Chapter 15: Poker Face

A week later, Jane and Lizzy had arrived at their parent's house at 8 am Sunday morning to help get ready for what Fran had been calling "her society debut". The first task Lizzy had been assigned upon greeting the frenzied tornado that was her mother was polishing the silver and setting out her Grandmother's China in preparation for their guests.

Something wasn't right. Completing a headcount across her fingertips, she shouted to the general area of the kitchen, "Mom, you do realize that you only have six place settings, right?"

Mrs. Bennet flew around the corner, flour smeared on her temples and apron. "What? That's not possible Lizzy. Check again."

Lizzy looked up at her mother from her half buried position amidst a heap of bubble wrap, tissue paper and storage boxes. "Where exactly would you like me to look, mom? The boxes are empty."

And so began the first nervous breakdown of the day. After Jane spent ten minutes guiding her mother through the breathing exercises her therapist had recommended, Fran finally regained the ability to vocalize her request that Mr. Bennet see her immediately.

Kitty found him in the study, an audio book playing loudly through the speakers of his headphones.

One promise to finally cancel her unused Weight Watchers membership, one trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond, and a little over one thousand dollars later (which would have been much more had it not been for that hoard of 20% off coupons), Jane and Kitty returned with eight matching sets of the Moonlight Rose pattern from Royal Albert. They had chosen the china for the pretty blue roses that matched the décor of the dining room, and for the fact that the matching tea service was also readily available for purchase. If there was anything Fran Bennet knew, it was that the British liked their tea. In preparation, she had ordered a twenty flavor tea sampler from Amazon using her much abused Prime Membership, and had done some minimal research on the benefits of Darjeeling over Earl Grey.

Other notable breakdowns included: Mr. Bennet's flat denial to assist with any of the preparations, Kitty taking a shower and fogging up the bathroom by forgetting to put the fan on, and the discovery of the damp spot left on the living room carpet by Felix, the Bennet's aging tabby cat, ten minutes before the guests were due to arrive.

In the three minutes Elizabeth had remaining once the carpet cleaner had been put away, she attempted to give herself a pep talk. Ok, so he's going to be here. You're going to have to spend a second entire evening with him. DON'T say anything stupid this time. Smile and nod, Lizzy. Just smile and nod.

And that was the doorbell.

So far, dinner was going surprisingly well. Although their mother had already thrown out more than one less than socially acceptable comment, Elizabeth's ability to swiftly divert their mother's attention meant that she had avoided saying anything that was directly embarrassing to either her family or their guests.

At the present moment, Lizzy had the pleasure of observing that the blossoming lovebirds were unable to take their eyes off each other, and that Caroline found Fran and Kitty to be avid listeners of her adventures near the catwalk. What held her attention however, was the somewhat energetic and ongoing conversation that Mr. Darcy and her father were having down the opposite end of the table.

Due to Caroline's incessant chatter, she couldn't make out a word of it, and the curiosity was killing her. Defeated, she turned her attention to Jane and Charles just as her mother did the same.

"Charles, dear, how do you like being in the United States? I do hope that you plan to stay for some time."

"Thank you, madam. I have a home here in New Jersey so it doesn't feel as foreign as you might think. Although my plans can change at any time as my business demands, for the present I have no intention of leaving."

"I should think not, especially when you have such an attractive reason to stay." She followed this statement with an overly suggestive, and slightly inappropriate, glance at her eldest daughter.

Elizabeth clearly saw the need for an immediate change of subject. "Dad, if my memory serves me correctly, tonight is your turn to choose the activity for game night."

Before her father could respond, Charlie broke in, "You have a game night? Jane, why didn't you mention this? I love sitting down to a game."

Darcy narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Charles, you enjoy everything. If Elizabeth had said that it was her father's turn to clean out the garage, you would have asked Jane to show you where the workman's gloves were kept, and stated your preference for heavy lifting."

There he goes with the 'Elizabeth' thing again. When did he develop that habit? "Mr. Darcy," she reacted in Charlie's defense, "you're being rather severe on your friend."

"I was simply stating fact."

"That may be; but I don't see anything wrong with being someone who enjoys the company of others, even when spending time together might also include things that are less pleasant. You should find his eagerness to join in whatever task is at hand admirable."

"Lizzy," Charlie broke in, "I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for attempting to turn his accusation into a compliment. I'm fairly certain Will was only suggesting that I should be more discriminating in the ways I find pleasure. In his mind, being easily pleased means that a person does not have an adequately refined sense of self."

Mr. Darcy smirked. "Exactly. I have yet to discover anything that Charles found to be disagreeable. His tendency to be happy with everyone and everything almost borders on irrational."

Let's see….rude, arrogant, insincere, manipulative, over-confident and now, according to both his best friend and himself, self-righteous. He must be going for some kind of record. "I think being easily pleased simply reflects on your kind and relatable personality, Charlie. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I, for one, refuse to join in Mr. Darcy's criticism." She briefly shot him a disapproving look.

Mrs. Bennet leveled a glare at her second daughter, suddenly annoyed. "Lizzy, don't you think you should be paying less attention to Charlie and more attention to Will? Charlie has better things to attend to. Will is rich and single; I'm sure he would tolerate you as company for an evening, especially since your father is probably boring him stiff."

Lizzy felt like her mother had thrown a poisoned dart directly at her heart. Just when I think I have made myself immune to her, she manages to find new and creative ways to insult and mortify me that are strangely on target. And, she couldn't have said that any louder if she tried. She heard Caroline snicker from across the table. Glaring at her mother, she debated the best way to respond, when Mr. Darcy broke in.

"Actually Elizabeth, I've been meaning to ask you. What made you go into marketing?"

Elizabeth looked up to find those grey eyes looking at her earnestly, with a level of understanding that unsettled her. Did he just graciously save me from further onslaught from my mother? Thoughts swirled as she attempted to verbalize an answer. Why did I get into marketing? What is happening? Have I entered the Twilight Zone?

Her father must have realized her disquiet because he answered for her. "My darling Lizzy has always possessed a unique blend of creativity and intelligence. After struggling to choose a career path that utilized only one or the other of those attributes, she settled on a vocation that mandated an equal use of both. I couldn't be prouder of her."

"Indeed." He nodded his agreement. "She is a remarkable woman and could not have chosen a better profession for herself. I have the pleasure of being able to tell you, Madam," he singled out her mother with his look, "that she guided her team in the creation of the most insightful campaign submission that I have ever had the pleasure of coming across." Elizabeth was rooted to her seat at the firmness in his voice.

Mrs. Bennet seemed star-struck by the fact that a world-renowned millionaire had directed a comment towards her. She hadn't heard a word he said, but the effect was the same: Fran Bennet had fallen silent.

Lizzy felt the pink creeping into her cheeks. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It's been quite an experience so far." Her stomach was churning, and this new development of…what do I call this? Friendliness?...in her relationship with Mr. Darcy was leaving her at a rare loss for words. She again turned her attention to her father, "So, dad, your game night selection?"

"Actually, I was wondering if these fine gentlemen, and the lady," he nodded towards Caroline as he raised an eyebrow in query, "would be interested in a friendly game of poker?"

Everyone stood by the doorway as Jane and Elizabeth went to gather their guests' coats. As they entered their parent's bedroom to collect them off the bed, Jane excitedly gripped Lizzy's hand and said, "Ummm…so…I have something to tell you."

Lizzy was startled. "What? What happened?"

"Do you remember, after Charlie and I bowed out of the poker game, that we left so I could take him on the tour of the house that mom suggested?"

"Of course I do. Especially the part about her suggesting that you take him to your room to show him the cheerleading trophies that you have in your room, and how the view of Eisenhower Park can be best seen from your room. I don't know how you can stomach her when she does that, Jane."

"It's not that bad. Well," she threw her hands in the air, "I guess it is, but that's not what's important." She waved her mother's commentary off. "He kissed me Lizzy!" As she said this, Jane's blue eyes seemed to have falling stars in them.

Elizabeth gasped. "He did?! When? Was he a good kisser?"

"Lizzy, I've never had a kiss like that before. It went on forever, and in those moments, it was just him and I alone in the world. I can't explain it…It felt like magic. I'm still shaking, the sensation was so powerful. I want to go downstairs, grab him and kiss him again."

"Why don't you?"

"Lizzy, I can't just do that in front of everybody." Her eyes grew wide. "It would be rude."

"Hell, if I had a kiss like that I wouldn't care who was watching."

"Of course you wouldn't. But I'm not you."

"No, you're not me Jane. All the same, I am so happy for you. That kiss sounds like it was incredible." She turned her smile into a teasing grin. "Hopefully, there are many more where it came from." She hugged her sister excitedly.

Grabbing the coats, they flicked off the lights and returned downstairs to their guests.

Mr. Bennet was clapping his hand on Will Darcy's back and offering him a warm handshake when Jane and Elizabeth returned to the group with their coats.

"That was a good show young man. You have the most inscrutable poker face I have ever encountered."

Will gave him a smile as he returned the handshake. "Thank you Sir. It came in rather handy during my time at university, but now I only use it in the office; I have to say, I certainly enjoyed your excellent choice for game night. I hope I didn't dent your pocket too badly."

"That is rather difficult to do when you're playing for jelly beans, is it not?"

Will laughed then; a deep, throaty and sexy chuckle escaping his lips as his smile reflected in his eyes. Lizzy witnessed the sight and, for a moment, had the fleeting temptation to follow her mother's advice to Jane, leave everyone behind and drag him upstairs to her old bedroom.

Oh lord, maybe it's a good thing he doesn't do that more often after all. What does that say about your standards, Lizzy? You have one not really, but sort of OK time together and you think about sleeping with him. Thank god he's your boss and you won't do that. EVER. Good. Glad we cleared that up.

Caroline was the first to leave, giving energetic air kisses to both cheeks of each of the Bennets besides Lizzy. All Lizzy got was a half-hearted, one cheek kiss.

Elizabeth watched as Charlie warmly said goodbye to everyone, leaving Jane for last. When he got to her, she could see that Jane hadn't been the only one wanting another kiss; Charlie cupped her cheeks, leaned down and planted a brief but meaningful one right on her sister's lips. Jane blushed bright red, but you could tell that she was pleased.

Will had already gone around and said his goodbyes, and now turned his attention to herself. "Lizzy, am I going to see you at Ella Lounge this week?"

"Yea, I'll be there. I promised Charlie I'd go when we first met."

"Great. I'm looking forward to it." He nodded his head as he shoved his hands in his pockets, not seeming to know what else to do with them. "Alright, so…I'll see you then." He took a few steps backwards towards the door, maintaining Lizzy's gaze until he was forced to turn and exit.

Whoa. He used my nickname. Who is this person? What did you do with my new boss? Suddenly, she was struck with the most disconcerting thought of all…I never would have thought it, but…could Jane possibly be right?