Beginning, Next Section
Okay, anyone who's read my two previous stories, Reflections and A Tarnished Image.. this is my final story in the saga. This one opens 19 years after the end of Image. I shall only post two chapters a week. They are quite long and I haven't finished writing the story yet. So I don't want my posts to catch up with me before I get to the end myself!
Prologue
"Dad? Dad!"
Elizabeth looked up at the sound of her son's voice in the front hall. Her face lit up and she threw down her work to run to the door.
"Ben!" she called. "Your father is out at the moment. Come here, my boy and give your mum a hug."
William Bennet Darcy, Ben for short, a name he adopted upon the death of his grandfather when he was twelve years old, flashed his mother a big smile and wrapped his arms around her to lift her up until her feet no longer touched the floor. At twenty-three he was a strapping young man, with his father's handsome good looks and his mother's facility with people. He was definitely not shy with the ladies and had a different one hanging from his arm every week, much to his father's amusement and his mother's consternation.
"Hi there, Mum!" he said cheerily. "Where is everyone else?"
"What, you expected a welcoming committee?" Elizabeth laughed. "That's what you get for never letting us know when you're coming home for a visit."
Ben shrugged and looked over his mother's shoulder at the desk behind her. "Dad still making you work?"
Elizabeth cuffed him lightly. "He doesn't make me work, Ben. I enjoy it. So what brings you home this time? What do you need?"
Ben laughed. "You make it sound like I only come home when I want something!"
"Don't you?" came a voice from behind them.
"Anna!" Ben turned to give his sister a kiss on the cheek.
Elizabeth watched the familiar interplay between her two eldest children with a fond smile. As much as Ben's popularity with the ladies irked her, Anna's quiet beauty was a source of unease for her father as young men flocked around her on a daily basis. Her first year at university was more difficult for Will than it was for his daughter, Elizabeth mused.
"Come on Ben. We were all about to go for swim." Anna was saying.
Elizabeth frowned at them. "I hope you mean in the pool."
Anna laughed. "Mum! Of course not! The pond is much more fun." She raced up the stairs to get changed.
Ben looked at his mother.
"Oh, go on!" Elizabeth said in exasperation. The fact that Will had taught every one of their children to swim in that pond, and that they still preferred it to the nice clean pool she's insisted be put in, annoyed her to no end.
Ben kissed her cheek and ran up the stairs to his own room.
Elizabeth turned her attention back to the unfinished business on her desk. Although she had given up her original job when their fourth child had come along, Elizabeth had eventually wanted to get back into it, but had been forced to wait when their unexpected youngest child had arrived. Eventually she had taken her husband's place in the board room of the publishing company that he owned. She had been very successful, and Will had never regretted the decision. Now they had a very solid company to turn over to one of their children some day.
The sound of many feet pounding on the stairs brought her gaze to the doorway, where she could see all of her children racing by on their way out the front door. Anna and Rebecca led the way followed by Kathleen. Ben brought up the rear on the heels of his young brother, Rich.
They sounded like a stampede, and Elizabeth was glad that her husband wasn't home to see them tearing out of the house. She knew he'd be right out there with them splashing in the pond, too.
Suddenly realizing that the cook wasn't aware of Ben's arrival, Elizabeth called down to the kitchen to inform her. Ben's appetite had never diminished over the years, only increased. If there wasn't enough on the table it wasn't going to be Ben going hungry tonight.
Will walked around the wall that bordered the garden and was nearly bowled over by his children as they were chasing Ben across the lawn.
"Whoa there!" Ben laughed as he grabbed his father's shoulders to steady him. "Hi Dad!"
Will shook his head. "I should have known it was you responsible for all that racket. How are you doing, Ben?" He caught sight of two of his other children about to trample a flower bed. "Rebecca! Rich! Watch where you're going! Good Lord, you'd think they were five years old the way they behave."
Ben chuckled. "Dad, you never change."
"I hope not." Will smiled. "Your mother likes me this way."
"Is it near dinner time? I'm starved." Ben was eyeing Will's watch.
"So what else is new." Will grumbled. "Did you run out of food in your flat? Is that why you came home?"
"No!" laughed his son. "I wanted to talk to you about something actually."
"Me?" Will looked closely at him. "Is this to be a private conversation, or one that your mother will be participating in, too?"
Ben glanced down at his feet. "Just you, Dad."
Will grunted. "Do I get a hint?" Ben just looked at him. "I thought not." He glanced at his watch and then looked at the rest of his children racing about the lawn. "All right you lot! Time to get inside and get changed for dinner!"
They didn't need to be told twice. In a flurry of arms and legs they dashed past their father and elder brother and disappeared. Will just sighed and shook his head. Ben grinned, clapped a hand on his father's back and together they made their way back to the house.
Elizabeth was in the hallway when they entered, staring up the staircase with a resigned expression on her face. She turned to look at the two men in the doorway. Whenever she saw her husband and eldest son together it brought a tear to her eye. Next to his father, Ben looked like a younger copy. Their faces were so much alike that if it weren't for the dark curls versus the ones peppered with gray it would be difficult to tell them apart.
"Dinner is in fifteen minutes." she said.
"Great!" Ben ran up the stairs to change.
Will joined Elizabeth and together they walked to the drawing room to await the crowd's return.
It was barely five minutes later that the first of their children peeked into the room and ducked back into the hallway again. Anna intercepted the others as they came down, preventing them from interrupting their parents.
"Aw, are they at it again?" whined Rich, as Rebecca and Kathleen joined them.
"Don't be so rude," Anna reprimanded him.
"But they're too old to be snogging all the time!" Rich persisted.
Ben's laugh was heard echoing in the hallway. "Rich, remind me to tell you that when you're their age!" He walked past his brother and into the drawing room, ignoring Anna's frantic swipe at his sleeve.
"Nice to see some things never change!" he said loudly, feeling very satisfied to see his parents leap away from each other in startled surprise.
Will gave him a distinctly irritated look. "I see you never change, Ben." he growled. "At least our other children have the good sense not to interrupt us!"
"Well, all of my interruptions didn't seem to make any difference," Ben quipped. "There's four of them."
"Ben!" Elizabeth said in embarrassment.
"Sorry, Mum." he replied, not entirely sincere. He had fond memories of walking in on his parents at the most inopportune moments. Although he regretted embarrassing his mother, the resulting talks with his father had been very enlightening. He had been one the most knowledgeable chaps in school, and that had only added to his popularity with the ladies. Oh, yes, he owed his father a lot for his instructions on the proper way to look after a lady.
"Let's go into the dining room." Will muttered and glared at Ben on his way past.
Elizabeth was never happier than when all of her children were gathered around the family table. She knew that her husband felt the same, although he would never say it aloud. The chatter that five children could provide allowed little opportunity for the parents to participate, but Elizabeth reflected that there would come a day when all of their little ones, some of them not so little anymore, would be gone from this house. Ben was hardly ever there now, and Anna was already away at university for the better part of the year. At least Rebecca would be with them for another year before she'd be off to university as well. Elizabeth realized that it wouldn't be long before one of their children would be getting married. She smiled, thinking of the prospect of grandchildren; more little feet to run around Pemberley's hallways.
She looked up to see Will watching her curiously. She smiled again and let her gaze wander over the faces of their children.
After the meal, Will noting that there were no leftovers thanks to Ben, the younger ones scrambled upstairs to their computers and videos, Anna and Elizabeth to the music room, and Will led his firstborn to the study to have their little chat.
Once the door was firmly closed Ben crossed to the bar and poured them each some brandy.
Will raised an eyebrow as his son handed him one of the snifters. "Am I going to need this?" Ben merely grinned. "You really have to stop embarrassing your mother like that, Ben. It's not amusing anymore."
"Not like when I was a kid, eh?"
"It wasn't particularly amusing then, either." Will grumbled as he sipped at the brandy.
"Dad?" Will looked up. "I'm going to travel before finishing my last year."
Will silently stared at his son until Ben began to squirm in his seat. "Now I know why you didn't want your mother in on this discussion. What prompted this idea?"
"I've been at school for years without a break. I want some time off to have some fun, see places I haven't been....."
"And you couldn't wait another year for this?" Will rose from his seat with a sigh. "Ben, I understand your impatience, but the answer is no."
"I wasn't asking permission, Dad." Ben was staring into his glass, unwilling to meet his father's eyes. "I'm just telling you my plans."
Will clenched his teeth together. "And just how do you intend to pay for this year off, then?"
"I'll work."
Will laughed. "Let me get this straight. You want to take a year off school to travel, have fun and see something of the world, but you're going to get a job to pay for it? That is ludicrous, Ben!"
"No it isn't. Rob and I have it all worked out already."
"Now I get it." Will shook his head sadly. "You and Robert Bingley. Of course!"
Ben frowned. "Don't say it like that. Rob's a good chap."
"I'm not disputing that. But he'll be taking a year off before university. You have already completed three years. No, Ben. It's unacceptable."
"You're only saying that because Mum wouldn't like it."
Will glared at his son. "I am not. My decisions are not based on your mother's approval no matter how much I value her opinions."
"It's not fair."
"Now you sound like a spoiled brat." Will said sharply. "You're not going to impress anyone with that kind of attitude, much less get your mother to agree with your scheme. Finish your last year, Ben, and then do as much travelling as you like."
Ben stared angrily into his brandy. He couldn't understand why his father was being so difficult about this. Mum was another story. She would worry about him. Was he eating properly, did he dress warmly, was he going to get knifed in an alley? That last was one of her favourites. He had no idea where that one came from.
Will sat down in his chair again and watched his son carefully. There was a rebellious streak in Ben that was not easy to predict. He just might go off on this trip despite his parents' objections, and he was just as likely to shrug it all off and go merrily back to Cambridge.
The telephone rang and Ben got up, saying "I'll get it." He picked up the receiver. "Hello? Oh, hi Uncle Rich. Yeah, sure. He's here. Just a minute." He held the handset out to his father.
Will took it and watched his son walk sulkily back to his seat. "Hi Richard. How is everyone? What do you mean? What happened?"
Ben looked up at the change in his father's voice. Will's face had suddenly gone white, and Ben stared in alarm.
"Good God, no. How is she? I'll be over as soon as I can arrange a flight." Will's voice was shaky. Ben noticed his hand trembling as he tried to keep the phone to his ear. "Thanks, Richard. Did you call...... Fine. We'll meet them at the airport. We'll see you tomorrow." Will stood staring at the phone before finally managing to replace the receiver.
"Dad?" Ben said tentatively. When his father made no reply he crossed over to touch his arm. "Dad? What's wrong?"
Will looked up and met his son's worried gaze. Ben was startled to see the tears in his father's eyes. "We have to go tell your mother."
Will started out of the room, Ben on his heels. "Tell her what?"
They entered the music room and stood just inside the doorway as Anna finished playing a piece at the piano. Elizabeth looked up, smiling at her husband.
"That was lovely, don't you think, Will?" She noticed his ashen face and the smile left hers. "Will?" She was afraid to ask any more.
"Richard just called."
Elizabeth's eyes widened in dreadful anticipation. "Oh no. Someone's died."
Will nodded. Ben and Anna looked at one another, then back at their father.
"Brian." Will choked out. Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried desperately to hold back a sob.
Ben managed to ask what had happened.
Will took a deep breath in an attempt to collect himself. "A car accident. He and Aaron were on their way home from a baseball tournament."
Elizabeth's eyes flew open. "Aaron?" Will shook his head slowly. "Oh my lord, no! Not both of them! Oh, Georgiana. How will she be able to go on, losing both her husband and only child?"
"I don't know." Will said hoarsely. "Richard and Laura are with her. She's pretty bad." He stood taller and took another deep breath. "Get packed, Elizabeth. We're leaving for the airport in an hour." He whirled abruptly and left the room.
Anna sprung up from her seat. "Daddy?" she called and started after him.
"No, Anna. Leave him be." Elizabeth said. "Leave him alone to grieve before we have to go. He'll have to be strong for his sister."
Ben watched his mother as she left them to go upstairs and pack their bags. He looked back to Anna. "And who's going to be strong for them?"
Anna looked her brother in the eye. "We will."
Chapter 1
"For crying out loud, Rich! They're going to be here any minute. Put some clean clothes on." Ben pointed an imperious finger in the direction of the stairs.
His young brother gave him a resentful look and trudged up the staircase. "Who do you think you are? Dad?" he muttered over his shoulder.
"I have been for the last five weeks, and until he steps through that door I still am!" Ben called after him. "Now MOVE IT!"
Ben watched in satisfaction as Rich sprang into a run. He was still chuckling to himself when he spied Anna looking at him with her hands on her hips.
"What?"
Anna shook her head. "It's just been one big power trip for you, hasn't it?"
"Not true!" Ben cried in defence.
"Ha! You've been lording over us ever since Mum and Dad left for America. I'll be glad when they finally get here."
Ben observed the sad expression that had come over his sister's face. He would also be glad to see his parents again after all this time. When they had left for the airport five weeks earlier, his father had left Ben in charge of the house, and he and Anna to look after their sisters and brother. Less than twelve hours later Elizabeth had rung from New York to let them know how Aunt Georgiana was faring. One piece of good news was that their cousin Aaron had not been killed in the accident after all. Sadly, it had been another young boy, a teammate of Aaron's that Brian had offered to drive home. It had taken Will and Elizabeth the better part of two weeks to convince Georgiana to return to England with them. She had finally agreed to come for a 'visit', but no more than that.
Now they would be here momentarily, and everyone in the house was on pins and needles.
"Believe me, Anna," Ben sighed. "I'll gladly turn over the reins to Dad once more. If nothing else, I've learned that I'm not yet ready to be a full-time father."
Anna grinned at him. "Then you'd better take care with all of your girlfriends, Ben! You wouldn't want anything unexpected to happen."
"Hey!" Ben cried, more embarrassed that his sister would say something like that out loud.
Anna laughed. "Now you know how Mum feels every time you make one of your smart remarks. Oh, Ben, you may look like Dad, but you're more like Mum than you'd care to admit." She laughed again as she noticed the colour creeping up his neck.
"Are they here, yet?" Rebecca called from the landing.
"No." Ben replied quickly. To Anna he said, "I'm going outside to wait."
As he stepped out through the door Ben saw the car pull up to the front steps. He called back inside to Anna and then raced down to greet his parents.
"Ben." Elizabeth said quietly as she hugged her son to her. "It's so good to be home." She looked up to see the rest of her children gathering along the steps. "I missed you all so much."
The other car door opened and Georgiana emerged, assisted by Will. She was pale and looked very tired. Her eyes swept over the parade of faces, then moved to take in the imposing facade of Pemberley. Silently, she reached for her brother's hand.
"Aaron?" Elizabeth peered into the back of the car. "Are you coming out?"
There was a mumbled reply from the recesses, then a boy of about twelve years poked his head out of the door. He gazed at his cousins sullenly.
Ben stepped forward. "Hello Aaron. You probably don't remember me. I'm Ben. This is Anna." He gestured to the others behind him. "Rebecca, Kathleen and Rich." Aaron merely stared at him. Ben turned to his father. "Welcome home, Dad. We arranged for a light lunch. It should be laid out now."
Will nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Ben. Are the rooms ready for Georgiana and Aaron?"
"Yes."
"I think we'll all be having a lie down after we eat." Will said quietly as he helped his sister up the steps and into the house.
Lunch was surprisingly hushed for such a large group of people, especially with all of the Darcy children at the table. Georgiana only picked at the food on her plate, while Aaron spent more time glaring at everyone around him than eating.
"May I be excused from the table, Dad?"
Will looked up to see which of his children had spoken. Rich was looking at him enquiringly.
"I have a football match at one-thirty." Rich explained.
"Oh." Will nodded his head. "In that case, yes. You may be excused. How are you getting there?"
"It's at Warfeld Park. I'm taking my bicycle."
"Alright. Off you go."
Rich hurriedly pushed back his chair and left the dining room.
"I've had enough. Can I go to my room?" Aaron asked.
Will waited for Georgiana to say something. When she didn't even look up he replied to the boy's question. "Certainly, Aaron. Anna? Could you show him to his room, please?"
Anna waited for her cousin at the doorway. "Follow me, Aaron. A fellow could get lost in this place." Aaron wordlessly fell in behind her.
Will looked at the rest of his children. "You can all go now if you're finished." His gaze fell on Georgiana once more. She seemed oblivious to anything around her. Will met Elizabeth's eyes across the length of the table.
"Georgiana?" Elizabeth said softly. There was no response. Georgiana didn't even blink. Elizabeth waited until the children left the room, then got up to seat herself next to her sister-in-law. "Georgiana, let's go upstairs. I'll help you get settled in. You'll feel better after some rest."
Georgiana finally looked up. She turned pain-filled eyes on Elizabeth. "I don't think I'll ever feel better. I don't want to ever feel better."
She rose slowly. Elizabeth let her lean on her arm and led her carefully from the room. At the door, she turned back to look at Will before taking Georgiana upstairs.
Will rested his head against the back of his chair and sighed. It had been a tough battle to get his sister to come back home. It had been even tougher to get her son on the plane. He had so hoped that being at Pemberley again would help her to release some of her pent-up emotions, to allow herself to grieve. There was no denying that a part of Georgiana had died with Brian. The couple had been inseparable since the day they married. For years they had moved from city to city, country to country, as Brian's employer transferred him from one place to another. When Brian had received an offer from a New York firm guaranteeing a permanent home and no more traipsing around the world, they had jumped at it. Not long afterward, Aaron had been born.
Leaning forward, Will put his head in his hands as he remembered that nightmare. Georgiana's labour had been long and difficult. Aaron was a big baby, and his mother a tiny woman. Too late the doctor realized he should have performed a caesarian. As a result, Georgiana had suffered a great deal of physical damage and was unable to have any more children.
This brought Will's thoughts around to his nephew. Brian and Georgiana had built their lives around their son. There was nothing they wouldn't do for Aaron. He was involved in every sport imaginable, and Brian was right there beside him. Aaron was hurting badly with his father's death, and Will had no idea how to deal with the anger and hostility as he lashed out at everyone and everything.
"Dad."
Will's head came up at the sound of Ben's voice. Without turning around he said, "Thank you for taking care of everything for us while we were gone, Ben."
"It was the least I could do, Dad." Ben pulled out a chair and sat down. "Aunt Janna's not doing very well, is she?"
Will smiled slightly. Ben had always called his aunt Janna instead of Georgiana, and all of his other children had followed suit. "No, Ben. She's not." Will drew in a sharp breath. "Did Anna have any trouble with Aaron?"
Ben appeared puzzled. "Trouble? Should she have?"
Will shook his head wearily. "Neither one of them is doing well. I don't know what to do, Ben. I don't know how to help them."
"Is there anything I can do?" Ben asked.
"Perhaps." Smiling at his son, Will rose from the table and rubbed his tired eyes. "I need some sleep. What are your plans, Ben? Are you staying on here for awhile?"
"Classes begin in two weeks. I don't have to be back until a couple of days prior to that."
Will stared at him, then put a hand on his shoulder. "You won't regret it, son."
"I know, Dad." Ben smiled in return. "Go get some sleep."
Will watched as his three youngest children scrambled into the car. Aaron climbed in beside Rich and slammed the door while Rebecca slipped in behind the wheel. Then they were off to school. He let out his breath and turned to face his wife.
"It hasn't gotten any better, Will." Elizabeth looked at his troubled expression and sympathized. His sister still refused to become involved in any family activities and Aaron was downright rude to them all. "You have to do something. She needs help that we can't give her."
Will knew she was right. Despite his hopes, after five weeks at Pemberley Georgiana had still not allowed her pain to surface. Instead of retreating into a quiet shell, however, her temper was quick to flare and Aaron usually bore the brunt of it. The scene at the breakfast table that very morning was a perfect example.
Aaron had been sitting in his place, ignoring everyone as usual, when his mother suddenly yanked the earphones of his cd player from his ears.
"Where did you learn table manners like that? I certainly didn't teach them to you!"
Aaron had glared at her and then got up from the table.
"Aaron, aren't you going to finish your breakfast?" Will had asked.
The boy had stopped and turned around to face them. With a sneer he said, "Go to hell."
Georgiana's eyes had nearly popped out of her head. "Don't you ever speak to your uncle like that again, young man!"
"You go to hell, too!"
"Aaron!" Will had said sharply. He had been about to rise from the table to take the boy by his collar, but before he could do anything Aaron turned around, his face red with anger.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" he had screamed. "You aren't my father! I don't have to listen to you!" With that he had stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.
Now, Will looked resignedly at his wife. "I'll talk to her. I promise, if I don't get anywhere with her this time, I'll find her some professional help."
He went into the house, leaving Elizabeth standing alone on the front steps.
Georgiana was in her room. She rarely left it other than for meals. Will paused before knocking on the door, having no idea what he could say this time that might have some effect. He wondered if perhaps he had been too easy on her, too patronizing of her feelings. He just couldn't bring himself to treat her in any fashion other than gently. But what if she needed something else to shake her out of her depression? What if her grief was buried too deeply for him to touch without disturbing the deepest, most violent emotions first?
Hand poised at the door, he came to a decision. Nothing else had worked so far. His last chance was before him. He knocked.
There was no answer, but he hadn't expected one. Pushing the door open slowly, Will peered around it to see Georgiana sitting in the window seat, staring out across the front lawn. He crossed the room to stand at her shoulder. For several minutes he said nothing.
"I remember when Mum dressed you up for our family portrait and you escaped from the house, running across the grass to the pond on the other side." He looked at her face for some reaction. "Do you remember, Georgie?"
A small smile appeared on her face, but Will knew it was merely for his benefit. Her eyes still stared vacantly through the glass. "I was looking for you."
"You thought you were the only one denied any fun for the sake of that portrait." He looked out the window, himself. "Despite your little adventure, the photo turned out to be excellent. I don't think anyone has ever noticed the mud on your shoes." Will turned to face her once more. "But I know it's there, Georgie. I can see the marks." He took one of her hands in his and squeezed it.
"Don't, Will. Don't try to make me feel like I'm still alive.... because I'm not." She whispered the words, her gaze never wavering from the empty landscape.
Will closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Brian was the one who died, Georgie. It was Brian, not you. Stop punishing yourself. Stop punishing the rest of us. Most of all, stop punishing Aaron." He looked at her, hoping to see a reaction, but there was none. Frustrated, he pulled her around to face him. "Your son needs you, Georgiana. He needs his mother now that he's lost his father. He's Brian's son, too. How can you dishonour his memory by neglecting his son, the child created by the love you two shared?" Will could see tears forming in her eyes, knew he had finally reached something in her, and nudged her just a little further. "Or didn't you really love Brian as much as you said?"
Georgiana closed her eyes and uttered a low moan. It began to build in intensity as her head rolled from side to side. Will grew alarmed as her body began to tremble under the hands he'd placed on her shoulders. Suddenly her eyes flew open and she looked at her brother with contempt.
"How dare you say that to me? How dare you? You, who sat in this house for three years because you were too stupid, too comfortable with your own self-pity to go after the woman you loved! You know nothing of what it is to lose your heart, knowing it will never come back! You chose your hell. I was sentenced to mine."
Will was shocked at the vehemence in her words, but he didn't want her to stop now that she had begun to let it out at last. "And so you sentence Aaron along with you? Have you forgotten what it was like to lose a parent? You survived it. I survived it, too."
"Aaron will survive as well."
"We survived because we had each other, Georgie. You have cut Aaron off from that support. You have rejected him because he's Brian's son. You can't yell at Brian, you can't tell him how angry you are with him for leaving you because he's dead now! So you're taking it out on Aaron because he's the closest you'll get to Brian ever again. Isn't that right?"
Georgiana's hand flew from out of nowhere to strike him across the face. "You liar!" she screamed at him. "Liar! Don't say that! He's not dead...." she sobbed. "He's not..... he can't be! It's not true! Oh, Brian... I love you so much.... Brian, don't leave me!"
She was hysterical now, and Will wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him as she cried into his chest. He felt his own sorrow surge to the surface with fresh pain, and still he hung on to her. Georgiana's body shuddered violently as she released her long suppressed grief. Will gently guided her to the seat where he continued to hold her to him until at long last she had exhausted herself. Then he picked her up to carry her across the room and lay her gently in her bed.
As he tucked the blankets around her form, she settled herself into the warmth. Will touched her hair, then bent to place a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Goodnight, Brian," she murmured.
Will lowered his head sadly and left her sleeping.
Will entered his wife's office and collapsed into the armchair beside the desk. Elizabeth watched as he massaged his temples with his fingers.
"You didn't do any better this time, either, did you?"
Will's eyes met hers. "Actually I think I may have broken through at last. We slagged each other off, then she cried. She cried, Elizabeth, for the first time since Brian's death."
Elizabeth gave a small sigh of relief. "Was it healthy crying?"
"She was hysterical at first. She's been in such a state of denial all this time, but once she started she couldn't stop, and I hope this marks the beginning of her acceptance." Will looked down at his hands. "I left her sleeping. She'd exhausted herself."
"I'll check on her in a little while." Elizabeth peered at her husband. "What about Aaron?"
Will leaned against the chair back and looked at the ceiling. "Yes, what about Aaron. Hopefully, Georgiana will become more involved with him now, but that's only part of the problem, isn't it? He doesn't want to be here. He resents me, and I can't say as I blame him. I know it isn't personal, but the poor lad has lost his father, his mother has ignored him and he's been separated from his home and friends only to be plunked down here, at the home of an uncle he barely knows and can't be bothered to know. He's made no effort to cultivate friendships, either with his cousins or his classmates. Even Rich, who I thought would have a natural affinity with him seeing as they are the same age, doesn't want anything to do with him."
Elizabeth rose from her seat and moved behind his chair to lay her hands on his shoulders, gently massaging his tense muscles. "He's angry."
"That's an understatement."
"He needs more time. Perhaps, as you said, now that Georgiana has made some progress, she will be able to help him."
Will shook his head. "Aaron doesn't have that much time to wait. He needs friends, and he needs involvement in something now. He and Brian did everything together. They played baseball, went bowling, bicycling, hiking and I don't know how many other things. Aaron doesn't want to do any of those things here. The longer he sits about doing nothing, the worse he's going to get." He looked up into his wife's eyes. "I'm worried that he's going to explode one of these days, and wonder who is going to be caught in the blast."
Elizabeth moved around the chair to sit on his lap. She raised a hand to brush the curls back from his forehead as she said, "Do you think he'd be interested in going to a football match?"
"I think it would take a threat to get him to go anywhere!" Will said in exasperation. Then he sighed again. "I'll get some tickets."
"If you take Rich and Rebecca along it may go easier."
Will nodded. "I'll arrange it now." He looked at Elizabeth. "Dear, I can't do that if you don't get off my lap."
"You don't need to go right away, do you?" she murmured while brushing her lips against his ear.
"Elizabeth," Will said, a smile starting to spread across his face. "Don't you have some work to finish?"
"Oh, it can wait."
Will persisted. "But you know what I've told you about leaving a job undone.... Liz.... Ahhh, Liz!"
Chapter Two
Aaron's attitude suffered a minor improvement over the next few weeks. Georgiana had managed to stir up some interest in her surroundings, and would spend some evenings with Elizabeth in the music room, although no-one had been able to talk her into playing.
She did, however express more enthusiasm in her son's schoolwork. Aaron had been having a difficult time adjusting to the British system. Will had enrolled him in the same school his own children attended, thinking that further alienation from family would have resulted had he attended the private school with the children of foreign diplomats. Georgiana's small involvement had helped to curb some of the growing resentment Aaron was displaying, although he still made no effort to become closer to his cousins, aunt and uncle.
Rich had no patience with the other boy. "He just sulks about and he's always insulting my mates!" he complained to Rebecca when she scolded him on his rude behaviour.
"Oh, don't be such a child, Rich! His father died. Have some patience."
"Oh, so that makes it okay to be rude to everyone?"
Rebecca was tempted to cuff him on the head. "You are so thick sometimes! Try putting yourself in his place. What if it had been our Dad who had been killed? Think how you'd feel then."
Rich's eyes opened wide. "Would we have had to go live in America then?"
"Arghh!" Rebecca muttered and stalked away from him.
"Wait!" called Rich, running across the grass after her. "I want to come with you."
"No way!" she sputtered. "You think I want my little brother tagging along? Not a chance."
"But you're only going to the stables!"
"Yes, Rebecca," came a deep voice from the other side of the hedge. "You are only going to the stables, aren't you?"
Rebecca glared at her brother. "Yes, Dad," she called through the leafy barrier. "But do I have to take him?"
"Is there some reason why he shouldn't go?" Will had stood up and now peered over the hedge at his two children.
"No. He just...." she gave up trying to come up with an excuse, knowing her father wouldn't believe any of them anyway. "Alright. But if you embarrass me just once....." Rebecca made a strangling motion with her hands, then set off at a jog toward the parked cars.
Rich grinned and ran after her.
Will watched them go. "Elizabeth," he said without turning his head. "I think our daughter spends too much time at the stables." He heard her laugh and looked around. "What's so funny?"
"You are." Elizabeth was grinning at him. "You only said that because you think there are too many boys out there!"
"Well, aren't there?" Will couldn't suppress his own smile.
His wife pointed to the shovel in his hand. "Back to work, Will." Satisfied when he returned to his appointed task, she continued. "You know that the only interest Rebecca has at the moment is horses. Stop behaving like a paranoid father." She stooped to pick up the bulbs exposed as Will turned the earth over.
"I'm not paranoid. I'm vigilant." Will argued. "You know that the moment I let down my guard -."
"Your daughters will finally be asked for a date!" Elizabeth laughed again at his annoyed frown. "Will, they're lovely, intelligent ladies. Of course the young men are going to be interested. You can't lock them away, you know."
Will shook his head in amusement. "You exaggerate. Are you telling me that you think I'm too strict? That our girls aren't allowed any social life?"
"I'm not saying that at all, Will. Just try not to scare the life out of the boys who do express an interest, though. Please?"
"You make me sound like an ogre," he grumbled, thrusting the shovel into the soil again. "Anna can do as she pleases, she's away from home. Rebecca, as you say, is far more interested in horses, and Kathleen in books." Will twisted the shovel, emptying the dirt into a pile, then paused. "Perhaps I'll give Anna a ring to see how she's doing." he said thoughtfully.
"You'll do nothing of the sort!" Elizabeth sternly told him. "It's Saturday, and she's probably out anyway."
Will narrowed his eyes, a sly smile sliding across his face. "I seem to recall you calling our son every weekend during his first year at university. I can't wait to see what happens when Rich leaves."
Elizabeth bit off a sharp retort at the reminder of her overprotective behaviour where Ben was concerned. She assumed an innocent expression as she smiled sweetly at her husband. "But Will, when Rich leaves there won't be any children left in the house. It will be just you and me. I doubt I'll have any time to harass him with my telephone calls."
Will just stared at her and blinked. Laughing loudly he pointed a finger in her direction. "Rich won't be out of here for another six years at least. Are you sure you'll be up to chasing me around this place by then?"
"Chasing you? Ha!" Elizabeth laughed herself. "You'll be too old to get away, my dear!"
Will's mouth fell open. "Oh, really? So what's your excuse now? You aren't even as old as I am, and I can catch you within a minute and a half!"
"Oh!" Elizabeth cried in disbelief. "Is that so? A minute and a half?" She pushed at the buttons on her watch. "Okay, mister. We'll see about that. On my mark," she rose to her feet. "Go!"
Will was left standing in the garden as his wife gained a generous head start. He dropped the shovel into the dirt and sprang into a run.
"Are you alright, Kath?" Rebecca looked at her sister in concern. She was standing at the counter, staring into the sink. Her face was very pale. "You don't look well."
Kathleen turned her head and smiled faintly. "I'm fine. Are you on your way out?"
"Yep," Rebecca replied as she gathered up the garment bag with her good breeches and jacket in it. "I have an early class and I still have to warm up Angel when I get there. Are you coming later with Ben and Anna?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. I have an assignment to finish, and I don't want to miss the Grand Prix tomorrow."
Rebecca's eyes lit up. "You definitely don't want to miss that! Do the schoolwork today then, and I'll see you later." She gave Kathleen a cheery wave and hurried out of the room.
In the hallway she nearly ran into Georgiana, on her way up the stairs as Rebecca was rushing down. Stopping only long enough to apologize profusely, Rebecca then dashed out the door and over to the carpark. To her vexation, the car wouldn't start. She tried several times with no more luck than the first.
"Blast it!" She slammed her fist on the steering wheel. Scanning the remaining cars, her eyes lit up and she quickly got out to search out her father.
"Dad?" she called as she entered the house. "DAD?"
"Don't yell in the house!" Will said irritably as he poked his head out of the door to the breakfast room. "What is it, Rebecca? I thought you'd left already."
"My car won't start."
"And?"
"Can I take the Merc?"
Will stared at her in amazement. "Excuse me? Are you asking me if you can borrow my very expensive, sporty model Mercedes? The one that I use when I feel like I need a little excitement and to remind me that I'm not as old as you children sometimes make me feel?"
Rebecca could hear her mother laughing inside the other room. "Um, yes. That one."
"Do you take me for an idiot?" Will had to restrain himself from laughing in her face. "The last time I let you borrow one of the flash cars you drove it like you were on an event course and rolled it in a ditch!"
"But how will I get to the show site?" she whined.
Will sighed. "Take the van."
"The van!?" Rebecca said in horror.
"Or walk." Will said drily.
"Okay, the van it is." she grumbled, turning toward the front door.
"Rebecca?"
She stopped and faced her father again. "Thanks, Dad." she said meekly.
Will watched her leave and returned to the breakfast room.
Georgiana made her way directly to Elizabeth's office. She knocked on the door, fidgeting as she waited for an invitation to enter. When she heard it, she opened the door and closed it once inside the room.
"Elizabeth, we have a problem."
Her sister-in-law looked up from the paperwork in front of her. "A problem? Is it Aaron?"
Georgiana shook her head. "Could you come upstairs?"
Elizabeth glanced at the pile of papers on her desk. "Can it not wait a while?" she asked hopefully. She didn't wish to discourage Georgiana now that she was showing an interest in what was happening in the household.
"No, I'm afraid it can't."
"Very well," Elizabeth said as she rose from the desk.
Georgiana led the way upstairs, and to Elizabeth's surprise they wound up in Kathleen's room. Elizabeth noted her daughter's red, swollen eyes and the pile of wadded up tissues on the bed beside her. Her heart leaped into her throat as she sat down beside the distraught young girl.
"What is it, Kathy?" she asked softly as she took one of her daughter's hands in her own.
Kathleen looked to her aunt and Georgiana came forward to address Elizabeth.
"When I came upstairs I heard crying coming from Kathleen's room and I came in to see what was the matter. I found her curled up on the bed, in tears. She didn't hear me enter." Georgiana sat down on the other side of her niece, placing her arm around her waist. "We had a good long talk, and we agreed that it was time she spoke with you, but she wanted me to tell you first." She said the next words very softly. "Elizabeth, Kathleen is pregnant."
"What?" Elizabeth stared at them in shock. "Pregnant? You can't be!"
Kathleen's gaze dropped to the floor. "It's true." she whispered.
Elizabeth got up and began to pace the room. "I don't believe it. Anna, Rebecca.... but you? Kathleen, sweetheart.... how could I not have seen it?"
"Don't blame yourself, Elizabeth." Georgiana said.
"How can I not?" she replied, distress evident in her voice. "I should have paid more attention. You'd think that I, of all people, should have -."
"Elizabeth." Georgiana said quietly. "Don't get into that now. Let's focus on the current situation."
"Of course." A detached part of her mind marvelled at Georgiana's presence of mind considering her recent troubles. Elizabeth suddenly thought of her husband. "Oh no! What is Will going to say?"
Kathleen burst into tears at this. Elizabeth pulled her daughter to her and held her tightly, rocking slowly. It was some time before her sobbing had quieted enough to allow her to speak.
"Do... do we have to.. tell Daddy?" she said between heaving sobs. "Please say... no.... I don't want.... he'll ... he'll hate me!"
"Oh no he won't, dear." Elizabeth closed her eyes, trying to hold back her tears as she stroked Kathleen's hair. "Daddy loves you so much. Nothing could make him hate you." She took a settling breath. There was still a lot that remained to be said. "Kathy, we need to discuss some things before I can tell your father. Are you ready to talk now?"
Kathleen nodded her head and sniffled. She sat up and put one hand in her mother's and the other in her aunt's. "I'm ready."
"First of all, when did this happen? How far along are you?" Elizabeth squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly.
"In the summer, around my birthday."
Elizabeth dropped her gaze. We were in America. Oh, Kathleen, I'm so sorry we weren't here for you. "That makes you about three months. Have you told him?"
Kathleen nodded silently. "Last weekend."
Elizabeth gave a relieved sigh. That was one problem that didn't need to be addressed at least. "How did he take it?"
Sniffling again, Kathleen met her mother's gaze. "He's scared."
"Understandable."
"Of Dad."
Elizabeth imagined Will towering threateningly over the poor lad and suppressed a smile. If anyone should be sympathetic to the boy's feelings, then it would be Will. "Don't worry about your father. Once he gets over the initial shock, he'll be right beside you. We both will be."
Elizabeth and Georgiana spent the rest of the morning with Kathleen, reassuring her, letting her express her feelings, her hopes and her fears. For Elizabeth it brought back very old memories that she'd thought long buried. Georgiana had found a new focus outside of her own pain, and she relished the opportunity to offer the love and support to her niece. When at last they left her daughter, exhausted and tucked into bed, Elizabeth retreated to her sitting room with Georgiana.
"How am I going to tell Will?" Elizabeth said, rubbing a hand across her forehead.
Georgiana looked at her in concern. "Are you afraid of his reaction?"
"Oh, no. I mean, of course he's going to be upset, but he's not going to do anything stupid." She grinned. "You didn't think he'd want to hurt the lad, did you?"
"No," Georgiana said slowly. She wasn't entirely confident in Elizabeth's assessment of Will's probable feelings. "When will he be home?"
"After dinner. He has a meeting late this afternoon in Derby." She got up and began pacing the floor. "Kathleen. Why Kathleen? She's always been our quiet little bookmouse, daddy's little girl. Will has been so worried about Anna being away from home and instead it's Kathleen, right under our noses."
"Not quite right under your noses." Georgiana pointed out softly. "You weren't even in the country."
"Don't even think that, Georgiana." Elizabeth felt guilty enough about not being there for her daughter's sixteenth birthday, but she would have felt even worse had they not made the trip to be with Georgiana in her time of need. "Anyway, what's done is done." She sighed heavily and sat down once more. "What am I going to say to Will?"
Chapter Three
"Please tell me I didn't hear you correctly."
Elizabeth met his gaze steadily. "Your daughter is pregnant."
Will stared at her. "Kathleen." he said tonelessly, then looked away and paced the length of the room. At the window he turned back to face his wife. "But she's not much more than a child!"
"She's sixteen, Will."
She's just a baby! He shook his head, anger beginning to bubble to the surface. "Who is he? Who the hell did this to her?!"
Elizabeth crossed the room to take his hands and attempt to bring some calm to his wounded feelings. "Take a deep breath and settle down, Will."
"Settle down!? You tell me my baby girl is going to have a baby of her own and you expect me to stay calm?!" He walked away from her again and prowled the room, muttering under his breath.
"Will, this is going to get us nowhere." Elizabeth saw him come to a stop in the middle of the room and look at her. "We have to talk about this rationally.... before you speak with Kathleen."
He continued to stare at her, jaw clenched, his lips forming a thin, straight line. "Who... is.... he?" he said slowly and quietly.
Elizabeth sighed. "Jason Whitaker."
The angry expression left Will's face to be replaced by one of puzzlement. "I don't recognize that name."
"Neither did I. Rebecca, however, did."
Will straightened up and rolled his shoulders back. "I want to see him here, in this house, tomorrow." he stated flatly.
"Will -." Elizabeth began.
"Tomorrow, Elizabeth!" Will stood firm.
Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh. "It's not so simple as that. You can't dictate terms here, Will. Besides, he won't be back home until next weekend."
"Back home?" Will repeated. "What do you mean? Where is he?"
"Edinburgh, at university"
Will's eyes widened. "University! Just how old is this.... man?" His tone grew angrier and his voice rose in volume. "And how dare he lay a finger on .... she's just a child! I'll kill him! I swear to God I'll kill him!!"
"Fitzwilliam Darcy!" Elizabeth's voice sliced through the haze of his anger. "Don't you dare lay all the blame at that boy's feet! I know you think of Kathleen as your sweet, innocent little girl. She's had you wrapped around her little finger for years! But you have to face the fact that if she's old enough to play the game, she's old enough to take the blame." Her voice softened as she added, "She's scared Will, and I well remember how that feels."
Her husband stared at her, his anger warring with the old guilt which rose from the depths of his conscience. "That was different. You were older." he said defensively.
"Don't be foolish. Single and pregnant.... it doesn't matter how old you are. It's just as frightening." Elizabeth narrowed her eyes as she watched him. "She's also scared of your reaction."
Will let out his breath explosively. "And well she should be! Or at least this Jason what's-his-name should be! Elizabeth, I now have an even greater respect for your father. If he felt so much as half the outrage that I feel right now, I'm amazed that he didn't pound me into the pavement that night outside the hospital!"
Elizabeth watched him pace the room once more. "Kathleen is in her room. She doesn't want to see you without me being there, too."
"What does she think I'll do?" he said with a frown. When his wife merely looked at him patiently, his anger faded into the background, allowing the hurt to surface. "I need time to absorb this first." he quietly said.
Elizabeth nodded. She turned to the door and paused with her fingers on the handle. "She needs all of our love and support, Will."
His eyes were filled with sadness as he met hers. "Did you think I would offer her any less?"
"No." Lowering her eyes, Elizabeth opened the door and left the room.
Rebecca shook her head as she offered another tissue to her sister. "How could you have been so stupid, Kath? I mean, we all had the same sex ed classes! Weren't you paying attention?"
Kathleen wiped her nose with the tissue. "Of course I paid attention."
"So you just forgot that little bit about using birth control, then." Rebecca said sarcastically.
"Why are you giving me so much grief? Mum didn't harp on at me as much as you are!" her sister snapped.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "As if Mum and Dad are ones to criticize! Of course she wouldn't go on at you about your inability to use your brain." She looked at Kathleen for a moment. "What are you going to do, Kath? Are you going to keep it?"
Kathleen nodded her head. "That's about all I know right now. Jason hasn't told his parents, yet."
"Well, you'd better hope that Dad isn't the one to break the news to them, then."
Kathleen turned a horrified gaze on her sister. "He wouldn't do that, would he? Oh, no!"
Rebecca sat down on the bed opposite Kathleen. "Who knows? He's going to have a fit about this, Kath. You know how he's been about Anna being on her own. You really blew it big time, girl. And not just for yourself. Do you think he's going to let me go off on the circuit now?"
"You didn't ask them yet?"
Rebecca let out her breath in a rush. "Have you heard any explosions recently? I knew it was going to be hard enough to convince them to let me skip university and ride in Europe. Now it's going to be impossible, I'm sure."
"I'm sorry," Kathleen said in a small voice.
Rebecca suddenly felt ashamed of herself for being so selfish when her sister was in real trouble. "No, I'm the one who's sorry, Kath. Is there anything I can do? Run interference with Dad?"
A tiny smile appeared on Kathleen's face. "Not with Dad. I think I might need some at school though."
"School! Eeee! I never thought of that. You can count on me there."
There was silence as both of them were suddenly at a loss for words. Then Rebecca got up.
"I guess I should go to bed, now. I have to be at the show for seven tomorrow. I've got a couple of horses to tack for the early classes." She paused at the door, leaning against the frame. "Everything's going to be okay, I'm sure." With a faint smile of encouragement, Rebecca left her sister alone.
Anna frowned at her brother. "What are you thinking?"
Ben crossed his arms over his chest and looked his sister in the eye. "I think Dad's going to kill me."
"Why?"
"Have you forgotten who he left in charge of the kids while they were away? It's my fault Kathleen is in this mess. I didn't keep a close enough eye on her." He stared angrily at a point just beyond his feet.
Anna rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Don't be an idiot, Ben. Of course it isn't your fault, and Dad won't blame you either. I was here, too. The only place she ever went was the library. At least that's what she always told us. I guess we were too trusting."
"Did you see Mum's face after she told Dad?" Ben would have preferred to be back at his flat right now, rather than have to face the breakfast table in the morning.
"Did I ever!" Anna replied. "I think she had a tough afternoon. First she found out about Kathleen, then they talked about what to do, and finally she had to stew about it until Dad came home." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Ben. "How do you think Dad took it?"
Ben turned to face her. "I think he's going to kill me."
"Ben."
At the sound of his father's voice, Ben nearly leaped out of his chair. His head craned about to look toward the door.
"I gather you two know."
Anna gave him a grim smile. "Mum told us after she'd spoken with you."
Will sat in one of the armchairs next to Anna. "What do you know of this Jason fellow?"
Anna looked to Ben and shrugged her shoulders. "I never met him, Dad." she said.
"Me neither." Ben added.
"Then how did this happen? Where did they meet?" Will slapped his hand against the chair arm. "Damn it, who the hell does he think he is, messing about with a fifteen year old girl, because they didn't just get together after her sixteenth birthday! This had to have been going on for a while already!" He jumped up from his seat to angrily pace to the window and back again. "I could just ring his bloody neck!" He stopped and looked at Ben. "What do you have to say about this?"
"Me?" Ben's eyes opened wide in alarm.
"Yes, you. She's your little sister after all!" Will continued his pacing. "You must have some opinion on the matter. Wouldn't you like to get your hands on the.... I can't believe you'd just calmly accept your sister being messed about like this!"
"Dad," Ben quickly replied. "I'm not accepting anything! If I'd had an inkling of what was going on you can rest assured I would have been all over that fellow!"
"Just listen to you two!" Anna snapped. "Did either of you consider asking Kathleen how she feels about him? Whether she's in love with him or not?"
Will snorted. "Oh please, Anna! I'm willing to consider Kathleen suffering from an infatuated affection for this boy, but she's too young for real love."
"Dad's right." Ben nodded his head. "This bloke probably spotted her as an easy target for his sweet talk and moved right in."
Anna glared at them indignantly. "Is that what you think? Well, I guess you should know, Ben. You must use that method on all the girls in your harem!"
"Anna!" Will said sharply.
"No, it's okay, Dad." Ben squinted at his sister. "I only said that because I've seen it happen too many times. The quiet, naive girl who gets sucked in by the smooth, charming snake. This fellow was heading off to university, too! It's typical."
Anna watched their father walk back to the window and look out, the tension visible in the set of his shoulders. "You're really doing a great job of calming Dad's fears, Ben!" she hissed at him.
"I'm just being honest," Ben hissed back.
Anna stood up. "I'm going upstairs. You two can argue about this until dawn if you want to." She glared at her brother on her way out.
The breakfast table was silent but for the clinking of knives and forks against the china. Anna glanced at the faces around the room. Aaron appeared to be the only one unaffected by the previous day's news. He was his usual sullen self. Everyone else was quietly eating, occasionally meeting someone else's eyes across the table.
Anna watched her parents as they sat at opposite ends, not looking at one another. Obviously, her father had not yet cooled down enough for the two of them to be able to talk about Kathleen's situation. Anna was still angry with Ben for his attitude the night before. Between her brother and their father, Kathleen and her boyfriend were in for a rough ride, the latter more than the former.
"Is everyone planning on coming to see Rebecca ride today?" Ben couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"I am!" Rich answered quickly. He nudged Aaron in the ribs.
"Me, too." Aaron added with little enthusiasm.
"Kathleen?" Ben turned to his little sister. "I thought you said you wanted to come today."
Will looked up. "The fresh air will do you good, Kathleen. Go and enjoy the day. I know how much you like to see your sister compete." He looked down at his plate once more.
Anna frowned. "You're coming too, aren't you Dad? Mum?"
"Of course, Anna!" Elizabeth smiled. "This will be Rebecca's first international class. We wouldn't miss it."
Will remained silent.
Ben pushed his chair back and stood. "Well, I'm going to go and get ready. We should be leaving in about a half hour if we want to find a parking spot."
Immediately the rest of the children excused themselves from the table and escaped with Ben. Georgiana remained with her brother and sister-in-law. With her eyes on Will, she cleared her throat.
"Have you spoken with Kathleen yet, Will?"
He brought his eyes up to meet his sister's. "No. Today is a big day for Rebecca. I'd like to concentrate on her this afternoon." Will's gaze shifted to Elizabeth. "I'll speak with Kathleen tonight."
"Don't wait too long, Will." Elizabeth's eyes were filled with concern. "She'll only become more anxious with the delay."
"I know."
They finished their breakfasts and were ready to leave when the rest of the children were piling into Ben's car. Will pulled his car out behind his son's and they set off for the show grounds.
Ben had been correct about parking, but they were fortunate enough to find two spaces that weren't too far from the entrance. The crowd was already thick as people jostled their way to their seats in the grandstand.
Rich was the first one to spot Rebecca near the in-gate, as she leaned over the fence while talking to a young man beside her.
"Dad, may I go tell her where we're sitting?"
Will told him he could go and shook his head in amusement as he watched his youngest hurry off. Rich dogged his sister's every move when it came to her riding. It would make Rich very happy if Rebecca were to ask him to act as groom for her own horse. She, however, viewed his interest in a different light, and regarded him as more of a hindrance than a help.
Today was another story, though. Rebecca was pleased to see her younger brother and eagerly scanned the faces in the grandstand where Rich indicated their family was seated.
"What time is it supposed to start?" asked Aaron.
"There's an open jumper class before the Grand Prix, so I should think it will be another hour or so." Elizabeth replied as her eyes followed the figures of her two children weaving their way through the crowd. She turned to her nephew. "Would you like to take a look around the site until Rebecca's class begins?"
Aaron nodded his head. There was a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
"I'll go with you, Aaron." said Ben.
"Me, too." added Anna.
All three left their seats and started down the steps, passing Rebecca and Rich along the way. They stopped to talk for a few minutes, then Rich joined the other three as they continued down the stairs. Rebecca wore a big smile when she arrived at her parents' seats.
"Oh, everybody came!" she said delightedly. "I'm so excited!"
"I hope you calm down before you go into the ring," Will laughed. "I have no desire to see you catapulted over an obstacle."
"Oh, you worry too much." Rebecca also laughed. "Trixie would never place me in such an undignified position!" She turned to her mother. "Mum, you simply have to come and see this absolutely beautiful stock pin I found. It's the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen!"
"I hope you brought some money, Elizabeth," Will chuckled.
"Sounds like I'll need it, doesn't it? Okay, Rebecca. Do you have time now?"
"Only about fifteen minutes. Then I have to start warming up."
"May I come, too?" Georgiana asked.
"Sure!" Rebecca was excitedly chattering as they walked away.
An awkward silence descended on the two remaining Darcys. Will glanced to his left. Kathleen sat with her hands in her lap, head bowed as she picked at a fingernail. She looked nervous, and very young.
Oh, my little girl, why did it have to be you? We have such a long road ahead of us. He watched her fingers fiddling away. Your life is going to be taking a different path, now.
Will reached out and placed his hand over hers. Wordlessly, he met her inquiring gaze and closed his fingers with a gentle squeeze.
"Oh, Daddy." Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"You're not alone, sweetheart," he said softly. "I won't let you go through this alone." Kathleen sniffled loudly and gave her father a brave smile. "We can talk more tonight, Kathleen. I want you to enjoy yourself this afternoon."
"Thank you, Daddy," she whispered as she fumbled a tissue from her pocket and wiped her nose.
Will put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. Lord knows you won't be enjoying the months ahead.
"Elizabeth, sit down. You're going to wear a path in the carpet."
Elizabeth frowned at her husband. "How can you sit there so calmly? Jason will be here any minute."
"I'm saving my energy for more important things." Will's eyes narrowed as he lowered his gaze to study a point on the far side of the room.
Elizabeth's eyes widened and she slapped her hand against the back of his chair. "You'll do no such thing! I won't stand for any intimidation by you, Will."
The door suddenly opened and Ben popped his head inside the room. "Is he here yet?"
"No!" Will and Elizabeth said sharply.
Ben uttered a meek "oh" and quickly retreated. He stood in the hallway after closing the door and looked thoughtfully toward the front entry. Casting a quick glance back at the closed door, Ben straightened his shoulders and started down the hall.
It was chilly outside. The wind blew from the north, around the side of the house and swept across the front steps. Ben wrapped his arms around his body for warmth, refusing to go inside to get a jacket. He thought that the more uncomfortable he was, the more miserable he'd be, and the less likely he was to be swayed by any smooth talking this Jason would probably try. Ben was determined not to like this fellow. Anyone who would seduce a fifteen-year-old girl was very low in his estimation. Ben had his share of girlfriends, most of them just a quick bit of fun, but he had never entered into any relationship without a full understanding on both sides.
The crunching sound of gravel drew Ben's eyes toward the long stretch of driveway that wound along the front of the lawns. There was a car approaching, and an eager smile appeared on Ben's face. He already knew what to expect. He imagined this Jason getting out of his car, sauntering arrogantly across the carpark with a smug look on his face, his swagger that of the narcissistic athlete with an ego the size of Buckingham Palace! And Ben was waiting to instruct him on just how misplaced was that enormous ego of his.
The car was now pulling into one of the spaces, and Ben stepped forward to meet the driver as he got out. When he turned around, Ben stopped in his tracks and stared at the figure before him.
"I heard the door." Elizabeth hurried to a chair and sat down. Just as quickly she rose again and stood facing the doorway, her chin held high, but her hands nervously playing with the fringe of a pillow resting on the edge of the chair.
The handle rattled on the door and they could hear Ben's voice as it opened. "They're in here."
Will would not rise from his chair. He refused to even look at the newcomers. He sat in his chair, staring at the opposite wall and said in a low voice "If you think that anything you have to say will induce me to think well of you, you flatter yourself."
"Will." said Elizabeth quietly as she looked upon the young man beside her son.
"I'm not finished, Elizabeth. I have hardly even begun." Will's tone was steady, but there was an edge to it that invited no opposition. "You cannot comprehend the contempt I feel for the man who would defile my daughter, who would have so little worth himself as to disregard the boundaries of common decency and seduce," Will slammed his hand down on the table beside him, "a young girl, barely a child." Will began to rise from his seat. "I can hardly contain the wrath I feel. I hardly know how to restrain myself from -."
"Will!"
"I will be heard, Elizabeth!" Will's voice rose in volume, and he began to pace the floor in front of the windows. "Kathleen is a mere child. She was hardly old enough to fully understand what she was doing, what she was risking. But you!" The words rattled a vase on the mantle. "You should have known better! She was probably just another in a long line of girls you've strung along. How many others fell for that charming facade of yours? That slick exterior? Hmmm? I don't hear any words of explanation from you." He growled out the next sentence. "Just what do you have to say for yourself?"
Will turned to finally face the offensive creature standing on his carpet. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "You're Jason Whitaker?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
The skinny boy looked about to run from the room in terror. His eyes were nearly bugging out of his head. He had no wits left about him to either nod in acknowledgment or deny his own existence.
Will stared at him. He stared at the pitiful excuse for a human being, shaking like a leaf as he stood facing the wrath of a complete imbecile! Feeling suddenly ashamed of himself, Will took a step toward the boy with his arm outstretched.
If it was possible to make his eyes get any bigger, Jason managed to do it. He nearly tripped over Ben as he stepped away from Will in alarm. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as he tried to say something, anything, to stave off the attack.
Elizabeth stepped between her husband and the boy. "Please come and sit down, Jason. Ben? Would you go and ask Kathleen to come down, please?"
Jason's gaze darted to follow Ben as he left the room. He looked at Will once more, unsure if he could believe that the woman in the room would be able to stop that man from doing him grievous harm should he so choose. Elizabeth took the boy's arm and guided him to a seat.
Will was silent now. He could find nothing more to say. Looking at the sad figure of Jason he wondered how he could have ever thought his daughter would have fallen for the insidious charms of a teenage womanizer. This poor lad in front of him was by all indications just as quiet, just as studious as Kathleen. He was surprised to find that he found it oddly comforting.
"Jason." Will saw the lad flinch at the sound of his voice. "Is there anything you'd like to say?" he asked in a softer tone.
Jason shook his head and the room lapsed into silence once more. A few moments later the door opened to admit Kathleen and Ben. Jason scrambled to his feet and Kathleen paused halfway between him and the door. She looked at Jason, then at her father. For a moment her sad eyes were fixed on Will's, then she lowered her gaze and stepped closer to Jason.
The boy shot an anxious glance at Will, moving toward Kathleen to take her hand in his. His chin came up and he met Will's gaze bravely. "We... uh.. I would like to do the right thing, Mr. Darcy... sir.... I do love Kathleen, and I would like to marry her, that is, if you have no.... objections."
Will thought he would laugh outright. The idea was ludicrous. Then he realized that the pair was serious and he frowned. "That is out of the question. No."
"But Daddy!" Kathleen interjected.
"No." Will repeated sternly. "Marriage. You're both too young! And pregnancy is no excuse for it."
Kathleen looked away from him, afraid to show him her tears of disappointment. She blinked her eyes and said bitterly "That's not what you've always told us about you and Mum."
Will's head came up sharply. "What?"
Defiantly, Kathleen stood her ground. "You've always said that you would have married Mum sooner if you'd known she was pregnant with Ben. Isn't that the same thing?"
"No it is not!" Will stared at his daughter in disbelief. Where did she come by this stubbornness all of a sudden? "The situation between your mother and I was far more complicated than a simple inattentiveness to -."
"Will." Elizabeth placed a hand on his arm. "Kathleen, that is totally irrelevant. We are here to discuss your situation, nothing else. I agree with your father. Marriage is out of the question."
"But why?" Kathleen looked from one parent to the other. "Other kids have done it."
Shaking his head, Will turned his back and walked away from them.
"Kathleen." Ben spoke up from where he had been quietly standing by the door. "How long do you think you would stay together if you married now?"
She looked at her brother thoughtfully, but said nothing. Jason looked down at his feet.
"You know it wouldn't work," Ben continued. "So why risk it? Especially when you would be able to stay at home, have your baby and still see Jason without either of you risking your futures."
"Kathleen's future has been changed already," Will said harshly. "She will never be able to go back."
"Changed, yes. But not necessarily for the worse." Elizabeth stepped closer to her daughter and took the couple's joined hands. "Kathleen, you know that we will always be here for you. We will support you through all of it. Please consider your brother's words. It really is better for you both this way. Jason can finish university, and you can finish school. Wherever it goes after that will be up to you two."
Kathleen nodded slowly. She looked to Jason, who inclined his head in resignation. Swallowing painfully, she released their hands and crossed the room to stop just behind her father's turned back.
"Daddy?" she whispered.
Will's shoulders rose and fell, then he turned to face her. They stood facing one another for several seconds, until Will held out his arms and pulled her into his embrace. He stroked her hair as he closed his eyes.
You'll always be my little girl.