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Chapter 72

Posted on Tuesday, 7 May 2002

April 11

"Good morning, Gorgeous!" Richard bounced into the apartment.

"Richard!" cried Georgie. "How are you this morning?"

"Just fine. I must say you're a bit dressed up for a school day."

"I'm going to a lecture by a guest speaker. He's the author of a bunch of Civil War books. I'm going to take one with me to get it autographed. The bookstore was supposed to have his newest, but I'll take one with me just in case they didn't get them in."

"Civil War?" asked Richard.

"Yes, a bit before your time," remarked Darcy dryly. "But surely you've heard of it?"

"Hey, is it my fault I wasn't born then? Unlike my elderly cousin!"

Georgie rose to the defense of her brother. "Be nice, Richard, or I'll have to tell you what Aunt Catherine said about you on Easter."

"Ooh, do tell!"

"Some other time, Richard. I have to be going. Bye, Will." She kissed her brother and then her cousin.

"Enjoy your lecture, Sweetie," called Darcy as she skipped out of the room.

"Bye, Gorgeous!" Richard turned to Darcy. "Now, what did Aunt Catherine have to say about me this time?"

So Darcy related the tale of Anne and her lost shoe, and how Darcy had to cover a laugh in church with a cough. "And she said it was the sort of behavior she would expect from you, and that you are just like your father."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"I don't think it was meant that way."

"All the more reason to be complimented. Consider the source, eh?"

'You really enjoy cultivating the bad boy image with Aunt Catherine, don't you, Richard?"

Richard grinned, "So, you've found me out at last. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself. Aunt Catherine just makes it so easy."

"That's what your father always says."

"Say, Darce, what have you heard from Bingley? Has he done anything about a ring?"

"Yes, they picked one out on Monday."

"They? So he did ask her to choose one."

"Yes. Lizzy says it's a good thing that she didn't help him because what Jane picked out wasn't what Lizzy would have expected her to like."

"Really? What did Lizzy want?"

Darcy smiled at his cousin. "That wasn't the question, Richard. I don't know what Lizzy wants-would want. But her idea of what Jane would want turned out to be wrong."

"I'm surprised that you haven't managed to find out what Lizzy wants. I would have expected a canny fellow like you to make use of this opportunity to do a little, um, research in the form of theoretical questions. Well, I'm off. Mom's birthday is coming up and I thought I'd use this morning to go shopping for a present."

Georgie met Sandy and Kitty and Chris for coffee on her way to the lecture. "Sorry I'm late, I had to stop off at the book store. I got the new book." She pulled the book out of her tote bag.

"Oh! Look at the picture on the back!" squealed Kitty. Isn't that cute?" She read the caption and gasped. "Georgie! did you see this?"

Georgie looked at the caption, "I know, it is cute. 'The author's eldest daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, pose by yet another cannon at Gettysburg, July 1979.' Oh!"

"What?" asked Chris.

"The author's name is Bennet. The daughters are Jane and Elizabeth. I wonder if the author is Lizzy's father. I'll see what I can find out when I get him to sign my book. I better run if I'm going to get a good seat. I'll let you know how it goes."

Lizzy perched on the edge of Jane's desk. It amazed her that there was always room to sit on the top of the desk without moving a thing. Lizzy's desk had a nice surface, or so she thought. She hadn't seen it in a while.

"So, Jane, is Charles joining us for dinner tonight?"

"No, we decided to wait until Sunday to drop the news. Frankly, I'm a bit worried about them finding out that we're going to travel together before we're married."

"Oh, Jane, I think they'll be realistic. I'm hoping to collect some brownie points with Mom for being a good sport and giving up my ticket for Charles. With my luck, she'll be angry because I'm setting the two of you up for big-time sinning. Anyway, the big news is the engagement. Tell them that first. Mom will be so excited that you could tell her you're buying an elephant and want to keep it in her back yard and she wouldn't bat an eye."

Jane groaned, "Do you think it will be that bad?"

"Oh, yeah. I think I'll tell Will to stand out on his terrace on Sunday and listen for the shrieks!"

"Lizzy!"

"I know, I know. Not nice. Oh, remember, we're meeting at 6:30 tonight. I may stay here and work through."

"I'll go home at regular time. So I'll see you there."

Richard wandered around the gift shop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He saw a pair of earrings that looked nice, but he had an odd feeling that he'd seen them before-like maybe on his mother. The young woman behind the jewelry counter saw the handsome man and immediately asked if he needed help.

"I don't know. I'm shopping for a birthday gift, and I'm not sure if she has these earrings."

Crestfallen, the woman showed Richard some of the newest items in the case. Glancing at his left hand, she took a guess and said, "These earrings haven't been in for long. It's unlikely that your girlfriend would already have any of these."

"Hmm? Oh, it isn't for, um, the gift is for my mother."

"Oh," said the woman quietly. But inside she was thinking OH!!!

Richard looked at a few pieces of jewelry, and flirted a bit with the sales woman. Eventually, he settled on a pair of earrings in an Egyptian design. The woman fluttered her eyelashes as she handed Richard the bag. "I think it's so nice that you're buying a present for your mother."

"Isn't he adorable?" drawled a voice behind Richard. "And he likes kittens and puppies, too."

Richard spun around. "Annie, m'love! Aren't you looking fetching this morning?"

"Fetching?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"Absolutely," he replied as he led her out of the shop. "Fetching. And me without a stick to throw."

The Dean stepped to the microphone. "Welcome, students and faculty. Our guest lecturer is a well-known authority on the Civil War. His newest book, War Is Not a Picnic, focuses not on the battles, but on civilian attitudes toward the war. Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Thomas Bennet."

Mr. Bennet stepped to the microphone as the audience applauded. He smiled and took the microphone out of the stand on the podium and walked to the edge of the stage.

"Good morning! I'm delighted to be here this morning. Forgive my informal approach, but if I stand at the lectern, I lecture. If I can wander around the stage a bit, I talk. I'll begin by answering the question my publisher asked me. And that is, 'What the hell kind of title is that?'" The students laughed.

"My publisher was afraid that the book would be misinterpreted as an antiwar statement. My wife likes the title for that reason. She's sentimental-we met at an antiwar demonstration in the '70's." He held up his hand as if to say stop. "Don't ask. It's true, you know. You had to be there." Students and faculty laughed at this.

"The title is also a tip of the hat to one of my daughters, who became tired and whiny while we were taking a tour of a battlefield," he paused and clicked on the first slide, which was the photograph on the back of his newest book. "Lizzy is the one on the left. She begged us to open the picnic basket while I was mentally reliving Picket's Charge at Gettysburg. I had to tell her, 'War is not a picnic!' and that expression has come back to haunt me often.

"And the title has a connection to the Civil War itself.. At the start of the war, people didn't think it would last very long. When word got out that a battle was starting near Washington, people packed their picnic hampers and got into their carriages and drove out to watch. And, although they thought it would be a picnic, in fact it was not. More soldiers died..." and he went on to briefly put the Civil War in context compared to other wars.

As he lectured, or rather, talked, Mr. Bennet showed slides of various battlefields and sites related to the Civil War. And once in a while, he slipped in a picture of his daughters posing next to or atop cannons to lighten the atmosphere. When he finished, the applause was enthusiastic.

The Dean took the microphone and announced that Professor Bennet would be available to sign his books and chat with students informally for about an hour. Georgie didn't want to run up and be the first, but she didn't want to miss out if they ran out of time before she got to see him. Fortunately, only a small group of students lingered. She approached him shyly.

"Professor Bennet?" she said softly.

"Hello," he saw that she had his new book and automatically reached out for it. He opened the book to sign it and said, "What's your name?"

"Georgiana Darcy. Um, Georgie is fine for the book."

"Hmm, right." He signed the book and handed it back to her.

"Your daughter Lizzy, does she work at the Museum of Natural History?"

"Yes, she does. Miss Darcy, you wouldn't happen to have a brother, would you?"

Georgie grinned, and Mr. Bennet noticed how the shyness had evaporated. "Yes I do! This is amazing. I have to tell you, I've read all of your books. I was, um, very ill a few years ago, and I read everything I could on the Civil War. Your books were the best."

"Thank you, that's very kind."

"Um, could I take you to lunch? I feel I owe you a favor. Stuff I learned from your books saved my, um," she blushed when she realized she had almost said "butt," and continued, "my neck on a test recently."

"That's very generous of you. Unfortunately, I'm expected to lunch with the Dean and some faculty members. But I am meeting my daughters for dinner. Could you join us?"

"If you don't mind me joining a family celebration. I know that Lizzy told Will she was having dinner with you..." Georgie trailed off when she realized that she was about to give away some information Lizzy's father probably didn't want to know.

"Oh!" she went on, "As my best friend's boyfriend often says, I'm about to be brilliant! Can we go for a drink before you meet Lizzy and Jane for dinner? I could invite my brother?"

Mr. Bennet grinned, "What a devious child it is! God knew what he was doing when he put you and my Lizzy together!"

"Oh, no, I'm not usually so forward. In fact I never was until I met Lizzy. Oh! No! I didn't mean that to sound the way it came out."

"Never mind, Miss Darcy. I can imagine only too well. I must join the Dean in a few minutes. Let me give you my cell number, and you can call me when you set things up. I leave choice of time and place to you. I'm meeting my girls somewhere in the West 70's at 6:30."

Georgie scribbled the number in a notebook. "When will you be out of lunch? I wouldn't want to disturb you."

"Disturb me, please. It will scandalize the faculty-they'll think I'm setting up an assignation!"

He left, chuckling to himself.

Well, now I know where Lizzy gets her sense of humor, thought Georgie.

"So what did you buy?" asked Anne, glaring in the general direction of the shop. "And was the saleswoman helpful enough? Did you manage to get her number?"

"Yes, she was helpful, and no, I did not get her number," replied Richard. "I know that you refuse to believe me, but I do not spend my entire day collecting the telephone numbers of impressionable women."

"Ha! And what are you doing here, shopping while we taxpayers pay your salary? Aren't you supposed to be protecting the world or something?"

"Morning off. The world will have to protect itself for a while. Who let you out of your dust-free, hermetically sealed lab?"

"I am allowed to walk through the museum. Sometimes I find it clears my mind."

"Well, then, I'll take advantage of your empty-head to ask you to lunch. Care to join me?"

"I didn't know you were coming apart."

"Huh?"

"Old joke, Richie, never mind."

Darcy read the contract and smiled. All the amendments had been made and he was happy to sign it. He thought back to Monday, when he had been unable to concentrate on the drafts of the contract. He frowned at the thought that he wouldn't see Lizzy this evening. She was opting to stay at home, since she was dining out with her father and there was the chance that they'd go back to the apartment she shared with Jane. He frowned at the telephone when it rang.

"Yes?"

"Your sister on the line, sir."

"Thank you." He waited for the click and said, "Georgie! How was the lecture?"

"Fabulous! I spoke to the author and he's so nice! I asked him to lunch, but he couldn't, but I'm going to take him out for a drink. I mean, I owe him at least that after all the time I spent reading his books last year."

"Georgie, you don't know this man, I'm not sure-"

"If you're worried, come with us. I was thinking maybe the Allstate? Maybe 5:00 or 5:30?"

"He accepted the invitation?"

"Yes, and I'm going, with or without you!"

"All right, then, Allstate, between five and five-thirty."

"Maybe Lizzy could come, too. Then you'd have a chance to see her before she goes off on her dinner engagement."

"I might just do that. Bye, Sweetie."

Mr. Bennet tried to sound interested in the Dean's discussion of class records and the problems of the new computer program that had taken over registration. If he'd had doubts before, Mr. Bennet now was certain that administration was not for him.

Relieved when his cell phone beeped the first four notes of Beethoven's Fifth, he answered, "Bennet."

"Hi, Professor Bennet! We're all set for any time between 5:00 and 5:30 at a little place in the 70's. Do you want to meet me on campus and we can go down there together?"

"I'm not so old that I need a tour guide, young lady."

"Oh, no I-"

"Just teasing. I'll meet you at the lecture hall around 4:30."

"Super! See you then!"

Darcy handed over the contracts to his secretary for duplication and filing. He thought about Georgie's suggestion and decided it was a good idea.

"Lizzy Bennet."

"Hi, Lizzy."

"Will! I miss you."

"I missed you last night, and I won't see you tonight, either. So how about meeting me for a drink? I know you're meeting your father later, but Georgie suggested we get together before then. She has someone she wants me to meet, and suggested you come along, too."

"Oh, I guess I could. What time?"

"Between 5:00 and 5:30 at the Allstate."

"All right. I was going to work until dinner, but I can't resist a chance to see you. So I'll meet you there."

"Excellent, see you later. I love you!"

"Love you, too Will. Bye."

"Don't even think about it!" Anne held up her fork in a defensive position.

"What?" Richard did his best to look innocent, despite the fact that his fork was aimed strategically at Anne's cake.

"You were going to swipe some of my dessert. If you wanted cake, why didn't you get some?"

"I wanted the pie. I couldn't order cake, too."

"No, you couldn't possibly do that. But you could sneak a bite of mine."

"Please?" he whined.

"No way!" Anne lifted the last forkful of cake. She was about to put it into her mouth when the pitiful look on Richard's face stopped her. She held out the fork so that he could take the handle, "Oh, here!"

Richard dropped his own fork and reached for hers. Instead of taking the handle of the fork from her, he took her hand and held the fork in the air as he leaned forward to take the bite of cake. Anne stared at him as he closed his eyes and chewed the cake.

"Mmm. Good." When Richard opened his eyes, Anne was sitting just as she had been when he took the cake off the fork. He was still holding her hand. He collected his wits and dropped her hand. "Thank you."

After a minute of awkward silence, Anne said, "You never did tell me what you bought. What was it?"

He showed her the earrings and she nodded, "Yes, your mother will like these. Classic, and just a bit exotic."

Richard looked at the earrings and then at Anne. "These would look good on you. Do you have a pair?"

"No. I have a fair amount of jewelry from the Museum Shop, but I don't have those." She glanced at her watch, "I have a meeting. Some of us actually work, you know. Thanks for lunch."

"My pleasure, Annie."

Richard watched Anne walk away. He drained the last of his coffee and walked back to the gift shop.

Georgie met Mr. Bennet at 4:30. He grinned at her, "Miss Darcy! Right on time. Did you get in touch with your brother?"

"Yes, I did, and I suggested he call Lizzy, so we'll have to see what happens. Oh, and please call me Georgie."

"I don't want to put you on the spot, Georgie, but how serious is it between Lizzy and your brother?"

"Wellll..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"I can tell you this, I've always wished I had a sister, and if I could choose, I'd pick Lizzy. And if Lizzy became my sister, I guess Jane would be a sister, too."

"Oh, yes, and there are two more that you haven't met, so be careful what you wish for."

When Anne finally returned to her office, a grinning secretary greeted her. "You got a delivery, Anne!"

"I wasn't expecting anything."

"Go see!"

Anne stopped at the door to her office and gasped softly. She recognized the gift-wrap from the museum's store the minute she saw it. "Where did this come from?"

"I got a call to go down to the main desk and pick up a package for you."

"When?"

"Just after lunch."

"Oh. Thanks." Anne went into her office and closed the door. She picked up the box and shook it gently. A slight rattle sounded like jewelry. Had he gone back to the shop? Anne tore open the wrapping. When she opened the box, she found a piece of paper.

Annie,
Thanks for sharing your cake. Please don't wear these around Mom. I'd like her to think she has the only pair of these in the family.
R

Nestled under the cotton in the box were a pair of Egyptian earrings.

Georgie and Mr. Bennet were the first to reach the bar. They ordered something to drink and settled at a table.

"You know, Professor Bennet-"

"Please call me Tom. Any friend of Lizzy's is a friend of mine, as they say."

Georgie smiled and then squealed, "Oh! Will is here." She got up and ran to greet her brother. Mr. Bennet watched them hug and smiled as Georgie grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him toward the table.

"Tom, I'd like you to meet my brother, Will Darcy. Will, this is Professor Tom Bennet."

Mr. Bennet smiled as Georgie mumbled his last name. He stood up and held out his hand, "Nice to meet you, Will. Please call me Tom."

"Hello, Tom. Pleased to meet you. I suppose Georgie has already told you how much she has enjoyed your books."

"Yes, it's always nice to meet a fan."

"So, you teach history as well as write?"

"Yes, I do. I teach at Montclair State. I also live in Montclair, with my wife and youngest daughter." Mr. Bennet smiled as Georgie tried to catch his eye. She was afraid that he was on the verge of spoiling the surprise, but he seemed to know just how close to the edge he could skate.

Darcy wondered what was going on with Georgie. First, his shy sister had invited a stranger out for drinks, and now she seemed to be having some sort of private joke going with him. This was not typical of Georgie. And there was something about this history professor that seemed familiar. Darcy couldn't quite figure it out, but he had a feeling that he would eventually.

Lizzy walked in, and Darcy excused himself to greet her. Georgie sat back and watched Lizzy's father watch his daughter greet her boyfriend. Mr. Bennet smiled in amusement and approval as Lizzy and Darcy embraced and kissed lightly. She must have said something cheeky, because he laughed and blushed.

Darcy held Lizzy's hand and walked her to the table. He began the introduction, "Professor Bennet, let me introduce my girlfriend...who...has the same name as..." his voice trailed off.

"Hi, Dad!" laughed Lizzy as Darcy glared at his sister.

"Hello, Lizzy dear." Mr. Bennet smiled as Lizzy bent down to kiss his cheek. Still glaring at Georgie, Darcy held out a chair for Lizzy between his chair and her father's.

Lizzy smiled at Darcy as she sat down, "What's wrong, Will?"

"Ask my sister. Georgie, why didn't you tell me your favorite historian is Lizzy's father?"

Mr. Bennet laughed, "Sorry, we were having too much fun with this." Then Darcy figured out why Mr. Bennet had seemed oddly familiar. Lizzy had her father's smile-and his sense of humor, too.

Darcy went to the bar to order a drink for Lizzy. Mr. Bennet nodded in his direction and said to Lizzy, "He's very nice."

"And you're very sneaky-both of you."

"Come, on Lizzy, it's funny," said Georgie. "How often do you get to see the CIA check out the Spanish Inquisition?" Seeing Mr. Bennet's quizzical expression, Georgie explained her brother's approach to any and all suitors.

"Ah, I see," he replied. "No wonder you liked the idea of this arrangement. You're getting back at your brother."

"And quite effectively, too." Darcy set down Lizzy's glass of wine and took the chair next to hers, maintaining a discrete distance from her.

"Don't worry, Will," laughed Mr. Bennet. "You've done everything right so far. You greeted her when she arrived, held her chair, got her a drink. And you're sitting farther from her than you would if I weren't here. A-Plus for gentlemanlike behavior."

"I'm relieved to hear it," laughed Darcy, wiping the back of his hand across his brow.

Georgie excused herself and dragged Lizzy with her to the ladies' room.

"Your sister is charming," said Mr. Bennet.

"I might have said sly, but I'll accept charming. Georgie has come out of her shell in this past year. I attribute most of the change to Lizzy's influence, and her doctor, too, of course. And now that we're back in New York, we see more of our cousins, as well."

"I believe your cousin helped you bail out my youngest on St. Patrick's Day."

"Yes, that was Richard. He's involved with Homeland Security in some way-he's always up to something hush-hush, we've learned not to ask. Anyway, he knows half the police in the city, and was able to get your daughter off the hook."

"I appreciate all you did for Lydia, Will."

"Actually, I did very little. Richard took care of it."

Modest, too, thought Mr. Bennet. "You were there for Lizzy, though, and that's important."

They sat in silence for a minute, sipping their drinks. Finally, Darcy spoke.

"I believe you know that I am guardian to my sister?"

"Yes, she told me that."

"Right. Based on my experiences with Georgie's, um, suitors, I can imagine that you have some things you'd like to ask me. So I'll answer you. Yes, my intentions are honorable; yes I'm serious about Lizzy. But I'm not sure we're ready to make any major decisions yet. No, let me rephrase that. I'm not sure that Lizzy is quite ready. If she hasn't told you much about us it's because we've been enjoying our anonymity, while it lasts."

"I understand. Lizzy's mother can be a bit excitable."

"Oh, no, we didn't mean it that way. I meant in terms of the public eye."

Of course. A man in your position must be besieged with women and stalked by reporters."

"You imagine my life to be more glamorous than it actually is. But, yes, a rich bachelor's love life is fodder for gossip columns. I'd rather not see Lizzy's name dragged around those columns just because she's dating me."

"I love all of my daughters, but Lizzy is my favorite. I'm pleased to see that you're taking such good care of her."

"That is my intention."

Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair and smiled. "You'll do."

Lizzy and Georgie returned to the table. Lizzy sat down and softly asked Darcy, "Miss me?"

"Desolately," he took her hand and kissed it, then continued to hold her hand. Lizzy looked from Darcy to her father, wondering what their conversation had been about.

Chapter 73

Posted on Tuesday, 7 May 2002

April 13

"Dinner was delicious, Lou," Charles smiled at his sister.

"Yes, it was," agreed Hurst, patting his stomach. "You do make a fine ragout, my dear."

"I was just in the mood to cook a nice dinner. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You know, Charles, we don't see as much of you as we used to."

"Hmph," was all that Caroline had to add to the conversation. Louisa shot her sister a warning glance.

"I know, Lou, I've been spending more and more time with Jane."

"Well, of course you are. You have so much planning to do. Have you set a date?"

"No. I'm having dinner with her family tomorrow. We're going to tell them about the engagement then."

"Ooh, dinner in the 'burbs. How thrilling." Caroline's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Yes, I'm sure it will be a lovely afternoon." replied Charles. He frowned as Caroline took another swig of wine. Usually, it was Hurst who had more to drink than was necessary. Tonight it was Caroline, and she was, as Louisa would say, in a mood.

Louisa and her husband looked at each other. Hurst raised his eyebrows and Louisa nodded. Hurst stood up and picked up a serving dish, following his wife to the kitchen, he said, "Let me help you with that, Dear."

Left alone with Caroline, Charles nervously fiddled with a teaspoon. Caroline spoke first.

"Have you and Jane picked a silver pattern yet? Do let me know what you choose, and I'll run down to K-Mart and pick up a sugar spoon or something in your pattern."

Charles saw Louisa in the doorway. He shook his head and she retreated. He turned his attention to his other sister. "That's enough, Caro. You've been dead set against Jane since I started dating her. She is my choice, and you need to accept it."

"But she's so-"

"Sweet? Kind? Lovely? If you can't find something nice to say about my fiancée, Caro, then don't say anything at all. Face it. If it comes down to a choice between you and Jane, I'll choose Jane. If you don't want to come to our wedding, that's your decision. But I am going to marry Jane, and I expect you to be civil to her. Have I made myself clear?"

Stunned at her usually easy-going brother's firm declaration of loyalty to Jane, Caroline could only stare at him.

Charles stood up and called to Louisa, "Lou, no dessert for me. I think I'll be going now." As she walked him to the door, he thanked her for her support.

"I know that wasn't easy, Charles, but Hurst and I have been trying to talk sense into her all week. She needed to hear it from you. Don't worry, she'll come around."

"Stop fussing, Jane. It's just dinner at Mom and Dad's."

"Just? Just? Lizzy, I'm announcing my engagement tomorrow. It's a special day. I know that Charles will be nervous, and I want to do everything I can to make it easy for him. I think he's pleased that Dad invited Will and Georgie, too. At least there'll be another man for moral support."

"Charles will be fine. Dad will take care of Charles and Will. That will leave us in Mom's care. She'll be in a flurry of list-making. I wonder what she'll want to do first-design your dress or plan the menu for the reception?"

Jane flopped onto her bed and groaned. Lizzy sat next to her and rubbed her back, "Cheer up, Jane. If it gets out of control, you can always elope. I'm grateful to you and Charles. Mom is going to be very curious about Will, but once you guys announce your engagement, Will and I are going to be minor news at best."

April 14

Charles and Darcy arrived at the apartment in time for a late-morning cup of coffee. Darcy explained that Georgie was unable to join them, due to a term paper that was taking her longer to finish than she had expected.

As they sat and talked, Darcy was amused at Charles's nervousness. While Lizzy and Jane were in the kitchen, Charles turned to Darcy and said, "Don't laugh. I expect that you will be in this position one day."

"Not a problem, Charles. I've already indicated my intentions to Mr. Bennet."

"When?"

"The other afternoon. Georgie dragged Lizzy off to the ladies' room and I took advantage of the opportunity to let Mr. Bennet know I'm serious about Lizzy. I didn't come right out and ask for her hand." Will chuckled, "She'd have a fit if I asked her father before I asked her."

Charles relaxed for the first time all day. "I can imagine it."

"You have nothing to worry about, Charles. You've met both of Jane's parents already. I don't think the engagement is going to be a complete surprise. It's too bad you couldn't have joined us the other night. You might have told Mr. Bennet first and taken some of the pressure off today."

"Hey, no pressure!" said Lizzy as she brought the coffeepot to the table. "Have a little more caffeine, Charles, just the thing for nerves."

"I think you and Will are very mean, Lizzy," said Jane. "Wait until you have to face the parents."

"Nah, no problem," laughed Lizzy. "First, you will have done the whole engagement thing already, so they'll be softened up a bit. Second, Mom likes you better and would naturally make a bigger fuss over you."

"But you're Daddy's girl, Lizzy. So you'll have to deal with him losing his favorite."

"Will took care of that already," said Lizzy smugly.

"What? How do you-what do you mean?" cried Darcy.

"Oh, Will, do be serious. Georgie dragged me off to the ladies' to tell me how excited she was to see you meet my father. While you two were alone out there, I figure Dad grilled you."

"Ha! Not true. Your father did not grill me."

"You mean you made a, what do they call it on cop shows, a spontaneous, no a voluntary confession?"

"I cannot imagine what you mean, Lizzy." Now it was Darcy's turn to look smug.

"Don't pull that on me!" laughed Lizzy, giving up on an attempt to look indignant. "Charles, you should have seen the two of them sitting there when Georgie and I got back. They looked like they had just made some sort of deal, like maybe Will traded his Beemer for me."

"As if I would do something so crass as trade a car to get you. You're worth at least a private jet."

Ignoring the compliment, Lizzy persisted, "Well, you said something to my father that settled matters between you. When you found out he was my father, you sat farther from me than you would from a stranger. Then, when I came back from the ladies', you held my hand, as if you had my father's permission to do so."

"I didn't get your father's permission for anything specific. I didn't want to open a line of questioning that might make him unhappy."

"Questions?" groaned Charles. "Do you think he's going to ask us if we've, um..."

"Don't worry, Charles," said Lizzy. "Dad will be discrete and Mom will be oblivious."

Darcy pulled off the highway and onto the local road.

"We're a bit early," said Lizzy. "Care for a tour? Pull over, Will, and let me drive, then you can ogle the houses."

"You want to drive my car?"

"I know how to drive, Will, and I know the streets."

Darcy did as he was told, and Lizzy took over the driving. She drove slowly along a road whose large houses boasted deep and sloping lawns. Jane pointed out her favorite, a house in the style of an English manor house.

"Check out the pagoda house!" cried Lizzy, as they passed a house built in an Oriental style. "And there are some nice old colonials on another street. One of the professors used to live in this one here. She claimed it was haunted by the ghost of the original eighteenth-century owner."

Lizzy turned another corner, and they passed moderately large houses with neatly trimmed lawns. She swung into a driveway and announced, "And here we have the home of the famous Bennets."

They got out of the car and climbed the front steps. "Once more, dear friends, unto the breach!" whispered Lizzy a moment before her mother opened the door.

"Mom!" said Jane. "How are you? Where's Dad?"

"We're fine. Come in, come in. Lizzy, aren't you going to introduce your young man?"

"Of course. Mom, this is Will Darcy. Will, this is my mother, Fran Bennet."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Bennet." Darcy gave the woman his best smile and shook her hand.

"Oh, my. Welcome to our home. Hello, Charles, it's good to see you again. Do come in and sit down. I'll just get Mr. Bennet out of the den."

"I'll put the wine in the fridge," said Lizzy. Then she added softly to Jane, "I can sneak it in quickly. If Mom sees the champagne, she'll know something's afoot."

Soon, they were all seated in the living room. Mrs. Bennet was about to offer everyone a drink when Lizzy interrupted.

"Will and I brought some wine, so I thought we'd have that now, is that OK?" Her mother nodded and Lizzy turned to Will. "Would you help me?"

"Lizzy!" cried Mrs. Bennet. "Will is a guest. You can't ask him to help. Jane can help you."

"No, Will can help me."

Darcy smiled at Mrs. Bennet and said, "I'd be happy to help. Excuse me." As he left the room, he looked back at Charles and mouthed, "You're on."

In the kitchen, Lizzy pulled out a bottle of champagne and handed it to Will. "Here it is. I'll go get glasses."

The pop of the cork was drowned out by the shriek that came from the living room.

"I'm glad that's over," said Charles as they got into Darcy's car.

"It wasn't so bad, Charles," Darcy remarked. "I didn't think Mr. Bennet looked particularly surprised."

"Mom was excited, though," laughed Lizzy. "You guys escaped to the den to talk man stuff. Mom could barely finish making dinner she was talking so fast. But you're right, Will. Dad wasn't terribly surprised. Did you say something to him the other evening?"

"Absolutely not. In fact, he chided me a bit this afternoon for not letting him in on the secret. I pointed out that it was not my place to make an announcement on behalf of Charles and Jane."

Charles laughed, "You have it easy. You're not a son-in-law-to-be. You can spar with him, I can't talk back to him."

"Sure you can, Charles," said Lizzy. "Dad likes a sparring partner. Mom and Lydia aren't up to his level of banter. He prefers to tease someone who can give as good as he gets."

They stopped at Lizzy and Jane's apartment long enough to drop off Charles and Jane and for Lizzy to collect a few things she'd need on Monday. When they got into the apartment, the answering machine was blinking.

"It's started!" laughed Lizzy. They listened to a message from their mother about bakeries and wedding cakes; a congratulatory message from their Aunt Phillips; another message from their mother, this time about florists; a congratulatory message from their parents' next-door neighbor; two more messages from their mother; and a congratulatory message from the Gardiners.

Darcy laughed uncharitably at Charles's stricken expression. Lizzy elbowed him and hissed, "Don't you dare play the smug bachelor, Will Darcy." and dragged him out of the apartment.

When Georgie heard Darcy enter the apartment, she ran out to greet him.

"Hi, Will, I'm almost finished. Lizzy, hi! I didn't know you were staying here tonight."

"What makes you think I'm staying?"

"Yeah, right, like my brother is going to let you go home now that you're here!"

Lizzy held up a package. "Be nice to me, kiddo, I've got a slice of Mom's chocolate mousse cake for you if you're a good girl."

"Mmm, the perfect celebration for a finished term paper. Would you guys proofread for me?"

"I'd be glad to, Sweetie. Print a draft whenever you're ready."

Georgie returned to her room. Darcy and Lizzy sat on the sofa, listening to some jazz. Lizzy curled up against him and sighed.

"That's quite a sigh, Ms. Bennet. Is anything wrong?"

"No. I'm just relishing the quiet."

"Your mother is a bit excitable, but she's sweet, really. And she is a good cook."

"Don't start."

"What?"

"You didn't hear all of it. While Mom praised Jane to the skies, she kept telling me how, if I'd been sweet like Jane and learned to cook like Jane, I'd have a fiancé now, too. Instead I have a nice young man, but she says I'll never catch you if I boss you around like I did."

"When did you boss me around?"

"When I asked you to help with the champagne."

"Oh, that. I didn't feel particularly bossed. What did you say to her about that?"

"Nothing. I figure the less she knows, the less attention I get. Let Jane have the spotlight. It's fine with me. I'm used to it. And Dad has always favored me, so it's only fair."

"I like your Dad. He has good taste in daughters." Darcy kissed the top of Lizzy's head.

"You two are getting pretty thick. What did you two talk about the other night?"

"You aren't going to let go of that, are you?"

"No. Tell me."

"The hills are alive with the sound of music." sang a voice from the hallway.

"We're in the living room," called Lizzy. "You don't have to sing any more, you know."

"I don't?"

"No," continued Lizzy, reaching for the print-out. "Just respect closed doors."

Georgie blushed. "Right, I'll remember that."

"Go have your cake while we read." Lizzy shifted her position on the sofa so that she and Darcy couldn't see each other's notes as they read over Georgie's paper. A short while later, Georgie returned.

Lizzy held out her copy. "I like the way you write. I fixed a few commas and caught a couple of wrong words, probably typos that got by spellcheck."

Georgie turned to her brother, "Well?"

"Very good. There was one paragraph that I'd move up. I marked it, but don't move it unless you completely agree with me. It's a matter of preference, so go with your own gut on it."

"Thanks."

The phone rang again. Jane reached for it and Charles grabbed her hand.

"Don't," he said. "Screen."

"Hello, Jane. Aren't you there? I had another thought about dresses. Mary is so much thinner than Lizzy and Lydia, you're going to have to find a bridesmaid dress that doesn't require much in the way of a bosom, and-"

Jane grabbed the phone, "Hi, Mom...Yes...I know, but...It's too soon for that...NO! You may not tell Lydia that she'll be a bridesmaid...We haven't made any decisions about the size of the wedding...No, she'll only be disappointed if you promise her something that won't happen...Bye, Mom."

Jane hung up the phone and groaned, "Welcome to the wedding from hell."

Charles wrapped his arms around her and shushed her. "It won't be so bad. Once she gets over the initial excitement, things will be fine."

The telephone rang yet again. Irritably, Jane grabbed it and yelled, "Mom, do you-"

"Jane?" came the soft voice.

"Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I called to say congratulations."

"Mom called you, too, huh? She has called just about everyone she's ever met."

"No, Dad called."

"I wonder how he got the phone away from Mom. I'm sorry about the way I barked into the phone, but Mom calls every time she has a new thought about the wedding."

"Poor you. It must be bad if it's making the sweetest Bennet sister cranky. Maybe you should elope."

"Are you kidding? Mom would go ballistic."

"Dad would like it, though. It would save him a fortune. Have you set a date?"

"No. We haven't discussed it yet, but I'll let you know when I do. I'd like a summer wedding, but I know we can't get it all together for June. Maybe late August, before you go back to school."

"That would be nice. But I'll manage to get home regardless of school. I wouldn't miss the Mom-and-Dad circus for anything!"

"Willll," said Lizzy softly.

"Hmmm?"

"You never did tell me what you and Dad talked about the other night."

"Go to sleep, Lizzy."

"Tell me." She snuggled closer.

"It isn't a big deal, stop obsessing."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"If you must know," he said with a wicked smile, "I told him you were the most imaginative woman I've ever-"

She pulled away from him. "You did not!"

Darcy laughed softly and pulled her close again. "No, I didn't. All I said was that my intentions were honorable, and that we had nothing to announce at this time. Your father and I seem to understand each other. I think he trusts me to take good care of you."

"You couldn't have done anything better. He respects directness. I know that he likes you. He told me this afternoon that he likes the way we look together."

Darcy kissed her. "I'm glad. But if he could see us together like this, he might not look upon me quite so kindly."

Chapter 74

Posted on Friday, 24 May 2002

April 15

"You didn't have to drive me to work, Will."

"Oh, shut up!" Darcy hit the power button on his car's radio. He heard Lizzy gasp. "Not you, Lizzy. That idiot on the radio."

"Oh, my. Jokes about taxes aren't funny this year? I take it you had to write a big check? Or was it your company that had to cough up the bucks?"

"Corporate taxes are on a different schedule. But, yes, I pay a lot in taxes. My accountant cringes every year when he brings me the forms to sign."

"My uncle's accountant does my taxes. I manage to get my withholding just right, so I pay very little or get just a little back. I guess your taxes are just a bit more complicated."

"Investments are nice when they pay off, but you do have to pay tax on the interest and the profit from sales of securities. It hasn't been a great year for the Street, so I didn't expect to have to pay as much tax as I did."

"Think of it this way, Will. If you had to pay a lot of tax, it's because you were so successful and made lots of money."

"Thank you, Miss Pollyanna." He pulled the car over to the curb.

Lizzy leaned over to kiss him. "I wish I could do something to improve your mood, but this is a public street, and I have to go to work."

"Are you staying tonight?"

"Are you going to be in a better mood?"

"If you stay, I will be," he wheedled.

"Depending on how many calls she got from Mom, Jane may need me even more than you do. So call me later." She kissed him again. "Love you. Bye."

Lizzy got out of the car. Darcy drove downtown thinking about tax day and wondering if next year, he would be fortunate enough to have a different filing status.

Jane poked her head out of her office. "I don't care what you tell her, just don't put her through. I'm in a meeting, or taking a major donor to lunch, or trapped under a collapsed dinosaur skeleton. But I am not in my office!"

Lizzy rounded the corner in time to see Jane firmly close the door to her office. She grinned at the secretary, "Screening Mom?"

"Yeah. Was it really so bad?"

"What? You didn't hear Mom's shrieks all the way to Brooklyn?" Lizzy walked to her sister's door and knocked softly, "Janie? You decent?"

"Funny, Lizzy. Come in."

Lizzy sat on her sister's desk. "So, how many times did she call after I left last night?"

"We gave up counting. She expects all three of you to be bridesmaids, you know. Mostly, she wants Lydia to be a bridesmaid."

"Of course she does. What else did she want?"

"Oh, who knows? Lizzy, I don't know if I can survive this."

"Call Dad. Maybe he can peel Mom off the ceiling. Or at the least, he could give you some tips on handling her."

"Jane?" called the secretary, "Are you in for Mrs. Gardiner?"

"Yes, thanks!" Jane picked up the phone, "Hi, Aunt Maddie!"

"Hello, dear. Congratulations! Are you booked solid with your fiancé, or may I take my newly engaged niece out to lunch?"

"Oh, Aunt Maddie, I'd love to see you."

"Good, then tell me somewhere near the museum. And invite Lizzy, if you wish. I have a feeling she'll be in your shoes soon enough, and she might want to be in on this discussion."

"Um, Aunt Maddie, if this is, you know, the talk, well, see-"

"Heavens, no! This is the age of sex education. I wouldn't think you needed to have that sort of talk. I was thinking of wedding planning and Mom control."

Chris stood up when Georgie entered the coffee shop. She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He lifted her up for a kiss.

"Well," he said as he set her on her feet. "You're in a great mood today."

"You bet! I just handed in the paper I've been working on for weeks. I feel as if a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders."

"Then we need to celebrate. I'll make the lattes doubles!"

Chris returned with the mugs and sat next to Georgie. "Any new developments this morning?"

"No. Lizzy was teasing Will about her father. Apparently, the two of them really hit it off."

"That's promising."

"I know. And with Jane engaged, all the talk of weddings should get them thinking in that direction. I wish I could have gone yesterday. I like Lizzy's father. And Will is more pleased than he lets on that Professor Bennet likes him."

"That's good. Say, Georgie, what are you going to do this summer?"

"I don't know. Relax, get ready for law school in the fall. Read as much as I can. What about you?"

"I want to take some summer courses and try to pick up a part-time job. As much as I like to be upstate in the summer, I want to be near you. Plus, taking a course or two in the summer lightens my load for next year."

Georgie reached out and took his hand. He squeezed it gently and sighed, "Sometimes it seems like forever until we finish our education."

"Here comes the bride!" sang Madelaine Gardiner as her nieces approached the table. Jane blushed and Lizzy laughed.

"If I live that long!" declared Jane.

"Oh, my dear, I do know what you're going through. You know that your uncle and I married several years after your parents did. I think it was only that she was pregnant with you, Lizzy, at the time that kept your mother from running my wedding. Not that she didn't think she could do so under any condition. It was your father who made her slow down because of being pregnant."

"My mother the whirlwind," laughed Lizzy.

"She just has this thing, what is it Letterman says his mother's always saying? 'I do and do and do for you.' Well, your mother wants to 'do' for everyone. She likes taking care of everyone."

"I know that she means well and thinks she's helping. But, Aunt Maddie, she's trying to take over."

"Not really, Jane. She's so excited about this that she doesn't know what to do first. My dear, I wish you had heard her when she called us. She's so pleased for you."

"And for herself, too," remarked Lizzy. "Mom has always felt that her main duty was to raise marriageable daughters. She's proud that we've had an education and have careers, but she won't be satisfied until we have husbands, too. Remember her rule, Jane?"

Jane nodded, and the sisters said in perfect parrot-like unison, "Always leave the house dressed as if you are about to meet your future husband."

"Given the way some young people dress these days, it isn't a bad suggestion," said their aunt. "First impressions are important. Well, they are! Lizzy, why is that so funny?"

"According to Mom's Law, I have no hope with Will. We met on Halloween at a party at the museum and I was dressed like Indiana Jones." Noting that her aunt couldn't meet her eyes, Lizzy asked, "All right, Aunt Maddie. What did Mom have to say about me?"

"Oh, nothing significant, really."

"Don't spare me, I know the routine. I should be more feminine, less outspoken, less bossy, yada, yada, yada."

"Well, yes, Lizzy, she did make a few such comments. But she did say that your 'young man,' as she puts it, is very handsome. And that's about all she had to say about you and Mr. Darcy. Mostly she raved about Jane and Charles and how happy they will be-"

"And what a perfect wedding they will have," added Lizzy.

"Yes," sighed Madelaine, "That too. But I do have a few suggestions on how to deal with that. Jane, have you given much thought to the wedding?"

"I'd like it to be in the summer and Lizzy is going to be my maid of honor."

"And that's it?"

Jane nodded, "So far."

"Then here's your first task. Make a list of standard wedding things, like caterers, cakes, dresses, photographers. Give your mother the task of researching things, like checking the church for available dates, talking to caterers and bakeries. Be firm. Tell her that you want to make the final decisions. If necessary, use the need to consult with Charles on everything to keep her from making commitments on your behalf. But if you focus her on a few specific tasks, she'll go at them with the tenacity of a terrier, and spend less time fussing in general."

"Will it work?" asked Jane doubtfully.

"Worked for me," laughed Madelaine. "And she really was helpful. In the end, the only thing we didn't agree on was the cake. She made my wedding cake. I didn't want to ask her to go to so much trouble, but she was determined. And it was both beautiful and delicious. So if she offers to make the cake, consider it, Jane. It will be a great way to keep her too busy to make a last-minute fuss."

Richard looked at the agenda, pleased that they had reached the last item on the list. The representative from Port Authority assured him that all was ready and that security would be ample on the piers.

"Good," said Richard. I know that you've always had some security, but things must be tighter now. Make sure that the various cruise line staff know what's expected."

"Yes, we've sent instructions to all the lines that use our pier. Most are on regular schedules, although there's one with a variable schedule."

"Right," smiled Richard's. "And we know that she has excellent security. I believe that they always have a diver on staff?"

"Another cruise line keeps a dive team, I believe," said Richard's boss. "My brother and his wife did a cruise and they said the divers were very helpful on the snorkel trips."

"Not exactly the same, sir," said Richard. "Someone on the Queen's engineering staff is a diver, I believe. He's not there for the passengers. He can go down and make inspections. I met him this winter before they left on the world cruise. He loves making inspections when they're in warm ports!"

Everyone laughed, imagining having to dive in the Hudson River in January. Even in a wet suit, a diver would be uncomfortably cold in that water.

"Don't worry, gentleman," added the man from Port Authority. "We do have enough staff to inspect the piers and we will do the ships too, if the line requests it. We do not expect to find anything, but we will look anyway."

Richard's boss stood up and nodded to the assembled men and women, "Thank you all for attending. Good afternoon."

Richard glanced at his watch. Looking up, he said, "Well, then. Anything additional? Right, then we're done. Back to work, guys!"

Everyone stood up and stretched. As former field agents, many found office work and meetings tedious. It had to be done, of course, but some wondered why they were doing it. Richard had felt that way at first, but he was beginning to enjoy the "big picture" of planning and strategy. And he was glad to be settled-in New York.

As he walked back to his office, Richard fingered the notecard in his pocket. When he got to his office, he closed the door and sat behind his desk. He pulled out the note and read it.

Dear Richard,

Thank you for the earrings. What a lovely surprise! And yes, I will remember that I mustn't wear them to your mother's party. I would hate to upstage the birthday girl-although, knowing Aunt Sue, she'd think it was funny.

See you on Sunday,
Anne

p.s. Will trade cake for jewelry any time!
p.p.s. Did you get the saleswoman's number on the second visit?

Richard folded the note card and looked at the front. It appeared to be an original watercolor, not a print. He didn't remember seeing these in the shop, but they probably were from the shop's collection of Egyptian items. Maybe they had sold out before he did his shopping.

Back at the office, a much calmer Jane sat down with Lizzy to talk about the wedding.

"God bless the day Uncle Ed married Maddie," sighed Lizzy. "She is one smart lady. She can manage anyone without it showing. I should take lessons from her. Mom is right, I am too direct-make that bossy, in Momspeak-some times."

"I think that's part of the problem with you and Mom. You both want to be in charge."

"You're probably right. So are you two going to stay at our place tonight?"

"With Mom calling constantly, I sort of have to stay at home."

"Will wants me to stay tonight, so don't worry about asking Charles to stay with you. Poor little rich boy. Will was grouchy about Tax Day this morning."

Jane smirked, "I'm sure you can cheer him up."

Lizzy picked up a very neat stack of papers and held them up menacingly. "Be nice, Jane, or your desk will look like mine!" She set the papers down gently, laughed, and returned to her own office.

April 18

Georgie paused at the French doors, which stood open to the terrace. Lizzy and her brother stood at the railing, looking out over the city lights. He had his arm wrapped around her shoulders and she was leaning her head against him. He said something Georgie couldn't hear, and Lizzy looked up at him as she laughed. As she did so, Lizzy spied Georgie in the doorway.

"Georgie! Come look at how pretty the city looks tonight."

"I know. Um, if you'd like, I could eat inside..."

Lizzy turned to face her, "Certainly not! Georgie, this is your home. You're an adult and you don't have to eat at the children's table! I don't want you to feel you have to go out of your way to give us time alone. With the number of times you go out with Chris, Will and I get to eat dinner alone often enough."

"But it's so romantic out here, with the warm night and the candles, and all."

"Think of it as a casual family dinner al fresco. Pretend it's an urban picnic," suggested Lizzy.

"Family dinner!" exclaimed Darcy. "Just the thing. Georgie, drag another chair to the table. I'll be right back."

Bewildered, Georgie watched her brother disappear into the apartment. She did as she was told, and then Darcy reappeared carrying dishes and silverware. Mrs. Reynolds followed him, protesting, "Really, Mr. Darcy, I don't-"

"Nonsense! It's a beautiful evening. How often do we get a taste of summer in April? Come share it with us And don't try to tell me there isn't enough, because when you start making lasagna, you end up with enough to feed an army. Speaking of armies," added Darcy as he noticed a few more pebbles being lobbed from the other side of a the wall at the end of the terrace, "Perhaps there's a stray army officer around who might like to join us?"

"I'll bring some wine!" came a voice from the other side of the wall.

"I'll get another place setting," laughed Georgie.

"I forgot that Richard's apartment has the other half of the terrace," said Lizzy.

"Yes," replied Darcy. "This wall was already in place when our parents bought the apartments. The internal walls weren't finished, so the two apartments aren't configured exactly the same. In fact, our apartment is bigger because of the way they moved some of the internal walls. But the terrace was already split. I wonder if the gate is unlocked?"

Darcy led Lizzy to the brick wall. "See the arch in the bricks?"

She nodded.

"Look closely."

"Oh! It looks like a door. But it's brick!"

"No, it's wooden, painted to match the wall. Now that I look more closely, I see that it needs a touch-up."

"Bet I could still climb over it," said a voice behind them.

"Richard!"

"Hello, Lizzy. Hey, Darce, remember the time I climbed it?"

"You took years off your mother's life with that stunt, you daredevil."

"You climbed over the terrace wall?" gasped Lizzy.

"Yes. Darce and I were up to something, I forget what, now. But we weren't done when bedtime came and I had to go home, so I pushed a table next to the wall and scrambled back over."

"He scared the hell out of everyone, then tried to claim I'd dared him to do it. That's when our parents decided to break through the wall and add a door."

"Right. The door was something they'd wanted to do anyway, and they figured it would be better to have me learn to pick locks than to practice wall-climbing."

"Dinner is ready," announced Mrs. Reynolds.

"Mmm, looks great!" said Richard, as he held a chair for the housekeeper.

Darcy seated Lizzy, then Georgie. He raised his wine glass, "To spring!"

Glasses were clinked and the toast repeated. "To spring!"

"So, Gorgeous," said Richard, "How long until graduation?"

"A month. I can't believe it. Although, it won't really be much of a change, since I'm staying on for law school."

Darcy smiled approvingly, "I'm proud of you, Sweetie. We all are."

Lizzy raised her glass, "To Georgie, the future lawyer!"

"Georgie!" exclaimed the others, raising their glasses.

"I'm not a lawyer yet, you know," she laughed.

"But you're on your way. Speaking of graduation, Sweetie, have you thought about having a party?"

"I hadn't given it any thought."

"You could have a party here, or maybe just invite a few friends out for a weekend on the Island. We haven't had a houseparty for years."

"A houseparty?" Georgie's eyes widened. "Unchaperoned?"

"No, certainly not. Lizzy and I would chaperone."

Richard snorted, "Yeah, with the kids in the main house and you two secluded in one of the cottages."

Lizzy giggled, "I don't think there were any women in the Spanish Inquisition. Did Cardinal Richelieu have a girlfriend?"

"Hmph!" said Darcy. "And this is how my generosity is returned? I make a gracious offer, and you all make sport of me."

"It is a generous offer, Will," said Georgie, laughing. "I'll have to think about it."

Lizzy smiled, "If you need help planning a party, Georgie, Jane would be grateful if you asked my Mother for help. She'd welcome any distraction at this point!"

And with this, the conversation turned to Jane's wedding plans, which were discussed avidly by the women and listened to vaguely by the men.

April 20

Lizzy sipped her orange juice and relaxed against the cushion of the lounge chair. They had been using the terrace as much as possible for the past few days, taking advantage of the early spring hot spell. Even at this early hour, the air was warm.

"There you are," said Darcy, standing in the doorway. "I woke up and you weren't in bed. I was afraid you had run away."

Lizzy turned and smiled at him. "I woke up early, and you were still sound asleep. It's so quiet up here this early."

She slid over so that he could sit next to her and held out her glass. He took a sip of juice then put the glass on a nearby table. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close. They sat like that for a while, then he whispered, "Come back to bed."

"Mmm, but I'm so comfy here."

"I'll bring you breakfast in bed after."

"I want to have breakfast out here."

"All right, then we'll come back out for breakfast." He pulled Lizzy to her feet and led her back into the house, carelessly pushing the French doors closed.

A short while later, Georgie woke up and decided to get a breath of fresh air. She was surprised to find that the French doors weren't closed tightly. She peeked out onto the terrace and saw a glass on the table. She walked back through the living room, and noticed that the door to Darcy's bedroom was closed. Smiling, she made her way to the kitchen to see if the coffee was ready.

Georgie was almost finished with her pancakes when Lizzy and Darcy strolled out onto the terrace. She looked up and smiled, "Good morning."

"Morning, Georgie." Lizzy crossed to the table and poured a cup of coffee from the carafe. "Thanks for setting out cups for us."

"I'll tell Mrs. R that we're ready for breakfast." Darcy disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.

Georgie smiled as Lizzy sat down at the table. "Don't pretend you just woke up, Lizzy. One of you was out here earlier. Or were both of you out here?" She pointed to the juice glass.

"Brat!" laughed Lizzy.

"Lizzy, I'm thinking, maybe when I start law school in the fall, I should get my own place."

"Are you uncomfortable about Will and me? Georgie, this is your home. I'd hate to think you feel like you need to move out because of me."

"No, it isn't that. I just thought you'd like more privacy."

"And maybe you want some privacy, too?" Lizzy raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe. I'm not sure what I want. Chris and I have a lot of school to finish, you know? I don't know if he's the one, but...How do you know?"

"You just know. I guess that isn't much help. Let me think of some of my mother's ways to tell. Can you imagine moving to a new place where the only person you know is him? Could you do that? Can you imagine him with a cold, all snivelly and feeling sorry for himself? Could you take care of him? And remember, men are terrible patients. Can you imagine him old? Can you imagine the two of you old together?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

"Well, these aren't definitive tests, they're just some what-ifs." Lizzy turned when she saw Darcy in the doorway. "Will, have you been listening?"

"Only to the last bit. I'm trying to picture you with snow-white hair, surrounded by grandchildren, all listening to you tell stories of your childhood in the last century." He leaned against the doorframe, smiling as he pictured himself and Lizzy surrounded by grandchildren. Their grandchildren.

Chapter 75

Posted on Friday, 24 May 2002

April 21

Mark Fitzwilliam answered the door. "Hi! You're the first to arrive. Come in!"

"We're early, I know. Sorry," said Lizzy, glancing at Darcy.

Mark laughed, "Darce is early for everything. We're used to it. Have a seat."

They walked into the living room and Lizzy gasped. "Oh, my. What a view!" She walked over to the glass wall that faced onto a lawn leading down to Long Island Sound.

Darcy stood beside her. Over his shoulder he asked Mark, "Is your boat in the water yet?"

"No, she's still at the yard getting an overhaul. When spring sets in for certain, you'll have to come up and we can do a day sail."

"That would be fun," replied Darcy.

"Oh, boys and their toy boats," laughed Erica as she entered the room carrying a tray of appetizers. "Hi Darce, Georgie, Richard. Good to see you again, Lizzy."

"Hello, Erica. Your house is lovely."

"Thank you. I know it's quite a contrast to my in-laws' house. I'm not usually drawn to modern houses, but we saw this one and fell in love with the view."

"I can understand that. But the house itself is wonderful. It's so bright. I almost feel as if I'm outdoors, standing here."

"That's just how I feel about it. Now come sit and tell me what's new with you. Mark will talk about his boat all day if we let him." She turned to her husband, "Mark? Drinks, dear?"

"Right, right." He took drink orders and walked to the bar to pour.

Lizzy, Georgie, and Erica sat and chatted for a while. Erica was about to check on dinner when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" she called and walked out to the foyer.

Voices were heard in the foyer. Lizzy turned to look at the men and noticed that Richard seemed to be straining to hear the new voices. Looking for someone? she wondered.

Catherine, Lewis, and Anne deBourgh entered the living room.

"Lizzy!" cried Anne. "I'm so glad you could come." She turned and looked in the direction of the bar. "Hi guys!"

Catherine took a seat and watched her daughter, chatting with this additional guest. So was this Richard's girlfriend? Darcy approached the women, delivering Anne's drink. While he greeted his cousin, he placed his hand on Lizzy's shoulder. Catherine looked over toward Richard, who was watching the scene. He didn't seem concerned, but then you could never tell with that boy.

"William, a word with you, please." Catherine drew him aside.

"What's up?" Lizzy whispered to Anne.

"More advice on how to woo me, I would guess," replied Anne with a grimace.

"Really, William," said Catherine. "You should not be so familiar with your cousin's girlfriend."

"Whose what?"

"William! If you are going to ask me a question, please do so in English!"

"I'm sorry, Aunt Catherine. Of whom were you speaking?"

"That girl, Lizzy. You were standing there with your hand on her shoulder. How do you think that makes Anne feel? Or Richard for that matter?"

Darcy sighed. He didn't want to get into this at Aunt Sue's birthday party. But he couldn't lie about Lizzy, either. "Aunt Catherine, Lizzy-"

He was saved by the bell, literally. The doorbell rang. Mark and Richard ran to the door.

"Mom! Happy Birthday!"

"Hello, boys. Hello, Erica. How nice of you to do this for me!"

"Happy Birthday, Sue," said Erica as she hugged her mother-in-law. "Everyone is here. So come inside."

"Happy Birthday!" rang out in the living room as Sue and Matt Fitzwilliam entered the room. Congratulations were given, tactless questions were asked about which birthday it was, and a toast was made to the birthday girl.

Erica excused herself to check on the meal and Georgie volunteered to help. Darcy and Lizzy exchanged glances as Georgie left the room. They had a feeling she was on her way to check out seating arrangements in the dining room.

A while later, Georgie reappeared, announcing that dinner was ready. They filed into the dining room and found their seats.

The table was decorated with streamers and confetti. Brightly colored napkins were folded to look like party hats. Tucked into the cuff of each "hat" was a card with a name on it. Lizzy and Darcy found their seats next to each other. Georgie winked at Lizzy as Richard held Anne's chair for her and then sat down next to her.

As Darcy held Lizzy's chair, she murmured, "I hate glass dining tables. It means I have to keep my shoes on during dinner."

"Shall we shock Aunt Catherine by playing footsie during dinner?"

Lizzy blushed and giggled. She hissed, "Behave yourself."

At the other end of the table, Catherine deBourgh frowned. Turning to Erica, she said, "You have arranged the guests oddly, dear."

Erica smiled innocently and said, "Oh, I'm sure everyone will be comfortable. I did remember to put Anne near an end."

As it turned out, Anne was at the end of a long side of the table. Unfortunately, it was the wrong end. A southpaw, Anne could never sit next to a right-handed diner without bumping elbows. Richard was at Anne's left, and it wasn't long before they were elbow wrestling, as they had done as children.

"Keep your elbow to yourself," said Richard.

"You bumped me first," replied Anne, giggling.

"Did not. What is it with lefties, anyway?"

"There's nothing wrong with being left-handed. Lefties are very creative, you know."

"A lot of crazies are lefties."

"That is not true!"

Richard made a point of sticking out his elbow every time he reached toward his plate. Anne reciprocated and complained at the same time.

"Cut it out!" she said.

"I'm not doing anything!"

"Are too."

"Are, um, am not!"

Richard was about to nudge her knee with his when he glanced down. Damn glass tabletop! He glanced up and saw that his aunt was watching them and frowning. He cleared his throat quietly, and Anne pulled in her elbow.

Darcy smiled and said softly to Lizzy, "Déjà vu all over again. That's how they were when we were kids."

After they finished dinner, and the table had been cleared, Mark carried in the birthday cake. They all sang "Happy Birthday," and Sue blew out the candles.

She counted them and smiled, "Twenty nine! Just right!" She opened her presents, and all were duly admired. When Sue opened Richard's gift, Catherine said, "Anne, you have a pair of earrings like that, don't you? I believe you wore them several times just last week."

"Um, yes," said Anne softly. "I like them very much."

Sue held up the earrings. "They're beautiful. Thank you, Richard. Did you help him pick these, out, Anne?"

"No, Aunt Sue, I didn't. But I do believe he had some help from the nice saleslady."

"Yes," added Catherine, "The staff in the museum shops are all very accommodating."

"Hmmm," murmured Anne, smirking at Richard.

Since everyone was looking at the birthday girl, Richard seized the opportunity and kicked Anne under the table.

April 22

"Good morning, Earthlings!"

Three sleepy faces looked up from their coffee mugs and frowned at a beaming Sandy. Undaunted, he walked to their table, kissed Kitty, and sat down.

"Why are you so cheerful on a Monday morning?" grumbled Chris.

"It's Earth Day."

"Oh, joy," said Kitty. "Remind me to send someone a card."

"What's the matter with you guys?"

Georgie yawned and said, "Apart from the fact that it's Monday, finals are coming soon, and it's raining, nothing is wrong."

"Oh, is that all?" laughed Sandy. "Hey, I was thinking, maybe we could strip off and run across campus in the nude. What do you think?"

"I think you're crazy," said Chris.

"Why would you want to do that?" asked Kitty.

"It's Earth Day! We should get in touch with Mother Earth."

Kitty slapped his arm, "Honey, doing that will get you in touch with campus security!"

Sandy scowled while the others laughed. "You guys are just no fun some times."

"Poor Sandy," cooed Georgie. "Here's an idea that could turn out to be fun. Will has suggested that I have a graduation party."

"A party?" The idea instantly perked up Sandy.

"Yes," added Kitty. "Maybe a house party."

"Where?" asked Chris.

"My family has a place on Long Island, on the Sound. We used to spend summers out there when we were kids. I don't remember it very well because I was so little, and then Will and I stopped going after my parents died. But it's a huge house, with a few guest houses, and a pool and tennis courts."

Chris whistled softly. "Wow! What a set-up!"

"Don't say anything to anyone." Said Georgie. "I'm not sure we can do it. I'm trying to figure out how this will work out, what with some people being couples and others singles. And we want to keep the invitations strictly private, although we probably wouldn't have too many people going out to the Island on the hope of crashing."

"Doesn't it sound wonderful?" asked Kitty. "Sort of, um, Gatsby. Ooh! We could do a theme party, the twenties. You know, feather boas and all that!"

"No feather boas!" declared Sandy. "Feathers make my nose itch."

"Well, that's the sort of thing we have to think about," said Georgie. "If it's a houseparty, that means a weekend. We'll need something to do on Saturday after lunch, then have a party Saturday night, then something on Sunday morning. It can't be a continuous party. Each part needs to be separate."

"With time in between to change clothes and re-do our hair and makeup," giggled Kitty.

"Damn," mumbled Sandy, "We should never have let them see 'Gossage Park!' Come on, Kitty, we have to get going."

"See you!" waved Kitty, as she and Sandy left the coffee shop.

Chris smiled at Georgie. "So, you want to do a party weekend? Will the Inquisition be there?"

"Of course! Although Richard says Lizzie and Will would probably want the privacy of one of the guest cottages, which means we'd be pretty much unchaperoned."

"A guest cottage sounds nice. I suppose as the hostess, you'll have to stay in the main house."

"Yes, sorry. Where people stay is the biggest problem. Some couples would want to share a room, others might not. How do I invite people and say 'How many bedrooms will you need?' That could get tacky."

"How many people do you plan to invite?"

"I'm not sure."

"If you stick to good friends, you could ask them about sleeping arrangements. They'd understand the problem."

"I suppose. The other thing is, um, people might expect us, um..." she looked down into her coffee mug.

"Georgie. Honey, look at me. What other people expect of us doesn't matter. Well, except maybe for your brother. But even Will doesn't run our lives. It's what we want that counts."

"But I'm not sure what I want. I mean, I think I do, but then I think about it some more and I'm still scared."

Chris leaned forward and caressed her cheek. "If you're scared, you're not ready."

"Thank you."

"Anything for you, Honey. And whatever arrangements you want to make for the weekend, I promise I'll go along with them. You can put us in the same room, and it won't matter. I don't think I could, um, well, not with your brother just down the hall."

April 24

Jane sighed as she sat in the chair next to Lizzy's desk.

"Oh, Janie, is it really that bad?" asked Lizzy.

"Worse than I ever imagined. She's still jumping from idea to idea. I can't keep her focused. And last night it just got to me and I started crying. Poor Charles, I knew he meant well, but he didn't help, either."

"What did Charles do?"

"He suggested we elope," wailed Jane, bursting into tears.

"Oh, Janie, Janie. I know you've always wanted the dream wedding, but Charles doesn't understand about that. I mean, he realizes what you want, but he can't comprehend how much it means to have it just the way you always dreamed. It's a gender thing."

"I know. And the poor man was so concerned, but didn't know what to do."

"Look, you're going away for a week. Use some of the time on vacation to figure out what you want. Then maybe you can give Mom more direction. In the meantime, I'll try to think of a distraction. OK?"

Jane sniffled and nodded.

"All right then. Why don't we do a girls' night tonight? We could start organizing your wardrobe for the trip."

Lizzy watched her sister head back to her own office, then reached for the telephone.

"Darcy."

"Hi, Will. I'm going to stay at my place tonight. Jane's nerves are wearing thin, so we're going to do a girls' night and organize her packing for the trip."

"Is there anything I can do for Jane?"

"It's kind of you to offer, Will, but there isn't much anyone can do. I'm going to call Dad to see if he can, um, redirect Mom's energy to some other project."

"I'll miss you tonight."

"I'll miss you, too. But next week we'll have lots of time to ourselves. Oh! You know what you could do? Call Charles and give him a shoulder to cry on. I'm sure Jane's nerves are wearing on him."

"Good idea. Boy's night out!"

"Will, now don't go getting into any trouble."

"Trouble? Moi?"

"There's just something about the way you said that."

"Don't worry, Lizzy, we'll behave ourselves."

"You'd better!"

After she hung up the telephone, Lizzy rummaged in her desk drawer for a copy of her father's schedule. She found one, and hoping that it was current, checked for office hours. If she was quick, she might just catch him.

"History Department."

"Oh, hello. It's Lizzy Bennet. I wanted to talk to my father."

"He's in his office, Ms Bennet. He asked me to pick up his calls, because he's working on his final exams. But I'm sure he'll speak to you. Just one moment."

"Lizzy! How are you?"

"I'm fine, Dad."

"That's good. How's Will? I like that young man. Are you going to drop the net on him."

"DAD!"

"Just checking. He's a keeper, Lizzy."

"Dad, I didn't call to talk about me. It's about Jane."

"I know. Your mother is in a frenzy about this wedding planning business."

"Dad, she made Jane cry last night. Jane! Sweet Jane who never gets upset. Please, can't we find something else for Mom to do?"

"No more redecorating. In the past year, I think every room in the house got new drapes. Sorry, make that window treatments."

"Oh. Well, how has Lydia been behaving herself?"

"A model child. That hangover and a near arrest had more of an effect than you might think."

"You could reward her by throwing a cast party after the play."

"A party?"

"Yes."

"A party that you mother would plan?"

"Yes."

"A party that would make my life hell and Jane's easier?"

"It wouldn't be all that bad."

"I suppose it would be a nice thing to do, since Lydia is the star. I'll think about it."

"Thanks, Dad."

"But if we do this, you have to come to the play and the party."

"OK."

"With Will and Georgie."

"Ummm."

"Lizzy!"

"OK, OK, OK. It's a deal!"

Chapter 76

Posted on Friday, 24 May 2002

April 28

Lizzy and Darcy stood on the top level of the parking garage on the pier, waving at Jane and Charles. Lizzy's cell phone rang.

"Hello." She squinted up at Jane, who was holding Charles's phone.

"I just wanted to say goodbye, Lizzy. I'll miss you."

"But not too much, I'm sure."

"Thank you so much for giving your ticket to Charles."

"My pleasure, Jane. And you two deserve a break from the maniacal Montclair wedding planner."

"I'll send you emails from the ship."

"OK, but don't spend too much time in the Internet Café. Get out on deck and have fun!"

The sound of the ship's horn interrupted the conversation. Lizzy looked down at the docks. "They're casting off the lines. You're on your way, Jane. Bon Voyage!"

"Bye, Lizzy, I love you. Say good bye to Will for us!"

From their places along the railing, Jane and Charles waved frantically. Lizzy and Darcy waved back. Slowly the Siren of the Sea eased out into the Hudson River. Darcy wrapped his arms around Lizzy as she sighed.

"I know you were looking forward to a vacation." He said. "That was very generous of you."

"Did you see how excited they looked? I can't feel bad when I know I've made Jane so happy."

"I promise to make it up to you. We can have our own pretend cruise at home. We'll eat fancy meals, eat shrimp cocktail at midnight, have Mrs. R take our picture as we step into the apartment, drink champagne on the terrace and pretend we're on deck..."

Lizzy giggled, "Sounds like you know about cruises."

"I haven't been on all that many. My parents liked to cruise, though. Would you like to go this summer?"

"Where?"

"I'll have to check into itineraries. You may choose where we sail, but I get to choose the ship."

"Which one?"

"My favorite." Darcy turned her to face the other side of the pier, just as a deep horn sounded. He pointed to the white superstructure with the red and black funnel. "Her."

Lizzy gasped, "Oh, Will, could we really?"

Darcy walked her over to the edge of the pier so that she could get a look at the QE2 as she sailed out of New York. He pointed out the windows of the dining rooms and his parents' favorite cabins.

"Look," said Lizzy, "Real wooden deck chairs, like on the Titanic. Ooh, I see people with glasses of champagne."

"Yes, they set up a bar on deck, see?" he pointed.

They stood on the pier and watched the two ships sail down the river.

"See the difference in shape?"

Lizzy nodded.

"The Siren of the Sea is a cruise ship. The Queen is an ocean liner."

"Is she terribly posh?"

"You mean ornate?"

"No, I mean formal, stuffy?"

"Not stuffy. Elegant. Especially on formal nights when everyone is all dressed up. But I really wouldn't say stuffy. I think people who say formal wear is uncomfortable don't know how to buy clothing that fits correctly."

Lizzy giggled. "Mom and high heels. She always buys shoes a half size too small so that her feet look smaller. She's in pain, but she looks good."

"If you'd like, we can practice being formal this week. One night at dinner, we'll dress up and dine in style, as we did the night we went to the opera."

April 29

Lizzy wandered through the museum, checking on her volunteer tour guides for the afternoon. Pleased that everything was going smoothly, she decided to return to her office. As she passed the main desk in the Rotunda, a staff member called to her.

"Lizzy! A package was delivered for you just a minute ago. I was about to call your office."

Curious, Lizzy walked to the desk. She accepted the wicker picnic basket and smiled when she saw the handwriting on the envelope taped to it.

"Aren't you going to read the note?"

Lizzy shook her head, "No. I know who sent it. Thanks."

When she got to her office, Lizzy opened the basket. A china teapot and matching cup and saucer were wrapped in a linen napkin. A note taped to the pot said "just add boiling water." She peeked inside and saw loose tea already in the pot. Continuing to unpack, she found a plate of cucumber sandwiches and scones and a jar of jam and a small jar of clotted cream.

She took the pot to the office kitchen, filled it with hot water, and returned to her desk. She opened the note.

Dear Lizzy,
Jane and Charles are probably having afternoon tea about now, if their ship does tea. When we take our cruise, you can have tea every afternoon at 4:00. So sip your tea, close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting in a comfortable armchair. A harpist plays softly. Outside the window, the sunlight plays on the waves, and you can feel the slight motion of the ship as she cuts though the water.

Enjoy!

I love you,
Will

Jane poked Charles's shoulder and watched the skin slowly regain its color.

"Ow! Jane, what are you doing?"

"Just checking for sunburn. I think you need to put on a shirt and roll over."

"Yes, ma'am. Say, what time is it?"

"It's just about 4:00. Let me check the daily program and see what's happening." Jane sat up in her deck chair, rummaged in her tote bag, and pulled out a printed schedule. "Hmm, believe it or not, there are two food options at 4:00."

"No way. Didn't we just eat lunch about an hour ago?"

"Two and a half hours."

"Time flies and all that. So what are the food options?"

"There's afternoon snack in the buffet on Pool Deck and formal tea in the Bistro."

"Which one would you prefer?"

"I'm not hungry, really. Lizzy would opt for tea, but you can't go into the dining room in a swimsuit. We're already on Pool Deck, so if you want something, you could wander over to the buffet."

"I'm not hungry, either. But it wouldn't hurt to look. Shall I bring you back a little snack? I'll order drinks on my way." Charles leaned over and kissed Jane, then got up to search for snacks.

In short order, a waiter arrived with two pina coladas. Jane signed the bar tab just as Charles returned to their deck chairs.

"Charles! You said you weren't hungry!"

"I know. But the sandwiches looked good, and then I saw the pizza, and I remembered that you like banana bread, and those chocolate chip cookies were so good..."

"You won't be able to eat any dinner if you eat all of that."

"Oh, it isn't all for me." Charles grinned at her, "I told the guy behind the cookie counter that my girlfriend has a big appetite."

"Idiot!" Jane picked up her glass, pulled out the little paper umbrella and threw it at Charles.

Darcy reached for the teapot on his desk. He could guzzle coffee all day, but when 4;00 rolled around, he felt the need of a cup of tea. He topped off his cup and took a sip. Mmm, Harrods's Number 6. Tea that could put hair on your chest. The private line rang and he reached for the telephone lazily, knowing who it would be.

"Darcy."

"Will! Your present arrived. What a lovely thing to do! I wish you could be here to share it."

"I'm drinking tea here, as we speak. And since Mrs. R was making tea sandwiches for you, she made some for me as well."

"The cucumber sandwiches were delicious."

"I'm more partial to salmon myself, but I remembered your fondness for cucumber."

"It was kind of Mrs. R to make the sandwiches. I assume she made the scones, too?"

"You know how much she loves to make scones. She's always dreaming up some new combination of flavors and inclusions."

"You spoil me, you know."

"That is my intention, Lizzy. I enjoy spoiling you, especially since you always express your gratitude so nicely."

"My mother brought me up to say 'thank you' when someone does something nice."

"Remind me to thank your mother."

April 30

"So what do you think about the list?" Georgie took a sip of her coffee and looked anxiously at Kitty.

"Well, it's a nice sized group. I really do love the houseparty idea. I think the party should be dressy. We'll hang out and relax on Saturday afternoon, then spend some time primping, and then have a lovely dinner. It'll be like Gosford Park, but without the murder."

"I'm still concerned about sleeping arrangements. Some of the couples we know are more together than others. I know that you and Sandy have slept together, but Chris and I haven't. I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable."

Kitty nodded, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I can't imagine you'd want your first time with Chris to be a night when you brother is down the hall-with or without Lizzy in his room."

Georgie sighed and Kitty looked at her intently.

"Georgie, are you and Chris thinking about it?"

"We've sort of talked about it. I don't know what I want. Mostly, I don't want to have to face Will about it."

"Maybe Dr. Lucas could help with Will? Kind of drop some hints so it isn't a shock when you tell him? Or maybe Lizzy could help?"

"Not Lizzy. I don't want to put her in the middle of a thing between Will and me. That wouldn't be fair. Anyway, Chris says he'll go along with any sleeping arrangements I make for the party."

"So the party's a go? Yessss! This will be the social event of the season!"

Darcy leaned back in his desk chair and counted the months. Six months since they'd met. Four months since their New Year's Eve date. Hard to believe that his life could be so completely changed in just six months. He put down his teacup and reached for the telephone.

"Fernando's!"

"Hello, Fernando. It's Will Darcy, how are you?"

"I'm fine. I haven't seen you since Valentine's Day. Please tell me it's because you've been so busy with that beauty you were here with that night."

"Guilty as charged. Listen, tomorrow is a sort of anniversary. Six months since we met. Can you fit me in?"

"For you, anything. How's 7:30? Do you want a cake or anything special?"

"No, no. Just dinner. That will be special enough."

"Very well, then, my friend. See you tomorrow."

"Right, 7:30 on the 31st."

"No, not the thirty-first. Tomorrow is May 1."

"No, today is April 30, so tomorrow is-"

"May 1. You know, thirty days hath September, APRIL..."

"Oh. Hmm, so what's the six month anniversary of October 31?"

"It can't be May 1, so I guess it has to be April 30. Do you want the reservation changed to tonight?"

"Thanks, Fernando. See you later."

Lizzy took a break from work to check her personal email. She was surprised to see an email from Jane.

Hi Lizzy!
We are having SO much fun! You are the best sister in the world for giving Charles your ticket! Mostly we've just vegged in the sun, didn't even bother with the port lectures.

Capt's party last night, v. good. Same capt, the one who liked to tell jokes. Charles loved my new blue dress.

Food even better than the last time, IMO. And Charles is eating plenty of it! I may need a porter just to get HIM off the pier. ;-)

Wish I could email you a chocolate for your pillow!

Love,
J

Lizzy smiled. She didn't need to have Jane send her a pillow chocolate. True to his word, Darcy was simulating the "cruise experience" at home, complete with turning down the bed and leaving a chocolate on the pillow. And there was the afternoon tea yesterday, and tomorrow night they were going out to dinner. Now if only the weather would improve, they could sit on the terrace and pretend they were in deck chairs.

The telephone rang, and without thinking, she answered, "Sun Deck."

"I wish!"

"Hi Will, sorry about that. I got an email from Jane and was imagining being on a cruise, and, well, you know."

"Yes, I know. I do wish we were on the Sun Deck in a sunny port. Listen, I've had a change in plans. We're going out to dinner tonight instead of tomorrow, is that all right?"

"I guess so. I'll try to slip out a bit early so that I can get ready."

"You don't need to fuss."

"But you had planned on going somewhere special."

"Yes, I had to move it up a day. But you always look beautiful."

"But it's rainy and my hair will be frizzy, and..."

"I'll pick you up and drive you to your place so that you can change. I'll call you when I get to the museum. I'll try for about 5:00. All right?"

"Yes, that's fine. I'll meet you at the 79th Street entrance."

"Good. See you later. I love you!"

Darcy frowned at the rain as he waited at a traffic light. He had hoped for more of last week's nice weather. Ever since he realized that this was an anniversary of sorts, he had been trying to think of something special to celebrate it. As he drove past Central Park South, he noticed that the horse and carriages weren't in evidence. Too rainy even for them. Nobody could be so in love that they wouldn't notice today's nasty weather.

When he got near the museum, Darcy started looking for parking spots. When he found one right where he wanted to park, he decided it was a good omen. He grabbed his umbrella and ran for the door. In the foyer, he ran into Frank Weston.

"Frank!"

"Will! What brings you to our fair museum? Oh, never mind, I think I know!"

"Yes, I suppose you do know. Are you going back to the offices? I came to pick up Lizzy, but I'm early."

"As a matter of fact, I was on my way back, so I'll take you through."

"How is the work in Ocean Life going?"

They walked past the barrier that closed off the exhibit hall, and Frank pointed to it. "It's on schedule. On your way out, Lizzy can show you if you'd like."

"That would be nice." Darcy looked at the blocked doorway and smiled, remembering his first look at Lizzy.

"Will?"

"Oh, sorry." He picked up the pace to catch up to Frank. Once inside the maze of corridors, Frank pointed the way to Lizzy's office and left Darcy with a friendly, "Have a good evening."

I believe I will, thought Darcy. He reached Lizzy's office and poked his head in the door.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Will! You didn't have to come to my office. You should have just called me."

"I was early and I ran into Frank, so he walked me here."

"Well, I'm ready. I just have to get my raincoat and umbrella."

They left the office area and walked into the museum's display areas. Darcy stopped at the diorama of life in the soil.

"What?" Lizzy asked.

"Just remembering the night we met. You said that this was one of your favorites."

"I didn't think you were listening."

"I was," he said as they resumed walking.

"You didn't seem to be listening. You didn't say a word. I figured you were wondering who this strange woman was and how you could protect your sister from her. Hardly an auspicious beginning," laughed Lizzy.

"I was a fool. I saw you on the steps with Georgie, and-"

"Admit it, you thought I was a guy."

"Well, you were dressed like one, and I didn't look closely. I'm not the kind of man who looks strangers up and down to assess their gender. It's rude to stare, you know."

They had reached the entrance to the Hall of Ocean Life. Darcy led Lizzy past the temporary barrier and they stood on the landing of the steps that led down to the floor of the hall. He looked at the dioramas without really seeing them and said, "Six months ago I had no idea that I was about to meet a woman who would completely change my life."

He turned to face Lizzy and continued, "I saw the kind of relationship my parents had, and I was beginning to wonder if love like that existed any more." Lizzy looked into his eyes and felt as if she would never be able to look away. Slowly, he lowered his face to hers and kissed her.

When they finally broke the kiss, Darcy went on, "This museum brought you and Georgie together, and then it brought us together. I owe them more than any number of grants could repay. Maybe I should mention the museum in my will. But I'll have to hold back some money. I'd like to leave something to my children. Our children.

"Elizabeth Anne Bennet," he took a deep breath as she gasped softly at his use of her full name. Looking into her eyes, he said, "I love you. Will you marry me?"

Continued In Next Section