The Thin Line between Love and Hate
A Pride and Prejudice- story
By: jakeline
Summary: A modern P&P with a Shakespearean twist. He said she wasn't pretty enough and she threw punch at him. After 12 years Darcy is back in Meryton and Lizzie still hasn't forgiven him.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be Jane Austen and most definitely not Shakespeare. I just borrow their work as an inspiration to this story, loosely basing it on Pride and prejudice and Much Ado about Nothing.
Chapter 8: This Could be the Beginning of Something Ugly
William sighed as he dialled the number he had gotten to Anne de Bourgh. He had gotten his mother to promise that she'd send Georgiana to England if he did her this one last favour. After a long discussion he had finally gotten her to realise that he was serious about not getting married and that there was no use in her trying to set him up with more women. Or at least he hoped so.
Georgiana was to arrive in the middle of June and William was now searching for a good place to hold a conference, and enjoy some recreational time. He believed in keeping his staff happy. Georgiana was to plan the trip, but he wanted to pick the place. His thoughts were disturbed by a woman's voice that answered the phone.
"This is Anne, I can't take the phone at the moment. Please leave your name and number after the beep and I'll get back to you." Answering machine. William left a short message with his name and number and why he called. He realised how businesslike he had sounded, but he really didn't really care. The sooner she realised he was not interested the better. This was just one last date and he might as well treat it as a business meeting.
"All set for Saturday?" Charles poked his head into William's office.
"I haven't gotten hold of Anne yet, but my mother had basically set the whole thing up. All I have to do is to confirm and pick a restaurant," William muttered.
"Peter and I will be there, you don't have to worry about that."
"Thanks man, I owe you one," William said, sincerely thankful. "So who's Peter bringing?"
"I don't know, some girl he met on your party," Charles said evasively, but William hardly noticed.
"Oh, good." William turned his eyes to his laptop again.
"What are you working on?"
"Just trying to find a place for the summer conference," William replied. "Heard of any good spots?" Charles thought for a while.
"Not really, but Jane might know. I'm off to lunch with her."
"Good, good," Williams said absentmindedly, not really listening.
"Yeah, so I'm off now," Charles said.
"Okay, have a good one," William said, without looking up.
-xxx-
"Elizabeth Bennet?" said an unfamiliar voice as Elizabeth answered her phone.
"This is she," she said hesitatingly. She hoped that it wasn't someone trying to sell her socks or something over the phone. "Who's this?"
"Who am I?" the man asked, but continued before Elizabeth could say anything; "I'm Spiderman," followed by a chuckle. Elizabeth didn't know what to think.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's me, Peter Fitzwilliam, sorry about the Spiderman-thing. I just couldn't help myself," he said, although not sounding at all apologetic. A grin spread on Elizabeth's face.
"Peter, how are you?" A beat, then; "Er, how did you get my number?
"I have my sources," Peter chuckled. "But if you must know I ate at Ye Old Wench today and your sister Lydia was more than helpful."
"Of course she was," Elizabeth sighed, but secretly she was kind of glad. "So, what makes a nice guy like you the potential stalker and bully my sister into giving you my number?"
"I am in great need of a date on Saturday," Peter said. Elizabeth frowned.
"As if a man like you would ever be desperate enough to beg for a date?" Elizabeth snorted.
"Let's just say that I'm in need of someone who can me laugh."
"And you believe I can do that?" Elizabeth said sceptically.
"I know so. Please say you are free on Saturday." It actually began to sound a lot like begging.
"What's in it for me?"
"Ah, well, a part from the fabulous company of yours truly, you will get an excellent dinner on me, of course. And you would be doing me a favour of lighting up a boring work dinner."
"I'm flattered, but still not convinced."
"Okay, what if I told you, that if you come, you will get the pleasure of seeing William Darcy in a very tight spot?"
"I'm listening..."
"See, Mrs Darcy has this insane idea that Willy-boy is in need of a wife, and therefore keeps sending blind dates his way. Will practically begged me and Charlie to come so that he would not be left alone with this chick." Elizabeth chuckled. Now that was the encouragement she needed.
"Well, a woman's got to eat. Count me in. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing Darcy sweat a little."
"That's what I thought," Peter chuckled. "Pick you up at seven?"
"Deal." Elizabeth hung up and smiled. She hadn't been on a date for very long and looked forward spending Saturday night with Peter. Seeing Darcy sweat was just a nice perk.
-xxx-
"All is set," Peter said as he called Charles later that night. "Lizzie is on. I had to tell her about Will though, she wouldn't come otherwise. Very suspicious, that one."
"Excellent. Jane is in too," Charles replied. "Poor sod, he has no idea what he has gotten himself into."
"Is that a guilty conscience I hear?"
"Well, I'm not the one bringing a woman who Will has ended his friendship with," Charles said.
"Ah, well he has himself to blame. I mean, who else was there to ask?"
"Charlotte," Charles suggested.
"True, but not as much fun as Lizzie and would not make Darcy sweat even more."
"Dude, you are evil."
"And proud of it."
-xxx-
Anne had finally called William back on Thursday and they had decided on an Italian restaurant. She hadn't sounded as daft as the women his mother usually hooked him up with. Hopefully he would not be too bored. At least he would have the company of his two friends in case of emergency.
As he finished work on Friday he was interrupted by Caroline Bingley.
"What is this I hear about a business dinner? And why am I not invited?" the red head demanded to know.
"What business dinner?" William asked confused.
"The one tomorrow at Antonio's?"
"Who says it's a business dinner?"
"Charlie." It figures.
"It is not a business dinner. I have a blind date with the daughter of one of mum's friends and wanted some back up," William sighed. Caroline did not look convinced and eyed him suspiciously. He did not want Caroline there. She was the last person he would want to have on a blind date. "You now how my mum is. She really doesn't get that I'm not interested in a relationship, let alone marriage."
Caroline huffed: "Whatever." She apparently didn't believe a word William was saying.
"If it had been a business dinner, you would be the first I'd invite. You are my secretary after all. Hell, I would make you do the reservations." Caroline still didn't look completely convinced, but a bit happier.
"Okay, fine. It's not a business dinner. But since both Charlie and Peter are going to be there, what am I supposed to do?" Caroline pouted with her glossy red lips.
"You are a clever girl, Caroline, I'm sure you will figure something out," William sighed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish these emails before going home." Caroline finally left his office and he was free to finish his tasks for the day. He had managed to work off a load of stuff that had been lagging and was quite satisfied with himself. Now he looked forward to spending the night in solitude with a glass of whiskey and a nice book.
-xxx-
"How do I look?" Elizabeth asked Charlotte anxiously, eyeing herself in the mirror. Charlotte had agreed on helping her getting ready for the evening. Elizabeth smoothed out imagined creases on her black slacks and turned around in front of the mirror, trying to see herself from every angle.
"You look great as always," Charlotte assured her. "Like you have to ask."
"I guess I'm feeling a bit nervous for some odd reason. I mean, it's not like it's a date," Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. "I only agreed to come to see the look on Darcy's face when I enter with Peter."
"You should really let that go, you know," Charlotte said. Elizabeth frowned.
"Not likely, I'm having too much fun."
"Then for Jane's sake. She really doesn't need you to be enemy with Charlie's best friend."
"I will not embarrass her or Charlie. I will be perfectly civilised. I promise." Elizabeth tried a most sincere look. Charlotte only snorted and began tugging at Elizabeth's hair.
"Down or up?" she demanded to know. Elizabeth thought about it for a while.
"Down." Charlotte sighed; leaving the hair down always put her hairdressing skills to the test. A half hour later they were both satisfied with the result. Charlotte had managed to tame the wild curls into soft Hollywood waves pulled back from the face with glittering hair clips. The green eyes were shaded with black, the cheeks tinted with a bit of blusher and the lips made glossy with a transparent coat of lip gloss.
"There we go," Charlotte said with a satisfied smile.
"Thanks, Lottie. If the restaurant business gets too boring I'm sure you could find work as a brilliant stylist," Elizabeth said. Charlotte blushed at the compliment. But she was saved by the doorbell. Elizabeth glanced at her watch. "Ah, right on time." She opened the door and greeted Peter with a: "I'll be just a sec. Come in and make yourself comfortable." Peter looked quite smashing in his dark washed jeans and white shirt under a dark jacket. His blonde hair looked as if he had just gotten out of bed. Kind of sexy.
"Take your time. I've planned a grand entrance for us. Besides, you know that fancy people are always late," he grinned. "You look sensational by the way." Elizabeth felt her cheeks go red by the compliment.
"You remember Charlotte?" Elizabeth said instead of replying to the compliment. Charlotte smiled and waved to Peter.
"Sure," Peter said and nodded. "You got anything to drink?"
"There's probably some beer in the fridge," Elizabeth said vacantly as she rummaged through her closet in search for some shoes to match the outfit. "Help yourself."
"Thanks."
Elizabeth finally found the shoes she had been looking for, a pair of blank pumps. She seldom used high heals and therefore they had been underneath a bunch of flats, sneakers and flip flops. But this was a special occasion. A pair of nice high heals could top off any outfit. Besides, high heals made her legs look longer.
"Okay," she took one last look in the mirror before putting on a black jacket over her beige blouse, "I'm done."
"Awesome," Peter rose from her sofa and offered his arm. "Shall we then?"
"I believe we shall," Elizabeth smiled and took his arm.
-xxx-
"You must be William," said the black haired woman as she slipped down from the stool by the bar. "I'm Anne." She extended her right hand.
"William," he said and took her hand in a firm grip. He studied her vacantly, determined not to find anything good about her. Apart from the black hair everything else about her was pale. Pale blue eyes, pale skin, pale grey suit. He wondered if her personality matched her appearance as he escorted her to their table. He seated himself facing the entrance as to be sure not to miss when his friends arrived.
"So, William, what is good to eat here?" Anne asked as she opened the menu.
"I have absolutely no idea," William replied, eyeing the menu. He was in the mood for a nice stake.
"I was under the impression you lived here?" Anne cocked an eyebrow.
"I do, but I've only been living here for a few weeks," he answered. "I thought my mother knew your mother?"
"She does, but she didn't mention much apart from your name, age and where you live. But now that you mention it, she said something about you living in America."
"Yeah, I've been living there for the last 12 years," William answered. "And this restaurant was not the kind of place I went to when I was younger."
"Point taken," Anne smirked. "So, how come a man like you agreed to a date your mother set up?" She looked genuinely interested.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say I agreed," William said. "If your mother is anything like mine, you know what I mean. She won't take no for an answer and will not stop until I'm married."
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Anne rolled her eyes.
"And to be honest with you, Anne," William said, "I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon, if ever."
"I hear you. I only agreed to come to get mum off my back for a while," Anne smiled. William was actually relieved. Now that that was out of the way, they could enjoy a nice dinner together.
The waiter came to take their orders and William ordered a bottle of fine red wine along with his stake. Their starters had just arrived when Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet entered. William had almost forgotten about them. He caught Charles' gaze and shook his head as discreetly as he possibly could to hint that their help was not needed. Charles nodded and looked for someone to seat them.
Only moments after Charles and Jane had sat down, Peter came in. He held the door open for someone behind him. His date, William gathered. This should be interesting. William's polite smile froze as he realised who Peter's date was no other than Elizabeth Bennet.
"What's wrong?" Anne asked as she saw his face. She turned to see what he was staring at. "Anyone you know?"
"That's my cousin," William replied.
"The man or the woman?"
"The man."
"Okay…" Anne turned back to him. "Shall we ask them to join us?" Before William could answer Peter came marching over with Elizabeth in his wake.
"Darcy!" he exclaimed with feigned surprise. "What are you doing here, man?"
"Having dinner?" William replied darkly. Peter turned his eyes to Anne.
"And who is this?"
William rose. "Peter Fitzwilliam, this is my date, Anne de Bourgh. Peter is my cousin." Anne rose as well and shook Peter's hand. She glanced quizzically at Elizabeth.
"Oh dear, where are my manners? Anne, please meet Elizabeth Bennet, an old friend of William's," Peter's blue eyes glittered and William gritted his teeth.
Elizabeth smiled cordially and took Anne's hand. "Nice to meet you, Anne."
"Waiter! Could we get some help here? We would love to join our friends," Peter hollered to the waiter, who was quick to do his bidding. William groaned quietly and threw a panicked look at Charles, begging for him to come to the rescue. Charles only smiled and waved and William could do nothing since he had not acknowledged their presence. He hoped that Peter would, but there he was painfully mistaken. Peter didn't even look in Charles' direction. The only thing that was missing now was Caroline. Just as the thought had crossed his mind, she entered with some poor sod in her clutches. She immediately spotted them and came over.
This could very well be the beginning of a disaster.
-TBC-
Author's note: So a bit faster this time. Reviews are always appreciated!
