Live and Let Die ~ Section I

    By Coleen V.

    Prologue: Tainted Love

    Posted on April 5, 2009

    "It's been difficult for poor Jack," Catherine de Bourgh said to her companion. "All of those fortune hunters throwing themselves in his way, doing anything to catch his notice." She sighed and shook her head sadly. "It really can be quite disgusting."

    Isabella Thorpe sipped her tea and nodded sagely. "Oh, I completely agree with you! It makes me ashamed to be a woman sometimes." And it does, she thought. There are much better and more respectable ways to catch a rich husband. It takes a cunning and intelligent woman…like myself! Too bad Jack thinks so highly of his godmother--I'm tired of having to coddle the old bag. Isabella batted her eyelashes and gave the older woman her best "innocent" smile.

    Catherine's eyes narrowed slightly at the other woman. She had heard much of Isabella from her godson in the past six months but had only met the woman at last week's charity ball. As soon as she laid eyes on Miss Thorpe, Catherine immediately recognized her for what she was--a fortune hunter. Jack was normally very good at spotting them right off but Isabella was even better at hiding her true intentions. Though try as she might, she could never fool Catherine. No, none of them ever could, she mused, because I know all the ins and outs, all the little tricks. After all I was one of that breed for many years myself…until I met Lewis. Catherine sighed. Now was not the time for old memories. She needed to deal with Miss Thorpe first.

    "Yes," Catherine replied to Isabella's earlier comment, "Too bad for them it's all in vain."

    Isabella frowned. "What do you mean Mrs. de Bourgh?"

    Catherine leaned forward with a conspiratorial air. "I don't mind telling you, my dear, because I know you are not one of those schemers." She paused dramatically and enjoyed watching Isabella squirm with impatience before continuing, "We don't really talk about it much because what the late Mr. Darcy did was positively medieval. It's also somewhat embarrassing for Jack. You see, I was made executor of George Darcy's will and I was given certain powers."

    "Oh?"

    "George was concerned that his son might be conned out of his inheritance and he was especially terrified of women! The late Mr. Darcy didn't want Jack to marry a fortune hunter and then lose half or more in a divorce. To prevent that, he made a stipulation in his will: Jack will receive his inheritance only if he marries a woman that I approve of. If not it will all go into a trust fund for Georgiana."

    Isabella's eyes widened slightly. Catherine was correct when she called the situation medieval! It was the most absurd thing she had ever heard of and it put a definite crimp in her plans. Isabella immediately began calculating how long it would take her to win the old lady's approval. She figured she was on the right path at least since Catherine so far seemed to trust her and be unaware of any mercenary motives. Isabella was so busy concentrating on new plans that she almost missed what Catherine said next.

    "… of course there can only be on choice for Jack in my mind. My daughter, Anne, is perfect for him. Beautiful, well-bred, and rich, she will never be a fortune hunter."

    Isabella gaped at the other woman. "You mean Jack has no say in this?" she squeaked in a most undignified manner.

    "Precisely. I am looking out for Jack's best interest. Oh, it's not as if he's being forced into marriage. He does have a choice: marry Anne or be penniless."

    Isabella quickly gathered her scattered wits. This new information put Jack out of the running as husband material and she felt it was time to extract herself from the situation. There were many other fish in the sea. She looked down at her watch and feigned surprise. "Oh dear! I didn't realize it was so late!" Isabella forced herself to smile at Catherine. "I'm sorry, Mrs. de Bourgh but I have to run. I have an appointment with my stylist and I cannot be late!"

    "Certainly, my dear," Catherine replied. "Thank you for coming over and chatting with an old woman. I found our conversation stimulating."

    The other woman merely smiled and nodded. "Thank you for inviting me over, ma'am." Isabella gathered up her jacket and scarf and bustled out of the room. She couldn't get away from the place fast enough. Six months! Six months wasted! Damn Jack! All that time and effort wasted. Now I have to find someone else… Hmmmmmmmm… I've heard quite a bit about Frederick Tilney… Isabella rushed out the front door and jumped into her car, her mind already plotting how she would pursue her next victim.


    Catherine watched the Thorpe woman drive away and then walked over to the telephone with a heavy heart. She did not look forward to breaking the bad news to Jack. She picked up the receiver and dialed in a number. It rang several times before Jack's secretary answered.

    "JGD Computers," a light voice answered. "How may I help you?"

    "Hello, Fanny," Catherine said. "This is Catherine de Bourgh. Is Jack in?"

    "Of course, Mrs. de Bourgh. I'll put you right through."

    A few moments later Jack was on the line. "Well?" he asked hopefully.

    "I gave her the song and dance about you having to marry Anne…" Catherine hedged.

    "And?'

    Catherine sighed. "I'm sorry, Jack. Believe me I really am." The line was silent for a moment. "Jack, are you there?"

    "Yes. I just can't believe it. Isabella didn't seem like the type…"

    "She's very good, Jack. If I had not have had a certain, ah…expertise in that area, she would have fooled me as well."

    "Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever meet a woman who doesn't want me solely for my money," Jack said bitterly.

    "Don't give up hope, my dear. Not all women are like Isabella."

    "And Lucy, and Frances, and Mary, and… I could go on for a good while, Catherine."

    "Jack…"

    Jack sighed. "I know, I know, don't be bitter about it. But it's difficult not to be once in a while. I better get back to work, Cathy."

    "Alright, dear, but don't bury yourself in a pile of paperwork. Go home and spend some time with Georgiana."

    "Yes, ma'am. And thank you," Jack replied before hanging up.

    "You're welcome," Catherine murmured as she put down the receiver.

    Chapter 1: You Spin Me Right 'Round

    The bell over the door of Bennet Books tinkled as a young woman entered, followed by a blast of snow and cold wind. She shook the snow out of her dark tresses, cursing the weather under her breath. An older woman in her late fifties walked out of the backroom and looked at the younger woman in surprise.

    "Good heavens, Elys," Gale Bennet exclaimed to her step-daughter, "I didn't expect to see you for another couple of hours!"

    Elysabeth Bennet smiled. "Neither did I, but school's cancelled for the rest of the day. They want to get the kids home before the storm gets any worse."

    "Is it really that bad out there?" Gayle asked. "I've been doing inventory all morning in the back and haven't noticed."

    "They're calling for ten to twelve inches of snow before tomorrow morning."

    "Oh dear… Should I cancel your father's doctor appointment? I don't particularly want to drive in this weather," Gayle said, gesturing out the window, "Especially since the county is broke and will only plow the main roads now."

    "I would," Elys shrugged. "The roads are pretty awful. Where is Dad anyway?"

    "He's at home. A sudden inspiration hit him and you know what he's like when that happens."

    Elys just shook her head. Kyle Bennet was a retired English professor. He had left his tenured position at Michigan State University to pursue his two lifelong dreams: to run his own bookstore, surrounding himself with the sight and smell of books, and the other of writing the world's greatest epic fantasy. "If it wasn't for the storm, you'd have to cancel the appointment anyway. You'd never be able to pull Dad away from his computer," Elys said.

    "I know," Gayle sighed. "Well, since we aren't going, I won't need you to close up the shop tonight."

    "Oh, go on," Elys replied. "Take the afternoon off. See if you can get Dad to join you and Kitty for dinner at least."

    "Kitty! Oh my lord, I nearly forgot! If school's cancelled, she must need a ride home!"

    "Don't worry, Gayle. I swung by the high school on my way home and picked her up."

    "Oh thank goodness! I don't know what I'd do without you, Elys. Well, if I'm going home to start dinner, will I be counting you in?"

    "Not tonight, thank you. I've got a beginners' class to teach."

    "Do you think anyone will show in this weather?

    Elys shrugged. "We've got a few die-hards who might. Besides, even if nobody does come, I can use the time to practice my forms. Anyway, give me a few minutes to run upstairs and feed the cat and then I'll be back down to take over. Ok?"

    "Alright," Gayle agreed as she watched her step-daughter disappear through a door that lead to the second floor of Bennet Books and the third floor that had recently been converted into an apartment for Elys.

    Gayle often worried about Elys. Even though Elys had a bachelor's degree in history and a teaching certificate, she seemed to be indifferent to pursing any type of career. Instead of looking for a full-time teaching position, for which she was well qualified, Elys was only a substitute teacher for Meryton County. In good times, she would have a job every day, but any other time, she was lucky to have two in a week. Elys supplemented her income by helping out at her father's bookstore and teaching martial arts at Longbourn Martial Arts Academy, which was owned by her uncle, Nicholas Gardiner. She also seemed to show no interest in the opposite sex. At twenty-eight, Elys never had a serious relationship or for that matter, barely even a date. When Gayle voiced her concerns, Elys would just shrug and say, "As long as I'm happy, what does it matter?" Gayle would agree but still privately worry.


    Elys leaned idly against the counter, flipping through a magazine and keeping an eye on the clock. It was near closing time and she was impatiently waiting for the moment when she could lock the door and run upstairs and change into her dobak. * Elys held a third degree black belt in taekwondo and a second degree in judo. She had been practicing martial arts since she was six and began teaching classes at age seventeen. She loved it and was often to be found at the academy most evenings.

    The clock struck seven and as Elys began to lock up, the door bell jingled as a man walked in. Elys stopped in her tracks, cursing under her breath. The beginners' class started in a half hour and she didn't want to be late. However, business came first.

    Forcing a smile, Elys greeted her customer. "Good evening, sir. How may I help you?"

    The man glanced haughtily around the store before his gaze fell on Elys. It seemed to take in and dismiss her all at once. "I doubt it," he replied coldly, "but I am looking for a certain book."

    Elys's smile stiffened at the man's imperious manner. "Well, we have plenty of books as you can see but it would help to know the title of the one you want."

    The man sniffed disdainfully. "I don't think you can help me at all. These books all appear to be romance novels."

    "Yes," Elys replied. "They're our bread and butter in this business but we do carry other genres on the second floor."

    "Do you have Portrait of a Lady by Henry James?" he asked, clearly expecting an answer in the negative.

    "American literature section, third shelf from the bottom. The staircase is at the back of the store," Elys replied promptly.

    The man stared at her. "It's customary for the sales girl to lead her potential customer to the desired item," he said with a sneer. "At least, that's what they do in civilized areas."

    Oh, snooty are we? Elys thought. He's probably from Detroit.

    Nestled in the southwestern section of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, the town of Longbourn was centered between two of the state's bigger cities, Lansing and Flint. It was about a thirty mile drive to each and more than an hour drive to Detroit. While it didn't offer much amusement in the way of larger cities, Longbourn was far from being a backwater, hick town. Many of its citizens commuted to the surrounding cities to work, which allowed them to enjoy a small town atmosphere and big town pleasures. Elys had learned over the years to spot a Detroiter from a mile off. They usually sneered at the population of Longbourn and all its pretention at culture. This man was definitely a Detroiter.

    The man's attitude irritated Elys from the beginning and she finally tired enough of it to tweak his nose a bit. She put on her most vacant expression, almost to the point of crossing her eyes slightly, and giggled inanely. "Well, of course! How silly of me!" she said, using a slight accent--a slight nasal twang that was common to rural Michigan. "We don't get no people here who reads all them fancy pants books like you city folk. We ain't got no fancy edycation here. I'm considered a genius ya know 'cause I regradyated from the seventh grade. Well now, follow me!" Elys had the pleasure of watching the man wince several times as she chattered brainlessly while she led him upstairs and to the desired book. "Will there be anything else, Mr….?"

    "Darcy. Jack Darcy," the man supplied, "and no, there's nothing else I need. Could I please just pay for this? I'm in a hurry." Jack said it almost desperately. The woman's accent and attitude grated on his nerves and he wanted nothing more than get away from this third-rate bookstore. Jack knew he should have gone to the Barnes & Noble in Lansing but had hoped to save himself a trip by staying in Longbourn. Clearly, it had been a mistake and he was being severely punished for it. Jack looked her up and down with a critical eye. He judged her age to be barely in the twenties and she was tall for a woman, being only a few inches shorter than he, with a pale complexion and dark hair. Her figure was obscured by the heavy winter clothing she wore, but from what Jack could see, she did not conform to the current standards of beauty. She was unremarkable in almost every way so he didn't even have the satisfaction of dealing with a woman well worth looking at. Yes, Jack certainly regretted coming here.

    So this is the infamous Jack Darcy, Elys thought. Owner of one of the largest computer manufacturers worldwide, JGD Computers. "Well Mr. Darcy, I do hope you enjoyed your shopping experience with us and if you need anything, then please come back," Elys gushed insincerely. "We aim to please at Bennet Books," she continued, enjoying the annoyance on Jack Darcy's face as she led him back to the stairwell, "and we pride ourselves in our selection. We've got the best romance selection around, let me tell you. You won't find better readin' anywhere else!"

    Jack grew more and more agitated the longer the girl continued speaking. As they started back downstairs, he noticed another set leading above the second floor and another door. Out of desperation to somehow stall the girl's annoying babbling, he pointed at the door and asked, "Are there more books through there?"

    "Heavens, no!" Elys answered. "That leads to the apartment upstairs."

    Jack sneered. "I suppose the owner of this establishment lives there. Better to keep an eye on business. How backwards."

    Elys arched an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong with wanting to keep close tabs on your business? Especially in this day and age with crime becoming more prevalent, even in a small town?" She dropped the country bumpkin pretence and glared at him.

    "So you can talk normal," Jack said with some relief.

    "Of course."

    "Why the act?"

    Elys took the book from Jack's hands as they walked back through the ground floor and over to the register. "One thing you will find, Mr. Darcy, is that in a small town, people like to be treated with respect, just like anywhere else. You treat us like hicks and that's exactly what you're going to get. Your total is $8.79. Would you like a bag?"

    Jack was confused by her abruptness, but decided as she had detained him long enough, to pay for the book and leave. As Elys handed him back the book, he put on his haughtiest manner and said, "Thank you for the entertainment. It was a delightful show, I'm sure. I suggest you put on a performance for the local carnival, but I doubt anyone in this town would believe you to be acting. Good night." He stopped at the door and added, "I will not patronize this store again." He turned and stalked out of the door, leaving Elys fuming behind the counter.

    Glancing at the clock, Elys realized she was going to be late and rushed upstairs to change. She considered going to her parent's house later on to tell her step-mother the entire Jack Darcy episode. As she walked outside, Elys left the decision for later. It would depend on the condition of the roads after class, whether or not she wanted to drive out there or not.


    Elys did stop by her parent's house after her class. Gayle was practically bursting with excitement as Elys walked into the kitchen, dropping her gym bag in the corner. "Have you heard the latest?" Gayle asked.

    Elys sighed. "No. What's happened now? Mayor Lucas was caught with a prostitute?"

    "Elys! Don't talk about Char and Jane's father that way! That's the way rumors get started in this town."

    "Alright, alright! So what's the big news?"

    "Jack Darcy moved back into the Darcy mansion about a month ago. He's brought his little sister with him and his business partner to stay as well. I'm surprised then news is just getting around--the cold must have all the old gossips hiding indoors."

    Elys scowled and rolled her eyes. Thinking back to earlier in the night, she had wondered why Jack Darcy walked into Bennet Books of all places, but if he was living in Longbourn, it explained a lot. "Great," she said to her step-mother, "Now we'll have all the local socialites chasing after Darcy and his friend. We'll get to see another episode of Who Can Catch the Richest Husband?"

    "Yes," Gayle laughed, "and you'll have a ringside seat for the first round. The Darcys have been invited to the opening show for Taming of the Shrew at Netherfield Theater."

    "Do I have to go?" Elys whined.

    "You would miss Kitty's performance as Bianca?" Gayle asked severely.

    "That's right," Elys sighed, "Yes, I'll be there."

    "You don't sound too excited. Is something wrong?"

    "Well… I already had a run-in with Jack Darcy and I'd rather not have to be around him again. He makes me sick."

    "You've met him already?" Gayle exclaimed. "What's he like?"

    Elys proceeded to tell Gayle the entire incident and waited to see her reaction. Gayle was torn between laughter and anger. She didn't like her step-daughter treating any customer badly, but Mr. Darcy appeared to have deserved it. He had no call to speak to Elys so condescendingly and the brunt of Gayle's anger fell on Jack Darcy. "He won't come back, will he?" she fumed. "Well, we've lived without his business before and certainly will without it! Overstuffed prig! I don't care if he's bringing jobs back into the community by building a computer factory here--he's no better than the rest of us and I'll be sure that everyone else knows it too!"

    "Gayle, please don't," Elys said. "The town will find out on its own, and I'd rather not be the basis of more rumors. Tell Dad and Kitty if you like, but make sure they keep quiet."

    Gayle thought about arguing with Elys for a moment but realized her step-daughter was right. "Fine," she replied. "I'll keep it to myself. Now," she said changing the subject. "Have you eaten yet?"

    "Not since lunch."

    "Well, I'm going to make you a hot meal before you go home."

    "Gayle! I can have a sandwich later and besides, it's too late for a meal."

    "No arguments, young lady!" Gayle replied as she pulled several items out of the refrigerator. "You will have dinner. You don't eat well enough as it is."

    Realizing it was futile to argue, Elys gave in. "Fine. Thanks, Gayle." The rest of Elys's visit was spent talking over her busy schedule for the rest of the week and Kitty's latest high school escapades.

    *dobak--uniform worn by taekwondo practitioners

    Chapter 2: You Are the Photograph I've Never Seen…

    Posted on April 12, 2009

    Georgiana Darcy walked into her brother's study and collapsed ungracefully into one of the chairs across from his desk. She stared at him silently as he worked on his laptop. His handsome face was frowning in concentration, and he occasionally flicked back his long, glossy black hair as he worked. "How come you hardly ever leave your hair down, Jack," Georgi said. "It's beautiful--much prettier than mine."

    "Shouldn't you be doing your lessons with Mrs. Annesley?" Jack asked, not looking up from his work.

    Georgi shrugged as she hooked one leg up over the armrest. "It's lunch time. And you didn't answer my question."

    Pulling out a hair tie and quickly tying his hair back, Jack answered, "Because it often gets in the way and it doesn't look as neat when it's down."

    "So why leave it long then?"

    "Because I like it that way."

    "That doesn't make any sense."

    "It doesn't have to," Jack said as he closed his laptop and looked up. "I think I'll join you for lunch so why don't we bother Mrs. Reynolds for some food?"

    "She's bringing some sandwiches in soon."

    "Good. Georgi, will you please sit up straight? It's not dignified to slouch like that."

    "Yes, Mom," Georgi grumbled as she complied.

    A few moments later, Mrs. Reynolds brought in a tray of cold meat sandwiches and a pitcher of milk. "Will you require anything else, sir?" the housekeeper asked.

    "No thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. This looks delicious."

    "Thank you, sir," Mrs. Reynolds replied with a smile. She tidied some papers on Jack's desk and looked around the room in satisfaction before leaving.

    Jack smiled at his sister. "I don't know what we'd do without her," he said, taking a sandwich. He leaned back into his comfortable leather chair. "So how are your studies coming?"

    "Better if Caroline wouldn't interrupt us every five minutes," Georgi replied. "Mrs. Annesley is getting rather annoyed. Why do the Bingleys have to stay with us? I don't mind Chase--he's very nice but Caroline is a pain in the rear. Doesn't she ever do anything besides whine about how bored she is?"

    "You know very well why they're here. Chase is helping me set up the new factory and their living here is only temporary until Chase can decide on house of his own. When he moves out, Caroline will be going with him."

    "Good," Georgi said. "I'm tired of talking constantly about movie stars and musicians. A little bit is fine but we don't even like the same people. I could care less about what Brangelina is doing and how much of a diva Miley Cyrus is acting like. Why doesn't Caroline get a job?"

    "Because she wants to marry a rich man and do nothing all day. Working is most unladylike to her."

    "Marry a rich man? Not you, I hope!"

    "No, not me," Jack replied with a grim smile, "But I do think that's what Caroline's aiming for." Not really wanting to talk about love and marriage, he changed the subject. "How's your book?"

    "I don't like it much," Georgi grimaced. "I wouldn't be reading it if it wasn't part of my curriculum. I'm not fond of American classics and Henry James is a bit too dull and introspective for my tastes."

    "I'm sorry to hear that," said Jack, "especially after all the trouble I went through to get it. You wouldn't believe the clerk at the local bookstore--real piece of work, that one." He went on to describe yesterday's episode in great detail.

    "You know, Jack, you can be a jerk sometimes," Georgi said after Jack had finished talking. She loved her brother dearly, but didn't share his sense of superiority he held towards other people in general. Georgi knew it was due, in part, to his taking over and successfully managing a very lucrative company at an early age after losing both their parents in a car accident. That they both had been born into wealth and privilege was another factor, but Georgi had always been better disposed towards her fellow man than her brother.

    "Georgi!" Jack exclaimed at her remark.

    "Well, you are! I can guess at how you acted as soon as you stepped foot in that store and you probably irritated the poor girl to death. "

    "I swear, I didn't do anything!"

    "Yeah right," Georgi muttered and then a little bit louder, said, "I better get back to studying. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Annesley wants to speak with you before she leaves for the day."

    "Do you know what about?" Jack asked, willing to let the previous exchange slide. He hated arguing with his sister.

    "I don't know--she just asked me to pass on the message."

    "Fine. I'll be around for the rest of the day anyway."

    "I'll tell her then," Georgi replied as she left the room.


    Later that afternoon, Mrs. Annesley knocked on the study door and entered the room. "Mr. Darcy," she said.

    Jack stood up from behind his desk and gestured towards one of the chairs. "Mrs. Annesley, please have a seat." He waited for her to get settled before saying, "Georgi said you wanted to speak with me?"

    "Yes. Mr. Darcy, may I be frank with you?" Mrs. Annesley asked. When he gestured for her to continued, she drew a deep breath and said, "It's about Georgi."

    "Is she having problems with her schooling?" Jack inquired with a worried frown.

    "No! Nothing like that. Georgi is an extremely intelligent girl and a pleasure to teach."

    "Well, what is it then?"

    "It's just that in the short time I've known her, Georgi doesn't seem to get out much. She doesn't have any friends and whether you've noticed it or not, she's a very lonely girl, Mr. Darcy."

    "Georgi has me," Jack replied, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his desk. "And she has a few girlfriends from her home schooling basketball team back in Grosse Point."

    "Yes, but you're more of a father to her. She need some friends her own age, someone isn't an authority figure. And as for those other friends, they'll do her no good this far away from Grosse Point, sir. She needs someone here."

    "Frankly Mrs. Annesley, we have a problem then. Meryton's fairly isolated and there's no home schooling association here to encourage social activities among the kids. I realize it's not healthy for Georgi to be alone so much but I'm at a loss as to what to do," Jack sighed. He flicked back his ponytail in irritation. "I realize I should have taken care of this sooner, but I've been so busy, I completely forgot. Do you have any suggestions?"

    "As a matter of fact I do," Mrs. Annesley said with a smile. "I've looked through the Yellow Pages and Meryton offers a few of activities that might interest a young person." She handed him a sheet of paper. "I've written out a list of what's available along with contact information. I would suggest letting Georgi look it over and let her pick out what seems most interesting to her."

    "You're a good woman, Mrs. Annesley," Jack replied gratefully, "Not everyone would worry over their student like you."

    "I consider it part of my job, sir. And now if you'll excuse me, I must be getting home."

    Jack rose to his feet when Mrs. Annesley did and saw her to the door. After she left, he looked down at the list--it was a short one--and wondered which Georgi would choose.


    A black Cadillac Escalade drove slowly down Main Street in Meryton and pulled into a parking spot in front of an old three story building. The sign outside proclaimed the building to be Longbourn Martial Arts Academy and also indicated some offices--a few lawyers, one psychologist, and a dentist--occupied the upper floors. The ground floor was all given over to the Academy, and its glass front glowed brilliantly in the dark, snowy night. Inside, a couple of people could be seen sparring.

    Jack and Georgi got out of the Cadillac and hurried over to the entrance of the Academy, shivering in the cold, biting wind. When they entered, a bell tinkled over the door and a blast of warm air greeted them. Inside, it was basically one large room, half the floor covered in mats, with a small office and a locker room in the back. It was clean and modern with mirrors lined the walls and several free-standing punching bags were grouped in a corner.

    A man came out of the office to greet the Darcys as they walked further in. He was short, for a man, with thick iron-grey hair and a deeply lined face. Holding out his hand to shake both Jack and Georgi's, he introduced himself. "Hello! I'm Nick Gardiner. You must be Jack and Georgi Darcy."

    "Yes, I spoke to you earlier about enrolling my sister in your beginner's class," Jack replied, his eyes straying over to the matted area where the two practitioners were still sparring. They both wore the light body armor required for full-contact sparring; head gear, chest protector, arm and shin pads. It took Jack a moment to realize both were women. Their yells echoed off the walls as they danced around each other, punching, kicking, or feinting.

    "Why don't we talk in my office? It'll be quieter in there," Nick said as he turned and walked back to the room from which he had earlier appeared. Jack and Georgi followed and Nick closed the door after they were seated. The noise from the other room was noticeably muffled. Looking around, Jack noticed certificates hanging on the walls and trophies sitting on the filing cabinets and shelves. Nick smiled as he followed Jack's gaze. "We train to compete in tournaments here," Nick informed him, waving around at the trophies, "though it's not required."

    "And the others?" Jack asked.

    "Black belt certificates for both taekwondo and judo, all registered through the World Taekwondo Federation and the United States Judo Federation. There are three of us who hold them--my wife, my niece, and myself. We're affiliated with Lambton College in Lansing and train under Master Li, who runs the program there," Nick replied. "Eventually, anyone who wants to earn a black belt from us has to test in front of him."

    "Ah," Jack murmured, not really knowing what to say. He had no idea what all that meant but it sounded impressive.

    "So, what made you think of training in martial arts?" Nick asked Georgi, changing the subject.

    Georgi shrugged. "I dunno. It sounds pretty cool and my brother's all for the self-defense aspect of it. I think it'd be fun to be able to do what Jackie Chan does in the movies."

    "There's a world of difference between what you see in the movies and what we do here," Nick replied seriously. "In the movies, it's mainly stunt stuff although we've been guilty of trying some of the more harmless tricks now and then. When were you thinking of starting?"

    "As soon as possible," Jack broke in.

    Nick frowned thoughtfully. "Hmmmm… How old are you, Georgi?"

    "Fifteen."

    "About what I thought. You see, we do have a beginner's class for taekwondo but they're about six weeks in. We also don't have any adults in it this time around either--I think the oldest is about ten. You would have a lot of catching up to do before they test for their first belt and I'm not sure how much you'd actually learn with that bunch. My niece has her hands full just keeping them in order."

    "When does the next class start?" Jack asked.

    "We won't have another one until the middle of March."

    "Oh," Georgi said, disappointment written all over her features. It was only the beginning of January, which meant she would have to wait for a couple of months.

    "I may have a solution," Nick said, taking pity on the young girl. "Your brother said you're home schooled, right?"

    "Yes."

    Nick turned to Jack. "If I was able send someone out in the afternoon, oh let's say maybe three times a week to give her private lessons, would that help?"

    "Well, I wanted Georgi to have the benefit of training with other people…"Jack said slowly.

    "Hear me out," Nick said, holding up his hand. "This would only be temporary, just until Georgi earns her first belt after which she'll qualify for the Intermediate Class, which runs all year round. With the one on one focus, she'll advance a bit quicker than if she was in our beginner's class. It will still take a couple of months but by the time she joins us, she'll have her yellow belt instead of just starting out. You don't have to do it and could join our class now but I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you want to get your money's worth."

    Jack shrugged. "I like the first option, but it's up to Georgi."

    Georgi thought quietly for a moment. "I…I think I'd like the private lessons."

    "Wonderful!" Nick grinned. "Now hang on for just a moment and I'll introduce you to your instructor." He stood, walked over to the door and opened it. "Elys!" he shouted out into the training room. "Can you come in here?" He walked back to the desk and sat down. "She'll be in shortly and we can discuss the arrangements. Now, about your payment options…"

    "I still want to go with year up front at the price you quoted over the phone," Jack replied, hand Nick a personal check. "I believe this is the correct amount."

    Nick glanced at the check. "Yes it is. Are you sure you don't want to wait until Georgi is sure she wants to continue on?" Jack merely nodded and Nick turned to chat with Georgi while they waited for his niece.

    Jack and Georgi both turned to watch the door when they heard someone approach. A sweaty and breathless woman appeared, her face flushed and her ponytail falling loose from its holder. Jack almost fell out of his seat when he realized it was the girl from the bookstore.

    Elys almost turned and walked back out of the office when she saw Jack Darcy sitting there. She had heard someone enter the Academy earlier but had been too focused on the sparring match to notice who it was. She wiped the sweat of her forehead with the sleeve of her dobak, mentally grimacing at her appearance. "You needed me, Uncle?"

    "Yes. Elys, this is Jack and Georgi Darcy," Nick gestured at the two seated before him before saying to them, "And this is my niece, Elys Bennet."

    They all exchanged greetings and then Nick outlined his plan to Elys. Her heart sunk as she realized what her uncle was asking but couldn't think of a reasonable excuse to get out of it. It wasn't long, however, before Elys felt the weight of Jack's stare on her as she listened to her uncle. She wondered if she was starting to develop a bruise on her right cheek. One of Char Lucas's kicks had been off slightly during the match and had connected with Elys's face rather than her head gear. She absently rubbed her cheek.

    Jack knew he was staring but he couldn't help it. Elys was nothing like he remembered. His original impression had been of a pale, overweight, slightly dumpy girl. The woman before him still had the alabaster complexion but held the rosy glow of hard exercise. Her uniform, though loose, gave him a better idea of her figure and while it still didn't conform to modern standards, was reminiscent of the Marilyn Monroe era. Elys Bennet wasn't his usual type of girl, so he was surprised when he felt the faint stirrings of desire. It was an effort to pull his mind back to the matter at hand and he was grateful when Nick addressed him.

    "I'll let you and Elys work out Georgi's training schedule." Nick turned to Elys. "I have to get going. Your aunt had probably had dinner ready an hour ago. Will you lock up?"

    "Sure, Uncle."

    "I'll see you tomorrow evening then." He smiled at Jack and Georgi. "It was a pleasure meeting you both. Goodnight!"

    "Goodnight!" all three chorused as Nick gathered up his gym bag and left.

    Elys looked warily at the Darcys who were watching her expectantly. Georgi was smiling shyly at her and seemed the more approachable of the two. "I'll have to get with you both tomorrow," she said to them. "I have a couple of sub jobs lined up this week and then I should be free."

    "Sub jobs?" Jack asked.

    "I'm a substitute teacher," Elys stated quietly.

    "Oh."

    Elys pulled out a pen and pad of paper. "Why don't I give you my phone number and you can call anytime after four o' clock. At your leisure of course." She dashed off her number quickly, tore it off the pad, and handed it to Jack.

    Jack suppressed a sudden thrill as their hands touched. He put the slip of paper in his pocket and rose. Georgi stood up quickly beside him. "Until tomorrow then," he said and hurried out of the office.

    "Goodnight," Georgi said quickly and ran after her brother.

    Elys watched them go out into the winter night and wondered how long she was going to last at the Darcy mansion. If Jack Darcy continued to be as rude as he had been and the sister turned out to be the same, her guess was that it wouldn't be long.

    Chapter 3: The One to Abuse

    The Darcy estate covered about five hundred acres and was located ten miles outside of Meryton. The driveway was actually a small country lane that led up to the mansion a quarter of a mile back. The surrounding area was mainly woods although several meadows and even a lake could be occasionally spotted through the trees. Elys cursed as her car skidded over the icy patches in the lane, nearly sliding in the ditch several times. The lane was better plowed than the main roads but Elys's small Geo Prism wasn't exactly the best car to be driving in the country after a bad snow storm. After several more minutes of tense driving, the trees cleared and Elys found herself looking at a large lawn and a handsome three storey mansion. She was wondering where to park when she saw a line of cars sitting to one side of the house and parked next to them. She assumed they belong to the various members of the household staff since none of them looked like what a multi-millionaire would drive. Elys grabbed her gym bag off the passenger seat and got out of the car. Looking up at the mansion, Elys was just deciding which entrance to try, as there were several, when Jack Darcy came out of the side door a few feet down from her car.

    "You're late," he said by way of a greeting.

    Elys hoisted her gym bag over her shoulder. "I know, I'm sorry. The roads are still very messy and I had to practically crawl here," she replied walking over to him.

    Jack glanced critically at Elys's car. It was tiny, barely able to seat four people, with the paint beginning to rust and the passenger side mirror missing. "You made it all the way out here in that?" he asked incredulously.

    Elys gritted her teeth. "Yes. Do you have a problem with it?"

    "No. Just impressed."

    "Oh." It was quiet for several long moments as Jack stared at her, his ponytail whipping in the wind. Elys shivered despite her down coat and said "Um, I've got some time to make up for so if you can show me where I'll be training Georgi, I'd appreciate it."

    "Of course," Jack replied and walked back into the house. "Follow me."

    Elys hesitated before complying. She felt tempted to swing her gym bag at Jack's head but suppressed the urge. Her bag weighed about thirty pounds with all the equipment inside and she really didn't want to end up in prison for murder.

    "The indoor basketball court is this way," Jack said as he led down a hallway, interrupting her fantasy. He took a sharp left turn and stopped in front of a set of doors. "Use the entrance we just came through--it's the shortest route to the gym." He opened one of the doors and passed through, Elys just behind him. "It's not full-sized," he continued, "but it should provide enough room for whatever you need to do."

    Elys slowly turned, taking in the size and condition of the gym. It was large, clean, and well-lit. She noticed a pile of tumbling mats stacked in one corner and looked at Jack inquiringly.

    "I noticed the Academy had them," Jack said, "and thought you may need them." Pointing to another door off to the left, he added, "That's the showers and toilets if you need to use any of those facilities. So, what do you think?"

    "I think it's perfect," Elys said, hating to admit it.

    "Good. Georgi will be down in a minute. She's trying to find something appropriate to wear."

    "Oh, that reminds me, I have something for her." Elys dropped her gym bag and unzipped it. She pulled out a brand new dobak and white belt. "The sizing goes by height so I had to guess. I hope it fits her."

    "Thanks. I'll run it right up to her," Jack said.

    "Tell Georgi to not put on the belt," Elys called after him as he left. "I'll show her the correct way. And tell her she needs to wear a shirt under the top!" Her last words echoed in the empty gym. "Must be nice to be rich," Elys muttered. Picking up her gym bag, she walked over to the mats and threw it against the wall. She kicked off her shoes and took off her coat, dumping them next to the bag. Her muscles were chilled and stiff after the cold and tense drive so she decided to jog around the gym until her student arrived.

    Georgi walked in several minutes later, trying hard to wipe the look of irritation from her features. Caroline followed close behind, complaining like usual. "I don't see why this is necessary," she whined, "We could be having more fun looking through magazines. Or I could do up your hair, if you'd let me. You really should dye it blonde you know."

    Caroline's shrill voice caught Elys's attention and she slowed her running and came to a stop in front of them. "Hi!" she greeted Georgi, holding out her hand. "I'm Elys. We met briefly the other day so I'm not sure if you caught my name."

    Georgi took Elys's hand and smiled. "I remember. I'm Georgi and this is Caroline Bingley," she replied, gesturing to the woman next to her.

    Elys raised her eyebrows as she looked Caroline up and down. The other woman was dressed in what was an obviously expensive and well-tailored outfit. The short dress clung to her rail-thin body and she wore a short jacket over it. Stiletto heels and some expensive jewelry completed the ensemble and her blonde hair was twisted up into an elegant knot. Elys immediately disliked her, but made an effort to be friendly anyway. She stuck out her hand and put on her brightest smile. "It's nice to meet you. I didn't realize I'd be having another student."

    Caroline glanced haughtily down at Elys's hand and folded her arms across her stomach. "I'm not a student," she said snidely. "I'm here to make sure you're legitimate and not wasting the Darcys' money. I would know if you were faking a style after all."

    Elys felt her smile freeze on her face and she dropped her hand before she could reach out and choke the witch in front of her. Georgi looked back and forth between the two, mortification spread over her face. Elys slowly counted to ten and said, "I didn't realize you were into martial arts yourself. What style do you practice?"

    "Tae Bo," Caroline replied snottily.

    Elys suppressed a groan. Great. Another person thinking Tae Bo is a real martial art. Blast that Billy Blanks! "Well, then I suppose you can help out from time to time," she said aloud. Turning to Georgi, she said, "Why don't we get started?"

    Unseen by any of the women, Jack appeared in the doorway and leaned against the frame. Chase Bingley walked up a moment later. "What's going on?" he asked quietly.

    "Georgi's getting her first lesson," Jack replied, "with Caroline apparently supervising."

    "What! I told Caroline to quit bothering Georgi until her day's done with!" Chase ground out. "Let me get her out of there," he said, moving around Jack.

    Jack put his hand up. "No. I want see how Ms. Bennet handles this."

    "Fine," Chase grumbled, "But you'll be lucky if the poor woman doesn't walk out. Caroline is fairly poisonous.

    Caroline took a seat on the mats as Elys showed Georgi how to tie her belt and correctly enter the training area. She then started the warm up exercises, all the while explaining to Georgi the need for good strength and endurance conditioning. "When we have a three minute sparring match, it's like taking a ten or fifteen minute run. Flexibility is important as well, though for purely self defensive purposes, isn't absolutely necessary."

    "If physical condition is important, how come you'renot in better shape?" Caroline interrupted.

    Elys cursed under breath. The only thing that saved Caroline from a blistering tirade was that she could see Georgi was clearly embarrassed. It was with that thought in mind that Elys answered Caroline in a much more civil tone than she deserved. "I am perfectly healthy, Caroline," she said calmly. "I work out five times a week and don't overeat. I couldn't get any thinner without using unhealthy methods and since this is the body nature has given me, I am content with it. I don't feel the need to be a size zero."

    "You make it sound like self defense and martial arts are two different things," Georgi said in an effort to forestall anymore of Caroline's rudeness. "Are they?"

    "No, the self defense is just one aspect of martial arts. The art is the style and form, the high flying kicks, and following certain rules for sparring. For instance, there is no punching to the head, no kicks or punches below the belt or to the spine. In self-defense, all rules are off. You go for the most efficient strike to allow you to quickly escape or neutralize a dangerous situation."

    "I could have shown Georgi that," Caroline sniffed.

    Jack tensed as Elys exploded off the floor, sure he would have to intervene to prevent a fight. But Elys suddenly smiled as if something occurred to her.

    "Well then, why don't you help me demonstrate to Georgi some self defense techniques?" Elys asked.

    "I'm not dressed properly," Caroline replied in consternation. Despite all her posturing, she hadn't really expected Elys to call her out.

    "Oh you're fine," Elys assured her. "We won't do anything too strenuous--I'll do all the hard work as a matter of fact. We can even spread out one of the mats, just to be on the safe side."

    Chase snickered as Caroline reluctantly stood and took off her stilettos. "I hope this is good," he whispered to Jack.

    Elys took a mat off the stack, unfolded it, and beckoned for Caroline to stand before her. "Caroline, would you please put your hands on my shoulders?" Elys asked.

    Caroline did so, feigning a look of boredom on her face. "This is easy," she said, "You can just kick your attacker in the groin from here."

    "Yes, you could do that," Elys said to Georgi, "But that's not always the best technique because people can become immune to it after repeated strike, like a football player. What I'm going to show you works if someone is wearing a jacket, like Caroline, or even a long sleeved shirt." She turned to Caroline, gripping the right sleeve just above the elbow with her left hand and the left lapel with her right hand. "Just relax and it won't hurt," Elys assured Caroline.

    Georgi watched in fascination as Elys's right hand flashed up, still gripping the lapel of the jacket, and bringing across to the opposite side of Caroline's throat. Her left hand used the sleeve to twist Caroline's right elbow down and under to the left. Caroline let out a most unladylike squawk, vainly flailing at Elys with her free arm.

    The men watching from the doorway chuckled quietly at the sight of Caroline twisted like a pretzel and helpless. Georgi's eyes widened in surprise and she covered her mouth with her hand to hide a smile.

    "Now," Elys said to Georgi, "if you straighten your arms like so, your attacker can't reach you or come towards you without choking himself. The lapel cuts of the air and blood supply so the only thing they will be thinking is to get away. Obviously, this technique doesn't work as well in the summer when people are wearing short or sleeveless shirts." She released Caroline, who stumbled backwards a few steps, and turned back to face Georgi.

    "Will I be learning that?" Georgi asked a bit breathlessly. She really wanted to laugh at Caroline, who now looking a bit disheveled, had straightened and was now glaring at Elys's back.

    "Eventually. I usually devote four classes a year to just pure self defense," Elys replied, "And I plan to…" She broke off in mid-sentence as an angry shriek from behind interrupted her. She turned to see Caroline running at her, hands extended to slap and claw.

    Jack and Chase exchanged panicked glances before rushing into the gym to prevent an all-out brawl. Even so, they were too late for it was all over in a moment.

    Just as Caroline neared enough to actually land a blow, Elys's hands darted in, grabbing her jacket in the same manner as before. However, this time, Elys turned with the direction of Caroline's momentum, and planting her feet into what looked like a deep lunging position, her front leg bent deep at the knee, and the back one stretched out behind, resting on the ball of her foot. Elys, still holding onto Caroline's jacket, twisted her upper body, pulling the other woman still in the same direction of the charge and over her back leg. Caroline, unable to stop herself, tripped over it and flew past Elys. Elys changed her grip as Caroline fell to hold onto her arm, bracing herself and straightening slightly as Caroline landed on the mat with a loud smack. Caroline was unprepared for the landing and the air whooshed out of her as she connected with the mat. Elys let go of her arm and stepped back as Chase rushed forward to check on his sister. Georgi joined them, looking a bit frightened.

    "She'll be fine," Elys said to Chase, as he knelt next to Caroline. "The landing was softer than it looked. She just had the wind knocked out of her."

    "You're sure of that?" Jack asked as he approached.

    "Yes," Elys replied confidently. "If I had really wanted to hurt her, I would have just let go of her completely after being thrown. Holding on to her arm helped to break the fall."

    Chase helped Caroline to her feet after she had regained her breath. "You... you... How dare you!" Caroline snarled, pushing back the hair from her face that had come loose from the knot, "I'm going to get you!" She leaped at Elys again but this time Chase held her back.

    "Caroline! That's enough!" Chase shouted. "You're making a scene!"

    Chase's last statement brought Caroline back to her senses. It wouldn't do to look like a raging banshee in front of Jack Darcy--he wouldn't like that in a potential wife. Caroline calmed herself enough that her brother reluctantly let her go. Smoothing the wrinkles out of her jacket that Elys had left, Caroline stalked up to Jack. "I want you to fire her," Caroline demanded. "No, I want you to call the police. She assaulted me and I may just never get over it." She let a single tear slide down her cheek.

    Elys rolled her eyes.

    Jack folded his arms across his chest and glared down at her. "I will do no such thing."

    "Fine! Then I will!" Caroline ground out. She turned to storm out of the gym but Chase prevented her from leaving by grabbing her arm.

    "Just what do you think you're doing?" he asked angrily.

    "That woman is an animal and a menace to society!" Caroline said in a self-righteous tone. "I will not have her running loose or even be in the same house as me!"

    "I agree that maybe we should call the police," Jack broke in. When Caroline hopefully looked up at him, he continued. "There has been an assault committed here this afternoon and it should be reported. Now am I right in believing we all just witnessed Caroline trying, without provocation, to attack Ms. Bennet and that Ms. Bennet defended herself in response?" He looked at both Chase and Georgi who nodded in agreement.

    "What do you mean I attacked her unprovoked?" Caroline screeched. "That woman practically strangled me!"

    "She was merely demonstrating a self defense technique for which you had agreed to help."

    Caroline stared at Jack in disbelief. She turned to her brother and Georgi. "Surely you don't agree with him?"

    "That's what I saw," Georgi replied.

    "That's about the long and short of it, yes," Chase said. "Now if I were you, Caroline, I would just drop the whole thing."

    Caroline looked around at the people surrounding her, seeing no support, only disgust, amusement, and anger. Realizing she had made a fool of herself and in front of Jack Darcy no less, she burst into tears and ran from the gym.

    "I'm sorry," Elys said to everyone in general. "I don't usually show off like that but things got a little out of hand."

    Chase smiled at her and held out his hand. "Ms. Bennet, correct?"

    Elys took his hand and shook it. "Please, just call me Elys."

    "Certainly. Well then Elys, I should probably be the one apologizing. I've told Caroline repeatedly to leave Georgi alone during her lessons and I should have gotten her out of here right away."

    "I think Caroline is the one that needs to apologize," Jack said. "Now I think we've wasted enough of Ms. Bennet's time. I'm sure she and Georgi would like to get on with their training." He nodded at the two women. "If you'll excuse us, Chase and I have some more work to do."

    After Jack and Chase had left, Georgi smiled brightly at Elys. "That was the awesomest thing ever!" she exclaimed before collapsing to the floor in laughter.


    "And then Caroline runs out of the room, balling her eyes out," Elys said to Jane and Char Lucas later that evening. They were sitting in the local Subway, having a quick dinner before Char and Elys had to be at the Academy. The Lucas twins, as they were known in Meryton, couldn't have been more different. Char was thin and pale, with dull light brown hair and eyes to match, and angular features that made her look almost homely. Jane was more voluptuous and extremely pretty. Her blonde hair shone in the florescent lights and her green eyes sparkled with merriment. Char was the more level headed of the two while Jane was ever the optimist. Elys was regaling the twins with her first day at the Darcy mansion. The Lucases laughed until tears ran down their faces.

    "Sounds like you've got your hands full," Char said, wiping the tears away. "I hope you're uncle's paying you well."

    "Yeah, more than the usual," Elys sighed. "I had to take myself out of the sub pool for a while in order to teach Georgi and Uncle Nick agreed to compensate me for it. Though, I don't know if it's enough if I have to deal with Caroline Bingley every time."

    "I'm sure she's not as bad as you make her out to be," Jane said. "I'm sure Caroline improves upon better acquaintance."

    Elys and Char rolled their eyes. "Trust me, Jane," Elys replied. "She's a raging witch and if I'm not mistaken, she's also planning on becoming Mrs. Jack Darcy."

    Char snorted in derision and then suddenly stiffened as she saw a man come through the door. "Uh oh, Elys. Here comes Lover Boy."

    "What?" Elys turned to look and then ducked down. "That's just great," she groaned. "A perfect end to my day. Has he seen us?"

    "Yep," Char replied. "He's changing course now."

    The man in question was Meryton's own Sergio Collins, the head body building instructor at the YMCA. He had the body of a god but the face of a geek and a pompous, overbearing personality to go with it. He also had a huge crush on Elys.

    "Ladies," Sergio said as he glided over to their table. "Hello, Beautiful," he greeted in a deeper voice to Elys.

    "Hello, Sergio," Elys replied unenthusiastically.

    Sergio placed his hands on the table and leaned over Elys. He gave her his sexiest smile. "It's your lucky night tonight, Elys."

    "And why is that?" Elys sighed.

    "Because I happen to be free and would like to extend to you the honor of going to the movies with me tonight. I may just also buy you dinner."

    Elys felt the sub she'd just eaten threaten to come back up. "Um, I'm not hungry, Sergio. As you can see, I've already had dinner."

    "How about the movie then?" Sergio asked, leaning forward to smell her hair.

    "No thanks, Sergio," Elys said, cringing away from him. "I have a class tonight." She grabbed her coat off the seat and stood up, forcing Sergio back. "As a matter of fact, I'm late. Coming, Char?"

    Char, trying her hardest to suppress a smile, stood also. "I'll see you at home later, Jane," she said to her sister. "I'm ready when you are, Elys."

    "Some other time then," Sergio called after the two women as they ran out the door.

    "Only when heck freezes over," Elys muttered to herself. She couldn't wait to get home and put an end to this disaster of a day.

    Chapter 4: Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

    Posted on April 18, 2009

    Georgi's training sessions were fairly quiet over the next couple of weeks. Caroline never reappeared after the first class, preferring to sulk in her room whenever Elys was in the house. Georgi was a little intimidated by Elys, who was a hard taskmaster, and pushed Georgi through a grueling workout only to have to learn the basics of taekwondo afterwards. All different types of push-ups and sit-ups, jogging and sprinting, muscle conditioning exercises, and stretching routines had Georgi collapsing into bed each night, exhausted and sore in places she never knew existed.

    Eventually the soreness eased as Georgi's body became conditioned to the workout. Georgi also found that though Elys was a demanding teacher, she was fairly laid back otherwise. She liked to talk and laugh, usually during the warm up. Georgi was quickly growing to like Elys and it wasn't long before she looked forward to the taekwondo lessons as the best part of her week.

    Georgi and Elys often had an audience as well. Chase and Jack both took time out of their busy schedules, usually appearing shortly after the warm up and staying until Elys left. Chase, lonely for good female company, found Elys funny and charming and he often chatted with her after the session was over. Jack was there ostensibly to watch Georgi but he found himself staring at Elys rather than observing his sister's progress. He wasn't even sure as to why. He had dated women more beautiful than Elys and who had more class and poise. Maybe it was the way she carried herself or the mischievous glint in her eyes when she'd tease Chase and Georgi. Whatever it was and however he tried, Jack couldn't stop watching her. He could only hope that no one else noticed.

    Unfortunately for Jack, someone did notice.

    "Why is your brother always staring at me?" Elys quietly asked Georgi one afternoon.

    "Is he?" Georgi glanced over at her brother. "Huh. I don't know."

    "Do I have some huge zit on my face or something? A hideous boil growing in the middle of my forehead?"

    Georgi smiled. "No, you look fine. As for Jack, do you want me to go over and say something?"

    "No. Just let it be. You're brother and I didn't hit it off the first time we met and I'd rather not make things worse."

    "I don't remember anything bad happening at the Academy," Georgi frowned.

    "Not then," Elys explained. "Earlier. I work part-time at my parents' bookstore and Jack came in to buy a book."

    "You're the shop girl!" Georgi said, aghast.

    "So he told you about that, did he?"

    "Yes, but you're nothing like Jack described!"

    "What did he…" Elys started to ask but thought better of it. "Never mind, I don't want to know what he said. I'm sure it wasn't very flattering. Why don't we get to work? Today I'm going to show the Palgwe Chun Pubs."

    "The what?"

    "The Eight Strategies of War. It'll help you later on when we start to spar."

    "Cool."

    Afterwards, as Ely was packing her gym bag, Chase walked over to her. "Hey, Elys!"

    "Hey, Chase," Elys greeted him.

    "So listen, I was wondering if you'd like to have coffee with me sometime," Chase said wearing his most charming grin.

    Elys raised her eyebrows. "Wow. That wasn't out of the blue or anything."

    Chase ran his hand through his dark hair. "Yeah, I know. I had this whole build up but it kinda went out the window at the last moment. Sorry. So will you?"

    Elys studied him for a moment. Chase was good looking in an ex-frat boy way and she enjoyed talking with him. "Sure, why not?"

    "Great! How about tomorrow afternoon? You said you don't have any classes on Saturday."

    "Ok. How about the Meryton Café downtown?"

    "Sounds good. I'll see you then."


    The next morning before her date with Chase, Elys stopped by her parent's house for a visit, where she found everyone in an uproar. Kitty ran past her in tears and Gayle and her dad were sitting in the living room, both tense and silent.

    "What's wrong with Kitty?" Elys asked, flopping onto the couch.

    "She's been grounded," her father replied.

    "Uh oh. What'd she do?"

    "We got a call from Price's Supermarket last night," Gayle said. "Apparently she, Lydia Philips, Harriet Smith, and Maria Bertram were caught shoplifting."

    "Shoplifting?" Elys gasped. "Kitty?"

    "From what we could understand, Kitty didn't actually steal anything, but she knew what the other girls were going to do beforehand and still went in with them," Kyle Bennet sighed. "Fortunately Price's isn't going to press charges but all the girls are banned from the store unless they're with their parents. Gayle and I feel that even though your sister didn't shoplift, she still made a poor decision by going in with her friends, and that she needs to have some consequences."

    "I wish we could get her away from those friends--Lydia especially," Gayle said with a worried frown. "Kitty's a good girl but she follows where ever Lydia leads and it usually gets her into some scrape or another. I'd forbid her from ever seeing or speaking to Lydia again but…"

    "But you know that would backfire big time," Elys finished for her step-mother, "And you really couldn't enforce it anyway while Kitty's at school. How long is she grounded for?"

    "A month. She's to come straight home after school, not allowed to go out with her friends though she is allowed to attend her play rehearsals, and we took away her cell phone and internet privileges," Kyle answered.

    Elys let out a low whistle. "Oh that's a death sentence for a teenager."

    "Yes and I'm not looking forward to all the sulking Kitty will be doing. It's going to be a long month."

    "Do you mind if I go talk with her?" Elys asked, getting up from the couch.

    "Please do," Gayle said fervently. "Maybe she can vent to you and get out the worst of her frustrations now."

    Elys walked down the hall of the Bennet's ranch-style home and stopped in front of Kitty's door. Carrie Bennet, known by the nickname of Kitty since she could first talk, was Kyle's daughter by Gayle and therefore Elys's half-sister. Ely's mother had died of cancer when Elys was only eight years old and her father had remarried a couple of years later. Gayle had been a childless widow at the time and finding herself having to deal with a grieving step-child and considering herself beyond the age for having children, didn't want any of her own. So it was a surprise, when at forty-two, Gayle discovered she was pregnant. Despite Gayle's apprehensions, the pregnancy went smoothly, and Kitty was born just after Elys' thirteenth birthday. Normally, such a difference in age would have put a distance in the two sisters' relationship but Elys had lived at home while attending college, moving out only after graduating, and so the sisters had a closer bond than one would expect.

    Elys knocked on the door, hearing quiet sniffling from beyond it.

    "Go away!" Kitty yelled, her voice sounding stuffy with crying.

    "Kitty, it's me," Elys called. There was nothing but silence. "Come on Kitty, open the door and let me in." Elys heard the lock click and the door cracked open. She pushed it open wider and entered the room to find Kitty standing by the window with her arms crossed over her chest. "I just heard what happened," Elys said mildly, shutting the door.

    "Oh Elys! My life is over!" Kitty wailed as she threw herself on her bed.

    Elys rolled her eyes as she sat on the bed next to her sister. Teenagers can be so melodramatic, she thought. Aloud, she said, "Kitty, knock it off. You did something stupid and got into trouble so deal with it and quit whining."

    Kitty turned on her side to glare at Elys. "Oh sure, I should have figured you'd be on their side."

    "Hey, I'm just stating the facts here. You didn't have to go into the store with the other girls, you know."

    "I know," Kitty sniffed, "but Lydia called me a goody two shoes."

    "And you didn't want to look like that in front of your friends," Elys said reaching over to the desk and grabbing a box of Kleenex. She handed Kitty some tissues.

    "Yeah," Kitty sniffed again and wiped her eyes. She took the tissues and blew her nose loudly.

    "Even though you knew it was a good possibility you'd get caught."

    "Yeah."

    "Which you did." Elys stared levelly at her sister. "You know what I think? I think you're more angry at yourself, because you knew it was a stupid thing to do, than you are at Dad and Gayle."

    Kitty absently traced the design on her bedspread as Elys's last statement sunk in. Finally she said, "Yeah. I guess you're right."

    "I usually always am," Elys grinned.

    "Are not!" Kitty shot back, punching Elys in the arm.

    "Ow!" Elys rubbed her arm. "Now are you still going to sulk some more? Or do you want to hear how I may just be able to help you?" When Kitty looked up at her hopefully, Elys held up a hand. "No, I won't be able to un-ground you but I can get you out of the house a couple times a week."

    Now Kitty was suspicious. "Doing what?"

    Elys quickly told her about the private lessons she was giving Georgiana Darcy. "And I'm thinking that she's going to need a partner soon. It would be easier for her to learn her Chun Pubs and easier for me to teach her if I could stand apart and see what exactly is going on. Plus I get the feeling she's a rather lonely girl."

    "But Elys, I haven't practiced taekwondo in a couple of years! I'm not sure how much I remember," Kitty protested.

    "You remember more than you think. Besides, Georgi's only a beginner."

    "How old is she?"

    "Your age. Fifteen."

    "I don't know…" Kitty said slowly.

    "It'll get you out of the house and you'll be hanging out with a girl your own age. Plus you'll get to see the Darcy mansion."

    "Do you think Mom and Dad would go for it?" Kitty asked, sounding interested despite herself.

    "If I ask them nicely and make it sound like you're doing a favor for me, then yes. But we need to wait a day for them to cool down a bit. It'll be easier if you don't sit in here and sulk all night, okay? Don't aggravate them more," Elys said as she checked her watch and stood up. "Now I have to get going or I'll be late."

    "Late for what?" Kitty asked. "A date?"

    Elys grinned as she walked out the door. "As a matter of fact, yes!"

    Kitty jumped off of her bed and ran to the door. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she called after her sister. "You better tell me every detail then. I want dirt!"

    "Be good and I'll let you know everything," Elys shouted back from the living room. She smiled at her parents and gave them a thumbs up. "She'll be a bit more bearable now. I better go, I've got a date!"

    Gayle wanted to ask Elys for more details about her conversation with Kitty but as soon as Elys had said the magic word 'date', Gayle practically shoved her out the door. "Don't be late then. But I get to hear every detail."

    "That's what Kitty said too," Elys replied as the front door closed in her face.


    "…and that's when the police showed up," Chase said as he finished regaling Elys with one of his many wild college tales. "So Darcy, Fitzwilliam, and I high-tailed it out of there. And that was the first and last time we went into an X-rated theater."

    Elys choked on the latte she was drinking. "I can't imagine Jack Darcy doing any such thing though I'd believe it of you!"

    "Oh, we used to get into all sorts of trouble… but that was before Darcy's parents died," Chase said with a sad smile. "I miss those days."

    "He's changed a lot since then?"

    "Yes. But if you suddenly had the care of a six-year old sister, plus a company to run, all while trying to finish your last year of college, you probably would too. He used to laugh more and really didn't take life as seriously as he does now."

    Elys thought of what it would have been like to have to be responsible for Kitty that way and had a moment of sympathy for Jack.

    "Anyway, I didn't mean to bring down the mood," Chase continued. "So tell me what life's like here in Meryton."

    Elys was in the middle of describing what the locals do for fun, which mainly involved cruising around town on the weekends, parties, and vandalism, when Char and Jane Lucas walked into the café.

    "Elys!" Char called out as the twins walked over to the table. "I thought that looked like you from the outside!" She glanced at Chase and arched an inquiring eyebrow. "So, hot date huh? Gonna introduce us?"

    "Char, maybe we should leave them alone," Jane said tugging on her sister's sleeve.

    "No, it's alright, Jane," Elys smiled. "Chase Bingley, these are the Lucas twins, Charlotte and Jane. But don't let them fool you, their bite is worse than their bark!"

    "Elys!" Jane admonished.

    "Ok, that wasn't entirely fair," Elys admitted to Chase. "Jane's more like a cocker spaniel to Char's bull mastiff." She waved at a couple of empty chairs. "Come on girls and pull up a seat as long as you're here… if you don't mind, Chase."

    "Not at all," Chase replied as he watched Jane carefully smoothing out her skirt before sitting. He held out his hand to her used his most charming smile. "Hi, I'm Chase."

    Jane took the pre-offered hand and shook it. "I know. Elys already introduced us." She blushed when Chase didn't immediately let go of her hand and continued to stare at her appreciatively.

    Elys and Char looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Jane usually had that effect on men and the two women often derived much amusement from the way those of the male persuasion fell all over themselves to make an impression.

    "Ahem," Char coughed, breaking into the moment. Both Jane and Chase looked over at her in surprise. "So… Chase… are you rich?"

    "Uh, yeah. I guess you could say that," Chase answer a little nonplussed the question. "Why?"

    "Because if you stare at my sister any longer, I'm afraid it's going to cost…a lot."

    "Charlotte Marie Lucas!" Jane gasped. "You don't talk like that in polite company."

    "You might not, but I do. And besides," Char said pointing at Chase, "he was being rude by staring. So I'm completely justified."

    Jane scowled at her sister. "I have to wonder at the convoluted reasoning that brought you to that conclusion."

    "It's fairly simple," Char smirked. "I'm perfect."

    Elys watched as Jane's eyes began to bulge and Chase looked back and forth between the two sisters like a deer caught in headlights. Elys thought it was a good time to step in before the twins got into a screaming match in downtown Meryton. "Well gang," she said as she gathered up her cup and napkin, "I probably should get going." The tension slowly eased as the other three looked up at her. "Hey Char, I still have that thing to show you at my apartment," Elys continued.

    Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows. "Thing? What thing?"

    "You know…the thing!"

    "No, I don't know…" Char started to retort before she suddenly caught on. "Oooooooooh the thing! Yeah, I can stop by for a moment!" She stood and turned to Jane. "Are you coming too?" she asked with an edge to her voice.

    Jane looked from Char to Chase, blushing slightly. "Um, no. I think I'll stay here for a bit. I'd like a cup of coffee."

    "Fine. Let's go, Elys." Char stormed out of the café giving Elys little time to say her goodbyes. When Elys finally joined her out on the street, Char stalked off in the direction of the apartment. Elys could almost see the steam coming from her ears but experience had taught her that her friend would vent only when she was ready. "I hate it when she does that!" Char finally exploded when they were a block away.

    "What?"

    Char stopped walking suddenly and whirled around to face Elys. "Every time! Every stinkin' time either one of us looks like we have a good prospect for a man, Jane waltzes in and it's like we don't exist! I swear she does it on purpose!"

    "Char, I'm sure she doesn't."

    "You're sure? How can you be sure when even I, her own sister, can't be!"

    "Because Jane's not that malicious!" Elys exclaimed.

    "And you? How can you defend her when it was your date she stole!" Char began pacing back and forth on the sidewalk.

    "She didn't steal anything!" Elys almost yelled in exasperation. "Yeah it was rude of her to stay with him when it was clearly my date, and don't you for a moment think I won't say anything about it, but I really didn't see Chase as anything more than a friend. He's good company, that's all."

    Char deflated just a bit. "Well it was still a crappy thing to do."

    "Yes it was but if you don't mind, can we continue this at my apartment? It's freezing out here and I really don't relish the thought being overheard by every nosy busybody in Meryton," Elys said more calmly, looking around at the semi-busy street. "Besides, you haven't seen you're niece, Simba, in a while," she added, referring to her cat. "I think she misses you."

    "Oh, alright," Char said a bit mollified. "How is Miss Priss anyway?"

    Elys smiled inwardly as they walked towards her home, talking about her cat's latest antics. One more big blow-up avoided for now, she thought.


    Later that night, Elys was watching a rerun of Top Chef on the television in her spacious apartment when the doorbell rang. She frowned as she looked at the clock. It was late for someone to be dropping by. Groaning slightly at having to get off of her comfy couch, Elys pushed her cat off her lap, and walked bare-footed to the door that lead directly to the outside.

    "Who is it?" she called.

    "It's me!" came the muffled reply of Jane's voice. "Hurry up and let me in--it's freezing out here!"

    Elys sighed, unlocked the door and opened it. "What do you want, Jane?" she asked in an flat tone as her friend walked in carrying a shopping bag.

    Jane fidgeted nervously. "I wanted to apologize about earlier today."

    Elys folded her arms across her chest, her face erased of all expression. "Yeah, and?"

    "I'm really sorry, Elys. I knew at the time I should have left the café when you did and not stay with Chase. It was your date we interrupted after all and I feel terrible for it. I'm a supreme jerk and a horrible friend."

    "You're not getting any arguments from me."

    "Please forgive me, Elys. I promise I won't do it again and I'll be the Iron Maiden the next time I see you and Chase together."

    "I really shouldn't, you know," Elys replied, finally relenting a bit. "But luckily for you, I didn't see Chase as boyfriend material. Just don't ever do that to me again, okay?"

    "I won't!" Jane promised, smiling hugely. "So is it okay if I sort of see him again?"

    "Yes, it's fine. So what's in the bag?"

    "A peace offering. Two pints of Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked and your favorite Bollywood movie, Om Shanti Om. I figured we could watch Shah Rukh Khan dance around topless while we pig out. What do you say?"

    In the face of temptation, Elys thawed out toward her friend completely. "Bless you my child!" she said grandly, patting Jane on the head. "You know exactly what a growing body needs. Now you set up the DVD player and I'll get the spoons!"

    Jane and Elys were comfortably settled on the couch a few minutes later, bouncing and singing along to the opening dance sequence and happily stuffing their faces with ice cream. It proved to be a good night.

    Chapter 5: Conquer All

    It's just too much, Caroline decided as stormed down the halls of the Darcy mansion, her perfectly made-up face creased into a frown. Caroline was usually careful of her facial expressions, not wanting any premature wrinkles to show, but the Elys Bennet situation (as she had dubbed it) had made her momentarily forgetful. Something had to be done. First, the Bennet woman moved in on Caroline's territory. Then she somehow enticed Chase and Jack away every time she entered the house. And the final insult was that she dared to go after Caroline's fool of a brother. And so it was, Caroline had chosen to come out of her self-imposed exile to confront the Bennet woman and warn her off.

    Caroline had good reason to believe Elys was alone for the moment. Both Jack and Chase were in Jack's study, deep in discussion about some alterations to the layout of the planned factory. And she had just seen Georgi running down the hallway towards her bedroom, with the Bennet woman's younger sister in tow. Now that was another source of aggravation--was the Darcy mansion to be invaded by every Bennet in the county? Caroline's fists clenched and unclenched as she walked down toward the gym. Yes, something definitely had to be done. Now.


    "Hey Elys!" Kitty called.

    Elys looked up from where she was refolding and restacking the tumbling mats. "What?"

    "Georgi wants to show me her room. Can I go see? Please?"

    Elys reached over to her gym bag and pulled out her watch to check the time. "Alright, but don't be long. We have to get you back home by five o'clock remember? You have the rehearsal for your play and then Dad and Gayle expect you to be at home."

    Kitty and Georgi both squealed in delight and raced out of the gym. Elys shook her head. This was only Kitty's second visit to the Darcy mansion and she and Georgi were already on their way to becoming close friends. Kitty's exuberance had at first threatened to overwhelm Georgi but it wasn't long before the girls were giggling and whispering through class. This made it difficult for Elys to keep them in order though if she were honest with herself, she wasn't trying very hard. Elys could see that Georgi was a very lonely girl and the presence of Kitty was making her come alight.

    "At least I didn't have an audience today," Ely muttered to herself as she lifted a mat and tossed it on the stack. Both Jack and Chase had made a brief appearance at the beginning of the lesson, to make their excuses, as some business demanded their immediate attention. Jack, as usual, didn't say much but Chase had stayed behind a few more minutes to apologize handsomely to Elys for Saturday and they parted on good terms.

    As Elys threw the last mat onto the pile, she heard the sound of stilettos striking the wooden floor. Elys turned and frowned as Caroline Bingley stalked towards her. "Caroline," she said in acknowledgement.

    "I need to speak with you," Caroline growled as she stopped a few feet from Elys, out of arm's reach. Caroline had learned from experience to keep a safe distance.

    "What about?" Elys asked warily.

    "I want you and your bratty little sister to pack up and never come back here again," Caroline spit out.

    Elys couldn't keep the surprised expression off her face. "Well what you want and what you get are often two different things, Caroline. I'm afraid it's not your call to make."

    "Your plan won't work you know."

    Now Elys was confused. "Plan? I didn't realize I'd had one but if you'd be so kind as to tell me, I'll be sure to look into it." She wondered if Caroline had been drinking.

    Forgetting to keep her distance, Caroline took a few steps closer, stepping right into Elys's personal space. "Don't play dumb with me, Elys Bennet," Caroline ground out between gritted teeth. "That country bumpkin act may fool Jack and my brother, but it doesn't fool me. Jack Darcy is mine. I have worked long and hard to catch him and I won't allow you to interfere. I want you to leave. Now."

    Understanding finally hit Elys like a pile of bricks. Caroline thought she was here to chase after Jack Darcy. Elys wanted to laugh aloud, but considering Caroline was about ready to jump her again, tried to contain herself. There didn't need to be another brawl at the Darcy mansion. "Oh! So you think I'm here to catch a rich husband? And you believe it to be Jack Darcy?"

    "Yes, or failing that, my brother."

    "Uh huh… And you think I somehow engineered it to make Georgi want to learn taekwondo so I could come out here with man-chasing in mind?"

    "No, but I do believe you are taking advantage of the situation," Caroline snarled. "Why else would you bring your little sister with you other than to get in good with Georgi? Who can then give you a glowing recommendation to her brother?"

    Elys thought about denying the accusations of the obviously deluded Caroline, but decided it would be a futile effort. Caroline would never believe her and Elys was disinclined to give a satisfactory answer anyway. "You know what, Caroline?" Elys said, taking the one step in to completely close the space between them. "I think you need to mind your own business. Do what you need to do but don't you dare interfere with my class or with Kitty and Georgi's friendship, or there will be consequences." Her smile resembled that of a shark's. "And they won't be pleasant."

    Caroline shivered as the fear she tried not to feel coursed through her body. She took an involuntary step back. "This isn't over, Elys Bennet," she threatened before turning on her heel and hurrying from the gym. She almost crashed into Jack on the way out. Oh God, I hope he didn't overhear us, Caroline thought as she tried to hide her agitation. "Excuse me, Jack, but I have to powder my nose," she said breezing past him. "I'll see you and Chase for dinner." Normally, Caroline would have stayed to flirt but her confrontation with Elys had unnerved her a bit and she wanted to compose herself first. There would be ample time later to continue her campaign.


    Jack leaned back in his chair and listened as Chase finished describing the changes in the factory's floor plan, trying to shake off a vague sense of irritation he was feeling towards his friend and had felt since Saturday. "So how much is it going to cost?" he asked and winced when Chase quoted a price. "And there's no other way to fix the problem?"

    "Yes, but this is the cheapest and most efficient way to do it, especially since construction has already started," Chase replied.

    "Fine. Do it." Jack ordered and flipped open his laptop. "Well what are you waiting for?" he asked when Chase didn't leave the study immediately. "The sooner we get those workers started, the better."

    "Alright Jack," Chase sighed. "Let's have it out. You've been acting like a big grouch all weekend. What's wrong?"

    "Nothing," Jack said crisply, flicking back his ponytail.

    "Bullcrap. You're angry with me aren't you?"

    "No!"

    "Yes you are, now spit it out!"

    Jack glared down at his computer, his jaw clenching and unclenching. Finally he looked up at his friend. "Why did you ask Elys Bennet out on Saturday?"

    "Is that what this is about?" Chase asked, clearly surprised. "She's a pretty girl who I wanted to know better."

    "Didn't you think it might be a bit inappropriate, knowing that she's my employee?"

    "Well, technically Elys is not your employee, she's her uncle's. Now that can't be what's bothering you." Chase looked narrowly at his friend and then he chuckled as the truth hit him. "You like her, don't you?"

    "Don't be ridiculous," Jack scoffed, not meeting Chase's eyes.

    "You do! Jeez, Jack! Why didn't you say something? I would have stayed away from her."

    "If you keep insisting on impossibilities, I refuse to sit here any longer to listen to them." Jack pushed away from the desk and stood. "You are free to do as you choose," he said as he walked out of the room."

    "Just admit that you like her Jack. It'll be easier in the long run," Chase called after him and laughed.

    Jack hurried from the study, anxious to be away Chase and his absurd theories. He walked aimlessly among the mansion's corridors, until he found himself nearing the gym. Jack stopped and was going to turn back around until he heard a familiar voice coming from the gym. What is Caroline doing in there?, he wondered. He walked quietly to the door to listen, hoping he wouldn't have to break up another fight. Jack peeked around the corner and saw both women standing close together. It seemed they were having an argument of some sort though they were speaking in low voices. Jack strained to listen in. It seemed they were arguing about him and he's suspicions were confirmed when Caroline's voice rose in growing anger.

    "No, but I do believe you are taking advantage of the situation," Jack heard Caroline say. "Why else would you bring your little sister with you other than to get in good with Georgi? Who can then give you a glowing recommendation to her brother?"

    Jack held his breath as Elys replied. "You know what, Caroline? I think you need to mind your own business. Do what you need to do but don't you dare interfere with my class or with Kitty and Georgi's friendship, or there will be consequences. And they won't be pleasant."

    Jack's shoulders sagged as the import of Elys's words sunk in. Great, two fortune hunters in my home and now they're battling out between them to see who gets me. I thought better of Elys than that. Maybe I should just cancel the whole martial arts thing. But when he thought of Georgi and how happy she'd been in the last few weeks, Jack was loathe to do it. He resolved to be more careful around Elys in the future and hoped that Georgi wouldn't get hurt if it all went badly.

    Caroline's running into him brought Jack out of his reverie and he found it difficult to not express the distaste he felt for her. Fortunately, Caroline seemed more interested in getting away from the gym than flirting with him.

    Jack turned and walked away from the gym, determined to put Elys Bennet from his mind. He wouldn't think of her and spent the rest of the evening wondering just how to do that.

    Georgi, a bit breathless from running through the halls of the mansion, pushed open the door to her bedroom and turned to Kitty. "Well this is it," she said a bit shyly. Her room was her sanctuary and it felt a bit odd showing it off.

    Kitty walked in and slowly turned around in a circle. "Whoa…" she gaped. "This…is…so cool!"

    The room was located on the second floor, as most of the other bedrooms were, and its high ceilings and ceiling-to-floor windows made for a light and airy chamber. Georgi had chosen a light blue, green, and lavender color scheme. A queen-sized bed stood in one end of the room with a stereo and CD stand next to it. Georgi also had her own laptop computer and a widescreen television. A few posters lined the walls, some being landscapes and others picturing Zac Efron, Robert Pattinson, and Fallout Boy.

    "Oh my God! You like Fallout Boy?" Kitty squealed. "I love them! Pete is soooooo hot!" She noticed two doors on her left and pointed. "Where do those go?"

    "One's my bathroom," Georgi replied smiling. "And the other's my walk-in closet."

    "No way! I am so jealous of you right now."

    "Do you want to see my favorite thing about this room?" Georgi asked as she walked over to the windows. She pulled the handle on one and the window swung inwards, letting in a blast of cold air and snow.

    Kitty walked over and poked her head outside. There was a wide balcony with a beautiful view overlooking a large pond and the woods behind it. "Wow!" she exclaimed as she stepped back to let Georgi shut the window. "This must be awesome in the summer. I'd be spending all day out there!

    "I've only been able to go out there a couple of times," Georgi replied. "It's been too cold and snowy since we've moved in to do anything else. But I was thinking of asking Jack if I could have some patio furniture for it."

    "And then we can sit out all summer and catch some sun!" Kitty said enthusiastically and then caught herself. "I mean if you want company, we could."

    "Sure!" Georgi smiled brightly. "We'll do it the first nice weekend we have! Now we better get back downstairs. I bet Elys is waiting for you."

    "Race you there!" Kitty challenged, darting out the bedroom door. Georgi followed and both girls ran down the corridors towards the gym, giggling and giving each other playful swats as first one girl and then the other would take the lead. They nearly bowled down Caroline, who had decided to calm her nerves with a swim and was on her way to the indoor pool.

    "Watch where you're going, you little brats!" Caroline shouted after them and then covered her mouth in horror.

    "Wait until I tell my brother you called me a brat!" Georgi called back. She and Kitty skidded around a corner and stopped breathlessly.

    "Who is that?" Kitty panted. "Is she your brother's girlfriend?"

    "Caroline Bingley. And no she isn't but she would like to be. I wonder what happened because she usually doesn't talk to me like that. I can't wait until she moves out with Chase. Come on, we still have a race to finish!"

    The girls finished their race with no further mishap and arrived back into the gym flushed and out of breath.

    "I hope you two weren't making any trouble," Elys said as Kitty and Georgi collapsed on the floor.

    "Only for Caroline," Georgi said gasping for air. "We nearly ran her down."

    "Yeah, and then she called us brats," Kitty added. "Georgi was surprised she did that."

    "Well Caroline's a little upset right now," Elys said dryly.

    "Why is that?" Georgi asked.

    "Because she thinks I'm here to steal your brother away from her."

    "But that's insane!" Georgi exclaimed, sitting up. "First Jack isn't hers to be stolen, and second you're not interested in him…are you?"

    Elys snorted. "Heck no! Can you imagine it? The country bumpkin with the obnoxious jerk. Sorry Georgi."

    Georgi waved it off. "I love my brother but it's no more than the truth, in your case at least."

    "I suspect more than just mine," Elys said, gathering up her gym bag and motioning Kitty to stand. "Kitty and I better get going if we're not going to be late, so I'll see you Friday, okay?"

    "Kitty's not gonna be here?" Georgi asked, looking a bit crestfallen.

    "I've got my big dress rehearsal that night," Kitty replied. "We're opening Taming of the Shrew on Saturday night. Are you going to be there?"

    "Of course!" Georgi said. "Mayor Lucas stopped by a few weeks ago to give us tickets. I'm looking forward to it."

    "Great!" Kitty said, giving Georgi a hug. "I'll see you then!"

    "I'll see you guys out," Georgi said and followed them to the door. She waved until she couldn't see Elys's car any longer on the driveway and then closed the door with a smile on her face.

    Chapter 6: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me

    Posted on April 26, 2009

    Char tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Elys outside the YMCA. They were supposed to meet for their weekly workout and Elys was running late. Char was considering going in without Elys when her car pulled into the parking lot.

    "What took you so long?" Char said as Elys ran up to the doors.

    "Sorry. It took Gayle longer to get to the store than she thought. Apparently Kitty was too busy chatting with some of her friends after school to come right out to the car. Gayle was not happy."

    "I can imagine," Char murmured. "Well are we going to get this over with or not?"

    "Forward ho!" Elys commanded as she opened the door with a flourish.

    "Takes one to know one!" Char replied as they walked into the lobby and tossed their membership cards on the front desk. "Now do we stay up here and use the machines or go to the basement and use the free weights?"

    Elys frowned. "Hmmm… Just a second." She turned to the girl working behind the desk. "Hey, is Sergio here tonight?"

    "Yes, he's downstairs," the girl answered.

    Char and Elys looked at each other and walked through the door that led to the weight lifting machines and treadmills. It was busy and they had to wait several minutes for a machine to open up. When one finally did, Char beat a path to it, shoving several people aside and cursing at another on the way through.

    "Did I tell you Gayle's really miffed at your mom and Jane?" Elys said as Char sat down and began her reps.

    "No," Char grunted. "Because of Chase?"

    "Yep! I guess your mom called and was bragging to Gayle how Jane was so clever at stealing Chase away from me and how Jane is going to be the perfect wife for a multi-millionaire. I could literally see the steam coming out of Gayle's ears."

    "At least she doesn't have to live with my mother," Char grumbled as she stood, motioning for Elys to take her place. "She's been completely insufferable this last week, saying how she always knew Jane would marry rich and how I'll never amount to anything because I have a smart mouth and I'm ugly."

    Elys paused in her reps to stare at her friend in shock. "She didn't really say that, did she?"

    "Not in those exact words but the meaning was clear."

    Elys shook her head, unable to think of a reply. Melanie Lucas one of those ambitious women who wanted to make their way up through a brilliant marriage. At eighteen, she had married William Lucas, a pre-law student, who was confident he would eventually reach Washington D.C. It was almost thirty years later, and while William had managed to become Mayor of Meryton, he had been unable to realize any of his greater dreams, though he still occasionally talked of running for the state Senate. Melanie, disappointed in her husband's lack of greater success, was determined to see it through one of her daughters. And Jane, being the prettier of the two and having the more pliant personality, was the chosen one. Poor Char was often left neglected or subjected to a cold contempt from her mother, as Melanie found her lacking as wife material for a rich, ambitious man.

    Elys and Char continued their workout in silence, moving from station to station with more ease as the room slowly emptied of people. They were almost finished when Sergio walked in and approached them wearing his sexiest smile. "Elys! It's lovely to see you here this evening," he said as he leaned against a treadmill. "Char." Sergio nodded at the other woman.

    "Hey, Sergio," both women mumbled.

    "So Elys, do you have a date for the play and Mayor Lucas's after-party?"

    Elys flashed a panicked look at Char before replying, "Um, no Sergio, I don't." Sergio looked pleased and was about to ask her the inevitable question but Elys forestalled him by saying, "I'm supposed to be over at my parents' house early to help keep Kitty calm as you can imagine how nervous she'll be, so bringing a date is sort of out of the question. Between her and Gayle everything will be in an uproar."

    Sergio looked downcast. "Oh, I understand," he said. "Of course your family needs you. Well, I guess I'll see you at the play then." He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his sweatpants and sauntered towards the door.

    "Oh gods, why can't he take the hint and leave me alone?" Elys whispered to Char.

    "Well, if you hadn't saved him from getting his butt kicked in high school, Sergio probably wouldn't be after you now," Char replied. "Uh oh, he's coming back."

    "I knew it was too easy," Elys groaned.

    But Sergio surprised both women when he addressed Char instead of Elys. "Say Char, I was wondering if you would like to go to the play with me tomorrow?" he asked nervously.

    Char's face turned bright red and Elys grabbed Char's arm to prevent her from attacking him. It turned out not to be necessary. "Why not?" Char said after several moments. "Pick me up at five and take me to dinner, and you've got yourself a date."

    Sergio's smile was like the sun coming up. "Great! Five o'clock at your place. Um… Where do you live?"

    As Char gave Sergio directions to her home, Elys stared at her friend in disbelief. Char was careful not to look at Elys until Sergio left the room and then turned to her, a wary expression on her face. "I know what you're thinking, Elys," she said.

    "Um, no you don't."

    "Yes, I do and it's probably along the lines of 'Are you nuts?' and 'What the heck are you thinking?'"

    "Actually no. I'm just surprised you didn't rip Sergio's head off and spit down his neck."

    "Oh. So you don't mind then?"

    "Mind? Why would I mind?" Elys asked. "Sure I think Sergio's annoying but it's your life, Char. I hate to say it but he's probably better than the other losers you've dated. Just be careful because you may not be able to get rid of Sergio that easily if you get sick of him."

    Char snorted. "I can handle Sergio. But I can't wait to see the look on my mother's face when I show up with him tomorrow night. She's been bemoaning the fact that I'll be sulking in a corner by myself making her and my dad look bad in front of the potential voters."

    "So how formal is your dad's party going to be?" Elys asked. "I picked out a dress but I'm not sure if it's too dressy or not for the occasion."

    "Let's get out of here," Char said. "I'll drop by your place and take a look at the dress and then you can come home with me and help me figure out what I'm going to wear. Deal?"

    "Sounds good to me!"


    The lights came up as the curtain rose and the Meryton Community Players took their bows amongst a standing ovation. Elys clapped and whistled as her sister took a step forward and bowed. "Whoohoo, Kitty!" she shrieked, much to the annoyance of her neighbors.

    Gayle bumped Elys's elbow and hissed, "No so loud. You're making me deaf."

    "Sorry, Gayle."

    The next quarter of an hour was spent in confusion as people began filing out of the theater. Elys tapped her foot impatiently as several people, laughing and conversing, were blocking her row. "Alright people," she finally barked out irritably. "You can take this outside, so mooooooooove along." Elys smiled serenely at the people as they glared at her and picked up their coats to leave.

    "You've got to stop hanging around Char so much," Gayle muttered.

    "Hey, I want to get out of here sometime tonight and Kitty's waiting for us backstage. Besides, I'm supposed to find Georgi somewhere in this crowd."

    "Keep yelling like that," Kyle said from behind Gayle, "and Georgi will be able to find you."

    Elys smiled. "You think?"

    "With that drill sergeant voice of yours, certainly." Kyle pointed out a girl in the crowd on the stairs, jumping up and down, waving vigorously. "See?"

    Elys smiled and waved back at Georgi, who was standing next to her brother, Chase, and Caroline. Caroline looked to be overdressed for this kind of affair, wearing a slinky pearl-colored gown with a short train, every inch covered with embroidery and beads. Jack and Chase were both wearing simple suit and tie ensembles. Elys's smile faded as she realized Jack was staring at her. Again. She stared back at Jack, until he withdrew his gaze. "Creep," she muttered.

    "Elys!" Georgi cried as soon as she could run up to the other woman. "Oh my god, you look beautiful! Where did you get that dress?"

    Elys wore a burgundy-colored dress that had a halter-style neck, a high waist, and full skirt that reached to her knees. "This? I don't remember. I've had it a few years I think. But you look pretty good yourself!"

    Georgi blushed with pleasure as she smoothed out the front of her simple but obviously expensive rose-colored dress. "Jack bought it for me last weekend. He knew I'd been admiring it in the shop window the last few times we went to the mall and picked it up for me as a surprise."

    "Good brother," Elys commented as Jack walked over to them.

    "Jack! I was just telling Elys about your surprise." Georgi grabbed Jack's arm and pulled him in closer. "She says you're a good brother."

    "Oh. Thanks." Jack said uncomfortably. He adjusted his tie and smoothed back his hair, which was pulled neatly back into his usual ponytail.

    "No problem," Elys smiled in amusement.

    "Don't you think Elys looks wonderful?" Georgi asked her brother.

    Jack wanted to strangle his sister. Of course Elys looks wonderful, he thought. Despite his best intentions, she was the first person Jack looked for when he entered the crowded theater. Jack tried his hardest not to do it but he hadn't realized how difficult it was to stop thinking about her. And the harder I try, the more I think of her. He couldn't help contrasting Elys to Caroline. The color of Elys's dress set off the rosy glow of her skin. Her dark hair, loose and tumbling about the shoulders, shone in the lights. She wore very little make-up. A simple gold locket was clasped around her neck. Caroline, on the other hand, was over dressed, dripped with expensive jewelry, wore heavy make-up, and her hair was sprayed and coiffed within an inch of its life. Elys was lush, warm, and inviting compared to Caroline, who seemed to be all cold, hard edges. Jack wondered how Elys knew to set herself up as the perfect foil for Caroline but he privately congratulated her on her success. Even so, the last thing he wanted to do at the moment was to encourage Elys in her pursuit and to let her know she was getting under his skin. Jack was determined not to express his thoughts in any manner but he soon realized that both women were waiting for an answer.

    "Uhhh… You look…" Extraordinary, tempting, exquisite, marry me. Jack quickly squashed those thoughts and picked something safe. "Nice," he finished lamely.

    "Don't overdo the compliments now," Georgi said sarcastically.

    "Oh no, 'nice' is fine," Elys assured Georgi, "considering he didn't run away, screaming in terror. Now I better go find my sister before she explodes with impatience. I'll see you at Mayor Lucas's party." She flashed Georgi a smile and turned it into a smirk for Jack, as she left them.

    Georgi turned and punched Jack in the arm.

    "Ouch! What was that for?" Jack asked, rubbing his arm.

    "For being such a nitwit, that's why! Moron." Georgi glared at her brother and stalked off to rejoin Chase and Caroline.

    "What? What did I say?" Jack called after her.


    The after-party was in full swing by the time Elys and her family reached the Meryton Conservation Club. The room was decorated in tiny lights with a disco ball flashing in the semi-darkness. Music throbbed, making the room shake slightly. Laughter and conversation completed the deluge of noise as many of the adults were already three sheets to the wind. The dance floor was full of couples busy grinding to the latest hip-hop song. Kitty immediately disappeared to find her friends and Gayle and Kyle were swept off by Mayor Lucas to meet some VIPs in the room. Elys squinted through the poor light until she spotted Char and Sergio standing over in one corner of the room having a couple of drinks. She pushed through the crowd until she reached them.

    "Great party," Elys yelled over the music.

    "I know!" Char yelled back. "Wait until everyone's completely plastered. Then we'll really have some fun!"

    "Where's Jane?"

    Char pointed to the dance floor. "With Chase. They started dancing almost as soon as they got here and they've been glued together ever since. It's sickening." Sergio pulled at the sleeve of Char's blouse and she leaned in to listen. "Hey, Elys," she bellowed, "Sergio and I are going out on the dance floor. I'll find you in a bit, okay?"

    Elys waved them off and wandered off into the crowd.


    Jack rubbed his temples as the music pounded through his head. He had never been fond of hip-hop and rap but that was all the music the DJ seemed to have. The night was interminable and Jack was about ready to clobber the next person who wanted to talk about the weather. He had retreated to a corner of the room, near the refreshments, but that gave him little relief as Caroline refused to leave his side. Chase was off somewhere flirting with Elys's friend and Georgi had abandoned him to find Kitty. He was left to deal with Caroline and her snide remarks alone. It wasn't that Jack didn't agree with her on most of her opinions of the Meryton citizenry but he'd rather pull out his teeth with a rusty pair of pliers than ever admit it.

    "Jack! Jack Darcy!" a voice boomed from the other side of the refreshment table.

    Jack looked up to see a slightly tipsy Mayor Lucas bearing down on him. "Mayor Lucas," he acknowledged.

    "Why aren't you dancing?" the mayor demanded, breathing alcohol fumes in Jack's face.

    Jack resisted the urge to pinch his nose and replied. "I don't dance."

    "You don't dance?" the mayor asked incredulously. "Then why are you at a dance?" Mayor Lucas seemed to find his question hilarious as he began to laugh uproariously. "That's the best joke I've heard all night!" he said wiping the tears from his eyes.

    It was just at that moment that Elys brushed past the little group and Mayor Lucas's eyes lit up. He grabbed Elys's arm and wheeled her towards Jack. "Well if you don't dance, then this young lady might just be able to teach you." He began laughing again.

    Elys, surprised and a little displeased at being manhandled, pulled back. "Excuse me, but I didn't come over here looking for someone to dance with," she said a bit irritably.

    "Oh, come on Elys, don't be such a stick in the mud!" Mayor Lucas laughed, hitting her on the shoulder. "Of course you want to dance. It's the primal mating ritual, don't you know?"

    "Well, I'm not here to express any primal urges," Elys retorted.

    Jack had watched the exchange with an avid interest, especially after Elys refused to dance with him. Despite his better judgment, Jack gave into his primal urges and said, "I'd be honored if you'd dance with me, Elys."

    The almost forgotten Caroline hissed in displeasure which had the unfortunate consequence of focusing Mayor Lucas's attention upon her. "Why aren't you dancing, young lady? Well let's remedy this right now!" he exclaimed as he grabbed Caroline's hand and dragged her out onto the floor. Caroline let out a despairing wail as she was subjected to Mayor Lucas's idea of dancing.

    Both Jack and Elys looked on, each privately enjoying Caroline's situation. Then Jack cleared his throat to bring Elys's attention back to him. "You didn't answer me."

    "I know," Elys replied as she walked away.

    Jack cursed silently to himself as he pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning on and followed her. He stayed a few steps behind Elys, appreciating the way her skirts swished from side to side seductively. Jack was so absorbed with the swishing he had hardly noticed that Elys had stopped in front of the refreshments until her skirts had stopped moving. He looked up just in time to see her shooing off some of the teenagers who had gathered around the adult beverages, Georgi and Kitty included. Jack spared one hard glare for his sister before Elys claimed his attention again.

    "Did you need something, Mr. Darcy?" Elys asked, with her hands on her hips and an impatient expression on her face.

    "Yes, I need an answer to my question. Will you dance with me?" Jack demanded. "And the name's Jack." He was getting desperate. He needed to banish Elys from his thoughts but her very behavior made it impossible. Jack hoped that by dancing with her, he could somehow silence the caveman raging wildly inside his brain.

    Elys was about to tell Jack where to stick his offer when she caught sight of Georgi and Kitty standing nearby, covertly watching her reaction. Not wanting to make a scene and embarrass Georgi, Elys sighed. "Yeah. Fine. Whatever." Without another word, Jack grabbed Elys's hand and pulled her out onto the dance floor. "Gee, aren't we gallant?" Elys said sarcastically.

    "Sorry," Jack said not sounding very apologetic. The song that had been playing ended and instead of the usual bump and grind music, a slow song started. Jack hesitantly put his hands around Elys's waist and drew her in close. From this distance, he could smell soft vanilla scent of her skin and tried very hard to think of the reason why he needed to stay away from her.

    Elys tried to keep some distance between herself and Jack but the crush of people on the floor made it somewhat impossible. She settled for not looking into his eyes and choosing the less intimate option by watching the crowd over his left shoulder. Elys was irritated enough not to be bothered by the lack of conversation between them.

    The silence lasted through the first song when it finally melded into the second, Jack was inclined to talk. "So does Mayor Lucas often throw these parties after every opening night?"

    "No, this is a special occasion," Elys replied.

    "Oh? What's the occasion."

    "You. Mayor Lucas didn't want you to think we were uncultured louts so he decided throw a drunken bash to prove it," Elys said dryly.

    "Good," Jack said with relief. "I don't particularly want to be subject to this kind of ordeal again. These people are getting on my nerves."

    "Forbearance towards your fellow man is always a virtue," Elys replied tartly.

    "You find me lacking then?"

    Elys looked Jack full in the face as she pulled away. "In more ways than one," she said archly. "Now, I'm afraid I'm worn out. If you'll excuse me."

    Jack watched Elys walk away from him, feeling more frustrated than ever. She's good. She's very, very good.

    Chapter 7: You Make Me Sick

    Posted on May 17, 2009

    Mayor Lucas's party soon faded into memory as the month of January wound down. A general sort of languor settled over the town of Meryton as they looked toward February. Even though it was the shortest month of the year, most people agreed that February seemed the longest. The Michigan spring wasn't that far away but most of the state was still locked in snow and ice. The temperature often dipped below zero and the winds scoured the land, blowing and drifting snow, keeping most people trapped indoors. As February passed into March, winter's grip seemed to lessen though the occasional snow storm still reminded Michigan's residents that spring hadn't yet arrived.

    Elys continued to make her thrice weekly trip out the to the Darcy mansion. Kitty still accompanied Elys, much to the delight of their parents, even after she was no longer grounded. Gayle thought Kitty showed a definite improvement in attitude the more time she spent around Georgi. And so on the last day of Georgi's private lessons, when it was proposed for Kitty to sleep over that night, Gayle had no qualms in agreeing to it. Georgi was a nice girl and it was a Friday, so neither she nor Kitty had school to worry about the next day.

    It had been snowing all day, and Elys had to tell Kitty for the third time to stop bouncing around as the car once again skidded toward the ditch. In spite of Elys's fears, the two sisters made it the mansion safe and sound. Kitty was out of the car in a moment and through the side entrance of the mansion before Elys could even turn off the ignition and unbuckle her seatbelt. Muttering to herself about inconsiderate sisters, Elys grabbed both her and Kitty's gym bags from the back seat and made a quick dash through the snow for the door.

    Kitty and Georgi proved to be almost completely unmanageable. Elys had to remind Georgi repeatedly that the test for her first belt was scheduled for next Monday evening. Her reproofs would work for a while but then the two friends would soon work themselves up into a fever pitch again. Elys finally gave up and let them go after about forty-five minutes. She wasn't too worried about Monday, since Georgi knew all her requirements pretty well.

    Elys shrugged back into her coat with a grimace. She didn't relish the thought of driving all the way back home, even without Kitty distracting her. Elys grabbed her gym bag and walked back down the hallway to the entrance where she encountered a slight problem. The wind had picked up to the point where Elys could barely push open the door a crack before it would blow back shut again.

    "I wouldn't go out there if I were you," a voice said from behind Elys, making her yelp in surprise. She whirled to find Jack standing there.

    "Don't scare me like that!" Elys almost yelled. She closed her eyes and counted to ten before saying in a calmer voice, "Now what did you say?"

    "I wouldn't go out there. The wind's kicked up to about fifty miles per hour and it's blowing all the roads shut. The plows can't keep up."

    Elys stared at Jack in dismay. Michigan weather was always very unpredictable and even though Jack was probably right, there was no way she was going to hang around until it cleared up. Elys hadn't quite felt comfortable around Jack ever since Mayor Lucas's party. He would still sometimes appear quietly to watch Georgi's training sessions but he would always stare intently at Elys. His behavior to her was always mercurial: sometimes talkative almost to the point of being chatty and at other times, brooding and silent. But there was always an undertone of wary watchfulness and a bite of sarcasm to each statement he made. Elys didn't know what to make of it and she wasn't going to even try.

    "I'll just take my chances," Elys replied, throwing all her weight against the door and forcing it open wide enough for her to make her escape. Her car was caked in snow and ice, so Elys decided start the engine and get the heat on to make the task of unburying it easier. But when she tried to start the ignition, nothing happened and a familiar buzzing noise made Elys groan and beat her head against the steering wheel. She tried it again and still there was nothing. A tap on her window made Elys jump for the second time that day and she peered out to see Jack standing just outside. She grasped the handle and rolled down the window.

    "Something wrong?" Jack yelled in order to be heard above the wind.

    "I think my alternator's dead," Elys replied.

    "Well, come back inside and I'll see what I can do."

    Elys climbed back out of the car and gave it a hard kick. "Stupid car," she muttered.

    Jack's eyebrows rose. "You've put a dent in it, you know."

    "Nothing a toilet plunger can't fix," Elys shrugged.

    Jack gave her a strange look and then turned and walked swiftly back to the house. "I'll call and see if we can get a tow truck out here," he said over his shoulder. "Follow me."

    Elys followed Jack through several twists and turns of the hallway until they entered a large kitchen. Everything from the counters to the appliances was stainless steel. Jack opened one of the many drawers and pulled out a telephone book. After locating tow trucks in the Yellow Pages, he pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed a number.

    "Hi, Longbourn Towing? Yeah, I need a tow truck out at my place… What?... Oh. Thirteen-oh-two Austen Road… Really? Well how long?... Is there anyone I could call who could get here faster?... I guess we'll just have to wait then… Okay. Thanks. Bye." Jack closed his cell phone and looked up at Elys. "They said they couldn't possibly get out here until tomorrow."

    "What?" Elys exclaimed. "Why?"

    "They've got such a heavy workload with all the people in ditches and accidents right now. And the guy on the phone said that the county was thinking about shutting down the roads to all but emergency vehicles."

    "How am I supposed to get home?" Elys asked desperately. "I'm supposed to meet Char and who's going to feed my cat?"

    "I'd drive you home myself but the roads are too dangerous right now. I think you're stuck here for tonight," Jack answered, trying to ignore the feeling the satisfaction it gave him. He handed her the cell phone. "You can make whatever calls you need to."

    "Thanks," Elys said, taking the phone. She turned her back and first called Gayle and then Char to explain her situation. After she hung up with them, Elys turned back and handed the phone to Jack. "Is there somewhere I can get cleaned up?" she asked. "I really don't want to smell like sweat and body odor all night."

    "I'll show you to your room," Jack said. "It's this way." He led her once more through the mansion, up to the second floor, and down the long corridor. He stopped in front of a set of doors. "You can sleep in here tonight. It has its own bathroom for you to use. Do you… Do you have anything clean to change into?"

    Elys felt her face flush with embarrassment. "Um… No, I don't. I always dress in my uniform before I leave home and I don't usually pack extra clothes. There's no room in the gym bag with all the equipment you see."

    "Hang on a second then." Jack quickly disappeared into the room across the hall and Elys could see him rifling around in a large dresser through the open door. He took out several things before walking back out to Elys. "Here, take these," he said handing her what looked like a white t-shirt, sweatpants, and a pair of socks. "These are mine so they'll probably be a bit big but they'll have to do. I'll be down in the TV room where Georgi and Kitty most likely are. I'll tell them you're still here. You're more than welcome to join us. Do you know where it is?" When Elys shook her head, Jack proceeded to give her directions.

    Elys watched him walk away with mixed emotions. She hated being beholden to Jack for anything but was surprised and grateful that he was actually being so nice about it. Elys hoped the rest of the evening would go as smoothly.

    Elys tossed and turned, trying hard to fall asleep. The bed was comfortable but the room was so large it made her nervous. She kept expecting something to pop out of the shadows at every moment. Elys sighed and turned again, this time punching her pillows into a more comfortable shape. Her mind wandered to earlier this evening when she had gone down to the TV room after her shower where everyone was watching Twilight on the large LCD television. Kitty and Georgi were ecstatic to see her and even Jack seemed obscurely pleased. Chase was his usual charming self. Caroline had stormed out after taking one look at Elys. It probably had something to do with me wearing Jack's clothes. I bet she's jealous. she thought with a quiet chuckle. I wonder if--

    A loud crash interrupted Elys's musings. The sound of glass shattering and a loud thump followed. Elys leaped out of bed and flew to her door to open it. She peered outside and could discern through the dimness Jack, sitting on the floor and holding his foot. His long hair was down and falling into his face as he cursed up a storm. Elys rushed out and crouched down next to him.

    "What happened?" she asked.

    "I was walking to my room when I bumped into this stupid side table," Jack gasped in pain, hitting the broken piece of furniture. "I guess that's what I get for walking in the dark."

    "Are you all right?"

    "I think I twisted my ankle," Jack replied, rubbing his foot.

    "Here, let me help you up." Elys offered Jack a hand and helped him struggle to his feet. When he hissed in pain, she said, "I'll get you into your bedroom, okay?"

    Jack merely nodded when Elys put arm around his waist and supported him as he hobbled into the room. Even through the pain, Elys's scent managed to penetrate his awareness. He tried concentrating on reaching the bed rather than how close she was. Jack had almost reached his goal and was turning to sit down when he stumbled and tripped over Elys's feet. They both fell onto the bed, Elys landing on top of him.

    Neither one moved, startled by the suddenness of the fall and the closeness of each other. Jack could feel the heat of Elys's body through her thin t-shirt and the rise and fall of her chest as she panted heavily. His body began to react and he was helpless to stop it. He reached out and brushed her cheek softly with the back of his hand.

    Elys froze at the sudden contact. Jack's face was inches from hers, his dark hair framing his face and highlighting the shadows of his jaw and cheekbones. Elys suddenly realized just how handsome he was. For a moment her brain warred with her body but the brain won out in the end. She pushed herself off of him, blushing furiously. "I hope you'll be okay," she said before fleeing the room.

    Jack felt the cool air rush in where Elys's body had been and groaned loudly. He knew he wouldn't be sleeping tonight. What Jack didn't know was Elys spent the entire night wide awake as well.

    Kitty and Georgi burst into Elys's room the next morning and leaped onto the bed where Elys was sprawled out, one arm thrown across her face. Elys grunted as the two teenagers landed on top of her. "Get off!" she wheezed shoving the girls over and onto the floor.

    "Morning Elys," Kitty sang cheerfully.

    "Get out," Elys growled.

    "Mrs. Reynolds is downstairs, making breakfast," Georgi said. "Are you hungry?"

    Elys felt her stomach growl at the mention of food and she sat up groggily. "Alright, I'll get up." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"

    "A little after eight," Kitty replied. "Gee, Elys, you look awful. Didn't you sleep?"

    "Not really," Elys yawned again. She rolled out of bed and stood a bit unsteadily. "You said something about food?"

    Georgi and Kitty each took one of Elys's hands and led her out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen, where Jack, Caroline, and Chase were already eating at the breakfast table. Chase, ever his cheerful self, greeted the trio brightly. Jack barely glanced up from the newspaper he was reading and mumbled something incoherent. Caroline, already dressed and primped into perfection, ignored their entrance and concentrated on her bowl of Special K.

    Elys took a seat on one of the tall stools surrounding the island in the middle of the kitchen with Georgi and Kitty. Mrs. Reynolds walked up to them with a large smile on her face. "What'll be this morning girls? I have bacon, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and toast, or you can have cereal."

    "Are the hashbrowns homemade?" Elys asked hopefully.

    "Of course!" Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed. "You won't find that frozen stuff in my kitchen."

    Elys grinned. "A woman after my own heart. I'll have the eggs and bacon too."

    After a quick whispered consultation with each other, Georgi and Kitty told Mrs. Reynolds they'd have the same thing as Elys. Mrs. Reynolds set out three heaping plates in front of them and the girls dug in enthusiastically.

    It was quiet in the kitchen for a while until the scraping of a chair on the floor broke the silence. Caroline stood and carried her bowl to the sink. She turned and leaned against the counter and said with a smirk, "You might not want to eat all of that, Elys. You'll ruin your figure."

    Everyone looked up in horror. Chase jumped to his feet, his face twisted in anger and Jack dropped his newspaper to glare at Caroline. Kitty stared open-mouthed at her sister as she felt tension fill the room. Elys's fist tightened around her fork and she was seriously thinking of impaling Caroline with it, when Georgi suddenly spoke up. "Hey, Jack, did I tell you that Caroline called me and Kitty a couple of brats?"

    "Oh? When was this?" Jack asked, still glaring at Caroline.

    "A few weeks back. Just out blue, she insulted us!" Kitty chimed in and looked triumphantly at Caroline, whose smug expression was replaced by one of dismay.

    "Really? That wasn't very nice." Jack said coldly. "Maybe Caroline would like to explain why she was so rude to you and my sister?"

    "Uh…I have to make a couple of phone calls. If you'll excuse me," Caroline said in a panicky voice as she ran from the kitchen.

    Everyone eventually returned to their breakfasts in silence as the tension eased down. The only sound was the crinkling of the newspaper as Jack turned the pages. They all jumped when Georgi spoke again, her voice loud in the stillness.

    "Hey Elys, just exactly how were you and Kitty going to get home with your car dead?"

    Elys looked up from her plate. "Oh. I guess I just thought we'd catch a ride back in the tow truck. The both of us should fit in the cab. I can call our parents from the garage to get a ride from there."

    "But you don't know when the truck's going to show up right?" Georgi asked frowning. She turned to Jack. "Hey big brother, why don't you lend them one of your cars? That way they don't have to hang around all day. I'm sure Elys has stuff to do. Plus I'm not comfortable with them riding home with a stranger."

    "No, that's all right," Elys said quickly. "Really, it's fine. Besides, I don't want be an inconvenience or anything."

    "You won't be an inconvenience," Georgi laughed. "Jack's got tons of cars."

    "I would prefer it if you would follow her advice," Jack said stiffly to Elys after giving his sister a hard stare. "Georgi's right. I can loan you a car without difficulty. And as it's the weekend, I doubt your car will be fixed before Monday at the soonest, so you may borrow it until you no longer need it."

    "No, thank you. You really don't--" Ely started to reply

    "I insist." Jack interrupted. "Now, if I can finish my breakfast in peace, I would appreciate it."

    Elys shrugged and decided to let the matter drop. Even though he was being far from gracious about it, Jack and Georgi were most likely right.

    The black HUMMER rolled to a stop in front of the Bennet house. Kitty hopped down out of the truck and turned back to wave at Elys as she drove off. Gayle, who had been watching out the window, quickly pulled the front door open as her daughter ran up the sidewalk.

    "Was that Elys?" Gayle asked incredulously.

    "Yep! Her car broke down," Kitty replied as she kicked her shoes off in the foyer and shook the snow out of her hair. She slung her gym bag over her shoulder and headed down the hallway to her room.

    "Well, where did she get the HUMMER?" Gayle called after her daughter.

    "Jack Darcy. You know, I get the feeling he kinda likes her," Kitty called back as she shut her bedroom door.

    "Huh… Well I'll be," Gayle murmured to herself. "I wonder if there's something Elys hasn't told me." Frowning, she checked the clock and estimated the time until she was sure Elys would be home. Gayle was determined to grill her step-daughter until Elys came clean on the details of her relationship with Jack Darcy.

    Continued In Next Section

    © 2009 Copyright held by the author.