Ok, faithful readers! I did fix the Charlotte/Caroline mix up in the previous chapter. Many thanks for drawing that to my attention.
And "Guest" mentions that the quickness of Charlotte's engagement seems unreal. I understand that, however, she is feeling a bit of a rush to get on with it because she is close to thirty and wants to have a large family. And although she isn't desperate (I couldn't do that to her), there's no reason from her standpoint to wait if they're in love and both have the same goals.
Thanks for all the feedback! It's nice to read all the positivity and ideas!
Now, I must hurry and wrap this up since my vacation is almost up. Besides, my Pinterest account has been sorely neglected this last week! ;)
Chapter 9
"Jane, do you have a death wish for me? What's with all this talk about William and I?"
Jane widened her eyes innocently. "What? It's true, isn't it? You and he have the same sense of humor. You know, 'weird'? I was just passing along that amusing tidbit."
"But to Caroline?! She about clawed my eyes out!" Lizzy rolled her eyes as Jane giggled.
"Well, I am sorry, but I don't like the way she treated us, and I particularly didn't like how she was looking at you. Especially when William was so attentive to you. You cannot have failed to notice how he treats you?" Jane put her hand on her hip. "Elizabeth Bennet! The man cannot stop staring at you, he tags along if he finds where you will be, he brought you five kinds of dessert. tonight Seriously, you don't see it?"
Lizzy sighed and spoke slowly so Jane would understand. "Janie, you care about me, Charles cares about you, William cares about Charles, so William puts up with me. He admitted that he deliberately makes rude comments to provoke me! And his staring? It is hardly because of admiration. It's more like he's glaring. And the dessert was to stuff my mouth so I wouldn't start babbling again. Jane Bennet."
"You know, you sure have a lot of book smarts, but when it come to guys, you are not the sharpest tool in the shed," Jane informed her, quoting one of Lizzy's favorite songs.
"Who are you? You used to be sweet, sweet Jane!" Lizzy laughed. Jane hated when anyone sang that to her.
"Just tellin' it how it is. Hey, Charles knocked on the door and told me when you were changing into your pjs that there was some stuff for sandwiches in the kitchen. I'm hungry. Come with me."
The two made their way to the kitchen and pulled out the food. They were trying to be as quiet as possible, but the couldn't stop giggling. Soon, Pierre came in to see what was all the noise was. He was thrilled to see Jane and Lizzy, but horrified to see what they were about to eat.
"No! That is- what is that? The white bread? Who raised you? Wolves? No, not in my kitchen! I fix you a sandwich so good you can die happy TONIGHT!" He ended with a flourish. The girls grinned at each other. They could get used to this.
Pierre let the girls help him prepare the sandwiches and they were having so much fun, they didn't know Charles had entered the kitchen. He had to clear his throat a couple of times to get their attention.
"Charles! I'm so sorry, did we wake you?" asked Jane.
"No! I was in the library, well, where our television is, but 'library' sounds better, right? Anyway, I was in there and when I turned the TV off, I heard you all talking in here. I guess either some vents lead to that room or there are weird acoustics, but with the sound off and when one of you were near the vents, I could hear pretty well.. So I had to come investigate the party!"
"It is good I don't say anything bad then, eh boss?" And Pierre guffawed loudly.
"Yes, well, be careful about what you say about Darcy. He went in there to watch television." Charles grinned.
"I wonder if it goes both ways. We didn't hear the TV, but we were making a lot of noise ourselves!" Jane said.
Pierre began to prepare his, according to him, internationally acclaimed Croque Monsieur, toasted ham and cheese sandwich, for Charles, and fried potatoes.
"Does it have eel on it?" asked Charles warily. Pierre burst into a fit of laughter.
"No, sir, of course NOT! The eel will be served at breakfast." And he winked at the girls.
Jane laughed and then immediately frowned, "Oh, Lizzy, I snagged my nail! Do you have an emery board? I don't want the nail to rip off."
"No, I didn't bring one. I didn't even think to buy some at Sally's either. Sorry!"
"Let me see if I have one in my room. Or I am sure Caroline will. Just come with me." Charles offered.
The two left and Pierre and Lizzy fell into a comfortable silence. Soon, though, the two heard voices coming from the vent. It was Caroline and Darcy. It sounded like she was flirting with him. And he was treating her coldly. Lizzy and Pierre exchanged glances, but neither stopped listening.
"You know, William, I was just thinking about Georgiana. I bet she is just so grown up. How is she doing, William?"
"She is fine, Caroline. No need to call me 'William'. Please feel free to call me Darcy. I think I mentioned that last time we saw each other."
Caroline laughed faintly. "Oh, yes, yes. Well, I just noticed that the Bennet girls called you William..." when he didn't respond, she continued. "Now that I think about it, those girls certainly are over familiar. Not just with you, calling you 'William', but also with Charles. I do not like how that Jane keeps looking at Charles and doesn't let him have any space. She's always right there. And isn't it convenient how they finagled an overnight invitation here?"
Lizzy perked up at this point. She was curious to see what Darcy had to say.
"I'd hardly say that they could have planned this horrific storm. But I do see your point about Jane. I don't think that she is interested in him for impure motives, but maybe his heart is getting a little too serious, too quickly."
"Exactly, Wil-Darcy, so what can we do about it? Hopefully the roads will have been cleared by tomorrow and they can go home, but if not?"
"Yes. If not...well...I guess we can try to keep them apart and I could have a talk with him. I know she is friendly to talk to, but I will explain what he is not able to see – that she is friendly to everyone she meets. I don't know that she equally returns his affections."
"Yes, I am sure that he will be disappointed, but I don't want him hurt. Of course, they would be an embarrassment if he got involved with her. That sister, Elizabeth! So uncultured! Did you see how she stuffed her face with those desserts? She's doesn't take care of herself – no effort to put on any make up or put on some alluring clothes!" She lowered her voice huskily, "Unlike me, my body is my temple."
"Yes, yes, quite. Well, I must be going. 'Night, Caroline."
But Caroline was too surprised by his sudden departure to answer.
oooooooooooo
Pierre looked at Lizzy anxiously. He was shocked at the conversation, but he could only imagine how hurt Lizzy was.
"We do not speak of this to anyone, ok, Pierre? It would hurt Jane and Charles too much." Lizzy whispered harshly. She was fighting back tears of anger and embarrassment.
Pierre realized she wasn't about to cry over Caroline's catty remarks. She was in 'protection' mode for her beloved sister. Pierre couldn't understand why the tall gentleman had agreed with the hideous plastic woman. )He also couldn't understand how that woman could physically speak. Could she move her mouth at all?) But really, couldn't anyone see how the light haired gentleman and the fair haired lady felt about each other? Pierre had his suspicions that Mr. Darcy's reaction wasn't about Mr. Charles and Lovely Jane at all. It was more about Darcy's feelings for Lizzy - and his uncertainty in their future.
Pierre leaned over to hug Lizzy and murmured something in French that Lizzy couldn't understand.
"That sounds beautiful, Pierre. What does it mean?"
"That is something my mama used to tell me when I was told I wasn't good enough. It roughly means 'May the fleas of a thousand camels infest their armpits.'"
Lizzy couldn't help but laugh. "Pierre, you truly have inspired me."
Just then Darcy walked into the kitchen. "Hey! I was just heading here for a snack. I didn't realize anyone was in here" Pierre did not miss the fact that Darcy lit up when he spied Lizzy.
"You know what, Pierre, I am sure this sandwich is delicious, but I just lost my appetite. I think I am going to go to my room now. Good night." Lizzy kissed Pierre lightly on the cheek and went out, never looking at Darcy.
"Sir! Would you like something to cook. I am not able to go to sleep right now," Pierre asked, trying to distract Darcy from Lizzy's departure.
"Um, well, no, I don't want to bother you. I-"
"Very good, sir. I will just clean up then." Pierre interrupted.
"I, uh, guess I will just eat Elizabeth's sandwich then." Darcy mumbled and he took a bite.
"Oh, Caroline, there you are!" Charles' voice was heard through the vent. "Jane and I were looking for you."
"Yes, Charles, what is it?" she almost snapped.
"Do you have an emery board? Jane snagged her fingernail."
"No. I don't," she replied shortly. "I was trying to watch this program, if you don't mind."
" Fine. I'll just see if I have one in my room. Come on, Jane." Charles was irritated.
"Oh! Wait. Yes, I do have one. I'm sorry. I...just remembered. I have one here in my purse. Here you go, Jane dear. I wouldn't want you two to have to go all the way to the back of the house."
"Thank you, Caroline. I appreciate it. Are you hungry? Pierre is making sandwiches," Jane invited her.
"No, dear, I am on a restricted diet and I don't eat anything after 6:00 p.m." Pause, then impatiently, "Ok then. Good-night."
Darcy froze when he heard the voices coming through the vent. "Uh, Pierre," Darcy choked out, when the conversation finished "Did you and Lizzy hear any other..conversations tonight?"
Pierre pretended he didn't hear the question. Darcy's voice lowered his voice and asked again very slowly, "Did you and Elizabeth hear any other conversations through that vent tonight?"
Pierre turned around and looked Darcy in the eye. "Yes, sir, we did. But she ask me to not tell anyone. She said it would hurt her sister and the gentleman Charles too much."
Darcy stared at Pierre. Then he buried his head in his hands. What have you done, you idiot?