First off, thanks so much for the reviews! They keep me motivated - so please keep them coming!
Haruko Higurashi- Yes, Lizzy is very aware of her sexual wants and needs. It's been fun to write her without the constraints of a period piece.
Hana Green - I wrote the very scene you are expecting. It's coming (PUN intended) very soon. I'll warn you the ending is not what most of you are expecting.
Krys21- Even though he is not present in this chapter, Vince will be back. I mean, he can't very well give up on Elizabeth just yet, right? Not with both of their mothers pushing him forward.
Tremu - I almost included Darcy's POV in this chapter but it was way too long. The next chapter is mostly from his POV. And, you are right, his are much tamer to write.
IrishJessy - She is going to be super freaked out when she finds out about Xy.
- if you have a blurb suggestion, I am all ears. I found it difficult to describe my own story. I suck at the back of the book descriptions.
I am still looking for an editor, if anyone is interested!
The Doll Chapter 5: Day 6 May 23, 2014
After managing to dodge her for several days, Elizabeth simply ran out of justifiable reasons to put off Georgiana's standing invitation to go to lunch. She had real reservations about meeting alone with his sister. No good could come from it. She would not be comfortable the entire meal knowing she would have to guard her words carefully every single second. One slip up. That's all it would take to reveal that everything was not as it should be between her and Darcy. Avoiding the woman had seemed the only logical way to ensure their secret would remained safe.
But, damn, persistence must be bred deep in the Darcy DNA. The girl called each and every day.
Needing to clear her head, Elizabeth walked the two blocks from her Zumba workout to the small restaurant that she had patronized with the Darcy siblings the previous week. The now familiar blonde was sitting in a booth by the front window as if there was any chance Elizabeth would not see her, nursing a coffee and doodling in a leather bound book. They greeted each other with the awkwardness of the newly acquainted.
Lunch was ordered and delivered as the two women exchanged polite pleasantries.
"So, how is my brother doing?"
Elizabeth sipped her ice tea before setting it carefully on the table. It was an odd question because she knew the siblings talked frequently. In fact, she would never have guessed it but Darcy was a very attentive brother. The siblings talked every day, sometimes several times a day. He never blew his younger sister off as she would have been tempted to if it were one of her own younger silly sisters calling.
Glancing at Georgie, she realized the girl was just waiting for her to respond to her question. Patience must have developed living with her brother all those formative years. "He seems fine. A little grumpy, sometimes, but then you know your brother."
"Is his project not going well?" You could say that, Elizabeth thought. He had offered only a few clues to how Xy progressing, and they were usually indecent epitaphs that did not seem promising at all. She shrugged diplomatically. His comparison tests were starting to grate on her. She didn't know how many more compliments about her hair, her mouth, or her skin she was going to be able to take. He didn't know it, but Darcy was dangerously close to getting shackled to his bed so she could convince him with her mouth to move along with her timeline. "You have to be patient with him, Lizzy. I know he can be a bear when he is frustrated, but hang in there. It will be worth it."
Elizabeth wondered if Georgie had any suggestions for dealing with her own frustration? Prince Charming and ice showers were barely cutting it anymore. Another subject she could not bring up during this meeting. What subject would be safe? Her eyes lit upon the leather bound book forgotten at her arrival.
"Did I see you drawing when I came in?" The shy girl nodded. "Do you mind?"
She handed over the book reluctantly. Her nose scrunched. "I'm not very good."
Elizabeth did not agree. Georgie clearly had an artistic eye. There were various drawings of people she did not recognize. Presumably her friends and relatives. There was one of Darcy which stopped her completely. He was sitting on a bench in a wooded setting, his face turned into the wind, hair askew. What caught Elizabeth's attention was his smile. And his dimples. She felt her heart hammer. She was a sucker for dimples.
"I should have known you'd like the one of my brother the best. I drew it at Pemberley when we were last there. If you want, I can have it framed for you."
"Would you?" She could sit it on her nightstand. Maybe the extra visualization would be helpful? Eye on the prize and all. She cleared her throat strangely aware of how warm she had gotten, and handed back the book to his sister. "You have considerable talent, young lady."
Embolden by Elizabeth's compliment, Georgie handed her a second book from her bag. "My favorite thing is designing clothing." She was determined to be flattering, but found that she could honestly critique the drawings in a positive way. "I'm still small potatoes, but if all goes well, GD Designs will have our first entry in the fashion shows in Paris next year."
Elizabeth was impressed by the ambition. "That's great." She wondered if Darcy thought such things were frivolous? "What does your brother think about your work?"
"He plays along like he understands it, but he doesn't. Not any more than I would understand his electrical mumbo jumbo." Georgie laughed. "But, Will, wants me happy. He has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, take calculated risks. Who do you think gave me my first business loan when I was nineteen when no bank would touch me?" She twirled the straw in her drink. "He didn't have to give me the money. You know. I wasn't left any inheritance by my folks. They left it all to him with no specific instructions that he had to share anything with me, but my brother is not selfish in the slightest. In fact, he is overly generous. To a fault. But, then, you probably already know all about that. He does so much for so many he deserves someone like you who will look after him."
Elizabeth was trying to take care of him. Albeit in small ways. Just that morning, she had met him in the kitchen with his breakfast not of cold pizza and soda pop, but cold oatmeal and fresh fruit. After only a brief hesitation, he dug into the healthy breakfast with enthusiasm. She informed him that she made him a lunch too.
"You don't have to make me breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't want you to have to work when you are here. I want you to enjoy yourself. I can take care of myself."
"I like to cook so it is no chore. Besides, I've seen what you eat when I don't. If left to your own devices, you'll fill your refrigerator with take out every chance you get. You can't push yourself as hard as you do and eat garbage all day. It's a wonder you don't keel over in exhaustion." Elizabeth was not done, "Here are your vitamins. You forgot them again. Your lunch was no problem. I just whipped up some chicken salad you like."
"Chicken salad?" He eyed the box with a little more interest. "The one with the crunchy things and the grapes?"
She smiled. "Yes, with the grapes. Those crunchy things are shaved almonds. I've put in some raspberries, some carrot sticks and a few bottles of water. You have to stay hydrated. Even working indoors. Just think of it this way, if I prepare you lunch every day it will actually save you the time of organizing lunch later."
His brow furrowed, then he nodded. "I suppose you are right. Thank you, Elizabeth, this will be more efficient."
Darcy opened his morning paper and Elizabeth watched amused as he turned predictably to the science/tech section of the paper. Once done, she knew he'd backtrack to the business and then the headline news. She plucked the sports and entertainment sections for herself to read but something nagged at her. Glancing across at him, she realized he was squinting. He had done the same thing yesterday.
"When was the last time you had your eyes checked?"
He lifted his gaze to her. "I don't know. Why?"
"I think I should make you an appointment. I think you might need glasses." He appeared to want to argue, but she held up a staying hand. "Don't worry. I'll make the arrangements with Mrs. Reynolds." She knew if she got his capable assistant on board there would be no way he'd miss the appointment. The woman was fiercely loyal and loved the man across from her like the son she never had. It spoke well of him that everyone she met at Darcy Electronics had seemed to either be in awe of the man or half in love with him.
Elizabeth sipped her coffee and let him enjoy his paper in peace, reflecting how she liked this little camaraderie they had developed. It hadn't been too bad of a first week all things considered.
When Darcy finished his breakfast, she insisted he leave his plates to her care while he dressed for work. Her timing was perfect as they met at the door when he made to leave. He was busy searching his pockets. She dangled his set of keys in front of him. He'd left them in the living room by the fern. Gratefully, he took them from her. She gave him his cell phone next. Even though he had a fancy charging system on the table to the left of the entry way, his phone never made it there. He had an annoying habit of leaving it all sorts of impractical places. This morning she had found it in the microwave. In their one week together, she'd had to deliver it twice to him at Darcy Electronics. Mrs. Reynolds had given her a curious look on her first visit, but by her second visit, the two were fast friends. In fact, the two women had taken to talking every day when Darcy left the office. Mrs. Reynolds agreed with her that it was important that Darcy's dinner be waiting when he arrived home.
Lastly, Elizabeth handed him his lunchbox and a thermos of coffee for the office. She smoothed her hands over his suit coat, straightened his tie and then kissed him squarely on the cheek. Smiling, she teased, "Have a great day at the office, honey!"
"I will." Instead of leaving, though, he asked stiffly. "What are your plans for today?"
"I'm going to check out the Zumba class in the village. Then, I'm meeting your sister for lunch. The dry cleaners called and I'm going by to pick up whatever you left there. It was kind of hard to understand what they were saying. You don't actually have clothes that have been sitting there for six months?" He shrugged. He had no idea. He was impossible. "After that, I'm going to the farmer's market to see if I can find some fresh mangos. I've been dying to try a new recipe I saw online for salmon with mango sauce for dinner tonight."
"Salmon with mango sauce?" An eyebrow quirked upward. He seemed reluctant.
"Trust me." She swayed closer to him. "You'll love it. Mango is really sweet."
In the short time they were together, Elizabeth had discovered that Darcy had a massive sweet tooth. She'd never had cookies disappear so fast even when she lived at home with her parents and four sisters.
"I look forward to it then." Darcy juggled his belongings and opened his wallet, "I meant to give this to you yesterday, but I forgot. It's for your purchases. Groceries, things you want for the apartment, whatever you need to buy during your time with me. All your expenses should be put on this card."
"It" was a black American Express with her name printed in raised silver letters. She immediately went to return it. "I don't need that, Will."
He returned his wallet to his pocket. For him, the argument was over. The decision was made. "I insist you take it, Elizabeth. You've spent a lot of your money already on groceries and such since you've been here. That was not part of our agreement. I never expected you to buy anything you needed to make your stay with me comfortable."
"I don't want it. Really!" She held out the card to him. "Aren't you afraid I'll go on a massive shopping spree?"
"No, I'm not." His expression was flat, her teasing had missed its target. "But, if you like, you can. I doubt I'll even notice. I have plenty of money, Elizabeth. More than I will spend in a hundred of lifetimes. While you are living with me, I feel it is my duty to provide financially for you." Elizabeth held the card by its corners with her pointer fingers and thumbs. She was embarrassed. She'd been raised to be self-sufficient, to earn her own way. It was as if he had realized she was upset, because his voice lowered. There was no emotion on his face. She checked but his voice had softened. That was something, right? "Look, I don't want you spending your savings buying stuff for here. I don't want the money you earn from me being used for things that I should be giving you. It was an oversight on my part, Elizabeth. Not a fault of yours." He looked at his watch. "I have to go. I have a conference call this afternoon so I will be a little later than usual."
Georgie was giving her a strange smile when she mentally returned to the restaurant. "I'm sorry, what did you ask me?"
"What is it that you do, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I'm a chef, but I'm currently in between positions right now." The state of affairs of her own professional career was something she would be able to spend her free time to work through. "I finished culinary school last fall but it's a tough market to break into. One day, though, I hope to open my own restaurant."
"When you are ready to pick out a property, you should talk to Richard. He is a real estate broker in Jersey, but he has a lot of friends who are agents here in town. I'm sure he could point you in the right direction. He's got a great head for such things. In fact, he gave me some great pointers with my business prospectus."
"Who's Richard?"
Georgie's surprise was evident as she lowered her coffee cup. "Will hasn't mentioned Richard to you?"
"I don't think so." It wasn't as if she had many conversations with Darcy since moving in. They had made some progress, but they had not broken out the photo albums. Elizabeth didn't think it would be wise to share with Georgie that she'd only been aware of her existence for a few days.
"That's incredible." She recognized the Darcy frown on the young girl's face. "Richard is our cousin, but he is like a brother to Will. They are super close. You'd think he would have at least mentioned him to you."
Was super close even possible with Darcy? Elizabeth wondered. Hoped.
Georgie shook her head, smiling her way out of her confusion. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. You'll meet him at the benefit next week. You're coming with Will, right?" At her blank look, the younger woman continued, "My uncle Paul is raising money for his re-election campaign."
"Re-election campaign?"
Georgie sounded a little annoyed. "I just can't believe Will hasn't mentioned our family or an event as important as the benefit for our uncle."
"Will's been busy with his new project." Elizabeth heard herself leap to his defense. She couldn't tell his sister about all of his projects, but there was one she could. "He has an entrance in the DARPA competition this year."
Georgie's eyebrows rose.
"It's a competition they hold in Japan every year. Only the world's best and brightest in the engineering community gets selected. The entries are suppose to be for the improvement of mankind." Elizabeth tried to remember interesting facts from the internet searches she had done just the day before. "This year the focus is on the role of electronics and robotics to ensure rapid food distribution in cases of massive catastrophe. Darcy Electronics was only one of fifteen companies selected from all around the world. His is the only American firm."
"Wow, I never knew." Georgie was clearly in awe. Elizabeth suspected it was state she found herself in often. "He never talks about his work. My brother never brags about his accomplishments."
Elizabeth chewed her lip. Yeah, she could see that. Even when she had brought up the competition at Jane's during their last dinner together, he had only mentioned one of his divisions was working on something. She'd discovered the prestige of being selected and the rest of her information during her recent internet search.
Georgie shifted in her seat. "Will you do something for me? A favor of sorts?"
"Until I know what you are asking of me, I can't promise one way or another."
"So smart! When Will mentioned you a few months ago, I knew you had to be. I prayed you'd be someone special for him." Georgie smiled, "He's happy, Lizzy. Opening up to another person. You don't understand, or maybe you do. But, it's a big deal for him. It's hard for him to have a normal relationship. He's never lived with any of his other girlfriends. I mean he held your hand at lunch." Elizabeth felt uncomfortable when she saw genuine tears forming in her companion's eyes. "Promise me you'll do your very best not to hurt him. He's the best brother in the entire world. I couldn't stand it if you broke his heart. It's clear that he is very much in love with you."
Elizabeth could barely contain the hysterical giggle that threatened to bubble forth. Dear Lord! Even though his sister could not be more wrong, she could not lie that Georgie's concern was touching. "I promise you that I will do my very best not to ever hurt him."
Clear blue eyes measured her before the girl sagged in relief. "I believe you, Lizzy. I think you love him too." There was a few minutes of silence between the woman as both pondered their own thoughts. "If it not too much to ask, I would like us to spend time together. You and me. Get to know one another. Become friends."
Elizabeth felt a heaviness settle over her. This was a complication she could do without. It would be so easy to just rebuff the girl, but the hopeful expression she wore tugged at her heart. "I'd like that Georgie. I'd like it a lot."
Georgie wiped at her eyes, which seemed like an overreaction to Elizabeth. Maybe the sister received more than her share of emotions while Darcy received none? Her new friend pulled out a phone and consulted a calendar. "So, the benefit is in one week from tomorrow. My uncle Paul is running for re-election for his Senate seat for the great state of New Jersey. Will has a speech that has already been written for him. I'll have it sent to him. Make sure he practices it at least once. Stress to him to smile at the beginning of each paragraph. There will be photographers and yes, he will have to have his photo taken. He hates that more than any of the rest of it."
"Senator? Do you mean Senator Paul Pool?"
"Oh, so you do know of him. I thought you had to have heard about him."
No, no, no, no. Senator Pool was the poster child for restraint, one of those far right crazies who were against same sex marriage, legalizing marijuana and the right of the poor to live and breathe in America. In her house, he was that "Republican a-hole who was woefully out of touch with the American public's needs and wants." This was a direct quote of her democratic loving father. Her mother used far more expletives when discussing him. In fact, both would paddle back from Alaska with their tongues if they knew their oldest eligible daughter was going to be in the same room with him. Supporting him.
Right now, though, she had more immediate concerns than her parent's reactions to Darcy's relatives.
What was she going to wear?
Elizabeth's mind raced through her limited selection of clothes. Maybe she was wrong about the event? "I'm assuming this is not some poolside party type of thing. You know cutoff jeans and a tank top? BYOB."
Georgiana giggled. "Certainly not. Black tie. Formal wear. Which is why I can't believe Will didn't tell you. Then, again, he is a man."
They both nodded.
Elizabeth rubbed her temples. The idea of shopping for a dress when both her mother and Jane, the two women she trusted most, were out of town was not a prospect she enjoyed. Especially for such an important event. "Maybe Will does not plan on attending?"
"No way could he miss it. My Aunt Catherine, uncle Pool's sister, would die, come back and then haunt Will for the rest of his days."
"Clearly, your brother and I need to work on our communication skills. Maybe he could go without me?"
"Not a chance. Everyone can't wait to meet you." There was no way Darcy had told his family about her. Georgie must have spread the word among the relatives.
Great! Just great! "I guess I'm going to need to get a dress."
Her companion's face split into a grin. "I can help with that! I think one of the pieces in my most recent collection would suit you just fine. If not, I have a lot of friends in the industry. We're going to find you something very special. I'll even take care of the alterations myself. We'll get you some shoes and accessories. I'll have Frederick do your hair too."
Elizabeth felt a little twinge of excitement. Being friends with Georgianna Darcy might not be a bad thing at all!
Okay, I need some help! I'm not sure what Elizabeth should wear but I've limited it to four. Which one will be the dress? I need this so I can finish my next chapter. I can't wait to write Darcy's reaction to seeing her.
You can include in your review or email me your selection.
Dress A - /Juan_Carlos_
Dress B- /Mac_
Dress C - /La_
Dress D - /Nina_