A/N: Thank you for your comments; keep them coming, I love hearing your thoughts about the story and our dear characters. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 26

Jane walked into the alcove of the Presley-Scott Galleries, waving in greeting to Linda as she headed for her sister's office. She opened the door and saw her sister crouched on the floor, carefully attempting to unwrap a large rectangular canvas.

"Do you need any help with that, Lizzy?"

"Jane! You're early!" She quickly stood up to give her sister a brief hug. "Thank you for bringing lunch."

"John has proven himself capable of manning the shop while I take a break every now and then, so lucky you," she teased, handing her a sandwich. "So how was your weekend?"

"I made a pretty significant sale last Saturday, just before closing up."

"That's fantastic! Was it an old client?"

Elizabeth gave her sister a sideways glance. "No... it was his first time in the gallery - it was Richard Spencer." She rolled her eyes when Jane's mouth dropped open. "You're just as bad as Linda. At least she has the excuse of callow youth," she said, smirking when Jane shook her head.

"That must've been exciting... "

"Mmm, it was alright. He was in the market for a full collection - apparently his flat's walls remain bare since he moved in before Christmas."

"He's decorating it himself? I would've thought men like him hired professionals."

"Either that, or... "

Jane gave her sister a sideways glance. "Or what?" Elizabeth's cheeks flushed and she waved her hand.

"It could've been just me, really. Over dinner he gave off this - cryptic vibe."

"Dinner?" Jane squeaked, setting her half-eaten sandwich down on the desk. "You had dinner and you didn't tell me?"

"I have dinner every night, you never ask me about that." Her tone was teasing, and when one blonde eyebrow rose Elizabeth knew her sister had reached her limit.

"Lizzy... "

"Alright, alright. He chose a few pieces, then sold me on this French bistro just a few blocks over - which, by the way, I am taking you to soon -" she inhaled sharply at the look on her sister's face. "You want details."

"Yes. It's been ages since we've talked like this, Lizzy!"

She smiled softly at Jane. "Yes, it has. The food was great, and so was the company. He was a perfect gentleman.

"But weird, you said."

"Not particularly, just for the most part of the evening. He told me about himself a bit, but he seemed more interested in me."

It was Jane's turn to roll her eyes. "Obviously! Why else would he have asked you out?"

"It was late, and we were hungry. It wasn't a date, Jane, that was made clear during dinner," she answered, ignoring the look of disbelief on her sister's face.

"Just - how - I don't get it."

"I told him it wasn't one," she said matter-of-factly, to Jane's horror. "From the look on your face one would think I had no other prospects!" She giggled. "I swear you are turning into mum. I am only twenty-six you know."

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Have other prospects? Is that why you treated dinner with England's most eligible bachelor so carelessly?"

"Jane, though you married at my age, it doesn't follow that I should as well." She gave her sister an exasperated look, and received a sheepish one in return.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Tell me what you will, and I promise - no second-guessing."

She proceeded to tell her of the topics they had touched on, attempting to gain some insight as she recalled their conversations with her sister's help.

"A handshake."

"Yes," Elizabeth hid her smile behind her glass, recalling the look on Richard's face. She had won that battle, she thought.

"How... " Jane searched her mind for the right word.

"Impertinent?"

"Curious."

P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P

Yes, he was disappointed, he admitted that much. When she had called him that morning telling him that his purchase was ready for delivery, he had left the office early with plans of continuing what he had started last weekend.

The appearance of her assistant with two men and the boxes in tow had been completely unexpected. No, he had assumed she would accompany the paintings, as he had put as much into words last Saturday night. He signed the necessary papers and handed them to Linda, who then gave him an envelope in return. Once all the artwork had been unwrapped and inspected, he walked them to the door, asking the young girl to pass on his thanks to Elizabeth.

Richard sat down on the lounge chair, crossing his legs as he tapped the envelope against his knee. After a moment's hesitation he opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper, running his eyes over what was his copy of the transaction. He pushed it back into the envelope almost forcefully, then took it back out, unfolding it slowly. A slow smile spread over his face as the wheels in his head began to turn.

Attached to the receipt was her business card - with her mobile number on it.

P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P

Georgiana walked through the doorway, placing her bags down by the large settee in the living room. She had just enough time for a quick shower before heading out once more. With plans to meet with Elizabeth at her flat in mind she hurried up the stairs, nearly colliding with William at the top of the landing.

He chuckled as he steadied her, grasping her arms. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going -"

"You're home early!" She exclaimed, pausing slightly to peer at him. "Are you unwell?"

"No, I finished work ahead of time so I thought we could go out to dinner and maybe catch a film if you wanted." She replied by opening and closing her mouth a couple of times and he raised an eyebrow. "You look like a goldfish, Gee."

She flushed. "Sorry. It's just -" she bit her lower lip. "I'd already made plans for tonight."

William tried to hide his disappointment. Having been so distracted at work all morning had convinced him he needed a break and he had thought doing something with his sister would help his mood. "Oh of course. I should have called-"

"No! No, it's alright. It's supposed to be dinner, but I'm sure I can manage to get out of it."

"No, don't bother-"

"Will. How often does something like this happen - on a weeknight no less? I think I could adjust my plans to include you," she teased. "Of course you'd have to buy me a good dinner."

He gave her a nod. "As might be expected."

Half an hour later brother and sister were dressed and in William's car, heading to the other side of town. He glanced at his sister, who still held her mobile to her ear - where it had been since they left home.

"Still no answer?"

"No," she murmured, bringing down the phone to look at the screen. "Pull up here, the restaurant's over there." Georgiana pointed to the Japanese restaurant at the next corner. "Do you mind getting us a table while I go a few blocks down? Her flat's nearby."

He frowned as he turned off the engine. "I'm not ravenous yet - I'll come with you. Unless, of course, you're embarrassed to be seen with me." William added dryly when he saw her look of hesitation.

"Of course not, silly. I just - anyway. This way then," she gestured, getting out of the car and wrapping her scarf around her neck. They walked silently for three blocks before turning a corner. Georgiana stopped in front of two double doors and reviewed the buttons on a small panel before pressing one. William stepped back, giving the building a once-over. Shoreditch. Wasn't the gallery Elizabeth worked at in Shoreditch?

"It's Gee," she spoke into the mic, "Buzz me in!"

P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P&P

Elizabeth looked from one Darcy to another as both sat down on the cushions on her living room floor, each with a plateful of sushi in hand. She watched as William adjusted and readjusted his long limbs while trying to balance his plate, with Georgiana giggling beside him.

"You could remove your jacket, Will."

To say that her Wednesday night plans had changed was an understatement. 'Derailed, more like,' Elizabeth thought as she made her way to the kitchen to retrieve glasses and water for her guests. Twenty minutes ago, she had opened the door, an extremely fussy Andrea in her arms, ready to apologize to Georgiana for the slight change in plans - and had been appropriately shocked to see not just her but William as well, standing in the hallway, looking very much out of place.

An enthusiastic exclamation from Georgiana had sufficed as greeting, and with arms outstretched Andrea wriggled out of her grasp, reaching for her friend. She had looked to William, noted his stiff expression, and promptly stepped aside to let them in.

Apologies had come from both sides, and while Georgiana explained the situation she berated herself for not having her mobile handy. It would have saved them the trip, herself the embarrassment, and William the obvious inconvenience.

She walked back to the living room, placing the tray of glasses on the low coffee table. William sat without his jacket, cuffs unbuttoned and sleeves folded up his arms. 'That's probably as relaxed as he's going to get in my flat,' she thought, suppressing a smile. Andrea had curled up on a cushion beside Georgiana, her eyelids getting heavy as she fed from her bottle.

"I'm glad we're here," Georgiana chirped, "I really didn't want to cancel on you, and this works out doesn't it? We still get a fabulous meal." She looked to her brother, who nodded and smiled briefly.

Elizabeth sat down across the siblings and helped herself to her own plate. "Honestly, so am I. Andrea hadn't stopped fussing since Jane and Charles left her around six-thirty, and I was running out of ideas... Jane thinks another tooth is pushing itself out." She glanced at her niece, who was now dozing contentedly, looking very much like a cherub.

"This is a charming house."

Her head lifted to meet his gaze in surprise. "Thank you, William. Though I don't think you can quite call it that yet," she replied, her tone amused, "It still needs a bit of cleaning and fixing up before I can actually have people over." She looked pointedly at Georgiana, who shrugged innocently.

"You looked like you needed the help with Andrea," she cried.

"We don't mean to impose," William began, setting down his empty plate, brows beginning to knit together.

"No, no, far from it!" Elizabeth blurted out, flushing. "I was giving myself til this weekend to get this place ready for company. I was going to have a little dinner party," she added hurriedly. "A proper one, where we sit on chairs around a table."

Their gazes met and held for a moment, and William smiled. "Do let us know what to bring."

They chatted companionably over the course of the meal, shifting positions once they finished. Georgiana had picked up a slumbering Andrea, moving to lay her on the couch. Still on the floor, William leaned back against the cushions just by his sister's feet. Elizabeth stood up, gathered the empty plates on the tray and headed for the sink. She put the kettle on and turned, starting at William's appearance.

"The glasses," he explained, setting them next to the plates.

"Tea?"

"If that's agreeable," he answered, and she shook her head, smiling.

"Sometimes you can be too polite, William."

"That didn't sound like a compliment."

She opened one of the cabinets, pulling out a tin and two boxes of sweets. "What I'm saying is, you talk like I'm someone you'd just met."

His lips pressed together in a thin line, and she immediately regretted her words.

"I'm sorry. I know you had different plans for the evening; I shouldn't expect you to feel comfortable with this compromise."

William stepped closer, unable to help himself, and reached for the box of biscuits she had in hand. "It's not. You know, I don't really go out that much, so this is a real treat," he said softly. "Having dinner with two - no, three lovely women, even if one of them slept through dinner."

"You should go out more often, then."

"Yes, I have been told that," he said wryly. He watched as she resumed placing the saucers and cups on the tray, making enough space for the teapot. "So... how has work today?"

"Good," she replied, "And you?"

"Ah, I finished early today, and thought to surprise Georgiana, which brought us here. How is your family?"

"Fine... I would ask you how Gee was if she weren't here," she teased, eyes twinkling.

"You would know that far better than myself, I believe. I'm left a bit jealous of how much time she spends with you. She told me about your plans for the weekend."

She laughed softly. "You're more than welcome to join us, if you don't mind shopping."

"I could join you for lunch."

Elizabeth tilted her head to look at him, "Has she told you then?"

"About what?"

"About her... " she craned her neck towards the living room to check on Georgiana. The television had been turned on, and her friend was watching the Top 20, albeit on a very low volume. "See, there's this guy in her class named James." She bit her lower lip as his left eyebrow rose. "She hasn't told you."

"James."

"Yes. Well, I met him last week," she added hurriedly as the eyebrow rose higher. "He's meeting us for a late lunch after his shift at the coffee shop near their campus." Avoiding his gaze, she began to soap up the dirty dishes.

"He's a student as well?"

She nodded and he looked down at his feet, his expression thoughtful. "One would think you were used to this."

"No. Georgiana hasn't gone on too many dates."

"Not for the lack of invites," she said, her smile fading at his once again grim expression. "Besides, I don't think it qualifies as a date." His frown disappeared, replaced by an inquisitive look. She forged ahead. "Jane and I will be there - and a date isn't a date unless it's one-on-one. I don't think you have anything to worry about... yet."

He was silent for a moment as he considered his next words. "On that subject... I heard about your Saturday evening." She looked at him, puzzled, and William cleared his throat before speaking again. "Richard said he took you to La Régalade."

"Oh, yes," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Did he tell you it was a date?" Without giving him a moment to answer, Elizabeth shook her head disbelievingly.

"It may have been implied... "

"Well, it wasn't one." Her tone was bordering on sharp, and William unconsciously stepped closer to her, his eyes fixed on hers.

"He didn't - I mean - do anything untoward... "

"Oh, no no no, it never even came close. You know me," she smiled, raising an eyebrow. "I'm made of sterner stuff." The kettle whistled and she quickly dried her hands, turning the stove off. She filled the teapot and placed it on the tray. "We better get back to Gee. She's probably wondering what's keeping us."