Fourteen Days

    By Judy-Lynne

    Beginning, Next Section

    Chapter 1

    Posted On: Saturday, 31 August 2002, at 6:27 p.m.

    Dr. Rajiv Agarwal, Ph.D. and Dr. Nishtha Agarwal, M.D.
    request the honor of your presence
    at the marriage of their daughter
    Sarmistha Rupali
    to
    Mr. Richard Anthony Fitzwilliam
    on
    Saturday, the twentieth of August
    at five o'clock in the afternoon
    St. Bartholomew's Church
    New York, New York

    "Not your basic girl next door, Richard," Matt Fitzwilliam said as he turned the invitation over in his hands.

    "Nope," the object of the tease replied as he opened the trunk of his car and pulled out his brother's bag.

    "I want to hear all about her," Matt said as he slid out of the car.

    "You'll meet her next week." Richard tossed the duffle to Matt and headed up the path to the Vermont lodge that would house them for the next three days.

    "I know, but I'd like a preview if you don't mind. It's bad enough that I'm the last person in the family to meet her. I don't want to go into that dinner completely blind."

    "Well, if you didn't spend all your time gallivanting across the globe you would have met her months ago," William said as he stepped out of the lodge to greet his cousins. He gave Matt a rough hug before he led the two men inside.

    "Hey! A man has got to make a living," Matt said defensively. "I can't help it if my chosen occupation takes me around the world."

    "Where's Charles?" Richard asked as he removed his sunglasses and allowed his eyes to adjust to the light.

    "He's in his room getting settled in," William reported as he headed for the kitchen. He returned with three opened bottles of beer and handed them out.

    "So where am I staying?" Matt asked as he looked around the cabin that a friend of the family had lent the four men for their weekend retreat.

    "You are bunking in with your brother. I've got the master and Charles is in the other room. We drew lots."

    "Point me in the right direction," Matt said. "Just let me change into some shorts and then I want to hear all about my future sister-in-law." When Matt returned to the living room he found William waiting for him. Charles and Richard had already gone down to the pier and were loading refreshments and gear into a pair of rowboats.

    "The others are waiting for us," William said as he led the way down the narrow path. A short time later the two rowboats were in the middle of the lake and the four men were relaxing in the midday sun.

    "So tell me about Sarmish--, Shar--."

    "Sarmistha," Richard said patiently. "Most people call her either that or Sara. I usually call her Mish."

    "So romantic sounding," William teased.

    "So tell me about her," Matt said. "How come I've never heard of her till now?"

    "And you just know he'd remember a name like that if he'd heard it before," Charles smiled.

    "I think you were wandering around India and Nepal when I met her," Richard began, ignoring Charles's comment.

    "Isn't that Sarmistha's neck of the woods?" William asked.

    "She was born in New Jersey," Richard replied. "Her mom was, too. I think her dad was born in India. Anyway, I met her around ten months ago and we started dating. You came home and were off again to Europe before I had a chance to make an introduction, your broken ankle prevented you from making the engagement party, and you just haven't bothered to come home again till now."

    "May I remind you that 'home' is now London?"

    "Don't let Grandma Bess hear you say that or she'll skin you alive," Richard quipped.

    "Speaking of London," William said as he adjusted the brim of his baseball cap, "when are Gee and Christopher coming for the wedding?"

    "They'll be flying in on Thursday," Matt replied. "But I'm still waiting to hear all about Sar--."

    "Mish," Charles said helpfully.

    "Sarmistha," William said easily.

    "All right, I'll begin at the beginning," Richard sighed as he reached for a beer. "We met at a press party for some new book. I have no idea why William invited me to the party, but I'm eternally grateful that he did."

    "I invited you because we had plans for afterwards and you were my guarantee of getting out of there on time. Of course, Richard became distracted and we barely made our reservation, as I recall," William grumbled good-naturedly.

    "So, she was at the party," Matt prompted. "And?"

    "And I went over and introduced myself," Richard continued. "She was the most stunning creature in the room and she was wearing this outrageously pink dress that was like a beacon."

    "Richard is attracted by bright colors," Charles teased.

    "Like a small child," William concurred. Both brothers shot them a look.

    "So she got your attention with a loud, sexy dress--."

    "It was neither sexy nor loud," Richard cried defensively. "It was very pretty and rather attractive, in a classy, tasteful way. I introduced myself, we spoke briefly and then William dragged me out of there."

    "We had reservations!"

    "William had a date and he'd fixed me up with a friend of hers. As you can imagine, a good time was not had by all. I spent the whole evening thinking about this beautiful woman in the pink dress."

    "His date was not impressed," William said helpfully.

    "Yeah, anyway, I ran into Mish a few days later. It seems that her parents have an apartment in the city not too far from my office and she was on her way to visit them. We stopped to chat for a couple of minutes and agreed to meet later for a cup of coffee. We did and the rest is history."

    "So what's she like? What does she do?"

    "She's like no other woman I ever met," Richard replied wistfully, causing his older sibling to roll his eyes. "She works for Uncle George as an editor in the literature department."

    "So she works in Will's backyard?" Matt queried. William winced slightly.

    "Yep, I snatched her right from under his nose."

    "I've got to go to more parties," William admitted before he drained his bottle. Charles dangled one foot into the lake and snorted with amusement.

    "You have got to get to do more than that, my friend," Charles said. "You've been in a funk ever since the engagement was announced.

    "I have not!" William cried. "Well...all right, I was a little put out..."

    "What's this? Jealous, Will?" Matt asked as he squinted at the man in the other boat.

    "Envious," Charles corrected.

    "I am not," William pouted.

    "He is, too," Richard insisted. "Not only did I steal the most beautiful woman at Darcy Press right from under his nose before he even knew she existed, he's insanely jealous that she scores a ten on his list of attributes for the ideal wife."

    "How many items are on this list?" Matt asked. William waggled his ten fingers glumly. "So you're coveting Richard's fiancée?"

    "I'm coveting his luck," William admitted. "I was the one talking about finding someone and settling down. He meets the perfect woman completely by accident, falls for her like a ton of bricks and three months later he's engaged. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to find someone I can tolerate for more than a month."

    "Poor Will," Charles said insincerely.

    "I don't suppose this paragon of womanhood has a sister?" Matt chuckled.

    "She's an only child," Richard said.

    "Well, there are usually lots of single women at weddings," Matt noted. "Maybe you'll meet someone there."

    "Desperate, brittle creatures," Charles sniffed. William shuddered, much to Matt and Richard's amusement. "I would avoid them if I were you."

    "Oh, I don't know. Mish has some rather nice, single friends and her best friend is supposed to be flying in from somewhere for the wedding. She's single, too."

    "But if she's just going to be in town for the wedding she's not a good prospect for William," Charles said.

    "Oh no; she's moving to the city. Apparently, she'd been living overseas for the past year as a foreign correspondent for a financial news service and is coming back to New York to take a new assignment. I hear she's very pretty, rather smart and very eligible."

    "Is she American?" Matt asked, noting that William was pointedly ignoring the conversation.

    "Oh, yes. Lizzy's father and Mish's mom are both obstetricians who've done research together on infant health issues in third world countries under the auspices of the World Health Organization. She and Mish first met at some social function or other where the two of them were honored for their work. They went on to room together in college a few years later and have been close ever since," Richard replied as he offered William a bottle of root beer.

    "You know I hate root beer," William groused as he tossed it back to his cousin.

    "Ginger ale? Black cherry? You're the designated rower in your boat," Richard teased. William begrudgingly accepted a soda.

    "So how's the family really taking all this? Mom sounded happy enough when I spoke to her, but what do they really think of your marrying a foreigner?"

    "They're crazy about her. First of all, she's as American as you or me. Secondly, she absolutely won them over the first time they met. I brought her to their anniversary party and she charmed them to pieces. I think before the night was out William had dropped to number two on Grandma Bess's all-time favorites list."

    "That's a rave review," Matt agreed. William rolled his eyes.

    "And although she's not of our social circle, her folks rank high among the diplomatic set. Her mom is the daughter of a former ambassador to the United Nations. Her father is a prominent biochemist who works for some think tank. They all speak about four languages fluently. After his first meeting with the Agarwal family, dad admitted to feeling fairly dumb."

    "By the way," Charles asked lazily, "what's she doing while you're having this retreat with your groomsmen?"

    "She's doing her thing with the ladies of the wedding party. I think the plan was to spend the morning at a spa and then the afternoon and evening was to be devoted to a sari party."

    "What would that entail?" William asked curiously.

    "Well, Mish and her mom spent a lot of time a while back finding the perfect saris to give mom and Grandma Bess and all the women in the wedding party to wear at one of the gatherings next week. They're all meeting up at Mish's parents' house for a lesson in how to wear them, a lingerie shower, an undoubtedly orgiastic meal, and mehendi henna painting--whatever that is."

    "I'm at the wrong party," William sulked into his black cherry soda.

    "So I want to see pictures of this wonderful man you're marrying," Lizzy said as she sat down between Jane and Sarmistha on the sofa in the Agarwals' spacious family room. "The one picture you uploaded to me was hardly enough to let me form an opinion."

    "Well, if you'll accept my opinion," Bess O'Donnell said, "my grandson is drop dead gorgeous."

    "Mother!" Kathleen Fitzwilliam blushed. "My mother is rather opinionated, Lizzy."

    "She's also absolutely correct," Sarmistha smiled as she pulled out an album. "Here are some pictures we took at a picnic a few weeks back."

    "Ooh, he's pretty!" Lizzy said. Jane reached out and lightly slapped her on the shoulder. Lizzy glanced up at Richard's blushing mother and smiled. "He's got your eyes."

    "Thank you," Kathleen said as Sarmistha rose to pour iced tea for her guests. Jane Gardiner slid over to look at the album with Lizzy. Alva Sanchez, the second bridesmaid in the small wedding party, squeezed in on Lizzy's other side to look on as well.

    "Who's the hunk behind him?" Lizzy asked. Bess answered from the sofa opposite without so much as a glance at the picture of the man in question.

    "That's William," she said confidently. Jane looked up.

    "How did you know?" she asked. Bess shrugged, a tiny smile playing about her lips. Jane returned the smile. "He's Richard's cousin, Lizzy. He'll be his best man at the wedding," she explained.

    "He looks familiar," Lizzy said as she peered at the drawing.

    "Don't wear out your eyes, dearie. You'll get to see the genuine article at the wedding and believe me--he's even prettier in person."

    "Mother!" Lizzy turned the page as Kathleen glared at her mother, who was determinedly incorrigible.

    "Sarmistha will back me up, won't you dear?" Sarmistha placed a tray on the coffee table and handed her future grandmother and mother-in-law glasses of tea before returning to her seat.

    "I would be insane to argue with you," she admitted. "All the men in your family are gorgeous."

    "I agree," Jane smiled conspiratorially.

    "There; it's unanimous, even if my own daughter won't admit it," Bess said.

    "What is unanimous?" Nishtha Agarwal said as she escorted her mother into the room.

    "Are my grandsons hot or what?"

    "Mother!" Kathleen cried for the third time. The younger women burst into laughter.

    "Oh, most definitely! In fact, mother and I were just discussing that last night." The elderly woman beside her smiled. Lizzy looked down at the page in front of her and the smile faded.

    "He really does look familiar," she said again.

    "Maybe you've been dreaming about him. I know I have since we met," Alva said. Lizzy turned to look at her.

    "Should you be talking like that in front of his grandmother?"

    "Why not? I am," Bess winked. Lizzy chuckled and continued to look at the album. She laid it aside when she was done and became involved in a discussion of marriage customs of different cultures. But in t he back of her mind was the image of Richard's cousin. There was something about him that she couldn't put her finger on.

    "So, where are you two going on your honeymoon?" Matt asked. Richard, who was lying in a hammock on the large rear porch, opened an eye.

    "You ask too many questions, you know that?"

    "Sorry, but I'm kind of behind here."

    "You've always been a little behind," William said from his seat. He, too, was on the verge of dozing off. His feet were propped on the porch railing and his arms were folded on his chest. "Actually, you've been a pain in my behind most of your life."

    "Thanks, Will. It's so good to be back in the loving arms of my family," Matt said sarcastically.

    "By the way, did you see mom and dad while you were in New York, or did you just switch planes and head north?"

    "I was in the city last night and saw the folks."

    "Why didn't you ask them all your questions, then?" William asked.

    "I did; they gave me the standard 'she's a lovely girl' and 'Richard is so happy' drivel. I wanted to hear some real answers." Richard snorted and closed his eyes as did William. Matt sat back in his seat and was on the verge of dozing off as well, when Charles stepped out of the porch.

    "Richard? Telephone!" Richard opened his eyes and Charles tossed the wireless to him.

    "Hello?" The other men all turned to watch as Richard broke into a smile. "Hi, Mish! Yes, I'm having a great time. I miss you, too."

    "I think I'm going to throw up," Matt muttered as Richard exchanged words of love with his fiancée. William shook his head, got to his feet and went out into the yard to check on the barbeque. He poked at the charcoal, which was heating up nicely.

    "So what are you ladies up to?' Richard asked. "Hah! I want to see pictures of that! I can't imagine my grandmother in a sari. Now, mom is another matter entirely. She looks great in anything." William looked back at the porch with a quizzical look. "William wants pictures, too. In fact, we'll have to upload them to the whole family." Matt nodded enthusiastically. "Really?" Richard laughed. "Well, I told you Grandma Bess had a special place in her heart for old Will. By the way, my brother is here. I can't wait to introduce you two." Matt wandered down to the barbeque pit to stare at the charcoal.

    "Where're the steaks?"

    "Bingley!" William bellowed. Charles came bustling out of the house with a tray. "What took you so long?"

    "I was seasoning the meat!" He handed William the tray and went back into the house complaining about ingratitude for his efforts. Matt and William laughed as they got the steaks and potatoes onto the grill. Richard finished his call and joined the men at the pit.

    "Can you imagine our grandmother in a sari?"

    "I imagine that she looks something like Sarmistha's grandmother in a sari," William suggested.

    "Yeah, but Mish's grandmother is less than five feet tall on her best day. Grandma Bess is a bit taller, but she must have really short legs because Mish said she considered folding the fabric down a third of the way before beginning to tuck it in. Say, didn't we bring corn?" Richard sprinted back to the house in search of it. William and Matt watched him go.

    "He is happy, isn't he?" Matt observed.

    "I've never seen him happier," William said. "Sarmistha's breathed new life into the old boy."

    "And you're looking for someone to do the same for you?" William smiled at the question.

    "If I thought for one moment that I could have what he does? No question about it. Unfortunately, I haven't been as lucky as him. Or you, for that matter; you and Maura are still happy together, I take it?" Matt nodded.

    "She'll be flying in for the wedding. Christopher was kind enough to offer to bring her on his jet when he and Gee come. I'll fly back with them but I wanted to spend some time this week with my baby brother."

    "Did you ever think he'd be marrying before you?" William asked as he poked at the steaks and closed the lid on the grill.

    "Nope. Of course I would have beaten him to the altar if Maura hadn't insisted on a long engagement. I'm afraid it's going to be one of those huge weddings with half of London in attendance."

    "I think Richard and Sarmistha opted for a short engagement in order to avoid a big shindig. In fact, Richard said Sarmistha chose the date she did because she knew that a lot of her family's friends would be out of the country." Matt laughed. "Nonetheless, there will be close to 150 guests."

    "I can't wait for her and Maura to meet. Maybe Sarmistha will be able to get her to see reason."

    "Of course, if we did things more traditionally, the wedding party would be much bigger," Sarmistha was saying at that moment. "And even though we're Roman Catholic, there are traditional customs we would probably observe. But Richard and I decided--with the blessing of his parents," she added with a smile for Kathleen, that the rehearsal dinner would be a celebration of my heritage and the wedding would be done in accordance with western customs. That's why you were all given those special saris to wear next week."

    "That's so cool," Alva said as she held out her hand for the young woman who was carefully tracing lacy patterns in henna on her wrist. Lizzy smiled as she peered down at her patterned feet.

    "I think I'll skip the henna," Kathleen said as she rose to look at the carved statues on display in a case.

    "Perhaps we should leave this activity to the younger girls," Nishtha said. She suggested that the older women retire to the terrace for coffee.

    "Go on ahead," Bess said. "I want my feet done like Lizzy's." Kathleen rolled her eyes and left with Nishtha and her mother. "Now that those old fuddy duddies are gone, we can have some real fun. Where is that bag I brought in?" She rose and went to fetch it and returned with a package. "Here you are, dear," she said as she handed it to Sarmistha. "Use it wisely."

    "And often," Alva said.

    "By all means! I want great grandchildren as soon as possible," Bess smiled. Sarmistha blushed a bit as she unwrapped the package. She pulled out a pale lavender silk peignoir set.

    "Oh, this is so beautiful!" she cried.

    "That just screams wedding night," Lizzy concurred, "although I think I may have something that can give it a bit of competition."

    "Bring it on, honey!" Jane said as she rose to get her own gift and Alva's. Sarmistha opened each of her presents and endured the good-natured teasing that accompanied them.

    "I have to agree with Lizzy," Bess said when all the lingerie was opened. "Hers takes the cake. I think it would be kind of cool for your lingerie to match your new husband's eyes on your wedding night."

    "Like that would matter to Richard at that point," Alva deadpanned.

    "Hey! You didn't wait for the rest of us," Nishtha complained as she and Kathleen entered the room.

    "We have gifts for you, too, Sarmistha," Kathleen said. "I should have known mother was up to something when she stayed behind." Nishtha produced another gaily wrapped package, as did Kathleen.

    Up in Vermont, meanwhile, weddings and honeymoons were the farthest thing from the collective minds of the men assembled around the picnic table in the rear yard. They'd enjoyed a great meal and were finishing the dessert that Charles had brought along.

    "I have to admit that I've never before had such good apple pie during a male bonding experience," William said.

    "I've never had dessert during a male bonding experience," Richard agreed, "unless Glenlivet counts as a dessert. This is great."

    "The ice cream was a nice touch, Bings," Matt added.

    "Thanks, but I really can't take all the credit for this. I bought the ice cream but your mother sent the pie, William." William sat up and looked at Charles in surprise.

    "My mother sent dessert?"

    "Did anyone find a file in his slice?" Richard laughed.

    "Why did my mother send a pie?" William persisted. Charles shrugged.

    "When I went by your parents' place to pick you up this morning she sent Mrs. Reynolds out to the car with it. I assumed you knew about it so I didn't mention it when you came down a few minutes later." William and his cousins exchanged a look.

    "Are you sure it was Aunt Anne's doing? Mrs. R likes to spoil William, you know," Matt smirked.

    "If I had known it was sent for me I wouldn't have cut it into quarters," William said regretfully as he stared at his empty plate. Richard burst into laughter, as did the others.

    "Too late, Will. Maybe you can put in a call to Mrs. R and see if she can fly one up for tomorrow night," Matt suggested as he rose from the bench and stretched. "I think it's my turn to get the hammock," he said and headed for the porch. William, Richard and Charles cleared the dishes and joined him on the porch.

    "This is nice," Charles said. "Why did we wait until now to do this?"

    "Richard has never been engaged before," William explained.

    "Is that what this took?" Matt asked, raising his head to look at his younger sibling. "Is that the only reason Mr. Lucas loaned us his place?"

    "Let's promise to come back when you get married," Richard said.

    "And me," Charles added. William looked up.

    "You're engaged, too?"

    "Not yet, but I like it here," Charles smiled.

    "Every man has his price, eh, Bings?" Richard laughed when he nodded.

    "I have to admit this is a really superior alternative to your typical bachelor party," William said.

    "Amen. I want no part of wild carousing with strippers and all that," Richard said with distaste. "It's vulgar and sophomoric and besides, I'm very happily spoken for."

    "Meanwhile, Sarmistha's probably got a male stripper prancing around in a tiny loincloth as we speak," Matt teased.

    "I think not," Richard said firmly.

    "At her mother's house? With her grandmother and ours and your mother present--definitely not," William concurred. Richard chuckled.

    "Well, I wouldn't put it past those grandmothers. You know, she doesn't look it, but Mish's granny is a tiny, quiet version of GB. She actually copped a feel of my butt at our engagement party."

    "Does your grandmother do that?" Charles asked, his eyes wide with shock.

    "Not often," William said. "But it was very funny when Mrs. Tiwari did it. Richard nearly hit the ceiling and Sarmistha wouldn't believe him when he told her why."

    "She still doesn't," Richard pouted. Silence reigned for several minutes.

    "So are we agreed?" Charles asked. "We'll come back here before my wedding."

    "And mine," Matt added. Richard turned to William.

    "We'll come for yours, too, someday." William smiled back at him.

    "It's a deal."

    Lizzy used Sarmistha's old bedroom to change back into her other clothes after the party. She took the opportunity to reminisce about old times she and her friend had shared in that room as girls. Sarmistha walked in as Lizzy was staring at a picture taken many years ago when the two women were high school seniors.

    "Were we really ever that young?" Sarmistha laughed at Lizzy's remark.

    "Lizzy, that picture isn't even eight years old! You're talking like an old lady!"

    "I know. It's awful, isn't it? But I can't help thinking about how much time has passed since we first met. I can remember lying on this bed with you and planning our weddings!"

    "Yes," Sarmistha laughed. "You wanted eight bridesmaids, as I recall. I was willing to do with six."

    "But only if they could wear red velvet capes," Lizzy reminded her with a giggle.

    "You wanted your groomsmen on horseback."

    "I still do," Lizzy said, "although my taste has matured somewhat. Nowadays I want them in tight jodhpurs, high boots and no shirts. Eight of them," Lizzy laughed. Sarmistha joined her.

    "Richard looks good on a horse, though I can't say I've seen him ride without a shirt," she said thoughtfully.

    "But you have seen him without a shirt," Lizzy said with a sly smile.

    "I've seen him without lots of things," Sarmistha said as she fanned herself. "Speaking of which, we'll be alone at the apartment tonight. Richard won't be back till tomorrow."

    "You two live together?" she said in disbelief. "Your father allowed that?"

    "We're getting married in seven days, Lizzy."

    "Yes, but you're already living together? As I recall, your father didn't even let you date till you were eighteen."

    "I'm not eighteen anymore, in case you haven't noticed. I'm twenty-five and have been living on my own for the last three years," Sarmistha said, although she knew Lizzy was just teasing. "I moved in with Richard a few weeks ago after I sold my apartment. I was already spending most of my time there, anyway," she admitted with a sly smile. "Are you ready to go?" Lizzy nodded and the two headed downstairs to take their leave. Everyone else had left earlier and Sarmistha spent a few minutes chatting with her mother and grandmother before she and Lizzy piled into her car for the drive back to the city. An hour later, they entered the spacious penthouse apartment that Sarmistha and Richard were making their new home.

    "Wow!" Lizzy exclaimed. "This is incredible!"

    "It is, I have to admit. Let me show you around." Sarmistha took Lizzy through the rooms, beginning with the small maid's room near the front door that had been converted into a home office and ending up at the guest room at the far end of the apartment.

    "I am so jealous," Lizzy sighed. "You've got it all: a gorgeous man, a gorgeous apartment with a wraparound terraces and views to die for and, just to ice the cake, the wedding of your dreams."

    "No, the bridesmaids won't be wearing a red velvet capes," Sarmistha said with a waggle of her finger. "But I'll forgive you since it is August." She left Lizzy to settle in and went to open a bottle of wine. When Lizzy came out of the guest room, Sarmistha led her out onto the terrace and the two sat down to get caught up.

    "So I want to hear about this place," Lizzy said as she looked through the French doors into the living room.

    "Richard bought this apartment shortly before I met him. Actually he and William bought the whole penthouse floor. William's apartment is just slightly larger than ours, although it has the same number of rooms. Anyway, Richard had called in a decorator before I came on the scene and once we got engaged, he and I worked on the remaining rooms together. So I helped do the living room, the kitchen and the dining room. Alas, I got here after they did the master bedroom and it's the one room in the apartment I don't really care for. Richard has promised to have it redone after we get back from our honeymoon."

    "He sounds like a real sweetie."

    "He is a sweetie. Grandma Bess wasn't lying when she said that the men in her family are exceptional. I can't wait to meet Matt when they get back."

    "Where are they, exactly?"

    "Oh, a friend of Richard's father loaned them a lodge in Vermont for the weekend. They went up there in lieu of having a bachelor party. Richard and William are there, along with Matt and Charles."

    "Jane's Charles?" Lizzy asked as she held out her glass for a bit more wine.

    "Yes. Charles and Matt will be Richard's groomsmen and William is his best man." Lizzy stared into her glass for a minute.

    "You know, he still strikes me as very familiar for some reason."

    "Well, his face has been everywhere. His father owns the publishing house I work for and he's very prominent on the social scene in New York, where he's known for his philanthropic support for everything from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to charter schools in Bedford-Stuyvesant. William is often seen in the same places."

    "Yes, but I haven't been in any of those places. I've been off the social circuit for almost two years now," Lizzy said. "I'm not sure I want to go back."

    "You might, once you meet William," Sarmistha suggested. "He runs the magazine division of the family empire and he's been in a few of those magazines more often than some celebrities." Lizzy frowned.

    "Why?"

    "Well, as I said, he's a high society type and he publishes several magazines that cater to the city's elite."

    "He sounds like a snob."

    "Like you haven't fallen for a few of those in your day?" Sarmistha challenged.

    "I've grown up since then," Lizzy assured her.

    "No matter; as it happens, William Darcy is as far from a snob as one can get. Both he and Richard are as open and unaffected as you can--Lizzy? What's wrong?"

    "I just remembered why his face is so familiar." Sarmistha waited for her to say more but Lizzy just stared into space. The phone rang and after a moment's hesitation, Sarmistha went inside.

    "Hello, habib...yes, Lizzy and I were just sitting on the terrace...Richard, may I call you back in a while? Lizzy's looking a bit pale and I need to go to her. No, no, I'm sure it's nothing serious. Okay. I love you. Bye." Sarmistha strode back out to the terrace where Lizzy sat stonily. "Now, would you care to fill me in?"

    Chapter Two

    Posted On: Tuesday, 3 September 2002, at 7:50 a.m.

    Sarmistha was in the dining room writing thank you notes when Richard returned from his trip on Sunday afternoon.

    "Mish?" he called out as he pulled his key out of the lock. Sarmistha leapt out of her chair to greet him warmly.

    "You're home earlier than I expected," she said before indulging herself with another kiss.

    "We woke up to a cold, gray, misty day. Matt and I got in a little fishing, but the forecast was for things to get worse and we decided to pack it in early."

    "Did you have a good time?"

    "I had a great time. Say, didn't we already get a Kitchenaid?" Richard asked as he sat down at the dining table and let his eyes scan the growing stack of presents.

    "Yes," Sarmistha said with a smile. "That means we now have three, including the one I brought with me. I'm kind of loath to return them, though. They're all different and this one has really nice attachments. I like the chrome finish, too."

    "Well, we can always save one for our summer place--if we ever get a summer place," Richard said. "And we can keep the third in case one of the others breaks down."

    "Richard, the whole point of buying a Kitchenaid is that they don't break down. My mother is still using the one she got when she was first married. I guess we'll have to send at least one of them one back," Sarmistha pouted. "I think people miss the entire point of an online gift registry."

    "We can save one and give it to Jane and Charles when they get married," Richard suggested brightly.

    "Jane and Charles are engaged?"

    "Not yet, but a little bird told me that a proposal was imminent. It's about time; they've been going together for nearly three years already."

    "Some people aren't as decisive as us, my love," Sarmistha said as she slid into Richard's lap. Richard smiled and nuzzled her throat.

    "How was your party?" he murmured.

    "Oh, it was very nice! Grandma Bess scandalized your poor mother," Sarmistha laughed. "A good time was had by all, and I got good loot I will definitely not be returning."

    "Oh? Was that the lingerie portion of the festivities?" Sarmistha nodded.

    "Lizzy gave me a lacy little number that actually does match your eyes," she said as she looked into her fiancé's startlingly blue pair. "You'll have to wait till next week to see it, though."

    "Hmm," Richard frowned. "There weren't any strippers at this party, were there?"

    "Eew, no!" Sarmistha protested. "But we did do a little belly dancing," she laughed. "Jane gave us lessons."

    "Jane? Sweet, innocent, baby-blue-eyed Jane Gardiner? I don't believe it."

    "I have the videotape," Sarmistha smiled triumphantly. "I intend to blackmail Grandma Bess with it at my earliest convenience."

    "It won't work," Richard chuckled. "That woman has no shame."

    "Then I'll just have to use it on your mother." Richard's eyes went wide.

    "My mother belly-danced? Oh, I cannot believe that!"

    "We all did, even my grandmother, though there wasn't much hip movement to speak of. I, on the other hand, was very fluid and graceful."

    "I'll bet you were!"

    "Of course, Jane had taken a class, so she was the best of us. I have to say, though, Alva and Lizzy both showed real talent."

    "Say, speaking of Lizzy, where is she?" Richard asked, looking around.

    "She went home," Sarmistha said soberly.

    "Home?"

    "Home to her parents' house."

    "I thought she was going to be staying with us for a few days."

    "There's been a change of plan," Sarmistha replied. Richard patted her leg and she rose. He grabbed his suitcase and headed for the bedroom.

    "What happened?"

    "It's rather complicated." Richard stopped and turned to look at her.

    "Complicated?"

    "Yes," Sarmistha sighed. "I have something to tell you and you're not going to like it."

    "Well, now you've got me worried," Richard said as he entered the room and sat on the bed. He took Sarmistha by the hand and pulled her to his side. "Tell me about it."

    "Lizzy asked to pull out of the wedding party."

    "What? Days before the wedding? After you sent her dress halfway around the globe for a fitting? Why?"

    "Well, that's the part you won't like," Sarmistha said hesitantly. "And before I go on, I want you to know that I respected her wishes and said it was okay."

    "Well, I'd still like to know what happened."

    In the apartment at the other end of the penthouse floor of the grand old building, William was settling in. He was unpacking his clothes when the phone rang.

    "Hello?"

    "Hello, William," Anne Darcy said.

    "Mother! How did you know I was home already?"

    "I just came from Kathy's house and saw Matt there. How was the trip?"

    "Oh, it was great fun. The country is beautiful up there."

    "So I've heard. Your father has been threatening to sell the house in Cape Cod and buy something in Vermont for years."

    "I like the old house at the Cape," William protested.

    "Me, too," Anne agreed. "Every time he brings up the idea of selling, I threaten to leave him." William laughed.

    "So were you just calling to check up on me or was there something else you wanted?"

    "Actually, I did have a reason for calling. Have you found a date for the wedding yet?"

    "Mother, I'm not bringing a date to the wedding. It would be kind of awkward. I'll be with the wedding party on the dais and if I brought a date she'd be stuck somewhere on the other side of the room."

    "Oh, I hadn't thought about that."

    "Why are you asking me this?"

    "Oh, when I was at Kathy's just now I saw that Charlotte Lucas was on the RSVP list without a partner and I thought--."

    "Richard invited Charlotte Lucas to the wedding?" William blurted out before he could stop himself.

    "Why shouldn't he? What's wrong with Charlotte?" William sighed; he didn't know where to begin answering that question. There was nothing wrong with her on the one hand, and everything wrong with her on the other. She came from a very respectable family, she was moderately attractive, well educated, articulate, and poised. She also had the personality of a doorknob, according to Richard. William smiled as he remembered his explanation--nice to look at, feels good in your hand (not that Richard had ever tested that part of his theory), useful in its own way, but you wouldn't want to spend an evening in conversation with it. Charlotte's father and Richard's had been in business together for thirty years. Of course, she was invited to the wedding. But no way was William going to be talked into spending more than ten minutes at a time in her company even for the sake of pleasing his mother.

    "I really don't think it would be fair for me to have a date at the wedding, mother."

    "Maybe you're right," Anne conceded. "I hadn't thought... Oh, by the way, did you know that Richard's fiancée is having Jane Gardiner as one of her bridesmaids? I didn't realize that they knew each other."

    "Yes, all of Sarmistha's bridesmaids went to college together. When she started dating Richard she discovered that Jane was involved his business partner and they renewed their friendship."

    "How nice! I don't know the other two girls in the wedding party. Do you?"

    "Well, Alva is a lawyer, I think. I met her briefly at the engagement party. The maid of honor is named Lizzy and she and Sarmistha have been best friends since childhood. I understand she's been living overseas somewhere."

    "And neither of them are married?" William chuckled at the not so subtle hint.

    "No, mother, neither of them is married. I think that's why they're called bridesmaids."

    "Well, maybe you'll make a connection with one of them at the wedding," Anne said with satisfaction. William rolled his eyes.

    "Maybe. Look, I need to get into the shower," William said as he began to unbutton his shirt.

    "Why don't you come over to dinner one night this week?" Anne suggested.

    "Sounds like a plan. I'll give you a call."

    "You do that."

    "Love you, mother."

    "I love you, too, Willums."

    "If you really loved me, you'd promise to never call me that again," he laughed and hung up.

    "That's got to be hands down the most ridiculous excuse I ever heard!" Richard sneered.

    "It may seem ridiculous to you, but it's very real to Lizzy," Sarmistha reasoned.

    "Well, I can understand why she'd be squeamish about seeing William again, but--."

    "Actually, she's never met him face to face..."

    "What? They've never even met? If they don't even know each other what the heck is she worried about? I mean, it's not as though he's likely to recognize her, is it?"

    "Richard..."

    "Well, is it?"

    "No, and that's not the point."

    "What is the point? Lizzy is backing out of an obligation she made to you six months ago over some minor incident that occurred years ago that William probably isn't even aware of."

    "Oh, he's aware of it. I'm not sure he'll remember it now, but at the time it was a very big deal to him." Richard shook his head. "Look, Lizzy felt that it could be embarrassing for them to meet under these circumstances and she thought it might be best if they weren't forced to stand at the altar together."

    "I think the whole thing is ludicrous! William isn't that petty!" Richard said as he pulled off his shirt.

    "I didn't think he would be," Sarmistha said soothingly.

    "And who's going to take her place? I mean, if she backs out now and William has to walk up the aisle alone, chances are he'll find a real reason not to like her." Richard pulled off his shorts and went into the bathroom.

    "Richard..." Sarmistha followed him into the bathroom, where Richard was pulling off the last of his clothing. "Please don't be angry." Richard turned on the shower and stepped into the stall.

    "I'm not angry," he called out. "I just think that she's being rather selfish. After all, the day is about you and me, not her and her problems."

    "She was trying to avoid making trouble at our wedding!" Sarmistha reasoned. She sighed and turned to leave Richard to his shower. A rubber duck hit her on the shoulder.

    "Hey!" Sarmistha turned around. "Want to wash my back?" Richard asked with a suggestive waggle of brows.

    "You silly little thing!" Lizzy blushed and averted her eyes under her father's glare. "And Sarmistha agreed to this?" Lizzy nodded meekly. "It's badly done, Lizzy. I thought you were made of sterner stuff! Who is this William Darcy to inspire such fear?"

    "He's--."

    "It was a rhetorical question, Lizzy," Dr. Thomas Bennet said exasperatedly. "I cannot believe you'd abandon your best friend on her wedding day because of some petty comment."

    "It was not a petty comment! And he didn't think it was at the time, either!" Lizzy said defiantly.

    "I don't care what William Darcy thought at the time! I'm thinking of Sarmistha! You should be, too, instead of worrying about your own ego."

    "I could care less about my ego, daddy! I just thought that it would be best if nothing happened at the wedding to cause her or Richard's family any discomfort."

    "And you think that not having you by her side on the most important day of her life won't be a source of discomfort to her?" Lizzy slumped in her seat. She knew her father was right. While Sarmistha had gracefully allowed Lizzy to back out of her obligation she knew that her friend had done so with a heavy heart.

    "I am going to attend the wedding. I'll be there for her in every way."

    "Except that you won't be there in the way she wanted you to be. Badly done, Lizzy girl. I am very disappointed in you." With that Thomas exited the room and Lizzy was left alone with her thoughts. After a few minutes she rose and wandered into the study, where Edith Bennet was sitting with her husband.

    "Your father just told me about the wedding," Edith Bennet said. "Oh, Lizzy--."

    "Don't you start in on me, too," Lizzy cried. "I thought I was doing the right thing. You two have given me far more grief than Sarmistha did."

    "Well, maybe someone should," Thomas said. "Someone should talk some sense into you." He rose and went to the phone.

    "Who are you calling?" Lizzy demanded.

    "I'm calling Nishtha," he said. "I'm sure she's devastated by this news."

    "Don't! I..." Lizzy sighed. "I should be the one to explain it to Mrs. Agarwal," Lizzy said. But instead of going to the phone, she went up to her bedroom to lie down for a while. She'd developed a headache soon after she met her father at the train station and told him of her decision. He'd lectured her all the way to the house and Lizzy's head was pounding. Moreover, her conscience was gnawing at her and she decided to rethink the matter before calling Sarmistha's mother.

    "Where are you going, Preetish?" Sarmistha asked as Richard slid out of bed. After a long shower together, she and Richard had retired to the bedroom to celebrate their reunion with an afternoon of slow and intense lovemaking.

    "I'm going to have a word with William," Richard said as he opened a dresser drawer and found clean clothes to put on. Sarmistha sat up as Richard turned around. "'Preetish?'" Sarmistha gave him an amorous smile.

    "It means 'god of love,'" she replied as her smile faded. "And is that wise?"

    "Why shouldn't I talk to my cousin?" Richard challenged.

    "If you're going to talk to him about Lizzy I don't think it's a good idea." Sarmistha said as she slid off the bed and also began to dress.

    "That's precisely what I intend to do."

    "Why? It'll only make things worse. Lizzy has agreed to come to the wedding. If you set things off with William she'll probably change her mind." Richard looked up.

    "I'm not going to set anyone off. I'm going to get to the bottom of this nonsense and see to it that both of our friends stand up with us on Saturday."

    "Richard, it's very sweet of you to try and mediate things but it's already a moot point."

    "Have you found someone to replace Lizzy?"

    "I was thinking of asking my cousin Sharni to step in as my matron of honor, just to even up the numbers."

    "At this late date?"

    "I know, but she'll do it if I ask." Richard shook his head.

    "I think it makes more sense to just go ahead with the six people we've got."

    "We've only got five."

    "Call Lizzy and ask her to come over tomorrow night," Richard said as he left the bedroom. "I'll arrange things with Will."

    "Wait, I'm coming with you," Sarmistha cried as she pulled on her shorts and ran after Richard barefooted. She caught up with him at the front door.

    "Stay here and call Lizzy. I'll be back in a few minutes." Richard walked across the small private elevator lobby and rang William's doorbell. William opened the door and regarded his cousin's disheveled hair momentarily.

    "Long time no see," he said as he saw the door to Richard's apartment close. "What's up?" William asked as he stepped back to allow his cousin passage.

    "We have to talk."

    "I was just going to call you," Lizzy said as she rose and went into the bathroom in search of something for her headache.

    "Well, Richard insisted that I call you," Sarmistha said. "He was less than thrilled to hear that you weren't going to be my maid of honor."

    "No offense, but what's it to him?"

    "He was upset because he knew how excited I was about your coming back to the states to be in my wedding," Sarmistha sighed. "I'm almost sorry I brought up the whole thing the way he carried on."

    "I'm sorry, Sar," Lizzy said. "I never meant to cause any problems. I just wanted to make things easier. Now, mom and dad are on my case about it and Richard's angry at me before we've even had a chance to meet."

    "Oh, he's not angry with you. He just thinks the whole situation is ridiculous."

    "Well, he's right about that. I just don't know what else to do about it."

    "He does. He wants to get the two of you together to settle things before Saturday."

    "What?"

    "He asked me to invite you over tomorrow night."

    "For what?"

    "He didn't say but he's over at William's now having a word."

    "Oh, dear." Lizzy massaged her temples with her free hand.

    "I'll understand if you refuse."

    "And if I refuse, Richard is likely to be unhappy, right? No, I'll come."

    "Lizzy--."

    "No, Sarmistha, I'll come. After my dad's lecture today I feel completely wretched about all this. If Richard wants me to come over and humble myself in front of William Darcy I'll do it."

    "Lizzy, I'm sure it won't be that bad!" Sarmistha laughed. "Besides, William will have to do some conceding, too."

    "Oh, I doubt it. I'm sure he'll see himself as the injured party in this whole thing and expect an apology."

    "And will you apologize?"

    "I don't believe I have anything to apologize for. In fact, to be completely honest, if the opportunity presented itself again, I'd probably do the exact same thing," Lizzy said, smiling for the first time all day.

    "Lizzy, you're awful! I cannot have you offending my new relations," Sarmistha said sternly.

    "I like your new relations, at least the ones I've met so far. Richard's mother is really a lovely person and his grandmother is a pistol!"

    "That she is! The whole family is really nice, including William. I'm sure you two will hit it off once you get past this rough patch," Sarmistha said encouragingly.

    "Listen, Sar; I've thought it over and I'm willing to swallow my pride and do whatever I have to do to make your wedding the special day you want it to be. If I have to kiss William Darcy's feet to make that happen, I'll bring a bottle of mouthwash and do my bit." Sarmistha laughed. "But all I can promise you is that I will tolerate his company for the twenty-four hours it takes us to get through the rehearsal, wedding and reception. After that, I want no part of him."

    "I strongly suspect you'll feel differently once you meet him."

    Lizzy's eyes wanted to reconsider her opinion of William Darcy the moment she saw him. The parts of her that were not swooning were somewhat discomfited, however, by the intense gaze he turned on her the moment Sarmistha rose to greet her. The anxious bride sighed; Richard had been detained at his office, leaving her to make the awkward introductions on her own. Sarmistha had hoped that everyone else would be a little late as well, but William has called her at her office and suggested that they head for the restaurant together and Lizzy had arrived punctually at six o'clock. Richard had arranged for the meeting to take place on neutral turf, at a small Japanese restaurant near the couple's apartment. As Lizzy looked across the small dining room, she took a deep breath and prepared to meet her fate.

    "Hello, Lizzy," Sarmistha said with a warm hug. Lizzy peered over her shoulder and was once again confronted with William's intense gaze. She averted her eyes and took an involuntary step backward. "Richard will be a little late, but I'd like you to meet his cousin. William, this is Lizzy Bennet, my dearest friend and maid of honor."

    "Hello," William said neutrally. He waited for the two women to sit before resuming his place at the table.

    "I'm pleased to meet you," Lizzy said diffidently as she took a seat.

    "Would you like a drink?" William asked as he signaled the waiter. Lizzy would have refused, but thought better of it and ordered a glass of wine. She stole a glance at Sarmistha, who looked distinctly ill at ease.

    "I hear you spent some time in Vermont last weekend," Lizzy assayed, at the same time William spoke.

    "I understand you've been living abroad for some time." Sarmistha looked from one to the other. Lizzy was blushing and William looked sheepish.

    "Excuse me," he said awkwardly.

    "Oh, forgive me," Lizzy said simultaneously. That's two for two, Lizzy thought miserably. I'll just keep my big mouth shut and let him do the talking.

    Let the woman get a word in edgewise, Darcy! You don't have to be the brilliant conversationalist and she probably doesn't want to tell you about her travels any more than I want to hear about them. A seemingly interminable silence ensued. Lizzy's drink arrived just as Sarmistha began to grow desperate. She looked up from her own glass of water and smiled.

    "Richard!" She was so happy to see him crossing the room that she rose from her seat and went to meet him about a third of the way.

    "How's it going," he asked as he took hold of her hand and led her back to the table.

    "It's not," Sarmistha said with a hint of a whimper. Richard winked at her just as they reached the table.

    "Hello, Will," Richard said with a smile. "And you must be Lizzy. It's a pleasure to meet you at last. I've heard nothing but good things about you." Lizzy knew that was a lie, but she smiled warmly and extended her hand to his. Richard took a seat and wrapped his arm around Sarmistha's shoulders. His smile was infectious; Lizzy noted that William was smiling at the pair just as she was. Sarmistha looked radiant in the glow of Richard's obvious affection and Lizzy felt happy for her. She would stand up with her friend no matter what it took.

    Richard ordered a beer and William ordered a second while the foursome looked at menus. Lizzy wondered how things would proceed. Would they eat dinner and then be subjected to a stern lecture about playing nicely with others? That was to be the case, apparently. Dinner was ordered, in spite of the fact that Lizzy had little appetite. She forced herself to take part in the dinner discussion, much of which was focused on her.

    Richard seemed eager to know all about her, where she'd traveled and how she and Sarmistha had become friends. She found that she liked him immediately. He was warm and engaging and the fact that he was very much in love with her best friend earned him high marks in Lizzy's book. As for Richard's cousin, she couldn't quite figure him out. He seemed oddly distant for all that he spoke easily and openly. He took part in the conversation only as his participation was required, however. The remainder of his time was spent unabashedly staring at Lizzy. Finally, she could take it no longer and spoke up as the dinner things were cleared away.

    "Excuse me; I have to use the ladies' room. From the way William has been staring for the past hour I have to conclude that there must be something on my nose." With that she threw down her napkin and left the table. Richard and Sarmistha exchanged a glance. She started to rise and Richard held her back.

    "Let her have a few minutes," he said gently. "We'll deal with this when she comes back." He turned to his cousin who shrugged innocently.

    "You have been staring at her, William," Sarmistha chided him.

    "She's a beautiful woman," he said with a wry smile.

    "Will!" Richard admonished.

    "What?" he asked benignly. "No one told me she'd be so pretty." Richard sighed as Lizzy emerged from the restroom and returned to the table. Her cheeks were slightly aglow, leading Richard to suspect that she was contrite about her little outburst. He seized upon the opportunity.

    "I hope that the fact that you two don't see eye to eye on a few things won't preclude you from getting along on Friday and Saturday." Lizzy forced herself to meet William's eyes. He appeared to be slightly amused, a fact that she found annoying.

    "I wouldn't dream of allowing anything to interfere with your wedding or your happiness, Richard," Lizzy said evenly. "I told that to Sarmistha yesterday." Richard nodded curtly and turned to William.

    "What?" Richard rolled his eyes. When he and William had spoken the previous evening, he'd denied the existence of any problem. "Of course, I'll do anything you ask," William said.

    "Thank you," Sarmistha said sincerely. "It means a lot to us to have both of our friends with us at our wedding."

    "Of course," Lizzy said as she took hold of her hand. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." And just that easily, the matter was resolved. Sarmistha would have her chosen maid of honor after all. She turned to smile at Richard, misty eyed and happy. "Before you go all blubbery, why don't you open your present?" Lizzy said as she hoisted a large shopping bag onto the table.

    "I'm always up for opening presents," Richard said with boyish enthusiasm.

    "I found it at Harrod's; the minute I saw it on your registry list I knew exactly what I wanted to give you." Richard and Sarmistha tore open the paper and found a beautiful picnic hamper filled with a set of china and silver service for four. The pair exchanged a glance and looked at William, whose eyes were agog. "What?" Sarmistha smiled weakly and Richard tried to find words.

    "That's identical to the one I got you, isn't," William said pointedly. Lizzy's mouth fell open. "No matter; I can easily return mine, since I bought it domestically."

    "No, no," Lizzy sputtered. "I'll ship mine back."

    "Don't be--." Richard cut him off with a look.

    "Why don't we deal with this later?" he said smoothly. "Let's have dessert."

    "Oh," Lizzy said looking at her watch. "I have to leave in a few minutes if I want to make my train."

    "Why don't you stay with us tonight," Sarmistha suggested, but she could tell from Lizzy's body language that was eager to leave. Lizzy thanked Richard for the dinner and quickly said her goodbyes. She was gone in a flash, much to Sarmistha's dismay.

    "That went well," William smirked sarcastically. Richard glared at him. "Now, what have I done? I was civil to her, I didn't drool into my chirasu and I made polite conversation."

    "Yes, you did," Richard sighed as he signaled for the check and threw down a credit card. Sarmistha was still silently accusing William with her eyes.

    "Look, if she's going to be affronted because we bought the same gift it's not my fault. She should have rechecked the registry."

    "It's not that," Sarmistha said glumly as Richard stroked her hand. "I just wanted you two to get on well."

    "Hey, I'm all for it!" William said. "Look, don't worry about this weekend. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise." He smiled disarmingly and Sarmistha's frown gave way. But as the threesome walked home, she began to worry.

    "I'm proud of you Lizzy girl," Thomas said and he kissed her forehead.

    "So am I back in your will?"

    "You were never in my will," Thomas teased as he pulled his daughter into a hug.

    "So everything is going to Lydia, is it?" Lizzy teased. "All that money--it's a shame your hard-earned wealth will be spent in the space of one year on a fashion victim wardrobe and nail salons," she sighed.

    "Jealousy will get you nowhere," Thomas laughed. "But I am glad you finally came to your senses. I know it would have broken Sarmistha's heart not to have you at the altar with her."

    "Yes, it would have. It breaks my heart to know that she would have made that sacrifice just to make me happy, too," Lizzy admitted. "But enough guilt for one evening; I want to try on my dress. Mom said it was delivered last week." She strode out of her father's study and headed up to her room.

    "I believe she put it in my closet," Thomas called after Lizzy. A moment later Lizzy appeared in his doorway.

    "Why?"

    "To keep Lydia from wearing it, why else?"

    "Are you feeling any better?" Richard asked. He had Sarmistha cradled in his arms on the sofa and was lovingly stroking her back. William had just left with his picnic hamper. He insisted on returning it so that Sarmistha could keep the present her friend had chosen for her.

    "Yes," she replied, but Richard wasn't completely convinced. He gently turned her face to his.

    "What's wrong, Mish?"

    "Nothing really. I guess I was hoping they'd settle their differences. But they really didn't resolve anything at all."

    "I guess that's my fault," Richard replied. "I chose the path of least resistance and didn't force the issue. I thought that once they met and found some common ground they'd work things out on their own."

    "They do have some common ground, don't they? They seem to have traveled to the same places and like a lot of the same things," Sarmistha recalled.

    "Indeed," Richard said with a smile. "In fact, if it hadn't been for that little problem a few years back I'm pretty sure there would have been major sparkage between them. As it was, it was all one-sided."

    "Yes, William was rather blatant in his admiration," Sarmistha said with a smile. "Does he always stare at pretty women?"

    "Yes," Richard laughed. "I once gave him a serious talking to after I caught him staring at you."

    "You did not!"

    "I did, too! Of course, he has a deep appreciation of all things beautiful," Richard said, planting a kiss on his fiancée's hair. "So I could understand why he'd find you so mesmerizing. But the way he was looking at Lizzy was different."

    "How so?"

    "Well, he stared at you the way he'd stare at the Mona Lisa, with detached appreciation. He stared at Lizzy the way he'd stare at a woman he wanted to know much better."

    "Do you think so?" Richard didn't answer her question. He was more interested in his own love life than his cousin's at the moment. But later, much later when Sarmistha was asleep, Richard allowed his mind to wander back to the topic and smiled.

    Chapter Three

    Posted On: Friday, 6 September 2002, at 7:42 a.m.

    "Sarmistha, you look incredible!"

    "Thank you, Lizzy. You look pretty amazing yourself," Sarmistha replied. She took hold of the pallav of Lizzy's sari and carefully pleated it. "I'm going to pin this so you don't have to struggle with it all night."

    "It's been a long time since I wore one of these," Lizzy smiled.

    "Our last semester of college?"

    "Yes, when I went to your cousin's wedding. I still have that one at my mom's house.'

    "Well, it's not as though they ever go out of style, you know." Sarmistha finished with Lizzy's sari and adjusted her own pallav.

    "How come you look so elegant and I look so--.'

    "You look wonderful and don't you dare say otherwise!" Sarmistha insisted. "Eyes will be popping out at the dinner tonight," she teased.

    "At you, maybe."

    "You know, Lizzy, this routine is getting a little tired. Isn't it time you stopped pumping me for compliments and just admitted that you're a beautiful woman?"

    "Well, if you insist," Lizzy said archly. "I think I can accept that. But you still look better than I ever will in a sari."

    "Fair enough," Sarmistha conceded. "You should have seen Richard's eyes the first time he saw me in a sari," she laughed. "We'd been dating about two months at the time. When we first started seeing each other he asked if I ever wore them. I told him yes and promised to wear one for him one day. I decided--rather audaciously, in hindsight--to wear one to his parent's anniversary party."

    "What was audacious about that?"

    "It was a big black tie party with lots of very important people and I was meeting his parents for the first time. And there I was in my best sari, which naturally has the sheerest fabric and the skimpiest blouse you can imagine, so there was a lot of skin on display. Richard's mouth fell open and it was some time before his heart rate returned to normal."

    "Was he upset at your appearing that way in front of your parents?"

    "Oh, heavens no! He was rather proud of the way I looked and his mother and grandmother thought I looked great. If I had to do it again, I would have worn something a wee bit more conservative, but it really impressed Kathleen and Hugh that I was proud of my heritage and we immediately found a great deal to talk about."

    "That's great!" Lizzy turned back to the mirror and began to fuss with the folds of her sari.

    "Lizzy! Don't you dare! You don't have any parents to impress tonight."

    "Just a little bit more coverage," Lizzy said as she tugged at the silken cloth. Sarmistha slapped at her hand.

    "Richard's waiting." She took Lizzy by the hand and led her to the living room. Richard whistled when he saw the two women.

    "Wow!"

    "He always says that when I wear a sari," Sarmistha said with a patient smile. "Are you ready to go, sweetie?" Richard nodded and led the women to the elevators.

    William was the last to arrive at the wedding rehearsal. He'd been caught up with something at work, so he came jogging into the church with an apology ready on his lips. He came up short, however, when he was confronted by the sight of four women standing at the altar in saris. Hugh waved him over.

    "Here, Will. I've been standing in for you." William continued to gape as he made his way to Richard's side. That's when he caught a glimpse of Lizzy and nodded. She found herself blushing under his attention. Lizzy had no role to play in the ceremony, other than holding Sarmistha's bouquet, so she just held her place and tried to ignore the man opposite her. She exchanged smiles with Charles, who she recognized as Jane's boyfriend. Then her eyes fell on the man standing to his left. She assumed he was Matt. He certainly resembled Richard, although his hair was darker, like his cousin's. Sarmistha had earlier mentioned meeting him the night before. Matt smiled at Lizzy and she smiled back. Out of the corner of her eye she saw William glance at Matt disapprovingly and felt a twinge of annoyance.

    William's attention was called back to the here and now by Richard, who coughed and asked for the rings. William smiled meekly and pantomimed handing them over. Minutes later, the rehearsal was over and he sighed in relief. But Sarmistha suddenly grabbed his arm and led him toward the church entrance.

    "William, your first duty tomorrow will be to escort me from the car into the church," she said. "Traditionally, the best man greets the bride at her conveyance, kisses both her cheeks and brings her to the groom at the church entrance. Then the couple goes down the aisle together. My father is going to walk me down the aisle, but I'd still like for you to escort me to the entrance of the church. Then you can do your duty to your groom friend over there and let him know I kept my end of the bargain and showed up." William smiled.

    "What do I do after that?"

    "Then you go about your normal duties. You hand Richard the rings, support him if he starts looking faint or trip him if tries to run--."

    "No way!" Richard protested.

    "Then, of course, you escort Lizzy up the aisle. Piece of cake." William looked at Lizzy and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

    "Got it." Richard patted him on the back and took hold of Sarmistha's hand.

    "Shall we move on to our next venue?"

    The rehearsal dinner was held at one of the city's finest Indian restaurants. Kathleen, Hugh, Nishtha, and Rajiv stood at the entrance to the party room reserved for the feast and welcomed each of their guests. William smiled when he saw his aunt draped in an elegant sari and suddenly remembered what Richard had told him about the evening's event. Until that moment, William had been somewhat in a quandary as to why Sarmistha's attendants were dressed as they were.

    "Hello Uncle Hugh," he said, bending for his aunt's kiss. "Aunt Kathy, you look lovely." A short distance away, Lizzy looked up when she heard William's voice. He was standing at the entrance to the room with a man who was undoubtedly his father. Both men were tall and handsome, sharing a strikingly handsome profile. Lizzy couldn't help but admire the pair.

    "Those are the Darcys," Alva informed her unnecessarily. "Pretty, no?" Lizzy smiled at her and then turned back to resume her admiration. But as she turned she saw that William's eyes had found her and she suddenly felt self-conscious. She spied Jane across the room and quickly moved in her direction. When she found the courage to glance back, she saw William talking to a willowy blond. His hand was on the small of her back and he was leaning in to hear what she was saying. Lizzy tried to ignore the inexplicable pang of disappointment she felt as she smiled and said hello.

    "You look pale, Lizzy," Jane said. "Why don't we find our places and sit down?" Jane took Lizzy's hand and walked among the tables until she found the right one. "Here we are." Lizzy made a circuit of the table and read each of the place cards. She knew all of Sarmistha's family who lived in the area and recognized the names of her cousin Sharni and her husband David. She also noted that William would be at her table, along with his date. She sat down just as Alva arrived at the table with her boyfriend.

    Lizzy smiled politely as Alva introduced her to Morgan. She glanced around the room and felt a bit out of place. Everyone, well nearly everyone, was paired off. She sighed and turned back and tried to feign interest in the conversation between Jane and Alva's boyfriend. It occurred to her suddenly that Morgan was the name of Alva's date and not William's. She looked around again and saw William and the blond speaking to Matt and another couple she hadn't met. Lizzy decided that the seating arrangements were not her problem and reached for her water glass. After a moment she relaxed and forgot about her melancholy as she got caught up with Sharni on all that she'd missed while she was abroad.

    "Excuse me." Lizzy turned her head and saw William take a seat beside her. She looked at him in surprise. "I thought I'd bumped your elbow as I sat down," he explained. Lizzy managed to mumble something incomprehensible and turned back to Sharni. But as she listened, she allowed her eyes to wander toward the other tables. She saw William's "date" sitting between his grandmother and his father. Perhaps Sarmistha had put William at her table with the other members of the wedding party. If that was the case, Lizzy thought it would only be polite to offer to change seats for William's sake. She turned to William.

    "Would you prefer to have your lady friend sit here with you? I wouldn't mind changing my seat." William blinked at her.

    "My lady friend?"

    "The pretty blond over there. I saw you come in together," Lizzy said, managing a smile. William returned the smile.

    "Oh, that lady is no friend of mine. I prefer to leave things as they are, thanks." He said no more, leaving Lizzy in confusion. Jane and Charles laughed at her expression. She averted her eyes to the samosas being served by the waiters and gave the appetizer her full attention. As the appetizers were cleared Richard and Sarmistha came over to the table to say hello.

    "I hope you are all having a good time," Sarmistha said with a gracious smile. Lizzy replied to her in Hindi and she burst into laughter, as did Sharni and David. Richard cried foul and Sharni laughingly assured him that within six months he'd have a pretty good understanding of some of the more colorful uses of the language. Richard squinted at Lizzy suspiciously and winked. "So, William," Sarmistha said as she moved on, "I hope you are faring better than Lizzy." William glanced at Lizzy with a suspicion that matched his cousin's.

    "That's probably true, though I really couldn't say for sure." Sarmistha laughed, but didn't enlighten him as to what she had said. William smiled back at the two women, sensing a conspiracy.

    "I've just met your sister and her boyfriend. She's very sweet and so is Matt's fiancée, Maura. I just adore your entire family. You've all made me feel as though I already belong."

    "That's very kind of you," William said graciously as he stole a glance at Lizzy, who was looking rather sheepish. "But I think we're getting the better end of this deal."

    "I think I'm getting the best part of this deal," Richard said as he gave his bride's waist an affectionate squeeze. He noted that William was studying Lizzy's features. She looked mildly put out and Richard wondered why. "The waiters are beginning to serve the second course, so we'd better get back to our seats. But after dinner is over we'll all get a chance to circulate and have some fun--if we can still stand, that is." Richard led Sarmistha back to his seat and Lizzy watched them go.

    "They're wonderful together, aren't they?" William said. He was slightly disappointed when David responded rather than Lizzy. Others at the table chimed in as well. Lizzy turned her eyes back to the table and refused to look in William's direction. He sighed and reached for his fork and the dinner continued with a strained silence between them.

    "Well, that was interesting," Richard said aloud as he held Sarmistha's chair. He was at a table with his parents and Sarmistha's. Two of Rajiv's sisters, just arrived from India, were also at the table. One of them spoke little English and the other one seemed rather indisposed to say much at all. Richard did not feel at ease under their scrutiny. Sarmistha had warned him about the two elderly women. They were rather old-fashioned in their views, unlike Sarmistha's parents. Kathleen gave him a reassuring smile across the table.

    She and Hugh got on very well with Sarmistha's mother and father. Although Kathleen had not had a career of her own, she was active in many of the same charities and social causes as Nishtha, who had recently drafted her into a fund-raising project to develop a scholarship program for teen mothers. Rajiv Agarwal was a soft-spoken gentleman but in all other aspects he was just as open and gregarious as Richard's father. The two men had begun to play golf with each other on a regular basis since the young couple had become engaged. Richard was pleased to see that they all had truly taken to each other. He knew for a fact that his parents and Maura Sutherland's parents only tolerated each other for the sake of their children and Richard considered himself fortunate that he had escaped that fate.

    He adored Nishtha; she was charming and funny and as endearing as Sarmistha. She was also as beautiful as her daughter, even in her late forties. But Sarmistha was decidedly her father's daughter. He absolutely doted on his only child and Richard took great pleasure in teasing her about being his little princess. Richard smiled as he recalled his first meeting with the man three months into their courtship. They were at her parents' house in New Jersey and Rajiv had pulled him aside after dinner and asked his intentions. Much to Richard's surprise he found himself saying that he intended to marry her. He had barely recovered from the shock of his admission when he heard Rajiv give his blessing. Later that night on the way home, Sarmistha asked what the two men had talked about. Richard told her the truth. Sarmistha was stunned, both by Richard's intentions and her father's blessing. He proposed to her as soon as they got back to his place.

    "Richard?" Sarmistha nudged him gently.

    "Hmm?"

    "You've been staring at your fork for twenty seconds now," she said lightly. He laid it down and smiled.

    "I was just thinking of the night I proposed to you." Sarmistha smiled at him lovingly.

    "In our day, a girl and boy did not become engaged on their own. Their parents determined who they would marry," Sarmistha's Aunt Madhavi said. Richard cringed inwardly and braced himself for the expected lecture.

    "I didn't need any help choosing the man I wanted to marry," she said with a smile and a squeeze of Richard's hand. Her Aunt Padma clucked disapprovingly, but before she could speak, Rajiv gave Sarmistha a warning look and suggested that everyone try the lamb vindaloo. He said something to his sisters in their native tongue and they quieted for a time.

    "How much do you make?" Padma asked some time later. Richard looked up. "Sarmistha comes from a very wealthy family. Are you able to support her in a style befitting her social status?" Sarmistha blanched, but Richard smiled.

    "I think so." Rajiv smiled at him approvingly.

    "Padma, Richard also comes from a very wealthy family. And he has made a fortune in his own right by starting his own business. Do not assume that I would have given my consent to my daughter's marriage if I thought that Richard was unworthy of her in any way."

    "Thank you, sir," Richard said gratefully. Perhaps Rajiv had exaggerated a bit about his soon to be son-in-law's fortune, but Richard appreciated his unwavering support. Of course, it occurred to him that Rajiv had something at stake, too. It would not do well for him to be seen as an indulgent and weak father in the eyes of his older sisters. Richard glanced at his parents. Hugh and Kathleen had wisely stayed out of the discussion. Sarmistha had also warned them about her relations and they smiled pleasantly, assiduously avoiding the disparaging comments that were occasionally thrown at their son.

    "So you speak Sanskrit?" William asked. Lizzy could not pretend that he wasn't addressing her. There was no way that he was speaking to Sharni or David Tiwari so she looked up and forced herself to smile.

    "Doesn't everyone?" The smile William returned made her heart flutter in spite of itself. "Actually, the language I was speaking was Hindi," she said.

    "Tell me something; what does 'habib' mean?" Lizzy raised her eyebrows and turned to Sharni for the answer, too shy to translate the word herself.

    "It's my son's name," she smiled.

    "Really? I thought I'd heard Sarmistha call Richard that on occasion," William said curiously. Sharni and David smiled.

    "I'm not at all surprised," he said, his eyes sparkling. "It means beloved."

    "Oh," William said with a smile. It made perfect sense as he recalled that Sarmistha used the word only for Richard as a term of endearment. William never dared to ask her what it meant and wondered if Richard was equally in the dark about it. "So, you learned Hindi from Sarmistha?"

    "Sarmistha, her family and the foreign language department at Princeton," Lizzy said with a wink at Sharni and David. She decided to play William's game and answer only what he asked. He had neglected to volunteer information and turnabout was fair play.

    "She speaks it beautifully," David said. "When we were young my grandmother would only speak to Sarmistha and me in her native tongue, so we learned the language from childhood. Lizzy was always at Aunt Nishtha's house and since grandmother lives there, Lizzy got a large dose of Hindi as well."

    "My friends at boarding school were impressed, I tell you," Lizzy replied cheekily. "They could only speak French." William was intrigued and wanted to know more.

    "Where did you go to school?"

    "Upstate New York," Lizzy replied cryptically.

    "Really," William replied archly, "me, too!"

    "Small world," Charles observed sarcastically. "Oh, no," he groaned as the waiters appeared once more, their trays laden with more food.

    "I love an Indian banquet," Jane smiled and patted his tummy.

    "Oh, remember that one we went to one Christmas?" Alva recalled. Lizzy laughed.

    "I didn't eat for a week after that one," she said. "It's a good thing saris can hide a multitude of sins...or in Sarmistha's case, show them off."

    "Oh, I don't think you have anything to hide," William said as he looked at the plate the waiter placed before him. He sighed dramatically and dug in.

    When the final course was done, Lizzy excused herself to stretch her legs and use the restroom. When she returned she was happy to see that everyone else had had the same idea. They were for the most part on their feet and moving around the room to talk to the people not at their own tables. William was again standing near the woman she now knew to be his sister. Lizzy chose to move in the opposite direction. William saw her cross his line of vision and followed her with his eyes as she crossed the room to Mrs. Tiwari, who was sitting next to William's grandmother. He flinched when he realized that Bess had been watching him watch Lizzy and grew slightly alarmed when he noticed his mother making the same observation. William quickly averted his eyes. When he hazarded another peek he saw his mother closing in on Lizzy.

    "Now I know how the girl tied to the tracks feels when she sees the train coming," William muttered.

    "What did you say?" William looked up and into the eyes of Richard. "What's wrong?" William nodded towards his mother, who had just reached the small cluster of women in the corner. "I say again, what's wrong?"

    Anne Darcy was very intrigued by the pretty woman sitting beside William at dinner. She had yet to meet her but Anne knew that she was Sarmistha's maid of honor. William seemed to be rather taken with her, arousing Anne's interest. She was eager to meet the woman and since she seemed to be acquainted with Anne's mother she wasted no time in seeking an introduction.

    "Are you okay, mother?" Anne asked casually when she reached Bess's side. Bess wasn't fooled by her nonchalance.

    "We old ladies are just fine, thanks," she replied easily.

    "I'd hardly call this beautiful girl here an old lady," she said, smiling at the young woman who was affectionately holding hands with the matriarch of the Agarwal family.

    "Oh, Lizzy? Yes, she's just a kitten among us toothless old cats," she said as she smiled at Mrs. Tiwari. Lizzy smiled as well. "Lizzy, this is my daughter, Anne. She's Kathleen's big sister and the mother of the grandson you were drooling over last week." Lizzy turned crimson.

    "I think you're confusing me with Alva, Grandma Bess," she managed.

    "Am I?" Bess squinted up at the girl and winked. "Perhaps, but if you weren't drooling you're a stronger woman than I'll ever be. Don't you agree, Faiza?" Mrs. Tiwari smiled.

    "She is very strong, this one, more of a tigress than a pussycat. But I suspect that William can tame her." Lizzy dropped Mrs. Tiwari's hand, stung by her betrayal. Anne gently led Lizzy aside.

    "They're absolutely incorrigible, those two," Anne laughed. "They hit it off the first time they met and have been as thick as thieves ever since."

    "I've seen them in action," Lizzy smiled. "And, for the record, I have not been drooling over your son."

    "I know. But my mother has never let the facts stand in the way of a good laugh."

    "What do you think she's're saying to her?" William said as he watched the proceedings.

    "What does it matter?" Richard asked casually as he tried to gauge William's feelings on the subject. It clearly mattered to him and Richard couldn't resist a tease. "You don't think they're talking about you, do you?"

    "You don't?" William countered. Richard burst into laughter.

    "No offense, cousin, but contrary to what you may think, you are not the center of the universe. Just because Lizzy was afraid to meet you it doesn't mean that she's obsessed with you." Richard smiled. William looked affronted and Richard smilingly wandered off to speak to another guest.

    "I understand that you and Sarmistha grew up together," Anne said.

    "Yes," Lizzy said. "We first met when we were about ten."

    "She's a lovely girl and so right for Richard." Although Lizzy was still a little spooked over her earlier embarrassment, Sarmistha was a topic she could easily warm to.

    "Yes; I only met Richard a few days ago, but I can certainly agree that Sarmistha is right for him. I've never seen her so happy and I'm really glad they found each other." Anne nodded her agreement.

    "Are you also on your way to the altar?" Lizzy pointed to her chest.

    "Me? Oh, no! Not even close," she said, wondering how her effusive response was being received by Anne Darcy. "I've been living abroad for the past year working for a financial news service. My area was Southeast Asia and I never spent enough time in one place to find anyone." Anne nodded, looking oddly pleased. Lizzy hoped Anne didn't think she was after her son.

    "William?" He turned and smiled at Sarmistha. She had become something like a second sister to him and he broadened his smile as she linked her arm with his. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

    "Is it safe to answer that now?" His newest cousin laughed. "Exactly what did Lizzy say to you earlier?" Sarmistha thought for a moment.

    "Just that she'd had more fun on other occasions." It didn't take a genius to figure out that Sarmistha's translation was heavily edited.

    "Uh huh."

    "She'll be more into the party spirit tomorrow, I'm sure." William was very tempted to ask a few more questions but thought better of it. He changed the subject and chatted with Sarmistha for a few minutes before allowing her to move on.

    "Your sari is lovely, Lizzy. You look like you were born to wear one."

    "Thank you," Lizzy said. "I've had a lot of practice over the years and I enjoy wearing them."

    "The men seem to appreciate it, too. I noticed every man's eyes looking at you when you entered the restaurant." Lizzy's mouth fell open.

    "They must have been looking at Sarmistha."

    "No, they were clearly focused on you. William's eyes certainly were." Richard joined the pair in time to see Lizzy's stunned reaction to Anne's comment. Alva and Jane were waving her over and Lizzy gladly excused herself.

    "Hi, Aunt Annie," Richard said impishly. "How are you?"

    "I'm fine. Are you all ready for the big day?"

    "I've never been more ready for anything in my life!" he replied sincerely. Anne regarded him for a moment.

    "I can't believe you're getting married. It seems as though it was only yesterday you were coming over to our house after school and begging Mrs. Reynolds for peanut butter sandwiches." Richard laughed.

    "She still makes them better than anyone one the planet," he said wistfully. Anne pulled him into a hug.

    "I'm so happy for you! I hope you and Sarmistha are as happy as George and I have been for the last 30 years."

    "You two are a pretty tough act to follow, but we'll give it our best shot," Richard said sincerely.

    "Now if I could just get William to follow your example. It's high time he began to think about settling down."

    "He's not even thirty yet!" Richard exclaimed, but since he was a year younger, he laughed at his own remark. "Actually, I agree with you. He really is ready to settle down. We've talked about that a lot and I know that when we looked at our apartments he took into consideration the possibility of raising a family in his someday." Anne was surprised.

    "Well, I wish he'd get on with it. I'm not getting any younger! Oh, my lord! I'm beginning to sound like mother!" Anne laughed. "But still--."

    "What do you think of Lizzy?" Richard asked.

    "She seems nice, but I really didn't get much of a chance to speak to her. Do you know her well?" Richard shook his head.

    "I only met her this week. Mish thinks the world of her and everything I've seen of her thus far confirms that she's very special. She's going to stay over tonight at our place and help Sarmistha prepare for the wedding tomorrow."

    "Oh, then she'll be right next door to William..." Richard smiled.

    "You know, Aunt Annie, great minds think alike. William is rather impressed with Lizzy."

    "I hope she's equally impressed with him." Richard frowned.

    "No, unfortunately, I can't say that she is, but it's nothing a little finagling can't fix."

    "Who'll be doing this finagling?" Anne asked as Sarmistha appeared at Richard's side. Richard simply smiled.

    "We have to give out presents, habib." Richard winked at his aunt and allowed Sarmistha to lead him away.

    "I miss him already! I'm sure I won't be able to sleep a wink," Sarmistha moaned, much to Lizzy's amusement. "I can't believe that Grandma Bess talked Richard into staying with William tonight! It's not as though we need to be apart or anything!"

    "Stop being such a baby, Sarmistha! Richard said he would be back soon. Grandma Bess is the one staying with William and he just went to speak with her."

    "Are you sure?"

    "You've got it bad, girl," Lizzy laughed.

    "Can you blame me?" Sarmistha pouted. "I need him!"

    "Need who--and your answer had better include the words Richard and Fitzwilliam in it," Richard said as he walked in. Lizzy and Sarmistha had sprawled on the sofas and put their feet up. Richard smiled at the pair and sat beside his bride. She rested her head on his shoulder.

    "Please don't leave her alone again," Lizzy said. "She was completely insufferable." Richard smiled at Sarmistha, who'd wrapped herself around him as soon as he sat down.

    "The feeling is mutual, I assure you," Richard replied.

    "Oh, before I forget." Lizzy sat up. "I got in touch with Harrod's online and they said I could easily exchange the picnic hamper."

    "That won't be necessary," Sarmistha said drowsily. "William has already returned his. He thought we should keep the one you gave us."

    "I would have been happy to exchange mine for something else."

    "I think he realized that," Richard said. "But he felt that it was only fair that he returned his since you bought the hamper knowing Sarmistha would love it and he bought his because it was the most unusual thing on the registry list and he figured no one else would buy us one."

    "Oh," was all Lizzy could say.

    "He's a real sweetie, that Will," Sarmistha said drowsily. "He found a beautiful old breakfast service for two, complete with egg cups, covered bowls--the works! It's lovely! I can't wait to use it."

    "She's expecting breakfast in bed every weekend," Richard teased as he stroked her hair. "Well, it looks like some people in this room need to go to bed," he said as he caressed Sarmistha's cheek. Lizzy nodded and tried unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn.

    "I don't need a hint," she said as she rose to her feet. Sarmistha also stood. "I'm off to dreamland." Richard and Sarmistha said goodnight to Lizzy and watched her leave, but instead of following her down the hall Richard led Sarmistha out onto the terrace, where he pulled her into his arms and held her to his heart.

    "Tomorrow at this time we'll be married." Sarmistha looked up into his eyes and smiled.

    "I can't wait." She hugged him tighter and closed her eyes.

    Lizzy carefully unwrapped the five yards of cloth that constituted her attire for the evening and neatly draped it over a chair. Then she slipped out of the form-fitting blouse and pulled on her nightgown before going into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. She went back into her room and climbed into the bed from Sarmistha's old apartment. Lizzy had spent a lot of time in that apartment so the room felt vaguely familiar as she looked around at the furnishings. However, in spite of her fatigue, Lizzy found she couldn't sleep. She slid out of bed and headed for the kitchen to fill the carafe that she found on the nightstand. As she passed the living room she heard the voices of the two lovers on the terrace, who were dancing to music only they could hear.

    "So, will you be wearing a sari tomorrow?" Richard asked.

    "You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out, won't you?" Sarmistha replied saucily. "And don't bother going through my closet when I fall asleep. The dress is not there."

    "I already checked your closet," Richard admitted.

    "You didn't!"

    "You're right, I didn't. I'm perfectly content to be surprised tomorrow."

    "Pleasantly so, I hope?"

    "There's no way I can be disappointed as long as you show up and say yes to the right questions." Lizzy smiled and made her way back to her room. She drank a glass of water and slipped under the sheets. But she soon grew restless again. She could hear Richard and Sarmistha talking. They were apparently in the hall and headed for bed. The sounds soon faded and Lizzy slid out of bed. She opened the window and looked out onto the terrace. The guestroom didn't have direct access in the form of a door, like the master bedroom. But Lizzy was not deterred by that. She scrambled out of the window and stood on the cool tile surface for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the light. There were terraces on all three sides of the apartment facing north, east and south. Lizzy was on the extended north terrace that looped all the way around to William's apartment. Unlike the other two --off the living room and dining room -- the third terrace had yet to receive the attentions of the apartment's owners. There were no planters, no furniture and no lights.

    Lizzy went to the wall and peered over it. Below was a courtyard garden where a single couple was sitting. Lizzy felt a pang of envy and remembered once again the feeling of loneliness that had overcome her at the dinner. She knew that the situation was probably temporary. In truth, she hadn't given much thought to her lack of a love life while she was overseas. Of course, she'd had a casual relationship with that reporter for the New York Times. Whenever either of them felt lonely he or she would call the other for a date. It was comfortable, it was fun, but it wasn't a real romance and neither she nor Gary had any illusions about that. Gary had been reassigned before Lizzy left Malaysia so she'd been on her own for a while. It would be good to be based in New York again, where a social life was hopefully easier to come by.

    Lizzy heard a cough and it distracted her out of her reverie. It seemed to be coming from close by and for a moment she assumed that it had come from the other bedroom. But when she heard it again she realized it was coming from somewhere on her left. She leaned back against the wall out of the dim light and looked to see where it had come from. After a moment she saw a figure walk onto the terrace diagonally opposite hers. It was apparently William, though he looked very different than he had earlier. From Lizzy's vantage point, he appeared to be naked at first, but she quickly realized that he was clad in a pair of boxers. His hair was disheveled as though he, too, had just left his bed. He rested his hands on the low wall and stared out over the dark sky.

    As Lizzy looked on with a strange fascination, William took a few deep breaths then rolled his head to the right and left. He sighed and leaned on the wall for a moment. Then he was squirming again, stretching and flexing his shoulders, massaging his neck, running his fingers through his hair. He seemed to be a bundle of nervous energy. Lizzy continued to watch from her spot in the dark. She wrapped her arms around herself as protection against a cool breeze and held her breath when William began to pace up and down. But he didn't walk far enough down the terrace to come within twenty feet of her. Lizzy realized that he was trying not to disturb his grandmother, presumably sleeping in the room next door to his.

    Lizzy started to inch her way back toward her window as William yawned and dropped to the floor. She gasped and very nearly leapt forward, but before she could move she saw that he was doing push-ups. She smiled in relief and admired his trim athletic body as he exercised in the dim light emanating from his room. William jumped up as quickly as he had fallen and walked back into his room. The lights went out and Lizzy sighed. She quietly moved along the wall till she reached her window and climbed in. She dusted herself off and crawled into bed. It took her a while to fall asleep, but she lay awake with pleasant images in her head.

    Lizzy awoke very early the next morning to the sound of an ambulance siren. She sat up and stretched, remembering with pleasure the sight of William stretching on his terrace the previous night. That's when she noticed the cat curled up and sleeping at the foot of her bed. Lizzy hadn't noticed that Sarmistha and Richard had a cat on her previous visit and wondered where it had hidden itself. She crawled out from under the covers and reached out to pet its head. The cat languidly stretched, leaning into Lizzy's touch. She smiled and scratched its belly when it rolled onto its back and demanded more attention.

    "All right, Mr. Kitty, I can't do this all day, you know." As if it had understood her, the cat abruptly rolled over and got to its feet. It arched its back to stretch again and then leapt from the bed onto the windowsill. It hopped off the sill as Lizzy gasped and scrambled after it as it headed towards William's apartment.

    "Where have you been?" William said as he lifted the cat and cuddled it to his chest. The cat purred as he scratched at the scruff of his neck. William looked up and saw Lizzy staring at him. "Hello." Lizzy felt herself go red.

    "Morning," she managed as she self-consciously glanced down at her skimpy slip gown. "Is he yours?" Lizzy asked as her eyes roamed down William's bare chest to the towel that was wrapped around his hips. She suppressed a gasp and averted her eyes to his chest, where tiny droplets of water were streaming over his pecs.

    "Well, I could say yes, but I think Squeaks would argue that he belongs to no man." William smiled. "And before you ask, my sister named him."

    "I found him in my bed when I woke up just now," Lizzy said, realizing as the words left her lips that she ought not to have spoken them. William looked Squeaks in the eye.

    "Lucky cat," William said mildly before he turned and went inside his apartment.

    Continued In Next Section

    (c) 2002 Copyright held by the author.