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Posted on Friday, 11 June 1999
Elizabeth Bennet stared at the man singing in front of her with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. His voice was incredible. She couldn't believe she was singing her favorite part (Susanna) in her favorite opera ( The Marriage of Figaro ) across from her once favorite baritone, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Too bad he was a complete and utter bastard. She wished he didn't sing so wonderfully, then she wouldn't have to respect him at all.
On her first day of rehersal Elizabeth had walked in on Darcy complaining to the director (the director, for heaven's sake!) about her lack of experience. He hadn't even given her a chance. Elizabeth, who didn't take any kind of critism well, not to mention undeserved critism, was livid. As Darcy finished "Se vuol ballare" Elizabeth wondered at the fact that God would give such an amazing voice to such a toad.
Fitzwilliam Darcy couldn't help but notice Elizabeth staring at him. Against his will he felt a thrill of what could best be called excitement. Elizabeth Bennet did strange things to him. He remembered his apprehension about her in the beginning. How could a twenty-one year-old girl carry such a large part as Susanna, he had wondered. He had even talked to Charles about it, afraid his plans for a young, fresh cast had deluded his senses. But Elizabeth had proved herself to him by the fifth note she had sung. A beautiful voice, a beautiful woman... Darcy shook his head to clear it. Elizabeth had shown no interest in him. Which made him want her even more.
After practice George Wickham smiled suavely into the large, slightly frightened eyes of Georgiana Darcy. The young sister of Fitzwilliam Darcy was barely sixteen, yet she was playing the part of Cherubino. It all fit in with Charles Bingley's idea of displaying the talents of opera's future.
"I can't express my delight in being in this production with you," George was saying softly. "Your presence seems to brighten the whole stage. I'm only surprised that they expect you to play the part of a male. You are entirely too feminine for that."
Georgiana blushed deeply, but was saved from replying by her brother calling, "Georgiana, are you ready to go?" He did not trust their Comte de Almaviva. In Darcy's opinion Wickham's personality was far to similar to the philandering count's.
Georgianna smiled and grabbed her brother's hand cheerfully, relieved she had been rescued from George's intense gaze. "I'm ready. You know Will, you did wonderfully today. So did Lizzy. You two sound perfect together."
"Hmmm. Well, Elizabeth always sounds wonderful, and I, well I had a good day."
Georgiana pummled her brother's arm. "False modesty is not attractive, my dear brother," she laughed.
"Neither is being a smart-aleck, my dear sister," Darcy laughed back and playfully shoved her out the door.
Elizabeth watched the giggling siblings leave, unable to understand how such a stick like Darcy and such a sweet girl like Georgiana got along so well. She grudgingly allowed Darcy to have another redeeming quality, he was a good brother.
Her thoughts on the Darcys were interrupted by an arm sliding around her waist. She looked over her shoulder to see George Wickham.
"Hey, hot-stuff," he whispered seductively.
Elizabeth snorted and leapt out of his embrace, "To hot for you, at least." She felt the plesant glow she usually did when George was around. Elizabeth wasn't the type to fall in love. She was far too cynical, but she had a feeling that she might be in danger of falling in love with George.
"Hey George, Charlotte, Lydia, and I are meeting my sister Jane for lunch. Do you want to come?" she asked.
George tried to keep a grimace from coming over his face. As much as he would like to continue flirting with Lizzy, Charlotte Lucas could ruin the best company. It was bad enough that he had to play her husband. He was not spending his spare time with her. "No, it sounds like fun, but I've got some errands I need to take care of," he said and waved goodbye.
Bill Collins watched his rival leave, then approached his pray. "My dear Elizabeth, would you honor me with your presence at lunch?" he oozed.
Elizabeth gulped with distaste, "Um sorry Bill, the girls and I have something planned-"
"I wouldn't mind going with a group."
"No boys allowed, sorry," Elizabeth laughed and grabbed Charlotte and Lydia's arms and pulled them out the door.
"Bye Bill," Charlotte called over her shoulder.
"Ugh," Lydia gagged as they walked across the street to their favorite bakery/deli/coffee shop, "How can you talk to him? He's so disgusting."
"He's not that bad," Charlotte answered.
Elizabeth and her youngest step-sister looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"Why do you tolorate him, Charl?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, for one he's our colleague and deserves our respect-"
"And two she's got the hots for him," Lydia finished. "Ooh, Lizzy, look there's Kitty! So mind if I go do something with her?"
"Of course not, Lyddie. Have fun," she said waving at her other step-sister.
Elizabeth's mother had died shortly after her sister Mary was born. Her father, a composer, had remarried five years later to an opera siger named Frances Gardiner with two daughters from a previous marriage. Although Frances was not the stereo-typical evil step-mother type, she and Elizabeth had never been close. Frances had always preferred her older sister Jane, but she had introduced Lizzy (and Lydia) to opera, something Elizabeth would be eternally grateful for.
Elizabeth and Charlotte grabbed a table in the back of the restaurant and chatted until Jane walked in. When she did most of the people in the restaurant stared. Jane was beautiful. She had waist-length blonde hair, huge blue eyes, and a willowy figure. She could have graced any runway in Milan, but choose instead to follow the family trend of classical music. She was a flautist, and would be playing in the orchestra for The Marriage of Figaro . She was also dating Charles Bingley.
"Hey girls!" she said cheerfully, "How's the show going? Are you going to be ready for us next week?"
"Lizzy and I are in any case," Charlotte, who played the Comtesse, answered. "I think Georgiana Darcy could use a little help."
"She's just shy," Elizabeth defended. "Bill Collins could use a little help with his Antonio I think."
Now it was Charlotte's turn to be defensive, "Bill's doing just fine. He just has his own style..."
"Some people shouldn't be allowed to have their own styles."
Jane sesing the tension between the two friends interrupted, "How's Lydia doing?"
'She's Barbarina, the slut. The part was made for her," Lizzy answered.
"Lizzy that's not nice!" Jane admonished.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I've just spent way to much time with her lately. As Frances would say, my poor nerves!"
To avoid anymore offence to family and friends the girls changed the subject.
After Charlotte left Elizabeth and Jane walked to the apartment they shared, which was conveniently close to Netherfield Opera Theatre. "Talk to Charlie today?" Elizabeth teased?
"Actually I did. He wants me to come over to his place tonight for dinner."
"That's nice."
"Charles also wants you to come," Jane added.
"That's nice, too."
"His sisters will be there."
"That's not so nice."
"And Fitzwilliam Darcy," Jane said tenetively.
"That's awful," Lizzy groaned. "You want me to spend my spare time with Will Darcy? Oh Jane-"
"Lizzy, come on. It'll be fun," Jane wheedled.
"As much fun as a root canal," Elizabeth muttered.
Jane looked at her pleadingly.
"Oh fine. But I'll regret this!"
Posted on Saturday, 12 June 1999
Elizabeth had one form of amusement during the evening; Caroline Bingley's shameless pursuit of Darcy. Just as Caroline's character, Marcellina relentlessly tracked Figaro, Caroline tracked Darcy.
Caroline, seeing Darcy pull some papers out of his coat pocket after dinner, immediately peered over his shoulder as he was reading.
"What are you doing, Will?" she asked, sickly sweet.
"I'm proof-reading a paper of Georgiana's," he answered shortly.
"Oh, dear Georgiana! Too bad she couldn't come tonight. Do you ever let her out of the house?"
"If Georgiana is to keep up with her studies then she had to use her free time for schoolwork. She knew the impact this would have on her social life," Will said gruffly.
"Oh yes, of course," Caroline agreed. "Tell me, does Georgiana have Mrs. Younge? She was one of my favorites."
Charles called from the other side of the room, "Caroline, you were in high school ages ago. Georgiana isn't going to have the same teachers."
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing as Caroline turned bright red. She grabbed a book just in case she needed something to hide her face in. She noted with pleasure that it was Les Miserables , one of her favorites.
Caroline chose another victim. "Eliza, reading Les Miz?" she said irritatingly.
"Mmm-hmm," Elizabeth answered thinking about how much she hated it when people said "Les Miz".
"Well, I read Les Miz in high school-"
'And I first read it in eighth-grade,' Elizabeth thought.
"-those are the advantages of a private-school education."
"Mmmm," Elizabeth muttered through gritted teeth.
"We also read A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlet Pimpernel . So many books about the French Revolution. I love a good book about the French Revolution."
"Caroline, Les Miserables isn't about the French Revolution," Elizabeth contradicted.
"Of course it is. I'm quite sure. Jean Valjean led troops against the monarchy. It's all coming back to me," Caroline said.
"No it's not," Elizabeth replied, not knowing why she was hanging onto it so childishly.
"Will," Caroline whined, "Tell Miss Eliza that Les Miz is about the French Revolution."
Darcy looked up from Georgiana's paper, "The fighting that takes place in Les Miserables is not the French Revolution. It's the student insurrection of 1832."
Caroline clamped her mouth shut angrily. Elizabeth could not help but say, "It's okay Caroline. You probably just got the off-brand of Cliff Notes."
Darcy smirked openly. Caroline ran to her sister.
The rest of the evening went similarly. Caroline would try to insult Elizabeth, Elizabeth would insult Caroline worse, and Darcy would try unsuccessfully to hide his amusement. Jane would have tried to make her sister nicer, but she was too busy making eyes at Charles all night.
After the Bennet sisters had left Caroline lost no time in making fun of Elizabeth. "Finally they are gone. Jane," she said with a quick look to her brother, "is a sweet girl, but Elizabeth! She has no manners at all. From the look on your face, Will, I can see you agree."
Darcy, pulled out of his reverie started, "Huh?"
"I was saying how you looked like the company tonight disagreed with you."
"Oh no, I was thinking of nice things. I was thinking of the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can give," he explained.
"And whose 'fine eyes' could you be thinking of?" Caroline asked fluttering her own rather muddy green ones.
"Elizabeth Bennet's," he said without thinking.
"Elizabeth Bennet," Caroline said slowly with shock, then recovered. "Well congratulations! Where are you registered?"
Darcy looked at her witheringly, "I said I liked her eyes, not that I wanted to marry her."
"I always knew you were a smart man," Caroline replied, relieved.
But Darcy had a hard time sleeping that night. Saying that he didn't want to marry Elizabeth had made him realize that he did.
Elizabeth was having a bad day. It all started when Bill Collins approached her before practice and asked her out on a date. She, of course, had refused.
"Um, sorry Bill, I just don't think we're very compatible," she said, trying no to gag.
Bill just chuckled, "If I were a stranger to the ways of women I might be disappointed, but I know that any desirable woman must refuse a man the first time he asks her out."
Elizabeth's eyes widened, "No, seriously Bill, I don't want to go out with you."
"That's what they all say."
'I'll bet they do,' Elizabeth thought. Out loud she said, "I don't play mind games. When I say no, I mean no."
"I'm sure you do. Which do you prefer, Chinese or Italian?"
Elizabeth had had enough. "I don't like you!" she screamed and stomped off.
As if that weren't bad enough, Charles kept telling her she had chemistry problems. During the very first scene he had shouted, "Stop, stop! Susanna you want to marry Figaro. Show some emotion, make some chemistry. To Darcy he said, "Doing great, keep it up." In the scene where Susanna lies and tells the Count she will sleep with him he yelled, "So now you have chemistry. Lizzy, you're going to make the audience think you actually want to sleep with this man."
Elizabeth saw Darcy grimace at that. She figured he was lamenting the sorry shape of her acting skills.
She was looking forward to seeing a movie with Jane and Charlotte to unwind. "Charl, want to see a movie with Jane and me tonight?" she asked.
"Sorry Lizzy, I have plans."
"Oooh, Charlotte had plans! With who, is he cute?" Lizzy teased.
"Oh, he's just some guy," Charlotte replied uneasily.
Just then Bill Collins called, "Hey Charlotte, pick you up at eight?"
"Yeah, that'd be great," Charlotte answered weakly watching the expressions change on Lizzy's face. There was shock, disgust, and disappointment.
"Charlotte, what are you doing?" she asked when she finally recovered.
"I'm not romantic Lizzy, I never was. If Bill's going to keep me from spending another Friday night home alone he's fine with me."
"You wouldn't be home, you'd be out with Jane and me!" Lizzy cried.
Charlotte smiled grimly, "Remember when we used to joke about not being the types to fall in love? You, because you're holding out for Prince Charming. Well, Lizzy, I don't believe he exists. Not for me anyway. I want a family, a house in the suburbs, a white picket fence. I don't need to be in love to have those things."
"Oh, so now you're going to marry him!? Charlotte, he picks his teeth with his keys," Elizabeth shot back. Charlotte held her gaze for a second then looked down. Lizzy continued, "Just because you don't think you'll find your Prince Charming doesn't mean you have to settle for the toads. And believe me this one won't turn into a prince when you kiss him."
"I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one," Charlotte said softly and turned around to go.
Lizzy grabbed her shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Charlotte. It's none of my business. If Bill makes you happy, then go for it." But she felt like she and Charlotte had lost something that they could never get back
Posted on Friday, 18 June 1999
Darcy looked darkly at George Wickham. He was talking to Georgiana again. He had his hand on her wrist. 'For God's sake,' he thought, 'He's twelve years older than her!'
Darcy walked over threateningly and gave George an evil look. Then he turned to Georgiana, "We'd better be getting home."
Georgiana gave George a smile Darcy did not like at all and said, "Bye, George!"
George smiled back smoothly, "Au revoir."
The Darcy's sat in brooding silence on the way home. It was only when they were in the driveway that Georgiana, looking down somewhat dreamily, on the hand George had held realized her watch was missing.
George Wickham had been born with two great talents and one great passion. His talents were his voice (which he thought very little of) and his ability to charm women. His great passion was to be filthy rich. He had come up with a plan to get this desire, using his greatest gift.
He had long since noticed the way Georgiana Darcy looked at him, a sort of wistful admiring stare. George was used to being stared at, but not by multi-millionaires. He had it all figured out. His flirtations with Georgiana would turn into something more, he'd knock her up, and then Darcy would pay him to keep quiet and get out of their lives. To him it seemd a perfect plan.
He'd heard Darcy making plans with the Bingley's for the evening. Georgiana had to stay home to do homework. It was a perfect opportunity. He had just needed an excuse to stop by the Darcy mansion. Reaching into his pocket, George pulled out a delicate ladies watch. He had one other talent; he was a darn good pick-pocket.
Georgiana was in the middle of Pre-Calculus homework when Reynolds, the butler, told her she had a visitor.
"Who cares what theta equals when P is 6," she muttered and looked up at the butler. "Yes Reynolds?"
"Miss Georgiana, there's a man here to see you. A Mr. Wickham. Should I send him in?" he asked.
"George? What on earth is George doing here...Yes bring him in, please," Georgiana responded quickly, blushing.
As soon as Reynold's left Georgiana frantically, ran a hand through her tousled hair and tried to smooth the wrinkles out of her T-shirt.
"Georgiana!" George's voice boomed behind her and she spun around. "You're a sight for sore eyes!"
"Are your eyes sore?" she asked stupidly.
George just smiled and asked, "May I sit down?"
"Oh yes, please! Why are you here- not that you're not welcome," she added hastily.
George sat down on the couch so close to Georgiana that he could feel the heat radiating from her face. He opened his palm and dangled the watch in front of her eyes, "I thought you might want this."
"I was looking for that! I would have hated to lose it," Georgiana cried.
"It's a nice watch," George responded blandly. He took her wrist and slid the watch on. Once it was clasped he didn't take his hand away. Instead, he ran it up her arm until he was grasping her shoulder. Very slowly, almost gently he lowered his lips towards hers.
Darcy had come home early that night, saying he had a headache. Caroline, of course, had offered various cures and treatments, including a full-body massage. All he could think about was a certain young lady with sparkling brown eyes, dark curly hair, and the voice of an angel.
He would have happily stayed in the garage, daydreaming, if Reynold's hadn't come out and interuppted him.
"Sir," the butler started.
"Hmmm? Oh, Reynolds, what is it?"
"I'm sorry to disdurb you, Mr. Darcy, but Miss Georgiana has a guest that I thought you should know about..."
"Who?" Darcy asked impatiently.
"A Mr. Wickham, sir," Reynold's said.
A sense of foreboding gnawed at Darcy's stomach. He cursed softly. "Where are they?"
"In the music room, I believe."
Darcy stormed off to the music room. He opened the door to see George Wickham passionately kissing his sister.
All Darcy saw then, was red.
Posted on Tuesday, 29 June 1999
Elizabeth was being fitted for her costume in a room across from Charles' "office" so she saw Darcy come down to talk to the director. With some interest she noticed that the skin around his knuckles was cracked and scabbed. She felt sorry for the poor schmuck who had pissed him off. She was surprised that he showed no other injury besides the bruised fist. He must be tougher than she had originally thought.
Darcy was with Charles for about ten minutes before they both came out. Two minutes later Charles walked down with George. George had two black eyes and a broken nose. Elizabeth clapped her hands over her mouth causing the dressmaker to snap at her. Darcy had beat up knuckles, George had a beat up face... George was the poor schmuck! Elizabeth felt a burning sense of rage begin in her toes, working upwards. The dressmaker finished with her five minutes later, just as Charles and George walked out.
"Practice starts in fifteen minutes, Lizzy," Charles reminded as he walked past.
Lizzy rushed to George's side and gently touched his face, "Did Will do this to you?"
"Yeah, it's pretty humiliating getting your butt kicked by a pretty-boy opera singer. And to top it all off I just got sacked."
"Sacked? You mean you're..."
"Fired. Let go. Canned. My sevices are no longer needed," George said bitterly.
"But Will's the one who should get fired. I mean... Why did he do this to you?" Lizzy cried.
"Would you believe it's because he's jealous? He was afraid I'd steal some of his limelight. I don't blame Charles. I know how much Darcy controls him."
Lizzy could still barely believe it. "What are you going to do?"
"Head out of town. Wait for the 'wrath of Darcy' to blow over."
"So you're leaving," Elizabeth said, not trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
"Yeah, I guess this is good-bye," George said softly.
He kissed her then. Lizzy had expected that. She'd been daydreaming about it for months. But for some reason all the fireworks that she had envisioned didn't go off. There was no heat, nothing fusing then together as the roamance novels she ashamedly read had promised. It was simply flesh meeting flesh. She was disappointed, but for some reason not surprised.
Elizabeth pulled out of his embrace and patted him on the back in a friendly way. "Keep in touch. And don't worry, Will Darcy is an arrogant s.o.b. You won't have trouble finding a gig anywhere else," she said.
"Mmm-hmm. Lizzy, you've been great. I'll miss you." With that George walked away, never looking back.
Elizabeth let out a myriad of emotion during that rehersal, especially in a duet with Charlotte that was one of her favorites. Darcy, afterwards, prasied her saying, "That was incredible!"
"Bite me," Elizabeth hissed as she brushed past him.
Darcy had to accept that marriage wasn't in the immediate future.
Posted on Sunday, 4 July 1999
Elizabeth didn't want to like George's replacement, Richard Fitzwilliam, but she couldn't help herself. Despite the fact that Rich was Darcy's cousin he was one of the nicest men she had ever met. Some of their conversations, though, were greatly confusing.
"Elizabeth," he asked, "Why don't you like my cousin?"
"Oh, I like Georgiana very much," Elizabeth evaded.
"You know that's not what I meant. Why don't you like Will?"
"Why don't I like Will, hmmmm.... Do you have a couple hours?"
Richard glared at her.
"Okay, okay. We got off to a bad start, and Will has something called "implacable resentment" and I believe in first impressions. It doesn't help that Will never speaks to anybody besides his sister and Charles. He is so unbearably arrogant," Lizzy said.
"Would you believe he's shy?"
Elizabeth snorted, "Him? The incomparable Fitzwilliam Darcy shy? I don't think so. We just weren't destined to be the best of friends."
Rich shook his head, "It's all so very odd. Before I got here I would have thought you and Will were soulmates the way he talked about you."
"What did he talk about? How off key I am? How I'm too young to handle a major role? Please!"
"Actually," Rich said leaning into her, in a pseudo-romantic voice, "He talks about your "angelic voice", that curly hair of yours, your intelligence, and your "fine eyes". I think he's in love with you, which is why I haven't put my heart on the line for you."
"You're full of it!" Lizzy shrieked and shoved him. "Will doesn't love me, he hates me. And the reason you haven't "put your heart on the line for me" is because of that horde of females that seems to follow you everywhere."
"What can I say? I have loyal fans."
Darcy couldn't help but notice that Elizabeth was behaving even colder that usual to him. He knew this had something to do with George Wickham. He had no idea what the jerk had told her, but he needed to fix it. He knew where she ate lunch everyday (Was that obsessive? He didn't know.) and worked his nerve up to "bump into" her.
He found her in the little cafe sitting by herself munching on a turkey sandwich. He got himself a bowl of soup and set it down at her table.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked.
Elizabeth glanced at him briefly and looked back down at the book she was reading. "Last time I checked it was a free country."
Darcy was encouraged by this, sat down and gently lifted her book up to see the title. "Oh, A Ring of Endless Light . Isn't that a children's' book?" At Elizabeth's glare he thought, 'Wrong thing to say. Bad Darcy. Bad Darcy.'
After a few minutes of silence he said desperately, "How 'bout them Mets?"
"I'm a Cardinals fan."
"Oh yeah, Cardinals, they have that, um, Mike Maguire."
Lizzy shook her head, "It's Mark Maguire."
"Yes, I knew that."
Another couple of minutes went by. Elizabeth was hypnotizing him. Her eyes running across the pages of her book. Her short, slender fingers tapping the table, even the way she chewed her sandwich was entrancing.
"Elizabeth," he began, meaning to ask her to pass the salt.
"What?"
"Elizabeth, will you marry me?"
Darcy's surprise almost mirrored Lizzy's. Since when did, "Elizabeth, will you pass the salt." come out "Elizabeth, will you marry me?"? That darn subconscious of his was taking over again.
Elizabeth blinked rapidly and swallowed her mouthful of potato chips. She stood up abruptly. "I can't believe you just asked me that!"
'Neither can I!' Darcy thought.
"Ever since we began working together you've shown yourself to be arrogant and selfish, the very first day of practice I heard you complaining to Charles about my inexperience. But that is understandable, I suppose. All great artists are that way, and I can't deny that you are very talented. That, however, is not why I'm so disgusted by this proposal. How could I even be friends with the person who treated George Wickham in that horrible way?!"
"Oh, how have I treated him?" Darcy returned.
"Like you don't know! First you beat the crap out of him, then you get him fired! And for what? Your ego! You were too afraid that George would steal attention from the critics and the fans. You're sick!"
"So that's what he told you. And you believed it? I thought you were smarter than that."
By this time they were both standing and shouting. The other customers were staring at them out of morbid curiosity.
"If anyone's intelligence is in question it's yours!" Elizabeth yelled. "We've never had a real conversation and you're asking me to marry you!"
"That's quite enough," Darcy cut her off. "Forget this whole thing. I just hope it doesn't interfere with our performance." He stalked out.
Elizabeth sank into her chair and burst into tears. In the back of her mind she wondered why she was so upset. It was just Will Darcy after all...
Will hurried out of the restaurant in a state of shock. Shocked that he had actually asked Elizabeth to marry him and shock because she had refused him so vehemently. He couldn't believe that she had accepted that ridiculous story of George Wickham's. He felt like doubling over as if there was an actual knife in his heart. She wasn't Susanna, she was Turandot.
Posted on Friday, 9 July 1999
Jane Bennet was more than surprised when a disheveled Will Darcy approached after orchestra practice.
"Oh, Will," she said brightly, "What are you doing here? I thought the singers were done two hours ago."
Will didn't act as if he had heard her. He shoved an envelope in her hand. "Give this to Elizabeth," he said gruffly and walked off leaving Jane with an open mouth and a dozen questions.
Elizabeth didn't help to clear Jane's confusion. When Jane gave her the envelope Lizzy grabbed it and ran to her room.
Jane knocked, "I suppose it would be nosey to ask what's going on between you and Will Darcy..."
There was no answer.
"Yeah. Well Lizzy, I guess I'll be going. I have to meet Charles..."
Still no response.
"We're catching a plane to Vegas and getting married."
Nothing.
"Okay. Bye then," Jane gave up and left.
In her room Elizabeth opened the envelope with trembling fingers. She removed a letter and read:
Elizabeth,This letter does not repeat the offer I made this afternoon which you found so disgusting, so read on without fear. I feel that I should be allowed to defend and explain myself from the accusations you made.
First of all, I am sorry you overheard my conversation with Charles on the first day of practice, but I don't believe I was being unreasonable. The role of Susanna is one which requires not only talent, but a great presence of mind, as whoever plays Susanna carries the show. Charles has made faulty casting decisions before, so I felt that it was in the best interest of everyone for me to inquire after your qualifications. It turns out, though, that I had no need for worry. You can more than handle your part, and I am honored to work with you.
The second thing you accused me of, cruelty to George Wickham, is much more serious. Yes, I admit that I had George released, and yes, I gave him a black eye, but the reason wasn't jealousy. That is ridiculous. From the beginning of rehearsal I distrusted and disapproved of his relationship with Georgiana. This did not prepare me for the shock I received when I arrived home one night last week and found him seducing my sister. Realize, Georgiana is twelve years younger than he. I induced George to tell me what he was doing and he admitted to be carrying out a disgusting plan to impregnate my sister and blackmail my family. That's when I broke his nose. Obviously it wasn't safe for Georgiana to work with George and it wasn't safe for George to work with me. Charles agreed that the only solution was to get George out of the production, preferably out of town.
I'm sorry for and distress I've put you under. I hope we may maintain a professional relationship.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth's head reeled. George, her George, and Georgiana Darcy... It was horrible, unbelievable, and yet she had to believe it. The one good quality she had attributed to Darcy was that of a good brother. He would not make up a story like that for any reason. And Georgiana's own behavior lately confirmed it. It must be true. She had been wrong about both of them. She was shocked, she was not used to being wrong. To top it all off she had been absolutely horrid to Will and he had not deserved it. Elizabeth felt that the only thing to do was curl up in a ball and cry herself to sleep.
Posted on Tuesday, 17 August 1999
Elizabeth woke up before six o'clock on Saturday morning wondering if it was too early to lose herself in a pint of ice cream. She decided it was never too early for ice cream and dug in. She was grateful that Charles had let them have a rehearsal-free weekend. Since they were opening in a week it would be a long time before she would have another weekend to herself. She slipped "Guys and Dolls" into the VCR and let Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra try to sing and dance her into a better mood.
Jane woke up at eight and once again tried to get Lizzy to tell her what was wrong.
"Oh not much, Janie. Will Darcy and I just had an interesting conversation yesterday, that's all."
"It must have been very interesting," Jane said pointedly looking at the now empty pint of ice cream.
"Jane, Will told me something awful about George Wickham. He said that George tried to seduce Georgiana, wanting to get her pregnant and then blackmail her. Luckily, Will walked in on them and stopped it. I have to believe him. You've seen how Will treats his sister. He would never make up anything that would hurt her."
Jane considered this. "Yes, Lizzy, you're right. Will would never make up lies about his sister. But I can't believe we were so wrong about George. Maybe there's been some mistake-" she said finally.
"Yes, maybe it was George's evil twin," Elizabeth responded sarcastically. "No Jane. Even you can't make them both good. Will's the only hero in this story-" she broke off as a new thought entered her head. "Do you think we should tell anybody else about this?"
Jane chewed her lip. "No. It wouldn't do any good since George is already gone, and it would embarrass Georgiana terribly."
That's exactly what I think."
While Lizzy watched "A Fish Called Wanda" and part of "The Princess Bride" Jane practiced her flute and got ready for a date with Charles Bingley.
"Got a hot date?" Elizabeth asked as Jane came out of the bathroom looking perhaps more beautiful than usual.
Looking at a still pajama-clad Lizzy she said, "Only if you're okay with it. I know how much you liked George and how awful you must be feeling."
Elizabeth smiled a huge fake grin and said, "I'm fine, really. I think I see Charlie's car pulling up. Go."
"Okay, Charles and I are going to see a movie and then go to Wi-, I mean, a friend's house for supper. You're sure you're fine?"
"Yeah, I've got plans too."
"Really?" Jane asked.
"Yep, I need a couple more naps and there are still two more pints of ice cream in the freezer. Now get out of here!" Jane gave Lizzy one more worried glance and then left.
Thirty minutes later Elizabeth decided that she had to do something to keep herself from eating another pint of ice cream. She quickly showered and dressed, pulling on some old comfy clothes. She decided to go for a drive. Driving through the country relaxed her, and the drive through the city to get to the country would give her the chance to yell all the obscenities she wanted to hurl at George Wickham. Tapping her fingers on the steering wheel in synch with Billy Joel's "My Life" Elizabeth turned onto a gravel lane she and her father had once discovered when she was younger. On both sides of the road were rows of thick, leafy trees. In the winter when the trees were bare it was possible to see a huge house in the distance. When she was a kid Elizabeth used to pretend that she was a princess and the mansion was her castle. Feeling a wave of nostalgia, Elizabeth pulled her car onto the side of the road and got out to see if she could find a place along side the road thin enough to see the "castle". There wasn't but she figured if she walked a few steps more into the woods she would be able to see it. One think led to another and before she knew it she was on an old well-beaten path heading in the direction of the house. Her eyes were on the ground looking at flowers when they suddenly ran across a pair of sandaled feet. Elizabeth's eyes traveled up a man's body as the man's eyes looked down. Brown eyes met brown eyes.
"Elizabeth!" "Will!" They exclaimed simultaneously.
"What are you doing here? And why are you all wet?" Elizabeth asked, staring at Will Darcy's dripping, bare chest.
"I live here and I just got out of the pool. Um, what are you doing here?" he answered.
Lizzy was mortified, but once she tore her eyes away from his chest she could see his smile. He wasn't angry, just surprised.
"You live here? I mean, I've always loved this- I mean I was just driving around. I got out of the car, obvious- You live here?" Elizabeth babbled.
"Yes I live here," he replied patiently, Would you like to see the house?"
Elizabeth couldn't decide if he was just being polite or if he really wanted her to come. "Yes?" she said uncertainly.
"Good!"
They walked along in silence until Lizzy said, "Will, please, we need to talk."
He stopped walking and looked at her.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, she hated apologizing. "Will, I'm really sorry for the way I treated you the other day. You didn't deserve it-"
"So you believe me about Wickham?" Will broke in.
"Yes, at first I believed you because I knew you wouldn't make up lies about Georgiana, but then I realized that you wouldn't lie at all. From the day we met when I overheard your conversation with Charles I've misjudged you. I guess that I was so worried about pulling off Susanna, myself, that I got I got over-defensive. You're not arrogant, or at least no more than you deserve to be, and you're not selfish at all. I should never have said those things to you. I'm sorry."
"Oh, I deserved everything you said except the stuff about Wickham," Darcy replied. Elizabeth looked up in surprise. "Elizabeth, you are an incredible woman and you shouldn't be proposed to in the middle of a noisy cafe. And although I didn't mean to propose to you right then, I did plan to, and expected you to accept me. I didn't think you stood any chance against my many charms," here he laughed ruefully. "You let me know that I didn't know how to treat a woman who deserves to be treated well."
Elizabeth didn't know what she was feeling. Was she falling in love with Will? Certainly she didn't hate him anymore. She respected him, and cared about his feelings. Was that it? She smiled at him, "You know Will, I think we just had our first 'real conversation'."
"Yeah, we should celebrate. In fact, I'm having people over tonight. The Bingleys, actually. I think Charles is bringing Jane. I'd love it if you stayed."
Elizabeth was torn. She wanted to spend time with this "new", friendly Will Darcy, but on the other hand she wanted to sort her feelings out. And then Caroline would be there.
Will, sensing her indecision added, "I'm barbecuing. This may be your only chance to see me in an apron."
"Throw in a chef's hat and you've got a deal," Elizabeth giggled.
"Done. Let's shake on it." They shook hands matter-of-factly.
"When are we going to reach the house?" Elizabeth teased. "Before dark, do you think?"
"Be patient," Darcy replied. "Here." They stopped at the top of a small hill. There were now more trees blocking Elizabeth's view anymore. She gasped in delight. "It's beautiful," she sighed.
"Come on, it's not much further."
Elizabeth followed Will down the hill with the strange feeling that she was finally coming home.
Posted on Friday, 20 August 1999
Standing in the impressive foyer of Pemberley, Elizabeth was acutely aware that she was not dressed well enough for one of Frances' Gardiner family reunions, let alone dinner with the Darcy's. Looking down at her wrinkled T-shirt and ratty shorts she said, "You know Will, maybe this isn't such a good idea. I know I look awful-"
"Nonsense!" Will cried gallantly, "You don't look awful, you look, um, comfortable. If you want to wear some different clothes you can borrow some from Georgiana. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"What won't I mind?" asked Georgiana's soft voice from behind them. "Hello, Elizabeth. It's wonderful to see you."
"Georgie, Elizabeth is going to be joining us for dinner and would feel comfortable in something a little less casual. Do you think-"
"Of course," Georgiana smiled. "Follow me Lizzy."
Darcy watched the two girls go up the stairs with an unaccustomed warmth. How exactly did he feel about Elizabeth Bennet now? When she turned him down he had felt awful. He had tried to convince himself that he was just feeling the indignation of a refusal. He tried to tell himself that he never was in love with her, that all he felt had been a passing fancy, and, boy was he lucky that she had said no, or else he would have been trapped for the rest of his life. Yeah, boy was he lucky. It didn't take long for him to realize that this "passing fancy" of his wasn't passing very quickly. Somehow her refusal had made him want her even more. The worse part was that she had been right, except for the part about Wickham, and it was true that he didn't deserve her. For the first time in his life he acknowledged the fact that he was unworthy of something or someone. And now, he had to make himself worthy for his own sake, at least.
He heard laughter and shouting coming from Georgiana's room. He bounded up the stairs and knocked on her door. "Everything alright in there?" he asked.
"No!" he heard Elizabeth groan at the same time Georgiana called, "Everything's fine."
The door opened and Georgiana came out pulling Lizzy behind her. Will's eyes widened when he saw her outfit. Elizabeth was wearing a short red skirt and a black, mid-riff baring tube top. His mind was pulled in two different directions. First of all, he wondered where and when had Georgiana had bought that get-up, and secondly, he was amused by the way Elizabeth's bared stomach was turning as red as her face.
"What do you think?" Georgiana asked slyly.
"It's just a joke," Elizabeth said quickly. "I'm not even sure I'm wearing this right. I'm taking Georgiana's word for it that this is the skirt," she said tugging on the piece of stretchy material that could have easily switched places with the top.
"Well, um, it's quite...fetching, but we have too many mosquitoes outside, I'd hate to see your, um, stomach bit up."
"We know, we know," Georgiana said. "Lizzy, go put on your real outfit. You'll look so pretty that the bugs won't dare bite you!"
Elizabeth smiled and went back into Georgiana's room to change. When the door closed Georgiana squeezed her brother's arm. "Oh Will! This is so much fun, like having a sister!" she squealed.
"Well, I'm glad that you're having a good time, but where on earth did you ever get that outfit?" Will asked.
"Blame Lydia. I went shopping with her once. I was trying to be polite," Georgiana said making a face.
"That explains so much."
Elizabeth's voice came from the room, "Georgiana, did you want to do my hair?"
Georgiana grinned and poked Will playfully. "I get to do her hair!" She darted into her room leaving her smiling brother behind.
When Elizabeth came downstairs it was like something out of a movie. She was wearing a white sundress that flowed down to her mid-calves. Her hair was swept up with a few curls around her face. On Pemberley's wide, marble stairs she looked like a princess. For a few moments she and Will looked at each other intently. Then Elizabeth shook her head, as if to clear it, and said lightly, "Love the apron."
Will colored slightly (what? was he blushing?!). His apron was neon yellow with 'Kiss the Cook' stamped in green across the middle. "Oh, uh, thanks. You don't have to."
"I don't have to what?" Elizabeth asked.
"Er, kiss the cook."
Elizabeth didn't know how to respond to that so she said, "And where's the promised chef's hat?"
"Chef's hat? Oh gee, I'm sorry. I forgot that I don't have a chef's hat when we made that deal, but now that you're all dressed up you might as well stay..."
"Liar," Georgiana said. Both Will and Lizzy jumped, they had forgotten she was in the room. "Just a second Liz, I know exactly where it's at." She darted off.
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't lie to your guests," Elizabeth teased.
"You shouldn't humiliate your host," Will returned.
Georgiana came back with the fluffy hat. She tossed it to Lizzy, then grabbed her brother's hands and held them behind her back while Elizabeth attempted to shove the hat on his head. Will, however was to strong and got away. He grabbed the hat and tried to place it on Lizzy's head.
"Watch the hair!" both Elizabeth and Georgiana screeched as the bottom of the hat was pulled down to her eyebrows.
It was then that they heard a cool voice say, "My, my Eliza, I must say I love the hat. It matches your dress exactly."
The trio turned around to see the Bingleys and Jane watching them. Jane and Charles were laughing, but Caroline was disgusted.
"Oh hello, Caroline. Thanks," Elizabeth replied sweetly, "But it's not mine." She removed it and gave it to Will who put it on with a sigh.
"So Jane, this is the 'friend's house' you were going to," Lizzy said.
"Mmm-hmm. What are you doing here?"
"I don't really know. I just sort of showed up."
"Like a rodent," Caroline muttered.
"Well, you know what they say, 'the more the merrier'. I'm delighted to see you, Lizzy" Charles smiled.
Will turned out to be quite a proficient with the grill and the meal was leisurely with plenty of conversation.
"So Eliza, that is a very pretty dress. Was there a sale at Sears?" Caroline tittered.
Elizabeth's mouth was full of cheesecake so she couldn't reply, but Georgiana said, "The dress is mine, Caroline, Lizzy's just borrowing it. And it was a Wal-Mart special."
Will snorted and Elizabeth had to work hard not to choke on her cheesecake. Georgiana beamed proudly.
After dinner they all moved inside to the music room, which was obviously one of the most used and loved rooms of the house.
Georgiana asked, "Lizzy, can you do a big, big favor for me?"
"What?"
"Could you sing 'Voi Che Sapete' for me? I know it might get a little low for you, so if you're worried about hurting your voice forget, but I'm having trouble getting it right and I love the way you interpret things, so..."
Caroline, a mezzo-soprano like Georgiana, said hastily, "Georgie, we don't want Little Miss Diva straining her vocal chords, do we? I'll sing it for you."
"It's no problem," Elizabeth said, ignoring Caroline. "'Voi Che Sapete' is one of my favorites."
"Oh goody! I'll play," Georgiana cried and sat down at the grand piano and with a nod form Elizabeth began to play.
As she sang Will watched her closely, as he was not able to do when they were on stage. She looked so sweet and happy and he wondered how he could have ever doubted being in love with her. When Georgiana trilled the last notes on the piano there was a moment of silence before the applause, the mark of a good performance.
Lizzy curtseyed and said to Georgiana, "Now it's your turn."
Georgiana began singing sweetly, if somewhat lacking in confidence, when Caroline said, in her most annoying voice, "So Eliza, you must be desolate."
Elizabeth was surprised at Caroline's rudeness in interrupting Georgiana's performance, but she was curious as to what she meant. "What are you talking about, Caroline?"
"Well, I know how fond you were of George Wickham-"
Georgiana's voice and fingers faltered. Will was only halfway out of his seat when Elizabeth reached the piano. She placed a comforting hand on Georgiana's back and said, "I'm sorry. How can you play with no one to turn the pages?" Georgiana smiled weakly at her, but Lizzy didn't see because she was trapped in Will's eyes. They were staring at each other intensely, trying to read each other's minds. Neither of them knew where the other stood anymore, where they themselves stood. But neither of them was psychic so when applause for Georgiana's performance woke them from their semi-trance both were dazed, but not enlightened.
"Will!" Caroline's voice cut like a knife. "Your turn!"
"No I don't think-"
"Oh yes Will, please," Elizabeth pleaded.
"Well if you insist." He whispered something in Georgiana's ear. She smiled and her fingers caressed the keys lovingly. Will began singing in his smooth, rich baritone. Elizabeth recognized 'E lucevan le stelle' from Tosca taken down a few keys to fit his voice. She felt as in awe of him as the first time she had heard him sing, playing Marcello in La Boheme .
When he was done Caroline cried, "And now a duet!" She meant a duet with her, no doubt, but Will decided to misunderstand.
"Sure. Lizzy, do you know 'Time to Say Goodbye'?"
"Of course." They ripped into it, Will showing his incredible range as he sang the tenor part with ease. They finished with shouts of "Encore, encore!" from Charles and Jane, but Lizzy declared that she had to go. Will offered to walk her out to her car.
"Keep the dress," Georgiana called after them. "It looks much better on you."
"Thanks!" Lizzy yelled back.
Will was pleased with the way Elizabeth and his sister got along. Georgiana needed a good friend.
On the way to her car the only sound to be heard was the crunch of dead leaves beneath their feet and the occasional hooting of an owl.
"Thanks for tonight, Will," Elizabeth said when they reached her car.
"Thank you for staying."
Neither of them knew who kissed who first, all of the sudden they were in each other's arms. When they pulled apart Elizabeth thought dizzily, 'Here are my fireworks!' There were so many going off in her head it felt like the Fourth of July.
Posted on Tuesday, 14 September 1999, at 10 : 13 p.m.
Elizabeth adjusted the starched, white, maid's-cap on her head for the hundredth time. She wasn't sure if the butterflies in her stomach had more to do with it being the first orchestra dress rehearsal, or with seeing Will for the first time since Saturday night. He had kissed her (or did she kiss him?) and who knows what would have happened if Charles and Jane hadn't driven by. They had been leaning against the hood of her car when the headlights of Charles' Lexus swept over them. They'd jumped apart like guilty teenagers as Jane stuck her head out of the window to inquire if everything was all right. Elizabeth realized they had been gone for 45 minutes.
"Uh, um, yes. I mean no. I mean..." she had stuttered.
"She means that her, uh, battery is dead," Will explained.
"Do you want me to jump you?" Charles asked. "I've got cables in my trunk."
"Oh no," Lizzy said and yawned. "Mmm, I'm so tired. Why don't you just take me with you. William will fix up my car for me and I'll get it later. Right Will?"
"Of course. You need your rest." And Lizzy had climbed into the backseat and that had been that.
Elizabeth adjusted her cap for now the hundred and first time and was about to brave leaving the dressing room when there was a knock at her door.
Will stuck his head in. "Are you decent?"
"Well, it'd be too late if I wasn't," she replied. "Come in." A foolish grin began creeping across her face.
He walked in, dressed in his costume with his hands behind his back. "I brought you something."
Elizabeth guessed that he had a dozen roses or some other romantic thing. She was baffled when he presented a round vinyl case. "What-"
"They're jumper cables. In case your battery ever goes dead again."
Elizabeth laughed, "Gee thanks. To think I was hoping for roses."
Will ducked into the hallway. "Got those too." He handed her the expected dozen.
Charles' voice rang out, "Five minutes, people!"
Lizzy raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Shall we?"
"Elizabeth, wait. Will you have dinner with me tonight at Pemberley? You really can't say no, I'm holding your car hostage," Will said, slightly nervous.
"I'd love to. Whether my car is hostage or not."
The dress rehearsal went well. Bill Collins fudged and slurred his way through all his difficult passages, and Georgiana was a bit too timid, but everything else was fine.
After the rehearsal Will, Georgiana, and Elizabeth drove the fifty minutes to Pemberley. Once there, Georgiana tactfully disappeared. Elizabeth and Will sat down to a delicious dinned made by the Darcy's French cook and talked. They talked about religion and discovered they were both devout Christians. They talked about music and learned how they each had gotten into opera. They talked about relationships and found that neither of them had found anybody worth their time, at least until before...
Elizabeth left Pemberley with only a very chaste kiss and her new jumper cables, but it felt like so much more. She had never communicated with anybody like that before, so completely and honestly. Before whenever she had gotten close to opening up to someone she would lose her nerve and crack jokes until the subject was changed. Was this love? Maybe. And maybe it was bigger than just "maybe".
The past few days had been a revelation to Will. So this was how it was supposed to be. It was two days before opening night and he was relaxed, having a good time. Elizabeth was a miracle. It was a miracle that she liked (loved? please, God, please!) him. He had never been able to talk to anyone like that before. Even after all subjects had been exhausted and they finally shut up, they were still communicating whether it was sitting in companionable silence or shooting each other private looks during rehearsals. Will had always thought that those private looks were the sign of a close friendship. Knowing exactly what another person means by a raised eyebrow or a bit lip was incredible. His personal favorite expression of hers was the "I can't believe how disgusting Bill Collins is"-grimace. It involved a pair of widened eyes, slightly flared nostrils, and a wrinkled brow. Classic.
He was taking her out to a tiny Italian place tonight. He wanted to propose again, part of him warned against rushing, but another persistent faction in his head argued, "Why waste time? Carpe diem--seize the day."
"Oh Will-" Elizabeth's voice interrupted his reverie.
"Hmmm?"
"I think I left my purse in my dressing room. Can we go back and get it?"
"Of course." Will turned around in the nearest parking lot and headed back towards the theatre.
Once inside, thanks to the janitor who unlocked the door for them, they walked down dark hallways until they finally reached her dressing room. Elizabeth unlocked the door (thank heavens the key was in her pocket!) and fumbled for the light switch. She grabbed her purse and almost missed the piece of hot pink paper laying on the table. "I wonder what this is?" she mused. Her eyes quickly scanned the paper. Will watched her face go white.
"Elizabeth?" he asked gently.
"Oh no," Elizabeth whispered, tears spilling from her eyes.
Posted on Friday, 1 October 1999, at 2 : 58 p.m.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" Will asked, now urgently. She mutely handed the sheet of paper to him. He read:
Dear Lizzy,Your going to laugh when you've found out what I've done. I've run away! Ahh! Can you guess with who? GEORGE WICKHAM! Ahh! Ha, that'll show that Georgiana Darcy. She had this huuuuuge crush on him, but he likes me better evan tho she has like a million dollers. Oh Lizzy! I'm sorry. Didn't you like him to? Oops. Oh well, you'll get over it. Anyways, me and George decided to screw this hole opera thing and go to L.A. to be real acters. When I turn 18 we'll go to Vegas and get maried. I'm sure my understudy'll do fine. And DON'T WORRY about me. George will take good care of me.
Luv your fave step-sis,
Lydia
P.S. George showed me how to pick locks, thats how I got in. He's soooo talented!
P.P.S. I'll remember you when I'm FAMOUS!
Will started thinking fast. He could call his friend Capt. Price to keep an eye out for them in L.A. and Capt. Wentworth to look for them in the city in case they hadn't left yet. He'd also call Dect. Brandon from the FBI an expert on finding missing children. Will decided to look around himself. He was almost positive that Wickham wouldn't actually go to L.A., but keep to familiar ground. He unconsciously wrapped an arm around Elizabeth.
She sniffed loudly, "Why would he do this? We aren't millionaires. He must be some sort of pervert. What'll he do with Lyddie when he gets tired of her?"
Will was only half listening. He was thinking of the places he'd look for Lydia and Wickham. He said, "I'm assuming we're not going out tonight."
"No"
"Okay. Jane's at home, isn't she? I'll drop you off at your place. She needs to know."
The short drieve to Elizabeth's apartment was quiet. Elizabeth figured he couldn't wait to get rid of her. The classical music world could be petty. He was probably worried about his reputation and rightly so. To think that she was hoping he's propose again. She tried to picture Will and George running into each other at family reunions.
Will pulled up to her building. "I'll walk you up."
Elizabeth smiled sadly. "No, that's alright. I can get upstairs by myself."
Will shrugged and opened her door for her. He waited until she was safely inside before driving away. Elizabeth watched his tailights until they disappeared. So that was the end. She blinked away tears and went upstairs to tell Jane.
Will swept a pile of clutter off the lumpy sofa and sat down gingerly. He had expected that finding Lydia would be the hard part, not convincing her to leave.
"Don't you want to go back and sing? We open tomorrow," he pleaded.
"I don't want to be in any silly opera. I want to be a movie star. Besides, I want to be with George. Forever and ever and ever," Lydia responded.
At this George winced and his eyes crept toward the door, but Will was between him and escape.
Will sighed and pulled his wallet out of his pocket. He took out his Mastercard. "Do you know what this is?"
Lydia's eyes widened. She nodded and said, "A credit card."
"What color is it?"
"Silver"
"No, not silver. Platinum. Can you guess what the limit on this is?"
Lydia gulped, "No."
"It doesn't have a limit. Now Lydia, if you come back with me, back to your family, I'll take you to the mall, give you this credit card and let you buy all you can in an hours time," Will tempted.
"Whatever I want?" Lydia asked breathlessly.
"Whatever you want. Gap, Bath and Bodyworks-"
"Victoria's Secret?"
"Sure, Victoria's Secret too."
Lydia promptly turned to George. "Look, it's been fun, but nothing lasts forever hon'." She started to walk away then stoppedd. She cried dramatically, "I'll always remember you!" She ran out the door. George sighed in relief.
As soon as the door clicked shut Will grabbed the front of George's shirt. "I don't know what the hell you were trying to pull Wickham, but try another stunt like this or even talk to anyone remotely related to Lydia Gardiner, Elizabeth Bennet, or my sister I'll have the police on you for attempted kidnapping with a little child molestation thrown in for good measure. Got it?" George didn't answer. Will tightened his grip. "Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it," George said slowly.
"Good." Will let go and joined Lydia for their shopping spree.
It was two minutes before the final dress rehersal and Will and Lydia were no where to be seen. Charles was pacing in Lizzy's dressing room. "Where are they, Liz? Where are they?!"
"I don't know where Will is, but Lydia-" she broke off, remembering the night before. Frances' hysterics, talking to the police...
"Yeah Liz, what about Lydia?"
"I don't think Lydia's going to come."
"What do you mean Lydia's not going to come?" a voice asked from the door.
Elizabeth and Charles turned around, there was Lydia decked out in Banana Reoublic and reeking of Chanel no. 5.
"It's about time," Charles said. "Did you bring Will along with you by any chance?"
"Yeah, I don't know if he's in any shape to perform, though. I might've worn him out."
"Oh, he's going to perform. I hope this is the last time this happens," Charles said, almost angrily and stalked out.
Elizabeth turned to her step-sister. "What did you mean about Will? How did you wear him out?"
Lydia peered into the mirror, checking her lipstick. "Mmm, Will said if I left George he and his credit card would take me on an hour long shopping spree. I think we hit fifty stores."
"Will was with you and George?"
"Oops!" Lydia giggled. "I wasn't supposed to tell. Oh, well. I'd better get in costume and you better get on stage."
Elizabeth wandered her way to the stage in a state of confusion.
Posted on Thursday, 6 January 2000, at 9 : 42 p.m.
Their final dress rehearsal did not go well. Will was out of breath for the first couple of scenes, due to his late arrival and quick change. Elizabeth's mind was a million miles away, and Georgiana had been so shaken by her brother's "disappearance" that she lost any confidence she had gained earlier. Lydia was too busy playing with her new diamond ring to come in right. Bill Collins was the only one to do well, feeding on the hint of a scandal like a parasite.
Afterwards Charles said, "Well, remember what they say about bad dress rehearsals..."
Everybody groaned. Elizabeth was about to ask Will what his involvement with George and Lydia was when Charles called him over and proceeded to give him a tongue-lashing for being late. Elizabeth decided to let him be bawled out in private, and went home.
That night Elizabeth had nightmares about the opera. In her dreams she would go onstage and forget all the words. Or go onstage naked. Or go onstage naked and forget all the words. Finally around two she fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
She woke up at 10:00 am with a demanding craving for ice cream. She figured it wouldn't be good for her voice, and had some tea instead. She thought about calling Will, but decided that she didn't need the extra stress. She was just so confused about him. She spent the day watching movies, drinking vast quantities of tea, and going to the bathroom every thirty minutes.
When Elizabeth arrived at the theatre she was made-up, dressed, and had her hair styled without saying a word. She was sitting in her dressing room wondering if it would be unprofessional to escape through the window when there was a soft knock on the door. Will and Georgiana walked in. Georgiana was white underneath her make-up, and her hazel eyes were wide and scared.
"Georgiana's having a little fit of nerves," Will said. "I thought maybe you could talk some sense into her."
'Ha! Me?' Lizzy thought. "Sure," she said sweetly. "Georgiana, I know it's scary, but you're wonderful. You know this part. And if you do mess up chances are nobody will notice, and if they do they won't care, because everybody messes up from time to time."
"Really?"
"Really. No one's going to throw rotten vegetables at you. I promise."
Georgiana looked relieved. "I'm going to get a drink," she said, and walked out.
The second the door shut Elizabeth groaned, "Oh Lord, I'm going to die."
"What?" Will asked. "What about all those pearls of wisdom you just gave Georgiana?" Elizabeth laughed faintly. Will firmly placed his hands on her shoulders. "Lizzy, you are going to be perfect. You are probably the most talented woman I've ever worked with, and without a doubt the most beautiful. You'll bring everyone to their feet."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you. Because I love you."
Elizabeth looked at him wonderingly. "What?"
"Elizabeth Bennet, you're more important to me than the air I breathe. Will you marry me?"
It was a few moments before Elizabeth could get the words out. "Yes, of course I'll marry you. I love you, too."
Fitzwilliam sighed with relief. Then he tipped her face up and kissed her gently, but passionately. Elizabeth felt the mass of nervousness in her stomach dissolve, and a golden glow spread from her lips, to her head, to her feet. Just when she felt like she was going to melt they heard a voice in the hallway call, "Five minutes!" They broke the kiss reluctantly.
"Are you ready?" Will whispered.
Lizzy nodded vigorously. They headed backstage.
Conclusion
Elizabeth couldn't remember the specifics of her performance. She thought, or rather she knew that she did a good job. The audience thought she did a wonderful job, giving her and Will standing ovations. Happily engaged, with her first professional performance behind her Elizabeth didn't have anything to worry about. Except for reviews, that is. She and Will knew that the critics didn't always agree with audiences. They had agreed to read the review in the Sunday paper together. Bright and early at six o'clock Will and Charles showed up at Elizabeth and Jane's apartment, bringing two copies of the paper with them.
Will sat down, and Elizabeth climbed into his lap. Will slowly opened their paper. Together he and Elizabeth read:
Charles Bingley's Talented Cast Proves "Figaro" is a Delight for Old and Young Alike
They grinned at each other and read on.
Mozart's classic comic opera Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) was given a new spin with director Charles Bingley's fresh young cast. The ages of cast members ranged from 32 (Bill Collins, playing "Antonio") to 16 (Georgiana Darcy, "Cherubino" and Lydia Gardiner, "Barbarina"). When asked if he was afraid the rigorous rehearsals and performances would injure young voices Bingley responded, "We talked to experts and both Georgiana's and Lydia's vocal coaches, and agreed that if at any point either of them felt to much strain on their voices they were to quit. It all turned out okay." It indeed "all turned out okay".
The supporting cast (including Collins's "Antonio" and Gardiner's "Barbarina") was not extraordinary, but were more than adequate, except for Caroline Bingley's whiny "Marcellina". Charlotte Lucas gave an above average portrayal of "La Contessa di Almaviva", not always showing enough emotion, but possessing a lovely soprano. Richard Ftizwilliam is an excellent "Conte di Almaviva", full of arrogance and bravado. Georgiana Darcy shone as "Cherubino", giving the flirtatious page a softer, insightful side. Miss Darcy shows signs of carrying the Darcy torch of excellence, following her parents, cousin Richard Fitzwilliam, and older brother, Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam Darcy, perhaps the world's most famous baritone, gives the performance of his career, playing "Figaro" the Count's sly servant. Matching Darcy note for note was newcomer Elizabeth Bennet as "Susanna". Many argue that "Susanna" is the most important character in "Figaro" and not it's eponymous hero. Bennet, 21 and recently graduated from college, was up to the challenge. Her "Susanna" was witty, virtuous, and lovely, leaving nothing to be desired, the ideal "Susanna". I look forward to seeing much more of her.
Le Nozze di Figaro is a must see with clever direction from Bingley, snappy costume and set design, and brilliant performances from Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth shrieked with delight as Charles and Jane danced around the room. "They love me, they really love me! This goes in the scrapbook," she laughed.
Will laughed with her and kissed her head. "So do I. The 'ideal Susanna'," he mused. "I agree with that. Although there was a time when I thought you were more like Turandot."
Elizabeth looked into his eyes. "Even Turandot had a change of heart," she said seriously. Will smiled lovingly at her and brought his mouth down on Elizabeth's. She sighed happily, "Definitely a change of heart.
Four months later another article joined the "Figaro" review in Lizzy's scrapbook:
The Marriage of Fitzwilliam
B. D. Albers
Today opera's hottest young superstars were joined in holy matrimony. Elizabeth Bennet, made famous by her portrayal of "Susanna" in Le Nozze di Figaro wed Fitzwilliam Darcy, her costar in "Figaro" and heir to the Darcy legacy. The double-ring ceremony took place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. The maid-of-honor was sister of the groom, Georgiana Darcy and the matron of honor was Jane Bennet-Bingley, sister of the bride. The best man was Charles Bingley, Jane's husband, and the other groomsman was Richard Fitzwilliam, the groom's cousin. The reception was held at, Pemberley, the Darcy mansion.
The couple is going to honeymoon in Ireland and then each are appearing in La Boheme at the Met. Fitzwilliam will reprise the role of "Marcello" and Elizabeth will play "Musetta". When asked about their future Elizabeth said, "We plan to perform together as much as possible. Who knows, perhaps we'll get Georgiana to do an album with us. I can see it now, 'The Darcy Family Singers'." We can only hope.
Fine