Chapter 17 - A Walk to Remember

Sunday afternoon turned out to be quite mild and sunny; a very odd 50° for January. Eliza seized the moment to go to the park for a walk, as the air inside was starting to feel rather stuffy. Charlotte had explained that morning that Sunday was usually the day she and Tom did something together, as it was really the only free time either of them had. Eliza certainly did not want to get in the way, and so got dressed in jeans, a turtleneck, and her coat and headed out the door.

Everyone was out enjoying the beautiful day. The park was filled with runners, people walking their dogs, and those who, like Eliza, were just taking a stroll. Taking walks had always been one of Eliza's favorite activities; it gave her some time to herself to just think. Walks certainly had been helpful growing up with four sisters.

As she walked through this rare bit of a nature, she mulled over the events of last night. Lady Catherine had never even really commented on Eliza's piano playing, but instead had insisted on Eliza divulging more about her family: where they vacationed, what law firm her father worked for, what other relatives they had. Richard, for his part, seemed interested, and commented every so often. Darcy just sat back on the sofa, watching his aunt with a completely unreadable expression. Dinner, however, had been entirely consumed by Collins' constant drivel about the penthouse and Lady Catherine; particular attention had then been spent on Darcy, apparently for whom Tom was soon going to be working. Darcy had looked less than thrilled with this, and for once, Eliza couldn't blame him.

"Eliza! Eliza!"

Eliza turned at the sound of someone calling her name. She smiled as she saw Richard waving to her, a few yards away. She stopped walking and waited for him to catch up; to her slight disappointment, Darcy was also walking behind his cousin, but did not seem in as much a hurry to get to her.

"What a coincidence," Richard said, coming up beside Eliza.

"What are you two doing?" she asked, nodding her head to Darcy who was still a several feet away.

"Just going to play a bit of squash," Richard said. Eliza bit back a smile. "It's such a beautiful day it would be a shame to waste it."

By this point, Darcy had joined them. Eliza had to bite back a laugh this time; the two cousins were wearing almost identical white shirts and shorts, complete with sneakers and blue jackets.

"Well, I like the team uniform," Eliza said, gesturing to the matching outfits.

Richard and Darcy looked at each other, and then Richard shook his head and clucked his tongue.

"I knew we should have called each other, Will. Eliza's right, we can't wear the same thing! We'll be mocked for eternity," he said, chuckling. Eliza laughed; Darcy allowed himself a smile.

"You wouldn't care to join us, would you?" asked Richard.

Eliza laughed again. "I don't know, I don't have the uniform."

Richard chuckled and threw an arm around her shoulders and started walking.

"That's alright. I played in a tuxedo once."

"But I don't know the first thing about squash!" Eliza protested. She really did just want to continue her walk.

"Well it's quite simple really. You see, Eliza, squash is a vegetable, right? It's this sort of yellow color… one eats it in the fall, usually."

Eliza laughed but still shook her head. "But…"

"Richard, she doesn't want to play," Darcy suddenly said behind them. Richard and Eliza turned around. Darcy had his eyes fixed on his cousin. "You did interrupt her walk."

Once again, Eliza couldn't but marvel at what a strange creature Darcy was. He was so dull and haughty, and yet every once in awhile he would say something that was so… true. Like last night, at the piano. It was a bit startling, really.

Richard seemed almost to blush, and then nodded to Darcy.

"As usual, my cousin is right. I'm sorry for disturbing your walk, Eliza," he said with a mock bow. She giggled and nodded.

"Don't worry about it," she said, and they continued on; not once did Darcy look at her.

She shrugged and continued her walk. Next time, she thought to herself, she hoped Richard would be alone.

"What is with you Darcy? You've been so weird since we've gotten here… well, more so than usual, anyway."

Rich and Will were walking away from Eliza, who had taken a turn and was now out of sight. The sight of Eliza and Rich getting so chummy had been a bit much for him, and he knew that an entire afternoon of it would have been impossible for him to stand.

Quite unfortunately for Will, last night had not gone as planned. Instead of Aunt Catherine making him see what a dreadful mistake Eliza would be, she inadvertently made him realize what a dreadful mistake Anne would be. By constantly comparing Anne to Eliza – her family, her talents, her education – Anne seemed even more boring than usual. A future with Anne, Will thoughts, would be very dull indeed.

"Nothing," Will replied to Rich, but Richard suddenly slapped Will's arm.

"I get it! You're doing it this week, aren't you?" Rich said.

"Doing what?"

"Actually asking Anne to marry you! Finally, it'll make Aunt Catherine so happy."

Will's insides froze. It was true, he had been putting off actually putting a ring on Anne's finger for as long as possible. His aunt had been uncharacteristically patient, but Will suddenly realized that perhaps she was expecting Will to do it this week, too. Dear God, what kind of mess have I gotten myself into?

"Rich, can I ask you something?" Will asked.

"Sure, anything."

"And be honest."

"Alright," Rich said, raising an eyebrow.

Will paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts.

"What do you think of Anne?" he finally asked.

Rich was silent for several moments, clearly unsure of how to answer.

"Well, she's… nice," he said lamely.

"I said be honest, Rich. You're not going to hurt anyone's feelings here."

Rich looked sideways at his cousin and then sighed. "She adores you and would be completely obedient to you… which might get a bit annoying."

Will nodded his head in agreement.

"She's quiet, and completely incapable of forming her own opinion. And I'm sorry, mate, but I really don't know how you're ever going to bang her."

Will groaned; sex was, unfortunately, a bit of an issue.

"Aunt Cate is living in the past, mate. Even the princes don't have arranged marriages anymore." Rich paused. "Why… is there someone else?"

Will was starting to walk faster. He had hoped the conversation would not come to this.

"No, not necessarily," he lied. "I'm just…"

"Look, Will… you've got your own money. Your own house, your own job… Aunt Catherine holds absolutely no power of you. She's just family. Why are you letting her do this?"

"Do what?"

"Dictate your life? There's no choice more important than marriage, Will. Think of my parents – not once did they ever like each other in thirty years. Their life was completely dull. And I hate to say it, but you asked me to be honest – if you marry Anne, your life will be boring. That's the truth."

Rich ended his little outburst, breathing a little raggedly and looking at Will as if almost frightened of him. Will had slowed down again and was staring at the ground. Rich was right. So what if Aunt Catherine disowned him, hated him for all eternity? She had no control over his money, his property… and besides, his mother hadn't even liked her all that much.

He looked over at his cousin, grateful for his honesty.

"Thank you, Rich," Will said. "You're absolutely right."

"I am?" Richard asked, surprised.

"Of course."

They remained in silence all the way to the squash court, and played a few matches quietly. Will was thinking hard as he beat Rich over and over again. I should just talk to Eliza, he reasoned with himself. Obviously there's something between us, she must agree. We'll figure out what to do from there.

Despite his self-reassurances, however, the thought of telling Eliza – or, indeed, anyone – that he loved her was still terrifying. He remained lost in thought as he and Rich walked back to the Pierre, occasionally nodding as Rich commented on passersby.

Early in the evening, after Aunt Catherine announced she was having dinner with friends and Rich and Will weren't invited, Will showered and dressed in jeans and a sweater. Taking several deep breaths, he got into the elevator. His real purpose for going downstairs was to discuss some business matters with Collins, but if he happened upon Eliza, so be it.

Their door was opened by Greta, Collins' maid who spoke with a thick Russian accent and still couldn't understand more than five words of English.

She smiled at Will and said, "Library."

He nodded and proceeded into the apartment. Wandering down a hallway, he strained to remember which room was the library, until he saw an open door. Knocking lightly, he entered.

Upon walking in, though, he saw not Collins, but Eliza, curled up in a leather armchair reading a book. This being completely unexpected, her appearance startled him as she looked up and smiled hesitantly.

"Darcy, hi," she said.

"I'm sorry… I was just… isn't Collins here?" he stuttered, hating himself.

"Oh, no, he and Charlotte went out for dinner," she reported.

There was a weird pause; on the one hand, Will realized an opportune chance to talk to Eliza alone, but the on the other, he was completely flustered and had thought of nothing to say.

"Ah… I thought he was here," he said.

"Well… he isn't," Eliza said awkwardly.

"How's your family?" he asked, desperate for something to say.

She smiled and said, "Just as well as the last time you asked."

His stomach dropped; he felt like a fool. "Right, of course." That was it, he couldn't stand another moment of this. "I have to go," he said, and without waiting for her to say goodbye, he swept from the room.

Sinking his face into his hand as he rode up the elevator, Will seriously considered just leaving for England. It couldn't get any worse than that, could it?

Apart from an odd appearance by Will Darcy, Eliza's evening went by quietly. Charlotte and Tom had gone to dinner and then a movie, so Eliza contented herself with reading a little and then watching some TV. She chuckled softly to herself as she thought of Darcy's awkward burst into the library a while ago. What a strange fellow, she thought for the millionth time. Obviously he had come to see Tom, and upon finding only Eliza, had scrambled to get out of there as soon as possible. God forbid he spend two minutes talking with her.

Monday morning, Charlotte informed Eliza that they were invited to Lady Catherine's grand New Year's Eve party on Thursday night. Subsequently, they spent the next few days shopping, getting their nails done, and several other girly things that Eliza secretly loved.

Thursday dawned bright, clear, and cold. Despite repeated pleas from Charlotte, Eliza bundled up to take a walk outside. In response to Charlotte's hysterics that she might catch a cold before the party, she promised to return within an hour.

The elevator doors opened to find Richard standing inside, bundled up almost as much as Eliza. He grinned to her as he re-pressed the lobby button.

"Going for a stroll?" he asked.

"Yes, and you?"

"Hoping to walk with you, if you don't mind," he said.

She smiled and nodded. "I'd like the company," she said truthfully.

They chitchatted as the elevator descended and they left the building to cross the street towards Central Park. The conversation turned towards Lady Catherine and Collins, whom Richard believed were secretly having an affair.

"That's disgusting!" Eliza proclaimed, trying to avoid any thoughts of this.

"Makes sense, though, right? The way he's constantly complimenting her, and how she always gives him money and stuff," Rich persisted.

"It's still gross," Eliza said.

"I mean, your friend isn't actually in love with him, is she?" Richard asked.

"God, I hope not," Eliza said, and they laughed. Eliza's thoughts flicked to Anne.

"Rich, let me asked you something," she said.

"Go ahead."

"What's Anne's story?" she inquired.

He sighed, shaking his head a little. "Well, her parents were very good friends of my aunt's. They died a while ago, in a car crash. Apparently they made Aunt Catherine Anne's legal guardian, so she's been living with her ever since."

Eliza nodded, feeling a little sorry for the girl. "Your aunt said Anne was engaged to one of her nephews," she said. Richard looked at her in alarm.

"She did?" he said.

"Yeah, when I first met her," Eliza said.

"Oh, well… they aren't actually engaged, but Aunt Catherine is certainly hoping," Richard said.

"Who, though?" Eliza pressed.

"Will," Richard replied, sounding a bit sad. Eliza nodded – it was Darcy, then. She had figured as much.

"You don't think Will would marry her?" she asked.

"I would hope not," Rich said quietly. "But Will's thinking about it. I don't know why, I mean, he helped his friend get out of a doomed relationship, I don't know why he can't do it for himself."

Eliza stopped cold. "What did you say?"

"About what?"

"About the friend, what did you mean about the friend?" Eliza asked quickly, although part of her didn't want to hear the answer.

"Oh, well, I suppose I can tell you," Richard said, urging her to continue walking. "Will has this friend from Oxford… they lived together during law school, too. Apparently Will just helped him out of a sticky situation… but he told me he's had to do it before, apparently the guy just can't help but constantly get his heart broken."

"So… so Will just intervened? Without the friend asking?" Eliza asked harshly. Richard looked slightly alarmed.

"Well, like I said, he's had to do it before."

"So he just goes in and breaks them up?"

"Yeah… this time it took a little more effort, he said, but he couldn't just stand by and let his friend go out with this girl."

A hot rage like Eliza hadn't felt in a long time was rising throughout her body. He had to be speaking of Bingley and Jane!

"And what exactly were his objections?" she asked through gritted teeth.

Rich looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Well, I mean, his friend was going to go back to England eventually. And Will mentioned something about how his friend's father wouldn't approve."

"Approve of what?"

Rich faltered. "Her family, I suppose," he finally said. "Apparently they were a real nightmare."

Eliza stopped walking again. Her body felt hot and uncomfortable in all this clothing. She could barely see for her fury. How dare he! The arrogant bastard had actually broken Bingley and Jane up, and only because he didn't approve!

"I'm sorry, Eliza… I know that sort of thing is usually unheard of over here," Rich started to say, seeing Eliza was upset.

"I'm going to go back," Eliza said, and without so much as another word, she turned on her heel and left Richard behind.

Back in the apartment, Eliza tore off her clothing, throwing each piece down onto the ground in a towering temper. The complete audacity of it! She just could not wrap her mind around it. Darcy had deliberately taken Bingley out of Long Island to separate him from Jane. He had broken Jane's – and Bingley's – heart... Smashed it, more like. Ground it into a thousand pieces. The cruel, spineless –

"Lizzie?"

Eliza whirled around to find Charlotte in the doorway, looking worried.

"Are you alright?" Charlotte asked.

Eliza took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm fine."

"You sure? You look flushed."

"Just the cold," Eliza said.

Charlotte nodded. "Well, you should probably start getting ready. We have to head up in an hour."

Eliza had completely forgotten the time. She nodded to Charlotte, who smiled a bit shakily and then left.

Getting ready for the party was tortuous. Richard's words just kept filtering through her thoughts. Apparently they were a real nightmare… Eliza realized with a pang that, to outsiders, this must be true. Her own fierce loyalty to her family was probably the only reason she could stand to be around them. But still, that was absolutely no reason to break them up! Even if Bingley did fall in love all the time, this time had been different! Jane had loved Bingley back, they could have been very happy together… why didn't Darcy see that?

An hour later, Eliza was dressed in a midnight blue gown, her hair curled. She supposed she was ready to go, but she wasn't sure how she was going to contain herself around Darcy. She would have to avoid him at all costs.

Unfortunately, she wasn't so lucky. As she searched the long dinner table for her name placard, she audibly groaned to see it placed right next to Darcy's. Her body stiffened as she sat down next to him.

"Good evening, Eliza," he said. She restrained herself from openly glaring at him. She hated everything about him, from his dull, droning voice to his platinum cufflinks. She merely nodded in response.

Luckily, Lady Catherine commanded the conversation for most of dinner, at least to those seated closest to her, which included Darcy and Eliza. She noticed Anne looking adoringly up at Darcy whenever he spoke, and she smiled viciously to herself. Good, she thought, he deserves nothing better.

As the main course ended, however, Lady Catherine began to speak quietly to Tom, and Darcy turned to Eliza.

"How did you like the dinner?" he asked.

"Fine," she said shortly. He seemed a bit startled.

"Don't tell that to my aunt, she's never heard her meals described as anything but delicious," he said. She did not smile, and he seemed thoroughly disconcerted.

"Are you alright, Eliza?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she said.

Dessert came, and Darcy fell silent. The dinner table was oddly quiet as the forty or so people ate their chocolate cake. As the plates were cleared, people started to stand.

"Are you sure you're alright, you seem a bit…" Darcy started to say.

"I'm fine," Eliza repeated, then stood and left the table, without looking back.

Eliza seemed unusually distant during dinner, and it was quite upsetting to Will. He was used to her smile, her wit, her sparkle. Tonight she seemed reserved, angry even. He had never felt quite so desperate to tell her how he felt. That was it, he thought. He would just have to bite the bullet and do it tonight.

His task, however, was harder than he may have thought. He barely saw Eliza all night, and was instead occupied by his aunt, who was pushing him around the room introducing him to everyone there. Anne hovered by his side, but he made every effort to be clear that they were not together. The four-piece orchestra played quietly in the background as the clock slowly ticked toward midnight. Richard had come up to him once or twice, asking to talk, but Will was too busy meeting and talking with everyone.

Around eleven o'clock, he saw her; Eliza was sneaking out of the room and towards the door. Seizing the chance, he lied and said he was going to the men's room, and slipped out of his aunt's clutches.

It was now or never.

Unable to contain her anger any longer, Eliza had told Charlotte she had a headache and was going to turn in early. Despite Charlotte's protests, Eliza bid a quick farewell and "Happy New Year" to her and Tom, and then quietly snuck out of the room. Perhaps she should change and do some jumping jacks or go on the treadmill, she thought. Just to relieve some of the tension.

She walked into the apartment feeling drained, although she had barely done anything all night. She sunk into a chair and put her head on the windowpane; she could see several cheerful people around the park, wearing funny hats and pulling crackers. Her heart sank to think of her sister, who had told her earlier that day that she was spending New Year's at home with her aunt and uncle.

Suddenly there came a knock at the door. The sound startled Eliza so much she almost fell out of the chair. Collecting her wits, she went to answer the door. Her heart fell even further at seeing who it was.

"Hello, Eliza."

A/N: OMG I am so mean! I'm sorry, I meant to have the proposal in this chapter, but now I feel it's best left for the next one. Hopefully I will write the next chapter soon – I'm dying to, that's for sure.

So please review if you want the next chapter to come out quickly! Let's see if we can get to 200, shall we?

Love, luck and flying Ringwraiths,

Emma the NazgulQueen

P.S. Even I admit that some of the dialogue needs work, but I just implore everyone to remember that all these characters (with the exception of a few) are intelligent, wealthy people who still speak with some degree of class and articulation.