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Posted on Tuesday, 15 January 2002
still December 23
"Will? Are you home?" Georgie walked into the dark apartment. Then she heard soft music coming from the living room. Surprised that her brother wasn't sitting in the library, she tiptoed to the living room. She stopped at the doorway and looked at her brother.
Darcy had turned on the gas fireplace, and was sitting by the Christmas tree, staring at the fire. She hesitated, not wanting to disturb him, but he spoke first.
"Hello, Georgie."
"Are you OK?"
"I'm fine. Just thinking."
"About what?"
He sighed, "Oh, lots of things."
"Like what?"
"Christmas. Christmas trees. Homes. Family. I'm not sure."
Not knowing how to answer this, Georgie dropped her coat and purse on a chair and went over to her brother. Perching on the arm of his chair, she leaned over and draped one arm around his shoulders.
"Sounds serious."
"Yes. No. I don't know." He paused. "Did you have a nice time at Kitty's?"
"Yes, I did, but don't change the subject. Do you want to talk about anything?"
"I would if I could figure out what it is that's on my mind."
"Try."
"Well, for one thing, do you remember last week when I went to the dinner party at the Devlin's?"
"Yes."
"I thought that everything was perfect. The table was perfect-set with Waterford and Wedgewood, and Dev's grandmother's silver. The tree was absolutely symmetrical with perfectly arranged decorations. The apartment was elegantly decorated. I thought that it was the sort of life I should have."
"Don't you like the life we have?"
"Yes, I do. But this was like something out of a glossy magazine. You know Dev. His wife is the perfect hostess. Dinner was perfectly cooked and served. You sit there and you think, 'why can't I have this?'"
"And?"
"And I don't know. It seemed like the sort of life I should be looking for. But I couldn't picture myself in that life. I knew what I should want, but not what I did want."
Adopting her best Dr. Lucas voice, Georgie asked, "Do you know how many times you used the word perfect in this conversation?"
"Too many times."
"Why the fascination with perfection?"
"I don't know. It seems to be what people expect of me. The whiz-kid CEO, with the money to buy whatever he wants."
"There are some things money can't buy, Will."
He smiled up at her, "My, my, when did you become so wise?"
"I don't know. I think it's pretty recent, though. Seriously, Will, you sound discontented."
"I didn't think I was. I've been pretty much content to focus on taking care of you, but you don't need me so much any more. I've realized that I won't have to spend the rest of my life taking care of you. And I've realized that I don't know what the rest of my life will be like."
"Is it so important for your life to be perfect?"
"No. That's the thing. Perfect feels so cold. I want happy. I want real. I want something warm. I want..." I want Lizzy. What? Is that what I want? Lizzy?
"Will?"
He returned to the conversation, "Sorry, Sweetie, I drifted off there. I don't know what I want, but at least I know there's something out there to want. It's a start."
Georgie smiled and gave her brother's shoulders a squeeze. "A start is a good thing."
They sat in companionable silence for a while, then Darcy spoke again.
"Are you all set for tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"I was thinking, maybe we should take Anne up with us tomorrow. Aunt Catherine and Uncle Lewis can join us on Christmas Day. What do you think?"
Only too aware of her aunt's expectations regarding her cousin and her brother, Georgie stared at Darcy for a moment. Anne? He can't really be interested in Anne. I never saw any particular regard there. She was so busy trying to remember their interactions on the previous two evenings, that she forgot that Darcy was waiting for an answer.
"Georgie? What do you think?"
"Um, OK, but will Aunt Catherine let her go?"
Darcy smiled, "She will if the invitation comes from me."
Georgie bit her lip. Nooo, not Anne! Lizzy is for you. "Probably."
"Good, you call Aunt Sue to make sure she has a room ready for Anne. Or you two could share, if you want. I'll call Anne."
"OK," Georgie went off to her room to make the call, wondering what her brother was up to.
Darcy walked to the phone and dialed Anne's direct line.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Anne. "I've been thinking."
"My goodness, I hope you haven't strained anything."
"Continue like that, young lady, and I'll retract the invitation."
"What invitation, Darce?"
"Come to Connecticut with us tomorrow."
"I don't know, Mother will probably throw a fit. She expects us to drive up together on Christmas Day."
"Think about it. Richard is going up tonight."
"And?"
"Your mother won't be there tomorrow, so you can skip the Morticia garb. Richard hasn't seen your star sweater, you know.
"Darce! You said you wouldn't say anything!"
"I haven't said a word to Richard. But think about the opportunity."
"I don't know..."
"Well, I do. If you don't give him a chance, you'll never find out."
"But-"
"No buts. Do you want me to call your mother?"
"No way. She's already stirred up about us, you know."
"Yes I do know. She dropped some not-so-subtle hints the other day. So what? Until she puts an announcement in the Times, it doesn't matter. Her friends have heard her natter on about us for years. I don't think they pay any attention."
"OK, OK, I'll go. If I get any grief from Mother, I'll call you back."
"Great! And remember to pack slippers. We open stockings and one present in our jammies on Christmas morning."
"I'll pack my bunny slippers, how's that?"
"Perfect! See you tomorrow, Beatrice."
"Darce!"
Leaning back in his chair, Darcy smiled. Perfect!
The Fitzwilliam kitchen was a flurry of flour and cookie sheets, as Richard's mother and sister-in-law baked one last batch of cookies. Sue Fitzwilliam was placing cookies on a rack to cool when the phone rang. She used the spatula to swat Richard's hand away from the cookies.
"Stop that! They're still too hot! Be useful and go answer the phone!"
Richard grabbed the phone. "Cookie Central!" He grinned at his mother's scowl.
"Richard! Hi! Is your Mom there?"
"Hello, Gorgeous! Yes she is, but she and Erica are baking cookies and can't be interrupted. Can I relay a message for you?"
"Yes, ask her if it's OK if Anne comes up with us tomorrow. She can share a room with me if the house is crowded."
"Anne?"
"Yes, you know. Your cousin, Anne, fairly tall, blonde-"
"Why?"
"Why not? I don't know, it was Will's idea. I guess this four musketeers thing appeals to him. He has been very reflective this evening. Do you think he-no, it's not possible."
"Do I think he what? You mean Anne?" Richard's stomach lurched. Too many cookies, he told himself.
"I don't know. Maybe all this four cousins together thing was a bad idea. I had hoped he would be interested in Lizzy."
"Didn't you go to her apartment this afternoon?"
"Yes."
"Did Will go, too?"
"Uh-huh. Then he and Anne dropped me off at Kitty's, and when I got home Will was sitting by the fire, thinking about his future. And then he suggested that Anne come with us tomorrow."
"I don't know what that means. Maybe we can figure it out tomorrow. Hang on a sec." He covered the mouthpiece of the telephone and turned to his mother. "Mom, Will and Georgie want to know if it's OK if Anne comes up with them tomorrow."
"I think that would be lovely, if you promise to behave yourself. Do you think the two of you can stay in the same house for more than 24 hours without trying to kill each other?"
"Mom!"
Sue Fitzwilliam reached for the phone. Shaking her head at her son, she spoke into the phone, "Georgie? Honey, of course it's fine if Anne wants to come up early. What was that mysterious-sounding conversation about?"
"Nothing, Aunt Sue. Just trying to figure out something Will said."
"All right, then. We'll see you tomorrow. Bye!"
"Bye, Aunt Sue. Love to Uncle Matt!"
Sue hung up the phone just as Erica pulled another sheet of cookies from the oven. After these cookies had been moved to a cooling rack, Sue picked up a pad and started making notes.
"The older I get the more lists I seem to make. I'll have to do a quick run to the store to pick up some stuff for a Christmas stocking for Anne. Did you and Mark bring yours?"
"Yes, I have things for Mark's. He is supposed to have things to put in mine, too."
"Yes, well, before I go shopping, I'd better check on that, too. You never know what men will buy as stocking stuffers."
"He usually does pretty well, although he'll never top the year he put the engagement ring in my stocking."
"Santa doesn't bring diamonds every year, Erica. But wouldn't it be lovely if he did?"
Posted on Tuesday, 15 January 2002
December 24
Georgie dragged another shopping bag to the foyer. "I think that's the last one!" she called.
Walking into the foyer, Darcy smiled, "It had better be. I don't drive a truck, you know!"
"Do you think it will snow? I want a white Christmas!"
"Sorry, Sweetie. Maybe a little rain, but it isn't going to snow in Greenwich."
"Oh well, it will still be fun." She snapped her finger. "Oops! There is one more thing."
"You sound like Columbo," he laughed. "Please tell me it isn't anything huge."
"No, not huge. Be right back."
And in a matter of seconds, Georgie returned, carrying a round tin.
"What's that?"
"Care package. Both Lizzy and Kitty gave me homemade cookies, and I packed some to take along. Lizzy said that I should give some to Richard since he couldn't visit them yesterday."
To hide his frown, Darcy bent over to pick up some packages. He didn't like the idea of Lizzy worrying about Richard's supply of Christmas cookies. Poor Anne, he said to himself, trying to convince himself that his discomfort was completely on her behalf.
"Have you got everything, Jane?"
"I think so, Lizzy. Every year we say we aren't going to haul so much home for just a few days, and every year we end up with even more."
"I know. The train is going to be fun with all of these packages. And think of all the stuff we took out at Thanksgiving. I do hope Lydia hasn't tried to 'preview' hers."
"I told you that you should have hung onto hers. Well, we should get downstairs, the cab will be here any minute."
Their taxi appeared as they were standing in front of the building, wishing Charlotte a Merry Christmas. They piled themselves and their possessions into the taxi and were whisked off to Penn Station.
Once inside the station, they checked their watches.
"Plenty of time. Good." Lizzy stopped walking. Jane turned to see why her sister had stopped.
"No, Lizzy, no stop for Krispy Kremes. If you need one, you can get it at home. Mom says Kings sells them now."
"No. Look at the wall." Lizzy pointed to a hallway in the station. A long plywood construction wall covered a space where a store had been. After September 11, it had been covered with "missing" posters. Now the posters had been replaced by all sorts of messages of support for New York City.
Lizzy and Jane walked over to read some of the messages. Scrawled at the top of one section of the wall were the words, "New York, you're still beautiful."
Georgie rang the doorbell, and was admitted to her aunt's house by a maid.
Catherine deBourgh greeted her niece with a kiss, then asked, "Where is William?"
"He's in the car. He's right out front, and doesn't want to get a ticket. Is Anne-"
"Ready!" called Anne as she ran down the stairs.
"Anne!" cried Catherine. "Ladies do not run down the stairs."
"No, Mother, ladies don't. I'm just eager to get out to see Darce!" This last statement pleased Catherine no end. Anne hugged her mother and made a silly face toward Georgie.
As the two women left the house, Anne giggled. "I know I shouldn't exploit Mother's 'intentions' for me and your brother, but it is quite useful as a distraction when she's in lecture mode. And Darce understands. He regards it as a joke as much as I do. Someday, we'll have to deal with Mother's notions, but for now, it serves my purpose to string her along a bit. I guess you could say that I'm moving from a confrontational phase into a manipulative phase. Easier on the blood pressure."
Georgie frowned, thinking about her brother's wistful behavior the night before. Oh, Anne, if only he did regard it as a joke. To Anne, she said, "I'm not sure the new you is much of an improvement."
Darcy got out of the car to take Anne's bags. "That's all you have?"
"Yes. Mother and Dad will bring the rest of the packages tomorrow."
"Great! Georgie has tried to turn the car into Santa's sleigh!"
"Sit down, Richard!" growled his father. "Or if you can't, go pace somewhere else. What has got you so fidgety?"
"I can't wait for Santa to arrive?" Richard suggested lamely. Actually, he wasn't sure why he was on edge. He looked out the window at the gray sky. "I wish it would snow."
Matt Fitzwilliam stared at his younger son. "Richard, I hate to break it to you, but you aren't getting a Flexible Flyer this year."
"Too bad. Hey, whatever happened to that old toboggan we had? That's actually better than a sled. You can go a lot faster on the toboggan."
"I think you and Darce crashed it once too often on the path in the woods."
"Oh, yeah. I remember. Annie was mad because we wouldn't take her on it. Then when we crashed and got all bruised, she laughed at us."
"Served you right. A couple of idiots showing off for a girl." Matt peered over his reading glasses. "I don't supposed you've stopped showing off for girls?"
"Well, I don't show off with a toboggan any more, if that's any consolation."
"Not much," growled his father. "But it will have to do. Any hope of you selecting one girl and focusing a little? You really ought to settle down."
"Actually, Dad, I wanted to talk to you about something along those lines."
Lizzy and Jane spent several minutes reading the messages on the wall. Then they heard their train announced. They rushed through the station and down the stairs to the platform. The train was less crowded than they had expected, and they were able to find seats with extra space for their bags.
After the conductor collected their tickets, Jane rummaged in a shopping bag and pulled out a small box.
"What's that?" asked Lizzy.
"It's a present from Charles. I was thinking, maybe I should open it now, before I get home. You know how Mom is. She might make a big deal out of it."
"Ooh, yes, open it now. I'm curious!"
Jane began to unwrap the box carefully, which made Lizzy laugh.
"Oh, Jane, just rip it open! Do you always have to be so neat?"
Rrrip!
"There! Does that make you happy?"
Lizzy laughed. Bouncing in her seat, she chanted, "Open the box, open the box."
Inside the box Jane found a pair of snowman earrings. Pearls made up the bodies, and the hats and stick arms were made of silver.
"So cute! They'll look wonderful on you. Oh, Jane, if this is an example of Charles's taste, I'd say he's a keeper. Remember those huge pink earrings that what's-his-name bought you?"
Jane laughed, "Ugh. Don't remind me. Tacky, tacky, tacky. Who would wear pink lace earrings?"
"I don't know. Now that they've cleaned up Forty-Second Street, I'm not sure what the well-dressed streetwalker is wearing these days!"
"This was just the best weekend!" bubbled Georgie. "Our night out on Friday, the party, then yesterday at Lizzy's. Too bad Richard couldn't come along yesterday. But Lizzy sent some cookies for him."
Darcy glanced in the rear-view mirror to see if he could gauge Anne's reaction to the mention of Lizzy and Richard in the same sentence. She was doing a good job of not noticing.
Darcy wanted to clobber his sister as she continued to rattle on.
"Did you see Richard at the party? He practically camped out under the mistletoe. I saw him kiss Lizzy."
Again, Darcy glanced at Anne sympathetically.
Georgie continued, "But I don't think he got Dr. Lucas. I warned her to avoid the center of the hallway. I think that Caroline creature was hoping to get you under the mistletoe, Will. Did you meet her, Anne?"
"Briefly. I got rid of her by saying that I did all my own decorating, and that my entire apartment was done in black. I think that scared her away."
They all laughed. Then Georgie exclaimed, "Oh, I have something to show you!"
"What, Sweetie?"
"It's from Lizzy. I brought it to show everyone."
"I didn't know she gave you anything."
"Yes, as we were leaving. I opened it at Kitty's. It's two clothespin doll ornaments."
"Who are they?" asked Anne.
"Look." Georgie held up two figures. One was a woman wearing a long, narrow dress and a bonnet. The other was a man dressed in a naval uniform.
"So, who are they?" repeated Anne.
"Lizzy knows that I'm a fan of Jane Austen, so she made these for me. They're Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth. You know, from Persuasion. The couple who loved each other for so long and then finally found each other again. It's so romantic." She sighed.
Darcy took another look at Anne. He realized that silently willing Georgie to stop talking wasn't working.
"How about some music?" he asked. Gesturing toward the console he said, "I think I threw in a few Christmas CDs."
Georgie selected a CD, and soon she was singing along with the music. Anne sat quietly, wondering if finding the man she loved again would work for her as well as it had for the other Anne.
Lizzy and Jane got off the train to find their father waiting at the station.
"Daddy!" they cried, trying to run to him and not drop their packages.
"How are my two beauties?"
"Fine!"
"Good, good. Well, let's see if we can get all of this plunder into the car. Do you think you bought enough? The malls are still open for a while, yet, you know. Or has your plastic gone into total meltdown?"
They all laughed. Then Jane asked, "How's Mom?"
"Oh, you know how it is. It's Christmas Eve, and she hasn't done everything she intended to. Mind you, we have dozens of cookies, the tree is up and decorated, presents are wrapped, and there are evergreen arrangements all over the house. I don't know what she thinks she has left to do, but she's in her usual anticipatory tizzy."
"That's my Mom," laughed Lizzy, "Gotta love her!"
"So anyway, that's the deal, Dad. What do you think?"
"It's what you think that matters, Richard," replied Matt Fitzwilliam. "It sounds like a good opportunity, but only if you feel ready for the change."
"A few months ago, I would have said no. But I like being back in the city. And now that Darce and Georgie are there, it feels more like home. I'm beginning to get tired of being rootless."
"How long do you have to think it over?"
"A few weeks. Um, Dad, if I do stay, is it all right if I use the apartment? I know I originally said a few months, but..." he shrugged.
"It's yours for as long as you need it. You don't think you'll want a place of your own?"
"Maybe eventually. It depends."
"On what, Son?"
"Oh, lots of things," answered Richard, as he stood up. "I'm going upstairs. Call me when they get here."
"Will, can you pull over for a minute?
"What's the matter? Do you feel sick?"
"No, I want to move to the back seat."
"Can't it wait?"
"No!" When the car stopped, Georgie opened the door, got out, and immediately got into the back seat.
"What is this, a Chinese fire drill?" laughed Anne.
"No, I just had the coolest idea." Georgie started rummaging in one of her bags. "Got it! Turn around."
Darcy glanced in the rear-view mirror to see what was going on. Georgie appeared to be doing something to Anne's hair.
"I hope it will stay. Your hair's straighter than mine, and it wants to slip out of the ribbon."
"What are you doing back there?" asked Darcy, trying to concentrate on the road.
"I just did Anne's hair to match mine!"
"And this is exciting because...?" Darcy sighed, "I'll never understand women.
From her seat behind him, Anne reached forward and ruffled his hair, "And that's just how we like it!"
"We're here!"
"Oh, my girls, let me look at you!"
"Hi Mom."
"Jane, you look lovely. Lizzy, dear, you really should consider straightening your hair. Look at how nice Jane's hair is."
As she hugged her mother, Lizzy made a face at Jane. "Yes, Mom, I know my hair drives you crazy, but I love it just as it is."
"Well, it's good to have you both here in any case. Jane, how is your young man?"
"Oh, Mom, he isn't exactly my young man."
"He could be, dear, you just have to work at it a bit. And Lizzy, I hope you made some progress with Billy Collins."
"MOM! There was not, nor will there ever be, 'progress' with Billy Collins."
"He must like you, Lizzy. He sent you a Christmas present."
Lizzy groaned. Jane decided to bail out her sister by changing the subject.
"So, Mom, is there cooking to do today?"
"It's all done, unless we decide to make your grandmother's sugar dumpling recipe."
"Oh, yes, please!" cried Lizzy. "I love those things!"
"We've invited a few neighbors over for tonight, so if you and Jane want to make them, I do have the ingredients."
"To the kitchen, then!" laughed Lizzy. Then, as her mother and sister stared at her in disbelief, she said, "What? I'll help you, Jane. I can chop apples and measure raisins and stuff. You just have to do the tricky parts, like mixing in the flour."
"Oh, all right. But not in my nice sweater. Let's change into some cooking clothes. Where are Mary and Lydia? Maybe they'd like to help."
"I'll help," said a soft voice from the doorway. "But Lydia is out with some friends on a last-minute mall trip. I can't imagine why, she spent all her money weeks ago."
"Lydia is Lydia," said Jane with a sigh. "You should be used to it by now, Mary."
From his bedroom at the front of the house, Richard heard the slamming of car doors and laughing voices. The doorbell confirmed that his cousins had arrived. He got up from his bed, stretched, and ran his fingers through his hair. He stopped to check his appearance in the mirror. He was considering changing sweaters when he heard his mother's voice as she greeted the guests. Get a grip and go downstairs, idiot!
From the top of the stairs, Richard looked at the group below. Darcy was easy to spot, but anyone who might have arrived with him was eclipsed by the welcoming party of his mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law. Richard felt a pang of disappointment at the absence of a figure in black. She didn't come early, then.
He started down the stairs, then stopped as he noticed two blondes talking to Erica. Both had their hair pulled back with gold curling ribbon, as if they had swiped the decorations off packages. Two Georgies?
"Here he comes," said Erica, as Richard resumed walking down the stairs. As Erica spoke, one of the blondes turned around. Richard was so surprised that he missed a step and stumbled down three or four steps before he caught himself.
"Richard! Are you all right?" cried Anne as she ran up the steps toward him.
Realizing that they were making spectacles of themselves in front of the assembled family, Richard mumbled, "Fine, I'm fine."
Recovering her own self-control, Anne replied, "Good, because Christmas is a lousy time to have to visit someone in the hospital." She cocked her head and added, "Although we would have a good time decorating your cast. If they put you in a full-body cast, we could probably get all the words to 'Twelve Days of Christmas' on it."
"Ah, so it is you, Annie! Until I heard a sarcastic remark, I wasn't sure."
"Now that we know that nobody is injured, let's get you all sorted out for coats and suitcases, and then we can have lunch," said Matt.
Sue grabbed Darcy's arm and whispered, "What was that all about?"
"Long story, Aunt Sue. Tell you later," he whispered back.
After lunch, Sue and Erica went into the kitchen to go over their cooking to-do lists. Matt and Mark went into the den to talk, and the other four cousins decided to play scrabble on the living room floor, in front of the fireplace. At the door, Richard grabbed Anne's arm and held her back.
"Help me look for the game, Anne? We'll be there in a minute," he added to Darcy and Georgie.
After they left, Georgie asked Darcy, "Am I imagining things, or is something going on?"
"No, Sweetie, you're not imagining things. Although what exactly is going on, I don't know."
"But you know something about it."
"I hate to betray a confidence..."
"Then I'll have to guess. Did Richard tell you something?" Please don't let it be about Lizzy!
"No. It's Anne. Don't say anything or do anything. Promise!" Georgie nodded. "Anne told me, well, no, that isn't exactly right. I guessed it only yesterday. I asked her and she admitted that she's in love with Richard. I'm just worried that he won't see how serious it is. I'd hate for her to be hurt."
"Oh, and I made all those remarks about Richard and mistletoe and stuff in the car. Why didn't you shush me?"
Remarks about Richard and Lizzy, you mean. Darcy smiled wryly, "Why do you think I asked for music? Don't worry, Sweetie. Anne handled it just fine."
"I'm surprised. I didn't think that Anne would confide in you about something like that that."
"I caught her off guard and she admitted it before she realized what she had said."
"And you're OK with it?"
"Yes, of course. Well, except for worrying about how Richard will deal with it. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason. Let's see, how can we help? Oh, I know! You should set up a double-date. Something casual, not exactly a date. But something that would throw them together."
"Didn't you just promise not to do anything? Anyway, how do I set up a double date when I'm not seeing anyone?"
Inspiration struck, and Georgie needed all her willpower to keep from grinning from ear to ear. This could work, she thought.
"Ask Lizzy."
"Lizzy?"
"Yeah. She likes Anne, and would probably be willing to help out. Ooh! New Year's Eve! What about that?"
"No, Sweetie, there's nothing casual about asking someone out on New Year's Eve."
Georgie pouted.
Darcy sighed, "Let me think about it. But not New Year's Eve.
Once they were out of sight of the living room, Richard stopped.
Anne looked at him. "What? I thought we were looking for the game."
"I know where it is. I'll get it in a minute. I, um, that is, um, I wanted to say how pretty you look. The white sweater, and uh, you did something with your hair?"
Anne reached back and touched the cascade of curled ribbon, "Georgie's ministering hand."
"I like it." He paused, then looked up at the chandelier in the hallway, "Well, look at that."
She glanced up. Almost before she saw the mistletoe, Richard kissed her.
He grinned, "I just love Christmas traditions, don't you? Go talk Mom out of a plate of cookies while I get the game."
"But we just ate!"
"So what? Cookies, Annie! Go!" he nudged her in the direction of the kitchen. Shaking her head, Anne did as she was told, wondering if Richard was ever serious about anything.
Posted on Tuesday, 15 January 2002
December 25
"No, Lydia! We have this argument every year. No presents until after church. Just the Christmas stockings."
"But Mom!"
"No buts, young lady," said her father sternly. "And be quick about it. I don't want to be late."
The girls eagerly dumped out the contents of their Christmas stockings. Jane and Lizzy laughed quietly over the shades of nail polish for each of them.
"Mom must have let Lydia help with our stockings," whispered Lizzy, "Really, Jane, how often do I wear nail polish? And plum? That's so not me."
"Oh, hush," replied Jane. "At least it isn't green. Oh, look! I love these little lemon drops."
"Oh! Godiva chocolate bars! Fabulous!" said Mary.
"Wow! Thank you Santa!" shrieked Lydia, holding up a tube of lipstick. "It's the new color I wanted."
"Time to go, girls," said Mrs. Bennet. "Hurry up with that lipstick, Lydia
The living room of the Fitzwilliam house overflowed with laughing people in bathrobes and slippers. Sue Fitzwilliam's family knew that they didn't need to pack bathrobes for a visit to her house. On her various travels, she had purchased a collection of hotel bathrobes, which she kept in the guestrooms. Darcy was wearing the Plaza, Georgie had the Grand from Macinac Island. Anne was wearing the George V from Paris. Mark and Erica were wearing the matching robes that Matt and Sue had bought themselves on their first cruise on the QE2.
Wearing rumpled sweats, Richard stumbled into the room. "Merry Christmas," he yawned, and made his way to the mantle and collected his Christmas stocking. He plopped down on the floor near Anne's chair. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he looked at her feet. She was wearing bunny slippers. He tugged on the ear of one of the bunnies and grinned up at Anne.
"Who are you and what have you done with my cousin?"
Anne kicked him, and as she moved her leg, Richard caught a flash of raspberry-colored silk under the robe. Very interesting, I wonder what other wardrobe surprises we're in for?
The "children," as Sue still thought of them, were happily rummaging through the contents of their stockings, while munching Christmas cookies and pastries and sipping coffee.
"Taz! Me like Taz!" yelled Richard as he held up a deck of playing cards with the Tazmanian Devil on them. Anne swatted him on the head.
Georgie pulled out several sparkly hair scrunchies and barrettes. "Ooh, glitz! This will go with my dress for New Year's!"
Anne found a more subdued set of scrunchies in her stocking. She smiled at her aunt, "How did you do all this so quickly? And how did you know that I pull my hair back at work? Thank you."
Sue smiled, "I enjoyed the shopping, and your smile is my reward."
"It's my shade!" Erica reached way to the bottom of her stocking and pulled out a bottle of nail polish. "Well done, dear!"
Mark hugged her and said, "Don't go digging in there for anything more. There are no diamonds in the stocking this year." They both laughed at their private joke.
"I can't believe you did this, Aunt Sue!" laughed Darcy, holding up pencils with his name on them.
"I can't believe they got all that type on the pencil," laughed Erica, who leaned over to read "William George Alexander Darcy" on the bright blue pencils.
"I got pencils, too," said Anne, holding up drawing pencils and a small pad. "You know, I used to carry a pad and pencil all the time, just in case I saw something I wanted to draw. I really should go back to it. You have no idea how self-conscious people on a bus or subway get when they see you start to draw. It can be pretty funny."
"Hey, look, we can plan more nights on the town," said Darcy, holding up the 2002 Zagat guide for New York City.
"Let me see," cried Anne, snatching it out of his hand, "I always like to see if my favorites are in there."
"I doubt it, Annie." said Richard. "I think your favorite places are more likely to be in the Saturday Times."
This remark was met by blank stares.
"What? They don't print the Health Department restaurant closings in the Saturday Times any more?" Anne took advantage of her position above him to smack him in the head.
"Ow!" he complained.
"Serves you right!" she retorted.
"Mmm, it smells good in here, dear," said Mr. Bennet as he opened the door. "How long until it's done?"
"Oh, hours, yet. It's a big turkey."
"Hey Lizzy, did you see Mrs. Fontana in church? She got a new mink coat. Glamorous!"
"I think wearing fur is gross," pontificated Mary.
"Who asked you, oh Queen of Style?" sniffed Lydia. "I'd take a mink coat if someone offered me one."
"Don't hold your breath," said her father.
"Well, can I see what I did get?"
And soon the Bennet living room was littered with paper and bows and open boxes.
Mr. Bennet held up a scarf, "Lizzy, this is beautiful. Is it hand woven?"
"Yes, it is. Look at the label."
"Oh, my. 'Handwoven by Lizzy Bennet.' When did you learn to weave?"
"I learned in college, but never bought a loom because of the space and the cost. But I met someone who has a weaving studio, and she lets me work on one of her looms. That was one of the first things I wove this year."
"I love it. Thank you, Lizzy."
Lydia and Mary tried on their scarves, knitted in their school colors, which Lizzy had also made.
When Mrs. Bennet opened her gift from Lizzy, she found a fuzzy scarf in jewel tones of blue and green.
"Oh, Lizzy! You wove this, too?"
"Yes, I did. The wool comes from Ireland and it has a lot of mohair in it. I'm a little concerned that it might be scratchy. If it is, wash it in creme rinse."
"Shampoo?"
"No, just creme rinse. It tames unruly hair, right? Well, wool is hair, after all." And before Mary could open her mouth, Lizzy added, "And no sheep were harmed in the shearing process."
"I couldn't easily wrap your presents, so let me get them now," said Mrs. Bennet as she stood up.
"While you do that, I'll open the wine," said Mr. Bennet. He returned with a tray of mimosas.
"Ooh, do I get one, too?" asked Lydia.
Mr. Bennet looked for the glass with the cherry in the bottom. "Here you go, Lydia, you get the special one."
"Special!" she huffed. "You mean the one without any champers in it."
"No, I mean the one with a little champers in it."
"Now don't get silly, Lydia," said Mrs. Bennet, as she entered the room with two huge shopping bags.
"Sillier, more like," whispered Mary. Lizzy and Jane, the only ones who heard, laughed as they accepted the bags from their mother.
"New comforters! And just the right color. That's why you were peeking into our rooms the last time you were at the apartment. Thanks, Mom!" said Jane.
"There seems to be one present left," said Mr. Bennet, pointing to a box wrapped in gold and purple paper.
"Oh, yes!" said Mrs. Bennet, reaching for the box. "Do open Billy's present, Lizzy."
Lizzy took the box from her mother's outstretched hand. She shook it gently, but nothing rattled.
"Well, it isn't ticking."
"Just open it!" yelled Lydia.
Lizzy unwrapped the box and peeked inside. Before she could do anything else, Lydia grabbed the lid and the item in the box.
"Wow! Sexy!" she cried as she held up a very short nightgown. Lizzy snatched it back and stuffed it into the box.
"Lydia!" exclaimed her father. "Really, that is inappropriate."
"It certainly is," added Mary. "It is not the sort of thing a man should buy for a woman who is merely an acquaintance.
"Yeah, Lizzy," said Lydia with a leer, "Just how well do you know this Collins guy?"
Lizzy was literally saved by the bell when the timer went off in the kitchen.
"Oh!" said Mrs. Bennet, "Time to start the potatoes."
"I'll go," offered Jane.
"I'll help," said Lizzy, running after her sister.
Once in the kitchen, they dissolved into giggles.
"Can you believe the nerve?" cried Lizzy.
"And it's so ugly, too. What would you call that color?"
"Wannabe green? Rotten lime? And the little pink hearts on it. Yuck! This by far surpasses the pink lace earrings!"
I wish I still had them," laughed Jane. "They'd look perfect with your little nightie."
When they returned from church, the Fitzwilliams and guests reassembled in the living room. Catherine and Lewis deBourgh arrived soon after. Once they were settled in the living room, Matt poured champagne for everyone, and Sue handed out sprigs of holly. Richard took two, and after his mother had moved away, he walked over to Anne.
"Here," he said, tucking a small sprig of holly into her upswept hairdo. "We need to decorate you. That black dress is not Christmassy enough."
"Richard, I wore my festive sweater yesterday, OK?"
Their conversation was interrupted by crackling and popping sounds from the fireplace.
"Anne! Rich! Come on, throw your holly. You, too, Catherine."
"Coming." Together, Richard and Anne walked the fireplace and tossed sprigs of holly onto the fire. Catherine frowned.
"Still practicing your pagan ritual, I see Susan."
"You bet, Catherine," laughed Sue.
"Throw the holly, Cath," said Lewis. Matt smiled at his sister, noticing how well Lewis deBourgh had learned to manage the strong-willed Catherine.
"I love this tradition," sighed Erica. "Where does it come from?"
"I don't know, I think we got it from a neighbor. They did it on New Year's Eve, but Mom changed it to Christmas because we're all together then. I like the idea of sending your worries up the chimney."
Matt Fitzwilliam cleared his throat, and the various conversations around the room stopped. He held up his flute of champagne.
"As the senior member of the family, let me say how good it is to have us all together again. We've been through a lot, as has everyone this year. But we're all still here, and that's what counts. Merry Christmas, family!"
"Merry Christmas!" came the replies from all corners of the room.
Matt continued, "As patriarch, I get to hand out the first round of presents, so here we go." And he dug under the tree and began to extract packages. In contrast to the earlier frenzy of laughter and silly presents, this round of gift-opening was more subdued. Each gift was opened in turn, with appreciative comments all around.
When Darcy handed his sister an envelope, Richard snorted.
"Money? How crass! and for your own sister, too!"
Before Darcy could answer, Georgie squealed and threw her arms around her brother.
"Oh, Will, you're the best!"
"What is it, Georgie?" asked Anne.
"Registration and the key for a new 'vette!" guessed Richard.
"Plane tickets to Europe?" guessed Erica.
"No!" giggled Georgie. "You'll never guess." She held up a photocopy of a check and a letter on Darcy's stationary.
"Ooh, a photocopy! I wish I'd got that! Much better than gold cufflinks and the newest Grisham." said Richard.
"Oh, hush," said Anne. Then she turned to Georgie. "But what is it?"
"A diorama!"
"A what?" asked Mark.
"A diorama at the museum. They're refurbishing them and looking for donors to pay for it. Will made a donation in my name."
"What a lovely idea, Will," said Sue. "What made you think of it?"
"Georgie has been volunteering there. The thing about redoing dioramas was in the last newsletter. And in early December, Li-uh, someone at the museum was explaining about the work to be done on one of the halls. And I thought it would please Georgie."
"Oh yes, Will, it's a wonderful gift!"
"I'm stuffed! groaned Lizzy. "Dinner was great, Mom."
"Delicious, my dear," agreed Mr. Bennet.
"I ate too much," moaned Lydia. "I swear I'm never eating again."
"You say that every time we have a big dinner," commented Mary.
"I think some gentle exercise is in order," said Lizzy, rising from her chair and stacking dessert plates. "I'll clear."
"I'll help you," said Jane.
"And Lydia and Mary will wash the things that don't fit into the dishwasher," announced Mrs. Bennet.
"Oh, Mom," whined Lydia.
"Lydia," said her father, " go into the kitchen, there's a good girl. Mary, no lectures if you please, just go help with the dishes."
Shopping bags and coats were piled in the hallway of the Fitzwilliam house. In the midst of goodbyes, Darcy slipped over to Anne.
"So, was it a good idea to come up here early?"
"I don't know. I never know what's going on with him."
He hugged her and whispered, "We'll work on it. You're my New Year's resolution." More loudly he added, "Merry Christmas, Anne."
At the other end of the hallway, Catherine deBourg smiled and Richard Fitzwilliam frowned.
Anne went home with her parents, Mark and Erica returned to their home in Massachusetts, and Darcy drove Georgie home. Richard said that he had an extra day off and would see them late the next day.
Once they were in the car, Darcy asked Georgie, "So, did you have a happy Christmas?"
"Oh yes, Will. It was lovely. I didn't realize how much I missed this last year when we stayed in Boston. Did you have a good time?"
Yes, I did, very much. Anne still isn't sure if she did."
"I noticed that she and Richard seemed to be picking up with their old bickering."
"Yes, but once or twice I noticed him saying something to her quietly. I have no idea what he was saying."
Georgie sighed, "He's hard to figure out. We've always made a joke of his inability to commit, but if he's just kidding around with Anne, it will be awful for her."
"We'll have to work on it. I have a plan ..."
Posted on Saturday, 19 January 2002
December 28
"Good morning, Will!"
"Good morning, Sweetie. What do you have planned for today?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll call Kitty and get together with her this afternoon. This morning, I thought I might go through some of Mrs. R's cookbooks and think about a menu for the dinner party. I think it's a great idea."
"Do you remember any of the Twelfth Night parties, or were you too little?"
"I sort of remember. I know that Mom kept the tree up until her party, even when other people took theirs down right after New Year's. And I remember the charms in the plum pudding. Oh! I wonder if they're still around? Should I rummage, or wait until Mrs. R gets back?"
"Wait, I think. We've made enough of a mess in her absence. I doubt we put things back in their proper places. She'll probably be a month sorting it all out." He looked at his watch, "Well, I must go. I have a meeting this morning. Have a great day, Sweetie." he kissed his sister and left the apartment.
"Hi, Lizzy! Hi, Jane!" Georgie found the two sisters in the food court at the museum.
"Hello, Georgie," replied Lizzy. "How was your Christmas?"
"Great! We went to my aunt and uncle's house in Connecticut. Not Aunt Catherine and Uncle Lewis, who you met at the party. This is Uncle Matt and Aunt Sue, Richard's parents." Georgie almost told them about Will's diorama gift, but then she decided that it might be better to save that for a time closer to the party. She might even tell Lizzy about it in front of Will. he might be embarrassed, but it would be all for the cause.
"That sounds lovely, Georgie."
"What did you do?"
"We went to our parents' house. Our two sisters were there. Mary is in college, Lydia is in high school. My poor father feels a bit overwhelmed when all of his women are home, but we had a lovely holiday."
"What are you doing for New Year's Eve?"
"Jane is going out with Charles. I'm staying home."
"By yourself?"
"Yes. I'll watch some old movies or something. I don't like big New Year's Eve parties. Small gatherings are fine, but not a big party." And I'm too old to freeze myself silly at Times Square."
"Aunt Catherine is throwing a huge posh party. Poor Will is trying to find a way out."
"What are you doing, Georgie?"
"I'm going to a party with Chris. Since Sandy is still home in Iowa, we're taking Kitty along, too."
Darcy had just settled into his favorite chair with a novel when Richard arrived.
"Hello, Richard, how are you?"
"I'm good. I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"
"For you, absolutely. What is it?"
"I've been offered a position in New York. It would mean a lot less travel."
"Is that what you want?"
"I think so. I'm getting a bit old for the rover thing, you know?"
"You're not all that old, Richard. But it sounds as if you're ready for a change. Will you stay in the apartment or find someplace of your own?"
"I'll stay across the hall, Darce. You won't get rid of me so easily."
"That's good. After being away from everyone for all those years, I like having family nearby. If you take this job, will you keep regular hours?"
"Nothing is regular in my line of work, Darce. But it should be a bit less ridiculous. I think I'll have to work on New Year's Eve, though."
"Don't knock it. It gets you out of Aunt Catherine's party."
Richard rolled his eyes, "All those stuffy society types. Not my idea of a good time."
"If you aren't going, I may not go, either. I know it's unfair to leave Anne without some moral support, but I don't want Aunt Catherine pushing us together. I was sort of counting on you to help by spending some time with Anne. That always distracts Aunt Catherine."
"Sorry I can't help, Darce, but duty calls."
December 31
"Yes, I'm sure. Really. I don't mind staying home. You go on and have a good time."
Jane frowned. "Lizzy, you're welcome to come with us."
"No. This is not a night for you to have your sister tagging along with you and your date. It's New Year's-go have fun."
"I feel guilty."
"Don't. There's the buzzer. Charles is downstairs." They buzzed him in, and within a minute, he was at their door.
"Happy New Year!" he exclaimed. He kissed Jane soundly, then kissed Lizzy on the cheek. "Sure you won't reconsider, Lizzy?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, then, one drink before we go." He held up a bottle of champagne and then followed Jane into the kitchen for glasses.
Lizzy sat in the living room, wondering how it could take so long to open one bottle of wine. Then she heard a loud pop, and soon Charles and Jane returned with glasses of bubbly.
"Happy New Year! May it be a better year than last year!" said Charles, holding up his glass. Then, more softly, he said, "although this past year has had some wonderful moments."
"Happy New Year!" laughed Lizzy, clinking her glass against the others' glasses.
They finished their drinks, and Jane and Charles picked up their coats. Jane hugged Lizzy.
"Get going, you two," said Lizzy.
"All right. Oh, by the way, I put one of those stopper things in the bottle and put it in the fridge. You can finish it at midnight."
"Thanks, Jane, I'll feast on champagne and Christmas cookies. Goodnight. Happy New Year, Charles."
He smiled, "I think it will be."
The doorman called up to announce Chris. As soon as Darcy put down the phone, Chris stepped off the penthouse elevator and rang the bell. Darcy answered it.
"Hello Chris, good to see you."
"It's good to see you, too, Will."
"Let me take your coat."
"Oh, that's all right. We'll be leaving in a minute."
Darcy smiled, "My boy, you have a lot to learn about women. Those two could be in there for hours! Sit down and be comfortable."
"Thanks. What are you doing tonight?"
"Poor me, home alone, I'm afraid. I-" He was interrupted by the phone.
"Huddo?" he answered in a strange, congested voice.
"No, it's priddy bad." He sniffed loudly for good measure.
"Aboud a hudrud." Another sniff.
"Uh-huh, guhbye."
Darcy smiled at Chris, "As I was about to say, I'm staying in and ducking my aunt's party. Poor Anne can't escape, and we didn't want to be there together and fuel my aunt's imagination. Give me your opinion as a medical expert, did I sound too sick to go to a formal party?"
Chris smiled, "Death's door, I'd say."
"Oh, no, not that sick, I hope, or she'll be over here with some Nurse Ratched type to take charge of my care. Let me see how the primping is going. Excuse me."
Darcy rose and walked to Georgie's room. He knocked on the door, "Chris is here."
He heard a shriek and then, "Five minutes, Will."
The five minutes were closer to ten, but Georgie and Kitty finally emerged. When they walked into the living room, both men jumped to their feet.
"Wow!" breathed Chris. Georgie wore a deep blue dress. with silver and gold beads around the neckline. Kitty had helped her pull her hair up, and entwine it with the glittery scrunchies from her Christmas stocking. Kitty's dress was short, black, and had a row of beaded fringe on the hem.
"I have to ask," said Darcy to Kitty. "Don't the beads tickle?"
Kitty laughed, "Yes, they do at first, but then you don't notice any more. The only bad part is, after I've been outside, they're really cold when they hit my leg."
Darcy watched as Chris helped the girls into their coats. Sternly, he addressed the threesome, "Don't be out too late, and watch out for drunks on the road. And mind you don't drink too much. And if you have had too much, don't drive."
"Don't worry, Mr. Darcy, we'll take a taxi."
Darcy paused, then said, "What happened to 'Will?'"
"I'm sorry, Sir, but when you lecture me like that, I can't call you by your first name."
Georgie's eyes were wide. Kitty giggled. Chris wondered if his sense of humor had taken him a bit to far. To his relief, Darcy laughed.
"Touché. Have a good time. Happy New Year!" He hugged Georgie, and watched as the elevator doors closed. He returned to the apartment and flopped into a chair. He ran his fingers through his hair. God, I feel old.
Richard was busy checking security monitors and the computer screen and talking on the telephone when his cell phone rang. This was his private phone, and since his family knew he would be working, he couldn't think of any reason other than an emergency for a call on this phone.
"Let me call you in five, Jack, my cell's ringing." He put the phone down and fished his cell phone out of his pocket.
"Hello?"
"Richard!"
"Georgie, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, I need a favor."
Richard glanced at the clock, "Do you need a ride or something? It's early for everyone to be pissed out of their minds."
"Not funny, Richard. We're all fine.
"That's good. Listen, I'm busy, can we do this tomorrow?"
"No, now. I need to you call Will. I want to leave a message for him."
"What for? Why can't you call him?
"I will call him. I want to get his voice mail, so that I can leave a message."
"What are you up to?"
"Nothing bad, I promise. As soon as we hang up, call him and keep him talking for at least a minute, OK?"
"Whatever."
"Thanks! Happy New Year, Richard!"
Richard looked at his cell phone and shook his head. To nobody in particular he said, "I hope I don't regret this," and dialed Darcy's number.
"Huddo?"
"It's me, Darce, you can drop the act."
"Richard. I didn't expect to hear from you tonight. How's security?"
"Things look normal. Not too many drunks, plenty of cops, both plainclothes and uniform. I don't know why people do this. It's too cold out there."
"I seem to recall a few times when we did the Times Square thing."
"We were young and crazy."
"So are the people there now! So what did you call for?"
Richard glanced at his watch, to make sure he had tied up the phone for long enough, "No reason, really. Just taking advantage of a lull to call and say Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, Richard."
After Richard disconnected, Darcy heard the beep that signaled voice mail. He sighed, assuming it was Aunt Catherine with yet another recipe for a disgusting cold remedy. He almost didn't listen, but curiosity got the better of him.
"Will? Hi, it's me. Kitty thinks she lost an earring in the foyer. Could you look and call us back? The number is 555-7898. Thanks! Bye!"
Muttering to himself, Will went out to the foyer and looked at the carpet. He didn't see anything. Might help if I knew what it looks like, he thought. He even knelt down to look more closely. On his way back to the phone, he kept his eyes on the floor, but didn't find the earring.
He picked up the phone and dialed the number he had scribbled down.
"Hello?"
"Sorry, Kitty, but I didn't find-"
"Who is this?" asked a female voice that was not Kitty's.
"I'm sorry, this is Will Darcy, Georgie's brother. Is Kitty Stevens there? I thought this was her phone."
"Will? This is Lizzy Bennet. Kitty isn't here. I thought she went to a party with Georgie and Chris tonight."
"She did. But she called to say that Kitty lost an earring and asked me to look for it. She must have been distracted and gave me the wrong number to call back. I'm sorry to have disturbed you. You must be busy getting ready to go out."
"No, actually, I'm staying in tonight."
"I hope you aren't ill."
"No, just abandoned," she replied in a pitiful voice. "But I won't keep you. You have to call Georgie about the earring, and I would guess you're just on your way out now as well."
"No, like you, I'm home by myself. I'm playing sick to duck my aunt's party."
"That's not nice."
"Oh, bud I hab a tempadure."
He heard Lizzy giggle, "My, that's convincing. Makes me want to run and open a can of chicken soup for you."
"Have you ever considered a career as a visiting nurse?" he asked. Then he held his breath, wondering if that comment had sounded too forward.
On the other end, Lizzy pondered his remark. Not sure what to say, she replied, "I don't believe I've ever thought about it." Then her sense of humor kicked in. "Anyhow, if you're only playing at being sick, you just need someone who's only playing at being a nurse."
As soon as the sentence was out of her mouth, she wished she could take it back. She wondered if it had sounded as suggestive to him as it had to her.
Fighting back fantasies of Lizzy in a short nurse's uniform and stiletto heels, Darcy said, "And then all we'll need is that guy who says he isn't a doctor, he just plays one on TV."
Relieved that Darcy had taken a humorous, rather than suggestive, tack, Lizzy laughed.
After a pause, he added, "I don't need nursing care, but I wouldn't mind some company. Since you're by yourself and I'm by myself, would you like to come over and see the New Year in with me?"
"I'd like to but, um, OK, this is going to sound stupid. I can't go out because I just started my candle."
"Your candle?"
"Uh-huh, a bayberry candle for New Year's. You start it in one year and let it burn into the next. It's for good luck."
"Well, I've been turned down in imaginative ways in my time, but this one gets points for originality. It beats the old 'I just washed my hair' line."
"No, really. I know it's silly, but I can't bring myself to blow it out and I can't leave it unattended."
"I understand."
"You don't believe me!"
"I didn't say that."
"No, but I can tell. You think I'm either crazy or lying or both."
"Honestly, I don't think that at all."
"Then how about this, why don't you come over here and see for yourself!"She looked around the living room to see if the place was presentable, then held her breath, waiting for his reply.
"I'd love to."
"Are you sure? I mean, my place isn't as comfortable as yours and, um-"
"Trying to back out of the challenge?"
"Certainly not!"
"Good, I'll be there in about 15 minutes. Think you can find a bayberry candle by then?" And before she could reply, he hung up.
Darcy called his sister's cell phone, but she either had it turned off or wasn't answering, so he left a message for Kitty. Then he went into the kitchen to find the bottle that he had put in to chill that morning.
Georgie heard her phone ring. She fished it out of her purse and recognized the phone number.
"Is it him?" asked Kitty.
"Yes it is. Took him long enough. Do you think he was on the phone with Lizzy all that time?"
"Are you sure she's home?" asked Chris.
"Yes, I talked to Lizzy and Jane at the museum the other day, and Jane said she was going to a party, but Lizzy was staying home. Let's see what he has to say." Georgie waited until the message indicator came on. Then she called in and picked up the message. She grinned.
"Oh, this is promising. He said no earring-"
"Well, we knew that," said Kitty, who was wearing both of her earrings.
"And," here she paused for dramatic effect, "He says if I need him to call him on his cell."
"He's going out! Yesss!" the three conspirators high-fived each other.
Still sitting at the bank of security monitors, Richard heard his cell phone ring. Geez, Georgie, get a life already! With a sigh, he pickup the phone and checked the caller ID. It wasn't Georgie.
"Darce! What's up? You haven't taken a turn for the worse, I hope?"
"Very funny, Richard. No, I just wanted to tell you that if you need to get in touch with me for any reason, call my cell."
"Are you going out? I thought you were staying in tonight."
"Well, I Was, but an impromptu invitation came up and so I'm gong out."
"Don't tell me Aunt Catherine scared you into a state of good health?"
"No."
"Then where are you going?"
Darcy wondered if he should tell Richard. Considering that he intended to steer Richard in Anne's direction, telling him might be a good idea. But what if it made Richard jealous, and made him want Lizzy even more? He knew that Richard would worm the truth out of him one way or another.
"Darce? You still there?"
"Hmm? Yes, I'm here. To make a long story short, I happened to be talking to Lizzy Bennet and she's home alone, too. So I'm going over there for the evening. So if you need me, call my cell."
"OK. Oops my line is ringing. Gotta go, bye."
Richard took the call, and after he was done, he leaned back in his desk chair and thought about the odd phone calls from his two cousins. Happened to be talking to the lovely Miss Bennet, eh? Did Georgie's message somehow get Darce to call Lizzy?
Posted on Saturday, 19 January 2002
still December 31
As his cab approached Lizzy's building, Darcy became uncharacteristically nervous. She invited me over, but then seemed to want to rescind the invitation. Maybe I should have brought only the bottle. Is the food too much? Does it make it seem too much like a party?
"Here it is."
The cab driver's voice broke Darcy's train of thought. He paid the driver, and for a second, considered giving him the bag of food as a tip. In the end, he decided to stick with his first impulse, and gave the driver a conventional tip.
Darcy looked at the row of buttons. He found the buzzer marked Bennet, and pressed it. It wasn't until he heard the buzzer and the click of the door as it unlocked that he realized he had been holding his breath.
- - - -
Lizzy was rearranging the throw pillows on the sofa for the third time when Darcy rang the buzzer.
"Aack!" she exclaimed after she buzzed him in, looking around furiously for one last thing she could tidy before he got to the apartment. Since the apartment was on the ground floor, she only had time to look around, not to do anything.
Lizzy opened the door, "Come in."
Darcy entered and held up the shopping bag he was carrying. "I feel as though I sort of cornered you into inviting me over, so I thought the least I could do would be to bring some sustenance."
Lizzy led the way to the kitchen, and Darcy unpacked. Lizzy tried to hide her amazement at the bottle of champagne-Dom Perignon, which cost almost ten times what she usually bought when she wanted champagne.
"Shall I open it now?"
"Um, no wait for midnight, that is, if you're staying until then."
"I thought that was the plan."
"Good, then we can finish what I have in the fridge now. It isn't as good as what you brought, but-"
"I don't usually drink Dom. Usually, we have, ah, that," he said when he saw the bottle with the orange label. It's still French, but not as extravagant as Dom. Georgie also tells me they drink this on AbFab, whatever that is. Sounds like an exercise program.
"Uh, no it isn't an exercise show. But I'm not sure I could explain it."
"Spare me. Georgie has tried-unsuccessfully, I might add."
Lizzy laughed as she took the stopper out of the bottle. "You probably think it's gross to recap champagne, but Charles brought this and we had one drink earlier, and I was saving this for midnight."
"Please don't feel you have to apologize." He reached into the bag and removed a few containers. "Anne felt sorry for me being home all by my lonesome, and had the caterer messenger over a care package. I don't know what it all is, but we can explore.
"She had catered food messengered to you? On New Year's Eve? Wow." Lizzy tried to think back to the times she had met Anne. She hadn't noticed any particular attraction between the two, but Anne must really like Darcy to go to such trouble and expense for a few snacks. Messengering food? I am SO out of my league here.
Lizzy opened the cabinet and took out some plates. She took two of the three glasses that she had washed after Jane and Charles left, and handed them to Darcy. He poured the wine while she opened the food packages. He looked up when she laughed.
"What's funny?"
"This." She held up a post-it note that had heating instructions for one of the containers. "Obviously, the caterer figured that a man would need instructions for heating canapés. Or maybe the caterer is psychic and knew that I'd need them." Seeing the puzzled look on his face, she added, "I'm not the cook in the family."
"Oh, right, Jane is the cook. You're the one who can make dolls out of clothespins."
"Very much a lesser skill, I know." Picking up a plate of canapés, Lizzy walked into the living room. Darcy followed with the glasses of champagne.
Handing her a glass, he said, "Oh, no, please don't take it that way."
"Why not? It's true. Cooking is a survival skill. Sewing and crafting is a frill."
"Maybe so, but there's nothing wrong with having a creative outlet. Anne paints, Georgie writes, you sew and make things. I meant what I said as a compliment." He saw her skeptical expression. "Truly, I meant it to be a compliment. Georgie was thrilled with the ornaments you made for her. She took them up to Connecticut and everyone was impressed, even my Uncle Matt, who has probably never even heard of Jane Austen or 'Persuasion.'"
"I don't think making Christmas ornaments is on a par with painting."
"Everyone values things differently." He got up and walked over to the tree. He pointed to her Fred and Ginger ornaments. "Look at these. You had the idea out of your imagination. You planned a design. You executed the design. And you invested your time, too. Don't forget that. Time is a precious gift. When you make something for someone, you give that person some of your time."
Lizzy didn't know what to say to this, so she sat staring into her glass of champagne. Darcy clinked his glass against hers and said, "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
He walked over to the fireplace. On the mantle above it, a candle of a dull shade of green burned in a brass candlestick. He turned to look at Lizzy.
"So this is the famous candle?"
"Yes. Don't you know about burning a bayberry candle for New Year's?"
"No."
"A bayberry candle
"That's nice. It's a little like our family tradition of burning holly for luck.
"I've never heard of that one."
"We do it at Christmas. You throw a piece of holly onto the fire and it's like sending all your worries up the chimney in smoke. I think it's supposed to be part of burning the Yule log, so we do it on Christmas Day. My Aunt Catherine thinks it's a pagan ritual. My Aunt Sue loves it."
"I'll have to remember that for next year. My parents' house has a fireplace, a real one. This one's fake, it's electric. Fire safety and all that.
"This one looks real."
"It was a wood-burning fireplace in its day, but the chimneys were blocked up years ago. That's why we don't even have gas fires." She turned on the electric fire.
"That's actually a pretty good fake," said Darcy.
"The chunks of glass glow like coals. It's more convincing when the lights are out." She felt her cheeks grow warm from a blush. He stared at the fake fire, trying to think of something to clear his mind from thoughts of Lizzy and a darkened room, like only by the dim light of the electric fire.
Lizzy walked back to the sofa and sat down. Darcy did the same. The silence continued, then Lizzy remembered something he had said earlier.
"You said that Georgie writes as a sort of outlet?"
"Yes. She keeps a journal. I knew about that. Her doctor recommended it. But she also writes stories. It's a genre called 'fan fiction,' in which writers take existing characters from favorite books and write stories about them. Some are backstories, some are 'what-ifs,' some are modern adaptations."
"I've heard of fanfic. Have you read her stories?"
"That's the awkward thing. I discovered it by accident. She used my computer when something went wrong with her laptop. I was trying to find a page in the 'history' of my browser when I stumbled on a whole list of pages I didn't know in the history folder. So I clicked on one, and it was a fanfic site. Curious, I read an installment of one of the stories. From there, I clicked on the home page and saw a long list of posts. When I saw a story by "Georgie Girl," I was curious, so I clicked on it."
"And it was your sister's story?"
"Yes. She had included her email address, so I was sure."
"And did you read it?"
"That's the awkward thing. She never told me about the story, actually stories. But if she posted them on the Internet, anyone could find them, including me. So I did read the posted stories. If she had written anything else on my computer, I wouldn't read it unless she invited me to. And I certainly wouldn't look in her laptop. If she wanted me to read something she hadn't posted, I'd be pleased to do so. But I wouldn't snoop. What's on her computer is personal. Like Anne's paintings."
"Oh, yes. You said your cousin paints."
"She has a studio off her bedroom, but nobody is allowed in. I think she's very critical of her work, and so she's afraid to let anyone see. We've often wondered what her artwork is like. Richard thinks she doesn't let anyone see because it's dark and demonic. Mark, Richard's brother, says she doesn't paint at all, and her studio is filled with all the trash romance novels she reads in there."
Lizzy laughed. "What's your theory?"
"I have no idea what her work looks like. Whatever it is, I think it's very personal, and she's afraid of our criticism, afraid that we won't like it."
"Interesting. She didn't strike me as particularly vulnerable, but I've only met her twice, so it isn't fair of me to try to come to any conclusion like that."
"I also suspect that she is her own severest critic. She's an art conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Anyone who woks with great masters all day is going to be intimidated about showing her own work."
"I suppose so. But doesn't she trust you to be kind? You're her relatives, after all."
"I think she's afraid we'll hate it and try to cover our real opinions with banal compliments that we don't really mean. And there's another thing, something I've only recently learned."
"What's that?"
"Richard. She is afraid he'll tease her about her paintings. And she couldn't bear that."
"Why is his approval so important?"
"She's in love with him, has been nearly all her life, I guess. When we were kids, she'd tag along after Richard and me, but she's a few years younger and couldn't keep up. Richard teased her and was generally mean to her. I was the nice guy, I was her friend. But it's Richard she fell in love with. I only realized it last week."
Lizzy looked at Darcy, wondering if there was any jealousy in his countenance. He didn't sound bitter, but she wondered all the same.
Seeing her furrowed brow, Darcy thought he knew what was troubling her, so he said, "Oh, no, it isn't incestuous. Anne is my cousin by marriage. When she was a little girl, her father married my aunt."
"Oh." She paused. "What about Richard? I gather that he still teases her?"
"Yes, they bicker like mad, always have. She hides behind it. I don't know about Richard. I can never tell what's really going on with him."
"Poor Anne."
"I know. Now that I've guessed, she's afraid that I'll let it slip to Richard."
"Would that be so bad?"
"She'd be mortified if he knew she loves him and didn't love her back. He'd be one up on her, I guess." He paused, wondering what to say next. Finally, he spoke, "Georgie and I are making sort of a project of Anne. We're planning a small dinner party for Twelfth Night, which is next Sunday. We thought if we had a few friends over, plus Richard and Anne, they might sort of pair off."
"A Twelfth Night party?"
"Yes, Epiphany is Twelfth Night, also known as Three Kings Day. It's the day the Wise Men reached the Christ child."
"Yes, I know. It's also the twelfth of the twelve days of Christmas."
"Right. My parents used to have a party for Twelfth Night. Georgie and I are thinking of reviving it, but on a smaller scale. Dinner, and perhaps watch one of the versions of Twelfth Night that's on video. Since our parents used to celebrate Twelfth Night, Georgie and I are hoping it won't look too suspicious to Richard and Anne."
"Matchmaking can be tricky."
"I know. Georgie first suggested a double date. But that would be rather obvious. And there's another problem with it."
"What would that be."
Twirling his empty glass in his fingers, Darcy didn't g meet Lizzy's eyes. Quietly, he said, "I don't have anyone to be my date in a scheme like that."
"I'm sure you could ask Caroline Bingley." The words were out of her mouth before she knew what she was going to say.
He laughed, "I love my cousins, but if going out with Caroline Bingley was the only way to get them together, I'd leave them to their own devices! Actually, I had another idea."
"And what would that be?" asked Lizzy over her shoulder, as she walked to the kitchen to retrieve the champagne bottle.
"I was hoping you'd agree to be my date for the dinner party. It's for a good cause." Well, wasn't that pathetic! 'For a good cause.' I sound desperate!
Lizzy returned with the bottle. She refilled their glasses and said, "I think I could do that. I like Richard and Anne, and I'd love to help them."
"Good. I was a bit worried. I was afraid that you were interested in Richard."
"Me?"
"Well, you've met him a few times, and you seemed to get along well. So I wondered..." He shrugged.
"I like your cousin," replied Lizzy. "He's very charming. But maybe too charming. I don't think I'd want a man who had flirted with every woman in the city. I don't expect a man to sit in a monk's cell, waiting for me to come along. That would be unrealistic, but I-oh, I don't know how to explain it. I guess I want him to find me more extraordinary than other women he has met."
"I can understand that." That would be easy. You ARE extraordinary, Lizzy.
Lizzy glanced at the clock, "Goodness! It's almost eleven. I should put on the TV. Will you open the other bottle?"
Darcy followed her into the kitchen. While he opened the champagne, Lizzy arranged the remaining canapés on a plate, then put some cookies on another plate. They returned to the living room and watched the news. At 11:30, the New Year's Eve coverage started up again.
"Look at the crowd! It's good to see people having fun in the city, isn't it? I'll bet security is tight."
"Very. That's where Richard is tonight. He's at Times Square, in the Marquis, in a room full of phones and security monitors."
"What does he do?"
"That's difficult to say. He's officially in the army, but he seems to be constantly on loan to some government agency or another. Since November, he's been stationed in the city. He has always moved around, from one assignment to another. But now he has accepted a long-term assignment here. If he settles in one place, perhaps he'll be ready for some other long-term changes in his life."
"Like Anne?"
He smiled, "One can only hope."
"Look! It's almost midnight. There's the Mayor. What a nice thing to do on his last night in office. The ball is starting down, it's almost next year!"
In unison, they counted down along with the crowd, "Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. ONE. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Will leaned forward and kissed Lizzy. Wow! is that my heart pounding? he thought. When they broke the kiss, he realized that the pounding was the sound of fireworks. The TV station had cut to the celebration at Disney World. Maybe it was the fireworks. Maybe.
"Happy New Year," said Lizzy again. She hadn't expected him to kiss her. She hadn't expected it to feel quite like that. Trying to recover, she asked, "Have you made any resolutions?"
I just did."Yes."
"Care to share?"
"No, if you tell, they don't come true."
"I believe that rule applies to wishes, not resolutions."
"I don't want to risk it." He clinked his glass against Lizzy's. "Happy New Year."
The phone rang. Lizzy picked up on the third ring. Darcy walked to the window, trying not to listen in on her half of the conversation.
"Hello?"
"Happy New Year to you, too! How's the party?"
"That's nice."
"No, I'm fine, really. You don't have to rush home. I've had a lovely evening."
"Sounds fine. I'll probably be asleep when you get in. Love to Charles. Good night!"
Darcy turned around as Lizzy hung up the phone.
"I see that your candle made it."
"Yes, it looks as if it has about a half hour to go. I'll leave it in the tub if it isn't out by the time I go to bed."
"I guess I should be going. Thanks for a lovely evening."
"Not very exciting, I'm afraid."
He smiled, "Just what I needed." He put on his coat and she walked to the door with him.
Impulsively, she buttoned his overcoat for him. "Bundle up, you wouldn't want that cold to get worse."
He took her hands in his and kissed them. "Happy New Year, Lizzy."
"Happy New Year, Will."
Darcy smiled as the door closed behind him. This may be a very happy new year, indeed.
Chapter 29
Burned to the socket,
Brings peace to the mind,
And wealth to the pocket."
© 2001, 2002 Copyright held by the author.