Chapter 2

Summary: Lizzy is just a soulful editor fighting for her views on literature and against the jerks of the world – William is a wealthy CEO wishing to lose himself in life and flee the clutches of family norms. After a first time meeting and a fiery spark, their acquaintance soon gets interesting. But when they finally believe to be safe, new problems arise.

Lizzy and Will's relationship seem to be wrought with happiness, but when a known nemesis comes back into their lives, and throws them off balance, Darcy must overcome his isolated independence to come clean, and Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice to save their love.

Short Excerpt: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a trophy wife," Lizzy muttered to Charlotte as she watched Caroline sharpen her talons while assessing the illustrious Mr. Darcy.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice – I'm just playing around :)

Extra:

Thank you Dizzy Lizzy.60 and hongkongphooey63 for the great feedback! The story is at it's dusk and I'm just positioning the characters on the board, so you'll have to wait and see for Darcy and Caroline, Dizzy Lizzy.60 :)

Between Consequences and Distractions

Normally, Lizzy thought as she welcomingly smiled at her supervisor Mr. Forster, the bosses are worse than the mothers. I luckily don't have that displeasure.

"How is my favorite acquisitions editor?" He charmingly smiled as he shook her hand in greeting.

"Hello Mr. Forster, how are things progressing?"

"Well," he sighed as he saw the familiar view of stacked manuscripts from the corner of his eyes, "proposals are going well, but I'm looking for something else."

Elizabeth gave a Cheshire grin as she handed him a manuscript, "this might be promising."

He raised a brow, and looked down. "It's similar to Romeo and Juliet," Elizabeth started, and smiled despite the look he gave her. "But very different. The main character believes herself to be in the role of Juliette and falls in love with a forbidden fruit who she believes could be her Romeo. Things go badly as she learns of his deceptions but when she does uncover his true nature, she is too deep in to really escape."

"Go on."

Elizabeth bit the end of her pencil as she contemplated how to continue. "She must overcome her problems to realize the hurt that is brought to her family, and eventually herself. She goes through a character development where she forgives herself and is strengthened by the experiences."

"Elizabeth," Forster took off his reading glasses and looked her in the eyes, "don't tell me what she must do, just what she does. You're not supposed to be buttering the summary like it's the back of a book."

"Well," she bit her lip as she looked at the manuscript. "The author isn't quite done…"

"Elizabeth…" Forster sighed as she hectically continued.

"But I believe in it. You see, the girl didn't finish the story – because it's her story. She's retelling her own experiences. Right now, she didn't overcome the pain yet, didn't complete her character development…"

"I'll tell you what," Forster said as he rose. "You give me something to look at now, and we'll discuss her story in two months. If it's not done by then, we'll let it go."

"But-"

"It's a great idea, I see its value." He patted her shoulder in a fatherly way before setting down the manuscript. "Now, do you have any manuscripts I can peruse through now?"

"Yes," Elizabeth grudgingly said and handed him a few stacks which she though were promising. "Two of them are the first of a series, the others aren't."

"Okay," he nodded. "Which one is the most promising?"

She pointed out a Sci fi book, "In here humans flee the world after an atomic war, and travel from planet to planet in order to find a home… Orbis is Latin for new world; it's the first of the series of Otherworldly. They start by finding a world with deadly plants and a poisonous atmosphere which turns them crazy…"

She continued her explanation and after he had left, she looked back at The Value of Valor before finally sighing and going through her email for queries.

After an hour of mindless searching, her phone abruptly rang, scaring her out of her editor-haze. "Elizabeth Bennet speaking."

"Lizzy! I tried calling you for so long!" Her mother cried into the phone, making Elizabeth frown.

"I was at the office for an hour."

"Well, I tried your cell first!"

After gazing at her phone, Elizabeth grew impatient, "Yeah, that's why it says no missed call."

"Now, don't be so stubborn Lizzy. No man finds that an attractive trait," her mother scolded over the phone, making Lizzy rub her temples.

"Why are you calling?"

"Does a mother need an excuse?!" not in general, but you do! "I just wanted to know if you were ready for this weekend, there is a surprise visitor in the neighborhood!"

Elizabeth grew nervous, the last time her mother grew excited over a bachelor she threw a neighborhood party like it was a garden sale – where her daughters were the ware! "Mom, I'm sure your surprise is of far too much consequence to let wait!"

"Oooh, no! I'll be keeping my mouth shut. But wear that blue sundress Lizzy, it's the only decent article of clothing you have!" Lizzy rolled her eyes, and after reassuring her mother she'd wear the baggy drapes she had gotten during her last visit, she hung up and got back to work. Going through queries had actually gotten exciting now.

After conversing with several of her favorite literary agents and arranging promising new deals for the manuscript Forster had agreed to buy the day before, she went down to production. She had a meeting with a publishing group of a history novel she had pushed to have the house buy. It was going to be on the shelves soon, and while she was talking to the editor of a possible future series her phone abruptly rang again.

"Please, take it," John, the editor, smiled as she made no move to answer.

She gave him an apologetic smile before hastily answering.

"This better be good," she muttered into her phone as she turned away from the group, her mother antics could sometimes be loud. "What is it you want, mom?"

"For you to treat Charlotte better, have you no respect?"

Elizabeth groaned in the phone as she exasperatedly ran a hand over her hair. "Okay, give it to me."

"I just wanted to know where you wanted to meet for lunch, I just said good bye to Nicky and I wanted to know if I should sit tight or not."

"Let's see, I'll be out in ten and it takes how long to get there?"

"Six minutes."

"See you in thirteen, then. Can you hold it 'til then?"

"It's crowded and some guy looks like he wants the seat but… sure, I can fight for it." Lizzy chuckled at that, "Oh and sweetie, I said six minutes, not thr-, oh… well, it's not my fault I have shorter legs, you freak."

Elizabeth scoffed, "right, but it's your fault you don't train yourself."

Charlotte muttered something about not being a dog before hanging up. At least Elizabeth was able to convince her to order her the club sandwich over text. When Elizabeth finally arrived a salad stood before her.

"Hey!" she indignantly looked around the small plate hoping to at least see some meat. "Why?"

"Payback! You know: same stuff, different day."

Elizabeth threw her a glare before finally deciding she could just order a sandwich too. "So, how when is the interview?"

"In a little over an hour and it's not so far away." She sipped her ice tea as she assessed Lizzy, "How was your day?"

"Ugh! I did a stupid thing I promised myself I wouldn't do…" she thanked the waiter when her sandwich arrived, and dug in. "I got a deadline for this amazing story that isn't finished; the author isn't one for pressure, so…"

"Oh," Charlotte nodded thoughtfully, "I see."

"Yeah… but what can you do?" They sat in silence for a while, Charlotte with a furrowed brow and Elizabeth with her sandwich.

Charlotte handed her the rest of her chocolate cake when she had finished her sandwich. "Have you thought of helping her along?"

Elizabeth frowned down at her plate before finally looking at Charlotte. "It's not my place. She's 17, under the guardianship of her brother, in a difficult position… how would I be better than all those other single-minded, greedy-"

"We got it!"

"-sleazy gamblers who call themselves acquisitions editors?!"

Charlotte rubbed Elizabeth's shoulders while rolling her eyes. "Did you approach the brother on the subject?" Lizzy deigned to concentrate on her eating so as not to look at Charlotte. "Elizabeth Bennet!"

"I know! But Georgianna told me not to…"

"Are you sure it's a good idea to approach a minor with personal issues on a book?"

"Especially with a rich ass family…"Elizabeth sighed as she played around with the bits of crumbs left on her plate.

"You mean to say that, not only are you approaching a minor who has personal issues, but that her brother is of high consequence and could have you fleeing the country?!"

"That's an over exaggeration!" Elizabeth grumbled as she started squishing the crumbs with her spoon.

"Lizzy!"

"I know that, too… I shouldn't be gambling…" Elizabeth beseeched her with wide doe eyes, "but she needs me, Char."

Her friend grumbled as she called for the check, but before she could continue their discussion, the phone rang.

Lizzy answered quickly under Char's terrifying glare, "Hello?"

"Lizzy!" the sweet sound of Jane's voice responded. "I wanted to know how you were doing, and if you were still up for this weekend. Now, if you have troubles with the cake, I'd be willing to-"

"Oh, Jane! I've been meaning to talk to you about something…" she looked at Charlotte for confirmation who just nodded.

"Really? Is it the cake? You know I cou-"

"No, it's not the cake. But since I know how you love distractions, Charlotte and I were going to this soiree. It's an opening of sorts for this software field company-"

"Netherfield!"

"-and Charlotte was invited. Apparently it's formal, and there'll be a lot of distractions!"

"I guess I could use some distraction…" Lizzy gave thumbs up to her friend. "When is it?"

Lizzy looked to Charlotte, "When is it?"

"The 22nd of August." Lizzy repeated it to Jane, and over the phone she could hear her sister scrawling it down.

"I'll try being there! Now Lizzy, about that cake-"

"If it'll keep you occupied, you can just bring some… handmade decorations!" Charlotte raised a brow at that.

"… Okay!"

Lizzy gave thumbs up before she stuck her tongue out.

Beside the, a thin lady with immaculate nails – claws according to Lizzy – was not impressed by the display of immaturity. She endeavored to continue talking to her brother on the phone while ignoring the two embarrassments seated next to her. "Yes Charles, I will try to make it for the soiree… do you know if William will be there? … Superb! Did he say anything about the two of us?"

A/N: Hey guys! I hoped you enjoyed this new chapter, as well as the cover I uploaded :D

Things are getting more complicated, and I wanted to ask you: what type of a Caroline/Darcy relationship do you want? Please tell me, I love hearing your opinions so...

Don't forget to review :)