Beginning, Section II, Next Section
Chapter Fourteen
Darcy got out off his bed and walked into the bathroom. The reflection in the mirror did not show that he slept only four hours. He splashed water over his face and looked into the mirror again. All he could see was a happy man. Yesterday, Elizabeth and he spent the whole evening and half of the night on the beach. She suggested a walk in the moonlight and he readily agreed. For the first time, they really talked. She told him about her childhood and school times. No matter how sad the part of the history was, she always found something that would distance her from the sorrowful moments. He admired her. They sat on the stones, close to each other. Her head on his shoulder, her hands around his waist. She wrapped in his embrace. He recalled the days, when he was married to Anne, and he told the woman sitting next to him in the moonlight, that it was a mistake and that he shouldn't have done it. It amazed him what she told him then. She said: "But you have Anne Marie. Now, you are not going to tell me that you regret it, aren't you." And he admitted he would never want to live without Anne Marie. In spite of all the problems she caused and in spite of how difficult his parenthood was, he would never give her up. She was the sunshine of his life. No, she was more, she was his life. He looked at Elizabeth then and saw tears of joy in her eyes. She touched his cheek and kissed his lips, exhaling her own self with this little kiss. The passion he had for her overflowed him and he pressed her against himself, finding a way to her, making love to her with more tenderness, than he thought he possessed.
He woke up from his memories. He needed a shower. They were to meet in the hall in forty minutes. They decided over dinner yesterday that they would go to St. Emilon to taste some wines. It was quite a long way from where they were at the moment so the departure time was set for eight o'clock.
Having gone out of the bathroom, Darcy picked up the phone. First, he dialed Anne Marie's number to check if she was awake, only to find her ready and on her way to the breakfast room. He then dialed Elizabeth's number but no one answered, she was probably at the breakfast room, too. It seemed he was the one who was late. He put his favourite polo on and ivory trousers and made his way to the breakfast room. He was the last one to arrive. The Bingleys had in fact already finished and went to their room. Harry was not in the breakfast area but a dirty plate next to Anne Marie's suggested he had consumed his food too. At the table there were only Anne Marie and Elizabeth. As he approached them, they both smiled.
"Hi Daddy. I've been just telling Elizabeth, what a good idea you had about that trip."
"Thank you, darling, but I think you can stop flattering me."
"Oh, Daddy, how can you?! I am just being nice and talkative in company of others." She replied cheekily and her father laughed.
"You see, Elizabeth, I told you parenthood can be difficult."
"Oh, Daddy, how can you give such a terrible picture of me, in a place where I hoped to pass as a good girl!"
"Enough is enough, sweetie. Go and get ready, we are setting off in fifteen minutes."
"Aye, Sir!" called the girl, winking at Elizabeth who was laughing throughout all of he conversation.
Chapter 15
Bingley organised a mini-van and all six of them crawled inside. Charles was driving, having Jane on the passenger seat. Behind them sat Anne Marie and Harry. Elizabeth and William occupied places at he back of the car. Bingley, as always in a happy mood, played The Beatles. The bars of Michelle made the older generation sing. Suprisingly, even Harry and Anne Marie recognised the old classics:
Michelle, my girl, these are words that go together well,
My Michelle, Michelle
Michelle, my girl, ce sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, tres bien ensemble
Darcy made that French part very affected and long, causing Bingley to challenge him with:
I love you, I love you I love you
That's all I want to say
Until I find a way, I will say the only words I know that you'd understand,
Looking all the time at Jane, who after Darcy having finished:
Michelle, my girl, ce sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, tres bien ensemble
Replied to Charles with:
I need you, I need you, I need you
I need to make you see, oh what you mean to me
Until I do, I'm hoping, you will know what I mean
I love you, I want you I want you, I want you,
I think you know by now
I'll get to you somehow
Until I do, I'm telling you, so you'd understand
Darcy finished the song, powerfully claiming:
Michelle, my girl, ce sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, tres bien ensemble
I will say the only words I know, that you'll understand
My Michelle
Elizabeth kept silent, until Anne Marie forced Charles to play Con Te Partiro
Darcy kept watching his daughter and Elizabeth sing:
Quando sono solo
sogno all'orizzonte
e mancan le parole
si lo so che non c'e luce
in una stanza quando manca il sole
se no ci siê tu con me, con me
Bingley, not understanding a word of Italian, authoritatively ordered a change of music, before half of the song was played. He switched The Beatles again:
In a town where I was born
Lived a man who sailed the sea
And he told us about a life in the land of submarines.
Sang the whole van. Darcy mimicking to be the old man. Suddenly, Bingley turned down the radio and said:
"Have you noticed that car behind us?"
Everyone turned around to see.
"What about it?"
"It's been following us from the hotel."
"Maybe they are taking an excursion as well." Said Jane, who could not think that there could something devious about it.
"Maybe." Replied Charles in a reassuring voice but shot a look onto Darcy in the rear view mirror.
Hopefully they were arriving into St Emilion. Bingley parked the car outside the old city centre. The car, which followed them from the hotel disappeared and both Darcy and Bingley soon forgot about it. They were walking among narrow streets. The stone houses shaded them from the sun. Darcy placed his arm on Elizabeth's waist and continued to walk holding her tight. Bingley and Jane wandered hand in hand. Only Anne Marie and Harry kept the distance. Anne Marie, considering herself to be a grown up person, wouldn't mind Harry to be closer to her but she was afraid to suggest it, fearing her father would be furious. They were in a narrow street leading them to one of the wine cellars when two men with huge cameras appeared from nowhere taking pictures. Darcy, trying to shelter Elizabeth and himself from them, pushed her into a gate. This allowed the others, to escape. William could not have known that the paparazzi where after him and Elizabeth. Jane, Bingley and the children ran away, but Elizabeth and Darcy were still being pursued. Darcy ran dragging Elizabeth after him, until they managed to get into a small Cartier shop. There, the shop's security, showed the paparazzi the door, and allowed Elizabeth and Darcy to have some rest. Working for Cartier for a long time, they knew that people who are chased by the paparazzi are the rich and fortunate of that world so not before long, two shop assistants appeared and while serving the victims with coffee, tea, juice, wine and biscuits, was ready to serve them. Elizabeth was rather embarrassed, and even Darcy wasn't sure how he should act.
Elizabeth picked up a glass of orange juice, she was served with, when her watch fell down. Darcy picked it up, it was broken. He smiled at the assistant and said: "I can see, you want us to buy something in your shop in return for your favour."
"By no means, sir." Replied the assistant, blushing. "I never meant to... If you thought, sir..."
"Don't worry. Just show us what watches you have here, for the lady, of course."
"At once, sir." Called the assistant and Darcy thought of Probation Officer Collins, when the latter was addressing Darcy's mother in law - Lady Catherine Marie De Bourgh - Cabot.
"You should not." Said Elizabeth.
"Oh, yes, I should. It was because of me. Why should you lose a watch, just because, I've been chased by the paparazzi. Anyway, I wonder how it happened that they knew where I was."
"You mean, you are being chased by paparazzi on the daily bases?"
"Only, if I'm in company of beautiful women." Said he smiling at her and the assistant turned up with the watches. Darcy looked at them and said: "Choose, but if I were you, I'd take that one, showing her a small Patek."
"No, I ..."
"Shhhh. We'll take that one." Said William pointing at the Patek and silencing Elizabeth with a slight hand movement.
The security checked if the paparazzi were gone and let the couple out of the shop. As they were walking out of the shop, Darcy's mobile phone buzzed. He picked it up and heard:
"William, it's Richard. Thank God, I found you!"
"What happened?" exclaimed Darcy.
In reply, came Richard's agitated voice: "Harry is missing!"
Chapter Sixteen
"What? It's impossible, he was..."
"He was supposed to be spending this month with his friend in Spain. His friend called yesterday and knew nothing that Harry was to be with him."
"Calm down Richard. He is here."
"Here? Where? In France?"
"Yes. He is here with us."
"Get him on the phone." Called Richard
"I can't at the moment. He is not with me at the moment."
"Where is he then?" asked Richard anxiously.
"Somewhere with Anne Marie. Don't worry. He's fine." But I can't guarantee how he and Anne Marie will be when I get to them, added Darcy in his thoughts.
"I'll kill that boy. If only Elizabeth lived, it would not have happened..."
"You have Charlotte. She is wonderful mother to Harry and to the other children. Elizabeth is dead Richard and you cannot tell how Harry would be if she lived on." Darcy was sure, Charlotte was standing next to Richard and felt sorry that Richard had mentioned Elizabeth. Elizabeth Elliot wasn't someone whom Darcy thought good for Richard. Charlotte was. In her youth, Elizabeth was one of the worst creatures, Darcy had ever known, including Caroline Bingley in it. But then, when she learnt at the age of 27, she was dying of cancer, she changed. She was ill, when she and Richard married. There was a remission and she got pregnant. When Harry was born, the cancer activated itself and she died two years later. Darcy always suspected that Richard loved Elizabeth more than he ever did Charlotte, and Darcy has always been trying to point it out to him. William believed that Charlotte was worth a million while Elizabeth Elliot.... well, she was dead anyway.
"Richard, take Charlotte and get yourself down to France here. It's great, this place. I'll book a room for you and you'll get the chance to straighten things with Harry in person."
"No, William, I can't, I mean Charlotte..."
"Give me Charlotte on the phone."
"She's not here."
"B*&^sh*&, Richard, she was standing next to you a moment ago. I know it. Go to her and give her that phone." Bellowed Darcy so strongly that a couple passing them by looked at them curiously.
"Okay, okay." Replied Richard and went to give Charlotte the phone. After a while Darcy heard Charlotte's voice, slightly coloured by tears.
"Charlotte, I told Richard, you two should get here. He is trying to manoeuvre. I think it would be best for all three of you. We both know, Harry loves you. You've been a mother to him for all his life, and I can tell you that he ran away, not because of the home affairs but because of my daughter. Please come here." Said Darcy.
He waited for Charlotte to reply.
"Okay, William, we'll come." She said rather meekly.
"Great, I'll have a room waiting for you tomorrow."
"Good. Bye William and thank you." There was a busy tone.
Elizabeth looked at William and he hugged her. "I hope Richard will finally get over Elizabeth, it's been 15 years, and ever since there has always something between him and Charlotte. Elizabeth was his first wife and mother to Harry. She died of cancer." Added he in explanation.
"So why did he marry Charlotte in the first place?" asked Elizabeth.
"Charlotte was his best friend in the University. I always thought, she was best for him. She loved him always but Richard went mad about Elizabeth Elliot and didn't care about Charlotte. When Elizabeth died, Charlotte came to the funeral. Harry was there too and he made a lot of mess. I still don't understand why Richard took him there but Charlotte took care of the boy and calmed him. She was wonderful. They came closer again but I knew he didn't love her like she deserved it, and like she did him. She gave up her career for Richard and Harry. He married her but he doesn't love her. Not, the way, I would like him to love her."
Elizabeth was moved by his words. She leaned against him to give him comfort but could not utter a word. He smiled at her and said:
"Let's better find out little runaway."
Chapter Sixteen
William decided that it would be best to see if the rest of the party got to the wine cellar before going to the car. He was right in presuming they would be waiting there. Apparently, he knew Bingley's way of thinking well, because it turned out it was Bingley who suggested that they stay near the cellar. In fact, Bingley and Jane went inside leaving both Anne Marie and Harry outside. When Anne Marie saw her father, she came running to him and exclaimed:
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, we are fine. Saved by Cartier." Joked Darcy and lighter by a penny or two thought he.
"I was so worried!"
"Nothing to be worried about. We are both safe and sound. Where are Jane and Charles?" asked Darcy not looking at Harry.
"In the cellar, it was too hot for Jane." Darcy turned to look around and then out of the sudden, looked at Harry and said:
"Oh, almost forgot, your parents will be here tomorrow." He watched the boy turn white and then continued: "I've just spoken to your father. He was a bit worried about you. He thought you were in Spain."
"I... I can.... I mean.... explain...."
"Leave it till when your parents arrive here tomorrow morning. And now, let's find Jane and Charles. We still haven't been to the tower on the hill." At that moment, Bingley and Jane came out of the cellar carrying a six-box of wine.
The Evening; Darcy's Room
"William, why were you behaving so strangely to Harry?" asked Elizabeth looking up to Darcy's face.
"Strangely? No, I just wanted to let him know what is going on without him getting worried."
"If so, I don't think you've succeeded."
"I haven't?" asked Darcy curiously.
"No, in fact you achieved just the opposite. I think he is terrified of what will happen tomorrow when his parents will come down here."
"Don't worry. He is Richard's favourite child. Everything will be fine. You don't have to worry your pretty head about it."
"I don't have a pretty head and I hate to be called like that."
"But I'm sure you don't hate when I do that." Said he, taking hold of her lower lip between two fingers, and then after touching it with the tongue, pressed it forcefully with his own.
"I..." she managed to say but was silenced: "I hate to be interrupted" returned Darcy and subdued her with a deep kiss.
Chapter Seventeen
Next Day
William was taking a shower when there was a knock on the door. The clock struck ten. Elizabeth got up from the armchair and went to open the door. Instantly she recognised Richard Fitzwilliam. The woman standing next to him must have been his wife - Charlotte. Her facial expression was rather sad, and her big eyes knew what sorrow meant. She tried to smile as she saw Elizabeth, but it was Richard who spoke up first:
"We've been told that it's Mr. William Darcy's suite."
"Yes, it is." Replied Elizabeth suddenly understanding how strange it all looked. At that moment, however, William emerged from the bathroom in T-shirt and shorts and greeted the couple:
"Rich, Charlotte, good to see you here." He smiled.
"William..." acknowledged him Charlotte but could not finish her sentence because Richard cut in:
"Well, I see you haven't been losing your time." Looking expressively at Elizabeth, causing her to blush. "We haven't met, have we?"
"I believe..." began Elizabeth but just as Charlotte she never managed to finish it.
"Don't tell me. I've seen that face somewhere... wait...wait...Of course! We've seen you on the cover of THE SUN this morning. What was the headline, Char? Oh, I know! 'ST. EMILLION ROMANCE!!! THAT GIRL DOESN'T NEED TO WHINE ABOUT MR. DARCY, SHE HAS HIM FULL IN WINE. AND IT'S A BORDEAUX ONE,' he quoted and laughed jovially.
Elizabeth noticed that William clenched his teeth and was wearing a dangerous expression on his face.
"Richard, I believe you had one drink too much." He said but then noticed that Charlotte was on the point of bursting into tears so he changed his tone and said:
"I believe you and I, Rich, have to talk. Let's leave the ladies together." He took Richard by arm and still with steel-like eyes, he ushered him out of the room, leaving Elizabeth and Charlotte to themselves. There was an awkward silence for a while and then Charlotte began:
"I am sorry for my husband's behaviour. He is so worried about Harry and..." her voice trailed off.
"Oh, don't worry. I mean about me. Every parent would be worried if his child disappeared. Would you want me to take you to Harry?"
"Yes, please." Said Charlotte relieved. They went down the hallway and knocked on Anne Marie's door. The girl opened the door. Harry, who was sitting in the armchair with a scared expression, saw that Charlotte was alone. He got up and ran to her, embracing her tightly and whispering:
"Oh mummy, I'm so sorry."
Elizabeth nodded on Anne Marie and they left the other two to themselves.
Meanwhile Darcy was talking with Richard:
"Fitzwilliam, I've had enough of it. Start controlling yourself. You can't drink so much."
"I'm drinking only when I'm nervous."
"And you are nervous all the time. How dared you behave like that? Elizabeth is my guest and I don't like when my guests are offended."
"Guest? So that's what they call it now. Give me a break. You shag her!"
"Shut up or..."
"Or what? You are going to slap me?" Darcy was fuming, when he said:
"I warn you Richard, get a grip on yourself or you will be in big trouble."
At that moment, Richard's consciousness came back and he said:
"I'm sorry, William. Take me to Harry, please."
Chapter Eighteen
Walking towards his suite, Darcy wasn't sure if he did right leaving Richard alone with Charlotte and Harry. Yet, it seemed the only thing right to do. Darcy had no right to interfere in Richard's private life, yet something told him that Fitzwilliam would act incorrectly, to say the least.
Richard entered the room, Darcy pointed to a room as the one in which Harry was waiting for him. William supposed Charlotte was also in. Fitzwilliam was bolting with anger when he burst inside. Charlotte and Harry were sitting on a couch. They looked pretty together, he thought but his anger took over again:
"What did you think you were doing?" bellowed Richard at his son.
"I'm sorry, Daddy, but..."
"Do you know what I felt when Jorge called and I realised you were not with him?"
"I said, I'm sorry."
"You don't have any good explanation, do you?"
"I thought that if Mr. Darcy was here with his family, you would not object..."
"You thought! You thought! That I would not object! Do you realise what you are saying?"
"I..."
"Silence! Have you thought about someone else other than yourself? If only your mother lived..."
"My mother..." began the boy in an agitated tone of voice.
"Silence. It is all your fault, Charlotte. If only Elizabeth lived, it would never have happened!" Charlotte was biting her lip in order not to explode. She had enough. For the last fifteen years she had to bear Richard's outbursts and blaming her for Elizabeth's death. She loved Richard with all her heart and she gave up everything for his sake, she raised his son and bore his daughter and all he ever gave her was pain and remorse that she wasn't Elizabeth. That was too much. She would not let him take away the rest of her dignity.
Richard continued, "If Elizabeth lived, she would have taken proper care of her son. You neglect him. You hate him and wish him the worst just because he is Elizabeth's and mine. Mine and Elizabeth's, not yours! Not yours! You are a pathetic substitute of a mother! Look what you've done to your own child. Samantha is anorectic. And it's your fault! I should have never married you!"
That was the dot over "i". Charlotte got up and calmly said, looking straight into her husband's eyes:
"That mistake can be easily repaired. I've had enough. I shall fill for divorce tomorrow."
It was the last replay Richard was prepared to hear. Charlotte, could say it? Charlotte could mean it? Could Charlotte, even think about it? His Charlotte, the obeying Charlotte, the quiet, amiable and agreeing Charlotte? No, it was impossible. He watched her walk to the window and stare out into nothingness. He had nothing to reply. He turned back to walk to the door. He noticed the terrified face of his son. He was speechless. He thought it wasn't real, yet it was, it was so painfully real. He slowly walked to the door and left the room. Having closed the door, he leaned against the frame of it and hid his face in his hands. He could not imagine his life without Charlotte.
Chapter Nineteen
"Mummy..." began Harry in a trembling voice.
"Shhh, darling. Everything is going to be fine." Said Charlotte turning to the boy and hugging him tightly. "Everything is going to be fine."
"Oh, mummy, it's all my fault. Had I gone to Spain...."
"Harry, no." Said Charlotte firmly, taking his head in her hands. "No, Harry. It's not your fault. It never was and never will be. There are times between the grown-ups when nothing goes as it should. But children are not to be blamed here. The adults are. Do you understand? The adults."
"Oh mummy, please don't leave dad. What will happen to us?"
"Harry, I'm not leaving you or Sammie. It just didn't work out between me and dad. We can't help it. But it will be fine."
"I don't want to lose you, mummy." He said nestling himself in her arms.
"You are not going to lose me. I will be always there for you. Whenever you need me?"
"But you'll take Sammie with you and you can't take me because I'm not your son. I'm his son." Replied the boy sorrowfully.
"Harry, daddy loves you and I'm sure you'll be able to come to me as often as you would wish."
"No, he won't let me because he thinks so ill of you. He won't let me." Said the boy sobbing.
"Harry, don't talk such nonsense. Your father is not a monster. He loves you very much." Replied Charlotte.
There was silence for a while and then Harry said:
"Do you know what my first memory is?"
"No."
"I remember I was in some park. There were people, many people. I remember daddy standing and crying and I remember that I began crying too. I was crying and crying and no one came to me, they were standing where they were and looking at me with something in their eyes that I would now call disgust. It still haunts me in my dreams. And then someone took me in their arms. Lifted me from the ground and hugged me. And mummy, it was you." Tears were rolling down Charlotte's cheeks. She remembered that day. It was the day of Elizabeth Eliot Fitzwilliam's funeral.
"Oh, mummy. I love you so much."
"I love you, too, baby."
"You are the only mother I've ever had. And dad is wrong. You are my mother and it doesn't matter that someone else gave me life. You are the one who turned me into what I am. I hate dad!"
"Don't talk nonsense, dear. You love your father and he loves you too. You are his sunshine."
"He loves me only because I'm her son! Because he still loves her!"
"No, Harry, he loves you because of you. Because of who you are. Because you are wonderful." She spoke tenderly.
"I love you so much, mummy." Repeated the boy and fell into silence.
Behind the door, Richard was crying. For fifteen years, he never once bothered to really listen to Charlotte and only now that he lost her, he found her true value. Walking away towards Darcy's suite, not once was Elizabeth Eliot in his thoughts. She meant nothing to him now. She meant nothing to him for a very long time. He just used her as an excuse. Because it was easier to blame everyone else and not himself.
Chapter Twenty
There was a slight knock on Darcy's suite door. William was inside alone. Anne Marie and Elizabeth went to the beach. He told them he would be joining them later. He knew Richard would come and there he was now, at the door, with eyes full of tears.
"Come in." Said Darcy letting his friend in.
"I blew it." Said Rich, going straight to the bar.
"Stop where you are. You are not going to have any more alcohol. At least not in my company." Darcy's voice was cold.
"Can I get some mineral water?"
"Yes, I'll get it for you. Sit down." replied Darcy.
"William, do you think I was behaving like a jerk all those years?" asked Richard.
"I'll be blunt: yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you wouldn't listen. And then I had no right to interfere in your life."
"Charlotte is leaving me." Continued Richard with an expressionless face.
"I think she coped with you long enough. She deserves better than that what you gave her." Replied Darcy.
"How am I going to cope without her?"
"Damn you, Richard! When will you stop thinking about yourself! You've been concentrated on yourself for the last fifteen years! You treated Charlotte like unwanted baggage! And I always wondered what kept her with you. And I finally understood. She loved you so much that she was ready to give up everything, to give up herself, for your sake, and she gave everything up! What she was left with was this last bit of dignity, which you've also tried to take away from her, but she knew that it was the last thing she got and that she had to defend it, and you don't even realise why she did it, do you?"
Fitzwilliam was staring at the preaching man.
"No, you don't know it. She did it for your sake, too, Richard. If she gave in to you, you would destroy yourself, your children, and her. She knows it perfectly well, and you are stupid not seeing it."
"Darcy, what am I to do?"
"Go to her. Talk to her. Beg for her forgiveness. But first of all, apologise and then pray she will be willing to forgive you."
Richard sat transfixed, staring into nothingness. Minutes of silence passed. Finally, he looked at Darcy:
"You are right. I have to go to her. Convince her." He got up and went towards the door, then stopped and turned to William:
"You know something, Will?"
Darcy said nothing.
"I love her, Will. I love Charlotte with all my heart and I always did. I just never let myself accept it."
He left the room closing the door quietly behind himself.
Chapter Twenty-One
"Charlotte?" said he in a small voice as he entered the dark room.
Silence responded to him.
"Charlotte, please can we talk?"
There was still no answer.
"Charlotte, I will go down on my knees, but please allow us to talk."
Someone in the room sighed:
"I believe enough was already said." Replied the darkness in Charlotte's voice.
"Charlotte, I know that I can't make up for all the years. I know that my manner was despicable, but I'm here this moment to at least apologise. I want to beg you for forgiveness..."
She was silent.
"... and I know, I shall probably never be forgiven, but I want you to know that I have realised what injustice I've done to you. What you have told me, made me understand how terribly I have treated you all that time. I know I don't deserve your goodness and your being with me but please can we try once more?"
He saw movement in the armchair but no one answered him.
"Charlotte?"
"Richard, what do you think I am to say now? Am I to run into your arms and be happy? What guarantee do I have that tomorrow or in a week's time, you won't start treating me like the obedient dog I was for the fast fifteen years? What guarantee, Richard?"
"Charlotte, I've been lying to myself and everyone else for the last fifteen years. At the beginning, it really was because of Elizabeth's death, but then I found out that Elizabeth was a terrific excuse, whenever I screwed something in my life. Every time I did something wrong, I said: If only Elizabeth had lived, it would not have happened, but it wasn't true. I was cheating myself. It was my fault and I was shifting the responsibility I should have taken on Elizabeth and in a way on you, because this shift, in effect, hit you. My saying: if only Elizabeth lived... hurt you because you were being compared and came out worse, justly or unjustly. In fact, almost always unjustly. Charlotte, I want to tell you something that I have never told you. I love you. I always did, but I never knew how to show it."
"You never knew, or you never wanted?" Asked Charlotte turning on a small lamp on the table next to the armchair she was sitting in.
"I guess I never wanted." Said Richard lowering his head. Charlotte got up and went into the bedroom. Richard didn't know how to interpret her behaviour. Didn't she want to see him? And that was her way of dismissing him? Or was it an invitation? He didn't know, yet the second idea seemed highly improbable. He decided to follow her. If he walked out at that moment, he knew he would have nothing to come back to, she would not have heard him out one more time.
There was no one in the bedroom but he noticed the light coming out from the half-opened bathroom door. He walked inside. The water was running and Charlotte was splashing her face with it. He noticed her eyes were red with tears. Her breathing was fast but silent. Richard approached her, encircling her waist and pressed his body very gently against hers, brushing the side of her neck with his nose, tasting the tip of her ear lobe with his tongue. She stood transfixed while he kissed her more fervently on her neck, which she had instinctively thrown back and ran his fingertips up an down her arms. An involuntary gasp escaped her without the consciousness of how seductive it was for him. His eyes were shut and his breathing was rasping and urgent. Her mind was screaming 'no' but his closeness made her unable to voice it. His hands were now traveling up and down her body. Her lips ached as he pressed and brushed them with his. She felt him penetrate her mouth deeper and deeper. He was pulled her towards himself as he sat down on the side of the bath and buried his face in her chest moaning: "I want you." This woke her up.
"No, Richard. I can't."
He continued.
She pushed him away.
"Richard, if we do it now, we will regret it. Slow down, please, I'm not ready. It's too much. I need to cool down after today. Richard, please."
He pulled away.
"I know, I'm sorry. But will you give me the chance? Any chance?"
"We'll see. We'll see tomorrow. How about a lunch?" she said with a slight smile and tenderness in her voice.
He smiled back. He had his chance, his second chance. I would not screw it this time.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The recently frequent guests of the pages of our newspaper have finally returned to England. The happy couple William Darcy and his new female friend, Elizabeth Bennet, together with their friends, Charles and Jane Bingley and Richard Fitzwilliam descended from the Pemberley Holding's plane at Heathrow, just to hop into their Jaguars. The great absent was Mrs. Fitzwilliam. It is rumoured that she left her husband. She had been seen, this weekend in Scotland, where she has been solitarily wandering around Ullapool.Meanwhile Anne Marie Darcy, William Darcy's daughter and Henry 'Harry' Fitzwilliam, Richard Fitzwilliam's son from the first marriage, were sent to La Rochelle to improve their French in a summer school. It seems that the parents of both have better things to occupy themselves with and prefer to keep the children away from England.
Mr. Darcy seems to be bewitched by his new companion. We found out that Elizabeth Bennet is a judge in one of the London courts and she and Mr. Darcy met during his trial for child neglect. Miss Bennet sentenced him for the maximum period of 7 days in jail, but it seems he wasn't too offended with her verdict. We asked one of Miss Bennet's co-worker's, what he thinks about Miss Bennet. He told us: "She is one of the most co-operative and in every way helpful and comforting people, around this court."
William Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet - they were seen holding hands, whispering, giggling and kissing in France and it seems nothing has changed since then. Tonight, there is a huge party in Darcy's house at Holland Place and Elizabeth Bennet is allegedly to host it together with him. There will be more than one unhappy single and female guest at this party, especially, Caroline Bingley, a former model, who always hoped to be Mrs. William Darcy II. Our source close to Darcy claims: "It may end up at the altar." Good luck, Miss Bennet, you did hunt well!
Darcy read the article with disbelief. He was used to being talked about, but this was going far too far. Not only were they insinuating that he didn't have time for his daughter, but that Elizabeth hunted him, and that Charlotte left Richard. He remembered the morning when Richard came to him and gave Charlotte's note. It said:
Richard,When you will be reading this letter, I will be in the plane, on my way to England. I need more time to put the pieces of my life together, so I will not be joining you for lunch today. I'll go to Scotland, you know how I like it there, I'll walk, think and calm down. Don't call me, don't look for me. I will return when I'm ready and sure that you are worth your words in which you assured me of your understanding your faults. I need a proof that it is not just a one day change of mind. This time, I must be sure that you won't hurt me again.
Charlotte
Richard was destroyed on one hand, on the other, hoping that Charlotte would come back. And Darcy knew that she would, not today, not in a week but maybe in a month or two, and he supported her decision, Richard had to not only realise his faults but be truly sorry for them.
Darcy looked at his watch. In an hour he would be at Holland Place, and at 9, he would be greeting his guests together with Elizabeth. He opened the upper drawer of his desk and took out a small box, opened it and smiled to what he saw inside, and then put the box into his pocket, smiling mysteriously to himself.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The lights of London by night shone, but the balcony of the house in Holland Place seemed to be a secluded area of a secret garden. The characteristic smell of London parks spread around it.
"Come." Said William pulling Elizabeth to the balcony.
"Is everything all right?" she asked.
"It could not have been better. You are breath-taking tonight." Replied he, encircling her waist with his arms. She placed her head on his chest and inhaled his scent.
"I wanted to have a moment with you alone." He whispered into her ear, slightly biting her ear lobe. She breathed heavily and leaned closer to him.
"I can't remember the time when I was happier than in this moment." Said William in-between working down her neck with his kisses.
"William, stop, you have a house full of guests and you are on the best way to making love to me."
"Do you mind?" asked he.
"You know, I don't." Replied she with a seductive smile.
"So?" came his answer, and his hand touched her lap and pulled it up against his.
"William..." said she as if in warning but at the same time her voice indicated that she was giving in to him.
"You are right." Said he breaking away from her. "There is something I must do first. Tomorrow, I'm flying to RSA, and you are off to Edinburgh, and I want to ask you something before we part. Elizabeth, will you...?"
"Darcy, here you are!" called a female voice. "I was looking for you. What kind of host are you to be neglecting his guests?" Caroline Bingley - Hemingway's pitching voice sounded like a shotgun in the silence of the balcony. "You must come with me directly. I want to introduce you to someone." Continued she, dragging Darcy away.
"We must finish this conversation." Winked he at Elizabeth and followed Caroline.
"Guests, first." Said Elizabeth to herself and followed them.
Chapter Twenty-Four
September 14th,SCANDAL AT COURT
A woman who has recently entered the life of William Darcy and was rumoured to become Mrs. Darcy II is a trollop. We find no other word for her. We have received a photo of her in a rather obvious position, which we will not describe because the picture speaks for itself. The photo endangers the creditability of the court. Miss Bennet is wearing her judge outfit and the couple had definitely borrowed a few gadgets from the police office.
September 18th,
THE SHOW GOES ON
Miss Bennet was suspended at the court for the duration of the procedures leading to establishing what really happened. It is rumoured that she will be tried for employee harassment and conflict of interest. We learnt from our sources that the man on the picture is a certain George Wickham, Miss Bennet's apprentice.
We have still no information how Mr. Darcy took the news of Miss Bennet's problems.
October 2nd,
THE TRIAL BEGINS
The trial of Justice Bennet for harassing her employee and conflict of interests begins today in the London court. Miss Bennet refuses to speak to the press. We know that Mr. Darcy was not at her side when she came to court this morning. He is presumably still on the tour of his properties, which began in September with a trip to RSA. It is possible that he still doesn't know what happened at home. However, he shall know soon because he was scheduled to return to England yesterday.
The past three weeks had been a nightmare for Elizabeth. She was in Edinburgh when she saw the picture in the paper. It didn't happen. It wasn't true. Maybe the woman on the picture looked like her but it wasn't her. She was sitting in her hotel room and contemplating how she was going to tell William all about it, when a telephone rang:
"Hello, darling. I miss you." Said William.
"I miss you, too. Terribly." Replied she somehow managing to hold her tears.
"Is everything fine?"
"Yes. Except the fact that you are not here."
"I wish I were. I'm calling to tell you that I'll be in the jungle for the next two weeks so I won't be able to call you."
Elizabeth almost sobbed.
"Hashhhh, dear. I'll be back on the 1st of October. Have to go. Bye!"
"Bye, William." Said she and hanged up the receiver. She lost her chance to tell him. Maybe it was better that way.
That was two weeks ago, today was the day of the trial. Elizabeth was sitting on the bench waiting for the judge to enter. She never thought she would find herself on that side of the bar.
Chapter Twenty-Five
"Your Honour, I believe facts speak for themselves. Miss Bennet acted against every moral obligation she had for the country. She ridiculed the court, she ridiculed her position in the society, and she behaved outrageously, using her, using the state employee and causing a conflict of interests." Said the prosecutor ending his opening speech, when suddenly the door flung open and after a small tumult, William Darcy in the company of Richard Fitzwilliam came in.
"Your Honour, I believe my client is in possession of some vital information concerning this case, which may spare the Court a lot of time," said Richard standing at the bar.
"I see." Replied the Judge, motioning at Fitzwilliam. "The Court will listen to your client, Mr. Fitzwilliam."
"Mr. Darcy. Please step here." Said Richard officially.
"I have a statement to make." Began Darcy in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. "The picture shows me and Miss Bennet." A wave of whispers swept through the room. "It happened shortly after we returned from France."
The room was in the state of uproar. Elizabeth was crying. Why was he lying for her? Why? The only thought with which she could answer that questions was: He loves you!
The judge ordered silence and said:
"Mr. Darcy is a respected citizen. The Court has no grounds not to believe him. Therefore, I dismiss all the charges. Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy can do whatever they want in privacy. The session is adjourned."
Everyone got up. Elizabeth wanted to go to William but neither he nor Richard were to be seen.
She got out of her Megane before the house at Holland Place. She pressed the bell button and waited. Finally the door opened and William stood in them with a serene expression on his face.
"Come to my study, please." He said rather coldly.
As they entered the room, she ran to him and pressed against him.
"William, I know I should have told you. But now that you know and believe me... Thank you dearest..." she stopped and looked at him.
"You don't believe me?"
He was silent.
"You don't believe that it wasn't true? That it was a fake, the photo? I couldn't do it. You must believe me!"
"Miss Bennet," he began coldly, "how can I believe you. After all, we did it too." He turned away from her and walked to the window.
She stood transfixed. After two minutes, she said: "Fine." And walked out.
She sat behind the wheel. The tears flooded her eyes as she started the car and hit the gas pedal.
Chapter Twenty-Six
William Darcy stood in the window of the first floor of his house at Holland Place. It's been three days since Elizabeth left this room and he didn't walk out of it at all. He stayed inside, oblivious to the world. He did not watch any news, he just stared out of the window or sat in his armchair.
He came back to England in the evening on October 1st and the first thing he saw was a screaming headline: "THE TRAIL BEGINGS TOMORROW. JUDGE BENNET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAR
He was shocked, at first in a state of disbelief and then in a painful state of doubt about her, about the woman he wanted to marry. He called Richard and learnt the particulars. They made him vindictive. She wanted to use him. That was it, but it occurred to him that at the same time that he wanted to protect her because he... No, he couldn't...
He spent whole night thinking and in the morning he knew what to do. He would sacrifice his good opinion, he would lie at Court and he would protect her and then show her the door. She was not worthy of him, he thought then, but now that he showed her the door, he was no longer sure he did right. And what if it wasn't her, what if she said the truth... He dismissed these thoughts. He saw the picture. It was her, on that picture, with another man, a man without face, doing that. He could not bear thinking about it. How could she? He kept asking himself but his subconscious told him: "You don't know. You are jumping to conclusions. You were not together then, and she did it with you too, and you never seemed to mind, so stop being such a bloody hypocrite!" but he was persistent. She was in fault, and he acted according to what his honour told him.... So why was it so painful? Why was he hurt?
The days went by and the pain did not go away. He heard nothing about Elizabeth, nothing about the world around him, he immersed himself in work and then it came, a flat, brown envelope with nothing but a picture inside. On the back of the picture it said: "Your days are numbered, Darcy. I'll stay in contact."
On the picture, there was Anne Marie in a limo.... and on her lap was... a man, a man's head and Anne Marie laughing. A head with dark hair, the face invisible but Darcy was sure he saw his figure somewhere before. He took out the photo from the paper from October 14th and gasped.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
What was to be done? What had Anne Marie done? What does that man want? were the questions which haunted Darcy day and night. After the initial shock he suffered on seeing the picture, and when the wave of anger returned au mare bas, he decided, he would not tell Anne Marie about the photo. He would wait until he knew what the man wanted. In anticipation of the next contact, Darcy tried to probe Anne Marie and induce her into telling him about France and her stay in La Rochelle. He believed that it was the only time Anne Marie could find herself in a limo with a strange man. However the girl told him nothing. As much as she talked about Harry and la Rochelle, not once had she mentioned any other person.
It was a week later that Darcy received another envelope. There was a letter inside. It said:
We both know that it's the same person in the pictures. The same man with Elizabeth Bennet and Anne Marie Darcy - how funny! You admitted it was you with Elizabeth Bennet. Will you admit you had indecent contacts with YOUR own daughter, Darcy? What will the public say? What will the press write, once they know all about it? Would you like to spend some time in the state pension called - PRISON?Be a good, co-operative guy and it will remain a secret. Just between you and me!
Hahahahahahaha!!!!
We'll be in contact.
Darcy shivered once he read it. What was he to do? It wasn't him! It wasn't him with Elizabeth, and it wasn't him with Anne Marie! But who did know it? Not even Richard. He didn't even tell Richard he was lying in court. So who knew? Of course, the man who was with Elizabeth! Maybe even Elizabeth collaborated with him to get money out of Darcy. Because it was what it all was about. The money. Darcy's money. They were trying to blackmail him. He wondered how much it was going to cost him. The bloody Elizabeth.... He should have known from the start! She tricked him and was now making a fool of him. The b*#^#!
And then, one morning together with his paper, he received another envelope:
2,000,000 pounds. Thursday at 10 p.m. on Royal Oak station in the litter on the far end of the platform.
He was just about to call Lloyds to prepare the cash, when he spotted the headline:
ANOTHER SCANDAL IN THE LAWYER FAMILY OF BENNETS
Darcy began reading:
Miss Lydia Bennet, the youngest offspring of Judge Edward Bennet and a sister to Judge Elizabeth Bennet, filed against Mr. George Wickham. Miss Bennet, who is a third year student of law on London University, claims that Mr. Wickham used and harassed her sexually while she was completing her obligatory practice at court. She says that Mr. Wickham made her have perverse sexual contacts in his office and outside it and claimed that if she submitted to his wishes, he would get her a good job in court.Our sources state that Miss Bennet also admitted that it was her and not her sister Elizabeth, who was at the time in France, on the picture published by the Daily _____ two months ago. This information was not confirmed by the prosecutor's office. We all remember the trial of Judge Elizabeth Bennet and that the charges were dismissed after a well-known businessman, William Darcy, stated that it was him and Miss Bennet...
William couldn't read on. Thoughts flashing through his head. Could it be the truth?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Telephone rang and Darcy picked the receiver.
"William? It's Richard." He heard.
"Yes, Richard."
"Have you read the papers?"
"Yes."
"Have you lied in court?" asked Fitzwilliam.
"Richard come over to Holland Park."
Half and hour later, Richard Fitzwilliam entered Darcy's study.
"So? Have you lied?" demanded Richard.
"Yes." Replied Darcy calmly.
"What? Were you out of your senses to be lying at court!"
"Calm down, Rich. It was the only right thing to do then,"
"Then, Darcy! Have you thought about the consequences? I always thought you a man of honour!"
"Give me a break, Rich. You don't make a million a month doing it the honourable way!"
"I don't believe I'm having this conversation with you! Why have you lied?"
"Because I wanted to protect Elizabeth."
"Lovely done! You protect her and then show her the door, right? And drive her..."
"Okay, that was wrong. I acted on impulse. I did not believe her, Richard and I know now that it was wrong. I should have believed her..."
"Okay, Will. Okay, instead of thinking about old mistakes we should try to amend them. If we prove that you had intimate relations with Elizabeth Bennet at the time of the trial, you might be acquitted. I'll make a couple of phone calls and we may just make it. Let me think...."
"Richard!" interrupted him Darcy.
"Wait, where do I have ...?"
"Richard! Stop!"
"What?"
"There is one more thing." He put out the photos and letters he received and placed them in front of Richard.
"What are these?" gasped Fitzwilliam.
"I've been blackmailed and I guess it was by Wickham."
"Oh, God!" muttered Richard.
"I am to leave 2 million pounds in a litter at Royal Oak Station on Thursday."
"Man, you've just bought your way to being acquitted. I'll call the prosecutor's office and we'll make a deal. Your case dismissed in exchange for Wickham."
"Do it." Said Darcy coldly and turned to the window as Richard was making a phone call.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
GEORGE WICKHAM CAUGHT RED-HANDED Last night, a lawyer with a very promising career options, George Wickham, was caught while taking the ransom at the Royal Oak Station in London suburbs. Mr. Wickham, accused by Miss Lydia Bennet of sexual harassment, will now be also facing charges of blackmail.
Our source in the prosecutor's office claim that William Darcy played major part in last night's events...
Darcy stopped reading. He knew it all. He was there, he saw Wickham being handcuffed and taken to prison. He put the paper down. He hadn't heard from Charles Bingley in a long time. He picked up the receiver and dialed Charles's number. It was the only way to know anything about Elizabeth. He suspected, he would see her at court during Wickham's trial, but he wanted to know now. He had to make everything work for them again.
"Charles Bingley."
"Hello, Charles. It's William."
"How are you William?" said Charles rather soberly.
"Not particularly well." Replied Darcy. He could almost hear Bingley say: Good. You deserved it.
"I guess you've seen the papers."
"Yes."
"It was you?"
"Yes."
"I thought so." Said Bingley and fell into silence.
"Look, Bingley, I know that you are mad at me for treating Elizabeth that way but I want to make up for it."
"I'm afraid, it's a bit too late."
"What do you mean? I need to talk to Elizabeth."
"It's rather impossible."
"Why? What happened?"
"There was an accident."
"What accident?"
"Car accident. On the day of your statement at court. Elizabeth has been in a coma since then." Replied Bingley sadly.
Posted on Saturday, 05-Dec-98
"William, are you still there?" asked Charles after a while of total silence on the other side of the receiver.
"Yes." Came a voiced of a crushed person. "How...? How did it..? Did it happen?"
"We don't know exactly. She was on her way home, to Burnham. Jane called her wanting to know where she had gone. We supposed, Elizabeth went to see you, but nonetheless Jane called. Elizabeth picked up. She was in her car, crying. She said, the two of you broke up and that she didn't want to hear from you, that she hated you, that you were the greatest jerk, she had ever met. She never managed to tell Jane what happened. Jane heard a terrible noise and then Elizabeth did not respond. She was found unconscious. She crashed against the tree. The car was squashed. It was a miracle, she survived. We were afraid, she might not want to fight for life but she did. Mr. Bennet and I arranged to keep it secret so that the press would stay away."
"Where is Elizabeth now?"
Bingley was silent.
"Bingley, you have to tell me. I need to know."
Bingley did not respond.
"Bingley, you must. I will beg. I know, it was my fault. I did not believe Elizabeth. I thought it was her on the picture and I told her so. I said I wanted to see her no more. I said many terrible things, which I now regret. Bingley, please tell me where she is." Begged William.
After a moment of silence Bingley replied:
"Okay, Will. She is in Warm Lavender Clinic in Henley-upon-Thames."
"Thank you, Bingley, and God bless you." He put down the receiver and ran down to his car.
It was the longest journey he made in his life. The traffic seemed hellish and every red light drove him mad. Finally he was on M25, turning to M4. Henley seemed so quiet in comparison to the capital. He stopped in front of the building, which looked like a villa. Inside it was even quieter.
"Excuse me," said he to the girl at the reception, "I've been told, you have a patient named Elizabeth Bennet here. Can I visit her?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but only family is entitled to pay visits. Are you family?"
"Aaaaah.... I.... I wanted to marry Miss Bennet...but the accident..."
"I see, sir. But still, I'm afraid, I can't let you in. You see, Miss Bennet has been here for the last three months, and I have seen no fiancé, and no one has told me there was someone like that... I mean, I'm afraid I can't let you in."
"Please, Miss. I must see her. I didn't know about the accident. I've was told only today. I need to see her."
"Sir, I am not allowed to let anyone in, except for the listed family members, and it seems hardly possible that you were her fiancé and did not know... You could be from the press and I'm..."
"We were not engaged, yet, we had a fight, she left and on her way home she had the accident."
The girl looked at him intensely but said nothing.
"Look, I've done a great wrong to Elizabeth, I caused her pain and suffering and I feel responsible for that accident. Please, let me just see her. I know I can't make up for the things I did then but..." his voice trailed off and he hid his face in his hands.
The girl walked from behind her desk and touched his arm.
"I will let you see her." Something was telling her, that man was telling the truth. She led him down the corridor. In the last room, behind a wall of glass, on a bed, with her curls around her face laid Elizabeth, connected to a number of machines. Her figure was almost completely covered with wires and tubes. The girl allowed him some privacy and stood in a distance. He neared the wall, tears running down her face and he whispered: "Elizabeth, I love you."
Chapter Thirty-One
A spasm of pain crossed Darcy's face as he looked at Elizabeth. Was it possible that it was Elizabeth? That lively, smiling Elizabeth, he never told he loved. How could he tell her that if he didn't understand it himself until this morning. He wanted to marry her, yet he never told her he loved her. A painful recollection crossed his mind. He treated Elizabeth, like he always treated women. They were a good sport. As long as they came to him he didn't mind who they were. No matter where he showed up, there were always women who were more than willing to oblige him. It was enough to sway to the music played by them to get an easy prey. His wife, Anne, deluded him from any ideals. Women were just toys, he could play with and then throw away, once a new, better toy appeared on the horizon. He couldn't even count the women he slept with, just once. He couldn't remember their names. It never made any difference whether he had a Sally, a Polly or a Margot. Who cared! With Elizabeth... he had to admit it... it was the same. Back in France, there was nothing but lust there. He remembered what he felt in the elevator. It was pure want and lust. He just needed her and the small space in the elevator, her nearness made him lose control, but then maybe he wanted to lose that control. Maybe even there, in the elevator, he knew that Elizabeth was different, that he could not control her and himself, that he could not treat her like he treated other women. He remembered how he pushed her onto the wall and pressed her with all his body, giving her a deep, long kiss. He already knew, she couldn't resist him. In his memory, he evoked the trajectory of his hand wandering from her cheek, through her chin to her lip. She was melting under his touch, just like all the others did, and he treated her like he treated all the others, brutally, taking but not giving. He kissed her deeply and moved from her lips onto her ears and neck, pushing his way to her, finding a way under her dress her warm, soft skin, trembling under his touch. He could hear her fast breathing. It was as though he was reliving it and then... his reverie was broken. He breathed heavily. And now, Elizabeth was lying there, unconscious, in a coma, likely never to wake up and it was all his fault.
"Excuse me, sir, but you must leave now." said the girl.
He nodded silently and looked at Elizabeth once more and shook his head.
All the way to London, he thought about the past and as he finally came home and stepped inside his study, he realised, that even now, he was thinking only about himself and his lusts. "God, she is there, almost lifeless and I'm rethinking the times we had sex. I'm a jerk." But then, it came to him, what else was there between them. It was all based on sex and it was because of his choice. Even when he was to propose to her, not once had he thought about love, affection, caring. He sat behind his desk and took out a photo of himself and Elizabeth. It was taken in France, shortly before their departure. It showed Elizabeth in his arms and a dedication, Elizabeth had written on it when they were seeing the pictures together. The dedication said: "For Will with love, Elizabeth." When he was thinking about France now, he saw that Elizabeth wanted a lot more than he was prepared to give her then. They had talked on few occasions but, it was very little. Not once had he begun a serious conversation, and every time Elizabeth started one, he changed the topic and avoided it, and yet he wanted to marry her. It was incredible. "Will I ever be able to make it up to you, Elizabeth?" he muttered to himself. "I should have believed you. I should have had the trust in you. But then I was applying my measures to you. I did not believe you, because I knew I would be capable of doing a thing I suspected you off." He sobbed silently. "Oh, Elizabeth! What have I done to you!" he groaned, unable to stop the tears flooding his eyes.
Chapter Thirty-Two
"Good day, Mr. Bennet," Anna, the girl at the reception in Warm Lavender Clinic, greeted him.
"Good day, Anna. How is my dear daughter today?"
"Much the same, I'm afraid. Doctor Wolsey wanted to speak with you, sir."
"Thank you. Is he in his office?"
"Yes."
Mr. Bennet turned away but then remembering something turned to Anna.
"Lizzy's mother is here as well. She is to come any minute. Could you take her to Lizzy?"
"Of course, sir." Replied Anna, smiling. She liked Mr. Bennet and suffered with him over his daughter's condition. He was an elderly gentleman, with a quick wit, which he sometimes displayed while talking to his comatose daughter. Working in Warm Lavender, Anna learnt to recognise people, to read who they were from their faces. Mr. Bennet struck her as someone with a good sense, who loved his daughter very much. She categorised him as a family member who would never forget his daughter, no matter how long it would take her to recover, if she was ever to do so. He was very similar to his other daughter, Jane Bingley, who came to visit her sister, Elizabeth, as often as possible. But now, being pregnant, the visits became more seldom, but she called the clinic everyday and she and Anna talked a lot over the phone about Elizabeth, children and other things. It was also Jane, whom Anna asked about Elizabeth's fiancé. Jane seemed rather tense when she heard Anna's question:
"Jane, there was a man here today."
"Yes?" replied Jane.
"He said, he was Elizabeth's fiancé and that he wanted to see her. I didn't want to let him in, but he begged and said that he felt responsible for her accident and that he had just learnt about the accident and wanted just look at her. There was something so honest about him that I let him look at her."
"And?" asked Jane tensely.
"He was crying. I saw tears rolling down his eyes. It was so moving."
"Was it William Darcy?"
"I don't know."
"You mean, you didn't ask him?"
"I didn't. It was a mistake, and if he comes again, I won't let him in."
"Good." Said Jane and bid her farewell. The same evening, Jane called again and said:
"Anna, if it is William Darcy, and if he comes again, allow him in to see my sister. It will be for the better."
Jane said nothing more, and they never returned to this topic. Jane never asked if he did come, and Anna never said that he did, almost every day. He came and sat next to Lizzy's bed for two hours. Sometimes speaking to her, sometimes just holding her hand. Anna was amazed. She decided that Elizabeth must have been a wonderful person, because usually people forgot about their relatives in coma and came once a month at best, but it was different with Elizabeth Bennet. Three people came to her and they all seemed to be crushed by her state. Mr. Bennet came in the early mornings, Jane called at mid-day, and William Darcy in the evenings. Anna thought that Elizabeth Bennet would be very happy woman when she wakes up and marries William Darcy and Anna was sure that if anyone in that clinic would wake up, that would be Elizabeth Bennet.
Chapter Thirty Three
"A girl!" she called to Anna, "Come here and help me with that coat." Anna silently obliged.
"So what can you tell me about my daughter?" asked she, as if it was kindergarten and Anna was Little Lizzy's teacher.
"She is in a coma." Replied Anna suppressing a laugh.
"Oh, girl! I know that!" exclaimed she. "What else?"
"Well, Mr. Bennet visits her in the mornings, Mrs. Bingley comes or calls at mid-day, and Mr. Darcy arrives here at about seven every day and stays until nine." Answered Anna, unable to refrain from pointing out to Mrs. Bennet that she rarely visited her daughter.
"Mr. Darcy? The William Darcy?"
"Yes." Replied Anna, enjoying the thought that Mrs. Bennet didn't know that Elizabeth's fiancé visited her. Anna was oblivious to the fact that Mrs. Bennet did not know that William Darcy was emotionally connected to her daughter. Reading the tabloids, she knew that Lizzy had an affair with him and that predisposed Mrs. Bennet to be fonder of Elizabeth, but nothing more. William Darcy was rich, and to Mrs. Bennet that is what mattered most. She even meant to tell Elizabeth that she should secure William Darcy, but then the accident happened, and William Darcy escaped Mrs. Bennet's thoughts. Right now, she was already planning a big wedding. Everything was forgotten, and Mrs. Bennet ran towards Lizzy's room, expecting to find Mr. Bennet there.
Meanwhile Mr. Bennet was talking with the doctor:
"You do, understand, Mr. Bennet, that there are small chances for your daughter's recovery."
"I know, doctor, but you must understand that I can't give up hope yet. I love her so much..." Mr. Bennet's voice trailed off.
"I know, sir, but it simply may be better, and I must say cheaper."
"Money doesn't matter, doctor. Not when it is my Lizzy."
"I know, it is a difficult decision. You must think about it. Her respiration system may be failing, about four weeks ago, I was rather scared. It's a bit better now, maybe, she is still fighting. Yet, you must understand that the possibility that we are discussing here, may occur and such measures may be better for all the parties, for your daughter and for your fa...."
"Mr. Bennet, don't you even think about it. Don't you dare disconnect her! Don't you dare cut her off! She is to marry a rich man and she will wake up! I'll make sure of it! I forbid you to kill her!"
Before Mr. Bennet could utter a word, a male voice came from behind Mrs. Bennet, screaming:
"Nooooo!"