Beginning, Previous Section, Section III, Next Section
An hour later, Hurst had won the last game, before the party broke up. On the loss of his partners, Hurst sat down upon a couch to the side of the large room, and fell promptly asleep. Lizzy, from her vantage point in the corner, marveled at his efficiency.
Darcy had finished his letter, and closed the laptop. Seeing that Anne and Louisa were deep in conversation, and that Caroline was looking at him hopefully, Darcy grabbed up a book from a small decorative case, and began to read about the Art of Patchwork Quilting, trying to look absorbed.
Jane caused a diversion by appearing in the doorway, and soon Charles looked up from his conversation with Richard, and invited her over. After seating her comfortably side of the fire, he had a cup of tea fetched to warm her, and took advantage of the low back of the couch to slide his arm around her shoulders. She smiled at him, and Richard tactfully withdrew to his wife.
Louisa Hurst, becoming quite bored with the conversation, jangled the large silver and gold bracelets on her wrists, and called over to Charles,
"Didn't you say that you'd through a ball here some summer?"
Charles smiled, turning around to face his sister, and affirmed this. Then, he turned back to Jane, and ignored the rest of the room.
Caroline, seeing how interested Darcy was in his book, said,
"Charles, a ball? How silly to think of dancing. Some of us might prefer it if reading, or intelligent conversation made up the party instead!"
"It might be more rational, Caroline," called Richard, "But it would not be a ball."
Caroline did not deign to answer, but instead began to pace the room. In her heels, she was a very tall and striking figure, the additional height making her seem very slim and elegant. Her dress, which was long and crimson, with black and red sequin borders, swished elegantly on the polished floor. Elegant as she was, though, Darcy did not look up from his book.
Frustrated, Caroline remembered a few signs, and walked over to Lizzy, who had finished her grading, and had been watching the group from the sidelines, a grin on her face, her eyes alight with entertainment.
"Eliza, let me persuade you to follow my example. A turn about the room is so refreshing."
Lizzy bit back the urge to ask Caroline about her antiquated language, and, with a smirk on her face, rose and walked beside Caroline, with an air of mock gravity. She was shorter than Caroline to begin with, though she had a fine figure without using shoes or trains to her advantage. She had worn a skirt to dinner, a chocolate silky affair, with silver branches patterned all over it. Although the house was not cold, she had slipped a white cardigan over her shirt. Lizzy's simplicity made Caroline appear gaudy.
Darcy found his attention being drawn away from the Art of Patchwork Quilting, and inadvertently set aside the book. Caroline addressed him, asking him to join them. However, he leaned back, stretching and smiled.
"That would defeat the purpose."
"What do you mean?" asked Caroline, intrigued, stopping in mid step to flare out the slit in her skirt better. "Eliza, do you understand him?"
Lizzy, finding the intense gaze a little frightening, said, "It would be better not to ask."
"I insist that Will tells us his meaning!" declared Caroline.
Will shrugged. "You are either walking together throughout the room because you are speaking together privately, or else you have conspired to walk so because you know that your figures appear to great advantage while you walk."
"Shocking!" cried Caroline. "I never heard anything like it! How shall we punish him, Eliza?"
Lizzy's laughing eyes were dancing in merriment. Will Darcy was more unpredictable than she had thought! "Nothing too easy. I suggest that we laugh at him."
"Laugh at Darcy? Oh no," said Caroline, "I could never do that."
"Come now, Caroline, you must know some fault for use to expose, knowing him as well as you do." Darcy cringed, and Lizzy shot him a bright smile.
"I swear that I do not know of any such fault. Will is perfect!"
"Mr. Darcy, apparently you are not to be laughed at," smiled Lizzy, directing a comment directly at Georgie's brother for the first time.
"Caroline flatters me," said Will, dryly.
"And how I adore to laugh at the little inconsistencies, follies and whims of my fellow humans! I shall be deprived today, alas, for it appears that Fitzwilliam Darcy is the epitome of perfection."
Will blushed a little, and said, earnestly. "No person can be without any faults. But I have made it a study in my life time to avoid many of the vices and weaknesses that others succumb to."
Richard was now watching the conversation merrily. "Such as?" he asked, a look of pointed wonderment.
Darcy shot his cousin a black look, and turned again towards Lizzy, leaning forward, towards her. "What are common vices, do you think?"
Lizzy, surprised, summoned her voice. "How about vanity... or pride?"
"Yes, vanity certainly is a weakness," said Darcy. "But pride... where there is real superiority of mind, there will always be pride. There will always be pride, but let us hope that it is under good regulation."
Lizzy turned away from Darcy, and turned to Caroline, who had been watching, open mouthed.
"Caroline, I am done my examination. What is your verdict now?"
"I am perfectly convinced that Will has no fault. He said so."
"No," said Will, rising. "I made no such boast or pretension. I have faults enough, but I hope that they are not deficiencies of understanding. Indeed, I am not able to forgive the follies and weaknesses of others. That is my chief fault. My temperament might be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever." He sat down again, a little dazed at this soul sharing.
Lizzy was now solemn, and a look of respect had replaced the look of merriment in her eyes. "That is a failing indeed. You have chosen your fault well, Mr. Darcy. I cannot laugh at that."
"I believe that everyone has some failing, which not even the best education, not even that of your school, Miss Bennet, can overcome."
"Your defect is a inclination to dislike everybody," snapped Lizzy, regaining her fierce attitude and resentment.
"And yours, Elizabeth, is to willfully misunderstand them."
Caroline jumped up from leaning against the wall. "Shall we have some music? Louisa, will you mind if I wake Hurst? Charles, will it offend you if that dog is roused?" She slipped a CD into a nearby stereo, and swayed to the music, and inviting look in her eye as she gazed upon Will. He quickly picked up his book, again.
Lizzy, feeling weary, and not wanting to dance with the present company, gathered up her things. As she passed Will, she said softly and incredulously,
"Patchwork Quilting? Planning to join the ladies' sewing circle?" She gave a small smirk, and passed on out of the room, leaving an intoxicating scent of lavender behind. Then, he shook his head quickly, and gazed at the title of the book for the first time. Elizabeth Bennet was depriving him of his senses. He put the little book back onto the shelf with distaste. He was beginning to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
Two more days passed, until Jane finally announced that her ankle was recovered enough to travel. Elizabeth was elated at the prospect of leaving Ledley. Being s near William Darcy was confusing, and being so near Caroline and Louisa was unbearable.
Charles Bingley was disappointed and sad at the prospect of losing Jane's company. They had become quite cozy in the last few days, and both had enjoyed the close proximity.
Caroline Bingley was delighted at Jane's news. The departure of the Bennet sisters would be quite an agreeable thing. Darcy was behaving so oddly -- not at all like his normal self. And Lizzy Bennet was so unbearable, rude and ignorant. She may have a fancy degree, but she taught some ancient and useless language. Caroline knew that Darcy had once complimented Lizzy's eyes, and Caroline was eager to avoid his paying the wretch a second compliment. Jane, it was true, was a sweet thing, but not the right sort of person for Charles at all.
The group had gathered in the large drawing room after dinner on the last evening, enjoying their last time together. Anne, Louisa, Caroline and Hurst had brought out some playing cards, while Richard, Darcy and Charles sat by the fire, watching snow fall out the window. Lizzy had just gone to help Jane up the stairs, and was returning into the drawing room, unsure of where to sit.
She opted for a small cushioned chair in the corner, and leafed through a few of the books on the table, especially noting the quilting book with a smile. William Darcy could be so amusing and pleasant at times, so rude and standoffish at other times.
Lizzy dared a glance across the room, and noticed that the man she had just been contemplating was looking her way. Confused, she looked about, wrinkled her brow, and moved onto a floral dictionary for New England. Finding a bright photograph of daisies, she smiled again, remembering the tandem bikes and singing on the day of the picnic. Inadvertently, Lizzy then remembered the cave, and the sardines game. And the "treasure" box William had shown her. William? How odd... The man was an enigma.
Jane came back into the room, and Anne, who was becoming quite bored with the game she was playing, stood up to greet her. They talked a few minutes, and Anne coaxed Jane to take her place at the table. She then wandered over towards Lizzy.
"You look lonesome," Anne said.
"Floral dictionaries don't contained the most witty dialogue," replied Lizzy in a grave voice, but smiling.
"I'll try my best to beat the dictionary," Anne vowed solemnly. "But you never know..." The two women smiled at each other, and Anne settled down onto a nearby seat.
Across the room, Charles had given up conversation while Jane was in the same room. Darcy soon grew bored, and began to watch the card game. He sighed, with exhaustion and confusion after a long day.
He wanted the Bennets to leave, to get Jane away from Charles. But he also wanted to continue living in the same house as Lizzy Bennet. He appreciated her relative cheerfulness in the morning. Anne had confided to him that she was being cheerful for the benefit of others, really being dull in the mornings, half asleep without her coffee, and William appreciated her efforts.
He appreciated her cheer, and also her determination. She never seemed to let anything bother her, or at least she never showed annoyance or depression. Will wished that his sister could be like Lizzy, and marveled that fate had put his sister under the care of this angel. But careful... he was beginning to sound like Charles.
While Will was deep in though, Charles stood up abruptly, and walked out onto the deck, pulling on his coat as he emerged into the night. Richard followed, pulling on his jacket against the lightly falling snow.
"Charles, are you all right?" he asked of his friend.
""Reasonably well, any way," answered Charles, rubbing his hands up and down his arms, stamping to keep warm in the cool night air.
"Is it the Bennets?" asked Richard.
"Jane," said Charles.
"Who else?" asked Richard with a smile. "What about her?"
"She's leaving. And I'm both glad, and disappointed. We've had a lovely week, and everything will be so nice back in Philadelphia, but she's leaving before me. I'll be living in the house without her here with me."
"You sound rather struck," remarked Richard with a smile at Charles's fervent sincerity.
"Richard, she's an angel!"
"So I've heard."
"I've never met anyone like her."
"Certainly."
"What do I do?"
"You could always tell her all of this."
"Really?" Charles looked surprised, as if the thought hadn't quite occurred to him.
"Really," said Richard.
"I might just do that," said Charles, brushing the new snow off of his coat.
"Then come on in," said Richard.
They went in, and Charles sat by Jane all evening. Lizzy watched smiling from her vantage point, and Darcy watching expressionless from his.
The next morning, the Bennet sisters prepared to depart. They had been fed a large and pleasant breakfast, and now they were helping Charles to carry their luggage to the car. Charles hovered over Jane, who gave him a little smile, and met his glance each time they passed. Finally, it was time for farewells, and Lizzy stood apprehensively by the door, eager to be on her way.
Caroline pulled Jane aside, and simpered over her, while Lizzy was embraced by Anne, and had her hand shaken by Richard.
"It was wonderful to see you again," he told Lizzy. "We'll have to have you over for dinner some time."
"I'd like that very much," said Lizzy, smiling. Anne hugged her one more time, and they both laughed.
Louisa and her husband were stiff and formal, Louisa intentionally, and Hurst looking as if he had indigestion. Charles took Jane from Caroline, who bid Lizzy a curt farewell, and accepted Lizzy's thanks for her gracious hospitality.
William Darcy had been standing a little apart form the scene, making up his mind to speak to Lizzy after all before she sped off. He approached her a trifle nervously, he found, to his surprise. But she was civil and polite, so he spoke.
"It was pleasant having you share the holiday," he said. "I hope that it was a pleasant vacation for you."
"Why, yes it was," said Lizzy, surprised at his direct comments. "I'm now all refreshed for school on Wednesday. Please give my love to Georgie, you'll see her before I do."
"Of course," Will gave a stiff bow, and retreated back towards Richard. He returned to the house once the car's engine had started.
Jane and Lizzy had only been gone for a few minutes when Caroline began to discredit the sister, especially Lizzy.
"I'm glad to see her gone," Caroline confided to Louisa in a loud voice. "The girl is so common. Why, you must have see he very common she was!"
"I did, a little," said Louisa. "Her clothes were not of the first rate, but I am sure that they are adequate for teaching her students. Young people know so very little about dress."
"They were hardly even suitable for that!" cried Caroline, snatching up new material for gossip. "Simply common, and not so pretty."
"I've never liked hair like hers," said Louisa. "Long, and wild. Plain dark brown isn't quite the thing... and does she never straighten it?"
"Her hair is so adolescent," agreed Caroline. "Most women wouldn't be walking around looking as if they were first years in college."
"So true..."
"And her attitude is unbecoming. Too frank, I think. And she makes fun of everything. So unbecoming," Caroline repeated, uncreatively.
Charles, who had been talking with the housekeeper on the other side of the room, suddenly turned around angrily, and said,
"That is enough! The Bennets were my guests, and I will not have them talked about in this way!"
"Charles, Charles," began Caroline, soothingly. "We were merely making suggestions on how Eliza might better herself. She is not wholly without virtues. In fact, I have heard her eyes remarked upon as being uncommonly fine."
"That will be enough," said Darcy, rising from his seat by the window. He walked out of the room, Richard following him, a concerned look upon his face. Charles looked bewildered.
"I will not have you insulting anyone in this house... or at least anyone that I have invited to some to stay. The Bennets are lovely people, as far as I am concerned. You've upset my friends, and I will not tolerate such behavior!" Charles tried to turn on his heel and storm out, but it was so out of character that it was humorous.
"I wonder what is wrong with him," said Louisa, to Caroline. Anne, sitting at a table a little apart from the pair of sisters got ready to explode if they continued to slander the young woman they hardly knew, who had done nothing to them at all, save exist.
"He's infatuated with Jane Bennet," said Caroline. "Otherwise we should never have had her sister come to stay with us. The woman is of the wrong sort entirely. Not only is she not in any way blessed of feature, but she is of an unfortunate attitude that only worsens her upbringing. She claims to be of good stock, but how are we to know. The fortune hunter would say anything..."
"I will ask you to stop speaking of my friend in that manner," said Anne, appearing before the sisters. Since Anne was usually quiet, the sisters had forgotten about her. Suddenly, she was before them, raging and looking quite dangerous.
"Surely you wouldn't be friends with someone of her class, would you?" said Caroline, baiting Anne. Caroline had never liked Anne, as Anne was of very good family, had married Richard Fitzwilliam, and was best of friends with William Darcy. While Caroline's family now stood in high regard (mostly through her father's wealth and Charles's pleasantness), she would never be as accepted in the highest circles as Anne was, a point that made Caroline quite bitter.
"I can be friends with whomever I wish," said Anne. "I don't need to fish for friends to climb the social ladder."
"I do not know what you are talking about," said Caroline.
"I think that you do. In fact, you see, you are of the school that believe that the only way to rise is to push others down. It isn't very becoming, and it is often quite wrong. You would so anything to give yourself a boost, including insulting a harmless woman, who happens to be quite attractive in both feature and character, in ways that you will never be. No-- I am not entirely insulting you. I think that you are a handsome and striking woman, but men will never find you as interesting as they will find Lizzy Bennet. For all of your talk of class and social circles, you will never be in the highest circles. Lizzy may also never be, but she has the potential. She is clever, determined and fair, all valuable qualities, which I think that you do not possess. You may be determined, but your motives are wrong. Indeed, it would far better become you to sit silently at home, instead of parading about in peacock feathers and satin, claiming all sorts of knowledge that you never have, and likely never will, possess. I would advise you to remain silent, less you betray to any of your companions that you have the mental maturity of a seventh grader."
Anne turned on her heel very successfully and left. Louisa smiled at Caroline. "That will be something to tell the girls at the society!" she cackled. Caroline flounced out of the room, quite angry.
After Charles had left the room, closest to fuming as he had been in the last ten years or so, he wandered into the library, where he sat throwing bits of paper into the fire. Depressed, he began to stir the fire with the iron, and watched amused as the flames rose in new patterns.
"Care if I sit by you, old chap?" asked Richard.
"Whatever you like."
"Still depressed?"
"She's gone."
"Have you two made plans to meet back in the city?"
"No... not yet."
"Why don't you call her house, and leave a message asking her to see a play, or something?"
"Why don't I?" asked Charles, cheering noticeably. "Thank you, Richard. I might just do that!" He rose, and ran from the room, a tiny skip in his step. William, who had just entered the doorway, looked on in surprise.
"Just a little much needed advice," said Richard. "Sit down. Maybe Doctor Richard can help you as well."
"Likely not," said William, settling into Charles's vacated seat.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure. Sudden depression, confusion."
"Why?"
William gave a dry laugh. "I don't entirely know. It's not curable, anyway."
Anne appeared at the door, her face red with anger. She slid between her husband and Will, and said,
"I don't know how anyone can put up with them!"
"Who?" asked Richard.
"Caroline and Louisa. They were sitting there being rude about Lizzy Bennet. The girl has done nothing to them, except showing up here looking prettier and acting livelier than anyone else. They can't stand competition."
"Competition?" asked Richard, looking confused.
"Sometimes you are so dense," said Anne. "William knows what I mean... I think." She shot him a glance, and he looked away. Anne smiled triumphantly. "I knew it. I really did guess it, just wanted to make sure that I was right. I wonder for how long this has been going on?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," said William testily.
"Nor I," said Richard. "We insist upon knowing your meaning."
"I'll let the two of you work it out yourselves," said Anne, anger replaced by amusement. She put an arm around the cousins, and smiled. "Have I ever told you two how much I appreciate you in comparison to all of the conniving, scheming people in the world?"
Lizzy was delighted to be home. Charlotte had returned the previous day from a short visit to her parents' home in New Jersey, and was eager to hear about the luxurious weekend in upstate New York. They settled down in the living room, stacks of papers between them, ready for a good chat. Charlotte was delighted to hear about Jane and Charles, reporting that she had heard a message for Jane from Charles on the answering machine that afternoon. Lizzy was delighted, and thus was a bit generous in her corrections, before Charlotte caught her, and set her right. They continued grading for a short time more, before they finished, and lounged about on the sofas.
"It sounds as if the trip was wonderful for Jane. What about you? No more of the mysterious Fitzwilliam Darcy?"
"He was there," said Lizzy.
"And?"
"And what? He talked a little, mostly about Georgie. He's positively chased by Charles's wretched sister Caroline. I don't think that he likes her much, which is in good taste."
"That all? No seductions, affairs, anything interesting?"
"I actually spent most of my holiday sitting with Jane or becoming close to the Fitzwilliams. They are wonderful people, and say that they'll have me over to dinner some evening."
"How nice for you!" said Charlotte. "I always knew that you'd get it in good with high society some time. The Fitzwilliams are a good family, and I looked up that girl Anne you were talking about. Her mother is Catherine DeBourgh!"
"Who?"
"Major real estate magnate. Super rich, big force in society. Thank goodness, though, lives in New York. By reputation she is sharp, mean and too honest to other people."
"Lovely woman. Anne is so sweet, though."
"Apparently her mother was furious when she wanted to join the Philadelphia Orchestra. And when she married the Fitzwilliam chap. Apparently, get this, she was supposed to marry Fitzwilliam Darcy, though they never were a couple."
"Really? I wonder if Caroline knew about this?"
"Who knows. It was just that Catherine told everyone that Anne would marry Darcy, only they never were together, and then Anne jumps up and runs off with this Fitzwilliam. Great family, only Richard is an architect, and not a stock broker or investment banker. The black dog of the family."
"Do I really want to know all of this? You are scaring me away. The Fitzwilliams are a lovely couple, and I like them a great deal. So don't fill the world with mean, rich people who are all about tradition and arranged marriages and things. I like to believe that I am a happy, free person, who the world is created for. Don't burst my bubble. I like my world."
"Sure thing," said Charlotte. "Just thought you might be interested."
"Thank you," said Lizzy. "And you are right, I should know. Now I know what I need to protect Georgie from."
A note: The lines that the cast speak at the rehearsal are from Gypsy, a musical written and put together by Jule Styne, Gypsy Rose Lee, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim
On the first day back at school after the spring break, Lizzy felt quite cheerful. Once more she was in her element, and could look back at the whole weekend as being highly entertaining and interesting. And Lizzy was not the only one to look and feel happy, most of the students, including Kitty and Georgie, put aside their indifference in school work to laugh together about their breaks.
Coming into her homeroom, Lizzy was delighted to be greeted by a smiling Kitty holding a very large and silly straw hat.
"It's for you, Lizzy, the worst one we could find!"
"I'm so touched," said Lizzy, trying it on for size. She turned to one of her students, Jen, and asked, "Do you have a mirror?"
Jen handed over the desired item in a ridiculously small compact, and Lizzy struggled to see the hat and her face together for a few minutes, before smiling widely, and giving a small whoop of joy.
"Beautiful! I'll wear it to my first class. Now, Kitty, Georgie, tell me all about the Bahamas in the last ten minutes before the bell."
"Righto!" said Kitty, saluting smartly. "We did look over the reading and the script, for starters, you know," began Kitty.
"No! The interesting bits. Come on."
Kitty broke into a smile, and began,
"Well, it was awesome. Since the area we were in was all private homes, and since it was March, there was only one other family there. So the beach was pretty much private. White sands, aquamarine waters, coral reefs, the lot. We went snorkeling, and swimming every day, too."
"And the house was lovely," said Georgie. Five bedrooms, huge eating and sitting area, two decks, with doors onto the back one from every room. A pool and a hot tub, too. And palm trees and gorgeous tropical flowers."
"And to think I went to Upstate New York!" moaned Lizzy. "I wish I could have come..."
"So, did you go to Ledley?" asked Georgie. "I'm usually there every year."
"I did. It was... interesting. Jane sprained her ankle. But spending time with your cousin Richard and Anne was lovely. This is so strange... you know everyone I am talking about..."
"It is a bit odd," said Georgie. "But at least I know that you must have a had a good time. Was there snow?"
"Yes. Not for you, though!"
"Not at all. Just white sands... we went to Harbor island for a day, and spent most of our time at the beach outside some posh hotel. It was great, and the Gardiners took us to dinner at this restaurant that looked like an opium den. All dark and oriental, with low couches. It was cool."
"Good to hear. Meet anyone interesting?"
"Kitty met some random guy," said Georgie.
"Just a random guy," said Kitty, Sam coming up behind her. "I mean, that's what visits to the tropics are about. The beach, and random guys."
"Right," said Lizzy. "Well, as long as you had a good time, I'm happy. Ah! The bell. See you third period for Latin. Cheers!" Lizzy doffed her hat as the students poured from her room. Alec caught up to Georgie, and they left the room talking together. Lizzy grinned.
Third period, the last class before the break, was always a bit of a trial, as everyone had finally woken, and were eager to get some food. The day after vacation was a bit tougher than usual, so Lizzy decided to scrap translations in favor of playing games. She began to test them about plot and characters in the Aeneid, seeing who had done their reading and who hadn't. She had split the class of fifteen into five groups, each group getting a point when they answered a set question properly. She turned to the group that contained Georgie, Alec and a girl called Sarah.
"Alec-- who is Palinurus?"
"One of the people the translation was inscribed to."
"Ha ha. Who was he really?"
"The pilot? The one who falls in the water?"
"Right. One point to Cumae. All right, Ilium group now. Sam, why did the Trojans leave Crete?"
"There were pests that ate up everything, and something about the dog star shining."
"Right. Kitty, here is one for Carthage: Where did Helenus get his kingdom?"
"Why all the questions from book 3? We only read that one in English, Lizzy."
"Well?"
"Pyrrhus, that prig, was murdered, and Helenus got the kingdom and married Andromache, Hector's wife."
"That is true. Lizzy continued to set questions, until finally it was time for the break. Kitty smiled as she left the room, arm in arm with Georgie.
"Cool class to go with the cool hat, Lizzy."
"Thanks. Especially because Carthage won. I'm surprised, you actually remembered everything."
"Well, you know, I also had Danny the brilliant on the team. No need to think that I'm going to do all the work you give me."
"Right. Well, have a good break. See you tonight at rehearsal?"
"Sure thing. I can't wait. Tomorrow I'm beginning my music. Roberta is a great director, she's got us scheduled help from the music department. Georgie, don't you also start tomorrow?"
"Right. It'll be fun. I'm looking forward to working on this play."
"It will be wonderful for you. They are great bonding experiences, and though you are doing quite well, people usually end up closer after a play. Well, I've work to do, and you two certainly have friends to hang out with, so run along!"
"Yes, ma'am!" cried Kitty, laughing, and running away from the room with Georgie in tow. Lizzy smiled at their antics, and settled into a large armchair in her office to look over her grade book, checking over the third quarter marks before she would turn them in later that day.
It wasn't long before she was interrupted again. A decidedly greasy and unpleasant face rounded the corner, and entered the office without knocking. Wilfred Collins, the teacher of the English seminar course on religious texts was standing before her.
"Ah, Miss Bennet, how nice it is to see you again. I though, since neither of us was busy at present, that we might have a nice chat on Roman religion. Where our fields overlap, you know. I'm sure that there is a great deal I could teach you."
"I was in the middle of confirming my grade book," said Lizzy. "Another time really would be best."
"Your grades aren't due until three o'clock in the afternoon. You have four hours to do that."
"Four hours that I teach three and a half of."
"Nonsense, I looked at your schedule."
"You must have looked at the wrong schedule."
"Your name is Elizabeth Bennet, is it not? Allow me to call you Elizabeth, after all, we are colleagues."
Only for a few months, thank all goodness thought Lizzy. She put down her book. The less time she spent arguing with the slime ball that now occupied her other arm chair, the sooner he would leave.
"Very well. What is it that you would like to discuss about Roman religion?"
"The gods are interesting," said Wilfred. "My speciality is with religious texts, but I like the theories of the religions as interesting phenomena."
"Such as?"
"Well, this whole polygamy thing. I mean, the Romans must have been very unique to think it up themselves. Quite curious."
"But they weren't the ones who made it up."
"Ah yes, I was forgetting the Hindus. They have many gods, too, don't they?"
"An alarming number of world religions do, Mr. Collins."
"Call me Wilfred."
"Wilfred. What about the Egyptians. Have you studied their texts? And the Celts, and the Norse men?"
"I'm afraid that I concentrate on the Mediterranean. I have looked at Egyptian texts. Curious writing."
"Of course. But as I was saying, the Romans just stole other people's gods."
"Ye, of course. Zeus isn't a very Roman name. Or Hera."
"Those are Greek names."
"Ah, yes, the Romans did borrow Greek gods, didn't they?"
"Indeed." Wilfred's ignorance was beginning to irk Lizzy very much indeed. There were fortunately only another fifteen minutes until her next class, but she wanted him gone sooner. Quite apart from disliking the man, she didn't want anyone to see him in her office. They might think that the two were friends.
"In terms of gods of interest, I find it remarkable that the Romans had a god of thieves. You would think that it encouraged immortality. For that reason I have never been able to like Ares."
"You will pardon me again, I am sure, but it is Mercury, or in the Greek form, Hermes, who is the god of thieves. Also, of messengers and travelers. Ares is the Greek form of the god Mars, who is the god of war."
"I knew who Mars was, my dear lady. And one could hardly blame a man for confusing Ares and Hermes in the company of such a charming woman. Where was it that you obtained your degree?"
"Which one?" asked Lizzy coolly. "The PhD was from Yale. I was an undergraduate at Middlebury College, and took a Masters at the University of Pennsylvania. Anything else?"
"No, nothing," said Collins, clearly impressed. Such an academic woman was to be worshipped. Indeed, not only was she one of the most attractive members of the faculty, but she was smart. That settled it, she was the one he would pursue in his short months here.
Lizzy, unaware of the grave danger she had just put herself in, smiled, and looked at the clock, thankful that it was always set five minutes fast, saying,
"I'm sure that you will forgive me, but there are only six minutes left until my next class. I'm afraid I feel the call of nature. Let me show you to the door."
Wilfred Collins found himself left outside the classics hallway, Lizzy striding far ahead of him towards the bathroom, where she sat on the floor and burst out laughing to the immense confusion of a girl washing her hands.
Fortunately, Wilfred Collins was in no way connected to the production of Gypsy. Lizzy, who had aired out her office for a few hours, and scrubbed her hands any number of times since her break encounter, now felt clean, cheerful and excited. This was the first real rehearsal, and she was looking forward to it very much.
Dressed comfortably, Lizzy settled into a seat in the first row of the theater, waiting for the cast to arrive. Tonight they would be working on scenes in the first act. The set was not yet built, but Lizzy planned to start tomorrow, in all of her free time. Sitting in her office might bring her into danger of another visit from the grease fairy himself.
The theater was a large one, for a small school, that seated about five hundred. It had a gallery with balcony seating on three sides, the fourth holding a large proscenium stage, with stage space extended a good ways forward from the proscenium arch. Lizzy could already see with her mind's eye all of the scenery standing about, mostly consisting of walls on wheels, to allow versatility and room for the dancers.
The cast began to pour in around seven-thirty. Kitty immediately pounced upon her cousin, and sat down next to her.
"So, what's first?"
"Well, Roberta is up in the lighting booth, but when she gets down, she'll tell you. I'm to work with the young Louise and June for starters. She'll likely take you two and the guys into the rehearsal room to work on other scenes."
"That's cool."
Roberta, the head of the drama department and a wonderful, active woman, came over to the stage, and asked the attention of the group. She split them into groups that would have scenes together, and asked them to read through their lines together, to start getting a grip on how the characters might interact. Movement would come later, character interaction would be the key to this first rehearsal.
Georgie sat down. "Well, I come in part way through the dance in scene five. So, the scene we all talk in is scene six, then, right?"
Kitty smiled. "Right on. Well, so let's talk about the scene. It's in a hotel room, and it is Louise's (mine) birthday. I'm sleeping in the same room as four guys that are in the family act. June is with Rose in the next room. Right. It's pretty darn early, and I wake everyone up. Cool." She turned to the other people who would play in the scene. Pete Kimberton, a conceited youth with bleached hair would play Yonkers, the wise guy of the troupe. Georgie was June, Alec was Tulsa, Kurt Warner, a tall and good looking senior would be Angie, another boy in the troupe. The last boy, the suck up of the troupe, L.A., would be played by a Harry Trotman. Lauren Harte, a senior with a marvelous voice would be Rose, the mother, the hostel owner Kringelein was played by a boy called George, and Herbie, the part Sam had tried for, was played by an Oliver Wright. The seven sat cozily in a circle, ready to read the scene, with Lizzy and Roberta checking on them every few minutes.
"Awright, awright!" called out Pete as Yonkers, as if he had just been woken up too early.
"We're up Mm. Rose!" called Harry as L.A..
"Hey, it ain't even 10:00 yet! Turn it off!" continued Pete as Yonkers. The scene continued, Georgie happily anticipating her entrance. She listened happily as Alec played the kind and funny Tulsa, inside quite pleased to know that her character was the one to run off with him.
"Turn it off, Plug," Alec was saying to Kitty. Georgie watched, happily, as Kitty began a line, then cut her off, entering the room and the conversation.
"You woke up mother." Georgie happily slipped into her roll. She could say the word mother without tears, pretend that she really was June. June, a girl whose mother had always been there, and overbearingly so. Georgie's lack of maternal care vanished, as she became June, the pretty, coseted child of a strong-willed mother.
"I didn't mean to, June. But today is... well, you know."
"Today is the one day that we don't have to travel and we don't have to rehearse," said Georgie curtly, to her beloved friend, who was now a frustrating and under-loved sister. Sisterhood was lovely, Georgie relished the feeling, and was quite annoyed at Pete when he cut in with his line,
"Which means that we could sleep!"
"Is Momma mad?" asked Kitty, as Louise.
"She's in the bathroom -- making coffee. She says that as long as she's up, everybody come have breakfast."
"Great!" cut in Lizzy. "Georgie, you were doing well. Now, let's run through it one more time, try to look at each other more than your scripts."
The rehearsal dragged on, but mostly in a good way. Georgie was exhilarated by the experience of belonging and being beloved. Her theatrical family and friends were supportive, and she felt as if she were flying. She didn't even notice Will coming and sitting in the back row, waiting for her to be done. When the rehearsal was done, she helped Kitty carry chairs backstage with Alec and Sam.
"That was fun," she said.
"That it was," said Alec, taking her chair and stacking it onto the pile. "I take it you enjoy being June?"
"And you Tulsa?"
"Of course. Ready for dancing lessons, next week?"
"Of course. I haven't had a proper dance class in a while."
They are scarcely proper dance classes. Just everyone standing on the stage while some poor person tries to leach us the dances. I like it, though."
"I think I will, too. Does Roberta add character parts to the dances?"
"That's more Lizzy's specialty. The choreographer adds character movements to the dances, but Lizzy loves to add the glances and have certain characters be very aware of each other. Makes it a lot more real."
"Ah," said Georgie. She stacked the last chair, and walked back in front of the curtain with Alec. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure thing, June." Georgie smiled.
"Bye, Tulsa." She suddenly saw Will, and nodded quickly before jumping off the stage and running over to him.
"Have I kept you long? I didn't see you, and thought I'd help them clear up a bit."
"No problem. Did you enjoy your rehearsal?"
"Very much." They walked out, arm in arm, Will too busy wondering about who the young man on the stage was to notice Lizzy entering her smart little car and driving off ahead of them.
Chapter 12
Posted On: Wednesday, 4 September 2002, at 6:52 p.m.
About a week after the first rehearsal, Lizzy was found herself being part of the regular teaching staff that was throwing a reception for the spring semester English teachers. The event happened every year, and as Lizzy usually taught one of the spring English courses, she was inevitably part of the regular teaching staff who had to integrate with outside teachers who were part of the program.
Charlotte Lucas, though not part of the high school, being a kind soul, was another regular teacher who was to welcome the outsiders into Meryton. Dressed sensibly, but nicely, she waited in the kitchen for Lizzy, who inevitably took longer to dress. Finally, Lizzy emerges looking spruced up, but definitely not too dressy. Charlotte raised a quizzical eye brow.
"Any reason that you want to look as if you were very much not free?"
"Wilfred Collins, to explain in two words. The creep keeps on coming into my office and talking about Roman religion in the most uneducated manner. And he gives me these looks, that frankly make me nauseous. So, I thought that I should look nice enough for the occasion, but not show any more skin than necessary. It might encourage him."
"He's not so terrible, is he?"
"Have you talked to him? Right. Then, he is."
"Shall I drive, or shall you?" asked Charlotte, sensibly.
"You drive on the way home. There is no way that I can stand his presence unless under the affects of some sort of drink. You will be a dear and look after me, won't you? I'm glad that the reception is at Forster's. Getting drinks seems a very appropriate way to greet the outside staff."
"Lizzy, calm down. I'll drive both ways. Besides, you love the food at Forster's."
Forster's was an up and coming bar and restaurant in the center city of Philadelphia. It was becoming very popular with the elite middle class, and also with the younger generation, with its live music and open Wednesday nights for those sixteen and older. Charlotte parked a good way from the eatery and bar, and the two young women got out, and walked together towards Forster's, laughing merrily, and joyfully meeting up with a few other teachers.
Inside Forster's, the group was shown to a side of the room that had been reserved. About twenty teachers were at the reception, about ten outside teachers who were coming in for the English program, and about ten regular staff members. Of the regular teachers, six were from the English department, and two others were, like Lizzy, volunteer teachers for the program. Charlotte alone had nothing to do with the program, but had graciously taken the spot of another young teacher, who couldn't make the evening, and needed a substitute.
Charlotte and Lizzy walked over to their seats, but Lizzy paused a moment before sitting down. She looked at the name tags, and was relieved to see that she was between two visiting teachers, one male, one female, but both happily married sorts of middle age. She smiled at Charlotte, with a sad look, noticing that Charlotte was next to Wilf Collins. Lizzy then looked around, recognizing a voice. It sounded a great deal like Lydia, only Lydia was certainly under twenty-one. She was sixteen, to Lizzy's knowledge, and it was a Friday, not a Wednesday. She walked over to Lyddie, who was happily seated on a stool near the piano, talking with the pianist, and another young man. Lizzy motioned to Lydia, who scowled, and came over.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just hanging out. It's not like I'm drinking or anything."
"For how long?"
"What, being here, or until I drink. Who knows. Depends on who offers me a beer."
"Lydia, you are sixteen, this is illegal for you to be in the bar."
"But not illegal for me to sit in the restaurant. In fact, Mike was buying me dinner. I just wandered over here to ask the pianist to play a song. Isn't that right, George?"
"Right." The pianist looked as if he was in his early twenties, and was quite handsome. He flexed artistic figures over the piano, and smiled at Lizzy.
"Well, Lydia Long, you had better get back over to the restaurant, and your date right now."
"Yes, ma'am. Lizzy, you always spoil everything."
"It's my job. Go, now."
Lydia returned to her table, where a good-looking and muscular senior boy sat. Lizzy recognized him as being Mike Dennis, one of the densest of the Meryton jocks. Perhaps it was cliche, but they deserved each other.
Lizzy returned to her table, and sat down between Mrs. Pierce and Mr. Newton. She smiled, and made polite conversation about grammar, and listened to the opening speech, given by the head of the program, a Rebecca Short.
"Friends, it is wonderful to see you all here today. The Spring Semester program has been in place for nearly twenty years now, and each year grows better than the last. This program is unique and quite special, allowing the high school students of the top three years to focus their interests in all that the English language can create. You here are all special for working with the project. I hope that you will all work closely together, and benefit from the diverse collections of knowledge you each possess. Therefore, may I open the Spring Semester year 2002, and offer you these menus, of delightful food. Let this conversation and the meal begin, my friends."
Lizzy grimaced, and turned to Mrs. Pierce. "You were here two years ago. Is it just me, or is that the same speech, just modified slightly?"
"The same one," whispered Mrs. Pierce happily. "What shall you have to eat? These fried oysters look delightful."
Lizzy ordered herself a dish of spaghetti carbonara, and settled down to wait for her meal. She noticed with a frown that Wilfred had switched seats with another teacher, and was now just to the left of the woman across from her. He ordered something off the menu, then turned to Lizzy with a small smile.
"How delightful that we meet again. Our conversations at lunch have been so delightful."
Lizzy was thinking that he needed a thesaurus, and managed to control the wretched feeling in her gut. "Collins, was it?" she asked, with a blank face. "I think I might remember you."
"Of course," said Wilfred, a bit taken aback at her feigned ignorance.
"Right. Mrs. Pierce, have you ever tried the lemon chicken here? It is excellent."
All evening, Lizzy tried to avid Wilfred's comments. He was unbearable, and as greasy as ever. His table manners were even more off putting, when the food finally arrived. Lizzy rushed through her excellent pasta, eager to have an excuse to leave the table. After the dinner, the group was free to go over to the bar, to order drinks and chat.
Lizzy excused herself from the table as soon as a few others had also finished. She walked next to Charlotte towards the bar, chatting merrily and quickly with a Laura Hunt, who was a regular English teacher, and an old friend of Charlotte's. They sat at the bar, surrounding Lizzy on either side. Laura laughed at Charlotte's explanations of Lizzy's behavior.
"He is a wretched slime ball. He asked me if I was married when he saw my ring. Thank goodness that I am! I'm sorry he's attached himself to you, though."
The bartender asked for their orders, and Laura and Lizzy both ordered. Shortly, Lizzy was equipped with a Smirnoff ice, and settled comfortably between two well-wishers when Wilf arrived at the bar. Seeing Lizzy's drink, he ordered one for himself, and while waiting, was thankfully waylaid by another teacher, sparing Lizzy a moment to laugh.
"Hey, guys are definitely not allowed to drink this. It's a girly drink. Only girls are supposed to drink girly drinks."
"He's certainly odd," agreed Charlotte.
He approached the trio once he received his drink.
"Hello ladies," he said, grinning a smile that would have done a used car salesman justice.
"Hello, Mr. Collins," said Lizzy. "Have you met my friends? This is Charlotte Lucas, who is in middle school science, and this is Laura Hunt, who is a regular English teacher. I believe you two have met."
"Yes," said Wilfred, uncomfortably. "We have."
Lizzy smiled. "I hope that you enjoyed your meal?"
"Of course," said Wilfred. "It was delightful. I had the hot shrimp dish."
"I also had sea food," said Charlotte, seeing Lizzy's desperate looks. "Salmon. They do a very nice fillet here."
"I'm sure, I'm sure," said Wilfred. "Tell me, what do you think of sea food in terms of religion. You know, fish are often held to be an acceptable form of meat, whereas other forms are banned on occasions. Take Lent for example, in the Catholic calendar..." He began to ramble on, and Lizzy shut his voice from her head. In doing so, she noticed the delightful piano music that the young man called George was playing. Lizzy excused herself from her friends, and wandered over to the piano.
"That's nice," she said. "Where did you learn to play?"
"I've been playing since I was eight years old," said George. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am George Wickham. I heard that girl Lydia call you Lizzy before?"
"Yes. I'm Lizzy Bennet. Nice to meet you. Whatever are you doing playing in a restaurant. That's quality and style that you've got."
"Why thank you. Come, if you'll come and get another drink with me, I'll tell you all about it."
In a few minutes, Lizzy and George Wickham were sitting on the opposite side of the bar from where Wilfred was still rambling on about some or other religion. Lizzy liked religion in its place, but didn't think that it belonged in a somewhat posh bar. She turned to George, who paid for a drink for her to replace her first.
"So, Lydia was telling me that you are her uptight cousin who is putting on a play?"
"Something like that," said Lizzy. George Wickham was attractive and pleasant, far more interesting than Wilfred Collins. Who cared about the Spring Semester now? Half of the teachers had left to return to their families by now, and Lizzy wanted to enjoy herself.
"Gypsy? I know it rather well. I was hired to play a production of it in a school near Boston. I used to go to college there."
"And now?"
"I'm afraid that it is a long story. But my allowance was discontinued, and I am afraid that I am now on my own, playing in whatever places will have me."
"How dreadful!"
"Have you, by any chance, met the owner of Derby International, the financial company? A William Darcy."
Lizzy gave a small gasp of horror. "How odd that you should mention him. I have made his acquaintance not long ago."
"Do you like the man?" asked George, cautiously.
"Not very much. He confuses me. One minute he can be kind and friendly, the next he is cold and off putting. But why am I telling you, I hardly know you."
"But I also know the man. In fact, his father was my godfather. William and I grew up as play mates. When old Mr. Darcy died, he left me a stipend to put me through college. I wanted to be a concert pianist, it was my dearest wish. But William Darcy is not like his father, and he discontinued the stipend a few years ago, while I was in my second year at the conservatory."
"How awful!" said Lizzy. "But was it written down? Surely there are legal grounds for a protest. It is your living, after all."
"It was a spoken bequest, an informal one, but one that could scarcely be doubted and forgotten by William. It was a very surprising thing when he informed me that I had no claim on the money."
"I will admit that I am quite surprised at all of this. He seems like a very diligent guardian to his sister, one who follows a very rigid line of rules and morals."
"I can see what you mean. Do you know Miss Darcy?"
"Somewhat well. She is my pupil."
Wickham looked a bit startled, but then asked, "Has she ever mentioned me?"
"I know very little of her earlier life. She will not say anything."
"She is not allowed to see me any more because of her brother. We were good friends for many years, and knew each other a time in Boston, as well. However, he refuses me any contact with Georgiana, as well as any financial support."
"That seems a shame. But does she not try to contact you?"
"She is afraid of her brother."
"This seems a terrible set up indeed. Almost novel."
"There is nothing novel about it. It is sheer malice on his part."
"I am quite sorry. Though I do not know the Darcys very well, I had thought better of them."
"My apologies, Miss Bennet."
"Do call me Lizzy."
"You may call me George. Now, however, I must return to the piano, is there any song you would like me to play for you?"
"Whatever you wish to play. Maybe we'll meet again. It was an interesting talk, George, and thank you for the drink."
"I only wish that beautiful women like you came by more often. Well, I'll see you again, I'm sure. Good luck with that play, and if you ever need a pianist, they have my information here. Bye!"
Lizzy waved, and headed back towards Charlotte, who looked quite happy to leave Wilfred Collins. Laura had left some time earlier, leaving the mild and agreeable Charlotte to deal with a man who couldn't understand why Lizzy was drinking with the pianist. Charlotte turned down the offer of a ride home or another drink, clearly stating again that she was not drinking, she was driving home. With a final, flat farewell, she rushed Lizzy out onto the street, where they walked over to the garage where they had left the car.
"He is a tiresome man," said Charlotte. "You were perhaps a bit harsh on him, but as an acquaintance, he has some interesting views."
"Interesting indeed, if only he would get the Roman gods' names and functions correct. And use the right words... polygamy means multiple wives, not multiple gods." Charlotte sniggered, and Lizzy changed the subject. "Well, I've heard something interesting about my friend Darcy. Wait until you hear this..." Lizzy recounted the whole story to Charlotte in the car, and then again for Jane when they arrived home. Lizzy was confused, Darcy was a puzzling man. And she had liked his behavior towards Georgie so much... but what had happened with George Wickham? Lizzy sighed, and made herself a cup of cocoa. Some things work themselves out better with a good night's sleep.
Chapter 13
Posted On: Wednesday, 11 September 2002, at 9:40 p.m.
There was a certain charity ball given every year in Philadelphia to support animals in shelters*, as well as animal protection programs. It was an exclusive event, in some regards, though Lady Lucas, Charlotte and Luke's unfortunately named mother, had been on the committee for years, and had managed invitations for the Bennets before this.
This year, however, it was Jane who brought home the first invitation.
"Lizzy! Lizzy!" she called, tearing up the stairs in a most un-Jane like fashion. "You'll never guess what happened!"
Lizzy, who had been brushing her hair while reading over some latin grammar she needed for tomorrow's class, looked up. "I'll never guess what happened. You had better tell me."
"Charles has invited me to the Amler shelter benefit ball! He's invited you to come as well, if you like. Do you think that Lady Lucas will get us all invites?"
"It is likely. There is Charlotte, let's ask her if she's heard anything."
Charlotte entered the room. "Did you call?"
"Yes, Jane wants to know if your mother managed to get invitations to the Amler shelter benefit ball."
"The Asb ball? Yes, I've just gotten them in a letter from mother. My mother got twelve invitations. My parents will come, and Luke and his wife Helen, and me and my sister Mariah. Lizzy will come, and we can give away the last invite. Your mother and father are going, and they invited Kitty and Lydia to come with their dates with the remaining four invites."
"You know far more about my family than I do," said Lizzy. "Well, it will be fun. I always do enjoy sipping champagne with the city's elite. Though I seem to be doing that much more often than usual... It's all Jane's fault for dating a gorgeous and wealthy lawyer."
"Charles is very pleasant," said Jane, growing pink.
"I'm quite glad for you," said Lizzy, hugging her sister. "It will make the Asb ball even better this year. Now, I'll just have to see who Kitty brings to the event. She'll want one of us to bring a date, Charlotte, with that last invitation."
"What a shame. Let's give it to Mariah, unless you've met anyone new. We can go old maid style together."
"You're on!" said Lizzy. She didn't know George Wickham's number, and in any case, it would be odd inviting him. There was no other man she could think of inviting at the moment.
Kitty was delighted at the prospect of going to the Asb ball. It was her idea of glamour, and she lost no time in inviting Sam Carter to the event. He looked very pleased, and showed up to classes the next day with a very nice hair cut. He looked a trifle embarrassed, but smiled when Georgie asked him the occasion.
"It's only that I've been invited to one of the poshest balls of the season," he said.
"I thought that you were against aristocratic displays, and were all for the tides of the petty bourgeois overwhelming the classist few."
"Kitty invited me."
"She told me that she was going. So, she's bringing a date? That's cool." Georgie was then silent. Of course she was going, she had gone last year, William had taken her from school for the weekend, and she had gone with him to the ball. It had been fun, and while she hadn't been allowed to drink anything, she had enjoyed watching people. William hadn't brought any one. He never brought any one. But why shouldn't she? Georgie talked to William that night at dinner.
"You know the Asb ball? I was wondering if I could bring someone. I know that they always send you an extra ticket."
"Who, Kitty?"
"She's going with Sam Carter. She has tickets from a Mrs. Lucas, who is a good family friend of the Bennets. Lizzy is even going. I was just wondering if I could bring someone, to make the evening more pleasant. Just to talk to," Georgie said. I don't know anyone that well yet," she continued. "But there is a guy that I am in the play with who is Sam Carter's best friend. And I'm pretty sure that he would come. He's very nice."
"I'll have to meet him," said William. He usually would have refused outright, but Georgie had mentioned the fact that Lizzy would be there. Perhaps he might spend some time with the elusive and alluring Lizzy Bennet? Perhaps Georgie should have someone to spend a bit of time with, so she wasn't about all evening? Georgie smiled, knowing that she could hold William to his word.
At the next Gypsy rehearsal, Georgie, Kitty, Sam and Alec were sitting in a corner themselves, watching the two students who played Herbie and Rose doing a scene. On the other side of the stage, Lizzy was beginning to run the young Rose and the young Louise through some dances. Kitty watched in amusement.
"I'm certainly a better dancer than Heidi is. I guess that Louise gets to be a better dancer when she grows up. Just wait until the Asb ball, Sam, I'll show you that I can dance."
"I believe you," said Sam.
"So, Georgie, you're going too, aren't you?" asked Kitty, doing a pirouette neatly.
"Yes. Will has been going for a number of years, I went last year."
"Does he take anyone? Do you?"
"He never takes anyone. I don't know why, he's not bad looking, and is really quite nice."
"I'll say!" said Kitty, sitting down again. "I don't understand women if they wouldn't go with him. Does he ever ask anyone?"
"Never. But he said that I could take someone if I wanted to."
"That's cool. Any idea who?" Georgie blushed. "Not exactly."
"You should invite Alec," said Kitty, jumping up again, and performing a few high kicks to mimic the unfortunate Heidi, who was playing the Young Louise.
Alec flushed a bit. "Georgie can do whatever she wants."
"Would you go with me?" asked Georgie, a bit pink.
"If you want me to," said Alec.
"That settles it, then," said Kitty, with a small whoop. "This'll be wonderful. My three best friends and the creme de la creme of Philly. I can't wait."
After the rehearsal, Alec caught Georgie.
"Are you sure you want me to come with you? It's a pretty special occasion."
"Of course I'd like you to come. I don't know many people here, and you are one of the nicest."
"So are you," he said, smiling. "Shall we practice being June and Tulsa?"
"Why not? I know that you can dance. It'll be fun."
"Thanks."
"There's just one thing," said Georgie. "You've got to meet Will first. He's really very nice, but very protective. So, he'll want to meet you before he gives me the extra invitation."
"Sounds a bit tough," said Alec. "But Tulsa fears nothing. Not even frightening ogres who keep princesses captive."
"He's not exactly an ogre," said Georgie.
"I'd say not," said Kitty, coming up to them. "Look how the girls are swooning."
Certainly, Will was drawing a few stares as he entered the room. Kitty laughed. "Well, good luck. I'll see both of you tomorrow."
"See you," said Alec, "Well, what are we waiting for. Let's meet your brother." He leapt off the stage, and walked over to Will, who looked him over, and gave him a small smile.
"Is the this the young man you;d like to take with you to the Asb ball, Georgie?" he asked.
"Yes, Will. This is Alec Walters."
"Pleased to meet you, Alec," said Will. "I trust you are a responsible sort of young man?"
"I trust that I am," said Alec, keeping a straight face. "Do you need outside testimonials? Lizzy Bennet could tell you that I am a model gentleman, I am sure." He hailed Lizzy over, to Darcy's great embarrassment.
"Lizzy, could you assure this gentleman that my intentions are always honorable, and that I am a well behaved specimen?"
Lizzy laughed. "William Darcy, we meet again. I can assure you, though, that as one of my students, I have no problems with Alec. He's a good boy. And a good dancer."
Alec smiled. "There you have it. Am I suitable?"
"You are very direct," said William, a bit dazed by Elizabeth's sudden appearance. He had forgotten that this was Lizzy's play. She looked happy, as thought she had done a good night's work, and was pleased with herself.
"I need to be direct," said Alec. "You see, I'm far shorter than you, and I need to get attention somehow."
William laughed. "You may take Georgie to this ball."
"Thank you, sir," Alec said. "I'll be a proper escort for her."
"Thanks, Will," said Georgie. The group dispersed, but Alec remained a minute with Lizzy.
"Is he always like that?" asked Alec.
"It depends," she answered. "He's very protective, I think, but he clearly loves Georgie. She's a sweet girl."
"She certainly is."
The ball happened not long after the fuss over invitations. Georgie had just a few weeks before the ball, but found a dress rather easily with the help of her housekeeper and surrogate mother, Mrs. Reynolds. Kitty also found a dress easily, with the help of her mother. Lydia Long, who had been invited by Lady Lucas, had not clarified her date, but had long possessed the dress, and had shown it to everyone she met.
Lizzy, Jane and Charlotte had a trifle more trouble in finding garments to wear. Jane wanted the perfect dress to please Charles, while Charlotte needed a dress that her mother would approve of. Lizzy was naturally obstinate in the matter of dress, and found her gown just a few days before the ball. However, once she had put on the slightly golden gown, and dressed her hair, her house mates approved very much. Charlotte, who was wearing a plain dress of elegant cut in a blue color, applauded as Lizzy descended the stair.
"Bravo! You look nice."
"Thank you. And I do like you in blue, you know."
"It was a struggle, but mother and I agreed on this at last. She wants me to be on the lookout for single me. But they will all look at you, you gorgeous girl."
"Is it really nice then?"
"Of course it is, you goose! Where's Jane, she'll tell you. Why couldn't you find a date if you look so pretty?"
"I just don't have anyone in my life right now."
"What about that dashing young pianist?"
"I thought that Lydia might ask him, actually. Aunt Long says that she spends a lot of time at Forster's."
"That's a bit odd. How old is this fellow?"
"George Wickham? I'd say about twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four."
"Hmm. She's sixteen? Well, stranger things have happened. If he comes with her, will you take him away from her?"
"Of course. Older men are bad for Lyddie. She's fast enough as it is."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I am glad that she's not my relation."
"Well, we all have our own problems."
Jane came to the door, looking absolutely beautiful in a pale blue floating sort of gown, off an evening gown pattern. She had a very elegant string of pearls around her neck, and Lizzy smiled. Charles could not but approve.
Charles approved heartily. He met with Jane in the foyer of the hall, and escorted her into the ballroom. Charlotte and Lizzy entered together, giving their names, and looking around for anyone they knew.
All of Philadelphia's elite were at this ball. There were over a thousand people present, though, so the higher nobs were not required to speak to the lesser ones. Charlotte's mother had gone to school with all the right people, and played organizational roles in society events, doing paper work that the chair women scorned. However, she was rewarded with a dozen tickets to this elite event, and enjoyed coming to it each year with her closest friend and family.
Until Lizzy entered the ballroom, she had not given any thought to George Wickham's perhaps not being there. She had been so sure that the agreeable young man would be coming with Lydia, that she had not considered that Lydia would bring someone else. However, it appeared that she had. Mike Dennis appeared again, this time dressed in a suit and a a tie, and looking suspicious with a glass of champagne in his hand. He put it down when Lizzy frowned at him, but when she glanced back later, the glass was in his hand again, and empty.
Lizzy soon was greeted by her parents. Mrs. Bennet had met Charles Bingley only moments earlier, and was delighted with him. She gushes to Lizzy about his position, his income and his address, before Lizzy's quiet father cut in and embraced her.
"It's good to see you, chick-pea."
"You too, Pater." She called her father the Latin word for father, and he called her the English translation of one of her favorite Roman orator's, Cicero, name. He smiled, and looked at her.
"You look very pretty tonight. Are you here alone?"
"I came with Charlotte. We didn't bring anyone."
"Well, you'll have more time with your old pater, then."
"Right," said Lizzy. "But now I need to go find Lady Lucas, and thank her. I'll see you a bit later!" Lizzy ran away from her parents, waving to Kitty and Sam, who she passed on her way. They smiled, and returned to their conversation. Kitty was in a wine-colored dress, and Sam looked very nice in his suit. Lizzy approved of the way they looked. They seemed more polished than usual, and fit into the whole scene of fancy dress quite well.
After thanking Lady Lucas for the tickets, Charlotte and Lizzy found a pair of seats, and sat down for a while. Lizzy surveyed the scene with a happy smile, until her gaze became fixed, and she turned to Charlotte in horror.
"Is that Wilfred Collins I see?" she asked, in a shocked voice. "I can't let him see me all dressed up. He'll ask me to dance, or something." She was right. He caught sight of her amongst the crowds, and came over. He was as oily as ever, and had a broad grin on his face.
"Elizabeth, how funny to see you here. I had no idea that you were invited. How pleasant this is! I am here with Catherine De Bourgh, of De Bourgh reality. The largest reality company in the country," he added, to make sure that they knew. "She's my god mother, and in all of the best circles." He gave another oily smile, and Lizzy cringed.
"Elizabeth, would you do the honor of dancing the first dance with me?"
"I... guess so?" said Lizzy, hoping he would go away soon.
"Excellent. In the mean while, let me introduce you to Madam Catherine."
"Sure..." said Lizzy, finding herself pulled along behind the greasy being in a good suit that did not fit him properly at all. He stopped her in front of a stern looking woman in an enormously expensive dress, who was sitting to one side of the room, surrounded by people who looked almost like a court waiting on a queen. She turned a disdainful eye on Lizzy, and listened to Wilfred's introductions. She nodded, and Lizzy was pulled away, and returned to her seat.
Later, when the dancing began, he appeared at her elbow, reminding her of her promise. Lizzy stood up slowly, and found herself on the dance floor. Jane and Charles were dancing not far away, and she thought that she saw Georgie and Alec a bit further down. There were so many people here, she realized, that they could not all know each other at all.
The dance was disastrous. Wilfred was a wretched dancer, and all of Lizzy's skill could not hide that fact. She returned to her seat in a very foul mood.
William Darcy had been watching her all throughout the dance. She looked furious, and he thought that he knew why. The strange amphibian-like creature that had been talking to Anne's mother, Catherine, earlier did not seem to be a welcome dance partner.
Georgie appeared to be quite happy dancing with this Alec boy. He was a good dancer, and the pair seemed to enjoy each other's company. Georgie was always a little bit distant, but they were laughing together.
Charles was also enjoying his evening. And Caroline was happily looking snooty to one side of the room, not needing to pester him for the moment. Anne and Richard were not at the ball, Anne was giving a concert in Connecticut, to Catherine De Bourgh's extreme annoyance. She did not accept excuses for this event, but Anne's refusal had finally hit her, and she had invited her godson to come instead. William supposed that the slimy creature was the godson. Poor Lizzy Bennet.
Will looked at Lizzy in awe. Here she was, at this exclusive event, where people more important and more wealthy surrounded her. She was not daunted, she was not presumptuous, claiming acquaintances with everyone. Instead, she sat with a plainish woman in dark blue, and smiled at anyone who spoke to them.
She was wearing a divine dress, almost a brown color, but lightly golden. It shimmered slightly, and she wore her hair in a becoming manner. No one who looked at her could ever call her plain. She was beautiful, and yet, had only danced once, with that oily chap. Will found himself moving towards her, and then made up his mind. Why shouldn't he, Fitzwilliam Darcy, dance with Elizabeth Bennet? She should be glad of the pleasure, it was a rare occurrence. He approached her, and the girl in blue tapped her sleeve, and she turned to face him.
"Would you dance the next with me, Miss Bennet?" he asked.
"I... yes," said Lizzy Bennet, a trifle surprised. "I thank you."
Charlotte smiled as Lizzy was led to the floor by the handsome and mysterious Mr. Darcy. Kitty and Georgie saw it, and gave each other smiles across the room. The music started, and Darcy took Lizzy's hand.
* The idea of the ball is loosely based off of a real annual event, called the Fur Ball.