Chapter 12: The Game:
"So guys, what do you say? Think that you can beat me and Richard?"
"Hands down, Bennett."
"Bring it, Bennett."
"You two do remember the last time we played, right?"
"Yeah, you had that big basketball boyfriend racking up all your points. I don't think you hit a cup all night?"
"Right, Tony, I forgot about him. That was a fun night though. So, where do we go for this game?" Lizzie asked Richard.
"Will will take you. I'll go get some cups and score some beers."
"Cola," corrected Lizzie. She nodded slightly in Georgiana's direction; "It's early, no need to get crazy this early."
Richard smiled and walked off towards the kitchens, wishing that Will hadn't met Lizzie first. Will led the group far away from Caroline's eyes. He knew that once Caroline discovered their game, it would be over. He also knew that the game wouldn't last too long, at least with him missing from the room. When she discovered that he was no longer there, she would search the house from top to bottom for him. And then she would demand his attention and pretend she was his girlfriend. God, he hated those times. Although with both Richard and Lizzie in the same room, that might stop her…just a little bit. Will smiled to himself, this night seemed like it could have potential. Will lead the group to the library. He watched as Lizzie's eyes lit up. He smiled broadly at her and she smiled back at him. Then she turned back and took in the room.
Books in old leather covered the walls from top to bottom. A fire roared in the fireplace, throwing shadows over the walls. Lizzie wanted to curl up on a sofa examining books the rest of the night. Reluctantly, she turned her attention back to the group. Steve groaned, "Not the look! Was this the only room that will do? Lizzie won't be able to keep her head in the game now." Then he smiled and winked at Jessica, "She won't be able to keep her head in the game. And that means we'll whoop butt." They high fived just as Richard walked into the room carrying the supplies.
They played three quick games, where Richard and Lizzie won the first and then had to play Will and Georgiana. When they won that game, the other four declared the teams needed to change. As if everyone in the room conspired against them, Will and Lizzie were named the challengers against Jessica and Richard. Jessica was having an off night but she knew that Richard could carry the game. So they worked together in hopes of achieving victory and a union between their two friends. It took Will and Lizzie a little longer to find their rhythm, but before too long, they were back in the game. Jessica and Richard had two cups to defend and Will and Lizzie had one less. Richard picked up the ball, and said, "You two are finally going down. This is victory." Just as he let go of the ball, the door opened. The ball bounced on the table and into Lizzie's gleeful hand.
"Ah Will, here you are." Caroline came into the room. "I've been looking all over for you. What on earth are you doing in here?" Her nose wrinkled in disgust. Richard threw the ball, which missed widely. "What sort of game are you playing and why?"
"Ah…"Will had no answer.
Lizzie noticed his lack of response and jumped right in. "Caroline, so glad that you found us. You're just in time to see Richard get his ass kicked."
Richard laughed. "You and what army."
"Seriously. Let's be reasonable here." With that, Lizzie tossed the ball, which landed right into the cup. "Drink up."
"Will, come with me. There's some people you need to meet."
Lizzie took one look at the pained glance on his face and took pity on him. "Sorry, Caroline, but Will's in the middle of a game right now. And there's no telling when it will be finished."
"You call this a game. Believe me, he doesn't need to finish."
"Oh, so now you control his every move?" Lizzie winced at the comment as soon as she said it, realizing the weak comeback.
Caroline brushed her comment aside and went to grab Will's arm.
"I'm afraid Lizzie's right, Carrie, I must finish the game here."
"But Will, this is much more important than this silly game."
"Yes, but you wouldn't want me to be the sort of man who backs out on his commitments, would you?"
Caroline frowned, "Of course not Will. I suppose I will see you later." She walked quickly to Georgiana and whispered in her ear. Georgiana shook her head and pointed at the table where Will was lining up his shot. Caroline huffed and exited the room, leaving behind a roomful of relieved guests.
"You know she's going to try to make you pay for your that later right?"
Will nodded at Richard's observation. He was just about ready to toss when his cousin spoke up again, "She might even try to make you dance with her."
Will shuddered at the thought. "Please God, No!"
Lizzie noticed and grinned a wicked smile. Then she threw the ball into the last cup and shouted "Aha. Apparently I don't need an army."
He dutifully drained the last cup and shrugged at Jessica. "We'll get them next time."
Lizzie and Will exchanged high fives and then smiles.
Georgiana spoke up, "So, what's next."
"Huh," Lizzie said with her eyes still locked on Will's.
"Well," said Georgiana hating to interrupt the moment, "Caroline just left and it's clear that you two are the winners of the last team combo. So…"
"Yeah", chimed Richard, "Since you two were clearly the winning team, you choose the next event."
Lizzie blinked and looked between Richard and Will. Her mind was a complete blank. Will knew it was his chance to come up with something, something clever, that would erase his social failures, at least for that evening. Just as he opened his mouth to spit out the first thing that came to mind, he heard Lizzie's stomach growl. He laughed, "Well, I guess that settles that. We need to find some food."
Jessica piped up, "Have you seen the food here. We're not likely to find anything normal."
"So, we ditch the party?" asked Georgiana quietly.
Richard and Will grinned at each other. They needed a plan to get past Caroline and out the door quickly. Will took point and Richard followed up the rear, each of them familiar with the layout of the house. They took the door at the far end of the room, opposite the door from which Caroline burst in. As the end of the hall, they turned right and wondered through a maze of halls before everyone froze at the sound of Caroline's voice.
"Where could he have gone? No, the library is empty. I just checked. Louisa how can I get him to notice me? No I don't think he has. Obviously we're not together yet. How could he resist me if he'd noticed me? Do you think it could be because I'm Charles's sister and therefore off limits? No, oh. You think that I'm trying to hard? But how can that be? He's running away from me? Louisa, how can you say that?" Caroline's voice carried away as she drifted down another hall.
Lizzie glanced at Will's face. A panicked look froze across his face, which was followed with an intense look of guilt, before his poker face reappeared. Lizzie knew she was the only one to see the conflicting emotions played out and squeezed his arm affectionately. He gave her a quick smile and started moving down the hall once gain. Lizzie grabbed his arm and held him back. Then she moved them both so they were retracing their escape route. As they passed the rest of the group, Lizzie heard Georgiana whisper, "What are you doing?"
"Something I hope that I don't regret, but we can't leave now."
"Bennett you're going soft on me."
"Steve if you tell anyone, I'll…"
"Yeah, Yeah."
The entered the party and stopped in the doorway surveying the scene. Lizzie checked out the food situation and located Jane in the process. Jane stood next to Charlie smiling as his friends and acquaintances surrounded the couple vying for Jane's attention. Jane bestowed her smile on each in turn, not forgetting the women who seemed to gravitate towards her almost as much as men.
Georgiana and Will were both keeping an eye peeled for Caroline, who was no where to be found. Jessica scanned the room for any attractive men that had yet to fall under the power of Jane's spell. She quickly realized the Richard had potential, but that most likely he was out of her league. Steve just wanted to leave and have a night with his two best girls. He was beginning to regret ever agreeing to come out tonight. The fact that he hadn't seen Lizzie in almost a month swayed his decision over coming to party that actually had a dress code. Richard watched Lizzie and Will and tried to figure out if he had made any difference at all this evening. At certain times, he was positive he had, but then in a blink of an eye, Will would make some dumb ass comment that lost him any edge he had gained. Richard decided there might be a little spark there, but neither party looked comfortable making a move just yet. Therefore, he needed to spice things up a little bit.
He bent his 6'2" frame close to Lizzie and asked her a question. She turned her head and smiled softly. She nodded and took his outstretched hand. They made their way to dance floor as a slow song swept over the room. The other four stood watching the couple for moment and then they parted. Steve moved away in search of another drink. Jessica made her way towards Jane. Will and his sister watched one more minute as Richard twirled Lizzie, her short skirt twirling with her. Frowning, Will turned away just as Georgiana commented, "Don't they look good together?" Will shrugged and moved in the direction of a waiter. Georgiana shot Richard a small smile before hurrying after Will, not wanting to be alone in the crowd.
Georgiana moved quickly in order not to be caught alone by Caroline. Georgiana couldn't believe what they all overheard. She knew that Caroline really liked her brother, but she had no idea how determined she was to catch him.
Meanwhile, Will had scarfed up half the tray before she caught up with him. He did even notice what he was eating, it was just something to do besides stare at his cousin dancing. Georgiana came up besides him and pulled his arm back from more hors d'oeuvre, "You better move now if you want to escape Caroline. She's headed your way." Will nodded absently.
Caroline came up to the waiter and requested a glass of wine. She made small talk for a few minutes until the waiter came back with her drink. Just as she excused herself and started to leave Will reached out and grabbed her elbow. He quickly asked her if she wanted to dance. A stunned look crossed her face, if only for an instant, then satisfaction replaced shock and smug soon followed. Will noticed none of these looks however as his eyes were glued Richard and Lizzie.
The dance song was just ending, Richard pulled Lizzie close and then twirled her. She laughed surprised at the gesture. When he pulled her close for the next dance, she snuggled close for the slow song.
Caroline and Will approached the dance floor to everyone's surprise and disbelief. Halfway through the song, Richard noticed Georgiana starring at him intently. He sent her a quizzical look to which she replied with a head jerk. Richard swiveled around and found the couple dancing rather close. He showed Lizzie and both of them were puzzled over the dance. "Maybe he's just trying to be nice, you know, after what he all overheard."
Richard nodded, but knew Will would never willingly put himself into that position. His eyes narrowed and then the light bulb came on. He quickly looked back to Georgiana. With Lizzie busy looking at Will, she gave Richard a quick thumbs up, signally exactly what he was thinking. Their plan was working…even better than either of them could have imagined.
