?"

"I was trying to see if I could still hold my breath for three minutes under water. It's a bit different than doing it..."

"Why?" William demanded warily.

"Feeling nostalgic, I guess," Lizzy said, giggling. William looked at her strangely. "You've got a little spot there," Lizzy remarked, pointing to a spot on William's chest. The moment he looked down, Lizzy pulled him into the tub. He came up sputtering and it took several moments to right himself and get settled in the huge tub.

"This water is cold!" William shouted, and Lizzy laughed at his facial expression as he reached for the tap and turned on the hot water.

"You really didn't expect me to practice in hot water, did you?"

"You really don't expect me to bathe in cold water, do you?" William countered. "And what are you practicing for, exactly?"

"Promise not to laugh?" William shook his head.

"Tell me anyway," he demanded.

"Well, when I was a little girl I was watching the Olympics and fell in love with synchronized swimming..." William continued to gaze at her, a small smile playing at his lips. "My grandmother tried her best to find a place for me to learn the sport, but it was all but unheard of in New York City. The closest I ever got to it was summer camp, where one of the counselors was an Olympic hopeful. I spent the whole summer learning everything I could from her. I've never competed, but I learned many of the skills. If this tub was just a bit deeper, I could show you my best moves," she concluded smugly. William's smile widened.

"Luckily for me," William said archly, "All my best moves can be done in shallow water." Lizzy screamed as William slipped under the water.

Some time later, Lizzy and William got dressed and made their way down to the kitchen, where they found a plate piled high with biscuits and a note indicating that Olivia had gone out for a walk. William sampled a biscuit while Lizzy put on water for tea.

"They're cold, but delicious," William said. "How long ago did she make these?"

"Knowing Olivia, hours ago. She likes to bake first thing in the morning. I expect," Lizzy said, glancing at the clock, "That she'll be back at any moment." But at that moment, Olivia's mind was far from considering a return to William's house. She was wandering through the orchards of the Fitzwilliam estate, and Richard was telling her of the different kinds of fruit the trees produced. Olivia reached into her pocket for her gloves and realized that she'd left them back at the house. Richard noticed that she was getting cold and suggested that she come into the house for a while. He led her to a back entrance and the pair slipped into the kitchen, which was abuzz with dinner preparations. Richard quietly asked a young woman--one of several chefs and wait staff hired for the day--to prepare a cup of tea for Olivia. The woman looked askance at him for a moment, until the Fitzwilliam's live-in cook appeared.

"You heard Mr. Fitzwilliam, Tess, make some tea. Would you like anything with that, sir?" he asked pleasantly. "Perhaps a little Danish, or a scone for the lady?" Richard looked at Olivia, who declined the sweet. Richard led Olivia into the morning room, where he found his parents enjoying breakfast.

"Mother, dad, I'd like you to meet my friend, Olivia Crenshaw. Livy," he said, using the name he'd often heard Lizzy use, "These are my parents." The resemblance was striking. Kathleen Fitzwilliam was a tall, handsome woman who might just as easily have been an older sibling. She was casually, but elegantly dressed and she graciously welcomed Olivia into her home. Hugh Fitzwilliam--known as "Old Fitz"--was also tall, solidly built, and his thick hair was liberally peppered with gray. In no time Olivia began to feel as though she had known both of the Fitzwilliams all her life.

"How long have you and Fizz known each other?" Kathleen asked eventually.

"Fizz?" Olivia smiled. Richard lowered his head and blushed. His father slapped him on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"He's been 'Fizz' around here since was he three years old. We were in Scotland visiting my mother and took Richard and the girls to church. Afterwards he was introduced to the vicar, who asked him his name," Hugh laughed.

"I said Richard Fizzwillem and I've been 'Fizz' ever since," Richard finished sulkily. He didn't mind being called Fizz, but he minded hearing the story retold frequently. Only his mother and maternal grandmother called him Fizz these days; his two older sisters had long since given up tormenting their little brother with the name. He slumped in his chair, arms folded, looking very much like a petulant three year-old. Olivia, sitting opposite, began to laugh at him. Richard arched a brow, but soon joined her in laughing. Kathleen and Hugh exchanged a glance and returned their attention to Olivia with a new interest. A servant entered the morning room and had a word with Richard. He nodded to the servant, who handed him a cordless telephone.

"Good morning, Lizzy."

"I was wondering if you had kidnapped my friend again. She appears to be missing."

"Guilty as charged. Really, Bright Eyes, you should watch her more carefully," Richard grinned as Olivia looked at him quizzically. "Would you like to speak with her?" He handed Olivia the telephone.

"Good morning, Lizzy."

"Can't stay away from him, can you?" Olivia tried, but was unable to prevent the blush that suffused her features.

"I went out for a walk and--."

"Oh, there's no need to explain yourself. Just remember these four words: "I told you so!" And before Olivia could say another word, Lizzy hung up. Olivia handed the phone back to Richard, still blushing.

"I'd better get home and change," she suggested, and Richard sent for their things. After saying her goodbyes to the Fitzwilliams, Olivia followed Richard out to the car.

"She's not the prettiest girl I ever saw him with," Hugh began.

"If you mean that she's not a gold-digging, vacuous, surgically-enhanced bimbo, no," Kathleen deadpanned.

"Oh, Richard never got seriously involved with any girl like that. They were what Will always referred to as 'practice'," Old Fitz chuckled. Kathleen cast him a withering glance.

"Well, if you ask me, both Fizz and Will have gotten far too much 'practice' over the last few years. It's high time both of them settled down." She picked up the magazine she had discarded when Olivia and Richard had come in. "I like her very much."

"Me, too. But from what I understand, Richard still has a thing for the woman Will's seeing now." Kathleen furrowed her brows and shook her head. "But this Olivia seems like the kind of woman who can make a man forget a lot of things." Kathleen gave her husband of thirty-six years a warning look.

"I never did quite understand that whole mess. But don't start booking a wedding planner yet, Hugh. Richard said that they were just friends." Hugh reached out and took Kathleen's hand. He took off his glasses and smiled.

"So were we, Kath, until the day I proposed." The sparkle in his eye was very reminiscent of his son's. Kathleen smiled, and gently withdrawing her hand from her husband's went into the dining room and made a few changes in the seating arrangements. She moved Olivia's card from its place near Lizzy's and William's to a position on Richard's left. Satisfied, she returned to the morning room and poured herself a second cup of tea.

Richard deposited Olivia at William's front door. She waved goodbye and went inside. Lizzy was waiting for her in the entrance hall, a smug expression on her face.

"Anything you'd care to spill, yet?" Olivia passed her by and headed for the stairs.

"Nope," Olivia replied calmly as she headed up the stairs to her room. Everything she might have told Lizzy was all too new, too elusive to put a finger on. Olivia pulled off her coat and sat on the edge of the bed. She kicked off her shoes and laid back. The tugging at her heartstrings that had begun the first time she laid eyes on Richard was almost palpable and she tried to suppress every inclination she had to follow them to their logical conclusion. She sat up again and laid out the facts: Number 1- Richard Fitzwilliam was handsome, charming, sexy, wealthy, endearing, and very available. Number 2- Richard Fitzwilliam was in love with her best friend. Olivia threw herself back on the bed and covered her eyes.

She knew that Richard was trying his best to get over Lizzy, but the previous evening had revealed to her that his efforts were not yet entirely successful. As animated and lively as he'd been at the restaurant, he was almost a different person from the moment he walked into the media room and saw Lizzy cozily lying in William's arms. He had been very careful not to let his discomfort show, but as a keen observer of human behavior, Olivia had picked up on the change in his demeanor instantly. Her heart went out to Richard; he was trying very hard in the face of enormous adversity. But Olivia cautioned herself not to feel too much for the lonely man. She repeated the vows she had made to herself on Tuesday night at Lizzy's: "I will not try to rush him into anything he isn't ready for, and I will not allow myself to fall in love with a man on a rebound." Her decision reconfirmed, Olivia pulled off her sweater, tee shirt, and jeans and headed for the shower.

Lizzy followed Olivia upstairs but resisted the urge to persist in her teasing. She went into her room--actually the master bedroom--slipped out of her jeans and tee and pulled out her outfit for the Thanksgiving gathering. She began to think about how to style her hair and was standing before the mirror considering her options when William came out of his dressing room buttoning his shirt. His playfully nudged Lizzy aside with his hip and looked in the mirror. Lizzy nudged him back and resumed her position. William kissed the top of her head and retreated to select a jacket, while Lizzy began dressing.

"This reminds me of when I was a kid," he said when he returned a minute later. "My parents would be preparing to go out for the evening, and I would lay in their bed and watch them standing at the mirror adjusting their clothes, or putting on cologne," he smiled wistfully.

"I bet your father never gave your mother a hip check," Lizzy quipped as she drew on her skirt.

"Sorry," William said as he put his hands around Lizzy's waist and took up the task of fastening the skirt for her. "I guess I'm not used to sharing this space. Not that I couldn't get used to it," he hinted with a kiss to the nape of Lizzy's neck. Lizzy leaned against him for a moment, and fantasized about having her own children watch her and William preparing for a night out. A slight tug on her hair brought her back to reality. William had begun to brush Lizzy's hair, something that he loved to do for her and something that always made her feel very pampered and loved. Lizzy sat down on a chair and William continued to stroke her hair. Lizzy suddenly lost all desire to meet the Fitzwilliam clan.

"Can't we just stay here like this forever?" she sighed. William smiled.

"You must be reading my mind." He put the brush aside and ran his fingers through Lizzy's lustrous curls, which fell into an orderly froth around her face.

"Richard told me..." Lizzy hesitated, realizing that invoking Richard's name still slightly irked William, but she pressed on. "Richard said that you rarely use this house. Why not? It's lovely."

"It's a great old house," William concurred, "But it's really too big for one or two people. Besides, it hasn't really felt like a home to me since my parents died. Gee lived with Uncle Fitz and Aunt Kathy until she got out of high school, so when I came home to Greenwich I usually stayed with them. I still do."

"Well, I think you ought to use it more. If you spent more time here, it would feel more like a home," Lizzy said as William pulled Lizzy to her feet and sat down before pulling her into his lap. She put her arms around his neck and looked into his deep brown eyes. William uncharacteristically averted them and he buried his face in her neck as he answered.

"It'll take more than my being here more often to make this a home again. It needs life, it needs vitality, it needs new blood, an infusion of...something," William exclaimed, wanting to tell Lizzy exactly what he meant, but hesitating to press his suit. After their problems of the last several weeks, William and Lizzy had agreed to take things more slowly. William leaned back in the chair and held Lizzy tighter. He wished he never had to move from that spot. With Lizzy by his side, any place felt like home. William knew that Lizzy could do for an eighty-year old house what she had done for him: she could breathe live into it.

"Lizzy," he murmured as he ran his lips along the tip of her ear. She shivered slightly.

"Hmmm?"

"Come up and spend Christmas with me here." Lizzy sat up a bit, but William refused to release his grip.

"I'd have to speak with Jane. We haven't made any plans yet, but--."

"She can come, too. And Charles. We can all spend Christmas here together." William said, warming to the idea. "You want me to spend more time here. I'd be willing to do that if you're here with me." Lizzy agreed conditionally, pending Jane's approval, and reluctantly, they rose and went down to await the others.

Georgiana was already downstairs. William and Lizzy found her looking into the large mirror in the entrance hall and adjusting a diamond stud in one ear. Lizzy and William complimented her outfit and they all went into the living room. After a few minutes, Lizzy impatiently went up to find out what was taking Olivia so long. She tapped lightly upon Olivia's door and then opened it. Olivia was fully dressed, in a velour ensemble the color of amethyst. She wore silver at her throat and ears, and her hair, which had previously been straight, now formed a curly cap around her head. Lizzy had the distinct impression that Olivia had been pacing, although she was standing still when the door was opened.

"Oh, is everybody ready?" Olivia asked as she turned and reached for her coat, still on the bed. She picked up her scarf and gloves and headed for the door, but Lizzy barred her way.

"What's wrong, Livy?" Olivia was surprised by the question.

"Wrong? Nothing!" she managed. Lizzy crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nervous about meeting Richard's family?" she smiled.

"No, actually, I met his parents this morning. They're lovely people." Olivia gazed back at Lizzy and sighed. Lizzy grew serious.

"Really, Livy. What is it? You look as if you're going to the gallows instead of to a family gathering." Olivia pulled on her coat.

"If you had more family, Lizzy, you'd realize that there is often very little difference between the two." Olivia moved purposefully, and Lizzy backed out of the door.

"But you aren't going to your family gathering; or is there a little something you've neglected to tell me?" Lizzy teased. Olivia ignored her remark and strode down the stairs. Afraid that she'd teased her friend too far, Lizzy fell silent. William was waiting for her with her coat by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs. She put it on without a word and followed the others out to the car.

Continued In Next Section