A/N: This is a little bonus. The next chapter will be sometime in April. As I said before, I already wrote this book but I have been changing the original so much it would be unrecognizable, although the main plot is and will remain intact. There are too many details changed which makes it impossible for me to send the original chapters as is. Therefore, the need for painstakingly rewriting each of them. You want me to give you the ending? Ok, here it goes, it's a HEA! I couldn't do anything else. The secret is how they get there, right?
Here is the next chapter. You know the rest. Enjoy! Please review!
Chapter 26 - Dear Jane, I Love You Here and Now and Forevermore
The two gentlewomen slipped stealthily into the silent room, where the sleeping girl was lying on her bed. Her eyes were closed, her arms were gently resting on her chest, her breathing was soft and slow. They moved toward the sleeping girl in a gingerly way. The lady with the auburn hair whispered to her companion, "Would you not disagree, my trusted friend, that our Little Briar Rose appears to be smiling in her sleep?"
The fair-haired lady murmured in amusement, "She's not our Little Briar Rose, she's our Snow White. You're confusing your facts, my faithful friend. Please remember this phrase we learned from the celebrated storytellers: '...a child with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony wood, and she was called Little Snow White' [Fairy Tales by the Grimm Brothers]. I imagine our princess must be having an agreeable dream, about a certain gentleman, perhaps?"
"Indeed," The lady with the auburn hair replied softly. "She's dreaming of her handsome prince, waiting for his magical kiss of true love, the elixir to awaken her from her long-lasting slumber."
The amused fair-haired lady laughed silently, covering her mouth with her hands, "You're mixing up your facts again my loyal friend."
The lady with the auburn hair quietly extended her hand and lightly touched the sleeping girl's lips with her fingers. The sleeping girl's smile widened and she puckered her lips, causing her friends to erupt into a fit of loud giggles. The sleeping girl woke up with a start, stretching out before sitting up on the bed.
"Young lady!" Charlotte exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Lizzy. "You have much explaining to do! We have reason to believe that last night you slept with your worst enemy!"
"Huh? What? Who? Me? What are you talking about?" Lizzy blushed. She was now wide awake!
"You're a sly girl Lizzy!" Charlotte insisted, "You spent the night with William Darcy and didn't tell a soul. So, you faked a headache to go have a secret rendezvous with your 'paramour'. And then you snuck into this room this morning! It was a clever ploy, although a very naughty one I should add. Please don't make me talk to Papa Benes! I'm very tempted to call him right now!"
"You're so wicked Charlotte! Ha-ha! You're mistaken my dear friend; I didn't spend the night with him. Although I have to confess, we were together for a very long time. There's so much I have to tell you both, but first I want to address the real elephant in the room. Unless I'm mistaken, someone else didn't sleep here last night."
A radiant Jane immediately sat on the bed and gave Lizzy a warm hug. With the biggest smile they've ever seen, she raised her hand to show Lizzy her engagement ring.
"Oh my God, Jane, it's so beautiful! I'm so happy for you! Now I feel guilty for not being here last night. Had I known of Charles' intentions, I would've endured the company of all those people in order to witness your special moment. You have to tell me everything about it. I'm all ears!"
"No you're not Lizzy; your ears are not so big!"
"Charlotte, I'm sorry for neglecting you. Come here and give me a hug. This is such a momentous time for our dear Jane! Now I want you to tell me the whole kit and caboodle about the proposal. Don't spare anything!"
The previous night, while Lizzy was walking on the beach with her 'new' friend, at ten o'clock sharp, all the guests were summarily dismissed from Rosings House. As Mr. Collins had fastidiously predicted, Lady Catherine had been most seriously displeased with Lizzy's disregard for such an important occasion. She would've dismissed her as Maid of Honor, had it not been for the mediation of her sister-in-law. Since Charlotte's parents were due to arrive the next day, although their roles were very limited, Lady Catherine decided to postpone the final rehearsal one more night, for the day before the wedding.
When the guests from Rosings House arrived at Hunsford, they found the main lobby in the dark. The staff had mysteriously disappeared. When Mr. Collins turned on the lights, they witnessed a strange sight in the middle of the room: James Hurts, the two front desk attendants, and the two security guards were standing next to each other in a semi-circle, stock-still as robots with stony faces. When the guests approached with curiosity, the quintet moved aside revealing Charles kneeling on one knee with an agitated expression on his face. Everyone pushed Jane, who by now was trembling with anticipation, in front of him. Charles reached inside his coat pocket, extracted a small black velvet jewelry box, opened it, held it in front of him, gazed at Jane with loving intensity, and thus began.
"Dear Jane, I love you here and now and forevermore. After the distressing events of tonight, I have decided I can't waste a single second without telling you how I really feel. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I can't imagine my life without you. I have loved you for a long time now and more importantly, I can feel your heart, I hope it's still beating in unison with mine. I know our thoughts coincide, our expressions are alike, and our voices sound as one. Without you I'm nothing, with you I'm everything. I want us to grow old and have many children together. I promise I will always care for you and cherish you with all my heart. My darling Jane, would you do me the great honor of wearing this ring as a testimony of my everlasting love for you and accept to be my wife?"
The following morning, Jane was sitting on the bed next to Lizzy and Charlotte. She sighed sadly. "I remember all our friends offering me congratulations and hugs, but it all felt surreal as a dream, as if I was dancing on fluffy clouds. I don't remember if I answered and if I did I don't remember what I said to Charles. I'm saddened because that was the happiest moment of my entire life and I can't recall anything about it!"
"Don't distress yourself Jane, I can help you," Charlotte offered, "In fact, you didn't say anything. With tears of joy in your eyes, you kneeled in front of your beloved, allowed him to put the ring in your finger, and shamelessly gave him a very long kiss, which we had to break off in order to hug you both to offer our congratulations. After a few minutes, you disappeared with him for the rest of the night."
Charlotte became pensive, "Charles' amorous proposal and your tender 'slash' passionate response, was the most romantic thing I've seen in my entire life! You're going to be so happy Jane!"
Her two friends understood Charlotte's meaning and gave her a comforting hug. Jane was going to marry for love, while Charlotte...
The moment passed. Lizzy examined the ring and said, "Oh Jane, congratulations, I agree with Charlotte, you'll have an eternity of felicity with Charles!"
Jane embraced Lizzy one more time acknowledging, with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world. "It's too much!" she added, "by far too much. I don't deserve it. Oh Lizzy! Why isn't everybody as happy?"
After Jane's pronouncement, there was a moment of odd silence. Jane interrupted it. "Now Lizzy, we're dying to hear about your escapade last night with Will!"
"Yes, Lizzy!" Charlotte exclaimed, pleased with the change of subject, "You've kept us in suspense long enough. Come on, out with it!"
"Contrary to your fanciful supposition my dear Charlotte, I didn't plan any secret rendezvous with anyone. I just wanted to go home and return tomorrow, just for the wedding. I waited until I supposed everyone had left. I tried to sneak into the parking lot and get in my car, when Will intercepted me, told me about Caroline's hasty removal from Rosings Park, and persisted in taking me home. I obliged him; we then spent a few hours in delightful conversation. Then I changed my mind and decided to return with him. Finally, around midnight, I proceeded, 'alone', to this room and fell asleep. That's all," she smiled brightly.
Charlotte wasn't ready to let her off the hook so easily, "So, he's no longer Mr. Darcy, not even William, now he's Will to you, isn't he? I wonder how our stubborn friend felt obliged to be in company with such an insufferable, insupportable man!"
Lizzy laughed. "I'm not sure why I consented so readily. You should've seen the look on his face when he was pleading to drive me; he looked like the cutest puppy with sad eyes. Do you remember Charles' expression on that Saturday morning in our apartment, with all the roses? Just like that! I don't know why but I couldn't say no. Perhaps it was the way he said my name…"
Lizzy told her friends about her enchanting night with Will, emphasizing his special proposal, his stimulating mind, and his surprising sense of humor. She didn't mention the most intimate details, especially her bold move at the end of the night because she didn't want to scandalize them. Her friends were amazed at her sudden change and were elated to see how happy she seemed. They chose not to dwell too much on the subject because they knew it was premature to make any assumptions about their relationship. They wanted Lizzy to go at her own pace.
"Well Lizzy," Charlotte interjected, "Lady Catherine wasn't very pleased about your absence. I'm ashamed to say that you almost lost your position as my Maid of Honor, had it not been for your future mother-in-law Mrs. Darcy who insisted it was my sole prerogative to keep you or not. After a lengthy... five… no… ten milliseconds of deliberation, I decided to give you one more opportunity. You're worth it! Ha!"
"Thank you for the honor, Charlotte. I promise to try not to let you down. I'm flattered, but you're sadly mistaken, she's not my mother-in-law.
"
"It's a sure thing on both scores," Charlotte replied. Before Lizzy could protest again, she continued, "So Lizzy, due to your absence, and the fact that my parents are coming today, Lady Catherine decided to have one final complete rehearsal tonight. We have a very busy schedule so we need to get ready early. We're going to do a check of the wedding preparations in the sun room, the formal garden, and the Rosings Chapel. Lady Catherine summoned everyone later tonight for the rehearsal. She said we all have to be at the chapel at six and we won't leave until she feels we're all ready. I believe it's going to be a very long night!"
They ordered breakfast while Lizzy got ready, and then they ate in the room. After they were done, they went downstairs where they found Mr. Collins, Fanny, and her daughters. Charlotte told them, "We're going to Rosings House to make sure all the tables and the decorations are properly set. Would you mind accompanying us? We can use the extra help."
Fanny, who wasn't in the habit of doing any type of work, immediately responded, "Sorry Charlotte, we already made an appointment for a spa treatment at the Rosings Health Center, we'll meet you there after we're done. Besides, I believe the generous Lady Catherine uses the members of her staff to do that tedious work. Doesn't she?"
"She probably does," Charlotte responded frustrated. "I just want to make sure everything is in order. We don't mind doing some hard work ourselves."
"You can go ahead with Lydia mom; I'll stay with Lizzy."
Lydia was astonished. "Why, Kitty? Don't you want a full body massage from Marcus? He's so sexy and his hands are amazing! I'm going to talk and laugh and flirt with him and have all the fun in the world! And you're going to miss it all!"
"Good Bye, Lydia! When you're done with your spa, you have to come and help us."
While Mr. Collins remained at Hunsford doing office work, the four friends spent the morning and part of the afternoon helping the staff arrange and prepare everything for the wedding. They were so busy that they didn't have time to think of anything else. They returned to the apartment to change and after resting for a while, it was time to go to the chapel for the final rehearsal.
Charles and his family had left Kent early that morning to visit a relative in Miami, and when they returned to Rosings Park, it was almost six o'clock, so they went straight to the Chapel. Charles had invited Jane, but she wanted to spend some quality time with Charlotte and he lovingly acquiesced.
The Darcys and Richard had been confined to Rosings House all day long visiting with Lady Catherine, who insisted in keeping them inside. Darcy and Richard yearned to be outside where they knew the ladies from Hunsford were working, but Lady Catherine preempted every attempt to leave with a request or other for assistance with some estate matters, which had already been resolved by the very capable and long-suffering estate manager, or simply to attend her and Anne.
At one time during the afternoon, Darcy had gone to his room to take a short respite from his pestering aunt. He was rinsing his face in the sink of his personal bathroom when he heard some laughter outside. He opened the window and what he saw mesmerized him. The Hunsford ladies had been helping the staff and adding personal touches to the decorations in the patio. In the exact moment when Darcy peered outside, they were taking a break. Lizzy was playing the daisy oracle game with a rose she had removed from one of the tables; she was plucking the petals one by one and throwing them in the air while exclaiming, "He loves me", or "He loves me not".
For every 'he loves me', she would smile, lift up her hands and spin around once. For every 'he loves me not' she would make a sad face while throwing the petal behind her shoulder. Her friends were laughing in merriment while Darcy was fascinated with her buoyant spirits. Finally, the 'he loves me' petal was the lucky winner and all of them began to dance and twirl and laugh.
His heart swelling with emotion, Darcy determined right then and there, dammed be the consequences, to go outside and boldly validate with actions the conclusion of Lizzy's game. He would've shocked everyone with the consummation of his premeditated purpose, had it not been for his meddlesome aunt. As he was moving resolutely towards the outside, he overheard her complaining to Mr. Collins about his best man, a friend from college, who, at the last minute, excused himself from the wedding due to a family emergency.
Darcy immediately came forward to volunteer his services. Mr. Collins accepted without delay, flattered by the idea of having a best man of such outstanding social station, but Lady Catherine firmly objected. She wouldn't even hear about it.
"Although this wedding is an affirmation of my benevolence towards my subordinates for the entire world to witness, I can't allow for this breach of respectability to occur. You are a Fitzwilliam and I refuse to allow you to align yourself with these inferior people. Let Mr. Collins find someone equal in rank to himself to perform this responsibility."
But Darcy was determined to stand up with Lizzy. "I don't care about rank; I would be honored to be his best man. As he just accepted me, I believe the matter is all settled and we don't have to talk about it anymore. I'll see you at the rehearsal. Now, would you excuse me? I'm going outside for a while."
"You will not do such thing! Mr. Collins, you will refuse my nephew this instant or I will cancel the wedding and fire you!"
Mr. Collins cowered under his patroness stare. "Yes ma'am. Please accept my most humble apologies Mr. Darcy. While I appreciate the great honor you would bestow upon me, I have to decline your offer."
Lady Catherine glared at everyone in the room to make sure they understood who was in charge. Then she fixed her eyes on William one more time.
"William, you have to respect your elders and do as I tell you. You belong to a noble family and I will not stand here seeing you lower yourself to their level. It will be enough for you to be in their company so you can teach them how a Fitzwilliam comports himself. And what is that nonsense about you wanting to go outside? There's nothing for you there. I hope you haven't developed any attachments to any of those inferior people. I want you to remain with your cousin Anne as you should. I know you have important business, but today and until you leave Rosings I expect you to pay more attention to her. You haven't spent any quality time with your intended. You should be thinking of your future. You know what is expected of you."
Darcy was infuriated, he was about to explode in front of the self-deluded tyrant when he thought of Lizzy and her friends. In order to keep the peace, protect Charlotte and Mr. Collins, and avoid any suspicion of partiality towards Lizzy, he decided to hold his tongue and acquiesce to his aunt's demands. He promised himself that after the wedding, when Lizzy was safely out of his Aunt's reach, he was going to give his aunt a piece of his mind and state clearly that he would never marry Anne, even if he wouldn't be allowed to set foot in Rosings Park again. 'Enjoy your triumph, dear Aunt, for this is going to be your last at my expense!' This thought might have been perhaps a bit too premature?
When Charlotte and her friends arrived at the Chapel, everyone was already there. Charlotte immediately went to embrace her parents with Lizzy following her. "Mom! Dad! I'm so happy!"
"Your Lady Catherine is a very noble and generous noblewoman!" Mr. Lucas proclaimed enthusiastically. "She sent a limousine to our house to drive us to the airport this morning. We just arrived at Rosings a few minutes ago in another limousine. It was splendid! She's a remarkable woman, isn't she?"
"That was nice of her," Charlotte said. 'At least my parents are happy, even if I'm dying inside.' She felt so wretched but decided to put on a mask of cheerfulness. So she smiled at them.
Mr. and Mrs. Lucas weren't aware of their daughter's ill-disguised despondency because there were in rapt delight after the events of that day. Mr. Lucas felt the need to expound on Lady Catherine's liberality. "I'm not surprised at her generosity. From the knowledge I've acquired due to my prior station in life as mayor of Rochester, Lady Catherine exemplifies the manners of the wealthy, where such instances of charitable breeding are not uncommon."
And so he continued along the same vein for a few long minutes with his wife nodding approvingly. Charlotte and Lizzy listened in silence, both amazed at the similarity in expressions between Mr. Lucas and Mr. Collins. 'Oh no! My life is over. The man I'm marrying is my father's spitting image, I'm doomed forever!' Even though she loved her father very much, that was one aspect of his personality she wasn't proud of. He was the consummate politician, always flattering everyone, especially those above his sphere. The thought of her union with a man with the same personality increased Charlotte's feelings of utter hopelessness. At that moment she thought she couldn't sink any lower, she had failed the most important person in her life, bar none: herself! She had been transformed into a caricature of who she really was. 'I don't care anymore, Richard found another. My life is over anyway. Look at him; he seems lost without his new sweetheart!'
Lady Catherine arrived at the Chapel at exactly 6:00 pm. She went straight to Charles to inform him he had been selected as the new best man for Mr. Collins. After an initial shock, good-natured Charles accepted readily with his usual joviality. He would do almost anything for Jane's two best friends as he would forever be grateful for the key role they played in his felicity with his precious fiancée.
Next, Lady Catherine began to bark out orders and assign people to their places. They spent the next hour listening to a recital of what she expected each and every one to do the next day at the wedding. After her long speech, the rehearsal began in full.
Lizzy was the maid of honor and as such had a significant role to play. She had also been selected by Charlotte, in one of the very few decisions she had been allowed to make, to sing the bride's entrance song and the first dance song. But the officious Lady Catherine hadn't been keen on letting the initial part of the ceremony be taken over by a mere 'dilettante'.
"Charlotte, we have to discuss the song for the processional, when you're making your grand entrance walking down the aisle with your father. I already told you I would have preferred to have my niece Georgiana perform the time-honored Wagner's Bridal Chorus on the pipe organ. Since you insist on a non-traditional song, I believe we should hire a professional songstress. I know you settled on your friend and although I can understand your eagerness to please her due to your long friendship, this is not a good time to expose us to a potential embarrassment. This is one of the most important parts of the whole wedding ceremony; therefore, it is a bad idea to allow a novice to assume such a critical responsibility. In fact, I insist we hire a professional. We may allow Elizabeth to sing during the first dance, as everyone will be too preoccupied with the bride and groom to pay too much attention to the singer."
Charlotte was going to voice her objection when Mr. Collins anticipated her. "My well-regarded Lady, if you consider it appropriate that we should hire a professional singer perhaps we need to reassess the need for inconveniencing Elizabeth. Dear Charlotte, I'm confident you agree with our hostess. Lady Catherine, we're very grateful that you take so much interest in each and every detail of our wedding. Your affability and condescension are..."
Charlotte was behaving almost as a zombie; she was so tired of agreeing with everything the lady wanted that it was almost automatic. In truth, she couldn't care less. Until she heard Lizzy's name. It was time to at least do one little thing for herself. She interrupted Mr. Collins.
"Lizzy can sing better than any professional vocalist. I really want her to sing in my processional. I have been dreaming of that moment since the first time I heard her extraordinary voice. She's the most fantastic singer ever!"
"I will agree with you only if I can hear Elizabeth and determine if she's worthy of the responsibility you have bestowed upon her. Although I doubt it very much, it's not just about a pretty voice; she doesn't have the qualifications or the experience."
Lizzy was shocked at the woman's callousness. She couldn't believe Charlotte was going to go thru with this preposterous sham of a wedding. This was a total disaster! When she heard those last words she was trying to come with something to say, but Darcy interrupted her thoughts.
"Believe me Aunt; no one admitted to the privilege of hearing Elizabeth's exceptional voice can think anything wanting. She doesn't have to prove herself. I'm convinced everyone here will wholeheartedly agree with me."
Lizzy blushed while Charles agreed with William and then he told the story of Lizzy's amazing performance in his party and how his friends had believed she was a Broadway star.
As would be expected, Lady Catherine wasn't convinced.
"I find it hard to believe she can be so accomplished. Since I consider myself a fair-minded person, I have the perfect solution. Before I allow Elizabeth to assume this critical role in the wedding I have to hear her sing the song she wishes to perform. There are few people in this world who have better discrimination of music than me, or a better natural taste. I only trust my own judgment. I will decide."
By now Lizzy was beyond furious with that big-headed, puffed up woman. "I agree with you, Lady Catherine, a professional singer will do a much better job than a mere beginner like me. Please hire whoever you want as I wouldn't want to make a spectacle of myself and ruin Charlotte's wedding." She said that with an air of finality as to stop any further attempts to intercede in her behalf. She gave a tiny smile to Darcy and then remained silent.
But Darcy, ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding, wasn't ready to give up just yet. He made one last attempt. "Aunt, where are you going to find someone worthy with so little time left? I consider is better to leave things as they stand and allow Elizabeth to perform as previously agreed. I promise you won't be disappointed."
Lady Catherine stared down at Darcy for a few seconds, she seemed angry but the feeling vanished as quickly as it was felt. She began to suspect a preference from her nephew for this pretty girl, but she dismissed the thought at once. It was impossible for her to even consider the possibility. He was just manifesting the weak Darcy blood which made him act with such imprudent liberality. He needed a strong influence in his life to avoid those weaknesses which exposed him to ridicule. She would fix him once he married her daughter and she was close by to guide him. She would do the job her meek sister was incapable of performing. She was more determined than ever to set a wedding date before the end of this visit.
"While I appreciate your defense of the less fortunate, your efforts are wasted here, nephew. As you should know by now, I'm very attentive to every detail. Thus, I anticipated the need for hiring this person and I can assure you she is ready, willing, and able. The lady I have in mind is a true proficient, as witnessed by no other than myself, with excellent musical qualifications and experience. I just called her this morning to confirm her appearance tomorrow. She canceled a prior engagement she had in Georgia to come here for the wedding."
Lizzy was beside herself with disbelief that somebody could be so openly rude. 'Poor Charlotte and poor Anne, I'll leave this hateful place tomorrow to never return, but they'll have to deal with that control freak for the rest of their lives. Unless… Oh, Charlotte, what have you gotten into? I hope it's not too late and you follow your heart! Otherwise, you're doomed! And dear Anne, will you be so courageous to confront her?'
Lizzy was attempting to catch Charlotte's eyes but she was staring at the floor. Darcy noticed the look of commiseration Lizzy was trying to give Charlotte and he clearly understood why.
The rehearsal went on with more commands from the lady and absolute compliance by the rest of the people assembled. When it was over, Charlotte, Jane, and Lizzy were so exhausted that they went straight to their rooms without stopping to chat with anyone. They fell asleep immediately.
That night, Darcy was playing pool with Richard and Charles in an isolated game room away from Lady Catherine, who had retired to her room. Richard was frustrated. "I can't believe Charlotte is going to go thru with this farce. She's so stubborn! She won't even talk to me! She's allowing The Cat to ruin her life and I can't do anything about it. I'm losing her and I feel so worthless."
"I'm so sorry cousin," Darcy replied, "I noticed her pained countenance. She wouldn't even look Lizzy in the eye when The Cat had practically humiliated her. Lizzy was trying to reassure her but Charlotte kept staring at the floor. You think she may be having second thoughts?"
Charles felt bad for Richard, but there wasn't anything he could say to offer any relief. When he heard Darcy, he couldn't hold his curiosity. "Did I hear you right? Did you say Lizzy? Twice? Are you allowed that liberty? Plus, the way you argued in her defense, you were almost clashing with The Cat! And I noticed the fond smile she gave you, many people did. And your wild adventure of last night. You never told me about that, did he tell you, Richard?"
"Not a peep!"
"Well," Darcy replied, flashing a genuine smile, "I'm happy to tell you both that I proposed to Lizzy last night and she accepted me."
A stunned Richard hit the cue ball so hard it flew out of the table. And Charles was so equally astonished that he didn't even flinch when the ball missed his face by a few inches.
Charles regained his senses quicker than Richard, "You did what? She did what? That's impossible! Please stop your little games and explain yourself!"
Darcy burst out laughing at his friend's shocked stares. "Ha-ha! The look on your faces is hilarious! Ha-ha! Charles, Richard's cue ball almost hit your face and you didn't notice. Ha-ha!"
"Richard, who is this man and what did Lizzy do with Mr. Stiff and Rigid, you know, the guy who never jokes or laughs?"
"I'm asking myself the same question! Did she really accept you cousin? How in the world did that come about? How did you make Lizzy change her opinion about you so drastically and so fast? I don't believe a word!"
"Ok, you both know me so well. I'm so happy, almost delirious because last night I proposed to Elizabeth Benes and she accepted me, but my proposal was of a different kind."
More astonishment in the room.
"Please say it ain't so cousin! Not Lizzy!"
Charles exclaimed, "I refuse to believe that! You're lying!"
Will scowled. "I was testing you guys. She made the same incorrect assumption as you just did; she almost bolted out of a 60 miles per hour car! At least she had an excuse because of my abhorrent behavior towards her in the past, but you too? I'm appalled to learn you have such a low opinion of me! Besides, don't you understand how much I love her? My proposal was the following: I asked her to be my friend. After I recited a long biographical story, we shook hands and we became official friends. So, congratulate me on a check mark in my plan." Then Darcy related the story of the lovely night he spent with the woman of his dreams.
"Last night, during our conversation, she said she wanted to tell me something very important, but decided instead to focus on our budding friendship. She promised to tell me next time we're alone. Obviously, I would be excited with anticipation, but I'm not making any assumptions because I don't want to raise my expectations unrealistically. I offered her my friendship and I'll stick to it. It's up to her to take the next step in our relationship, including anything she wants to share with me."
Charles said, "This is a promising new beginning. I hope you don't screw up again so you both can finally get together. She's such a special human being. She can help you soften your mind and improve your manners, which she has obviously begun to do successfully, I should add. And you can help her with… with… I can't find anything she lacks which you could provide to the relationship. Except for more money than she has! Ha-ha!"
Richard smirked quietly. 'My good cousin, wait until you find out the truth! The sooner she tells you the better.'
Darcy said, "Very funny Charles. You just made a point which is a case of worry for me. I'm going to be honest with you both. I've changed so much since I met Lizzy for the first time. Before her, my life had a certain order. Granted, it was an imperfect combination of circumstances designed by me, but I felt I was in charge. After Lizzy, my whole world is in a state of disarray. Last night was like a dream. We talked about many things and I felt like myself for the first time in years. Sometimes, though, when I'm with her, a feeling of discomposure creeps into my mind. It is as if somehow I know I'm going to fail her, as you said, that I'm going to screw up again and this could be my last opportunity. I feel so happy and at the same time so unsettled."
"Well cousin, I'm feeling sorry for myself and now I realize I'm not alone. At least you have a relatively good chance of success."
"I don't know what to tell you both to make it better. Richard, it'll take a miracle to find a solution to your problem. As for you Will, just be careful what you say. Especially in this place, with The Cat and her minions hovering over everyone. After we're out of this hellhole you'll have the opportunity to keep gaining her affection the same way you did last night. Stick to your well-designed plan. Just hold on one more day!"
Meanwhile, somewhere in New York City, two ladies were having a heart-to heart talk in their luxurious apartment.
"I just can't believe you can be so malicious! What were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry Carmen, I knew I shouldn't have, but I couldn't resist. I had to try one last time. I had to give my best performance. It was either do or die in the process, and die I did!"
"Listen, Caroline, I'm going to be brutally honest with you. You've been after that gentleman for so many years and he'd never even hinted of a relationship with you. You should've given up your futile quest after less than a year. You have such a low self-esteem! Why didn't you listen to the advice of your siblings? Why were you so insistent on something that was impossible? Not only impossible, it was degrading and humiliating for you! By now you have turned into this callous, senseless, spiteful woman. I should just throw you out and be done with you."
By now Caroline was crying profusely. Carmen sensed the real pain and felt pity for her.
"Don't worry Caroline, I'm not going to abandon you now, you need me and I'm going to help you. You're a pretty girl with much to offer. You don't have to settle for less. You will recover from this nightmarish experience."
"Thank you Carmen, I'm grateful for your support, even if I don't deserve it."
"I agree with you, you don't deserve it. Nevertheless, I'll stick by you. I'm doing this for my son's family as well as for you. I'll allow you to have an excellent opportunity to start anew."
"I love you Carmen. Thank you, thank you! I'll leave those people alone, especially William Darcy and Elizabeth Benes. I hope they're happy together."
"That's the right attitude. Let's have a final talk about those two, so you can get them off of your system. I know about William Darcy, but not about Elizabeth Benes. She must be a paragon of virtue, to capture the formerly elusive Mr. Darcy. I wonder if I know of her. The name sounds familiar..."
"You probably don't. She has neither distinction nor status. Granted, she's good-looking and talented in many ways, but she's just an ordinary Puerto Rican girl studying at Georgetown University. She's a roommate of my brother's girlfriend."
"A Puerto Rican at Georgetown University? Hmm… Her last name is Benes… Hmm… That name… Do you know if her mother passed away recently?"
"Yes, a couple of years ago I believe."
"Does she, by any chance, have a brother living here in Manhattan?"
"I don't know where he lives, but I know he allegedly works at Wall Street and he's attending NYU. His name is Robbie."
"Robbie? Roberto... Ahh! Elizabeth and Roberto Benes... I remember now! Oh, Caroline, if I'm not mistaken, that girl must be the daughter of the distinguished couple Mr. Tomas and Sylvia Benes! Mr. Benes is somewhat of an eccentric when it concerns his children. He values their privacy tremendously. I only know of him and his family because I have a mutual friend of his late wife. As a matter of fact, I met Mrs. Benes a few times myself before her unfortunate passing. She was so proud of her children! Let me tell you something about that family. And don't think for one second that I'm giving you any ammunition to use in your lost battle for Mr. Darcy. On the contrary, my information will reinforce the fact that the best course of action for you is to begin anew. William Darcy is a lucky fellow if you ask me!"
"Please tell me, I'm dying of curiosity! I promise you I won't tell a soul."
Lizzy woke up before dawn that Saturday morning. The sun hadn't begun to parade its encompassing beam when Lizzy setup to jog around Rosings Park. The boring landscape sans trees wasn't an impediment to Lizzy's enjoyment of the fresh Florida morning, as she was traversing the repetitive paths around the park. The only thing bothering her was the conspicuous absence of bird songs. 'How did the Wicked Witch of the South manage to remove all the birds from this place? Maybe they left voluntarily, scared of her incantation spells. Ha! I'm being unkind; she must have some redeeming qualities. Let me think… I can't think of any!'
Engaged in those musing, in one turn she perceived a soft noise and when she turned her head she almost screamed when she realized someone was following her. She picked up her pace furiously but her pursuer caught up with her easily and began to jog parallel to her.
"Will! You scared me to death!"
"Pardon me Lizzy, I was running in that path out there but the moment I saw you I decided to follow you. You had such a charming look of concentration. So I stayed behind admiring the view. Ha! Until now when I recklessly frightened you. Would you rather continue running alone?"
"Not anymore," she said, blushing at the complement. "I didn't know you enjoyed early morning jogs. Isn't this a pleasant day?"
Will continued with his playful flirting. "It's more agreeable now that you're here."
She smiled at his gallantry. "Well, thank you Mr. Darcy for making my morning more pleasing. Are you ready for a race? Catch me if you can!"
She accelerated going into different paths. She went very fast without looking back. After a few minutes, she slowed down her pace. She looked back and was disappointed to notice he wasn't following her. When she turned to face forward, she almost crashed with Will, who was approaching from the other side.
"I'm sorry to frighten you again. I intended to surprise you but you turned your head and didn't see me coming."
"You are a man of many surprises Mr. Darcy!"
"Yes I am, Miss Benes, I expect to always keep you on your toes. I have another surprise for you if you care to see it. It's a special place known only to me and no one else alive. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to show it to you?"
"When you ask me that way sir, how can I deny your request? Is it close by?"
"Yes, please come with me."
Darcy directed Lizzy to a path in an isolated part of the park. He stopped and began to make an opening in the shrubberies. He allowed her to go first and then he followed. In the middle of the covered hedgerow, she was surprised to find the trunk of a very wide tree cut to about four feet tall.
"I was wondering where all the trees in Rosings had gone. This enormous tree appears to have been cut not too long ago. Is there a reason why there are no trees in this property? Is this related to Anne's allergies?"
"Yes, when Anne was a child she had some serious respiratory allergies. Almost twenty years ago, my aunt decided to do away with all possible sources of allergens in all of Rosings Park. Thus the removal of all the trees and all flowering plants. She had all of them uprooted, nothing survived. And then she had these shrubs planted all over the property in this maze of corridors. The horticulturist here was a very capable man who engineered a Japanese Boxwood variety capable of growing over 10 feet while producing the least amount of allergens. The hedges are clipped regularly to maintain the perfect shape and size you see."
Lizzy feigned ignorance; this wasn't her story to tell. "Anne told me about her allergies but she didn't tell me about the change of vegetation to suit her illness. I suggested to her to have herself examined by an allergist-immunologists. I believe some children outgrow their symptoms."
"My aunt is very eccentric and doesn't want to take chances with Anne's health. My poor cousin has never left Rosings. So we don't know if her condition is permanent or if it has improved. This is a Live Oak; it was a favorite of mine when I was a child. I used to climb this tree all the way to the top and remain there for hours. The big purge occurred when I was nine. I remember the first time I returned to Rosings. I was so devastated looking everywhere for my tree. My father was with me when I was searching. When I realized it was gone, I cried for a long time with my father standing by me. After I calmed down, my father surprised me by taking me to this same very spot and showing me this trunk. He knew how important this tree was to me and he had asked the Rosings horticulturist to hide it from my aunt. I still remember his words. 'Son, your tree is not dead; its heart is still beating inside this trunk.' That day my father made me a promise. He said he would keep the trunk alive until the day my aunt would allow trees to grow here again. And then we would help it grow again to its former splendor. At the time I thought that was possible, and I believe my father thought the same thing. The horticulturist took good care of this trunk. He trimmed the sprouts on a regular basis and applied a special fungicide to keep it from rotting. After the good man died a few years later I used to come to Rosings frequently with my father with the hidden purpose of maintaining my tree. When I grew up I practically forgot about it, but he didn't. The day he died, on his deathbed, my father asked me to take care of our special tree. But I couldn't come back here, it was too painful. This is the first time I visit this place since then."
Darcy was now melancholic with sadness in his eyes. Lizzy gave him a hug. She patted his hand and tried to think of something to say to lessen his pain. She didn't know that her hug was the perfect balm to alleviate his pain.
"Thank you for sharing with me. Your father was such a special person and loved you so much! I feel honored to have the opportunity to meet your childhood friend. I can imagine you as a child in the tree, watching the horizon and daydreaming. I used to do the same thing back home. There was a mango tree in our property which I would climb all the way to the top. While enjoying a delicious fruit and observing the immense ocean before me, I would visualize myself as a ruthless pirate navigating the Atlantic and Caribbean waters in search of adventures and secret islands. What were your dreams here?"
"I didn't have oceans and seas to look up to, but out there are the Everglades." He pointed in a southwest direction. "I couldn't see it, but I did in my imagination. I was an alligator hunter fighting them with my bare hands and my favorite knife and making fancy belts, armor, and boots with their skins. And a purse for my mom."
He changed his demeanor and with a small grin, added. "Somehow I can't picture you climbing a tree. You give the impression of being too feminine, too delicate, and too weak to climb a tree."
She smiled and with an air of solemnity replied, "I have to tell you, Mr. Darcy, I'm proud to have been a tomboy all my life. For that you would have to blame Robbie. Due to a lack of male partners, he selfishly took his little sister in as his apprentice in the arts of boyish behavior. My mother was set against it but my father was proud to see me get in all kinds of trouble as a little girl. And that I did! Especially in our own mysterious island. Oh no! I just revealed a secret no one should know and now I have to kill you."
"You can kill me if you want but before you do can you grant me one final wish?" He approached her while saying this and although it made her feel a little uncomfortable, she didn't back away. When his face was almost touching hers he whispered. "Can you sing for me one last time? I want to die while listening to your bewitching voice."
He was so close he could kiss her. And she would not have complained. She closed her eyes waiting to feel his lips but instead she heard him say. "I think we better go back before I do something regrettable that could harm our friendship."
She felt disappointed but at the same time, she was grateful that he didn't take advantage of this moment of weakness. After a few seconds, she was able to regain her composure. She looked at him with adoring eyes and smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate your consideration and if you promise not to divulge my secret I won't have to kill you."
Darcy was in a state of bliss. "Only if you promise to sing for me in my deathbed."
She replied, "I promise. Now you're making me sad. I don't want you to die any time soon. What if I promise to sing for you on your birthday?"
"In all of them?"
The intense look she gave him with her captivating eyes paralyzed him. He was lost in a void, unable to move a muscle. He was rendered powerless to do what he wanted more than anything in the world. He forced all his willpower to think of something else in order to remove the spell he had been put under.
"Lizzy?"
"Yes Will?"
"I'm dying of curiosity to know the earth-shattering secret you were going to tell me last night."
"I'll tell you everything. But first you have to do something for me."
"What?"
"Will you kiss me already you dummy?"
"I thought you'd never asked!"
He approached her slowly, gently taking her hands, intertwining her fingers with his. Her eyes were closed; her cheeks had a rosy glow. The kiss began slowly. Her lips were soft and warm; they began to part to deepen the kiss. The couple was lost in a heavenly...
"Will! Will! I know you're there! Come out now or I'll go in and get you!"
The couple instantly separated. Lizzy whispered, "I thought this was your secret spot?"
"Apparently not to Anne," he replied softly, "That girl has psychic powers, she…"
"Will! I'm going to count to three, if both of you don't come out right now, I'm coming in! One! Two!"
All of a sudden, an embarrassed Will emerged with a red faced Lizzy following behind. Richard and Anne emitted a loud hurrah and shook hands. Richard took his wallet and gave her a 100-dollar bill.
"I don't know how she knew you'd both be here, but the moral of the story is, never bet against Anne! We're sorry to interrupt you, but we have to warn you that The Cat is already on the prowl. She's been asking for Will, so we better take him back to Rosings now before she sends a search party. You'll have to hold on one more day, lovebirds."