Muchos apologies for no updates last night. Hopefully this chapter is fun enough to make up for it. If not, I will virtually share the chocolate truffles my own Darcy/Pierre gave me.
Once again, your reviews are much appreciated and make me laugh out loud in surprise!
Chapter 10
The next morning found everyone seated at the breakfast table. Pierre had outdone himself for breakfast – omelets to order, bacon, french toast and fresh fruit. He warmed some syrup and placed softened butter out. Lizzy almost died when she took her first bite.
Jane and Charles were chattering away. Darcy continued glanced at Lizzy throughout breakfast, while she only looked down, savoring her french toast. Caroline was concentrating on her food – chewing each miniscule bite of fruit twenty times, then taking a sip of water.
Lizzy finished quickly and went into the kitchen to thank Pierre. "It was deeee-licious! I love how the brown sugar kind of crystallized on the toast and made it all crunchy!"
"Delighted that you enjoyed, my dear. Now, what are you in the mood for tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, I am sure we will be gone today. Actually I am heading up to pack up now."
"Oh, you did not hear? There are several trees down blocking our way out – some even blocking the driveway. Since Mr. Charles has electricity and a stocked kitchen, and no one has injuries, we will not get any help clearing the way for awhile, at least another day, probably two."
"Oh, no!" groaned Lizzy. "Oh, well. I guess I am going up to my room. I don't feel much like company."
"Miss Lizzy? Mr. Darcy, he knows that you heard him. He realize when he come to the kitchen last night. He feels very bad, I think."
"Bad that he was caught or bad about what was said? Thank you for letting me know, Pierre," said Lizzy sadly. "And you can just call me Lizzy."
Pierre smiled kindly at her and patted her arm. The dark gentleman is an idiot. Why is he worried about his friend, when his friend is happy? Why he not grab Miss Lizzy and tell her he love her? Out loud he said, "I make you a delicious lunch, Mis-, I mean, Lizzy. It melt in your mouth! You go to room, you think, you rest, you come down when hungry and I cook for you! I will have you as fat as my wife in no time! And then that Mr. Darcy will find you irresistible! Ohh, I do miss my wife!" And he turned away tearfully and went out.
Lizzy stared. She couldn't figure out which was the most bizarre part of his statement. If only I was bigger, I could get Mr. Darcy! Ha! She shook her head and turned to leave. Darcy was standing there with a "deer caught in the headlights" look.
"Hey, Darcy. Don't worry, I'm not going to lure you in by gaining weight. You're safe with me." Lizzy said jokingly, but not with much humor in her voice.
"We're back to 'Darcy,' huh? Can I-" Darcy started.
Lizzy cut him off, "You know, I am tired and I don't want to hear anything from you." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "You can provoke me all you want, but I won't let you hurt my sister. While we are here, I will be polite to you and Caroline, and I won't say a word to anyone about your conversation. I couldn't hurt either of them by telling them. But if Jane and Charles do want a future together, my family and I are going to be completely supportive. And despite all your and Caroline's tactics to try intimidate us, I have a feeling we are a lot stronger than you two."
"Lizzy, I-" Darcy tried again, but Lizzy was gone.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Lizzy looked out the window in her room. She'd cried for a bit. Then realized that was pointless and stopped. Then she realized it was simply a stress relief, so she let herself cry for a bit more. Now she was done and desperately wanted to go outside for a walk or eat some chocolate. But it was still drizzly and she didn't want to go back downstairs.. She decided to paint her toes.
Jane knocked on the door and went in. "Lizzy, you ok? William said you were upset...and he told me why. That you overheard Caroline and his plot to 'tear us apart.'"
"He told you?"
"Yes. Charles is pretty angry. He told me he is asking William and Caroline to leave as soon as the roads are cleared."
"Oh, no. I am sorry, Jane. Is Charles mad at me for not telling you?"
"No, William told him what you said to him this morning. I think Charles may admire you even more now. But listen, I suggested that Charles not ask William and Caroline to leave just yet. We'll all be stuck here for at least another night, maybe more, and to have that hanging over us will not help the tension we already feel. Besides, those three may be able to work it out, without a big scene."
"Janie, you are very kind to suggest that to Charles. Aren't you mad? I would be."
"I was hurt a LOT at first. I-," Jane teared up. "You know, it was embarrassing, Lizzy! A personal affair discussed between two people who are making decisions based on, what? Facial expressions, according to one – I didn't look like I cared for Charles as much as he cared for me. And then the other says I was clinging to him?"
"Well, she's jealous, Janie."
"I know, Lizzy. I know and that's why I thought Charles should try to make peace with her without throwing her out. I kind of feel sorry for her. She's so absorbed in her appearance that she's miserable!
And William! I am not sure, but I have a feeling this wasn't so much about Charles and I at all. I think he's protective of his friend, and that's admirable. But I believe he was thinking more of his own feelings and trying to protect them."
"Huh? What feelings?"
Jane gave Lizzy a hug. "When you are ready, you'll get it, babe. So? Neon green and pink?" She asked checking out the polish. "Mama is going to freak out if you show up wearing that!"
"Sooo...did you want the neon orange and purple?" Lizzy asked, trying to look innocent.
"Only if you promise to walk in with me when we see Mama!" Jane giggled, then they both snorted, imagining Fanny screeching about "tacky women" and "true ladies" and something about "your grandmother turning over in her grave!"
The two painted their nails, alternating colors on each toe, and talked. Jane had almost convinced Lizzy to forgive Darcy.
"I'll try, Janie. Hey, I saw this hairstyle I wanted to goof around with, but my hair's not long enough. Can I try it on you? It's hideous, by the way."
"Hmm, only if I can make you as equally hideous. Don't worry, I'll think of something."
And so, the mini-slumber party began. Lizzy shaped, sculpted, twisted, and gelled Jane's hair.
"You were right, it is hideous. I almost look like Medusa! But I kind of like it. It's like my inner hideousness coming out." Jane laughed. "Myyyy turn!"
Jane teased,curled, and sprayed Lizzy's hair. She looked like a beauty contestant from the 80's. "Oh, Jaaane, I looove it! I-I-just hope that this hair will be become a beacon for world peace!" Lizzy twanged. And the two fell into a fit of laughter.
"Lizzy," Jane got serious again after a few minutes. "I really am ok. If Charles and I decide to begin dating, a few negative comments aren't going to stop us. And, while Charles feels betrayed, I don't. I see other motives behind those two's words. I'm over it. Please be over it too?"
The two talked for almost an hour, when Charles knocked on the door. "Ladies, are you ok? Pierre went ahead and made lunch. It's ready."
Jane opened the door. Charles stared horrified. "Charles?! What's wrong? Are you in pain? Lizzy! Something's wrong with Charles!"
Lizzy rushed to the door. She was about to start babbling to Jane when she started laughing. Charles looked at Lizzy and then he started laughing.
"Janie! Our H-H-HAIR!" Lizzy could barely speak. "We should wash this out before we go to lunch."
"Oh! I had forgotten!" Jane began giggling hysterically. "But, I don't think Pierre would appreciate waiting for us!"
"No," Charles agreed when he finally stopped laughing. "We're already late and he was getting impatient to serve us."
The three went to the breakfast room together, the girls explaining why they looked so odd. Laughing, they entered the breakfast room. Caroline was sitting alone. Pierre rushed over to them irritated that he had been kept waiting. Then he saw Lizzy's hair.
"Oh, Lizzy! The hair! I love it! Beautiful! Beautiful! It remind me so much of my wife." Pierre sniffed. "You just need the meat on your bones and you will be married so soon and having the fat babies and be so happy! You leave it to me to cook the food and then only you need eat, eat, eat!"
"Oh, there's no doubt she'll have fat babies. And I wouldn't worry about getting any more meat on her bones. I doubt her bones could support much more meat. It's very obvious she enjoys a good meal, or a bad one for that matter," Caroline sneered. "Elizabeth, do try to control yourself. There are other people who would like to eat today."
Everyone turned at Caroline in surprise. Just as Lizzy's eyes gleamed with a sharp retort, a voice came from the doorway behind them all. Darcy had come in while Caroline was talking and heard her comments. "I've always been partial to a curvy woman. I am so tired of women who eat only celery, count the calories in an olive, or chew water. It's not healthy. I would hate for Georgiana to feel that she isn't attractive because of her size – whether she is a size zero or a size ten. What matters is a person's health and happiness. And if I'm not wrong, I believe Ms. Bennet is both healthy and happy."
Caroline turned red and bared her teeth in an attempt at a smile. She started to speak, but decided to keep her mouth shut.
Lizzy's mouth slowly closed as she heard Darcy talking. She was confused. What is his deal? I'd say he was interested, if I didn't know how much he disliked me.
"Uh, thanks, William." Lizzy mumbled, and sat down.
"Mr. Darcy! You like my girls? Miss Jane she so pretty with her hair twisty, like buttered noodles my mama used to make." Pierre clasped his hands, looked up and sighed. "And Miss Lizzy. She look so much like my wife, her hair like the spun sugar – so big and fluffy." Pierre beamed and patted Lizzy on the back.
Jane and Charles relaxed and began talking between themselves. Caroline was drumming her fingers angrily.
"Yes, it certainly is big and fluffy," smiled Darcy. "You two certainly have unique looks today. Did I miss something?"
"Just some anger management therapy," replied Lizzy. "And a few tears were shed. But I was told to let it go. It's not my fight. And the persons more directly involved will be handling things."
"Yes, I would like to apologize to you also, Elizabeth. I was a jerk and very much wrong. And," Darcy continued, rubbing his stomach, "I got a well deserved punch in the stomach. At least he didn't hit me in the face... But I have to say, Lizzy, that that was nothing to the pain I felt when you called me 'Darcy' and I realized how much I hurt you. I really am sorry and I wish both Charles and Jane the best in whatever they decide."
Lizzy nodded. "You continue to confuse me, William. But Jane likes you, so we're good."
"Just Jane likes me?" he asked with a hopeful voice.
Lizzy looked puzzled. "Well-"
"Darcy! What are you two talking about so privately over there?" Caroline intruded.
Darcy sighed, but never answered her. Instead he suggested a walk. "We can go see if any of the storage buildings are damaged and see if any neighbors need help. The rain has stopped and the sun has come out."
"Yes!" Caroline clapped. "And maybe the Bennets will even be able to walk home! I am sure they'd be eager for that."
"That's enough, Caroline," Charles warned. "Of course I am thrilled to have the Bennets stay here until we can drive them home!
"You may go after you eat! I do not argue. You eat! ALL of you!" And he glared at Caroline as he served her half a toasted roast beef and smoked gouda sandwich with french fried zucchini chips. "And for Miss Lizzy, a smoked gouda and avocado sandwich, grilled just right with thinly sliced tomatoes."
"Wait, why does she get something special?" Caroline whined.
"Miss Lizzy, she likes the cows and the piggies. She – is good person. But, she don't eat the animals. This, I do not understand. But I forgive her. Yes, she is nice and I forgive. And no grudges, Miss Lizzy!"
"You're vegetarian?" Darcy asked. "What made you decide on that?" He sounded surprised. She seemed to be so level-headed...
"Lizzy stopped eating meat when Mary saw a video online about meat packing plants and dairy farms. Mary became vegan and no one else supported her. But Lizzy did. She agreed to stop eating meat and to buy cage free eggs and grass-fed milk." Jane explained.
"Yeah, I couldn't go vegan. But no meat was pretty easy." Lizzy explained.
Charles smiled. "You gave up meat - juicy, mouthwatering steaks, barbecue, ribs, roast, fried chicken, pork chops all for your sister? Wow! That's quite a sacrifice, eh, Darcy?"
"Yes, quite," he smiled, looking in Lizzy's eyes. "Very admirable. Fortunately, Mary is not my sister. So, Pierre, I will be eating Lizzy's portion of roast beef!"
Everyone laughed.
About an hour later, after Lizzy and Jane had a chance to brush out their hair, they all met to walk the grounds of Netherfield.
"Brrr! It's a bit cool still. I didn't bring a jacket! I wonder if anyone has an extra..." Caroline looked at Darcy coyly.
"Oh! William! I am SO sorry. Hold on." Lizzy ran back inside and up to her room. She grabbed, carefully, Darcy's jacket and took it to him outside."I completely forgot to give it back to you. I don't think any mud got on it. But if there is, you can take it to the cleaners and I'll pay for it. There's a really good one on River Street."
Darcy grinned. "Oh, no problem, I know where to find you!"
Lizzy rolled her eyes and then noticed Caroline looking ill. "Caroline are you ok? You look like- GUYS! I think Caroline is having a stroke or heart attack or something. She is turning RED! Not like a cranberry red, more like a lobster red. Like she has a sunburn. But she is sweating. Like that time Kitty was running and tripped and fell and hit her elbow and it hurt so bad she just started sweating. Oh, did Caroline twist her ankle? No, of course not. She was standing still. I-"
But a screech cut her off. "SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT! I am FINE. Just ANGRY! I am SEETHING! DARCY! You-you let this country hick wear your jacket, call you William, and speak to you with such DISRESPECT,? She doesn't like our assistance to Charles in his love life and suddenly you change your mind? You compliment her disgusting eating habits – whether it is her gluttony or her disgust of meat! Nothing she does is wrong, and everything is right! You turn your back on everything you were brought up to be and absolutely moon over her! Are you in love with her? Are you? I was willing to be anything to you! You think I dress like this because I like it? You think I starve myself because I enjoy it? You think I watch the news because I want to know what's going on in the world? NO, you clueless fool! I could be the PERFECT WIFE for you. The PERFECT SISTER to Georgiana. But you Don't. Want. It. You will regret this, William Darcy. Down the road, when Georgiana starts hanging out with classless men of the Bennets' ilk, you will regret this. Years from now, when you realize you are forced to listen to mindless blather from her uneducated family, you will regret this. But it will be too late! "
And with that, Caroline flounced into the house and slammed the door. The group stood stunned for several seconds.
Lizzy spoke first, "I think I should go talk to her." And before anyone could stop her, she was gone.