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Posted on Thursday, 7 March 2002
still February 17
Dinner at the Carter house was a silent event. Kitty picked at her salad. Sandy pushed his food around his plate. Chris just stared at his untouched food.
"Well, this isn't doing any of us any good," said Dr. Carter. "Let's go sit by the fire." He rose and left the kitchen. Chris and Sandy followed him. Mrs. Carter and Kitty started to clear the table.
"Come on, girls, come sit. You can do that later, Ellen."
Mrs. Carter shook her head. "No, I can't leave this food out. I'll be there in a minute."
Kitty put a plate in the dishwasher. "I need to do something. I'll go crazy just sitting."
Mrs. Carter brought coffee and cookies into the living room. She sat down and handed mugs around.
"Chris, do you think we should call Georgie's brother again?"
"No, he was upset when I told him Georgie was gone. He's probably busy calling police stations and hospitals. I asked him to call me when she gets home. I know he must be sitting by the phone, waiting. I can't call him if I don't have any news."
Lizzy and Georgie stepped off the elevator, and Georgie unlocked the door to the apartment. The silence hung heavy in the air. Lizzy took their coats and tossed them on a chair. As they walked to Georgie's room, they passed Darcy's study. The lights were out, but they could see that he was sitting in there, his back to the door. A bottle of brandy sat on his desk. Georgie paused, but Lizzy shook her head and led Georgie down the hall.
Lizzy shut the door to Georgie's room.
"I don't think you want to talk to him tonight. Go take a shower and get ready for bed. I'll find Mrs. Reynolds and have her make some tea-or would you like something else?"
"Tea."
"Fine. Then we'll call Charlotte."
"No, I'll be OK."
"You'll be better if you talk to her. I have the numbers here."
"What about Will?"
"I don't think he even heard us come in. If he did, he thinks it's just you. And that's for the best at the moment."
"Oh, Lizzy, I ruined everything."
"Do you mean my friendship with Will?"
Georgie nodded.
"If one argument ruins a friendship, then it couldn't have been much of a friendship to begin with. You didn't cause me to be angry with Will."
"But-"
"He and I will sort things out for ourselves. I'll worry about him later. You come first. Go take your shower. I'll find Mrs. Reynolds."
"Her rooms are off the kitchen."
"Right. She would probably like to see you. Is that all right?"
Georgie shrugged.
"OK, One or both of us will be back with tea in a little bit."
Lizzy walked into the kitchen and found the housekeeper sitting there.
"Mrs. Reynolds, could you make Georgie some tea? She's taking a shower now, but she should be out by the time you have the tea ready."
"Oh, hello, Miss Bennet. Can you tell me what happened? Chris called to say Georgie had left, then she called Mr. Darcy, then he went out. When he came back, he said he didn't want to be disturbed and took the brandy decanter into his study. I haven't seen him so angry since-well, not for a long time."
"It's a long story. Something happened to upset Georgie, so she got on the first train back to the city. She came to me. She was upset and didn't want anyone to know where she was. That's why she didn't call right away. Yes, I know, she should have called her brother sooner, but she wouldn't.
"When she did call him, he rushed to my place and ordered Georgie home. He and I had a shouting match and he left. Georgie feels guilty about all of this, so I want her to talk to Dr. Lucas."
"And Mr. Darcy?"
Lizzy sighed, "Georgie first. Then I'll try to talk to Will."
While Mrs. Reynolds made tea, Lizzy pulled out her cell phone and dialed Charlotte's cell phone.
Charlotte set the cups on the coffee table. Jeff Madison looked up and smiled, "I'm getting used to this. What happens when you go back to New York?"
"You'll just have to make your own coffee, Dr. Madison."
"The coffee is the least of it, Charlotte. It has been so wonderful having you here this weekend."
"I've enjoyed it, too." She was about to sit next to him when she heard her cell phone ring. Grabbing her purse, she dug out the phone. She frowned when she read the caller's number.
"Lizzy? What's wrong?"
"Don't worry, Char, it isn't Sigmund. He's fine. It's Georgie Darcy. She had a problem this weekend, and she really needs to talk to you. I wouldn't have called you, but she's in bad shape. All her insecurities and feelings of guilt are running rampant. Is it OK if she calls you in a few minutes?"
"Yes, do you have Dr. Madison's number? Call me on that."
"Thanks, Char. You're a lifesaver. Maybe literally."
Jeff Madison frowned. "I thought you were taking the weekend off."
"So did I," sighed Charlotte. "Only Lizzy and my covering doctor had these numbers. I don't think Lizzy would call me unless she thought it necessary. Actually, it's your referral, Georgiana Darcy."
"Her brother called me not long ago to thank me for referring her to you and to tell me that she's doing much better."
"Apparently there was a setback. She's going to call here in a few minutes."
"Make yourself comfortable in here. I'll go into the bedroom and read."
"I'm sorry about this, Jeff."
"You'll just have to make it up to me, then." He kissed Charlotte on the cheek, picked up his coffee cup and left her to wait for the telephone to ring.
Mrs. Reynolds carried the tray into Georgie's bedroom. She set the tray down on the bedside table. Georgie looked up gratefully.
"Oh, your apple pie! Thank you, Mrs. R. I'm sorry I upset everyone like this."
"Shhh, it's all right. We just want you to feel better."
"Georgie," said Lizzy, "I spoke to Charlotte and she's waiting for your call. Here's the number. I'll go see if I can talk to your brother. Call Charlotte now, OK?"
Georgie nodded. Mrs. Reynolds kissed her forehead and said, "I'll be in my room if you need anything."
The two women left the room. Mrs. Reynolds closed the door and turned to Lizzy.
"Thank you for being there for her. Poor child, she has been through a lot this past year." She nodded her head in the direction of the study, "I don't know how you'll do with him. All I can get out of him is 'go away.'"
Lizzy nodded. "All I can do is try."
Lizzy walked to the doorway of Darcy's study. He sat in his big desk chair, with his back to the door. All she could see was the top of his head and the arm that held the snifter of amber liquid. She watched as he drained the glass, then hurled it against the wall.
"Will," she said softly.
"Go away."
"No. We need to talk." She walked toward him.
"I can't imagine that we have anything left to say. Unless you have any more observations on my character?"
"Actually, I do."
"Enlighten me," he said bitterly.
"I seem to be up against a Darcy family trait. If jumping to conclusions were an Olympic event, you and your sister would win the gold. I think Georgie's problem today was the result of jumping to a conclusion about Chris. A conclusion that I expect will turn out to be erroneous. And you jumped to the conclusion that I kept Georgie from calling you."
Lizzy walked to where he was sitting. She could see the lines of pain on his face. And the curls that were never quite neat had been completely disheveled by his habit of raking his fingers through his hair when upset. She wasn't certain, but she thought that he might have been crying.
She continued, "You also assumed that I was offering your sister alcohol as the solution to her problems. And because she came to me instead of to you, you acted like I had brainwashed her or something like that."
"That certainly is a catalogue of faults."
The bitterness in his voice brought tears to Lizzy's yes, but she continued, "Yes it is. Want to hear mine?"
For the first time since she had entered the room, he looked up at her. Even in the darkened room, she could see the expression of pain in his eyes.
Lizzy took a deep breath and explained, "If they ever go to a three-person conclusion-jumping team, I would be the perfect addition to your team. At the beginning of our acquaintance, I jumped to the conclusion that you're controlling and that you don't trust Georgie. And tonight, I jumped from there to thinking you were angry because you resented me and you were afraid that I was weakening your power over your sister. I got angry and said things I shouldn't have."
"Control freak, you said. You wouldn't have said it if you didn't think it."
"I did think it, but I was wrong, Will. After you left, Georgie told me about the rape. And it put everything in a new light. What I had seen as controlling behavior was your desire to keep her safe. And, well, you do have trust issues. But it isn't Georgie you don't trust. It's the rest of the world, isn't it?"
He nodded.
"Oh, Will. You can't keep her wrapped in cotton wool forever, you know." She reached out and pushed an errant curl back from his forehead. He took her hand in his and held it against his cheek. She felt a tear fall onto her hand, and whispered, "Oh, Will."
"Did she tell you what happened today?" Darcy asked in a husky voice. "I still don't know."
"Come, let me tell you." She pulled him up out of his chair and led him to the sofa.
When Lizzy reached the end of the narrative, she said, "And I'm sure there's some innocent explanation for it, but she freaked when she saw them together and ran before he even had a chance to explain."
"And she ran to you."
"Yes."
"Not me."
"Now Will, don't start about that. There are several good reasons. Don't think that Georgie is trying to cut you out of her life. She's trying to avoid being a burden to you. She is aware of all you've done for her-uprooting your life to move her here, for one thing. She feels she owes you so much already. Also, she didn't think you'd understand; she needed to talk to a woman."
"Thank you for being there for her." Darcy took Lizzy's hands in his. "You're right about me not trusting people. I was afraid to trust you with her when I first met you. I even said-"
Lizzy held her fingers up to his lips. "Shh. I know. I overheard a few of your earlier comments about me."
"Oh, God, Lizzy, I am so sorry. That was another example of the classic Darcy long jump to bad conclusions. Your fondness for the absurd and your irreverent sense of humor made me think you had no respect for authority and that you weren't sensible enough to be responsible for Georgie."
"I could tell. And I only made it worse. I childishly magnified that behavior whenever you were around, just because I knew it would piss you off."
"The funny thing is, I was attracted to you by the very same qualities that made me fear you would be a bad influence on Georgie. But you've been good for both of us. I've been happier these past few months than I've been in a long time. And Georgie has been stronger, more confident since she met you. Well, until today's lapse, anyhow."
"I think if the train hadn't been there, she would have sat in the station and calmed herself down. Or Chris would have caught up to her and explained. But the chance to run came and she took it. And then she sat on the train and obsessed, making herself feel worse. By the time she got to the city, she was trapped by her decision to run. She was too embarrassed to go back to Chris and too embarrassed to tell you what she'd done. I think she hoped to hide out at my place and then just arrive home as if nothing had happened. It didn't occur to her that Chris would call you to check on her. Speaking of Chris, have you called him?"
"No," Will said sheepishly. "And I should have called him instead of sitting here, sulking. I suspect I know how he's feeling. Do you think Georgie will call him?"
"Will I call who? whom?" Georgie stood in the doorway.
"Chris. He's worried about you."
"I can't call him. I feel too stupid."
"What did Charlotte have to say about that?" asked Lizzy.
"She says I should call him, but I'm not going to."
Lizzy sighed, "Stubbornness. Another Darcy trait. All right, I'll call him, or your brother will."
"And then call Dr. Lucas. She wants to talk to you. Both of you. Together if you're speaking."
Lizzy rose. "Tell you what. I'll tuck you in while Will calls Chris, and then Will and I can talk to Charlotte. OK, Will?" He nodded.
As a form of therapy, Dr. Carter pulled out a huge jigsaw puzzle. He had suggested they play a game, but nobody felt like talking. So he put the box on the table and they began to take out and sort pieces.
Conversation was limited to "Here's a corner," and "Does this look like sky?" but the activity served to fill the time. The television was on in the background, tuned to the Olympics, in case an event they wanted to see came on. The phone rang, and everyone jumped.
Chris ran to the kitchen and answered the phone. He spoke softly, and the group in the living room turned up the volume on the television and tried to pay attention to the broadcast. They all turned to look at Chris when he returned to the living room.
"She did take the train back to New York. She went to Lizzy Bennet's, and only got home a little while ago."
"Did she say why she left?"
"I didn't talk to Georgie. Will said she's too upset to talk to anyone. Will said she saw me with Nikki and got upset and ran."
"Nikki?" asked Kitty. "When did Georgie see you with Nikki?"
"While you were trying on clothes and she was waiting for you, I ran across the street to the gift shop where Georgie had admired that wind chime. Nikki was in there, and she came up to talk to me. I didn't realize that Georgie could see right into the store. She saw us together and freaked. Damn stupid-"
After Lizzy had seen Georgie to her room and assured her that she had mended fences with Darcy, she returned to the study. Darcy was on the telephone.
"No, not really. She went to Lizzy's and only came home a little while ago...No, don't...She will when she's ready...She talked to Dr. Lucas for some time tonight...Just be patient, I guess...I will...Goodnight, Chris."
Darcy looked up when Lizzy entered the room. "Chris is pretty shaken by the whole thing."
"I'm not surprised. Georgie's insecurities burst through the surface all at once. Makes Vesuvius look like a little burp."
For the first time that evening, Darcy smiled, "Now there's an analogy!"
"We should call Charlotte."
"In a minute. First, I want to thank you for taking such good care of Georgie. And I want to apologize for all my conclusion-jumping, and for bursting into your apartment tonight like..." he paused.
"Like Elliot Ness? Like an emissary from the Godfather? Like Ghengis-"
"I get the picture, Lizzy. But are you responding to my abject apology with waspish comments?"
"If I be waspish..." she smiled.
"Why the remedy..." He demonstrated his remedy for her waspish tongue. After a few minutes, he understood what people say about make-up sex being the best. While they were nowhere near having sex, there was an urgency about their kisses that they hadn't experienced before.
"Christopher Carter!" His mother glared at him. "I will not have that language in this house. And I will not have you speak about that sweet girl that way."
"Not Georgie, Nikki. There I was, in this shop buying a present to surprise Georgie, when Nikki sashays over and tries to be cute. I didn't want to be rude to Nikki, but I couldn't get out of there until the woman in the store wrapped up the wind chime. I've seen snails move faster than that saleswoman. So while the woman disappeared somewhere to find a box, Nikki sidled closer. And she kissed me, which is what Georgie saw from across the street."
"Oh, no. She was already feeling a bit intimidated by Nikki, and that was more than she could take."
"Nikki upset her, Kitty?"
"Oh, come on, Chris! The condescending way she asked Georgie for proof? And the way she was dressed? You saw how Nikki looked last night."
"I sure did," said Sandy.
"Hmph!" was Kitty's reply.
"Nikki has always dressed like that. The flirting and hanging on guys was funny in high school. But she needs to grow up. A lot of the guys she hung out with are married by now. If she doesn't know how to act when she runs into any of them, one of the wives is gonna kill her."
"It would be justifiable homicide, if you ask me," added Kitty.
"What are you going to do now?" asked Mrs. Carter.
"Wait." He shrugged. "Will said that Georgie is going to talk to her shrink tonight. It's Dr. Lucas. Remember, guys? We met her at that party. Anyhow, Dr. Lucas will call me if Georgie says it's OK. I don't know how long it will take until Georgie is ready to talk to me."
Chris's shoulders sagged, and his mother moved next to him and put her arm around his shoulders.
Kitty stood up. "You probably want to talk. Sandy, maybe we should go upstairs. I'm tired, and I have to pack up Georgie's stuff. Goodnight." She went over to Chris and hugged him. "It'll be OK," she whispered.
After Sandy and Kitty went upstairs, Chris looked at his father and asked, "What do you think I should do?"
"That's up to you, Son. I suggest you take your time deciding. Georgie is a sweet girl, and I like her. She's shy and, I gather, quite insecure. Some people spend their whole lives hampered by their insecurities. Some people overcome them, with help. I guess you need to decide which you think she is. And if it's the latter, will you be able to help her?"
"It's more complicated than you know, Dad. I don't know if I should tell you, but..." and he gave them a brief explanation of Georgie's problems.
"How long have you known?"
"A while."
"So you stuck with her even after you knew, but she still feels insecure about you?"
Chris nodded. "I really care for her. I know it's way too early for me to get serious about a girl. If this were a few years from now, I'd be seriously thinking about marriage. But she has law school ahead of her, I have internship and residency. Our lives are complicated."
"They certainly are."
"And I don't know if I can take the stress of always wondering if she's going to fly off the handle. It would be one thing if she just got mad and yelled at me. But if she's going to bolt any time something upsets her-I don't know. Anyway, it may not be up to me. I guess the next move is hers."
Mrs. Carter kissed her son, "Try to get some sleep. And remember, if you need to talk to us about anything at all..."
"Thanks, Mom, Dad. Georgie has only her brother. I can't imagine not having you." He stood up. "I'll go up now. Goodnight."
After a few minutes, Darcy released his hold on Lizzy and sighed, "Dr. Lucas is expecting our call."
"I know." Lizzy handed him a piece of paper. "Make the call. I want to talk to Mrs. R for a minute."
Darcy smiled at Lizzy's use of the family name for the housekeeper. Just like one of the family.
Lizzy knocked on Mrs. Reynolds's door. The housekeeper emerged with a worried expression on her face. Lizzy smiled at her.
"Things are looking better. Georgie has spoken to her doctor, and now Will and I are going to talk to the doctor."
"How is he?"
"He did more sulking than drinking, if that's worrying you. Although he did smash a snifter. I hope brandy won't stain the carpet." At Mrs. Reynolds's startled expression, Lizzy explained, "No, he didn't throw it at me. He did that before I talked to him. He'll be all right."
Mrs. Reynolds's eyes filled with tears. She threw her arms around Lizzy.
"Bless you, Miss Bennet. What would we have done without you?"
Lizzy hugged the housekeeper, then held her at arm's length. "Please, Mrs. R. I don't think I can take any more tears, not tonight."
The two women smiled at each other. Lizzy continued, "But I would appreciate some tea. And I doubt Will ate any supper, so some of your apple pie?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea. I have some lovely cheddar, or would you like yours a la mode?"
"Oh, English style sounds fine. And could you bring it into the study? I should get back to Will."
"Certainly Miss Bennet."
"I wish you'd call me Lizzy."
"Oh, no, I don't call Mr. Darcy 'Will,' so I can't you 'Lizzy.' 'Miss Bennet' will have to do." Until I can call you something else, she added to herself.
Charlotte stood and stretched. It was difficult to deal with a patient over the telephone. She found it helpful to be able to see body language and facial expressions. She had seen patients have setbacks from time to time, but this one was a record-setter. Had she underestimated Georgie's fragility or the depth of her feelings for Chris?
Charlotte went to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine. Hearing her in the kitchen, Jeff joined her.
"So?"
"It was no false alarm. The poor child is very upset. She says it's all right to tell you about it-I told her I was going to see you this weekend."
"Tell me tomorrow. You look tired."
"I'm not finished yet. I have to talk to her brother. When Georgie went to Lizzy instead of her brother, he became angry, and Georgie is concerned that she ruined their relationship."
"You don't usually do couples, Charlotte."
"No, and it's complicated. Lizzy is my friend. Mr. Darcy is my patient's brother. This is a scenario for an ethics/professionalism seminar, isn't it?"
The telephone rang.
Charlotte sighed, "I'm listening," and went to answer the phone.
Lizzy picked up the cordless phone as she left the kitchen. In the study, Darcy had moved his desk phone to the end table by the sofa. When Lizzy entered the study he gestured for her to turn on the phone.
"Lizzy is here, Dr. Lucas."
"Hi, Char."
"Hello, Lizzy. We all know what happened with Georgie today, so let's talk about how you feel about the situation. Mr. Darcy?"
"Mostly, I'm disappointed that she couldn't deal with it better. I'm a little angry at Chris, although I know I shouldn't be. He didn't know what set off the whole episode until I told him. Knowing Georgie's insecurity, I'm sure Chris's version of what happened is true."
"Georgie feels betrayed by Chris. She trusted him with her darkest secret and thinks he went to another woman because of it. On top of that, she feels guilty for the stress she has put everyone through. Mr. Darcy, Georgie says you have her sleeping pills?"
"Yes, they're in my bathroom. I've kept them ever since the incident almost a year ago. She took one, but woke up an hour later and took a second one because she wasn't awake enough to remember the first one. When she didn't get up at her usual time, I went to wake her. She had knocked over the bottle, and at first I thought she had taken an overdose." He paused and answered Lizzy's raised eyebrow with a rueful smile. Then he continued, "Dr. Madison suggested that that one of us keep them in a medicine cabinet, and that she never leave the bottle on her nightstand."
"Yes, OD's do happen that way sometimes."
"Do you think she's suicidal, Dr. Lucas?"
"No, Mr. Darcy, I don't. She's just frazzled. I suggest that you give her a sleeping pill. She says she lay awake half the night last night, thinking about this old girlfriend of Chris's. A good rest would help her a great deal."
"I'll do that now. I'll be right back."
Lizzy watched Darcy leave the room. "Thanks, Char. He needed someone to talk to."
"Georgie said you two had an argument. Was it as bad as she thought?"
"Mostly it was loud. We were both out of line. But we've apologized and we're OK."
"When she didn't come home, he probably remembered the night they found her, beaten and raped. All that anger and fear came flooding back. And, unfortunately, it landed on you."
"Poor man, he's had to shoulder so much responsibility. I still think he's overprotective, but I understand where it's coming from."
Darcy returned to his place next to Lizzy on the sofa. He kissed her cheek, then picked up his extension.
"The control freak is back, you two can stop talking about me."
"That sounds pretty paranoid, Will."
"Are you two going to analyze each other, or can we get back to the subject at hand?"
"Sorry, Char. What else should we be aware of?" asked Lizzy.
"Sex is an issue here, too."
Lizzy felt Darcy's muscles tense. "Yes, I know," she said, as Darcy looked at her with a shocked expression.
Georgie and I have discussed the possibility of Chris wanting to make their relationship more intimate.
"Did she tell you she wants that?" asked Darcy.
"No. I wanted to warn her that it could happen, so she wouldn't be unprepared-I mean that in terms of her state of mind-if it did."
"And?"
"No, Mr. Darcy, it hasn't progressed to that point. But some time ago I told Georgie that she should tell Chris about the rape, so he'd know before things got to that point. I was concerned about the possibility that she would panic at his advances and he wouldn't understand why."
"But instead she panicked at what she perceived to be his advances to another woman?"
"Exactly, Lizzy. She feels that she is what in Victorian times would have been called 'ruined,' and before you say that it's ridiculous, remember that this is what she feels, and from her point of view it's valid."
"Yes, although Georgie was pretty incoherent, I did get the idea that she thinks Chris will never want her."
While Lizzy and Darcy listened to Charlotte explain Georgie's feelings of shame and insecurity, Mrs. Reynolds brought in the tea tray. Darcy smiled at her and mouthed "thank you" as Mrs. Reynolds poured the tea. Lizzy smiled at her and gave her a "thumbs-up" sign.
"So, you see, Georgie feels undesirable and believes that Chris finds her disgusting. Her insecurities are fueled additionally by the fact that this Nikki is very attractive. Next to her, Georgie feels like a skinny ten-year-old. I doubt that Nikki is really that attractive, but Georgie says she is provocative, and, if I'm quoting Georgie accurately, has a body that would put a 'Baywatch' babe to shame."
"I'm confused," said Darcy. "On one hand, Georgie feels that Chris is repulsed by her, um, sexual history. But on the other hand, she thinks that Chris is attracted to a very sexy woman. That doesn't make sense."
"From what Georgie said to me," added Lizzy, "Nikki doesn't sound like a blushing virgin. So if experience or lack of it is the issue, why is she threatened by Nikki, who appears to be a lot more 'ruined' than Georgie is?"
"I don't think Georgie is fully aware of what she is worried about. I think she is afraid of having sex, a valid response given what happened to her. She is projecting that fear onto Chris, assuming that he's afraid to initiate anything, either because he's disgusted or because he doesn't want to scare her. So she feels that she isn't giving him what he wants. Thus, in her scenario, he turns to Nikki."
"That does make sense, in a convoluted sort of way," said Lizzy. But I guess there isn't anything we can do about that part of it."
"No. That is between Georgie and Chris."
Lizzy saw Will frown. She waggled her finger at him and mouthed "control freak." He grabbed her finger and bit it lightly. Both momentarily stopped paying attention to Charlotte.
...and there is one last problem, which requires me to ask you two some personal questions.
They snapped to attention immediately. Always one to be guarded, Darcy suspiciously asked, "Oh?"
"Yes, I don't know what your relationship is, but I should tell you that Georgie has high expectations for you. This puts me in a very awkward position, given the different relationships I have with each of you. Georgie has been trying to play matchmaker for you. I knew about it, and tried to warn her not to set her sights so high. Frankly, knowing you both, I figured it would come to naught, and that would be an end to it. But Georgie is quite insistent, and we need to help her distinguish between her hopes and reality."
Lizzy and Darcy smiled at each other when Charlotte said "come to naught." He slipped his arm around Lizzy and held her close.
"I see," he said. "Well, Lizzy, do you want to answer this, or should I?"
Lizzy shrugged, so he continued, "This is actually rather ironic. Georgie is hoping that I will date Lizzy, is that what she said?"
"Yes. She's convinced that she sees an attraction. Why is that ironic?"
"Because while Georgie has been trying to find ways to get us together, we have been seeing each other. I think Georgie is trying to jump-start a relationship that is, in fact, already there. We've all been so busy trying to set up Richard and Anne, while Georgie-probably with Richard and Anne's help-has been trying to set up us. It's Byzantine, really, when you think about it."
"Is there some reason why you've kept your relationship from Georgie?"
Lizzy spoke up, "I think perhaps we had an inkling of her intentions for us, and were afraid to get her hopes up. If we had gone out at her insistence and it didn't work, she'd be disappointed."
That probably was sensible. However, if you think you're at a point where you feel comfortable telling her, it might be good to do so. She could use a boost, and while I don't approve of meddling-"
"Isn't that what you do for a living, Char?"
Yes, but I'm a professional, Lizzy. Don't try this at home, kids. Seriously, if she thinks her matchmaking is working, it will give her a small feeling of success. Don't promise her that you'll live happily ever after. Just tell her the truth as it exists now.
"So where do we go from here, Dr. Lucas?" asked Darcy.
"Georgie has given me permission to talk to Chris. I'll ask her again when I see her on Tuesday. Then I may speak to him, and perhaps we all need to sit down together. Lizzy, given your situation as Georgie's confidante and Mr. Darcy's girlfriend, you should be included in this, too. Georgie and I will decide that on Tuesday. Meanwhile, I'll go back to spending the weekend in Boston. You two will decide what to tell Georgie, and she will get a good night's sleep."
"Thank you, Dr. Lucas."
"Thanks, Char."
"You're welcome. Good night."
They hung up the telephones and Lizzy drained the last of her tea. She leaned back against Darcy. He stroked her hair and sighed, "So, what do we tell my sister?"
"I don't know." Then she put on a very serious face and asked, "Just what are your intentions, sir?"
He smiled at her, "Honorable, I assure you. And very serious." Then he kissed her. And as they deepened the kiss, they forgot about Georgie's problems and their argument and their doubts about the future.
After several minutes, Lizzy asked, "But what do we tell Georgie?"
"Just that we've been out a few times. It isn't that I'm ashamed or trying to hide anything, but I am enjoying the fact that nobody knows. It's just us, no questions, no remarks from my smart-alec cousins. Just us."
Lizzy snuggled against him. "I know. And there's another value in not telling too much. As long as Richard and Anne don't know, Georgie can use us as an excuse to get them together."
"Are all women this devious? Even my sister...Wait a minute-New Year's!" he exclaimed.
"What about it?"
"Do you remember that I called you by mistake?"
"Yes."
"It wasn't a mistake. Georgie left me a message and I called the number she gave me. She wanted me to call you!"
"That sly thing!"
"I know. My own sister, a control freak."
Lizzy collapsed against Darcy's chest. "I hope it isn't genetic," she muttered.
Will held her close, trying to recall what he once learned about the rules of genetics and picturing a child with his curls and Lizzy's laughing eyes.
Posted on Thursday, 7 March 2002
February 18
Darcy woke up wondering why his arm was asleep. He looked down and saw that someone was sleeping on it. Lizzy! Then he realized that his other arm was wrapped around her and his hand was resting on the small of her back. Her sweater had slid up slightly during the night, and his hand was on her bare skin. He absently traced small circles on her smooth skin, while he smiled down at her.
Lizzy sighed in her sleep. Her pillow felt different somehow. She opened one eye. This wasn't her pillow, it was-Will! They were stretched out on the sofa in his study, wrapped in a quilt. Mmm, what a delicious way to wake up in the morning. Morning???
Lizzy tried to sit up. "Sigmund Freud!" she exclaimed, still not fully awake.
Darcy smiled, "Sorry, he's not here. Will I do?"
"No! I mean yes, I mean-" She groaned, "Don't confuse me, I'm not awake. Sigmund has to be fed."
"Oh, right, the cat. You fed him yesterday, right?"
"I fed him just before Georgie arrived. He'll be wanting his breakfast."
"Let him wait," said Darcy, tightening his hold on Lizzy.
"Mmm," she replied. "Where did the quilt come from?"
Darcy looked at it, "It's the one from my bed."
"Did you get up during the night and get it?"
"No. Mrs. R must have tucked us in when she came to collect the tray." He looked at the door and smiled, "She closed the door, too. I told you she approves of you, Lizzy."
Lizzy slipped out of the apartment early, as she and Darcy both thought it best that Georgie not know they had spent the night together on the sofa. Lizzy decided to walk, enjoying the brisk morning air. She thought back over the strange events of the previous day-Georgie's hysterics, the fight with Darcy, making up, falling asleep on the sofa. Lizzy blushed when she wondered what the housekeeper must be thinking. It could have been worse. At least we had our clothes on, she reminded herself.
Lizzy stopped for bagels on her way home. She set the bag on the kitchen counter, started a pot of coffee, and went upstairs to see if Sigmund was still speaking to her.
She opened the door to the apartment and he trotted to the door, meowing all the way. The minute she was inside, he ran to his dish and sat there. Lizzy brought him fresh food in a clean dish and he was so happy to be fed that he purred. She sat on the floor next to the cat while he ate.
"I am sorry about last night, Siggy, but you don't appear to have suffered. And your mommy is coming home today, won't that be nice?"
The cat kept eating. Lizzy stood. The cat kept eating. Lizzy walked to the door. The cat kept eating.
"Bye, Siggy." The cat kept eating.
When Lizzy returned to her apartment, the coffee was done brewing. She sat down with her coffee and bagel and turned on the morning television show that was being broadcast from the Olympics.
Darcy looked in on Georgie, who was still asleep. She was nesting, as he called it. She had taken extra pillows and surrounded herself with them, almost like a child building a play fort. He hadn't seen that behavior since they had moved to New York. Leaning on the doorframe, he thought how young and defenseless she looked. He felt a wave of protectiveness surge over him. Shaking his head, he closed the door and went into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy."
"Good morning, Mrs. R."
"Is Georgie still asleep?"
"Yes. Dr. Lucas suggested she take a sleeping pill last night."
"What else did the doctor have to say?"
"Oh, right, I'm sorry, I should have told you last night after we talked to her."
"No, that's all right. You were other wise occupied." The housekeeper smiled at Darcy as she poured a mug of coffee for him. She poured a mug for herself and sat down opposite him. "Is Miss Bennet still asleep?"
Darcy blushed and stared into his coffee. "No, she went home. We didn't think Georgie, well, that is, I should explain a few things. First, I have to ask, it was you who tucked us in last night, wasn't it?"
"I hope you didn't think me presumptuous, but you both looked so comfortable, and I couldn't bear to wake you, not after the day you had."
"I also have to apologize for my rudeness to you last night. I believe I told you to leave me alone."
"I understand. And did you tell Miss Bennet to 'Go away' too?"
He smiled, "Yes, but she doesn't respect my orders as you do."
"Good for her," said Mrs. Reynolds, smiling. "She's a special lady, and I think-um, I know that I'm probably overstepping my bounds, but-"
"Bounds? What bounds? Mrs. R, do you honestly think we don't know that you run our lives? You do approve of Lizzy, don't you?"
"Approve? Do you really need my approval?"
"No, but I should like to have it all the same."
"Then, all I will say is this. She has brought a spark into your life. If you have an ounce of sense, you'll hang onto her."
Darcy leaned back in his chair and smiled. "I intend to."
"And what does she want?"
"I don't think she's as sure as I am. And I don't want to rush her. I also don't want to let Georgie know too much. This is one of the things that came up last night with Dr. Lucas. You see, Georgie has been tying to play matchmaker for Lizzy and me."
"I know."
"You, too?" Darcy let out an exaggerated sigh. "What, was it in the New York Times?"
"No, of course not. Last fall, she and Mr. Fitzwilliam were talking about setting up the two of you, and-"
"Last fall? I thought it started with New Year's!"
"New Year's?"
"Oh, never mind." He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. "I'll tell Georgie when she gets up."
"Tell me what?" Georgie scuffled into the kitchen and poured a mug of coffee. She yawned and stretched. "Man, I forgot how well those pills work. I slept for almost twelve hours!"
"Do you feel better?"
"I guess. I'm sorry for all the trouble and worry I caused yesterday." She flopped into a chair. Darcy reached over and took her hand.
"All forgiven. However, I do have a bone to pick with you on another matter."
"What?"
"Matchmaking."
Georgie looked at Mrs. Reynolds, who shook her head, "I didn't say anything."
"Dr. Lucas told us last night," explained Darcy. "She's concerned that you're setting yourself up to be disappointed."
"But you and Lizzy would be so-"
"If we would be, maybe we will be. As it turns out, Lizzy and I have gone out a few times." When he saw Georgie's face light up, he held up his hand and continued, "No more meddling. Leave us to our own devices, OK?"
Georgie nodded. She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Darcy continued, "Lizzy agrees with me. But there is one exception. If you need the pretense of setting us up in order to help set up Richard and Anne, that would be all right. But only if you tell us first. Got it?"
"Yes, Will. So then, you two really are OK after yesterday? You guys were so mad."
"People argue, Sweetie. It doesn't mean they hate each other. Unfortunately, Lizzy and I have rather hot tempers. I dread to think the tantrums-" he stopped before he could finish the sentence aloud, our children will have.
Georgie missed the unspoken idea, but Mrs. Reynolds didn't. She smiled as she got up and set about making breakfast, imagining how a high chair would look next to the kitchen table.
"Surprise! Look who I brought home with me!" called Jane as she entered the apartment. Lizzy looked up from the cookbook she was studying. She dropped it and ran to the door.
"Daddy!" She threw her arms around her father. "I didn't expect to see you!"
"Traffic is light on a holiday, so I drove Jane home. Plus, she had the spoils of a major mall crawl." He held up two shopping bags. Jane dug in one of them and pulled out a red box.
"Here," she said, handing Lizzy a red heart-shaped box, "As per your instructions, the usual post-Valentine Godivas."
"Huh," huffed Lizzy. "Only the six-ounce box? I've got better than that!" She pointed to a large red velvet box on the coffee table.
"Where did you get those?" asked Jane as they all sat down.
"You won't believe it, they're from Will."
"Who is this Will?" asked Mr. Bennet.
"Someone I've been seeing, Dad."
"But he didn't give you those on Valentine's Day, did he?"
"No, Jane. That's the funny part. I told him about our February 15th ritual, and he thought it was funny. So he went out on Friday and bought me a box of marked-down Godivas!"
Mr. Bennet looked at his two daughters, who were laughing hysterically. "I don't see why this is so hilarious."
"Oh, Dad," said Jane, "You would if you knew Will. He's very wealthy. The idea of Will Darcy shopping for bargains is so improbable."
Still giggling, Lizzy added, "He said he paid for the candy in cash because he didn't want anyone to find out that he bought sale candy. He said he'd never make another 'most eligible' list if word got out."
"Darcy?"
"Yes, Dad. Why?"
"Darcy, as in Darcy Industries?"
"Yes, so?"
"Lizzy, do you have any idea just how rich this man is?"
"No. What, did he make his money doing something shady?"
"Not at all. He runs one of the squeaky-cleanest companies around. You really don't know about him? My dear, I have to get you a subscription to the Wall Street Journal." He gave Lizzy a wicked grin, "Your mother will be so pleased."
"Noooo," Lizzy wailed. "Don't say anything. Please!"
"Wellll," he drawled, "My silence can be bought."
"How?"
"Take your old man out to lunch?"
"Deal! cried Lizzy, laughing. "Come on, Jane. Let's get this crazy man out of here."
Before they had buttoned their coats, the buzzer sounded.
Lizzy hit the intercom, "Yes?"
"Delivery for Miss Bennet."
"I'll be right there."
Lizzy ran to the front door and found a florist's deliveryman waiting for her. She took the arrangement back to the apartment and unwrapped it. While Jane admired the lilies, roses, and carnations, Lizzy opened the card.
THANK YOU!
P. C. F.*
Looking over her shoulder, Mr. Bennet asked, "Who is PCF? Another rich boyfriend?"
"No, I'm sure they're from Will, but..." Frowning, she turned the card over. In tiny letters, it read "*Paranoid Control Freak."
She laughed, "Yup, they're from Will." Seeing the confused look on her father's face, she sighed, "I'll explain over lunch. Let's go."
Mrs. Reynolds hit the intercom button, "Yes?"
"Miss Stevens is down here with some things for Miss Darcy."
"Send her up." Mrs. Reynolds walked into Georgie's room, "Your friend Kitty is here. I gather that she has the things you left at Chris's."
"Is anyone with her?"
"I don't think so. She's on her way up now."
"Tell her I'm taking a nap. Please? I don't want to see anyone."
"Now, Georgie, you can't avoid people like this."
"Please?"
"Very well." The housekeeper closed the bedroom door and approached Darcy's study. "Excuse me."
"Yes?" Darcy looked up from the book he was reading.
"Kitty is here with Georgie's things, and Georgie doesn't want to see her. I thought perhaps you might want to talk to Kitty?"
"Good idea, thank you."
By the time Mrs. Reynolds and Darcy opened the front door, Kitty was dragging Georgie's suitcase, boots, and skis out of the elevator. Darcy picked up the heavy things and invited Kitty in. He deposited Georgie's possessions in the hallway and led Kitty into the living room.
"How is she?" asked Kitty.
"Not as upset as yesterday. Feeling foolish and too embarrassed to see anyone. She said to say she's taking a nap, but she's in her room hiding."
"It was all a mistake, you know."
"Yes, Kitty, I know. So does Georgie, at least in part of her mind. But another part is not thinking so rationally. Tell me, is this Nikki as much of a threat as Georgie thinks?"
"Not really. But I can see why Georgie thinks so. I mean, if you could have seen the way that tramp looked in her skin-tight T-shirt. I can understand why it made Georgie feel, well, inadequate. And they were real, too." Kitty looked down and blushed. Darcy smiled.
"Aha, that explains the comment Georgie made to Dr. Lucas about putting 'Baywatch' babes to shame."
"But the thing is, Chris truly isn't interested in Nikki. He cares about Georgie. He respects her. He thinks she's special. He said that he wants more than just a-well, I can't use the word he used; it's vulgar and demeaning to women." She paused, then continued, "But it does apply to Nikki."
Darcy smiled, "Vulgar and demeaning to women-that sounds like something Anne would say."
"Oh, yeah. Women hate the word he used. Anyhow, what can I do to help Georgie?"
"There isn't much we can do. It's frustrating, I know. We can tell her all sorts of reassuring things, but she won't believe us. She's going to see her therapist tomorrow. And we'll just take it from there. I'll let you know if there's anything you can do."
They walked out into the hallway. Darcy glanced at Georgie's closed door. He thought of the night before, when Lizzy had refused to heed his command of "Go away." He turned to Kitty and smiled.
"Come on." He led Kitty to Georgie's door.
Worried, Kitty looked at him, "What should I say?"
"Whatever you want. You might go ahead and tell her that Chris called Nikki a-" He stopped short and Kitty looked at him in astonishment. He grinned and said, "I know all sorts of words I never use."
He knocked on the door, "Georgie, Kitty's here." He turned to Kitty and whispered "Go for it," and opened the door.
Over lunch, Lizzy finished telling the edited version of the previous day's adventures. In this version, Georgie had had a fight with her boyfriend, gone to Lizzy's, and Lizzy had taken her home. The argument with Will was reduced to almost nothing, and most of what had happened in the study was omitted, especially the part about spending the night on the sofa..
"Wow," said Jane. That makes my news flashes sound insignificant."
"What news?"
"First, Lydia finally got a starring role in a play."
"No kidding? Not the sassy kid sister part again?"
"No," laughed Mr. Bennet. "She's playing a dog."
"A dog? And this is a starring part?"
"Yes, it's a play called Sylvia, and she plays Sylvia, the dog."
"I've heard of this play and always wanted to see it," said Lizzy. "Sarah Jessica Parker was the original Sylvia, I believe. I'll definitely be home for that. Lydia must be excited."
"That's an understatement," he said dryly.
"Any other news?" asked Lizzy.
"Mary has a new boyfriend," said Jane.
"He isn't as rich as your boyfriend," teased Mr. Bennet.
"Dad!" whined Lizzy.
"But he is smart. He's a physics major."
"Really?"
"Yes, they met at the reception for the Dean's List. You did know she made Dean's List for the fall semester?"
Lizzy nodded and smiled, "So, did you point out to Mom that sometimes being brainy can land a girl a fella? More importantly, did you point it out to Lydia?"
"Lydia says if he's smart but going out with Mary, he's probably a geek."
Kitty left the apartment, and Georgie went looking for her brother. She found him in his study, sitting on the sofa, reading.
"Will?"
"Yes, Sweetie?"
"I was thinking, I really need to apologize to Dr. and Mrs. Carter. They were so nice, and it was rude of me to leave like that."
Still avoiding the issue of Chris, I see. "What did you have in mind?"
"I thought I would send some flowers to the house. I would have done it anyhow as a thank-you. What florist do you usually use? And you should probably send flowers to Lizzy, too."
He handed his sister a business card and smiled, "Been there, done that. You can call them and order over the phone. Just give them the account number on the card."
"You run a tab at a florist? I had no idea. Who are all these women you send flowers to?"
"To whom I send flowers, you mean."
"Whatever," she replied. Darcy was pleased to see a hint of humor returning.
"I send the flowers to us, mostly. We usually have some sort of flowers in the apartment. And we get plants for the roof in the summer. They don't grow themselves, you know."
"What should I order?"
"Since they won't go directly from our florist, they'll go by Interflora or one of those networks to a local florist. The easiest thing is to ask for a mixed arrangement and tell them a price. Or if you know Mrs. Carter's taste, you can order something specific."
"Thanks, Will." Georgie kissed her brother, then returned to her room to call the florist.
The phone on Darcy's desk rang, and he got up to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Will! It's Lizzy. I got your flowers. They're beautiful. Thank you so much!"
"Flowers? What flowers?"
"Oh, stop it, Will. I know they came from you. What other paranoid control freak would send me flowers?"
"I don't know. How many other paranoid control freaks do you know?"
"None! So that proves they're from you!"
"I'm glad you like them. They're such small things, really. Nothing I can do can repay you for all you did for us yesterday."
"Oh, Will. I wish there was something more I could do. Ouch!"
"What happened?"
"I'm sewing and I stuck my finger. You're too distracting."
"I guess I should hang up, then."
"Or I could put my sewing aside..."
Posted on Thursday, 7 March 2002
February 19
Georgie tapped her fingernails on the bedside table while she waited. Finally, Sharon came to the telephone.
"Sharon? It's Georgie Darcy. Sorry I had to call you on the hall phone. I didn't have your number."
"Georgie! Hi! Thanks for the notes, you're a lifesaver."
"You're welcome. Now I have to ask you to do me a favor. Please tell Dr. Michaels that I'm sick and can't come to class today. I'll have a doctor's note when I get back. Ask him when I can take the test."
"Sure thing. I'm sorry you're sick."
"Stomach bug," Georgie lied.
"Oh, yuck. I hope you feel better. I'll call you later and let you know what the old demon said."
"Thanks!"
Charlotte Lucas sat calmly in her chair, listening to Georgie's explanation of why she couldn't face Chris.
"Do you never want to see him again?"
"No! I just, um, that is, I'm not ready."
"What will a week do for you?"
"I don't know," she answered defensively. Charlotte recognized this attitude from Dr. Madison's description of Georgie's early days in his care.
"Georgie, if you won't see Chris, then write to him. You're still writing in your journal, yes?" Georgie nodded, and Charlotte continued, "Then write a side journal. Write an ongoing letter to him. Tell him each day what you're thinking and feeling. You need to tell him that if you have any hope of reaching an understanding about what happened."
"I don't know what to say."
"Write in your journal as usual. Then, when you read it over, choose whatever part of it to tell him. That will get you started."
"Then what?"
"Next week, we'll discuss giving it to him." Seeing the alarm on Georgie's face, Charlotte continued, "I'm not saying you have to give it to Chris. I'm hoping you'll feel ready to. We've talked about trust before. You trusted him with your secret. Trust him with your feelings now."
"I'll think about it."
"That's good. I'm going to call Chris and ask him not to try to see you this week, but to write to you just as you're writing to him. Is that all right?" Georgie nodded. Charlotte checked her watch. "Good. Time is up for today. I'll see you next week. Call me if you need to talk before then."
Will sat in his office, staring blankly at the spreadsheets in front of him. For the third time in five minutes, he checked his watch. He stared at the telephone, as if he could will it to ring. Finally, he picked it up and dialed.
"Lizzy Bennet."
"Hi, Lizzy."
"How are you today? And how is Georgie?"
"She should be finishing up her session any minute. I've been waiting for her to call, and I'm not getting any work done, so..."
"So as long as you're wasting time, you might as well waste it talking to me?"
"Lizzy! You know that isn't what I meant!"
She giggled, "I know. I just love feeding your paranoia."
"Now I don't feel so bad."
"About what?"
"About not seeing you this week. I think I'm going to stick close to home for the next few days, in case Georgie needs me. Maybe we can do something this weekend?"
"I'll check my busy calendar, and see if I can pencil you in."
"So, what, now you're feeding my insecurities?"
"Just trying to keep you off balance."
"My equilibrium hasn't been the same since the night I met you, Miss Bennet."
Georgie returned to the apartment, feeling a little better than she had when she left for her appointment. On the way home, she had stopped at a gift shop and bought a small blank book for her letter to Chris. If I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right.
Mrs. Reynolds heard Georgie come in and went to greet her.
"Hello, dear, how did it go?"
"Well, I guess. Are you baking?"
"Yes, your favorite brownies, loaded with everything."
"Ooh, even coconut?"
"Yes, even coconut. Come into the kitchen and see what arrived a little while ago."
A vase filled with daisies sat on the table.
"Oh! Did Will order those?"
"I don't think so. They aren't from our usual florist. There's a card, I believe."
Georgie looked at the envelope and bit her lip. It bore Chris's handwriting. She opened it and read the note.
Dear Georgie,I remember that you once said something about daisies being cheerful flowers. I thought you might be in need of something to cheer you up.
Call me when you're ready to talk.
Love,
Chris
Before Georgie could say anything about the daisies, her telephone rang. She sprinted into the bedroom.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Georgie, it's Sharon. How are you feeling?"
"Hmm? Oh, better. I guess it's a 24-hour thing."
"Well, you must lead a charmed life. Michaels postponed the test until next week."
"That fiend! He was just jerking us around about taking extra time on a holiday weekend."
"Tell me about it. That man needs to get a life, if you ask me."
"Torturing undergrads is his life, Sharon."
"Maybe we could report him to the Geneva Convention or something."
"Forget it. He'll explain it as some sort of character building experience."
"Yeah, whatever. See you on Thursday!"
After dinner, Georgie went to her room to study and write in her journals. Darcy was in the living room, reading, when Mrs. Reynolds told him that he had a telephone call.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mr. Darcy. This is Ellen Carter. I'm Chris's mother."
"Yes, Mrs. Carter. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I wanted to thank Georgie for the lovely flowers she sent. Your housekeeper said you might want to talk to me?"
"Georgie is terribly embarrassed about what happened. She isn't talking to many people, so Mrs. Reynolds probably thought it best to put me on the line."
"Your sister is a lovely young lady. My husband and I were quite impressed with how bright she is. I understand she wants to be a lawyer."
"Yes. Georgie is majoring in history, and intends to go to law school."
"Good for her. If you don't mind my asking, how is she? Chris says he hasn't talked to her, just to her doctor."
"It's hard to tell. I'm sure she will be all right, but for the moment, she's kind of retreating into her shell. I should call Chris and talk to him. I don't want him to feel that this is his fault. It isn't. It's the unfortunate collision of Georgie's insecurities and Chris's old girlfriend. Georgie still hasn't learned how to roll with life's punches."
"I'm afraid that Nikki packs quite a wallop. We're used to her, so it doesn't occur to us that she comes on strong. She isn't really as much of a tramp as Kitty thinks she is."
"Kitty was here yesterday. She seems to have some definite opinions on the subject of Nikki." Darcy stood up. "Let me take the phone to Georgie. It would be good for her to talk to you, if you have a few minutes."
"I'd like that."
Darcy walked to Georgie's door, knocked, and entered. He held out the phone.
"It's Mrs. Carter, calling to thank you for the flowers." He handed Georgie the telephone and left the room.
February 21
When Darcy stepped off the elevator in the lobby, the doorman greeted him with a smile and a small package.
"This was dropped off for you this morning, sir."
"Thank you." Darcy glanced at the return address on the padded envelope. It was from Lizzy.
Darcy stepped outside and got into a taxi. He gave the driver his aunt's address. Settling into the seat, he ripped open the envelope. Inside he found several handkerchiefs, tied together with a red ribbon. Curious, he untied the ribbon and unrolled the handkerchiefs.
He smiled as soon as he saw the monogram. "PCF" was stitched in an elegant script monogram. The design was so intricate that the casual observer might not even know that it was letters. He shook one open and gasped when he saw the corner opposite the monogram. There was a tiny wasp-and it had no stinger.
He pulled out his cell phone.
Lizzy Bennet.
"Lizzy! You are incredible! These handkerchiefs are wonderful! I know you embroidered them. Did you make up the design, too?"
"Have you opened one all the way?"
"Yes. I saw your signature. Very clever. I'm putting one in my pocket as we speak."
"I'm honored. How's Georgie?"
"Better. I left her writing in her journals. She has classes this afternoon, I think. Listen, how about Sunday? Brunch at my place? You, me, Georgie, the Sunday papers."
"Do you do the Times crossword?"
"Do I do the Times crossword? Madam, I do the puzzle in ink!"
"Ooh, aren't we smug! Unless you have a copier in your apartment, I'll have to bring my own copy of the magazine. In our home, I always get dibs on the puzzle."
"We could make it a race."
"You're on!"
"Good. Tell Jane that she is invited, too. I might ask Anne over. I haven't talked to her in a while."
"You and four women, no five, counting Mrs. R. You'll feel like you have a harem!"
"No, I don't want a harem, Lizzy. I'm a one-woman kind of guy." Before Lizzy could answer, he added, "I've just arrived at my aunt's home. I'll talk to you later."
As usual, the maid answered the door. She took Darcy's coat and showed him into his aunt's sitting room. On desk in front of her were several folders in a neat stack.
"Good morning, Aunt Catherine." He bent down and kissed her cheek.
"Good morning, William. Would you care for some coffee?"
"Thank you." He accepted the cup and took the chair across the desk from his aunt.
"Before we start, William, I want to tell you how lovely your flowers were."
"Excuse me? What flowers?"
"Why, the ones you sent Anne."
"I didn't-"
"For Valentine's Day."
"Aunt Catherine, I didn't send Anne flowers."
"It must have been you, dear. Although, for the life of me I can't see why you used a florist in St. Louis."
"St. Louis? I haven't been in St. Louis in over a year."
"Oh, not St. Louis. New Orleans. Your uncle said something about the flowers coming from the saints, so I thought St. Louis."
"The Saints are the New Orleans football team, Aunt Catherine." He stopped speaking. New Orleans? Richard was in New Orleans last week. And Anne was distracted when I mentioned that. Well, I'll be-"
"William!"
"Sorry, Aunt Catherine. My mind drifted for a moment. All I can tell you is that I did not send the flowers, and I don't know of anyone who knows Anne and lives in New Orleans." Well, that wasn't a lie, he told himself. Richard doesn't LIVE in New Orleans.
Catherine deBourgh frowned and picked up a folder. She could not imagine why Darcy would deny sending Anne the flowers. Still, she thought, it had to be him. She scrutinized him as he leafed through one of the files he had brought with him.
"William! What on earth is on that handkerchief? If it's a monogram, it's badly done. I can't make out your initials."
"Oh, it's an abstract design. A gift from a friend."
"Abstract!" she huffed. "Abstract means the designer didn't have the talent to make it look like something real."
He sighed, "Yes, Aunt Catherine," and made a mental note to tell Lizzy about that remark.
Georgie spent her week studying, writing in her journal, and avoiding Chris. She told everyone she was fine, but Darcy could see that she was becoming too much like the girl who had moved out of Boston last summer. Sunday, he thought. A good dose of Lizzy will do wonders.
February 24
Lizzy and Jane were the last to arrive. Darcy greeted them at the door, with a kiss on the cheek for Jane, and a more lingering kiss for Lizzy.
Jane held out a broad, flat object wrapped in foil. "Moravian sugar cake. Lizzy and I made it this morning. It's loaded with butter, I'm afraid. Very decadent."
"Did I hear decadent?" came a voice from the hallway.
"Anne!" cried Lizzy. "It's good to see you."
"Come into the living room," said Darcy. "I'll take this to the kitchen so that Mrs. R can cut it."
Jane sat in a chair. Lizzy sat on the floor next to Georgie. "How are you doing?" she asked softly.
"Better, I think."
"Good. Are you in on the puzzle race?"
"What's that?" asked Anne.
"Lizzy and I are going to do the Times puzzle at the same time to see who's faster. I made extra copies if anyone's interested."
"Why not?" said Anne. "But I am not so arrogant as to do it in ink."
Lizzy giggled, and Darcy scowled at Anne.
Mrs. Reynolds brought in fresh coffee and the sugar cake. Darcy poured mimosas for the new arrivals. Lizzy moved to sit with Darcy on the sofa.
Wait a minute!" said Anne. "No cheating on this puzzle thing!
"OK, when we do the puzzle, I'll move to the other end of the sofa."
"Jane," interrupted Georgie, "Have you read Charles's column today? Listen to this:
An Ungracious Host
Charles BingleyDid anyone else notice something odd about the broadcast of the skating exhibition Friday night? All medal winners are invited to perform in exhibition, but the network chose to show only those skaters who were Americans or gold medalists. The exhibition is not judged, and there are no medals to be won. The skaters do this to say "Thank You for inviting us and letting us compete." The networks didn't say "You're Welcome." Badly done, XBC.
Still, the broadcast did bring us both gold-medal winning pairs teams. And in the finale, the two pairs skated together briefly, in a show of what Olympic participation is all about. It reminded me of the Olympics when the gold and silver pairs teams split up at the Olympics and the man from the gold team skated with the woman from the silver team at exhibition.
And if anyone had doubts about the talents of Sarah Hughes, her exquisite performances..."*
"Well said!" Anne declared when Georgie finished reading. "I did wonder why some of those skaters didn't perform. And then I saw them in the finale. Not showing everyone who exhibited is disgraceful."
"Yes, I talked to Charles on Saturday. He didn't realize that the broadcast was incomplete until he went to check something on the tape. He called me to ask if I had noticed, and we talked about it." Jane blushed, "He says talking to me helps him write his column."
"That's so nice, Jane," Georgie smiled wistfully. She reached for a second piece of the sugar cake. "Mmm, I love cinnamon. Where did you learn to make this, Jane?"
"Our aunt and uncle went to Old Salem, in North Carolina, and brought me back a Moravian cookbook."
Anne turned to Lizzy, and noticed the pin on her sweater. "Hey, Lizzy, I like that pin. Is that a bee?"
"It's a wasp."
"But it doesn't have a stinger."
"No, it doesn't. It's a Shakespearean wasp."
"Of course Shakespeare was a WASP. White, Anglo-Saxon-"
"Not that kind of wasp, Anne. 'If I be waspish best beware my sting.' is the line."
"Oh, yes, that's from 'Shrew.' And then there's something about plucking it out?"
"Right."
"Ah."Oh, ho. So Darce is taming his shrew?
Georgie listened to this exchange, then glanced at her brother, who was making an effort to look disinterested. Hmm, just few dates? I bet that pin came from Will, but why a wasp? They didn't do that dialogue at the party. There's more going on than people are telling me.
"All right," said Darcy, eager to change the subject. "It's puzzle time. Ladies, start your pencils!"
*See Annie's skating story, "Kiss and Cry" for Charles's reference to an earlier Olympics