The Beginning, Section II
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Chapter 19 Posted on Saturday, 16 March 2002
Lizzy couldn't even tell how she had endured the rest of the wedding, or who had driven her home. Once she had arrived at her flat, she had withdrawn to her room and cried for some hours before she had written a long letter to Jane - not intending to send it, for she hadn't even a PO box, but merely to lift the weight off her shoulders a bit.
The next morning, she found a letter in the mail. The handwriting was oddly familiar, and the envelope stated only her name, but no address.
Lizzy opened it and took out several sheets of paper and a second, smaller envelope. When she saw the firm male handwriting, she intuitively knew who had sent the letter - and the rose for Valentine's Day.
Elizabeth,I know that I am probably the last man in the world who you want to have contact to at the moment, but please do me the honour of reading my letter.
I fear that last night's argument was to not a small extent caused by misunderstandings on both sides, and I shall attempt to rectify some of them.
First, I will give you a faithful narrative of all my dealings with George Wickham. George's father was my father's business partner and friend, and George and I grew up together almost like brothers. We were best friends as children, went to school together, and eventually both enrolled at Cambridge. I am afraid that George soon spent more time with gambling, sports, and women than with his studies. In our third year, George's father was involved in a fraud scandal. It later turned out that Mr. Wickham senior was indeed the victim and not to blame. However, the same could not be said for his son. George had borrowed company's money - as he later claimed, in order to set up a newspaper. Fortunately, he was found out before any contracts were signed, and my father decided not to press charges against him. The money, however, was never discovered.
Alas, this was not the last time that George Wickham caused my family grief. Soon afterwards, my own father died, and I, as the executor of his last will, paid George Wickham's university fees for the rest of his studies plus a generous allowance. George took the money, but did not go back to university. He told me that he intended to begin a career in the church - as much as I wanted to believe him, I couldn't. However, I was not prepared for what he then did. My sister Georgiana is more than 10 years younger than I am, and when the fraud scandal took place, she was only 14. George Wickham convinced her that he was in love with her and talked her into beginning a modelling career with him as her manager. He then told her that he needed cash for the first photographs. George convinced my sister to withdraw money from her bank account, her savings deposit, and her stocks. Fortunately, she was far too young to do business, and the bank contacted me immediately. I went to the Ramsgate bank, where I found a devastated Georgiana. She confessed the whole of her dealings with Wickham to me. The man himself had already left, and I thought it best not to press charges in order not to put any more pressure on my sister. Georgiana has been very shy ever since that incident, and I often blame myself for not having spent more time with her after our father's death.
As to your sister and Charles: did you really think that I'd manage to separate somebody as deeply in love as Charles from your sister? Surely you overrate my abilities. No, Charles merely asked me for my advice on a rather personal question. I'm afraid, he once again did things 'the Bingley way' as my sister and I have called it; that is, without informing your sister about the reason for his departure. I have to confess that I have my share of guilt in this as well, because I suggested that he'd better wait until Valentine's Day to talk to Jane. Judging from your sister's hasty departure, I fear that Charles has not had the opportunity to speak with her yet. I do not want to spoil the surprise, but I think I can safely promise you that Jane will be very happy once she has talked to Charles.
Maybe I ask too much, Elizabeth, but my sister has wished me to include an invitation to her birthday party on April 7. Georgiana sincerely wants to meet you, and although I could very much understand if you had not the slightest inclination to come, I beg you not to blame my sister for what I might have done to offend you.
Yours,
Will Darcy
Lizzy once again broke into tears. How could she have made so many mistakes in so short a time? She re-read the letter many times until she had memorised its exact wording. Her mind reeled. Stupid girl! I should've known not to trust George after Mary King! I could've known that he is a ... No, I'd never thought he'd stoop that low!... Why does Will's sister like to meet me? And, come to think of it, how does she even know about me? Okay, probably Will has talked about me. But then, he's repulsed by my whole family ... What had George said? I fear I must say that she has turned out to be very much like her brother, very proud and haughty. Yes, that could be a reason, she's probably great friends with Caroline Bingley. - No, no, I've learnt my lesson. I won't jump to conclusions, but believe Will that his sister is really a shy girl in want of some friends.
After those contemplations, Lizzy wrote a short letter to Georgiana informing her that she'd love to come to her birthday party.
When she had finished her writing, she put the note aside and took another piece of paper. She let her mind wander while she drew on the sheet. After some minutes, she looked at the paper again. It was covered with small 'W's. I don't have to be Freud to interpret that. Lizzy thought. But on the other hand ... why did I draw that? Gaah, now I hate him so much that I even think about him!
However, being, deep deep down, an analytical person, Lizzy employed a technique she had used from childhood on, when she had had her first crush - on Gary our builder, of all people! she remembered with a shudder.
She folded another piece of paper in the middle, and on the left side she wrote:
What I like about Will Darcy:
He's honest... or seems to be so, anyway.
successful
...therefore rich - no, actually that should go to the dislikes - the very rich think they can afford to give offence wherever they go!
he's loyal
loves his sister
loved me once
is highly intelligent
he writes uncommonly fast
great dancer
tall
oh, those curls...
...and eyes...
...and chest...
...and backside...
gorgeous, simply gorgeous...
STOP IT!!! NOW!!! ...I'd better get to the dislikes
What I hate about Will Darcy:
he's arrogant
rich (see above)
proud
haughty
doesn't like my family - would be odd, surely, if he did!
not nearly smiles enough
acts like he's got a giant gherkin- you know where
should reconsider the length of his sideburns
thinks all women melt into submission when he merely looks at them
...well, that's what they do do...
So. That's settled... Lizzy glanced at her watch and suddenly realised that she'd be late to collect her sister from the airport. Very late. She hastily stuffed the letter to Georgiana into an envelope, addressed it and put a stamp on. On the walk to her car, she dropped it into the mailbox, then exceeded several speed limits to get to Heathrow on time.
Chapter 20 Posted on Saturday, 16 March 2002
Lizzy was staring intently at the metal slide door, where hundreds of passengers carrying children, suitcases, and straw donkeys were coming out. Had she known before that her mother wanted to pick up Jane as well, she'd stayed at home or talked Mrs. Bennet out of it. As it was, she was standing in a small crowd made up of both her parents and all of her sisters, except, of course, for Jane.
"Dear passengers! Due to insuperable technical difficulties, flight number BA 192 from Toronto will be delayed for approximately fifteen minutes."
"No, no, Lizzy! Lizzy! Where is that girl? Lizzy, is that Jane's flight?" Mrs. Bennet cried animatedly.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is, Mama," Lizzy confirmed and changed an exasperated look with her father.
"Such inconvenience! And poor Jane! What agonies she must be suffering! After all, she hasn't seen her family for ages!" Mrs. Bennet now hurried off towards the next counter to complain to an airline employee.
"Well, I believe some people would give a fortune for this opportunity." Mr. Bennet observed, then gave a small sigh. "Sometimes I think she takes delight in vexing me."
Lizzy smiled at him sympathetically. "Well, to quote my favourite cousin, I'd say that misfortunes, we are told, are sent to test our fortitude, and may often reveal themselves as blessings in disguise."
Her father grinned at her. "I think that the whole glazing process didn't agree with him, too many solvent vapours - But maybe he's right - after all, I'd not have you and Jane if I hadn't married her." he smiled at Lizzy warmly.
Before she could say something, they were again interrupted by the shrill voice. "And then he said, guess what he said then... This tangerine-tinted buffoon dared to tell me, ME, that delays happen! What do you say to that?" Mrs. Bennet shouted, furious over the BA employee's behaviour.
"Mama, I'm sure they do everything they can. Let's just sit down and wait," Lizzy tried to calm her down.
"This is most seriously displeasing! Indeed, I am quite put out!" Mrs. Bennet remarked.
"Perhaps you should take a turn about the hall. It's so refreshing." Mr. Bennet said with an earnest mien.
Mrs. Bennet eyed him quizzically, but the thought that he was teasing her didn't enter her mind. "Yes, perhaps I should..." she trailed off, then left to buy herself another Milk Tray. Mr. Bennet took the opportunity to head for the nearest bookstore. Lizzy sent off Mary to fetch her sisters, who were intently flirting with some army officers.
She herself sat down on one of the metal chairs and leaned her head against a pillar. Lizzy closed her eyes for some moments and took deep breaths. When she opened them again, she saw a tall dark-haired man hurry towards the check-in counter. Her heart began to beat faster and she was about to jump up and run towards him why do I want to run towards him? I don't like him. Don't like him at all., However, when he turned round, she saw that he was only an actor on his way to Rome.
Her revelations were suddenly interrupted when all of her family came back to where she was sitting. Mrs. Bennet grabbed her wrist and dragged her off towards the arrivals gate, since, apparently, Jane's flight was about to come out.
After some minutes, which seemed like hours in Mrs. Bennet's company, Jane eventually appeared, beaming with happiness. She embraced each of them, and while Mrs. Bennet sorted out her luggage, she took Lizzy's arm and led the way towards the parking lot.
"Mary! Take a suitcase as well! - Not the black one, stupid! No, no, the green one! Quick -" were the last words Lizzy heard of her mother's commanding tone. They had decided that she should drive Jane, while her parents should take the luggage. They'd all meet at Lizzy's and Jane's flat, where they would have lunch.
When Lizzy drove out of the parking lot, she shot an inquisitive glance at her sister, who was smiling brightly. "Well?"
"Well?" Jane retorted.
"I believe we must have some conversation while I drive." Lizzy grinned.
"You talk by rule, then, when you drive?" Jane retorted.
"Oh, come on, Jane! You know that I want to know why you're so appallingly happy."
"Oh, Lizzy, you'll never guess what has happened. Charles Bingley has sent me a letter! In Canada! It turned out that he had inquired after our lodging, and even found a way to get a letter through to us! I am so happy!" Jane beamed.
"And I'm happy for you, Jane, but won't you tell me what was in the letter?" Lizzy remarked a little impatiently.
"Charles, he ... he asked me on a mini-break!" Jane cried. "To a lovely hotel somewhere in the country where we can go boating on a lake and recite Keats to each other... He said that Will had recommended it, as he'd spent a great holiday there."
At this information, Lizzy grabbed the steering wheel tighter and whispered a "I'm so happy for you, Jane!" Will ... Will recommended it ... Now I've even got it from Jane! He really didn't try to separate them ... What must he think of me? I tell him off while he's been so kind to Jane and Charles! Oh no, I've made a complete idiot of myself! ... Wait a minute! Who did he go on holiday with? Surely not Caroline Bingley, that dirty b***. And why am I suddenly interested in his travel plans... or what he thinks about me? After all, I don't like the man, right? Lizzy's thoughts were interrupted by the screeching of brakes as she'd nearly hit a woman pushing two prams.
Chapter 21 Posted on Saturday, 16 March 2002
Once again, Lizzy was driving to a Darcy birthday party. Only that this time, neither her sister nor Charlotte were accompanying her. The former, because she and Charles were enjoying their mini-break, the latter simply because she hadn't been invited. So, Lizzy had to do the navigating herself and nobody to keep her company. To avoid falling asleep over the steering wheel, she had brought along several audiobooks. Since she was alone, she could declaim the whole text along with the cassette; a habit that usually drove Jane crazy.
When she finally arrived at Pemberley, she was glad to get out of the car. She had only stopped twice to go to the loo and stretch her legs. After all, what's 200km of good road? I call it a very easy distance, she thought while she rotated her hips and felt the numbness in her backside. She didn't notice that her little dance was observed by as many as three people. Four, if you count the valet.
Two of the observers immediately went towards the door to greet their guest. The third, who had parked her car that very moment, quickly ran (or hobbled, due to her four-inch heels) after Lizzy and arrived at the door the moment it was opened.
"Hello, Elizabeth. Glad you could come. Oh, and hello Caroline." Will added when he eventually had to avert his eyes from Lizzy. He gave Caroline a quick and covert once over, then his eyes widened in shock. She seems to have forgotten her skirt! he wondered while his sister and Lizzy were thinking exactly the same.
When Caroline had discarded her jacket, however, they all noticed her Lycra hot pants - one couldn't miss them since they were flashing green, contrasting interestingly with her orange top. So her skirt is off sick! Will smiled to himself.
When her brother gave her an encouraging nod, Georgiana took a deep breath and welcomed the guests to her party. Lizzy impulsively liked the girl, and remembered Will's warning that she was very shy. To make Georgiana feel more comfortable, she thanked her for the invitation and was about to ask her what music she liked when they were interrupted by Caroline.
"Oh, Georgiana! You've so much grown since I last saw you! You were then but... what, fourteen?" she cooed while she tried to cling to Will's arm.
"Fifteen. She was then but fifteen." Will replied calmly and extracted his arm from Caroline's un-ladylike clutch.
"Anyway, Will, what do you say? Don't you think she's as tall as me?" Caroline wasn't the least discouraged and took hold of Georgiana's arm instead.
"I believe she is now about Elizabeth's height, or a little taller." Will said nonchalantly.
Caroline was startled for a second, but recovered fast. "No, surely, she must be taller. There is a sort of elegance about her, a certain something in her air, her manner of walking, that only a limited number of women possess... Really, Georgiana, you must start on a modelling career!" Caroline added the last bit as if the idea had struck her at that moment. "I can give you some addresses and advice."
Lizzy saw Georgiana grow even paler, and Will's expression change to furious bordering on uncivil. Before he could ask Caroline to leave, however, Lizzy began to speak. "My father has always said that only those women become models who have nothing to say, or else they'd be actors."
At this point, Caroline was the one to become pale (with a slight orange hue, though, to match her top), while Will and even Georgiana suppressed a grin.
"Well, Georgiana, I know I'm probably not in the position to propose this, but would you do me the honour of opening my present now?" Lizzy quickly changed the subject to prevent any more of Caroline's comments. Georgiana agreed eagerly, and lead the way towards the terrace where some other guests were already talking. When Lizzy turned to follow her, her eyes caught Will's, and he gave her a look that made her knees turn into orange confit.
When they had arrived outside, Lizzy stopped dead in her tracks. From the terrace (which, by the way, was about twice as big as her whole flat), one had a perfect view over Pemberley's grounds. Lizzy quickly closed her mouth again and was about to step over the threshold. Then, however, she felt someone's breath in her neck and a deep voice murmuring behind her, "So, do you like Pemberley?" Unable to say anything - surely because of the beautiful landscape; it's got nothing to do with Will breathing down my neck -, she simply nodded.
Feeling her cheeks start to turn purple, Lizzy quickly went to Georgiana. "Happy birthday, Georgiana!" Lizzy smiled at the younger woman, then handed her the present.
When Georgiana had opened the small box, she first looked puzzled, but then flung herself at Lizzy. "Thanks so much! This is the funniest present I've ever got!... Well, of course your presents are very entertaining, too, Will." she quickly added with a grin at her brother.
Will was perplexed. His sister had never teased him before... well, at least not in the last two years and in public. And, come to think of it, she had never embraced another person except for Mrs. Reynolds, Richard, and himself, either. Curious, Will picked up the box and took out its contents.
A cookbook by Marco Pierre White, a glass of marmalade, and a ball of blue string? Was that all? Will was nonplussed. Yeah, I'd never have thought to give her that.
Lizzy grinned wickedly at Georgiana and started, "Well, I've heard that you are a great cook and take pleasure in nothing else!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Georgiana cried, "I deserve neither such praise nor such censure! I am not a great cook and take pleasure in many things!"
"You prefer cooking to eating? Singular!" When the two women broke into hysterical laughter, Arthur Hurst wondered if he'd actually managed to make a joke for the first time in his life.
Not able to be outdone long, Caroline shoved her brother-in-law aside and thrust a packet into Georgiana's hands. "Now open my present!" she demanded in a trilling voice.
"I ... um ... thank you." Georgiana replied, then undid the orange strings that held together the packet.
"It's nice ... What is it?" she asked confusedly when she had extracted her present. It looked remarkably like a dead pheasant.
"It's a hat, see?" Caroline took it from her hands and held it the other way round. True, it was an orange hat adorned with enormous pheasant feathers.
"It's ... it's..." Georgiana began weakly, but really couldn't think of an adjective that fitted this creation.
"...Elegant. Very elegant." Lizzy supplied and was rewarded with a pleased smile from both Georgiana and Caroline, though for slightly different reasons.
Caroline quickly demanded that Will show her the new keyboard he'd given Georgiana as a present, and as the host the only thing he could do was to lead her towards the music room.
When they had disappeared, Lizzy and Georgiana both let out their breath and grinned at each other.
Georgiana had obviously waited for an opportunity to talk to Lizzy, and immediately started on what seemed to be a rehearsed speech. "Well, don't you think that Will's new haircut makes him look so much better ... so much less arrogant. He's had his sideburns shortened, you know. But of course the hairdresser did nothing to his great curls." Georgiana looked shyly and expectantly at Lizzy.
"Ah, um ... really? That's good..." Lizzy was at a loss what to say. Georgiana Darcy and shy? I shall as soon call her brother extrovert! When Georgiana continued, Lizzy felt the first pangs of realisation.
"Well, I'm so glad to have Will as a brother! I couldn't imagine a better or a kinder one. - I guess your family is very agreeable, too, once one knows them better - You know, Will is always honest, and so intelligent ... and successful. Sure, he's rich, but that doesn't mean that he's arrogant or haughty. It just means that he can afford more than other people. Last year, for example, he'd given me a holiday as a present, at this great hotel in the countryside, with a boating lake just behind the house ... Will is just shy. But when he's at home, he does smile a great deal, and even though I am his sister I think I can say that he's a very attractive man. But I'm sure you've noticed that." Georgiana smiled at her.
Lizzy nodded distractedly. "U-huh." Then it hit her: Oh my God! The list! She felt her face go pale, then once again purple. This feels like a bad novel! The heroine can't even write something that is to be kept a secret without five other people reading it as well! And I've always thought that this is a particularly bad way of plot advancement!
"And he doesn't even like gherkins, and-" Georgiana was crying after her when Lizzy excused herself to go to the bathroom.
Surprisingly enough, she quickly found a bathroom. When she was on her way back to the terrace, however, she heard voices from the adjoining room. Curious, she walked in, only to find three women sitting on a sofa. The youngest of them looked very pale and thin and apparently suffered from a bad cough. Next to her sat a middle-aged woman who appeared to be her nurse or similar. The eldest of the women instantly reminded Lizzy of the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel, probably because she had all the looks of a witch, though no gingerbread.
When the 'witch' began to inform the other women of the best apothecaries in England, Wales, and Scotland, Lizzy quickly left the room, thankful that she hadn't been spotted.
Back on the terrace, she walked towards Richard, who was apparently in charge of the barbecue.
"Hi, Liz! Want a tuna steak?" Richard asked her, then kissed her on both cheeks. "What brings you here?"
"As my mother would say: I've been invited, silly!" Lizzy grinned at him and accepted the plate he'd offered her. "Georgiana has sent me an invitation." She decided to tell him as little as possible about how exactly she had gotten the invitation, and therefore changed the topic.
"Rich, I've just been inside, and there are three women sitting in the living room. The oldest looked really scary. Do you know them?"
Richard chuckled, then started to explain. "Well, the scary one's my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The other ones, I guess, are my cousin Anne and her governess Mrs. Jenkinson."
Lizzy briefly mused about the need for a governess in the 21st century, then a thought struck her. Richard's cousin. Will is Richard's cousin, too. Then this Anne ... ohmigod! She's Will's future bride! And Lady Catherine his future mother in law ... Lizzy could not help but grin at this idea.
"And why don't they come outside?" she asked, then tasted another bite of the tuna.
"Weeell," Richard began, "Aunt Catherine's a bit peculiar about that. She claims that the weather doesn't agree with Anne."
Lizzy interjected, "But it's sunny! And warm!"
"Yeah, and that's her point. Anne could catch a sunburn!" Richard smiled awkwardly.
Lizzy shook her head and thanked her lucky stars for her own mother. "So ... I won't ask why they came here if they mean to sit inside all day, since she's Georgiana's aunt ... but shouldn't somebody bring them something to eat? It's really delicious."
Richard grinned at her. "Well, that's another of my aunt's peculiarities. You see, she doesn't eat any grilled food. Afraid of the benzopyrenes. You know, the stuff that forms when the fat gets too hot... tells us so each time we make a barbecue." Richard sighed. "And before you arrived, she's just had a big row with Mrs. Reynolds, Will's housekeeper." Richard fell into a perfect imitation of his aunt. "'William! Your gravy needs sieving! Tell your housekeeper so! I am excessively attentive to these details!'"
Lizzy chuckled. "Just like my mother!" Before Richard could ask her if Mrs. Bennet preferred sieving or stirring, they were interrupted by Will and Georgiana joining them. No, actually, it was Georgiana hurrying over and dragging her bedazzled-though-pleased-looking brother behind her.
"Elizabeth! There you are! I'd almost given you up for lost!" Lizzy wondered if Caroline Bingley had already rubbed off on Will's sister. Then she looked from Lizzy to Richard. "Do you know the Colonel?"
"Colonel?" Lizzy looked confused.
"Yeah, you know, since I'm in the RAF, that's my nickname..." Richard became unusually embarrassed for such a harmless explanation.
Lizzy eyed him dubiously, and her suspicions were confirmed by Will's next words.
"Ah, but that's not what you got the name for, Colonel." He grinned at Richard's obvious discomfort.
"Will, you can't mention this in front of a lady -" Richard tried to deflect.
"Come on, Rich, we're in 21st century. I'm sure Elizabeth would like to know how you got your nickname." A look at Lizzy confirmed this.
"Well, it was at Charles' 21st birthday, all his family, sisters, and everyone were there, as well as my sister and Richard's siblings. Richard was really drunk, and then, it was at midnight, right?" Richard shot Will a look that could have killed. However, Will was not in the least discouraged and went on. "Well, at midnight, somebody put on a Status Quo CD, and Richard started to strip to In the Army Now."
Lizzy couldn't help but laugh out loud at this story, especially as Richard was by now intently watching his shoelaces.
"At least Fitzwilliam isn't my first name!" Richard pouted, then grinned wickedly as Will contemplated the terrace's floor tiles.
Lizzy could comprehend why he preferred to be called Will and, reluctantly had to admit how cute Will looked when he was embarrassed.
"Talking about dancing ... Will's just said how he enjoys dancing, and I can remember that Richard's told me that you're fond of it as well!" Georgiana beamed, obviously proud of her smart transition. "So, why don't you dance together?" she suggested with an angelic look on her face and pointed towards the French doors. Will shot her a murderous glance. Lizzy saw that they led into a ballroom where several couples were already waltzing.
"Well, why don't you dance with your brother?" Lizzy asked suspiciously.
Georgiana faltered. "I ... um, ah ... my foot hurts." she eventually burst out.
"Ah, I see ... Maybe you should sit down with your aunt inside, then." Lizzy proposed with an innocent smile. Richard and Will grinned, while Georgiana mumbled something about instant recovery. While Richard was teasing Georgiana, Will seized the opportunity and asked Lizzy to dance. What surprised her was that she accepted without thinking.
When they were in the ballroom, Lizzy contemplated her bad luck. A slow song! Again! Then she spotted Caroline Bingley talking to - no, actually being lectured by - Lady Catherine in the adjoining room. Well, there are worse fates than dancing with Will Darcy. Her embarrassment, however, reached unknown heights when she suddenly realised that she actually enjoyed their close dancing position. Wait a minute! I don't like him, right? Right? Hello-o!
While her mind fought out this issue, she lifted her head up to face him, determined to make conversation. All of a sudden, her mind went blank, and she was about to get lost in his dark brown eyes. The feeling of his hand on the small of her back didn't facilitate thinking either. Aloof, unavailable ice queen!
So, with a slight tremble in his voice, Will was the first to speak.
"I believe we must have some conversation while we dance. A very little will suffice." he looked at her somewhat shyly.
"You talk by rule, then, when you dance?" a smile crept onto Lizzy's face.
"Occasionally, yes - That is, when I am too distracted to think of a topic..." Will noticed the blush on her cheeks, a sign that she'd interpreted his remark exactly as it had been meant.
"I guess I should ask you then if you've read any good books lately." Lizzy found back into her usual teasing manner and replied with a cheeky grin.
To her utter amazement, he smiled back at her. "I have indeed." he replied as if he was taking part in a capital radio phone-in.
"I gather you've read my present?"
"Yes, I have, it was nice ... more than nice." Now it was Will's turn to blush furiously when he remembered exactly how nice it had been...
Lizzy marvelled at the man before her. Will Darcy blushing? I'd better take a photo... that's a totally brand new, new-born sight...
Will was suddenly afraid that she'd guess just how much he had enjoyed the read, and quickly changed the topic. "Actually, Georgiana reproached me for telling the truth about her cold." he said, but the amusement in his eyes showed that he was neither annoyed nor afraid. God is he handsome when he smiles, Lizzy thought. Gaaahhh! Why did brain think such thought? After all, I hate him, right? Right? Okay, I shall conquer this! Inner poise! Inner poise!
"Well, she insists that I tell everyone that she'd been facing a life sentence in a Thai prison cell," at this, it was Lizzy's turn to giggle, "but, I confess I don't get the joke behind it. Maybe you could inform me?" he smiled invitingly at Lizzy.
Catching the look on his face she was wondering what exactly informing him comprised, and also what this strange fluttering in her stomach was all about. Must've been the gravy, surely. Lady Catherine was right, they should've sieved it ... She suddenly became aware that Will was looking at her expectantly, obviously waiting for an answer.
"Well, I'm afraid, I have to put it off till your next birthday..."
For the second time, Will turned beetroot red. Touché. He once again wondered if Elizabeth Bennet could read his thoughts, and only managed to mutter, "And, ehm, what about Christmas?"
At this, she grinned at him broadly. "I'm sorry, but I've already bought this lovely tie to give you for Christmas. I hope you like snowmen."
To her surprise, Will grinned as well. "As long as it isn't a reindeer jumper ... I've already got one of those..." When Lizzy gave him a wary look, he elaborated. "Georgiana knitted one for me in HomeEc, long before they became fashionable." They both burst into laughter, and the other guests, especially Caroline Bingley, who had apparently managed to escape Lady Catherine, eyed them suspiciously.
All of a sudden, they were interrupted by a servant. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Your sister Jane is on the telephone and insists on speaking to you." the servant managed to say while steadfastly ignoring Will's murderous look.
Chapter 22 Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
Reluctantly, Lizzy drew out of their dancing position and followed the waiter into a small study. She instantly knew that if Jane called her there and then, it had to be a minor catastrophe.
"Jane! What's happened? Are you well? And Charles?" Lizzy asked as soon as she had taken up the receiver.
"Yes, we're well. Lizzy, turn on the TV. DNN. I'm sorry I can't talk at the moment, but I'll call you later." Jane hurriedly said, then the line went dead.
Noticing the TV in the corner, Lizzy switched it on. She immediately sunk into a chair when she looked at the screen.
"...yesterday morning. The prime suspect, George Wickham, is charged with fraud and tax evasion, and suspected of seduction of minors. The police are also investigating the involvement of fifteen-year old Lydia Bennet. According to her relatives, Miss Bennet had come to Mr. Wickham's modeling agency with the intention of being photographed for her set cards, but has gone missing for 38 hours now. The perpetrators are said to have fled to Portugal, but this rumour has yet to be confirmed. Live for DNN, this was Bridg-"
Lizzy switched off the TV set, then sank back into the chair. Tears were running down her cheeks now, and she searched her pockets in vain for a handkerchief.
Then she saw an immaculate white linen handkerchief being handed to her. While she was drying her tears, Will paced the room.
This is unnerving! ...but unbelievably sexy ... Gaah! My sister's turned into a common criminal and gone missing and I fantasise about Will Darcy! Lizzy only caught Will's last words. "... prevented it."
When she didn't answer, he guessed that she was too agitated at the moment, and began again.
"I imagine you'll want to go home as soon as possible. I will get my driver to take you back to London." he offered, then left the room before she had even time to protest.
"Hill! Hill!" Lizzy heard Will calling for his driver.
Lizzy gathered her jacket and bag, then quietly made for the front door. Before she could escape unnoticed, however, Georgiana came towards her.
Georgiana's questioning look obviously demanded an explanation. "I am really sorry, Georgiana, that I have to leave your birthday party that early. I ... My ... My sister's ill. I have to go back to London. Please excuse me." Lizzy knew she didn't make sense, but there was no way she could tell Georgiana the truth. At least not yet.
Georgiana sensed that it was wiser not to inquire. She gave Lizzy a sympathetic smile. "I hope we'll meet again soon. Ah, yes, and I believe this is yours. I dare say it needs some editing, though." With this, she put a piece of paper into her hand.
Lizzy put the paper into her pocket right in time before Will opened the front door and told her that his car was ready. She thanked him once again, hugged Georgiana goodbye and went outside to where a black Mercedes was waiting. If you have to travel alone, travel in style. Lizzy smiled weakly to herself, and sat down in the back of the car.
During the long drive to London, Lizzy had enough time to edit her list, as Georgiana had suggested.
To the like-column were added:
helpful in moments of crisis
has great sense of humour
so handsome when he smiles
cute when he is embarrassed
unbelievably sexy in his barrister mode (though not even clad only in a towel!)
owns a reindeer sweater (yeah, the difference in one's attractiveness a sweater can make...)
The dislike-column, after much crossing out, looked like the following:
rich - that's more like a fact, not a reason to dislike somebody
doesn't like my family - natural reaction
never wants to see me again because of Lydia's involvement with Wickham
Lizzy had underlined and circled the last point on her list several times till her tears started to flow again.
Eventually, she gave the driver the directions to her parents' house in Grafton Underwood, where she knew her presence would at least be appreciated by Jane and her father.
Chapter 23 Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
Two weeks later, Lizzy was still living in her old room at her parents' house. Jane had had to go back to London to work, but Lizzy had decided that since she didn't have any jobs that couldn't be put off, she owed it to her father to stay.
During this time, she had tried to phone Will several times, but each call was answered either by his housekeeper, his sister, or the mailbox, and each told her that Will had had to travel abroad due to urgent business.
His business wouldn't have been quite so urgent if he didn't want to avoid me ... Probably if somebody else had called him, he'd be available ... Lizzy mused. She had toyed with the idea to let Charles call him, but then decided that this really must look very desperate. And it's not that I want to talk to him or anything ... Just want to apologise for my leaving early... Ah, to heck with it! Who am I trying to fool? I simply cannot bear to think that he is alive in the world and thinking ill of me. Lizzy finally admitted the truth to herself.
Exactly sixteen days after Lizzy had moved into her parents' house, a cab drove up to the building. Kitty had been the first to spot the taxi, and by the time it had stopped, the whole Bennet family was gathered at the doorstep. Out of it stepped - no, actually stumbled - Lydia.
"Oops! Mind your step!" Lydia giggled to herself, then addressed her family. "Oh, hi everyone! Daddy, d'ya have money for the cab? I'm stone broke!" she grinned, then started to giggle again. While Lydia was embraced by Mrs. Bennet and ushered into the house, Mr. Bennet was left to pay the driver.
When Mr. Bennet and Lizzy finally made it into the living room, Lydia was in the middle of unpacking her suitcase, apparently to show them her new wardrobe, purchased in Portugal.
"So, how was your holiday?" Mrs. Bennet boomed.
Lizzy had to stop herself from rolling her eyes, and watched her father doing the same. She was about to tell her mother that running away with a middle-aged criminal could hardly be called a holiday, but decided that it would be fruitless to argue with Mrs. Bennet.
"Oh, Lord, I'm so fagged! Portugal was sooo great. And Julian thinks I've got great potential!" Lydia replied smugly.
"For what?" Lizzy asked in horror, nearly choking on her tea.
Lydia, however, obviously hadn't caught the full meaning of her sister's question, and answered proudly. "For modeling, of course. You know, George, he said that if I can't make it in Portugal, I can't make it anywhere. And he was, like, sooo sweet. He even introduced me to Julian, a top-notch photographer. Imagine, he's done actors, models, and everything before, and he agreed to make photos of me! Me!"
"And why shouldn't he?" Mrs. Bennet replied confidently. "I always said that you couldn't be so beautiful for nothing! - Oh, I must call Hilda! She'll be so envious!" Mrs. Bennet cried, then headed towards the phone in the hallway. Mr. Bennet, likewise, excused himself, obviously to retreat to his library.
"So, where are your photos?" Kitty finally exclaimed curiously.
"Ah, it's such a pity! I told George that I wanted to have them, you know, to show the girls in my class, ha, how envious they'd be ... but then Will insisted on burning them! All of them! And the negatives!" Lydia cried out, almost close to tears.
Lizzy had to grab the armrests for support. "Will? What Will?" she asked in a croaky voice, waiting for and at the same time fearing the answer.
"Will Darcy, of course." Lydia replied matter-of-factly. Then she put a hand to her mouth, apparently embarrassed. "Oops! I wasn't to say a word!" she giggled. "Promise me you won't tell anyone!"
Will Darcy! Lizzy's mind reeled. What did he do in Portugal? And how was he involved? Before she could ask her sister, they were interrupted by a cry from Mrs. Bennet.
"Quick! Turn on the TV! Hilda's just told me they're showing something about Lydia!"
Lizzy grabbed the remote control and switched the TV on. Sure enough, there was a live coverage from Portugal. A reporter was standing in front of a police station, where George Wickham was frog-marched out of a car and into the building.
"This morning, the prime suspect George Wickham was arrested on a beach near Lisbon. Police had received an anonymous tip-off and caught Mr. Wickham in the act of selling forged pearl necklaces to an English tourist. His partner in crime, Portuguese ex-convict Julian Trueba had managed to escape. A police spokesperson confirmed that Mr. Wickham and Mr. Trueba had furthermore taken nude photographs of young women of their acquaintance. They had then blackmailed the women and threatened to show the pictures to their employers or relatives. "
Lizzy switched the TV on mute. Oh my god! Lydia could've been ruined ... We all could've been ruined - not only financially. George Wickham is a b******!... Her thoughts were interrupted by Lydia.
"You know, close up he looked almost purple." she said in a confidential whisper and glanced at the TV screen, where at that moment a police portrait of Julian Trueba was shown.
"Such a shame that Will burned all the photos!" Lydia lamented to Lizzy. "There was a great one, where I slid down a fireman's pole ... Really loved that one..."
Lizzy's eyes widened in shock, and she was thankful for Will's thoroughness. But how much money must he have spent on the whole case... How are we ever going to repay him? Before Lydia had time to tell her more about the lost photographs, Mrs. Bennet came back into the room.
"... and Hilda was sooo envious when I told her about your trip to Portugal! But why did you come back, darling? You should've stayed there and caught yourself a rich husband! Just think of all the-" Mrs. Bennet's face glowed.
"Police officers? Is that what you'd wanted to say?" Lizzy asked sardonically. Her mother was incorrigible.
"Yeah, I know, I didn't want to come back, either, but W-... somebody told me it was better, you know..." Lydia trailed off.
"Ah, never mind, you can go back in your summer break! And maybe we all can come, too!" Mrs. Bennet trilled excitedly.
"Only over my dead body! None of you is going to leave this house except for work and grocery shopping!" Mr. Bennet said in a low, but dangerous voice.
Lydia and Mrs. Bennet rolled their eyes in unison, both knowing that arguing would be fruitless, then headed up the stairs to unpack Lydia's suitcase, Kitty following close.
Mr. Bennet and Lizzy exchanged a resigned look, then the first went back to his library, while Lizzy went to pack her suitcase, glad to be able to move back into her flat.
Chapter 24 Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
When Lizzy got back to her flat (in her car, which had been brought by one of Will's employees the day after Georgiana's party), she found Jane and Charles on the sofa. Lizzy formed the resolution to make as much noise as possible when she got home the next time. Okay, she knew her sister well enough to be sure that she'd never find the two of them in a most unorthodox position, stark naked, at it like rabbits... but then, she nevertheless felt slightly uncomfortable interrupting them.
On seeing her sister, Jane immediately jumped up from the sofa and embraced her.
"Lizzy, he ... Charles has asked me ... We're getting married!" she beamed.
"Oh, Jane, I'm so happy for you!" Lizzy said, then added in a whisper, "I always knew that a mini-break means true love." Jane blushed while Lizzy embraced and congratulated Charles, who grinned from ear to ear.
When Lizzy sat down, Jane immediately turned serious and asked her about Lydia. Lizzy began to explain the events in Portugal, but Jane quickly assured her that she and Charles had also seen the news report. After they had shrugged their heads several times over their mother and youngest sister, they quickly changed the topic, and Jane informed her sister about the wedding plans.
Three hours and two bottles of wine later, Lizzy's mind was full of wedding cakes, guest lists and flower arrangements. Jane had apparently already planned everything, so Lizzy had merely insisted that no strawberry punch would be served and that her dress as maid of honour wouldn't be made of furnishing fabrics, to which Jane, puzzled, had agreed.
Eventually, Jane and Charles left to plan a bit more at his place (well, that's what they'd told her...), and Lizzy was glad to be alone at last. She lay down on the living room sofa wearing her favourite flannel PJs, and grabbed the book she was currently reading. She had resolved earlier on that she would not think about Will Darcy, Portugal or wedding plans, and so she'd settled on reading.
When she turned the page, however, she realised that she had no idea what she'd just read. And this is supposed to be the greatest book of our time? Angrily, she threw the novel on the couch table.
Okay, TV evening, Lizzy conceded. She switched the TV on, only to look at Will Darcy's face. Apparently, he and Georgiana had been to a literary launch at the Pemberley Press, talking to Salman Rushdie and Lord Archer. When a blonde woman climbed the stage, asked for everybody's attention, and failed to turn on the microphone, Lizzy quickly switched channels.
She immediately changed to another station when she saw Glenn Close being murdered in the shower. Fatal Attraction. Just what I need...
Oh no! Not Will Darcy again!, Lizzy silently exclaimed in frustration. Featuring in a report about "The Media World's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors", they showed him in one of his flats; at DNN headquarters; riding a horse; during a fencing lesson;...
"Oh, shut up, Britain!" Lizzy swore at the TV and switched it off. One minute later, she changed her mind and decided to watch the report, merely to find out about the public opinion about Will, of course, not because I fancy him or anything, but it had already turned to the second place, an editor-in-chief with a posh voice and a bad character.
Frustrated, Lizzy decided that the most sensible thing was to go to sleep, even though it was only eight pm. She went into the bedroom and crept under the covers. After about half an hour of turning round and round and round, she lay flat on her back, staring up to the ceiling. Lizzy was determined to think of nothing, as this had to be the fastest way of falling asleep.
Her mind, however, didn't agree, and she soon found herself thinking about Will Darcy... how he strode around Pemberley's study... clad in nothing but a towel...
With a start she sat up straight in bed. Gaah! Why am I thinking of Will Darcy?... And I've never seen him wearing a towel ... oh my! what an idea, though!...
Sensing that sleep wouldn't come fast, either, Lizzy got up and got ready for the emergency plan. She went into the living room again, took a videotape and put it into the VCR. So! My favourite video! At least that'll keep me entertained...
Lizzy got up from the sofa only once to get herself something to drink and to change the video for part two.
Mmhh, beautiful grounds ... such a great portrait ... Ohmigod! What is he doing here? We must leave here at once! Lizzy nearly cried out when she watched a figure emerge from the pond at Pemberley. Upon seeing his face, however, she realised that he was ... Will Darcy... clad in tight breeches and a revealing wet shirt... Ooh, he looks great wet ... that's almost better than the towel...
Lizzy woke with a start from her pleasant dream when the shirt had taken on a pink hue, and her thoughts had wandered to the other man she'd recently seen in a wet shirt. I'll never be able to enjoy strawberry punch again! she felt with regret, then rewound the videotape to her favourite scene.
Chapter 25 Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
The next morning, Lizzy was woken by the doorbell. She got up from the sofa, where she'd fallen asleep the previous evening, and headed towards the door. Lizzy pushed the buzzer, certain it would be Jane who had forgot her key again. When she opened the door, however, she almost let out a shriek. Before her stood the 'witch' from Georgiana's birthday party, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, clad in a dark red floor-length dress, with something that looked remarkably like a dead fox hanging round her neck.
Without a moment's hesitation - or, in fact, a greeting - the woman pushed her aside and entered the flat. "Oh, ah ... Lady de Bourgh, please do come in." Lizzy muttered dryly.
Lady Catherine headed towards the living room, then stopped dead in her tracks. Lizzy watched her look around the flat with pure disgust written on her face. "You have a prettyish sort of little wilderness in your flat, Miss Bennet," she eventually said in an icy voice.
Lizzy surveyed the room, for the first time noticing clothes that were lying around, the coffee mugs and magazines that occupied every spare surface, last night's wine glasses, and the layer of dust that had settled onto her bookshelves.
"Well, you've surely not come to clean." she mumbled to herself.
"What? What did you say? I must have my share in the conversation!" Lady Catherine exclaimed, then shoved two magazines, a pair of jeans and a bra off the sofa and sat down.
Yeah, do take a seat ... My home is your home ... Lizzy thought grimly, then sat down opposite her.
Lizzy was about to offer her a cup of tea - politeness winning over hostility - when Lady Catherine suddenly started to speak. "You are far too young to be my nephew's wife!" she exclaimed indignantly.
Lizzy couldn't trust her ears. "What?"
"Don't say 'what', say 'pardon'!" Lady Catherine corrected her. "Has your mother never told you that?"
Lizzy thought that, no, her mother had never made a remark like that. In fact, she had never paid much attention to her language at all.
Lady Catherine, however, went on. "As I have already said: You are far too young to marry my nephew. My own daughter Anne will marry Fitzwilliam. They have been destined for each other since their birth, and this marriage will not be thwarted by an upstart... but I digress. You may have managed to become my nephew's mistress, but you will never become his wife!"
Lizzy was infuriated. "Excuse me! First, I am not his-" she caught herself "first, I don't see why this is any of your business. Secondly, if your daughter and William are indeed engaged, then I am sure Will would never dream of breaking the engagement."
When Lady Catherine did not respond, Lizzy guessed enough of the truth to continue.
"Am I right that your nephew has never agreed to marry your daughter?" Lady Catherine's mien said enough.
"So, should your nephew and I decide to marry then we will most certainly do so. Who are you to interfere?"
Lady Catherine was flabbergasted for a moment. Then she narrowed her eyes and continued in a quiet, but sharp voice. "You give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?"
"I am twenty-four." Lizzy responded in a similar tone.
Lady Catherine gave her a once-over before she spoke. "Really? You look much older. Your face is so ... brown, and your complexion so coarse, and your hair ... Have you ever had a look at your hair?"
Lizzy could barely contain her anger now. She took a deep breath, then forced herself to calmness. "It is strange that one moment you consider me too young for your nephew, and now I am suddenly too old ... except for my age - and my hair - are there any other oppositions you have concerning your nephew and me?"
Lady Catherine apparently did not notice the sarcasm in Lizzy's voice. "Yes, indeed I have. First of all, what are your accomplishments? Can you draw and sing? Do you speak any foreign languages? Have you been trained in ballroom dancing, horse-riding, -"
Lizzy interrupted her. "Excuse me, but this sounds like the job description of an entertainments officer, not like requirements for marriage!"
"I have not finished yet. These are the minimum requirements for any woman who is about to marry into the Darcy family ... My Anne would have been a true proficient in all of those, had her health permitted her to learn." Lady Catherine trailed off. Suddenly, she caught herself and went on.
"Anyway, you are no way his equal concerning fortune, social standing, or education. You cannot have to say anything more on this subject. The idea of you marrying my nephew is quite ridiculous!"
Lizzy smiled at herself for a moment, then started to speak in a controlled voice. "If this idea is as ridiculous as you say, then I do not see why you have come here to talk me out of it. As to your other arguments, I can only say that if your nephew is not offended by them, then they can be nothing to you!"
"Do you know who I am?" Lady Catherine boomed.
"Yes, I know exactly who you are. You are his aunt, and not his mother or his legal guardian. Will is old enough to make choices in his life, and if he doesn't want to marry your daughter, you will have to accept it." Lizzy smiled quietly at her. "Well, I believe you have insulted me in every possible way now. You could not have anything else to say to me. Good-bye. I believe you will find your way out."
Lady Catherine was shocked. Nobody had ever thrown her out of their house in her whole life. She turned on her heel, and on headed towards the door. On the threshold, however, she stopped, turned round sharply, and spoke once again. "So, will you promise me not to marry my nephew, or engage in any intimate relationships with him?"
Lizzy was so angry, she nearly shouted at the woman before her. "I won't promise you anything of the sort. I marry who I want, and I don't have to ask for your permission to shag who I want!"
At this, Lady Catherine's eyes widened in shock, but she recovered quickly enough. When she bounced down the steps, her voice could be heard in the whole building. "I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously -" with that, the main door shut behind her.
Lizzy slowly walked to the window, curious to see if a person with nineteenth-century opinions like Lady Catherine would travel in a carriage. She was stunned when she watched Lady Catherine sit down at the bus stop across the street.
Chapter 26 Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
About a week after Lady Catherine's unexpected visit, Jane and Charles's engagement party took place. Mrs. Bennet had insisted on having it at her house, no doubt because that allowed her to invite her closest twenty or so friends, who'd all be envious of her daughter's good catch. Jane and Charles had agreed, simply because that permitted them to exclude exactly these people from the wedding.
The whole party was arranged as a garden party/buffet, no doubt because Mrs. Bennet had thought the New Year's Day buffet an original idea and a huge success. My mother - a strange creature from the time when a gherkin was still the height of sophistication. Lizzy mused as she stood with her parents and the happy couple to welcome the guests. She was on the point of making a dash for the loo when she saw Georgiana and her brother arrive.
Georgiana gave Lizzy a big hug, then Jane took her arm to introduce her to her sisters and parents. Lizzy wished for the earth to open up, but again, she had no luck.
"Thanks for inviting me." Will said quietly.
Lizzy looked up into his dark eyes and felt all thoughts leave her brain. "I didn't. It must've been my parents." Oh s***! Did I just say that? F***! Next year's New Year's Resolutions: Stop talking, full stop!
"Right ... I'm sorry." Will mumbled, then went to congratulate Jane and Charles.
Lizzy fought the urge to bang her head against a wall - merely because she couldn't stand the thought of having to renew the striped wallpaper in her parents' living room in case she damaged it.
Lizzy took several deep breaths, then looked about the room for somebody to talk to. Somebody whom she wouldn't offend straight away, that is. Mary and Kitty were showing some CDs to Georgiana, who looked perfectly at ease in their company.
Lydia was sitting in a corner, reading. Lizzy was stunned for a minute, then remembered that Mr. Bennet had forbidden her to speak until she had finished a book. Well, not a book; with Mary's help he had chosen Fordyce's Sermons. Lizzy smiled to herself and once again tried to come up with jobs where talking wasn't a prerequisite.
Jane and Charles were talking happily to Mr. Bennet. Lizzy thought of joining them when she saw Caroline Bingley and her sister Louisa standing next to them. Lizzy's eyes involuntarily wandered towards the improvised bar, where, sure enough, she found Louisa's husband holding a CD in his right hand and a bottle in his left. Aha! Arthur Hurst chose Vodka and ... Chaka Khan?!
Had Charlotte been there, she could at least have made fun of Caroline Bingley's golden see-through blouse. However, after Mr. Bennet had received a five-page letter from Mr. Collins, it had been decided not to invite them to the engagement party. Three pages of said letter mainly circled around the question why he, Mr. Collins, had not been asked to perform the wedding; listing first his general reasons for marrying (other people, that is), and then for his particular choice (Jane and Charles). One page was speculating about Lizzy's apparent relationship with Will Darcy, and the remaining space was evenly distributed between insults and threats that one day, the Bennets' house would belong to himself ... Nobody could make out the meaning of the latter, however, also because the vicar's handwriting had become almost unreadable by then.
All the time, Lizzy avoided to look at the one person she really wanted to talk with. When she cast a quick glance at Will, she found him deep in conversation with her own mother and one of her aunts! Will was apparently laughing at one of their jokes and didn't look the least offended. In fact, his expression looked much more pleasant than it had done when he had greeted her.
Lizzy was about to follow Arthur Hurst's example, when she heard a male voice next to her.
"Isn't it terrible about Chechnya?" Richard asked her, then handed her a glass of champagne.
"Chechnya? I couldn't give a f***, Richard." Lizzy grinned at him, then followed his gaze to where Caroline Bingley was standing. "Bizarre what some men find attractive."
Richard chuckled, then leaned in and spoke in a confidential whisper. "If only! Caroline Bingley hasn't had a proper date in years! She's the kind of woman whose major relationship is with a bottle of wine." When he saw Lizzy's raised eyebrow, he continued. "Believe me, about one year ago, we were all invited to Will's for the weekend, and Caroline became really desperate. On Saturday morning, she ran around his lawn with no clothes on, claiming that she'd forgotten her bikini. Will just gave her a strange look, then arranged for her to borrow one of Mrs. Reynolds' bathing suits. Imagine, she spent the whole weekend in a dusty pink granny outfit, looking like Miss Piggy on a mini-break!"
Lizzy was laughing so hard that tears were coming to her eyes. Gasping for breath, she asked. "So, Rich, you mean to tell me that she and Will never ... you know...?"
Richard quickly glanced at his cousin, then answered. "I think I can say with total confidence 'Absolutely not'. Since I've known her, she's had only one long-term relationship ... with some guy we only got to know as Simon in Marketing, but she ditched him when he couldn't even remember her name. Imagine, on New Year's Eve, he wished her a 'Happy new year, Brenda!'... In fact, Georgiana says that Caroline should've 'spinster and lunatic' tattooed on her head!"
Lizzy had another giggling fit. "What a gripping life Caroline does lead!"
Their conversation was interrupted by Mr. Bennet, who had prepared a speech for the couple, which was humorous as well as moving. Lizzy was glad that she had time until the wedding to prepare her own speech. She quickly looked at Will, who was staring intently at his hands, and felt that today she'd be an appalling public speaker.
After Mr. Bennet had finished, there was a little pause. This was obviously encouragement enough for Arthur Hurst to put down the Vodka bottle and chip in a little poetry of his own. Swaying slightly, he began to holler his limerick.
"There was a young woman from Ealing
Who had a peculiar feeling.
She lay on her back and opened her-"
A loud cracking noise could be heard when Arthur Hurst - completely pissed - passed out and collapsed onto his chair. He gave one final burp, then immediately started to snort. Most of the guests tried to hide their grins while Louisa Hurst broke into quiet sobs.
"When we first met, Arthur ... he gave the impression of being all moral, and noble, ...and normal, and helpful in the kitchen, but he's just as bad as the rest of them!"
Caroline Bingley gave her best to comfort her sister. "Louisa, it's not you, it's him ... he's just a big knobhead with no knob!" she said loud enough for most of the guests to overhear. Then she and her sister made for the bathroom in order to restore Louisa's make-up.
For the first time in her life, Lizzy didn't have to be ashamed of her mother. Mrs. Bennet suddenly decided to act the perfect host, started the music and asked everyone inside to dance. Apparently, Mr. Bennet had thought the same as Lizzy. He immediately took hold of his wife's hand and lead her to the improvised dance floor.
Lizzy grinned to herself, then nearly jumped out of her skin as a voice made the hair on her neck stand on end.
"Come, Elizabeth, I must have you dance! I must! I hate to see you stand about in this stupid manner!" a deep voice murmured into her ear. Lizzy turned round, smiled broadly, and let Will lead her into the living room.
She had to stifle a huge content sigh when she felt Will's hand on her back. To distract herself, she looked around the room.
"Will, don't turn round now, but your sister is staring at us." Lizzy whispered when she caught Georgiana's expectant gaze.
"Yeah, I know, I noticed as well. Apparently she's got that idea, that... that... you know..." he said, embarrassed.
Lizzy smiled and, once again, thought how cute he looked when he was flustered. "I think she's trying her matchmaking skills on us." Lizzy remarked casually, in an attempt to lighten the mood before she broached a more important subject.
Will gave her a relieved smile. "Yes, you're probably right. I guess it has something to do with the book she's currently reading, another Jane Austen."
Lizzy grinned, but then turned serious and took a deep breath. "Will, I haven't thanked you for all you've done for my sister and my family. Please let me do so now. I want to thank you in behalf of my family, who'd be grateful as well for your help if they knew the whole truth."
Will looked at her earnestly. "If you want to thank me, do so for yourself. I didn't think of your family when I did what I did."
Lizzy felt a fluttering in her stomach when she caught the implication. She smiled at him, and before he could say anything, started to speak.
"Will, you're too generous to trifle with me. I am ashamed of what I said to you in March, my judgments were based on ... pride and prejudice. Soon afterwards I felt differently for you, and I've realised that my feelings ... Will, I love you." she simply finished, overwhelmed by her sensations and her anxiety.
When he remained silent, Lizzy felt her hope sink. She bit her lip. "Will, I know it probably comes ... I could understand if you ... Could we just be friends?" she asked timidly.
At last, Will found his speech again. "Friends? No, I don't think so." Upon seeing her expression, he quickly went on. "It wouldn't work, because ... Elizabeth, I love you. In fact, I've never stopped loving you." Will whispered the last bit into her ear, then let his mouth travel over her cheekbone to her lips, finally sharing a deep kiss with her.
When they broke from their kisses, Will spoke again. "In fact, I was really angry at you in March... for about five seconds. Then I realised that you'd said nothing but the truth. Your words haunted me for months, especially once I'd realised their accuracy."
"Please, don't talk of my words any more, Will. I'm ashamed of what I said to you then. I didn't know the whole truth, but that can't excuse my behaviour. I-"
With that, Will kissed her again, partly because he didn't want her to cause herself any pain, but more so because he wanted to enjoy himself.
"Anyway, when my aunt called me some days ago, I had reason to hope again. I knew that if you'd wanted never to see me again, you'd surely have told her so instead of antagonised her."
Lizzy grinned embarrassedly. "Yes, you know me well enough to suspect that I'd be that impolite to your relatives... and I believe you're right ... In fact, I guess I wasn't very civil to your aunt."
Will smiled at her. "Do not make yourself uneasy. I know my aunt, and she's told me enough of your conversation to believe that she'd done nothing to deserve the title 'lady'." With that, he drew her into another long kiss.
"Even if I sound like a cliché: this is like a dream come true." Will smiled at her.
"Funny you say this, 'cause I've actually had a dream about you." Lizzy was not a little embarrassed when she realised what she had just said.
Will's reaction, however, was a feeling of pure pleasure. "I guess I have to confess that I've dreamed about you as well."
"Really? What was it about?" Lizzy quickly burst out.
Will was highly embarrassed by now and tried to deflect. "Um, ah, you go first ... Maybe we can make it come true?" he said as innocently as possible, although he wasn't very successful at that.
Lizzy grinned at him and spoke, hesitantly at first, but with a saucy smile. "Well, we need you, obviously, a white shirt - no problem here - but now comes the hard part. I'm afraid it has to remain a dream since you haven't got a pond at Pemberley, have you?"
Will smiled when he imagined the scene. "No, we haven't got a pond at Pemberley." Just as Lizzy let out a relieved sigh, he continued. "we have a pool and-"
Lizzy's eyebrows shot up. "A pool? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
"Christ, Lizzy, you sound like my aunt!" Will eyed her warily. "As I was just about to say, I haven't got a pond at Pemberley, there's a pool, and a lake... my aunt never tires of telling me that it's not a pond ... But I guess your dream works with any kind of water, right?"
Lizzy chuckled and blushed even more. "Ok, now it's your turn to tell me. How can we make your dream come true?"
Will gave her a broad smile. "You've done exceedingly well so far... Well, my dream's also got to do with ... clothing. Costuming, actually."
"Costuming?" Lizzy's eyebrows shot up, and a feeling of discomfort settled onto her. "I'd better tell you: Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence." she said with a mock stern expression.
Will was becoming somewhat embarrassed by now. "You don't happen to have a Regency dress, do you?"
"A Regency dress?" Lizzy grinned at him and watched him blush. "I'm relieved. I was fearing you'd think along bunny girl outfits ... Funny you ask, though. Yes, I happen to have one. Jane's made it for our last fancy-dress party. She went as Jane Fairfax, and I had to be ... Well, never mind."
"Not Frank Churchill?" Will looked at her dubiously.
"No, no, lord! Where do you get your ideas from? No, I was ... Miss Bates." Lizzy mumbled shamefacedly.
"Oh." Will didn't know what else to say.
He didn't need to say anything, however, because at that moment they were interrupted by Richard, looking very agitated.
"Okay, I'll have to do it now ... Will, I have to talk to you. I wanted to tell you this months ago, you know, when we met in that pub, but I ... Well, this won't be pleasant for you, but-"
"Rich, is there a chance that you'll come to the point before this song is over?" Will interrupted him with a lazy smile.
"If you'd just let me finish my sentence." Richard shot him a murderous look. "Ok, so what I wanted to tell you in that pub... Will, you can't marry Anne. I love her. I wanted you to be the first to know... we're engaged." Richard finally burst out.
Will and Lizzy both stared at Richard in disbelief. So he isn't gay after all?
"I'm happy for you, Rich, but why do you tell me? Go and tell Aunt Catherine!" Will responded coolly.
"So, do I have your blessing, then?" Richard asked eagerly.
Will answered with an arched brow. "Do you need my blessing?"
Richard looked confused when Lizzy started to giggle. "Yeah, I guess it would be useful. Since, you know, in case Aunt Catherine puts her foot down and tells me you're to marry her, I can tell her that you won't, and ... what's so funny?" he gave Lizzy a dark look.
Will smiled at him condescendingly. "You've got your line wrong! See, you should have said 'but it feels good to have it all the same!' Really, don't you ever watch anything except Blind Date?"
"Ah, right..." Richard gave them a quizzical look, then headed off towards the bar.
Lizzy and Will looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
Will was the first to recover. "I'd like to see you in it."
Lizzy's stomach made a funny little salto. "You mean the Regency dress, right?... Well, only if you put on that white shirt."
"I will, but I've got to inform you: Regency ladies don't think about wet shirts!" Will told her with a mock frown.
Lizzy replied in a similarly serious voice. "Oh yes, they f*ing do."
They looked at each other, then quickly headed for the door.
Epilogue Posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2002
"Now, about that bunny girl outfit..." Will grinned as they had reached his car.
"No way!" Lizzy chuckled.
"I'll put on my reindeer jumper." Will offered eagerly.
"I don't think so." Lizzy replied, laughing.
"Not even if I let you play in my paddling pool?"