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Posted on Wednesday, 3 April 2002
March 21
Lizzy sat perfectly still, hoping that it would make her less visible. She looked around furtively to see if the man she was supposed to meet was in the bar. No, there was only one unattached man, and he was standing in the doorway.
Lizzy stared into her wine glass, trying to figure out what to do next. He crossed the room and stood behind her. He bent down and picked up her purse.
"I believe you dropped this."
"Will! I thought we agreed, no spying. Don't you trust me?"
"It isn't that, Lizzy."
"Well, that's what it feels like. And what's supposed to happen when this guy shows up? He'll think I picked you up while I was waiting for him, and he'll go away. And then he'll tell my uncle, who'll think I'm a loose woman who picks up the first guy who walks into a bar!"
"I'm sure your uncle wouldn't think that."
"This friend of his might."
"No he wouldn't. You don't look like a loose woman." He eyed the pink blouse. "You're all buttoned up to your chin. And you're wearing hardly any jewelry. Or makeup, come to think of it-not that you wear a lot normally, but you look, um, subdued."
"That was the idea. I didn't want this guy to think I got dressed up just to meet him."
"You're playing Marian the Librarian to put him off?"
"I guess you could put it that way."
"I see that you wore the wasp pin."
"Yes, I thought it would be a way to work the word boyfriend into the conversation. I have no intention of giving this guy the wrong impression, Will. So go away and I'll meet you in an hour."
"So you're going to sit here all by yourself for an hour?"
"What do you mean?"
"I hired a thug to stand outside and check out the men who head for this bar. If they aren't wearing wedding rings or with a woman, they can't get in."
"Will! Don't be silly!"
"Is it silly to afraid you'll like someone else better?"
"I won't."
"What if he's rich and handsome and everything you've always wanted in a man?"
"Not possible."
"Why not?"
"Two reasons. First, I don't think that I could find out that a man is EVERYTHING I want in just one hour in his company."
"And the second reason?"
"Because no woman can expect to find that twice in one lifetime."
Darcy dropped onto the stool next to Lizzy's. The bartender approached and Darcy ordered whisky.
"Will! I thought you were leaving."
"Did you mean that?" He looked at her intensely. "Lizzy, when you said you couldn't find that twice in a lifetime, did you mean that you had found what you want already?"
Lizzy leaned forward and put her hand on his arm. She whispered, "I am not looking to replace you, Will."
Darcy took a sip of his single malt and looked down at Lizzy's hand, still resting on his arm. He shook his head. "You may want to take those words back when I tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Your blind date, um..."
"Not the story about the thug, Will."
"No, he doesn't exist."
"What, the thug? I knew that."
"No, your date."
"Nonsense, my uncle wouldn't set me up with a phantom."
"Not a phantom, an impostor of sorts."
"I don't understand."
Darcy took a deep breath and said, "I'm your date, Lizzy. I saw your picture in your uncle's office, I said how pretty you looked, and then the next thing I knew, I was having this conversation with your uncle, asking him to introduce us. I knew it was you in the picture. I don't know why I acted like I didn't know you. I was mesmerized by your picture and not in control of my wits."
"This doesn't make sense."
"I know. It's entirely irrational. I never play games like this, Lizzy. I almost told you right away."
"Why didn't you? Was this some sort of test to see if I'd be honest and tell you about it?"
"No! Lizzy, I trust you. I don't know why I didn't tell you the truth sooner. I hoped you'd think it was funny."
"So this is a practical joke? A test of my sense of humor?"
"No, it's not a joke and it's not a test."
"Then what is it?"
"This is hard to explain. Seeing your picture that day was a surprise. It made me think that knowing your uncle might have led me to you. I suddenly felt that we were meant to meet. If not through Georgie, then through your uncle. I was-now this is going to sound crazy-I was curious about this other path that would lead me to you. Like it was some kind of destiny I had to fulfill."
"Destiny?"
"I can't think of a better word, so yes, destiny."
"Will have you ever seen the movie 'Sliding Doors'?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"In this movie, we see two different versions of the character's lives, all based on a single moment that had two possible outcomes, leading to two nearly parallel lives."
"And?"
"And, the thing is, the characters that were meant to be together ended up together in both scenarios. Either way, they meet in an elevator, and he makes a joke, and well, it's destiny."
Darcy took Lizzy's hand in his. He smiled, "Destiny calls, Lizzy. So in this parallel life, we've met in the bar, and now I ask you if you'd like to go to dinner."
"And I say 'yes,' because in this version, I don't have a prearranged date with a boyfriend?"
"That's right, Ms Bennet." He stood and held up her coat to help her into it. She smiled at him.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
"Jane, the phone is working, it's plugged in, it isn't off the hook. She'll call."
"I know, Charles, but I'm worried. This whole set-up thing is odd. I called Aunt Maddie about it, but she didn't know anything. She thinks Uncle Ed is losing his mind."
"Lizzy is a grownup. She'll be fine."
Ring! Jane lunged at the telephone. Caller ID told her that it was Lizzy.
"Lizzy!"
"Hello, Jane."
"How did it go?"
"Fine. I'm on my way to dinner with Will."
"What about the guy?"
"Mmm, tall, dark, and handsome. He's got a weird karma kind of thing going, though."
Jane could hear a man's laughter. "Lizzy, are you with this guy now or with Will?"
"Yes."
"Both?" asked Jane. She and Charles exchanged astonished glances.
"Will was my blind date, Jane."
"What?"
"Don't shriek in my ear like that Jane. I'll explain later. Bye!"
Jane set the phone down and turned to Charles. "You'll never believe this!" she breathed.
As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, Lizzy excused herself to go to the ladies' room. Once inside, she unbuttoned the top button of the pink blouse, and took out the clips that had held her hair back. She brushed her hair, put on a touch more blush, and dug a pair of earrings out of her purse.
Darcy smiled when he saw Lizzy return. Now she looked like herself. As they were shown to the table, he asked, "Would you have made those adjustments for your blind date?"
"I only dressed that way because of us. If I hadn't been seeing anyone, I'd have gone looking more like this."
After they were seated, Lizzy said brightly, "So, Mr. Darcy, how do you know my uncle?"
"His company manages my building. He was a great help with the need for increased security after last September. Tell me about your uncle's boat, Ms Bennet."
They spend the rest of the time at dinner chatting as if they had just met. They were surprised at the number of old family stories they hadn't already told each other. By some sort of unspoken agreement, they told only funny stories, and steered clear of tragedy or complicated feelings.
After they left the restaurant, Darcy hailed a taxi and gave the driver his address. When they arrived, the doorman greeted them and they got into the elevator. Darcy took a step toward Lizzy.
"You know, Mr. Darcy," she said rapidly, "I don't normally go to a man's apartment on the first date."
"I understand. I thought you might like to see the view from the penthouse."
"I just don't want you to get the wrong idea."
"Of course not, Ms Bennet. Here we area." He unlocked the door and held it for Lizzy. He took her coat and hung it next to his in the closet.
"There's a powder room just there, if you want to freshen up."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
While Lizzy was in the powder room, Darcy found Mrs. Reynolds and let her know that he was home and that he wouldn't need anything for the rest of the evening. He was waiting in the living room when Lizzy emerged from the powder room.
"Ah, Ms Bennet. This is the living room. As you can see, in warmer weather, we sit out on the terrace. Doesn't the city look lovely from up here?"
"Indeed it does."
"Can I get you something to drink? A brandy, perhaps?"
"No thank you. I'm quite full from dinner."
"Oh, Ms Bennet, I'm sorry. I wouldn't want you to think that I'm trying to get you intoxicated."
Lizzy looked up at Darcy. He was doing his best to look serious, but his dimples gave him away. She smiled sweetly and asked if she might have a tour of the apartment.
"Certainly. You've seen the living room. Across the hall, here, is my study."
"Mmm, a very masculine retreat. And so many books!"
"My sister and I are great readers."
"Do you take pleasure in anything else?"
"Oh, yes, Ms Bennet, I take pleasure in a great many things. Here is the dining room."
"What an elegant chandelier."
"And at the end of the hall is the kitchen. My housekeeper's rooms are off the kitchen."
"I see."
"My sister's room is over there, two more bedrooms are down that hall, and this is the master bedroom." He gestured toward the open door. Lizzy had seen his room before, as she had seen the entire apartment on her many visits. But she continued in character. Although she had walked into the study and dining room, she stood at the door of his bedroom and merely peeked in.
"My, what a large room. And what a large bed."
"Yes, it's very comfortable."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry, Ms Bennet, I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"It's just that I don't, I mean, not on a first date."
He leaned against the doorframe and smiled, "No, of course not. Is there any particular number of dates or length of time?"
Lizzy smiled back. She gave up on staying in character. Slipping her arms around his neck, she said, "I don't know, Will. How many dates have we been on?"
He put his arms around her waist and kissed her. Then he said, "I don't know. We might try to count them. Let's see, we met on Halloween."
"Doesn't count." She gave him a wicked grin. "We didn't like each other then."
"Then, um, I saw you at the balloon inflation."
"Doesn't count. You had to leave almost as soon as we ran into each other."
"Tree lighting?" he asked hopefully.
"Semi-date. We were with Georgie and company."
"I suppose the Christmas party doesn't count, since there were lots of people there?"
"You didn't invite me as your date, just as a guest, so that doesn't count."
"New Years! Now don't say that doesn't count because it was sort of an accident."
"New Years counts," Lizzy said solemnly.
"And Twelfth Night counts, too," he added, after he kissed her. They continued listing dates. Finally, he said, "Let's just say we've been on more than twenty and fewer than one hundred."
"That would be accurate."
"So," he said, nuzzling her neck, "Is twenty enough?"
"Enough for what?" she whispered, running her fingers through his curls.
"Enough for this!" He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. He set her down gently and sat next to her.
"Mr. Darcy! This is highly improper!" Seeing his look of disappointment, she added, "Shouldn't we close the door first?
Posted on Wednesday, 3 April 2002
March 22
Lizzy woke and stretched. She rolled over to discover that the other side of the bed was unoccupied. She could hear water running in Darcy's bathroom. Yawning, she sat up in bed, pulling the quilt up to cover herself. She studied the pattern of the quilt and recognized it as the one that Mrs. Reynolds had put over them the night they had fallen asleep on the sofa in Darcy's study.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Will! You startled me."
"Sorry. I woke up early and you looked so angelic, I couldn't wake you. I thought I'd shower early and leave the bathroom for you when you got up." Darcy sat beside her on the bed and kissed her. Then he continued, "I didn't know how much time you'd need to get ready to go. Judging by my sister's rituals, I gather that women like to take possession of the bathroom, and then it becomes no-man's land."
"I'm not a bathroom hog. I can't be, since I share with Jane."
He reached out and took a lock of Lizzy's hair in his fingers. Playing with it, he smiled, "Beautiful and not a bathroom hog. Can a man get any luckier?"
Lizzy giggled, "How lucky did you have in mind?"
Some time later, Darcy looked at the clock and said, "I don't want to make you late for work. I'll just, um take a very quick rinse and then the shower is all yours." He paused, "Unless you'd like to accompany me now?"
"No thank you. The whole northeast is in a drought, and they're probably going to announce water-use restrictions soon."
"Well, haven't you heard the saying, 'Save water, shower with a friend'?"
"Yeah, well, that's fine if all you're going to do is shower. I fear you're too, um, distracting, and we'll stay in there too long."
True to his word, Darcy was out of the bathroom quickly.
"Two minutes, five gallons," he grinned." He was partly dressed, so he handed Lizzy his robe. "Your turn."
She slipped on the robe and looked around the room. "Where's my clothing?"
"I gave your skirt and blouse to Mrs. R to press. The jacket looked OK to me, but she said she might steam it a bit." Seeing the look of alarm on Lizzy's face he said, "What's wrong?"
"Mrs. R! What is she going to think?"
He chuckled, "Just what you think she thinks. And if the smile on her face was any indication, she's delighted. Go shower, and I'll get your clothes."
Lizzy was about to get out of the shower when Darcy knocked on the bathroom door.
"Room service, ma'am."
"Thank you, just leave it on the door, young man."
"Very good, ma'am."
Lizzy was still laughing as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a huge, fluffy bath towel. She turned to inspect her clothes when she noticed the mug on the counter. Room service included delivery of coffee, just the way she liked it. Mmmm, I could get used to this!
Lizzy finished dressing and looked at herself in the mirror. She would have to make do with the small amount of makeup she carried in her purse. But her hair was a problem. The little brush in her purse would never do the job.
She peeked into the dining room, where the table was set for two, but Darcy was not there. She could hear his voice coming from the study. Since he was on the telephone, she decided to ask Mrs. Reynolds. She took a timid step into the kitchen.
"Excuse me?"
"Good morning, Miss Bennet!"
"Good morning. Thanks so much for pressing my clothes. I was wondering if it would be all right to borrow a hairbrush and maybe a scrunchie or something from Georgie. My hair..."
"Certainly, just help yourself. There are always hair things lying around on her dressing table and in her bath. Come, let's see what we can find."
Lizzy found a brush and started the process of taming her curls. Mrs. Reynolds was still smiling broadly at her. Lizzy blushed.
"Now, don't be embarrassed, Miss Bennet. I am so happy for the two of you."
Lizzy stopped brushing her hair and turned to the housekeeper. "Thank you," she said softly.
Mrs. Reynolds closed the distance between them and gave Lizzy an impulsive hug. "Thank you!" When she stepped back, she continued, "You have been so good for both of my children. They have not been this happy for a long time. I know, I call him Mr. Darcy, I have done ever since his father died. But I've known him since he was a child, and in my heart he is still Master William."
Lizzy smiled, and Mrs. Reynolds continued, "I think you should know that you're the first woman he has ever brought home for the night. I know that he has had girlfriends in the past, but the relationships always took place away from his home. He has never let a woman into his life so completely."
The two women stood looking at each other with tears in their eyes. They furtively blinked the tears away when they heard a cough.
"You two talking about me?"
"Of course!" said Mrs. Reynolds. As she left the room, she said, "Breakfast will be served in five minutes."
Darcy stood behind Lizzy. He looked at her face in the mirror as he slid his arms around her waist. "Hmm, five minutes."
Lizzy wriggled out of his grasp. "It will take all of that for me to do my hair." She paused, then continued, "She loves you very much, you know."
"Yes, I know. She was widowed young and has no children of her own. Georgie and I are the children she never had. And we think of her as our fairy godmother. There's nothing she wouldn't do for us, but we try not to ask for too much. Our parents brought us up not to take service for granted."
Lizzy turned away from the mirror and faced Darcy, "You're a good man, William Darcy, you know that?"
"You make me want to be a better one, Lizzy. I guess that's what loving someone does to you." Darcy kissed her softly, then whispered, "I love you, Lizzy."
"Oh, Will. I love you, too."
Georgie finished breakfast and returned to the quest room to find the book she had been reading. The sun was pouring in the window, so she curled up on the window seat and opened the book. She hadn't read ten pages when her cell phone rang. She ran across the room and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Georgie! How are you?"
"Chris! Hi! I'm great."
"Are you still in Connecticut?"
"Yes, I'm going home tomorrow. Erica and Aunt Sue and I have run out of shopping malls."
"That's my girl, queen of the charge card. Can we get together on Saturday night? You can pick the movie."
"That sounds fine. By the way, keep the 28th open. Will wants to have a surprise party for Lizzy's birthday."
"OK, I'll mark my calendar. I got back yesterday and today I'm off to the lab to study with Sandy. We have a big practical coming up, and we're going to spend the morning quizzing each other on microscope work. We call it "name that slide!"
"That sounds like fun-not! When you see Sandy, tell him hello from me, and remind him that he and Kitty are invited to the party, too. Make sure he knows it's a surprise."
"Right. I'll see you Saturday night. I miss you!"
"Miss you, too. Bye, Chris."
Darcy insisted on driving Lizzy to work. As they waited in traffic, he reached over and took her hand in his. She smiled at him, and was about to speak when the light changed and the driver behind them felt it necessary to use the horn to remind Darcy that it was time to move. Reluctantly, he dropped her hand and returned his attention to driving.
Lizzy looked at Darcy and giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"You. If you could see the grin on your face. You'll have to find a more serious look, Will, or people are going to ask you questions."
"Don't you like it when I smile?"
"Oh, yes! You're always handsome, but you're devastating when you smile."
"Devastating? I like that!" Darcy tried to catch a glimpse of his reflection in the rear-view mirror.
"Just don't go around devastating any other women, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am. Any other orders?"
"No, just a question. What are you going to tell my uncle?"
"What do you mean?"
"When you talk to him, what are you going to say about the blind date?'
"Why would I tell him?"
"When a friend sets you up on a date, you are supposed to call the friend and tell how it went."
"Really?"
Lizzy sighed, "Yes, really! William Darcy, you have no clue, do you? You've never asked anyone to set you up, have you? There are protocols to follow. Uncle Ed is going to call one or the other of us to ask how the date went. Oh, God, I hope he didn't call the apartment last night!"
"Hmm, that would be awkward. Well, if he did and found out you weren't home, I guess I'll just have to call him and say, 'Thanks for setting me up with Lizzy. Oh, by they way I slept with her last night.' It could be worse. It could be your father I have to talk to."
"Will!"
"You're the one who knows the rules for this sort of thing. Tell me what I'm supposed to say."
"I think you had better confess that you knew me already. No point in pretending and have to explain it later. I guess you could say that you did it for a practical joke. It's a little early for April fools, but it's a simple explanation."
"All right. If he calls, that's what I'll tell him."
"If he calls? He'll call-unless you call him first."
"How do you know?"
Lizzy laughed, "Aunt Maddie will be dying to know about it."
"Then why can't she call you?"
"She probably will, but then she'll want Uncle Ed to get your side of the story."
"Is this all part of the protocol?" He furrowed his brow.
"Yes. Don't look cross. You're the one who involved my relatives. That's the most complicated version of the set-up protocol."
"Hmph. This is the last time I ask anyone to set me up!"
I certainly hope so! thought Lizzy.
Darcy pulled up to the 79th Street entrance. Lizzy smiled and said, "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Darcy."
"My pleasure, Ms Bennet." He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. "See you tonight?"
"I'll be home as-Sorry! I mean, I'll be there as soon as I can after work."
"Don't apologize. Mi casa es su casa. Have a good day, Lizzy."
"It's been good so far! See you tonight, Will."
Lizzy got out of the car and closed the door. As Darcy pulled away, Lizzy saw her sister approaching.
"Lizzy!"
"Jane!" Lizzy flung herself at her sister and gave her a big hug. Stopped at the traffic light at the end of the block, Darcy glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw the two women excitedly embracing and chattering.
Well, there's another person who knows, he thought.
Anne checked her email and was surprised to receive one from Darcy. The subject was "Shhh!" Curious, she clicked on it and read the message.
Don't tell anyone, but Thursday is Lizzy's birthday! Georgie and Jane and I are organizing a surprise party, and you're invited to join the fun.Jane will bring Lizzy to my apartment around 7:30, so guests should arrive by 7:00. No gifts! Your presence is present enough.
RSVP via email.
Anne smiled at the idea of a surprise party. It wasn't like Darcy to enjoy spontaneity like that. Lizzy was working wonders with him. She thought for a moment, then clicked on "reply."
You can count on me to keep my mouth shut about this. Sounds like a wonderful idea. But are you serious about no gifts? I just had an idea of something that would be perfect for Lizzy and you can't talk me out of it.See you on Thursday!
Anne clicked on "send" and picked up the telephone. She flipped through her rolodex and dialed a number.
"Design, this is Niles."
"Niles, darling, you'll never guess who this is."
"Anne, my treasure, I'd know your voice anywhere. How are you?"
"I am just fine. I need a favor. I'd like to borrow some of your design sketches."
"Ooh, don't tell me the museum wants to do a show of my work!"
"Sweetie darling, you know I don't mount shows."
"No, you just clean up musty old paintings, I know. So what do you want with my humble renderings?"
"I'd like to copy one, with your permission, of course. Or maybe do a collage. I'm not quite sure. Let's discuss it over lunch. I'm buying!"
"Then I'll be there. Kiss, kiss!"
Darcy turned the velvet box over and over in his hands while he waited for someone to answer the telephone.
"Edward Gardiner's office."
"Hello, this is William Darcy. Is Ed available?"
"Just one moment, sir."
While he listened to "hold" music, Darcy fidgeted with the velvet box.
"William! How are you?"
"Hello, Ed. I'm well. How are you?"
"Fine, fine. So, did you meet my niece last night?"
"Yes, I did. But I have to confess, I'd met her before."
"I don't follow."
"I've been dating Lizzy for a few months now. I was so surprised by the picture, that I got this notion that it would be funny if I could surprise her on a blind date. Ed, you know me, and you know I'm not some kind of lunatic. I don't know what came over me. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for setting up the date, even if it wasn't necessary."
"You know, Lizzy wasn't keen on the blind date. She said that she had a perfectly good boyfriend, and she didn't think he'd be too happy about this. Tell me, was she furious when she found out?"
"No. She thought it odd, but fortunately, her sense of humor kicked in and we went on with our evening, um, very nicely."
"As long as you're both happy, all's well, eh?"
"Just so. As you know, Lizzy's birthday is next week."
"Yes."
"I want to have a surprise party for her on Thursday night, and I'd like you and your wife to come. Your daughter is welcome to come, too."
"She's away at school, but Maddie and I would be delighted. Just tell me the details and we'll be there."
Lizzy leaned back in her desk chair, remembering the previous evening. She was doodling little hearts on a piece of scratch paper when the telephone rang.
"Lizzy Bennet."
"Hi, Lizzy, it's your nosy aunt, checking up on you."
"Aunt Maddie! I had a feeling you'd call. I tried to explain it to Will, but I don't think he understands how the whole set-up thing works.'
"So, if you're calling him 'Will,' I take it the date went well."
"Yes, but actually, I already knew him."
"But your uncle said he wanted to meet you."
"Will's sense of humor can be a bit odd. He saw my picture in Uncle Ed's office and it struck him that if he'd seen the picture without knowing me, he'd have wanted to meet me. Then he got this notion of a blind date, and, well..."
"I suppose I understand."
"It was weird at first. I mean, can you imagine sitting and waiting for your blind date and your boyfriend walks in? Thank goodness I had already told Will about the blind date. Although he could have told me then. But I guess that would have ruined the joke. Anyway, we had a chuckle over it, and went on with our evening."
"As long as you had a nice evening."
"Oh, yes, Aunt Maddie, very nice."
"Are you going to bring him to Easter dinner?"
"No, I don't think so. I'm not sure the relationship is ready to be tested by the whole family. Although, he has met the worst of us. He and his cousin helped me get Lydia out of jail last weekend."
"Yes, Jane told me about that. She just said that you and some friends collected Lydia, and that Lydia went home very hung over on Sunday."
"VERY hung over. It will be interesting to see if she's more subdued now that she's on house arrest."
"Well, I'll let you get back to work. See you on Easter, Lizzy."
Darcy was staring at a budget forecast but not reading it. His desk was piled with papers, but he couldn't concentrate on any of them. He was still amazed at the way the previous evening had gone. After being afraid Lizzy would be furious, he was relieved that she had believed his explanation about destiny. Even now, when he thought it over, he couldn't believe how hokey it sounded. Yet he had meant every word. And somehow, she had believed him.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam to see you, Mr. Darcy."
"Thank you. Send him in."
"Darce! Got your email this morning. I knew I'd be in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop by and RSVP in person."
"Hello, Richard! How are you?"
"I'm fine. And I don't have to ask how you are. You look disgustingly happy."
"I am disgustingly happy."
"This isn't an 'I just bought out another company' smile."
"No."
"And it isn't an 'I just won a proxy fight' smile."
"No."
And it's a little early for it to be an 'I just got a huge refund from the IRS' smile."
"No. Better."
"Better? Then it's a 'something to do with Lizzy' smile?"
Darcy's smile got even wider.
"Finally! Anne and Georgie and I have worked hard for this, you know."
"Hmph! Somehow I thought this had to do with Lizzy and me."
"Have you told Georgie?"
"No. She's still up in Greenwich. She gets home tomorrow."
"Ah, well, count me in on the party. Sounds like fun. By the way, you know about Sunday, don't you?"
"What about it?"
"Georgie wants to invite some of her friends to watch the Oscars on my big-screen TV. I may need to take refuge with you if the discussion of gowns and coiffures gets to be too much for me."
"Sure, Richard. I have some westerns on DVD. My television isn't as big as yours, but at least we won't have to wonder if the Duke's chaps are Versace or Prada."
After lunch, Darcy checked his email. He was pleased to hear from Anne. Then he read the Knightley's response. As long as they didn't have a babysitter problem, they would be there. Things were shaping up nicely. He reached for his telephone and dialed Lizzy's office number.
"Lizzy Bennet."
"Hello there, Ms Bennet."
"Hello, Mr. Darcy. Can you hang on a moment?"
He listened to a scuffling noise followed by a thud.
"There! Just wanted to shut my door. I miss you!"
"Mmm, miss you, too. I wanted to check your plans for next week."
"I don't think I have anything scheduled. Let me check my calendar."
Darcy could hear the sound of flipping pages.
"The only thing on the schedule is dinner with Jane on Thursday."
"Then we'll have to think of some things to do on the other evenings. Maybe we should see about tickets to a play. I don't think Caroline Bingley is going to spring for another pair of opera tickets soon."
"Oh, Sunday is the 24th. That's Oscar night. We could watch that together. I should write that down before I forget."
"Lizzy, are you still using a paper calendar?"
"Yes, I have the little notebook kind. Why?"
"I thought you might have a Palm or a Blackberry."
"No, I'm a low-tech girl. Only big important executives like you have those toys."
"So you're impressed with my executive status?"
"Oh, Will, there are many reasons for me to be impressed with you. Your executive status is not at the top of the list, however."
"And what is?"
"Tell you tonight!"
"I can't wait. Um, Lizzy, I think I should pick you up, um, in case you want to bring some things with you. You know, if you want to stay the night, that is."
"Of course I want to stay. I suppose you don't want me to shock Carlton by waltzing in the front door with a suitcase?"
"How big is this suitcase?"
"Actually, I thought about this already. It's more like a Duane Reede bag. I was going to buy a spare hairbrush, toothbrush, things like that. You know, rather than tote things back and forth. Is that all right?"
"Excellent idea! Call me when you're ready and I'll pick you up."
Lizzy packed the items she needed into a tote bag. Somehow, that seemed less conspicuous than a suitcase. She had just checked the contents for the third time when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock and smiled. Darcy wasn't due to pick her up for fifteen minutes-he must be eager to see her.
She ran out of her bedroom, only to find that it was Charlotte at the door.
"Hi, Lizzy! Just wanted to stop off with my contact info, and to let you know that I fed Sigmund, so he's fine for the night."
"Oh, right, you're going away for the weekend. I almost forgot."
"You will be able to take care of Sigmund for me, won't you?" asked Charlotte.
"Sure, no problem. Siggy and I will be fine. Where are you going?"
"Boston."
"Visiting that old college chum again?"
"Right."
"Well, have fun."
Charlotte smiled, "I intend to."
After Charlotte left, Lizzy said, "Jane, can you check on Siggy if I'm late tomorrow morning?"
"Sure. Charles is out at some basketball game tonight, so I'll be home."
"Oh, Jane, I hate to leave you on your own."
"Don't be silly, Lizzy. I'll see Charles tomorrow. Anyway, how many times have he and I gone out, leaving you all alone?" Jane hugged her sister. "I'm so happy for you, Lizzy."
The buzzer sounded, and Lizzy answered.
"Will?"
"Yes."
"Be right out!" Lizzy grabbed her purse and tote bag and ran out of the apartment.
Posted on Tuesday, 9 April 2002
March 23
Lizzy slid out of bed and found Darcy's robe on the foot of the bed. She noticed the champagne glass on the bedside table and smiled. The little bit of wine left had gone flat, but the feeling of celebration was still there. As she walked to the window, she glanced back at Darcy. He was smiling, as if he were having pleasant dreams.
She pushed open the drape just enough to look out. She never tired of looking at the lights. The city that never sleeps, she thought.
"Lizzy? Are you all right?"
"Mmm, couldn't be better. I didn't mean to disturb you. I woke up and wanted to look at the view. The other night you said I'd like the view from up here."
"So I did. I must say I like the view from here."
"Will! I must look ridiculous. Your robe is way too big for me."
"You look beautiful. Come back to bed, it's the middle of the night."
Lizzy let the drape fall back into place and returned to the bed. Dropping the robe back where she found it, she slid into bed next to Darcy. As she snuggled next to him, he wrapped his arm around her and sighed.
"That's a big sigh, Mr. Darcy."
"A sigh of contentment. I don't think I've ever been this happy in my entire life."
"Me either."
Jane ran up the stairs to Charlotte's apartment and let herself in.
"Good morning, Sigmund! Here kitty, kitty."
Sigmund Freud stalked up to Jane, turned around, and trotted to his dish.
"Oh, poor kitty, it habs nuffin to eat. Jane fix you nice breffast."
Sigmund, who was not really a morning cat, stared at her. Why couldn't humans just get on with the food preparation and skip the chatter?
Jane picked up the empty dish, put it in the sink, and proceeded to fill a clean dish.
"Mmm," she said as she set the dish on the floor. "Nummy breffast! Lucky kitty."
Sigmund ignored Jane and paid full attention to his breakfast. He was still eating when Jane let herself out of the apartment.
Lizzy stretched and tried to decide whether to open her eyes or go back to sleep. The bed was comfortable, the pillows were soft, the covers were warm...
"Hey sleepyhead," whispered Darcy.
"Mmph."
"Are you going to go back to sleep?"
"Depends." came the muffled reply.
"Oh what?"
"On whether you stop yammering at me any time soon."
"Oops," he whispered, "You're not a morning person. Sorry."
Lizzy yawned, "It's Saturday, Will. I treat myself to extra sleep on Saturday."
"Go back to sleep, then."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because you're watching me, aren't you?"
"No," he lied.
"Yes you are. I can feel it."
"But you look so beautiful, I can't help myself."
Lizzy pulled the covers over her head. Darcy was trying to figure out what to do next when he could see her body shaking.
"Lizzy," he called softly.
A hand shot out from beneath the covers and launched a pillow at him.
"Hey! What was that for?"
Throwing the covers off, Lizzy sat up in bed, laughing, "That's for being a morning person. And on a Saturday, too!"
"You know, you had a shot at breakfast in bed, but you blew it by hitting me with a pillow."
"Oh, breakfast. I better call Jane and remind her to feed Sigmund."
"Is Dr. Lucas out of town again?"
"Yes, let's hope we don't interfere with this trip to Boston. She's visiting an old college chum, another shrink, Madison. I don't know the first name."
"Dr. Madison was Georgie's doctor in Boston. He recommended Dr. Lucas when we moved here."
"He?"
"Yes, Jeffrey Madison."
"That sly thing! Charlotte has carefully referred to him as Dr. Madison, a friend from college, so I figured it was an old roommate or something. Wait until I see her!"
Darcy handed her his bedroom extension. "Here, call Jane. I'll see about some coffee."
Lizzy dialed the number for their apartment, and Jane answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi Jane, it's me. Did you remember Siggy?"
"Yes, I did. I think he likes you better than he does me."
"That's because I talk to him like an adult. You talk to him like he's a 'cuddly-wuddly widdle kitty.' It's condescending and he resents it. But as long as you're feeding him, he'll put up with just about anything."
"Well, he's fine, so you don't have to worry."
"Hey, Jane, guess what I found out about Charlotte?"
"What?"
"This Dr. Madison she visits in Boston? The friend from college?"
"Yes?"
"He's a him."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I've been assuming it was a woman friend, but it's a man friend."
"Good for Charlotte!"
"Oh, I'm happy for her, but I'll have to give her a hard time about keeping it a secret! Oh, room service has just delivered my coffee. I have to tip the waiter. I'll see you later, Jane."
Darcy set the mug on the bedside table.
"Tip the waiter, eh?" he grinned.
Charles frowned as he listened to his sister babble. Finally, he had to interrupt.
"Louisa! Enough already! I can't believe she put you up to this."
"Charles, you didn't listen to her whine for an hour last night. She refuses to give up."
"Well, that's too bad. I do know Will Darcy, but we're not best friends or anything like that. Plus, he's seeing my girlfriend's sister. There is no way that I'm going to set up a date for Caro with Will Darcy. Tell her to find another pigeon."
"Oh, no, Charles. You tell her. It's your turn to talk to her. She's still annoyed with me because the opera tickets I arranged for her didn't get her a date with him."
"I know. He took Lizzy. Jane says they had a good time."
"A word of advice, Charles?"
"What , Louisa?"
"Don't tell Caro that!"
"I'll remember. Listen, I have to call Jane about tonight. Catch you later, Lou."
Charles hung up the phone and dialed Jane's number. Busy. He decided to have another cup of coffee and then he'd call her again.
Lizzy set the coffee mug on the bedside table. She smiled at Darcy, "You're spoiling me with this room service coffee."
"I enjoy spoiling you. And the tips aren't bad, either."
Lizzy giggled, "You're an excellent waiter. Nice to know you have a fall-back career possibility."
Darcy put his hand over his heart. "Please, Lizzy, the market isn't that bad! Hey, how about going to Connecticut?"
"When?"
"Today. Georgie was going to take the train home, but we could drive to Greenwich and collect her."
"That would be nice. I had no other plans today. I do have to be home to give Siggy his dinner because Jane will be at Charles's tonight."
"Hmm, Georgie will be home tonight."
"Jane won't."
"Ah. Let me call Georgie and see if she wants us to pick her up." He reached for the telephone and dialed Georgie's cell number.
"Hi, Will!"
"Hello, Sweetie, are you still planning to come home today?"
"Yes."
"Lizzy and I were thinking about driving up to collect you."
"That's nice. When did you decide this?"
"Just now."
"Now? Did Lizzy come over for breakfast?"
Darcy looked at Lizzy and raised his eyebrows. She shrugged.
"No, she came over for dinner and she's still here."
"WILL! Do you know how long I've waited for this? Omigod, put Lizzy on!"
"Shh! Don't make so much noise, don't tell Aunt Sue and Uncle Matt."
"But do you know how hard Richard and Anne and I worked for this?"
"Geez, that's what Richard said. Don't I get any credit?"
"What? You told him before you told me?"
"Not exactly. He guessed."
"Put Lizzy on."
Darcy held out the telephone.
"Good morning, Georgie."
"Lizzy! I am so happy for you two. I just knew you were perfect for each other!"
"It took us a while to figure that out."
"Tell me about it! I was running out of ideas."
Lizzy laughed, "Well, now you can relax. Here's your brother. You two can figure out what time we're supposed to show up." She handed the phone to Darcy and let him plan their day.
Some time later, Darcy and Lizzy were on their way to Connecticut. Lizzy relaxed and watched the scenery go by.
"I'm glad you chose the scenic route. This must be a gorgeous drive in the fall."
"It is," replied Darcy. "I like the Merritt Parkway, although I know 95 is more direct."
"Isn't this the road where Letterman collected his infamous speeding tickets?"
"So he says. The speed limit is lower than on the interstate, not that anyone seems to be paying attention to it today. Did you know that this road was purpose-built to be a pleasure drive? In the early days of driving, people used to go out for a ride, just for the fun of it, and this road was constructed with that in mind. That's why it's so pleasant, winding through all the trees."
"It is a pleasant drive. I can see the temptation to see how fast your car can go and take the curves. If you could have the road to yourself and be sure there wouldn't be anyone to run into, it might be fun."
"Are you saying I'm not driving fast enough?" Darcy pressed on the accelerator.
"Nooo, no, no, no. You were doing just fine, thank you."
"Doesn't matter. Here's our exit."
Darcy took the exit and in about 20 minutes, they were at his aunt and uncle's home. They pulled up in front of a sprawling white house with dark green shutters.
"It looks old," said Lizzy. "Or at least the central part does."
"Yes, 1790 or thereabouts. It has had lots of additions over the years, of course, but it still has the feel of an old home."
Before they reached the door, it was opened and Georgie bounced out.
"You guys!" she squealed, hugging them each in turn.
Sue Fitzwilliam appeared in the doorway and invited the guests in.
"Lunch will be ready in just a few minutes. You're timing couldn't be better. Georgie, are you all packed?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then let's go in and sit."
She led them into the dining room, which was part of the original house. Lizzy admired the room, and the furnishings, which she expected were antique.
"Oh, Lord, yes. The table belonged to Matt's great-great somebody or other. I guess we just get used to things and don't think about how old they are."
"Talking about me, are you, dear?"
"No, Matt. Even you are younger than the dining room table."
"Hmph, damn right. Hello, Darcy. And Miss Bennet, good to see you."
"Hello, Mr. Fitzwilliam, please call me Lizzy."
"Well, then, Lizzy, have you recovered from my son's cooking last weekend?"
"Yes. I thought he did quite well. I certainly am not in a position to criticize. I'm not much of a cook."
Darcy, who had taken the seat next to Lizzy's, put his hand on hers and said, "Now, Lizzy, don't say that. You're coming along quite well. Mrs. R says you're a star pupil."
Lizzy smiled up at Darcy, and Matt and Sue exchanged "ah-ha" looks. Georgie looked on and grinned.
"So," said Sue, "Mrs. Reynolds is giving you cooking lessons?"
Lizzy nodded.
"She's a wonderful cook. Is she also a good teacher?"
"Oh, yes. The bread lesson was particularly funny. Richard was doing a klutzy job of kneading, and Mrs. R accused him of doing it wrong on purpose so he wouldn't have to do it."
"Excellent strategy," remarked Matt, proud of his younger son's cunning. "Did it work?"
"No-well, yes it did, come to think of it. Mrs. R didn't take over. But she asked me to show him how, and he stood back and let me finish. Sneaky bugger!"
"That's my boy," laughed Matt.
After lunch, Darcy loaded Georgie's possessions into the car, while Lizzy thanked the Fitzwilliams for lunch.
Matt and Sue stood on the front steps, waving, as Darcy's car drove down the long driveway.
"Well," said Sue. "This is new."
"What is?"
"William. He's happier than I've seen him in a long time. And can you remember the last time he brought a girlfriend up here?"
"Never?" he asked, as he opened the front door and they walked inside.
"Precisely! And getting Mrs. Reynolds to teach her to cook? That must mean she spends a lot of time at his apartment. I wonder that Georgie didn't say anything about it."
"We didn't ask her, Sue." Matt sighed uncharacteristically. "I wish Richard would find someone like that. Sometimes I think he wants to talk to me about it, but then the conversation always takes a lighter turn."
"Mmmm."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Susan Rachel Fitzwilliam! When you say 'nothing' like that, I know that you know something."
"I don't know anything, Matt. I just have the same feeling you do. I think he has someone in mind but isn't sure. And you know Richard. He won't say anything to us until he is certain of where things stand."
"You don't think he was interested in Lizzy, do you?"
"No, I don't."
"Well, that's good. I'd hate to see Richard and Darcy fall out over a woman. No matter how it ended up, the friendship would be damaged."
"I agree. After Georgie, Richard is the person William feels closest to. But after today, I'd say that if it came down to it, William would put Lizzy ahead of Richard." Sue started to count on her fingers.
"What are you doing?"
"Just wondering if there would be time to plan a wedding between now and June. I've always like summer weddings."
"But we got married in the winter."
"I know, dear. But that was because you wouldn't wait until June, remember?"
"Damn right. Next time I talk to Darcy, I'll have to mention how convenient a nice elopement can be."
Darcy had reached Manhattan, and Georgie had finished telling Lizzy about all of the excursions to shopping malls.
"Ooh!" cried Lizzy, "Drop me at Fairway and I'll pick up stuff for dinner."
"Oh, all right," he said, changing lanes suddenly.
"Will!" cried Georgie, "You just cut off that cab!"
"No, I didn't. He was about to pull over anyhow."
Lizzy interrupted the small squabble, "Georgie you're welcome to come to dinner at my place."
"You aren't cooking at our apartment?"
"No. I have to take care of Charlotte's cat, so I have to stay home."
"Thanks for the invitation, but I'm going out with Chris."
Darcy pulled over to the curb and Lizzy hopped out. "Come over whenever, Will. Bye, Georgie."
The buzzer sounded as Lizzy was washing spinach leaves. She buzzed Darcy in and dried her hands on a towel, which the flung over her shoulder. She ran to open the door.
"Hello, Lizzy," he held out a bouquet of flowers.
Lizzy took the flowers, "Thank you, they're lovely." Then she saw his other hand and smiled, "And champagne, too. What are we celebrating?"
He kissed her, "Us. Being happy. Whatever you want to celebrate." He looked at her shoulder and raised an eyebrow, "The latest fashion?"
"What?" realizing that he was looking at the towel, she laughed, "Bad habit. I do this when I'm drying the dishes. I'll dry a bowl and need both hands to put it into a cupboard, so the towel ends up on my shoulder. I may not notice it until I'm in the living room, and I have a tendency to just drop it wherever I am when I notice it. Drives Jane crazy."
"Speaking of Jane..."
"Out. Shall I put the wine in the refrigerator?"
Darcy followed her into the kitchen. After the champagne was put in to chill, he slipped his arms around her and whispered, "What's for dinner?"
"Salmon. And I'm making spinach salad."
"Sounds good. How long before we eat?"
"Are you that hungry? We had a rather large lunch, so I didn't think we'd eat so soon."
"Neither did I. If you recall, I asked you how long before we eat."
Lizzy slipped out of Darcy's embrace and put the colander full of spinach into the refrigerator. She turned and smiled at him, "Dinner can wait as long as you want."
"Sounds as if you had a good time," said Georgie, munching on a piece of fried chicken. "Mmm, this is delicious. Good choice!"
"Well, we seem to go out for pizza so often, I thought a different form of junk food was in order."
"Does Sandy live on pizza or what?"
"Nearly. He says if you put veggies on it, it's a complete meal."
"Don't you guys take courses in nutrition?"
"Nice question coming from a woman who's waving around a piece of fried poultry."
"OK, point taken."
"So, other than visiting every shopping mall in Connecticut, what did you do?"
"That's about it. Oh, I got new nail polish." Georgie wiped a greasy paw on a napkin and held out her fingers.
"It's pink. You always wear this color."
"No I don't. This is new. It's called 'Perfectly Pink.'"
"And your old color was, what? 'Pretty Good Pink'?"
"No! It was 'Precious Pink.'"
"Honey, I do my best to keep up with your clothes and remember to say, 'Nice sweater, is it new?' when I'm supposed to. I'm afraid nail polish is just more than I can keep track of."
"Wellll..."
"C'mon, Georgie, cut me some slack. I've been staring down a microscope all day. You're lucky I can tell that the polish is pink. I almost called it Gram stain pink."
"If you're that tired, will you be able to stay awake through the movie?"
"That's why I'm letting you choose. If I fall asleep, I won't be disappointed, and you'll be too busy watching to notice."
"Oh! That is so not true. I'd notice. You snore."
"Geez, don't let your brother hear you say that. He'll think that the extent of my sleeping with you is much more than falling asleep during a movie."
"Oh! I didn't tell you!"
"What? You change subjects too quickly for me sometimes, Honey."
"Guess."
"I don't know. Um, you bought new nail polish?"
"No! It has to do with sleeping together."
He could tell by the expression on her face that Georgie wasn't talking about them. So who was-were?-sleeping together?
"Who?"
"Will and Lizzy!"
"No kidding! Wow, that gives me some leverage if I get you home late. I can say, 'well, at least we weren't doing what you were doing!' Cool!"
"Oh, no Spanish Inquisition waiting up for me tonight. He's spending the night at Lizzy's."
"Definitely cool," Chris murmured.
Darcy returned to the kitchen. "The table is set."
"Thanks. Will, can you watch the broiler for a few minutes? I want to run up and feed Siggy." I think the salmon will be done when I get back."
"You're going out like that?"
Lizzy looked down at the leggings and oversized sweatshirt she had thrown on. "What's wrong with this? I'm not leaving the building, just running upstairs. Nobody can tell how much underwear I am or am not wearing."
He raised one eyebrow, "I can."
"Doesn't count. You watched me get dressed. You'll have to leave some comfy clothes over here. You cleaned out a dresser drawer for me, I should do the same for you." Lizzy picked up Charlotte's keys and kissed Darcy lightly. "Watch the broiler. I'll be right back."
The door closed and Darcy looked around the tiny kitchen. The window in the back door looked out onto Lizzy's garden. In the dark, he couldn't see much, but he knew that there were daffodils out there. He wondered what else was in the garden and if any of it could be transplanted to somewhere else.
He peeked into the broiler. The salmon still looked raw. He tried to think of the shade it turned when it was done, and wondered if Lizzy knew for sure. He topped off the champagne glasses and placed them on the table in the dining area. He looked around for matches and lit the candles on the table.
The door opened.
"Mmm, it smells good in here. Someone's a wonderful cook." Lizzy kissed Darcy as she passed him on her way to the kitchen. "The table looks lovely."
He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she pulled out the salmon, poked at it with a fork, and pronounced it cooked.
"See?" he said, "You do know how to cook."
Lizzy fixed their plates and carried them to the table. Darcy held her chair for her, then sat down. He lifted his glass and she did likewise.
He clinked his glass gently against hers and said, "To the cook!"
She smiled, "To her lover."
He looked around, "No thief, here, I hope!"
Lizzy giggled, "No, I don't think so." Then she turned serious, "This is nice, Will. Being alone like this."
"Yes, it is. Now that Georgie is home, we'll have to figure out how to handle not being alone quite so much."
"I know, it may seem awkward at first, but I'm sure we'll work it out. Mrs. R said you never brought any girlfriends home. Was that because of Georgie?"
"Partly. But I think Georgie was becoming a convenient excuse. Before you, I never met anyone I wanted to have around me all the time. You know Henry Higgins's song about what happens when you let a woman in your life?"
Lizzy giggled and spoke/sang (in manner of Rex Harrison), "She'll redecorate your home from the cellar to the dome and then go on to the enthralling fun of overhauling you!"*
"Right," he laughed. "I was avoiding what I saw as a sort of invasion. But with you, it's not an invasion. It's better when you're there and lonely when you aren't."
"I know what you mean. I've been on my own here when Jane has been with Charles. It never bothered me to be alone. But now, I may have to ask you to stay with me whenever Jane is out. Of course, Georgie may not like that."
"Georgie!"
"Yes?"
"The apartment!"
"What is it?"
"Chris will take Georgie home and I won't be there."
"So?"
"They'll be alone in the apartment."
"Yes, so?"
"So? SO? It's an opportunity for them."
"It was an opportunity for us and we didn't necessarily take it."
"I know, but-I should call her."
"Will, sit down. First of all, she's at a movie, which means she'll have turned off her cell. Second, you can't control everything she does. I believe Chris has an apartment up by the campus?"
"Yes, he does."
"Has it occurred to you that they've had plenty of chances to make their own opportunities?"
"No, and I'm not sure I appreciate you pointing that out to me."
Lizzy stood up and said, "Come on, Cardinal Richelieu. Time for dessert. I have strawberries." She paused, then continued, "and whipped cream."
* "Let a Woman in Your Life" from My Fair Lady, Lerner and Lowe
Posted on Tuesday, 9 April 2002
March 24
Darcy, Lizzy, and Anne sat on the sofa with Georgie and Kitty on the floor in front of them. Richard sprawled in his recliner.
"You know, I could have been there," grumbled Richard.
"Hollywood? Really?" squealed Kitty. "You could have done security for the Oscars?"
"I went out ages ago for some preliminary security work. But someone else drew the assignment to go for the real thing. He gets to collect autographs, and I have to sit here and listen to you girls yammer about clothes and stuff."
Anne looked at him and drawled, "Richie, I don't think it should matter to you so much. John Wayne isn't attending this year, and I can't imagine who else you'd ask for an autograph."
"Her, for one!" Richard pointed to Sharon Stone on the screen. "And I'd like to know what's holding up that dress!"
"Well, aside from the obvious answer," began Anne sarcastically.
Georgie finished for her, "Nude fabric."
"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Richard. "How can cloth be nude? I mean, if you have clothes on, you aren't nude."
Lizzy and Anne looked at each other and rolled their eyes. In a condescending tone, Anne continued the explanation.
"It's called nude fabric because it is skin colored and, at first glance, invisible. A lot of costumes use it. Skaters, for example-a lot of the costumes that look low-cut really aren't. And Cher, the year she appeared to be wearing only sequins. They had to be attached to something, you know."
"Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot, Annie. I bet Darce didn't know that, either. Did you, Darce?"
"Actually, I-"
The sound of the doorbell cut off his answer. Richard got up and answered the door.
"Jane! Hello! And Charles, thanks for coming, man. We're feeling outnumbered, here!"
Seats were found for the newcomers, drinks poured, and then everyone returned to watching the red-carpet parade of stars.
"Bridget! Bridget! Bridget!" chanted Georgie and Kitty, in manner of sports fans, as Renee Zellweger stopped to talk to a reporter.
"Now that is a movie star dress!" exclaimed Lizzy. "So elegant. It isn't black; I think it's dark, dark blue. Very good color for a blonde."
"I hope she wins," said Kitty.
"Not likely," remarked Charles. "The heavy money is on Spacek or Berry.
"It's not fair!" whined Kitty. "Who made up this thing that comedies aren't important films? Actors in comedies hardly ever win. And she was sooo good."
"I agree, I loved BJD," said Jane. "You know, there's supposed to be a sequel."
"Ooh," giggled Georgie, "More snogging scenes in the snow? Oh, when he wraps that coat around her-"
A collective "Mmmmmm," rose from the females in the room. Richard looked around at Darcy and Charles who shrugged at him in response.
"Yuck! Messy hair!" Kitty blew a raspberry at the television.
"Dumb dress!" exclaimed Georgie.
"You know," remarked Lizzy. I often wonder why there are so few prints used. I'm beginning to see why. They just don't work for the camera."
"Still," said Anne, "We haven't seen anything really bad. Poor Joan and Missy won't have much to rake over the coals."
"Oh! Look at that! So elegant!"
"Who is she?" asked Charles, as Helen Mirren appeared on the screen.
"I don't believe this!" exclaimed Jane. "We saw 'Gosford Park' just last night. That's what she's nominated for. The housekeeper? The one in charge downstairs?"
"That's her? She didn't look like that in the movie."
"Well, no, Charles, she wouldn't. That gown is hardly what a housekeeper would be wearing below stairs."
"I think she has lightened her hair," said Lizzy. "What do you think, Anne?"
"It does look lighter than I've seen it. I think it was darker in 'Prime Suspect.' But you can't tell when actors and actresses are using their own color or dying it. For all we know that could be her color and she darkens it for some parts."
"Omigod, he's younger than I thought!" exclaimed Kitty.
"Who's he?" asked Darcy.
"Bridget's father!" replied Georgie and Kitty in unison.
"Jim Broadbent," explained Lizzy. "I'd like to see him win. He was Bridget's father in BJD, and they must have dyed his hair gray for that. And he was in 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Iris,' too."
"And three of the women he worked with were nominated this year," commented Jane. "I wonder if that's happened before?"
"I take it back! There's fodder for hours and hours of Joan and Missy." cried Anne. "Gwynnie, Gwynnie, Gwynnie, honey, what were you thinking? No golden hanger award for that dress!"
"Euww! Goth eyes!" snickered Kitty.
All five women were exclaiming at once over what they deemed to be the worst dress of the evening.
When they heard Lizzy yell, "Somebody buy that poor girl a foundation garment!" the three men rose and excused themselves.
They were dismissed with a wave and a "Whatever," and the women continued their commentary on clothes, makeup, and hairdos.
The three men strolled out of Richard's apartment. As soon as the door closed behind them, they made a dash for Darcy's study.
Darcy headed immediately for the decanter and glasses, while Charles and Richard dropped onto the sofa.
"Why do women care about all that stuff?" moaned Richard. "I mean, the Oscars, I can understand. It's interesting to find out what movie won, especially if you've seen some of the movies that are in the running. But the clothes? The jewelry?"
"According to Jane, the red carpet program is more important to Lizzy than the actual awards," remarked Charles.
Darcy finished pouring brandy and turned to offer snifters to his guests. He sank elegantly into a leather wing chair and asked, "Does either of you know what 'ruching' is? Apparently it was a big deal."
"Don't you mean 'rouge,' Darcy?"
"No, that's makeup, Charles. This had to do with a dress, I believe. Richard?"
"Definitely to do with a dress. Someone's dress was 'ruched up the front' and the result was that it looked as if it had dark streaks." Richard frowned and continued, "I think it was Gwynneth Paltrow who was ruched. I thought I heard Anne say something like 'Gwynnie, honey, what were you thinking?' I'm pretty sure she said Gwynnie."
After the men left, the women spent a few minutes abusing them for their lack of interest in the fashions of the evening. Then they returned their attention to the television.
"Wow! Look at how big that auditorium is. It looks much bigger than any place they've used before."
"If you had seats in the balcony, you'd need binoculars too see who's on the stage!"
"Oh my-that woman will do anything!" laughed Lizzy as Whoopie was lowered into the auditorium on a trapeze.
"It isn't as good as the time she came out in Elizabethan clothing and called herself the African queen. Do you remember that, Lizzy?"
"Yes, I do, Jane. I think that was the year that 'Shakespeare in Love' was nominated."
"I wonder if she'll come out in a costume for each movie," Anne mused. "Isn't that what she did in other years?"
"Yes," said Lizzy. "It's like Billy Crystal doing a song about all the nominees, or the year they took scenes from each nominee and "gumped" him into the picture."
"I remember that!" said Georgie. "They used the plane-crash scene from 'English Patient.' I liked that movie, except I could never see why she left her handsome, sweet husband for that surly count or whatever his title was."
"Hmph!" said Kitty. "It was probably because her husband called her his 'little sausage.' I mean, what sort of endearment is that?"
The men were on their second brandies when Charles brought up a new topic.
"What do you know about engagement rings?"
"Why Charles," said Richard, batting his eyelashes, "This is so sudden!"
"Be serious, Richard!"
Darcy and Richard looked at Charles in amazement.
"You're serious!" gasped Richard.
"Yes, I am. The thing is, I don't know what to get for a ring."
"The usual thing is a diamond."
Charles glared at Richard for a moment, then returned to his dreamy expression. "I don't know what sort of ring she'd like. I saw one I liked in Tiffany's." Richard's eyebrows shot up at this, but Charles continued, "It was pretty, well, I thought it was. But what if Jane doesn't like it? Can you return an engagement ring? Exchange it for another? What do you think, Will?"
"Don't ask him," snickered Richard. "He just goes to the safe and takes out one of the family gems and he's all set."
"I want everything to be perfect. I was considering one of those cabs in the park, but now I'm thinking about a nice restaurant, one with soft music in the background, romantic candlelight-the ring will sparkle when I give it to her. And she'll smile at me-Jane has the loveliest smile."
"Charles. Charles? CHARLES!"
"What, Will?"
"You're babbling. Maybe you need to rethink this a bit."
Oh, look, it's Huge!"
"What's huge?" asked Anne.
"Not what, who!" explained Kitty. "Huge Gnat. I do like his hair better this way."
"Yes," agreed Lizzy. "But he should button his jacket."
When Woody Allen was announced, there was awed silence.
"He never attends this," breathed Anne. As the montage of New York movies was played, the women cried "I love this movie!" and "I know that scene!"
While the audience in Hollywood applauded, Lizzy remarked, "You know, I couldn't possibly pick a favorite out of that bunch. So many good movies were based in New York."
"Don't you love it when they cheat, though?" asked Anne. "In one of the remakes of 'Miracle on 34th Street,' actors walk from Rockefeller Center to Central Park West during a five-minute conversation."
"We were in San Francisco one time," said Kitty, "and the cab driver drove us down the hill from that chase scene in 'Bullitt' and then he told us that, in the movie, the guy turns a corner and is a few miles away from that hill in the next shot."
"They probably consider it a form of poetic license," suggested Jane.
"Rethink what? I want to marry Jane!" Charles proclaimed.
"I know that," Darcy replied patiently. "You don't need to rethink Jane. You need to rethink the ring."
"I don't follow."
"You have no idea what sort of ring she would want."
"No," sighed Charles.
"Do you have a way to figure it out? Obviously, you can't ask your sister's advice."
"Hardly."
"What about Lizzy?" asked Richard. "She might know."
"What if she lets something slip? I don't want to ruin the surprise."
"Do you truly think she'll be surprised?" asked Darcy, who had some idea of the amount of time Jane had spent in Charles's apartment.
"Yes and no. OK, she knows I'm serious about her. But she won't know on the night that it's going to be the night."
"Do you have to have the ring to propose?"
"I don't know. That's one of the questions I wanted to ask you two."
Richard snorted, "You're asking bachelors, Charles, we've never proposed. Well, I haven't. You, Darce?"
"Huh?" The thought of marriage proposals had made Darcy's mind wander. He recovered and said, "No, not-" He stopped himself before he could say not yet.
Richard stared at his cousin. "No, not what?"
"Not even close," replied Darcy, having recovered his composure. Changing tactics, he asked Richard casually, "What about you, Richard? How would you propose?"
"To whom?"
To Anne, of course. Darcy sighed and said, "To anyone. This is a theoretical."
"Depends on the woman. If she's strong-willed, then I probably wouldn't buy a ring in advance. She'd want to pick it out for herself. If she's the agreeable type, then she'd probably like whatever I bought."
"Jane's agreeable," said Charles, slipping off into a dreamy state again.
"Too agreeable," said Darcy. "She would want to like whatever you bought, even if she didn't really like it. She wouldn't want to hurt your feelings."
"So you're saying let her choose the ring?"
"If you aren't sure of her taste, then yes, I'd let her pick out the ring. It's less romantic, I suppose, but you do want her to like it."
"I really had my heart set on giving her a ring. What do you think, Richard?"
"I think I'll have another drink!" Richard stood up and walked to the decanter. Holding it aloft, he asked, "Anyone else?"
"Oh-my-God!" said Anne.
"It's the prom queen look, circa 1985," giggled Lizzy.
"The dress is pretty. I like pink," said Jane.
"But her hair, Jane, her hair!" exclaimed Lizzy.
"OK," said Georgie, "The big hair is bad, but I like the dress."
The camera angle changed and they all gasped. Finally Kitty said, "There's a lesson in this. Never buy a dress without checking how it looks from the back. She should sue the director for cueing up this shot."
"Wow!" breathed Georgie. "Is her butt really that big, or is it the dress?"
"I think it's the dress, at least partly. Fire your stylist, J Lo," laughed Anne.
"Finally! We're getting to the final awards," Jane stifled a yawn.
Lizzy stood up and sang, "I'm Mister Crowe! I am the most egotistical fellow that you'll ever know!" *
"Ooh, Lizzy you are so bad!" giggled Kitty.
"Shh, we're going to get a look at the nominees."
"Come on, Bridget!" whispered Georgie as the nominees for Best Actress were read.
"Halle is so pretty!"
"Doesn't Judy Dench look good!"
"Do you think Nicole is nervous?"
"Do you think Sissy will win?"
"Go Renee!"
"Wow! Halle won!"
"I can't believe she's so stunned, I mean she won another award recently."
"Waterworks, here come the waterworks."
"Oh, man, get the hook," groaned Anne. "When they thank their lawyers for the second time, that should be it!"
Lizzy glanced at her watch. "Look how late it is! I hope they get the rest done quickly. Oh, good, a commercial. I'm going to run over to Will's and see how the boys are doing."
She rang the bell and Darcy answered. He started to slip out into the foyer when he saw that Lizzy had left the door to Richard's apartment open. He sighed and settled for a quick kiss, then led her inside.
"Hey, guys," said Lizzy. "It's almost over. Don't you want to see Best Picture?"
Charles and Richard grumbled and returned to Richard's apartment. Lizzy started to follow them, when Darcy grabbed her hand.
"Come here. I haven't seen you for over an hour." He pulled her close.
"But Will, we mmph..."
They arrived at Richard's in time to see the last Oscar given out. The party broke up shortly after that, as the next day was a work day for most, school day for a few. Georgie stumbled to her bedroom, and Kitty dragged herself to a guest room, grateful that Georgie had suggested she sleep over.
Charles promised to see all the girls home, but Anne said she would take a taxi. Darcy and Lizzy said a quick goodnight in his study. Charles, Lizzy, and Jane took the elevator down while Anne was still in Darcy's powder room. She said goodnight to Darcy and he closed the door behind her. While she was waiting for the elevator to return, Richard walked into the foyer. Anne noticed that he was wearing a coat.
"You'll never get a cab so late."
"Yes I will."
The elevator doors opened. Richard got in the elevator with Anne. Inside, he turned to face her.
"I'll take you home."
"Richard, I-"
"Don't argue. Just do as you're told."
"Who made you the boss of me?"
Richard smiled and reached out to pull a lock of her hair, "You used to say that when you were little, the first summer you were with us out on the Island. And you used to stand with your hands on your hips, just as you're doing now."
"I remember," she pouted. "You were very bossy."
"I'm sorry, Annie. It was the pecking order. Mark bossed me, so I bossed you."
"What about Darce?"
"Mark bossed him, too, but not as much as me. And Darce was too much of a gentleman to take it out on you." He paused, "Was I really that horrid?"
"You were a know-it-all."
Richard continued to play with a lock of her hair and said softly, "Maybe I was trying to impress a pretty girl."
Their eyes locked, and for a moment neither of them moved. Richard began to lean forward when the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Loud voices interrupted the moment.
"All I said was, how many fittings did they have to do to get the beads in the right places."
"It wasn't what you said, Robert, it-oh, good evening." recovering her self, the woman smiled at Richard and Anne and got into the elevator with her husband. Richard and Anne watched the doors close.
He turned to her and shrugged, "Nice couple. Whose dress do you think they were discussing?"
"You really don't want to know, do you?"
Richard sighed as they reached his car, "No, not really. But I do have one question. What the hell is ruching?"
*with apologies to Mark Charlap and Carolyn Leigh, "I've Gotta Crow" from Peter Pan
Posted on Tuesday, 9 April 2002
March 28
"Lizzy, are you ready?"
"In a minute, Jane! Are they here yet?"
"I just buzzed Charles in." Jane poked her head into her sister's room. "Oh, Lizzy, you look so nice. I love that red dress on you."
"You don't think it's too dressy?"
"No, absolutely not. You look perfect."
They emerged from Lizzy's room to find Charles holding their coats.
"Where's Will?" Lizzy asked.
"We're picking him up," answered Charles. "We're having a drink there before dinner."
"Oh. I thought we were just going out."
"No, drinks at Will's first."
"But-"
"I think his gift for you is too big to take to the restaurant."
"Oh."
"I think it's a bathrobe."
"Charles!" exclaimed Jane. "You're giving away the surprise!"
"Well, she wouldn't want to unwrap a bathrobe in a restaurant!"
The intercom buzzed, and Darcy answered it.
"They're on their way up."
"Thank you!" He ran to the living room and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"They're coming. Shh!"
Darcy squeezed Georgie's hand as he passed her on his way to the foyer. The elevator doors opened.
"Happy Birthday!" Darcy hugged Lizzy. "Come on in, I have some champagne on ice."
Lizzy thought it odd that Darcy took their coats while they were still in the foyer, but before she could ask him any questions, he led her into the apartment. When they reached the doorway to the living room, there was a loud cry of "Surprise!" followed by "Happy Birthday!"
Lizzy turned to Darcy and took his hand. Then she turned to look at Jane and Charles. "A bathrobe, huh?"
"Hey, you were getting antsy, and I had to tell you something!" laughed Charles.
Lizzy scanned the room. She couldn't believe that Darcy had worked this out entirely on his own.
"Did you help him do this, Jane?"
"A little. I helped with inviting people."
Guests came up to Lizzy to wish her a happy birthday. Darcy stood besides her, still holding her hand. After she had said hello to everyone, Jane brought her another glass of champagne and whispered, "Happy birthday, sis."
"I'll get you for this," hissed Lizzy, but her smile showed that she was actually pleased.
Lizzy and Darcy circulated around the room, unaware that they had been holding hands since she had arrived. Lizzy's aunt and uncle were among those who noticed.
"She looks happy, Maddie."
"Do you think he's serious, Ed?"
"Look at him, what do you think?" Ed Gardiner turned to face his wife, "I remember a young man who used to look at you like that."
She smiled, "He still does."
Across the room, Charles asked Jane, "Tell me again, who are those two people?"
"They're my aunt and uncle. He's my mother's brother."
"Have they been married long?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Look at how he looks at her Jane. You can just tell with some couples. Look at Richard and Anne."
"They aren't standing together."
"No. I know. Watch them. They sneak looks at each other. I think they wish they could look at each other the way your aunt and uncle do. Or the way Lizzy and Will do."
Darcy finally let go of Lizzy's hand and excused himself. Mrs. Reynolds had produced all sorts of finger foods, both cold and hot. Darcy had offered to hire a cater, but she had refused, saying it would be her birthday gift to Miss Bennet. Darcy returned to Lizzy and handed her a plate.
"Here, you should have something to eat." He turned to the guests in front of them, "Emma, how's that little boy of yours? Still running you ragged?"
"I wish we could harness that energy," laughed Emma Knightly. "George says we should put him on a treadmill with a generator and we could light the whole block!"
"Yeah," said George. "Until he got bored. His attention span is remarkable short."
"They're all like that," laughed Lizzy. "Trust me, you're talking to someone who has racked up a lot of baby-sitting hours! I mean, watch 'Sesame Street' and you'll see how short the segments are. Hit 'em quick and move on to the next idea. Little kids aren't interested in smooth transitions. It's just 'OK done that, what's next?' Kind of reminds me of my youngest sister."
"How old is she?" asked George.
"Sixteen," said Lizzy, and they all laughed.
Lizzy looked around the room. Charlotte was chatting with the Gardiners, Georgie and Chris were talking to the Westons, Kitty and Richard were discussing something animatedly while Anne and Sandy looked on.
Lizzy looked around the room. "Will, where are Jane and Charles?"
"I don't know. Perhaps they sneaked off to my study," he said with a raised eyebrow. "Excuse me." He left them to check on his guests' drinks and to make sure everyone had plenty to eat. George Knightly drifted toward the Westons.
"So, Lizzy!" chirped Emma. "How long has this been going on?"
"How long has what been going on?"
"You and Will Darcy, of course! Back in January, I told George it would be a wonderful match. I could just tell, even back then."
"Em, you are always imagining matches."
"Perhaps so, but it doesn't take much imagination to see that you and Will are a solid couple. Come on, admit it."
"We've been seeing a lot of each other," said Lizzy noncommittally.
"Ooh! A non-denial denial. Sounds promising! I had hopes for Will's cousin, too. But Richard doesn't seem any more settled than he was in January."
Lizzy shrugged, "There is something there, but they can't see it. And, tempted though I am to push, I don't want to mess it up. Don't get that look, Em! They don't need help, they need time."
"Hmmm."
"Em!"
"What sort of trouble are you trying to talk my wife into now, Lizzy?"
"Oh, no, George. It's the other way round. I'm trying to keep her out of trouble."
George Knightly scowled at his wife. She looked up at him and tried to keep a straight face, but failed. He shook his head and sighed, "I am definitely overmatched!"
Emma patted his cheek, "How clever of you to notice, Darling."
Jane and Charles returned to the room and spoke briefly to Darcy. He nodded, and Jane left. Suddenly, the lights dimmed. From the hallway, the glow of candles could be seen. Jane carried in the cake, followed by Mrs. Reynolds with a tray of plates.
"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday, Dear Lizzy,
Happy Birthday to you!"
Jane set the cake on a table, and Darcy led Lizzy to the cake. "Make a wish" he whispered.
Lizzy closed her eyes and smiled. Then she took a deep breath and blew out the candles.
Everyone applauded, and Mrs. Reynolds handed Lizzy a knife. "Make the first cut, and then I'll cut and serve. Don't forget to make a wish."
Lizzy turned to the housekeeper and smiled, "Thank you. Everything has been so delicious. Will said you did it all yourself. You didn't have to.'
"Yes, I did. Now cut the cake. I'll be making a wish, too."
Lizzy blushed and stuck the knife into the cake. She pulled it out and handed it to Mrs. Reynolds, who whispered, "I hope both of our wishes come true."
Cake and coffee were served. Darcy left Lizzy talking to Charlotte.
"Char, thanks for coming tonight."
"I'm happy to be here, Lizzy. Although I can't help noticing that I'm the only one without a date."
"Welll," said Lizzy with a smirk, "Isn't it a shame you couldn't invite your friend from Boston? I'd like to meet him."
Charlotte's eyes widened, "What makes you think Dr. Madison is male?"
"If I had any doubts, your blush just confirmed my suspicions! Will mentioned that Dr. Madison was Georgie's doctor in Boston, and referred to him as he. You devil!"
"I think I was afraid to jinx it by saying anything."
"But you've visited him several times."
"Yes. It's complicated, though. His practice is up there, mine is here..."
"And?"
"And I don't know. My relationship with Jeff isn't nearly as advanced as yours with Mr. Darcy."
"Proximity helps, Char. And a determined sister doesn't hurt either!" They both laughed, thinking of Georgie's talent for manipulating a situation.
Meanwhile, Darcy walked over to the Gardiners.
"I am so happy that you could come. I'm pleased to finally meet you, Mrs. Gardiner."
"Maddie, please."
"Maddie. I've seen your pictures every time I've visited Ed's office, so I feel as if we're already acquainted. You did an excellent job redecorating the office, by the way."
Maddie Gardiner smiled mischievously, "Yes, I understand you enjoyed looking at the picture shelf."
Darcy blushed. "Yes, well, I do hope you don't think I'm crazy because of that blind date thing. That picture," he shrugged, "I don't know how to explain it. Lizzy is so full of life, and it just jumped out of that picture. Oh, now you almost certainly think I'm crazy."
"No, not crazy," smiled Maddie. In love.
"We should be going," said Ed. "It has been a lovely party, but I have early appointments tomorrow."
"Thanks for coming. Let me get your coats." He led them to the hallway, and Lizzy joined them.
"Oh, Uncle Ed, Aunt Maddie, must you go?"
"I'm afraid so, dear. But we'll see you on Sunday, and you'll get your birthday present then."
"Oh, you didn't have to get me anything."
"Too late, we already did!" laughed her uncle, hugging her.
Then it was Maddie's turn to hug her niece. As she did so, she whispered, "He's a keeper!"
Lizzy giggled and said goodnight. The Westons took their leave at the same time, and Lizzy thanked them for coming. She excused herself to referee a fight between Kitty and Sandy over the rose on a piece of cake.
Darcy watched her go and smiled. Frank Weston smiled, too.
"Well, Mr. Darcy. It would appear you've changed your opinion of our Miss Bennet."
"Frank, I cannot believe what an ass I was when I first met her. I thank my lucky stars that she gave me a chance to win her over."
Anna Weston looked astonished, "You didn't like her right off? Everyone likes Lizzy immediately. She's that kind of person."
"I know. My only excuse was that I was a total ass."
The Westons left and Darcy turned to see Lizzy smiling at him.
"So, you admit it?"
"Eavesdropping is not a nice habit, Lizzy."
"Don't change the subject."
"What subject?"
"You were admitting to Frank that you behaved badly when we met."
"All right, it's true. But in my defense, I must say that you egged me on."
Lizzy stepped closer to him and giggled as she slid her hand up his chest and around his neck. "You were an irresistible target, Will."
"Ahem."
The sound behind them made Lizzy and Darcy jump apart.
"Sorry to spoil the moment," grinned George Knightly, "But some of us have to go home and pay off the babysitter."
"Before we go, I wanted to give you this," Emma picked up a box from the floor of the hallway. "I know that Will said no gifts, but I couldn't resist."
Lizzy sat on the bench in the hallway and pulled off the ribbon and opened the box.
"Oh, Em! The colors! How lovely!" Lizzy rummaged through the box, admiring the yarn in shades of green, turquoise, and teal.
"It's enough to make a shawl. You know how I collect a color palette and than figure out what to do with it. Well, I just finished weaving the purples that I had collected, and I thought the green collection would be perfect for you. So just let me know when you want to work, and my studio is yours. And I have lots of little bits you might want to throw in for accents. Come over some day and we'll rummage through my box of leavings."
"Em, I can't thank you enough. This will be such a great project!" Lizzy hugged her friend. "Say goodnight to Johnny for me!"
"I will. Happy Birthday, Lizzy. Good night, Will."
Will closed the door and turned to see Lizzy holding one of the balls of yarn. She seemed to be counting something.
"What are you doing?"
"Estimating the thread count. Mohair has to be set pretty wide, so this should go quickly." She stopped and looked at him. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
"Sorry, no."
"Well, I'll explain some time, but we should get back to the party."
Kitty and Sandy made their excuses soon after that, as did Charlotte, followed by Jane and Charles.
"So," asked a grinning Charles, "Are we forgiven for our part in the plot?"
"Of course you are. I love you both, very much!"
"Goodnight Lizzy. See you at work tomorrow!"
Darcy and Lizzy returned to the living room, where Georgie, Chris, Anne and Richard were chatting.
"Here's the birthday girl!" cried Anne, holding out a box. "Presents!"
"Oh, you shouldn't have!"
"Nonsense! Of course I should. Here."
Lizzy took the box and unwrapped it. She pulled out a framed collage.
"Anne! Where did you get it?"
"I made it. I have a friend who works in design at the opera. He lent me some sketches and swiped a few bits of cloth. I copied some of the sketches and added the swatches. Do you recognize it?"
"Yes! It's the production of 'Traviata' that we saw! You are so talented!"
"May I see?" asked Georgie. Lizzy nestled the frame back into the tissue paper and handed Georgie the box. Richard leaned over Georgie's shoulder and admired the work. Lizzy glanced at Anne, who was biting her lip and watching Richard's face.
"It's amazing!" he whispered, staring at the sketches. He started to look toward Anne, and Lizzy saw her look down quickly. If only they would just look at each other, she thought.
"This is from the three of us, Will, Richard, and me," said Georgie, holding out a box.
Lizzy unwrapped the latest state-of-the-art personal organizer. She hated to think what it must have cost.
"Oh, my!"
"Well, when I heard you flipping the pages of that Jurassic notebook think you have, I had to do something. So we got you this. It even has a GPS on it, so you can't get lost. You can check your email, track appointments, all sorts of things."
"Thank you! It will take me ages to learn how to work it."
"Lessons are included in the gift," smiled Darcy.
"This is from Chris and me," said Georgie, picking up a large box. Lizzy opened it and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Charles said that I was getting a bathrobe, and that the box was too big to open in a restaurant, which is why we had to come here before dinner. Thanks, you two!"
"Well, I bought Will his for Christmas, and I know how long it is. I didn't want you to trip and fall when you wear it."
Lizzy laughed, "It's yummy, thick and soft."
"And it matches mine," said Darcy. "Maybe we should get them monogrammed so that we can tell them apart." Images of Darcy in a bathrobe two sizes too small made everyone laugh.
"What a wonderful birthday!" sighed Lizzy. "Thank you all for the party and the presents, and, oh, just all of it. I should go thank Mrs. R."
She started to get up, but Darcy put his hand on her arm.
"Not yet. There's still one more present," he said, holding out a small velvet box.