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Chapter 57
Jane and Charles arrived four days after Catherine graduated from college. They were remorseful that they could not make it to the ceremony, but Catherine silenced them with hugs. It had just been a ceremony and a piece of paper. What mattered now was that they had wedding plans to finalize.
Richard and Charlotte made an appearance a week later, as Charlotte was to be a bridesmaid and John was a groomsman. The Darcy house overflowed with laughter and happiness. Little Jeffery was passed from person to person and received more love and attention than any other child in England.
The three weeks leading up to the wedding were very hectic. There were dinners and rehearsals, arrangements to finalize and guests to please. Charles' sister arrived to stay in the Bingley town house, and was one of the few irritations during the joy of planning the wedding. She was constantly underfoot, contradicting and challenging the wishes of the bride. Her greatest targets were Elizabeth and Catherine. The women in the household had to try very hard to avoid her obstinate remarks.
The day before the wedding, the group took Jane and Charles to a small nightclub. The pair had not wanted bachelor parties, and had opted for a night out with the bridal party instead. The music was loud, and there were many people dancing. Jane and Charles, and John and Charlotte were lost in their own little world, leaving Catherine and Caroline. The two women watched the couples with amusement, and not a little bit of envy. Caroline saw a familiar figure across the room and a vicious smile crossed her face as she smiled. She did not rise to approach him, but signaled for him to remain by the bar.
Another gentleman appeared behind Catherine, and a predatory smile crossed Caroline's face. "Why Mr. Waterpool, how nice to see you here. Can I talk you into joining me on the dance floor?"
Alex frowned as Catherine's shoulders stiffened visibly. They had not seen each other for almost two weeks, had not held a decent conversation for almost a month and a half. "Actually, I was wondering if your lovely companion would join me." He walked around so that he was facing Catherine. "Excuse me, miss. My name is Alexander Waterpool. I have been watching you from across the room and have been captivated by your smile. Miss Bingley, would you do me the favor of introducing me to this angel?"
Caroline's eyes narrowed. What kind of game was this? "Mr. Waterpool, you know very well that this is Catherine Bennet."
Alex grinned and bowed over Catherine's hand, brushing it lightly with a kiss. "I am charmed to meet you, my dear. Would you join me on the dance floor?"
Catherine smiled at Alex's antics. He truly was trying to start over. She rose from her chair and tucked her hand into Alex's arm. "I would be delighted."
As they walked away, Caroline waved impatiently to her friend, who nodded his head in understanding and left the bar area.
Once they were on the floor, Alex smiled at Catherine. "Once I heard that you were going to be here, I thought that this might be the perfect opportunity to try again." His face was serious. "Catherine, I have done a lot of soul-searching, and I know that I love you and will do anything to have you. Maybe I have been too aggressive in my pursuit. I will do anything you ask of me, only tell me that I have a chance."
Catherine smiled. "Alex, I am willing to give this one more try."
Alex's smile lit up the room. He pulled her close. Catherine felt herself slipping again. She rested her head on his shoulder. Alex caressed the back of her neck as they danced.
"Catherine, I think that you and I need some time alone. Would you be willing to accompany me on a small weekend trip after the wedding? I really want to get to know you all over again."
Catherine hesitated. He was moving fast again, but this might be the only chance she had to save their relationship. "Yes, I think that we might be able to do that. If..." She was interrupted as Caroline Bingley grabbed Alex's arm. "My turn, Mr. Waterpool." As Alex turned to Caroline to argue, someone roughly grabbed Catherine's arm. She did not see the attacker, but a voice hissed in her ear, "You are mine, now."
Before Catherine knew it, she was being dragged through the crowds of the dance hall. They almost made it to the door before Alex came running out of the crowded room. He stopped in shock when he saw the attacker. "Collins!"
Catherine wrenched one arm free so that she could turn to look at the man who held her so tightly. His face was in a brace to steady the jaw that had been broken during the fight in the States. His eyes held two expressions, blood lust and the desire for vengeance. Catherine screamed. A gun appeared in Collins' free hand and she felt cold steel against her throat. Through his wired teeth, Collins hissed, "If you make a move, I will kill her."
Alex stood still as a statue as Charles, John, Jane and Charlotte came up behind him. Caroline walked over and placed a hand on Collins' sleeve. "You can't kill her. That isn't in the bargain. Just take her somewhere away from here." Collins hit her across the face with the butt of his gun. "Shut up, stupid woman. I will take Miss Bennet how, and were I want." Caroline sank to the floor.
Fear turned Catherine's gut to steel and she stared at her friends and family who stood helplessly before her. At a discreet signal, she raised her elbow into Collins' armpit and wrenched herself under his arm. John darted forward and grabbed the gun. Alex grabbed Collins' arm. Bingley pulled his sister's lifeless body from danger. Catherine broke free just as a shot rang out. John and Collins fell to the floor.
For a moment, the entire party stood stunned. Charlotte reacted first and ran to John, sobbing. He raised his head with a grim smile. "I am fine. Collins was just too heavy for me." He crawled out from under the lifeless body and embraced his fiancé. Alex took Catherine in his arms, as well. She was shaking, but in control of her senses. Alex smoothed her hair with one hand. "I am definitely getting you out of this town immediately after the wedding."
Jane and Charles bent over the form of Charles' sister. His face was filled with both worry for his sister, and pain over her betrayal.
They endured a lengthy stint of questioning at the police office until early morning, when everyone was sent home to get some rest. After checking up on Caroline, who was recovering from a mild concussion, Jane and Charles quietly left town, found a small country church, and eloped. Except for Mrs. Bennet, everyone else understood.
Alex and Catherine left for the Waterpool home several miles outside of Paris the following day.
Chapter 58
Richard scrubbed his hands on his pant-legs. His eyes were exhausted, and he had not shaved in three days. This month and a half had been the most emotionally and physically challenging trial he had ever faced.
There were refugees everywhere he looked. He tried to help as many as he could, but hundreds were dying of malnutrition, disease, infection and exposure. The brutal sun was merciless to the homeless. Small children ran barefoot, crying for food. Young women cried for husbands and lovers further within the borders of Yugoslavia, lost, possibly dead. Richard had to remind himself that he was not a god, that he could not possibly save every person here. But it still pained him.
But at night, he had his dreams of Catherine. They had started as replays of their kisses, but had recently changed to visions of her walking towards him with love in her eyes and wearing a wedding dress, or holding his son in her lap while he pushed them on a swing. Other times, he saw the two of them alone, slowly loving each other in the moonlight, or during a raging thunderstorm. The dreams at night were his only refuge in this world of sadness.
Several more patients were brought in to the makeshift clinic, and Richard was yanked from his reverie. He had no right to self-pity. These people needed him.
He smiled to see that one of the patients was a young woman in labor. Even in these difficult times, a birth was a source of joy, and family and friends threw parties into the night to celebrate the new life. The children entered a world of sadness, but their entrance provided one of the few happy moments in the gray life of the refugees.
When the tiny girl lay sleeping in her mother's arms, Richard could not help but picture Catherine holding her newborn nephew. More than anything else, he wanted to see he hold his child, a tiny boy with his mother's dancing blue eyes, or a little girl with her gorgeous honey-gold hair. As Richard stood in the middle of misery and despair, a smile grew on his face and glowed so brightly that the people in the small tent whispered to themselves in wonder. Those who were religious thought that he had seen an angel, those who were not thought that he had a woman waiting for him. Most looked at Vanessa, the pretty redhead who had been Richard's constant companion during grueling surgery and at the camp social functions.
Vanessa hugged his arm as she passed by. "Another joyous moment, Doctor. Care to come to the celebration dance tonight?"
Richard smiled. What did he have to lose?
Catherine and Alex sat in the cozy family room in the large Waterpool house just outside of Paris. It had taken a few days, but Alex was finally able to coax a smile out of Catherine. The shock of Collins' appearance, her attack, and Collins' death had shaken her badly. Alex decided to forgo the amusements that the city offered and drew back, creating a cocoon of safety and comfort around Catherine. They had not really left the grounds yet, and spent their time playing quiet games and watching movies. Alex felt that he owed her this time of solitude and recovery. Over all, she was slowly regaining her spark, but something had changed. He worried the most when she returned from long walks. Her face would be closed and she would brush him off as she went to take a shower or a nap in her room.
On this particular evening, Catherine and Alex sat in front of the television watching the French news. Alex was in the process of stuffing a piece of sweet and sour chicken into Catherine's mouth when a special report flashed across the screen. The moment the news anchor said the word Kosovo, Catherine pushed Alex's hand away and sat up.
Anchor: We have just received word that Yugoslav planes have attacked a refugee camp on the border of Kosovo. We now turn you over to over to Brian Lane, our special correspondent in the area. Brian?
Lane: Thank you, Bob. I am standing in front of the remains of a refugee camp just outside of Kosovo. As you can see, all that remains is a smoking mess. This camp was the temporary home for hundreds of displaced people. In the deceptive darkness of the Southern European night, several fighter planes flew over the camp and dropped bombs that killed many. Although the Yugoslav government claims they were American planes, there was no flight sent to that area. It seems to be another attempt by the Yugoslavian government to point fingers at NATO. Among the group at the camp was a contingency of international doctors, one of many groups sent on a mercy mission to aid the refugees. The casualty toll is enormous, and it remains to be seen whether any of the medical team members survived. This is just another of the terrible tragedies that has shaken the world in this escalating military action. Back to you, Bob.
Alex flipped off the television and stared at Catherine. She had her head in her hands and was sobbing. He cautiously laid a hand on her shoulder. She raised her tear-streaked face. It was gray with sorrow. Her blue eyes looked lost.
"He is dead, I know he is dead."
Alex struggled to keep his face calm. "You love him."
Catherine's silence was all the answer he needed. His face fell, but he wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh, Catherine. It will be all right. I am here for you."
Chapter 59
The garden behind the Waterpool house was a quiet refuge. The voices of songbirds mingled with the soft wind that whispered through the protective trees. The trickle of the fountain created a gentle undertone to this symphony of nature.
For the days following the terrible broadcast, Catherine was a ghost who haunted these lovely gardens. She spent her days reading sonnets by the fountain, picking flowers in the lane, and sleeping in the sun. Alex tried and tried to reach her, but he failed. A hollow smile and a simple "I am fine" always greeted his inquiries.
On the seventh day, he met Catherine at one of her favorite seats in the garden. A book lay open in her lap, and her blue eyes stared into the distance. Alex crouched on the ground in front of her and slipped the book from her fingers. The lady's eyes rested on his face for a moment before she returned her gaze to the horizon.
Alex sighed. "Catherine, I know that you have taken a terrible blow. You are not the same as you were." He glanced at the leather bound volume in his hands. His eyebrows rose when he read the title. He closed the book and laid it aside, taking her hands in his. "What can I do to help you?"
Catherine sighed. "I don't think there is anything you can do." Her eyes were full of tears.
Alex waited for another moment, but the lady looked so lost that he would not push her further. Instead he returned to the house. He could not let her continue like this. He had tried for a week and failed to reach her. It was time to ask for help.
Alex spoke with William first. Although he sounded worried, and was sympathetic, he informed Alex that Elizabeth and the baby could not travel just yet. Charles and Jane were still on their honeymoon, so Alex rang John.
"Yes, yes. Of course I will bring Charlotte. Thank you for calling me, Alex."
Alex heaved a sigh of relief as he hung up the telephone. Surely Charlotte could pull Catherine out of her depression. Alex walked over to the window and watched Catherine. She sat just as he had left her, motionless. It hurt him deeply that he had somehow pushed her away, that her heart was otherwise engaged. He was confused as to when the transfer of her affection had happened, but Catherine was so inconsolable that he knew that he no longer had any claim on her heart. He suspected that Catherine had not even known the violence of her affections for Richard until that news report on television.
A soft rain began to fall, and Catherine remained in her seat. Alex grabbed an umbrella and ran to her. She turned her face towards him, and he saw that the water on her face was not entirely rain. He wrapped his coat around her and led her inside. A maid dressed her in dry clothes and set her, wrapped in a blanket, in front of the fire. Alex returned with a mug of hot tea.
Catherine looked at him and saw him for the first time. Fresh tears ran down her face as Alex handed her the mug. As he turned to walk from the room, he heard a soft voice.
"It is all my fault."
Alex walked back into the room and pulled up a footstool. He sat silent at her feet, holding her hand, glad to hear her speak.
She scrubbed her face with a hand. "It is! If only I hadn't led him on in the States. If only I had focused entirely on you and not used him as a substitute when you were gone. And when I left he decided to..."
Alex leaned forward and squeezed her hands, but remained silent.
"Oh Alex, I wanted him to love me, I did! Even though I was with you. Because I was selfish. And then he did fall for me, but I told him that I was in love with you." Her eyes met his with a great deal of remorse. "I did love you, you know."
Alex smiled. "I know..."
"But then when I came home, I missed him terribly. And then he arrived, and I was dreaming about him instead of you..." For the first time she seemed to notice the pain on Alex's face.
"Oh, Alex, I have made a mess of things. I have hurt you both. I am so sorry."
Alex smiled sadly. "I made a mess of things too, Kate. I pushed you too fast. You wanted my friendship; I wanted your love. Our hearts were on different wavelengths."
The rest of their conversation continued in the tenor of the best of friends helping each other through a difficult time. Alex steeled his heart, determined to be gentle with Catherine. Perhaps in time she would forget Richard. But until she came to him of her own will, he would wait. As for Catherine, she would be careful with Alex. To weep over her love for another man was pure cruelty to one who loved her so well. She became silent on the matter. Alex had informed her that Charlotte was on her way. There would be plenty of time to cry in Charlotte's lap. For now, she needed to mend fences with her friend. So Richard's spirit left the room for a time.
Charlotte and John arrived within two days. Catherine was well on her way to recovery, aided by her renewed friendship with Alex. Still, Charlotte was startled how thin, how pale her friend had become. The ladies sat in the garden for a long while that day and much of the next. Charlotte helped Catherine work her way through the deepest thorns in her soul. Both ladies felt refreshed at the end of two days. Both had cleansed their souls with the deepest conversation and through sweet tears. Within a week, Catherine was ready to return to England. Although the spark was still missing from her eye, the mischief and laughter from her smile, Catherine was no longer a shadow.
Elizabeth and William welcomed her back with open arms. She spent many healing hours in the nursery singing and reading to her little nephew. The baby's presence, and the joy of a new life, added the final touches to Catherine's recovery. She was changed, and had an air of tranquillity and reflection about her. She had a kind smile for everyone and even willingly visited her mother several times every week. Only a small glimmer of sorrow remained in her eye, the slightest waver in her smile.
Chapter 60
One evening, a week after Catherine returned to London, she was sitting in the window seat of her room at Elizabeth and William's house when a young maid entered the room, cheeks flushed with excitement.
"There is to be a ball next Saturday, Miss. And you and the master and the mistress are to attend! It is to be a mask, and I am to help you find your costume!"
Catherine, a woman who once never turned down an invitation, was reluctant to attend. After much discussion, Elizabeth was able to talk her into it, reasoning that if she could persuade Darcy to attend, Catherine must come. Finally, she agreed to go as Alex's date. For the following week, the house was turned upside down as the residents attempted to outdo each other in creating their masquerade finery.
The evening of the ball, Catherine and Elizabeth giggled as they had as young girls. Catherine was to be a princess. They found a lovely gold and cream gown that bared much of her chest and whispered softly about her delicate slippers. A maid twined strands of gold and tiny pearls into her hair, which she wore loose about her shoulders in honey-gold curls.
Elizabeth was dressed as a nymph. She wore a flowing dress of a transparent dark green lace with a darker green sheath underneath. Tiny pink, lavender and white flowers and ivy were twined in her dark hair.
Elizabeth had reluctantly allowed Darcy to play the part of Hamlet so he was able to dress respectable, except for the skull that he was to carry throughout the night. Alex was to be a wizard, and had a magnificent multi-colored robe that swirled about his shoulders. All of them had wonderful masks.
The ballroom was decorated as if it was a mythical garden. Tall columns were decked with gold ribbon and flowing satins. Ivy and Fragrant flowers dripped from the ceiling. Candles rested in sconces set deeply into the walls. Soft light filtered through pink gels and a light mist, so that everyone seemed younger, handsomer. There were private niches set into the walls that were decorated with flowers, vines and stone benches. Small fountains were strategically placed around the room, and their bubbling water added to the muted rumble of voices and music. On the far end, it was raining. A mechanism attached to the roof sprayed water down onto a large clear awning. The water ran down from the sides into a small river that circled the entire room. The air was scented with the perfume of hundreds of flowers as well as the dampness of a spring rain.
Everywhere, fantastic creatures roamed in this magical Garden of Eden. Two Unicorns stood by the wine bar, a griffin came down the wide stairway, and a turtle and a lion were embracing in the corner. Bright colors swirled dance-like as people entered the hall.
Catherine was in awe. The music that filtered through the air surged with the passionate tenor of a cello and a yearning flute. It was strangely moving and haunting, setting the scene for the party. The tempo would pick up when the dancing was to begin, but for now, the music added to the mythical, dream-like aura that surrounded the large room.
A fairy and a knight soon joined the small party of four. Charlotte lifted her lace mask to smile at Catherine before she took John's arm. They started towards the floor, for the opening cadence of the dance had begun.
Alex the wizard adjusted his purple mask over his face and bowed to Catherine. "Do I need to set an enchantment on you, Princess, or would you join me on the floor?"
Catherine did her best imitation of a royal curtsey and pulled her own golden mask over her face. Soon she was whirling in a strange dance, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color. Alex spun her about the floor so quickly in time to the music that her feet were frequently off the ground. Under his satin mask, he smiled. "See, my magic can even make princesses fly!"
The song changed, and Catherine was twirled into the arms of a centaur. As the night wore on, the bacchanalia became more and more intense. The music added more urgent bass notes that rumbled like thunder beneath the demanding tempo of the dance. Catherine's partners changed with each song, and by the end of the first hour, she had danced with an eagle, a rabbit, a king, a peasant, two different stags, John the knight, William the Danish prince, and a leprechaun. Catherine was so dizzy by this time that she opted to settle on one of the small stone benches that were conveniently placed at the edge of the dance floor.
As she spread her golden skirt about her on the bench, a man in a swirling black velvet cloak, a tuxedo and a white mask walked over. After a crisp bow, he silently held out a gloved hand. Catherine was intrigued. She placed her hand into the white glove and let him lead her back into the whirling kaleidoscope of color. The gentleman held his shoulders proud and his chin high. His very demeanor spoke power and confidence. He led her to the center of the dance floor and placed a firm hand on her waist. At first, they danced with easy steps. Eventually, however, her partner placed both hands on her waist and lifted her into the air, spinning her around. As the tempo picked up, they moved around the floor in an intense dance. No words were spoken.
The music changed again to another passionate flute and cello solo. Catherine's partner pulled her close. She could feel his heart beating in his strong chest. The pulse in her neck beat just as rapidly. The slower song was a needed respite, and the princess and the phantom moved slowly in time to the music, trying to catch their breath. Catherine was feeling dizzy again, and she finally spoke to her partner, mentioning the fact. He leaned so close to her that his warm breath tickled her ear and sent shivers down her spine. In a low voice, he whispered, "Shall I get you some wine? Graves, perhaps?"
Catherine gasped, and under her golden mask, her eyes burned with a strange fire. "What...?" But another song had begun. A lion grabbed her waist and twirled her away from the masked man. She turned her head, trying to find him, but the crowd had surged, covering the path that she and the lion had taken. With an apology, she broke away from the lion and slid thought the crowds in the direction of the golden column where she had left the phantom, but he was no where to be seen among the goddesses, archers and deer.
An elephant lifted her in its arms and carried her back to the dance floor. The beast had a strong grip on her waist, but she finally managed to twirl free. She wound her way around the dance floor, searching. When she had finally given up, she turned around and was face to face with the white satin mask. A large goat grabbed her, but she twirled out of the grip of the gray beast and into the arms of the phantom. He held her against his chest for a moment, staring down at her. The music changed to a harp and flute duet that surged around them. The phantom lifted a gloved hand and gently removed the golden mask from Catherine's face. Then, in a fierce motion, he tore the white mask from his own face.
Richard and Catherine stood, eyes locked in an intense, soul-searching stare, as intense colors swirled around them. Richard's eyes glowed with an intensity that Catherine had never seen before. Her legs turned to butter, and she gripped Richard's strong arms to support herself.
Richard made a low cry as he wrapped an arm around her waist. He was through waiting. He tangled one hand in Catherine's golden hair and lowered his lips to hers hungrily, as if he was trying to consume her. Catherine's stomach turned over and her heart threatened to stop beating. She gasped and melted into his arms, the tears on her cheeks glittering in the candlelight. In the midst of the hurricane of gold, green and purple that whirled around them, Richard and Catherine were alone together in their own dream world.