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Chapter 18

Posted on Friday, 21 December 2001

November 28

"And then after it was over-well, you know how huge the crowd can get-we walked up two blocks and Will had the limo waiting and we all squished in. I had to sit on Chris's lap, and Lizzy was squished in next to Will. And we all went for pizza. And guess what? Lizzy and Will both like pepperoni and mushroom! Isn't that amazing?"

Dr. Charlotte Lucas listened in silence as Georgie rattled on about the previous evening. Finally, Georgie stopped to take a breath, and Charlotte spoke.

"Georgie, we need to talk about relationships. First, you and Chris. You sound as if you're comfortable in his presence."

"Yes, I am. He's kind and considerate, never makes me feel awkward or stupid."

"Do you feel stupid when you are with Chris?"

"No, but I am aware that I'm ignorant about some things. Like the night we watched football. There was a lot that I didn't understand and he explained it."

Charlotte smiled. "Guys love to talk about football. Why was this special?"

"He did it quietly so nobody knew. He even coached me on what to yell at the TV."

"So he helped you appear knowledgeable. How did that make you feel?"

"Special, like he wanted to teach me and share what he knows. Like he believed I was capable of understanding. He makes me feel smart, like I can do anything."

"How about trust? Do you trust him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you trust him not to scare you or hurt you?"

"Yes."

"What about sex?"

"Oh, no, we haven't! I mean, he has kissed me goodnight, but we haven't done anything. It's almost like he senses I'm not ready."

"What will you do if he wants more than you're ready for?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Georgie looked down. Softly, she answered, "No."

Charlotte answered calmly, "All right. We don't have to talk about it now. But it is something you need to think about. I'm not encouraging you to have sex. That's a decision you must make for yourself. I take it he doesn't know about the rape?" Georgie shook her head. "At some point you may need to tell him."

"I don't know if I could."

"Georgie, you say you trust him?" Georgie nodded. "But perhaps not yet enough to tell him your history?" Georgie nodded again. "Very well, then, think about this-if you don't trust him enough to tell him your story, do you trust him enough to give yourself to him?"

"I never thought of it that way."

"I'm not asking you to make any decisions right now. But you do need to consider what may happen if or when your relationship becomes more serious. Think about your choices, think about what you want. Think about how to tell him what you do or don't want. In any relationship, Georgie, trust and truth are very important. If you don't trust him enough to be truthful, that isn't a good sign.

"This young man sounds very kind, and I hope he'll be patient with you. But pay attention to your actions, Georgie. Don't lead him to think you want more than you really do."

"Do you think that's what happened with George?"

"No, that was quite a different situation. That man was a predator. Think about how he manipulated you. Do you remember telling me that George wanted to keep your meetings secret from your brother?"

"Yes."

"Does Chris do that?"

"No. In fact, he met Will and survived."

Charlotte smiled, remembering Lizzy's description of Will Darcy's protective streak. "Good. Now let's talk about your brother. It sounds as if he's getting to know your friends. How do you feel about that?"

"It's great. I think Will is accepting the idea that I've grown up, and he seems happy that I'm making friends."

"I noticed that in much of your narrative of last night, every time you mentioned your brother, you also mentioned your friend Lizzy. I get the feeling that you have expectations for the two of them."

Georgie's face lit up at the thought. "I think they'd be perfect for each other! She's so lively. She'd make him smile. He has spent all of the past year caring for me. I want him to have someone to be with."

"And what does he want?"

"Huh?"

"Is your brother looking for a relationship?"

"I don't know. I don't think he's given it any thought. But it would be good for him."

Charlotte decided to try another approach. "What is Chris's best friend's name?"

"Sandy."

"How would you feel if your brother wanted you to date Sandy instead of Chris?"

"He wouldn't do that."

"But what if he did?"

"I wouldn't go out with Sandy. I would never swipe Kitty's boyfriend!"

"So you wouldn't accept your brother's choice. You'd prefer to make your own decision in the matter."

"Yes, of course."

"But you want your brother to accept your choice for him. Is that fair?"

"But it isn't like he wants someone else. He doesn't seem interested in anyone at the moment, so why not Lizzy?"

"Matchmaking is a risky thing, Georgie. Try to be reasonable in your expectations. Don't read more into a situation than there is."

"What do you mean?"

"Last night, in the car, they say very close together, yes?" Georgie nodded. "Because there were so many of you, yes?" "Another nod. "Then consider this. If it had been just the two of them, would they have sat so close together?"

"Well ..."

"See? They were pushed together by circumstances, and you're trying to believe it was the result of an attraction between them." Charlotte hesitated. With a sigh, she continued, "Georgie, this is a bit awkward. Your friend Lizzy is my neighbor and also my good friend. The reason I suggested that you volunteer at the museum was because I thought she'd be good for you. Now, I can't tell Lizzy about what you say here. That would be unethical. And I won't tell you what Lizzy says about you or your brother. But just let me say that I haven't heard Lizzy talk about your brother in glowing terms."

"Well, they didn't get off to a great start. But it will get better."

"You can't be sure, Georgie. It's good to wish our loved ones well, but we must recognize that their lives are their own to live. Don't pin your hopes on something that may never happen. Don't set yourself up for disappointments."

"Can't I hope?"

"Yes, of course. Hopes and dreams are important. But you must also keep some perspective."

"I think I understand."

"Good. Our time is just about up. Are you still writing in your journal? Good. As you write about this week's events, think about what we've discussed today. And I'll see you next week, and we'll talk some more about it."

Lizzy walked into Jane's office. "Here's the list of volunteers to work at the party on Saturday. Take a look and see if I need to call anyone else."

"Thanks."

"So, how was the game?"

"Good. Who knew that cheerleading would pay off later in life? Charles was impressed with my knowledge of basketball. Sorry I was so late. We went out for a drink and a snack after the game. I didn't want to wake you, and then you went out so early this morning. How was the tree lighting?"

"Good. It was strange to see the lighting on such a warm night. And there was a huge crowd. Fortunately, Mr. Darcy had his limo a few blocks away."

"Limo? Mr. Darcy?"

"Oh, yes, a limo. Not a huge one, mind you. Six of us were quite crowded. I can tell you on good authority that Georgie's brother wears very nice cologne!" And has very strong arms.

"So, are you seeing him in a better light?"

"I don't know, Jane. He seems so reserved. Maybe it's just in contrast to four lively college kids." She shrugged. "Oh, by the way, we're invited to the Darcy's Christmas party on the 21st. Georgie says proper invitations will follow soon."

Darcy turned his chair to look out the large windows in his office as he waited to be connected to Richard.

"Darce!"

"Richard, you are impossible to track down. The first person I talked to tried to pretend you don't exist! Are you that 'top-secret' or is there really a woman who can meet you and forget you?"

"Switchboard is nowhere near my office. She hasn't had the good fortune to cast her eyes on Yours Truly yet."

"Poor deprived girl. Listen, I want to thank you for your help last night. Being led through the crowd was like following Moses through the Red Sea! Everything seemed fine from where I was. No security problems after all?"

"It went like clockwork, which is what should happen if you put in the time and effort up front. Did Georgie have a good time?"

"Yes, we all did. After it was over, we went out for pizza."

Richard groaned, "And did you make them eat your favorite combination?"

"I didn't have to force anyone. Amazingly enough, I discovered someone else who likes pepperoni and mushroom."

"What lunatic was that?"

"Ms Bennet, Georgie's friend from the museum."

"She was there?" Richard was suddenly very curious.

"Yes, Georgie invited her, I guess. She was with Georgie and her friends when I got there."

"Did she have any of her voodoo stuff with her?"

Darcy groaned. "You are just not going to let go of that, are you?"

"Nope. Too funny, Darce, too funny."

"Oh, before I forget to tell you, it seems that this Christmas party thing is definitely going to happen. Georgie invited her friends last night, and she invited Ms Bennet and included her sister in the invitation, as well."

"The party sounds like a fun idea. You have to admit, Georgie is coming out of her shell. Am I invited?"

"Of course. Anyway, you'd crash if you weren't invited. I'll ask some of my friends, and I guess I'll ask Aunt Catherine and Uncle Lewis. And Morticia, too."

"Who?"

"You know Anne's wardrobe, right? Chris refers to her as Morticia. The kid has a wicked sense of humor."

"Speaking of Anne, how are the plans for a cousins' night coming along?"

"I'm leaving the planning to Anne and Georgie. So far all I know is no Rockettes, no Nutcracker, and no sports."

"I assume these are Anne's edicts?"

"Yes, the Rockettes and Nutcracker are too 'obvious' or something like that. I suspect the 'no sports' rule is because a sporting event would be your first choice."

"Anne's going to want to go to some poxy poetry reading in some dingy basement club."

"No, Georgie has her heart set on something 'fun and festive,' as she put it."

Richard laughed, "Party planning by Morticia and Tinkerbell. This'll be one for the books!"

Georgie and Will sat in his study after dinner, looking at the first Christmas cards of the season.

"What is this?" cried Georgie, holding up a sketch.

Will laughed, "You don't know what you missed, being up in Boston while I had to deal with that decorator. It was in her card. This is her suggestion for the perfect Christmas tree for the apartment. She's willing to 'do' the apartment for Christmas."

"Just red lights and silver ornaments? Yuck! That won't look good in the living room. And she has drawn the tree too skinny."

"I think it's supposed to be one of those slim artificial trees. How appropriate."

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't seen Caroline. She's quite tall and slim, and there isn't a sincere bone in her body." He sighed, "I guess I do have to invite her to this party. It would be the proper thing to do. Hand me the guest list and go find Mrs. R. Let's talk about this social event."

When Mrs. Reynolds arrived in the study, she was carrying a tray of mugs of warm cider and a plate of cookies.

"Lovely, thank you," Darcy smiled. "Now, before you start up, let me say that the caterer idea is not negotiable. I do not want you run off your feet. I want you to pick a caterer that you're comfortable working with. You'll be in charge, but I want you to feel like a guest at the party. It's the start of your Christmas vacation, and you will not spend it in the kitchen."

"I was thinking," said Georgie. "What if you did dessert? Make all those cookies and nibble-sized goodies you love to bake. And we'll get plum puddings. Oh, Will! We can have them brought in flaming! I love that part!"

"That's a great idea, Georgie. Mrs. R., if you do the dessert, the caterer can do the rest."

"That would be fine, Mr. Darcy. Do you have an idea of what sort of food you want to serve?"

"Nothing weird or trendy. I'd like a sort of traditional feel to the party."

"Pickles on toothpicks!" giggled Georgie. "Or beet-root cubes!"

"There is a difference between traditional and passé, young lady," scolded Darcy affectionately. To Mrs. Reynolds, he added, "Have the caterer draw up a suggested menu, and then we'll see. One thing I do know, no big dinner. I hate a stand-up party where they serve roast beef and you're standing there with no way to cut the meat because you haven't got a knife or a place to set down the plate. Stick to manageable food."

"Very good. I'll call some caterers in the morning. Would you mind if I called your aunt's cook for suggestions?"

"Excellent idea. Then if Aunt Catherine doesn't like something, it's sort of her own fault!"

Chapter 19

Posted on Friday, 21 December 2001

November 29

Charles set down his fork and smiled, "This was delicious, Jane. I hope you didn't go to too much trouble."

"Thank you, Charles, it was a pleasure. And Lizzy helped. She made the bread."

"Wow! Lizzy, you bake? I'm impressed."

Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Don't get excited Charles, we have one of those machines. My lack of culinary skills is a family joke. Mom thinks she failed me somehow because I'm a lousy cook."

The phone rang. Jane looked at the caller ID. She smiled at Lizzy, "Speaking of Mom, it's your turn. She picked up the cordless and handed it to Lizzy.

"Hi Mom...I'm fine, so is Jane ... No, we just this minute finished ... Aw, Mom ... But ...Yes, I know, but he's so ... When?... How long?" Lizzy made faces as she listened to her mother. Jane looked across the room at her and Lizzy made a gagging gesture.

"Sure ... But you know, we'll be very busy with work and ... no I don't have a boyfriend, but why do I ... Now, that's not fair! ... I am not either whining!... Oh all right! Tell him to email me his plans and I'll see what I can do ... mmm hm ...uh huh ... Love, you too, Mom. Love to Dad. Bye!"

Charles had witnessed Lizzy's side of the conversation in amazement. She grinned at him, "Ha! You forgot how Mom can go on. And on. And on."

"So what was that all about?" asked Jane.

"The incredibly boring son of Mom's very dearest, oldest friend in the world is coming to the city this month."

"Ugh! The dull dentist!"

Lizzy giggled and explained to Charles, "Aunt Jennie is Mom's best friend from when they were kids. She isn't really our aunt, it's a sort of courtesy title, you know? Well, her son, Billy is a dentist. Mom has always pushed him in either my direction or Jane's. He thinks he's so suave, but he isn't. And he is dull, dull, DULL! Billy Collins is so dull that he saves a fortune on anesthetic-he just talks his root canal patients to sleep!"

"Sounds like a barrel of fun."

Lizzy turned on Charles, "You're laughing now, but wait until you meet him. Oh, yes, you will. I don't want to spend any more time alone with him than I must. So expect company if you want to see Jane."

The crowd filed out of the theater onto Forty Second Street. Anne pulled out her cell phone and made a call. She smiled at her cousin.

"OK, he'll pick us up on Ninth. It's not much of a walk, and it will be faster than if he has to fight his way through Times Square."

"That's fine with me," agreed Georgie. It's a nice night for a walk."

"How about a nightcap?"

"It's a school night, Anne."

"Dessert, then. That won't interfere with your academic career, surely."

"Unless Richard came over to our place and scarfed it all down, there should be some of Mrs. R's apple cake left. Why don't we just have a snack at the apartment?"

Anne frowned at Richard's name, but agreed to the plan.

They turned the corner onto Ninth Avenue and Anne waved over a car. The two women got into Lewis DeBourgh's limo and instructed the driver to take them to Georgie's apartment building.

As they rode, Anne asked Georgie how she liked "The Women."

"Oh, it was wonderful. How neat that the whole play had only women in it. And the characters were incredible. Some of those women had nothing to do with their lives but gossip."

Anne grimaced, "The type still exists, my dear. Go to a suburban mall on a weekday and check out the stroller crowd at whatever coffee shop the mall has. They may not have the expensive clothes and jewels of Claire Booth Luce's women, but they still gossip."

"Oh, yes the clothes! I especially loved the evening dresses in the last scenes. And the hats, Anne, the hats! Did women really wear stuff like that?"

"Yes, they did. I daresay the Costume Institute has some examples. I don't get into that department often, so I've never seen the hat collection. But considering the Vogue years, they probably have a wonderful collection of hats."

"Sylvia's silly little red hat was the best, or maybe the one with all the fur. And wasn't Mary's black gown wonderful?"

"It would look good on you, Georgie, you have the willowy figure a dress like that requires."

"Oh, but black is your color." Embarrassed, Georgie blushed.

"It's OK, dear. I do wear a lot of black."

"Why? Is it really rebellion against debutante frocks?"

"Partly. And partly it's a persona I've developed to keep Mother from pushing me around. If she thinks I might act a bit weird, she doesn't press me to do too many social events. It's also practical. It goes with everything."

"Do you own anything that isn't black?"

"Sure, underwear, gym socks, my bathrobe, jeans."

"No, I mean going-out clothes."

"I might. But they're probably at the back of my closet."

The car came to a stop, and the two women got out. Anne told the driver she'd be ready in an hour or less, so he went in search of a nearby parking spot. By the time the elevator arrived at their floor, Darcy was waiting for them. He greeted each with a brotherly kiss and held the door open for them.

"So how was it?"

"Excellent!" said Georgie. "As I sat there, I heard so many great lines that I wanted to remember. But now I don't remember any of them."

They walked to the kitchen and Georgie filled the teakettle with water. She held it up and looked at Anne.

"Is tea OK?"

"Yes, do you have Darjeeling?"

"Of course, we do. But I have another tea you might like. It's supposedly the blend that went into the harbor at the Boston Tea Party. It has Darjeeling in it. Oh, that reminds me, Will. The next time you go to Boston, get me some more of this. I've given up looking for it anywhere else."

The water boiled and Georgie warmed the pot, then brewed the tea. While it steeped, she got out plates and the apple cake.

While they ate their snack, they chatted some more about the play Anne and Georgie had seen, as well as other plays they wanted to see. Then the conversation turned to the cousins' night.

"Did you come to any decision yet?" asked Darcy.

"Yup, we worked it out over dinner tonight," answered Georgie.

"And what are the plans?"

"It's a surprise."

"Why can't you tell me? Is it something I won't want to do? Or, more likely, something Richard won't want to do?"

"What?" asked Anne. "Are you afraid we've planned something too 'girlie,' like a chick flick?"

"No, you probably wouldn't like that, either. But why can't you tell me?"

"Because we want it to be a surprise. It will be more fun that way. Oops, gotta go. Hang tough, Georgie. Don't let him sweat it out of you!" Anne picked up her coat and bag and ran out of the apartment, laughing.

She pushed the button for the elevator and the door opened almost immediately. She was amazed at the quick response until she realized that it had been on its way up for another reason.

"Richard!"

"Hello, Annie. How was the play?"

"It was very good. Lots of bitchy gossipy women. You would have hated it," she laughed.

"So was this some sort of feminist lesson for Georgie, then?"

"No, just a girls' night out."

He shook his head, thinking of the combination of "Morticia and Tinkerbell."

"What?"

"Nothing. Random thought. It was nice of you to take Georgie to the play."

"You sound surprised," she said accusingly.

"I meant nothing by the remark. I just wanted to say that I appreciate your kindness to her, that's all. Look, it's late and I just don't have the energy for one of our typical arguments."

She shrugged and got into the elevator. "Well, good night then."

"Good night, Anne."

He watched the elevator doors close. He stared at them for another minute, then shook his head and unlocked the door to his apartment.

Chapter 20

Posted on Friday, 21 December 2001

December 1

"Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits," yelled Lizzy as she bounded into the kitchen and turned the page of the calendar.

Jane, normally perky in the morning, glared at Lizzy.

"Ooh, another late night, then?"

"Yes, we went to a late movie. Sometimes I wish Aunt Maddy never told you that silly superstition."

"It's harmless. I figure I can use all the good luck we can get. It's the first of the month, and for once, I remembered to say that before I said anything else. It's easy for you to scoff. You already have good luck. You have Charles."

"Lizzy, I don't know the extent to which I have Charles, as you put it."

"Oh, Jane, look at him when he looks at you! It's written all over his face. I think the boy is smitten!"

Jane threw a potholder at her sister and went back to her coffee.

"And do you know what that one is?"

"A panda!" exclaimed the little boy, looking up at the tall tree decorated with origami flora and fauna. The tree had become a tradition at the American Museum of Natural History.

"Very good!" replied Georgie. She looked up at the boy's mother. "You have a budding zoologist here."

The woman smiled, "Yes, he loves animals. It would be lovely to have some origami ornaments for the tree. Does the museum shop sell them?"

"I don't think so, but the bookstore might have how-to books. Sometimes you can find origami books that come with origami paper."

"Do you need special paper?"

"No, but it's nice to start with paper that is perfectly squared. I should warn you, though," added Georgie, "Many of the ornaments here are original designs that are not in any of the books."

"Thank you so much for your help."

"You're quite welcome. Enjoy your visit to the museum!" Georgie waved goodbye to the little boy as his mother led him into a nearby gallery. She had offered to stand by the tree and answer questions because she found origami fascinating and because she loved anything to do with Christmas. Her musings were interrupted by familiar voices.

"Look, it's a squid."

"No, it's an octopus."

"No way! It's a squid!"

"It's an octopus, count the tentacles. One, two, three, four, five-"

"It's a squid."

"Richard! You made me lose count."

Georgie approached the bickering men. "Perhaps I can help you, boys? Are you admiring the ornaments?"

"Hi, Sweetie," Will leaned down to kiss his sister. "Richard wanted to do some Christmas shopping, so we thought we'd hit the shop here for books and maybe go over to the Met or MoMA for some other things."

"Doing charitable work and shopping at the same time. How efficient!" giggled Georgie.

"Don't knock it. You always liked the things I bought you from Fine Arts when we were in Boston."

"True." She turned to her cousin, who was headed toward the gift shop, "Oh, Richard!"

"Yes?"

She handed him a map of the museum. "There are several shops, you know. And by the way, it is an octopus!"

He took the map and made a face at her, "You're just siding with Darce because he's your brother!"

Richard turned and resumed his path toward the main shop. He smiled when he saw a familiar brunette walking in his direction.

"Lizzy? You're working on a Saturday?"

"Hello, Richard! Yes, I am. My volunteers and I are helping with the family party."

"That's nice. By the way, Georgie is doing a great job over by the tree. Except I still think she misidentified a squid as an octopus. You might want to go and check her out on her taxonomic skills."

"I'm headed past there, so I'll stop by. Enjoy your visit!"

Richard watched her stride through the museum with the confidence of one who knows her way around. There, Georgie, he thought, I did my bit to help the cause.

Lizzy walked around the tree and found Georgie standing with her brother.

"Hi there, I just saw your cousin. He sent me over here to settle a dispute about cephalopods." She looked at Darcy, "That's mollusks-"

"Without shells, I know," he smiled proudly.

"Very good! If you know that, you probably also got the identification correct. Show me the creature in question." Darcy pointed and she grinned at him. "Yes, definitely an octopus!"

Georgie watched this exchange with satisfaction. Thank you, Richard! Then, inspiration struck.

"Lizzy, do you mind if I sneak away for a bit? I want to talk to Jane. Would you baby-sit my brother for me for a few minutes?"

Lizzy checked her watch. "I guess I can stay away a bit more. If Jane needs me, please tell her to page me."

"OK!" Georgie practically skipped through the museum toward the Hall of Ocean Life, where the party was being held. She stopped at the top of the stairs and scanned the room. Locating Jane, she trotted down the steps.

"Jane! Could I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"You know about the Christmas party we're giving?"

"Yes."

"Well, I think I forgot to put it on the invitation, but you're welcome to bring a date."

"Thank you. I'll ask Charles if he's free that night."

"Um, don't mention it to Lizzy."

"Why not?"

"She isn't seeing anyone, is she? I mean anyone serious?"

"No, although I'm sure she could get a date for the party."

"See, that's the thing. There will be some nice single men there, so I thought maybe if she kept her options open ..."

"Are you up to something?"

"Oh, no, just sort of thinking, ya know?"

Jane rolled her eyes, "I may regret this, but OK. I won't mention anything about taking a date. Is there anything else? I should go back to circulating. Go have a cookie or two before you go back to the foyer."

"Great! Thanks!"

Meanwhile, in the foyer, Lizzy and Darcy chatted quietly.

"So, where did you learn so much zoology, Mr. Darcy?"

"Please, call me Will." He smiled. "I don't know all that much about zoology, but when I was a kid I saw something about cephalopods, maybe it was one of those Cousteau shows. Anyhow, I just thought they were interesting. The way an octopus can use its tentacles to manipulate objects. The fact that a squid can blush. Odd facts like that tend to catch my attention and stick in my head."

"My goodness, Will, sounds like you would do well on 'Jeopardy!'"

"Only if they pick categories that relate to a childhood fascination." He laughed, "My areas of expertise are rather haphazard. If they picked the Civil War, I'd be in clover. If they picked the War of 1812, I'd be screwed!"

They both laughed, then fell silent. Lizzy looked at her watch.

"I really should be getting back to the party."

"May I walk with you, Ms-"

"Lizzy." She smiled.

"Lizzy." He smiled. " I'd like to check in with Georgie one more time, and then I'll see if I can pry Richard out of the book shop."

They strolled through the museum in silence. Suddenly, Lizzy stopped walking.

"Look at that," said Lizzy softly, pointing to a mother and two young children. The mother was pointing to objects in the rainforest display and asking her children questions about them. "I love to see adults helping children to understand the museum. Too many parents just drag their kids through, as if it's some sort of obligation to be endured, not enjoyed."

"I know what you mean. My mother used to take Richard and me here. We all took turns choosing what to look at, and she would take us home before we got overwhelmed."

"Smart strategy. Even an adult can't absorb it all in one visit. Far better to focus on a few areas and spend some time on them. When I see parents like your mother or that woman over there, who get their kids involved in what they see, I want to thank them for helping to train the next generation of museum-goers. That's so important to the future of places like this."

Georgie bounded up the stairs from the Hall of Ocean Life, and stopped short when she saw her brother and Lizzy. Lizzy was talking and gesturing, and he was looking down at her, totally absorbed in what she was saying.

Quietly, she approached them, in time to hear the end of the conversation.

"Sorry!" said Lizzy sheepishly. "That's one of my soapboxes. I tend to get carried away."

"Don't apologize. It's refreshing to see someone so passionate about her work. I think it's rubbing off on my sister, who-ah, who is right here."

"Hi, Will. Come take one more look at the whale while you can."

"What's going to happen to the whale?"

Lizzy answered, "Ocean Life will be closed, starting in January. They're renovating the dioramas. Actually, there is work planned on dioramas in other areas, too, funding permitting." She cringed, "Oh, um, that wasn't, um ..."

Darcy looked at her quizzically.

"Sorry, I know you're involved with a foundation of some sort. That wasn't meant to be a commercial."

"Don't worry about it. The Foundation has had requests from far less worthy causes, believe me. I need to collect Richard. Nice talking to you, Ms, um, Lizzy. See you tonight, Georgie."

Darcy walked in the direction of the shop. Lizzy went to the party. And Georgie hummed a happy tune to herself as she returned to her duty by the Christmas Tree.

Chapter 21

Posted on Monday, 31 December 2001

December 6

"This is stupid!" huffed Georgie as she dropped her books on the table.

Kitty and Sandy jumped at the thud. Chris grabbed his soda before the force of her falling books toppled the can.

"What's the matter?" asked Kitty? "Tough day in Art History?"

"No, that's going OK. It's the weather. It's driving me crazy. It should not be 70 degrees in December! How can you get in the Christmas mood when it's so hot?"

Sandy laughed, "You'd go nuts in southern California, Georgie."

"Ugh! I couldn't imagine it. It has to be cold in December. There should be a law or something."

"Well, Honey, when you're a lawyer, maybe you can do something about it."

Georgie made a face at Chris. "Well you're no help at all! I want snow! I want it to feel like Christmas is coming."

"Sorry," said Sandy. "We can't change the weather."

"Hmph! There must be something I can do." Then Georgie brightened and snapped her fingers. "Got it! I'll go down to the Virgin Megastore and buy every Christmas CD I can find. Then I'll go home and play them all at top volume!"

Kitty and Georgie launched into a giggly rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock."

Sandy smirked, "You know, whenever someone mentions the Virgin Megastore, buying CDs is not what comes to mind. I mean megastore? Could New York really have that many-"

"Sandy!" Kitty smacked him in the arm. "Don't be rude!" She looked at Georgie to see if the incomplete joke about virgins had bothered her. But Georgie was too busy dreaming of a white Christmas to notice.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Fitzwilliam on the phone for you, sir."

"Put him through." Darcy waited for the click. "Richard! What are you up to?"

"Not much, Darce, and that's the reason for my call. Can you clear the rest of the afternoon? I thought we might go down to the range and hit a couple of buckets of balls."

"You don't have to work?"

"Light workload today. Come on, if it's going to feel like summer out, we should do something summerish."

"Summerish? Is that a word?"

"Who cares, Darce! C'mon buddy, kick back for once."

Sighing, Darcy looked at his appointment calendar. He was surprised to see no entries for the rest of the day. "As it happens, Richard, I am free. So why not? Meet you at the apartment in about an hour?"

"See you then!"

"Right. Bye Richard."

Darcy arrived home to an apartment in a state of chaos. Georgie sat on the living room floor, surrounded by cardboard boxes. When she heard the door, she looked up.

"Hi, Will! Look at what I found in the storage room. Christmas stuff!" She tossed a Santa hat to her brother. "Cool, huh?"

"What are you planning to do with all of this?"

"Sort it and see what we want to use. We should start decorating, you now. It's December, even if it doesn't feel like it."

"Anybody home?" called Richard from the foyer.

"In here!" cried Georgie. Her eyes widened when she saw that Richard was carrying golf clubs. "No! You can't."

"Can't what?"

"You can't go golfing. It's December."

"It's also very warm, Georgie. Darce and I are gonna go to the driving range. You're welcome to come."

"No thanks. I stink at golf and you'll just make fun of me. Anyhow, I'd rather do Christmas things than a stupid warm-weather game." Defiantly, she grabbed the remote for the stereo and raised the volume of the Christmas music she had found in the first box she opened.

Richard grabbed the Santa hat from Darcy's hand. Twirling it around his finger, he said, "Clubs, Darce. Let's go." Richard put the hat on his head and with a hearty "Ho, ho, ho!" he led his cousin out of the apartment.

December 7

"Yes, Aunt Catherine, I know their numbers are down. Everybody's numbers are down this year. If anything, they need more money, not less."

"Darcy, the Pemberley Fund does not give money to losing propositions."

"The American Museum of Natural History is not some fly-by-night side show! This is a reasonable grant request. We've almost finished with the list. Let's not argue on this one. Uncle Matt, what do you say?"

From the speakerphone, a gruff voice said Damn fine museum, Catherine. Give them the money and let's get this meeting over with. Darcy wished Uncle Matt could see the attractive shade of purple that his sister was turning.

"Really, Matthew, such language!"

Time to compromise. Cath, sign off on the grant. Darce, I think the original grant is enough. If you want to add funding for a diorama, that can wait for another season, or perhaps Darcy, Inc, could find the money?

"Very well, Matthew."

"All right, Uncle Matt. That finishes the list. Thank you both."

Right, then I'll be going now. I have a tee time in a half hour.

Darcy could hear his aunt mumbling something that sounded like "irresponsible old fart."

"What was that, Aunt Catherine?"

"Nothing, nothing. Give me the list so that I can initial it for Matthew. Tee time, indeed! And what is your sudden fascination with that Museum?"

"You know that Georgie is volunteering there. It's an excellent museum." He pointed to another item on the list. "We gave to Anne's museum, too, remember."

"Yes that is true. Dear Anne loves the Met so much. I think she has been quite happy lately. I think it is because you and Georgiana have moved back to New York. I was so pleased to see the three cousins together on Thanksgiving. You and Anne do make such a lovely couple."

Oh, God, here it comes again. Bite your tongue, Darcy, no good to argue with her. He smiled vaguely as his aunt reminisced about the days when Darcy had escorted Anne to many a debutante ball. When she paused for breath, Darcy stood up.

"I'm terribly sorry, Aunt Catherine. I have to get back to the office for a meeting." He desperately wanted to say he had a tee time, but he wasn't in the mood to be lectured on irresponsibility. He kissed her cheek. "Lovely to see you as always. Regards to Uncle Lewis."

"And Anne."

"Of course. And we will see you all at our party, I hope."

"Certainly. We're looking forward to it."

"Goodbye, Aunt Catherine."

Chapter 22

Posted on Monday, 31 December 2001

December 15

"Wow! What a big tree! Has anyone at Rockefeller Center noticed that their tree has been stolen?"

Georgie smacked Sandy on the arm. "It isn't that big, Silly! This apartment has high ceilings, so a regular size tree looks too small."

"I think it's beautiful," said Chris loyally. He was repaid with a hug and a smile. "So, where do we start?"

"Lights first, as soon as Richard gets here with the ladder."

As if on cue, Richard appeared, carrying a stepladder. He set it up next to the tree, and held the ladder so that Georgie could climb up and put the angel on the top.

"We always save the angel for last," said Kitty.

"Oh, no. Mom always said that the angel should sit up there and supervise to make sure we did a good job." Wistfully, Georgie added, "Sometimes I pretend that the angel is Mom, helping me to celebrate."

As she climbed down the ladder, Richard kissed her gently. "I think your Mom is pleased that you're having fun."

Richard announced that he was leaving the kids to start the lights while he supervised Mrs. R's eggnog production.

"Not too heavy on the brandy, Richard!" warned Darcy as he entered the living room. He stood back, enjoying the scene in front of him. the boys were winding strings of lights around the tree while the girls were rummaging through boxes of ornaments.

Kitty pulled a starfish out of a box. "Look! It's a Santa made out of a starfish. That is so cool!"

"Will made that during one of Mom's summer craft sessions. Richard and Anne probably have them, too. I think that was before I was born." Georgie noticed her brother standing in the doorway. "Come on, Will! It's your ornament, you should hang it."

For a moment, Darcy had a painful flashback. He could remember his mother saying that, as she handed him ornaments to put on the tree. And Georgie was looking more like her mother with each passing day. He shook off the moment of gloom and joined in the decorating.

"What a lot of ornaments!" said Chris, "and each one is different!"

"My mother loved Christmas," said Darcy. "She had enough ornaments for several trees. We used to do a second small one in the den, with most of our childhood things there. We won't be able to get all of these on this one tree, so pick the ornaments you like best."

"This one has to go on the tree," laughed Georgie, holding up an origami bird.

"What's so funny about that one?"

"Look closer, Will!"

"I've seen that piece of paper before, but I can't-oh, you didn't! Wicked child!" seeing the confused looks on the rest of the decorating crew, Darcy continued, "My decorator sent that sketch of her idea for a tree for the apartment. All silver and red."

"Oh, no, this is so much nicer," said Kitty.

"I think so, too," agreed Georgie. "But I didn't want the poor woman to be left out entirely, so now she gets to be a part of our tree."

With a wry smile, Darcy said, "Somehow, I don't that that's what she had in mind."

Richard dragged Mrs. Reynolds into the living room, insisting that she supervise and enjoy her delicious eggnog and cookies with the rest of the group. After a while, Richard and Darcy joined her on the sofa.

"You know, I feel like one of those flashback 'Christmas past' scenes. I've missed this."

Mrs. Reynolds smiled, "Mr. Fitzwilliam, you need to settle down."

Darcy looked on in surprise as Richard said, "Yeah, I know."

Across town, a similar scene was taking place. Lewis and Anne deBourgh happily placed ornaments randomly on the tree, while Catherine rearranged everything. Lewis winked at Anne each time he caught his wife "fixing" the arrangement of ornaments. Heaven forbid that two red ones would be next to each other!

"Almost done, I think!" said Anne, surveying a nearly empty box. "Did we find all of them?"

"There's still your box, Anne," said her father.

"I'm going to use the small artificial tree and put these in my room this year, if that's all right with you, Dad."

"Whatever pleases you, my dear." Lewis watched Anne carry the box up the stairs. "Something is on her mind," he said to his wife.

"I know," agreed Catherine. She retreats to her room when she needs to think. I wonder if it's because Darcy is back. They always made such a nice couple..."

"Catherine, don't. Anne and Darcy have always been friends. But I'm afraid he sees her more as another sister than a potential girlfriend. I know you've always envisioned a magnificent wedding for Anne. But I wouldn't be surprised if she eloped one day and called us from Aruba or someplace to announce she was on her honeymoon."

"I certainly hope not!"

Lewis topped up her wine glass, then clinked his glass against hers. "Never mind, Dear. You know that the more you try to maneuver Anne, the more she resists. What will be will be."

December 17

"It's still crooked, Charles! More to the left."

"Better?" asked Charles from beneath the Christmas tree. Usually good-natured, Charles was beginning to get cranky. His back was tired and he itched from needles that had gone down the back of his shirt.

"Lovely!" relied Lizzy. When Charles managed to get out from under the tree, she gave him a hug. "You're the best tree setter-upper ever!"

"And you deserve a reward!" Jane approached him with a mug of hot cider in her hand. She gave him a quick kiss, then handed him the mug. "It's a nice tree."

"Thanks, Jane." He sipped the steaming liquid. "So when do we decorate?"

"Tomorrow. It needs to relax."

"It needs to relax? It didn't do any work!"

"Oh, Charles, you must know about decorating trees. You can't do them properly until the branches come down a bit," said Jane.

"Sorry, my sisters always did the tree, and Mom insisted on an artificial one. No messy needles, no smell."

"What? The smell is the best part!" cried an irate Lizzy.

Charles put his face near the tree and inhaled. "Mmmm, I see what I've been missing all these years." He turned to smile at Jane, "I've been missing quite a lot, I think."

Lizzy made a tactful retreat into the kitchen to put some cookies on a plate. While she wondered how long to stay out of the living room, she hummed "Jingle Bells" to herself.

December 19

Laughing, Charles, Lizzy, and Jane stumbled into the girls' apartment.

"Coffee or some wine?" asked Jane.

"I don't care, as long as everyone promises not to slurp!" giggled Lizzy.

"Collins is so gross!" laughed Charles.

"We told you so!" chorused Jane and Lizzy.

"And does he ever stop talking? I really do not need to know about every inch of Chicago. Nor do I care how much he paid for the fake chimney piece in his apartment."

"Tomorrow won't be so bad. We're putting him on a tour bus in the morning, and leaving him to his own devices." said Jane.

"But Friday! Yuck!" groaned Lizzy. "I don't know what to do. I hoped he would bite on the offer of a ticket to a play, but when he heard about the party, he assumed he was invited. I hate to have to take him along, but Georgie will be mad at me if I don't go. Mom owes me big time for this!"

Chapter 23

Posted on Monday, 31 December 2001

December 21
"Anne is downstairs, Will. I'm going to collect Richard. Get our coats, OK?"

Richard answered Georgie's knock. He was holding several ties in his hand.

"You're not ready," she frowned.

"Just choosing a tie. What do you think? Is it too silly?" He held up a tie with tiny Santas on it.

"It's cute. Does it play music like the gaudy one you bought Will?"

"No. I do have one of those, but I didn't think it would be quite to Anne's taste, and I'm not in the mood to be roasted tonight!"

"Go with the Santa tie. Grab your coat, you can do the tie in the elevator. We're late!"

Once in the car, Richard began to whine, "Are we there yet? And where is 'there'? Can't you tell us now?"

"You'll see when we get there!" declared Georgie. "Anne, you don't know how easy you've had it. They've been at me all week to tell them where we're going."

"Well, good for you for not telling!"

"Oh, she did tell." said Richard. "Let's see, on Monday, she said it would be the zoo. On Tuesday, it was a gay bar in the Village. On Wednesday, it was the Circle Line. On Thursday, hmm, I forgot what she said on Thursday."

"Picnic in Central Park." threw in Darcy.

"Right, the Park." agreed Richard. "So what is it?"

The car came to a stop.

"This!" cried Georgie, pointing to the large glass building.

They got out of the car and walked toward the Rose Center, which housed the new planetarium at the Museum of Natural History.

"The planetarium?" asked Richard incredulously.

"Not exactly the planetarium. We're here for drinks and jazz. They have jazz on Friday nights."

Once inside, they found a table. Darcy turned to go to the bar to order drinks, but Anne stopped him, "No, sit. I'll get drinks. Georgie will get some food."

Darcy and Richard watched the two women walk toward the serving area. They made a pretty picture with their blonde hair and their contrasting outfits. Georgie was wearing green and Anne was wearing dark burgundy. They were laughing at some private joke. Darcy smiled to see his sister so happy. He looked at Richard, who was still watching the women.

"Well?" Darcy asked. "Pretty good idea, isn't it?"

"Yes. I didn't know they did this jazz thing here. I really thought we'd end up in some funky weird place."

"Anne isn't as weird as she likes to pretend. She's almost normal when /aunt Catherine isn't looking."

"Speaking of normal, Darce, she isn't wearing black. She's different tonight. It's like, um, do you remember the Sears commercials?"

"What?"

"Come see the softer side of Anne," sang Richard to the tune of the famous commercial.

Georgie and Anne returned a moment later, bearing food from the tapas bar and glasses of wine. Richard looked closely at Anne, but she appeared not to have heard his little song. Sipping his wine, he relaxed and listened to the music.

From time to time, Richard's gaze wandered to his cousins. He still couldn't get over Anne's appearance. She looked elegant, with a single strand of pearls against the wine-colored dress. Something about the pearls was significant, but he couldn't remember what it was.

When the last song had ended and the applause had died away, Darcy smiled at his sister and asked, "What's next? We've finished our drinks, so I guess it's time to move on?"

Georgie frowned at the empty glasses, "We didn't clink," she said sorrowfully.

"It's OK, Georgie," laughed Richard. "We can clink at dinner. We are going to dinner now, I hope?"

They put on their coats and walked out into the cold evening air.

"What a contrast to a few weeks ago," remarked Darcy.

"Yes," said Georgie, "Remember how warm it was when we were here to see the balloons?"

"This way," said Anne, turning the corner to walk down Columbus Avenue. "Mmm, smell the trees! I love the tree sellers on the streets. It's a great smell. Are you doing a real tree, this year?"

"Oh, yes," said Georgie. "It's up already. My friends helped me decorate it last week."

"Richard?" asked Anne.

"Sorry, no tree. It isn't that I'm a Scrooge, but I'm not home a lot and I don't even know if there are any ornaments in the apartment. I think all that stuff is at the house. Anyway, we'll all be at the house, and you know Mother will have a proper tree. I did buy an evergreen arrangement to make the apartment smell Christmassy. Do I get points for that?"

"Half credit," said Anne. "We're here."

Their table at Isabella's was waiting for them. The waiter handed out menus and described some of the dishes, then left them to decide.

"I love this place," said Georgie, "Although it's nicer in the summer when you can eat outdoors. And I think the name is fun."

"Why?" asked Richard.

"Isabella's. On Columbus Ave? Get it?"

"Huh? OH, Columbus and Isabella, right."

They ordered their meals. Darcy chose a wine, and when it was poured, he raised his glass, "To the three people I love most in the world. Merry Christmas" They clinked glasses and sipped.

Anne raised her glass, "And a happy and healthy New Year." Another round of clinks and sips followed.

Georgie raised her glass, "And peace to all," which was followed by clinks and "Amen."

Richard raised his glass. "To New York. I'm not sure this town is ready for the four of us all together in one place. And to Annie, for forgoing the New York uniform for once. Cheers."

Their clinking was interrupted by the arrival of their appetizers. As they ate, both men congratulated the ladies on their planning. Across from Anne, Richard smiled at the way her pearls shone in the candlelight.

"Annie, I have to ask. Have I ever seen you wear those pearls?" She looked up suddenly.

"They're lovely," remarked Georgie.

"You remember these?" asked Anne.

"Well, sort of. There's a story attached to them, I think."

Anne smiled, "They were the first foray in the wardrobe wars with Mother. Dad gave me these for my birthday when I turned eighteen. They were my mother's, my real mother, that is. I don't really remember her, so these are about all I have from her.

"Mother didn't understand how attached I was to the pearls, and for one of the balls during my debut year, she wanted me to wear something else. But that night I wanted to wear the pearls. They were like a good luck charm to me, or maybe a security blanket. I wanted something from my mother with me."

"Why that night, Anne?" asked Georgie.

"I just wanted to wear them."

"I remember now," said Richard. "It was the Huntington-Smythe's ball. It was the one I took you to. You were very nervous that night. I thought you were going to collapse. Was she that nervous at the other parties, Darce?"

"No, she always seemed unconcerned about it all. Did you do something to scare her, Richard?"

"Would you stop talking about me as if I weren't here!" hissed Anne.

"Sorry," said Darcy.

They continued to chat and eat, and when the main courses were cleared away, the waiter offered dessert menus.

"No dessert," declared Georgie. "Dessert later, after we walk off dinner."

"Whatever the lady says," said Richard, reaching for the check.

"No you don't!" said Anne. "This is the girls' treat."

Once again they put on their coats and gloves and braved the night air.

"OK, uptown a bit now." Anne pointed north.

As they walked, they pointed out Christmas trees and blinking lights in the windows of many of the apartments. Will put his arm around his sister's shoulders.

"You warm enough?"

"I'm fine," she replied, leaning into him.

Walking behind them, Richard said softly to Anne, "It's good to see her happy again. And you seem more content, too."

She looked up at him and said, "I don't know if I am or not. Maybe it's just Christmas."

"Ah, the last-minute attempt to get into Santa's good graces by being nice to the relatives."

She swatted at his arm, but he caught her hand and placed it into the crook of his arm.

"If it's any consolation, you're in my good graces tonight, and if I see Santa, I'll tell him what a good girl you've been."

Anne was searching for a good comeback when they arrived at their last stop, Café LaLo.

"OK, said Georgie nervously, 'Now this part is a bit girlie. But they have great desserts."

"Have I been here before, Georgie? It looks familiar." said Darcy as they sat at a table.

"You do pay attention to my movies!" giggled Georgie.

"What do you mean?"

"It's the scene in 'You've Got Mail' where they're supposed to meet at the restaurant, and she has a book and a rose, and-"

"Quick!" interrupted Anne, "For ten points and a bite of great cheesecake, what's the book?"

"Too easy! She's reading 'Pride and Prejudice!' And for a twenty point bonus and a taste of killer chocolate cake, which edition?"

"Also easy! The one that went with the A&E version, with Colin Firth on the cover."

"Mmmmm!" said the two women, sounding just like Kitty and Lydia in the mini-series."

"I don't know what you think, Richard," said Darcy in a serious tone, "But I think we are in the presence of two of the silliest girls in New York."

When they had finished their desserts and an after-dinner drink, Anne took out her cell phone and called the driver to pick them up. The ride back to Darcy's apartment building was short. Soon the foursome stood on the sidewalk in front of the building.

"Do you want to come up for more coffee, Anne?"

"No, it's late and you two have a party to get ready for. I'll see you tomorrow night."

After hugs and kisses all around, Anne got back into the car. Darcy and Georgie went into the building. Richard stayed outside for just a few seconds longer, watching the car drive away into the night.

Chapter 24

Posted on Monday, 31 December 2001

"Oh, Elizabeth, it will be such a pleasure to escort you to this party. I'm sure we will meet such exciting people."

Lizzy nodded absently, trying not to look at Charles, who was trying not to smirk. Jane walked to the desk and gave their names. She was directed to the penthouse elevator.

"Oh, my, the penthouse! Your friends must be from one of the higher social strata."

"Must be," said Charles cheerfully. "They live on one of the higher floors."

Lizzy and Jane tried to smother their laughter. Tears were rolling down Lizzy's face, and she had to turn her back on the rest of the group to gain her composure. Behind her, Billy patted her back awkwardly.

"Do not be concerned, Elizabeth. Although our hosts are from the highest rungs of society, I am sure they will be pleased to have you at the party. Your beauty will add charm to the room, I am sure."

Charles coughed to cover his laughter, and Billy turned his attention to his next victim.

"My goodness, Charles, but that's a nasty cough. You really must take care of yourself. I suppose colds are a natural hazard for someone who attends sporting events in the winter."

"Yes, they do keep the Garden chilly, especially for hockey games."

By this point, Lizzy's shoulders were shaking. The elevator doors opened, and the foursome found themselves in the penthouse foyer. The door to the Darcy's apartment was open. Georgie saw them approaching and dragged her brother to the door.

"Hi! Merry Christmas!" cried Georgie. Darcy smiled at the newcomers. He shook hands with Charles and Jane, and then Jane introduced Billy. Lizzy stayed at the back, trying to get control of her giggles.

"Darcy!" cried Billy. "I believe your company owns the building in which I have my practice. A fine building. Such an elegant foyer! Such finely polished floors! Sir, I can tell you that when I was in the building last, which was only three, no four, days ago it was in excellent condition."

"I am glad to hear it." replied an amazed Darcy, as everyone moved into the apartment. He was about to follow them when he remembered that one member of the party was still in the foyer.

"Lizzy? Are you coming in?"

She wiped her eyes and sighed, "Sorry, I just need a moment."

Seeing her tears, Darcy became alarmed. "Are you all right?"

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. It's just that Billy is so ridiculous, and-" Lizzy had to stop and take a deep breath. "OK, I think I'm under control."

"Well then, come in. Let me take your coat." He helped her out of her coat and handed it to the young woman who was taking coats.

"The maid?" asked Lizzy incredulously.

"No, just someone from the caterer's staff."

From behind them, a baritone voice began to sing,

Everybody ought to have a maid,
Everybody ought to have a serving girl.*

[*"Everybody Ought to Have a Maid, Stephen Sondheim, from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"]

"Richard!" growled Darcy.

"Hello, Lizzy!" laughed Richard. "Don't mind him. He has always envied my uncanny ability to remember song lyrics."

"Well, I'm impressed. You should be on the stage."

"Yes, I know," said Richard, holding up an imaginary cigar like Groucho Marx, "And there's one leaving in ten minutes."

Shaking his head, Darcy smiled at Lizzy, "I am sorry to do this to you, but I must leave you in the care of this lunatic. More guests are arriving. Excuse me." He walked toward the elevator to greet his aunt, uncle, and cousin.

"So, Richard, are you really an expect on song lyrics?"

"Not all kinds of songs. More Broadway than anything else. I was in the choir and managed to get a part in all the musicals in high school. This worried Dad, so he arranged things to get me into a military college, where they didn't do musicals."

Lizzy laughed as Richard led her toward the living room. When he stopped abruptly. Lizzy stopped and looked at him.

"Well, look at that," he said softly, pointing to the chandelier. Hanging from it was a spring of mistletoe. "It's tradition, you know." And he kissed her lightly on the lips, all the while wondering if the right person was looking.

Startled, Lizzy put her hand on his shoulder to steady herself.

In the foyer, Darcy lost track of his aunt's monologue as he stared at Richard and Lizzy. "I'm sorry, what was that Aunt Catherine?"

"I was saying that I hope you chose a reliable caterer. Some of them get so overbooked this time of year, they try all sorts of slipshod methods. Isn't that right, Anne? ANNE!"

Anne, who had also lost track of the conversation, turned her gaze from the apartment hallway back to her mother. "Yes, Mother."

In the living room, Georgie stopped in mid sentence and stamped her foot. "I'll kill him, I swear I will." she hissed.

"What?" asked Chris.

"Richard. Look!" she pushed Chris's shoulder so that he would turn and see Richard and Lizzy in the hallway.

The kiss lasted only a moment, although to some in the vicinity, it lasted too long. When they broke apart, Richard smiled and said, "Merry Christmas!"

Lizzy smiled and replied, "Merry Christmas to you, too."

Lizzy moved into the living room and Richard turned to greet his relatives.

"Hello Uncle Lewis, Aunt Catherine. Merry Christmas."

"Hello, my boy, how are you?" Uncle Lewis beamed at Richard. "So good to have you in town for a while."

"In the Christmas spirit already, I see." commented Aunt Catherine.

"That's what a party is for!" laughed Richard. "Hello, Annie. Come meet some of Georgie's friends." He led his cousin down the hall toward the living room. Once again, he stopped under the mistletoe.

"Oh, I get it!" said Anne. "It's your intention to hang around under this stuff all night, collecting kisses. Well if you think-"

"It's traditional, you know."

"So is fruitcake, but you haven't seen me eat any of that have you?"

"Nobody expects you to eat the mistletoe, either. Did you know that mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it?"

A kiss can be deadly if you mean it, Anne thought.

Before she could turn away, Richard took Anne's chin in his hand, turned her face up to his and kissed her. After lingering a bit longer than he had with Lizzy, he lifted his head. With a smile, he whispered, "Some traditions are worth keeping."

Richard walked Anne over to Georgie and her friends and left in search of a drink for Anne.

"Hi, Anne! Merry Christmas!" Georgie frowned at Anne's black dress.

"Don't start, Georgie. Introduce me to your friends?"

"Right, everyone, this is my cousin Anne deBourgh. Anne, this is Lizzy Bennet from the museum, my best friend Kitty, her boyfriend Sandy, and," she blushed with pride as she did the last introduction, "My boyfriend, Chris."

Anne smiled and shook hands with everyone. When she got to Chris, she held out her hand in a position to be kissed, and said seductively, "It's Morticia, to you." Kitty and Georgie giggled. Chris prayed for the floor to open and swallow him whole. When that didn't happen, he decided to play along.

"Cara mia, you look lovely tonight!" Chris kissed Anne's hand, then started to work his way up her arm, in the manner of Gomez Addams. Suddenly, he bent Anne back into an embrace. "Say something in French, Cara mia! You know it drives me wild!"

Anne looked up into his eyes and whispered, "Escargot." Everyone laughed. Chris laughed so hard he almost dropped Anne.

When Anne had recovered her balance, Chris began to apologize for calling her Morticia.

"Don't apologize. I think it's funny. Listen, anyone who wears black all the time is going to be teased about it. At least you didn't call me a crow."

"A crow? Oh no, you're too elegant to be a crow," said Chris. "A black swan, maybe, but not a crow."

"How gallant! That more than makes up for the Morticia crack." Anne smiled at Georgie. "He's cute. If you ever decide to dump him, send him my way."

By now, the party was in full swing. Waiters passed trays of champagne and platters of finger food. Several of Darcy's friends had arrived and were mingling with other guests. Anne was chatting with some of Darcy's work colleagues. When Charlotte Lucas arrived, Georgie greeted her.

"Dr. Lucas, I'd like you to meet some of my friends. Here are Kitty, Sandy, and Chris. Guys, this is Dr. Charlotte Lucas."

Charlotte smiled at the three young people in front of her. She was fairly certain that Kitty knew she was Georgie's therapist, but didn't think that the boys knew. This was confirmed when Chris asked her what her area was.

"Psychiatry." She smiled, "Now, don't go all silent on me. I am not going to try to read deep Freudian meaning into everything you say. So, Chris, do you know what sort of medicine you want to practice?"

"I'm not sure. Right now, I'm leaning toward orthopedics and sports medicine."

Sandy laughed, "His secret dream is to be the Giants' team doctor."

"Do you know an easier way to get season tickets?"

Richard showed up to be introduced to Charlotte. He smiled at Georgie and asked, "Is she assigned to someone, or may I show her around the apartment?"

Georgie elbowed Richard and smiled at Charlotte. "Don't walk under the chandelier in the hallway, Dr. Lucas."

As Richard escorted Charlotte to the bar in the den, she asked him, "So, you know about Georgie's plan, too?"

"Plan? Oh, you mean Darce and Lizzy. Yes, I do."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know. I'd like him to find someone. I just think he should be doing the looking for himself. I am not an active participant in this. I believe you just met Georgie's co-conspirators."

Charlotte smiled, "Nice kids. My concern, of course, is mostly for Georgie. She idolizes Lizzy."

"So I've noticed."

"I would hate to see Georgie be disappointed by two people she looks up to so much."

"You think she's setting herself up to be disappointed?"

"There is that risk, yes."

"Well, as I said, I am not encouraging this. I'm not discouraging it, either. But I will try to keep a bit of a rein on Georgie's fantasy of finding True Love for her brother."

Elsewhere in the living room, Billy Collins had discovered the deBourghs.

"Are you the Mr. deBourgh of deBourgh Construction?"

"Yes, I am."

"Oh, my apartment building was constructed by your company. Such superior workmanship. It is a very sturdy building. And I am delighted to report that the management company takes excellent care of it."

"That's always good to hear."

"And is that young lady who arrived with you your daughter?"

"Yes she is." smiled Lewis deBourgh.

"She is very graceful. A credit to you, I am sure."

"All of her social graces must be credited to her mother."

Billy turned his attention to Catherine deBourgh and began raining compliments upon her and her lovely daughter.

"Yes, Anne is very cultured. She will make Darcy a proper wife one day."

"Catherine," warned her husband, "Don't start."

"Excuse me for being so rude," said Billy, "But aren't they cousins?"

"Not exactly," answered Catherine. "She is my husband's daughter from his first marriage. Anne and Darcy are not related by blood."

"Ah, I see."

While Catherine deBourgh was busy describing her plans for her stepdaughter and her nephew, Darcy caught up to Lizzy, Jane, and Charles in the den.

"Great party, Will!" cried Charles. "Your apartment is fantastic. What a view!"

"Thank you. Can I get you anything?"

"No, no, we're fine. Your caterer is doing a wonderful job. I would love to get some of their recipes." said Jane.

"Jane is the cook in the family," confided Lizzy. "In fact, tomorrow is a major cooking day. We have our last batch of cookies to do."

"We?" asked Darcy. "I thought you said that Jane is the cook."

"But Lizzy is the artist. I bake, and she decorates. We will be celebrating tomorrow afternoon. First, we pack Billy off into a taxi to the airport." Lizzy clinked Jane's glass at this. "Then, we finish making our cookies. If you're free, we'd love to have you and Georgie drop by. Bring your cousins, too, if they're available."

"That would be nice. I'll have to check with Georgie. She's the one with the busy social calendar. The rest of us are a pretty pathetic lot, I'm afraid."

At about this time, yet another guest arrived. Caroline Bingley swept into the room, a stunning vision in a very short orange dress and very high heels. Her hair was short, with curls held firmly in place with copious applications of hairspray. She wore spiky silver earrings that appeared to be an abstract version of a snowflake design.

"Ooh, Mr. Darcy! There you are. I do think the apartment came out rather-Charles! What are you doing here?"

"Hello Caro. I didn't expect to see you either. I didn't realize you were Will's decorator. It doesn't look like your usual style."

Caroline sidled over to Darcy and took his arm. She cooed, "Mr. Darcy had some very definite ideas about what he wanted. And the client is always right, you know."

Lizzy watched the conversation with considerable amusement. Jane had spoken only a little about Charles's sister, having met her only once. Nothing could have prepared Lizzy for this creature. Lizzy also noticed that Will was not enjoying Caroline's fawning. He seemed rather embarrassed when she mentioned his definite ideas. She wondered what sort of ideas Caroline had proposed that had been vetoed during the planning stages.

Charles remembered his manners, and when his sister stopped speaking, he said, "Caro, this is Jane's sister, Lizzy. Lizzy, this is my sister Caroline."

"Nice to meet you, Caroline."

Caroline sniffed, "Hello." She looked only briefly at Lizzy. How common, she thought, looking at Lizzy's dress. Red for a Christmas party. How unoriginal.

Darcy excused himself to mingle with other guests, and Caroline tottered after him as he wandered the room, insinuating herself into conversations and attempting to talk to every wealthy-looking potential client in the room. Darcy finally managed to slip away from one such conversation.

Georgie, who had been talking to Richard, grabbed Darcy's arm as he walked by. "Who the hell is that?"

"Georgie! Language!" His mock scowl quickly turned into a smile. "That dear sister, is our decorator."

"Now I understand why you were adamant about seeing photos and getting updates. Why on earth did you use someone like that? One look at her and you know she would be wildly nontraditional!"

"Do you see how she's working the room, making contacts?"

"Yes! She's practically handing out business cards. How pushy is that?!?"

"Well, Sweetie, that dogged determination is what makes her good. She bullies the workers into getting the job done right and on time. Unfortunately, she tends to bully clients a bit, too."

"Come on, Darce," laughed Richard, "I can't believe she bullied you."

"Oh, no. I'm the exception. I'm a single man with a fortune. A good catch. Available real estate."

"My, my, don't we think well of ourselves?" Lizzy said softly as she joined the group.

Darcy blushed, Richard laughed, and Georgie fumbled to explain.

"No, Lizzy, he's just talking about Caroline and how she-"

Lizzy wrapped one arm around Georgie's shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. "No need to explain. I've already seen Tang in action."

"Tang?" asked Darcy, as Georgie cracked up.

"Yes, Tang. You know, the artificially flavored orange drink?"

"Good one!" said Richard admiringly. "You know, Darce, Aunt Catherine was getting a bit steamed about you and the orange wonder. I don't know why she still thinks-"

"Richard, let's get something to eat!" Georgie cut off her cousin in mid-sentence and dragged him away.

"What was that about?" asked Lizzy.

"I don't know. I think she's trying to set him up with someone. I overheard her talking to Kitty earlier, and they said something about a perfect couple. I guess they meant Richard and someone or other."

"He doesn't strike me as the sort of man who needs to be set up."

Darcy laughed, "No, he has no trouble meeting women. But he is never serious. The family joke is that Richard never goes out with a girl more than once."

"Commitment-phobic?"

"That's what Anne says. Richard travels a lot for work. I guess you could say that he's rootless. I suppose if he found the right woman..."

Across the room, Chris and Charlotte watched Darcy and Lizzy chatting.

"So, Dr. Lucas, do you think they have potential?"

"Oh, Chris! Not you, too!"

"It would make Georgie so happy if her brother would find someone. It would make me happy, too. Maybe it would make him less scary."

"He scares you?" asked Charlotte, looking up at Chris and trying to guess his height.

"Intimidating would be a better word. Actually, he is mellowing out a little. But the first time I met him, whew! Scary. I was afraid to kiss Georgie goodnight for fear he'd catch us and kill me."

"He's very protective, then?" Actually, Charlotte knew how protective Darcy could be, but she was interested in getting to know her patient's boyfriend without revealing her relationship to Georgie.

"Oh, yeah. Big time. But I can understand it. Georgie seems a bit timid at times. Almost fragile, you know? Afraid of making a mistake. I keep telling her nobody will think she's an idiot if she doesn't know something." He chuckled, "You know, she sort of brings out the protective streak in me, too."

Charlotte smiled, "That's nice." Although he didn't know Georgie's history, he seemed to sense her situation and her needs. Before she said "Hurt her and I'll kill you," Charlotte decided to change the subject.

"So, Chris, do you really want to be the Giants' team doctor?"

"Actually, no. I tell the guys that, but the real reason I want to do sports medicine is that I like kids, but not the really little ones. I figure that the age group that gets hurt playing sports is the age group I'd like to work with.

"You see, I broke my arm when I was a kid, and the doctors and therapists who took care of me impressed me. I was scared that I'd never be able to throw a football or a baseball again, and they reassured me and motivated me to get better. I'd like to be able to do that for kids. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, it does. You seem like someone who would have a good rapport with active kids. But you don't like babies?"

"They scare me. They can't talk, you know? Can't tell you where it hurts. I hate to admit it, but that unnerves me. And the little kids we get at the museum are like herds of Chihuahuas, all hopping around. Georgie's great with those kids. But give me a bunch of rowdy eighth graders any day. Those I can deal with!

Charlotte laughed, picturing the girls drooling over Chris's good looks, and the boys being impressed with how cool Chris would seem.

Later in the evening, when many of the guests had departed, someone decided that dancing would be a good idea. Chris and Richard pushed back some of the living room furniture, and Georgie changed the music. After some good-natured changing of partners, couples had settled in for the long haul. Chris and Georgie were dancing, as were Jane and Charles and Kitty and Sandy.

Richard found Anne and dragged her over to the improvised dance floor.

"Oh, come on, Richard. You know I don't like to dance."

He grabbed her hand and twirled her into his arms, "C'mon, Annie. It'll make your mother crazy. She's been talking about you and Darce again."

"Oh, s***!" said Anne, as she moved closer to Richard and smiled sweetly at her mother over his shoulder.

Out of nowhere, Billy found Lizzy and asked her to dance. As they danced, Billy praised the party, the food, the apartment, the music, their hosts.

"Miss Georgie seems like a nice, sensible girl. Her brother is an elegant gentleman. He and his cousin will make a lovely couple."

"What?"

"His cousin's mother told me that they are to be married."

"Billy, you must have that wrong. Cousins don't marry."

"She's a step-cousin or something. Not a blood relative, so it's OK. That should be a wonderful wedding. If you get an invitation, I do hope you'll ask me to be your escort."

Being dragged around the floor was bad enough, but Billy kept trying to hold Lizzy close. At one point, she looked over his shoulder and caught Jane's eye and made a face. Jane was about to send Charles over to cut in, when Darcy approached Billy and tapped him on the shoulder.

"May I?"

"Oh, of course, Mr. Darcy, after all, you are the host, and..."

"Darcy led Lizzy across the room away from the babbling man. She smiled at him.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure," said Darcy automatically. Then he realized just how much of a pleasure it was. He admitted to himself that he had been watching her on and off all evening. She seemed to be able to chat comfortably with anyone, from his company's vice president to his Aunt Catherine to Georgie and her friends. Interesting woman, he thought.

The song ended, and Darcy saw that more guests were leaving.

"Excuse me. I'm afraid I must go do my duty as host."

Lizzy smiled, "Of course." She walked over to admire the Christmas tree. It was decorated with glass ornaments of all shapes. She saw Santas, birds, snowmen, fruits, even a mushroom." She turned to find Georgie beside her.

"It's a lovely tree, Georgie."

"Thanks. Mom loved Christmas, and was forever buying ornaments. We have several New York ornaments, too. See, there's a taxi, and there's one with the Statue of Liberty on it. We have a few really old ones. That orange over there was my grandmother's."

"Some of these look like school arts and crafts. Yours?"

"Some are mine and some are Will's. Mom always put them on the tree, even though we used to be embarrassed by them."

"I think that's sweet. What's the glass one?"

"The triangle? Oh, that's Waterford. It's the design from the first Waterford New Year's ball. I think we have the others, too. Here's this year's." She pointed to another glass ornament.

Lizzy was impressed with the casual way Georgie talked about the ornaments. Lizzy knew that the Waterford ones were expensive, as were some of the limited edition blown glass figures. But Georgie didn't make a point of that. In fact, the only indication that anything was expensive was the reference to Waterford crystal. What a contrast to Billy, who had told Lizzy the price of every piece of furniture in his apartment.

"I think your party has been a great success, Georgie."

"Thanks, Lizzy."

"I'm sorry that I had to bring Billy along."

"It's all right."

"He's just, um, words fail me." She told Georgie the joke about boring his root canal patients to sleep."

"Poor you!"

"You don't know how I suffer!"

"I saw you dancing with him."

"Ugh, don't remind me. I guess it's better than root canal, but not much."

After Georgie excused herself to say goodnight to a guest, Lizzy walked slowly around the tree admiring the ornaments. She was out of sight of most people in the room, and didn't see Darcy, who had heard only the last bit of her conversation with Georgie.

Darcy stood by the tree frowning. Was dancing with him really on a par with root canal? She had seemed happy enough to dance with Charles and with Richard, so she liked dancing. Why didn't she like dancing with him? He had enjoyed his brief dance with her, and was disappointed in her reaction.

His musing was interrupted by Caroline Bingley.

"Really, Mr. Darcy, it is unthinkable. The girl is just too common. My brother is an important journalist, and he could do so much better than Jane Bennet. I know that Charles thinks highly of you. Please, could you have a word with him?"

Trapped behind the tree, Lizzy didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to hide and listen. Another part wanted to come out swinging at Caroline Bingley.

"Miss Bingley, I-"

"Call me Caroline," she simpered. "Don't you think my brother could do better?"

"It is none of my business."

"Please? As a favor to me?" Lizzy could practically hear Caroline batting her eyelashes with that line.

"Very well, Miss Bingley. I'll speak to your brother." And serve you right for interfering! he thought.

From her position behind the tree, Lizzy almost choked on her champagne. What a snob Caroline was! And Will Darcy was going to help her break up Charles and Jane. Unbelievable!

A short while later, Lizzy found Georgie.

"I have to be going. I'm afraid I have a headache."

"Can I get you some aspirin or something?"

"No, I just have to get to bed. I'll have the doorman flag down a cab for me."

"Are you sure you'll be OK?"

"Yes, I'll be all right if I get some sleep." She hugged Georgie, "Great party. Goodnight."

Lizzy was waiting by the elevator when Darcy came out to the foyer.

"Lizzy? Georgie tells me you feel ill. Are you all right getting home by yourself?"

"Yes, it isn't far."

The elevator doors opened.

"Let me see you out." Darcy was about to enter the elevator.

"No thank you," answered Lizzy sternly. "I'm sure you have things to do, people to talk to. Goodnight."

Darcy watched the elevator doors close. He couldn't figure out what was going on. He had heard the remark about root canal. Was she annoyed that he cut in on that Collins fellow? Surely she didn't want to dance with that toady. He didn't understand her sudden coldness. He also didn't understand why it bothered him.

As he returned to the party, he saw that Collins, Jane, and Charles were getting ready to leave.

"Charles, do you have a minute?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"This is a bit awkward. Could we speak in private?" Darcy gestured toward the library.

Charles smiled, "You're not gonna ask me to get you Michael Jordan's autograph, are you?"

Darcy shook his head and opened the library door. "No, nothing like that. It's about your sister."

"What did Caro do? I'm sorry if she was too forward. She's inclined to suck up to rich clients. If she has offended you, feel free to say whatever you like. She's my sister and I love her, but if she weren't my sister, I wouldn't even like her!"

Darcy took a deep breath, "Don't get angry, Charles. But your sister asked me to help break up you and Jane."

"She WHAT?"

"She doesn't think Jane is good enough for you."

"What do you think?"

"Would it change how you feel about Jane if I said I agreed with your sister?"

"You agree with Caro on this?"

"No, Charles. That isn't what I said. My point is, I don't think my opinion of Jane would sway you."

"It wouldn't. So why are you telling me this?"

"I wanted to explain to your sister that I wouldn't be able to change your mind. But I realized that she wouldn't listen to an opinion that differs from hers. So I just said that I'd speak to you. I didn't tell her what I would say. She thinks I will tell you to dump Jane. I think your sister will be campaigning along those lines, too."

"Thanks for the warning."

"You're welcome."

When the last guest had gone home, and Darcy had thanked Mrs. Reynolds profusely for her help, he stood in the living room with Georgie, looking out at the city.

"Nice party, Sweetie. I'm glad you suggested it. You seem a lot happier these days."

"I am, Will. I didn't know how much coming back here would mean to me. And now we're closer to our relatives."

"You're enjoying the cousin thing, aren't you?"

"Yes! All those years I was too little to chase after you and Richard the way Anne did. Now I'm old enough to join in cousin games!"

"Right, like it's fun to watch Richard and Anne bait each other."

"They didn't do as much of that last night, did you notice? In fact, Richard was kind of quiet. He said he enjoyed the evening. I hope he wasn't just saying that to humor me."

"He wasn't. I talked with him tonight and he told me that last night was one of the best evenings he could remember in a long time. I think he likes having you back here as much as you like being here." He put his arm around her shoulders. "I'm glad to be here, too."

Chapter 25

Posted on Monday, 31 December 2001

December 23

"Well, that was a disguising breakfast!"

"I know, he has no table manners whatsoever. At least we were able to duck out of going to the airport with him."

"Hurrah for that! Mom really owes us for this. It seems like he was here for weeks!"

Jane took a mixing bowl out of a cabinet and looked over the ingredients on the kitchen counter. "Rats, we should have left the butter out to soften before we went out."

Lizzy opened the refrigerator. "I'll get it. Hey, now, here's an idea!" She held up a bottle of champagne.

"Lizzy! It's 10 AM."

"So what! It's only a split! And after this morning, we're entitled." She pulled two champagne glasses out of a cabinet and opened the bottle.

"To departing guests!" They clinked glasses. Between sips, Jane made the cookie dough while Lizzy organized the decorating materials on the kitchen table.

They turned on some Christmas music and sang while they worked. Jane rolled the dough and cut out the cookies. Lizzy decorated them with colored sugar and pieces of crushed candy canes. When the last cookie came out of the oven, they drank the last of the champagne.

In the Darcy apartment, a departure was being made with less enthusiasm.

"Are you sure we can't take you to the airport, Mrs. R?

"No, stay in where it's warm. I'll be fine. Don't fuss!"

"We'll miss you."

"You'll be fine. I left plenty of food in the refrigerator, and it's all labeled."

"No, Mrs. R," said Georgie as she hugged the housekeeper, "We'll miss you."

"Wish your sister a Merry Christmas from us," said Darcy. As Georgie hugged Mrs. Reynolds, he slipped an envelope into the woman's totebag. The elevator doors opened, and the housekeeper was on her way. Darcy and Georgie walked back into the apartment.

"What was that?" asked Georgie.

"What was what, Sweetie?"

"What you slipped into her bag."

"Just a thank-you note for her help with the party, and a gift certificate for a restaurant in Charleston. I thought she might like to take her sister out to dinner during their visit."

"Oh, Will, that's so sweet."

"Yeah, well, I want her to be in a good mood when she comes back and finds out we've made a mess of the kitchen in her absence!"

"There! That looks nice, don't you think?"

"Yes, Jane, the table looks beautiful. What's with the Martha moment?"

Jane blushed. "I just want everything to be nice. Did you water the tree lately?"

"Ooh, no. I'd better check it." Lizzy crawled under the tree and reached into the stand. "Yup! It needs water." She crawled out from under the tree and went to the kitchen.

While Lizzy watered the tree, Jane moved each plate a half inch to the right.

"Stop fussing, Jane. Guys don't notice the details, you know."

"Lizzy!"

"What? You mean this isn't supposed to give Charles dreams of Christmases future? Come on, Janie, tell your sister the truth."

"I just want the table to look pretty. Stop teasing!"

"Anne's downstairs, Will. Are you ready to go?"

"Maybe just the two of you should go," answered Darcy, remembering the coldness in Lizzy's departure the night before.

"No! You're invited and you're coming along." Georgie was determined to take all opportunities to get Lizzy and her brother together.

"I don't know, Georgie..."

She stalked to the closet and reached in. "Coat!" she ordered, holding the garment in her outstretched hand.

Downstairs, Anne was waiting in her father's limo.

As Georgie and Will climbed into the car, Anne asked, "How long do we have to wait?"

"Wait for what?" asked Georgie.

"Richard."

"Oh, he's not coming. He got called in to work last minute." Georgie launched into a discussion of the previous night's party, and neither she nor her brother noticed the look of disappointment on their cousin's face.

Georgie, Will, and Anne arrived at the apartment just a few minutes after three o'clock. Will felt nervous. He wasn't sure if he would be welcome. Plus, Jane had said to be casual, and he never knew what that was supposed to mean.

Will he had worn a sweater instead of a jacket and tie. Georgie was wearing slacks and a green sweatshirt covered with white snowflakes. Anne was wearing a black coat over her black slacks. No surprise there, he thought.

Jane answered the door in a blue skirt and a blue sweater with a large gold and white angel on the front. She greeted the guests and took their coats. When Anne slipped off her coat, Georgie and Will froze. She was wearing a white sweater with little gold stars embroidered on it.

"Oh, Anne, it's beautiful!" said Georgie softly.

Anne shrugged, "I saw it in Saks and thought it was pretty. Not a big deal."

Will caught a hint of sadness in her voice. An idea was trying to form in his mind, but he couldn't quite make it out. He turned when he heard jingling bells. Lizzy walked into the room wearing a Christmas cardigan sweater. The buttons were bells, and they jingled as she moved.

"Wow!" said Georgie, great sweater!"

Will let his mind wander during the ensuing discussion of Christmas sweaters and which department store carried the best ones. He watched Lizzy, trying to gauge her mood. An electronic Christmas song suddenly got his attention. Everyone was laughing at Georgie's sweatshirt, which was playing "White Christmas."

"See?" she giggled, "There's a tiny pocket inside. If you squeeze the snowflake over the pocket, it turns on the little music box. Last year, Richard gave Will a tie that plays Christmas songs, but he won't wear it."

"Really?" said Lizzy, looking at Will coolly.

He groaned inwardly. Can I just go home now?

Jane noticed that Lizzy's mood had changed. She sent Lizzy into the kitchen for champagne glasses so that they could drink the bottle that Will and Georgie had brought. Georgie suggested that Will take the bottle into the kitchen and open it there, in case it bubbled over.

Torn between Lizzy's coldness and a potential scolding from his sister, Will squared his shoulders and took the bottle to the kitchen. Lizzy looked over her shoulder when she heard the approaching footsteps. Searching for something neutral to say, Will tried one of the hold standbys-the weather and everyone's health.

"I hope your headache went away."

"Yes, getting out into the air helped a great deal."

"I'm sorry if you found the apartment stuffy. That tends to happen when it gets crowded. I should have thought of suggesting that you step out on the terrace. Perhaps that might have cured the headache and you could have stayed."

"No, I needed to leave."

The awkward pause was broken by two sounds, the pop of the champagne bottle and the ringing of the doorbell. Only one other person had been invited, and Lizzy didn't think he would be coming. She looked toward the door, waiting to see what would happen.

Jane opened the door. "Charles! You're late, that isn't like you!"

"Hello Jane" he kissed her. "I was busy fighting with Caro. Then I stopped to buy some champagne to celebrate. But I see you have anticipated me." He pointed to the tray of glasses that Lizzy was carrying into the living room.

As Lizzy set the tray on the coffee table, she heard Charles greet Darcy.

"Will! Glad you came. I'm not sure I'm prepared to be the only man at a tea party! Thanks for the heads-up on Caro, by the way."

"I was happy to help."

Lizzy announced that she needed another glass, and ran to the kitchen. Will watched her, trying to figure out what was going on. When she came back, she didn't look in his direction at all.

They held up their glasses and chorused "Merry Christmas!" Glasses were clinked all around. When Lizzy clinked Darcy's glass, she didn't look up and meet his gaze.

Georgie chewed her bottom lip, trying to follow what was happening between her brother and her friend. Whatever it was, it didn't look good.

Anne, meanwhile, had noticed the Christmas tree. Walking over to it, she began to examine the ornaments. "This is wonderful! Where did you get all of these?"

"Lizzy made a lot of them," said Jane proudly.

"I'm impressed. What a lot of work went into these."

Seeking a way to do something right in Lizzy's eyes, Darcy joined Anne in front of the tree.

"Look, Darce! See the tiny Paddington Bear? And Pooh? And look at all the animals, there's a fox, a sheep, a parrot, Lizzy, did you design all of these, too?"

Lizzy joined them at the tree. She smiled at Anne, "Many of them are things I just made up. The ones with all the sequins are from kits. I did the origami stars and birds, although I didn't design those, of course."

"What about all the people?"

"Clothespin dolls," laughed Lizzy. "Here, that one is a soldier, and the chef I made for Jane."

"A magician?" asked Darcy, noticing the caped figure holding a top hat with a rabbit in it.

"Yes, it is. How about these?" Lizzy pointed to a couple. He wore a top hat and tails and carried a pearl-headed cane. She wore a long dress trimmed in feathers.

"Oh, my God," breathed Anne. "I can't believe it! The feather dress! Look, Darce! Remember how I used to try to make you and Richard dance with me? I wanted sooo much to be Ginger Rogers."

"And you wanted Richard to be Fred Astaire, but had to settle for me instead," said Darcy. Again, that idea was trying to creep into his brain. He almost had it, but Charles spoke and he lost the train of thought.

"Do you have a favorite, Lizzy?"

"That's a difficult call. I guess it would be Fred and Ginger, though."

"I like the French clown best," said Jane, pointing to a white clothespin figure with a black satin ruffle and black cap."

Darcy backed away from the group. He took a cookie from the platter on the coffee table. He was so intent on watching the group around the Christmas tree that he hardly tasted the vanilla or noticed the flaky buttery texture of Jane's perfect cookie.

He thought about the party he had been to the previous week. That seemed like the prefect party, the perfect group, the perfect meal, the perfect apartment. But this is real. Maybe it isn't the perfect apartment, with the "right" crowd. But this is what I want. A real Christmas tree decorated with memories, instead of perfectly matched, color-coordinated ornaments. Friends and family, people just enjoying each other's company.

This last thought brought him up short. Almost all his "friends" were business acquaintances he liked. But they weren't really friends. He had very few of those. And not a lot of family either. Too bad Richard isn't here, he thought. And then it finally hit him.

Richard! Darcy looked at Anne, who was pointing to an ornament high on the tree. Anne and Richard? She had always craved Richard's attention when they were kids, but then she got to the point where all she did was make sniping remarks at him. He had assumed it was a teenage crush that had shifted to an odd sort of friendship. But what if she still cared for him?

Then he remembered how Richard had kissed Lizzy under the mistletoe. Poor Anne, he thought.

Lost in his thoughts, Darcy hadn't noticed Lizzy's departure from the group around the tree.

"Will? Are you all right?"

"Hmm? I'm sorry, I was lost for a bit. What did you say?"

"Nothing. Um, could you open the second bottle?" She pointed toward the kitchen. Curious about this change in her attitude towards him, Darcy nodded and followed her.

When they reached the kitchen, he was caught completely off guard by her next statement.

"I owe you an apology."

He could only stare at her in confusion.

"For last night," she continued. "I am ashamed to say it, but I overheard your conversation with Charles's sister, and I, well, I thought you were going to try to break them up."

Still dazed, he said nothing.

"I know you must think I'm a horrible eavesdropper, but I was behind the tree and once the conversation started, I could hardly pop out and tell Caroline Bingley what a-well, you know."

"I think I do know what you would want to call her. Deservedly so, too. But why did you think I would want to break up Charles and Jane? I hardly know them well enough to presume to meddle in their lives."

"I realize that now. But you seemed to be agreeing with her, and..."

"It was the expedient approach. And you didn't listen as closely as you think you did. I told Miss Bingley that I would 'speak to Charles.' I never told her what I would say."

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"No need to apologize. You were looking out for Jane's happiness. I appreciate that. Family is important. The less you have, the more you realize it."

Seeing that Lizzy was on the verge of tears, he pulled the cork out of the bottle and lightened his tone, "I'll just carry this out into the living room." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, "Take a minute to compose yourself. It's OK."

As he walked out of the kitchen, Darcy's mind drifted back to his previous thoughts. This is what I want. He paused. This is what I want. A real woman, with real feelings, not some artificial product of fashion magazines. Damn! Where's the mistletoe when you need it?

Lizzy watched Darcy walk out of the room. She was relieved that he forgave her for the misunderstanding. She was surprised when she realized just how much it mattered to her.

Anne and Darcy dropped Georgie off at Kitty's apartment. Darcy took advantage of the moment to raise the subject of Richard.

"Anne," he said softly. "I know about Richard."

Caught completely off guard, Anne forgot to deny her feelings. "How did you guess?"

He laughed gently, "The change in your wardrobe. I've seen you wear something other than black twice lately. Both times you were out of sight of your mother, and expecting to see Richard."

"I was expecting to see you and Georgie, too."

"Your comments the other night didn't have their usual bite. And today, you were disappointed that Richard had to go to work."

Anne gave Darcy a wry smile, "When did you turn into Mr. Sensitive?"

He shrugged, "I guess Georgie isn't the only one coming out of her shell. Seriously, Anne, if you need to talk ..."

"Thanks."

"Do you want me to say anything to Rich-"

"God, no! Please, Darce, swear you won't say anything!"

"If that's what you want?"

"Oh, yes. I couldn't bear the teasing if he knew."

"All right, Beatrice," he kissed Anne on the cheek.

"What?"

"She swears she will die if the gentleman does not love her. And she says she will die if he does love her. Or words to that effect."

You and your Shakespeare!

"Ah this learning, what a thing it is"

"Get out of the car, Darce!"

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Anne!"

Darcy walked into his building, smiled at the doorman, and rode the elevator up to his apartment. Once inside, he sat by the Christmas tree, imagining Fred and Ginger hanging next to the Santa he had made from a starfish when he was five.

Continued In Next Section