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Chapter Twenty-Two

Posted on Wednesday, 12 March 2003

At Monday’s rehearsal, Lizzy was beginning to get edgy about the show. She knew that most of the cast knew their parts well, and would be marvelous, but there were always details that she had to worry about. Not to mention that the scenery still wasn’t done. It would be done my tomorrow night, but Lizzy hated to leave threads hanging and paint buckets scattered while the cast traipsed about in their beautiful costumes. The costumes, a mix between purchased items and ones made by a core of parents, looked wonderful, and Lizzy felt pride welling up within her as she saw Kitty, Alec, Georgie and Lauren Harte do their best out on the stage. Sitting up on a ladder, she smiled at their backs as they danced, sang and acted.

The show was really rather good, Lizzy found herself thinking. It was entertaining, and lively. Apart from the set and a few glitches, Lizzy was looking forward to dazzling the audience. She had remembered to send Caroline Bingley tickets, and expected the exasperating woman to at least write something about Georgie. The play would get some kind of coverage. It would be important.

Lizzy found herself rather surprised when the theater door opened, and a few parents came through. Was it already ten o’clock? Seeing that it was, she jumped down from her perch, and waited in the audience for Roberta to stop the rehearsal. When she did, they all shared notes, and some of the cast departed. Lizzy grabbed Kitty’s arm.

“Do you mind if I make you stay and go over your Gypsy pieces from the end? It’s still a bit sloppy... and here you are, girl of the piece. Admittedly, Lauren as Rose is really the constant key figure, but you co-star. So get out there and wow the crowd. Come on... ‘Let me entertain you...’ Judy, could you play for us?” Lizzy pointed to a slim girl at the piano, who had been watching the cousins on stage. She smiled, and flexed her fingers before starting on on a now quite familiar piece of music. Lizzy always had music students come in to play live for the shows, and Judy was a regular member of Lizzy’s small orchestra, who also lived far away, and thus was very useful after rehearsals while she waited for her ride.

“Let me entertain you... let me make you smile...” sang Kitty, as she began to dance.

“Louder,” said Lizzy. “I feel like Rose, but here it is... ‘sing out, Louise’...” And remember, you are shy in the first round, then with each time you sing the song again, you add more conceit, self-assurance and character. You are a star!”

“I’ll remember. But if you think that you know the part so well, let’s see you do it properly,” teased Kitty.

“I will!” declared Lizzy. She jumped up, and stretching her legs out, began to warm up a little. “OK, Jude, I’m singing!”

“Let me entertain you...” began Lizzy, and she rang through Louise’s who routine from the end of the second act. Dancing happily, in character, flirting with the empty audience, she continued to the second round of the song, her courage rising. Pretending to remove a glove and flick it, she suddenly realized that the audience wasn’t empty. Georgie was sitting, watching, and her brother was beside her. Momentarily thrown off beat, she quickly regained her place in the song and dance, and tried to forget about the sudden audience. She sang her song again, the third time, enjoying herself, laughing. Doing a quick curtsey, she scrambled off stage, and took a second to regain her composure before going back onto the stage. Kitty was waiting for her, and smiling.

“So that is how I do it?”

“Of course,” said Lizzy. Kitty began to do the piece again, but she was aware that she wasn’t as enthusiastic as Lizzy had been. However, she did a highly respectable performance, and Georgie clapped merrily as Kitty finished her song.

“Bravo! This talent runs in the family?” she asked, laughing.

“Of course,” said Kitty. “Liz, I’m off to get changed. And then I’d better run, Amanda agreed to have my ride wait for me, but she’ll want to get home.” Georgie went to help Kitty put away her costume.

“Fine. I’ll move some scenery, and then go off home myself. See you!” she waved to her retreating cousin. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and looked around. Walking over to one of the scenery wagons, she pushed it into place, straining to move the piece on her own. Suddenly, however, William Darcy jumped up onto the stage, and approached her.

“Let me help,” he said.

“So it’s too heavy for a lone girl?” challenged Lizzy.

“You could move it on your own,” said Will, “Just it would take longer. I used to do some of this stuff. How can I help?”

“I need to set up for Act one, Scene one, only I need this piece here,” she gestured to the piece she had been painting earlier, with a stair case and a small platform, “to be moved to a place where it would be convenient to finish the painting.”

“Fine,” said Will, and he strained with Lizzy to push the wagons in place. Smiling at the increased speed of the project, Lizzy smiled. “Thanks,” she said. “This is a big help.”

“You’re welcome,” said Will, pulling a wagon backwards into place. Unfortunately, however, his distraction from his task, when listening to Lizzy speak, caused him to bump into the scenery behind him, the one which Lizzy had been painting. The one with the buckets of paint on it. Lizzy gasped as the scenery knocked into a ladder with an open paint can balanced on the tray. Only, it now wasn’t balanced, it was falling.

“Watch out!” she cried, as she watched a wave of blue paint hit William Darcy. He dodged out of the way, but not quickly enough.

“I’m so sorry!” said Lizzy, rushing over to him. “I’ve ruined your shirt,” she groaned. Just as William Darcy was being pleasant and friendly, she had to go and ruin his undoubtedly expensive shirt. She cringed a little, and then righted the can of paint.

“It didn’t hit any of the scenery,” she said, relieved. “But how are you? Did the can hit you?”

“Just paint,” he replied. “Just paint... I’d better move so I don’t mess up any of your scenery.” Lizzy could have melted on the spot. This nice man was thinking about her scenery, and not himself!

“Here’s a drop cloth,” said Lizzy, dragging the paint spattered canvas over to Will. Stand on it. Here. I’ll run and get an old towel, let’s see if we can get rid of the paint.”

“It’s a lost cause,” said Will, laughing aloud. “So much for being gallant.”

“It’s a becoming shade of blue,” said Lizzy, smiling.

“But unfortunately one that won’t match the interior of my car. I’d better change... is there an old costume or something I could use?”

“I’ll ask Roberta,” said Lizzy. “I’m so sorry. I should have brought the can down earlier...”

“It’s fine. It was my fault, not yours,” said Will. He pulled off his t-shirt, and looked at the article. It was very painty. Grimacing, he said, “Well, one shirt gone, but at least I think that most of the rest of me is fine.” Lizzy winced, and then ran off to find Roberta.

Finding the director, she said, “Roberta... big problem. Will Darcy... Georgie’s big brother... was helping me to move some scenery, and we had an accident... that can of blue paint... his shirt... do we have any nice costumes he could borrow?”

“I’ll go look. I’ve seen him before, I could probably guess his size.”

“Thank you,” said Lizzy. She grabbed up a towel from the corner in Roberta’s office where she kept her things, and ran back out to Will.

“Here,” she said, offering him the towel, and averting her eyes from his attractive chest. “And Roberta will bring you a shirt. Are you... otherwise dry?”

“Just shirt and hair,” said Will. “And as you said, it is a nice shade of blue.”

“I’m so sorry! Will Mrs. Reynolds be able to salvage your shirt?”

“Not even Mrs. Reynolds could, I’m afraid. I’ll just hang it up on this pipe, and hope that the paint will dry soon enough for you to toss it without getting you all messy.”

Roberta appeared with a shirt. It was a dress shirt, slightly old-fashioned. “Here,” she said. “Try this. Sorry about everything.”

“I’m fine,” said Will. “Thank you. Do you know where Georgie got to?”

“I’m here,” said Georgie, appearing. “What happened?”

“I had an accident with some paint and almost ruined Elizabeth’s set.”

“Oh dear!” said Georgie. “Is it fine?”

“You should ask if your brother is fine,” reprimanded Lizzy. Will glanced up, and smiled at Lizzy. He had put on the shirt, and found it an excellent fit. “Thank you, again,” he said to Roberta. “I’ll have Georgie bring it back soon.” Roberta nodded, and disappeared again.

“Can I help you in any other way?” asked Will. “That doesn’t involve cans of paint?”

“I feel terrible,” said Lizzy. “But if you are so determined to be my savior, you could help me with the pipes.”

“What?” asked Georgie. “Like tobacco and old British men?”

“No. Pipes as in those things high above you when you are on stage. The backdrops, and those flags that come flying down for your patriotic piece.”

“Those pipes,” replied Georgie, enlightened. “What do you do with them?”

“I get a nice strong man like your brother to help me haul them up and down with big ropes.”

“Sounds boring,” said Georgie. “Mind if I wait down in the audience?”

“No problem. I won’t be long,” her brother promised.

“Thank you, again,” said Lizzy, turning back to him. “You don’t have to be this helpful.”

“I enjoy it,” said Will, a trifle embarrassed. Lizzy decided to let the matter drop, and gestured up to one side of the stage. “See that ladder? We climb up that, and then up a little flight of stairs, and we’ll be by the anchors. Then we’ll haul the ropes to bring up those flags. I’ll get the far end, and you can take the near end since you aren’t used to it. The point of the exercise is to make it come up, and stay level.”

“I’ll try my best,” offered Will. “But you must show me how it is done.”

They climbed the ladder, Lizzy leading. She found a light switch up past the ladder, and flicked it on. The backstage was flooded with a dull blue light, and Will took a look about. There was a pair of old arm chairs up on the landing, and the foot of a flight of stairs. Lizzy walked by the chairs, and began to ascend the stairs.

“Just up here,” she said. He followed her up, and found himself standing on a metal grill, rather high up. Against the wall at the top of the stairs was a long railing, with ropes tied all over it.

“Not the safest conditions,” said Lizzy. “But we try to keep the students from having to do this sort of thing. Here. You take this rope.” She pointed to one that looked exactly like all of the others. He wondered how she could tell them apart. Then, she took the one next to his, and began to untie it rapidly. Bracing herself against the tug of the rope, she gently pulled downwards, and Will saw the pipe that some flags were tied to rise fractionally. She gestured to his rope.

“You try now.” He copied her movements, and brought the pipe up level. “Keep going now, slowly but steadily. I’ll copy,” she continued. They brought the pipe up levelly, and Lizzy wrapped her rope several times around the cast iron railing. Finishing up by tying a complicated looking knot, she let go, and the pipe stayed level.

“Here, I’ll do yours,” she offered.

“I’d like to see how you did it, more slowly,” said Will.

Lizzy grinned, and leaned over his rope. “Here, let me grab the rope.”

“It’s heavy,” objected Will.

“There you go again, the frail woman idea. I get paid to do this, I enjoy it. Let go.”

She grabbed the rope, and he let go. Slowly, she repeated her earlier coiling motion, and the knot. Will watched intently.

“And that’s how you do that,” Lizzy concluded, wiping her hands on the legs of her jeans. “Georgie will be waiting for you, you’d better go. Thanks for your help.”

“I didn’t help very much,” said Will. “I knocked over your paint.”

“And my carelessness gave you a blue bath. You go home and get that paint out of your hair, and do nice corporate things. I’ve got a pile of tests to grade.”

Will reluctantly descended the staircase, but waited for Lizzy at the bottom.

“Why are there those old chairs up here?”

“They’ve been here forever. Ages ago, when we had a huge stage crew, we’d have three or four guys up here in the flies to haul things up and down. And someone had the brilliant idea of taking a set of old chairs up here when their mother redecorated. It was before Roberta’s time, and certainly before mine. But they’ve stayed, even though there aren’t enough techies to work the flies. Usually we get parents or siblings in college to do any fly work.”

“Interesting,” said Will. “But I wouldn’t have liked to be the one to bring the chairs up.”

“Neither would I,” agreed Lizzy. “Well, here go the lights.” She flicked off the switch, and climbed down quickly in the dark. Will followed, and when they were both on firm floor again, Lizzy offered her hand to Will.

“Excellent work for your first time in this theater.”

“It was a pleasure,” he answered, taking her offered hand, and shaking it.

“It was,” said Lizzy, with a smile. “But now Georgie will be falling asleep. Goodnight! I’ll lock up behind you.”

Will retrieved Georgie from the seats, and they went off to the car together, Lizzy locking up the theater after them.

“So, what did you do up wherever?” asked Georgie, once they were on their way home.

“Hauled on ropes. Elizabeth is very strong.”

“You think that all girls have to be meek and weak. Well, give it up. Lizzy rocks.”

“She does,” replied Will quietly. “And she cares about her job, too.”

“Definitely,” answered Georgie, enthusiastically. “I don’t know how she has time to do everything. The cast is buying everyone flowers, and we’re getting her a bouquet as big as Roberta’s, since she does just as much work, even though she is only the assistant.”

“Well, I hope she’ll like the flowers,” said Will. He wondered whether she would take it badly if he brought her some flowers himself. He liked the idea very much himself.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tuesday afternoon Lizzy was busy finishing details on the set. Along with a small core of stage crew students, she rolled up her sleeves, and dove into the work eagerly. A few fleck of blue paint had ended up on one flat, unnoticed last night. Lizzy fixed the accident skillfully, addition shadow and texture to the wall the flat was supposed to represent. Another accident needed repair, as well, since Lizzy in her busyness last night had forgotten to put away the filthy drop cloth. Some unfortunate sophomore had tracked all through it, leaving blue foot prints all across the stage. Lizzy oversaw a pair of juniors in their work painting over the prints with shiny black paint, to match the rest of the stage.

By four o’clock, her young helpers had disappeared home to get dinners and rest before the last dress rehearsal. Sighing, and seeing that some molding needed painting, she climbed up a ladder, and examined the area. Then, fetching a small bucket, she mixed the color she wanted, and headed back up the ladder.

But, as will inevitably happen if one wears a white shirt while painting, the color proved to be too watery, and had a tendency to drip. Fearing for the state of her shirt, Lizzy nosed around backstage, hoping to find an apron or something. She found William shirt, cast casually over a hot water pipe. She picked it up, and found herself putting it over her own shirt. The blue paint had dried, and though the paint cracked as she slid the shirt over her head, it was still a soft shirt. And a fragrant one, Lizzy noticed as she caught herself sniffing the cloth. It smelled rather like Will Darcy, at least from what she could tell from having been in the same car as him, as well as the same cave, back in March.

Comfortable and safe from drips in Will’s cast off clothing, Lizzy busied herself with the molding. When she was satisfied, she sat back and surveyed her work. She grabbed up a sea sponge, and fiddled a bit, but she was mostly happy with the work. Now the set was finally done, in time for the last dress rehearsal. The preview for the play was in only two days. Then, it would be opening night, closing night, and then the whole experience would be over. Roberta, herself and a few students would strike the set, and store the piece back in corners and storage rooms. Costumes would be hung away, and props returned to one of the labyrinth of rooms in the basement. It would be done, and she would return to seeing Georgie twice a day, and Will very rarely. She found herself upset about these facts.

Thinking of the Darcys, Lizzy glanced at her watch. It was past five-thirty. She had been supposed to meet with Will Darcy, and later Georgie, at five-thirty about Georgie’s college plans. Cursing to herself, Lizzy scuttled down off the ladder, and folded it away to one side. Casting the brushes she had been using into a bucket of water, she quickly washed her hands, and dried them. Grabbing up her bag, she dashed across campus, into her building, and then finally into her office. A few other teachers were still about, and Lizzy noticed that the light in her office was on. She left her door unlocked and closed usually, and it was as she had left it. Only, Will Darcy was sitting inside, on the sofa. She sighed, and entered, ready to apologize for her tardiness. Will Darcy did seem to be always punctual or early.

“I’m so sorry,” said Lizzy, entering. “I was painting, and I just lost track of the time.”

“No need to apologize,” replied William, folding away a file he had been looking at into his briefcase. “One of your colleagues told me to go ahead in, instead of sitting in the hall.”

“They were right. I’m sorry...” she began again, but Will held up a hand to stop her, and then paused, glancing at her shirt. She looked down at her chest, and wondered what Will Darcy would think. Here she was, late, and wearing his clothing.

“You won’t get the paint out,” said Will.

“I... wasn’t planning to. I’m sorry, I used it to keep the paint off of my own shirt. Do you mind?”

“No, not at all,” replied Will. “I told you that I would get no more use out of it. I’m glad that it would still serve you.”

Lizzy flushed a little, and then, turning around, whipped off the embarrassing layer. Folding it aside, she smoothed her white shirt, and picked up a file from her desk. She sat down in the armchair opposite Will, and opened the file.

“Well, um, we were going to talk about Georgie?”

“Yes,” said Will. “We were. College.”

“So, what does she think about college?”

“She want to go, like most bright young kids these days. Nowhere in particular, just somewhere.”

“Where did you go?” asked Lizzy. “Pardon me if I am being forward, but it is useful to see what people she is close to chose in the way of a college education.”

“I don’t mind. I went to Yale for undergraduate.”

“I went there for my doctorate,” said Lizzy, smiling. “What did you think of New Haven?”

“So-so,” said Will. “But Georgie shouldn’t be limited by my choice.”

“You’re right. Only it is interesting to see these things. Is it a family school choice?”

“My father went there. My mother was at Oxford.”

“Impressive,” murmured Lizzy.

“Your schooling seems impressive. Doctorate? You’re not very old.”

“Thank you,” said Lizzy. “I worked hard. In any case, what does Georgie want to do?”

“She doesn’t know. Something with writing maybe, or acting, for all I know. When she comes, you can ask her.”

“When is she showing up?”

“At six. We wanted her to get a bit of a rest and homework period before she had to come back.”

“Fine,” said Lizzy. “Well, if you would, I have a list of colleges here that I thought might suit Georgie. Her grades have been pretty strong, both here and in Boston. The changing schools thing might be a bit iffy, but the rest of her information seems good. Nice SATs, good SATIIs. Is she taking a third one? I have bio and writing here... what else is she taking?”

“She’s signed up for another two in June. Math, I think? And Latin, of course.”

“I hate the Latin SATII. It’s not the same, learning a language, and getting a standardized test score on it. Well, she took the Virgil AP, and a Biology one, and the European History. So hopefully we’ll get some happy results to tempt colleges with.”

“I’m not worried about her,” said Will, smiling.

“Good. Then read the list, and tell me what you think.”

He gazed at the list, and asked her questions about a few of the schools. Lizzy answered to the best of her ability, recalling students who had chosen to attend the institutions, and their reports about how they were enjoying themselves. Before long Georgie tapped on the door, and entered, looking rested and happy. She flopped down on the sofa beside her brother, and looked at the list in his hand. Making a few comments and asking more questions, the interview continued. Lizzy made more notes in a folder, as Georgie described what she had done in previous summers.

“That sounds interesting... theater classes. Seem to have been a good investment, kid. Anyway, now, your brother has no idea really what you want from a college. I need some more characteristics to look for. Classics and theater are good. Size, female or coed, geographic location?”

“Small,” Georgie mused. “Northern, probably. I’ve grown up in New England... coed or women’s college doesn’t make much of a difference. Only, I’d like to be near a city.”

“I’ll look through more books. Now, what courses are you taking next year?” Georgie rattled off a list of courses that she was taking, and Lizzy noted them down, smiling. “Nice variation,” she said. After a few more lists, and more questions, Lizzy waved to the brother and sister, and they all departed, Lizzy and Georgie for rehearsal, Will for his home.

When Will arrived home, Mrs. Reynolds was busy getting his supper out of the oven, and the phone rang. Calling out that he would get it, he allowed the good woman to see to their supper at leisure, and picked up the phone, pressing the talk button. A moment later, he wished that he hadn’t. The shrill voice was unmistakable, even over hundreds of feet of cable.

“Will? I’m so glad to get you in person, I keep getting your housekeeper, who says that you are out. Will, you go out far too much, whatever is it that you do? Anyway, I’m reviewing the opening night of a play at the Wilma, and they gave me an extra ticket. You will come with me,won’t you? It will be a glamorous affair, I’m sure. I’ve heard that the Amon-Drexels will be there. Only the best people, you will come? Saturday, at eight. I thought that we could get dinner afterwards.”

“This Saturday?” asked Will, thankful that he had offered Lizzy his house for the party. A good host couldn’t possibly abandon his party... “I’m afraid that I can’t Caroline,” he answered. “I’ve got Georgie’s cast party at my house on Saturday. I’ll be at the play, and then I’ll need to be here.”

“Oh, you needn’t stay for a bunch of students, this is real theater. Go to the play on Friday, and join me Saturday. I was sent a ticket for Georgie’s play on Friday. I’ll join you, if you’ll come then.”

“I’m going both nights,” said Will. “I can’t abandon Georgie. I’m sorry.”

“Oh,” said Caroline, annoyed. “Well, see you Friday. Another time.” She hung up, wondering when the cast party started, and how she could crash it. It wasn’t crashing if it was your friend’s party, was it? Will, on the other end of the line, took a huge breath as he surrendered the phone back onto it’s perch.

“Was it that Caroline woman?” asked Mrs. Reynolds, in a voice that showed just what she thought of the woman. She set a meat loaf down on the table, and sat down. “Come on, she can’t get you here. Just let me screen your calls, there’s a nice lad. Eat up.” Will smiled, and settled into his seat.

Wednesday afternoon, unhampered by any rehearsals, Lizzy left campus at a bright and early hour, intending to purchase little gifts for all of the leads in the play. Roberta had chipped in, and Lizzy merrily walked into a well known confectioner's shop, and ordered little customized boxes for the hardworking students. Then, she ordered larger boxes for the orchestra, stage crew, and chorus to share. Waiting for the boxes to be made up, she decided to take a walk up the street, and feed her parking meter.

Arriving beside her car, she put another quarter into the meter, and looked around. In the afternoon, the streets were fairly empty, save for ordinary traffic. She was surprised when she recognized a figure approaching. It was her renegade cousin.

“Lyddie!” called Lizzy, approaching her. Lyddie waved, and came over.

“Why did you drop the play?” asked Lizzy. “You were doing so well.”

“Lav Wood wanted the part, anyway.”

“What have you been doing with your time?”

“Not too much. But I didn’t feel like the whole thing, you know? Besides, you and Roberta and all were so chummy with the Darcys. You should know what kind of people they are, you wouldn’t like them, if you knew.”

“What? This isn’t George Wickham’s story, is it? Because he’s wrong.”

“How would you know? Who told you, the Darcys themselves? Come on, Liz, hear me! George Wickham was completely shafted by your Will Darcy. You can’t still like the guy.”

“What I think is my own opinion. But honestly, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to Wickham. Will could have him arrested.”

“Big Will Darcy. Big and powerful. You see, people who can get whatever they want aren’t cool. I couldn't be in a cast with Georgie. I mean, the party is at the Darcy house. I’d feel like a traitor to enjoy Darcy hospitality.”

“Lyddie, I’m warning you, stay away from Wickham. He’s not good news, and I bet that he had a pretty record if you were to look it up.”

“Whatever. Hey, there’s a guy with about a hundred boxes in his arms waving at you from that shop.”

“Oh, lord, the chocolates. I’ve got to go, but Lyd, just pay heed to me, won’t you? Don’t believe everything Wickham tells you. Stay away, you could hang out with so many other, nicer guys.”

Lyddie tossed her head, and continued down the street, turning back, to mouth “Whatever” to Lizzy, as she turned to take the mountain of candies from the shop assistant. Lizzy frowned.

Returning home, Lizzy recounted her experiences with Lydia to Jane. Jane furrowed her brow, slightly. Lizzy had told her about Will and Georgie’s story, and Jane had been amazed. Now, with that knowledge, listening to Lizzy, she was mildly worried, but when Lizzy stared at her, expecting an answer, she responded brightly.

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll listen to you. The younger cousins have always paid attention to you, since you were ‘cooler’ than their parents, and had good advice. Don’t worry about anything but the play. I’ll put labels on all of those chocolates, you get some sleep! You’ve been out late so much that I wonder that you can still teach.”

“Thanks, Jane,” said Lizzy, who was quite tired, really. “I’ll rest. You are an angel.”

Jane gave her sister an impish smile. “Hey, speaking of my being an angel, can I bring Charles to the show and the party?”

“Of course,” said Lizzy, smiling. “I’ll look for him. He’s right. You are a paragon of loveliness. O Sleep I come.” She dashed up the stairs, and soon fell asleep in her bed, dreaming of gardening and vacuum cleaners, perfectly ordinary and peaceful things.

Chapter 24

Lizzy woke on Friday in a wonderfully cheery mood. The Thursday night preview had been excellent, and she had many reasons to look forward to a wonderful opening night tonight. Georgie had seemed very confidant and happy, and all of the small problems Lizzy had anticipated had evaporated. The school day went by quickly, and Lizzy was only too happy when it was time for her to change and head back to the school.

She parked the car, and made her way into the theater, where many student members of the cast were milling around, joking and laughing with each other. She was immediately assailed by actors who had lost parts of their costumes and by members of the stage crew with last minute questions. She handed a can of dog food, an order of chop suey and a few egg rolls to the props mistress, Winnie, before going off to say hello to Roberta, and to solve the dozen problems she had been greeted with already.

“Roberta, everything going well?”

“Seems so,” said Roberta, smiling, while answering the queries of two young actresses at the same time. “Nicely busy, but everything seems to be going smoothly for an opening. Seems like everyone is here. Lauren Harte has been warming up, and I sent Kitty, Georgie, Herbie and the young ‘uns in to join her, a minute ago. Orchestra’s here, and I’m pretty happy.”

“I’m so glad,” said Lizzy, warmly. “What can I do to help out?”

“Oversee costumes, answer questions, make sure that they put on the right shade of make up. I think that during the play everything will be fine. Why don’t you take one of those front seats that I reserved. Anyone you see that you think deserves one, feel free to invite in. All those seats. I’ll join you in a bit, if I don’t end up in the lighting booth. Those two kids who are helping with the lights are a bit slow. Just dig into the mess now, and smooth the wrinkles.”

Lizzy laughed, and said, “Sure. Cheers!” She turned to the small queue of students who were hovering nearby, and sorted out their various and sundry problems. Happily busy, she wandered about backstage. Soon she was greeted by Kitty and Georgie, who had been warming up their singing voices, but were now off to find their costumes.

“Lizzy!” they cried. “There you are! Everything ready?”

“I hope,” grimaced Lizzy, but then she laughed. “You two get your costumes.”

“My wig,” giggled Georgie. “I can’t believe that I’m actually using it.”

“Well, June needs glorious golden curls, and yours were dirty-blond. Horrors. It’s a very fetching wig,” said Lizzy.

“So says Alec,” said Kitty, slyly. Georgie blushed, but laughed.

“He did say so,” she replied. Lizzy waved to the girls, and went through a door to the backstage of the stage, and examined the positions of off-stage scenery. Making notes of a few scene changes, she left the backstage area, and returned to the green room area, where actors continued to mill about, only in costume now. They gathered together in a circle for a pre-show pep-session, and Lizzy joined them. Taking up the hands of her neighbors, she listened as the various members of the cast spoke about their experiences with the group, and everyone then repeated one of their lines. The cast and crew laughed at the various chosen lines. They paused for a moment of silence in a cheerful mood, while the inevitable someone started a squeeze to be passed around the circle. When the passed squeeze had made it around the circle, the students gave a cheer. Disbanding suddenly, the crew scurried off into their positions, and Lizzy walked out into the main part of the theater. It was filling up nicely, so she wandered over to the doors, where she helped a young student, who was handing out programs.

“Here you are, Sandy,” she said, taking up a stand at the other side of the door from the student, and handing a program to a senior girl who had just handed over her ticket. “Sit where you like, but scrunch in when more people come.” Sandy smiled, and moved on, after asking a few questions about the show. Lizzy then turned to a couple who were entering, and gave them the same advice about seating. They moved through, and Lizzy was delighted to catch a glimpse of Will Darcy entering the foyer of the theater. She quickly handed programs to a pair of freshmen and smiled at Will as he came over.

“Hey,” she said.

“How are you?” he asked. “And how’s Georgie? It’s been all of two hours since she left the house.”

“Overprotective aren’t you?” Lizzy teased in return. He smiled, and flushed a little.

“I’m afraid to go in, I’m certain that the scenery will be bright blue.”

“Very little was ruined because of the accident,” Lizzy assured him. “You bore the brunt of it. I see you got the paint out of your hair. Congratulations.”

“To the expense of the bathtub. I ought to invest in blue appliances.” Lizzy laughed at him, happy with the teasing mood he was in. She smiled, and asked suddenly,

“If you aren’t meeting up with anyone, would you like a front-row seat? Roberta’s given me orders to give them to deserving people, and you seem deserving. You helped me with the scenery.”

“And ruined it. I’d love to sit up front. Are you sitting there?”

“Maybe,” said Lizzy, blushing slightly. “I had been going to run backstage, but Roberta suggested that I should take a break.”

“Then you must follow her advice.” Lizzy nodded slowly, and felt her face go pinker. Fortunately, a group of sophomores entered, and demanded her attention. “Front row,” said Lizzy. “Middle, please. We don’t want to have people hogging the ends and latecomers needing to cross them. I’ll be there some time.” Will smiled, and accepted a program, before striding off down the aisle of the theater. Lizzy handed programs to the horde of sophomores, and offered them advice about seating.

As the theater darkened, and the last members of the audience entered, Lizzy abandoned the girl at the door to deal with latecomers, and scuttled to her seat. Ducking down onto the floor, she found the front row, and unfolded herself so she could sit in the seat Will had saved for her. Moving his coat from the seat, he smiled at her. She gave him a grin in return, and picked up a script. For lack of a prompt corner, she would take over any prompting duties from the front row. No prompting had been necessary during the preview, and Lizzy hoped that this would be the case tonight.

The play started, the orchestra playing the impressive overture. Then, the follow spot came on, and rested on a series of placards on an easel to one side of the stage. It read “Uncle Jocko’s Kiddie Show” on it. Craning her head around to look at the lighting booth, Lizzy ascertained that Roberta was in it, with the two girls who were doing the lights. Giving a brief wave, so as to not disturb the person behind her too much, she turned around again, and watched as the lights slowly were raised to show a group of younger students dressed in horrible vaudeville costumes, and Sam in their midst as the dubious Master of Ceremonies of Uncle Jocko’s Kiddie Show. The play began, and Lizzy was glued to the script, a small blue light clamped to the edge of her book. Will Darcy turned and gazed at the script, and then his attention was captured again by the actors.

The next scene change was very swift, and there was none for scene three, instead the lights simply blacked out on one side of the stage. It was not until the change for the fourth scene, while many items were moved on and off stage that Lizzy had a chance to relax. She readied her script for the next scene, and then turned to smile at Will, who had settled comfortably into his chair, with an arm sprawling over their shared armrest . A little shy, Lizzy was glad that it was dark, for her face felt warm. Could she possibly be falling in love with William Darcy? It seemed certain...

The next scene started, and Lizzy had to be busy with her book. There were no actually slip ups, but once or twice the boy playing Weber paused before his lines. Lizzy relaxed as Lauren and the boy playing Herbie began to sing “Small World”. Lizzy smiled a little to herself at the lyrics. Here she was, sitting beside Will Darcy, a man she had known for only a few months, but he fit into her life so perfectly. It was amazing. As the song ended, the two students on stage began to sing “Small World isn’t it?... Small, and funny, and fine”. It was a small world, judging from the rate that she and Will had run into each other during their short acquaintance. Fate?

The next scene was a performance by the little June. It was a long scene, with a lot of singing and dancing, first Baby June with her Newsboys, then Baby June with a patriotic piece. Finally, during the patriotic piece, the girl who played June whirled around, and off stage, and Georgie, in a similar costume, but looking much more grown up, wheeled on, pirouetting. The girl who had been playing Louise also skipped off during part of the dance, to be replaced by Kitty, as the older Louise. Darcy watched Georgie as the dance grew fancier, and finally was done. He clapped heartily, and Georgie momentarily lost the confidant, proud face of Dainty June, as she caught sight of her brother and Lizzy together in the front row. However, as a good performer, she quickly regained her composure, and did her high-kick bow before the scene blacked out.

There was another long scene change as the stage crew set up for the hotel scene. Darcy turned to Lizzy, and touched her arm lightly, getting her attention.

“Did you choreograph that?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” said Lizzy. “It’s such an exciting piece. The timing in getting the older girls on is critical. Georgie was wonderful.”

“Yes, thank you for all of your help,” said Will. He smiled at Lizzy, who smiled in return, and felt like melting into a puddle on the floor. Surely Will Darcy was having the strangest effect on her this evening! She was spared further thought by the lights coming up on the scene. Georgie wasn’t in the room, but Kitty and the whole group of boys (Alec among them) were resting in various parts of what appeared to be a dingy hotel room, crowded with crates and cages of animals. The sound of an alarm clock brought her thoughts back to the script, and her traced the lines with her finger as they were spoken. Louise (Kitty) had just woken up the room of boys, who were being annoyed with her. Alec as Tulsa was just shaking his head at Louise (Kitty), and she was being apologetic. The group went back to sleep, and then a door opened, and Georgie came in.

“You woke mother,” she said, a trifle reproachfully.

“I didn’t mean to,” began Kitty as Louise, and continued with her lines and the scene. Beside her, Lizzy could feel Will watching Georgie intently, pleased with her progress in the play. Lizzy watched, amused, as the boys were just realizing that Louise had had ten birthday candles on her cake for the last several years.

“She only had ten candles last year.”

“And ten the year before that.”

Lizzy then watched as Lauren, as Rose, became angry, declaring that no one in the act was to be over twelve. Lizzy laughed merrily at the lines, as Rose declared that she was warming up chow mein, and the boy playing Yonkers was incredulous about the act of eating chow mein for breakfast. Soon the boys were busy giving Louise her birthday presents, and June presented Kitty with a velvet-lined sewing basket. Kitty embraced Georgie happily, and Alec came in behind Georgie, and handed Kitty a few old books, tied together with twine. Kitty showed herself to be very touched. Lizzy watched happily as the scene progressed, eventually culminating in the song “Mr. Goldstone” and Kitty singing “Little Lamb” in a soft, low voice.

The next few scenes went beautifully, including the one where Georgie sang to Caroline the cow (also known as two members of the chorus in a cow-suit). Lizzy wondered whether Caroline was in the audience, and whether she would think the cow’s name amusing. Probably not. The time went happily by, and Lizzy found herself to be well pleased with the way the play was going. Kitty and Georgie did their “If Momma Was Married” number very well, and Lizzy could feel Darcy’s pride for his sister. As the song received thunderous applause, Darcy again turned to Lizzy, and said, “Thank you.” He slid his arm around the back of her seat, and she knew that she needed to pay close attention to the lines. It wouldn’t do for her to let her attention wander if an actor needed a line. Now, Kitty and Alec had the “All I Need Is A Girl” scene. One of her favorites, Lizzy allowed herself to drag her mind away from the arm behind her and the book to watch the scene. Alec was Tulsa, a member of the act, who was practicing dancing with a broom ash his partner, and Kitty, as Louise, was sweet on him. As the scene progressed and Alec had his last number in the play, he sang his song in a clear voice. Kitty and Alec began to dance together, Alec first completely unaware that she was there instead of the broom, then, friendly, he encouraged her dancing, and they had a merry time. Kitty was properly wistful, Alec properly impudent and friendly. It went perfectly.

The last scene in the first act took place on a railroad platform, where Kitty showed up with a note from her sister, as Rose and Herbie dealt with all of the boys in the act abandoning them. Georgie’s and Alec’s characters had run off, married. Kitty looked slightly desolate, as all of her friends deserted her with her mother on the platform, and Lauren Harte began to sing the famous “Everything is Coming Up Roses” song. Then, the lights dimmed, the curtain fell, and the house lights came on as the audience applauded loudly. Lizzy closed her book carefully.

“Wonderful,” said Will, to her, smiling. He removed his arm from around her seat, and rubbed his chin. “ And I forgot to thank you.”

“For what?” asked Lizzy, shyly.

“For saving me. Caroline was coming tonight, and she was sure to spot me if I hadn’t been in these reserved seats.”

Lizzy laughed, and replied “I’m glad to have helped. I sent her a ticket, but didn’t wait around to meet her at the door. She must be milling around. Do you want to get up, or anything? There is a ten minute intermission now, while they get ready for the next act.”

“I’m fine. Caroline will find me, and I’m not ready for that yet. I still have visions of my sister singing “I’ve got a moo cow named Caroline” in my head.”

“You too?” Lizzy said, choking with laughter. “I’ve been thinking that myself. Well, Georgie is done for the play, do you want me to bring her up here? Roberta’s in the booth, so she can have her seat next to me.”

“I’d love that. But whatever Georgie wants, if she wants to hang out with her friends, that’s fine.”

“You stay put, then. I’m off to make sure that the stage crew is fine. Anything I can illegally bring you from the actors’ food? A drink?”

“Water would be wonderful,” admitted Will.

“Done. See you in a bit.” She rushed off, wondering why Will was being so agreeable, and finding herself very pleased with his behavior. He was such a nice man, how could she have missed it before?

Backstage, Lizzy busily organized the crew, bossing people around. She sat and chatted for a moment with Winnie, the capable props mistress. Then, she apprehended a bottle of water from a table of goodies set out for the performers, and wandered back into the theater to find Will before catching Georgie. Georgie watched her, interested. She ran, and found Kitty, who was changing into her costume for the next act, in the girls’ changing room.

“Here, let me button you. Did you see Lizzy and Will in the front row together?” Georgie asked, excited.

“He had his arm on the back of her chair,” reported Kitty. “I saw it during my dance scene with Alec. Mind you, she was paying close attention to the script, but she just took a bottle of spring water back to the theater. She never drinks bottled spring water, instead she drinks from her Nalgene, which I know she has with her, because I’m seen it. And Roberta already came and had a drink, so it must be for Will.”

“I’m glad that they are being friendly,” said Georgie, helping Kitty into a horrid blond wig, much inferior to the one she herself had worn in the previous act. Kitty was dressed in a terribly gaudy toreador outfit, getting ready to be a Toreadorable. In other parts of the room, chorus girls were putting on similar but less sparkly versions of the costume. When Kitty was dressed, she touched up her make up, and wandered out into the green room for a moment before she had to go on stage.

“Well, here I go. I’ll keep our victims in the corner of my eye as I do this wretched piece. We’ve got to make plans to throw them together at the party tomorrow... where are you going to be during this act?”

Georgie was spared replying with her indecision by Lizzy’s sudden appearance at her elbow.

“Hey, you are still in costume. But nice work. Want to come up front as soon as you have changed? Your brother asked if you would come. I’ve got a seat for you, if you want it.”

“Sure,” said Georgie. Kitty grinned, and dashed onstage while the orchestra struck up again. Georgie went of to quickly change, and Lizzy returned to her seat to give Will an affirmative answer about Georgie.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Posted on Saturday, 12 April 2003

Saturday night, Georgie was both unhappy and excited about the last show. While last night had been delightful, and tonight promised to be better, concluding with the cast party, this would be the closing of Gypsy and the ending of many delightful evening rehearsals. With mixed feelings Georgie climbed into the front seat of her brother’s car, after watching Mrs. Reynolds put finishing touches on the house decorations. She arrived at the car in time to see Will hiding not one, but two bunches of flowers under his coat in the back seat. That was curious. While he would certainly get her flowers, who else would he buy flowers for? Kitty? No, it must be Elizabeth, for it was a large and rather beautiful other bouquet. The other large bouquet was an arrangement based off a bunch of irises, and as Georgie’s favorite flower was irises, that was hers. But the tulips? They were purple and yellow, with purple and yellow striped tulips, and it was a charming bouquet. Georgie pretended that she hadn’t seen it, and settled into her seat, mentally reviewing her lines. Finally, when she couldn’t bear the suspense, she turned to her brother and asked,

“Well, that lump in the backseat is certainly too large to be just for me. Who is the other bouquet for?”

“Never you mind, Georgie,” Will said, a trifle sharply, annoyed that she had spotted the bouquets, though, admittedly, he hadn’t hid them well. Georgie grinned to herself, knowing that the only person Will would be secretive about with bouquets would be Lizzy. This evening was continually looking better and better. So they were getting along well enough for him to give her flowers...

Lizzy scolded herself as she dressed with particular care, attempting to convince herself that the elegant and tasteful skirt she had chosen had more to do with the flower presentations at the end of the show by the cast than from the chance that she would be spending time with a certain man. The slight flounce of the dark violet skirt was decorated with small silver waves. Lizzy blushed as she noticed that she had worn her best silver jewelry to go with the new, white sleeveless top that she had purchased earlier that day. As she finished arranging her hair, she heard a snort from the open doorway, where Charlotte was leaning against the door frame, a basket of clean and folded laundry in her arms.

“And I was going to ask you if you wanted your dress pants. You look nice.”

“Thank you,” said Lizzy, turning her attention to her vanity mirror, putting on a pale shade of lipstick.

“Too nice, perhaps, for working with the stage crew?”

“They don’t need my help. I’m sitting up front. And I want to look nice for when the students thank me for my help with the show.”

“Uh huh,” said Charlotte, unconvinced. “And up front again? Not with Jane and me and our guys?”

“No...” began Lizzy, “I promised Will I’d save him a seat up front again and... I need to do the prompting.”

“You promised Will a seat again? Liz, you cannot ignore the fact that this man is paying you attention, and you, him.”

“I admire Mr. Darcy,” said Lizzy, cautiously.

“Will, you mean?”

“Yes... Will.”

A triumphant look on her face, Charlotte left a flustered Lizzy to brood alone. Lizzy glanced again in the mirror, and could not ignore the definite blush that was on her cheeks. Why shouldn’t she spend time with Will Darcy? he was very attractive, and very kind. How she ever could have thought him conceited, she could not recall. He was, in short, delightful.

Arriving at the theater, Lizzy again helped the members of the cast and crew with little problems, before going into the house of the theater, and bagging two seats in the front row. Roberta, who missed little, had tactfully arranged to sit in the lighting booth again, assigning Lizzy to prompting, and again asking her to give the front seats to whomever she wished.

Going in the foyer, Lizzy helped collect tickets from audience members, receiving compliments on her appearance, and giving compliments to parents about their children’s performances. Charlotte and Patrick Carlyle appeared after a little while, and Lizzy happily was introduced to the man who had taken such an interest in Charlotte, who was also dressed suspiciously nicely for a high school play. Offering them seats up front, Charlotte discreetly declined, and took up seats with Patrick somewhere else, where, presumably, they talked about science and domestic animals, and other delightful things.

After another short time, Lizzy felt her breath catch in her chest as Will Darcy came in, looking decidedly attractive. With him, Lizzy saw, with a smile, were Jane and Charles. The three came up together and disposed of their tickets, and Lizzy rose to personally greet them. She hugged Jane, who had been out all day, and shook Charles’s hand joyfully. Then, she turned to Will, and gave him a bright smile, before shaking his hand firmly, restraining herself from hugging him in her delight at his presence, in front of all the other people in the foyer. Letting go of his hand a trifle reluctantly (on his part, as well as hers), she said to him,

“I saved you the same seat you had yesterday. Georgie will be delighted to see you.” She then turned t Jane and Charles, and offered them seats up front, which were accepted. Lizzy led the way to the seats, Will going in first, then Lizzy, then Jane and lastly Charles. Once they were all settled in comfortably, Lizzy popped up again to deal with some last minute crisis, and only returned just before the house lights dimmed.

The first act of the play was essentially flawless, with the exception of the fact that the feel of the play was a trifle slow. However, once the cast started singing large group numbers, they all perked up, and everything proceeded smoothly. Lizzy leaned back into her seat in relief, and noted with satisfaction that Will’s arm had made its way around the top of her seat again. Silently leaning back into the arm, she thought she heard him sigh contentedly, but she wasn’t sure, since some wretched member of the chorus fuddled a dance step and stole her attention back to the drama on the stage.

At intermission, when the lights had again come up, Will stood up regretfully, and said that he would be gone only a minute. With Jane and Charles having left their seats to find Charlotte, Lizzy decided to pop backstage, and congratulate Georgie for another excellent night.

Georgie was beaming at Lizzy when she appeared, drinking lemonade from a paper cup and surrounded by her friends. Lizzy and Georgie congratulated each other on fine work with the show, and Georgie declined an invitation to change and come up front, opting to stay with her friends during this last performance. Fully understanding, Lizzy rushed off to find Kitty, who had left the group earlier in search of a safety pin.

By the time she found Kitty, Kitty was standing by a door to the house, having a conversation with Will Darcy. Oddly enough, she had a safety pin in place already, but Lizzy forgot to notice this when Will suddenly pushed a large bouquet of tulips into her face. Startled, she backed up a step, and Kitty tactfully slipped back into the backstage area, leaving them alone by the door. Lizzy regained her composure, and accepted the bouquet of tulips with a smile.

“Lizzy, I wanted to thank you for your work with Georgie,” Will said, leaning up against the door and admiring the way she looked this evening. He wistfully wished that her effort was for him, before continuing aloud, “You’ve helped her so much, she has settled in perfectly within three months, and we have all intentions of staying with this institution. You’ve changed her life for the better, you know.” His earnest look made Lizzy feel a little faint, but being a woman of strong character, she smiled at him, and replied,

“It was a pleasure, Will. Georgie has been a delight to work with, on stage and in the classroom. Most of her success has been through her own effort and the amazing support that everyone has shown her. I scarcely feel worthy of such pretty tulips.”

“No, indeed,” said Will, taking her other hand, and placing it firmly around the flowers. “She’s worked hard, but so have you. You fully deserve them, if merely for being such a wonderful coach for her in this production.”

“I can’t deny that I’ve worked hard with her. Thank you, Will. They are beautiful, I’m very fond of tulips.”

“I’m glad. Are you coming back to your seat?”

“Yes, indeed. I’m just going to find a bucket or something to put water in for these flowers. I won’t be long. Why don’t you go ahead, and see how Jane and Charles are enjoying the show?”

“I think I will. I’ll see you soon.”

“You will.” Lizzy gave a merry little smile, delighted with the progress they had made in their relationship. She ran into Roberta’s office and found an empty paint bucket, which she filled with water, and put in a corner of the room along with her jacket and bag. She sat a moment on Roberta’s cushioned chair, and pinched herself briefly, before walking along back into the house, to join Will.

After a wonderful second half, the whole cast came out for their curtain calls. As Georgie curtsied with Alec on stage, Jane leaned and whispered into Lizzy’s ear,

“Georgie was wonderful. I thought that you said she was a shy girl!” Lizzy grinned, and replied,

“She was. But she’s opened up beautifully.”

Kitty and Lauren Harte bowed at last together, and the applause was thundering. Her own hands rather pink, Lizzy was delighted to stop applauding as an actress hurried forward with two buckets choked with flower bouquets. Minor characters came forward with short speeches thanking various members of the stage crew and parents who made costumes. Sam came forward and thanked Winnie, the props girl who had worked on every show for the last three years, and Alec thanked the devoted stage manager, who was graduating this spring. Finally, with two bouquets left, Lizzy anticipated the speech thanking her, and sat up proudly in her seat, seeing Georgie grab the bouquet of mixed carnations, chrysanthemums and various spriggy flowers.

“This is to thank a wonderful person, a member of the MFS faculty, who has devoted a great amount of time and effort to be the assistant director. She has not only put in so much time designing and building this beautiful set, and choreographing the amazing dances, but she has been wonderful for each of us individually, and I want to thank her especially for her help with me, during my first production. Lizzy Bennet, thank you!” Lizzy stood up in her seat, after receiving congratulatory squeezes on either hand from Jane and Will. She trotted up the side steps of the stage, and received her second bouquet of the evening, giving Georgie a hug. She then moved aside, listening to Kitty and Lauren give a mammoth bouquet to Roberta for her work as a director. Smiling, standing next to Georgie, Lizzy caught Will’s eye, and smiled at him. She was immensely glad that she had worn a nice outfit to the play, standing there under the lights before him. Life was perfect now, but, remembering the party at the Darcy house, Lizzy could only smile more.

Coming down from the stage, Lizzy paused and talked to various parents and alumni about the show. Seeing a former student, who was now considering a classics major at Swarthmore, Lizzy forgot about her party, and joined in eagerly into a discussion of Herodotus and Livy. After a short while, Jane came and touched her shoulder.

“How long are you going to be? I can have Charles drive me.”

“Oh, Jane, I’m sorry. This is Mac Miller, one of my first students here. Mac, this is my sister Jane. I’m sorry, I’ll send you an e-mail or something soon. If you are around during the week, pop by my office, I’d love to talk more about this, but I have to deal with the cast party now. You’ll come by next week? Excellent. It was wonderful seeing you again, Mac. Cheers!” Lizzy waved merrily, and gave her attention to her sister. “I’ll be coming along now, but why don’t you and Charles come to the party for a bit. You could see the Darcys’ house, it is beautiful.”

“Well, we’ll come for a bit then, I’ll have Charles run me over, though, you take your time. Everyone wants to talk to the brilliant Lizzy Bennet.”

“You flatter me,” said Lizzy. “There’s an idea for next year’s play... An Ideal Husband ‘You flatter me, you butter me as they say here’. Jane, don’t you know the play?”

“I’ve seen the film. I liked it. See you in a bit. Charles knows the way.” The sisters parted, and Lizzy was claimed by another group of old students, however, she became aware of Will standing a trifle apart from other people, and realizing that he wanted to talk to her, she gave the students her e-mail address and dismissed herself.

“Is everything all right with the party?” Lizzy asked, her brow furrowing.

“Everything is fine,” assured Will, taking Lizzy’s bouquet for her. “I sent tickets to two people, and though they aren’t sure if they’d make it, they are here. Come along, and say hi.”

“Whomever do you mean?” asked Lizzy, bewildered. However, when they had gone into the foyer, Lizzy gasped in delight. “Will, you brought Anne and Richard! It is an age since I have seen them, thank you!” She gave Will a tight hug, crushing her flowers a little. Embarrassed, he let her go after a minute, and she ran to embrace Anne, and to shake Richard’s hand.

“I haven’t seen you two in so long, how are you?” she asked, when she faced the couple.

“We’re doing well,” said Anne. “I was afraid that I would be called out for a rehearsal tonight, but some wonderful person or other changed the schedule. It was a lovely production.”

“I’m so glad that you could come. Wasn’t Georgie wonderful?” Lizzy asked.

“Amazing,” said Richard. “Good work, Lizzy.”

“It’s mostly her own work,” said Lizzy. “That’s what I told Will, but he’s being charming this evening, and insists that I made a difference. Will, are they coming to the party?”

“If they will come. Rich, Anne, do you feel like attending a cast party at my house tonight? Good Lord... in twenty minutes. I’d better get going soon. Lizzy, are you driving there? Do you need directions?”

“I’m taking Kitty over, she knows the way. Speaking of Kitty, I’d better find her. See you in a bit.” She dashed off, Will having given her back her bouquet. Richard looked on in amusement.

“You are giving a party at your house for the entire cast of high school students?”

“Some things change,” said Will, defensively. “Georgie deserves it. If you’ll come, I’ll see you soon, but I must run to make sure that Mrs. Reynolds has everything under control.”

“No worries, she will,” assured Anne, remembering dinners on Pemberley Avenue.

“So,” said Richard, as Will departed, “Things change. One large thing, certainly, I find the relationship between our Will and Lizzy intriguing.”

“As do I,” said Anne thoughtfully. “Shall we go to this party for a bit and watch the fun?”

“Of course,” smiled her handsome husband, taking her arm gallantly. “I’ll just collect our jackets.”

Lizzy pulled up into the circular driveway of the Darcy house with Kitty, Alec and Sam in her car. Seeing the designated areas for parking laid out by the admirable Mrs. Reynolds, she pulled in, and alighted from the car with her young charges. Only a few other people had arrived, and Georgie was waiting in the doorway with her brother.

“Welcome,” she said, “to our house, again. Please make yourself at home.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Posted on Friday, 18 April 2003

Coming into the house, Lizzy recalled the way to the green baize door that led from the kitchen, and carried bags of goods for the party into the kitchen. The hall, living room with the piano were lit and decorated, along with several other rooms. Buffets of food had been placed in each room, and music was playing from one room from a large and expensive-looking stereo. Admiring the work, Lizzy dropped the bags on the floor by the kitchen table, and received a hug from Mrs. Reynolds.

“Dear, how nice to see you again! Everything is in order, and no, there is nothing that you can do to help. I dropped by for a while in the middle of the show, and it was lovely. You have worked so hard, take a rest. I have some wine for the adults in here, and there are soft drinks and juice in the other rooms. Sit down for a while; I’ll take care of this stuff.” Mrs. Reynolds took the bags and sorted through them, ordering Kitty to take Lizzy’s bouquets from the car and to put them into vases in the scullery. Lizzy was so entranced by the word scullery that she was highly disappointed to see a small room with a modern wide sink and a linen closet instead of a stone flagged closet full of dirty dishes. Then, reconsidering, she crossed out the dirty dishes from her mind. Mrs. Reynolds would never allow them.

Having been stripped of duties, Lizzy wandered back into the hallway, where other members of the cast were arriving in care loads. Happily diving into the food and dancing to the music, they busied themselves into partying.

She found Kitty and Georgie giggling in the hallway, and she asked them why they were so merry. They laughed harder, until Georgie finally was able to speak.

“It’s Caroline Bingley,” she said. “I told her that Will had decided to have the party at The Iris Lawn, downtown. She rushed off in her car!”

“You two!” But Lizzy was secretly glad to have the wretched woman out of Will’s hair, and she didn’t feel much pity for the woman who would be miles away by now.

Finding herself in a sitting room down the hall from the living room, Lizzy greeted groups of adults and students who were enjoying a buffet. Happy to see that there were enough adults to make her job as chaperone unnecessary, Lizzy found a cushioned sofa, and sank into it. Picking up a photo album from a side table, Lizzy was startled to see that it was full of pictures from the production, from rehearsals. Flipping through the glossy pages, Lizzy smiled to see pictures of Georgie’s friends being goofy, Lizzy herself working at dances or on scenery, and various students doing impressive moves onstage. Laughing as she came to the end of the book, Lizzy paused a moment to reflect. There was a distinctly odd proportion of pictures of herself. Oddly self conscious, she shut the album, and put it back onto the table. Just then, Richard and Anne entered the room and came to sit by her.

“Lizzy, you look exhausted,” said Anne.

“So-so, but this is a wonderful cast party. The kids look like they are having fun, which is the goal.”

“Someone started a game of Twister in the other room. Amazing. The people in here seem more intent on eating. What have you got to eat in here? Richard, why don’t you see.”

“Yes, dear. Oh! Mrs. Reynold’s cookies. No wonder it is so busy in here! I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Silly Richard,” sighed Anne. “But those cookies are irresistible.”

“I’ve had her brownies, I can imagine.” The two women began to talk of this and that, speaking of Jane, at last, after seeing her and Charles wander by. Anne was delighted with Charles’s return to Jane, and they were in an animated discussion of phone book aliases when Will entered, carrying two glasses of wine. Anne looked up with a knowing look, and excused herself for a moment. “I just want to stop Richard from eating all of those cookies and depriving the kids. Hold on a moment.”

“No problem,” said Lizzy, catching sight of Will. He smiled, and took Anne’s seat, offering Lizzy a glass.

“Charlotte came, and told me that she is driving you home, and that you should have some ‘nice mellowing wine’. I brought you some. It’s from an amazing vineyard in Western Pennsylvania, very extraordinary. I’ve seen experts think that it was from any number of European countries.”

“Even the experts have faults,” said Lizzy, accepting the glass. She took a sip of the honey-colored drink, and swilled it on her tongue a moment. “Delicious. Very mellow.” They sat together for a few moments, enjoying the wine, the silence and each other’s company. Will opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by Georgie’s arrival, announcing to the room that it was time for the cake to be cut. Remembering that the cake was a Mrs. Reynolds creation, Lizzy rose, bringing the slender glass with her. Will followed closely behind her, wondering if there were a way to be alone with her, but also eager to see the cake.

Roberta has come to the party, and was presented with the knife to slice the cake. She accepted it, and began to carve it into pieces. On receiving a plate, Lizzy withdrew from the crowd a little, and Will followed her. They talked of trivial things while they ate. When they were done, Lizzy found Jane and Charles, and Will brought Anne and Richard along to talk. Charlotte joined them a trifle later, and they formed a merry group in the living room with the piano. Charlotte, always eager to hear Lizzy play the piano, called on her to play something, and Lizzy obliged, recalling a certain party earlier in the year, when she had played before. Will remembered it too, and thought her voice was more lovely this time. After Lizzy had played, Georgie was called upon, and various other musically gifted guests. Lizzy withdrew after a time to the main hall, wanting to get out of the way of the crush. Will followed after a few moments, wondering what was wrong.

“Are you all right?” he asked, coming out into the deserted hallway.

“Fine. It was just a bit too stuffy in there. I’ll be fine in a minute.”

“You played beautifully.”

“Thank you, it is a wonderful instrument. You are a very good brother to Georgie.” Will was spared replying by a small surge of students who were eager to return home and to bed. After showing them to the door, Will returned to where Lizzy was standing to find her talking with Kitty and Jane. Sorry to interrupt the family reunion, Will stood aloof for a little while, until a second group of students left the party, Georgie saying good-bye. Seeing that the group was significantly smaller, Will approached the Bennets and Kitty, and offered to show them a tour of the house.

“I’ve seen the house dozens of time,” said Kitty, excusing herself. “You other go, it’s beautiful. I’m going to find Sam. See you.” She trotted off merrily, leaving Jane and Lizzy standing together in the hall with Will. Jane also made excuses,

“It is so nice of you to offer, but Charles wanted to take me out, and we’d better leave soon. It has been a nice party, you have a beautiful home.”

Will smiled, and said all of the correct things, and Jane wandered off to find Charles Bingley. Relatively alone with Lizzy, Will found her saying,

“Well, no one else seems to appreciate your tour, but I’ll go. I’ve only seen the first floor before, and I’m dying to see what is behind some of these doors.”

“Then I must satisfy your curiosity. Shall we?” He offered his arm to Lizzy, and she laid her fingers gently on it. Will turned further down the hall, and going through a silent drawing room, opened a small door in the wall.

“This is the conservatory,” said Will. “I always think of Clue. Come in, I’ll show you some of the more interesting pots of dirt. I’m afraid that we are still working on it.”

Lizzy laughed as Will solemnly pointed to various flowerpots filled with dirt along one glass lined wall. An earlier owner had installed the conservatory, and it was lined with beautifully paneled shelves and tables for plants. In one corner there was a stone sink, and above it were a series of pots containing long blooming vines. Enchanted, Lizzy ran to them, and sniffed them.

“They don’t smell like much,” she said, indignant.

“No,” agreed Will. “They don’t. But here are some flowers that do.” He pointed to a shelf containing three matched pots, a group of hyacinths blooming in each. Further along there were various green plants, and several short potted palms. Having looked through everything that caught her fancy, Lizzy said farewell to a miniature rose bush, and took Will’s arm again as he went out another door. They were in a back hall, which enchanted Lizzy. It was more private than the main one, and had beautiful oil paintings on the wall. Against the walls were cushioned benches, and the carpet, though worn, was soft.

“Come through here,” said Will, gesturing to a door almost hidden in the paneling. “There is a billiard room and a library through here, and then you will have seen the first floor, between your two visits. Then I’ll show you upstairs. There are some delightful miniatures upstairs, and the back balcony, which has a lovely view.”

Lizzy followed Will, he pulling her arm gently along. She ducked into the new room, and marveled at the continuation of the paneling from the hall in this billiard room. She ran a delighted finger across it, tracing the shapes.

“I once made some paneling like this out of plywood for a show,” she said in awe. “Only in a slightly simpler pattern. To think that you live with this!”

“I must admit that no one has had the same raptures over my paneling before,” Will teased, while wondering why couldn’t she move in, and be with him and the paneling forever. They passed the large billiard table, and leaving the room, Lizzy trailed her hand along the rack of billiard cues, again remembering Luke Lucas’s party.

“Come in here,” said Will, opening yet another door. “You’re a teacher, you’ll appreciate the books. This collection has been handed down in my family for years.”

Lizzy’s eyes lit with delight as she entered yet another paneled room, this one lined with book shelves. Several comfortable chairs were strategically placed around the room, and a large wooden globe stood under one of the tall windows. Lizzy ran to the window, and gazed out at the large yard behind the house. The next door house was within view, but even so, the Darcy house seemed to belong to an era of country manors. It was luxurious and beautiful, and belonged to this handsome man beside her.

Will had come over to the window, and looked out with Lizzy.

“I wonder what time it is?” Lizzy asked.

“About midnight, I would imagine,” he said. “You’re wearing a watch.” He picked up her wrist and examined the time piece. “About midnight. Charlotte was being entertained well by Mrs. Reynolds, don’t worry. I’ll entertain you.”

“ ‘Let me entertain you, let me make you smile’,” sang Lizzy softly.

“I’d say that it was a beautiful evening,” said Will. “And I’m well entertained. Are you?” Lizzy gazed up into his dark eyes, and smiled gently, her heart in her throat. He was speaking urgently, softly, and she could only think how happy she was, that she was here, in this beautiful and private room, far away from the others, with this man.

He moved closer to her, and slipped an arm around her waist. Recalling the song from earlier in the evening, he sang in an unpracticed but pleasant voice,

“ ‘Let me do a few tricks, some old and then some new tricks, I’m very versatile...’.” Lizzy rested her head against his shoulder, and he shifted her so that she was in his arms, at last. They didn’t need to speak, they understood each other perfectly. Lizzy leaned against his chest, and continued singing, to complete the verse.

“ ‘And if you’re real good, I’ll make you feel good, I want your spirits to climb, let me entertain you and we’ll have a real good time, yes-sir, and we’ll have a real good time!’” Finishing, she relaxed, and wrapped her own arms around Will’s shoulders.

“I’m having a wonderful time already, thank-you,” he said, softly, burying his nose into her soft hair. She looked up at him, and smiled.

“Yup,” she said. He lifted a finger, and traced her jaw. Suddenly, he leaned down, meeting her soft lips at last. Delighted, Lizzy responded.

A few moments later, Lizzy snuggled her head back on Will’s chest.

“I’m glad that Jane didn’t want a tour,” she said.

“Yes, the tour. I’m quite happy here, but do you want to see the second floor?”

“Yes,” said Lizzy. “Though I scarcely dare to move. Will you pinch me?” He gently did so, and she beamed.

“Can we see that balcony?” Lizzy asked, her hand firmly wrapped around Will’s.

“I’d be delighted to show it to you,” said Will, gallantly. They went through a little door, and ended up in the small, private hall again.

“One door to the coat closet is just here,” he said, gesturing. “Do you want your jacket? It’s cooler outside.”

“Yes, I’d love that. Thank you.” She watched, delighted as he opened a door and revealed a long pole from which hung a large collection of outerwear. On the opposite side of the pole was another door, and Lizzy laughed, thinking that by crawling under the coats one might enter this beautiful little hall.

Will slipped her fawn colored jacket over her shoulders, and wrapped one arm firmly around her. He led her up the stairs, and through a room with tall, curtained, French windows. Moving across the soft carpet, he led her to a door made to look like the windows, and unlatching it, stepped onto a balcony with a wrought iron railing. Leading her over to a bench, he gestured that she should sit, and she sat. He settled beside her, and she nestled into his arm.

“It’s so beautiful,” said Lizzy. “How can you possibly live in such a beautiful place?”

“It’s more beautiful when you are here,” said Will, aloud, but to himself. Lizzy caught the words, and turned to kiss his cheek.

“And you are the most charming man I’ve ever met. Why did it take this long for me to realize this?”

“Misunderstandings,” said Will, nuzzling her neck. “We’ll fix everything in the future.” Lizzy smiled, and twisted in her seat, leaning back so that she leaned against Will, but had a good look at the misty night sky. The world was beautiful, nothing could go wrong.

A harsh beeping disturbed their serenity, a beep which Lizzy eventually identified as her cell phone, which she had left in the jacket pocket. Apologetic, she brushed Will’s cheek with her hand, before diving into the pocket, and pressing the button to talk into the phone. Her brow creased as she recognized the caller as someone from her parents’ home.

“Hello?”

“Lizzy? Thank goodness! Are you still at your party?”

“Yes, why?”

“Is Lydia there?”

“What? Of course not, she dropped out of the play a week or so ago.”

“She what? She’s been going to rehearsals, though!”

“I haven’t seen her,” said Lizzy. “She really did quit. Kitty said that she was spending time with her boyfriend. Do you know who he is?”

“She’s not with Mike, or any of her usual boyfriends,” said Mrs. Bennet worriedly. “Your Aunt Long is frantic, and asked me to call you. Who is this fellow?”

“I don’t know anything except that he is college-aged. And that since Lyddie quit that she’s been spending time with him. I don’t know any more. She’s not at Torie’s? She used to hang out there...”

“We’ve tried everything. And she left her cell phone at home, and she’s taken a bag of her things. Some of her clothes, and some money. I don’t know what to do! Lizzy, what are we to do? Can you come home? And bring Kitty? She seems to know things.”

“Hold on. I’ll talk to Kitty, she’ll know who this mysterious guy is... oh no.”

“What?”

“I think I have a hunch about the guy. Hold on. I’ve got to find Kitty. I’ll call you back.” Lizzy clicked the phone off, and rose from her seat. “I’ve got to find my cousin. Is she still here?”

“I would think so,” said Will. “She’ll probably spend the night with Georgie. At least, her coat was still here. What’s wrong, you’ve gone very pale.”

“I have to find Kitty. I’m worry. Excuse me, please.” She slid the phone into her pocket, and was pulling the door open into the hall. She ran down the stairs and through the doors, Will following briskly. Something was wrong.

Lizzy located Kitty in the room with the piano, chatting with Kitty and the props girl, Winnie.

“Kitty? I need to talk to you.”

“Lizzy, you look terrible. Hey, hold the conversation a min, Win. I’ll be back.” She linked her arm through Lizzy’s, and went into the hallway.

“Do you know where Lyddie is tonight?”

“No clue. Why? She’s probably with her boyfriend, like a normal girl on a Friday night. It’s a bit late, though. Is she home?”

“No. Aunt Long is at her wits’ ends. Who is this boyfriend?”

“College aged guy. What was his name. George something? Common name.”

“Have you seen him?”

“Yeah, once he picked Lyddie up from school. Tall, dark hair, pretty hot guy, but a jerk to the crossing guard.”

“Oh Lord. George Wickham. It has so be.”

“That’s his name! I thought I had heard it before. It was that guy... the one she was defending the day Kitty fainted!”

“Oh my God,” said Lizzy, faintly. “I feel as if I was going to faint. I’ve got to go immediately. Where is Jane? She must know.”

“I’ll find Jane,” said Kitty, frowning. “You look terrible. She probably went to a party with the guy and is running late. Calm down, OK?”

Knowing that even if Lyddie was just running late that she was in the hands of a vengeful maniac, Lizzy sat down suddenly, in shock, on a small, elegant sofa in the hallway. Will stepped from a nearby doorway, and sat next to her, taking up her hands.

“You must tell me what is wrong,” he urged her, taking up her hand, and brushing her cheek. “Can I help you? Let me bring you a glass of wine to clam you.”

“No one can help me. I have just discovered that my young cousin, Lydia Long, has gone missing, left all her friends, has run away with - thrown herself into the power of- George Wickham. You know him too well to doubt the rest. Unless we find her soon, who knows what will happen afterwards?” Darcy was silent, appalled. Miserable at his silence, Lizzy continued. “When I consider that I might have prevented this! Had I but guessed earlier that it was he who continued to torment my family. Had I made her stop seeing him! Had his character been know, this could not have happened. Now, it is too late, and we do not know where we shall find her.”

“This is terrible news, shocking news,” said Darcy in a low voice. “Are you sure?”

“Oh, yes! Kitty has assured me that Lydia was seeing a man who fit the name and description of Wickham. No one knows where Lydia is. She hasn’t been seen since the end of school, at 2:30. It’s been ten hours. She could be anywhere.”

“What has been done to find her?”

“My mother called me, after my aunt panicked. She begged that I come home. Jane and Kitty and I must leave immediately. I can have no hope, it is all horrible. How shall we find her?” Darcy was silent, staring at the floor, thinking. Lizzy, again anguished over his silence rose, and stared at him for a moment or two, fixing his image in her mind. It was too terrible to think that they should have only had one night of happiness together. He would not want to speak to her again, her family was too shameful.

“You desire to leave,” said Darcy at last. “I shall not keep you. I wish that I could do something for you, but I won’t tease you with false hopes. You must go home, it is best. Let me call Charlotte, you are in no condition to drive.”

“Yes, thank you. Oh, you must give my apologies to Georgie, I must leave now.” Will nodded, rose, and left the hall quickly. Lizzy sat down again, in despair. Just when the world had seemed like Heaven, it has turned to Hell.

A few moments later, Jane and Kitty came running into the hall. Kitty, who had been anxious for some time of Lizzy, since her pressing questions, ran to her cousin, and flung an arm about her.

“Is Lyddie in trouble?” asked Kitty, who had explained her hunches to Jane.

“I am afraid so. We have got to go home, now. Will you come, Jane? Will Charles mind?”

“I’ve talked to him. We should be with our aunt, and see if we can help. There must be some mistake, though. I cannot see what could have happened. Lizzy, who feared what had happened, said nothing, but balled her fists tighter. Charlotte came into the hall, with coats in her arms, and summoned the cousins over. They piled into the Bennet car, with Charlotte at the wheel. Exhausted, Lizzy slumped against the wall, beside Kitty in the back seat.

“Georgie Wickham is a horrible man, and Lyddie has been gone for ten hours. I do not know that we can do anything.”

“Hush,” soothed Kitty, with more conviction than she felt. “I’m sure that things will work out.”

Will watched the car leave his driveway with a heavy heart. There must be something he could do. Anything.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Posted on Wednesday, 30 April 2003

The car ride to Lizzy and Jane's parents' house was deadly silent. Charlotte drove, unsure whether they wanted her to say anything. She was a close friend of the family, however, and the news hurt her nearly as much as it had hurt the Bennet sisters and Kitty.

Jane and Lizzy's mother lived reasonably near to Pemberley Avenue, so the ride was reasonably brief. Charlotte pulled into the short driveway by the small, comfortable house. All the lights were on, and Mrs. Bennet was leaning out the doorway as Charlotte cut the engine, and saw her friends into the house. Feeling that she wasn't needed, she asked to use the telephone quickly, and called Patrick to take her home, so Jane and Lizzy would have the use of the car if they needed it. Charlotte waited by the door, and was thankful when Patrick appeared at last, an anxious smile on his face. She waved farewell to Lizzy, who had, by that time, begged for further news, and was comforting her Aunt Long.

With Charlotte gone, the family gathered closer, and shared news again. Lyddie hadn't been heard of since she had gotten a ride with her mother to school around noon, to have a singing lesson. After the lesson, at 2:30, her whereabouts seemed unsure. She had gone off with her boyfriend, who, it was ascertained, was George Wickham. She had left her cell phone at home that morning, but it seemed that she had come home at some point. Her parents had been out all day at a friend's wedding, and she had come home unnoticed, packed most of her clothing, and emptied her piggy bank. Kitty was incredulous that Lyddie still kept her money in a piggy bank, but said nothing, lest her Aunt start weeping again.

Her Aunt had come home at six, and hadn't much worried about Lyddie's absence, thinking that Lyddie was hanging out at the theater or with friends. Usually she came home around eight or nine, or called if she planned to be later. The hours had rolled on, with no call, and then after the play was fully done, Aunt Long had become worried at the lack of correspondence, and had called Lyddie's friend Harri, who hadn't had any news, but thought Lyddie might have gone to the cast party for laughs. Mike, and several other of Lyddie's favorite boys had answered the same, and it was then that Aunt Long had panicked, had induced Mrs. Bennet to call Lizzy. Here they were, and there was no more news. Lyddie hadn't called anyone, though they kept the phones as free as possible.

They had called the police, who would look out for the girl, but there was no lead as to where she had gone. The only news that been from the authorities, who reported that they had searched George Wickham's apartment, only to find it deserted. The landlord had been paid a week in advance, so thought nothing of Wickham’s departure, he had been planning to travel, but the landlord did not know where. He had a vague notion that Wickham might have been going to New York, or Boston, but didn't know which. Aunt Long wept at the thought of her daughter being carried out of the state, and cried out for her darling innocent baby. Lizzy didn't think it was the time to disillusion her Aunt about Lyddie’s habits of hanging out at bars and flirting for drinks, and her other unsuitable hobbies. Biting her tongue, and managing to feel only sympathy, Lizzy sat in silence, her arm around her weeping Aunt. Kitty went to the kitchen to make everyone some tea, and cursed herself for not having told Lizzy about George Wickham sooner. Lizzy appeared to know and distrust the man, but Kitty had suspected nothing. Lyddie often had older boyfriends.

Jane was quite distraught. She didn't know what to think. Lizzy had confided the story of Georgie and Wickham to Jane, but Jane still hoped that he was repentant, and that he wouldn't bother anyone again. Now he had, and, what was worse, bothered her young cousin, who was rather helpless when it came to common sense and self-protection. She blamed herself for not believing Lizzy's point of view, that Wickham was still a dangerous individual.

Lizzy's father, the Gardiners, and Mr. Long soon appeared at the door. They had been at the police station, giving information and waiting for news to pass on to the anxiously waiting family at home. Mrs. Gardiner had picked up a plate of cookies from the supermarket, and, concerned, was pressing everyone to eat a few, to keep their spirits up, something was sure to be heard soon. Mr. Long and Mr. Bennet closeted themselves up for a while, talking, while Mr. Gardiner called, with Lizzy's cell phone, the station to learn if anything else had been heard. Nothing new had been heard, the station promised to communicate if they discovered anything.

When her uncle had handed Lizzy her phone again, she decided to call Georgie, to tell her that there was no chance of coming back to the party, or helping to clean up, and she offered her apologies. Georgie was polite, and kind, and then asked, a little suddenly,

"Do you know where Will went?"

"No. Wasn't he with you?"

"After you all left, he seemed to choke up a little, and ran out to his car. He drove away, and we don't know where he went. He didn't come with you?"

"No. Why should he? I haven't seen him since we left."

"Oh. If you hear anything, will you call us? Mrs. Reynolds will be awake, if I’m not. It's just upsetting. It's been an hour, and we don't know where he is. He hasn't called, or anything. Did he say anything to you? You saw him more this evening than I did."

Lizzy blushed, knowing that this was true, and realizing that she would very likely never spend so much time with Will Darcy again. "No, he didn't say anything. He seemed startled that it was... well, George Wickham is involved in this emergency."

"I'm not surprised," said Georgie, surprisingly calm. "Will would start to go mental if Wickham was involved. I'm sorry, whatever this is. Will you be in school on Monday?"

"I hope so," said Lizzy. "I hope so. Thank you for the lovely evening, I wish it had had a happier ending."

"Me too. I had had such hopes." Lizzy bit back the urge to question Georgie about hopes for whom. It was obvious that she wanted to help Will and Lizzy to be together, and Lizzy was partially amused, partially grateful for the attention. She wanted to be with Will, too. Now she wasn't, and there wasn't much to be done about it. She ended the phone call, and returned the phone to her bag. Kitty, who had returned with a tray laden with tea filled mugs, raised an eyebrow, hearing that Lizzy had been talking to Georgie.

Kitty drew Lizzy aside, and asked how Georgie was.

"Her brother left the house and hasn’t communicated."

"That’s odd," said Kitty. "I mean, whenever I’ve been over at Georgie's house and Will is out, he calls practically on the hour. Was he upset by something?"

"Wickham."

"Lord, yes. I never connected the two, really."

"How could you? Everything will work out."

"Will it?" asked Kitty, with an odd look in her eye. "I imagine that this isn't how you were hoping to spend the evening."

"I assure you, it wasn't."

"You had a nice tour with Will?"

"Yes. Stop asking questions."

Kitty obeyed her cousin's wish, and took up one of the mugs of tea, and retired to her mother's side. Jane chose this time to come over to Lizzy, and speak to her in low tones.

"I can't help but partially blame myself," she said, softly to her younger sister. "I ought to have listened to you, had the police look out for George Wickham. If they had had an alert on him, then Lyddie could never have found herself in this mess. My cautions to keep your story to yourself were silly, vain. I hoped that he would improve, but he didn't, and now there is pain and humiliation for the whole family."

"You are not to blame, Jane," replied Lizzy earnestly, though also in a low voice. "You are not accountable. If any is to blame in the concealment of Wickham's character, I am, or Will Darcy, even. Neither of us made a move to warn the world. You cannot be blamed."

"I worry, then," said Jane, "That this event has caused you more pain than family concern."

"It is of no matter," said Lizzy, looking away. She didn't want to think of it.

"But it is. I see it is. You would not have chosen to leave the party for any other than family, I think. I see your face, I know it to be true. Oh, Lizzy! I am so happy that finally you were able to see what all others could see."

"What was to be seen is likely no more. I admit that I... care for William Darcy, but my wishes are of no importance. Jane, he will not want to speak to me again. That my own cousin could...! He would not wish for his sister to be near such a weak family."

"That," replied Jane, "is nonsense. Unless he removed Georgie from the school, she cannot but help to be in contact with you and our family. If you care for him, and he cares for you, that is what matters."

"I don't know, though. I don't. I care for him, I know that not, but I am certain that he does not want to know me any more. He was distant after I told him the news... we were on the balcony upstairs, and the phone rang... and now he has left the remainder of the party abruptly, and taken off in his car. I think he is angry at me."

"But Lizzy, you did nothing. It is not your fault."

"I should have watched Lydia. After the time Georgie fainted... I ought to have watched Lydia. But I didn't. If I can't control my own family, how can I control those around Georgie, protect her?"

"As much as both you and Will want to think Georgie a helpless victim, she is quite able to look after herself," said Jane, dryly. "Come now. Cheer up. We need to put on brave faces, and continue as best we can. I'm sure everything will work out. Lydia isn't so helpless, is she? I'm sure if she is uncomfortable that she'll have found a way home." Lizzy didn't dissuade Jane, and allowed herself to be brought back over to the rest of the family, and was fed a few cookies by Aunt Gardiner, all the while sighing over her new love, which had been so recently both found and lost.

Sunday brought no welcome news, really no news at all. George Wickham didn't appear to be in the state, and it seemed certain that he had gone North. He was tracked to the end of the New Jersey Turnpike, where he had been seen Friday afternoon, after accidentally driving through an E-Z Pass lane at a tollbooth on Friday afternoon. Where he had gone after that, was anyone's guess, perhaps a roundabout way to New York City, or to Boston, where he undoubtedly had friends. However, no one was sure who these friends were, or where they could be found, so no much progress had been made. No one had seen the couple, no news had been heard from Lydia.

The Bennets, Longs, and Gardiners deemed it best to return to work and school, to not allow this disaster to be too evident. It was clear that Lyddie wasn't in school, but her parents had worked out with the school to say to any curious students that Lydia was ill, and was off resting in Vermont, with her Aunt Gardiner’s sister. Most people accepted this answer, though suspecting that she had been grounded or arrested, or something, since she had it coming to her. She wasn't particularly well liked by most of the student body, but they managed a get-well card signed by most of her grade, which was sent off to Vermont, and an unusually neat, typewritten thank-you note sent back to the school.

Kitty was tense that Monday morning, but managed to not blurt out her woes to the ears of her caring friends. Georgie was silent, though she, of course, knew of the problems Lyddie had caused. Georgie came up to Lizzy after their Latin class together.

"Lizzy, I hope that everything will work out for you. I'm so sorry. But I wanted to talk to you about something else. I wanted to thank you again for your work with me on the play. It is probably ancient history in your mind, but it is so recent for me. I want to thank you for everything. You've been so kind to me, and I wish there was some way for me to help you."

"I'm afraid that there isn't," sighed Lizzy. "But with any luck, the storm will soon pass. Did you manage to get enough sleep after all of the excitement?"

"Yes. Will didn't call until very very late, I was asleep. But Mrs. Reynolds stayed up, and he didn't say much, but he's fine. He's dealing with an emergency, something that he only just realized was very important. Business, I guess. I wish he were around, he was so friendly and charming, never leaving town, while I was in the play. He came to almost every rehearsal a little before the end, they made him so happy. I don't want him to turn back into the mechanical worker again."

"I am sure that he knows how charming you can be, and will come home soon. Did he say when he planned to come back?" Did he say anything about me?

"No. He said he'd be away as long as the business took him. Well, I guess I can't do much, so I'll go find Kitty, and see if I can cheer her up. It is very odd seeing her so blue."

"Yes, Kitty was always so perky. Say hi for me, and remind her that she doesn't need to turn in her homework. Family emergency rules."

"Right. See you!" Georgie skipped off, certain that Lizzy wanted to know about her brother, but confused about Lizzy's hesitancy, her look of sadness. Will would still like her if her cousin had run off with Wickham. She wasn't the cousin. Lizzy ought not to worry, but it was too awkward to come out and say so.

Lizzy, less confidant in her standing with Will Darcy, turned to correct a pile of quizzes, and wished that the phone would ring, bearing good news.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Posted on Friday, 9 May 2003

Will Darcy was intent on making good news for Lizzy's ears. Her tears, her anger had touched him, he could only think of finding a way of salvaging the situation, and their prospects for the future. For one hour, he had been deliriously happy, happier than he had been in years, and the ghost of George Wickham had come and spoiled his evening.

Without thinking of much, he had seized his toothbrush, a change of clothes and his briefcase, and dashed out to his waiting car. Starting the engine, his mind was focused on George Wickham. Where would he have taken the girl? He had little enough money, but he would look for friends before work. Who was still friends with Wickham? Hs childhood friends had all turned from him, as had his college companions. Now, the only people who knew him well enough to shelter him were those as corrupt in morals as he was. One name, however, drifted to the top of Will’s mind: Mrs. Younge.

It had been some time since he had thought of the woman. He had banished her from his mind, and had no idea where to start to look for her. She had assisted Wickham in his liaisons with a young girl before, she would have no scruples about helping him again. As far as he knew, Mrs. Younge was not in prison. He had dealt privately with her when he had discharged her, taken possession again of his stolen belongings, and sent her out on her ear, with a stiff warning. Here, perhaps, his actions had been as mislead as those with Wickham. By dealing with the problems himself, and not with the police, he had sought to shield Georgie, but in reality, he had let Wickham free to strike again. He had picked his target well, whether he planned to hurt Will (was his admiration for Lizzy so obvious?), or to merely find pleasure with the silly girl.

Having connections was an asset available to Will Darcy that was unavailable to the police force. He found out Mrs. Younge's New York City address from a friend of a friend, who had recalled the information. He sought the address, and found the woman at home. She wasn't very pleased to see him. Nor was Wickham, who was living in the same house. Nor, for that matter, was Lydia Long. She looked furious to see him, and spat at him. Wiping his very expensive jacket haughtily on the sofa, he demanded that Lydia be returned to her family, who were very upset.

Lydia had been willingly kept in the house. Wickham had been so attentive to her, she had enjoyed all of his attentions, refusing him nothing on the promise that he would get her into Broadway. That would show Kitty Gardiner, Georgie Darcy, who acted so superior over that silly play. Wickham hadn’t managed the engagement yet, but she was confidant in his abilities, as they worked on an audition piece together every day. Lyddie had paid Wickham to help her in her pursuit of stardom, and he clearly enjoyed her savings. He had bought her fancy clothes, but none very expensive, so his profits remained high. All the while she was looking forward to a career in the bright lights, he had been planning to run away from her. She wasn't happy when this was revealed. Turning her fury from Will to Wickham, she pounded his chest and scratched his face. Will was certain that if every Lyddie had success on the stage that she would be the most tiresome form of prima donna.

After some time Lydia had been removed from Wickham's face, and sent to sit on the other side of the room. Will turned angrily to Wickham.

"How could you? How could you, after what you did to my sister, and my mercy towards you. How could you?" his face was white with rage.

"Your mercy? I beg your pardon, I'm sure, but being turned penniless and friendless out into the world is no mercy. A man makes his own way."

"But not by abducting fifteen year old girls! You are no man..."

"She’s sixteen," corrected Wickham, insolently. "And it shouldn't matter to you, should it? Your precious sister is safe, Lydia's family matters nothing. No, I see that they matter so very much. Who is it then? The beautiful secretary your friend sees? No, your sister's friend is too young, so it must be that delicious teacher. How droll, a teacher!" Will took one step forward, somehow his fist found itself meeting Wickham's chin. Quite accidentally, of course. The man flew backwards into the wall, where his leg struck a table with a disturbing crack.

Lydia was amazed in the corner. Her opinion of Will Darcy had skyrocketed. He had attacked that loathsome creature in the corner, and had insulted him. To top that, she thought she had picked up some very interesting news. Will Darcy liked her cousin, Lizzy. That was interesting. Maybe Lizzy could marry him and give her a car.

"Don't tell anyone anything about this," Will growled. Lyddie smiled impudently.

Continued In Next Section