Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of March 25, 2000
Jump to new as of March 27, 2000
Jump to new as of March 29, 2000
Elizabeth went to the club, she was in fear of Darcy showing up, so she asked Wickham to escort her there. It never occurred to her that she hardly saw him, since their engagement.
While Elizabeth was singing on stage, she saw a commotion near the door and that Wickham was in the middle of it. He was tossed out on the curb. She cut her encores short and hurriedly ran to her dressing room to change.
There was a knock.
"Come in?"
"Lizzy?"
Elizabeth peered around her dressing screen. "Georgiana! What brings you here?"
"I, I need to talk to you."
"I'm sorry, but I was just about to leave... Can we talk tomorrow?"
"No. This can't wait."
Elizabeth finished pulling on her top and sat down on the chair across for Georgiana. "What's up?"
"I'm sure you noticed the, uh, disturbance at the door this evening?"
"Yes, I did! That was..."
"That man is not allowed in my club!" Georgiana sneered.
Elizabeth gasped, but said nothing.
"Last month, I heard that he was in here. I wasn't going to interfere, because I was almost sure that he wasn't here for me..."
"What are you talking about?"
"I have a restraining order against him. He's not allowed within 100 feet of me."
Elizabeth stood up. "What?! What happened?"
"I can't go into that right now... All I ask is that you don't bring him around here anymore."
Elizabeth stammered. "S, Sure."
"I don't involve myself in other's affairs and you and I have only met twice in all the 3 or 4 years of your employment here at my club, but I must warn you to be careful."
"Be careful?" she muttered in a whisper. "Georgiana, please tell me? Something? Anything?"
"I can only tell you this much... My brother purchased this club for me about 4 years ago; he knew how much I loved to sing and play the piano. I was almost comfortable enough to open the doors to an audience when an old 'friend' of the family showed up at our home while my brother was away on business. I didn't know that they had a falling out, so I invited him in. Eventually, I was persuaded that I was in love with him and that he returned my feelings... suffice it to say, he was not in love with me and was not faithful either! He used me to get back at my brother and it hasn't... I can't give you anymore details. I beg you to say nothing of this to him. I've even had to change my name, just so I could live in relative obscurity. If he asks you, tell him whatever, but don't tell him why he was thrown out and don't mention any syllable of my name!"
"But Georgiana, you're rarely here. There's no way George, I'm sorry, he could know."
"Oh believe me, I'm not willing to find out either!"
"Where's your brother?"
"He tells me he comes in here every now and then, but he doesn't want to interfere with my running this club and remains incognito... I haven't told him about recent events, he would flip out."
And with that Georgiana left and Elizabeth was in a quandary.
Much later, Elizabeth met Wickham outside.
"Lizzy, what's going on with your club? I was practically manhandled by those goons!"
"Maybe it was mistaken identity."
"Well, talk to them! Tell them that once we're married, I will be part owner of this club and they had better treat me with some respect!"
"Part owner?"
"Of course, darling! What's yours is mine and vice versa. 50-50."
"I don't own this club?"
"What?!"
"I never told you I owned this club. Why would you think that?"
"I saw you... I thought... Hmmm..." She's shrewd, I'll give her that! She's just trying to make sure I'm not marrying her for her money... Yeah, that's it! "My mistake. Let me take you home."
They walked in silence. Elizabeth had rolled around in her head all that she had seen and heard tonight. What was she to do? A restraining order? It must have been something awful... Perhaps he changed? He hadn't treated her badly; no threats or worse. Yes, he was always a gentleman. Plus he was rich! And he wanted to marry her!
At the door, he leaned in for a kiss; she was so preoccupied that she hadn't even noticed it.
"Just a couple of days and we'll be married!"
Absentmindedly she replied. "Sure. I'll see you tomorrow."
The night before the wedding had arrived. It was to be an informal dinner party with Elizabeth's family and her fiancé.
Wickham arrived a few minutes before the Bennet's and found Elizabeth in an agitated state. He tried to calm her, but to no avail. Unfortunately, he kept expounding on his wish to meet her family, which made her pale in front of him. She ran to the bedroom to hide her tears.
Elizabeth couldn't decide which was worse: her family showing their true selves to her soon-to-be husband, marrying Wickham, or that Darcy hadn't called her or tried to contact her since that fateful night. She cried mightily.
A knock came to the door. Wickham hesitated then opened it.
"Why, you must be George!" Mrs. Bennet tittered. "And you look very rich!" she patted and pinched his cheek.
The others followed to offer up their congratulations. Actually, Mr. Bennet sized him up and said nothing, Mary merely nodded, but Lydia and Kitty were all giggles and smiles. They all proceeded into the living room and tossed their coats haphazardly, wherever.
"Sit down! Sit down!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked. "Let me take a good look at you! Well, well, well, my little Lizzy has done well for herself, wouldn't you say girls?!"
Wickham's ears were ringing at the high pitched shrieks and therefore he was paying no particular attention to the mother, until she stopped talking and adjusted her ratty old, but very colorful in a flowery sort of way, house frock. He simply smiled. I guess this is how the rich are... gregarious, oddly dressed and eccentric. I could get used to this...
Elizabeth stepped out of her room. Anyone with eyes could see how distraught she was, but Mrs. Bennet was not as observant.
Before she could get a word in edgewise, Mrs. Bennet exclaimed "Lizzy, we were just admiring your young man and I must say that he looks just as rich as he is good looking!"
Elizabeth cringed, but put on a false smile; she was determined to make the best of the situation. "Mama. Papa. Welcome!" Then she greeted them all with a hug and kiss on the cheek.
During the small talk, Mrs. Bennet fidgeted and fussed, then blurted out. "Lizzy, this apartment is heavenly, it must have cost Mr. Wickham a small fortune to purchase it for you?" she winked.
Wickham sat amused at all the clatter and babble. This is all some sort of ruse... to make sure I'm worthy of her money. It has to be! No one is this unfortunate in their family connections...
Elizabeth kept looking over at Wickham with each embarrassing comment, but was relieved to see he was generally enjoying himself, sort of. Then, thoughts of what Georgiana said began dancing through her head.
The food Elizabeth had ordered in was delivered and they all sat down to eat. Mrs. Bennet, of course, dominated the conversation; if anyone could conjure ignorance with a mouthful of food, she could. Lydia flirted with Wickham, Kitty giggled at her sister's antics, while Mr. Bennet and Mary shook their heads in wonder; Elizabeth was as silent as a church mouse.
Mercifully the meal ended and the family pushed back from the table with full belly's and no words spoken other than burps and belches.
At last! Elizabeth stood and escorted Wickham through the living room to the door. "I'll need my beauty rest before tomorrow darling... You don't mind, do you?"
"No. Not at all."
"Um, George," inserted Lydia. "I've never been to New York at night, could you take me around for a few hours?" she pouted. "I'm 21," she winked.
"I'm not sure..." Wickham looked at Elizabeth for help.
"Oh, go on! Go and have fun!" interrupted Mrs. Bennet. "It'll be good to get to know your new family as much as possible... I'm sure we'll be at your doorstep in Texas before long!"
Mr. Bennet gave his daughter a doleful look but Elizabeth just shrugged her shoulders. Lydia threw on her coat and ushered Wickham out the door before he could protest.
Hard pressed to entertain her family for much longer, Elizabeth made her excuses and went to her room.
'Twas the morning of the wedding and Lydia had not been returned. Mrs. Bennet was far from worried because her youngest was of the lively stock and was probably still bopping on the dance floor... somewhere.
"New York is the city that never sleeps, isn't it?" she replied to her husband's worried inquiry.
Elizabeth woke up to the old, but familiar smell of bacon, eggs and coffee. She sauntered, unseeing, into the kitchen where her mother was making breakfast fit for a king and his court.
"Well, it's about time you got up, young lady! Lydia and George should be on their way back and we'll all have breakfast together."
"Mama, the bride is not supposed to see her intended on the day of the wedding."
"Oh fiddlesticks! That's an old wives tale and... and... fiddlesticks! He's a fine man Lizzy and obviously so in love with you that no bad luck will come to you..."
At that moment, Kitty let in Wickham and Lydia; they walked in happily chatting.
Wickham placed a chaste kiss on Elizabeth's cheek. "Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?"
Elizabeth smelled cheap perfume, but Lydia walked by and her suspicions melted somewhat. "Yes, I did."
"Excellent! Smells good in here! I'm starved, what's cookin'?"
"So where did you 2 go?" asked Mrs. Bennet.
"Oh, here and there," smiled Wickham.
Lydia giggled. "Yes, here and there."
"Lydia, you need to get some sleep before the wedding, why don't you take my room?" asked Elizabeth.
"Sure Lizzy..." she smiled. "... like I take everything else of yours," she muttered under her breath. "Thanks." Lydia gobbled up her food in a frenzy and headed for the bedroom.
"Well now..." shrieked Mrs. Bennet. "... Are there many places to hang out for my girls in Texas?"
"Plenty ma'am," he drawled.
Elizabeth looked up at Wickham in a startled gaze; he raised an eyebrow at her and turned his attention back to her mother.
Breakfast passed without any additional undue stress for Elizabeth, and Wickham parted with his bows and adieus.
Since both were pressed for time and money, Wickham and Elizabeth decided to get married informally and in her apartment.
"Lizzy!"
"Jane! Anne!"
They hadn't seen each other for at least a week; Jane was living with Bingley in a hotel room near his place of employment and Charlotte had never come back from the little cottage in the Poconos.
They embraced for the longest of minutes, talked over top of each other, and tears flowed while Frederick Wentworth and Charles Bingley stood by in silence. The husbands were introduced later, much later.
"I need your help getting dressed..."
"Sure Lizzy, we'll be right in. Just as soon as we get our husbands settled near your family!" sighed Anne.
"What are you doing in my room?" asked Jane.
"Lydia's in my room..." responded Elizabeth.
"I went in there... Is she sick?"
"Not that I know of... Why?"
"She's got all these red bruises around her neck and chest."
"She was fine when she went out last night."
Jane shrugged. "Did she go out with George?"
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Well, he's got the same disease!"
Mr. Bennet walked Elizabeth down the aisle as broken as a man could be. He did not think Wickham worthy of his favorite daughter and he could sense that he was up to no good. Despite his objections, he kept is mouth shut; just as he always did.
The Minister droned on.
Elizabeth peered at Wickham from under her veil.
"If anyone has any objections, let him speak now or hold his peace."
Mr. Bennet coughed, Lydia sneezed, and even Wentworth was infected with a sudden attack of something. The minister looked around.
Mrs. Bennet blustered. "Go on! Go on! There are no objections here, just a trifling cold!"
The minister began again.
Then Elizabeth realized where she had seen Wickham before... A blackjack dealer at Harrah's! "Wait!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
Mrs. Bennet stood up to protest, but Mr. Bennet pulled her back into her seat and gave her an intimidating frown. Wickham tugged on Elizabeth's arm and gave her an inquiring look.
"I can't do this!"
"Can't we talk about this after the wedding?" smiled Wickham through clenched teeth.
"No, now! You are not who you claim to be, Mr. Wickham!"
"Why are you doing this?" he drawled out in exasperation.
Elizabeth snatched her arm from his grasp. "Lately, I've noticed that you use that fake Texas accent only when you want to charm someone. Hmpf! I detect the Bronx, but I suspect Teaneck," she spat.
"Lizzy?" he pleaded. "You're just nervous. This can all be explained, but not now..."
"I can't marry you George Wickham! I won't! You're a lying, low-life, two-timing b@$#@&d and I hate you for it!"
"Reverend, she's just nervous... Cold feet, I believe," smiled Wickham as he pretended to tip his hand to his mouth, indicating that Elizabeth might have had too much to drink.
"Don't make excuses for me, I'm cold sober! Do you think I'd let you put your hands on me after knowing what you did?! I wouldn't marry you if you paid me!"
Elizabeth took off her veil, threw it down, grabbed a coat from the hall closet and ran out of the door. The onlookers were stunned into silence, until Lydia cried out.
"I'll marry you, George! I don't care who you are!"
Wickham blushed as she revealed the hickey's on her neck for all to see. Mr. Bennet's head snapped in his youngest daughter's direction; he narrowed his eyes and she slunk down in her seat. Jane and Anne ran after Elizabeth.
Jane used the pay phone on the street to call up to the apartment as Anne followed Elizabeth to the corner diner.
"Lizzy, I'm not sure what to say..."
"Anne, there's nothing you can say," she sighed. "I let myself be hoodwinked by a slimeball for the almighty dollar! Thank the good Lord, I never went further than a kiss with him!" she shuddered.
"I'm curious as to why not, I know he was more than willing."
"My heart belongs to another..." Elizabeth breathed cryptically.
"What'll you do now?" asked Jane, rejoining the group.
"I don't know... Move back to the dumpy tenement we used to live in."
"Or, you could move in with me?" came a baritoned query.
Elizabeth jerked her head towards the voice near the door of the restaurant; her eyes wide, her mouth agape, her heart fluttering, but she said not a word.
Darcy came forth and knelt on one knee. "Marry me, Elizabeth?"
"I, I..." Tears ran down her face. "You would still have me?" she squeaked.
"I love you," he whispered.
"Yes," she replied soberly.
Darcy blinked and stood up, stupefied. "You will?"
"Yes, I will!"
Darcy embraced her fiercely. Jane and Anne watched in shock.
"How did you know where to find me?" Elizabeth sniffled against his chest.
"I was waiting in the lobby to see if you would go through with it..."
"Thank you for loving me." Elizabeth looked up into those piercing brown eyes and sighed, her fate had been sealed by a mechanic. "I love you, too." She kissed him soundly on the mouth.
Bingley and Wentworth joined the fray.
"Is this the girl you've been telling me about, Will?" asked Bingley.
Darcy smiled and clasped his friend's hand. "Sure is!" Then Darcy pulled Wentworth over to him for an embrace. "Cousin, come meet my fiancée!"
"Cousin?!" all the ladies exclaimed.
"Yes, cousin," repeated Wentworth. "On his father's side... Who do you think called to tell me Anne was abandoned and that I need to get there ASAP!"
Elizabeth gasped and pulled back to look at Darcy in astonishment.
"You were worried..." Darcy teased.
They all chatted about their respective relationships for at least an hour.
"I'm hungry!" cried Bingley.
"You're just trying to scope out the competition!" laughed Darcy.
They all sat down at the counter.
"Sure I am. That's the only way to stay on top, as you've told me a thousand times!"
"Why does a waiter... sorry Charlie," Elizabeth apologized to Bingley with a smile, "... need to know what other people are serving?"
"I'm not just a waiter, Elizabeth. I own Biggie's and all its franchises," offered Bingley.
All 3 ladies snickered.
"Sure honey, I believe you!" Jane kissed Bingley's cheek and shook her head.
Bingley was about to protest, but Darcy waved him off. Bingley winked at Darcy without being seen by the others.
They all ordered.
"So Freddie, did the storm take its toll on all those trees up North?" inquired Bingley.
"We had a bit of trouble on the lower peaks. After the thaw, I'll be able to evaluate it more properly. Probably sell it off for lumber, or firewood..."
"Isn't it illegal to sell private property without the owners consent?" asked Jane.
Anne and Elizabeth were taken aback by Jane's astuteness.
"It's all right. I own it. All of it," supplied Wentworth.
All 3 ladies giggled.
"That's okay sweetheart. I believe you," coddled Anne as she kissed his nose.
Wentworth was about to protest, but Darcy waved him off. Wentworth winked at Darcy without being seen by the others.
Their meals came and they all tucked in.
"So Will, I hear your stock split again! Thinking of taking on AOL this time?" queried Wentworth.
"AOL?" snorted Anne.
"Nah. I'm happy where I am, plus I already own a third of it."
All 3 ladies laughed out loud.
"Will, you don't have to try to impress me," Elizabeth interjected with a small sigh. "I love you anyway!" She wiped his mouth with her napkin, then kissed it.
The waiter came by with the checks. "Pay up."
Simultaneously, all three men reached for their billfolds as they looked at their respective tabs.
Wentworth pulled his from his pants pocket, stretched the wad out, filtered through it and pulled out a $50 bill amidst numerous $100 bills. Anne fainted dead away.
Bingley pulled his from his breast pocket, extended the wad out, flipped through it and removed a $50 amongst a sundry of $100 bills. Jane fainted dead away.
Darcy pulled his from the money clip that lined his leather jacket, expanded the wad out, flicked through it and extracted a $50 surrounded by an abundance of $100 bills. Elizabeth fainted dead away.
The men shrugged, picked up their women off the floor, heaved them over their shoulders, and walked out the door; leaving a very generous tip for the waiter.
As far as our two main characters are concerned... Yes, Will Darcy owned the apartment building, the car dealership and L'il Bits nightclub. Elizabeth married him soon after the diner incident and they lived in the penthouse of the D'Arcy Arms until she got her big break; she got pregnant that is, and gave up her career as quick as you can say HTMAM. They moved to his family home 'Pemberley', near Martha's Vineyard, where they lived as deliriously content as anyone could wish for.