Posted on Tuesday, 16 April 2002
"What a great book," said Amanda, as she shut her well worn copy of Pride and Prejudice. "I wish there really was a Mr. Darcy for me," she sighed placing the book on the grass and leaning against the tree trunk. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she noticed her book was beginning to shake and the wind was riffling through the pages. "Wha..." And before she knew what was happening a very well dressed gentleman appeared before her kneeling and holding onto her hand.
"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth please allow me..." before he could finish she cut him off.
"Whoa! Hold up just a minute. First off my name isn't Elizabeth, its Amanda. And second who the hell are you??"
The gentleman apparently taken aback by the young woman's straight forwardness, paled at hearing such "vulgar language" from a lady replied, "I am William Darcy of Derbyshire, England owner of the grand estate Pemberley," he said with a touch of pride in his voice.
"Very funny! Now if you'll excuse me I have an assembly to attend at Meryton," she said in a sarcastic tone making an equally sarcastic curtsy. "Just who the heck do you think you are making fun of me and my dreams. I don't know who told you to do this or just how you did the trick with the book but this isn't funny at all!" She picked up her book and stormed off when William caught her arm. "Listen buddy I have a black belt in karate so unless you want to be black and blue in about two seconds I suggest you remove your hand from my arm." He obliged immediately. "Now what do you want now? Have you lost Bingley or you need to go and speak to my father for permission to marry me?" she asked in a bitter tone.
"What year is it and what shire are we in?"
"Its 2002 and we're in California in the United States and there are no shires in this whole country. Why do you ask?" she said curiosity getting the better of her.
"The last thing I remember is walking through Meryton in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and fourteen. " She looked at him like he was crazy and opened up her book to where she had placed her finger, and came upon the part in which he and Elizabeth were walking with Jane and Charles. (I know the whole "Ardently admire" blah blah blah was before Jane and Charles were together again but just work with me people). That was the last thing she remembered before fainting into Darcy's arms. "Miss Amanda? Miss Amanda?" William said patting her face and splashing water on it. Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked into the face of a panic stricken Darcy.
"William?" she mumbled.
"I'm right here."
"Can you help me up?" instead of pulling her up like she intended he picked her up and carried her to the park exit. Amanda was confused but she didn't mind having to cling to his muscular frame. He carried her to the park exit and then became very confused upon reaching the street where numerous horse-less carriages driving by at an alarming rate. Amanda jumped down and grabbed Darcy's hand and walked him to her convertible.
"What on earth is this contraption? It looks nothing like my Aunt Catherine's barouche."
"In 2002 we don't use horses to pull our vehicles and this is called a convertible which is a type of car. Now get in and buckle your seat belt so we can head back to my house so I can make some sense out of this whole thing." Darcy shook his head and climbed in the feisty woman's car. "So you swear on you life that your telling me the truth?" queried Amanda.
"I swear on my life that I am from 1814 England," he replied solemnly.
"And I ... Oh my God!"
"Miss Amanda are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine I just realized how you were able to come here. And if you don't mind could you drop the whole "Miss" thing before my name? Just call me Amanda, we tend to be more informal here in 2002."
"It would be my pleasure, but you must call me William. Now how have I come to be here?"
"Well... I uh kinda sorta wished that I could have a William Darcy and apparently you're my wish come true, " she said blushingly.
"Well, if that doesn't beat all," William said laughing.
"What is so funny?" Amanda demanded.
"I had just been wishing to be able to marry a feisty, independent, witty, beautiful young woman with fine eyes."
"Well I guess I got my wish but you didn't get yours," Amanda said beginning to laugh. "I didn't quite say that," he said suddenly being very serious. "What do you mean? Have you met another woman besides me?"
"No."
"Then how did you get your wish?"
"I met you."
Amanda blushed, "Sir, it is not gentlemanly to tease a young lady."
"I was being completely honest. I like your feistiness, independence, wit, beauty, and fine eyes." Amanda blushed.
"Thank you, I have always prided myself on my independence, and feistiness, along with my outspokenness, which you will learn about later. As for the beauty and fine eyes, I believe you have greatly exaggerated."
"I was just being honest, I always am and I never stretch the truth."
They arrived at Amanda's townhouse and walked into the house. "Let me get you some of my best friend's clothes to wear." Amanda said. "Daniel! I'm back! I need to borrow some of your clothes," she hollered up the stairs. Daniel came running down in a pink shirt and tight jeans. 'He loves going for that so obviously a poof look,' Amanda smiled to herself and kissed him on both cheeks.
"Hey sweetie. And who is this delicious looking man you have hiding back there?" he said pointing at William.
"His name is William Darcy, and he came out of my Pride and Prejudice book." "Are you serious? This is soo... cool. Do you think you could get me Bingley?" "Honey this was a one time thing and right now we're not quite sure what to do. Not to mention Bingley is probably straight."
"Just rain on my parade why don't you? As for what to do with Mr. Delicious, DUH !!!"
"Duh! What?"
"You couple up with him. Honey this is your dream man and if you blow this chance I'll never set you up with any guys again."
"Hon, your guys are bi, not straight."
"Minor technical difficulty, so if you want to avoid that I suggest that you go out with William, not to mention you'll lose your best shopping partner."
"Okay, okay, you're sounding like my mother. Next thing you know you'll be planning a wedding and I simply asked you for some clothes, preferably ones that he could wear, please!"
"Okay, but just this once, I'm running out of clothes."
"B******! You have more clothes than I do, but I was gonna take him out after he get dressed in regular clothes."
"William, why don't you follow me," Daniel said taking his hand and leading him upstairs. "William, since Amanda neglected to introduce me my name is Daniel and I've been her best friend for years."
"Are the two of you seeing one another?" William asked confusedly.
"Heavens, NO! For one thing she's a girl and for another we've known each other to long. She's all yours buddy. This should do nicely," Daniel said pulling out a navy blue sweater and some nice loose khaki pants for him to wear. "The bathroom's right over there, you can change in there. Just make sure you don't take to long, Amanda hates to wait to long. But for you she might make an exception. I just have one question before you go."
"What's that?"
"I know you just met, but do you like her and what are you going to do about going back?"
"I really like her. She challenges me and I've never met a lovelier woman. As for going back I didn't realize that I would have to. I suppose I could always bring her back with me if she were to consent. Why do you ask these things?"
"I'm just trying to see if you pass my approval test for Amanda."
"Have I passed?"
"Of course, with flying colours, you're just what the doctor ordered for her. I'll let you get dressed now."
William got dressed and ran down the stairs to find Amanda waiting patiently.
"Sorry I took so long."
"You didn't take long at all only a couple of minutes," Amanda said smiling at how good William looked. 'Oh he looks so yummy...wait did I just use the word yummy?" Amanda thought to herself. Blushing at the thought, she composed herself and said, "Well ummm...let's uh...get going." They walked out to the car and headed to the mall. William marveled at all of the different stores in the mall.
"Let's head into this store," Amanda said pulling William into a department store.
Several stores and hours later they finally had the perfect wardrobe, from beach to casual to formal.
"How am I to repay you for all of this?" William asked Amanda after they got home.
"It's not a problem, you just have to promise to wear all of these clothes."
"Well then I guess I'll just have to take you out tonight."
"Really its no trouble you don't have to do that."
"No really I insist,"
Just as she was about to protest again he looked deep into her eyes and she began to melt immediately, "Tonight sounds great," she sighed.
"Wear something dressy we're going to have a nice evening out."
"Well, I need to go finish up some files on some of the patients, so I'm going to head to the office for an hour or so."
"Patients? Are you a doctor?" William asked with surprise.
"You can say that, I'm a veterinarian."
"A what?"
"An animal doctor."
"Oh, I see, do you think you'll be back before 7?"
"Umm...considering its only 2 o'clock, I think I should be."
"Okay, well I'll make our plans."
"All right I...thank you," Amanda said giving him a kiss on the lips and walking out the door. 'Oh My God, I can't believe I just did that!' she shrieked inside.
"William? Where'd Amanda go?" Daniel said coming down to find William staring at the door with a shocked expression on his face. "What'd she do?"
"She kissed me," William said shock evident on his face.
"She did what!"
"She kissed me," William repeated.
"She is so into you!"
"How do you know?"
"She only shows her true feelings like that to people she really likes!"
"Well I'm taking her out tonight do you know of a place where I could take her?"
"Try Moonlit Path."
"What's that?"
"It's a really romantic outdoor restaurant complete with candlesticks and flowers on the table."
"So what do I have to do to go?"
"I'll call and make reservations, why don't you go out and get her some flowers. Yellow roses, lilies, and buttercups are her favorite flowers."
"All right, thanx." William walked down to the flower shop he had seen on the corner and walked inside.
"May I help you sir?" asked the owner of the store.
"Could you point out where the yellow roses, lilies, and buttercups all are?"
"Would you like me to make you a bouquet?"
"No, I would rather give it a personal touch."
"Of course, and here are the leaves, babies breath, and wrappings for you to add to the flowers."
"Thank you," William proceeded to arrange the flowers in such a beautiful bouquet that even the owner was impressed.
"Do you think you could do that again if it was for someone else?"
"Yeah, sure flower arranging has always been interesting to me." (Authoress's note: Don't worry Darcy will definitely stay straight. ;)
"Can you start work tomorrow?"
"What time?"
"Eight o'clock."
"Sure, what does it pay?"
"$10 an hour. (Note: I have no idea how much that is in British Pounds, because I'm not from Britain). Does that suit you?"
"Just fine, Mr. ?"
"Gardiner. Edward Gardiner."
"William Darcy, nice to meet you."
"See you tomorrow William. I hope your girlfriend likes the flowers."
"She's not my girlfriend, I just want her to be."
"Well good luck."
"Thanx." William raced home in order to prepare for to Amanda and his date.
"Did you get the reservations?" William asked Daniel.
"Yes and tonight they are offering ballroom dancing! No extra charge."
"Is Amanda home?"
"Yes, she's upstairs getting ready."
Amanda sat in her bubble bath, while her hair was set in curlers. 'I wonder where he's taking me,' she thought to herself. And with that thought she hopped out of the tub to get ready. She put on her new dress she had bought a few weeks ago for the annual Veterinarian banquet and dance. It was a periwinkle color, scoop neck, spaghetti strap, flowing ball gown. She finished her makeup and pulled her hair out of the curlers allowing the curls to fall down on her shoulders, and deciding to leave it like that she grabbed her purse and shawl and headed downstairs. When William heard someone coming down the stairs he turned, the vision took his breath away. Her curled hair bouncing on her shoulders, the dress bringing out the sparkle in her eyes, and that beautiful smile with such kissable lips.
"Wow," was all William could manage to say, as Amanda descended the stairs. "You look absolutely amazing," he finally managed to say.
"You don't look half bad yourself," Amanda said smiling.
"These are for you," he said producing his bouquet of flowers.
"Oh Will, how did you know that these were my favorite flowers?"
"A little bird told me."
"I've never seen such a beautifully arranged bouquet, where did you find someone to do this?"
"I did it at Gardener's Flowers (get it? Gardiner owns Gardener Flowers? Never mind)."
"Really my Uncle Edward owns that shop."
"No kidding he offered me a job and I start work tomorrow."
"Oh Will That's great news!!!" Amanda said leaping up and hugging him. Then became embarrassed by what she had done immediately removing her arms from around him.
"Your carriage awaits m'lady, he said offering her his arm after they were both composed and leading her outside where there literally was a carriage outside. William helped her in and whispered where they were going to the driver.
"So Will where are you taking me?"
"That's a surprise."
"Fine, be that way."
"Fine I will be," he said sticking his tongue out at her.
Amanda couldn't help but laugh at how childish William could be.
"What's so funny?" he demanded.
"You. You're acting like a little two year old."
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
"Am not!"
"Are not!"
"Am to!"
"Ha! See even you admitted it to yourself."
"Why you!" he said grabbing her and began to tickle her.
"Will please stop! I can't breath!" Amanda laughed.
'God I love her laugh. Whoa where did that come from?' Will thought to himself.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"We have arrived," announced the coachman opening the door and helping Amanda out.
Amanda laughed when she saw the look on William's face when the coachman, not he helped her out.
"What's so funny now?"
"You looked like you could've slugged the coachman for helping me out."
William became uncomfortable, "Let's go inside," he said quietly.
"I think it was sweet and very endearing," Amanda said giving him a peck on the lips. William grinned broadly and offered her his arm as they walked into Moonlit Path. They were quickly seated outside, and both couldn't help but stare at the stars. The waiter soon came over and told them that their orders had already been placed by the young man who had made the reservations. Amanda looked at Will with her eyebrows raised.
"I had nothing to do with making the reservations, " he said holding up his hands.
"Then who...Daniel." Amanda said rolling her eyes. "I don't even want to begin to think of what he ordered us." The waiter came out rolling a cart full of food.
"There is wine from 1814, a very good year I understand. Oysters to begin, followed by salad, with spicy chicken and rice. And for dessert strawberries and whipped cream," he explained, and with that he left the lovers to enjoy their meal.
"I knew he would pull some stunt like this," Amanda exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Will asked.
"Wine from 1814, oysters a passion food, spicy chicken, and then a very typical strawberries and whipped cream. Look there's a note, " Amanda noticed a piece of paper attached to the wine bottle. It read:
Amanda, Will,I hope you both will enjoy this dinner full of passion foods. Aren't I just so cunning? And I know what you're thinking Amanda, I just want you to be happy. Enjoy and don't come home early.
Love,
Daniel.
"Remind me to thank him when we get back," Will mumbled.
"What was that?" Amanda asked, knowing very well what he had said,
"Nothing, nothing, " Will said embarrassment apparent on his face. "Let's eat." Amanda couldn't help but smile at Will's awkwardness.