Beginning, Previous Section, Section III, Next Section
A few scenes in this story appear similar to a novel by Chris Rogers, but the title is a bit risqué for this board for any repetition of it.
Chapter 14 - Unforgettable
After Darcy washed the dishes, he went out on the front porch to lounge lazily in the hot sun on the porch swing; the dog followed him, but sat on the edge of the porch steps to block the exit. After she dried the dishes and put them away, Elizabeth went to join him. From behind the screen door, she watched him as he swung back and forth with his head tossed back, arms stretched wide, and his eyes closed. From her position, she examined the flare of his nostrils, the dark patch of hair sticking out from the unbuttoned top of his golf shirt, his broad shoulders, and... Her thoughts quickly flew to first time they met. It was a few days before the Bingley's wedding. She was a tall, lanky teenager who almost immediately fell for the tall, dark, handsome brooding best man. He paid no attention to her, of course. She was afraid to speak to him back then, but always tried to be noticed.
Darcy felt her presence. "What does one do around here for entertainment?"
Elizabeth pushed the screen door open and stepped outside on to the porch. "I usually go camping and fishing." He brought his head forward and stopped swinging. "But, there's always some festival or fair going on in town."
"You fish?" he asked incredulously.
"There's a lot about me that you don't know, Mr. Darcy," she said a little peeved.
"I, I didn't mean it as an insult. However, I keep doing it, don't I?" He sighed in frustration. "Perhaps we can start over?" Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to continue. "I'm Will Darcy," he stood and walked over to her. "Nice to meet you," he extended his hand.
"Elizabeth," she shook it. "Elizabeth Bennet."
"Now that we've got the pleasantries out of the way... Where do you fish?"
"There's a brook with carp, tench, and pike, about a mile down that way, through the trees," she pointed. "There's also a trout stream, but we'd have to hike to it." He nodded absently. "Do you fish?"
He smiled wanly. "Not since... Not in a while. My father..." his voice broke and he cleared his throat. "My father used to take me when I was much younger."
"I don't believe I have an extra rod, but I could pick one up in town?"
"I'd like that."
Darcy stepped over Bud, and walked off the porch to an unknown destination. Elizabeth nodded to Bud and left him to his private wandering, but the dog did not.
Elizabeth had decided to take a nap, but she did not suspect that she would sleep as long as she did. It was 2:15 p.m.! And only the ringing of her cell phone woke her up. She talked to Charlotte for about 15 minutes, then scrambled to the bathroom to freshen up, and then went downstairs to the kitchen. Nothing had been made for lunch, so she made a few sandwiches. Afterwards, she checked the house for Darcy, but he was not to be found. She went out on the porch, behind the house, still no Darcy. She did not panic though, she recollected his earlier path and that Bud was at his heels, and decided to take it, but not before packing up the sandwiches and something to drink in a cooler.
About half-an-hour later, Elizabeth espied Darcy sitting on a rock formation at the edge of the brook, just staring into nothing. She looked around for Bud, put her finger to her mouth to shush her, and walked up to Darcy as quietly as possible.
Again, Darcy felt her presence. "I forgot to thank you for saving my life," he said, not turning around. "Thank you."
"Y, You're welcome," stammered Elizabeth. Confused as to how he always seemed to realize her presence. "Here, I brought lunch."
"I'm not hungry."
"But you have to eat, Mr. Darcy."
"Will... And I'm not hungry," he said, still not looking at her.
She sighed, sat down and opened the cooler.
"What's going on in Dallas? What are they saying?"
"They think you're in critical condition, but heavily guarded. They think Gina is in hiding and afraid for her life."
He nodded, then finally looked at her. "What about you?"
Elizabeth was grateful that he had deigned to ask. "They've been hounding my family for news of my whereabouts."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
As Elizabeth munched on her sandwich, she thought, although his answers and questions were on the short quick variety, she might venture to talk to him about some things that needed talking about.
"Do you think the kidnappers and the shooters are one in the same?"
"I don't know," Darcy shook his head and shrugged. "I thought all they wanted was my money, not to kill me... Gina is almost 18 and the money in her trust fund will be hers for the taking. But then again, only a few people know that I changed it to 21 after what happened..." Elizabeth sat silent, waiting, but he did not elaborate on that subject. "I don't know. Maybe they want more? Maybe they aren't working together?" he shrugged again and turned back to the brook. "I don't know."
They both sat quietly for more than a few minutes. Then Darcy reached in the cooler to retrieve a sandwich and a soda. He wiped off the can with his shirt. Elizabeth smiled.
"What do you think?"
"I don't know if they're the same. But I think whoever the shooter was, they were only playing with you."
Darcy jerked his head around. "Playing with me?"
"I'm almost positive that that red laser beam had been present for more than just a few seconds."
"What red laser beam?"
"That's what I saw right before I pushed you... It comes with some high-powered weaponry and is used to pinpoint a particular target on a given individual. A direct and complete hit, so to speak."
Darcy quickly stood up. "I saw it too! But I, I didn't know what it was! I thought it was your jewelry or something!" He paced. "I think you're right. The first time I saw it was on the wall when you first stood behind me. Then I looked at you to see what you might be wearing and..." He dared not repeat what he thought. "Then I dismissed it."
"If you remember something else, please tell me?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Something small... simple... overlooked. It could be important."
Elizabeth picked up a couple of rocks and began to skim them across the water. Darcy smiled, and followed suit.
"I noticed that the majority of the threats began 6 months ago. Did anything in particular happen right before then?"
Darcy stopped cold and dropped the remaining earth in his hands. "I'm tired." And with that he left her standing at the bank, stunned by his abrupt dismissal. Bud followed him.
By the time Elizabeth had reached the house, Darcy had ensconced himself in his room and locked the door. She was more than sure that her last question triggered something deep and sorrowful in him, but had no clue as to what it could be. She pulled out some steak to thaw, vegetables, etc. Then she went upstairs to retrieve the dossier and settled in a kitchen chair to study it.
Darcy was angry and he felt helpless at the same time. He wanted to forget the 2 most embarrassingly horrifying situations in his life, however, it was not to be. He had tried hard to keep these things buried and had done a pretty good job of it, or so he thought. Elizabeth was on to something she had no business in. He wasn't sure if she knew, or suspected, but it was tearing him apart. His detectives hadn't asked that question. Why not? He paced his room incessantly, but stopped when he heard Elizabeth try the doorknob, knock, call out his name, and then leave. He paced again. He was worried sick that if those things ever came out, there would be so much gossip that he would lose his credibility, his social standing, and disgrace his family name all in one fell swoop. But if this information could somehow be related to what was going on in his life at present, then he would have to tell her. He sighed heavily, trembling. Could he trust her? She saved his life. But that was just a normal reaction! It could've been anyone and she would've done the same thing. But she was here now, taking care of him. Would just anybody do that? Was it her duty? Could he trust anybody with these secrets? Darcy had reached the ugly point of true uncertainty. He never needed to rely on anyone before, except his parents. And since they were both gone, he relied on no one. But now this!
After an hour or so, Elizabeth discovered that there was nothing in the file that stood out. The investigators were starting with the initial threats from 5 years ago and working their way forward. Nothing wrong with that. That was precisely why Elizabeth was going in the opposite direction. She called Charlotte's office and reluctantly left a message with Collins for her to return the call.
It came 15 minutes later.
"Char?"
"Yep. What's up?"
"I need to find out what happened in the lives of the Darcys from January '98 up to the kidnapping."
"I don't know, Lizzy, he's a very private man... Why?"
"Nothing that you don't already know. The majority of threats started 6 months ago, but I'd like to look back a few months further. I asked him about it and he just closed up on me. So it might be something and it might be something big."
"Let me check." Charlotte put the phone down to peruse through the additional miscellaneous items that the private investigators had given her. "Nothing's in order, so I'll have to call you back later, okay?"
"Okay. Did you find out if that was a bug or if his place was bugged?"
"No. I mean we haven't found out anything, but his Chief of Security is coming up tomorrow from their headquarters in Austin. He may find something or at least be able to tell us what that thing might be."
"If the police haven't found out anything, what could he do?"
"This guy is good!" Charlotte was pleased that she would get to see him again.
"How so? And who is he?"
"Fitz... I mean, Fitzgerald Williams. He's a former Colonel in the Army."
"And?"
"He's worked with the CIA and FBI on secret missions in the underworld and in third world countries. If this is some new type of equipment, he'll know it."
"Why wasn't he brought in before?"
"He's been out of the country."
"Ah." Dramatic pause. "Well, oh, before I forget. In his apartment we were looking at some pictures in a large burgundy photo album. I need to look at them again. Could you have those overnighted?"
"Sure. Anything else?"
"Nothing that I can think of right now."
"Okay. I'll call you tonight."
"Okay."
They hung up.
Elizabeth washed up the meat and vegetables and took them out back to the grill to cook them. Yes, it was almost 100 degrees outside, unfit for a flea sitting under a leaky faucet and definitely too hot to grill, but it would be even hotter inside the house with the oven on. She sat back in the lawn chair as the mesquite smoke filled air wafted in the nonexistent breeze and relaxed. That's the only way her photographic memory would produce; it needed peace and quiet, no turmoil, no emotions, just solitude.
Darcy had finally stopped pacing in his room. Even with the windows closed tight and the fan on, he could smell the sweet smell of steak and corn on the grill. As he lay back on the bed with his hands behind his head, his mind wandered to those special events of his past. His family sailing on Martha's Vineyard for the summer holidays. His father, teaching him to fish for Marlins off the Keys or Bermuda. His mother, standing at the grill flipping burgers and such. His sister, taking her first few martial arts classes. He felt like screaming. He felt like crying. He felt like throwing things. Yet, he did nothing. He just lay there until sleep claimed him for the night.
Elizabeth ate in silence. She had made a plate for Darcy, took it to his room, knocked and left it outside the door. An hour later, she went upstairs and saw that food had not been touched. She retrieved it and put it away, thinking he would be hungry later.
As she walked around the outside of the house in the cool darkness that fell upon them, her cell phone rang with its ever-unpleasant chirp.
"Hello?"
"Lizzy, it's Charlotte. I found all that you requested and you should receive it in the morning. Billy's gonna drop it in the night box."
"No, not Billy!"
"Lizzy, I just don't understand..."
"I don't trust him Char! I don't even want him to know where I live!"
Charlotte sighed. "Okay, I'll take it myself."
"And put the carbon inside the envelope before you seal it."
"All right!"
"I appreciate it Char. Anything else?"
"Like what?"
"My family. Ransom note. Anything?"
"Here's the routine... I'll talk to your father once a day. I'll tell him you're okay, he'll say 'thanks' and we'll hang up. No ransom note, yet. Nothing else."
"Okay," she sighed. "Thanks."
They hung up.
Elizabeth and Bud stayed outside until very late. Her mind tossed and turned over the events of the past few days. If she were going to remember anything, or 'see' anything clearer, she would need to go fishing tomorrow. That always relaxed her. Maybe she would even take Darcy, if he were willing to be in her company. These and other thoughts occupied her tired existence until she heard the faint sound of footsteps on the kitchen linoleum. She stood up and peered through the window to see Darcy rummaging around in the refrigerator. She smiled to herself and sat back down.
Darcy meticulously made a sandwich, ate it over a paper towel, then washed up the dirty knife and glass and cleaned off the table. He went quietly back up to his room.
Chapter 15 - UFO's.
If she was going to go into town, get a fishing rod and other supplies, she had best do it now, while the sun had not come into full glory and the post had not yet been delivered. It was barely 7:30 a.m. by the time Elizabeth washed, dressed, and made and ate breakfast, before she left the house.
Darcy watched her from his window, waited until she was out of sight before going downstairs. He was in no mood to talk right now, and needed to go over in his mind what he was going to relate and what he was not.
About an hour later, a knock came to the door. Darcy nearly jumped from his chair as Bud barked incessantly at the door. He was able to calm himself as he opened the curtains a crack to see whom it might be. He saw a Federal Express truck in the driveway and a uniformed man at the door. Quietly he opened the door.
"Can I help you?" Darcy asked as he squinted from the blinding sun and covered his eyes with one hand. Bud never stopped barking. "Sit!" The dog did as bid, but whined in the process.
"I have a delivery for an E. Bennet."
Darcy was about to say that she wasn't there, but thought since the man did not say 'Elizabeth', he could sign for it. I'm in no real danger! "I'm E. Bennet."
The driver handed him the package, Darcy almost wrote his name, but at the last possible moment remembered and signed, rather scribbled, E. Bennet. The man thanked him and drove off.
Darcy wondered if the man recognized him from TV or something. But the man did not seem to notice, so he dismissed that thought. Darcy wondered as he placed the large package on the table near the door, what it might contain; he was always a curious individual and it was getting the better of him. It took every ounce of willpower in him not to tear the package open, as he assumed it contained information on him and/or his family.
To get his mind off the package, Darcy walked around the house for the first time; Bud was at his heels. Not a television in sight! Not that he was a TV junkie; he just needed to know what was going on in the world. Off to the side of the living room was a small study with plenty of books on its shelves, a nice sized cherry wood desk with a soft burgundy leather chair behind it, a mid-sized sofa near the back of the room, another chair and a small table. He took a tour of the shelves and was impressed with the variety of books there. Since he had no idea what he wanted to read, his hands immediately went to pull out 'Robinson Crusoe', as this was one of his childhood favorites. How apropos! He sat on the sofa, opened the book, only to be surprised that it was a first edition with the author's signature. Now he was even more impressed! Instead of reading the book, Darcy jumped back up to search the shelves for anymore first editions and found 3 more on one shelf alone. Then decided to organize the shelves in alphabetical order. By the time, he had gotten to the next bookshelf to examine their contents and redistribute them, he heard the slamming of the front screen door. It startled him and he hurriedly placed all the books back on the shelf. He and Bud left the study and found Elizabeth frowning at the package on the table.
"It's not what you wanted?"
"No. It's just that I didn't want to put you in any possible danger by answering the door."
"What's in it?"
Elizabeth looked at him. "Pieces of your life."
"I figured as much," he frowned.
She narrowed her eyes. "And I figured I touched on a subject that you didn't want to discuss, but might be important."
"And you didn't let it stop you, did you?" Darcy sneered, then almost immediately he inhaled then exhaled deeply.
"No," she shrugged. "But this is only outsider knowledge here. You're the only one that can complete the puzzle." In Elizabeth's mind, Darcy took too long to chew on and digest this last bit of news, so she changed the subject. "I got you a rod. Are you busy today?"
He almost laughed, but the bubble never passed his larynx. "Isn't it too late to go fishing?"
"It's never too late around here. Today, we can go back to the brook, tomorrow, perhaps, we can drive to the trout stream."
He nodded sheepishly. "Okay."
"I'll just pack up the gear and..."
"And I'll make sandwiches," he smiled.
"Okay."
When Elizabeth returned downstairs, Darcy asked the one question that had been plaguing him since they came to this house. "Has anything been heard from the kidnappers?"
"I'm sorry... No."
"Why are they taking so long to contact me?! It's as if they want to torture me more!"
Elizabeth startled at the thought. Then it really could be personal! Her mind took on new thought processes. However, she said aloud, "They probably won't do anything until it's announced to the world of your recovery. But we'll catch 'em before then."
Darcy and Elizabeth walked to the brook in awkward silence. However, after an hour or so of fishing, Darcy visibly relaxed. And so it was that the two enjoyed the peace and tranquillity for most of the afternoon, only acknowledging each other by the toss of a fish in the bucket, a bumping of hands reaching for the cooler, or an occasional sigh of contentment.
It was all quiet and relaxing, until Elizabeth's cell phone rang.
"Char?"
"Yep."
"What's up?"
"Will had some interesting visitors yesterday and today," she snickered.
"Oh he did, did he?" she looked at Darcy out of the corner of her eye; he was looking directly at her. "Do tell?"
"Well yesterday, Caroline threw herself on the mercy of the armed guards." They both laughed heartily. "She cursed and screamed that she was his fiancée and they should let her in to see her man! Picture Scarlet O'Hara trying to hold on to Tara... But they still didn't let her in to see him."
Elizabeth snorted. "His fiancée! What a riot!"
"Woke up the whole hospital! Finally, the nurses called for more guards and they carried her out and stood watch on all the entrances."
"Ha!" Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I wish I'd been there!"
"Of course, I was notified after the fact! But this time, I happened to be there, waiting for her. I must say, it was worth the wait!"
"So she tried it again, today?!"
"No! Same scenario, but a different woman!"
"What?! Two fiancée's?!" Elizabeth guffawed and Darcy blushed, although he had no clue what was being said, he knew it was about him.
"No!" Charlotte had to catch her breath from laughing. "This one's older!"
"How much older?" Elizabeth sniffled and wiped her eyes.
"Much older... Our mother's ages! Maybe even older!" giggled Charlotte.
"You've gotta be kidding me?!"
"No! She screamed and cursed and demanded to see her daughter's fiancée!"
Elizabeth gasped. "No?!"
"Yes!"
"Oh, Charlotte! What an eventful 2 days! Did you get anything out of her?"
"She gave up nothing, voluntarily. But while she was being tossed to the curb she stated indignantly and I quote 'Do you know who the **** I am?! I'm Catherine de Bourgh, that's who!'"
Elizabeth laughed until she could laugh no more, and rolled on the ground to accentuate her point. Darcy looked on, getting angrier by the minute.
"The guards paid her no mind and placed her in front of her awaiting limo!"
"Stop it, Char?! Please?!" she begged and sniffled.
"All right." Charlotte cleared her throat. "I hope that will keep you entertained for a while."
"Oh definitely!"
"Where's Will?"
"Sitting about 3 feet away, shooting daggers at me," she whispered and tried to hold back her laughter.
"Oh my! Are you going to ask him about it?"
"Of course, but not right now."
"Okay, I'll call you sometime tomorrow."
"Okay. Good-bye."
They hung up.
Elizabeth stole a glance at Darcy, who had since turned his attention back to the brook. His back was straight and stiff as a board, his jaw set and stony, his ears a beet-red, and his nostrils flaring. Elizabeth decided to say nothing for a while.
Another hour passed.
Elizabeth ventured. "I think it's time we go back."
Darcy said not a word. He helped pack up their things, carried most of them, including the almost full bucket of fish. They walked back to the house in an awkward silence; just as they had come.
After settling in, unpacking and cleaning up, Elizabeth began, "Would you light up the gr..."
Darcy had left the room, proceeded up the steps (three at a time), entered his room, and slammed the door.
"Oh dear!" she tried not to laugh.
Elizabeth gutted the fish and de-boned them, all the while pondering how to heal this breach. She should not have laughed at him, or rather, his visitors. But she would need to ask him about the second lady. She seasoned some of it and put the rest in a freezer.
While the fish and vegetables were on the grill, she went up to her bedroom to fetch her laptop. She paused by Darcy's bedroom door, heard him mumbling, growling and pacing, and decided to go back downstairs. She chuckled at his anger, then plugged in her laptop to the phone line, and proceeded to search on the Internet for anything on Catherine de Bourgh. To her surprise, she found a few tidbits, but nothing scandalous so far. Which made her run for the package delivered that morning.
"Hmm?" she mumbled under her breath, as she opened the package and looked through its contents. "Hmm?"
Elizabeth heard a loud noise in the living room. She paid it no mind, as she assumed it was probably her dog and went back to typing. A few minutes after that, another loud noise, a kerplunk of some sort.
"Bud?! What are you doing?!" Bud whined and ran into the kitchen. She laid the papers down and rubbed behind her dog's ears. "What were you doing in there?" The dog barked. "Did you break something?" The dog yowled and shook her head.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed they were no longer alone. BAM! It was that loud noise again. Darcy had slammed something down on the hard wood floors. She turned her head and looked at the piece of luggage thrown askew on the floor, then she eyed him suspiciously.
"The washer and dryer are downstairs."
Darcy clinched his fists. "I don't need laundry service!" he sneered. "I want to go home and you're going to take me!"
Elizabeth stood up slowly, rolled her head on her neck as though preparing for a fight. "And just how are you going to make me?"
Chapter 16 - Bent Out Of Shape.
He glared at her. "You can't keep me here against my own will!" he bellowed.
"Mr. Darcy, that particular posture may work on your employees, but..."
"You are under my employ!" he growled.
"No, I am not!" she exclaimed and walked closer to him. "We have not had the opportunity to discuss my fees! Regardless, this is for your own good!"
"Ha! You're keeping me a prisoner here!" he glowered and raised his hand. "And I won't stand..."
Bud snarled and gnashed her teeth viciously, suddenly Darcy tasted the chalky stench of fear and his words stalled in his mouth; two formidable foes were staring him down.
"Sit!" Elizabeth commanded not taking her eyes off Darcy; Bud continued to snarl. "I said, SIT!" Bud snorted and whined and twirled in a circle, then sat down. "I'm not going to argue with you on this, Mr. Darcy. You will stay. And you don't have to like it."
"I refuse to be laughed at!"
"Then don't be ridiculous!"
Scrubbed raw from the present circumstances and combined with crippling past prejudices, they were at a stalemate; both were puffed up with offensive countenances and venom dripping.
"Ridiculous! I'm ridiculous?! Look who's talking! Other than your father and Jane, the rest of your family..."
"Look," Elizabeth spat. "Under the present circumstances, I was willing to let bygones be bygones... However, you've managed to push all the right buttons, and I am way past the point of no return! My family is no concern of yours! But I do want some answers, and I want them NOW!" Darcy merely raised an eyebrow. "First off, why did you try to break up Jane and Charles?!"
"They were too young to get married," he sniffed in derision.
"And who the **** were you to judge?!"
"His best friend that's who!" Darcy glared. "Charles is, was, always such a sucker, falling for every pretty girl in sight. I didn't want to see him unhappy!"
"They just happen to be the happiest couple I know!"
"I can see that, now! But how was I to know then?!"
"Again, who were you to judge?!"
"I backed off, okay?!"
"Not good enough!" she sneered. "I want an answer, right now!" Darcy seethed and stared at Elizabeth through slitted eyes. "All right then, since you won't give me a straight answer... Next subject! Why did you buy my father's Dojo?" Darcy looked at Elizabeth like she was asking for blood and she was furious at his disdain. "If you hate my family so much why do you want us around?!" Darcy tried to interrupt. "And part of your business, no less! What did we ever do to you?! Is this some sick twisted game you're playing?! Do you want to see us all ruined?! Is that what you're trying to do?!"
He shook his head, incredulously. "Where did you ever get such a stupid idea?!" he snapped. "Okay, so I stuck my nose in where it didn't belong! But I accepted the marriage and stepped away! Does that make me warped?! Twisted?! Evil?!" His voice softened as he recalled some long and sleepless nights in the past year. "Does that one simple flaw make me so bankrupt that I would want to destroy your family? Is that how you see me? Really?"
Elizabeth was momentarily confused until she realized that she had fallen into Caroline's trap, once again. I'll kill her when I see her next!!! She tried to speak, but nothing came out except a small squeak.
"I bought it for Gina." Darcy chuckled wryly. "How ironic," he mumbled under his breath.
"What?" she whispered, even more confused.
"I bought it for Gina..." he sighed. "She wanted so much to be like you. Although, I had no idea it was you, until after the performance... Gina even took a few classes." He looked down. "But... she's extremely shy and... Well, she gave it up." Darcy shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "I thought that if I bought the school and she had private lessons from your father, maybe, just maybe she would become accustomed to being around strangers. I thought it would be good for her..." he said sadly and walked away.
If Elizabeth could have Karate chopped herself she would have done so, right then and there. Repeatedly! Just because Darcy snubbed her, didn't mean he was out to get the whole family. How ridiculous is that?! She couldn't believe she was half-witted enough to believe Caroline! Foolish! Stupid!! All this because he had dashed her vanity to the ground and stepped in it! That didn't mean he was criminal enough to do more than that. Anybody, who would do so much for his sister, couldn't be all that bad!
She followed him quickly and pulled on his sleeve before he reached the stairs. "I'm sorry... Can we start over?"
Darcy crossed his arms over his chest and pouted like a little boy, but said nothing as she jumped in front of him.
"I'm Liz. Liz Bennet," she approached coyly, using his own tactic against him. "Nice to meet you." She stuck out her right hand.
Darcy tried to look above it all. He raised an eyebrow, "Will Darcy," and shook her hand. "Same here."
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes."
"Well, I got some fish on the grill and some vegetables. Why don't you grab some plates and stuff and come outside?"
Darcy nodded, picked up his bag and went upstairs, while Elizabeth went to the grill. She busied herself with the turning and basting of the food, then sat quietly. After a few minutes, she heard Darcy return to the kitchen. She relaxed in one of the lounge chairs and looked at the stars. Darcy joined her outside and they stayed that way for a good while. A somewhat relaxed serenity.
But Darcy knew what he had to do. "Liz."
"Yes," she looked at him.
"We got off on the wrong foot. I started it... I was stupid and ignorant. I don't blame you for hating me all this time. In fact, I'm surprised you're helping me now. I'm very sorry... really sorry... Do you..." he sighed. "We're going to be stuck here for awhile. Do you think that maybe we can be friends?"
"I think that can be arranged," she smiled.
"Good!" he leaned back in the chair.
"I was ready to believe the worst of you, you know. No matter who told it!"
"I can believe it. You thought me devoid of any feeling, I know you did."
"I should apologize myself. I said some pretty nasty..."
"You have nothing to be sorry for! You only reacted to what I said."
"That may be true. But I was angrier than I should have been and kept it boiling inside me all this time."
"It's been said that even people with the best intentions have a tendency toward some particular evil."
"Like vanity and pride?"
"Well... yes and no. Vanity is definitely a weakness. But pride... if there's a good reason for it and that person has a level head on his or her shoulders, then pride is a good thing to have."
"But pride can also be misused or misconstrued..."
"Yes," he looked down at his feet. "That same proud person can appear to some as vain and arrogant and selfish."
She lightly touched his arm and whispered, "I tend to jump to conclusions without looking..."
"And I tend to say things without thinking."
"I should've investigated the accusations without pointing my finger at you first."
"I shouldn't have been so hasty and presumptuous in my conjectures without getting to know you better."
"I shouldn't have listened to Caroline."
"And I shouldn't have... Caroline?"
"Caroline."
"What does she have to do with anything?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "She really knows how to get under my skin. She must have sensed how I felt about you... A sixth sense, I think." Or sick sense!
"I still don't understand."
Elizabeth moved her hand across her face and sighed. "She's the one who planted all that nonsense in my head."
"What nonsense?"
"About you trying to break up Charles and Jane..."
"Well, that part was true, but..."
"And about your reasons for buying my father's business."
"What?!"
"I'm not saying she told me your reasons, but she implied that it was something heinous."
"That... that... Ugh!"
"Witch?"
He chuckled. "Exactly."
They sat quietly for another few minutes.
"Charles didn't tell me you had a house down here."
"He doesn't know and neither does Jane."
"But I thought you two were very close?"
"We are. But there are some things we don't share."
"But this is a nice place... Are you trying to hide it?"
"Yes."
"That's rather singular..."
Elizabeth did not elaborate and Darcy respected her privacy, although it was killing him to know.
They sat for almost an hour not speaking, just eating and gazing up at the stars.
"Tell me about yourself?" asked Elizabeth.
"What do you want to know?" Darcy asked in return.
"I don't know... How and where you grew up... The school's you went to... How you and Charles met... Your parents... Gina."
At first, Darcy hesitantly told her about his family, but as time passed and more beers had been consumed, he visibly relaxed and revealed to her more detail than he had intended.
Most of us are led to believe that the life and times of the idle rich is spent in an unending search of more wealth, good times and better society, and in most cases that would ring true. Yet, in Darcy's life, there was plenty of sorrow and pain. His mother, Anne, had died of breast cancer at an early age, leaving behind a grieving husband who felt his world had ended, a sick at heart son barely crossed over into manhood, and a daughter too young to understand the sad event. Within 5 years, Darcy had again lost another parent. His father, ailing in health and hiding it from his own children, succumbed to a massive heart attack. Darcy was too overcome to make any sense of it. His father had pushed him off to law school then business school, all the while sheltering his daughter from the outside world and keeping his godson by his side for comfort and friendship. Darcy grieved for those wasted years. He felt resentful, but more so, alone. Yes, there was always Charles, but he had a wife and family to worry over. There were other situations and tragedies that he did not speak of with entirety, but felt it all the same. With those other situations, he felt betrayed and ill-used.
Elizabeth listened intently as he expounded on his life and opened up old wounds in front of her, she felt ashamed of her previous behavior towards him and guilty at her accusations against him. But most importantly, she felt a kindred spirit and a profound sense of understanding at his shortcomings. To coin a phrase: Been there, done that!
Before going off to bed, Darcy cleaned up the kitchen. Elizabeth watched in amazement for a while, chuckled, shrugged her shoulders and went upstairs.
Chapter 17 - Revelations, Part 1
Posted on Tuesday, 31 August 1999
Sunday, November 29, 1998 (Day 4)
They woke up late after a long night of talking and such. Instead of going hiking and camping, they decided to go back to the brook. Instead of rigorous exercise, they chose quiet laziness. They did not stay long.
When they returned, Elizabeth had made a late lunch or early dinner depending on how you look at it, and set the table outside on the back patio in the cool evening shade, while Darcy showered.
A few minutes had passed after he had come down stairs, but Darcy had not yet appeared outside. She got up and went back into the kitchen to find Darcy hovered over her laptop.
"You had visitors at the hospital the other day and she was one of them."
He startled and gulped, but said nothing; he turned his back on her and wiped down the countertop.
"Is she family or are you engaged to her daughter?"
"Neither," he said with his back to her, still.
"I want to help you. Why is it so difficult for you to let me do that?"
He offered no reply.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sighed, frustrated. "Is your pride more important than your fear?" she mumbled just above a whisper.
He turned around to her with such suddenness that she was not quite prepared for, and nearly jumped from the backlash. "Just what are you implying?" he sneered.
"Everything and nothing." They stared at each other. You couldn't even tell me last night! "If you can't tell me, then tell somebody! Charlotte, the police, your investigators... anybody!"
"And what makes you think I have something else to tell?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I give up!" she sighed, exasperated. Elizabeth mumbled curse words as she made her way back to the patio.
Darcy stared at her through the window as she paced in front of the grill. Was she giving up on the case, or was she giving up on him? Did he want her to give up? Charlotte said she was the best and he trusted her judgment, otherwise he would not have gone to her for help in the first place. What did Elizabeth think she was on to?
Eventually Darcy rejoined her on the patio. "Why do you want to know these things? They aren't relevant."
"How do you know? They may be a matter of life and death."
Darcy let out a trembling sigh.
Elizabeth moved closer to him and took his hand in hers. "Let me help you?"
He looked down at her and saw nothing but compassion; no hatred, no scheming, no sarcasm, just commiseration and a desire to assist him. Darcy squeezed her hand and nodded in assent.
"Why don't I tell you what I found out so far and you tell me when I'm veering off?" she asked, but it was more of a statement.
As they pulled away from each other, Darcy remembered he still held her hand. It felt as though it belonged there. He watched her dainty fingers as they slipped ever so slowly out of his reach and he sighed inwardly. "Okay."
As they parted, Elizabeth realized he still had a hold to her hand. It felt as though it belonged there. She quietly observed him lingering over her hand as he let it slip through his and she melted inwardly. "Come on, let's eat first."
They proceeded to fill their plates and quietly enjoyed the trill chirp of birds gathering food for their young. Each was trying desperately to obtain the right frame of mind to get started on the business at hand.
As they were eating, Elizabeth ventured. "You obviously know Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh. I figure a business associate. I found all sorts of information on her conglomerates on her website, but nothing on her family or personal life. I didn't see anything of interest in the numerous articles... You can jump in anytime, you know?"
Darcy smiled slightly. "What did she do at the hospital?"
"Well, she demanded to see you... In the name of your fiancée, of course." Darcy grimaced. "But she was removed from the premises and was not too happy about it, either."
A performance I'm glad to have missed! "Who is my other fiancée?"
"Caroline."
Darcy could not hold back his laughter; it burst forth with such energy that Elizabeth was caught in its force.
"We are definitely not engaged!" he guffawed.
"Can't help a girl for trying!" she blurted.
They laughed until it trickled down to a small giggle and a single chuckle.
"Back to my story." Darcy shrugged, but nodded. "I saw that back in April, you flew to Chicago. Was it to visit Mrs. de Bourgh?"
Darcy nodded. "She lives in Kent, which is about an hour north, with her daughter, Anne."
Elizabeth sat up straight. "Are you engaged to her?"
Darcy shook his head. "No. We are, or were, just good friends." Elizabeth waited for Darcy to continue. "Catherine and my father were actually business partners on a few ventures for a while, but something happened and they never spoke to each other again. Of course, I didn't know this when she contacted me at Harvard." He took a swig of beer from his bottle. "She told me that Anne was there, taking pre-law and that she would appreciate me keeping an eye on her. I did and we became friends. After I graduated, we kept in contact, but not like we were dating or anything. After being home a few months, my father insisted I go to Wharton to finish on the business side. I went and who should show up at my door? Anne! She said she changed her major and I believed her. I mean I had girlfriends and such and it didn't seem to bother her. Anyway, I graduated and came home. I didn't hear from her for a while..." He looked down at his hands. "...My father died not long after I got back." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, Catherine and Anne came to the funeral and all seemed well and good with them. Years passed, we kept in contact, and we even talked of partnering on a few projects in Las Vegas. Once we had worked out the details, I was ready to travel to Chicago to sign my name on the dotted line, but then I found my father's papers. My father had taken the liberty of copying some devastating documents against Catherine and I immediately took them to the police."
Elizabeth's eyes widened, but she said nothing.
"They set up a sting. I was to go to Chicago, as normal, but with a hidden microphone. That was also the day you had come to see your father in Austin... I was nervous as hell, but I felt it was something I had to do."
"William! So glad you could make it," she embraced him. " Sit down, please?""Thank you, Catherine," he took his seat. "I won't be staying long, other business, you know."
"Well, I was hoping you'd be able to spend a little time with Anne."
"I'm sorry, maybe next time."
"And when will you grace us with your presence again?"
"I'm not sure."
"It is imperative that you come here for the Holiday!"
"Why is that?"
"Anne be will devastated if she has to appear at the festivities without her fiancé!"
"Fiancé?" he pulled on his collar.
"Yes, this marriage is what I always wanted! You're father did too! God, rest his poor dead soul! And when you do get married, you will take over for me."
"Excuse me?" he gulped.
"Oh yes, we'll have to draft up the appropriate papers and notify the parties involved. It may take some convincing... My people don't usually like outsiders, but if I give the okay, then they'll say nothing. At least not out loud. Then the day after your first child is born, you will become the next Don!"
"Don?" asked Elizabeth.
"Don," answered Darcy. "As in, Don Mafia."
"Good Lord!" gasped Elizabeth.
"Exactly!"
"I had no clue!"
"No one did! Catherine married the last Don, Louis Corleone, when she was very young and supposedly beautiful. They kept it hush-hush, because he was old enough to be her father, maybe even her grandfather. But things got ugly between feuding families and he sent Catherine away to Sicily with his family. By the time she had Anne, he had been killed." Darcy pointed to his head and pretended to pull a trigger with his finger. "Catherine stayed away for several years, but when she came back, she came with guns a-blazing and her in-laws behind her. She took over with no opposition; as if there were any left to oppose her. Sold off all her husband's 'businesses', went back to her maiden name of De Bourgh, obtained some legal corporations, and strong armed into other 'family's' territories. My father didn't find all this out until they had been partners for nearly 15 years. He cut all ties with her, as soon as he possibly could."
"You don't think she..."
"I don't know how many times I thought on that particular path!" He shuttered. "God, I hope not! But the authorities are watching her every move. There's no way she could've arranged all this!"
"I'm not so sure about that. A mere phone call would do it."
Just then Elizabeth's cell phone rang, scaring them both out of their wits.
Chapter 18 - Make My Day
Author's note and not part of the story: I'd like to thank Cheryl K for the idea of Lady Cat as the Mafia Don-etta, I'd also wish she'd finish her story! Also, I think a young, or old, DeNiro would make an undoubtedly fine and yummy Darcy! Okay, here's a short little chapter to tickle your fancy...
Elizabeth ran to the kitchen. Out of breath, she said, "Hello!"
"Lizzy, what's up? Is Will chasing you around or something?"
"No, Char! It's just that..." Elizabeth tried to calm down, but it did not work. "... that I didn't want to miss your call!"
"I was just kidding Lizzy! Lighten up, girl!" Charlotte laughed. "I'm just making my daily call."
Elizabeth chuckled uneasily. "Uh, well."
"I talked to your father today. Everybody's fine. We leaked to the press that you weren't a suspect, but that you were so shaken by the incident that you took a long vacation."
"Is that wise?"
"I think so. It still doesn't pull you off page 3, but at least it won't go any higher."
"Good!" she breathed.
"Hey did you tell Will about all his women coming out of the woodwork?"
"Yeah."
"Well?!"
"Well, what?"
"What did he say?!"
"He just said he wasn't engaged to anyone and we laughed about it afterwards."
"You're a poor liar, Lizzy."
"He's right outside, Char! You're not going to get me into any more trouble!"
"Ah, I see. The old arrogant Will Darcy raises his ugly head, eh?"
"Something like that."
"Do you need anything?"
"We both need some clothes. But I can get some in town..."
"Don't worry about it. I'll have Mrs. Reynolds pack up some things for Will and have Jane get a few things for you."
"Jane knows?"
"She badgered your father into submission, but he didn't think you'd mind."
"No. I don't. Who's Mrs. Reynolds?"
"Will's housekeeper. Great lady! She won't tell anyone, she loves him like a son."
"Good!"
"Anything else?"
"No. Wait, let me ask Will." Elizabeth leaned out the window. "Will, Char's on the phone. Do you want to talk to her? Do you need anything other than more clothes?" Darcy responded in the negative to both. "He said no, Char."
"Okay. Um, Colonel Fitz Williams flew into town yesterday."
"And?"
"He thinks you're right. He believes it's some sort of bug. Now he's calling some old mercenary buddies of his to find out more."
"Sounds like he knows what he's doing."
"Oh, he definitely knows what he's doing."
"Definitely?" Elizabeth questioned aloud. Something's up.
Charlotte blushed. "Well, gotta go, I'll call you for the meet."
"Thanks. Goodnight."
"Goodnight!"
They hung up.
Elizabeth went back out on the patio to continue her conversation with Darcy.
"So, after the sting, what happened?"
"The police told me to get out of the way," he shrugged.
Elizabeth waited a whole minute for Darcy to continue, but he offered nothing further. "What did you do then?"
"Oh, and here I thought you were going to tell me where I went next."
"Funny, ha ha," she mocked. "Where did you go?"
"I went to Ramsgate." Again he paused, trying to gather inner strength. "It's a little island off the Keys. I sent Gina there for Spring Break." Suddenly Darcy stopped talking and looked away.
Elizabeth felt slightly embarrassed as she witnessed his discomposure, so she started to clean up.
Breaking the awkward silence, she finally ventured, without turning to face him. "If it's too painful, too fresh, we can do this tomorrow or some other time?"
Darcy quickly wiped a tear away and cleared his throat. "Thanks."
The two cleaned up the patio and washed and dried the dishes in an uncomfortable reticence.
Again, Elizabeth was the one to break the silence. "How 'bout some hiking and trout fishing tomorrow?"
Darcy smiled. "Sounds like a plan... I'd like that."
Elizabeth smiled. "Then we'd better get to sleep early."
"Goodnight then."
"Goodnight."
Monday, November 30, 1998 (Day 5)
Elizabeth tapped lightly on Darcy's door, but got no answer. "Will," she whispered from the hallway. Still no answer, but she heard humming. "Will," she turned the knob and quietly opened the door a slit. "Will?" she peeped around the door. "Wi..." Elizabeth stopped cold, gasped and stumbled back out the door.
She leaned her face up against the wall, caught her breath, and tried to calm her nerves. She needed a drink and a cigarette, and not necessarily in that order! Seeing a naked Darcy lying prostrate on the bed pushed her thoughts beyond the brink of reality! Thank God he was faced down!!! She silently breathed in and out several times, before regaining a shred of composure. She closed his bedroom door as quietly as possible and went back into her room for another shower.
As Elizabeth was heading out of her room, Darcy was heading towards it.
"Oh!" she startled as she rounded the corner. "I..."
"I..." he stuttered.
"I was just coming to get you!" she fumbled, not able to look at him.
"I was doing the same... Do we need to pack up anything?" Darcy slung his overnight bag over his shoulder.
"No. I did most of that after you went to bed."
"Don't you ever sleep?" She peered at him from under her lashes. "I mean regular hours?"
"Sometimes," she answered as she brushed past him. "Sometimes the job calls for no sleeping at all!" she exclaimed as she bounced down the stairs.
Darcy followed Elizabeth to the main floor. They ate a quick breakfast and Darcy cleaned up afterwards. They checked their equipment: backpacks, rods, tackles, snares, bucket, cooler, a wrought iron grill plate, etc.
As Darcy bent down to retrieve the last item, he slowly observed, slowly devoured Elizabeth from the bottom up: tan hiking boots, white tube socks rolled to the ankle, tan cuffed shorts, and a white tee-shirt. "Intriguing get-up."
She raised an eyebrow. "Was that a compliment?"
"Yes it was," he smiled and raised his eyebrow in return.
"Didn't sound like it," she shrugged and opened the door. "You need more practice." Elizabeth smirked as she let the screen door slam shut in front of him.
"Indeed," he smiled and followed her. Indeed!
Elizabeth hit the alarm button on her key ring to disarm her car and opened the hatch. "Just put the rest of that in here," she said as she threw her equipage in.
"I thought we were going to hike it today?"
"Oh, we are." Elizabeth, inwardly savoring the sight, looked him up and down: red tee shirt, black Dockers, and coordinating Air Jordans. "But your wardrobe hardly merits a long trek over rough terrain," she snickered.
They both smiled as he put the gear in the car.
"Bud!" she yelled as she opened the car door and pushed forward the passenger seat. The dog came running around from the side of the house. "Get in baby." After securing the dog in the back and returning the seat to its proper position, she ventured, "After you." Baby!
Chapter 19 - Tent-ative
They spoke but little during their trek. Merely helping each other over 'dangerous' territory: jagged rocks, large stones over a shallow river, up hills and over dales. Each encounter allowed them the briefest touch of the other's hand or arm and they silently reveled in those few precious moments.
Once they reached the stream, Darcy gasped. It was beautiful, lush and green all around and larger than he expected.
"This is a great place, Liz! How did you find it?"
Elizabeth shrugged as she began to unpack. "I just did."
That was the end of conversation as the two entranced themselves into the peacefulness of fishing.
After more than 2 hours, Darcy spoke. "Do you like your job? I mean, your profession?"
"Yes. Why?"
"No reason," he shrugged. "I just... always wanted to know."
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and went back to enjoying the day, or at least she tried.
"Is that why you gave up law?"
"Are you fishing for more than trout?"
"I, um. No. It's just that you want to know all about me, I figured I should be granted the same courtesy."
"But I'm not the one who needs my help."
"You're right... But all the same, I want to know."
Elizabeth felt the smallest bit of apprehension about his inquiries, but shrugged it off. "Ask away."
"Did you give up law to chase down criminals?"
"No, I burned out. Actually, I really didn't like it all that much... You know, making deals with the devil and all."
"Yeah," he sighed. "I know what you mean." Believe me, I know!
A few minutes passed without either of them saying anything.
"I'd really like to know more about what you do... Tell me?"
Elizabeth smiled slightly, but her reluctance dimmed as she regaled him with her stalking and capture stories; she brightened considerably. Her eyes flashed and twinkled, as she waxed emotional. Darcy listened intently, questioned excitedly, and thoroughly enjoyed her anecdotes, to a point.
"It all seems pretty dangerous."
"But you've seen my act."
"Ah, yes! Master black belt in Hapkido!
"And Karate."
They both smiled.
"I bet you could kick my uh..." he cleared his throat, "butt down the block," he grinned widely.
Elizabeth noticed his dimples and giggled like a schoolgirl. Immediately she blushed and chastised herself for this display. It was so unlike her!
"I am still interested in taking lessons from you."
Elizabeth's eye widened in shock. "Really?!"
"Yes. Do you doubt me?"
"Well, yes. You merely stated that I was 'very good'," she lowered her voice an octave on the last to mock his baritoned admission.
"I do need practice in my complimenting!" he laughed. "Seriously though, I was still in a state of shock then. I had no idea that you even studied, let alone were a Master."
"We can start when we get back to the house. It'll pass the time away," she admitted absently while pulling out her cell phone from the knapsack. Elizabeth punched in a familiar number. "Char?"
"Lizzy! I haven't got everything yet. Mrs. Reynolds is driving up from Austin."
"Oh, okay. But I'm not calling about that. There's a package on my desk from Alpine, Texas... The name Deputy Sheriff Jarvis should be on the front. Could you make sure Jane scans it onto a disk?"
"Sure. Anything else?"
"Uh, Will needs some hiking boots."
Charlotte laughed. "Will... Hiking boots?!"
"Yes," she frowned.
Charlotte continued to laugh. "I don't believe he has any!"
"Well then ask Mrs. Reynolds to pick him up some and some shorts."
"Sure. Anything else?" she chuckled.
"Anymore about the bug?"
"I would've told you if I had... Anything else?"
"Nope."
"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay."
They hung up.
Elizabeth turned off the phone and placed it back in the sack. "Sorry, I just remembered something."
"Another case?"
"Yeah," she mused. "One that I've run into too many dead-ends on. No pun intended."
"Sorry."
"Me too... Now, where were we?"
"You agreed to teach me Hapkido."
She smiled and bit back her merriment. "Oh yeah."
"What's so funny?"
"Well..." Elizabeth hesitated. "If we weren't on such good terms, I might enjoy this little training more than I ought!" she chuckled.
Darcy did not think it was all that funny and his face showed his discomfiture. Elizabeth quickly desisted in her mirth.
After fishing for a few more hours, they rustled up some grub, grilled their lunch and went for a quiet reflective stroll along the stream's edge to stretch their legs. However, the high noon sun reached its maximum glare and cruelly beat down on the twosome. They quickly retreated back to their spot, only to find it also encumbered by the fiery ball in the sky.
"This would be a good time to set up the tent."
Darcy nodded and followed Elizabeth to a peculiarly cool clearing in the middle of a clump of large trees. They unpacked the tent, Darcy pounded the stakes into the ground, and Elizabeth tied the tarp securely around it.
Once done, Darcy sat on the ground near the tent, reached in the cooler and grabbed 2 beers. He handed one to Elizabeth and she quickly popped the cap and gulped in pure enjoyment. Darcy stroked the cold bottle over his perspiration-drenched forehead; down one side of his face then the other, then around the back of his neck around to his front. Elizabeth watched this display and became hotter as he went along, wishing she were either his sweat or the bottle. She could not decide at that moment!
Elizabeth quickly jumped up and clumsily located the sleeping bag. As she untied it and shook it out, she gasped, looked around, and blushed furiously.
"What?" asked Darcy.
Elizabeth desperately tried to cling to some composure. "Nothing!" she answered rather quickly and disappeared into the tent.
Darcy shook his head and sipped his beer. After a few minutes, Elizabeth did not reappear. Darcy peaked in the tent and saw her sleeping. Aha! He quickly closed the flap, all the while, smiling to himself.
As Elizabeth slept, Darcy cleaned up their gear and sat by the stream's edge with Bud by his side, sniffing and snorting at the little bugs in the dirt.
At length, Darcy contemplated the possible fate of his sister and weighed the possibilities of her breathing status. He considered every possible enemy and their probable motives. He removed his sweat-soaked shirt and dipped it into the cool water.
"Will?" called Elizabeth as she walked along the path to the stream.
"Down here, Liz!" he said as he hastily wrung out his shirt.
Unfortunately, or fortunately for those keeping up with this story, Elizabeth managed to catch him with his arms above his head, struggling into his wet shirt; showing his rippling muscles and slightly hairy chest. She was caught gawking as his head peeked through the collar. They both blushed and turned away.
Elizabeth instantaneously found something else to occupy her eyes. "I, I just wondered where you were," she stammered. "That's all."
Darcy finished dressing. "I was just cooling off."
Elizabeth nodded. "It is rather hot out, isn't it?" Darcy nodded. "Well, I didn't want anything..." An awkward pause ensued. "I need to do a little work, so I'm going back to the tent."
"Okay."
Darcy did a little more fishing, while Elizabeth pulled out her laptop and finished typing in her thoughts, observations, etc. from Darcy's revelations the last few nights.
All too soon, nighttime fell. Darcy was startled out of his private reverie by the soft sounds of familiar music coming from the vicinity of the tent. He packed up all their gear and stumbled in the darkness, 300 yards or so, to their sleeping area.
"I didn't know you had a radio," Darcy stated as he peeked in the tent.
"It's a CD in the laptop."
"Ah," he said absently as he looked around in the semi-darkness and smiled to himself. "Only one sleeping bag?"
Chapter 20 - Revelations, Part 2
Posted on Friday, 3 September 1999
"I didn't think..." Elizabeth was thankful that her lantern emitted only a small bit of light or else he would have seen the flush glow on her cheeks. "It's big enough for both of us."
"Yes it is," Darcy smiled as he looked at it stretched across the entire tent.
Darcy crawled to his appointed spot, opened his overnighter and pulled out his summer jammies: a tee shirt and boxers. Then he grabbed a flashlight and crawled back outside.
Darcy undressed outside the tent, however, unused to camping, he was unaware of the shadow from the flashlight that illuminated his frame against the walls of the tent. Elizabeth was surrounded!!! After enjoying the moment, she pulled the scrunchie from her hair and quickly turned off her lantern before Darcy returned to the tent.
Darcy crawled back in, Bud yelped. "Sorry, Bud!" Bud whimpered in response.
Darcy fluffed his spot on the bag, pounded his makeshift pillow, and turned off his light before snuggling down. Several minutes passed where the only sound came from the laptop.
Darcy lay on his back with his hands behind his head and looking up into nothing. His mind not even close to being relaxed, because every breath she took, every sigh she breathed, filled him. Then, suddenly, he caught a whiff of her lavender; he thought long and hard on what made the scent: shampoo, lotion, perfume, lip balm. Lip balm? Oh... yeah! Needless to say, he desperately searched for something else to ponder upon. "You didn't ask me about Ramsgate."
"I wasn't sure if you were ready."
"I'll never be ready to re-tell that story... But if it'll help, then tell it I must."
Elizabeth rolled over to face him. "I'm listening."
Darcy turned to face her. "I was still shaking from my ordeal with Catherine and I took more time than I should've before I went to see Gina. I went to see Charles and Jane first, just to reassure myself that someone out there still cared about me," he sighed. "Of course, I couldn't tell them what happened, but I just needed to... Well, anyway, I sent Gina to Ramsgate to spend Spring Break week there. But not alone. I, unfortunately hired a chaperone without ever meeting her, based on a recommendation from one of my staff." A long drawn-out pause. "A friend of mine was also in the Keys, without my knowledge. And since he was such a good friend of the family, Gina invited him to come by as much as possible. Unbeknownst to myself or Gina, this friend was there on purpose." Darcy shifted and sat up. "His purpose was to seduce my sister and get her pregnant, so that I would be forced to marry her off! That way he'd get the money he always wanted and thought he deserved! Thank God I got there when I did!" He exhaled in a puff and put his head in hands. "Gina... She's all I have in this world. I practically raised her by myself you know?" His eyes glistened with tears. "Gina told me what he had tried to do. Thankfully he did not seduce her! But she was only 16... and if I hadn't come when I did... I went ballistic. Gina was upset that I was upset. Oh, it was a big mess." Darcy wiped a tear. "I wanted to kill him. So, I left her and went to his bungalow. I confronted him and he..." Darcy couldn't repeat the things said that night. "This friend and the chaperone, um... um... Mrs. Young. I think that's it. I don't remember... Anyway, they had conspired this all along!" he angrily exclaimed. "Every frustrating moment, every instance of pain, every second of disgust, every fraction of hurt, every ******* thing that I had ever felt, I took out on him." Elizabeth sat up. "I wiped the smear off his face and every other emotion I thought he might have, I beat the **** out of him and more!" Elizabeth touched his arm to calm and comfort him. "I only saw red... I really could've killed him."
"What stopped you?"
"The police. His girlfriend called the police from the bedroom."
"His girlfriend?"
"The chaperone!"
"What a slimeball!"
"George Wickham has been called many things by many people, the least of which is slimeball!"
"George Wickham? Where have I heard that name before?"
"Uh, he was at Jane and Charles' wedding."
"You mean the one Lydia was gaga over a few years back?"
Darcy grimaced. "Uh, um, I don't know." Elizabeth was thoughtful, but said no more. "Even back then, my friends would say things about him, but I never believed them! He was my father's godson and a good friend to me... or at least I thought he was."
"I'm sorry Will... for you and Gina."
"I failed her." He looked away. "I didn't protect her then and now..."
Darcy let the tears fall silently as Elizabeth continued to stroke his arm in consolation.
"I have no idea what I'll do if I get my hands on whoever has her!" he sniffed with vehemence. "I don't know what I'd do without her," his voice broke.
She pulled him toward her. "We'll find them."
They embraced.
"She has to be all right," he croaked.
Elizabeth looked heavenward. Lord, please let her be all right?! "She will be," she sniffled.
At length, Darcy released her and lay back down. "Only my cousin knows about this."
"Your secret is safe with me," she whispered.
They spent a good portion of the night talking about Wickham and the scandalous things he had done or was said to have done: squandering his inheritance from Darcy's father, his sexual exploits, gambling debts and loan sharks, etc.
"How did you overlook all that?"
"I don't know! Stupidity! Belief in human integrity! I don't know."
"He must be an excellent liar."
"The best," he yawned.
Elizabeth yawned also. "You should get some sleep."
"Yeah." Darcy rolled over on his side, facing away from Elizabeth. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For letting me get that off my chest," he yawned again. "For some reason I feel a thousand times better."
"You're welcome," she smiled and lay back down.
Chapter 21 - To Soothe The Savage Breast.
Elizabeth woke first. She couldn't really sleep. Not with Darcy sharing a tent with her, not with him so near, not after seeing him nearly broken down with avarice, and not with him barely clad! Wasn't it bad enough that she had seen nearly all of him yesterday?! Twice! She looked over at his sleeping form and gathered her clothes.
As Elizabeth bathed in the stream, her desires took over as the soothing sounds of flowing water mesmerized her; she fantasized about Darcy joining her there. All too soon, Bud got her attention. Elizabeth admonished her foolery. Childish! Impossible daydreams! She finished bathing, dressed, and got the coffee started before Darcy rose.
"Come on sleepyhead," she tickled his toes. "Time to wake up."
"But I just got to sleep," he groaned.
"But you were snoring for a good few hours!"
"I don't snore... Do I?"
Elizabeth smiled widely. "I thought we had a grizzly bear problem."
"That bad?!" he gasped.
"No," she chuckled. "Not that bad." But you do hum in your sleep! Vivaldi, I think.
Darcy tossed a pillow toward her, but with cat-like quickness she caught it and threw it back.
"Go! You have exactly 15 minutes to wash up in the stream and get dressed before I check on the coffee!"
Darcy scrambled to his knees. "Aye, Aye, Captain!" He saluted, gathered his clothes and crawled out of the tent.
Elizabeth started tearing down the tent as Darcy was otherwise occupied.
By the allotted time, he was back. "I checked the coffee and put on some bacon."
"You're pretty fast!"
"At your service, Madam," he bowed.
She clumsily curtsied in return. "Then pull those stakes up!" she giggled.
For most of the morning they fished. While Elizabeth typed on her laptop, Darcy and Bud took another walk.
After about an hour, Darcy ran back to their spot while Bud lollygaged behind him. Out of breath, he put his hands on his knees and mustered, "There's a riverboat... with people on it... drinking Champagne!" Elizabeth kept typing. "Just a few miles over there!" he panted and pointed.
"Really?"
"Yes!" he raised up. "It's huge!"
Elizabeth looked up, impassively. "The boat?"
"No, the stream!"
"You mean the lake?"
Darcy looked down at her, incredulously. "You knew?"
"Of course!" she frowned. "Why do you think I chose this spot?"
Darcy sank to his knees and could do nothing but laugh. "I thought I discovered something!"
"I told you there was a town. And they always have festivals and such going on."
"Where are we?"
"Granbury."
"Texas?"
She chuckled. "Yes."
"I thought we were in the wilderness! Or Utah!"
"There's plenty of untamed places in Texas. I chose this one, because I like to fish and if I get bored I can do other things to entertain myself."
"Will you take me to town?"
"No way! You're still too recognizable."
"I need to be entertained too!" he pouted.
"I shall do my best to keep you occupied," she smiled.
Darcy smiled too.
"Are you ready to go back to the house?"
He puffed and blew an errant curl on his forehead. "Let me rest up for a few minutes."
"Okay."
After 2 hours of trekking back across the plain in the smoldering sun, they arrived at the car and practically launched their belongings into the back of it. Darcy let Bud in and got in the passenger seat, while Elizabeth started the car. As they drove off, Elizabeth popped in a CD.
"Do you really like classical music?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Not too many people born and bred in Texas share your tastes."
"I have other stuff if it bothers you?"
"No. I really like it myself. I was just surprised, especially last night."
"It soothes me."
Darcy chuckled. "Me too. I have large collection of concertos, arias and sonatas and I've been to so many concerts these last few years... It's a good thing I have the money to enjoy it."
"I just wish I had the time."
"Make time."
"And just how do you propose I do that?"
"Don't take every offer that comes you're way..."
"People need help. My help."
"I realize that. But aren't you afraid you'll burn out?" Elizabeth shrugged. "Look, let's plan a date."
"A date?" Elizabeth almost stepped on the brakes.
"Yes. Say, 30 days after the day that my sister is found, you and I go to a concert together."
"Uh, um..." she stammered.
"Anyone in particular you like?"
"Uh, Mozart. Beethoven. Wagner."
He smiled. "Does that mean we're on?"
Elizabeth blinked. "I guess so. But let's move that date forward a little?"
"How much forward?"
"One more month."
"Why?"
"I need to plan."
"Plan? Plan what?"
"Hey, after Gina's found and I drop kick you to the curb, I'm back in action."
"Oh, you mean bounty hunting?"
"Yes."
They sat quietly for a spell.
"Dallas?"
"Dallas what?"
"Did you want to go the concert in Dallas?"
"Sure."
They continued on in silence, just enjoying the music. The only accompaniment came from the back seat in the form of yawns, yowls, and huffs from Bud.
Darcy and Bud played out in the back yard. Elizabeth checked the dossier that Charlotte had given her while dinner was on the grill. Both Wickham and de Bourgh were on the list of suspects. She fired off an email to the private investigators as to her observations, albeit, without the possibly incriminating stories provided by Darcy.
They promptly sent their reply.
Ms. Bennet,We have noted your observations and are well aware of the facts as you laid them out. However, in your absence, we have charged forward in our investigations and found that the 2 suspects are of little consequence to this particular case. The 'Authorities' have advised us that Mrs. de Bourgh is currently under strict scrutiny and our efforts would be in vain. As to Mr. Wickham, he is out of the country for reasons we can only assume of his prior activities.
If, perchance, you happen to be in the Austin area, we will gladly welcome you aboard. Until then, please use this time to rest and recover.
Robert Elton, P.I.
Needless to say, Elizabeth was livid!!!
Chapter 22 - Them That's Got, Shall Win... Posted on Saturday, 4 September 1999
If one could have read her mind at that time, one might have thought the devil had taken possession of her soul. One might even begin to chant in order to exorcise the demons! Elizabeth paced angrily while her mind was a blur of vulgarities and expletives.
"You nearly let the food burn up," laughed Darcy, until he saw her face scrunched up in a scowl. "What's wrong?!"
She blinked and pointed to her laptop, stationed on the kitchen table. "Is this the kind of people you employ?!"
Darcy hastily read the email. "Liz, it's not as bad as..."
"Of course, you wouldn't think so! Will, the man practically told me to 'stay out of it, little lady, and let the big boys handle this'!"
Darcy crossed to her and held onto her shoulders. "Liz," he stated firmly. "It's not that bad. They just aren't aware of certain things."
"None of that matters! They just don't want to turn over every stone!"
"Do you want me to talk to them?"
Elizabeth gasped and pulled away. "You don't know how hard it is for a woman to get into a good ol' boys profession! I don't want to be belittled, coddled or placated!" she sneered. "I'll just do it my damn self!!!" And with that she left the room in umbrage.
When she slammed the door behind her, it shook the whole house.
Elizabeth tossed some things around, let out a few primal screams, while Bud yowled and barked on the stairs below. All that gave her a headache, and after taking a few Ibuprofen; she slept in a fitful state.
Darcy shuddered as he heard the noises above and contemplated his next move. She would be humiliated if I sent an email... She would be humiliated and pissed! Maybe I could... Nah! She'd kill me either way! I'll just wait and see...
Darcy ate his meal with Bud at his feet. He cleaned off the grill, packed the food away, and washed up the dishes. He had been looking forward to a nice leisurely conversation with Elizabeth, but that was not to be. Instead, he sought out Robinson Crusoe and read for a while, but his fantasies soon took over and he lay on the couch to enjoy them.
Eventually, reality awakened him, or rather Bud yawned loudly, and Darcy quickly dismissed those flights of fancy. Purely physical! And childish! He took himself upstairs and practically fell into the bed to sleep.
Wednesday, December 2, 1998 (Day 7)
Elizabeth walked into the kitchen; Darcy merely noted her presence and looked back to his plate of food.
She poured a cup of coffee, took a big slurp, swirled it in her mouth, swallowed hard, steadied herself, looked directly at Darcy, then began, "I overreacted. I'm sorry for taking it out on you."
Darcy worried that his next statement might send her over the edge again. Yes, you did overreact... No way! She would kill me! He dismissed that thought. I understand... No, I don't understand, but she would feel like I was coddling her and quit! He shook that theory off as well. You're forgiven... Nope. She would curse me from Genesis to Revelations!! He just nodded.
"Do you want to start your training today?"
"No way! I, I mean, no."
"I'm over it, okay?!" she shrieked, agitated.
"Are you?"
She turned her back to him and fixed her plate. "Yes."
Darcy stood and walked over to her; wanting to wrap her in his arms instead he held back. "I don't think you are," he whispered.
Elizabeth choked back tears and could only nod her head.
"Why don't I watch while you show me the basic techniques. You could even teach me some of the terminology."
Elizabeth nodded again and continued to do whatever else needed to be done on the countertop. Yes, he was placating her, but she was not up to another outburst and tears definitely were out of the question.
As Elizabeth ate, Darcy tried his hand at lightening the mood. "Why doesn't your car have a backseat?" Elizabeth could not answer him with her mouth full of food, so she hastily tried to finish. "Is it for Bud?"
She shook her head and swallowed. "Prisoners." Darcy's brow furrowed in confusion. "When I catch a bounty, I handcuff 'em. That's why there's a steel pole from the roof to the floor."
"Ah. But how do you get them in?"
"Most often, they're unconscious."
"Um hmm... What about the empty milk jar?"
"In case they have to pee."
Darcy pinched his lips together to hold back the laughter. "What if they have to do number two?"
"That's their problem."
Darcy snickered as he stood up. He carried his plate to the sink and turned around. "Whenever you want to start... I'll be in your study."
Just then her cell phone rang.
"Char?"
"Yes Lizzy. How soon can you get up here?"
"3 hours."
"Good! I'll see you in a bit."
"But Char, it won't be dark then."
"Oh, okay. How about 8 p.m.?"
"I'll be there. Was Jane able to do as I asked?"
"Yes, I got it right here. And Fitz wants to meet with you."
"Oh he does, does he?"
"Yes. You might want to fix yourself up a bit..."
"You sound like my mother!"
"Ugh! Mine too!" she laughed. "Sorry."
"He's that fine, huh?"
"Umm hmmm!"
"Hmm? 8 p.m. right?"
"Right. See ya there."
"Okay."
They hung up.
"Will," she called as she walked into the study. "I have to meet Charlotte and Colonel Williams at 8 p.m."
"I'll be ready."
"You're not going."
"Why not?"
"Someone might see you." Darcy frowned. "Why risk it at this point?"
"I want to... I need to see my cousin."
"Cousin?"
"Yes. Fitz Williams is my cousin."
Two fine men in one family?! Ooh, I can't wait to see him! "Charlotte didn't tell me."
Darcy shrugged. "Probably slipped her mind."
"Probably."
Elizabeth left Darcy to his reading.
A Few Hours Later.
"Liz, could you give this note to Fitz?"
Elizabeth looked at the envelope. "Sure. Is there something you want me to tell him?"
"Nope. It's all in there," Darcy pointed.
Chapter 23 - I Know Something, You Don't Know. Posted on Sunday, 5 September 1999
Elizabeth wanted so much to open the envelope that sat in the passenger seat. She knew Darcy would not give out their location or any other important thing, but it nagged at her that he was hiding something. She spent a long 75 minutes on the highway gnawing on what might be in that envelope.
Elizabeth rolled up to the familiar non-descript diner and pulled around the side, away from the road. Charlotte flashed her beams as Elizabeth drove by, their signal; she parked around back, then ducked behind trucks and cars as she made her way to Charlotte's car.
"Hey!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she jumped in the back seat.
"Hi!" blurted Charlotte as she turned in her seat. "This is Colonel Fitzgerald Williams."
He turned to face her. "Hello." They shook hands. Fine yes, but not as fine as your cousin! "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to finally meet you too," he smiled. "So, you're the bounty hunter?"
"Yes, I am!" she rankled. "Gotta problem with that?"
"No, no..." he laughed. "I've just heard a lot about you. That's all."
"Don't believe a word of it."
"It was all high praise, I assure you."
"I doubt it. But thank whoever said it."
"Uh, yeah." The Colonel looked confused. "How's Lydia?"
"Lydia? How do you know my sister?"
"I, I met her... a few years back."
"Where?" she asked and raised an eyebrow.
"I was visiting Will in Dallas and I, we, met her in a restaurant, I think."
"Hmm?" Dramatic pause. "Where are our clothes?"
"In the trunk," chimed Charlotte.
"How's Will?" he asked.
"Upset."
"I figured. I really wanted to see him, but I understand why..."
"Oh, he asked me to give this to you!" interrupted Elizabeth as she handed him the envelope.
"Excuse me for a moment." The Colonel opened the door and walked towards the diner.
Silently the ladies watched him walk away.
"What was that all about?" asked Elizabeth.
Charlotte shrugged. "Not a clue."
"I wonder how he really knows my sister."
The Colonel tore open the envelope in the dim of moonlight and as he neared the diner's neon sign, he puzzled as he flipped through the first 4 pages of the missive, the handwriting was definitely Darcy's, but it made no sense. Finally, on the 5th page was an actual item addressed to him, it read:
Fitz,If you need me, get Elizabeth's cell phone number. However, I do believe the business can run itself, at least for a few months, without my presence.
The pages surrounding this letter are nothing more than my own interpretation of Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of 'How to Run your own Business'; just to fill up space or divert prying eyes. I abhor disguise of every sort, but I believe this to be a necessary tactic. Sorry. My only real objective for this letter is to tell you: Do NOT mention any of our little adventure back in 1994, ESPECIALLY to Elizabeth! She is completely unaware and I haven't had the opportunity to ask permission or acquaint her with the particulars. Hopefully, this subterfuge will end soon...
Will
The Colonel shook his head, tucked the letter in the inside pocket of his leather bomber jacket, and walked slowly back to the car.
"It probably happened like he said. You know Lydia, she'll walk up to any stranger and introduce herself."
"You mean, she'll walk up to any man and introduce herself."
They both laughed.
"I'm sorry," the Colonel apologized as he got back in the car. "I just had to read it."
"Well?" queried Charlotte.
"Just a few instructions." Some, a little too late... "Business. Nothing at all," he dismissed. "Where did you find that bug? And yes, it is a bug."
"Under his desk."
"I wasn't sure, but I found a little glue patch under there. Most would dismiss it as being a bit of same glue they used to put the desk together. But my cousin is meticulous! There can be nothing out of place within his view or under his scrutiny." Elizabeth snickered. "If something is wrong, then it goes back from whence it came!" They all laughed. "Anyway, I had the glue analyzed and they found that it was, indeed, the same, but a more recent mixture."
"Did you find any more?"
"No. But I found out who makes it."
Elizabeth and Charlotte were all eagerness to know, but the Colonel took his time.
"Are you going to tell us or keep us in suspense?" asked Elizabeth.
"Sorry, I like the dramatic pause," he chuckled. "That particular bug was made in China by an exclusive and was sold on the black market. It's an antique now, but it can still be traced. I'm calling in a few markers to find out."
"Call me on my cell phone when you find out. Get the number from Charlotte."
"Will do."
"Well, gotta go. Hit the trunk for me, will ya?"
"Talk to you later!"
"Sure thing, Char." Elizabeth opened the door. "Do you have a message for your cousin, Colonel?"
"No. I'll talk to him when I call you."
"Okay." Elizabeth shut the door, retrieved their bags, and slunk into the shadows.
Charlotte waited until Elizabeth drove out of sight.
"Will?" called Elizabeth as she opened the door. "Will..." Darcy opened the door a bit wider. "Oh, you're still up?"
"I heard you pull up," he rubbed his eyes. "How did everything go?" he took the bags from her.
"Fine," she answered and walked past him.
"And how about Fitz? Did he send anything in return?"
"How does he know Lydia?"
"Lydia?" he startled.
"Lydia." Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and waited for an answer.
I'm gonna kill him!!! "Uh, we met on the street..."
"He said you met in a restaurant."
"Oh yeah, now I remember. In a restaurant... Dallas, I think."
"You two need to get your stories straight," she smirked.
"You're asking me about something that happened years ago," he defended.
"You didn't seem to suffer from long-term memory loss a couple of days ago."
"Those things were significant in my life. Meeting your sister, I'm sorry to say, was not."
Let it go, Liz! Trust the man... "Whatever."
Elizabeth went upstairs, the bags would have to wait until tomorrow, Darcy did not follow, but Bud did.
Making sure Elizabeth had closed her door, Darcy paced and worried; he had to find a way to talk to his cousin without her knowing. But she always kept that cell phone with her! And there was not another phone to be found in the house!