Beginning, Section II, Next Section
Chapter 9--The Stacks
Elizabeth awoke the next morning, feeling refreshed and full of even more energy than she was normally. Happily for me, she thought, I only have to teach today and can spend the rest of the day doing what I please. She got dressed and went on campus, hanging out in the French Dept. lounge in hopes of seeing William, but no William showed up. She went upstairs to teach her class. As usual, George was waiting for her by the door to the classroom and his face lit up upon seeing her.
"Did you enjoy the Jazzhaus last night?"
"Yes, it was pretty fun."
"I noticed that you left kind of early. Were you having problems with your boyfriend?"
"No, and if I did, that would be a personal thing between me and him." she said and looked at him sharply. He chose to disregard the look and continued to talk casually.
"So, what are you doing tonight?"
"Studying."
"Where do you usually study?"
"At home or in the library. Why the 20 questions?"
"Just making conversation, trying to get to know you."
"Okay," she answered, looking at him suspiciously but he looked back at her with innocent eyes and she felt ashamed of her inner thoughts. "Let's get to work." He followed her into the class room and sat down at his desk and made no further attempt to engage her in private conversation.
After class, Elizabeth gathered her books and walked home, still hoping to see William on the way, on any part of campus. "Hmm, must be off studying or something." She went home and took a long, hot bath, carefully put on make-up and selected one of her most flattering outfits. When she entered the living room, Jane looked at her in astonishment.
"Wow! You sure look nice. Do you have a hot date or something?"
"Yeah, with the stacks."
"Well, the stacks must be agreeing with you. Since when do you get dressed up and put on make-up to go study by yourself in the stacks?"
"Can't a girl try to look nice without someone making a big deal about it?"
"Are you trying to avoid the issue here? Very unusual behavior. Hmmm."
"Okay, Jane. Save your analysis for the patients. I'm your sister."
"Exactly. Well, have fun in the stacks." She watched Elizabeth slip into her coat. "Aren't you going to take your backpack?"
"Oh, yeah, of course," she grabbed her backpack, trying not to look flustered. "See you later, Jane!"
"Bye!" Jane turned back to her TV program and had been watching it for about 2 minutes when all of a sudden she smacked her head. "Crud! I forgot to tell her about her phone calls. Oh, well, maybe they weren't all that important anyway."
Elizabeth made a beeline for the stacks and although she tried to study, her watch seemed to indicate that the time was passing infernally slowly. Seven o'clock came and went and no William. Finally, at ten past, she heard some steps behind her and standing up and folding her arms, she refused to turn around.
"You're late, Mister." She said in a stern voice. He came up behind her and encircled her waist from behind.
"SSSShhhhh," he whispered, nuzzling her ears, then moving slowly down to her neck.
"MMMMMMMmmm," she moaned, "that feels so good. What took you so long?"
"Shhhhh," he whispered again, nuzzling her other ear and nape of her neck.
"Oh, William," she sighed as she heard a second set of footsteps and looked up startled into the eyes of the approaching William. His jaw set and his fists clenched as he took in the scene before him.
"William, I…" she turned to look at the nuzzler. "You! What the…." She turned back to look at William, but he had already gone. Turning back to George, she spat out: "You better start to explain yourself before I beat you to a pulp." She looked into his eyes with a gaze full of anger and contempt and was surprised to see a glint of triumph there.
Chapter 10
Jane looked up from her book as Elizabeth stormed into the apartment, slamming the door as she entered.
"Hi Lizzy! Oh, I forgot to tell you before you left that you had two phone calls."
"Oh, really." Elizabeth dropped her backpack on the floor with a thud.
"Are you okay? You look mad."
"Just peachy. What are the messages?"
"William called. Said that he would be late meeting you. And some student called. I didn't know that you gave out your home phone."
"I didn't. What was the message?"
"He wouldn't give his name. Just wanted to know how to reach you to talk about some upcoming test. I told him that you were going to the library. Did he find you?"
"You might say that." She replied through clenched teeth.
"What's wrong Lizzy? I know that look." Jane listened in horror to Elizabeth's recounting of the meeting in the stacks and then said gently but firmly: "You have to go see William or at least call him. Don't let him think that it was like that. Here's the phone book."
"He wouldn't be in the book. His number is too new."
"Okay, then I'll call info for it." After calling the number for information, Jane hung up the phone with a sad face. "Sorry, Sis, his number is unlisted. Oh, maybe Charles would know it." Her face brightened at the thought and quickly dialed Charles' number. As she spoke to him, her face fell and Elizabeth heard her say,
"Okay, well thanks anyway. I'll talk to you later. Bye. He's pretty upset and Charles said that he doesn't want to talk to anyone. He has his answering machine screening his calls."
"It's so hopeless, Jane. He'll never believe that I thought it was him. George had better be prepared to flunk because he's on my list now!"
"Elizabeth, you wouldn't flunk someone for personal reasons!"
"Wanna bet? How am I ever going to face him in class now?"
"Your student?"
"Oh, who cares about him? I mean William." Tears started to stream down her face. "How did George know where to find me? The stacks are so remote."
"Um, I might have mentioned that you usually study there…"
"Great. Thanks a lot."
"Want to go for a drive?"
"What?! Do I look like I want to go for a drive?" By now Elizabeth's voice had raised almost to a shout.
"Calm down. I just thought that you might want to drive past William's place. He doesn't live that far from Charles. Netherfield condos are close to Pemberley Estates."
"Okay, but I don't know if I'll have the courage to go talk to him."
"At least you'll be in the same area."
"True. Well, lead on, oh wise one." They got into Elizabeth's old Impala with Jane driving. They drove south of campus for awhile until the city disappeared behind them.
"Are you sure that you know the way?"
"Hey, it's out here in this really exclusive area, okay? I'm not lost. Mary is the directionally-challenged one, remember?"
"This is it?" she gasped as Jane drove up to a massive gate protecting the elegant mansion behind it. "Now I know that I don't have the nerve to talk to him."
"We're here, you might as well see what happens." She stuck her arm out the car window and pressed the intercom button. After speaking briefly to the person on the other end, the gates swung slowly open and Jane advanced toward the house. Once parked, she half-drug Elizabeth out of the car and they walked cautiously up the flagstone steps.
"Your turn," Jane said, nodding at the door bell. The door opened and a formally-dressed manservant stepped into view.
"May I help you, Miss…?"
"Bennet, Elizabeth Bennet to see William Darcy, please."
"He is not accepting visitors, Miss."
"Could you at least tell him that I'm here. Please?"
"Very well, Miss." The butler left and returned, his face impassive. "I'm sorry, Miss. He does not want to be disturbed this evening."
"Thank you anyway," Elizabeth turned her face to hide her tears. "Let's get out of here, Jane. I told you that he wouldn't believe me. He doesn't even want to hear what I have to say." Jane followed her out at a close proximity, helping her open the car door, as her tears were blurring her vision and they quickly left William's estate.
In a dark room of the estate, William sat in front of a terminal, playing and replaying the security tape of Elizabeth and Jane, zooming in on Elizabeth's face, full of pain. His stony expression revealed nothing , but the tear trickling down one cheek spoke volumes.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth was not surprised the next day when George didn't show up for class. Nor was she very surprised when she found his transfer notice in her departmental mail box.
"Well, good. Now Charlotte can worry about him. Maybe she'll even traumatize him a little." The thought of George transferring into a harder class (it was rumoured) lifted her spirits slightly, but then her next thought was of her impending Provencal class with William. She knew that she didn't dare skip class, not with Prof de Bourgh anyway. So she went to the bathroom, gave herself a pep talk, then marched into the classroom.
William was seated at his usual spot and didn't look up when she came in.
"So that's how it is going to be," she thought miserably. "What a pleasant semester this is turning out to be."
"Class," said Prof de Bourgh as she entered the classroom, "I have an announcement to make." All eyes turned toward her. "As chair of the Summer Institute in Paris, it is my great privilege to announce to you the graduate student chaperones for this summer's Study Abroad program in Paris: William Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet."
The class applauded, although many were obviously overcome with envy at the prospect of them being paid to go to Paris and watch over undergrads. Elizabeth didn't know where to look, but a stolen glance at William filled her with even more dread. His mouth was open and his eyes were filled with what she interpreted as indignation. She held in her tears until class ended then moved toward the door as quickly as she could, bumping into William who obviously was doing the same.
"Sorry," Elizabeth managed in a small voice.
"That's okay," he replied noncommittally, still trying to get past her.
"William, I...I need to talk to you about last night."
"What's to talk about?"
"I wanted to explain."
"No need to explain."
"Yes, there is." Her eyes pleaded with him. "Please William."
"I'm not sure there is anything to say on the matter. I know what I saw. Please let me get to my next class." He started to move away from her.
"No, I won't." Elizabeth grabbed his arm which he merely looked at then back at her. "I will defend myself. I didn't know that you'd be late. Jane didn't give me your message until after I got back home. By then it was too late. William, I swear I thought it was you kissing me in the stacks. I didn't even look at that person until I saw you coming up."
"Are you in the habit of not knowing who you are intimate with in secluded places?" William looked at her in astonishment which made all the frustration welling up inside of her explode into anger:
"What kind of a person do you think that I am? I thought that it was you. I'm a one-man woman and I certainly wouldn't have had anything to do with George Wickham."
"You'd be the first." William muttered.
"What does that mean?"
"Never mind. Is that all you wanted to say?"
"Yes, I guess so." Elizabeth began to feel very tired.
"Okay then." She watched him walk away from her with a hollow feeling of loss, and turned toward her apartment to go home for the day.
Chapter 12
From a distance, William saw her uneven gait as she left and the cold anger in his heart mounted.
"Where's Wickham? I'm gonna kill him this time. He's not going to get away with this kind of crap again." He strode purposely to the only area where he knew that he could find the information that he needed.
George was, at the moment, in the only safe place that he could possibly be: in class. At least, safe from William. He was sitting through an afternoon French class with Charlotte Lucas and was being to feel that he had been a little too hasty about transferring out of Elizabeth's class, in spite of the circumstances. Charlotte didn't give him a moment's peace and it didn't occur to him, as he flashed her his most seductive smile, that she might already have sufficient ammunition against his charms via Elizabeth's confidence in the situation. When he continued to make little headway, his eyes wandered throughout the room, in a bored manner until he happened upon an attractive redhead that Charlotte was calling 'Mary'. He made eye contact with her and spent the rest of the class involved in sending visual cues to his newest interest, who shyly reciprocated. None of this was lost on Charlotte, who made a mental note to pass along the information to Elizabeth later that day.
After class, George was making a beeline for Mary when his attention was diverted by an attractive brunette who came in to speak to Charlotte. There was something about her that seemed very familiar, and since she appeared to have very little sense, but a 'party-time' attitude about her, he ambled over to the two and waited to see if he could be introduced.
"...well, Lydia, I think that she went home. She wasn't feeling too well." Charlotte was saying to the girl who looked at George when he approached and almost forgot that she had been talking to Charlotte.
"Hi there!" said the girl brightly. "You must be one of Charlotte's students."
Okay, so she's not the most intellectual girl on campus, he thought, but said aloud, "Yes, Miss Lucas is a great teacher." He smiled ingratiatingly at Charlotte, who looked back at him blandly. "I'm George Wickham...and you are...?"
"Lydia. Lydia Bennet." She smiled widely.
"Bennet? Why is that name familiar to me?" he asked with feigned innocence.
"She's Elizabeth's sister." Charlotte broke in coldly. "Excuse me, I need to go to my office. See you later, Lydia, Mr. Wickham." She shot George one last acidic glare which he chose to ignore and Charlotte could hear their animated conversation part way up the hall as she left them.
"So, you're in a Frat?" Lydia practically squealed. "I'm a Little Sister!"
"No way!" George said, trying to act surprised as he wrapped one arm around her familiarly. "We have so much in common..." They walked down the hall together and were soon out of Charlotte's hearing.
"I better go find Elizabeth. I don't like the looks of this..." Charlotte thought to herself.
It was much later in the day when William was finally able to catch up with George in his fraternity house, and as he was initially surrounded by his friends, William decided that the best approach would be fact-finding. The pummeling would have to wait.
"Hello George," William said evenly. "Can we go talk somewhere a little less noisy?"
"I'd prefer to stay right here, if you don't mind." George smiled at him insolently, secure in the knowledge that he, for the present, was relatively safe.
"Let's cut to the chase, George. What were you doing in the stacks with Elizabeth?"
"You mean that you didn't see it?"
"I saw what you wanted me to see. What did she have to do with it?"
"Well, she wasn't exactly fighting me off, now was she?"
William's hands instinctively clinched tightly, a gesture not lost on George.
"Calm down, Darcy. You'd hate to get into it with me and all my friends." His voice oozed confidence, until, with William he looked around the room.
"Is that so? It would seem that your buddies are all more interested in the pizza they are being served than your hide."
"Okay, this time the girl had nothing to do with it. That's the truth. She didn't even look at me, just assumed that she knew who I was. She even called me William as I was kissing her neck!" Within a fraction of a second, George found himself laying flat out on the floor, looking up into William's face whose eyes had gone black with rage.
"I will kill you, you low-life scum!!" William hissed at him, as a horde of fraternity guys, hearing the scuffle had come running from the dining room.
"Try and punch your way out of this one, William Darcy," smirked George as they closed in on him menacingly.
"William Darcy? The William Darcy?" asked one. "Hey guys, I wouldn't touch him if I were you. His father was one of the founders of our frat." He put out his hand to George, who stood up, looking very uncomfortable. "Whatever is going on, is entirely between you two, in my opinion." The others voiced their assent and left the two of them there, returning to their now cold pizza.
"You had better stay out of my way," said William to George in a warning tone, "and out of my life, or I will make you wish that you'd never been born."
"Is that a threat?" George attempted a more cocky tone than he really felt.
"No, a promise. And no-one will bail you out this time, no Daddy, nobody."
"Sure Darcy, that's easy for you to say. What about your father's promise to me?"
"This is my promise to you. Remember it. My father's promise to you ended when you pulled that stunt with Georgianna. Had he seen that, you wouldn't have been his fair-haired favorite. I'm warning you, Wickham, I'm not going to take this kind of crap one more time."
"I'll try to remember that!"
"See that you do, or it won't just be your jaw that will be rearranged."
"Tough guy. Okay, okay, I'll remember. Do you want me to explain things to Elizabeth?"
"What? You've done enough, don't you think. Stay away from Elizabeth, I mean it." William left the fraternity house scowling while back inside George shrugged.
"Well, he didn't say anything about her sister..." he thought with a sly smile. "She looks like she'll do just fine." He went to his room, a cheshire grin on his face.
Chapter 13
William found that as the time passed, it was harder and harder for him to speak to Elizabeth, to apologize and make things the way that they had been. She avoided his eyes in class and never went out with Charles and Jane, saying that she had too much research to do. She never went back to the stacks, that he knew--he had tried in vain to catch her there.
One day, in desperation, he sought out Charles.
"Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"I need to ask your advice on something." Charles looked at his friend in amazement.
"Well, this is a switch. So, is it advice or more on the order of counseling?" William gave him a sharp look.
"Advice. I don't need therapy." said most emphatically.
"Okay, shoot!" Charles stifled a smile.
"What should I do about Elizabeth?"
"Talk to her."
"How? She won't even look at me."
"Do you blame her?"
"Well, what was I supposed to believe after what I saw?"
"And your experience with Wickham, too."
"Exactly. How do I talk to her?"
"Why don't you start with 'hi'? Become her friend again."
"And if she doesn't want to talk?"
"Then we'll have to resort to plan B."
"We?"
"Jane and I. We're not blind, you know."
"Just what do you think you see?"
"Two people miserably in love."
"She doesn't love me--not after how I treated her."
"I think you'll find that people are more resilient than you give them credit for."
"Since when did you become so astute?"
"It's my job!" Charles' eyes twinkled. "Start slowly, like I said. Say 'hi'. Compliment her work. Try."
"Okay."
"And I'll be sending the bill to your home address, of course!"
"Yeah, right. Whatever."
"Oh, by the way. Valentine's Day is in two days. Maybe you'll want to do something..."
"Like for instance?"
"Duh. What do you think?"
"Flowers?" he asked hopefully.
"Well, it's a start." Charles shook his head. "Boy, are you out of the loop."
The next day William woke up determined to talk to Elizabeth. It was, after all, Wednesday and that meant Provencal class. He got to class early and waited impatiently but she didn't show up. He went to the departmental office to ask about her and found out that she was out with the flu.
"Charles, she's sick. Now what do I do?" came William's worried voice on his friend's phone.
"What did you do when Georgianna was sick?"
"Oh, yeah. Thanks--you're a pal!"
An hour later, Elizabeth heard her doorbell ring. Jane was not yet home, so she walked wearily to the door. She opened it to find a large basket filled with chicken noodle soup, echinacea herbal tea, vitamin C tablets, orange and grapefruit juices and a single, long-stemmed rose. Her wondering eyes glanced down the hallway...empty. As she bent down to pick up the basket, a small card fluttered out. She picked it up and opened it to read:
Get well, brown-eyed girl.
She gasped and looked down the hall again but only heard the distant slam of a car door and a car racing away. She put the rose to her cheek and felt the cool, velvet petals against her feverish skin.
"Yes, this will cure me quite nicely," she smiled to herself and took her basket into her apartment.
Chapter 14
"I'm not expecting anyone..." she was thinking when her eyes fell upon the basket from the day before. "Well, better answer the door. Might be worthwhile!" She ran to open the door and found a stranger on the other side, oddly costumed and carrying a balloon bouquet. When he saw her, he asked:
Elizabeth Bennet?
"Yes."
and he burst into song:
I am your singing telegram
Someone bought me
and so here I am
I've brought some balloons
'cause he thinks you're really cool
and because your friend knows
that he acted the fool!
The person did a quick tap-dance, bowed and handed her the balloons, disappearing as quickly as he had sung.
Grinning ear to ear, Elizabeth examined the balloons, a collection of red, pink and white hearts of varying sizes. One contained two small stuffed bears locked in an embrace. Her eyes filled with tears as she took the balloons into her bedroom.
"Hmmm. No card this time. This is my best Valentine's Day ever!!" She sat on her bed, gazing at her balloons and hugging herself tightly.
Chapter 15
Elizabeth felt so much improved after the balloon delivery that the next day she returned to campus. Her class applauded when she entered the room. She went to Provencal with a little trepidation which melted away completely under the warmth of William's smile.
"I see that you're feeling better." he ventured.
"Yes, thank you."
"How did you get over the flu so quickly?" asked another student.
"I had a very special doctor administer to me," she said, stealing a sideways look out of the corner of her eye. To her great astonishment, she noticed a faint blush creeping up William's neck. Professor de Bourgh came in and immediately dispensed with all conversation, turning everyone's attention to the translation of a medieval text. After what seemed like an eternity for both Elizabeth and William, class was finally over and they were free to resume their conversation.
"No jerk would have sent me those things while I was sick."
"Will you forgive me?"
"I already have. Friends?" She held out her hand which he took and raised to his lips. Before he could place the intended kiss upon it, a gushing female voice interrupted them.
"Oh, there you are, William! I've been looking all over for you." Elizabeth recognized Charles' sister Caroline who came up to them with a strange smile on her face. "Oh, hello Elizabeth. I see that you're no longer at death's door!" Without waiting for her reply, Caroline continued:
"William, could you please help me with those conjugations again for the passe conditionnel? I just can't seem to get them right and I have a test tomorrow."
"You're taking French?" Elizabeth asked with surprise.
"Yes, and William is the best private tutor." She stressed private and William looked at Elizabeth quickly but her face said nothing. "Just last night he drilled me over and over and I think that I finally got the hang of it. William, could you please drill me again?" She touched his arm and looked at him suggestively, none of which registered with William, but was taken in by Elizabeth.
"Excuse me. I have some work to do." Elizabeth said evenly, noting the momentary gleam in Caroline's eyes. "Bye." She turned and walked away rapidly, leaving William to look after her in astonishment. Then, realizing what Caroline had said and its implication, he turned to her, his face livid.
"What do you think that you're doing?"
"What do you mean William?" Caroline gave him her best wide-eyed innocent look.
"Don't use that fake acting 101 on me. You know very well what I mean. How could you make her think that you and I...that we?" He looked at her in distaste. "We're going to find her and clear this up. NOW!" He practically stomped to Elizabeth's office, half dragging a squirming Caroline in an iron grasp. William was dismayed to see a note posted on her door which read:
Sorry:No office hours today due to illness
--Elizabeth Bennet
Chapter 16
"Oh well, we'll have to try again sometime," Caroline said unconcernedly until William gave her a look of death. "Or, we could try at her apartment..."
"I'll drive, it's faster," William said in clipped tones. They practically ran down the hill to the nearest parking lot, slipping and sliding in the mushy snow.
"I hope you drive more carefully than you run," she muttered, brushing snow from her jeans and stamping her feet. William didn't even deign to look at her as she clumsily lowered herself into the car, barely pulling her leg in and closing the door before he pulled out of the lot with a screech, causing the car to skid sideways.
"Get it through your head," he snarled, "We are not, have never and never will be a couple, intimate or anything like it. You are the sister of my best friend and that is our only connection."
"You've made that very clear. Thank you." she replied sarcastically. "And if I don't want to clarify anything to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?"
"Oh, you'll want to, believe me."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because if you don't, I'll tell Charles about your frat party escapades."
"Fine." She sat back in silence as they pulled into Elizabeth's apartment parking lot. They got out of the car and walked quietly up to her door, both thinking of the situation and how to rectify it, although with different emotions. The door was answered by Charles and they could see Jane sitting on the couch, visibly upset.
"What do you want?" Charles asked with a protective edge in his voice.
"Is Elizabeth here? Caroline has something she needs to tell her...don't you Caroline?"
"Well, I...okay, yes I do," she answered, prompted by William's glare.
"I'm here," said Elizabeth coolly, as she left her room, folding her arms across her chest and leaning against a wall.
"You see..." Caroline began as all eyes turned her direction. "I, um..made you believe that William and I had something going on but the truth is, he has never been intimate or anything but my brother's best friend. There, are you satisfied?" she looked defiantly at William who continued to glare at her.
"Actually," Elizabeth said, "I have something to say to you, Caroline." Caroline looked back at Elizabeth and smiled a social smile, one of her best. She was unprepared for the stinging slap that Elizabeth gave her or Elizabeth's curt:
"Now get out." Caroline half-gasped, putting one hand to her reddened cheek.
"Charles, would you drive me home?" she asked and slammed the door upon exiting. Charles followed her, pausing to open the door, flash a thumbs-up sign at Elizabeth and closed the door quietly behind him.
Chapter 17
Elizabeth's hand dropped to her side, horrified that she had actually struck someone without thinking of how her action could have affected Jane. She looked cautiously at her sister, whose usually placid face had gone pale and her hand was still over her mouth.
"Elizabeth!" Jane exclaimed. "You hit her!"
"I don't know what came over me!" Elizabeth cried. "It was as if my hand just had a mind of its own." She remembered that William was still there and she looked over at him, afraid of what she would read in his eyes. His face was expressionless except for the mirth shining out of those dark eyes.
"That's some right hook you have there," he said nonchalantly and Elizabeth noticed that Jane's face relaxed into a smile and then she burst out laughing hysterically...
"Did you see the expression on her face?"
"Actually it is kind of etched into my mind," Elizabeth replied wryly. "At least Charles didn't seem too upset by it."
"That's the understatement of the year!" Jane said. "He was so upset with her. He's been trying to get her to understand that you're not interested in her, William."
"Good luck. I've been trying for years!" William responded with a smile. "Elizabeth, do you have any more energy left or did you use it all on Caroline?"
"I'm feeling fine, actually. Still have some of the adrenaline pumping, though. Why?"
"I was just wondering if you'd like to play some racquetball and take a hot tub afterwards..."
"Sure! I'd go get my suit and change into some sweats. Is the court far from here?"
"Not too far," he said, winking at Jane. " I think that it's very convenient."
"Okay." Elizabeth disappeared into her room and returned quickly, changed and eager to leave. "Is Charles coming back?"
"I imagine so," William answered for Jane. "He can't seem to stay away from here...don't know why!" Jane only smiled, her face expressing her happiness. "Let's go!"
"See ya Jane!" Elizabeth called over her shoulder. "I'll be back in awhile."
"In a long while," thought William to himself as he caught her profile in the dull street lamp.
Chapter 18
Parked a distance from that same streetlight was another car, less distinct in nature, whose sole occupant crouched low until William's car was visible only by its red taillights. Starting the engine, the shadowy figure slowly followed the couple at what he considered to be a safe distance until he saw their destination. He smiled wickedly to himself then turned down a side road to return to campus.
Unaware of their tail, Elizabeth chatted about the upcoming Spring Break and Summer Institute until she noticed William's distraction.
"Something wrong? You keep looking in the rear view."
"Nothing."
"You aren't acting like it's nothing."
"Well, I could have sworn that we were being followed. But, whoever it was turned off, so I imagine that they were just also going the same direction. No biggie."
"Are you used to being followed? Maybe by throngs of adoring females…"
"Not so that you'd notice! They usually think that I'm the original Ice Man."
"Maybe what you need is a good thaw…" He looked at her quickly to see if she was being suggestive but her attention was drawn to their surroundings.
"We're at your place."
"Yes."
"Do you have a racquetball court here?"
"Yes, actually I do. Jane and Charles play here often. Jane's pretty good."
"She may seem like a pushover but when it comes to sports, my sisters and I are pretty competitive."
"That's good to know!" He parked the car in a cavernous garage filled with the usual rich man's collection of automobiles.
"Holy cow!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Do you have the Batmobile here, too?"
"Nope, it's in the Batshop for repairs," he retorted. "The court is this way." He led her through what appeared to be a maze of long corridors lined with doors until they came upon a glass window which lit automatically as they approached.
"Motion sensor," he offered as he noticed her curious look. "If you stand still for a minute…" Within a few minutes, the lights switched off, leaving them very close in the dark. Elizabeth felt his face leaning toward hers and she raised her lips, waiting for the slow sensual kiss, but the lights turned back on, causing them both to laugh.
"Very motion sensitive, I'd say!"
"Quite." He replied in a disappointed voice. "Well, let's play some racquetball." She followed him down a flight of stairs and through the door leading to a brightly-lit court with music filtering from the overhead speakers.
"Wow! I could get used to this!!" She said, looking around, then blushed as she caught William's amused look. "I didn't mean…oh garbage. Where's a racquet?"
"Do you want some practice shots?" He watched with interest as she peeled off her sweat bottoms, revealing the trim biker shorts underneath. He struggled to look away as she began to lift off her sweat top, almost taking off the underlying t-shirt, flashing a well-toned midriff that made him feel very energetic. She noticed that he leaned back into one of the walls.
"You okay?'
"Do you think that it is a tad warm in here?"
"Maybe you ought to change into shorts, unless you usually play in slacks."
"What? Oh, right. I have some clothes in the locker room next door."
"I'll just practice some shots while you do…" She picked out a racquet, and turning to look at him, caught a glimpse of William tugging his shirt off as he entered the locker room, a well-muscled back that bespoke weight training. She felt her throat go dry and she swallowed hard, mentally slapping herself back to the task at hand.
"Racquetball, Elizabeth. Practice racquetball." When William returned, he found her vigorously returning the ricocheting ball with much skill and determination, sweat beginning to bead up on her forehead.
"Ready to play?"
"Rock and roll!" He served first, gently lobbing the ball against the wall. She let the ball go by and put her free hand on her hip.
"Hey. You gonna continue to serve down to me or what?"
"Okay then. You asked for it!"
"Bring it on!"
He served low and hard which she deftly returned and he soon found himself in the midst of a hard-charging game. That is, until, while watching her return a particularly challenging shot, the fit of her shorts distracted him, and the ball bounded off his head.
"Ow!"
"Not watching the game, hmmm?" she smiled at him slyly. "You all right?"
"Luckily it was just my thick head," he replied ruefully. "I think that I need a break. Want to hot tub now?"
"Sure."
"Changing room is there, to the right. There are robes and towels in the overhead bins. The hot tub is upstairs to the left. I'll just meet you there."
"Hope that I don't get lost." She mused to herself entering the spacious changing room. "Now, this is a bathroom!" Her wide eyes took in the black granite and creamy marble inlaid floor and the marble-lined steam shower. "Better than Architectural Digest!" She quickly replaced her sweats with her one piece suit, slipped a terry robe over it and went to find William sitting in the hot tub, a large grin on his face.
Chapter 19
"Yes, that room is amazing. Where did you find granite like that? I love those copper flecks."
"Cool, huh? My interior design team found it. Come on in!" He tried to look casual when she dropped the robe by the side of the hot tub and stepped in.
"This feels so good," she sighed as the warm water bubbled around her.
"How about this?" He picked up her nearest foot and began to massage it.
"MMmm, heaven!" she leaned back, closing her eyes. "Could this possibly be any better?" He let out his breath and started to massage her calf, working slowly up her leg until her eyes flew open in alarm.
"Umm, you better do the other foot now." He smiled and dutifully began on her other foot.
"So, do you have any hot tub fantasies?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her.
"Not really. I find that a hot tub is self-fulfilling in a way. I do have one about a train…"
"Is that so? Care to elaborate?"
"Not tonight. I'm just going to enjoy this hot tub."
"Okay. Maybe during Spring Break?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I thought that I'd research, maybe spend some time in the stacks…"
"You are bad!!!" she splashed water at him.
"But, let's not talk about Spring Break…" he inched closer to her. "Turn around and I'll do your back."
"Do you hire out?"
"For you, it is free!" His strong fingers and thumbs made circular motions, kneading her tense muscles until she began to make soft noises in her throat. That made him increase the intensity of his massage, his hands trailing down her back until he could hold back no more. She felt his lips brush the nape of her neck and move up to her earlobe, a slow, almost rhythmic massage of tongue and gentle nibbling. She leaned back into him. and his hands circled her waist, which she covered with her own hands. She laid her head back and from that position, he was able to work his way from her ears to her lips. She turned her head into his soft kiss and then turned to face him. The motion lights went off and there was nothing but the dark, the sounds of water churning and an occasional sigh of pleasure.
"Elizabeth, I…" He began huskily when the sound of footsteps approaching made them jump apart guiltily, like teenagers caught necking on a parent's couch.
"Mr. Darcy," said the butler, when he came upon them. "Begging your pardon, sir, but you have an important phone call. I would have called on the intercom, but it doesn't seem to be on right now."
"I'll be right there. Thank you." The man disappeared and William looked apologetically at Elizabeth. "I'm sorry to interrupt our nice time. Apparently this is important. At least it had better be…" He climbed out of the pool and quickly slipped into a robe, grabbing a towel. "I'll be back as soon as I can. You can take a steam shower while you're waiting or whatever you want. There are some things to drink in the little fridge in the changing room. I'll be back as soon as I can." He cast one last longing look at her and then walked purposely down the hall.
Chapter 20
Elizabeth watched him leave for a long moment, then climbed out of the hot tub.
"Well, I could try out that steam shower--or maybe a cold shower would do the trick!" She cinched the robe around her waist, picked up her towel and went into the changing room. The steam shower fascinated her with all its different settings, so she undressed and turned it on tropical rain, feeling the light rain-like shower water gently hit her skin. She switched it over to steam and sat on the marble seat, closed her eyes and replayed the hot tub scene over again without the interruption. A bang on the outside door brought her back to the present and she opened the shower door slightly to yell:
"Be out in a minute!" She hurriedly turned the shower off, redressed and almost ran out the door. A solemn William was waiting for her.
"I'm sorry to cut our evening short. I need to go see someone...actually my sister Georgiana. She's not doing very well."
"Okay. Is there anything that I can do?"
"No, it's a private matter. Georgie is pretty close-mouthed and doesn't want anyone to know."
"All right. I'm ready to go."
"This way." They walked in silence to the garage, and Elizabeth noticed that William's preoccupation made him appear very distressed. When he walked her to her apartment door, he took both of her hands, kissed her cheek and said:
"Tonight was wonderful. I'll call you." and almost sprinted back to his car without looking back. Elizabeth heard his car leave the parking lot quickly and then went inside, feeling let down.
Chapter 21
The next week, Elizabeth was surprised to not see William in class and by Friday, she was determined to have news of him by hook or by crook, as her father would say. Her answering machine held no answers, so she tried the subtle approach with Jane.
"So, Jane, do you and Charles have plans this weekend?"
"The usual." Jane was engrossed in a Discovery channel program and her eyes were glued on the set.
"Are, um, you guys going to play racquetball at all, do you think?"
"Don't think so. Charles is sore from a big workout at the gym yesterday. His squats did him in, I think."
"Did you work out at William's gym?"
"No, up on campus...it was between classes. Liz, do you mind? I'd really like to watch this show."
Elizabeth sat back into the couch, her mind intent on finding out how William and his sister were doing. As she was pondering another tactic, there was a knock at the door, a courtesy knock, apparently, as Charles entered immediately afterwards.
"What are you watching?"
"The mating habits of bees," Jane said quickly. "Shhh."
Charles raised his eyebrows at Elizabeth and said:
"Do you mind if I get a glass of water? I'm thirsty."
"Go ahead." She followed him determinedly into the kitchen, and took a deep breath. "Heard from William lately?" She hoped that she sounded casual enough.
"Yes, I have."
"How is his sister?"
"She's doing better."
"I don't want to pry..."
"Yes, you do!"
"Okay, so I do. Can you tell me what is going on? I'm so in the dark."
"I don't think that William would..."
"Please Charles. He hasn't called or anything. I'm very...well, I'm going crazy, I think."
"Is this a bid for my services?"
"Whatever. What can you tell me?"
"Well, okay, but I didn't tell you anything, okay?"
"Right."
"All right. Well. Georgiana got the news somehow that an old boyfriend that she still cared deeply about was serious about someone else. She started drinking and almost died of alcohol poisoning. William has been with her every waking minute since. His cousin, a Colonel Fitzwilliam is taking leave next week and is going to take his turn during Spring Break."
"Why didn't William call me?"
"Pretty to the point, aren't you. He has been so busy. Georgie has been severely depressed and he couldn't trust anyone but Richard, his cousin, to be with her besides himself. I only know because he wanted some professional advise."
"So he'll be back for Spring Break?"
"That's what he said. Are you going somewhere next week?"
"Nope. Same old, same old, minus the students and classes. Lots of research and writing."
"Sounds so...boring. Jane and I are going to road trip to the Ozarks. I have a cabin reserved on White River."
"You going to be gone all break?"
"Yes, if we're lucky! I hear your sisters are going to go to South Padre Island."
"Yeah, one of their friends has a condo there. Well, the friend's parents have a condo and I hope that they still do after break!"
"Is Mary going with them?"
"Yeah, right. She's staying behind to work on a paper." Charles looked longingly at Jane sitting on the couch.
"Oh, go to Jane!" Elizabeth said teasingly. "Thanks for the info."
"You're welcome. Remember...don't tell William that I said anything."
"About what?" she smiled back and watched him make his way quickly over to Jane, where he draped his arm around her and settled in for what appeared to be personal bee research of his own.
Chapter 22
Within a few days, all those that Elizabeth was the most closely associated with had packed their bags and were heading out for the Spring Break festivities. Her two younger sisters had even stopped by on their way out of town to say good-bye and ask for money.
"Lyd, why is it that you don't ask Mom and Dad for money? It's not like I'm rolling in it and all."
"Well, actually she did!" offered Kat, at which Lydia shot her a withering look.
"Oh yeah?"
"It's not like that," whined Lydia. "I did spend it on necessary things. Why, just look at this bikini I bought. It's a Gottex and it was on sale. I couldn't pass it up. Why, when, George gets a load of this on me, he'll be putty in my hands."
"George? George who?"
"I don't know his last name. Anyway, no one that you'd know. He's my new boyfriend. We're almost inseparable. We're meeting in South Padre. He has a condo there, just like my friend."
"Sounds like a rich boyfriend."
"You should see how he dresses. I just had to spend Mom and Dad's money to look right at all the parties that he's going to take me to."
"Well, this is all I have to spare. It will pay for gas and some food, I guess."
"Thanks. And Kat has some money, too. We'll spend hers when we run out of yours."
"Wonderful."
"Thanks Lizzy!!" the two cried in unison.
"Be good."
"Yeah, okay." Lydia rolled her eyes at Elizabeth and they both ran off to their car, giggling loudly as they went. Elizabeth heard the car start, the radio start blasting the college station and a screech of tires on asphalt told her that they had already begun their Spring Break.
"Well, nothing left but the lynching." She sighed. "Hmm, what to do first? I think that I'll take a walk down to the Natural History Museum and check out the bees!" She pulled on a sweatshirt and a pair of shoes and headed in the direction of the museum.
Once inside, she climbed the stairs and stood in front of the bee case for a long time, watching the bees enter and depart by a small opening to the outside. "I should be so industrious." She thought to herself, beginning to mentally list all the things that she needed to accomplish during the break. How long she stood there, writing her list, she didn't know. A soft voice caused her to jump:
"Have you forsaken the stacks for the bees?"
"William! How did you know where to find me? When did you get back?"
"Because of your admission that you loved the museum and about half an hour ago."
"How's your sister?"
"Better, thanks." His handsome face clouded over at the thought of his sister. "I'll tell you about it later."
"Okay."
"I'm sorry that I had to run off the other night. I meant to call you, but it was touch and go for awhile. I got so little sleep that I feel like a zombie."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe what you need is a massage…" her eyes glinted mischievously.
"Is that an offer?" his expression had gone seductive.
"Want to go to my place?"
"I thought that you'd never ask!" They left the museum quickly, with William practically dragging Elizabeth, he was walking so rapidly. Flushed and out of breath, she unlocked the door to the apartment and dropped her backpack on the floor.
"Well, lay down on the floor over there and take off your shirt." She directed.
"I don't want to lay on the floor…it's too hard."
"Weeell, I guess that you could lay down on my bed. No funny stuff, though!"
"I don't know what you mean." He said in his most innocent tone.
"Mmhmm. Thirsty?"
"Yes." He gave her a meaningful look.
"Behave…I told you!" She left him in her room and went to get some cans of soda. Upon returning, she found him sprawled on her bed, shirt off and sound asleep. "Gee, I didn't think that I was gone that long!"
She sat the drinks down softly on the nightstand and looked over his muscular back. Slowly she began a light massage, her hands kneading him lovingly, rolling over every tanned inch of his back, lingering on his lower torso. She lost herself in the thrill of touching his skin and drinking in his scent. He moaned slightly, and turned over, looking at her sleepily.
"Sorry, I fell asleep," he muttered thickly. "Cmere." She lowered herself into his outstretched arms and felt his breathing return to the slow, rhythmic breathing of a sleeper. From her position, she could see his long, dark eyelashes and a tiny scar on his left temple. She couldn't stifle the impulse to plant soft kisses along his firm jawline, which caused his eyes to flicker open.
"You're not supposed to start without me, you know," he smiled sleepily and his lips came down softly on hers, parting them slowly, and then more passionately as he began to wake up. "Oh, Lizzy, I've dreamed about you so often while I was gone." He moaned again, but this time it wasn't from fatigue.
It was Elizabeth's turn to moan as he kissed her along her collar bone and up to her waiting lips as their legs locked into each other and he ran a hand up and down one hip. She shifted her body until her calves were firmly planted around his and there they remained until she could feel his discomfort.
"Big problems?" she grinned at him.
"You might say that!"
"Well, you could always take a cold shower…"
"I already have…several times."
"Or you could stop kissing me."
"Not an option." He replied decisively.
"Or you could keep doing what you're doing."
"I might explode!"
"Can I watch?"
"Voyeuse!"
"Or I could…"
"Yes, do that!" She rolled over on top of him and they resumed their passionate kissing until William started to reach under her shirt to pull it off.
"I can't!" She sat up, pulling down her shirt nervously.
"Yes, you can! See, watch!" He tried to put a hand on her shirt again but she twisted away from him.
"Um, William…I'm a virgin."
"Okay. So you're a virgin."
"On purpose."
"What are you trying to say, Elizabeth?"
"I'm not having sex until I get married."
"Okay, marry me then."
"Some guys are so anxious for sex that they'd say anything." She turned away from him, offended.
"Elizabeth," he said softly. "I'm sorry. It didn't come out right. I think about you all the time and dream about you. Please ease my suffering and be my wife."
"Do you think that we know each other well enough?" she sounded skeptical.
"I know that when I'm with you, I feel at peace. And when I'm away from you, all I want is to be with you."
"You could just be infatuated, or obsessed!"
"I'm in love with you Elizabeth Bennet. Marry me? Look, I'm kneeling down even." She did have to admit to herself that he was quite the tempting sight, half-dressed and with a look of fiery love in his eyes.
"Yes, Mr. William Darcy, I will marry you. Want to elope?"
"Don't tempt me! We could get married after the semester is over and honeymoon in Paris with the Summer Institute…you could be my roommate."
"MMMmmm! Now that's a picture of Summer Institute that I think that I like!" She slid over to him, him still kneeling and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, William." She kissed him full on the lips until he got up suddenly and shouted:
"Where's the shower!" She laughed loudly as he ran to the bathroom and she could hear sounds of water running.
Chapter 23 - Lydia's Spring Break
It was a bright and sunny afternoon when Lydia, Kat and their friends arrived in South Padre Island. Lydia got out of the car, stretched and took a look around. There appeared to already be more guys, more good-looking guys than she had ever hoped would be possible. Not that that mattered, she reminded herself…she had George. The condo was all that her friend had said that it would be…wide, open balconies facing Laguna Madre Bay with a view to die for. Now this was the life, she thought, very pleased with herself for having such a rich friend. Time to get dressed, call George and hit the beach.
Once in her new bikini, she picked up the phone and dialed the number that George had given her.
"Hi!"
"Hi! What's up?"
"Just got here. Are you coming to the beach right now?
"I have to do something first, then I'll be down."
"Are you watching some soap or something? I can hear voices in the background."
"Uh, yeah. Something I just turned on…listen, I'll see you in a little bit."
"Okay! Bye sweetie!"
"Yeah, bye." George hung up the phone and walked back into the living room. "Well, Mary, now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"
Lydia and her friends went to the beach and set up 'camp' as they called it. Cooler, tanning lotion, towels and a big umbrella. Lydia's suit (or lack of it) drew a lot of attention and soon the girls were surrounded by willing suntan lotion applicants. The afternoon passed and as dusk fell, Lydia began to notice that George had not yet arrived.
"So, Lydia," said one of the admirers. "Do you have plans for tonight? We're going to have a kegger a little up the beach a ways…about 10 miles north of here."
"Well, I was supposed to meet someone today…but since he hasn't arrived, maybe I will take you up on your kegger party, Denny."
"All right! Lydia's coming to the kegger!!" Denny almost shouted while the rest of the group smiled. "Should we come get you in about an hour?"
"Sounds great! If my friend shows up, can he come along?"
"Well, okay." Denny's tone was a definite, 'if he must'. "Is he cool?""
"The coolest."
"All right. Pick you up in an hour." The group waved good-bye and went off to organize their party supplies. Lydia, Kat and Moira left for the condo. As they were walking up the steps to the property, Kat asked her sister:
"Lyd, what ever possessed you to accept an invitation for George? He might be offended since it was from a group of guys…of very hot guys, no less."
"Who cares? George didn't bother to come to the beach, so if he shows up, then he goes with. If not, well, there are many guys to ease my broken heart!" They all laughed at the thought of Lydia having a broken heart and entered the condo just as the phone was ringing.
"Hi!"
"Hi, could I talk to Lydia?"
"You're in deep doo-doo pal!"
"No doubt. Just put her on, Moira."
"It's Lover Boy!" Moira snickered and on the other line, George grimaced.
"Well, long time no see." Lydia said coldly, rolling her eyes at her sister and friend. "So, did you meet someone else or what?"
"Lyd, you know that you're the only girl in my life. A friend called and needed my shoulder…a very old, dear friend."
"What's her name, George?"
"How did you know it was a girl?"
"Duh, George, like I don't know you very well…"
"Her name is Mary…very dumpy and freckled. She's no competition, Lyd."
"Like I was worried. Are you going to get your butt over here or not? We're going to a kegger about 10 miles north of here. Want to come?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" George laughed out loud.
"What's so funny?" Lydia hated when she was not in the loop.
"Well, the location sounds choice. Great spot and definitely great scenery."
"Okay, be vague. I'll find out when I get there, right?"
"Oh, I would imagine so! I'll be there in about 20 minutes. I have to shower first."
"If you're late, you'll just have to meet us there."
"Okay, see you soon, Love of my Life."
"Bye Sweet George." She hung up the phone and said with a shrug. "Well, he wants to come. He said. If he doesn't show this time, no big loss, huh girls?!" They all parted ways to prepare for their first party of Spring Break and before long, a knock was heard at the door.
"Hey Babe! You look incredible!" George grinned at Lydia. "Are you sure that you don't want to just forgo the party and go dancing? I hear that Kelly's Irish Pub has a band tonight."
"Sorry, I have my heart set on this party. We could go dancing tomorrow. Puleaze?!?" She gave him her most endearing look.
"Okay. The party it is. I wouldn't miss this party for anything!"
"What does that mean?"
"Well, I guess that you'll just have to wait to find out, little Miss Curious."
They all piled into George's jeep and headed out for the beach. Once there, Lydia took out her flashlight and started to shine it around.
"Kind of a secluded place…hmmm, what is this?" Her flashlight beam picked up an axe in the sand with writing on it. She walked closer to get a better look and almost dropped her flashlight.
"Clothing Optional Beach!!"
Chapter 24
George felt Lydia slug his nearest arm.
"So, you knew about this site?" she snarled.
He shrugged and said, "I didn't think that you'd be bothered by it, given the type of swimming suit that you usually wear."
"That is besides the point! All nude is slightly different than mostly nude, you moron!"
"Yeah, whatever. Are you coming or not? Chances are, the clothing will stay on anyway, so what's the problem?"
"Okay, I'll go, but I'm keeping my clothes on." George shrugged again and Lydia, Kat and their friend looked at each other for support.
"Okay then, let's go!" They followed George slowly, as he made his way through the sand to the bonfire that was already blazing. Once to the fire, they noticed that all the partygoers still were clothed and passing out cups of the beer that Denny was drawing from the keg.
"Hi guys. Hi Lydia!" he said as they approached. "Want a beer?"
"Thanks Denny," Lydia said with a tone that made George look at her possessively. "This is my friend George."
"Nice to meet you." George said flatly.
"Likewise." responded Denny.
"Soooo, Denny," began Lydia, "Why is this shindig at a clothing optional beach?"
"Thought that it would be fun...not to mention give everyone a heart attack once they saw the sign!"
"I'm not taking my clothes off!" Kat said firmly.
"Suit yourself! That's why it says 'optional', you know."
The group moved away from Denny and closer to the fire, but George noticed that Lydia's attention was still drawn by the self-appointed bartender. He quickly downed his beer and went back for more.
"You'd better slow down, George!" Lydia warned. "We want to get home in one piece and you're the designated driver."
"I know how to handle myself, thank you very much." George retorted and chugged the beer that Denny handed him, then had him refill it. He smiled at her. "Want to go check out the sand dune?"
"Nope, I'm staying by the fire."
"Okay." George left the group and wandered down the beach a short distance. Satisfied that he was completely alone, he reached into his pocket for what he had been saving and sat down on the sand.
A short time later, he made his way back to the group, noticing that Lydia and Denny were sitting very close to each other. Lydia looked up as he sat down between them.
"Hi George! I guess I don't have to ask what you've been up to..."
"That obvious?"
"Duh."
"Got anything to eat here, Denny?"
"Chips, pretzels and M&Ms."
"Want anything, Lydia?"
"I'm fine." Please just go away, you stoner.
"I'll be right back."
"Okay." Don't hurry on my account. She watched him stumble to the food area and sighed. "Looks like I am going to drive this time. I think that I'll take him home and come back." She scrambled to her feet. "Wait for me?"
"Forever!" Denny smiled back at her. He watched her walk over to George, take him arm and lead him back to where his jeep was parked. The jeep started and soon the vehicle was gone.
In a short time, Lydia and George were at his condo and she was patiently walking him in the door, anticipating a swift departure. He turned to her and said:
"Thanks for bringing me home. And I was beginning to think that you had the hots for Denny!" He bent down and started to kiss her passionately, gradually removing her desire to return to the party. Oh well, she thought, Kat and Moira will be able to get a ride from Denny. George picked her up and carried her to the bedroom where they continued their passion until both fell sound asleep.
It was very early the next morning when Lydia's sleepy brain registered pounding on the door.
"George, what's that?" George continued to sleep. From outside the condo, she could hear pounding and a petulant woman's voice:
"George, wake up. Wake up...I forgot my door key. George...what are you doing...wake up!" The voice started to get louder and more frantic...and took on a tone of angry belligerence. Lydia prodded George until his eyes opened and then hissed:
"I think that your 'friend' Mary wants in!" George sat upright in bed.
"Quick, get your stuff. Go to the bathroom and don't say a word. I'll get rid of her as soon as I can." Lydia dutifully picked up her things, and walked sleepily to the bathroom where she closed the door and folded her arms, almost drifting back into sleep. The door opened and she heard the low voice of George and the woman 'Mary' who appeared to be appeased until all of a sudden she let out a shriek:
"So, whose shoe is that? Is she here? Where is she, George?" Before George could answer, Mary stormed through the condo, and threw open the bathroom door, leaving Lydia to blink at her impassively.
"What? What is she doing here? Why didn't you tell me?" Mary began to shout and cry at the same time, but Lydia just looked at her without expression.
"I was just getting ready to take her home, right, Lydia?"
"Yes, and I had to go to the bathroom." Mary didn't look convinced and Lydia was beyond caring. "Can I go home now, George. I'm pretty tired."
"Sure. You go out to the jeep and I'll be out in a minute." Lydia collected her stray shoe from the living room and went outside. Within a few minutes, George rejoined her and they rode to Moira's condo in silence.