Beginning, Section II, Next Section
Georgie nervously followed Kitty into the theater the day of auditions for Gypsy. She was surprised by the number of people who were trying out for the main parts, and paused as she took their number in. Kitty pulled her along, heedless of the competition.
"Oh, they'll never get the part," said Kitty, gesturing to a large group of girls twittering in two rows of seats. "They're Lydia's friends, my cousin Lydia, we have nothing in common, you don't need to meet her."
"Right," said Georgie. Kitty joined a group of juniors, and pulled Georgie into the seat beside her. Georgie recognized Sam Carter and Alec Walters, from her homeroom. She greeted them shyly, and asked Alec, who was sitting behind her, which role he was auditioning for.
"Tulsa," he said. "Sam is trying for Herbie, but he'll never make it."
Georgie laughed, imagining strong-willed Sam playing the mostly mild Herbie.
"Who are you auditioning for? I know Kitty is dying to be Louise."
"I'm here to do June," said Georgie, blushing.
"That's cool," said Alec, smiling. "We'll run off together to... where was it?"
"Kansas City," said Georgie.
"Right! I got to Kansas City on a Friday, Saturday I learned a thing or two..."
"Wrong musical!" cried Georgie. "That's Oklahoma!."
"So it is," said Alec with a smile. "We'll have to get Lizzy to put it on next year."
"What, so you can sing 'With Me it's All or Nothing'?"
"Who would you like to play?"
"Not Laurie, that's for sure. I always thought her a little crazy. Especially when she has that weird dream!"
"Yeah, definitely. What about Annie?"
"That would be fun!" said Georgie, laughing. Putting on a silly voice, she began to sing, "It ain't so much a question of not knowing what to do... I've known what's right and wrong since I've been ten..."
" 'I heard a lot of stories, and I reckon they are true!'" continued Alec, smiling at having gotten the usually strangely silent Georgie Darcy to burst into song in a hall filled with people she hardly knew.
"Alec!" called Lizzy, jumping down from the stage. "Care to show us some Tulsa moves?"
"Sure!" He grinned at Georgie. Lizzy outlined a small series of steps that he should dance, and he danced fairly well. The dance involved a broom, which he swung about as if it was his real partner. Everyone laughed as they watched him, he smiled and winked at them while he added flourishes to the steps. Lizzy signaled him to stop, and handed him a sheet of music. He came and stood in the middle of the stage, and began to sing:
Once my clothes were shabby
Tailors called me "Cabbie,"
So I took a vow
Said "This Bum'll
Be Beau Brummel."
Alec began to dance about again, he had the full attention of the room, and was thriving on it. Georgie smiled at his reference to Beau Brummel, Kitty did too, and they shared a knowing smile. Alec smiled at the pair of them, and continued,
Now I'm smooth and snappy,
Now my tailor's happy.
I'm the cat's meow
My wardrobe is a wow;
Paris silk, Harris tweed,
There's only one thing that I need.
Got my tweed pressed,
Got my best vest
All I need now is the girl! *
Raising his hands in a victory salute, Alec smiled, and jumped off the stage, and returned to his seat behind Georgie.
"And that, Miss Darcy, is a MFS audition."
Georgie smiled. "You were wonderful."
"Now you go be! They're calling Junes, be ready."
"Thanks."
"Go on now, break a leg!" said Alec. "Or how else will he be able to run away to Kansas City?"
"Sure of yourself, aren't you?"
"Knock 'em all dead. This could be a killer cast."
"Headed by you, the killer of them all."
"I did overdo it a bit," he said. "But I thought you might appreciate it."
"Perhaps I did," owned Georgie, smiling softly. She ran up to the stage as Lizzy called her name.
Lizzy gave her a hand up, and Georgie stood beside her teacher on the empty stage, suddenly aware of how many people were really in the room. She swallowed, and swayed a little, but soon she discovered that she had a small cheering section over by Kitty and Alec and Sam. She smiled, to acknowledge them, and turned her attention to Lizzy, who was outlining a small dance for Georgie to do.
"It's not terribly difficult, and most of June's dances are the same as the others. I'll just do a bit of it."
Lizzy, who was dressed in casual clothing, moved about the stage easily, doing high kicks and other silly steps. Georgie laughed at them, but also acknowledged that Lizzy was an excellent dancer. Lizzy stood aside, and to the music of the Broadway section, Georgie bag to dance. She was awkward at first, but them she remembered all of the musicals she had done at her old school in Boston, and the dance classes she had taken. She became more confident, and smiled suddenly, enjoying herself immensely. She knew how Alec had felt on the stage, it was marvelous that everyone was watching her. A twinge of confidence that had been missing since... the events in Boston... returned, and completing a spin, Georgie kicked her legs, and walked up a pile of black boxes, as if mounting a train or other conveyance. There, she stopped.
Lizzy was smiling at her, when Georgie looked down.
"You've done this before, haven't you?"
"I had dance training: both ballet and modern. I can tap a little, too. I just always enjoyed the old shows. I know about them."
"That's great. You did beautifully. Now, here's the song I want you to sing." She handed Georgie a piece of paper, and Georgie returned to the center of the stage. Lizzy said,
"Start when you see my hand signal, and I'll be the cow."
Georgie blinked. Cow? She tried to remember what a cow was doing in a play about burlesque dancers and vaudeville acts. Ah! Caroline the cow (Caroline Bingley would have a fit), smiling foolishly, embarrassed about the song she would be singing, Georgie slowly began,
I have a Moo Cow, a New Cow, A True Cow
Named Caroline.
Moo Moo Moo said Lizzy.
She's an extra special friend of mine.
(Moo Moo Moo)
I like everything about her fine.
(Moo Moo Moo.)
She likes to moo in the moonlight
When the moody moon appears.
And when she moos in the moonlight,
Gosh, it's Moosic to my ears!
She's so moosical!
Georgie glanced at her friends, who were laughing at the lyrics. However, they seemed pleased, so Georgie continued, throwing in arm movements. For some reason she glanced at Alec when she began the next verse, and saw that he was beaming. Was her performance good, then?
She loves a man cow, a tan cow who can cow
her with a glance.
When he winks at her, she starts to dance,
It's what we grown-ups call a real romance,
But if we moved to the city
Or we settled near the shore,
She'd make the moooooooove,
'Cause she loves me more! **
Georgie smiled. being confidant again was glorious, even if her confidence only seemed to exist on stage while she was being June.
"Sorry about the song," said Lizzy, shaking Georgie's hand, "Just I think it one of the best songs June sings."
"It was fine. I enjoyed it."
"Why didn't you tell me you could sing so well?"
"It never came up," said Georgie. "You see, I did do other musicals in Boston. I was Carrie in Carousel... that was a depressing part! And in ninth grade I was a nurse in South Pacific. And I was in On the Town as Ivy. I enjoy the musicals, they are generally so much fun."
"Where you one of those show tune kids?"
"Earlier. I branched out in seventh grade. But you never seem to be able to forget the songs!
"Right. Well, I'll have to continue the audition."
"Yes, thanks!"
Georgie returned to her seat.
Kitty hugged her and asked, "You really can dance! Are you sure that you don't want Louise? But I guess you'd be a perfect June, always the better artist!"
"Silly Kitty, I just was enjoying myself."
"Good job, June," said Alec. "You had me jealous of that fake cow for a moment."
Georgie just smiled, she was rather happy.
To make Georgie's happiness more complete, another pleasant circumstance occurred. Meryton friends School had it's break in March. It began on the Friday of the week, and the school reconvened on a Wednesday twelve days later. It was a year for a short break, but this was not stopping Kitty's family form going on an elaborate vacation to the Bahamas. Georgie was delighted when they asked her.
Will's permission was applied for, and he scheduled an appointment to meet with the Bennets. When he did so, he was surprised to find that they were well educated people, friendly and polite. He finally met the famous Kitty, and Kitty gaped at him when she saw him .
"He's very handsome," confided Kitty to Georgie, as the adults began to become acquainted. By the end of the evening, William had given his consent to the trip, a thing he could have scarcely imagine giving only a month ago. Now he was letting Georgie from his sight, but he knew that she would be happy and safe. Georgie's bright smile banished any of his fears, and he knew that she would be happy to have a little independence. The fact that she wanted independence again scared him a little, but it made him smile. The old Georgie was returning indeed.
Wednesday afternoon found the Latin AP class gathered in Lizzy's office. Lizzy smiled at them, and watched silently as they distributed lists of vocabulary amongst themselves. Taking up her copy of the Aeneid, Lizzy put on her teaching voice, and said,
"Who would like to translate?"
No one spoke, and Lizzy looked about the room suspiciously. "Did anyone actually look at the Latin?" she ventured.
General noises implying the negative reached her ears.
"Who did the vocab?"
"Kitty," said Sam Carter.
"Kitty! You didn't even do it?"
"Are auditions an excuse?" asked Kitty.
"They were Monday. This is Wednesday."
"Ah," said Kitty.
"I'll try," said Georgie. "I did the reading."
Kitty shook her head. "I can't believe that I forgot to tell you that no one prepares for this class."
"Kitty!" cried Lizzy, appalled.
"Sorry, Lizzy. I'll do it."
Georgie smiled, and said, "No you don't. I want the first sentence."
"All right, fine by me," said Kitty. Georgie smiled.
"Having spoken such things, he was silent," Georgie translated, from Book 6.
"No fair!" said Sam. "That was all of four words!"
"And Georgie prepared them," said Lizzy. "Gold star. Now, Sam, would you care to translate?"
Sam did, slowly, laughing much in the process. The whole class followed in this vein. The only students who were taking the AP exam were ones who wanted to continue with the language in college, but disliked the idea of taking beginning Latin again. So, all of them enjoyed Latin, and were good students, only were rather slack about their preparation for a class that didn't have a grade attached.
Lizzy sat and stared out the window while her students continued their translation. She listened to them, and corrected an mistakes, but generally sat daydreaming. Georgie was coming along excellently as a student. Her audition had been wonderful, and she was going to be June, none of the other girls had been half as good as she had been. Georgie's confidence under the spotlight had been surprising. The shy girl had been prancing about, singing about a cow in front of fifty some other strangers. And she had impressed them. Not many people had known who Georgie was, her closest friend was Kitty, and she was friendly with all of Kitty's friends, but apart from that select group, Georgie did not seem to be doing much socializing. Alec Walters had helped Georgie with her English and Biology classes, and Kitty's friends Jen and Arielle were becoming friendly with the silent girl, helping her in regards to a PE locker, history class and Georgie was drawing Jen's profile in the art class they shared. Georgie was settling down nicely, in her small group of friends.
After the AP Latin class, Kitty and Georgie walked off together towards the student center, as they had a free period.
"Lizzy's very nice," observed Georgie.
"By far the nicest relation I have... unless you count Jane, her sister. Jane is the sweetest person in the world, but Lizzy is more fun."
"She's certainly very eager to help me settle in."
"You've been doing a great job. She says that your teachers think well of you, and that you have wonderful bearing on stage."
"That's nice of her."
"Lizzy is nice. She's determined that all of her friends should be happy. her current project is to make you more open. My project is to make her happy. Would you believe that a beautiful young woman like Lizzy hasn't been on a proper date in ages?"
"I must admit that I am surprised. She's beautiful."
"I personally think it is the degree in Latin and ancient Greek. She did a small course on Sumarian as well, and studied philosophy. Last year she taught an English elective on various gods, and helped teach a seminar about religion. She's very intelligent, but usually guys don't like women to be more intelligent than they are."
"That's really depressing."
"I know. I wish there was someone for her! She was set up with this handsome guy named William, but they had some sort of argument. She said that he was gorgeous."
"Poor Lizzy. I'd love to see her with someone."
They reached the student center, and joined a table of Kitty's friends. After the auditions everyone had begun to ask who Georgie was, and she found that everyone was well disposed to like her. Smiling and pleased, she sat down between two complete strangers, who, by the end of the period, were great friends.
When Will Darcy came home from work, he found a very cheerful Georgie talking on the phone, with a letter in front of her. She tossed it to Will, who took it, and read it.
Dear Darcys, it is now time for your student to choose her college advisor. This person should be a teacher that she knows and trusts. The advisor and the student will work together in looking at colleges deciding on one to apply to, and the advisor will help the student with her applications. We hope that you will make a decision soon, enclosed is a list of teachers who offer their services as college advisors.
Will glanced at the list. His eye was caught by the third name on the list. Elizabeth Bennet. Even if he had not been looking for the name, he could hardly have missed it,. as there was an asterisk besides the woman's name. Clearly Georgie intended to choose Lizzy Bennet as her college advisor. It was surprising that she would choose a woman who was so recently out of college herself, though maybe there were benefits to this. Curious, he waited for Georgie to get off the phone.
"Did you read it?" asked Georgie of the letter in Will's hands. "I know who I'd like."
"Elizabeth Bennet?"
"Yes. She's my homeroom advisor, and Latin teacher, and did auditions... she's always there, and very supportive. Kitty says that she likes me, and I think she's be a help."
"Have you thought about having such a young woman advise you?"
"Young woman? You've met Lizzy? She is young, but she's rather smart. Kitty was telling me how men get turned away from her because she is too smart."
"Everyone always seems to be too smart or too silly," said Will, dryly.
"But she's very nice, and Kitty says she knows a lot about colleges. I think that she knows me best of all of my teachers."
"That is certainly in her favor. If you want to have her advise you, then drop off the form tomorrow."
"I will!" cried Georgie, hugging her brother. "I was afraid you would say no, or insist upon someone who has been doing the college thing for years and years."
"I won't insist. After... Boston... I'd like to have someone help you who knows you, and knows what is happening in your life. If Elizabeth Bennet is that person, then good luck."
"Thank you."
Will settled down with the rest of the mail, and sorted through it, exhausted. Work was so tedious, and apart from Georgie's growing brightness, there wasn't much to look forward to at home. He thought again of Lizzy Bennet's beautiful eyes, and sighed a little. It seemed as if everyday those lovely eyes were trained on Georgie, assessing her progress, and helping her along. Will wished that he could apologize for his past behavior, and thank Lizzy for her work with Georgie. The awful shell that had formed about her was slowly dropping, and the merry Georgie was returning. Tomorrow the audition list would be up, Georgie said. And if Georgie was involved in the play, she would be so happy again. Lizzy Bennet seemed to be an extraordinary woman.
Will was still sitting, thinking when Georgie showed Richard and Anne Fitzwilliam into the room. Having forgotten that he had invited them to dinner, he rose suddenly, and clasped their hands warmly. He sniffed the air, and was delighted to realize that Mrs. Reynolds, the motherly housekeeper, had not forgotten the meal.
"What's up, chap?" asked Richard. "Didn't you remember that we were coming?"
"I'll admit that it slipped my mind, but not that of our excellent Mrs. R."
"What's been happening to make you so moody and forgetful?"
"I'm letting Georgie go with a friend to the Bahamas. It is so weird to let her run about again."
"I'm glad for her," said Anne. "You cant keep her locked inside forever. How is she doing, by the way?"
"Wonderfully. Her teacher has been working wonders with her. She's finding out the audition list tomorrow. She's auditioned for the part of June in Gypsy.
"Who's that? not one of the dancers?"
"No, I asked her not to try out for one of them. June is Louise's older sister, and is the star of the family vaudeville act."
"Ah," said Richard. "And who would Louise be?"
Anne laughed. "He knows nothing at all about shows. Silly man. He's far better with football."
"Louise is the person whose story the whole play is. She's the one who becomes a dancer."
"Ah. Well, it sounds lovely that Georgie might be in a play. She always loved them so much."
"Yes, I'm quite pleased with her grades, as well, and I came home to find her on the phone as well. She certainly is making friends quickly."
"Who's this girl who is inviting her to the Bahamas?"
"Kitty Bennet, a classmate and close friend."
"Bennet?" asked Richard. "I've heard that name somewhere recently.
"The woman at the party, Rich," prompted Anne. "The one I befriended and Will insulted."
"No one will ever met me forget that," sighed Will. "I didn't mean to be rude."
"Well," said asked Rich, "Is Kitty related to what's her name... Lizzy?"
"I believe them to be cousins. You see, Georgie's favorite teacher at her school is named Elizabeth Bennet."
Georgie entered the room, smiling, and the conversation swiftly shifted the recent and unpredictable weather.
Richard and Anne were preparing to leave, but Anne stayed a moment with Will, to speak to him.
"Who were saying that Lizzy Bennet teaches Georgie. And she's the one who has been working such wonders with Georgie. Something is wrong, though."
"I've insulted the woman who is helping me with my only sister."
"There's more, isn't there?"
"Perhaps. I don't know."
"You admire Lizzy really, don't you?"
"Perhaps. I admire what she's done."
"And you wish she could make you as happy as Georgie is? Break your shell?"
"I don't know," admitted Will. "But I do know that I am sorry I ever insulted her, and admitting that hurts my pride."
* All I Need is the Girl, from Gypsy (Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim)
** From: Dainty June and her Newsboys, (Gypsy: Styne and Sondheim)
As Georgie parked her blue convertible in the small, cramped parking lot outside the school, she gazed in astonishment at Lizzy, who was carrying an armful of papers across the street towards the main building, briskly leaving the classics and history building. Usually Lizzy locked herself in her office until it was time to meet with her homeroom. Curious to know the reason for Lizzy's industry, Georgie slipped a Club onto her car's steering wheel, and locked the door, swinging her messenger bag over her shoulder, and picking up a loose notebook.
She followed Lizzy into the front hall of the school, where the receptionist sat at a large desk, strewn with papers continuing all sorts of information for the students. Lizzy walked past the woman, though, and made her way towards a large wall that had been covered with a bulletin board that as neatly divided and labeled for various organizations to post information on.
Here Lizzy stopped, and pinned up her papers onto the drama section of the board. Then, Georgie remembered happily, that the audition sheets were up. She rushed over to Lizzy, and said sweetly,
"May I look?"
"Yes!" said Lizzy. "Welcome to an awesome cast."
Georgie smiled. "Really?"
"Yes. You've been wonderful. Hello June!"
Georgie stood still, trembling with excitement.
"You're happy, aren't you?" asked Lizzy.
"Yes! Thank you, Lizzy!" Georgie hugged her teacher. "Will you be my college advisor?"
"Thought you'd never ask!" said Lizzy, with satisfaction. "Of course. What's this I'm hearing about you, going with Kitty to the Bahamas?"
"She invited me, and Will said I could go."
"Will?" asked Lizzy, with a sinking feeling. Good gracious, the girl couldn't be related to William...
"Will's my brother and guardian. It's short for Fitzwilliam."
Lizzy blanched. There couldn't be more than one Fitzwilliam Darcy. That settled it firmly. The man she'd been insulted by was sweet and lovable Georgie's older brother. This was a pickle of a complication. However, as rude as her brother might be, Lizzy would always admire Georgie.
Kitty came running up.
"Liz, did you post the list?" she asked breathlessly.
"I did. Go enjoy!"
Kitty nudged Georgie, and said, "Let me see! Yes!" she crowed as she saw that she had received the part of Louise. "Yes!"
"Good showing, Kitty," said Georgie. "Now we can rehearse together. Ready to be sisters?"
"You bet! We can begin studying the scripts over vacation. The plane leaves Saturday night, you know."
"Yes, I know. I'm so excited. Now, who else has which part?"
Kitty traced her hand down the sheet of paper, still warm from the printer.
"Lauren Harte is Rose... she's a senior you haven't met. Let's see... Oh! Poor Sam, he's not Herbie. Who is he, then?.... Ah! Uncle Jocko! Sam is that crazy children's talent show MC guy! Poor fellow. Hmm... Georgiana Darcy as older June... Sarah Braff is the younger June... and Heidi Watson is the younger Louise. Katherine Bennet as Older Louise... Let's see who the boys are. Yonkers... Pete Kimberton... ick. Angie is Kurt Warner, he's cool. Oh! And Alec is Tulsa, aren't you pleased?"
Georgie was pleased, and blushed a little. If she had to run away with anyone on stage, her first choice right now would be Alec. The two girl an through the list eagerly, and laughed when they saw who would be playing Miss Mazeppa the burlesque dancer. "Lydia Phillips! That'll be horrible!"
"The voice is perfect, though," said Georgie, "And her clothes are suitable."
"Yeah," agreed Kitty, "but I don't know... Lydia acting like that regularly is bad, but what about her acting like she was Mazzeppa? I'm so glad Mum didn't make me invite Lyddie to the Bahamas. I'd have hated it."
"I know what you mean," said Georgie. "My brother has this friend, Charles, who has this awful sister Caroline, and Charles doesn't seem to know how annoying she is. She's always coming along, she's determined to make Will go on a date with her."
"Will? Charles? Caroline? Wait a minute...," Kitty said, remembering her afternoon at Lizzy's house. "Not Charles and Caroline Bingley?"
"Yes, you know them?"
"My cousin Jane is dating Charles. They both work at Netherfield."
"Wow. That's weird."
"Yeah. You said your brother's name is William?"
"Fitzwilliam. It's a family name."
"Right... I think Lizzy may have met your brother... and they didn't get along."
Georgie suddenly understood Kitty. "You mean, your cousin and my brother?"
"Wouldn't it be perfect? I've seen your brother, he's handsome and smart, and reasonable, but a bit stiff and moody. Lizzy is beautiful and lively and nice, but gets angry with everyone. I think she'd calm down if she had a boyfriend. She doesn't want to be set up with a student's guardian, but who knows?"
"Lizzy would be perfect for Will..." said Georgie, dreamily imagining Lizzy as a sister, sharing the house, making Will back into the man he had been, just as Lizzy was making Georgie into the girl she had been. She liked Kitty's idea very much.
"So, having disliked each other once scarcely means anything. In books they always end up together."
"Right. It would be ideal."
The girls shook hands and smiled, before wandering over to the bench where their friends sat, and broke the news to Sam that he was not Herbie.
Lizzy returned home with a smile. The cast for Gypsy looked superb. Georgie was blooming nicely. If only Georgie hadn't confirmed her fear that Will Darcy was a relation... oh well, there was nothing to be done about it. Sooner or later she'd have to face the intolerable man. She had just been hoping that it would be later.
Sorry as Lizzy was now that she had been rude without sufficient provocation, she was still angry with Will Darcy. He had said that she wasn't pretty enough? Lizzy laughed. She had had her share of admirers, and had been told she was pretty before. She didn't need to be told it, it didn't matter to her. However, being told that one is not beautiful enough hurts far more that simply not being told that one is lovely. Angry at Fitzwilliam Darcy for his comment, Lizzy tried to only remember Georgie. Sweet Georgie would never offend anyone. Poor Georgie, who seemed to be suffering something silently. And who was beating it back, and becoming a very pleasant girl. Lizzy's smile returned to her face, thinking of Georgie, who had been so pleased by the results of the audition.
As Lizzy opened to door, Jane came down the stairs, and began to smile.
"Jane! You're home early! What's up?"
"Louise has Jury duty. Who'd pick a criminal lawyer for a jury, anyway? She aid I could have the afternoon off."
"Poor woman. So, why are you smiling?"
"Charles has invited us to a house party."
"Congratulations, Jane!" applauded Lizzy. "I knew he liked you." Then she rethought what she had heard, and asked, "Us?"
"Yes, I wouldn't want to be there all alone! Please come!"
"I feel like we had this conversation before. You're not going to set me up with anyone, are you?"
"No, not if you don't want me to. But I do wish you'd go and frolic and be happy."
"I am happy. Teaching is a pleasure, when I've such lovely students."
"You work too much sometimes."
"I'll come, don't worry. Where is the party?"
"It's at Charles's vacation house, in northern New York. It's called Ledley, and he says that it is pretty big. They'll be a whole group of his friends there. It's the Spring opener for his vacation season."
"And I'll bet that in early April it is still freezing cold."
"Chance of snow, he said," replied Jane. "But apparently it's also been very warm for the season there, too."
"I'll pack warm, anyway. Who will be there?"
"Friends of his, and Caroline's. You, me, Caroline, their sister Louisa, her husband, Anne and Richard Fitzwilliam. Will Darcy, I'm afraid, as well."
"No matter," said Lizzy grimly, still hurt at Will's insult, and angry at his lack of manners. "I'll shove Caroline at him. But I do seem the odd member of the party."
"Will's sister couldn't make it, and another friend from college of Charles's can't come, because he just got engaged, and is too happy sitting with his fiancée to join the party."
"I'll just have fun being goose berry, then."
"I don't know where you pick up your phrases, Lizzy!" laughed Jane. "But I thought you didn't want to be set up."
"I don't, I was just wondering."
"Then we'll go?"
"Fine. When is the party?"
"Over spring break."
"Works out fine, then."
"I know it will," said Jane. She was glowing happily, and Lizzy loved her dearly for being such a wonderful person.
Charles toyed with the cord of the phone as he sat, waiting for Darcy to answer. After three rings, A gruff voice answered,
"Darcy."
"Darce! How nice to hear you! I've called to invite you to Ledley for the early opening."
"Sounds great. Did you invite Anne and Richard?"
"Yes."
"When?"
Charles told him the dates, and Will knocked papers off his desk, looking at the large calendar that was underneath.
"That's Georgie's spring break, so that will be fine. I told you last week that if you had it then that she couldn't come."
"I know. Well, then, that's all right. The weather is supposed to stay warm enough for outdoor activities, as well as the usual opening fun."
By 'opening fun' Bingley of course meant charades, cards, and large meals. In truth, he was a simple soul, deep down. Will groaned at the thought of playing charades with Caroline again, but managed to sound reasonably enthusiastic.
"Wonderful. Who else is coming?"
"The usual crowd, but not Dan. He won't come, because he's too attached to Alice."
"It's his business. Alice was nice enough, I suppose," said Darcy, trying to remember anything about Dan Wright's fiancée, Alice Chase. He knew her father, and she was very 'high society', but beyond hat Darcy couldn't remember a thing. Well, the trip would be different without Dan. He wondered who else would fill the places Dan and Alice had filled at last year's opener, and said do to Charles.
"I invited Jane," said Bingley.
"Who?" asked Darcy, quickly.
"Jane Bennet, I'm sure that I introduced her to you."
"I remember her, but why? She's not part of our circle."
"I know that, Darce," said Bingley, patiently. "But she's a wonderful woman."
Darcy said nothing, disapproving of Charles's choice of a secretary.
"And I invited her sister to keep her company," continued Bingley.
"Her sister?" asked Darcy, quickly. Reflection had caused him to remember the lively Elizabeth Bennet favorably. She might have not seemed beautiful at the Henderson-Mayfield party, but at the Lucas party he remembered a different figure. A lively woman, with amazing eyes. And she had made such an impact on Georgie. Will wasn't sure if he was ready to be in a house with Elizabeth Bennet for four days.
"Darce?" asked Charles, wondering why his friend was silent. "Are you still there?"
"Yes. I was just surprised. You hardly know the Bennets."
"I know Jane. Darce, she's an angel."
"So you've said before." Will looked about his office for an excuse to get off the phone. "Ah, Charles, I've a meeting to get to. See you later." He hung up. Why was the world determined to throw Elizabeth Bennet at him? And was he a willing target? He wasn't sure, either way.
Through the same temperament that made Jane such a calm and loving person, Jane was a neat and tidy packer. Though nervous about what to wear, she managed to pack within an hour, and had her one small suitcase and her garment bag sitting by the door while Lizzy still searched for a suitable bag to put her things in.
Lizzy was in a quandary about what to bring. She wanted to be comfortable, and warm. She needed nice clothes, as to fit in with the posh people, but didn't want them to think that she was presuming beyond her station. Lizzy ground her teeth. Beyond her station ? It was a bad sign to be thinking like that.
Jane came in, to see how the packing was going.
"Still not done?" asked Jane.
"Still not done. Find me a bag, will you?" Jane, with infuriating ease, picked out a perfect bag for a four-day stay, and deposited it upon Lizzy's floor. She turned to Lizzy's pile of clothing, and sorted through it.
"This is nice," she said, depositing a skirt into the open case. "And you've always liked this sweater." Within another twenty minutes the bag was packed. Lizzy hugged Jane.
"I'd still be in there, without you, Jane. You're a treasure and an angel." Jane blushed, but hugged her sister in return.
"And you are a dear. Come, let's see how Charlotte is getting on with dinner.
Charlotte was laboring over the stove when Lizzy and Jane entered the kitchen.
"Ah, I'm almost done, " she announced. She poured a little milk into a pot, and stirred diligently for a moment, before removing the pot from the stove.
"The macaroni I had made was a little dry," she explained, setting the delicious dish before her housemates. "Where on earth did you get that cheese?" she asked, nodding towards a wrapper that lay discarded by the grater. Jane shrugged.
"All packed?" asked Charlotte, seeing that Jane was preoccupied.
"Yes," said Lizzy. "Jane saved me. We leave tomorrow, and she's already spacing. I knew Charles was a good egg."
"I liked him, too. You'll have to keep an eye on our Janie, though," said Charlotte. "I think she's lost."
Jane returned to the real world, and helped herself to macaroni. "Mmm! This smells delicious, Char!"
Charlotte smiled. "I do make a mean macaroni, if I may say so myself."
The day that Jane and Lizzy planned to leave for Ledley, New York, was the same day as Kitty and Georgie planned to leave for the Bahamas. And as a good cousin, Lizzy decided to see Kitty off at the airport, while Jane fussed and fretted.
The Philadelphia International airport is a large and not particularly handsome airport. However, it was rather easy to navigate. Lizzy found a place to park her car, tucked the garage ticket into the glove compartment, and set off towards the ticketing area.
Kitty was visible, waiting in line beside her parents, Kathleen and Gardiner Bennet. Lizzy rushed over, ignoring the angry stares of the other people in the line.
"Kitty! I was a good girl, and came!" Kitty smiled. Lizzy turned to her aunt and uncle.
"Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Gard! Looking forward t your holiday?"
"Yes," said Kathleen, smiling. "Gard's friend Percy Daniels is letting us use his house. It's supposed to be a wonderful place. Not far from the beach, and with a pool, hot tub, and cable. Sounded almost like a hotel!"
"Well, Percy does like to be comfortable," said Gardiner. "The island is a residential one, as well. Not a horrid tourist one. I've been to Eleuthera before, and loved it."
"Sounds marvelous," said Lizzy, wishing that she were going to Eleuthera instead of Ledley in cold northern New York.
"There's Georgie!" cried Kitty, suddenly. Lizzy turned, and smiled as Georgie waved. Her smile froze when she saw who was with Georgie.
I should have guessed!, thought Lizzy. Not exactly the setting I would have chosen to meet Will Darcy again. And it will only be worse when we're in the same house. Why did I agree to this foolish party plan?
Will Darcy was just as shocked, or perhaps more shocked, at the sight of Lizzy than Lizzy was at the sight of him. Lizzy at least should have guessed he'd come. The chance that an older cousin would see off Kitty had seemed more remote. He nodded briskly to the Bennets, and followed Georgie to the back of the line. Lizzy was grateful for the sweaty travelers that stood impatiently between them.
The line moved more swiftly than might be expected, and soon the Bennets were at the desk, where a curt woman asked them questioned, gave them boarding passes, and took their suitcases. Then the three travelers and Lizzy moved aside, waiting for Georgie and her brother to get through the line.
Lizzy watched with amusement as the distant and sour woman at the desk suddenly became solicitous and friendly for Fitzwilliam Darcy. Georgie noticed, as well, and rolled her eyes. When she had received her boarding pass, she rushed over to Lizzy and Kitty.
"Lizzy! You came to see us off?"
"Sure did. I'm wildly envious."
"It does sound great. I went to the Bahamas before my parents died, and I loved it. We had a house down there, then, but there was a fire there about ten years ago, and we haven't been back."
"How terrible! Well, I hope you enjoy your trip."
"I will."
"Do you have your script?"
"Yes. Kitty and I will get to work! And I've got a translation of the Aeneid, too."
"Yes, you'll need to have read the whole thing for the AP. Just don't skip books 5 and 11, just because they are boring!"
"I won't," said Georgie. "And I'll send you a postcard, to tell you how far I've gotten."
"Do!" said Lizzy. The group had begun to walk up the stairs and over towards the gates. When they reached the checkpoint, Lizzy gave Georgie a quick hug, and then embraced her young cousin, and then shook hands with her aunt and uncle. She hadn't yet said a word to Will Darcy, who had followed behind, silently. Now he was hugging his sister warmly, and making sure she had everything. The warm and concerned feelings he projects towards his sister confused Lizzy. Wasn't he a stern and hateful man? He was so nice to Georgie.
The Bennets and Georgie gave last farewells, and waved to Lizzy and Will as they put their bags on the roller, and emptied their pockets of change, to go through the metal detector. As they finally disappeared beyond the barrier, Will addressed Lizzy.
"I now understand that you are the Elizabeth Bennet who teaches Georgie?"
Lizzy smiled slightly, seeing that he was clearly as uncomfortable as she was, and as confused.
"Yes. I'm her Latin teacher, and also help out with the drama program. I expect she's told you about Gypsy?"
"Yes. I want to say thank you for all that you've done for her. She had an unfortunate experience at Kympton Academy, and we thought it best to leave. She seems to have settled in well. She is very happy to be friends with Kitty."
"Kitty is a very friendly girl," said Lizzy, unsure what Will was thinking. They had reached the terminal garage elevator, and Will pressed the up button.
"I know that Georgie is in good hands," said Will, after a few moments, as the elevator door opened. A group of people laden with cases stepped out, and Will help the door for Lizzy before stepping in himself. Will was being polite, and Lizzy couldn't understand. Weren't the Bennets too inferior for him? Was he being nice on Georgie's account?
Will stood silently beside Lizzy, much closer to her than he had ever been, due to the other five occupants of the car. She wasn't talking, just watching the little orange light above the door move as the car ascended. The doors opened on the third floor, and two of the occupants left. The doors opened again on the floor above, and Lizzy looked at Will questioningly, as another person left the elevator. He shook his head, and said,
"I ended up on the roof."
"Me too," said Lizzy.
The car climbed again, and the remaining occupants of the car left, including Lizzy and Will. They walked silently beside each other over towards the same half of the lot, and Lizzy turned to her comfortable small navy blue sports car. Will, before heading to his car, further along, said,
"I'll see you this evening."
And it was true. Lizzy remembered that she had Will Darcy would be in the same house for the next four days. This would be an interesting trip. Especially if she began to understand this complex, handsome and two-faced man.
The six hour long drive to Ledley House in a rural area of New York had been long, but now it was over. Lizzy stretched her tired arms as Jane pulled the key from the ignition, and yawned daintily.
"Here we are," she said happily to her sister. "The car is off, you can remove your earphones. My music isn't that bad."
"I just like mine better," said Lizzy, turning off her Discman, and tucking it away. It was now about six thirty in the evening, and the sky was rather dark. Lizzy frowned at it. When was daylight savings when you needed it?
The porch lights on the impressive main house came on, and the door opened. Charles skipped out, looking delighted. Caroline followed, at a distance, looking decorous and prim.
"Well, I'll get the bags out of the trunk," said Lizzy. She walked around to the back of the car, and opened the trunk, dumping the cases onto the driveway. Charles hurried over to help. While Lizzy and Charles took the case inside, Jane grabbed up a lovely bouquet of flowers, and handed them to Caroline.
"You are such a dear for having us," she said, presenting Caroline with the floral token. Caroline's mouth made some attempt to smile before it gave up.
"Charles wouldn't have it any other way. The flowers are beautiful, thank you." Caroline secretly wondered where the Bennets went for flowers, recognizing quality and craftsmanship in the bouquet. She wouldn't have expected it.
Charles returned, eagerly looking for Jane, and offered both her and his sister arms. They accepted, and walked into the house.
Lizzy smiled on seeing her sister come inside on Bingley's arm. Jane was smiling gently, and it spread to Lizzy's face. Beaming softly, Lizzy took a look about the hall she was standing in.
The house was clearly a very fine place. It was large, and Lizzy recalled Jane saying something about two stories, ten bedrooms, a pool and tennis courts. The Bingley family did appear to have some wealth prior to whatever Charles now made.
The house was furnished beautifully, and Lizzy felt badly at putting down her case on the shining floor, as the loose gravel from the driveway now clung to the thick rug. A door across the hallway opened, and a smiling face came out. It was Richard Fitzwilliam, curious at who had arrived. His wife followed, and happily came up to Lizzy and hugged her.
"This is nice to see you again! I knew that Jane was coming, but wasn't sure if you'd want to come. We'll make sure you have a lovely time."
"I hope so!" said Lizzy. She nodded to where Jane still stood, holding Charles's arm, listening intently to a brief history of the house. "I don't think that my sister will be very entertaining towards me."
"Ah! I see what you mean," said Richard Fitzwilliam. "Bingley is a sly one, at times. He never said anything. Well, Anne, shall we take her back into the drawing room?"
"Let's. Caroline is letting a draught come through."
Lizzy handed her case to Charles, who was now taking Jane's small case up, and followed the Fitzwilliams, with Jane, into the bright room.
The first thing Lizzy noticed was the fireplace, where a small fire burned merrily. Secondly, she noticed the bookcases about the room, and the few painting that were hung tastefully about. The fourth thing she noticed was that the room was occupied.
Anne took Lizzy's arm, and walked over to a slender woman with Bingley's coloring, but Caroline's sharp face, sitting next to a large man with a red but good humored face.
"Louisa, Hurst, this is Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Bennet's sister. Jane is a friend of Charles's."
Hurst made a small grunt, and Louisa nodded. Anne made an impatient noise, and moved on to the only other occupant of the room who had not greeted her.
"Lizzy, I think I've introduced you to Fitz before."
"Yes," said Will, rising. "Good evening, Miss Bennet. I trust the journey was not too hard?"
"It wasn't. It was a very pleasant drive."
"I see."
Lizzy nodded, and made to move off, when Will asked,
"Have you heard from your relations?"
"No, not yet. I expect that I'll hear from Kitty tonight. She loves making phone calls at big hotels."
"I have heard from Georgie, and she is enjoying herself very much."
"I'm glad," said Lizzy, warming at Georgie's name. Will noticed this, and smiled to himself. This beautiful woman seemed to care as much about his sister as he did.
Lizzy broke away, as Caroline asked some question, and Lizzy answered her.
"I'd love to get a wash before dinner, Caroline. Will you show me my room?"
Caroline, delighted to get Lizzy out of the drawing room, and out of Will's company, smiled, and complied with uncharacteristic caring and solicitation. Lizzy arched her brows, and followed.
The upstairs of Ledley House was as well decorated as the downstairs. Caroline pointed out various closed doors as they walked through the hall.
"I've put your sister over here, next to the Hursts' room, your room is on the other side. The Fitzwilliams have the door across from Jane, and my room is next door. Charles and Will have rooms on the other hallway, it is over there." Caroline pointed to a branch off the main hallway, but continued walking until she reached Lizzy's room, where she opened the door.
"Here you are," said Caroline.
Lizzy's suitcase had already been brought up, and she could not help but smile at the comfortable room. It looked less like a vacation retreat room than a fully functional bedroom, much more luxurious than her one at home.
"It's lovely," said Lizzy.
Caroline smiled, seeing how impressed Lizzy was. Caroline had known that the girls wouldn't fit in here.
"Well, Eliza, supper tonight will be very informal. Tomorrow we have an opening brunch at ten, and the picnic is at one. In between those times, I might suggest that you look at the grounds here. Charles has some beautiful woods."
She did not add, so go get lost in them so I don't have to think about you.
Though Elizabeth had retired to her room after the rather bohemian (as bohemian as Caroline could be, which wasn't much) meal, consisting of unaccountable delicacies eaten on paper plates in front of the fire, Darcy could still see her laughing face. The meal had been lively, Lizzy was a natural at eating off of paper plates, whereas the Hursts and Bingleys always seemed a little embarrassed. Having a teenage sister, Darcy was a trifle more accustomed to eating informally, but he was in awe of the air of ease and joy that Lizzy emitted while she laughed over grilled chicken and an arugula salad served with ketchup.
Jane Bennet was also in excellent spirits, and had wandered off with Charles soon after supper to take a moonlit tour of the grounds. Darcy, still unsure what he thought of Jane, had watched them go with uncertainty, but insisted that he was much too cold to go out and join them when Caroline proposed it. Walk with Caroline Bingley in the moonlight? Not likely!
Will turned his thoughts towards Elizabeth Bennet again. While unsure about her sister, Darcy admired her very much. He was afraid of the warmth he felt towards her, wondering why his sister's teacher had stirred these feelings when many other more suitable women had failed. Elizabeth was different...
It wasn't just that she liked Georgie, though that fed his admiration, she was so much more alive than other people he had known. Sighing, Will again stared at the fire, while a light coat of late snow sprinkled the ground outside where Charles and Jane were laughing.
Waking the next morning Lizzy was disconcerted as to her surroundings. The light coming in through the window was cold, and the bed she lay in was warm and soft. She was at Ledley, trapped in a house with some of the strangest people she had ever met.
First there was Charles, who should have been snooty, and wasn't. And then there was Caroline who was snobbish enough for three people. Lizzy didn't know the Hursts, and she liked the Fitzwilliams very much. And then there was Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Thinking about Darcy made Lizzy's head ache. Giving up, she found a pair of slippers, and rooted about in a drawer for something to wear.
After acquiring the bathroom and showering, Lizzy dressed comfortably in jeans and a sweater, and brushed her wetly curling hair. The bathroom was a lovely place, with a long counter with two sinks in it, and three sorts of soap. Lizzy loved soap, and paused to sniff each bar. Selecting a blueberry scented bar, she washed her hands again, and went from the bathroom in search of a book. It was only nine in the morning, another hour until the brunch Caroline had mentioned.
After fifteen minutes wrestling with an anthology of short stories, she gave up, and padded into the hallway in search of Jane.
Jane had also washed and dressed, and was sitting on her bed, playing solitaire on her neat little lap top.
"Silly thing," said Lizzy, as a greeting. "You'd have done better to get a Mac."
"I like this computer," said Jane.
"It just is a sign of being too like the rest of the world to use a computer that runs Windows."
"Not all of us need to stand out. I'm happy."
"How was your walk?"
"Wonderful." Jane's eyes glazed over a little, and she said, "Charles has such a pretty place here."
"Indeed. But was he attentive? Please Jane, I'm envious, can't you see? I haven't had a proper boyfriend in ages. Tell all."
Jane proceeded to describe the walk in a bit more detail. They were interrupted, however, by Anne Fitzwilliam, who knocked on the door.
"Are you heading down? Only it's five of, and I'm starving."
"I'll be there in a minute," said Jane. "I just need to turn off the computer. Why don't you go ahead, Lizzy?"
Lizzy agreed, and walked with Anne downstairs.
"Jane is such a lovely person," said Anne.
"I think so, too," said Lizzy with a smile. "Charles seems happy."
"Yes, remarkably so. Now it is just for us to make the rest of the world happy. Who shall we start with? Caroline?"
"Would a happy Caroline be more pleasant?"
"Undoubtedly. I used to be rather sour myself, though not unpleasant. I was just unhappy whenever Richard met another woman... which he did frequently. However, now that it is all cleared up, I'm a delighted person, seeking to make everyone else as happy as me."
"Too many matchmaker's about. You'd think it was a conspiracy!" laughed Lizzy, entering the breakfast room, where the housekeeper had laid out a beautiful meal.
"Indeed it is," agreed Anne, noticing Darcy start as they entered. "Come, Lizzy. We must proceed properly to the table. What a bother, there is an odd number of people. Fitz!" She called Darcy to her, and said,
"Would you be a nice sort, and escort Lizzy to the table, along with Caroline?"
"My pleasure," said Darcy, accepting her hand immediately. Caroline came up beside him and took his other arm with a smile.
"Shall we actually eat, or be formal about it and watch it grow cold?" growled Hurst, who had just entered.
They opted for eating, and to heck with formalities.
The day had warmed by the time the picnic was ready to proceed outside. Charles had the gardener drive the food up to a little roofed dining area half a mile from the house, and the diners had nothing to do except dress and assemble in the hall.
There was some debate over how the picnickers would reach the shelter. Caroline, her sister Louisa, and Hurst advocated driving, while Charles was eager to walk with Jane, and Richard wanted to bicycle over. Lizzy was keen on the idea of biking to the picnic site, and it was at last decided that of the three bikes in the garage that Anne and Richard would share the tandem, and that Lizzy and Will could each try the single rider bikes. Will was pleased with the arrangement, not being particularly eager to be in a car with Caroline or to walk with Jane and Charles.
By means of a bike path short cutting through the woods on the property, the bikers made good time. Anne and Richard were a merry pair on the tandem, laughing and joking with each other and with their friends. Lizzy and Will had nothing to say to each other, both feeling acutely uncomfortable, and they were thankful for the incessant small talk that poured from the happy Fitzwilliams.
When they were three quarters of the way there, Richard offered to swap his position on the tandem to give Lizzy a chance to try it with Anne. Lizzy accepted immediately, and surrendered her mountain bicycle to Richard.
Lizzy laughed as she mounted the tandem, with Anne humming "Daisy, Daisy" under her breath. Then she turned around, and explained,
"I'll do the steering, you are the power of the operation. Especially on these hills."
Lizzy set her feet upon the pedals as she kicked off, and Anne took up peddling soon after. It was so surprising to be moving on a bike where you weren't the one steering, thought Lizzy. Anne was a confidant pilot, and the pair of females soon outstripped Will and Rich. Richard, not feeling that this was fair, put on a burst of speed, and urged Will to join him as he sought to catch up to his wife.
On doing so, he cried out,
"Hey! Lizzy isn't peddling!"
Lizzy, who was peddling, stopped in surprise, and the bike wobbled as Anne turned around to look.
"Got you!" cried Richard joyfully. "Lizzy, what do you think of the bike?"
"It's rather interesting," she said. "I'd never seen one before, only heard the song." She took up the tune in her soft and melodic voice. Will had heard Lizzy sing at Lucas Lodge, but had never heard her sing anything but show tunes. This simple melody was very pleasing, as well.
"...give me your answer, do. I'm half crazy, over the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage... but you'll look sweet upon the seat, of a bicycle built for two!"
Will was enchanted at the picture of Lizzy (the willful, irritable, independent Lizzy) singing a children's song on a tandem bike. The only way the scene would be nicer is if he was the one to steer the bike. Gathering up his courage, he called out to Lizzy,
"Have you heard the second verse to that song?"
"Yes," said Lizzy with a twinkle in her eye. "I have."
Richard took up the tune, and Will joined him, revealing his own voice to be a very pleasant baritone.
"Harry, Harry, here is my answer true. I won't marry, not for the likes of you! If you can't afford a carriage, there won't be any marriage. And I'll be switched if I'll be hitched on a bicycle built for two!"
Lizzy applauded as well as she could while peddling a bike, and said cheerfully,
"I heard a different version for the last line," she said.
"Pray share," said Anne, turning sharply along the path.
Lizzy's soft voice took up the tune again, as they approached a clearing.
"Harry, Harry, here is my answer true. I won't marry, not for the likes of you! If you can't afford a carriage, there won't be any marriage. And I'll be d**ned if I'll be crammed on a bicycle built for two!"
Richard clapped appreciatively at the alternative last line, falling off his bike as they entered the clearing where the shelter with the food stood.
Caroline and the Hursts were already there, Jane and Charles still being somewhere along the way. Caroline was looking at Lizzy in disgust.
"Reeally," she began, "Must you use such language, Eliza?"
"It's just a song," said Lizzy.
Richard slapped Lizzy on the back.
"I approve heartily, Caroline. That was a very entertaining ride, indeed."
"Some people..." muttered Caroline, but she was interrupted by the belated appearance of Jane and Charles, who quickly organized the beginning of the meal.
While Will was dragged over to sit with Caroline, Charles, Jane and the Hursts, Lizzy sat with Anne and Richard, enjoying the food.
"Where did you learn that song?" asked Richard.
Lizzy laughed. "I was in Vermont one summer, singing that song with Jane and a friend, and my friend's aunt came up and taught us the second verse, complete with curse words."
"These aunts!" exclaimed Richard, shaking his head. "I don't have any any more, though."
"Oh dear," said Lizzy.
"He only had one to begin with," said Anne, explaining. "Will's mother, who was also named Anne, died in an accident, and his mother was an only child."
"Still, I'm sorry. Was Anne Georgiana's mother?"
"Yes. I keep on forgetting that you teach Georgie. Poor girl."
"I don't mean to pry, but do you know what happened to her in Boston?"
"I'm afraid that I can't tell you. I'm a co-guardian of Georgie along with Will, which you might not have known, but he's the one who takes care of her. There was trouble, not her fault, and we decided to bring her to Philly, where Anne had just gotten a job, and where Will had a house."
"I see. What's this?" asked Lizzy, pointing to some pinkish lumpy paste in the shape of fish. "It looks a bit like cat food."
"So it does," agreed Anne. "Will agrees with you, and won't touch it. It's salmon mousse."
"Ick, no offense. And what is this that I have been drinking? Not the wine... this clear stuff."
"Elderberry cordial."
"I feel as if I am in a very fancy hotel restaurant."
"I'm not surprised. Caroline keeps a very fine table, despite any other shortcomings."
"Do you know what is for dessert?"
"It's not the season for strawberries, or we'd be having them. I think that I saw some tarts in the baskets this morning."
"Mmmm. What happens after we eat? It's a bit chilly to sit and sleep in the sun," said Lizzy, pulling her sweatered arms against her chest.
After the meal, Richard and Charles opted for playing Sardines. Caroline was not acquainted with the game, and the others sat and explained it to her.
"One person hides, say it is Anne who hides, and then the others look for her. When someone finds her, they hide in the same spot. Eventually only one person is left searching, and after that last person finds Anne's hiding spot, they are the next person to hide. It's a good game," said Charles.
"It should be," said Will, propping himself up from sprawling on a checkered picnic rug. "Georgie taught it to Richard."
"Dear Georgie!" cried Caroline. "Then how marvelous. Who hides first?"
"Straws?" suggested Hurst, with an uncommon glint of enthusiasm. He was eager to hide... sleeping in a nice shed looked appealing. His brother-in-law would be rather offended if he didn't join in.
The rest of the group agreed the straws, Louisa Hurst complaining loudly about the nasty dirt and snow. Lizzy offered her a scarf, which was accepted after examination of the article.
They drew straws, and Lizzy discovered that she had the shortest one. Sighing, but delighted to explore the unknown region, she ordered the others to count by the cars, and set of hiking into the wooded grove nearby, wrapping her suede jacket lined with wool around her.
The woods were pleasantly dim and smelled of pine. It was not difficult for Lizzy to discover a small cave by a clump of ferns, and to curl up inside it. By leaning against the way she could see that it extended some few feet more, and that there was space for at least two others, before her searchers had to hide in the ferns. It was a clean cave, and uninhabited, so Lizzy curled into a ball for warmth, and waited.
When the group had counted to a hundred, they dispersed into the woods, several groups forming inadvertently. Hurst escorted Louisa and Caroline, while Will dashed off in the opposite direction. Anne and Richard decided to search separately, but Jane and Bingley looked about together. Lizzy waited.
Will made his way into the woods with speed, eager to dissuade Caroline of her plan to join him. Caroline was not fond of snakes or chipmunks, or any wildlife at all, except fuzzy bunnies, but Will liked to see the owls and the occasional deer.
Having played Sardines with Georgie at Ledley in earlier years, Will knew several "good" hiding places. He made his way to a certain fern covered hillock, where the mouth to a cave was concealed.
And was occupied. Lizzy gave off a small squeak as will touched her foot. Embarrassed at being the first one to find her, he stopped in his tracks.
"I'm... sorry," he said.
"Did you see where I went?" asked Lizzy, recovering, and curious.
"No. I don't cheat in games. Georgie used to hide here. If you'll let me come in, I'll show you a treasure map she drew when she was twelve, and entertaining the neighbors' grandchildren."
He clumsily made his way into the small cave as Lizzy moved aside. The proximity was startling, and Will remembered that he was looking for the map. He fished behind him, and picked up a rock, and fumbled underneath, drawing out a small plastic box. He brought the box into his lap, and opened it. Lizzy leaned to see what the box held, and William held his breath as her straggling hair touched his shoulder. Someone had better come and find them. Now.
The box held a rolled up piece of paper, which Will handed to Lizzy, and several photos. He squinted at them, and produced one with a small blond girl in it.
"That's Georgie, I think. There isn't much light in here. Hold on... I have a torch. I knew that Charles would want to play some sort of group game."
"Torch?" asked Lizzy, "Oh. You mean flash light. I haven't heard that term in years."
"My mother was from England. Here it is." He produced a small (likely expensive) black object from a jacket pocket, and turned it on. He wished he hadn't. He didn't want Lizzy to see his face.
By the light of the torch, Lizzy's face was a lovely color, surrounding her lively eyes. She had a guarded expression on, and was beginning to fidget. Lizzy was very close, and it unsettled him.
Lizzy was confused by Will. He was sometimes friendly, but his behavior was odd, and he had insulted her. She didn't know what to think of him, and she couldn't read his expression. What was wrong?
The two were spared further embarrassment by Richard's sudden appearance. He crowded into the cave, sitting between Lizzy and Darcy.
"Ah! Seance in the dark?" he asked cheerfully.
"You found me out," teased Lizzy. "Where are the others?"
"Anne was following me, she should be here any minute, and the Hurst party gave up. That includes Caroline. Charles and Jane walked off in a different direction altogether, and haven't been seen in a while. Here's Anne now. Shall we call it a quits?"
Lizzy smiled, and rose from her corner of the cave as Anne inserted a foot into the space.
"Caught you!" Lizzy exclaimed, grabbing Anne's hand, and pulling her in.
Will sighed, noting that Lizzy was playful and familiar with everyone except for himself.
The group staggered back to the clearing, laughing. The Hursts and Caroline sat in their car, with the heat on, and Hurst opened his window as the four came into sight.
"Too cold," he said, and pressed the button for the window to rise again.
Anne, Will, Richard and Lizzy chatted while watching for Charles or Jane. At last, the pair arrived. Jane was limping.
"I slipped on some snow," she explained. "And I twisted my ankle."
Lizzy rushed over. "Poor dear!" Is there any ice?"
Charles fetched some, turning Jane over to Lizzy's ministrations. Lizzy next noticed that Jane was rather wet.
"Did you fall in a river?" she asked in surprise.
"Nearly. Tripped into the stream, anyway. I'm a bit chilly, to tell you the truth."
"We'll get you in the car, then."
Caroline silently opened the door, and made room for Jane in the back seat. Charles came over with the ice, and slid in beside her.
"We'll head back to the house now. Can you bike back? The help can take care of the picnic."
Bikes were mounted, and they made their way back to Ledley house.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if one falls into a New England stream in March, while wearing a very becoming (but not necessarily warm) outfit, that one is bound to catch a cold.
Jane caught a chill, and retreated to her bed for the rest of the day. Lizzy, as a dutiful sister, stayed by her bedside, fetching things and keeping her company. Charles was asked not to visit too often, as Jane needed some sleep, but was rather helpful in asking the housekeeper to make some soup, etc.
Jane smiled as Lizzy brought in another tray bearing greetings from Charles and a bowl of broth.
"He is too kind," said Jane, smiling at an illegible note, accepting a spoon.
"Certainly very solicitous. We want to make you better."
Will wandered down the hall way a fourth time, wondering whether Lizzy would stay with her sister the whole day. Giving into a very impolite urged, he stopped at Jane's door, and put an ear towards the crack. He listened, in surprise to Jane speaking to Lizzy.
"Will you certainly stay, then?"
"Yes. No escape for me."
"Did you want to escape?"
"Not really," said Lizzy. "But I don't know. I don't fit in, but I'll stay."
Thank goodness that Lizzy would stay. Tough everything was stiff and embarrassing, Lizzy was a ray of sunshine each day, laughing, and making the world a sweeter place. She would stay.
Delighted, Will whistled "Daisy, Daisy", and made his way downstairs, where he busily tried to forget Elizabeth Bennet to some trivial degree of success.
He didn't understand her, or what he had done to offend her, but he admired her.
All through the next day, Lizzy stayed by Jane and kept her company. Charles wandered in and out of the room, unsure how much time he could spend by Jane when he had a house full of other guests to attend to. He was soon saved from incessant wanderings by a challenge from his brother in law to a game of pool. He agreed, found Darcy staring out a window, collected Richard from the living room, and the four men settled into their game.
Caroline and Louisa found that the absence of the Bennets was bearable after all, and decided to drive to the nearest town to see what was available in the way of evening dresses. Anne found a book, and settled in for a rest, occasionally watching the game of pool. Hurst was the only one of the men who really cared for pool, and won two games before Richard begged for mercy, and disappeared with his wife outside. Charles took the moment to run upstairs to see how Jane was, leaving Will Darcy with Hurst.
"I say, you weren't very attentive to the game," said Hurst, disgruntled at the disappearances of his opponents.
"Not very," admitted Will. Truth to be told, he was remembering the last time he had seen a pool table, at the party at Lucas Lodge. He found himself wondering what Lizzy was doing now, and without realizing it, excused himself from the room. Hurst called after him.
"Are you sure that you don't want another game? Louisa and Caroline have gone shopping, there won't be anyone about."
Delighted that he would not run into Caroline while alone, Will decided to take a walk about the house, and wandered into the small but cozy library, noting that the snow had begun to fall again.
Being a resourceful man, he found a basket of wood, and lit a small fire, not minding the soot that had collected by the grate. He stared into it for a few moments, relishing the pleasant and lively glow that spread over the pieces of dried timber. Sitting on the carpet before the fire, he picked up the spare pieces of wood, and ran his thumb across them, identifying each piece. The wood was mostly dried maple, but there were a few pieces of pine, and a lovely piece of cherry. Rummaging deeper in the basket, he found a small scrap of something that looked like apple, and a shaving of ash wood. It had been years since William had taken wood working courses in high school and college, but the grains of the wood and their colors were clearly imprinted upon his memory has he fingered the scraps of firewood. In tenth grade, over ten years ago, he had begun to take theater tech courses under the direction of a wonderful teacher, who had encouraged him to take up wood working and three-dimensional art. His passions for building and designing had spread to Richard, but William had gone into dull and dry business.
Maybe it was the business that had made him seem so alone and apart from the world. While knowing a great many people, his friends were few, but close. He worked, he loved his sister, he provided for her. Now, he was beginning to see that there was more to life. There was laughter.
Tossing the sliver of ash onto the fire, he leaned back against a small sofa that was positioned before the fire, and, against what the fire marshals had taught him in kindergarten, he fell asleep near the blaze.
When Charles had returned to Jane's room, Jane had been sitting up, and seemed inclined for conversation. Lizzy discreetly left them, and wandered over to Anne's room, looking for companionship. No one answered the knock, and Lizzy cracked open the door, and gazed in. The room was empty of life, and she pulled the door shut, and set out in search of some sort of occupation.
Remembering that Charles had shown her a computer with an internet connection, Lizzy wandered in search of a wooden door in a hallway with blue paper on it.
On finding a narrow corridor papered in blue, Lizzy spotted the door she had remembered, and knocked gently before opening it. No one answered the knock, and she stepped in.
The room was some sort of library, and someone had lit a fire in a corner, that was mostly obstructed by a small, pleasantly upholstered sofa. Lizzy padded over to the computer table in socked feet, and curled up in the seat, turning on the switch, noting with pleasure that the machine was a Macintosh. She approved of Charles very much indeed.
While watching the various icons pop up on the screen, Lizzy scanned the shelves near her. The books all looked fairly new, and they spoke of someone's trying to look learned, without having ever opened their property. Selecting a volume of Auden from the shelf beside her, Lizzy scanned the poems, while opening the internet program with her other hand.
Finally, she put the book rather improperly down upon it's spine, maliciously thinking that the book should look read, as an excuse. On accessing her e-mail account, she opened the inbox, and was pleased to see that in addition to the usual bits of correspondence and junk mail that Kitty had sent an e-mail.
Greetings Lizzy! I think you said you were going to New York or Vermont, or some place like that, but we wanted to say hi anyway. Attached are three pictures. Georgie had a digital camera, and my tech-savvy mother helped us put them into the e-mail. The Bahamas are wonderful. Eleuthera is gorgeous. The house we are staying in is called "Bailiwick". We haven't seen any neighbors yet, and the only people we've seen were the people at the airport and at the town where we bought groceries. It was rather quaint, with a pink governmental building, small church called "St. Patrick" of all things, and a cute little pink library that's been there for ages.
The beach is heavenly! It is wonderful to sit there, and see no one else, though that also means that there are no handsome tanned young men. Oh well. I'll have my tan, and come home, and be delighted. Would Louise have a tan, do you think? Georgie wants to say hi now. See you, your crazy cousin, Kitty.
Hi Lizzy. It's a bit weird writing an e-mail to a teacher, but you're much friendlier than the other teachers I have met! I like the Bahamas very much. I haven't been around here in years, and Kitty tells me that you've never been. You'll have to remedy that, it is so pretty here, palm trees, and that crystal blue water, and the white sand. Kitty keeps on giving herself facials with it. I hope that you are having a nice break, we are studying our lines busily, and I am in book three already in the Aeneid. See you back in school! Georgie.
Lizzy smiled as she clicked on the attachments, downloading them into a photo program to view them more easily. Each attachment contained a digital photograph of her friends in the Bahamas. The first was of a smiling Bennet family, lying about on beach chairs on a gorgeous beach. The second picture was of Kitty by a large and rather badly built sand castle, with a horizon of palm trees behind her, and the third was a picture of Kitty and Georgie together, in the water. Lizzy smiled as she saw how happy and open Georgie looked, Kitty seemed to have a very healthy affect upon the quiet girl. Each girl was beaming, waist-deep in clear blue water. She stared at the photograph for a while, not having anything more pressing to do. Eventually, she logged out of her e-mail, and put the computer to sleep. Grabbing up Auden again, she settled back into "Law, say the gardeners, is the sun", the fire settling.
Lizzy had gotten to the point in the poem where it claims that law is like love, when she was startled by the rising of a dark head over the side of the sofa. She blinked, realizing that it was William Darcy, and that he must have been sleeping in the corner the whole time. He seemed just as startled as she was, and didn't speak for a second.
"Do you know the time?" he asked, glancing out the window.
Lizzy blinked, and clicked on the computer, to view the clock, having left her watch in Jane's room.
"Two thirty-seven," said Lizzy. Will Darcy continued to stare in her direction, and she saw that he was looking at the picture of Kitty and Georgie that was still up on the screen.
"It's a good picture, isn't it?" she ventured. She knew that he disliked her, but all the same he was Georgie's brother, and obviously cared about her.
"It's remarkable," he said, standing up, and coming closer. "I haven't seen her looking so happy and healthy in years. Must be that Bahama air that they are always advertising."
Lizzy made a noncommittal noise, and to her surprise, Darcy continued to address her.
"Are there other pictures?" I don't mean to nose, I'm just curious." He seemed almost shy in his request, and Lizzy wordlessly showed him the other pictures, devoid of Georgie.
"She wrote a message, though," said Lizzy to Darcy. "I can bring it up if you like."
"Would you? I'm afraid that I am being rude. I haven't been away from Georgie for so long since we arrived in Philadelphia. I'm rather distracted, really."
Lizzy brought up her e-mail account, and selected the message from Kitty and Georgie. He read through it for a few minutes, and then said,
"I wonder if she wrote me. Do you mind if I check my e-mail?"
"Not at all. Here, I'll leave."
She was surprised to hear him quickly say, "No, you needn't. She might have sent more pictures to me, wouldn't you like to see?"
Lizzy sat down in the proffered seat, surprised, but not displeased. She glanced at the messages in his inbox, noting names, Catherine De Bourgh, Helen Reynolds, Harry Nessing, Georgiana Darcy.
He opened Georgie's message, and smiled at it's happy account of her vacation. She had enclosed pictures, which Darcy opened, and showed to Lizzy.
"Here she is in the water, the same picture that you showed me. This next one seems to be the house she's at. Third is by some lovely tropical flowering shrub, and fourth is a charming view from the porch of the house, complete with charming tropical birds just to the left of Georgie's head."
"She seems very happy," said Lizzy, somewhat awkwardly. She had confused by Darcy's solicitous attitude. He disliked her. She wasn't sure if she disliked him, any more, but he was supposed to not like her. It was odd.
"Yes, she seems delighted. Your cousin... Kitty..., seems to be a very friendly girl. Georgie has only nice things to say about her new school experience."
"I'm glad," replied Lizzy with a smile, delighted with Georgie's progress.
"I want to thank you," said William, "for encouraging her to audition, and for giving her a part. She's quite excited about your play."
"She's a wonderful musical actress."
"She loved musicals so much."
Lizzy was silent, and turned her attention to the dying fire. Will stared at the picture on the screen again. The tranquility and the awkwardness vanished as Caroline barged into the room, carrying bags that were marked for a shoe merchant's store.
"I wondered who was in here!" she said. "Well, I found some shoes!"
"I thought you were looking for dresses," said Lizzy, quietly.
"The shoes were nicer. Never buy a dress outside of the city."
"Ah," said Lizzy, cryptically. Will shook his head. He did not want to know about shoes or dress. He closed the program on the computer, and made to flee.
"Was that a picture of Georgie?" simpered Caroline.
"Yes," said Will.
"Dear Georgie! What a shame she couldn't come!"
"Caroline, I think it far form a shame. She is having a wonderful time in the Bahamas with friends."
"Who, the Devons?"
"No, the Gardiner Bennets."
Caroline shut her mouth quickly. Lizzy smiled.
"My cousin," she explained. "Kitty and Georgie have become good friends. I teach both of them."
Caroline again was at a loss for words, and Lizzy saw her chance to steal away. She mercilessly left Will to Caroline's clutches, feeling rather sorry for him. He wasn't such a bad person, if only he didn't dislike her so much.
Will sighed as Lizzy quickly retreated.
Caroline smirked. "I suppose that Eliza means her uncle who runs some little cheap import shop. I mean, really!"
"The Bennets are very friendly people, who seem to care for Georgie a great deal. I would not have you insulting them." Skillfully turning on his heel, Darcy fled the room, and Caroline's boxes of shoes.
Caroline appeared at dinner that evening in a pair of very new, squeaky shoes. She sought approval from all of the other diners, who were forced to smile at the fine pair of footwear. In fact, Lizzy was rather surprised by these shoes. She hadn't thought anyone outside of a city would stock something so frightening. The heels were a good six inches high, with a very narrow sole. They were open toed, and laced with the most astonishing silver laces. Decoratively, Caroline explained.
After dinner, perhaps from looking at this exhibit of appalling taste, Jane pleaded illness, and retired to her room early. The other eight members of the house party retired to the drawing room, where Hurst immediately broke out a deck of cards, grinning happily. Charles, Caroline and Louisa were the first sacrifices of the evening to the card table. Richard, Anne and Darcy lounged on low backed sofas, watching the housekeeper's dog lie happily on a hearth rug. Charles's apartment could not house a dog, but he managed to find one to snooze before the fire at his country retreat.
Lizzy, who had a great deal of work to do, and little time during the day to do it, found the atmosphere pleasant for grading, and went upstairs to fetch some papers and her copy of the Aeneid.
On returning ten minutes later, Lizzy saw that the card game was in full swing, and was mildly shocked by the stakes. She felt the familiar out-of-placeness, and scurried to the far corner where she could sit and absorb herself in her work.
Time passed quickly while Lizzy was engaged in familiar tasks, and she was startled out of her reverie by the shifting about of the card players. Caroline, noticing that Darcy was not inclined to join the game, invited Richard to take her place, and walked regally on her appalling shoes towards the couches, where she planted herself between Anne and Darcy. As the next round of cards began, Darcy tactfully got up, and moved to observe the game. After doing this for some moments, he fetched a laptop into the room, and curled up before a small writing desk, in a solitary chair not far from where Lizzy had been absorbed in her work.
Caroline, not liking the new arrangement, approached Darcy, and glanced over his shoulder to the document he had begun to type.
"Oh, Georgiana! You are writing to dear Georgie! She looked so healthy in those pictures you showed me earlier. How delighted Georgie will be to receive such a long greeting from you! Please tell her that I long to see her."
Darcy made no comment, so Caroline peered closer over his shoulder, allowing her own dark hair to fall onto his shoulder. It did not have such a pleasant affect upon him as Lizzy's hair in the cave had. Indeed, he gave an involuntary shudder, and Caroline quickly said,
"My! How fast you type!"
"You are mistaken. I type rather slowly."
"Yes, how tedious typing is! But you must do it so frequently... all those letters of business."
"You should be thankful, then, that they are my job and not yours," he replied, gravely, hoping she would become disinterested.
"Pray, tell Georgie that I cannot wait until we meet again, to hear about her trip."
"I have already told her so, at your bidding," Darcy fibbed.
The room fell silent again as Darcy ignored Caroline's presence. She soon grew bored, and pulled her chair up behind her sister's, and watched the game peacefully for some time.