Chapter 3

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:

The ending part is to you, AmberS76 - we all know how oblivious Caroline can be ;P

Trifling Pursuits

Across the once neat kitchen table, a land of hopelessness emerged. Stacks of manuscripts had claimed their territory, only to face the wrath of Charlotte Lucas.

"Lizzy!" She shoved papers off the desks, and wasn't perturbed when her friend ran in to stop her.

"I had an organization order thingy! Damn it!" She quickly rushed to reorganize the stack of paper while Charlotte just rolled her eyes.

"Lizzy dear, you wouldn't know what organization order thingy was if it were one of your clients and a big fat deal."

Lizzy huffed but did not retaliate. Charlotte had won this round. After throwing her an empty shampoo bottle, she went to check on her pie.

"Ooh," Charlotte licked her lips as she beheld what she hoped was dinner. "Please tell me that's not for your mother!"

"Naw, I'm baking that one tomorrow early." After placing it on the table, she looked at Charlotte with a raised eyebrow, "Where are the plates, cutlery, drinks and cups?"

Charlotte moaned before dragging herself out of her seat and doing as she was told.

"So," Lizzy started while cutting her pie, "Any luck with that Netherfield job?"

"No," Charlotte grunted as her thin arms just managed to lift a bottle thrice their width, "But Charles said it shouldn't take too long, probably shortly after the weekend."

Elizabeth waggled her eyebrows, "Charles, you say?"

"Don't give me that look," Charlotte rolled her eyes at Lizzy, "It's not like that!"

"Sure…"

"Stop it! And stop smiling" the goofy grin didn't leave Lizzy's face. "Seriously!"

"Okay, okay!" Lizzy surrendered with a thoughtful mine, "is he anything for Jane? Or just some old coot?"

"Firstly," Charlotte said after she took a bit of her piece, "this pie is delicious, seriously! Chicken?" Lizzy nodded with a satisfied smile. "Secondly," Charlotte continued, "you can't call my boss a coot!" She glared at her friend whose pleased mine remained. "But thirdly, and lastly, yes. He's definitely Jane's type!"

"Alright!" Lizzy grinned as her mind started running. "Let's set them up!"

"Are you sure it would be good for Jane to jump into a relationship this early after Freddie?"

"Well," Lizzy took of water, "she sure as hell is getting pushed by mom. It's either mom's play date or our hunk… so, which do you think it should be?"

With a sigh, Charlotte leaned over the table and unceremoniously pinched her best friend.

"Ow!" Lizzy yelped in pain, while rubbing her sore spot. "That was uncalled for!"

"Yeah, well, you kinda have to get used to thinking before you speak. I hate to tell you this, but you're already on thin ice with your mom!"

"Do you want to taste this pie again?"

"Forget I said anything."

"And so…" Lizzy muttered later that day, as she finished up the last sentence, "life has taken an unexpectedly normal turn…" after hitting enter, revising, and posting the new update for her blog, she sighed and laid back. Before she could contemplate returning to the fresh and old stack of manuscripts she needed to go through, something caught her attention. She had received a new message.

It was from Georgianna!

She bit her lip while her fingers played across her keyboard back and forth. After a minute of this, as well as mindless contemplations of worst-case scenarios, Lizzy decided to open it.

Hello Lizzy,

I recently had a talk with William… he would like me to see a professional. You see, William believes it could be helpful, and that it is the only right solution. The problem is I don't want to go.

I know it's silly of me. I owe it to him to at least try, but I don't feel like being analyzed and categorized. Perhaps it is a necessity in my current predicament? I don't mean to be difficult, but I doubt there'd be any comfort in confronting a stranger, when I cannot even approach my brother…

He doesn't know yet. I am so sorry! I tried to tell him about the book, but I cannot bear to imagine what he might think of me afterwards… so many bad things could come of this. Yet The Value of Valor is my only sanctuary – it helps me so much Lizzy, and I would so much like to share it with the rest of the world… but at what cost?

We have talked about it, but I find myself lost and alone… I am afraid this is not much of an answer to you regarding the approval of my brother or the progress of the novel – but I have no one else to talk to! And you are the only one besides my brother, uncle and Auntie Reynolds I trust, Lizzy… you are, however, the only person who I believe could understand and help me.

Please do not think ill of me for my selfishness, though I will understand otherwise,

Georgianna D.

Lizzy reread several sentences again before she finally decided to turn to the next email Georgianna had sent shortly after.

Dearest Lizzy,

While I realize how problematic I appeared in my last missive, I still hope you will read this one.

I apologize for ranting about my life and dilemmas – I just feel like I must explain myself to you. Nevertheless, I hope you are doing well and that the coming weekend with your family will go well. I cannot imagine anyone having troubles with you, let alone your mother. You seem to smart, witty and kind a person to provoke such annoyance from your own roots. I will wish for your happiness, though, and hope that your pie turns out well. Did you enjoy the Ms. Reynolds' chicken recipe? I myself am very much partial to it, and enjoy a piece whenever I am feeling upset.

I hope you accept my apology, and still wish to converse with a silly girl like me.

All the best,

G. D.

The grueling hours of dusk found Elizabeth in the kitchen, trying to make the best of her fridge's offerings. She had been laboring for hours before she had more than completed an array of meals even her mother would be proud of. This did not appease her, though.

During the last hours of dusk, she had been awake for a very long time, contemplating the sadness that was Georgianna Darcy. She had not replied to the emails.

After the last of the foods was prepared, wrapped and packed, Lizzy finally confronted her computer.

Dearest Georgianna,

She begun with slow stroked on her keyboard while nibbling on her abused lower lip

I understand your feelings and opinions, and can very much relate to your position.

Lizzy frowned before starting again:

Dearest Georgie,

You mustn't feel any anxiety in coming to me, nor to your brother. From what I could gather from your emails, he seems like the gentle, kind sort. While I do understand you feelings and position on the matter you discussed with him, I also understand why he would suggest it. He loves you, dear friend, and would like to help you… but it appears his understanding limits him.

I promised myself to keep out of matters concerning your brother, though, so I will merely inform you of new developments: my supervisor is aware of your predicament. He is intrigued by the plot and I believe he can credit its strength on the market – but he is perturbed at its incompleteness.

She quickly scratched the last part after but out, deciding that stressing Georgianna with a deadline would not be wise.

Forget your problems momentarily and enjoy your hiking weekend with your brother.

Believe in yourself like I do,

Elizabeth B.

After Lizzy was satisfied with her letter, she backed up, said good bye to a tired Charlotte, and was on her way to her parent's place. This is going to be a long weekend…

Extra: Darcy POV

"Yes Charles," the tall man with dark hair impatiently answered as he filed documents in his briefcase. "I'll be there for your soiree. Caroline took it upon herself to inform me."

After having packed his necessities and checking his drawers twice, he readily turned off the lights, leaving the room in the darkness of the night. He had been working late again.

"No," Darcy scoffed at an absurd notion of his friend, "I am not nor will I EVER be with your sister! She really has to get over her disappointment and accept it. I don't mean any disrespect Charles…"

As he headed towards the elevator he saw a glimpse of his secretary. "Hold up, Charles."

"Miss Grantley! While I might say it is a surprise to see you here, I fear that would be a lie," he addressed his hard-working secretary who had been staying late every night – adamant to meeting his schedule.

"Well," the cute brunette blushed faintly as she hastily organized her papers. "I did not want to leave without making sure you didn't need anything…"

"No need to worry, I come along quite well myself," at her deepened flush, he hastily added to soften any insult: "but your work is always appreciated."

"Thank you," she shyly looked down, biting her lips as she stashed everything away.

"I won't be keeping you any longer Miss Grantley," he made to walk away, but she stopped him.

"Please, call me Jennifer…" her smile became more daring as she lost herself in the mesmerizing blue of his eyes. "If I can be of any assistance…"

"That will be all, Miss Grantley," he stiffly returned as he hastened to leave before inciting any more of her kind attentions.

"I'm back, Charles," he muttered into the phone as he entered the elevator.

"Well well well! You are quite a cad!" William groaned as his friend playfully chuckled.

"I have no idea what's been going on lately; I have been discharging so many secretaries – for the past 6 months I had to reassign all of them to different departments!"

"Have you considered sexual harassment charges?" Charles playfully teased.

"Very funny, Bingley." William frowned as a thought crossed his mind. "Actually, Richard has lately become more involved with the Human Resources department, and he keeps on trying to convince me 'to get out there' and 'woo those fish'… do you think he might have a hand in this?"

"If I know Richard, then yes. Definitely. But don't tell Caroline, she'd scratch poor Miss Grantley's eyes out!"

William sighed as he headed for his car, "about your sister-"

"Yes, I understand where you're coming from. She's convinced you will ask her to go with you to the Netherfield soiree."

"That was once!" William stated when he was safely inside his BMW. "And I only did it as a favor to you, and to keep any other girl off – it wasn't a date!"

"She's convinced it was, and that you have feelings for her – even I can't help you now."

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this new chapter! A little more info from Georgie, and a little Darcy action! The whole Darcy POV won't happen often... but there can always be special occasions :D

Don't forget to review :)