Previous Section, Section III
Posted on Sunday, 19 December 2004
Caroline's stomach burned as she threw back the remnants of her drink. She stared as Darcy and Elizabeth glided across the dancefloor. That man was the sneakiest of them all. She had kept her distance, knowing of his compulsive need for discretion and privacy. She had kept a sharp eye out for him for the entire evening, but on the trip to the bathroom ... and this...
"Would you like me to cut in on him?" Richard handed her another cosmopolitan.
"Now is not the time, Dicky-Doo." She was in no mood to deal with Fitzwilliam's glib commentary.
"Feeling reality creeping in?" Richard was positive that Darcy was falling for Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
"No." She was too upset to make a snide comment back to him. She had allowed Richard to monopolize too much of her attention and was determined to attend to Darcy as she had before Fitzwilliam's arrival. It had been strange, really. Generally, Richard's visits were peppered with smart-assed comments and unyielding teasing, but she could not remember spending this much time with him before. Begrudgingly, she was grateful for his company and had been surprised by how often she had not minded his presence.
"Why don't you take a twirl with me?" If he had thought that Caroline genuinely cared for Darcy he would have felt bad for her. Her brow was knitted and a look of stark worry slipped into her eyes. He took her hand and didn't bother to wait for an answer.
He and Caroline began to dance, drinks still in hand. He directed her towards the back corner of the floor. "I must say you are a very good dancer, Caroline Bingles."
She laughed despite herself and took a long sip from her drink. Her head was starting to go a bit swimmy. "Finishing school will do that to a girl."
"Did they also teach you to get drunk at your brother's fund raisers?"
"No. That one is of my own doing. And I'm not drunk. This is only number three." He twirled her and when they resumed shuffling he pulled her in close for a little cheek to cheek.
"Personally, I think you ought to get completely wasted tonight."
"Do you?" She laughed and flushed as Richard pulled her in a bit closer.
"Absolutely." Richard breathed deep and was overwhelmed by the fact that he was attracted to Caroline Bingley.
"Why is that?"
"I'd love to see you drop that act of yours in front of the very people you started putting it on for."
"Like who? Your cousin?" Her smile faltered. "I don't put on an act for anyone."
"Oh really?" Richard dipped her low, "Then why is it when you're around me you're different than when you're around my cousin? With me, you're funny, you have opinions, you talk about things of meaning. With him you smile and agree."
"Pish-posh. People act differently around other people. That doesn't mean I'm putting on an act." Her blush deepened and she fought the desire to leave.
"Why do you blush, then?"
"Because I've had a couple drinks." She said smoothly, taking another swig.
"I see." Richard said nothing more. He was worried about both his cousin and Caroline. Caroline's vitriolic refusal to see reason matched with Darcy's headstrong ambition and need to keep up appearances seemed nigh unstoppable. He decided to step back and see where things progress. He was to make his way to Boston with Bingley and Darcy and then would return to San Diego. He had a ton of work waiting for him there.
"Why do you care, anyway, Richard? Why can't you just be happy that Darcy has decided to settle down and marry respectably? What is wrong with that?" She had not known Richard to be such a romantic. There was so much more to consider in a marriage than love.
"Marry?" Richard still could not believe that Darcy truly intended to marry her. He would continue to disbelieve until he saw a ring on her finger. Richard was aware of the expectation placed on his cousin's shoulders, but he had always thought Darcy to type that would marry for love. He had assumed that Darcy had always felt that accepting anything less than a marriage filled with esteem and true affection was beneath his character.
"Yes, I know. He hasn't asked me yet, he likes Elizabeth Bennet, all of that. All that being said, yes, I think he will marry me." She meant it. This was the position she had played throughout her entire acquaintance with William Darcy. The suitable choice. Refined, educated, stylish with class and grace. He could deny any truly tender feelings for her and she would care little. Things were different when one had a public reputation and fortune to consider.
The music died out and Richard released his partner. He turned his attention to his cousin and Elizabeth. He observed that the two were engaged in a pointed exchange. They silenced, and he watched in amazement as the lady looked down shamefully and seemed to apologize to Darcy. Wonder what that is all about?" He allowed a tiny bit of hope to escape. Perhaps Elizabeth would prove to be his best friend's salvation.
"You are going to have to excuse me after this set, Jane." Charles smiled apologetically as they settled in for their fourth dance. "I have been most scandalously ignoring my guests."
"If that is the case, you are free to take leave of me now." She truly enjoyed his attentions but did not wish to prevent him from his duties.
"Not yet. I would much rather be right where I am." Jane Bennet was the most beautiful, wonderful, woman in the world. Purchasing Netherfield had been the best idea he'd ever had. He wanted to pursue something with this woman. He had a feeling that she could be the one.
Charlotte Lucas sighed and plucked another glass of champagne off the counter. Now that Lizzy and Darcy had stopped dancing there was nothing else to look at. These things were always so boring. She waited for her friend, who was engaged with her father in conversation, to return and keep her company.
"Miss Charlotte Lucas?" Willie Collins walked towards her with a smile.
"Yes?" She answered him warmly.
"I have just been informed that you're father is a sponsor of the UFCD. Lady Catherine and I are most honored by your family's contributions. I was just telling your father what a pleasure it to hear that our base growing larger year after year."
"Yes." Lizzy had been right. He was sweaty. But he did smell rather nice.
"Would you like to dance?"
"Sure."
He took her hand and she smiled as they began to dance.
Elizabeth settled in the back of the room at a table by herself. The events of the evening had left her with much to think about. Try as she may, she could not bring herself to think of anything else. Why had George lied? She recalled their conversation and could not see how she could have misinterpreted his words. She was certain that Darcy had somehow wronged Wickham, but what had prompted him to lie about it? She wished that she could gather her things and leave, but she had arrived with her mother, who would, without a doubt, be one of the last guests to leave. Her mind still raced for an explanation. She did not want to believe George to be a bad sort of person, a liar. She reached for her cell phone and fought the urge to dial his number. She wasn't going to be that desperate. She looked around the room. Jane was dancing with Bingley, yet again, and Charlotte had stood up with Willie Collins. Her mother was laughing loudly with Mrs. Philips, her father engaged in conversation with Mr. Lucas. Her eyes fell on Darcy. His gaze was fixed on her. She blushed and looked away with shame. Quickly, she collected her things and went into the bathroom to call George Wickham.
He answered on the third ring.
"Hello, George, it's Elizabeth." She greeted and continued, "Don't think I'm....well..." How could she bring this up delicately? She made a vain attempt and small talk and blurted "Why did you lie to me about William Darcy?"
She met with no answer
"What happened, Lizzy?" His answer was cautious.
"I've just finished talking with the man in question and I may have brought up the subject, albeit subtly."
"And?"
"And I lead to believe that you have deceived me in this point."
Again there was no immediate answer.
"I don't know what to say."
"You might start with the truth."
"It's a very long story."
She laughed cynically. "That's what you said the first time."
"I shouldn't have said that. I did not tell you the entire story. I have been in contact with him more recently than I may have lead you to believe."
"And?"
"Not long ago I ran into him and a group of friends and relatives in DC. While we were there I developed an interest in a girl that William cared very much for. She returned my feelings and wanted to be together, but William..."
"William what? Did you steal his girl?" She rolled her eyes and switched her phone to her other ear.
"Yes. And he enlisted his family in persuading the girl to leave me. I was devastated. And ... in the back of my head I couldn't help but think that ... what I am had something to do with it."
Elizabeth was not completely satisfied with his answer, though it did sound most reasonable. She did not doubt that he was being somewhat truthful and could see Darcy becoming extremely resentful of being bested by someone that he perceived as lower than him. It did not excuse George's lie, however, and she resolved to think no more of any romantic entanglement with him. "Why did you lie?"
"The events were recent and the wounds still fresh. I was out of line. Please accept my apologies. I did not know what I was saying."
"You did not have to lie to me. I am very disappointed. The untruths you told me were of a most malicious nature."
"I'm sorry. I seemed easier at the time to make up a story to explain it away. The subject brings me a considerable amount of pain."
"Bye, George." She could perhaps still be his friend but anything more would be out of the question.
"Bye, Lizzy."
Charles, Caroline, Darcy and Richard were gathered in the den, relaxing after the last of the guests made their excuses.
"Tonight went very well, wouldn't you say?" Charles asked with a satisfied smile.
"Yes. Everything went very smoothly." Caroline patted Darcy's arm and gave him a look of approval. Much of the night's success had been his doing.
Darcy smiled back at Caroline. His mind was still fixated on his exchange with Elizabeth. The next time he saw Wickham he was going to give him the thrashing he deserved.
"I've invited Jane Bennet to dinner tomorrow night." Bingley announced, "Caroline please tell Mrs. Liefield, I don't think I'll have the opportunity tomorrow."
"Certainly."
Darcy was happy at the chance to observe Jane without having her sister around to distract him. "I think I am going to head off to bed." He pressed a light kiss to Caroline's cheek.
"Goodnight, Darcy." She squeezed his arm, "I think that I will do the same."
Soon everyone agreed it was time to retire and it was decided by all that the Netherfield ball had been a most interesting night indeed.
Posted on Tuesday, 18 January 2005
Caroline hummed the theme song to Mission Impossible under her breath and popped her head into the long corridor of the guest floor of Netherfield. Her mission, should she choose to accept it, was to dig up a bit of gossip on Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam. Conveniently, he and his cousin were out for the afternoon and Caroline was nothing if not shrewd. In her mind, of course, there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for this bit of subterfuge. What this reason may be, however, was unimportant, and little more than an exercise in self-denial. If Caroline were to be truthful with herself (as she rarely was) she would discover that she wanted a little something to bounce back on Richard the next time he played analyst with her. She had been feeling particularly exposed since the Netherfield ball and would not allow herself to admit that he may have had a point. In situations such as these, (wherein Miss Bingley felt threatened in any manner) her immediate reaction was to attempt to recreate the same vulnerabilities in her nemesis. While this often produced a well-said and placed zinger or two, most of the time it made things worse. For as much as she crowed about sensibility and propriety, she was a woman that was ruled very much by her emotions.
She crept down the hallway and took one last glance before clicking open the door to Richard's room. Keeping with her persona of a shadowy government agent, she groped around the room in the dark. The fact that it was the middle of the afternoon and no one would notice if she threw open the curtains or flicked on the light switch did not occur to her. She shook out his pants, finding nothing but loose change, a mint, and a receipt from the gas station. She moved on to the desk and was rewarded. In the left hand drawer she located a brown leather datebook. Smiling triumphantly she tucked the book in the crook of her arm and scooted off the privacy of her room and began to skim through it.
She had known that Richard had a reputation with the ladies but had not been privy to its magnitude. There was an Emily, a Jessica, 2 Michelles, a Kimmie, a Vittoria, an Ingrid, and a Maria. There were easily 150 different women and different phone numbers. She scrunched her nose in distaste. Who knew what sorts of diseases lurked behind that big old smile of his. Ewwww ... She flipped towards the back and stopped at a card tucked into the back pocket of the book. "Hmmm .. let's see. Alexis, Adrianna, Trixie, Bunny, Candi, and ... hahaha ... Legend San Martino?" That was classic. "It sounds like he found these ones advertising full body massages in the back of an alternative weekly. Honestly..."
The fact that the card of telephone numbers was not filed in with rest of the book led Caroline to conclude that these were women of a special ilk. The wheels of her mind began to creak and turn. Namely, what if they were trollops? Inappropriate, uneducated, gold digging, obnoxious, airheaded young ... Girls that Good Time Richie took out for ... well ... you know.
What if she invited one of them here? The look of horror and embarrassment on his face would be too much. She could see the scene clearly before her. One of those stupidly smiling plastic bleach blondes that couldn't believe their luck in landing someone with Fitzwilliam kind of money. What would Darcy think of him then? An evil grin spread and she picked up the phone and called the girl who had the most ridiculous name of all. Legend San Martino. The woman's voicemail clicked on and Caroline left a warm message inviting her for a surprise dinner in Richard's honor that weekend. Caroline whistled light heartedly as she went back upstairs and returned the datebook. Revenge would be hers and it would be so, so sweet.
Richard fanned the bottom of his polo against his chest. He hated golfing. It was, however, essentially a requirement amongst the gentleman of his set. Business was done, deals were made, connections forged, alliances secured, all on the greens. One of the nice things about his new job is that he was more likely to play Ultimate Frisbee than golf. Charles was east coast rich kid through and through and Darcy was ever the traditionalist, so here he was.
"Have you spoken to Karen about the Morland dinner?" Charles asked Darcy he navigated a turn with the cart.
"Yes. Everything seems in place. What's this about Shepley?"
"Michael Shepley. He's put it in, Darcy. I was feeling pretty sure of myself, but now..."
"I've never heard of him."
"Graduated from Michigan Magna Cum Laude, poli-sci. degree with specialization in Constitutional law from Nothwestern. Married with two adorable children. I've never heard of him either, but he looks really good on paper. Really good."
"We will see. What has he done?"
"Worked as a consultant in District 4 right out of law school. Never held office before."
"So he's completely inexperienced?"
"I wouldn't say completely."
"You should from now on. I promise you that right now he is analyzing your every weakness with the intentions of exploiting them if he has to. You would do well to do the same."
"I have no intention of going ugly."
"I agree. You may have to defend yourself. There is always the chance of it getting smeary and it is best to not go in unprepared."
"Inexperienced."
"Yes. What else?"
"Interned for two elections in this district with James Bennet, so he knows the kind of people he should know around here."
"Fantastic. Embezzler as political mentor."
"James is consulting for us, isn't that the same thing? Besides, I honestly believe James. He never knew where that missing money went. They got Lowegard's share, but they never found Bennet's. Look at him. He lives modestly, and misses this all more than I can bear. He didn't do it. Not to mention the fact that he was never convicted."
"He was indicted, though, and unfortunate as the situation may be, that is what people remember about him. Yes, he is consulting with us, but should it come out we are in a much better spin position."
"That's good, I guess." Bingley swallowed hard and tried to calm himself.
"I am sorry, Charles. You have to assume the worst and pray for the best with these things. I won't sugarcoat it. Yes, it's a state seat, but if this Shepley fellow raises enough money, you've got a rocket on your hands. Television, commercials, everything. You have to be able to know where you're vulnerable and where you can hit. This is only a stepping stone Bingley. Think about where you want to be in twenty years. It only gets worse. You're going to have to come to terms with the fact that you are very likely to get your hands dirty. Time will tell."
"Gentleman, hate to interrupt, but why did you invite me when the two of you are doing nothing but talking shop?" Richard broke in smilingly.
"Sorry." Charles was much paler than usual and seemed a bit ill.
"I think you've scared him ****less, Darcy." Richard declared.
"Maybe he should be."
Charles, to the dismay of his friends, broke into a full on smile as he approached the tee on the sixth hole.
"What's that?" Richard laughed and turned to see what caused Bingley's change in expression.
Jane smiled and waved from the tee. She was playing with her younger sister. Richard could not remember her name. Something with an L...
Charles bounded towards Jane and wrapped her up in a hug. Darcy noted that she looked surprised and little uncomfortable with the gesture. Lydia then insisted on hug, giggling the while.
"It is very nice to see you, Charles Bingley. Mother talks of little else but how happy she is that you're the one who's decided to run for Daddy's seat." Lydia finally became aware of the two other gentleman. "Hello, Senator Darcy. Who's this?" She pointed at Richard.
Darcy cleared his throat and mumbled, "Hello to you as well. This is Richard Fitzwilliam, my cousin."
"He's a handsome one." Lydia smiled coquettishly and extended a hand.
"Thanks, I guess." Richard smiled at the girl accepting the greeting.
Darcy noticed that while Charles was vainly focused on Jane alone, Jane herself still attended to the others in the group. Interesting.
"It's my fault we're late," Lydia babbled "I couldn't decide what I was going to wear. I mean, I know that sounds silly, but I wanted to wear these new shorts I got but Lizzy this morning said they made me look like a common prostitute, so I had to scrap those, and the tank top I had all picked out didn't work with my other shorts, and I was caught unprepared, and I took forever." She paused for a breath, "Then we got here an hour past our tee time, but I flirted with the guy at the desk and he let us go ahead. You can play through if you like, I'm very bad at golfing. I only come for the boys." She smiled again at Richard.
"I am not that good, either. I play to get some sun and fresh air." Jane added with a flush.
"I can't imagine you being bad at anything!" Charles explained, "Here, why don't you show me your swing? Perhaps I can give you a pointer or two?"
Jane smiled, "Sure."
"And how is your sister, Lydia?" Richard asked, pulling his bag out of the cart.
"Who, Jane?"
"No. Elizabeth."
"Fine I guess. She started her new job today, with a judge I think."
"Do you recall his name?" Darcy interjected
"No. Really all she's doing is a bunch of typing for him. It's a temp job."
Darcy said nothing and returned to watching Jane and Bingley. She liked him well enough, but she did not seem to be in love. She treated him with no special affection, though she did happily receive his attentions. She did not seem a cold sort of woman, so he could rule out any accounts that might be made for a reserved nature. She was warm and welcoming and he imagined that if she were to be in love that she would radiate with it. She did not.
The trio became a quintet. If Lydia had not been in their company they would have happily played the full course. By the eighth hole Darcy announced that they had a full day ahead of them and needed to leave. He, as usual, was met with no objection.
Elizabeth had managed to get to work on time. It may not seem like a great accomplishment, but fighting with her sisters for bathroom time had threatened her timeliness. She had her iPod in her purse and was fully prepared for a day of office drudgery. She opened the door and smiled.
The room was very...full. Stacks and stacks of Manila file folders lined the entire room. There was a smallish desk with computer and phone arranged before another door. Judge Gardiner's chambers, she guessed. She knocked lightly on the door.
A man in his early sixties opened the door with a smile. "Elizabeth Bennet, correct? Sorry for the mess. That's why you're here actually. To help with that."
"Yes, the agency said you were putting everything on computers."
Judge Gardiner made a face, "I hate computers. As that may be, this office is out of control. I'm not an organized man, my wife, Madeline took care of it. She retired on me. Can you believe it?" He laughed affectionately. "She told me that if I didn't want to stop working that was my decision. I suffer for it."
"If you can point me in the right direction I can start. I'm familiar with the software."
"Yes. I saw that. You've worked at quite a few of the firms around here."
Elizabeth blushed. "Yeah. I haven't been able to find a place I'm happy at."
"So you're temping. What's next?"
"When this is done I hope to have enough to move. I'm back with my parents for the duration, so I should be in good shape once this is done."
"Where are you planning on going?"
"Baltimore, actually."
"Why there?"
"It's a big city without being too big, it's not in Massachusetts, the cost of living is cheap and I should be able to find something slightly more rewarding."
"Sound good." Gardiner walked her to the filing cabinets in his chambers. "You can start with these, they're in alpha order. The piles out there aren't , I'm afraid." He laughed, "Now you know why I was willing to pay so much."
"To be honest, sir, this is pretty much what I've been doing since I got out of school."
He laughed, "No need for sirs, my name is Edward. I'm glad I wound up with some experienced. It will help to allay my guilt for doing this to you."
"If it makes you feel better. Edward."
Events were as such that Lizzy did not need her iPod after all. Judge Gardiner encouraged her to keep the door between them open and the day passed quickly in easy conversations and comfortable silences. Lizzy was over the moon about him and thanked her lucky stars that she had taken the job.