Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of November 18, 1999
Jump to new as of November 20, 1999
Part 12 Posted on Sunday, 14 November 1999
When Eliza met Darcy at the foot of the stairs to her parent's apartment the next morning, she was aware of many things. First, she was aware that Darcy was wearing a sweater...and did not look especially comfortable doing so. She could not remember when she'd last seen him dressed in something other than a business suit or a tuxedo. Second, Eliza was aware that her mother was hiding just inside the window above the stairs, listening intently. Third, she was aware that despite her best lectures to herself about the likelihood that Darcy was only out to separate her from George, she was looking forward to the day. Finally, she was aware that the smile on Darcy's face suited him very well.
Eagerly she asked, "How is your brother, Mr. Larabee?"
Darcy's smile faded. He said, "It's Darcy. And my brother is resting comfortably. He'll be fine. He's just not himself right now."
Again, it seemed to Darcy that her eyes cut right through him. Despite all his intentions, his plans, his machinations...this girl sliced through to his feelings like the most finely honed of blades.
As noted, Eliza was aware of many things. What Eliza was not aware of were the many late night phone calls that Darcy had placed. He'd blithely awakened people all over the North Shore.
His secretary, Mrs. Reynolds, had been up most of the night (She was used to being awakened at unconscionable hours. She was also extremely well compensated.) Darcy had made arrangements to cancel three meetings, reschedule four others and then to rearrange the rest of his week. Only meetings regarding the Tyson merger were to be fit into his schedule. It was the business of the week, after all.
Mrs. Reynolds called George's secretary at 2:00 a.m. (a woman accustomed to a rather carefree schedule) and enlisted her expertise in romantic arrangements (which Mrs. Reynolds had never before been called upon to make). They'd arranged for the beach house to be opened, cleaned and beautifully prepared (requiring an entire crew of cleaners and decorators and one florist to be up from 3:00 a.m. on.)
Darcy had arranged a helicopter and a Larabee jet to the beach house (awakening two pilots and one flight attendant at 5:00 a.m.) At his behest, Mrs. Reynolds had arranged for candles, picnic foods, fine wines and delicious desserts (awakening a catering staff and three chefs at 4:00). She'd arranged for a fisherman to have clams available and a pit dug on the beach so they could cook their dinner fresh. (It wasn't necessary to awaken the fisherman as they arise at ungodly hours on their own, but the fisherman was highly amused by the call anyway.)
With a surplus of approximately two hours in which to sleep, Darcy had arranged everything but his emotions, which he'd ignored from long habit. Now, seeing Eliza, hearing the formality back in her tone, and hearing her question...Darcy was thrown into turmoil. He felt a stab of jealousy which he impatiently dismissed. He bit his lip and said, "Would you like to see George before we go?"
Eliza found herself feeling almost mean as she eagerly nodded 'yes.' She said, "Thank you, Mr. Larabee." At his sharp look, she smiled slightly and amended her words, "Darcy." He smiled slightly and walked her into the house.
Eliza was almost to the door of George's room when she noticed the bemused expression on Darcy's face. She asked, "What?"
He looked mildly amused as he replied, "I was just wondering if you knew this house better than I or if you just know the way to George's room better. I almost took a wrong turn on the way here."
Again, Eliza found herself blushing. She replied, "I have helped my mother to clean many of these rooms over the years. And I did grow up on this estate." She ignored his implication about her knowing the way to George's room.
Darcy nodded pensively and replied, "I was away at school for most of my youth. I suppose you have spent more time here than I have."
In a teasing tone, Eliza said, "Let me know if you get lost and need directions."
Darcy chuckled, "Men don't usually ask directions. Especially men like me."
Eliza replied, "Mr. Larabee, I don't know of any other men like you, but I suppose you mean that you are the kind of man who pretends he knows the way until he finds it. You do always seem confident."
Darcy asked, "Always?"
Eliza replied very matter-of-factly, "Always."
He said quietly, "I am not always confident." He looked very serious and even somewhat vulnerable as he said this.
Eliza smiled brightly and said, "Your secret is safe with me."
Darcy reached out and gently brushed a curl away from her face. He said, "I believe that. I trust you, Eliza."
She looked at him quizzically and then turned away from the intensity of his gaze. She spoke to the nurse who was sitting just inside George's door, "May I come in and visit him?"
The nurse answered, "You can look in on him if you like, but he's so doped up he won't even know you're here."
Eliza asked, "Has he asked for anyone? Has he wondered where I was?"
The nurse snorted, "He hasn't asked for anyone, sweetie. Trust me, he's higher than Lucy in the Sky."
Eliza nodded her understanding and walked into the room. George lay on his stomach, snoring deeply. Eliza smoothed his hair away from his face, leaned down and kissed his forehead. She said, "I'll be back to see you later, dearest."
She stiffened as George muttered in his sleep, "I'll call you." Eliza turned and met Darcy's penetrating look defiantly and walked past him.
Darcy merely said, "Shall we go?" Eliza nodded. She saw her mother peeking at them from a linen closet. As they passed the closet, Darcy said, "Good day, Mrs. Bennet." He paused in the hallway and looked at the linen closet door expectantly.
From the linen closet came the reply, "Good day, Mr. Larabee." Eliza blushed furiously and looked away.
They went down to the garage in silence. Eliza grew more uncomfortable as Darcy chose a set of keys and informed her father that he would be driving himself today. Bennet looked at her speculatively, but did not say even one word. He simply got ready to take Kate into the City.
Moments later, Eliza began to relax. Darcy had chosen an old Rolls convertible. It was a fun car to ride in. Eliza hid her amusement at Darcy's awkwardness handling the car. She knew quite well that he was accustomed to being driven.
When they arrived at the heli-pad, the pilot was ready and waiting. Eliza gasped as they took off. She'd never flown in a helicopter before. At first it seemed that her stomach was not going to come along on the ride... and the thumping of the blade was extremely loud. Darcy tapped the hand she was using to tightly grip her seat. He mouthed, "Scared?" and took her hand in his.
She smiled tremulously and mouthed back, "OK," and made the OK symbol with her free hand. She did not pull away from Darcy's comforting hold on her hand, though. Her smile became more and more giddy as she looked out at the incredible view. When they began to descend, Darcy felt her grip on him tighten. He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. She looked shyly at him, gently squeezed his hand and pulled away from him. He leaned back and watched her.
Moments later they were settling into seats on a Pemberley company jet. The stewardess was a friendly young woman named Hannah. She shyly ducked her head in awe of Darcy as he came on board, but met Eliza's friendly gaze with a wide grin.
While they were waiting, Darcy opened his briefcase, put on his glasses and began making phone calls. He took notes in his ever-present planner. Eliza asked, "Is there some emergency?" Darcy glanced at her, clearly puzzled. She continued, "Can't you continue enjoying the ride like on the helicopter? Why don't you stop and enjoy the view? Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings?"
At that moment the party on the other end of the phone conversation spoke up. Darcy completed the call before replying to Eliza. He said, "I was paged four times while we were on the helicopter. I couldn't very well call from there... too much noise. But I can call from here. Many people rely on me to make good use of my time. I'm not like George. I work. He can barely find his office." With each word he sounded more and more defensive. He dialed another number.
Eliza said reasonably, "You are not in your office. You are in a luxuriously appointed jet on your way to the beach."
Darcy said slowly, "I am sorry if I've somehow offended you." His blank look told Eliza that he did not at all understand her.
She smiled coolly and said, "No. Don't apologize, Mr. Larabee. I forgot that everything you do and every moment you live is related to business."
Again, Darcy looked puzzled...but also distressed. He turned off the phone, though they could both plainly hear someone speaking on the other end. Darcy took a deep breath and held out the phone to her. He said, "Will you call me Darcy if I live a few moments that are not related to business?"
Eliza laughed with surprise, took the phone and held out her other hand. "Hand over the pager, Darcy." With a look of alarm, Darcy complied. As Hannah passed by, Eliza handed her both devices, saying, "Put these away where they can't be heard, please."
Hannah gaped, "Are you sure?"
Eliza tilted her head and asked, "Darcy?" Looking pained, Darcy nodded his assent. Hannah took the items and walked off. As Darcy looked after her, Eliza reached over and closed his planner, zipping it up and placing it under her seat.
Eliza stifled a giggle at Darcy's obvious discomfort. She said, "Relax. Enjoy the view. Daydream. Live a little. I have faith that you can do it."
Utterly out of his element without all the accoutrements of business, Darcy sat back uncomfortably. His eyes darted about the beautiful plane cabin. He twisted his pinkie ring anxiously.
Eliza said, "I feel like I just took a teddy bear from a child."
With an audible intake of breath, Darcy replied, "I'm not a child." He looked into her eyes. Under his breath he muttered, "I didn't know there was a video monitor in here. I could probably use that for presentations..."
She smiled nervously and then said, "Isn't it lovely out there?"
He jerked up short, looked at her and said, "It's lovely in here." He began to stare at her in earnest.
She glanced at him, then quickly away. She said, "It looks like I used to imagine Heaven would look. The fluffy white clouds...the light...it's beautiful."
He smiled slightly and said, "I don't know that I've ever imagined what Heaven would look like." His gaze drank her in from head to toe and back again.
Eliza said, "Try now. Imagination can get rusty if you don't use it, you know."
He shook his head and said seriously, "I hadn't given the matter much thought. Usually I just apply my 'imagination' to improvements for the business."
Eliza said, "Brainstorming and imagination are not the same thing, silly."
Darcy smiled wryly, "I don't know when I was last called silly."
Eliza said, "Sorry. Here I was having trouble calling you Darcy instead of Mr. Larabee and now I've descended all the way to calling you silly. My apologies. No offense intended."
Darcy replied, "Actually, none was taken." He watched with interest as Eliza moved towards him. She reached up and straightened the collar of his sweater, her fingers lightly grazing against his neck. As she moved back he continued staring at her.
Hannah came back with refreshments. She said, "Here you go, sir, ma'am."
Eliza grimaced. "Please don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel so old!" She laughed in her friendly way and took a sip of water.
Hannah smiled broadly and replied, "I'm probably older than you, ma'am."
Eliza said, "Call me Eliza, please."
Hannah said, "Certainly, Eliza. What a pretty name..."
Darcy cut in sharply, "That will be all, Hannah." At Eliza's look, he said, "Thank you."
Hannah looked at him nervously and ducked her head as she backed away.
Darcy looked at Eliza for some time. Then he said, "Eliza is a pretty name. Is it a family name?"
Eliza smiled, "No. It's from a favorite story my father read. The character was witty and clever and independent. Papa liked her so much that he hoped I might be something like her if so named. The character was actually most often called Elizabeth or Lizzy, but Mama thought Eliza sounded more genteel." She shrugged.
Darcy studied her. "Now that you've grown up and stopped climbing trees so much you're not as much a 'Lizzy.' And Elizabeth seems a bit too stiff for you. I agree with your mother on this. Eliza suits you nicely." He sipped his water.
Eliza blushed and said, "I actually went by the name Lizzy when I was younger...probably just to get on Mama's nerves, but I was teased with the nickname Lizzy Lizard... so I gave up using Lizzy." She made a face.
Darcy squinted as he thought. "Undoubtedly it was that nasty Caroline Bingley who called you that."
Eliza laughed out loud. "She would scream to hear you say that. She always thought you were the most wonderful man around...a man without fault." Suddenly she grew quiet. She said, "I'd forgotten that you heard her teasing me once and made her stop. You were very kind."
He said, "And you were very brave. You were crying angrily when I first came upon you, but you stopped quickly and behaved like a very mature young lady." He nodded approvingly.
She confessed, "I was terrified of you."
He looked abashed. Suddenly he made a horrible face, leaned forward and growled loudly, holding his hands up like claws, "GRRRRR!" Eliza screamed with laughter and surprise.
Darcy sat back and remarked, "I hope you've gotten over it."
When they arrived at the beach house, Eliza could not believe how lovely it was. The front was all large windows facing the sea. There were beautiful flowers in every room. There was champagne chilling in the living room. Soft music played over the stereo, filling all the rooms. A fire burned in the living room. It looked like a scene set for seduction.
Eliza took everything in, including Darcy's embarrassed blush as she studied the careful preparations. Quietly she asked, "Is it always like this?"
Darcy replied, "I don't know. I don't come out here often. I've...never had anyone to share it with."
Eliza suggested, "Perhaps George had set some preparations in motion..."
Darcy replied, "He often does."
Eliza glanced sharply at him and put her camera up before her eye. She began to study the room through the lens.
Darcy said, "Take shots of everything. I want my money's worth."
She smiled and said, "Sometimes less is more. Sometimes more is just more, not better."
Darcy held up his hands as though in surrender, "You're the expert. I'm just the humble customer."
She laughed, "Sorry. I forgot that the customer is always right." He smiled. She said, "What is your favorite view from here?"
He said, "I don't know."
She held out the camera and said, "Try looking through here. It gives a different view of life."
Darcy pushed the camera back to her and replied, "No. You give a different view of life."
She said, "Not so different. Just the suggestion that you actually live it. You miss out on a lot if you're always locked away in a boardroom or tied up with business discussions. You could learn a thing or two from George. He takes time to enjoy things."
Darcy scowled, "And that is all he does! He lives in fairyland or something. He has a brain. I don't know why he refuses to use it! He has an office at Pemberley that he never uses. I don't know why George refuses to come to the office. He could be part of what we do there, but instead applies himself to nothing but the unending pursuit of pleasure. Meanwhile, I live in the real world. I work in the real world."
Eliza laughed out loud. "Darcy, you have your own jet, your own helicopter, a mansion full of servants, twenty cars, a multi-billion dollar business and enough money to buy the Crown Jewels. Some people would argue against the idea that you live in the real world."
He conceded, "Point taken. Now, take pictures. I have to go find a phone before my head explodes."
With a rueful laugh, Eliza pulled Darcy's phone, pager and planner from her bag and handed them to him. She said, "Here. We'll go for two hours without your toys next time." He grimaced and shook his head.
He went in another room and called Kate. Kate asked, "How is it going? I assume you are with Eliza." In the background Darcy heard the dog yipping.
Darcy replied, "I'm with her, but it's not going well at all. We keep ending up talking about me instead of her. I don't know what to do."
Kate said, "Quiet, Mr. Collins!" Then she inquired reluctantly, "Are you getting to her?"
He scoffed, "More like the other way around. She's nearly made me cry twice." He knew Kate would never believe that he was serious.
Kate laughed and said, "Crocodile tears, Darcy?"
He grunted, "Yeah, Kate. That's it."
Eliza was out on the deck. Darcy walked out there and watched her work. She seemed lost in the photography. He admired her intensity, the way she moved, and the way the wind blew her hair about. She finally realized he was there and said, "Make another million?"
He replied, "Not on that call. How's it coming?"
She said, "It's lovely here. It's a shame to sell. If I had such a place I'd be out here constantly."
He briefly considered offering her the house as a bribe and decided against the notion. Instead, he asked, "What views did you choose?"
She handed him the camera. "Take a look. Tell me what you see."
Darcy gingerly accepted the camera this time. He held it up and looked through it as Eliza instructed. He swung his head around, muttering, "Water, water, water, birds, water, water, quaint town, boats, water, deck, water, lighthouse. Man going into lighthouse. What a job! Wonder what in the world would make someone choose a life like that..." Darcy lowered the camera as he became aware of Eliza grinning at him. He asked, "What?"
She replied, "It's always like that for me. I see stories through the lens. I'm filled with a desire to capture those stories, to create images from them."
He stated, "You love photography."
She nodded happily and accepted her camera back from him.
He continued, "You are very lucky to find something you love. Many people never find that."
Eliza asked, "Do you have that in your work?"
Darcy started to reply in the affirmative, then hesitated and said, "I've always thought so. I sometimes wonder..."
Eliza looked at him for a moment and then turned back to the lighthouse view, photographing it. She said, "What would cause someone to accept a job that isolated them from the rest of the world?"
Darcy answered, "Maybe it's what he was born to. Maybe he's from a family of light keepers."
Eliza took another shot, "I hope he considered all of his options before settling for the family business. It would be very sad for him if he accepted isolation and loneliness and he didn't really love what he was doing."
Darcy walked further out onto the deck and savored the breeze. He heard Eliza taking more pictures. As he heard her moving away from him he turned his gaze back to the lighthouse.
Part 13 Posted on Monday, 15 November 1999
Darcy and Eliza ate lunch together on the sofa before the fire inside the beach house. Everything was perfect and utterly delicious. Every item laid out for them was one of Eliza's favorite foods. There 'happened' to be perfectly chilled champagne ready and waiting for them. The desserts were heavenly... white chocolate mousse truffle cakes with raspberry sauce (coincidentally Eliza's favorite dessert ever). Every song that played was also a favorite of hers. This led to much amusement on her part and many attempts on his to draw her out in conversation about herself... likes, dislikes and more. What she liked most of all was the way he listened to her so carefully.
After lunch, they found bicycles that had been carefully placed near the garage and rode them into the town. Eliza mentioned how funny it was to her that there should be bikes there... since bicycling happened to be one of her favorite forms of exercise. Each time Darcy tried to make something that had obviously taken careful planning look spontaneous, Eliza grew more amused.
They made their way to the lighthouse and went up in it so that Eliza could take pictures of the house from that vantagepoint. As their footsteps echoed on the many spiral metal stairs, Eliza asked the keeper, "How did you end up in this job?"
The man looked startled, smiled slightly and said, "I sometimes wonder..." Then he turned away and was gone.
Later that evening, they were sitting in front of a bonfire on the beach. It was perfect. Darcy had cooked clams. Eliza said, "I'm full! I cannot possibly eat another bite."
Darcy said, "I'm sorry to hear that. It's too late to let these other guys go." Eliza laughed and half-choked. He said, "Are you all right?"
She nodded, caught her breath and said, "You surprise me, Darcy Larabee." He looked at her quizzically and she continued, "The bicycles and the day... and now clams on the beach... and jokes. You really are not like they say."
He raised his eyebrows. "What do they say?"
She laughed and said, "Oh, you know. You've heard."
He shook his head, "No. I don't. I haven't heard. Please tell me."
Eliza shook her head, blushing deeply. "I couldn't!"
He said, "I can take it. Go ahead. I insist. What do people say of me?"
She rolled her eyes and said, "You really want to know?" He nodded. She said, "Well...no. I can't." He glared and then looked at her beseechingly. Eliza took a deep breath and said, "If you must know... well, they say that you are always serious and intense and humorless...the 'Ice King.' People fear you." She looked very sorry for him as she said this.
He grinned slightly and admitted, "Sometimes that's okay."
She continued seriously, "No. Not really. They say that you don't care about people. They say that you only care about business. That you were born in a boardroom and have fiber optics running through your veins.. and you are a shark who mindlessly chews up his prey though he's been full for his entire life... and you buy out souls that are sold to the devil...and you make Scrooge look generous...and that you are the world's only living heart donor...actually, that one's my favorite." She grinned and ducked her head simultaneously as she said this last.
Darcy looked stunned as he said flatly, "Don't hold back now."
Eliza looked quickly at him and then back down into the flames. She said, "You asked. More?"
He replied, "No, thanks. Maybe I'll ask you to tell me more some other time. I think I've taken enough beatings for one day."
She stood and said, "Then shall we go?" She leaned down to help Darcy throw sand on the fire to extinguish it.
While they worked, he asked, "When can I see the pictures? Could you bring them to me tomorrow?"
She said, "You must be in an awful hurry to sell the house."
He said, "I don't like to let things drag on and on."
She said, "You want me to drop the pictures off at the Pemberley building?"
He said, "Why don't you bring them to me? I'd like your opinion regarding which are the best shots."
She nodded and agreed. Then, as their eyes adjusted to the darkness she said, "Darcy?" He looked at her. "My father once asked George why he didn't go into the office. George said that he didn't need to because they had you."
Darcy shook his head and said, "I'll never understand him."
She replied, "I doubt he understands you either."
When Eliza arrived at her parents' apartment, her mother was already asleep. Her father whispered, "Where have you been?"
Eliza whispered back, "With Darcy Larabee. He needed some photos made of the beach house. He's going to sell it." Her expression softened. "He cooked clams in a fire on the beach. He wants me to bring him the photos tomorrow."
Bennet blinked and shook his head in disbelief. "You should have a courier deliver them. Darcy Larabee is dangerous."
Eliza said, "He's mostly dangerous to himself, Papa. I'll deliver the photos myself. He asked for my opinion." She kissed her father's worried forehead. "Don't worry. I can take care of myself." She breezed out of the room.
Glumly, Bennet nodded and watched her go. He muttered, "Oh, but I do worry."
Part 14 Posted on Tuesday, 16 November 1999
Early the next morning at Pemberley Incorporated, Darcy called Mrs. Reynolds into his office. He said, "I need for you to have a picnic ready for this afternoon, just light snack foods and wine. Make dinner reservations at the most exclusive of restaurants...ask George's secretary for her recommendation...for tonight at 7:30 and then get tickets to some sort of show...something romantic...the best...whatever is impossible to get tickets to...and I'll need front row. And arrange for flowers in the car as well as champagne. I'll need a driver other than Bennet."
Mrs. Reynolds said unblinkingly, "Very good, sir. How many and what name shall I make the reservations under?"
He replied, "Two. My name."
She looked at him strangely, "You are going out?"
He looked at her sharply and said, "I know. I seldom get out."
She replied, "Seldom?"
He replied, "OK. Almost never."
She asked in disbelief, "And you are going to a show?"
Shortly, he said, "I am."
She said, "You do understand that the most difficult shows to get tickets for are musicals, don't you? That the characters will periodically break out into song and dance and leap about the stage?"
He said, "Your point, Mrs. Reynolds?"
She replied, "No point, sir. I apologize for bothering..." She started to turn away.
He asked quickly, "Mrs. Reynolds, I apologize. Have you ever heard me referred to as the world's only living heart donor?"
Mrs. Reynolds uttered a shocked snort and choked out, "Wha...ha...aa?" in a squeaky voice that answered Darcy more directly than words of admission.
Darcy said, "Never mind. Please make the reservations." He turned away from his secretary's curious gaze and looked out the window pensively.
Late that morning at the Larabee estate, Mrs. Bennet was walking Mr. Collins and talking with her very good friend Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Phillips tended the Larabee's rose bushes and grapevines. As Mrs. Phillips was also one of the best sources of gossip among the many members of the Larabee estate staff, she and Mrs. Bennet were extremely close (almost like sisters). On this day, Mrs. Phillips was regaling her friend with the latest in information regarding the strange new activities of Darcy Larabee.
Darcy's actions of the previous day and a half had completely energized the estate gossip network. For the first time in his life, Darcy was providing the gossips with the sort of sport they enjoyed most. That the object of Darcy's apparent affections was one of their own only fed the frenzied flames. Bets were high on either side of the question, 'Business or pleasure?' Those who held that Eliza was beauty enough to melt the 'Ice King' were held in contempt by those who saw his attentions as a transparent attempt to distract Eliza from George.
"And then I saw that the young man in the moonlight with our Eliza was none other than Darcy Larabee!" crowed Mrs. Phillips as the ladies reached the driveway.
Mrs. Bennet cried smugly, "But of course it was, my dear Mrs. Phillips! He has been most attentive to Eliza ever since he saw her at Mrs. DeBourgh's birthday party. He is the handsomest man, don't you think?"
Mrs. Phillips replied, "I thought he was gay."
Mrs. Bennet laughed, "No such thing! Darcy Larabee is as susceptible a charming young girl as the next man...though not just any girl, mind you." She tittered with smug laughter.
Mr. Hurst (the bartender) crossed the ladies' path with a case of wine in his arms. He commented, "Only any girl who gets between him and the almighty dollar!"
Mrs. Bennet pooh-poohed Hurst's comment, "Oh, hush you old lush! I've seen them together. He is most attentive to Eliza. Though he is not as amiable as young George Larabee is, I think that Darcy Larabee is quite well favored. I should be glad to have either of them as son-in-law, I assure you."
Mrs. Phillips snorted, "I could have sworn Darcy Larabee was gay."
Mr. Bennet came down the stairs from his apartment, pulling his driving gloves on, "Darcy Larabee is a heterosexual." He commented dryly.
At that moment, the Bennet apartment door opened again and Eliza came bounding down the stairs. When she reached the bottom she looked around at all of the eyes which were fixed upon her. "Good morning, everyone," she smilingly said.
Mrs. Bennet walked over to her daughter and hugged her, squealing a bit. Mr. Collins began barking and leapt up into Eliza's arms. She laughed. Mr. Bennet asked, "Eliza, are you still coming into the city with me?" He looked as though he hoped she would decline.
Eliza looked around. Everyone was still staring at her. "Yes," she replied. "I am going to look in on George first, but then I will join you." She patted Mr. Collins on the head and put him down.
Bennet nodded tersely as Eliza crossed the driveway to the main house.
The nurse opened the door to George's room. Eliza gasped happily at the sight of George's smiling face. He was lying on his stomach with his arms propping his upper torso upright. Her smile faltered a bit as George giddily sang out to her, "Good Morning, Vietnam!" in a fair imitation of Robin Williams. He continued, "Eliza! Hi!" He waved at her and then became fascinated with the motion of his own hand, his head bobbing about. He giggled.
Eliza leaned in close and peered at him, concerned over his lack of...well, complete lack of sense. He giggled again. The nurse said, "Pain medication. Lots of it. He'll be fine."
George slipped into an imitation of the Spaniard from the movie The Princess Bride, "I feeeeeeeellll fiiiiiiiiine. Hello. You keee...ill my father. Prepare to die." His Spanish accent was hideous, almost lapsing into a bad Dracula.
The nurse stepped forward and said, "Watch it. He'll go unconscious any second. He's on enough painkillers to keep him out for days."
Eliza kissed George on the forehead and said, "Rest well, dearest. I'll come back and check on you later today."
George smiled at them and said, "Oh. OK. Have my clubs at the ready. I feel like scuba diving." Then his eyes rolled back, he fell flat down on the bed, and began to snore loudly into the covers.
Eliza gasped, but the nurse only looked bored. Eliza slowly backed out of the room. The nurse picked up a book and sat down next to the bed to read. Eliza thanked her and closed the door behind her.
Eliza rode in the front seat of the limousine next to her father. Bennet was silent almost the whole way into town. As they neared Pemberley headquarters he spoke up quietly, "Have you considered the possibility that he is trying to protect his business deal with George's fiancée's father?"
Eliza leaned over and kissed her father on the cheek, "Thoroughly. And I think that at first he thought he was. However, I see a loneliness and a yearning to live in him that has nothing to do with any of that."
Bennet pursed his lips and replied, "He has lived all of his life without any evidence of loneliness, yearning or discontent with his chosen path. Darcy Larabee is one of the world's most successful businessmen. That is all he has ever tried to be. It is all he has ever worked towards. Whenever he has tried to spend time with young women, the relationships have always ended because the allure of the job proved more enticing to him than the allure of the young woman. Business is his drug, his pleasure, in truth his mistress. He has never reached out to any woman to rescue him from that mistress."
Eliza looked down and replied, "He is reaching out to me."
Bennet frowned and asked, "Is that something you want? I thought you wanted George." He looked very distressed, dismayed that he should find himself in a position of encouraging her toward the very thing he'd always endeavored to distract her from.
Eliza reached over and hugged her father. She whispered, "We all deserve a chance to find life's beauty, even Darcy Larabee. Don't worry, Papa. I can take care of myself." Without another word, she got out of the car and went to the portrait lab she had sent her film to the previous night. Moments later, two envelopes in hand, Eliza walked the three city blocks to the Pemberley building.
She took the elevator up to the twentieth floor. The hallway was lined with paintings of members of the Larabee family and board of trustees. Eliza paused briefly and looked at the portrait of Darcy Larabee. In the painting he looked very imposing and serious...and (in her opinion) sad. She tore her eyes from it and walked to the large outer office where Mrs. Reynolds sat.
Mrs. Reynolds looked up from her desk and smiled, "Miss Bennet, I presume. I am Mr. Larabee's executive assistant, Mrs. Reynolds. I will let him know you are here. He is expecting you." Mrs. Reynolds picked up her telephone.
About five seconds later one of the very large office doors swung open. There stood Darcy. He was dressed, as everyone was accustomed to seeing him, in a business suit. He was wearing his glasses. The one difference in his appearance was the large smile on his face when he saw Eliza.
"Eliza! Good afternoon!" he said.
Eliza noticed that Mrs. Reynolds and the secretaries in the outer office all paused briefly and looked up at Darcy as though surprised. She smiled tentatively, "Good afternoon, Mr. ...I mean Darcy." His smile grew broader. It was very becoming.
He waved her into his office, "Please come in!" He took the envelope she held out to him and walked over to a sofa. He sat down and looked at the photographs carefully. Meanwhile, Eliza looked around at the cavernous space that served as Darcy Larabee's office. Her expression was polite and neutral. Darcy looked up and said, "I take it you do not like my office?"
She shook her head. "It's not that I dislike it. I just find it very imposing and set apart...cold. I'm sorry. Do you like it?"
He answered, "I hadn't really thought about it. You know...real work, real world. I was just going for something appropriate for the world's only living heart donor..." He said this in the awkwardly light way of one who is making a joke at his expense and feeling true pain from it.
She blushed vividly and said, "I only told you those things because you asked. I did not enjoy it. I would not want to hurt you."
Darcy smiled slightly, held up the photos and said, "These are very good, you know. However, they are not what I was expecting..."
Eliza looked at him with dismay and took the stack of photos. She gasped, "What? Oh! My mistake. So sorry."
Darcy said, "I don't know. We might could sell the beach house from a photo of Notre Dame Cathedral. My asking price under this picture...what a deal!" He grinned.
Eliza handed him the other envelope and then perched herself on the arm of the couch next to him to watch him flip through. Darcy quickly pulled out several photos from the stack, saying "I like these."
Eliza selected three of Darcy's suggestions and said, "Go with one or two of these." She watched as he reached a photo that he did not know she had taken. It showed him standing on the deck of the beach house looking across the water to the nearby lighthouse. His face was filled with emotion. Eliza continued, "You are very photogenic."
Darcy looked up at her and said, "I don't like photos of myself. I always look...I don't know...sad or something."
Eliza asked, "Are you sad?" Darcy looked away from her. She apologized, "I'm sorry. It's none of my business."
He sighed, "Don't apologize. I don't mind you asking. I just don't know how to answer you. I have never thought of myself as sad. Maybe...lonely...isolated. I just don't know if I've ever thought of myself as happy." He looked and sounded very wistful.
She ran a hand gently down the side of his face and blushed when he looked up at her. She said, "I'm glad to see that the imprint of my hand is gone."
He asked plaintively, "Are you happy?"
She said, "I was happy in Paris, at least after a while."
He looked up at her, "What made you happy in Paris?"
She looked dreamily out the window, "So many things! There was the smell of café au lait...the rich aromas in the air at the local bistros! The accordion players playing "La Vie en Rose," the little school girls dressed like the story character Madeline, the beautiful old buildings, the museums, my friends, my camera, the people who drank too much and sang the night away on the Bateaux Mouches...so many things."
He asked, "Was there anything about Paris that you didn't like?"
She laughed, "Only how expensive some things were. I didn't like not having enough money to buy pretty things I saw. So, I window-shopped a lot. I also took pictures and wrote in my journal and listened to what the river had to say."
He nodded slowly. Then he looked up at her, puzzled, "The Seine talks?"
She laughed, "With great animation! You find your favorite bridge and you listen."
He said, "I'd like to hear that."
She grew serious again, "I doubt you could unless you tried very hard."
He stood, "Give me a chance."
She jokingly asked, "You want to go to Paris?"
He said, "Why not? You were happy there. Maybe I could be happy there, too."
She laughed out loud, "You in Paris? I'd like to see that! If only for the amusement factor...Darcy, they take life easy there. They don't rush about from meeting to meeting. They work hard when it is time to work, and know when to stop. The romance and relaxed appreciation of Paris is more than just kitsch for the tourists. It is a way of life."
Darcy said, "Perhaps you could show me how to live."
Eliza paused and looked at him, "Perhaps." She began to consider her father's warnings as she drowned in Darcy's eyes.
Seeming suddenly inspired and mischievous, he smiled, "Let's start now. I'll play hooky for the rest of the day. Come play with me?" He ceremoniously took off his page and cell phone, laid them down, bowed and held out a hand to Eliza. When she only raised an eyebrow at him, he walked over to the desk, closed his planner and zipped it shut.
She walked over, took his hand and said quietly, "I'd love to."
Part 15 Posted on Tuesday, 16 November 1999
Darcy said, "You want me to do what?" He looked very skeptical.
Eliza laughed and repeated, "Take off your jacket, your tie and your glasses. They heighten your tension nearly as much as those toys we left behind in your office. Then unbutton your collar. Then lay back and relax."
Darcy said, "You don't believe in letting a guy find his way gradually, do you?" Eliza only smiled. He continued softly, "I like that." Then, Darcy sat down on the picnic blanket next to Eliza and did as he was told.
Once he was on his back, Eliza continued, "Let's start back at the beginning... A...B...C..." She waited for him to repeat each letter of the French alphabet after her, correcting his pronunciation on each letter until she was satisfied. She thought his R was perhaps a bit better than her own and told him so jealously.
Darcy smiled and said, "Good teacher." He sighed contentedly and looked around at the park.
Eliza said, "Good student." Then she asked, "So, what do you think of playing hooky?"
He answered quickly, "It's best played together with a beautiful lady."
She looked at him, suddenly serious and shy. She said, "You look happy."
Darcy blinked quickly. Then he said, "You make me happy."
Eliza turned away from his piercing gaze and asked, "Have you ever done this before?"
Darcy asked, "What? Sat in the park learning the alphabet in French? No."
She said, "No. Pretended to be attracted to a woman."
Darcy sat up, then reached out and turned her head so that she looked at him again. He gently caressed her cheek. He looked straight into her eyes and whispered, "There is nothing pretend about my attraction to you." He leaned forward and placed the lightest of kisses on her lips.
She shivered slightly, pulled away and drank more wine.
He said, "Will you have dinner with me tonight? Or perhaps take in a play? Maybe both?"
She turned her gaze back to him and said, "May I pick the restaurant?"
He said gallantly, "Of course." He ran the list in his head of all of the City's most expensive and impressive restaurants, wondering which she would select. He cocked his head in surprise when her selection was not on the list. "Do we need reservations?" he asked.
Eliza said, "No. I'm a friend of the chef. He worked as a kitchen assistant at the estate many years ago."
It seemed to Darcy that the evening passed too quickly, the way that all time filled with magic does. He and Eliza talked and laughed and enjoyed being together for over five hours at the restaurant. It was a Moroccan restaurant with exquisite food, authentic décor and cushioned floor seating. The air was filled with lovely scents. The wine was rich and their conversation grew steadily more intimate as the hours passed.
Eliza told Darcy of her time in Paris. She made him laugh until his stomach muscles hurt with descriptions of her first days there and all of the mistakes she'd made. Her openness and candor amazed him. It was completely unlike the way anyone else in the world communicated with him. He could not remember the last time that someone (other than George, of course) had talked to him without trying to impress him.
He was also touched by the passion he learned that she'd developed for Paris. He remarked, "Why did you come back to the states, Eliza? It sounds as though Paris is really the place in which you belong."
Her smile faded, "Are you sorry I came home?"
He took her hand, "No. From a purely selfish standpoint I assure you that I'm delighted to have you here with me now." He gulped a bit as she studied him, that gaze that cut to his soul sifting through the truth in his words. Huskily, he continued, "I was asking only because you sound as though you miss Paris."
Eliza continued to hold his gaze. She said, "I do miss Paris. It was there that I found myself."
Darcy asked, "Were you lost?"
She replied, "More than I knew."
He paused and said, "Maybe I could find myself there."
She said, "Maybe you could." She giggled, "I'm surprised you would admit to being lost..."
He remained serious as he said, "You told me that romance and relaxed appreciation are a way of life there. I've not found either of those things in my life...until now."
He stared at her longingly. Eliza was lost in his gaze and remembered the sweet kiss he'd given her earlier. Her heart ached as they sat there together. He reached out and covered her hand with his own. He continued, "Eliza, I love..."
She glanced down, and sat straight up suddenly as she saw his initialed cuff link. The 'L' cut into her mind and she blurted out, "What time is it? I promised George I'd look in on him." She hated the abrupt sound of the words as they left her mouth.
Darcy leaned back, blinking quickly and attempting to hide a look of sadness. He replied, "Don't worry. I'll have them bring the check. We can go now." His voice was very quiet.
Eliza stammered, "I d...didn't mean..."
He cut her off, "No, no. It's okay. I'll take you home now, Eliza."
He did not meet her eyes. He did as he'd said and signaled the waiter to bring their bill. With an absolute minimum of conversation and eye contact, he took her back to the estate.
Part 16
When they pulled up in the driveway, both Eliza and Darcy were surprised to see George walking out to greet them. He was dressed in pajamas and his robe and was leaning on a cane. He smiled and waved to them.
Eliza leapt from the car, crying, "George! You're up!" Darcy only nodded at George and smiled grimly.
George said, "Yep. And I even know who I am! The doctor said that...things are healing well. I'll be dancing again in no time." He moved in and kissed Eliza on the cheek playfully.
Conscious of Darcy watching them, Eliza gasped, "I'm so surprised to see you so recovered! If I'd known...Well, we've just come from the City." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Darcy wince. "Darcy took me out to dinner. It was lovely."
Darcy forced a friendly grin and volunteered, "Eliza was kind enough to drop off some pictures she took of the cottage. I thought dinner was the least I could do. Moroccan. Sitting on the floor. Doubt you're up to it yet."
George raised his eyebrows and said to Darcy, "You? Wow. Imagine that. Next you'll tell me you left the office on time."
Darcy replied quietly, "Early, actually."
George looked with wide eyes from Eliza to Darcy and back again. He spoke to Darcy disbelievingly, "Was there a fire at the office or something? It wasn't on the evening news..."
Darcy answered dryly, "No fire. I just left early."
George comically mouthed, 'just?'
Eliza spoke up for Darcy, "He asked if I would play hooky with him."
George comically mouthed, 'hooky?' He looked at Darcy with mock concern.
Darcy ignored George and continued, "Glad to see you up and about. I think I'll turn in now. Good night, Eliza." He whirled away from Eliza and George, put his hands in his pockets and walked quickly to the house.
Eliza's heart ached as she watched Darcy's retreat. Her voice wavered as she called after him, "Good night, Darcy."
George said, "So...Moroccan? Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't make it the other night. I hated the thought of you waiting there for me."
She said, "Darcy explained about your accident. I'm sorry."
He grinned. She looked up at him and thought of how many times she'd dreamed he would smile at her like he was at this moment. She was surprised, though, at her reaction...or rather her lack of reaction. Suddenly she found that she felt comfortable around George, not overflowing with excitement and passion. The realization stunned her. Could it be that she did not really have feelings for George?
The idea rocked her to the core. She said urgently, "Kiss me, George. Kiss me now!" He obliged. As his lips met hers she clung to him, her hands up about his neck. She stopped, pulled back and shook her head, then said, "Kiss me again."
George replied, "Gladly," and did so.
Again, Eliza was the one who broke off the kiss. She was surprised at the lack of passion she felt for George. She put her fingers up to her lips...thinking of kisses from her dreams...thinking of Darcy. She looked at George starkly.
George said, "I was thinking maybe we could visit the solarium together in a night or two. Sort of a stitch removal ceremony..." He grinned in his usual saucy way.
Quietly, Eliza asked, "And then what?"
He said, "I don't know. Let's take it one day at a time. Let's just have some fun! We could see the town, have some laughs, dance, drink champagne out of anything but glass...What were you thinking?"
Eliza said, "I don't know what I think, George. I'm tired."
George said, "Long dinner with Mr. Serious, eh?" He looked very sympathetic.
Eliza looked at him sharply and replied, "Actually it was very nice...until I..." She sighed, her eyes bright with regret. "I'm going to turn in now. I'll see you tomorrow." She leaned in and kissed George on the cheek.
As she turned to walk away from him he asked, "Did I miss something?"
She only shook her head and smiled tremulously at him. She waved and ran up the stairs to her parents' apartment. George stared after her thoughtfully. He thought he had seen tears gleaming in her eyes.
Across the lawn, Darcy stopped watching and went into the house. He walked slowly at first, his expression grim, his hands clenched tightly into fists. He stopped for a second and wiped the back of his hand across his eyes. Then he increased his pace. He pulled the cell phone from his pocket and dialed, "Mrs. Reynolds? I'll need two tickets on the Air France flight leaving for Paris tomorrow afternoon. There are several other things I need for you to arrange, as well..." His voice was tight and harsh as he spoke.
After all of his phone calls and arrangements had been made, Darcy went to his bedroom. He dressed for bed in pajama bottoms and sat up working through reports and answering letters. At about 3:30 a.m. he heard music coming from George's room. The song playing was Unforgettable. Darcy sat back against the pillows, closed his eyes and listened to the words.
Part 17
Eliza spent most of the next morning walking around the city, deep in thought. She walked to the park she'd visit with Darcy on the previous day. She walked past the restaurant where they'd dined the previous evening. She went past the Pemberley building at least six times as she walked around the city. The seventh time she came to the building, she stopped. She looked up, staring.
Inside the halls of Pemberley, Kate DeBourgh swooped past the secretarial staff and threw open the door to Darcy's office. He'd been sequestered there the entire day. He'd not taken any phone calls. He'd cancelled all meetings. He simply sat at the desk and stared out the window, waiting. When Kate entered, he whirled around expectantly. At the sight of his aunt and her little dog, Darcy's face fell and his expression became very grim.
Kate stopped midway across the floor. "What in the world? Is something wrong?"
Darcy's expression became carefully neutral. He said, "What can I do for you, Kate?"
She said, "Tell me what is going on. What is happening with Eliza? Jane Tyson will be back from her trip today."
Darcy sat back. He said, "Eliza will be leaving town today."
Kate sat down. Mr. Collins leapt up in her lap and perched there, his ears pricked up and his head cocked to one side. Kate said slowly, "Tell me more." She patted the dog mostly to sooth her own anxiety.
He said gruffly, "It's a long story, Kate. Not a very nice one."
Kate patted Mr. Collins' head again and said, "I have time. Do tell. I like stories."
Darcy looked down at the desk and braced his hands flat on the surface. His body was taut with tension. "I have convinced Eliza that I'm falling in love with her and want to leave everything behind to go to Paris and learn how to live and be happy with her. She believes that she will be saving me from an empty and solitary life."
Kate stopped patting Mr. Collins and asked thoughtfully, "Is that true?" The corners of her mouth twitched upward as she hoped. She leaned forward to hear his reply.
Darcy did not lift his eyes. He said, "No. It's not true. She thinks it is and that is what matters. It will get her to Paris and end things between her and George for good."
Kate asked, "Then what?"
Darcy said through gritted teeth, "Then I return home. Eliza gets a lovely apartment in Paris...all expenses paid...and grows up. George marries Jane. Pemberley purchases Tyson. We make a billion dollars. All ends as it should."
Kate said, "How do you know she'll fall for it?"
Darcy frowned and bitterly replied, "You've never questioned my instincts before, Kate. You've only profited from them. Just know that I know that she believes it. I convinced her."
Kate sighed, "I don't like this story very much." She studied Darcy as she spoke.
Darcy jerked his head up. His eyes were dark and fervent. His voice shook and grew louder, "What did you expect? It's a billion-dollar business deal. You taught me more about how business is done than anyone."
She interjected, "I didn't teach you this."
He yelled, "Everything in my life so far has taught me this, Kate! This isn't the first time someone will have gotten hurt for the sake of our business. Where have you been when we've taken over companies and laid off thousands of employees for the sake of the business? Where have you been when we've saved millions by switching away from working with people who have given us loyal service and dedication? You taught me to do whatever it took to grow the business, Kate. I've been there to see the ramifications of what we've done. I guess you've been off at the hair dresser's or getting a manicure or something..."
She rose to her full height and said, "Don't you take that tone with me, young man." Mr. Collins growled.
He replied, "Don't you dare act disappointed in me. You have no right. Just think, when the Tyson deal goes through you can... buy another house in the Caribbean or in Europe or something." His tone was angry and fierce.
Kate sighed, "I have houses in both of those places. I don't really need more. This all just makes me tired." She turned and walked out, Mr. Collins trailing behind.
As Kate walked down the hall away from Darcy's office, Mr. Collins skittered along beside her. Suddenly he veered away and ran in front of the elevator as Eliza came out. Eliza leaned down and patted the little dog on the head with a small smile. She walked past him. He sat down and stared after her mournfully.
Mrs. Reynolds looked up and smiled efficiently as Eliza approached. She punched the speaker and announced, "Miss Bennet is here, sir."
The reply came back, "Please send her in." At his desk, Darcy rubbed his fists against his eyes and took a deep breath.
When Eliza entered the office, Darcy's smile lit up the room. His tone was soft and warm as he said, "Hello! I was just wishing you would stop by. I wanted to talk to you." He walked over to the sofa.
Mrs. Reynolds handed him two plane tickets. He set them on the table behind the sofa and thanked her. Mrs. Reynolds paused at the door and said, "I handled the other arrangements as well." He nodded and sat down. Mrs. Reynolds closed the door behind her carefully.
Eliza stood before him, a lump in her throat. Her fingers were cold and shaking with nervousness. She said, "I've been walking and thinking all morning. I was up most of the night, too."
Darcy asked, "What were you thinking about?"
She said, "I was thinking that I should not see you anymore. I don't know what to believe. I feel things I don't think you really want to live up to. I have no right to ask you to change, no matter what my intentions are. And then there is George..." She looked down at the floor. Suddenly she asked, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
He said softly, "What you just said renders my something moot. I'm glad you spoke up and saved me the rejection...the embarrassment..." He twisted his pinkie ring and looked very disappointed. He waited for her response...his heart thumping with dread.
Eliza said anxiously, "I'd really like for you to tell me what you wanted to say." Her heart pounded hopefully.
Darcy stood and paced back and forth. He looked out the window and took a deep, audible breath. His hands shook visibly. He spoke in a low, husky voice, "I was going to ask you to go away with me to Paris." He turned and stared into her shocked eyes. "I was going to tell you that... I love you..." His voice cracked, "and I wanted to be... happy with you. I was going to tell you that you've made me realize that I've never truly been alive... until you..." His voice trailed off to a whisper. His eyes were filled with anguish and he teetered on the edge of tears. He turned away from her slowly.
She glanced down at the console table behind the sofa. There were two Air France tickets. One had his name on it, the other had hers. They were for the afternoon flight. Joy flowed through her.
He whirled back around at the sound of her sob. Tears of joy ran down Eliza's cheeks. She ran forward and threw her arms around him, crying, "You do love me! You love me! It's true!!! I so hoped it was true and it is! Oh, Darcy! I'd love to go with you. What a dream...to share the city I love with you. Oh, Darcy! You've made me so happy...You were so unhappy and I was so silly. Oh! We'll be so happy..." She hugged him and kissed him passionately, alternately laughing and crying.
Suddenly, Darcy froze. "No," he whispered. He pulled her hands from around his neck and pushed her away. His expression was one of despair. He cried, "I can't do this!" He actually bent forward as though from a blow for a second as he reacted to the pain. He straightened back up and looked at her with eyes that revealed his shattered heart.
Eliza stood there, stunned. She asked "What? Go to Paris? Love me?" Panic flowed through her faster with each word she spoke. Randomly she pushed her hair back.
He clenched his hands tightly into white-knuckled fists. He choked out, "Any of it. There was a deal. You got in the way. It was a billion dollars. It was nothing personal, just business." All the blood had drained from his face.
She shook her head in disbelief, muttering, "No. No. Nothing personal? No. No." She backed away from him slowly. The world whirled all around her as he spoke.
He continued, "It was all a lie. Everything. You were right in the beginning... 'they' sent me to deal with you. Only...I was 'they.' Everything I did, every look, every word... was a calculated lie...just an act. I planned to go to Paris and then leave you there."
She found it difficult to draw breath. Her heart felt as though it had burst into a million pieces and her entire body shook in disbelief. Her voice shook as she repeated, "Everything you did... every look... every word... you... don't love me?" She gasped as he slowly shook his head. She wrapped her arms tightly about herself and looked down, the tears flowing freely.
She looked back up and asked in a flat voice, "Why tell me now?" Then she shook her head and said, "No. I don't want to hear it... no more lies." She shook her head violently and held her hands up next to her ears. Then she looked at him oddly and said, "Tell me, what other arrangements? Your... secretary... she said she handled the other arrangements..." She shook from head to toe.
He closed his eyes against the pain in her eyes. He said, "There is an apartment, a bank account with a million francs in it, a job..."
She whispered coldly, "Your first offer was for more."
He finally opened his eyes and met her gaze. She reached down and took the ticket with her name on it. She said, "If you will excuse me, I have a plane to catch. I think I've more than earned this."
He could only nod.
She turned away, said, "I'm sorry for you," and slammed the door closed behind her.
Part 18
Eliza took the bus out of the city and then a cab back to the estate. She cried most of the way. The cabbie kept glancing at her in concern. Her stomach was tight with grief and she found it difficult to draw breath, she was so overwhelmed with sorrow. The apartment over the garage was blessedly empty when she arrived. She was relieved that her parents were not in. She could not bear the thought of telling them what had happened. She packed quickly and wrote a note.
Dearest Papa and Mama,I have decided to return to Paris to live. I was very happy there and hope to find happiness there again someday. On my last visit I thought I had found myself, but today I realize I was wrong. I was wrong about many things. Please don't worry. I can look out for myself. I promise to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground, not lost in a dream world. You may contact the Lucases if you need to reach me. Forgive me for not saying goodbye in person.
Eliza
She found George in the billiard room. She walked in and said stiffly, "I've come to say goodbye."
He noted her swollen eyes and said, "Been back into the city today?" He lined up a shot. She nodded. He said, "Where are you going?"
She said, "I have a ticket to Paris." She smiled through tears.
He stood up straight and asked, "One way?" He leaned against the stick and studied her face.
She nodded and said, "Funny you should guess that...actually it is...I just wanted to say that...I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble, George. You were the lover of my imagination and my dreams. Now that is over. My dreams are over. It's time for me to live in the real world...but I hope you'll be happy."
She turned to leave, but George put the cue stick out in front of her to block her. He limped over and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly and she sobbed. He assured her, "Shhhhhh...it will be all right. I promise." He kissed her gently on the head and rocked her back and forth as she cried. "It will be all right."
When she finally quieted down she rested for a moment against him. Then she said, "Thank you, dear, dear George."
He smiled and asked, "You see me as a brother now, don't you?" He looked simultaneously pleased and offended.
She nearly cried again as she nodded and smiled weakly. She laughed. She said, "Good bye, George. I hope you will be very happy with your Jane. Let her see how wonderful you really are. From what I hear of her, she will take good care of you."
George suddenly became very serious. He said, "I think you're right." As she walked out of the room, George said, "Hey! We never got to finish that dance!" He wiggled his eyebrows and said, "I have a reputation to maintain, you know."
She smiled back, "I know all about your reputation. And I know you can be much more if you wish. As to the dance, we did finish it... a thousand times in my dreams." Her smile grew as she said, "Goodbye."
A moment after Eliza left, a servant came in and said, "Telephone for you, sir. It's Mr. Larabee's secretary..."
As the cab pulled away from the estate, Bennet looked out the window of the apartment. He held Eliza's letter in his hands and looked at it with a troubled frown on his face. Then someone called from the house and told him he was needed to take George into the city. Bennet folded the letter and put it in his pocket, the words running through his mind over and over again... Not lost in a dream world...I was wrong...I was wrong about many things...
The door to Darcy's office flew open with a bang. Though he was expecting George, Darcy jumped at the noise. George limped quickly across the room and yelled, "What do you mean by summoning me here, Darcy? I should think I'd be one of the last people you'd seek out today!"
Darcy stood and then fell back down into his chair as George punched him. Darcy was stunned.
George said, "I can't believe you're sending Eliza away like that! What gives you the right? We're talking about a human being here...a warm, loving woman. I can't believe even you would stoop so low! How can you play with someone's life like that?"
Darcy reluctantly rasped, "Calm down. Here is your ticket on today's flight to Paris, George. I've had them change the name from mine to yours. Just be on that plane. I'll explain everything to Jane. I'll take care of everything" He handed George the ticket. His features were a study in anguish.
George stepped back, his mouth hanging open. "My ticket? Me? Go to Paris with Eliza? You'd blow a billion-dollar deal?"
Darcy couldn't look at George as replied in a shaky voice, "It will make her happy. YOU...will make her happy. Eliza has always loved you, George. I just confused her with some of your trappings...All she's ever really wanted was you."
When Darcy finally looked at George it was with envy-filled eyes. "And she'll make you very happy. You're right. She is a warm...loving woman. The warmth in those eyes is something you could never find anywhere else."
George looked at the planed ticket and at the name on it. Everything began to fall into place for him. He studied his step brother carefully.
Darcy continued, "I had no right to try to force you to marry Jane Tyson." He bit out the words as though each one burned, "Be on that plane. Go with her. Love her." His voice trailed off and broke on the last words. Darcy closed his eyes, his head hanging low.
George backed away from Darcy, utterly stunned. He turned and limped quickly out of the office, slamming the door shut.
Darcy sat down at his desk. He punched the speaker, "Mrs. Reynolds, call Patrick Tyson, our lawyers and Aunt Kate. Have them meet me here at 4:00 p.m."
In the hallway, George stood by Mrs. Reynolds' desk and listened. Then he said, "Call Aunt Kate and get her here to my office in an hour. Get Jane Tyson to my office now. And I'll need your help, too." He started walking down the hall in a very businesslike way. Suddenly he stopped and looked back at Mrs. Reynolds, blushing.
Mrs. Reynolds replied, "Your office is second to last on the left, George." He nodded his thanks and quickly walked that way.
Moments later Jane Tyson entered the halls of Pemberley. She walked into George's office. He got up from behind the desk and knelt gingerly before her on one knee with a jewel box in one hand. He said, "Hi. First I have a story to tell you, then a question that I feel I should ask. Then you can tell me how everything is going to turn out. And maybe someday I'll even earn your forgiveness."
Jane smiled sweetly down at him. "You wanted to ask me something?"
Part 19
Kate entered Darcy's office. She said, "What's going on?" She nodded to the lawyers sitting at the conference table and led Mr. Collins around the table. She took a seat. Mr. Collins took the seat next to hers. He tried to leap up on the table, but Kate held him back.
Darcy said, "I'll explain everything once Patrick gets here." He paced back and forth before the window.
Patrick, Ingrid and Jane Tyson entered the room, Mrs. Reynolds just behind them. Darcy looked surprised to see the ladies and also looked grim as he looked at Jane Tyson's smiling face. He kissed both Ingrid and Jane on the cheek and unconvincingly said, "I'm glad to see you." Everyone pulled up a chair at the conference table. Jane reached over and petted Mr. Collins. He panted happily and tried to leap up on the table. Kate held him back.
Darcy said in a very stilted way, "I'm sure that you are wondering why I called this meeting. It is not a part of our scheduled discussions regarding the relationship between Pemberley and Tyson, a relationship that would have been profitable to us all..." Mr. Collins interrupted Darcy with a loud bark.
Patrick asked, "What? WOULD have been?" He turned and looked at Jane, "What's he saying?" She shrugged and smiled at her father. Mr. Collins barked again.
Darcy looked down, took a deep breath and said, "Right now, my stepbrother, George Larabee..."
George entered the room and interrupted, "Is late getting to this meeting!" He took the empty seat next to Jane. They kissed happily. He murmured, "Hi, sweety." She grinned.
Darcy leapt up from his seat and yelled, "What are you doing here!?!" He looked from George to Jane and back in confusion.
Mr. Collins let out a sharp yip and leaped up on the table. No one stopped him.
George looked at Darcy blankly and said, "I work here." He stood and walked over to stand near Darcy.
Darcy looked at his watch and said quickly, "But the plane! You are supposed to be on the plane. Where is Eliza?"
George said, "Eliza?"
Patrick asked, "Who is Eliza?"
Ingrid hissed, "You remember...THE DRESS..."
Jane spoke up, "Yes, Daddy. Eliza is their chauffeur's daughter. She was dancing with George at Kate's birthday party. She was trying to get her claws into George, but then switched over to Darcy..."
Darcy's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He swayed where he stood. He opened his mouth to speak, but was so angry he couldn't. He closed his mouth.
George very casually interjected, "I guess she decided that he was the one with the real money and power. Then earlier today I told her I wasn't really into Darcy's hand-me-downs anyway and gave her a kiss goodbye." He calmly looked at his watch, "She should be having her beverage service about now..."
Darcy gasped, "You said wha...ha...haa?" His face suffused an angry red.
George looked apologetically to Jane, "I realized that it was just a case of lustful thinking. Anyway, all she was out for was a romp with a millionaire...I'm sure she'll find someone out there willing to obli..." George's words were cut off as Darcy's fist made extremely firm contact with his jaw. Jane and Kate screamed. Mr. Collins barked furiously and danced on the table. Jane caught George so that he would not land on his posterior. George screamed triumphantly, "See!! I told you. He loves her!"
Darcy yelled, "What?!?"
Patrick asked, "Who?"
The others replied, "Eliza!" Mr. Collins barked.
George said to Darcy, "You love her! Admit it!"
Darcy gasped and looked around the room. Mr. Collins barked. Darcy stammered... "I...l...love... her?" Then he gasped as he thought of all he'd said to her earlier. He remembered the pain in her eyes, the way she'd looked at him and the horror of it all. It nearly overwhelmed him. He gasped in a pain-wracked voice, "I love her!" He closed his eyes, "Oh, dear God! I love her. Eliza..."
George continued, "I'm sorry I said those things. I just had to break through that thick skull of yours, Darcy. You love her. Go after her. Here. Take this." He handed a plane ticket to Darcy. "I switched you to the Concorde. It leaves in 45 minutes. If you run, you might even get there before her."
Darcy stared at the ticket in his hand. Slowly he said, "How can I? How could I dare to go to her? She must hate me...the things I said..."
Mr. Collins barked and everyone looked at him. Then Kate chuckled, "She'll get over it. We did." Darcy looked at her strangely. She laughed at him and then turned serious, "How could you dare not to go?"
Mrs. Reynolds held up a packed garment bag. She said, "One bag. Packed light. I put in the sweater you wore the other day..." Darcy took the bag in his other hand. He stared at Kate.
Then he looked at the others. Jane smiled through her happy tears and nodded encouragingly. Patrick and Ingrid looked confused. Mr. Collins wagged his tail and yipped, dancing about on the table. Kate smiled, patted his hand and said, "Go. Be happy. You've been and done everything I could have ever hoped for..."
George said, "But first you have to sign these papers putting me in charge. With you gone, I'll be needed here." Darcy looked hesitant. George said, "And sign this to give me a raise for all the responsibility I'm about to take on. I've always read all of your memos. I've kept up with things better than you know. I can do it. I've just never been needed before now."
Darcy whispered, "Because I was here..." George nodded.
Jane smiled encouragingly and nodded. She said, "Go on, Darcy. Go for it!" She laughed at his bewildered expression.
Kate said, "Please, Darcy. Go ahead and walk out the door. Find your heart."
George said, "Forget walking, Darcy. You don't have much time. Run!"
Darcy turned and ran out of the room.
George distributed reports efficiently to all of the others and began to brief Patrick on points he needed to respond to in regards to the merger. Kate gasped, "George? I didn't know you knew what was going on at Pemberley..."
George laughed, "You never asked, Kate."
All was silent in the car as Bennet drove Darcy to the airport. It was slow going and bad traffic. Darcy felt Bennet's eyes on him in the rear view mirror. Finally he said, "Go ahead. Say it."
In a tight, clipped tone Bennet said, "You don't deserve her...sir. If she were here, I would tell her that she would be out of her head to accept you." He stared into Darcy's eyes in the mirror.
Darcy's voice was thick with emotion as he said, "You're right. I don't deserve her at all. But I need her. I need to make it up to her...and I've never needed anything... I want to look after her, make her happy. I want to try to learn to deserve her. All I can think of is how much I want to tell her she was right about the things she brought out of me...things I didn't even know it was possible for me to feel. Even if she rejects me after that, I need for her to know...that she wasn't wrong." His eyes pleaded with Bennet.
Bennet put one hand against the pocket with Eliza's note. He thought again of her words. They finally reached their destination. As Darcy got out of the car, Bennet finally spoke, "13 Rue du Sport."
Darcy breathed a sigh of relief. He said, "Thank you. I'll do everything I can to make her happy."
Bennet said, "Yes, yes. Now get along with you."
Darcy ran all the way to the gate. He barely got there in time. The flight attendant welcomed him. "Is this your first time on Air France, Mr. Larabee?"
He replied breathlessly, "It's my first time for everything... and please call me Darcy. This is not a business trip." He managed to smile as he said this last.
The cab pulled up in front of 13 Rue du Sport. Inside the house, two poodles could be heard barking. The cab driver came around and opened the trunk as the passenger pulled out fare and a generous tip. The driver thanked Eliza and drove off. She turned to walk up the steps. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him standing across the little street.
She dropped her bag on the ground and stared at him, unsure of what to think. Darcy walked tentatively across the street, bag in hand. Eliza gasped, "But you said..." The tears came back.
He reached her and dropped his bag. He said, "You were right. The lie was to myself. I was the silly one. It took a while for me to figure things out... to come to life... to find my heart." She smiled tremulously as he continued, "Please, please forgive me? I tried so hard not to feel, not to love, not to see what was really happening... But I can't go on without you. I do love you. I need you so much..." His voice became choked as he pulled her to him, murmuring, "Please forgive me...please forgive me."
Eliza said, "But what about the business? What about Tyson?"
He smiled through his tears. "They don't need me. George is there now." He laughed slightly through his tears. He held up his hands, "No pager, no planner... and the phone is packed in my bag. I figured I might use the phone for personal stuff... but if you want me to throw it out..." He looked at her pleadingly, his heart in his eyes. "You said Paris was a place of romance and relaxed appreciation. It couldn't possibly be all of that without you..."
Eliza relaxed into Darcy's arms and cried happily. She ran her fingers up over his cheek and pulled his head down so that she could kiss him. She felt the beating of his heart and the trembling of his soul. He clung to her and they each savored the other. Darcy rained kisses down the sensitive skin of Eliza's neck, crying against her shoulder in relief, unwilling and unable to let her go. She sank her fingers into his short dark curls. He took her face between his hands and kissed her hungrily. He kissed her cheeks, her fine eyelids, her forehead and kissed her lips again and again. Between kisses he murmured, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Eliza whispered, "You've made me very happy, Darcy." She pulled him closer against her.
He kissed her again and said, "You've rescued me, Eliza."
Once upon a time there was a lonely man who lived in a beautiful palace and kept his heart locked up away from the world...while he ran the world. He did not know that he needed rescuing until he fell in love with a wonderful girl who had grown up above the palace garage. He gave her his heart. And from then on he only knew that he wanted to see her smiling face first thing every morning when he woke up, last thing each night before he went to sleep, and as the main feature of all his dreams.
The man and the girl stayed in Paris where they wrote down their thoughts, listened to the river talk, and found themselves very happy. They lived happily ever after.
The End.