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Chapter 14

Early the next morning, by long-established custom, William and Richard met at the pool. Richard began his usual set of calisthenics and William sat on his towel and did some stretches.

"Yoga, Will?"

"What's wrong with yoga?" William replied defensively.

"Nothing; I'm just surprised to see you doing it," Richard answered.

"I took a class at my gym."

"Cool. I did, too...when I was with Erin. She was into it."

"And now you won't touch yoga with a ten-foot pole because it reminds you of her," William teased, but he inwardly empathized with his cousin. He no longer enjoyed watching "Casablanca" because it had ugly associations for him. He turned to elongate his spine into a pose and caught a glimpse of Marina emerging from the house. "Now there's a sight to make you forget everything bad in the world." Both men straightened up and watched Marina draw near. By the time she reached them they were both smiling.

"Hello, beautiful," Richard said.

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Are you going to join us in the pool?" William asked.

"I don't swim," Marina said firmly, avoiding Richard's eyes. She'd figured out that he was finally going to try and do what he'd been threatening for years, and she was very nervous about the prospect of swimming lessons.

"We can teach you. Richard and I are both certified Waterfront Safety Instructors." Marina smiled weakly at William and sat on a chaise lounge.

"Or I could just watch." Richard smiled at Marina as he pulled off his shorts. She whistled at him as he adjusted his goggles and dove into the pool. William followed suit and in minutes Marina found herself mesmerized as she watched the cousins do laps with impressive speed and precision.

"What's so interesting?" Marina turned and saw Lizzy watching her from the terrace.

"Come see!" Marina said, waving her over. Lizzy was soon by her side.

"Oh, baby! I need popcorn!" Lizzy said as she slid into the adjoining lounge.

"Oxygen," Marina suggested. Lizzy nodded wordlessly. The cousins finally stopped for a breather and William noticed Lizzy on the deck.

"Hello!" Lizzy waved. Richard waved back.

"That was very nice," Lizzy observed. "When's your next performance?" The cousins exchanged an amused glance.

"That was just our warm-up, Lizzy," William replied. "You haven't seen anything yet."

"Ready?" Richard asked as he checked the time on his watch. William nodded and lowered his goggles. The two men took off to begin a medley set: 100 yards of butterfly, 100 yards of crawl, 100 yards of backstroke, and finally 100 yards of free-style to finish. The women were transfixed.

"I wish I'd brought a decent swimsuit," Lizzy said. "Maybe Gee can loan me one."

"You didn't bring one? Richard insisted that I did," Marina said.

"William's edict was about a bikini; great for show, but not exactly the thing for a good workout."

"Oh." Lizzy glanced at her.

"Where's your suit?" Marina pulled up her tee shirt, revealing a modest tank beneath.

"Sensible."

"Thanks."

"Sorry, I didn't mean that as a commentary on your suit. What I meant was that it was sensible of you to put it on first thing."

"Richard's orders."

"Oh." Lizzy reluctantly rose and started back for the house, just as the men came to a halt.

"Where's Lizzy going?" William asked.

"I think she went to put on a bikini," Marina explained.

"Good woman," William smiled approvingly. "How about you?" he asked, squinting through the morning sun.

"I already have on my suit." William glanced at Richard who smiled at her sweetly.

"You coming in?" he asked. Marina gave him a fleeting look that told him what she thought of the idea. She quickly pulled out her pad and pencil, but Richard was undaunted. "You'd better have that drawing finished when we're done here."

"Or?"

"Or you're very likely to get it wet," Richard said. He disappeared under the water and he and William started their next set of laps. Marina pretended she didn't hear his threat and did a few sketches of the plants along the perimeter of the deck. Meanwhile, Lizzy entered the house and headed for the stairs.

"Morning," Georgiana said as she emerged from the kitchen with a mug in her hand. "What's up?"

"Oh, Gee," Lizzy said. "I'm glad you're an early riser." Georgiana smiled.

"Don't tell Will; I've built our entire relationship around making him feel guilty about dragging me out of bed." Lizzy was amused by the statement.

"Do you have a bathing suit I could borrow? I'd like to do some lap swimming, but--." Georgiana raised a hand.

"Say no more. I'm very familiar with that sentiment." Lizzy looked dubious. "Let's just say that no woman who comes here knowing William is going to be on the premises thinks of things like bathing suits she can actually swim in," Georgiana said with a bit of a snort. "Walk this way."

When Lizzy returned to the deck with Georgiana a short time later, Richard was standing over Marina, hands on hips.

"You're dripping on my sketch pad, Ricky," Marina said calmly. He continued to glare at her and she set it aside and rose to her feet. She reached up and ran a hand over his mouth to dry it slightly before she stood on her toes to kiss him. Richard was surprised by the gesture and came out of the kiss with a silly smile playing about his lips. "I guess 'no' is out of the question?" Marina asked.

"You should know how to swim. It may save your life someday." Marina rolled her eyes. But she pulled off her tee shirt--technically one of Richard's--and bent to pull off her shorts. When she stood again, Richard suppressed the exclamation of "wow!" that came unbidden to his lips. Instead, he asked Marina to tie back her hair. She kept her eyes on his as she pulled the elastic band from her wrist and pulled her hair back into a pony tail. Richard felt intensely proud of Marina as he held her gaze. He knew of Marina's fear of the water, and knew that only her unwavering trust in him made it possible for her to take the next step. He took her hand and led her to the shallow end of the pool.

"Do you want me to stay in?" William asked as he collected kick boards and some other apparatus that Marina couldn't identify.

"We'll be staying down here for a while," Richard said as he watched Marina gingerly slip into the water's shallow end. He held onto her hand and smiled. William got out of the pool and watched his sister approach with the woman he loved by his side.

"I don't recall seeing that last night," William commented on the swimsuit Lizzy wore.

"You don't recall anything about my wardrobe last night, I'll wager," Lizzy said quietly so that only he could hear.

"True. I take it you're going to swim?"

"Einstein!" Georgiana chided. William shot her a look, but she was immune to his glares and calmly prepared to get wet. She noticed that Richard and Marina were already in the pool but doing nothing but holding hands and staring into each other's eyes. "What's up with them?" she frowned.

"Richard's teaching Marina to swim," William explained. Lizzy looked at the pair.

"I remember a lot more motion when I took lessons," she said.

"Marina has to overcome her fear of the water. He's just getting her comfortable."

"I see. Should we avoid that end of the pool?"

"No, just give them wide berth," William suggested. Lizzy tugged at the body-hugging suit and stretched her arms before she jumped into the pool. She swam over to the far side and began to swim the length of the pool. William and Georgiana joined her.

"Now what?" Marina said.

"Now you learn how to breathe," Richard said in a voice that reflected fathomless patience. Marina recognized his teaching voice. She'd watched him teach children to swim all through high school and during his summers off from college.

"I think I already know that bit."

"In the water."

"Oh." Marina's pupils dilated and Richard suppressed a smile.

"Want goggles?" She nodded, and Richard let one of her hands go only long enough to reach for the pair he'd placed on the edge of the deck for her use. Marina clung to Richard's shoulders as he put the goggles on her and adjusted them. Then he took her hands again and noticed that the pair was being watched by the others. He gave them a smile and then had Marina hold onto the side of the pool and do breathing exercises.

"Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," Marina admitted when she was done.

"Good; I'd like to have you go down the bottom of the pool and then we'll take a break. Okay? You've seen me do that before, right?" Marina swallowed hard and nodded. "Hey, come over here for a moment," Richard called to the others. Lizzy, William and Georgiana joined the couple. Richard had them all link hands, making sure to put William on Marina's other side, and together the group sank down to the bottom of the pool. Georgiana waved at Marina from the opposite side of their little circle, and Lizzy gave her the thumbs up sign. Marina turned to look at Richard and he nodded before he stood up. The others followed suit.

"Cool!" Marina said. "Can we do that again?" Richard nodded and the group repeated the act. When they'd rested awhile, he taught her to kick and Marina was soon kicking across the shallow end of the pool with Richard by her side. When the lesson was over, everyone emerged from the pool and headed for their respective showers. Marina was in a semi-daze. "I can't believe I did that," she said.

"You were amazing," Richard said proudly. He left her at her door and met her there twenty minutes later to escort her to breakfast. William and Lizzy approached from the opposite end of the hall and the foursome reached the dining room together. As they had done the previous week, the Darcys had set up a breakfast buffet, and the foursome filled their plates before joining George, Kathleen and Hugh at the table.

"Guess what I saw this morning," Richard said after kissing each of his parents on the head.

"What?" Hugh asked.

"Marina--under water."

"Is that such a big deal?" George asked with a warm smile for the lady under discussion.

"It's a first in the history of this planet!" Richard declared proudly.

"I think you did very well for your first swimming lesson, Marina," Lizzy said.

"Thanks," Marina said shyly.

"You don't know how to swim? With a name like Marina?" George exclaimed. Marina shrugged.

"It's my grandmother's name," Marina explained. "I don't think she swam, either. But where she grew up in Eastern Europe, I don't think she was constantly asked why not."

"So," Lizzy said, turning to Richard. "Both you and William were lifeguards?"

"I was a lifeguard. We both took the training and certification all the way up to Waterfront Safety Instructor, but somehow I was the only one who had to earn his keep during the summers," he said with a significant look at his parents.

"Now, now, Richard; the only difference between you and Will is that you got paid for your labors. William spent his summers being a gopher at my firm," George said.

"For nothing," William emphasized.

"For no pay," George corrected. "You got plenty out of it." William shrugged, but couldn't really gainsay his father. He knew that the experience at his father's advertising firm was invaluable, even though his chosen career path was in another field. Lizzy asked about George's work and the two of them fell into conversation, with William offering an occasional comment. Marina and the Fitzwilliams talked excitedly about her first swimming lesson, while Richard and Georgiana got caught up and made small talk. Anne entered the room belatedly and filled her plate before anyone noted her presence.

"Well, this can't be good--the guests are all halfway through their breakfasts before the hostess even puts in her appearance."

"The host is present," George pointed out. Anne smiled at him briefly and Lizzy felt herself grow inexplicably tense. George returned to their conversation, but Lizzy found herself somewhat self-conscious under Anne's scrutiny.

"Did everyone sleep well?" Lizzy noticed that Anne's eyes were on her. At least she assumed that, and realized that she was probably overreacting.

"I slept like a baby," William said. "How about you, Lizzy?" he asked ingenuously.

"Fine," she said as she tried very hard not to blush and vowed to make William pay later for his little tease. Marina also said she had slept very well.

"Oh, the rooms on the east side of the house are very cool and breezy at night. Didn't you two find that room comfortable?"

"I like to sleep when it's cool, even if it means using a blanket, which I did last night," Marina said, drawing Anne's attention.

"I also found it chilly," Kathleen said. "Of course, Hugh took all the blankets. Maybe I should bunk in with you, Marina," she said lightly. Lizzy kept her mouth firmly shut. She felt a light touch on her hand and turned to George just in time to catch a surreptitious wink. She forced herself to relax then, and smiled.

"So what's on tap for today? Sailing, anyone?" he asked.

"Well, we were talking about that earlier," William said. "But given Marina's fear of the water, I was thinking that she might prefer to go out on your boat rather than one of the smaller ones." Marina's eyes opened wide.

"It looks as though she'd rather stay on shore," George said with an affectionate but teasing tone. He saw the way Marina looked to Richard for reassurance and smiled to himself. He'd called it correctly; his favorite nephew was hopelessly in love. "Well, I'd be happy to take the old girl out if you want me to," he offered.

"He means the boat, not you, Emmy," Richard said and got an elbow in the ribs for his trouble.

"Emmy?" Anne, George, Georgiana and Lizzy all said simultaneously.

"Yes, Emmy," Richard said before taking a sip of his coffee.

"It's my initials put together: M-E. Ricky has called me that for years," Marina explained patiently.

"Ricky?" Georgiana exclaimed. Richard silenced her with a look.

"Don't even think about it."

"How long have you two known each other, exactly?" George asked out of curiosity.

"Since we were eight," Richard replied.

"And you waited till now to jump--." Richard silenced Georgiana again with a look that promised bodily harm if she persisted.

"Would you like to go sailing, Lizzy?" Lizzy turned to William and smiled.

"How many can your boat hold, George?" Lizzy asked.

"Oh, a handful," he replied. "But if you want some real action, why don't you go out on one of the smaller boats with Will?"

"Do I want some real action?" Lizzy said to herself as she turned back to William. He nodded with a wicked gleam in his eye that made her realize that she'd spoken aloud.

"Well, Hugh and I will go in the boat with you and the other sane people, George," Kathleen said.

"Here, here," Anne agreed.

"Is it too late for me to fit in?" Lizzy asked George with an audible gulp.

"Yes," William said. He drank the last of his juice and rose from his seat. "Why don't we head down to the boat house and begin laying out the sails, Fitz?" Richard swallowed the last of his coffee and rose to join him. Marina followed the men down to the boathouse, where two 15-foot sailboats were resting on the ground. She looked out the far end of the house to the dock where a considerably larger craft was moored.

"Your father's, I presume." William nodded as he and Richard began to gather equipment and assemble the sails and masts of the two craft. "May I go with you, Ricky?" Richard looked up sharply.

"Are you sure you want to? These things tip quite a bit, you know."

"I'd be wearing a life raft, wouldn't I?" Behind her, Marina heard William chuckle.

"You'd be wearing a life vest, actually. And you're welcome to join me, if you really want to, of course."

"I'd like that," Marina said quietly. Richard dropped the line in his hands and straightened up to look her in the eye.

"Who are you and what did you do with Emmy?" he demanded. She poked him in the chest and laughed. "I mean it! Who are you? The Emmy I know and love is no dare-devil."

"I freely admit that. I'd just rather be with you than on the boat with the others. If I don't like it you can always drop me off, right?"

"Yes..." Richard was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Then I'd like to try it. You told me earlier that I couldn't sink if I was using a floatation device." Richard nodded.

"All right, but you do realize that you won't be able to draw while you're aboard." Marina poked Richard's chest for the second time.

"You'd better take this one, then," William said. Richard nodded and the two men switched positions.

"What difference does it make?" Marina asked curiously.

"That boat has a wider bottom; it tips less in the water," William explained. "I got that one when I was rather young and just learning to sail and race. This one is built for speed. I usually let Richard have it when he's out here because he doesn't get to sail much, but as a beginner, you'd be better off in the slower boat."

"Thanks," Marina said gratefully.

"Thanks for nothing," Lizzy said from behind her. "I get to ride in the speed demon, eh?" William smiled.

"You'll be in safe hands."

"I'm rather impressed with those hands," Lizzy said as she drew closer to William. "But we're talking about sailing." He smiled and continued to work on the boat. Mr. Reynolds came down to the boat house with two small bags of provisions. William thanked him and then had Lizzy help him carry the boat down to the water. Richard and Marina followed.

"Are you sure about this?" Richard asked as he watched the others on the dock prepare to board his uncle's boat. Marina nodded. Richard sighed and helped Marina into her life vest. "I was very proud of you this morning, you know. You did everything like a champ. But this..."

"I trust you." Richard felt his heart flip as he fastened Marina's life vest. He handed her into the boat and hopped in, following William and Lizzy out onto the water. He watched the sails carefully, steering a course through the smoothest water possible. He also kept an eye on Marina, who seemed equally frightened and thrilled by the experience. Lizzy was feeling very much the same. She liked to sail, however, she had never been on so small a craft and as she was quickly learning, William was rather fearless.

"I knew I should have gone in Richard's boat," Lizzy said after a patch of particularly rough water that William has traversed with wild abandon. He shot her a look and turned his eyes back to the water. She watched as he expertly steered the craft and became so entranced by the elegance and beauty of his subtle movements that it took a moment to realize that she was being hailed. She looked up and saw Marina timidly wave. Lizzy waved back, as did William.

"That girl has nerves of steel," Lizzy said.

"Good. She'll probably need them if she's getting involved with Richard," William said crisply. Lizzy gave him a surprised look. "What? He'd say the same of me, or worse." Lizzy rolled her eyes. She looked out across the sound and took a deep breath. Behind her, she was being watched by the passengers on George's boat.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that William was trying to lose Lizzy overboard," Kathleen said.

"Nonsense!" George laughed. "He knows exactly what he's doing and if she holds on she'll be fine."

"Can't say the same thing for her stomach, though," Hugh intoned, and the two men shared a laugh. Anne joined the others in watching the two sail craft up ahead.

"They seem fairly paired off, don't they?" she said to Kathleen, who nodded.

"Kind of renders our little plot moot," Kathleen replied when the men were out of earshot.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I don't think either boy is ready to marry, at least I hope not." Kathleen turned to her sister.

"Why ever not?"

"It's too soon to start thinking of such things," Anne said.

"Well, I hardly think anything is imminent, Anne. None of them are about to rush to the altar, though Richard all but said it was a foregone conclusion that he wants to marry Marina eventually."

"Is she what you want for him?"

"I can't think of anyone better for him," Kathleen said with great emotion. "They deserve their happiness." She briefly told her sister the story of Marina's long unrequited love for Richard.

"That's a lovely story. I wish there was someone like that for William," Anne said wistfully.

"What's wrong with Lizzy?" Kathleen asked. Anne shook her head.

"I don't know. I'm just a little concerned about how fast she's been moving the relationship along."

"Wait a minute. What makes you think that she's the one moving the relationship? How do you know that things aren't moving along by mutual consent?"

"She's the one who snuck out of her room and into his bed last night," Anne accused. "And that was after she gave me the distinct impression that she and William weren't lovers when I spoke with her on the phone yesterday afternoon."

"Why would she lie about something like that?"

"I don't know, but it troubles me to think that she's lied to me, especially when there was no reason to. I asked if she wanted to room with Will and she said no."

"Perhaps things changed, Anne," Kathleen replied, wondering if Anne had actually checked up on Lizzy during the night. "William may have made her an offer she couldn't refuse last night, under the stars, in the moonlight, on a romantic beach..."

"Maybe."

"You seem determined to dislike the girl," Kathleen said, suddenly concerned for the budding relationship of the couple less than a hundred yards ahead.

"I don't dislike her, Kathleen. I just don't want my son to rush into anything, especially with someone who may be playing games. Who knows what she's telling William? I want to see him happy, you know that, but I'm worried."

"Then trust him to find his own happiness. Who knows, you may be reading too much into this."

"I can only hope so. What about our little pact?"

"I don't think we really need it now, do you?" Anne shrugged. "Richard certainly needs no help in finding a bride."

"All right, but what about William? You said you knew the kind of woman who was right for him."

"Seems my help wasn't needed," Kathleen smiled. But Anne looked doubtful.

Shortly before noon all the boats returned to the house. William and Richard deposited the sail boats in the boat house and dismantled them while everyone else returned to the terrace, where Georgiana was lounging with a glass of iced tea.

"Well, it's about time. You missed all the excitement."

"What excitement, pumpkin?" George said. Georgiana nodded toward the doors and everyone turned to peer inside.

"I don't see anything," Anne said.

"Wait for it," Georgiana said simply. Everyone stood on the terrace waiting expectantly. A few minutes later the doors opened and an elderly woman stepped outside.

"And this is the--. Oh, there you all are!"

"Mother!" Anne went to her and hugged her warmly. Kathleen was the next to welcome home her mother from her trip abroad.

"How are you?" Kathleen gushed.

"I've never been better," Bess O'Donnell smiled as she accepted kisses from George and Hugh. It was then that the two sisters caught a glimpse of the nattily attired gentlemen standing behind her. Bess smiled. "I'll introduce this handsome stranger if you introduce the two beauties over there," she said nodding at Lizzy and Marina. "Wait a minute; I believe I've already met one of them," she said as she extended her arms to Marina.

"Hello, Grandma Bess," Marina said shyly as she was enfolded in her embrace.

"Hello, Marina; I'm so glad to see you again, and on the right side of the ocean this time," she said with a wink. "Who is this pretty lady?"

"This is my friend Lizzy Bennet. Lizzy, this is William and Ricky's grandmother." Lizzy extended her hand but found herself enfolded in a hug like the others.

"Now, where are those gorgeous boys?"

"They're down at the boathouse. Shall I go and fetch them for you?" Marina volunteered. Bess nodded and Marina took off.

"She looks very happy," she said with a knowing smile. "Richard's finally come to his senses, hasn't he?" All Kathleen could do was wonder what she knew of the situation. "Good! Well, while we're waiting, let's all have a seat."

"What about your introductions?" George asked.

"I'd like to make them all at once, if you please," Bess said enigmatically.

"How is it you know Marina and we didn't?" George asked conversationally as everyone took seats on the terrace.

"Oh, mothers know lots of things their children don't," Bess replied benignly, earning a look from her daughters. But Bess immediately capitulated. "I first met Emmy about five years ago when I was in Northampton. I also made a point of looking her up in Paris when I was there last winter. That was shortly before we met, my dear," she said as she reached out to pat the stranger's knee affectionately. Anne and Kathleen exchanged a wary glance. The man sitting beside their mother smiled back at the pair.

Kathleen did a quick calculation in her head. She and Anne were born not quite six months apart, and they were both rapidly approaching their fiftieth birthday. The man who'd accompanied their mother home from Europe could not be much older than either of them, perhaps in his mid-to late fifties, sixty at the very most. Kathleen looked at her mother again and then at Anne, who was clearly thinking along the same lines. Their seventy-year old mother was involved with a much younger man.

"Ricky?" Richard paused in his task of neatly coiling a rope and looked up. "Your grandmother is here." Richard and William exchanged a look. William dropped what he was doing and wiped his hands. He returned his cousin's smile and the threesome headed for the house.

"I thought she wasn't due till sometime this evening," Richard said as the trio walked up the path to the terrace. William shrugged.

"Is there a boy toy with her?" he asked Marina.

"She brought a man with her, if that's what you mean." William and Richard exchanged a smile. Richard took hold of Marina's hand and picked up the pace. As they approached the terrace, Bess rose to her feet.

"Now that is a sight for sore eyes!" she said as the grinning cousins mounted the steps. "And in shorts, too!" Lizzy and Georgiana burst into giggles as the two men took turns hugging their grandmother.

"Come here, tall, dark and handsome!" Bess said as she reached up to kiss William's cheek.

"Welcome home, Grandma Bess."

"I'm so glad to be home," she said softly as she hugged him fiercely. "And you too, blue eyes. I've missed you both terribly," she said as Richard took his turn at being hugged by the surprisingly strong woman.

"We missed you, too, Grandma Bess," Richard said as he began to walk his grandmother back over to the others.

"You and I will have a little chat later," Bess said with a pat on his hand. "But right now I have an announcement to make."

"An announcement?" Georgiana repeated.

"Yes." Bess looked at the gentleman who'd been sitting quietly and watching the scene unfolding before him. "Come here, Edward." He rose and went to her side. "I'd like you all to meet Edward Gardiner." Bess introduced each member of the party (correctly identifying William as Lizzy's boyfriend without asking, much to her amusement) before she continued. "We met in London back in February and have been together ever since."

"Together?" Georgiana blurted out.

"Together," Bess repeated firmly as she took Edward's hand. "I guess at my age a gentleman friend is referred to as a companion. I don't know why; I suppose 'boyfriend' sounds rather silly at our age and Edward is no boy," she said with a look at him that made Kathleen blanch.

"So..." Hugh prompted.

"So I brought him home to meet the family. Stewart is coming later, isn't he?"

"He's coming on Monday," Anne clarified, referring to her elder brother.

"Then I suppose I'll have to call him with the news, or else one of you is sure to blab," Bess smiled.

"What news?" Richard asked.

"Edward and I--well, perhaps you should tell them, dear." Anne took a deep breath and blindly reached out. George took hold of her hand. Edward cleared his throat.

"The thing is," he said in a crisp British accent, "I have fallen very deeply in love with Bess--your mother or grandmother as it were--and she has done me the honor of agreeing to become my wife." There was absolute silence for a moment and then Marina stepped forward to congratulate the couple. Richard and William quickly joined her, as did Georgiana and Lizzy. Kathleen and Anne were too stunned to move or speak. George gently nudged Anne forward and she went to her mother.

"This is a surprise," she said shakily. Bess took hold of her daughter's hands and looked into her eyes.

"I know," she said as she pulled her into a hug. She drew Kathleen to her as well. "I know, and it's very hard. But your father has been gone for several years now and I've been a very lonely woman without him."

"You never said anything!" Kathleen exclaimed. Edward moved away to allow the threesome some private space and found himself facing his future sons in law.

"Welcome to the family," George said as he extended his hand to the newcomer for the second time. Hugh joined him in welcoming Edward to the clan.

"This calls for a celebration," he declared, and George agreed. He went into the kitchen to see to it that something special was added to the luncheon that was already in the works, while Hugh engaged Edward in small talk.

"How do you feel about this?" Lizzy asked William when they were far enough away from the others to talk privately.

"I'm happy for them," William said easily. "I think mom and Aunt Kathy have had a bit of a shock, though."

"I suppose. It can't be easy hearing that your mother is marrying another man," Lizzy said sympathetically.

"I've been there," Marina said as she and Richard joined the couple. "My parents divorced when I was ten and when I was fifteen my dad decided to remarry. I'm not close to my mom at all, but it still felt like a betrayal somehow, even though I knew that dad was in love and very happy." Richard placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. He remembered how difficult it had been for her.

"I can't imagine," William said. "My parents have had a great marriage, but so many other people I know--Diana, Jane, Gee's boyfriend--their parents have split and remarried, sometimes more than once. But this is different. Grandfather died and Grandma Bess is moving on with her life. I think it's great."

"Look at her; she's radiant," Richard said with a smile at Bess. "But then, she always has loved being the center of attention."

"Is that what you think this is?" Richard spun around to face his mother, who had drifted away from her mother and was standing nearby. "Is it a plea for attention?"

"Not in the way you're probably thinking," Richard said gently. "She just needs to be loved, like the rest of us," he said with a loving look at Marina. He squeezed her shoulders again before he went to his mother's side. "She wants to be happy and I think we should support her in that." Kathleen nodded, but Richard could see that she was still having a bit of trouble at the notion of her mother being involved with another, younger man. Kathleen glanced at Bess, who was still speaking with Anne. She sighed heavily. At that moment, Mrs. Reynolds opened the door to the terrace and announced that luncheon was served and everyone headed for the dining room.

Chapter Fifteen

It was evident to Lizzy as she took a seat opposite Bess that although the elderly woman was seated toward the middle of the long table, wherever she sat clearly was effectively the head. She sat regally and smiled back at Lizzy as Richard claimed a seat at his grandmother's side. Richard smiled at William smugly; William rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"What's that all about?" Lizzy asked as she unfolded her napkin.

"Prior to my grandfather's death, he and my grandmother lived further out on the island. Since then, she has lived with us. Fitz as always been a little jealous of the fact that I've been able to spend far more time with our grandmother than he has. He gets very infantile about it and gloats whenever he's with her."

"I think it's cute."

"I think he's adorable," Georgiana observed, from William's other side. Marina looked up at the remark and then glanced at Richard.

"She agrees, I think," Lizzy smiled.

"Me, too," Bess said with a pat on Richard's hand.

"I'm trying to eat," William grumbled good-naturedly. Lizzy shot him a look, but nonetheless changed the subject.

"So, how did you two meet?" she asked Edward. He immediately looked to his future bride who blushed, much to Lizzy's surprise.

"We met in London during a downpour. I was walking up the street and saw this ravishing creature standing in a doorway, trapped as it were. It wasn't affording her much in the way of protection, so I offered to share my umbrella, at least until I could get her to somewhere with more cover." Lizzy and Marina exchanged a smile at the romantic image.

"So, are you in the habit of rescuing damsels in distress?" Richard asked.

"Or picking up ravishing creatures on the street?" William added saucily as Bess looked up sharply from her salad. But Edward took the ribbing in good humor.

"To tell you the truth, I've never done anything like that before. It was if I was impelled by some irresistible force," he said.

"That would be Grandma Bess," Richard offered and was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek.

"Or raging hormones," William muttered. Lizzy elbowed him in his ribs and he looked up in time to see Bess stick out her tongue at him. He smiled back at her sweetly. "Go on."

"Well, the first place we came to was a sweet shop and I invited her in for tea."

"Grandma Bess! Haven't you always told us never to accept food from strangers?" Georgiana said, picking up on William's game. Bess smiled smugly.

"You're eighteen now, Georgie. Do you follow that rule anymore?" Georgiana felt her father's eyes on her.

"Actually, yes...I do." William began to shake and Lizzy realized that he was unsuccessfully suppressing a snort of laughter. "Well, I don't accept food from strangers, Will!" Georgiana cried.

"Say nothing more without an attorney present, Gee," Richard warned with a wink at William, who regained his composure and pressed on with his interview.

"So you went to tea..." he prodded.

"We spent several hours in that little shop, drinking tea and talking like old friends," Bess said with a warm smile for Edward. "I completely forgot about my appointment and he forgot to return to his office, poor dear."

"What do you do, Edward?" Lizzy asked politely.

"I'm a solicitor--semi-retired, actually. But I still maintain an office in my old firm and go in from time to time as a consultant."

"Maybe you can help keep Gee out of trouble," Richard suggested.

"What type of law, in particular?" Kathleen inquired.

"Oh, estate law, mostly; my partner and I dealt with a variety of clients, but mostly wills and estates and issues of probate."

"And you retired so young," Anne said ingenuously. She earned a dark look from her mother, but Edward didn't seem to mind.

"We had been very successful in our time, but laws change, people change. We found that we were beginning to attract a different type of client with different kinds of problems. Our younger associates are better suited to dealing with the kinds of business we were attracting, so my partner and I decided to leave them to it."

"You both retired?" Lizzy asked. Edward nodded.

"Nigel and I have decided to leave the day to day operations to a managing partner and have taken on an avuncular role, mentoring our staff and tending to some of our older clients."

"So you have a lot of time on your hands," William said. Lizzy looked at him disapprovingly. "What? I simply meant that if he is contemplating marrying Grandma Bess he'd have time for it."

"How much time does it take?" Richard asked. Everyone looked at him, assuming that he was joking, but the expression on his face was somewhat pensive. William involuntarily glanced at Marina, who'd been fairly quiet all through lunch. She seemed oblivious to Richard's remark so William decided that he'd misinterpreted his cousin's expression.

"A wedding takes no time at all. A wife takes a good deal of time, as does a husband. A marriage takes a lifetime." Richard turned to his father, as did everyone else at the table. Hugh shrugged and continued eating. But Kathleen leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"I look forward to spending the rest of my life with Bess," Edward said with a smile that Lizzy would have called dreamy had it been on the face of a younger man.

"What happened after your tea?" she asked.

"We agreed to meet again a day later," Bess said. "The rest is history."

"Read: it's nothing you nosy young folks are going to drag out of me on pain of death," Richard teased.

"You betcha," Bess concurred. They smiled at each other and Lizzy saw Bess's strong resemblance to William in her smile.

"When do you plan to marry?" Heads turned as Marina spoke up for the first time.

"We haven't set a date, my dear, but we hope it would be soon," Edward replied. "Bess thought we should consult the family first." Kathleen and Anne exchanged a worried glance. The remainder of the lunch was eaten amid small talk between small groups of people at the large table. When the dishes were cleared, George asked everyone to remain seated and Mrs. Reynolds entered the dining room bearing a cake with a sparkler on top. Mr. Reynolds followed with two bottles of champagne, opened to celebrate the occasion of Bess and Edward's engagement. Anne gave George a questioning look, which he assiduously ignored.

"We only had short notice so we couldn't do anything special, Bess," he said as he rose to toast the couple. "I promise you more of a celebration on Monday when the rest of the family is here. But I wanted to take this opportunity to say, on behalf of this august assembly--," he paused to look at his son and daughter, who'd derisively snorted in unison. "We all wish you both every happiness." Everyone seconded the sentiment, some more enthusiastically than others. Hugh rose and gave a Scottish blessing as George took his seat and was confronted by his wife's disapproving frown. When the table was finally abandoned, after the lemon chiffon cake and champagne had been consumed, George stayed behind to speak with her.

"George," she sighed and leaned into his shoulder. He immediately wrapped her arms around her in a comforting hug.

"Sorry about the cake. I know it was destined for dessert tonight, but Mrs. Reynolds says she can come up with something else for later."

"It's not the cake I'm thinking about, George, and you know it. My mother wants to marry again, and at her age!"

"What does her age have to do with anything?"

"He's younger than her! Can't you see that?" George chuckled.

"I can't remember the number of times we've been at a party and you bristled at the sight of an older gentleman with some sweet young thing on his arm! Here you find the opposite case and you're still unsatisfied."

"We're not talking about just some gentleman and lady. We're talking about my mother!" Anne cried. "She's involved with a younger man!"

"Well, at her age, single men begin to get a little scarce, Anne."

"George!"

"It's true," he replied simply.

"I know, but she's talking about marrying him."

"Yes, and she has every right to marry if she wants to."

"I know," Anne said dejectedly. "But--."

"She doesn't want to be alone," George said gently. "You understand that, surely. I do, if you don't," he said as he drew Anne into the living room and sat in his favorite chair. "I had a lot of time to think about that when I was in the hospital," he confessed as he pulled Anne into his lap.

"George?" Anne looked into his eyes searchingly.

"Yes, it was a routine bypass, but there's nothing routine about a man lying on an operating table and having his chest cut open. I had to think about it. I had a lot of time to wonder if I've done right by you and Will and Georgie, by my employees, my friends... And I had a lot of time to think about what would happen if I didn't make it off that table."

"Please don't talk like this, George," Anne said as she attempted to rise, but her husband held her firm.

"It's all right, Anne. I came through fine and have been given a clean bill of health. But I learned a few things. I realized that William can take care of everything if I were to die tomorrow. You can all take care of yourselves, of course, but he'd be able to manage my affairs quite well."

"George--."

"And I'd want you to remarry. Promise me, Anne; if I die, don't spend the rest of your life mourning me. Go on loving me, yes. But get on with your life. Don't be afraid to love again. That's what your mother is doing. She's not trying to erase the forty-two years she had with your father. She loved him with all her heart, right to the very end. And she mourned him. Now she's moving on. She hasn't forgotten him. She's still wearing that cross he put around her neck on their wedding day, isn't she?" Anne nodded through tears she didn't realize were there. "Be happy for her Annie, just as I would be happy for you if I knew that you'd found love again...that you weren't alone anymore."

"They're cute."

"They're adorable," Richard concurred. "But we're cuter." Marina looked at him.

"Says who?"

"I do; we have to be. I mean Grandma Bess is a fox even at her age and Edward is a very dapper chap, but we've got it over them in the looks department, right?"

"I didn't realize we were discussing looks, Ricky."

"With Fitz it's all about surface," William chided from the hammock near where the couple was sprawled on the lawn.

"That's not true!" Richard and Marina replied in unison.

"Do you think they rehearsed that?" Lizzy asked lazily. She was sharing the hammock with William and was draped across his body. He absently stroked her back with one hand.

"No," William replied. "Poor Marina has been exposed to Fitz for so long I bet she actually believes that."

"Well, she is in love with the big lug," Lizzy offered with a wink to Marina, who promptly blushed.

"Yeah. Some people have absolutely no taste," William sighed.

"Yeah, Lizzy; I've been meaning to ask about yours," Richard said. William raised his free hand and formed it into the shape of a pistol and fired off a shot at his cousin.

"Stop moving, please," Marina said. William dropped his arm.

"Please tell me how you're going to use this in an illumination," Richard said as he glanced at Marina's drawing of the couple in the hammock. Marina looked at him sharply and then continued her drawing.

"Has she ever used you?" William challenged.

"As a matter of fact, I have," Marina answered before Richard could speak. He looked at her warily.

"Used him for what?" Lizzy asked.

"I make illuminations, mostly, but I also make posters and signs. I've used Ricky's image in all three," Marina said. "He's been my model for a number of posters, and I have used his face in a sign I made for a men's wear shop in Paris."

"You're kidding!" William exclaimed.

"No; when I showed the proprietor of my shop my portfolio he asked me to use a full frontal drawing I'd made of Ricky a few years ago."

"But he made you put him in better clothes," William asserted. Marina averted her eyes and William howled triumphantly. Richard just looked at Marina.

"Of course, I've used you for--." Marina closed her mouth when Richard's look became a glare.

"Used him for what--?" Lizzy raised her head to prompt Marina to continue. William was also all ears.

"She's used me in an illumination or two," Richard said to the couple. But they were not so easily put off.

"Actually, I have used your image about five times," Marina said absently, wrapped up in trying to articulate William's dangling hand.

"How did you use his image, Marina?" Lizzy asked bluntly. She looked up.

"Oh, his face...I've done a lot of drawings of his face and from time to time I've used them when I needed a certain look or expression in my work."

"Or simply a stud?" Lizzy said with a waggle of her eyebrows. Marina colored slightly.

"Badly dressed stud," William grumbled.

"I do not dress badly," Richard groused.

"You buy off the rack. You need a good tailor," William argued.

"Sorry; my salary is very nice, but not generous enough to allow me the luxury of bespoke suits."

"I'm not talking about--." William turned toward his cousin to make his point, unceremoniously dumping Lizzy onto the ground in the process. She yelped as she felt the hammock tip but could do nothing to prevent herself from spilling to the ground ungraciously.

"Are you all right, Lizzy?" Richard asked as he reached out to help her sit up.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," William said apologetically. "Here," he said as he slid over in the hammock to allow her some room to lie beside him.

"Thanks," Lizzy said with an arch look. "I think I'll stay down here and talk with your cousin." She smiled at Richard impishly.

"There goes that taste thing again," William muttered as he closed his eyes and yawned. Lizzy was tempted to dump him out of the hammock but thought better of it and crawled on her hands and knees over to Marina.

"I'm sorry. Did I ruin your picture?"

"No; are you okay?" Marina asked as she saw Richard flop onto the hammock beside his cousin, laying his feet toward William's head. Lizzy nodded. "I was done with that drawing and was just doing a study of William's hand." William opened an eye.

"If you use it I want residuals."

"Jeez, Will! She's a starving artist," Richard said with a slap to William's knee. "Besides, how are you going to be able to prove it's your hand she's using? She's drawn my hands, feet and other body parts hundreds of times."

"If they're the hands of a country bumpkin, they're yours," William smiled.

"City mouse, country mouse?" Lizzy asked.

"Exactly." William closed his eyes again. Lizzy shrugged and turned back to Marina.

"I'd like to do your portrait, Lizzy," she said.

"Really? That'd be cool! Of course," she said, leaning forward so that William couldn't hear, "I want you to tell me how you used Richard in your illuminations first."

"You'll tell William. I kind of got the impression that Ricky would rather not have William know." Lizzy swore that she'd keep the secret and Marina opened her smaller portfolio, which was lying beside her. She flipped through the pages and stopped at one and turned it around for Lizzy to see.

"Didn't you show these to us at the interview?" Lizzy said before she focused on the face of the angel in the drawing. She'd admired the picture earlier, but this time she looked more closely and gasped. "That--." She quickly shut her mouth and turned to glance at the man now snoozing on the hammock. "That is him!" Marina nodded.

"You should see the one I have at home! It's all him, not just the face."

"That must be some angel!" Marina nodded. "I could see William as an angel. He has the hair for it."

"But he isn't exactly angelic, is he?" Marina teased, much to Lizzy's surprise.

"True," Lizzy conceded. "Of course, if he was angelic I probably wouldn't be so--." She glanced at Marina's innocent expression and reconsidered her remark. "You should be an angel." Marina smiled self-consciously and kept her eyes on the paper before her. She reached up a few seconds later to turn Lizzy's head slightly. Lizzy sat in the pose she'd been in when Marina started the drawing and regretted not choosing a more comfortable one. She had her knees up her chest and had her arms wrapped around them. After ten minutes her knees were beginning to ache. "How soon before I can stretch out my legs? I think they're falling asleep."

"Oh, sorry. You can move. I'm done." Lizzy stretched out her legs and scooted forward to look at the drawing. It wasn't at all what she was expecting. It was very loose, almost impressionistic in its wide sweeps of the pencil. Lizzy's facial expression was captured perfectly, however; everything else was merely suggested.

"Wow! This is me?" Lizzy gasped. William opened his eyes and was immediately curious.

"May I?"

"It's not very good...just a quick study," Marina said as first William and then Richard examined the drawing.

"It's lovely," Richard declared and Lizzy could tell by the smile on Marina's face that his opinion was worth more to her than anything else.

"Very lovely," William concurred.

"I'll do a better one when I have some time and make a present of it to you," Marina offered. William smiled at the offer.

"I'd like that--thank you." He reluctantly gave the sketchpad back to Marina and looked lovingly at Lizzy, who was flipping through Marina's portfolio. She looked up and was caught off guard by William's ardent expression. She gasped as she felt it pierce straight through to her heart. Marina reached out to collect her drawing supplies, momentarily blocking her view. The bubble burst and Lizzy blinked. When Marina drew back, William and Richard were talking. But for a moment, Lizzy had felt something rather intense and passionate and she was certain she hadn't imagined it. Marina put all her supplies into her tote and Lizzy handed her the portfolio.

"Want to take a walk?" Marina asked softly. "They're either going to sleep or argue," she said as she nodded toward the cousins, who were trying to knock each other from the hammock. Lizzy watched them for a moment.

"Let's go." By the time Marina had stowed the tote bag and the two women had slipped out of their sandals and were on the beach, William and Richard were fast asleep.

"Are you in love with him?" Lizzy looked up. The two women had been walking in comfortable silence for several minutes and Marina was the first to speak. "I only ask because it's so clear that he's in love with you. I mean I knew he was well on the way the first time I saw him look at you, but I saw the look you two shared just now..." Marina was suddenly aware that she'd intruded on a very private moment and blushed. Lizzy smiled.

"You saw that, too? Then I didn't just imagine it," Lizzy smiled in relief. Marina smiled at her and the two walked on for a bit and stopped when they reached the big rock. They climbed up on it and sat.

"You never answered my question," Marina said gently. Lizzy simply nodded. After a minute she turned to Marina.

"You've been in love with Richard for ages." It was Marina's turn to nod. "Seems funny, doesn't it?"

"What does?"

"We're both in new relationships and you and Richard are as solid as this rock under our butts, while William and I are too scared to even bring up the 'L' word."

"I wouldn't say we're at all solid. The truth is that although we have a firm foundation we don't really have a relationship yet. In fact we have yet to discuss anything." Marina was eager to forget her own problems for the moment. "What are you scared of?"

"Well," Lizzy began immediately, but then she paused to seriously ponder the question. "I don't know. Initially, I guess I was afraid of... I really got the wrong impression about William when we first met so I was a little cautious. I think he was a little cautious because he knew that I was."

"And now?"

"And now I envy you; you and Richard seem so comfortable and settled, so sure of each other."

"We do? We haven't settled anything. We haven't even gotten to...well, I don't even know what the bases are in that analogy, but I think I'm still in the batter's box." Lizzy looked at her blankly. Marina shrugged. "We haven't even had a real first date yet. I guess we do have an advantage in knowing each other so well. In that regard, at least, we are comfortable." Lizzy smiled at Marina's endearing awkwardness.

"But the beauty of it is that there's no rush with you two. You know you love each other; everything else will come. We're just the opposite," Lizzy said. "We have all the passion and excitement we can handle, we just aren't comfortable enough to say the words yet."

"Bummer." Lizzy sighed her agreement. "What would happen if you just told him how you feel?" Marina asked. Lizzy looked askance at her and Marina averted her eyes. "I know, I know, I should talk."

"No, that's not what I was thinking," Lizzy assured her. "I was thinking about William's mother. I get the impression she doesn't approve of me, and I wouldn't want to push Will in one direction while he's being pulled in another."

"Do you think Anne doesn't want you two to be involved?" Lizzy shrugged.

"I know she doesn't want him to get serious about me."

"William strikes me as the kind of man who makes up his own mind."

"I hope you're right, Marina," Lizzy said.

"Sleeping beauties!" Bess bent to kiss Richard's brow and then moved to the other end of the hammock to kiss William's cheek. Both men opened their eyes. "Don't be alarmed; this is not a nightmare, only your loving grandmother." Both men smiled and scrambled to sit up. Bess squeezed in between the pair and smiled. "Man sandwich!" Richard threw back his head and laughed.

"Actually, Grandma Bess sandwich," William corrected.

"Well, it's a very strange one; all the beef is on the outside." Richard and William exchanged an amused look.

"Does Edward know you carry on like a shameless hussy around your grandsons?" Richard asked.

"One word and you're out of my will, blue eyes," Bess smiled sweetly. Richard kissed her on the temple. "So, how are you boys? I'm glad to see you both in good company. From what I've been hearing about you two, you've had a rough time of it." The cousins looked at each other uneasily.

"Laura moved to Europe," William said.

"Emmy came home from Europe," Richard said with a shrug, as though that explained everything. Bess looked at him sharply.

"I'm glad to see the two of you together, finally. I don't know why you dallied with those other girls; if there was anyone destined to marry the girl next door it was you."

"Emmy didn't live next door, Grandma Bess."

"Don't talk back, Ricky," she said. Bess turned to William. "And where did you find Lizzy?"

"Well, actually, I guess I have Marina to thank for introducing us. It's a rather complicated story."

"I'm not getting any younger; get it out in the open, lad." William told Bess the story of how he and Lizzy met. "Is Kathleen insane, fixing you up with Marina? She's Ricky's!"

"Wait...how did he get to be 'Ricky' to you, too?" William asked.

"I spent three hours at a café in Paris with Marina. I came away with a grandson named Ricky," she shrugged. She turned to Richard. "I knew she had the hots for you years ago, but I never really knew her before that day in Paris. I'm so glad you told me she was there. I came home today fully prepared to beat some sense into your thick skull. That girl is your soul mate and you've been dandling with vacuous blondes for the last three years." William smiled at Richard's shocked expression.

"Grandma Bess!"

"So," William said, trying to distract his grandmother from her attack on Richard. "Are we going to get a new uncle or aunt out of this marriage thing?" Bess' mouth fell open.

"I will not grace that with an answer," she said. "But if I don't," she said conspiratorially, "it's only because I'm too old to have kids anymore." She winked significantly at each man and rose to return to the house. William and Richard gaped at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing.

That evening, William drew Lizzy out onto the terrace and away from the prying eyes of the others. He walked her to the far end of the space and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's a bit nippy out here, Will," she said with a slight shiver for emphasis. William pulled Lizzy closer to allow the warmth of his body to envelope her.

"I promise not to keep you out here too long. I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you something I've been meaning to say all day."

"Speak fast; my ears may go numb before you get to the point," Lizzy teased. She rested her head against his chest and William blew on the exposed ear to warm it. Lizzy wriggled slightly in his arms. "You were saying?"

"I think I've fallen in love with you, Lizzy." Her eyes opened wide and she looked up. William shook his head. "Who am I kidding? I know I have. I fell in love with you the day we met at the museum."

"What was your first clue?" Lizzy said lightly, although her stomach was suddenly full of butterflies and she felt lightheaded.

"I think I knew it when Marina gave us her blessing. I was feeling fairly awful at the time, as you'll recall, but I remember a part of me thinking that I'd been given the opportunity of a lifetime to find true happiness. I'll always be grateful to her for that."

"Me, too," Lizzy whispered. She clung to William and swallowed hard. "She pretty much had us figured out at a glance." She hazarded a look at William, who bent to meet her lips with his.

"I know we said we wouldn't rush this, but I wanted you to know," he said apologetically. Lizzy shook her head.

"I really needed to know," she whispered. "And I need you to know that I love you, too." William bent to kiss her again, and when they returned to the house a minute later, they entered through the kitchen, evading the others and took the back stairs up to their room.

Early Sunday morning Richard stepped out of his room and crossed the hall to the room where Marina slept. He put his ear to the door, undecided as to whether or not to wake her. As he stood thinking, a door opened further down the hall and Richard froze as he heard the voices of his aunt and uncle.

"Anne, they're consenting adults. Even if you aren't comfortable with it, you can't do anything about it. Don't even think of trying to do so," George said.

"I know," was Anne's groggy reply. "But it just--. Oh, I don't know." George sighed and stepped out into the hall. As he did so, Richard literally jumped away from Marina's door. When George looked up he saw his nephew approaching.

"Morning, Richard," he said with a somewhat weary smile.

"Is something wrong?"

"Your aunt doesn't approve of the fact that her mother and Edward probably spent last night doing the nasty in the guest house."

"Don't be absurd," Richard deadpanned. "They were both suffering from the effects of jet lag." George squinted at him, uncertain as to whether or not Richard was serious.

"She also isn't too thrilled about Lizzy and William, either." Richard cracked a smile.

"And they haven't been on any planes recently."

"Uh...no."

"Why should she object?" Richard asked seriously. George shrugged.

"She seems to feel that Lizzy isn't quite right for him, somehow."

"Look, I only met Lizzy two days ago when the rest of you did, but I've been listening to both Emmy and William talk about her for weeks now and I can't think of anyone more right for him. And even if she wasn't 'the one,' what's it to her? She's never involved herself in Will's love life before, has she?" The two men stepped outside onto the terrace. It was a cool morning and Richard pulled on the tee shirt he'd been carrying.

"Oh, she's meddled before, but only when there was something overtly disturbing about the relationship or the girl in question. And usually, Will agreed with her. But Lizzy's an utterly delightful woman. I can't find anything to fault in her, can you?"

"To tell you the truth," Richard replied as he reached the deck and began to stretch, "I haven't been looking for any." He paused and sat up. "Why should anyone look for something wrong? William is happy; anyone can see they're right for each other. Grandma Bess had the two of them pegged from minute one."

"Yes, she was in fine form yesterday," George laughed as he collected towels for the two of them from the locker.

"Being in love will do that for you."

"Speaking of love, how are things with Marina?"

"What a difference a week makes," Richard said as he sat cross-legged and told his uncle about the turbulent week. "So, you see my declaration didn't go over too well at first, but we survived the worst of it and from this point on I intend to make amends for my past and prove myself worthy of her."

"I think she's already decided that you are, Richard."

"Maybe, but I still feel...I feel as though I have to earn her love. I've never had anyone love me the way she does. I mean for the longest time I didn't know how she felt, but now that I do it positively radiates from her like a beacon. I don't quite feel as though I deserve it." George laughed at the younger man.

"Richard," he said as he eased himself down on the pool deck so that he was at eye level with his nephew. "You're worrying about the wrong thing. You're focusing on the past. Your mind should be on the future."

"I want to marry her."

"Then I suggest you work toward that. Prove yourself by moving forward, not worrying about the past."

"Hey! How come no one's in the water yet?" William said as he approached from the terrace.

"How come you're ten minutes late?" Richard countered.

"No jet lag, remember?" George muttered before he rose and slipped into the pool. Richard stretched his arms and waited for William to arrive pool-side.

"I'm surprised you're not late," William replied as he sat on the deck and prepared to do a series of light calisthenics to warm up.

"Why?" Richard asked. William raised an eyebrow at his cousin.

"Are you two still just kissing and talking?" Richard nodded.

"It's only been a few days, Will."

"Excuse me, then," William said, coloring slightly.

"No apologies necessary," Richard said as he saw Marina emerge from the house. He rose and went to meet her halfway. "Good morning. I thought I might have to go up and drag you down here for your lesson," he said after a brief kiss.

"Oh, yea of little faith," Marina replied tartly. She waved back at George, who'd paused between laps to speak with his son. William looked over at her and also waved. "Why don't you go ahead and have your workout while I build up my courage," Marina suggested to Richard, who smiled.

"If you succeed, why don't you hop in and do your breathing exercises on the side of the pool?" Marina looked at him dubiously, but Richard assured her that she would be safe with three expert swimmers in the water with her. She nodded then, and after another kiss, this one more insistent, Richard went into the pool. Marina watched from the deck as she stretched and did some slow breathing exercises to calm herself. Richard was a bit surprised to see that when he and William paused between sets, Marina was in the water. She was at the side of the pool nearest to where George was doing leisurely laps and Richard smiled again at her courage and determination.

He made a promise to himself to spend some time with Marina during the day so that the two of them could begin to unravel the delicate object that was their budding romance. He also vowed to tread carefully lest he make things worse. Now that Richard had come to realize what Marina meant to him and he was determined never to hurt her again.

Chapter 16

Posted On: Saturday, 24 August 2002, at 3:41 p.m.

When Richard and William were finished with their workout, Richard joined Marina for her lesson. George kept them company for a while, but William got out of the water and went in search of Lizzy. He had left her in bed assuming that she'd join him at the pool, although they hadn't discussed the matter as such. When William entered his bedroom he found Lizzy sprawled on her side of the bed just as he'd left her. William smiled and went into the bathroom, where he slipped out of his suit and turned on the shower. When he emerged from the bathroom some time later, wearing only a pair of shorts and thonged sandals, Lizzy was awake and stretching.

"Oh, don't tell me I missed it!"

"Missed what?" William asked, diverting his original plan to fetch a tee shirt from the bureau to go to Lizzy's side.

"The sight of you swimming," Lizzy pouted as she reached out to stroke William's well-formed shoulders and arms. He leaned forward to kiss her before admonishing her sternly for sleeping so late.

"Late? William it's barely seven o'clock!"

"Yes and Richard and I swim at six. If you want the guilty pleasure of seeing me in spandex you'll have to get up for it." Lizzy smiled wickedly.

"Does that mean you won't give me a private showing?" William's eyebrows rose.

"What kind of a man do you take me for?"

"I'd take you for all I could get if you parade around in a Speedo for me," Lizzy said as she lazily drew a finger along his chest. William pretended to look affronted and Lizzy leaned forward and challenged him in a whisper. "Tell me you've ever had a better offer." Both of them started when they heard a knock on the door. William rose to answer it while Lizzy slipped on her model's coat and rushed into the bathroom. When William reached the door he didn't hesitate to open it.

"William!" Anne said. She seemed surprised to see him, which William found odd considering that she'd knocked on his door.

"Who were you expecting to find in here?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I was...looking for Lizzy," she admitted. "I was going to ask if she had any preferences for breakfast. I meant to ask last night. It's not like me to ignore the special needs of my guests." William was tempted to respond to her last statement impertinently but thought better of it.

"I think she's in the shower," he said instead as he heard the water begin to flow somewhere in the background. "But I know for a fact that she likes pancakes." Anne nodded somewhat absently, and turned away from the door. William watched her walk up the hall. "If you're planning on asking Marina, she's down in the pool," he said, unable to resist. Anne glanced back, red-faced, and nodded. Kathleen stepped out into the hall at that moment.

"Ask Marina what?" she asked conversationally.

"What she wants for breakfast," William said helpfully, leaning against the doorframe to watch the action.

"Oh, dear lord, you don't need to ask her. I've been feeding that child since she was eight," Kathleen said as she led the way downstairs.

"What was that all about?" William turned and saw that Lizzy was standing at his elbow, still dressed in her cover-up.

"I haven't the faintest notion," William said. But he didn't like it one bit.

By the time Marina finished her lesson she and Richard had attracted quite an audience. Anne, Hugh and George were on the terrace watching from a distance, Kathleen and Georgiana splashed around in the pool, while Edward and Bess had a clear view of things from the deck.

"He made no bones about the fact that she was there, George," Anne said.

"What would be the point?" George replied wearily.

"Yes, Anne, why does it bother you so much?" Hugh asked. Anne sputtered for a moment.

"William just broke up with someone and now he seems to be rushing headlong into another relationship!" Anne reasoned.

"As is his prerogative, my dear," George said with a pat on her hand. But Anne pulled it away.

"Don't patronize me, George. I know you didn't like Laura. Why aren't you concerned about Lizzy?" George smiled to himself.

"I think Lizzy's the right one for our boy, Anne," he said conclusively. "In fact, I'm almost sure of it. And I didn't disapprove of Laura; I simply didn't care for her. William did, however, so I kept my mouth shut about. "

"Kath said she's never seen William happier than he's been this weekend and she credits Lizzy with making the difference," Hugh smiled.

"But she doesn't even know Lizzy!"

"Nor do you," George said patiently. "Let's give Lizzy the benefit of the doubt, shall we?" Anne couldn't argue so she quieted for the moment.

"Richard seems to be getting quite serious about Marina," she observed a few minutes later.

"Oh, he's always been serious about Marina; he just never knew it till recently. From what Kath told me last night, he only fully realized his feelings for her a week or so ago." Both George and Anne looked at Hugh in surprise and he smiled. "I could have straightened him out at least three years ago before she left for Europe."

"Why didn't you?" George wondered aloud. Hugh shrugged.

"I guess I decided that it was up to them to figure it out. I'm glad they did. The tension was getting pretty thick, I'll tell you."

"At least you can be sure that Marina isn't out for Richard's money," Anne muttered. George and Hugh exchanged a glance.

"What makes you think Lizzy's after William's money?" George asked

"I didn't say she was," Anne countered defensively.

"Your tone clearly implied it." Anne looked at George, but she didn't reply. She turned back to look at the pair in the water. Marina was making an awkward effort to swim across the short end of the pool. When she reached the other side Bess and Edward rose to give her a standing ovation. A happy Marina emerged from the pool and hugged Kathleen enthusiastically.

"I did it! I swam! I swam! I'm sure it wasn't pretty and it was only a few yards and I was afraid of drowning the whole time, but I did it!" Marina beamed as she began to walk back toward the house with Kathleen, Bess and Edward. Richard smiled and watched her go for a minute before he and Georgiana began to swim a last few lazy laps together. Lizzy and William stepped out onto the terrace, where a cold buffet breakfast has been set out. William immediately noted that there wasn't a pancake in sight. He looked at his mother quizzically and she blushed slightly before averting her gaze. He decided he would pursue the matter at another time.

"Hey, girl!" Lizzy said as Marina reached the terrace. "How was your lesson today?"

"She swam," Bess teased. "I thought everyone in the State of New York heard about it by now." Marina blushed as she pulled on a terry cloth cover-up Kathleen had lent her. "You were awesome, honey," Bess said to her with genuine affection. She took Marina by the hand and led her over to a seat between her and Edward, who rose to fetch them some coffee. Lizzy strolled down to the pool while William was engaged in conversation with his aunt and uncle.

"Hello," Richard said as he emerged from the pool and toweled off. "I expected to see you in the water this morning."

"The lure of the pillow was just too great to overcome," Lizzy said with no hint of remorse. Richard smiled back at her and pulled on a pair of shorts over his trunks. "Maybe later."

"Have you ever swum in the Sound?" he asked as he led Lizzy back toward the terrace. Georgiana seemed content to lounge in the sun and sip her juice on the deck. She waved at them as they passed her.

"No, but I'd love to get out there sometime this weekend."

"That could easily be arranged."

"So, are you treating my friend all right?" Lizzy asked in stern tones that were incompatible with the smile on her face.

"I'm doing my best, ma'am."

"Make her happy, Richard," Lizzy said as she placed a hand on his arm. He paused in his tracks and nodded. The two moved onto the deck and William caught Lizzy's arm before she could reach the table. He dragged her away from the others. "Food!" she cried. William held out his plate and she helped herself to a chunk of pineapple.

"What were you doing down there just now?" Lizzy raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you didn't model for me; a girl has to make do somehow."

"I figured as much," William frowned and turned away before she could grab another chunk of fruit.

"Jealous?"

"Of his body? You must be mad!"

"I was thinking of his overall appeal, actually, of which there is plenty. How does Marina find guys like you two?"

"Sheer luck; Richard was a classmate of hers in elementary school."

"Did he look that good then?" Lizzy teased, enjoying the frown of William's brows.

"No. He was skinny, wore glasses and had bad teeth, sort of like one of your sisters." Lizzy laughed and William offered her the plate. She took it and he went to get her some coffee. Lizzy turned to watch him go and her eyes fell on Marina. She looked radiant and Lizzy knew why. Her eyes were fixed on Richard, whose back was turned to her as he spoke with his uncle. Lizzy was happy for her and fervently hoped Richard carried through on his promise. William returned momentarily with a mug of coffee and another plate piled with more fresh fruit and sweet rolls.

"Is that all for me?"

"I thought we'd share," he said resting the plate on the bench between them.

"Richard said something about swimming in the Sound today," Lizzy said as she picked seeds out of a piece of watermelon.

"Richard this, Richard that," William said with a mock sneer.

"So, you are jealous," Lizzy smiled.

"Of that runt? What's he got that I haven't? Besides the broad shoulders, big blue eyes, irresistible charm and high IQ, I mean." Lizzy tried to suppress a smile.

"High IQ?"

"He's insanely smart--well about most things, anyway. I don't know how he blew it with Marina."

"Well, that just goes to prove that no man is perfect. I must say though, he's pretty close." Lizzy stole a glance at William to gauge his reaction. He was onto her.

"What's my flaw?"

"Just one, Mr. Modesty?'

"Can you name two?" he challenged.

"As a matter of fact...." William raised an eyebrow. "You snored last night and--."

"And?"

"You haven't kissed me in over fifteen minutes."

"Easily remedied," William said leaning forward.

"Please! People are eating," Georgiana said as she strolled by. William ignored the barb and kissed Lizzy.

"Good watermelon," he smiled.

After breakfast, Lizzy, William, Marina and Richard all walked down to the beach, accompanied by Georgiana and her boyfriend, Chad. They spread out blankets and enjoyed the morning sun, Lizzy and Georgiana watching the men toss a Frisbee while Marina sketched the scenery.

"I can't believe you're sitting there drawing rocks while there's so much male beauty on display," Georgiana said.

"I can't believe you two are lying there trying to get tans when you know full well that it's bad for you," Marina replied tartly.

"Hey! William said he loved my peaches and cream complexion I'll have you know. He bought me a high SPF sunscreen and personally slathered it over every inch of me before we left the house."

"Too much information!" Marina cried as Georgiana looked askance at Lizzy.

"Still blushing, eh? Shall I conclude that Richard didn't run any bases last night?" Lizzy teased. Before Marina could sputter an answer, all three women turned at the sound of a woman's voice calling, "Hello gorgeous!"

"Was that for me?" Richard said as he tossed the disk to William, who let it fall at his feet.

"It was a general greeting," Jane said as she lifted her face for William's kiss. Lizzy sat up, gaping.

"Oh, it's Jane," Marina said with a slight smile. Jane looked over and smiled. Lizzy scrambled to her feet to get a closer look at her rival. Marina followed, but Georgiana just waved.

"Hello, Gee. Hello, Marina," Jane said as she closed the distance.

"You two know each other?" Richard asked, feeling a mild panic surge through his heart.

"We've met," Marina smiled. "But I don't think you know Lizzy. Jane Bennet, Lizzy Bennet." Lizzy extended her hand somewhat suspiciously.

"Pleased to meet you," Jane said. "I've heard nothing but good things about you from Will." Lizzy turned her gaze to William, who was standing by silently. His expression as he gazed back at Lizzy was unreadable.

"He never mentioned you," Lizzy said meaningfully, but she pasted on a smile and shook Jane's offered hand.

"Where did you two meet?" Richard asked, suspicious for his own reasons.

"Oh, I was doing sketches at the Cloisters the other day and we struck up a conversation," Marina said innocently. But Richard quickly put two and two together. Jane confirmed his conclusion with a shrug.

"I recognized her work from your descriptions," she said credibly.

"So what brings you to our little strip of beach?" William asked conversationally as he continued to watch Lizzy with amusement.

"Just my usual walk on the beach; you know, a girl's got to watch her figure. William and Richard both automatically looked down at Jane's bikini. Marina and Lizzy did the same albeit it less self-consciously. "I'll stop by the house later," she said with a wave as she began to move again. Lizzy watched William watch Jane go.

"Be careful or you'll get drool on your feet," she smirked. William smiled and pulled Lizzy into his arms.

"There's no need to be jealous of Jane, Lizzy. She's like a second sister to me," he said.

"A second sister with a hot body, you mean?"

"So there are two of us?" Georgiana snickered.

"I wonder if I should get a bikini?" Marina asked to no one in particular as she resumed her seat. She noticed that Richard had been staring at her since her revelation about meeting Jane. She flashed him an enigmatic smile and picked up her pad.

"So, uh, you and Jane..." Richard prompted as he followed her back to the blanket.

"She's nice. We had a nice chat." Marina kept her eyes averted. Richard's concern over what might have transpired between the two was palpable and she felt just bold enough to let him suffer a bit. But Richard had other ideas.

"Very nice," he deadpanned. "Jane was the friend I told you about; the one I was supposed to have dinner with."

"I know," Marina replied. She looked up at him and began to sketch his face.

"She told you?" Richard sat down on the blanket beside Marina, who sighed, flipped over the page and started to draw anew.

"Yes, she came to see me."

"Why?" Richard furrowed his brows and Marina used her thumb to smooth them out.

"She wanted me to make up with you. She said she didn't realize your heart was spoken for when she asked you out and was afraid she'd made trouble for us. As if I hadn't made enough on my own..."

"Hey, we both made trouble. I thought we agreed to put that behind us," Richard said gently as he brushed away a strand of Marina's dark hair that obscured his view.

"So we did." A hint of a smile danced about her lips and Richard leaned forward to kiss her when a Frisbee hit him squarely in the back.

"You still playing or what?" William asked. Richard completed the action he'd begun, delivering a brief kiss before he rose. "Lizzy's joined us."

"She a girl," Richard teased as he picked up the disc and tossed it to Chad. Chad tossed it to Lizzy who caught it easily and sent it whizzing toward William.

"She throws like a girl, too," Richard noted.

"Who cares?" William said. "She looks great doing it." When the Frisbee came around to Lizzy again she aimed it directly at his head. William barely escaped decapitation. "Throws like a girl, eh?"

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with throwing like a girl, Will, I just said she did." Lizzy smiled

"You were right about him; he is smart," she told William. William shook his head disapprovingly and pretended not to hear Lizzy as she continued to flatter and openly flirt with Richard for the remainder of their game. In time, Richard expressed a desire to go sailing, and since Marina was not inclined to go out on a boat, Georgiana offered to take her and Lizzy for a ride. The women all showered and changed and piled into Georgiana's convertible for a leisurely drive through the exclusive North Shore area.

"So tell me how you know Jane," Lizzy said to Marina.

"She came to the museum to meet me."

"Why?" Georgiana and Lizzy asked simultaneously.

"Jane is the woman Ricky had a date with Tuesday," Marina sighed, knowing what would follow. She wasn't disappointed. Lizzy demanded details and Georgiana expressed shock and outrage.

"That rat! Richard told me he wasn't interested in her. And he turned around and asked her out--."

"It wasn't exactly like that, Gee," Marina interrupted. "Jane asked himout."

"But he was--."

"And he and I weren't...we hadn't...it's complicated. We weren't together."

"Oh. So there was trouble in paradise and she jumped in to take advantage. Jeez, I knew that when Jane saw Richard she did the happy dance but I had no idea she could be such a predator."

"No, Gee. It wasn't like that, really. I mean, I had no claim on him. He was fair game."

"What?" Georgiana was clearly confused.

"Marina and Richard have only been an item for a few days. Prior to that they just had this...thing...for a long...long time," Lizzy said helpfully. Marina smiled.

"Oh," Georgiana said with a look at the woman beside her. "A 'thing'; those can be rough." Marina sighed once more. "So, what happened?" Marina gave in and told the tale.

"I was coming to the city for a job interview and I was planning to stay with Ricky...at his apartment, I mean. I told him I would be there on Wednesday, but my meeting got moved up so I arrived on Tuesday without telling him. I had the keys to his place and he said I could use it whenever I wanted, so I didn't think he'd mind. He came home from work and I was glad to see him and all ready to make us a nice dinner when he told me that he already had plans that night."

"With Jane," Lizzy said darkly. Marina nodded.

"I was devastated, but I insisted on his keeping his date. He didn't want to. But he did go and he met Jane and told her how he felt about me. The next day he told me how he felt about me and I...I told him to drop dead."

"But she quickly came to her senses," Lizzy added.

"Yes," Marina smiled. "So--theoretically, at least--we've begun seeing each other, as opposed to just being best friends."

"Sweet," Georgiana said approvingly. "I like a happy ending."

"I had a nice chat with your father this morning," Richard said as the cousins stowed their sailing gear. William looked up.

"He said that your mother isn't terribly keen on your relationship with Lizzy." William straightened up and looked at Richard.

"'Keen'? Who uses the word 'keen' in the real world?"

"William, did you hear what I just said?"

"You just said 'keen.'"

"Will--."

"I know, I know. I got a firsthand glimpse at my mother's feelings on the subject when she knocked on my door this morning."

"She found Lizzy in your--."

"She knew she was staying with me and tried to be nonchalant about it, but I know she was snooping."

"To what end?" William shrugged.

"I don't know. I intend to find out, though. Are we done here?" Richard nodded and William led him out of the boathouse. "This is too important, Fitz. I don't know why my mother is suspicious of Lizzy but I won't allow her to interfere."

"Why should she interfere?" William shook his head.

"I don't know, but I intend to find out." He headed for the house and sought out his mother.

"Would you care to tell me what that was all about?" William asked mildly even as he pinned his mother to the spot with a stern glare. "Don't tell me you didn't already know that Lizzy was sharing my room this weekend, so what was that little visit all about?"

"I told you; I merely wanted to know what Lizzy would prefer for breakfast."

"And you came to ask her when you thought she'd be alone and with no intention of actually fulfilling her request?" William challenged.

"I most certainly do! We'll be having pancakes tomorrow morning," Anne said defiantly. But William did not relent.

"I'm still waiting."

"I don't care for your tone, Will."

"And I don't care for the idea of you trying to sneak up on Lizzy behind my back! You've been looking at her with a jaundiced eye ever since she arrived. What's going on?" William sat down and assumed a less confrontational position. Anne calmed somewhat and joined him on the sofa. "What do you have against her?"

"I have nothing against the girl. I don't know very much about her. Why do you begrudge me the opportunity to get better acquainted with her?" William frowned. "Where did you two meet?"

"We met at the Cloisters. Lizzy's an assistant curator there and Marina and I were touring one of the exhibits she's responsible for."

"What were you doing there with Marina?" William rolled his eyes. He could smell trouble brewing.

"We were on a date, and before you ask it was over a month ago, before she became involved with Richard."

"But I thought Marina was in Paris a month ago." William sighed and told the whole story of how he came to briefly date Marina.

"Kathleen set you up?" Anne said incredulously. "After all she said about Marina and Richard being perfect for one another?"

"Mom, at the time she had no idea that Marina and Richard were in love. She just thought that Marina and I might hit it off and we did."

"I know exactly what Kathleen was thinking," Anne smiled ruefully. William didn't respond to the remark.

"You still haven't answered my question," he persisted.

"I told you; I merely wanted an opportunity to speak with her."

"At seven in the morning when you knew I was down at the pool."

"Stop making me out to be the villain, will you?"

"I'm not! I'm merely trying to get at the truth." Anne sighed and came to a decision.

"Lizzy told me she didn't want to room with you this weekend, so I was a little suspicious when she suddenly decided to sneak into your room."

"She didn't--what do you mean she told you she didn't want to room with me?" William demanded.

"She said that, well, she implied that you two weren't lovers when I spoke to her."

"When did she say that?" William asked incredulously. "We've been lovers for weeks now." Anne looked up sharply.

"She said nothing like that on the phone!"

"When did you speak to her on the phone?"

"On Friday, when I called your office."

"You called my office and spoke to Lizzy? That's impossible!"

"She said you had stepped out of the office and she asked if she could take a message. All I wanted to know is whether or not I should put her in with you and--."

"Mom, I don't know who you spoke to, but it wasn't Lizzy."

"What? Wasn't she at your office on Friday?"

"She was, but from the moment she arrived until the moment we left she was with me every minute, except while she was in the ladies room." Anne was stunned; William was furious. "Trust me, the two of you never spoke before she arrived here."

"Who, then?"

"I don't know, but right now that's the least of my concerns. I'm more worried that you think that Lizzy lied to you."

"I was afraid of that, yes."

"She didn't, I assure you. Lizzy fully expected us to share a room this weekend and would have said so had you asked."

"I don't know what to say; do be careful, William."

"Mother--."

"Look at what happened to Richard last year. You need to be careful."

"Don't bring up Erin again..."

"I'm concerned for your well-being, Will."

"And I love you for it, really," William said as he reached out and gently stroked his mother's cheek. "But don't do this, please. Lizzy isn't like that. She's like no one I've ever known. She's not the kind of person who'd say one thing to your face and then turn around and do something else behind your back. She's open and honest, she's truly special--."

"You're in love with her!" The passion with which William spoke surprised Anne.

"We're in love with each other."

"Are you sure of that?" William rolled his eyes. "Will..."

"I'll be careful."

When Lizzy, Georgiana and Marina returned from their drive cum shopping excursion, they found Richard and William sitting on the terrace talking with Jane. Once again, Lizzy eyed her with suspicion. William had recently revealed his love for her but the relationship was still too new for Lizzy to feel totally complacent. She glanced sidelong at Marina, who appeared perfectly calm. It occurred to Lizzy that her perspective was completely different. Marina was very used to seeing Richard show interest in other women. Lizzy painfully recalled how Marina had readily conceded William to her without a struggle and surmised that Marina's relationship with Richard was still too new for her to learn be territorial.

Richard rose as they approached and offered Marina his seat. Lizzy took the available chair beside William while Richard fetched additional chairs for himself and his cousin. Georgiana went inside to arrange for refreshments to be brought out to the women while Lizzy tried to get caught up on the conversation. Jane was talking excitedly about something with Richard, who caressed Marina's hand even as he responded enthusiastically.

"What's an optical scan?" Lizzy asked after a minute. William shrugged.

"They're both engineers and I'm not. I haven't a clue as to what they're talking about. I'm just sitting here enjoying the scenery." Lizzy raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you ogled Richard this morning--." All conversation ceased and Lizzy turned crimson when three pairs of eyes turned to her.

"He's joking!" Lizzy managed.

"No, he isn't," Georgiana said as Mrs. Reynolds brought out a pitcher of iced tea. "I saw you checking him out down by the pool." Lizzy's mouth fell open. She hazarded a glance at Richard.

"It's all right, Lizzy, I don't mind being checked out," Richard said helpfully.

"Thanks," she said, desperately hoping that someone would change the subject. William came to her assistance by asking about her outing.

"Oh, we looked at some of the lovely old properties on the shore," Lizzy said with a glint in her eye that promised retribution. "Then Gee took us shopping.'

"Did you buy anything?" William asked conversationally.

"We made Marina buy a bikini," Georgiana said. "It was great with her coloring, it fit perfectly, and the price was right." Marina blushed.

"All I need now is the courage to wear it," she said shyly.

"Oh, I can think of someone who could provide a little inducement," Jane said with a wink.

"Yeah, maybe William will ogle you, Marina," Georgiana teased Lizzy, who rolled her eyes.

"Oh, dear," Marina said as her cheeks grew hot. "Maybe we ought to forget the whole thing. I can't believe I let you two talk me into buying a bikini in the first place."

"You've never worn a bikini, Marina?" Jane asked.

"I've known Marina for seventeen years and I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen her in a bathing suit since middle school," Richard said. "And most of those were this weekend."

"Well, you ought to wear it, Marina. You looked fabulous in it," Lizzy said.

"I'd certainly like to see you in it," Richard said.

"Yeah, I can't wait, either," William leered. Lizzy elbowed him and Richard gave him a nasty look. But William didn't see it. He was looking toward the far end of the terrace, where his mother was coming off the beach accompanied by two women. Georgiana made a small noise that made plain to Lizzy her displeasure at seeing the new arrivals. But a moment later she smiled so convincingly that Lizzy wasn't sure she had heard it.

"This ought to go over well," Georgiana muttered. Lizzy heard that clearly enough, although it was apparently not meant for her ears. William looked stricken and Lizzy grew even more curious.

"Look who I found on their way over," Anne announced when she reached the circle of friends. "Diana, I believe you've met everyone except Lizzy and Marina, our guests this weekend. This is Diana's friend, Jessica. Jessica, this is my daughter, Georgiana; my nephew Richard; his friend, Marina; Jane, a neighbor of ours since childhood; Lizzy; and my son, William."

"Your son and I know each other very well, Mrs. Darcy," Jessica smiled. "We work together in the same firm." Lizzy's mouth fell open and she snapped it shut.

"Oh? Small world, isn't it? Richard, help me bring over a few more chairs, would you dear?" Richard did as he was bidden and Mrs. Reynolds brought out more glasses and a second pitcher of iced tea.

A slightly awkward conversation ensued, with William, Georgiana, Jane and Richard distinctly and inexplicably ill at ease amid the added company. Richard drew Marina into a private conversation. Georgiana and Jane gamely answered Diana's inquiries while William remained tight-lipped. Lizzy was perplexed as to what had come over the others.

Anne seemed oblivious to it as she played the good hostess. Lizzy was surprised when she engaged her in a real conversation for the first time since her arrival. As she began to relax and ask about the history of the estate, she noticed William glaring into the distance. She gave his hand a squeeze and he looked over at her and smiled thinly. But although he tried to join the chat, he was angry and distracted; it had suddenly dawned on him who had misled his mother into thinking ill of Lizzy.

Continued In Next Section