Beginning , Section II
Jump to new as of May 10, 2003
Jump to new as of June 26, 2003
Ju,p to new as of July 4, 2003
Posted on Sunday, 13 April 2003
Lizzy closed her eyes and leaned against the door of her bedroom. The quiet peaceful feel of the room revived her and she began to eagerly explore. The walls were painted a warm cream color, which accentuated the brilliant light that was coming through glass French doors directly across the room. The bed was a dark, mahogany, canopy frame, with cream silk hanging down, and piled high with cream and white pillows and throws. Lizzy walked toward the center of the room in awe, her sneakers squeaking against the wood floor, till she reached a big cream-colored circle rug, with a tall glass table centered on it, holding a vase of orchids. She absent-mindedly smelled the flowers and continued farther into the room. She opened a door and found a small cream-colored room with a big oak desk and a computer set up. She closed it and opened up another door to the bathroom. It was, of course, cream-colored tiles, with a deep luxurious tub, and a separate stand up shower. The thick, fluffy towels were begging her to go try them, but she wasn’t through exploring yet. She went back into the main apartment and walked toward the French doors. She eyed a cream, velvet chaise lounge in the corner and smiled in delight. She reached the doors and threw them open to reveal a stunning view of the Bay and the emerald green backyard. She stepped out onto the stone terrace and when she marveled at its size, she realized several bedrooms shared the same terrace. She took one last look at the view and made a bee line straight back to the shower.
“Now I wonder if these towels are as soft as I think they are..”
Charles opened the door to Jane’s room and watched in anticipation as her face lit up in pleasure.
“Oh Charles, it’s lovely!”
Jane’s room, like most of the bedrooms in the house, contained a very similar set-up as Lizzy’s room. However, every room possessed it’s own unique charm due to the wide span of colors and artistic touches.
Jane looked over the feminine pale-green-and-gilt furniture and exclaimed in delight.
“Why Charles, I feel like royalty!”
He smiled at her in adoration. “Do you think I’d have anything less for my queen.”
She flushed in pleasure and when he stepped in to kiss her, she happily responded.
After a couple moments, Charles broke away and cheekily said:
“You know, my dear, I believe you would be much more comfortable in the King’s suite. Come now, time to relocate.”
Jane laughed and pushed him toward the door.
“Nice try slick, now out you go. I want to clean up.”
He grinned and with a quick peck he was gone.
Lizzy looked into the mirror and debated what to wear down to dinner. Usually she couldn’t care less, but her surroundings left her a bit insecure. She decided to let her hair hang loose, and finally chose a form fitting, light blue blouse, and a white, flowing peasant skirt. She applied some light makeup, grabbed her white sandals and went out the door.
She stood outside the door of her room and looked around her. She saw a wide expanse of hallway to her right and another wide expanse to her left, and was at a loss to what direction to take.
She heard a door open and turned to see William Darcy emerge from the room next to her. Lizzy fought to keep the annoyance off her face. In a light tone, laced with a little irritation, she addressed him:
“Mr. Darcy. Why it appears we’re neighbors, now would you extend a bit of neighborly kindness and tell me where the dining room is?”
He smiled inwardly at her obvious discomfort. “I could, but it wouldn’t do you any good. They’re all in the game room. Allow me to show you the way.”
“That’s really not necessary, just point the way and I’ll be fine, thanks.”
“Why Ms. Bennet, I insist.” He exclaimed with a look of feigned innocence. She attracted him, and she intrigued him. Oh yes. But all’s fair in love and war and he still had a score to even out. With an amused look at her reluctant face, he led the way.
Posted on Saturday, 10 May 2003
Lizzy stared at the tall, elegant form in front of her, as they proceeded down the staircase. She couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was. Yeah, too bad his personality sucks. She tugged at her blouse and felt tendrils of paranoia wrap around her as she wondered about her outfit, as she noticed William was still wearing his clothes from earlier. Am I over-dressed? She weighed the possibility of running back to her room and the chance of her finding her way back down stairs. Wait a minute…who are you trying to impress, Bennet? Jane and Charles are wonderful and couldn’t care less about my outfit. Caroline? No, I couldn’t care less about her. William? No, maybe his appearance is pleasing but you’ve been acquainted with what’s on the inside already. There’s nothing to be concerned about. With this in mind, Lizzy resumed a confident march down the hallway as Will directed them towards the game room.
As they approached, Caroline could be heard from a distance, although only a whining tone could be clearly distinguished. Will placed his hand on the doorknob and turned to give Lizzy a small smile.
“See? I got you here in one piece. You’re perfectly safe in my hands.” His confident and somewhat intimate allusion was too much for Lizzy, so instead of replying she pressed her hand where his was resting on the doorknob, causing the door to swing open and the company within to look up.
“Why, William…there you are. I was just speaking with Charles about going up to look for you, myself.” Caroline said in a voice dripping with sweetness. “Now come into the room, you and Eliza are mashed together in the doorway.”
Will reluctantly eased his frame into the brightly-lit game room. The party was sitting on over-stuffed couches in a T.V nook, as a large and polished billiard table took center stage. Off to the side was a gleaming card table with matching chairs and a fully loaded bar. As he made his way over to the others, Caroline automatically attached herself to him.
“Oh William darling, do let me get you a drink! What will you have?”
“Something strong.” He muttered.
“Here, lets go over to the bar and fix it together.” She propelled him over to the bar and greedily proceeded to hoard his conversation to herself.
Lizzy stood in the doorway taking all this in with much amusement. She could see from William’s occasional wince and his constant glances over to the others that he strongly desired different company. She leaned against the doorjamb with a satisfied smirk on her face, Come on Mr. Darcy, she’s perfect for you.
She tore her glance away from the couple at the bar and returned her attention to the others as she began to make her way over to them. She was surprised to see the sandy-haired man walking towards her, meeting her halfway. Was it....Richard?... He walked up towards her with a charming smile.
“I hope you didn’t have trouble finding your way around. But not to worry, I’m sure if you had remained missing around 48 hours or so, a search party would have been dispatched.”
She rose to his teasing. “Saint Bernards and all??”
“For you Miss Bennet, absolutely.”
She laughed with delight.
William sharply turned at the sound of her laugh and observed her conversation with his cousin. He felt somewhat annoyed and walked towards them.
“But as I can see, my valiant cousin guided you to safety as he is now making his way towards us as he thinks I might harm you. Have no fear William, she’s in safe hands” Richard joked.
“Hmm…yes, but Miss Bennet doesn’t always find that remark assuring.”
Richard raised a questioning eyebrow switching his gaze from William to Lizzy.
Lizzy shot William a challenging look. “Well I suppose it depends on who it comes from.” With a sassy smile she left the men behind and walked toward Jane and Charles.
“Oh yes….it will be an interesting visit.” Richard remarked as he watched he walk off.
William turned to him with a biting response on the tip of his tongue when he was suddenly arrested with an extra appendage.
“Oh William, we never finished your drink!!! Dinner won’t be long now, let me help you unwind…”
Richard gave his cousin a knowing wink. “Well go to it man, I’ll keep the others company.” With that he walked towards the group as William braced his self for the impending harassment.
As Lizzy glanced over the elegant and perfectly-orchestrated dinner in front of her, she had to wonder how people sat down and ate like this everyday. The company was pleasantly paired as Charles sat at the head with Jane at his left and Lizzy beside her, Richard and William were across from them and Caroline took the other end. Lizzy looked around the elegant dining room, with its heavy dark wood and the ornate decorations surrounding them. As she glanced at a thick silver candelabra placed across from her, all she could think of was; Caroline…
“So Caroline, did you have a hand in decorating this particular room?”
Caroline tore her attention away from ‘dear William’ to give Lizzy an appraising glance.
“Well Charles would not let me touch most of the rooms, he wanted to keep it fairly close to the original, but this room was in tragic disrepair and had to be almost completely re-done, so I was allowed free reign…isn’t it divine?” She said, glowing as she pointed out her signature pieces.
“Quite.” Lizzy said as she observed her appetizer that was just placed in front of her. “What sort of soup is this?”
Caroline rolled her eyes at the constant interruption. “That is a savory onion soup Eliza, along with Blue Heaven Cornbread.
“Ah, wonderful!” Lizzy replied actually pleased, the food smelled delicious and she always appreciated good cooking.
Richard smiled at this. “Do you have a fondness for onions, Elizabeth?”
Darcy prickled at the use of her first name, he turned his attention toward her judging her reply.
“Well I can’t say that there’s something about onions that send me into a frenzy, but I love good food and this certainly looks amazing.”
Caroline turned her attention to the present conversation as she had no one else to talk to. “Well Eliza, I’m sure women like you can enjoy rich food, but as for me, I have to watch my figure. We models can’t let ourselves go.”
Lizzy took a big bite of her bread and smiled sweetly.
“Why Elizabeth, if this is the product of ‘eating rich food,’ I encourage you heartily.” Richard said with a wink.
Join the conversation Darcy! Say something! Umm…yes, I like women who are at least filled out a bit.” Did I just say ‘filled out?’
Lizzy looked at him appraisingly and then tried to hide her amusement as Caroline obvious wilted next to him. Her mirth rose as Caroline began to take more frequent spoonfuls of soup. She turned back to Richard.
“So Richard, besides orchestrating search parties, what else occupies your thoughts?”
He smiled at her wit. “I’m an Investment Banker.”
Lizzy feigned a gasp. “And I took you for such an exciting person, like a sky-diving instructor or some sort of daredevil…and I find my expectations smashed as I find you reside in the safe and secure world or banking.”
Richard laughed at this. “I confess, I suppose I am a nerd by your standards now.”
Caroline interrupted their light-hearted banter. “Eliza, Richard isn’t just an investment banker, he’s a partner.” She said this with such authority she felt Lizzy would automatically understand and realize her place.
Richard colored at this unwanted praise and the way it ruined their light-hearted banter until he saw Lizzy roll her eyes and he visibly relaxed. The conversation came to a close as the servers brought out the salmon, and everyone abandoned themselves to their dinner.
The group lounged in padded chairs as they digested their dinner over drinks by the pool. Jane and Charles were sitting at the edge of the pool dangling their legs in the water, wrapped up in each others company. Caroline was reclined on a chaise lounge as she attempted to recover from willfully overeating, which could be seen as William’s fault. Lizzy and Richard were sitting in adjacent chairs as they enjoyed the breeze and pleasant company. This left William off to the side, almost reluctant to join any group. Finally he took another sip of wine and walked over to Lizzy and Richard.
They both look up at his approach and Richard broke into a grin. “Hey Will, we were just discussing the positive affect you are having on Caroline. Not only is she eating a normal amount, she’s even taken to contemplative thinking rather than aggressive conversation. Look, she hasn’t said a word since dinner!” They all looked over to see Caroline laid back, not stirring, and tried to suppress their amusement.
William pulled up a chair across from Lizzy and began to address her. “Ms. Bennet, I hope you are enjoying Vermont.”
She paused for a moment. “Why yes, it’s a very pleasant place. Everything is very beautiful here.”
“Yes it is.”
She began to feel a little uncomfortable under his gaze and turned to address his cousin. “I bet the water feels wonderful, I think I’m going to stick my feet in too.”
Richard smiled. “Yeah, let’s go test the waters, come on Will.”
As they rose to walk over to the pool, Lizzy wished that Caroline would recover and claim him again. Something about William, Mr. Darcy, just made her nervous. Maybe because embarrassing things always happened to her when he was around, she was afraid of what would happen next. They made their way over to the pool and Richard suddenly stopped.
“You know, I think I need to refill my drink. I’ll be right back guys.” He turned and walked back toward the house. He so owes me for this, he'd better use it.
Elizabeth looked at his retreating figure in alarm, she wondered how rude it would actually be if she followed Richard inside.
“Why are you scared of me, Ms. Bennet?”
He head snapped back to him as she realized her discomfort was obvious. When she saw the amused expression on his face, her defenses rose.
“Excuse me Mr. Darcy, but I am certainly not scared of you.”
“Then why don’t you want to be alone with me?” He stepped closer with the same knowing expression.
Lizzy felt the urge to turn and walk quickly into the house. “Maybe you make me nervous.”
“Me? Make you nervous? If I remember correctly, I’m the one who was always on the receiving end of our disastrous encounters.”
She raised an eyebrow, challenging him. “Well maybe you deserved it.”
He grinned. “Maybe I did, but that doesn’t change the facts. You know what they say about payback…”
What?? He stepped closer and Lizzy felt overpowered by his presence. Is he going to try and kiss me? His cologne was making her head swim.
He leaned in and gently whispered, “All’s fair in love and war…” Then he sent her flying into the pool.
She came up gasping for air and turned to where he was standing, laughing. Jane and Charles joined in as Lizzy was sputtering.
“You jerk!!! I can’t believe you just pushed me into the pool!”
“Well, I think you got the better deal, after all, I was attacked with red wine.”
“You..you…ugh!” She swam towards the edge and splashed him.
“Oh no, this is your punishment.”
“Oh yeah?” She grabbed one of his pants legs, pulling him off balance and into the pool with her.
He came up with his dark curls plastered to his head and he looked at her in complete surprise.
Then she started to laugh.
She laughed in complete delight as she realized she was having fun. She swam over to his companionably as she whispered. “You know Mr. Darcy, I think Jane and Charles are having a good laugh at our expense.”
“Why Ms. Bennet, I believe you are absolutely right. We must take revenge. Should we opt for a surprise attack or a full-frontal assault?”
“I bet you were unstoppable at Capture the Flag when you were younger.”
“I just always win.” He gave her challenging smile.
She smiled back and swam in closer. “So do I.” She turned away from his gaze and looked over to where Jane and Charles were sitting, and quietly talking again. “I think we ought to go for a full-out attack. They’ll never suspect it.”
“Good plan. I got Charles, you get Jane.”
“Alright. Let’s go.” They both ducked under water and swam towards their prey. As they got close to the dangling feet they broke the surface and grabbed their victims. When both Jane and Charles came up gasping they looked in complete surprise at their attackers. Lizzy and William were laughing too hard to notice until it turned into a big water fight.
Richard walked out of the house and towards the pool. He stopped as an angry Caroline stormed passed him and he noticed the rest of the group in the pool. I leave him alone for one moment…
Posted on Wednesday, 25 June 2003
Elizabeth woke up in her sinfully comfortable bed and stretched luxuriously.
“Yeah, I could stay here forever.”
She pulled herself out of bed and shuffled over to the closet.
“Now what should I wear today? I feel active, so no skirt…”
She pulled a pair of khaki shorts out and rummaged for a shirt, finally deciding on a cap-sleeved, dark burgundy stretchy shirt. She ran into the bathroom and tried to straighten herself up a bit. After wrestling with her hair and applying some light makeup, she grabbed her sandals and ran downstairs.
After a couple wrong turns, Lizzy found herself in the dining room in the company of both William and Richard. She looked around and seeing no one else, assumed everyone was up and gone already.
“Oh, did I sleep in too late?”
William and Richard looked at each other and smiled.
“Actually, no one else is up yet.” Richard said with a grin.
“I suppose they’re not used to all the excitement we had yesterday.” William said with an even bigger smile.
Lizzy grinned at the easy banter. “All the excitement, Mr. Darcy? Do you suppose they’ve never been swimming before? I mean, I didn’t find anything that different about it.”
William smiled even more as he realized she was flirting with him.
“Well in that case, Ms. Bennet, I suppose I wasn’t trying hard enough.” With that said, he got up and picked her up out of her chair and proceeded to walk through the glass doors to the pool with her in his arms.
Lizzy was squirming around, trying to get down, and laughing her head off.
“Richard!!! Save me!!”
Richard was laughing just as hard as her. I’ve never seen him like this before. “I don’t think that would be a good idea Lizzy!! Then he might go after me!”
“Coward!!”
Now William held her over the water, and menacingly asked her again. “So tell me Ms. Bennet, do you still find it dull and unexciting?”
She looked at him with her most innocent expression. “Why this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me. In fact, I fear I will faint from the sheer craziness of it all.”
He laughed and pulled her back close to him. “I ought to throw you in anyway, for your impertinence.” He smiled down at her and his heart did little flip-flops as he realized that she was smiling just for him. That the smile on her face was something that he did alone.
However, the moment was broken as Caroline was heard from the dining room.
“What in the blue blazes is going on here!!!??”
“Blue blazes, Caroline?” Richard asked calmly.
William, hearing this, gently set Lizzy down and rolled his eyes. She saw this and smiled and said in an overly exaggerated English accent:
“Why William Dah-ling, you’re just simply tooo attractive….”
He burst out laughing at this, earning another glare of death from Caroline. But inside he felt all warm and fuzzy. She called me William..
After an uncomfortable 15 minutes of Caroline complaining, Charles and Jane came down, and breakfast was served. The party spent the duration of their meal planning the day’s events.
“Why I’m sure some of the distinguished families in this area are planning something. I could always give them a ring.” Caroline said. She turned to Lizzy. “It’s good to have contacts.”
Lizzy nodded to her in return and discreetly rolled her eyes.
“Well, Caroline, that’s not exactly what I had in mind as a fun outing. In fact, I was thinking we could take out the boat and spend the day on the lake.”
Lizzy perked up at that. “What kind of boat is it, Charles?”
He looked happy at her apparent interest. “Well, I prefer my sailboat, but that’s more suited to the ocean, for the bay, I use…”
Caroline broke in smugly. “It’s a gorgeous yacht, fully loaded…” She turned to Jane and said in a stage whisper. “Very expensive….”
Charles shot her a look. “As I was trying to say…it’s a Jefferson Pilothouse 57, about 57ft 5 in. You girls can sunbathe and us guys can fish, it’ll be great. We can even swim in the bay.”
“Charles, are you trying to imply that us girls are unable to fish? That our place is simply sunbathing?”
Charles turned to his angel with a perplexed look on his face. “Uh, no…that’s not what I meant at all…its just I uh….well..”
Lizzy saved him by standing up and declaring herself ready to go.
Charles relaxed a little. “Okay gang, grab your bathing suits and I’ll have Ms. Green fix us a lunch and we’ll be out of here.”
It was agreed they’d met on the dock in 15 minutes, and they all ran their separate ways.
Charles, Richard, and William were already on board loading the fishing gear and supplies when the girls walked up.
“Whoa.” Lizzy said.
“Uh huh.” Replied Jane.
Richard noticed the girls standing there gapping. “Are you guys going to stand there all day or what? Oh I’m sorry…do you need some help getting on?”
This earned the expected reaction from them, and after giving him ‘the look,’ they got on board. After spending a sufficient time looking about the plush cabin, they joined the boys on top. They finished loading the rest of the food and gear and started the boat up.
“Wait a minute…where’s Caroline?” Jane asked.
“Caroline who?”
“Very funny Richard, but Charles can’t very well leave his own sister.”
“I suppose not,” Charles pouted. He climbed to the top of the boat and yelled. “Caroline!! If you’re not out here in three minutes, we’re leaving without you!!”
Suddenly, Caroline walked out of the house in a sailor mini-dress, complete with matching hat and heels.
“I’m coming Charles, you are far too impatient!”
“Does she honestly look the way I think she looks?” Richard whispered to William.
“Sadly, it does appear that way, doesn’t it?”
Caroline stopped when she got to the end of the dock.
“Would one of you boys mind helping me onto the boat?” She smiled particularly at William.
“Hey Lizzy, why don’t you help Caroline on?” Richard volunteered. “You should have seen the way she got on! Caroline, she’s a natural; you’ll be in good hands.”
Caroline scowled at Richard. “I’d be better off on my own.” She grabbed the rail and pulled herself on board, rather difficultly as the heels were not too sturdy. However, with Caroline now on board, they could all head out. Charles handled the boat with ease, and suggested they take a short trip around the lake and take in the sights before stopping to fish. Everyone agreed and they headed out.
“Now if you look to the left, those properties right there, belong to the Knightlys and the Dashwoods. I don’t suppose you’d know them Eliza, as you don’t frequent those circles.” Caroline began.
Lizzy rolled her eyes and ignored her. “Look how green everything is! After the city, all this nature just makes me feel healthier.”
“You certainly look healthy to me.” Will commented.
Lizzy looked at him with amusement as she realized that he didn’t know what he said. What is going on here? I thought we were die hard rivals, but he’s actually flirting. He is so confusing. Which Will is the real one? The snob or the laid-back guy? Her thoughts were interrupted as Charles declared himself ready to fish and parked the boat out in the middle of the lake. There was a scramble for rods and tackle, and Lizzy found herself in the middle of it.
They all sat on top of the boat, relaxing and talking as they waited for the fish to bite. Everyone except Caroline that is, who declared her skin too sensitive for the harsh rays of the sun. Nobody was really catching anything, but they were all simply enjoying each others company. The weather was really beginning to pick up and the sun was beginning to beat down fiercely.
“I think I want to swim, anyone want to join me?” Lizzy asked.
He really didn’t want to seem overly obvious, but when no one else wanted to, it was just too nice an opportunity.
“I think I’m up for some swimming.” Will replied easily.
The guys turned to look at him as if he’d grown a third arm.
“But we just started fishing..” Charles said.
“I know, I know. But I don’t think we’ll catch too much anyway. Besides, I’ll try again later.”
Lizzy shrugged and pulled off her shorts and shirt to reveal a simple, black bikini. She looked up at Will, waiting for him to follow, but he just stood there gapping.
“Will?”
No response.
“Are you ready?”
No response.
Charles and Richard were choking on laughter.
“He’ll be right with you Liz, must be sunstroke or something.” Richard said as he punched Will on the arm…hard.
“Ow! What’d you do that for?” Will said, catching himself staring and trying to cover it up a bit. “Must have zoned out for a moment, or something.” He pulled his shirt over his head and smiled shyly at Lizzy as the both stepped up to the edge of the boat.
“And how deep is this water, Charles?”
Will interrupted before Charles could answer. “Why? Scared?”
She gave him a look. “Of course not, I just…”
Her sentence was cut short as he grabbed her around the waist and jumped overboard with her. She came up, a mixture of sputtering and laughing.
“William Darcy!! This is the last time you are throwing me into water!”
He still had his arms around her waist. “Is that right?”
Posted on Wednesday, 2 July 2003
They both stared at each other challengingly. Each enjoying the way the other kept them on their toes.
“I’m sorry Will, but if you continue to behave in this manner, I will be forced to resort to serious measures to defend myself.”
Will grinned and grabbed one of her stray curls. “Lizzy…..I…”
His sentence was cut off as a large splash was heard behind them. The both turned in surprise and were sorely disappointed to see Caroline swimming toward them.
“William, you should have asked me if I wanted to go swimming!!! I would have gladly said yes, but no matter, I’m here now.”
She doggy-paddled over to the annoyed couple and proceeded to clutch at William’s arm and appear alluring, while trying to remain afloat.
“Caroline, can you please let go of me? You’re going to drown me if you keep leaning on me.”
Lizzy chuckled at the scene of unwanted affection in front of her.
Caroline turned to glare at her. “Why Eliza, what are you still doing here? I said that I would keep William company now, you can go back to the boat.”
Lizzy’s eyes flashed dangerously, but before she could lay into her, William interrupted:
“Caroline, Lizzy was the one who wanted to swim, I agreed to accompany her.”
Caroline looked perplexed at this comment, as if she simply couldn’t understand his reasons to voluntarily swim with Lizzy.
Lizzy began to grow restless in Caroline’s company; she started looking around for a diversion.
“Hey you guys want to race to the shore over there? It’s not that far, and it looks pretty interesting…all the trees and flowers..”
“Yes! That’d be great.” William said immediately.
“A race? How childish..”
“Sorry you feel that way Caroline, see you later then. On three William…one…two..GO!!!!”
They both took of in a frenzy of splashing and laughing. And as Caroline saw them swimming off together for the deserted shore, she began to realize her mistake.
“Wait William, wait!!!! I want to join you now!!” She began her slow, but determined doggy-paddle towards them.
William, hearing her cry behind him actually made him swim faster and ended up beating Elizabeth to the shore. They both crawled up onto the grass and sprawled out as they regained their breath.
“Looks like you’re slipping Bennet. I thought you’d be more of a challenge than that.”
She laughed. “Well if I would have had the same inspiration as you, then it would have gotten me here faster too.” At this comment they both sat up to look at Caroline’s progress towards them.
“How mean would it be to swim back as soon as she gets here?”
Will grinned. “Well there really is only one way to find out…”
“Oh Will, that’s horrible! All she wants is for you to let her love you!!” She teased.
“That’s a very sick and twisted thing to say.”
She laughed. “So tell me, is this how you treat all the women who have the misfortune to like you?”
He brushed some grass of her cheek. “Nope, not all of them.”
The smiled at each other, but sadly the moment was ruined by a high-pitched shriek. They both turned to see Caroline splashing wildly in the water.
“Cramp!! I have a cramp!! Oh William!!! Save me!!!”
William dived into the water and swam swiftly towards her. Lizzy jumped in as well, in case she could be of some help.
“Help!!!! I’m drowning!!!”
William swam up next to her and grabbed her from going under again. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck, almost strangling him.
“Caroline, let go!! You’re not going to drown, but I might if you don’t let me breathe again!”
Her grip did loosen…barely. William rolled his eyes, and attempted to swim back to the boat with Caroline clasped to him. He began to grow tired of her continuous anxiety and she kept herself pressed tightly against him.
Elizabeth watched all this with amusement. As she swam behind them, she couldn’t miss Caroline’s satisfied look and began to doubt the very presence of this cramp. They soon made it back to the boat, and Richard helped William get Caroline back on board.
“Why William, you saved my life!!! How could I ever repay you!! You’re my hero!”
“Really Caroline, it was nothing.”
“No! You are my savior!!”
“Seriously Caroline…it really was nothing. Anybody would have done the same if they had got there first.”
This took some of the ‘sparkle’ off the heroic rescue, but she plowed on ahead anyways.
“Well, I’m still deeply in your debt. But I fear I am so fatigued from the strain. William darling, would you mind carrying me to my room, I feel the need to lie down. You must be exhausted too.”
William looked a bit scared, but Richard cut right in. “You know Caroline, Will must be tired too, I’ll take you.”
He walked over to her, and regardless of her protesting, he picked her up and walked down into the interior of the boat.
William turned to Lizzy and smiled warily. “You up for some safe and relaxing fishing?”
She grinned at him. “Yeah, come on, you need a break.”
With that said, they went to find the others.
That Evening
Evening drinks by the pool was becoming a sort of tradition for the group. They sat around in chairs comparing sunburns and fishing stories, simply enjoying the company of each other.
Lizzy sat lost in thought. As the people around her easily conversed she was mulling over the last few days. This all seems to be moving rather fast. A couple days ago he drove me crazy and now it’s like a completely different man and I’m getting way too caught up in this. Thing are progressing way too fast. I mean, how much do I even know about this man? Maybe I’m just a vacation diversion, I should be a bit more careful.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
She looked up into the smiling face of William Darcy and offered a weak smile of her own.
“I’m afraid my thoughts are a lot more expensive than that, Mr. Darcy.”
He smiled and eased himself into a chair next to her.
A couple feet away, Jane, Charles, and Richard were conspiring about the blossoming relationship between the two.
“I think maybe we should leave them alone.”
“Jane, they are essentially alone. I mean, they’re over there talking by themselves.”
“Charles, you know what I mean!” she hissed. “Something productive might happen if they’re alone and not in front of a group of people.”
“Jane, that sounds rather scandalous.” Richard teased. “This is your baby sister we’re talking about.”
“Oh my, I wasn’t suggesting that! I figured that William would be less nervous about making a move on her if he was alone.”
Charles snorted. “That hasn’t exactly been impeding him recently.”
Jane wilted. “I guess you’re right, I just want this to happen so badly. They are so perfect for each other. Charles and I noticed this a while ago and we always try and somehow get the two of them together. Plus I know Lizzy can be flighty and I’m worried if he doesn’t take some sort of definite action soon, she’ll start to doubt everything.
Charles smiled lovingly at Jane. “I haven’t seen Will in this deep in a long time. Trust me, he doesn’t respond to women like this lightly, and he has no intention of messing this up. And if I know Will, and I do, he won’t wait too long.”
Suddenly Lizzy laughed out loud, drawing everyone’s eyes to the pair.
Richard grinned. “Good thing Caroline’s not here, she’d be over there in a flash, defending her turf.”
Charles rolled his eyes. “Her turf? Give me a break. She’s been after him since college, much to his irritation and my embarrassment. It really surprises me sometimes, I mean, some of the things she does is unbelievable.”
“You mean like that “cramp” this afternoon?”
“That wasn’t real?” Jane asked in surprise.
Richard grinned. “Considering as soon as I got her to her room she threw a big fit and threw me out..hmm….all signs point to no. She was stomping her foot and fuming like nobody’s business.”
They all laughed and looked up in surprise when Will and Lizzy joined them. After a bit more socializing, they all decided to turn in. They walked back to the house companionably and went to their separate rooms.
Lizzy stood on the terrace outside her room, letting the cool breeze off the bay ruffle her hair. She threw her arms wide open and breathed in the night air. She was the picture of innocence and perfection, at least that’s what William Darcy thought when he stepped out of his room onto the terrace. He smiled to himself as he took in her messy ponytail, and rubber ducky-printed pants.
“Lovely night, isn’t it?”
Lizzy jumped at his voice, but smiled as she realized his identity. “Yes, it’s the perfect temperature. And everything is so illuminated; the moon is so bright tonight.”
“Yes, you can see everything.”
“Charles really does have beautiful property, look at all the land and trees. I can’t imagine owning something like this.”
He smiled at her. “I’d like you to see my home; Pemberley.”
She blushed. “That would be nice. I didn’t realize how much I missed the country. Not that I don’t like the city, I really do, but sometimes it’s nice to slow down a bit.”
“I know exactly what you mean. Pemberley’s my refuge.”
She smiled and looked around at the immense backyard in front of them. “Look over there Will, at that group of trees and flowers! Its charming! It looks like there's even a bench! Remind me to take a closer look tomorrow morning.”
He turned to look at her. “Why not now?”
She gave him a confused look. “Now? Are you serious?”
“Very. You said so yourself that it was certainly bright enough. Come on, it’ll be an adventure.” He gave her an adorable pleading look that had her caving in seconds.
“Well…I guess so.”
“Great! You know where the stables are? Meet me there in 10.” He grinned and went back into his room.
As she was once again in her room and pulling on jeans, she had to smile at his spontaneous behavior. But be careful Bennet, you don’t know what this is to him. There’s no use in falling for him if all this is simply a game…Steel heart. Steel heart.
However, fifteen minutes later, galloping across Charles’s lawn and holding onto William Darcy, these thoughts flew out of her mind.
Author’s Note: Don’t celebrate yet!! This story is far from over!!