A/N
Poor Lizzy, she wrote a 2000 page essay in one day! Can you imagine? Thanks for pointing that out. She's just exceptional, not super!
I have a confession, this was part of the previous chapter, but it grew so big that I had to cut it in half! This is the only reason this chapter was completed so soon.
Here's the story. Enjoy.
Chapter 21 - She Was so Young, so Innocent, so Trusting
Her best friend's presence gave our heroine the reassurance she needed to confront the aristocratic lady. Before she would send her packing, she was going to give that woman a piece of her mind! 'I won't be deceived by her insincere tears.' As she was walking, she silently repeated her rallying cry, 'My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.'
When Lizzy and Charlotte arrived at the living room, they found Mrs. Darcy staring at the pictures on the wall. One of them, a portrait of Lizzy's mother, had captured her attention so deeply that she startled when Charlotte called her name.
"Pardon me; I seemed to have experienced some sort of involuntary flashback. I believe I've seen that lovely lady before, although, I can't recollect any details. Is that your late mother?"
"Yes," Lizzy replied curtly, "Considering that she probably didn't move in the same social spheres as yours, I doubt very much that you would've ever lowered yourself to get to know my mom, or even to acknowledge her had she been in your presence."
The force of Lizzy's rebuke stung Mrs. Darcy. She was about to give that impertinent girl a well-deserved put-down, when she remembered the reason why she was there. No one ever had had the audacity to talk to her that way. Instead of becoming angry, she began to feel some kind of respect bordering on admiration for her. There was something about that young lady; apparently she wasn't one to mince words! She was beginning to understand why her children were so much taken with Elizabeth Benes. Her darling daughter wished her to be the sister she always wanted, while her son… no, that wasn't for her to be concerned with. Her immediate purpose was to try to rectify the injustice she had unwittingly done to her.
"Please Elizabeth, I know how you must feel, would you accept my apology? I'm afraid I might have made an unfortunate mistake."
"I accept your apology; now please feel free to go home, I have nothing else to say to you." Lizzy turned to leave, but then quickly pivoted back. "Before you go, I'm afraid I lied; I have one more thing to tell you. You don't have to worry about me or Robbie trying to contact anyone in your family ever again, you are all safe from us!"
"Please Elizabeth, I understand how you must be feeling, can you please let me explain to you why I did what I did?"
"You say you understand how I feel?" Lizzy pointed at her, her tears immediately began to flow uncontrollably, but by now she was too emotionally invested to stop them. "You understand how I feel? How could you understand me? I've never… I've never felt so degraded in my entire life! Have you ever felt that, just because they think you're inferior or different, that you're to be treated as a pariah? That you're to be avoided as if you have the plague, or you're a leper? Or worse yet, that you're a corrupting influence? How could you, the superior, the eminent Mrs. Darcy understand that? Oh, Charlotte!"
The whole room dissolved into tears. Charlotte embraced Lizzy while Mrs. Darcy was feeling all the weight of her injustice. They were all rendered speechless by their strong emotions. After a while it was Charlotte, still attempting to understand the meaning of what was said so far, who finally spoke.
"Mrs. Darcy, with all due respect, I believe Lizzy's right, there's no way you can understand what she's feeling. For the sake of civility, would you please abstain from repeating that affirmation? Lizzy, whatever grievance you may have against her, it's pretty clear that Mrs. Darcy is feeling regretful and is trying to extend an olive branch to you. With that in mind, will you both please try one more time?"
Charlotte's speech induced Lizzy to regain some of her composure. Mrs. Darcy on the other hand, was disconcerted. She wondered how that insightful lady standing in front of her could be the same unscrupulous girl who accepted Mr. Collins' marriage proposal on the same night when he had been frustrated so publicly by Elizabeth's brother. 'Why would she…? That doesn't matter now, does it? Actually, she's absolutely right! She's so mature! Wonders will never cease!'
"I'm going to try again. Elizabeth, I'm deeply sorry for my unreasonable and unwarranted attempt to remove you from my daughter's life…"
"Ooh!" Charlotte couldn't help but gasp in astonishment, appalled by the implication of what she had just heard. "Forgive my outburst, please go on."
Mrs. Darcy continued, "There was a very powerful reason which compelled me to act as I did. If you would agree to listen to me, I'm willing to explain, but I need to talk to you alone, in the strictest confidence."
"Charlotte is my closest friend," Lizzy responded resolutely, "I have no secrets from her. Anything you have to say, if you can't say it in front of her, I don't want to hear it. She stays!"
"Please Elizabeth, I'm about to reveal very sensitive information about my family, can we have a private conversation?"
Lizzy was reluctant. "I'd rather not hear anything about your family…"
"Lizzy!" Charlotte interjected, pleased with the turn of the events. The significance of Mrs. Darcy's willingness to share intimate details about her family with Lizzy was monumental! "I think Mrs. Darcy is in earnest about her purpose for coming here tonight. Anyhow, I'm supposed to pick up Jane in a few minutes. I'll leave you two alone for half an hour." Looking at Lizzy very intently, she continued, "Can you please make an effort to reach an understanding agreeable to both of you?"
"But Charlotte, you promised you wouldn't leave me alone! I'll accompany you to pick up Jane. Sorry Mrs. Darcy, we have to go."
"No Lizzy," Charlotte stopped her, "I didn't exactly promise, I only said I would in order to provide moral support for you, which you don't need anymore. Please Lizzy, stay here and listen to Mrs. Darcy, consider the great effort she's making to mend the broken bridge that exists between both of you. At least give her that."
After Charlotte left, the two ladies remained standing, both awkwardly looking at the floor. Mrs. Darcy finally broke the uncomfortable silence.
"Georgie told me she gave you an account of her involvement with George Wickham. I want to thank you for keeping this embarrassing affair secret from..."
Lizzy immediately interrupted her, "You don't have to thank me. I don't know what kind of person you think I am; I would never betray a friend's confidence."
"You're getting the wrong impression about me, Elizabeth. I only wanted to express my gratitude. Anyone else with that much potentially damaging information could have used it for her personal gain to…"
Lizzy was offended. "Why are you saying such insulting words? Please stop adding fuel to the fire. You already know my feelings in that respect. You have to desist."
"Sorry, I can see now that you really are an exceptional young lady, I'm beginning to understand why…"
"Mrs. Darcy, I would appreciate if you could avoid bestowing unnecessary compliments."
"Right... What Georgie didn't tell you, because she doesn't know the details, was about a circumstance which caused me a great deal of anguish and fear. It took a long time for me to recover from that horrendous ordeal. Please don't tell her this…"
"Mrs. Darcy, if the information you want to share is too painful or too personal, you don't have to give me the details, a general idea could suffice."
"No Elizabeth, I implicitly trust you. The more I learn from you, the more I realize how abominably I've misjudged your character. Would you please allow me to get this off my chest? These oppressive feelings have been troubling me for a long time. It may do this old lady some good to share them with someone else."
"By all means, please proceed."
"That ungrateful, cruel man, whom my late husband used to call son, had plotted an evil scheme. He began by filling Georgie's mind with absurd notions about love and romance. His machinations reached a peak when he finally persuaded her to run away with him and get married. She was so young, so innocent, so trusting. To her, it was all an idyllic adventure. You know the rest. But there's something else that was kept from Georgie because it was too vicious for her delicate sensibilities. That monster had planned to take my baby, do horrible and unspeakable things to her while taking pictures and videos. Then he was going to return my broken daughter and blackmail and extort us under the threat of exposing her! Had it not been for her unshakable trust in her devoted brother, who, with the assistance of my nephew acted expeditiously to frustrate his plans, it would've been such a horrible nightmare! Every time I imagine the agony my poor baby would have suffered…"
She couldn't continue as she began to sob uncontrollably. All of Lizzy's animosity was forgotten at that moment. She went straight to Mrs. Darcy with her arms extended, providing a shoulder to cry on. They remained together, one crying, the other comforting, until Mrs. Darcy calmed down and was able to continue.
"After that traumatic experience, I have been emotionally scarred for life! When I heard some negative rumors about you, I immediately assumed the worst, acting boldly, as a lioness protecting her offspring. I abandoned reason and sense, willfully overlooking the fact that ever since you've known each other, your conduct has been exemplary, that you have become my daughter's closest confidant, her most dependable and loyal friend. More than a friend, you have unwittingly become the sister she always wanted. I should have listened to reason. I know of everything you've done for Georgiana, your good advice, your comforting presence, the way you're helping restore her confidence; more importantly, you're an excellent role model for my precious daughter. I don't want your friendship with her to end, she needs you. If you can't forgive me, please don't penalize my baby, she's been so distraught after missing her best friend."
Lizzy felt disappointed when she considered how Mr. Darcy would so readily believe any harmful gossip about her. So much so that he didn't hesitate to persuade his mother into acting as she did, rather than trying to find out the veracity of the rumors. Had he been half as interested in her as he claimed, he could have found out everything about her by now. Her life wasn't so secret; it wasn't as if her entire family was hiding under a rock! Granted, he probably wouldn't be able to find their connection to their father's business with a simple internet search; her father was a little paranoid about that. But Mr. Darcy was a man of unlimited resources. She wouldn't have faulted him had he used any means to find the truth. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of their dance at the Smithsonian, Charlotte would have been proud to know that Lizzy was seriously considering coming clean about her status to Mr. Darcy. Not anymore! He decided for her by choosing a different path.
In all fairness, she couldn't condemn Mrs. Darcy for acting as a protective mother should. All the blame laid entirely on her son! She decided not to dwell on that man, he wasn't worth it. She was happy to have her good friend back, who stood by her through thick and thin. Now that Charlotte was going to be lost to her, and when Charles returned, Jane would be pretty much too, she needed a good friend with common interests. Georgiana could fill that role to perfection, even if she was his sister. They could share good times without having to see him or go to his house. Lizzy's nature was such that she wasn't in the habit of worrying unnecessarily over unavoidable evils. Now that the most distressing experience of her life had concluded, she was overjoyed. No more sadness for her!
"I've been missing Georgie too. Actually, she owes me a big one! A few days ago, we were supposed to go to a concert to enjoy a performance of my favorite pianist ever, but I missed her."
"I'm so sorry Elizabeth, it was my entire fault."
"Did she go to the concert?" Lizzy asked with some hesitancy.
"No, she was very disappointed. Now I feel so guilty."
"I've got great news!" Lizzy exclaimed with an infectious grin, "Miss Fedorova is having an encore presentation this Saturday night with the NSO at Kennedy Center, and I have two great tickets! Charlotte was supposed to come with me, but I know she'll gladly give up her seat. She was only coming to keep me company; as she had warned me that she was probably going to sleep during the whole concerto, which would have upset me so much! Georgie will enjoy it as much as I! Let's plan on surprising her! This is going to be so much fun!"
Mrs. Darcy was gratified to realize how that amazing girl not only seemed to have forgiven her; she was already thinking of Georgiana's happiness! Elizabeth Benes was demonstrating a level of maturity way beyond her age. Her liveliness and cheerfulness were so refreshing. 'She's the perfect match for my William! Even if it may hurt my efforts to make amends with her, she has to know about my son's pivotal role in bringing me here! I have to describe to her that enlightening conversation we had this morning in my conservatory. I hope she forgives me.'
"Elizabeth, you are a remarkable young lady! Can we talk about the issue that brought me here originally?"
"Please Mrs. Darcy, let's not. These past few days have been an extremely trying time for me and I have no wish to revisit any of it. I promise I will treat Georgie as a sister; I have no ulterior motives or hidden agendas, just pure friendship. All your secrets are safe with me; we don't have to talk about this ever again. I have an idea of how we're going to surprise Georgie…"
When Charlotte returned to the apartment with Jane, she was amazed to behold the vision presented before her eyes. The two formerly belligerent ladies were now sitting together at the table, eating the meal she had prepared, laughing out loud, and scheming like a pair of mischievous girls.
Charles Bingley returned to work from his self-imposed isolation at Netherfield in a cold and gloomy winter morning, heavy with freezing rain. His disheveled appearance and sallow complexion rivaled the somber weather in wretchedness. He alleged that he had been sick, but the reality was that he was suffering from a broken heart. Everyone at the office accepted his explanation with the exception of his CEO, who knew better. Since the night of Caroline's willful deception, they hadn't had a single conversation about the events at the party or about Caroline's statements.
In fact, since Charles' strong rebuke that unforgettable Saturday at the Tysons Galleria mall when they met Jane and her friends, Darcy hadn't expressed a single negative remark about her to Charles or to anyone, let alone attempt to separate them. Needless to say, Lizzy wasn't aware of this little detail, although, had she been told, she mightn't have been inclined to accept the truth, such an obstinate girl our Lizzy was!
He was in the process of thinning out his crowded inbox, when he got a buzz from his assistant. "Charles, you have another call from an Elizabeth Benes, she has been calling all week, claiming it's a pressing matter, shall I put her through?"
Charles hesitated for a few seconds, but his first thoughts were of Jane. 'Something bad happened to my Jane! I know it!'
"Lizzy, is everyone alright? What's the problem? Is it an emergency? Please talk to me!"
"There's no emergency," Lizzy chuckled, and then she turned serious, "Before you hang up, please listen to me for one second. As the decent, kindhearted person I know you are, I appeal to you to give me an audience. All I ask is an hour of your time. I promise it'll be just the two of us, in the strictest confidence. After we have our talk, I solemnly swear never to bother you again. Can we meet for lunch someday this week?"
Charles was a bit reluctant at first, but he agreed to see Lizzy. His emotions were strained and on the verge of disintegrating. He wanted so much to hear from Jane, he knew he couldn't see her because he couldn't trust himself had he dared approach her. This would have to do, at least he could hear about her without placing himself in danger. At his insistence, they met that very same day at Leo's Dining Hall, inside Georgetown University.
The moment she caught sight of Charles' pitiable condition, Lizzy forgot the speech she had so carefully prepared with Charlotte's valuable inputs. She immediately blurted out, "It won't do! Jane's an emotional wreck and judging by your appearance, you don't seem to be faring any better. That's intolerable! How can you explain this sudden, or should I say, surprising change of heart towards Jane?"
Charles felt so depressed and hopeless that at that moment something snapped inside his soul. He decided to unburden himself. He went on to repeat all of Caroline's charges without regard to the wounds he was inflicting. When he finished, he felt much better, leaving Lizzy seething. As he was listening to himself this time, he felt embarrassed for having believed his sister so thoroughly. It all sounded so absurd now, especially the allegations against his Jane, sweet, innocent Jane.
After her trials and tribulations with the Darcys, Lizzy wanted to forget everything about those people, including the rumors circulating against her. Georgiana wanted to tell her, but Lizzy emphatically requested to her friend not to mention anything about the sad experience they had gone thru, or the people involved. When Charles began his narrative though, she couldn't stop him; her curiosity finally overcame her determination. Wrong choice! She ended up feeling like exploding from rage. But she had a mission. And in order to achieve her goal, her pride had to be kicked to the curb, at least for the time being.
"Charles," she began, summoning the best composure she could manage. "After hearing your account, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for meeting with me. I must appear to you as the most dishonest reprobate, and yet you agreed to see me, and you fully communicated all the particulars, as offensive as they are, especially to me."
"Sorry Lizzy, I just had to release all my emotions. You unintentionally became the victim of my own personal catharsis. Although in a way this can be a good thing. I honestly like you very much, therefore, I felt you needed to hear all of it, so you can be prepared to defend yourself if you ever need or want to."
She exhaled and bit her lower lip in her usual manner. "Well, let's begin with the most important and most obvious rebuttal of your sister's allegations. Do you really believe that Jane is a fortune hunter? That she would call you names? That's preposterous! Jane is an angel, inside and outside. I give you my word, she loves you very much and she's agonizing over your unexplained absence! Although, on second thought, my word may not amount to anything if you believe your friends!"
"No Lizzy, I know you're telling the truth. I shouldn't have doubted my Jane, I feel so ashamed now. To even imagine her boast about anything, it's inconceivable! In retrospect, I think I acted like a petulant child when denied a treat. I was upset with Jane because…the night of the party we had a… a sort of disagreement, and I kind of overreacted. Then, when Caroline told us those nasty stories about all of you, my mind went into overdrive and I became irrational."
She sighed, nodding her head in disappointment. She had to make a big effort to stay focused. "I know all the details about your disagreement with her. Please understand this, Jane loves you very much, but she's not ready for..." she paused, blushed, and then went on with great intrepidity, "If you want to base your relationship with Jane on your libido, then I don't want you to talk to her ever again because you're not worthy of her!"
"No Lizzy, you're right, I love her so much and I'm willing to wait for as long as I have to. You have to believe me, I wanted to talk to her and have everything in the open. I've been a coward hiding behind my self-inflicted pain. I know Jane will never trust me again. She probably thinks I'm a libertine. She must hate me by now."
"She should hate you! I would! Without any consideration to anything you might've heard about Jane, don't you know her by now? Don't you know her heart? How can you think that about her? Shame on you for even giving a consideration to those vicious lies from that spiteful woman!"
"I know it Lizzy; I know it and I lost her forever!"
"No Charles! You're so lucky that Jane is not as unforgiving as me. She's way more charitable and lenient, she's really an angel! So, you may have a chance with her. Besides, if I'm being completely honest, it's impossible to hate you, because despite being so clueless, I know that you have a kind and generous nature. Also, there's no doubt that you and Jane belong together. You're both so compatible! So, I suggest that you don't abandon hope. If I was you I'd start groveling as soon as I could!"
"Thank you, Lizzy, for your vote of confidence and excellent advise. You're a real friend! Don't you worry; I'm going to start right now, so if you excuse me…"
"Please don't leave yet, you have to allow me to defend myself against the malicious offenses your sister laid at my door."
"Absolutely, where do you want to begin?"
"Let's start with Robbie. Your sister told you he's nothing more than a clerk or worse, an unemployed rogue. That's so easy to clear."
She removed her tablet from her backpack, opened a browser, and navigated to the main website of Merrill Lynch. She found a financial article, a case study on business process optimization written by RT Grafals, Senior Investment Officer at Merrill Lynch Private Banking and Investment Group. The article included a picture of a smiling Robbie.
"I'm confused Lizzy, I thought Robbie was your full brother. He's not a Benes?"
"He is my full brother! It's a long story. To summarize, Robbie ran away from our home at 17, just after he graduated from high school. Our father wanted him to remain in Puerto Rico with us to assist him with our… our store. But Robbie had other ideas; he had a plan, to which my father was adamantly opposed. Robbie went to New York City, shortened his name to RT and changed his last name to evade the private investigator he knew my father would hire to bring him back home. That wasn't a clever move on his part since he used our mother's last name. My father found him almost immediately, but my mother wouldn't let him force Robbie to return. Robbie kept his alias as an act of defiance against my father. A couple of years later my mother effected a heartfelt reconciliation between them. After he'd made peace with my father, Robbie was going to change his name back, but by then he was known as RT Grafals by all his associates and clients, the name had already caught on. My father wasn't happy but he understood, it was a business decision. This is the latest article Robbie has written for the firm. He's truly a financial wizard."
Lizzy touched his photo and a new page opened up with another photo of Robbie accompanied by a small biography dated a month before.
…RT, better known as Roberto Tomás Benes Grafals, began his meteoric career with Merrill Lynch as a 17 year old apprentice just after his High School graduation from his native Puerto Rico. Concurrently with his outstanding performance in our company, he has earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration and is now completing a Doctoral degree in Statistics, all at the prestigious New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business. At the young age of 25, with almost eight years of experience with our company, RT has become a valuable asset in the field of business...'
"Robbie's always so busy, with his job and his classes, but he always makes time for me and my dad. Is this enough to clear my brother?"
"It's more than enough. I wish we had someone like him in our company! Please, Lizzy. You don't have to continue."
"No Charles, you have to allow me the satisfaction of clearing my father's reputation."
She opened her personal bank's website that contained her account information. She told him this was an account her father had set up for her to cover her school expenses, which she never expended fully. The balance was in the high six figures.
"You didn't have to show me this Lizzy. I'm sure Caroline or your relations perpetrated a cruel deception."
"I just wanted to address your sister's statements about my impending bankruptcy and my father's store. As you can see, my dad's 'little shop' is very prosperous and very well managed. He's more than capable to support my studies and my current lifestyle for as long as I want. I'm not hunting for a rich husband or any husband at all; I'd never debase myself so pathetically! When I'm ready, which I may not be for years, I'll only marry for the deepest love! As of recently, I've been playing with the idea of applying to a law school in New York or Puerto Rico to be closer to Robbie or my dad. I'm fed up with some of the people here."
"Please don't change your plans for anyone. Lizzy, as Jane's best friend, you are my best friend as well. I would hate to see others' ill intentions affect you in any way, especially my own sister's. I promise I'll defend you decisively! I'll set my sister straight!"
"Thank you Charles. I don't care about your sister's opinion or anyone else's. I only care about yours. That's the only reason I gave you this information. I don't think I'll change my plans, but I'm going to apply to other law schools just in case. I'm not sure what did Fanny and Lydia tell your sister, but I know they couldn't be as malicious as to attempt to ruin Robbie's and my reputations, that was your entire sister's doing. As for Jane, you'll have to deal with that. While I'd prefer not to be associated with your sister, I'll tolerate her for Jane's and for your sake. Please keep her as far away from me as possible."
"I'm so sorry Lizzy, I wish Caroline was a better person. Louisa and I, we've tried to make her change her selfish ways, but it's almost impossible, we're at our wit's end with her. Especially when it has to do with Will Darcy, she thinks he's her property and she'll stop at nothing in order to keep him away from potential rivals. Regrettably, she sees you as the biggest obstacle to her happiness, due to Will's increased attentions towards you. Despite the fact that he has repeatedly told her he'll never be romantically involved with her, she won't relent!"
"I don't have any designs on that man! She can have him all to herself! Actually, I think they deserve each other!"
"Lizzy, you're quite mistaken. I love my sister very much, but I know her shortcomings. She's very conceited and self-serving. Believe me; she'll pay for what she has done. But Will is nothing like her. He's a very generous man, and also very kind, he takes good care of those he loves. You should see the way he dotes on his sister."
"Yes, I quite figured that out." She interposed sardonically.
"I agree," he didn't catch the sarcasm in her remark. "I can safely predict that the lady he chooses to spend his life with will be very lucky! Now that we mention Will, I haven't…"
"I don't want to hear anything else about your friend. Thank you very much for talking to me. You have a hard road ahead of you with Jane. Now I have to go to my class. Goodbye and good luck."
As she was talking, she betrayed a feeling that was immediately clear to Charles. It was a mixture of sadness combined with disappointment. He remembered the expression of sheer devastation on Will's face the last time they saw each other in his house. 'This is an interesting development. Now I feel so much better! Assuming, and I'm 99% certain, that Lizzy is the love of Will's life, if, as she said, my road ahead with Jane seems difficult, Will's will be almost impossible to traverse! They seemed so affectionate with each other at the party; I wonder what Will did this time? Could it be Caroline's fault? Oh no! Does she blame Will?' He ran after her.
"Lizzy wait, please tell me what happened with Will. He's…"
"No thank you, goodbye Charles."
Charles began his ingratiating mission without delay, and he went all out. That same night, Jane received three dozen roses. Each delicate bouquet wrapped in decorative paper contained a card with a number and a single letter. The colorful bouquets kept multiplying until there were so many that the apartment began to take the appearance and fragrance of a flower shop.
Since Jane declared that she wanted to throw away 'all those meaningless shrubs along with their childish messages' without ceremony, practical Charlotte found the perfect use for them. After all the numbered cards were carefully stored in a safe place, a large van was rented by a most willing volunteer to take all the flowers to Lizzy's OWYP high school class where they would have an 'Arts and Crafts Rose Galore day'. The night before the flowers were removed from the apartment, on a cloak-and-dagger midnight operation, Jane broke into the enemy line, stole a single red rose, and kept it in her room as a POW.