Beginning, Section II

Chapter 8

illiam Darcy greeted his cousin enthusiastically. Charles and Caroline came up behind him, with their own greetings too. Caroline, disheveled and bleary eyed muttered hasty apologies, before ascending the stairs to go to bed.

The rest of them entered the living room. After talking for a few minutes, Charles too, left the room and Darcy and Fitzwilliam were left alone.

"Well cousin? Is it nice to see me?"

William had walked to a cabinet and produced a bottle of sherry and two glasses.

"I don't come here, merely to gaze upon you, as Caroline might!" Replied his cousin, jokingly. "I wish to see how you are. Is there anything special in your life, or anyone special?" He added meaningfully.

Darcy had poured a glass of sherry for himself and his cousin. He looked at Andrew almost scornfully.

"Special? Life is as boring as it usually is. As for 'admirers'," he said, trying to hide the bitterness, "there's only her." He indicated to someone upstairs, meaning Caroline.

"But, tell me," Andrew persisted, "You haven't found anyone, as yet."

William settled his glass down, thoughtfully. Had he? Elizabeth Bennett?

"No," he replied with a laugh, "how can I find a person who can take me as I am? Not as Mr. William Darcy, owner of about a zillion Pemberley stores and nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh." Even though Elizabeth Bennett hadn't seemed affected by his fortune, (she actually seemed disgusted by it), he felt that even she might be a little bit influenced by how much money he had.

Andrew was looking at him carefully.

"What would you say, if I told you I was thinking of trying this new agency for lonely hearts?" He handed Darcy a leaflet.

William took it and read it, it said: 'Talk Sweet Talk' Then went on about their new fool proof dating method ensuring your identity was kept a secret and how to find the perfect partner, who didn't just go for looks. William looked at his cousin in disbelief.

"No way! You, go for this? You don't need some dating agency to meet someone!"

"Oh yes I do, cousin. You fail to remember, that my relationship to you, and I hasten to add, being a blood relation to you, makes it quite difficult for me to separate the gold diggers from the genuine people."

"But, this? Resorting to picking the best, from potential psychopaths! You hear all these stories about nutters who go into these. They pick a vulnerable person who will succumb to their charms, then murder them." He said wildly.

Andrew leant forward, on his chair and looked at his cousin eagerly,

"But, wouldn't it be nice, to pretend you were someone else? Build a relationship with someone, over the phone, then meet them? True, there are risks, but the good which might come out of this, far outweighs those!"

William looked at him doubtfully. However, he did want to get Elizabeth out of his mind. To know she was so near, yet so far, knowing that she disliked him intensely and being uncertain whether she might ever see him as something other than rich, pained him greatly. What was the harm in doing this dating thing with Fitzwilliam? After all, he had just been thinking about going out and having fun and not being alone. Why not?

He smiled at his cousin.

"I'll do it!"

Andrew gave a boyish whoop of joy and dug into his suitcase, to his cousins surprise. After scrambling through clothes and books for a few minutes, he withdrew a tape recorder.

"I just knew you would listen to me!" He said smugly.

Darcy shook his head slowly, with a patient smile, yet half annoyed that his cousin had been able to predict his answer.

"I've got two tapes, we can start recording now, and we can hand them in tomorrow!"

"Now? It's two in the morning!"

"The sooner we start, the better. By the way, who is she?" Asked his cousin, carelessly.

"Who's who?" William asked, confused.

"The person you are thinking about, not Caroline, I know!"

"I have no idea what you mean." Darcy lied, then turned away. "Let's get taping then."

Elizabeth woke up at 7.00. She had to meet Carly to hand in the tapes and Jane was meeting Charles for a shopping expedition in London, with Caroline, of course. She had a quick breakfast of toast and marmalade then drove to Carlys house. Carly was waiting for her and she jumped into the car, quickly.

"Got the tapes?"

"Yup!"

"Then, let's go!"

They drove to Chapel Road, and parked outside a shop with the sign 'Talk Sweet Talk' above it.

"Naff name!" Laughed Elizabeth.

Carly shrugged, then winced at the tacky pink and red hearts, surrounding the words.

They went in.

They were greeted by a smiling woman, who informed them that matches would be found for them in less than a week. It was 'customary' for the man to be given their tapes, and they would be contacted by their matches. Carly and Elizabeth left the shop.

"So sexist!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "The man gets to ask the woman out!"

Carly nodded in agreement as she got into the car.

"But, if it gets this single girl a date, it's fine with me!"

William and Andrew drove to Chapel Road in Andrews car, it was less conspicuous. They had decided to get out early, in order to get a parking space. They found one, just being left by its previous occupant. A blue 'Nissan Micra'. Darcy stared at it. Elizabeth Bennet had a car like that. Could it be her? He could only see the back of the car, and could just make out two heads. But, he couldn't tell if one of them was hers. What would she be doing here, anyway? The thought that she might be going to the dating agency stirred feelings of jealousy in him. After all, she was his Elizabeth. His Elizabeth? When had she become so familiar with him? The early morning Sun shone into his eyes and he swore in annoyance as it blocked his view. Andrew looked at him curiously.

"What's up?"

"Nothing." The Sun had hidden itself behind a cloud, but the blue 'Micra' was out of sight.

As Elizabeth drew out of the parking space, she could see a rusty white 'Datsun' in her rear view mirror. One of the people seemed vaguely familiar. But, she couldn't quite see who it was.

"Hey, Carly, can you see who it is behind us?"

Carly turned her head, to look through the back windscreen.

"Dunno. Some blond guy I think and a dark haired one. Sun's shining too much, can't quite see. Why?"

"Oh nothing. Thought it was someone I know."

Chapter 9

Two days later Elizabeth had just come back from work. She had finished early today Her sister Jane was on the phone. She could just about hear her.

"Yes. I'll tell her. No, no she won't be back for ages..." Elizabeth run to the phone.

"I'm here, I'm here!" she yelled

"Oh, she's just got in." Jane turned to her sister with a wicked grin, covering the end of the phone with her hand. "Who's Edward? Tell me Lizzy!"

"Who?"

"Edward. Edward Carter. He wants to talk to you."

Elizabeth took the phone. Edward?

Jane tiptoed away, "I want to know everything!" She demanded in a whisper.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Elizabeth Bennett?"

"Yeah. Please excuse me, but do I know you/"

"Oh, dear me, sorry! I got your number from the dating agency." Elizabeth punched into the air, in silent triumph for her friend. Carly had a date.

"Oh, yeah! It's good to hear from you!"

The man on the other end gave a chuckle. Elizabeth winced. Maybe she had been too hasty in thinking Carly was lucky. The man did, however, sound vaguely familiar. There was a certain oilyness in his manner of speaking.

" I thought we could meet? Maybe for lunch?"

"That sounds good!" Elizabeth tried to sound enthusiastic for Carly. The man emmitted a short snort of laughter.

"I was thinking about the Dolphin Royal?"

"I think that sounds perfect."

"See you, then. I'll be wearing a white rose, at 1.00, I had it all planned out." Said the man with another little chortle.

Ugggh! Elizabeth truly felt sorry for her friend. But, again, the chortle triggered off her memory of someone, but she couldn't quite place who it was.

"Bye." She replied, finally, then put the phone down.

Jane ran into the room.

"Well?" She asked, expectantly.

"Oh, Edward's just an acquaintance of Carly," she said, quickly, "he lost her number and asked me, for it. But, I told him Carly's phone had broken, so it was no point."

Then Elizabeth remembered something.

"Oh, yeah, if anyone calls for Carly, it's because all her calls are being passed onto me. Just give all messages to Carly, to me. You don't mind do you? It's just that with her phone being broken, she'll have to go through ours. Is it all right?"

"It's fine! But I am a little disappointed."

Elizabeth looked at her quizzically.

"Why?"

"I thought the call was for you."

"Oh well." Replied her sister, walking into her room. "Let's settle into my job, properly, first."

She dropped her bag onto her bed, then rang up Carly.

"Hey," she said, as she heard her friend, "You've got a date."

"Already? All right! Way to go me! Oh sorry Lizzy, no calls for you yet?"

"Nope. But, I have to warn you, don't get too excited yet."

"Why?"

"The guy sounds like a real slime ball. To tell you the whole story, he sounded really familiar. I'm dying to know who he is."

"Great. Still, we haven't consorted with many creepy guys of late."

"Unless you include Mr Collins. Urgghhh..." Elizabeth shuddered.

"'Slime Maximus'!"

"Well, you can be sure of one thing, Mr Collins is not the sort to go to this sort of thing."

"Are you sure?" Carly asked, anxiously.

"Positive." Replied her friend, confidently.

Chapter 10

Elizabeth sat with a despondent Carly, trying not to laugh. The account of Carlys date was amusing, but she did feel sorry for her. Carly miserably took a huge gulp of coffee and choked.

"Take it easy!" Elizabeth hit her on the back.

"Thanks."

"So, are you going to withdraw your tape?" Asked Elizabeth. "I mean, it wasn't exactly successful."

"Hell no!" Her friend replied with determination. "There are plenty more fish in the 'singles' sea', even though," she grimaced, "even though, I happened to have picked a deformed one, first."

Elizabeth laughed at that.

"Yeah, Collins isn't exactly the person I might choose to go out with! How did you get through lunch?"

"I didn't. I pretended that I had an important appointment that I had forgotten about, ran out and didn't look back!"

Just then, the phone rang, and the two of them in eager expectancy both grabbed for the phone. Elizabeth got to it first.

"Hello?" She asked, breathlessly.

"Elizabeth, is that you?" Came a sharp, authoritarian voice.

"Oh, it's you mother."

"It's nice to hear that you are happy to hear from me." Her mother replied, a little tartly.

"Sorry, I was expecting someone else, that's all."

"Well, I wish to speak to Jane."

"I'm afraid Jane's not in right now."

"I've been trying to contact her for days. Where is she?" Francine demanded.

"I could take a message, Jane's been really busy lately, she's been working overtime."

"I was hoping to visit, but I see I'll have to wait until Jane is back, before I come."

"This is my flat too, you know," Elizabeth said, pointedly, "I could give you the permission to visit, you seem to want."

"Don't be ridiculous girl, I want to see Jane and that Bingley boy, that's why I must ask her to wait for me in the flat. If I wished to pay a little, trivial visit to my daughters, I would see no cause to ask permission!" She retorted

"I'll tell Jane you called mother." Replied her daughter, attempting to sound patient.

"You do that." The phone was put down abruptly.

"Only mum." She told Carly. But almost as soon as the phone was put down, it rang again. Elizabeth picked it up.

"Hello?" Elizabeth asked, tiredly. She was sick of asking hello, and being disappointed.

"May I speak to Carly Lucas?" The voice was warm and pleasant. Elizabeth felt her heart beat faster. Yes! She thought excitedly. First caller for me! She showed a thumbs-up sign to Carly, meaning-success.

"Speaking." Elizabeth tried to sound calm.

"My name's George Whitton, I got your number from the dating agency."

"It's really nice talking to you. To tell you the truth, I didn't think anyone would contact me!"

"Same here!" The man laughed. "My friend convinced me to try this agency thing out, I wasn't too keen, but he made a few pointed remarks about me vegetating in the house!"

"Wow! That's a coincidence. My friend Carl...umm, I mean, Elizabeth, told me to send in a tape!"

"One thing, amongst others, we have in common, then. Nagging friends!" They both laughed.

"Would I be too hasty, in asking whether you would like to meet me for lunch?" George Whitton sounded concerned. Elizabeth warmed to him, for his politeness.

"That would be great!"

"Where would you like to meet and at what time?"

"I thought, the 'Rainforest Cafe' would be nice, tomorrow and what do you say to 12.30?"

"Perfect." He replied, enthusiastically.

"Ummm...How will I tell who you are?"

"Wear a...a yellow rose." He said, quickly.

Elizabeth laughed.

"This sounds like some corny film." She remarked.

They said their goodbyes in good spirits. After putting down the phone, she turned to look at an expectant Carly.

"He sounds so nice!" She jumped back onto the sofa triumphantly.

"What's the date?"

"Lunch at the 'Rainforest Cafe' at 12.30, with yellow roses."

Carly looked at her half enviously, half pleased for her friend, then sighed dramatically.

"Oh well, I'll have to face the simple truth," she said to herself, in mock self-pity, "Lizzy will always have more pulling power than me, even with random dating."

"Yeah...yeah." Replied her friend. "You'll see. He'll probably be one of those people who just sound nice over the phone. But I bet he turns out to be even more of a creep than Collins." In truth, Elizabeth was feeling fairly confident that he was going to turn out really nice. His voice was nice enough, well he charmed the socks off her and she was certain he could do that to most women. In fact, why was he using a dating agency to find dates, then? Well, she'd just have to find out why, when she met him. Maybe she was mistaken. He had to have some defect of a sort.

Darcy looked at the tape after he listened to it, thinking. He had visited the agency that day, to collect his date tape. The woman had greeted him, without recognising who he was, which pleased him. She had handed him the tape and all the while, he had been uncertain whether this dating thing was such a good idea.

He had been swept away by Fitzwilliams enthusiasm, and now, he had time to think about his decision.

The woman at the desk had told him that he had just missed the 'Purrrfect' date. He had winced at that remark. Everything about the agency reeked of-tacky. According to her, a man had already been given the tape of the lady who so suited him, but she would put his name by hers when the tape was returned.

Now, he was looking at the tape he had been given today. The person sounded all right. Her name was Mary King. Darcy looked at her tape, then resigned himself to fate. He reached for the phone.

The phone rang for a while, until he heard the answering machine:

Hi, you've reached the house of Mary King. Please leave your name and number after the tone, and I'll contact you as soon as possible.

Darcy hesitated, before speaking. He always felt awkward about talking to a machine.

"Hi, my name is John Warden and I got your number from a dating agency." Then a sudden thought occurred to him. In a sudden moment of madness, he thought to himself- why not seem impulsive?

"If you'd like to meet me, I'll see you at..." he thought quickly "...The 'Rainforest Cafe' at 1.00, tomorrow. I'll be holding a red rose. See you there, if you come."

He put the phone down, feeling better. It was fun to make a date. Hey! He might even be stood up, something which had never happened to him. Perhaps she might even take away his thoughts of Elizabeth.

Chapter 11: 'The Hot-Spot'

Whilst most people were actively engaged with fixing up engagements and other little amusements, the redoubtable Caroline, was actively engaged with her mornings scheming. She would normally start the day, by devoting two whole hours to choosing an appropriate outfit, today was different, however. The process of selecting an outfit from her wide range of designer gear, took one hour longer. Because, today was different.

A passing comment by her brother, Charles, informed her of something alarming, something totally unprecedented, unimaginable, until now. Therefore, Caroline had thought, pursing her lips, the days attire should meet the requirements of no less than royalty. She had scanned her wardrobe, critically- orange, pink, purple? Purple was a must. She finally chose a purple skirt ('Chanel'), an orange blouse, with tasteful black trimmings and wore her pink stilettoes.

With what she considered a saucy smile, she let her skirt billow out, as she spun with a twirl, worthy of Darcy Bustle herself. Then, she struck a 'graceful' pose in the mirror. Beautiful!

Darcy was a fool, if there ever was one! She quivered with suppressed anger, as she thought of the woman, who might gain his affection. Dating agency indeed! When so much more could be offered to him, than some...argghhhh! She punched a pillow in anger. Little Miss Mary King! She'd show the little tart! Caroline ignored the fact that she knew nothing at all, about her. Perish the thought that Darcy should succumb to her charms! No doubt she was a 'fallen woman', thought Caroline to herself, nodding firmly, wanting to prey on rich, vulnerable men! The cheek! She thought, righteously.

She slapped some moisturising creme, onto her face, viciously. The familiar bundled up hair, sat on her head precariously. She peered into the mirror again, twisting her face, this way and that. Satisfied with the overall result, she smiled at the mirror,

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall," she said, whimsically, "am I the fairest of them all?"

She assumed a deep, powerful voice,

"O queen, o queen, you are the fairest of them all. The foul maiden Elizabeth Bennett, wilts next to you and the piffling Mary King is nothing, that is true!"

"Ha, ha!" Caroline said out loud. Oh my dears, she thought to herself, evilly, my poor little things. The lock-laden, sassy, Eliza Bennett is no match for me, and Mary King, she thought, in mock pity, no waif like creature, for that was what she was sure to be, no waif like creature could stand in the way of Caroline Bingley.

Darcy hummed cheerfully, as he made his way to his car. The first thing to do was to go to the 'Talk Sweet Talk' shop to return the tape- he didn't need it anymore.

He zipped through the roads and found a parking place. As he was getting out of his car so fast, he accidentally bumped into a man, who was going into the 'Talk Sweet Talk' agency.

"Dreadfully sorry," came a familiar voice. Darcy picked himself up, and looked up to see a familiar face. The face of someone he would have dearly loved to forget. Through certain circumstances, however, that face was firmly etched in his memory. He stiffened in anger.

"Will, how pleasant to see you," the person said, insincerely.

"Can't say the same thing, George. I told you to stay away from me."

"Oh, but of course, I was only be too happy to obey the magnificent Darcy family," he said bitterly, and with characteristic smarm, "only," he looked at the agency, "I didn't know that a Darcy frequented such places. But, of course, I'm wrong. Dear me! Dreadfully sorry! I shall, in future, be more careful and bow to the beneficence of the honourable William Darcy, who allows me such freedom." He gave a mocking little bow.

Darcy looked at him in disgust,

"My business is not your business George."

"Oh, but it is! We are, you forget, tied in a most familiar way."

"Through my father, whom you would disgrace, if he were alive!"

"You would wish it to be!"

"I know for certain! " Darcy moved past George quickly," now leave me!"

"Only too happy to oblige."

The two men, both made their way to the customer desk of the agency. Both handed back tapes. The lady looked at them both, with a smile,

"Satisfactory?"

Darcy smiled,

"Successful, I think!"

George interrupted, with a charming smile,

"I have a date for today, actually. She seems very pleasant."

The lady smiled, turning around from a rack, where the tapes were kept.

"That's good to hear! I hope it goes well." The two men left the shop.

George and Darcy ignored each other as they walked out. Darcy's mind was racing. God help the poor girl! He pitied George's date. As he walked to his car, the woman from the agency came running out,

"Please sir, I forgot to give you this. This tape was the one I recommended to you. The other young man left it." Darcy stopped short. He wasn't having any of his cast offs! He shook his head politely,

"No thank you." The woman looked at him firmly.

"Are you so certain that your date is going to go that well?"

Darcy hesitated. It wouldn't do any harm. He could ring to meet if he wanted to, but he could return it. He accepted the tape, slipped it into his pocket, and headed back home, to change.

Caroline was waiting for him, as he got in.

"Will, darling, I've been waiting for you!" She slipped her arm into his reluctant arm. Andrew, who was just coming down the stairs, grinned. Darcy scowled at him.

Caroline pouted, when she saw Andrew, turning to Darcy,

"Andrew has been most frightful! He's been going around, the whole morning, and I mean, the whole morning, with this stupid grin on his face."

"I can't think what you mean, Carol." Andrew replied, lightly, walking into the kitchen, with a bounce in his step.

"Don't call me Carol," she hissed, through clenched teeth, dragging Darcy with her, as she strode after Andrew.

"Uh, Caroline?" Darcy resisted the drag tentatively.

Caroline turned a dazzling smile upon him,

"Will?"

"I have to go somewhere."

"Oh, can I come?" Caroline tugged his arm, tossing her hair, girlishly. The towering creation wobbled unsteadily.

Andrew grinned over the tip of the 'tower',

"The 'Tower of Pisa', Darcy?" He asked his cousin, 'inquisitively', as he saw Darcy attempting to keep a straight face, as he watched the 'tower' in open and frank wonder.

"I don't get it." said Caroline, confused. "Will, what's the matter with your face?"

"I think he must be overwhelmed, by your offer of companionship. I believe, he might even be swayed in his decision." Andrew replied, looking at Caroline, seriously.

Darcy caught his eye, and gave him a warning frown, his eyes bright with mirth.

"It's a private meeting, Caroline." Darcy apologised, having recovered from his fit.

"Oh, well, that's fine." Caroline said in an agreeable tone of voice. But, her mind was working. It was that King girl? She thought, furiously. She's got her claws into him already!

As Darcy left the house, she crept into the garage, to fetch a bicycle.

Hitching up her skirt and fixing a helmet on her head, (she had to loosen her hairdo) she waited until Darcy had driven off about 10 metres, then she began cycling furiously after him.

Elizabeth excitedly jumped into her car. She was on her date with the mysterious George Whitton! She popped the yellow rose into her pocket and drove away from her flat.

She arrived at the cafe in good time-12.10. She went inside, picked a table next to some parrots, fairly near the entrance and sat down.

Darcy had arrived at the cafe at 12.00. Too early, of course, but he could wait. He walked to the end of the restaurant, and sat down.

Unbeknownst to him, Caroline was on his trail. She puffed and panted as she cycled through the searing heat. Amused drivers looked at her progress with interest. She gave them a dirty look. The lights turned red. Darcys car had gone.

"Damn it!" Caroline said to herself. The lights turned amber.

"Move it, move it!" She shrieked, her voice piercing the blare of the traffic. She rang the bicycle bell, swerving through the cars. Several annoyed drivers rolled down their windows and shouted at her. Caroline, hot, sweaty, and frighteningly vicious, stuck her middle finger up at them.

"So much for decorum!" she sniffed, haughtily, to herself. She saw Darcy's car and raced after it ferociously, her stilettoed feet, pedalling like mad. A red Toyota sensibly moved out of the way, as the 'bull on the bicycle', charged down, upon it.

With a swift dextrous movement, Caroline slipped into a space between two cars, and stood her bicycle between them. Easy as pie. She hopped off, wiped her smudged face and waited. She saw Darcy enter the 'Rainforest cafe', then, to her horror, she saw Elizabeth Bennett go in. Stunned she gaped at the door in which the two had disappeared into. The Bennett girl was the date! Another man walked in, with a yellow rose as did a red-haired woman, who seemed to know the man. They were chatting. Caroline watched them go in too, before deciding on her plan of action. So, the Bennett girl, thought she might 'chance by' Darcy. Well, two could play that game. With much determination, she walked, purposefully to the entrance.

Elizabeth saw him. George Whitton. Good looking, tall, and wearing that yellow rose, in his pocket. He smiled at her. She smiled back, nervously.

Darcy saw Mary King. She looked really sweet, but what was she doing with George? He felt relieved when they walked away from each other. George walked up to a woman who he felt he recognised, but she had her back turned. He turned his attentions to Mary King, who sat down.

"You came!" He said, delightedly.

"Are you surprised? I love a mystery. I don't mind meeting without all the formalities."

"So, have you been here before?"

"Once, I just love the parrots, here! Don't you?"

"Allergic to them, I'm afraid!"

"Oh, that's a shame, they're adorable, and very clever!"

Darcy hoped the conversation would not dwell on parrots, all of the lunch.

Elizabeth and George were getting on really well. They were receiving speculative looks from people around them, by all their laughter and jokes. It was going on really well, until Elizabeth heard a familiar voice.

"Miss Bennett!"

Darcy had decided, that in politeness, he should tolerate his partners fondness for parrots. They had ordered their food, so Darcy decided to make a suggestion,

"Shall we go to the other end of the restaurant, then? We're waiting for the food, so you can look at the parrots. Don't let my aversion to them stop you." His offer was greeted enthusiastically. Darcys other reason for going there, was his curiosity. George and his mystery partner seemed to be having a very good time.

Elizabeth looked up in horror, to see the large rubicund face of Mr Collins!

"Mr Collins!" she gasped, "What are you doing here?"

"Elizabeth Bennett," he exclaimed, "how delightful!" He said, with a leer. George looked at her quizzically. Meanwhile, Darcy, who had been approaching that end of the restaurant, stopped in shock. Elizabeth? Surely not? Then, he caught sight of the familiar locks of brown hair.

"Miss Bennett!" He stuttered. She turned to look at him, her eyes widening with equal surprise. They flicked from him to Mary King, beside him.

"Mr Darcy!"

George turned to look at him,

"Spying on me, eh, Darcy?" He asked slyly.

"Certainly not," Darcy replied stiffly, "I'm on a date with Miss King."

"You know each other?" Asked Elizabeth in surprise.

"Too long." Replied Darcy shortly.

"Well, well." George looked from Mary King, to Darcy. "We go a long way back, Mary and I. Don't we?"

Mary blushed and Darcy stiffened in anger.

Elizabeth looked at them all and shook her head in astonishment. "This is like 'Grand Central Station'," she remarked with a laugh, "Who else is going to come barging in, now?"

Suddenly, from behind them a door burst open. Everyone stared, as a grimy looking figure, with a dirt smudged face, rumpled clothing and knotted hair tottered its way towards the table, (where Elizabeth sat), smiling ingenuously.

"Caroline?!" Elizabeth and Darcy asked, simultaneously, in shock.

Chapter 12-
'The 'Pylon', 'The Witch', 'The Walking Wardrobe'...
Or Just Plain Caroline.

Posted on Monday, 03-Aug-98

Caroline, swept one 'elegant hand' over her sweaty face, smudging her mascara. She pulled up a chair and sat at Elizabeth's table. Everybody just looked at her, stunned.

"Caroline?" That was William, again, unable to believe her appearance.

"Will, darling," she expressed the last word in mock exasperation, "you know me well enough to recognise me! We are only," she said, expressing the last word, again, "we are, only, the closest of friends!" She stressed the 'the' and the 'closest', followed with a little girlish titter, giving William a gentle, playful slap on his arm.

"But, what..?" William began.

Caroline waved off the rest of his sentence, answering his unfinished question, "I was just walking by," she started, casually, "shopping...and not merely window shopping, may I add. Taking a nice, pleasant walk...by my self." She added, meaningfully. "But, all that shopping and walking, does build up one's thirst. So, I thought this might be a nice place to stop for lunch." She ended brightly.

"So," she said, leaning her chin on one hand, with her face turned towards William, "are you, going to introduce me to your friends?" she stressed the word 'friends'. "Miss Bennet," she shot Elizabeth an insincere smile, as Elizabeth acknowledged the use of her surname, "I have already had the pleasure of being acquainted with, but..." she left the question hanging, (maintaining her position on the table).

Act calm Caroline! She warned herself. These 'things' are nothing to you! And though William may be momentarily blinded to their obvious lack of style, decorum, (she had forgotten herself), and intelligence, he will soon see that you are far superior, in all aspects of character! She steeled herself. Caroline silently reminded herself of her position in society, her new sports car, her special, yes, special discounts to one of the most famous hair stylists and manicurists in London and...Her magnificent selection of branded clothing, one piece of which the Bennet girl probably couldn't afford!

Caroline tilted her face a little towards the nearest over head lamp on the ceiling, so Darcy could admire her 'fine' features, and 'clear complexion'. She made sure it was the left side of her face. That was her best side. She batted her eyes seductively, as she repeated her question, "Are you going to introduce me to your companions?"

William murmured the introductions, pointing out Miss King and coldly, but politely, mentioning Whitton. Drat Caroline! She was always turning up where she wasn't wanted. It was clear to everyone, she hadn't been just 'passing by'. She looked like she had been rubbing her face in dirt! She had evidently followed him. He glowered at her, battering her fake eyelashes at him. He had a good mind to pull them off! He looked at Elizabeth. She was grinning openly at Caroline, but she was obviously not prepared to tell her enemy to look in the mirror. Darcy grinned. Well, he would do the same. So, they would both 'milk' this situation, for as much as it was worth. It would make up for Caroline botching up their day, though, Darcy thought, darkly, as far as he was concerned, Elizabeth's day had been ruined up from the start...by her date. That it would have to be Whitton! William clenched his fists, as the thought inflamed him. The image of George, hand-in-hand with Elizabeth, holding Elizabeth...He tore himself away from the disgusting thought.

Elizabeth had been shocked at Caroline's entry...but, only barely. Where William went, Caroline went. If one kept to that idea, one would surely be able to pin point Caroline's exact location...as long as one knew where William was. Caroline's 'William Darcy radar', was infallible.

Elizabeth, however, had not forgotten the presence of Mr. Collins, and knowing that William did not know him, saw it her duty to introduce him to Caroline, "Caroline, this is Mr. Collins." Elizabeth gestured to the beaming man, with a friendly smile. "Mr. Collins, Miss Caroline Bingley."

Caroline viewed the 'oaf' (as she saw), with undisguised distaste. The 'oaf' extended an evidently sweaty paw, as by way of greeting. What an odious man! Caroline thought, to herself, in disgust. She ignored the polite gesture, with a short smile of acknowledgment.

"And," continued Elizabeth, "this, is Mr. William Darcy."

This announcement was proceeded by a gasp of amazement from Collins. He extended both hands to William, clasping the hand nearest to him, in them. Elizabeth hid a smile. She almost expected Collins to prostrate himself, at Darcy's feet. She looked at Darcy, expecting a smug look on his face. He merely looked shocked and uncomfortable. He tried to pull his hand away. Collins looked at him with reverence, before speaking,

"Your aunt, is Lady Catherine De Bourgh, I understand. She is my benefactor, without whom, I am sure, I would be nothing. Her kindness has no bounds, her generosity striking my very soul. She is to me, as my mother. Under her wing, as a fledgling bird." Elizabeth sniggered at this. 'Fledgling bird' was not the exact description she would have given Collins. Thankfully, no one heard her laugh.

Collins continued, "I am forever indebted to her. You are, " he said to William, "most fortunate in your connection, to be related, by blood, to that great lady. Selfless and blessed." Collins ended his speech with an ingratiating smile. William looked at him in astonishment. Selfless and Kind? Generous? Those were not words he would ever use to describe his aunt! Collins let go of his hand, and William cringed as he saw how wet it was. He hastily wiped it on his trousers.

A silence reigned for a short while. Elizabeth hastily searched her mind for a common subject. It was difficult, especially as Darcy and Whitton seemed ready to throttle each other, for some reason unknown to her, Collins was limited to talking about Lady Catherine De Bourgh and Caroline's small brain capacity allowed little more than two topics: shopping and William Darcy. Elizabeth looked around at the little group, and an interesting thought came to her mind,

"How interesting! Your timely appearance Caroline, has made us all into couples!" Elizabeth pointed out herself and Whitton, Darcy and Mary King and finally...Collins and Caroline. Caroline froze.

"I would take it kindly, if you would not play little 'Miss Matchmaker' with me, Miss Bennett." Caroline said, icily, taking the comment to heart.

Elizabeth lifted her hands up in mock defense,

"Just kidding, Caroline!"

William struggled to keep a straight face. He felt like laughing, the only thing which stopped him, was the pain when she delivered that comment. He yearned to be with Elizabeth but he almost felt his heart break, when she casually dismissed him as coupled with Miss King. She didn't think he was attached, did she? Did she even care, even a little bit about him? He watched as she 'fenced' with an irate Caroline. She seemed as indifferent to him, as she always had been.

Chapter 13

Posted on Wednesday, 05-Aug-98

As they left the restaurant, Elizabeth noticed that George was not his talkative and cheerful self, as he had been during their date. She figured that William Darcy was the cause of his moodiness. George walked her to her car in silence.

"So," Elizabeth smiled at her companion, "what's up? You and Darcy were ready to throw daggers at each other in there!" She joked.

George immediately assumed a pained expression. "William Darcy's late father was an honourable man, I would not shame him by revealing his son's true character to acquaintances." He knew this was a clear invitation for questions. He hoped he had piqued Elizabeth's curiosity. He had. She looked at him, her eyes questioning,

"His true character? Sure, Mr Darcy is proud, though I cannot really blame him, he is filthy rich, with good connections etc! But, what else have you to blame him of?"

Whitton sighed.

"We grew up together," he noticed Elizabeths surprise at this announcement. "When my father died, he was a close friend of the late Mr Darcy, and the result of that connection, earned me the benefit of being looked after by William Darcys father. He treated me, as if I were his own son." George smiled softly to himself, as if in remembrance. "Those years when he was alive, they were some of the best years of my life."

"But, after?" Elizabeth probed, gently.

Georges face darkened.

"William always resented me. The fact that I had the same name as his father, half seemed to rile him." George shook his head. "I couldn't understand it. Perhaps it appeared as a sort of bond between his father and myself, accompanied by our close relationship, I guess it hurt to see an attachment between his only parent and an outsider. An attachment William couldn't replicate. I became a rival from the start."

"Only parent?"

"William's mother died when he was very young. The hurt has always remained. His sister, Georgiana, has her mother's beauty. I always, with no family of my own, treated her as my own sister, until William prevented me from seeing her. His possessiveness and resentfulness, were the causes of my misfortune. The death of his father signalled a turning point in my life. My hopes, at that time, was to study the law, your occupation, I believe?" Elizabeth nodded with a smile, and George continued. "My childhood dreams were dashed, by one person named William Darcy. He ordered that I leave the family house immediately. The money which had been promised to me by his late father, so that I may study, was not given. William went against the wishes of his own father, that which was dictated on his will. Believe me, Elizabeth, the money was not my primary concern, it was Georgiana. William has a firm hold on her sister, restricting her from doing what she wants. No parties, no outings with friends, no nothing. He said that I was a bad influence on her."

George smiled to himself, as Elizabeth started, in shock. He knew that choice comment would strike a chord in Elizabeth's strongly feminist heart.

"The cheek! He thinks he can control what everybody does, so long as it suits his little world!" Elizabeth felt pleased that her initial thoughts on William Darcy's character were correct. In fact, she had not even criticised him enough!

George too, felt pleased, for everything was going to plan.

"I wonder at you, not having wrung the money out of him!" Elizabeth was now red in the face.

"Did I really need to? Though my hopes of becoming a barrister were lost, I was not ready to give in!" Elizabeth smiled at the return of his grin. " I left the house and sought to make my own fortune. I was determined to make my own destiny and saw it in the army. I have good friends, good health, the clothes on my back...oh a lot more than that," he added with mock hastiness, as Elizabeth jokingly wrinkled up her nose at that last comment. "No, I am content. Hey! At least I didn't have to plough through all those huge law books!"

Elizabeth laughed grimly at that,

"Yes!" She shuddered in horror, as the memories of nights spent reciting pages and pages for an exam, came back to her. "It wasn't quite plain sailing!"

Neither of them spoke, for an awkward few seconds.

"Well..."George hesitated. It was the done thing to hesitate. A persistent or an over eager guy, equalled a 'slimeball' or 'loser'.

Elizabeth interrupted, as he hoped.

"I'll call."

"Call when you know you can escape from your friends!" They both laughed, as they remembered lunch and especially Caroline.

"I'll call when I've 'lost' my friends and personally 'dealt' with Miss Caroline Bingley!"

Chapter 14

"No! She didn't!"

The gasp of shock, mingled with amusement, was from Carly. She and Elizabeth were sitting in Elizabeth's flat, drinking coffee.

"Yup. She did. Out of nowhere! Or rather- she was 'passing by'...or so she claimed."

Carly snorted with disbelief. Elizabeth had filled her in on the 'Caroline and Darcy Saga'.

"The day Caroline just 'happens' upon William Darcy, is the day...Collins turns into a handsome Prince when you kiss him!" Carly concluded impulsively, with a laugh. "Urgh! Spare me the gory details if you have!" Elizabeth choked on her coffee.

"Give me some credit! Duh, Lizzy! The day I kiss Collins is the day I..." Elizabeth cut her off.

"No more 'the days'!" She begged.

"Okay, okay! But you have to tell me...Caroline's reaction when she went to the 'Ladies'?"

"Everyone stopped eating..." Elizabeth grinned, as she remembered Caroline's ear piercing shriek, "...mostly to clear their ears and check their hearing."

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"You have got to be kidding! Old Carol finally sussed out why everyone was staring at her-it took her some time." Elizabeth scooped up the froth from the coffee with her teaspoon, and stirred it into her cup. Carly noticed the action.

"What's up?"

"Whad'ya mean, what's up?"

"I mean what I mean- what's up?"

No response.

Carly growled in exasperation.

"Come on Lizzy! We've been friends for centuries...well, ages." As she noticed Elizabeth raise her eyebrows at that. "You never stir coffee froth into the coffee-especially if it is sprinkled with chocolate powder! Now, what's wrong?"

"Just thinking." Elizabeth poked her spoon into the cup, moodily. After a short while, she told Carly all that George had told her.

"Lizzy." Carly looked at her friend patiently. "Don't let personal feelings get in the way of this. I mean, you've only met this George guy once. Okay, so he seems really nice, and Darcy, well he seems like a jerk..."

"A bigot!" Elizabeth exclaimed, replacing the last word.

"Okay...a bigot. But, are you sure you should trust Whitton totally? I mean, Darcy's a friend of Bingley, he's bound to have some good qualities."

"Uh, Carly? Caroline is Charles's sister. Her good qualities amount to the grand total of...zero! Because Bingley is a great person, doesn't mean his friends are. In fact, he's probably the only person on earth, who would ever put up with people like Caroline and William. Stands to reason, people like them would cling to him. George gave me names, and details! What is more, he is more honest and true than William could ever be!"

"I figure you sort of like, this George Whitton." Carly said, slyly.

"So what if I 'sort of' do?" Elizabeth replied, blushing slightly. "Nothing this good has happened to me for a long time!"

"But, doesn't 'Too Good To Be True' come to mind?"

Chapter 15: '"Hi, I'm Georgie! Do you wanna play a game?"'

Posted on Thursday, 06-Aug-98

Elizabeth had returned to work, much to her aunt's relief.

"Had a nice weekend?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I thought I might welcome you back with these!" Elizabeth looked at the letters in her aunt's hand, in dismay.

"What! You want me to reply all of these...by today? And all of that?" Elizabeth gestured to a pile of papers on her desk, weakly. Her aunt nodded, with an apologetic smile. Her niece sank into her chair.

"Do they really have to be done by today?"

"I'm afraid so!"

Elizabeth swiveled in her chair, to face her computer screen.

"Well, I better get started then!"

William held the mobile phone to his ear, one hand steering the wheel of his car. He hadn't gone back to work, but being the responsible owner of a chain of profitable furniture stores required him to know what was happening while he was away.

"Look, I don't care about the deal with Wright. The materials are faulty and we'll get a better one from Carpenter. Yes...I know...There's a board meeting on Friday at 4.00. We'll sort Danny out then. Leave him to me...Yes, I know he's an annoying little b******!" Darcy sighed in exasperation. "I'm removing him from productions anyway...Retrenchment."

William switched off the phone and placed it in its holder in his car. Feeling the need to relax he switched the radio on. He flicked from 'Radio 2' to 'Capital FM' to 'Heart' to 'Classical FM' then finally settled on 'Heart',

"It's Jono and the 'Morning crew'!" Cheery voices greeted him, "On...Heart 106.2!" William switched the radio off. His mind was elsewhere and he needed to think, as well as concentrate on the road.

He was on his way to Charles's house, where he would join up with Charles, dodge Caroline and meet Andrew, his cousin, for lunch.

He couldn't, however, think what to do about Elizabeth. He had behaved horrifically towards her, when they first met. He had been aloof, severe, even seeming downright rude at times. Darcy cringed inwardly, as he remembered the first time they met, and groaned, as he thought about the brunch, which had proceeded. The whole affair had been a disaster! Looking back, he could see that what he had thought to be politeness, might have been interpreted differently by Elizabeth. Of course she had no feelings for him! Who would? Half of him thought she might like him, just a little. After all, her status in society was such, that it didn't command respect, and his, well...it demanded it! But maybe, that wasn't what she wanted...That endeared her more to Darcy. But...for her, he would give up anything.

Only one other obstacle--George Whitton. William Darcy had been an unwilling participant of one of Whitton's 'games'. First time, he had won, but now, George Whitton was back in play. He had showed his hand and it was Darcy's turn. Who would win and who would lose? This time, the 'prize' was Elizabeth, and Darcy was determined to walk away with his trophy.

Elizabeth decided to call George. The conditions were right. No one around, and it was her lunch break. Shamefully wolfing down her tuna sandwich she walked to the payphone across the road from her office. She couldn't use the office phone for personal calls, without feeling guilty. She dialed the number and waited. No one picked the phone up for some time, then Elizabeth heard a woman's voice,

"I'LL PICK IT UP!" The woman shrieked at someone, then lowered her voice to a normal, friendly tone. " 'ello? Can I 'elp ya'?" The woman had a strong cockney accent.

Elizabeth was startled at first, by the phone being picked up by a young woman. She felt the slight stirrings of jealousy in her, which she hastily pushed away. She quickly answered the woman,

"I'm...er...I was hoping to speak to George?"

"Oh. Well, G's in the bath right now. I guess you can..." Elizabeth heard the sound of a man's voice in the background. "Hey, no he's not! Oi! G! Someone on the phone for ya'!" Elizabeth heard him ask who it was and she told the woman her name. "Name's Elizabeth." Elizabeth heard him run to the phone, knocking something down in the process. "Oi! Mind the vase will ya'? And keep that tea-cloth 'round your nether regions! There's some old folks in this 'ere buldin', and that ain't a towel, I'll tell ya'!" This was followed by a loud laugh.

"Yeah, I know!" Elizabeth heard him say. George suddenly spoke to her. "Hi!"

"Hi." That was all she could think of to say.

"Please excuse my, uh...sister. She's a bit rowdy in the mornings." The woman answered him loudly and indignantly in the background,

"Rowdy...ROWDY! I don't go causin' no 'avoc wiv me sacred areas uncovered! And, sister! Wot's all thi..." Her sentence was cut off and a muffled 'ouch' was heard. The phone crackled a little from the cord being twisted. Elizabeth could hear it moving. She blinked at the interruption and slotted in more coins as she waited for George. He came back,

"Is your sister all right?"

"Huh? My sister?"

"Yeah..."

"Oh...Oh...Her...Yeah...She's fine! Sorry, I'm not with it this morning!"

"I gathered! From what I could hear, you've started the morning streaking along the corridors of a block of flats! Yes...I'd say you were not with it!" Elizabeth was gratified to hear him laugh.

"So...What's up?"

"Dinner at 8.00 is what's up!"

"You're fast!" George said, admiringly. "Same place as the last date?"

"Yes. And this time, I promise, no hiccups!"

"I'll pick you up. I have your address."

Elizabeth got to her flat at 6.00. The light on her answering machine was flashing. She listened for the messages. The first was her mother, "Lizzy! Jane! Call me! That's an ORDER! I hate these machines, you know I do, yet you persist in keeping one. I prefer to know I'm talking to a REAL person at the other end." Elizabeth rolled her eyes and made a mental note to call home. The next message came, "This is Aaron Cain to Elizabeth Bennett." Ahhh. Carly's new match! Elizabeth thought, triumphantly. "Please call me back. My number is 0171 263 849. Thank you." There were no more messages, so Elizabeth took down Aaron's number and name, to give to Carly. Then she got dressed. She had 1 and a half hours until her date with George, so she would have time for a long, luxurious soak in the bath.

William and Charles had driven to 'The White Horse' a thoroughly reputable pub, where they were to meet Andrew. Unfortunately, Charles had to leave as an urgent call from his office required him to drive straight back to London, By providence, William and Charles had come in separate cars.

William looked at his watch. It was 12.30 and he expected to meet his cousin at 1.00. The interior of he pub was decorated in an 'olden style'. Rusty, metal tools were hung in places, for decoration, and baskets and bales of hay were placed on beams, to make the pub resemble a barn of some sort. Outside, it was quite cold, around 11 degrees centigrade with a biting wind, and William was grateful for the warmth of the building. He sat at a wooden table, and waited for Andrew. He saw him come in.

Andrew greeted him with a frown, as he rubbed his hands together, "Bloody cold, coming here!" He complained. "Did you have to choose a place so far away?"

"And a good afternoon to you too!" William said, surprised at his cousin.

"Sorry. I'll be rotten company today, I'm afraid." He said, apologetically.

"We'll see. A bit of good food and drink might cheer you up."

William had ordered them each a 'Guinness'.

"I doubt it." Andrew picked up his can mournfully. "I guess I'll just drink away my sorrows." He took a long swig from his drink.

"Hm. I might just do the same." William muttered darkly. He too, took a big gulp from his can.

"You?" His cousin looked at him incredulously. "You got a date!"

"Yeah, with the wrong person."

"Well, I didn't get one. There must be somebody who's remotely like me!"

"Nope, you're one of a kind." William said, with mock pity, shaking his head sadly, whilst grinning impudently at Andrew.

Andrew looked at him, not amused at all.

"Hey, it's just a joke!"

"Do you see me laughing?"

William wiped the grin off his face.

"So, you're mooning too? Well we'll 'moon' together."

"Who should you be dating?" The question was from Andrew.

"A person who doesn't want to know me." William crushed his empty can, slowly.

"I'd say that about Claudia Schiffer...Don't be vague."

"Elizabeth Bennett."

"Is she the sister of Charles's girlfriend, Jane."

William nodded miserably.

"What's the problem?"

"She's got a thing against rich men...with inherited wealth, a sense of pride in herself...which is good, but a liking for George Whitton-I can't see the attraction."

Andrew gave a low whistle, "That old dog's back in town. I see your problem."

Elizabeth got out of her bath, feeling relaxed and warm. As soon as she got out she could feel that pleasant warmth leaving, however, so she grabbed a towel quickly. She wrapped the towel around her head and put on her 'Kermit The Frog' bathrobe.

She dried her hair whilst brushing it, holding the hair drier in one hand, the brush in the other. She left her hair down, enjoying the comfort of the loose curls down her back. She frowned intently at the dresses in her cupboard. She wanted something classy, but not too dressy. She picked a dark green, plain velvet dress, which she pulled over her head, and could tie at the waist. The dress was just above knee length. It went very well with the colour of her hair and her eyes. She applied no make up, she saw no occasion to, and she had little need to.

Just then, Jane came back home. She stared at Lizzy, as her sister went to sit on the sofa in the living room.

"Lizzy, I'm not just saying this, but you look amazing!"

Elizabeth felt embarrassed, "Thanks. You look pretty good yourself!" Elizabeth looked at Jane. She usually looked stunning, but today, she looked even better. "Why all the trouble, you only go to work!" she exclaimed.

Jane blushed, "Charles has invited me to dinner, with William, of course. I had to change in the hospital."

Elizabeth groaned to herself. That man Darcy acted like an imbecile, but surely he had enough brains to leave the two love birds alone! Out loud she said, "Why is he always tagging along?"

Jane shrugged, the grinned slyly, "Maybe he's hoping you'll come along?"

"Yeah, yeah...and the Queen Mother wants me to look after her pet 'Corgies' while she's having a wacky time in Barbados! Jane! The man's an 'ice block'! I don't think even a desperate Caroline could get passionate enough to melt him!"

Just then, the door bell rang. "That'll be George, my date." Elizabeth flew to open the door.

"Ahhh. The gorgeous George." Jane looked curiously, as Elizabeth opened the door. She was greeted, instead, by the faces of Charles and William.

Elizabeth's face fell, as she saw them, "Um...Hi."

"Good! I see you are all prepared Elizabeth!" That was Charles.

"Oh no, I'm afraid I'm not coming, I just happen to have a date tonight."

"Oh, I see. Well have a good time!"

Elizabeth smiled at him, but turned to meet William's eye. He was staring at her. She looked away. She hated it when people stared. She felt like there was something wrong with her. It was very awkward.

William had followed Charles to Jane's apartment, in the hope that he might see Elizabeth, or that she might join them for dinner. Almost in the manner of a 'double date'. When he saw Elizabeth in the doorway, he couldn't help but stare. She was beautiful. He had never seen her in a dress, but the one she wore suited her perfectly. The startled expression on her face, as she saw them, made her seem even more sweet and appealing. But his eyes clouded, as he heard that she was on a date. No doubt with Whitton. He felt a movement behind him. He turned to see the man himself, smiling. "George!" William heard the joyful greeting with pain. It seemed to be an echo of another person who had once declared that name so happily, of another person who had mistakenly succumbed to the charms of George Whitton and had regretted it.