Assets and Liabilities: A Contemporary Pride and Prejudice
Chapter 7
The next week's girl's night brought more interesting news. Caroline had apparently hijacked Charlie's romantic weekend with Jane. She had invited herself and Darcy along on the trip. Jane told her sister and friend the news with a grin, but Lizzie could detect some disappointment behind her smile. Her plans of a romantic and private weekend at the beach were dashed. Jane, being Jane, put her typical optimistic spin on the change in plans.
"It'll be a great opportunity for me to bond with Caroline. I'm hoping to get to know Darcy better too. I know Charlie really values his friendship."
Lizzie and Charlotte shared a look of concern, but vocalized that they were sure Jane would have a great time. They did gently warn her to be on her guard around Caroline, but Jane would hear nothing of it. "Caroline has become one of my best friends! I know she only wants me and Charlie to be happy!"
They left it at that, but after Jane had left, the two roommates bonded over their shared distrust of Caroline Bingley. Lizzie felt comforted to know that though she and Charlotte they had different opinions on how to choose a boyfriend, they still had the closeness and similarity of opinion that had bonded them as friends. They also both truly cared about Jane's wellbeing and wanted to protect her from any heartache or drama with Charlie's sister.
Lizzie had planned to meet Jane at the local art museum to see a new exhibit after work one day. Jane texted her asking if Charlie could come too. The three had a nice time looking at the artwork and eating dinner in the museum café. Lizzie got the opportunity to learn more about her sister's boyfriend. She admired his excitement and carefree attitude. He had the rare trait of being simultaneously extremely easy going, but exceedingly hard-working. Hearing him tell stories about his education and career made the Bennet sisters proud of his accomplishments. He was a self-made man, but remained humble and considerate despite his success. Through a few of his comments, Lizzie realized that Charlie's sister, who hadn't appeared to do anything worthwhile in her life, used her brother's name and friends to create a false image of wealth and a refined upbringing.
Lizzie felt that Charlie had given them a very clear picture of the Bingley siblings. She had developed the utmost respect for one and an even stronger dislike for the other. Lizzie was happy to see how worthy Charlie was and how much he cared for Jane. She noticed that his eyes never left her older sister's face for long and that he was very concerned about her wellbeing.
Lizzie asked them about their upcoming trip. Charlie prattled on about the vacation and his excitement. Lizzie and Jane smiled at his enthusiasm.
Lizzie replied, "That sounds wonderful! Your lake house sounds like an absolute paradise!"
Charlie was hit with a sudden idea, "Lizzie, you have to come with us!"
Lizzie tried to refuse the offer, but Charlie was insistent. Jane reiterated Charlie's delight at the idea.
"Please say you'll come! If you're worried about taking off time from work, you can just come for the weekend."
Their persistence was too much for Lizzie to overcome, and she ended up saying that she would be delighted to join them.
The majority of the group would arrive at the lake house on Thursday night and leave Monday to enjoy a long weekend. Lizzie and Darcy both had more demanding work schedules. He offered to drive her down after work on Friday and back to town after breakfast on Sunday. Lizzie was grateful that she would be spared the expense of renting a car. She had mixed feelings about the upcoming trip. One the one hand, she loved the beach, she needed a vacation, and she knew she would enjoy spending time with her sister and Charlie. On the other hand, she would have to spend the whole weekend with Caroline Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Lizzie thought she had Caroline pegged as a typical mean girl. Darcy was another story altogether. Lizzie hoped they would all play together nicely.
Lizzie answered a call from Jane as she packed a bag for the trip.
"It's amazing here! The house is beautiful and the lake is so relaxing. I can't wait until you join us here tomorrow!" Jane gushed.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Is everyone behaving?"
"Yes, of course! We're getting along very well. Caroline's friends are very nice."
"How many friends did she bring?" Lizzie said surprised.
"Just three. Actually Caroline decided last minute to drive down with you and Darcy tomorrow, so it's just the three ladies, Charlie and me. Everyone is excited to see you! We're saving the good wine until tomorrow so you can have some."
Lizzie smiled at Jane's positivity. "I will need it after hours trapped in a car with Caroline," she said playfully.
Jane countered. "Caroline is really very nice, I'm sure when you get to know her better you will come to like her as much as I do."
Lizzie hoped, rather than believed, that would be the case.
Caroline Bingley met all Lizzie's expectations for nastiness. When Darcy's car pulled up to Lizzie's building, Caroline didn't even get out of the car to say hello. Caroline had brought thee full size suitcases for the weekend, so Lizzie's carryon-size bag had to cram into the backseat along with Darcy's. Darcy helped her with her bag and apologized for her squeeze in the back seat.
Once they were on the road, Lizzie had to endure the extremely superficial conversation of Caroline. Lizzie was practically on another planet in the backseat. Caroline began by complimenting Darcy's car, moved on to his responsible driving, before finally segueing into a list of his many other talents.
Darcy didn't make much of a reply. Lizzie put her headphones in to drown out the conversation after about twenty minutes. The drive eventually ended at a lake so scenic it could have come out of a children's fairy tale novel.
Jane and Charlie welcomed the newcomers cheerfully. The men were instructed to carry in Caroline's luggage. Darcy looked to Lizzie to see if she needed help. She waived him off, but she felt that it was nice of him to offer. Caroline's friends barely looked up when Lizzie said hello. After greeting everyone, Lizzie went to unpack. Jane followed behind her to chat and to help.
"I hope you don't mind sharing a room with me," Jane said pensively once they were alone.
"Of course not! This place is huge, but there are eight of us here for the weekend."
"Caroline made a comment. I don't think she approves of the sleeping arrangements."
"Why is it any of her business?"
"She expected me and Charlie to share and for you to sleep on the sofa. She's disappointed that she doesn't have her own room."
"If she wanted her own room, she shouldn't have brought so many friends! Beyond that, it's weird that she is poking her nose into your sleeping arrangements with Charlie. It's up to the two of you to decide and no one else's opinion matters. Beyond that, this is Charlie's house!"
"You're right. Thank goodness you're here to reassure me. Though I'm sure Caroline is just being protective of her brother. She couldn't have meant any harm."
"Yes, it's a good thing I'm here," Lizzie said, worrying about Caroline's interference and mind games.
The group ate dinner together in the lake house's dining room. Caroline soon turned the conversation to Darcy, reminding Darcy of their close relationship.
"How is Gigi doing? It was such a pleasure to see her last week!"
"She's doing well. She's back at school for the fall semester." Darcy turned to give an explanation to Lizzie and Jane, "My younger sister came home for a break between her summer and fall courses."
Lizzie teased, "You made her take summer classes? Darcy, she's still a teenager. Let her have some fun!"
Darcy tensed slightly and Caroline was quick to jump to his defense.
"Darcy is an excellent guardian. He has raised Gigi to be an extremely talented and lovely young woman."
"Gigi is great, and so studious! I bet she even likes summer classes," Charlie added, trying to improve the awkward conversation.
"She is more than just book smart; she's so polite and elegant. The man who marries her one day will be very lucky." Caroline asserted.
"I can't speak to that." Darcy stated. "I can't imagine my baby sister ever marrying."
"What qualities do you look for in a woman you might marry?" Caroline asked eagerly.
Darcy thought, "You know me well. What would you expect?"
"I think you are looking for a very conscientious woman of style, society, and education. A woman who would get along well with your family, never make a social faux pas, or have a hair out of place."
Lizzie looked at her own slightly messy hairstyle critically. Jane winked at her.
Darcy responded, "You are not too far off the mark, those are generally traits I look for. However, I am also looking for someone with a quick mind and a passion for life; someone who excites me."
"Good luck with that," Lizzie said before taking a large sip of wine.
"What makes you say that?"
"If this woman does exist, I think she would be rather put off knowing that you have a checklist of qualities that she must demonstrate."
Caroline interjected, "No sensible woman would be 'put off'. We as women understand that eligible bachelors have requirements and the ability to be choosy. You simply haven't been in good society enough to know how things work".
"If that is how good society works, I'm happy to stay out of it," Lizzie quipped.
"Yet, here you are," one of Caroline's friends said cattily.
"That's a good point. You will not be invited to my next party, Lizzie," Darcy teased.
"I'm fine hanging with other plebeians and actually having some fun!"
Caroline spoke up, "Darcy you really should host a get together. Your home is so lovely; it's a crime to keep it to yourself! I'd be happy to help with planning."
"Speaking of parties, I'm throwing a massive Halloween party," Charlie exclaimed.
Jane squealed, "I love Halloween—it's my favorite holiday after Christmas."
"I know, that's why I'm throwing the party," Charlie admitted sweetly pulling Jane toward him for a side hug.
Lizzie beamed. "Jane has the best costumes. In college she won the costume contest every year!"
"I'm hoping you'll help me with mine. Maybe we could go in a couple's costume." Charlie suggested.
Caroline and her friends began discussing different costume ideas: sexy nurse, sexy policewoman, and sexy firefighter were the top choices.
Lizzie gulped back more wine.
Caroline turned her attention on Darcy, "Do you have any costume ideas, Darcy?"
"Costumes are not my thing. What about you Lizzie?" he asked taking the spotlight off himself.
"I usually go as a strong woman from history. It may be Princess Leia, Catwoman, or Daenerys Targaryen this year," Lizzie joked.
"None of those women really existed," Caroline pointed out severely, missing the joke.
"What about Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, or Catherine the Great?" Darcy suggested.
"Thanks, I'll go as Joan of Arc, and Darcy you can go in costume as whoever Joan of Arc was fighting against," Lizzie smiled.
"The English in the Hundred Years War."
"How do you know that?" Lizzie asked.
"How do you not know that? I thought you were a feminist."
Lizzie cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrows, "Touché".
Caroline interrupted their banter, "Perfect! Darcy, you can be an English knight and I'll be Queen Elizabeth I".
Darcy corrected, "That would be anachronistic. Edward the Third ruled during the Hundred Years War".
Lizzie googled "Edward III" on her iPhone and immediately burst into laughter. She passed her phone to Charlie who joined her in chuckling. He spoke, "Darce, you should definitely come to my party dressed as Edward III".
Lizzie added, "The long white forked beard and the grey fifties bob—it's a great look".
"Is that what you're into Lizzie?" Jane teased.
"Oh yeah, top it off with an ermine cloak and a giant jeweled crown and I'm in trouble!"
Darcy teased, "Lizzie, if you need a king, I'll just have to polish off my crown for you".
"The jokes write themselves," Lizzie smiled and glanced at Jane for support.
Jane was too polite to taunt Darcy so instead gave Lizzie an indulgent smile. "Be nice, Lizzie."
Caroline took advantage of the moment to insist Darcy take a walk on the beach with her and her friends. Only Lizzie, Jane, and Charlie stayed behind. Lizzie left the happy couple alone and went to bed laughing to herself about their trivial conversation.