Chapter 4
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 to klarita1, tremu, AmberS76 and CrazyPPgirl for the great feedback! I'm trying to sharpen the dialogue, to make it more realistic ;)
Family Reunions and Teatime
The road trip to New Jersey was grueling, but when Lizzy finally arrived at her old neighborhood, her hands tightened on the steering wheel as though she couldn't fathom leaving the car which had been her metal box of hell for the past hours.
After quietly ascending from her car, she calmly closed the car door so as not to make noise and alert her mother. Moving swiftly inside with her luggage, she bumped into Jane.
"Lizzy!" the soft voice of her older sister made Lizzy feel at home. The feeling was strengthened by a warming hug only comparable to Lizzy's favorite hot cocoa.
"How are things?" Lizzy asked her sister after setting the food and the pot of Echinacea in the kitchen.
"Better," Jane's smile was serene, though it did not reach her eyes. She did however crane her head to see the food Elizabeth had stacked in the kitchen. Hunger was always a good sign for Jane.
"Hungry again?"
"You bet!" Jane beamed at her favorite sister before grabbing two caramels, and tossed one to Lizzy. "I see you've brought Mom her favorite flowers!"
"Thanks," Lizzy grinned at her sister before hugging her again. "It's been way too long!"
"Barely two months! But the sentiment is returned," Jane smiled before helping Lizzy with her bags.
"Oh!" The voice of Fanny Bennet could be heard from the stairs. "What is this?"
When Lizzy and Jane joined her in the kitchen, their mother turned to her eldest: "Are these dishes and the flowers your marvelous doing, Jane?"
"No," Jane gestured towards Elizabeth, "It's all Lizzy."
"Well," Mrs. Bennet looked over the dishes before smiling tightly, "You brought a tad too much, dear."
"Nice to see you too, Mom."
"Hey Dad," Lizzy announced herself as she knocked on the door to her father's office.
"Lizzy," he gave a smile before abandoning his book to hug her. "I'm so glad you could make it!"
"Me too," she smiled at her father before inspecting his book. "Oedipus Rex?"
"Yes," he shrugged, "I felt the need to become acquainted with the origin of tragedy – seeing how it vexes your mother's nerves."
"I'm afraid I would be the one to vex them," She smiled at her father to soften the comment. "No need to study me, you've already had years to do so."
"I'm afraid I still don't quite understand you yet." He smiled gently before ordering her to sit.
"So," Lizzy began as she reached into the back pack she had brought with her. "I have a few manuscripts I would like your opinion on."
"Let me see," he reached out to rap the first one and smiled, "a new murder mystery? How peculiar!"
Elizabeth laughed before setting the others down. "Don't worry, that one actually questions norms and clichés."
He reached for another one, and examined it. "Do I know the author?"
"Yeah, she wrote that novel on time travelers – you know, the 'only kind of Sci-fi worth bragging about in a gentleman's club'."
"I see," he grinned at his daughter before ruffling her hair.
Some things never change.
When she had gone over the various manuscripts, unpacked her things and gotten downstairs to see if she could help, her Aunt Phillips had arrived.
After being greeted by all of her nieces, both she and her sister retired to the parlor. Deciding she had better spend time with her mother, Elizabeth quietly followed along with her sister Mary.
"So I told Mrs. Lucas that he had been looking at Jane all night, and couldn't possibly be interested in Charlotte!" the shrill voice of Mrs. Bennet was followed by a keening laugh, as was customary every Saturday afternoon when her sister came to visit.
Mrs. Phillips was older than Fanny Bennet, but had no children to speak of, and had therefore claimed to always have the freedom to visit her younger sister. As was tradition, she sat on the green armchair across from Mrs. Bennet while knitting and gossiping about. "I heard that Jennifer Grantley ended up working as a secretary for some hot shot!" she shook her head, "so much for the high hopes her mother harbored."
"They always were a proud bunch, you know?"
"Yes! And did you hear her mother bragging about how her daughter would surely entice her boss?" Aunt Phillips scoffed at the notion. "Ridiculous!"
"Well, while I admit she is quite cute, she is nothing to my Jane! I bet she could catch him like a fish floating around for the taking! What did you say his name was?" Mrs. Bennet leaned forward eagerly.
"Well, I wouldn't know for sure, but I could always find out."
"Do that, I'm sure Jane and he would very much get along!" She exclaimed with a satisfied expression before sipping her tea. She frowned when she thought of something, and shook he head in annoyance, "But really, they are almost as bad as the Lucas'-"
"Wait a minute," Lizzy exclaimed from her spot on the sofa. She had been going over manuscripts but couldn't help but overhear. "They are very friendly people, and whenever Lizzy of Kitty become troublesome, they always help out!"
"Oh yes! So they can look us down from their high places!"
Lizzy bit her tongue and coolly continued what she was doing. She didn't need to add more fuel to the fire.
"Lizzy is right," Mary stated. She had been quiet during the whole time, so it came as a shock when she spoke up. "While I do not hold the characters of our neighbors as virtuous or amiable, they have been helpful for as long as I can remember. It is hardly Christian of us to tarnish their good name and reputation through spite and misconstrued notions based on indignity."
Lizzy smiled at her sister, who nodded back to her.
"Mary, don't preach to me." Fanny Bennet said impatiently, "You yourself stated that you did not know their character – would you not trust my judgment?"
Mary merely quirked an eyebrow before neutrally relenting, "I have made my point, and you yours. You do have freedom of speech, but only to an extent." She looked down to the essay she had been writing before quietly adding, "Sadly, I do not suppose it may go so far as you wish it to."
After Fanny had glared at both her children, the sisters settled to work in silence while their mother and aunt prattled on.
"Now, Lizzy," Her aunt began once she and Mrs. Bennet had finished discussing the Lucas' lack of manners, social incapacity and questionable heritage. "How are things going in New York? Any new gentleman you might want to chat about?"
"Not really," Lizzy smiled tightly before turning to face her aunt and mother, "But things are going well at the office."
"Oh," Julia Phillips stated in disappointment. "I'm sure, though, that you'll find a chap some time."
"If only she'd stop her nonsense!" Fanny Bennet exclaimed in trepidation. "You know how you men despise countenances such as hers – too stubborn and opinionated!" Mary glanced at Elizabeth, giving her a small smile.
"Actually," Lizzy interrupted, and lifted her head just a little higher, "I have been asked out a few times – but I really do not feel like having a relationship any longer. My job occupies my time quite well on its own."
"Well," Julia started, "I'm sure you could find some time, your job will not always be there and you have to settle down at some point."
"Your Aunt is right," Her mother interjected whole-heartedly. "You really should keep your eyes on the lookout, a young fellow might pop up – and before you know it someone else will have snatched him," she poured herself some more tea before pointedly looking at her daughter, "and sticking as adamantly as you do to your job won't help you garner any attention."
Lizzy rolled her eyes, "I'm 26; I have plenty of time."
"You would have already been considered an old maid not so long ago!"
"It's a good thing the times have change then, isn't it?" Lizzy gathered her things and got up. "If there is a guy I like, who in turn likes me – then sure! But until then, I have to concentrate on my job – which I love!" She smiled tightly for the 20th time that day, and became afraid he face had frozen into that expression. "I hope you enjoy your tea, though."
"Wait Lizzy!" Her mother hastened, "I must still tell you of the exciting visitor!"
Lizzy mentally groaned, but turned to her mother, "Is it an eligible gentlemen?"
"Don't take that tone with me," Fanny Bennet scolded, "the young man in question is utterly reputable with a wonderful income – I dare say, he is quite the potential suitor!"
"I will endeavor to meet him, but until he shows his face…" she shrugged before finally excusing herself. She was sure of only one thing: the only thing I will be endeavoring to do is spend more time with dad in his pleasantly isolated office – especially when the new suitor is present!
When she left the room, she breathed a sigh of relief before scouting out for a room to work in.
She entered the old bedroom which had once been hers, in hopes of finding it vacant. Upon entering, though, she found Jane softly chastising Lydia.
"Now, sweetie, I understand that you might think it cool and fun to go off… skinny-dipping, but you must understand where I am coming from!"
"What's going on?" Lizzy asked; her eyes narrowed at her youngest sister. "What has got her looking like a drowned rat?"
"Hey!" Lydia indignantly grumbled, but kept silent at the look Jane shot her.
"She went skinny-dipping with this boy …"
"Lydia," Lizzy stated after a while, and sat down next to her youngest sister. "You're sixteen, in between being an adult and being a child – how old did you say he was?"
Lydia hesitated while looking at her lap, but after a while she mumbled, "Barely nineteen…"
Lizzy nodded, she didn't think her sister would have wandered off with any of the skinny boys in her class. "While I'm a little more reassured at your physical taste," Lydia looked at her weirdly, "I'm still not convinced at your intelligence. You do know he was probably using you, right?"
"That's not true," Lydia muttered.
"How long have you known him for?" Jane questioned as she seated herself next to her youngest sister and wrapped her arms around her.
"Two days…"
"Are you in a serious relationship? Do you even know his name?" Jane continued her questioning.
"… No, we aren't in a relationship," Lydia muttered, but at Jane's sigh she quickly added, "But his name is Dennis."
"Do you think Dennis will call up on you again?"
Lydia raised her head defiantly at that question, "If it weren't for the fact he's only here for the weekend and that you chased him off, then yes. He definitely would call me."
Lizzy scoffed, "How do you know? Does he have your phone number?"
"No…" Lydia trailed off, and then glared at her sister. "I just know, okay?"
"No, not just okay. Your conviction and hopes don't determine how things come to pass. This is the third time this week, Lydia!" Lizzy became exasperated, "At some point you'll have to strike a balance between fun and work."
"Your grades are pretty low, dear," Jane added.
"I know!" Lydia whined and rolled her eyes.
"We won't tell dad if you get an A on your next test."
Lydia's eyes widened, "What?"
Lizzy's remained blank at Lydia's angered look "You heard me."
"Lizzy…" Jane's eyes questioned her sister. The look she received from Lizzy made it clear which road this would take.
"But the next test is on Trig!" She whined at Lizzy, but turned to Jane when things looked hopeless. "I suck at Trig!"
Jane hesitated but sighed when she saw Lizzy's steely resolve. "It's either that or telling Dad now."
Not a peep came from Lydia.
A/N: It's me again! I already have the next two chapters down, but I'll be limiting the posting a tad - I'm actually supposed to be studying for the exams and not writing :P
I appreciate all the great feedback, and also the criticism! It helps me build up, and see what I can work with :)
I hope you guys liked Lydia and Fanny Bennet, they are quite a duo :) However in the next chapter we will meet Kitty and maybe Wickham - who knows? - and we'll be continuing the family reunion. Darcy won't be here until the chapter after the next one, and that is just before the Netherfield soiree! Bill Collins will, of course, have made an elegant entrance by then.
In case you were confused about the Bennet girl's ages:
Lydia: 16
Kitty: 19 (soon 20)
Mary: 23
Lizzy: 26
Jane: 27
I always like to hear what you are thinking, so -
Don't forget to review :)