Lizzy took a deep breath before walking through the door behind which she heard voices.
"Lizzy!" Jane stood from her seat beside Charlie to welcome her warmly. "how are you feeling? I hope you didn't get a cold" Lizzy laughed gently at the crease forming on her sister's forehead.
"I think I can handle a little rain Janie" she smiled as Jane returned to Charlie's side. Lizzy looked around for somewhere to sit, Jane and Charlie – Chane? Jarlie?, she would have to work on that – were occupying the two-seater sofa while Caroline lay out across the three-seater. Since it seemed like Caroline had no intention of moving, Lizzy opted for the only seat remaining; the floor. Sitting with her back against the foot of the armchair that Darcy –who was glued to an iPad- was in she quickly took out the book she had brought.
She had only just opened up the much worn pages of Austen's "Emma" when the voice behind her interrupted her.
"What are you reading?" he enquired quietly, just as Jane and Charlie left to order the take away for this evening . In answer she simply flipped the book over to show him the cover.
"Are you a fan of Austen?" he asked, barely above a whisper.
"yes" she answered, turning to find him leaning forward intently. "Fitzwilliam" she whispered this time, "Why are you whispering?"
He blushed – he does that a lot Lizzy mused – and quickly glanced over at Caroline before looking away and sinking back into the seat. Interested, Lizzy followed the direction of his glance and made eye contact with a scowling Caroline.
"Will what are you two talking about?" she demanded.
"Jane Austen" he replied with a sigh.
"oh!" she sat up "that model from New York who got dropped from the DKNY shoot because she was high all time? I know all about her, it's so important to keep up to date with current affairs don't you think Will?"
The room was silent for a moment until Darcy answered.
"Yes Caroline" he deadpanned "it is."
The girl in question lay back down after throwing a smug look at Lizzy, who couldn't contain her laughter any longer and was betrayed by a giggle – earning a death glare from Caroline.
"Will" she simpered and Lizzy had to once again fight back her laughter and Caroline's false, girlish tone "could you be a dear and rub my back? Your massages are just heavenly" she batted her eyelids.
"Um… Er … I don't recall ever giving you a massage Caroline" he mumbled.
"oh well I suppose I must have heard that from someone else… is that a no?"
"I have an idea" Lizzy butt in cheerfully.
"and what would that be Liz?" Caroline spat
"why don't you give Darcy a massage?" she asked sweetly, hearing Darcy groan quietly and watching Caroline's eyes light up.
"What a wonderful idea Liz!" the red head sang as she all but pounced on Darcy, despite his protests.
"no! Caroline no please! I really don't-"
"will!" she admonished playfully from behind him "you work too hard! Your shoulders are so tense!"
Lizzy sat back on her elbows, book disgarded, watching the comedy show before her.
For every death glare Darcy sent her, she returned a smug grin.
"Caroline!" he raised his voice enough for her to stop.
"Yes Will?"
"I eh … I think she should get a massage now" he pointed his chin at Lizzy.
"WHAT?" both girls demanded.
"yes" replied looking thoughtfully at Lizzy "it's just she seems so tense and well you're just so talented. Caroline glowed, not noticing the wickedly humorous glint in his eyes. Lizzy did. Interesting, she thought, Playful Fitzwilliam?
"thank you Will" Caroline replied, placing her hand on her heart as she sat on the arm of his seat, ignoring the fact that he slid away from her. "it's not a talent really, it's simply that I'm such a caring person" she announced "I'm told my caring nature shines through in everything I do" she simpered. Lizzy nearly gagged, Darcy grinned.
"I really feel" she continued, demanding their attention "that it is one of the most important qualities for a girl, specifically a girlfriend to have" Darcy paled, Lizzy giggled.
"And what else, pray tell us should the ideal girlfriend have?" Lizzy enquired mischievously.
"Well" she began, standing up for emphasis "a good figure obviously, flawless skin, good teeth and healthy hair" she finished with a flick of her long red locks before seating herself firmly in Darcy's lap.
He immediately jumped and she landed on the floor.
"oooh sorry Will, I wasn't watching where I was going"
"Intelligence" was his only reply.
"What?" Caroline asked, confused.
"A girl should, if at all possible, be intelligent" he stated quietly.
"OH of course!" she jumped up "oh I couldn't bear it if I were unintelligent! And for a man to come home to an unintelligent wife" she pouted "how awful"
"I agree" he said looking at Lizzy, who finally decided to intervene.
"Are you serious?" she asked incredulously "A man shouldn't have to come home to an unintelligent wife? Are you somehow suggesting that only women could possibly be unintelligent? And why should this hypothetical woman be stuck at home anyway? Why isn't she out working? I'm not a feminist Darcy, by any stretch of the imagination, but this is not the middle ages"
"We should do Karaoke!" Caroline shouted, having lost interest after 'Hypothetically'. The other two ignored her.
"That's not what I meant" he said tersely.
"So what did you mean?" Lizzy threw back at him.
"I have such a lovely voice Will" again, Caroline was ignored.
"I was simply saying that personally, I could never be with someone who wasn't as intelligent as I am!"
"I understand" Lizzy replied with her hands held up in mock surrender "perfect Darcy wants a perfect girl"
"No! You're wilfully misunderstanding me!" he exclaimed
"Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feeeeel you" Caroline screeched.
Jane and Charlie re-entered.
"Chinese food is on its way everyone. What did we miss?" he asked cheerfully as he took in Caroline's 'singing' and the irritated glares between Darcy and Lizzy.
"Nothing" they both spat.
"Whoa" he grinned "doesn't feel like nothing guys. Hey Lizzy what did you do to get Will so riled up? He's not one to lose his cool so easily." Darcy shot his friend a withering look before resuming his seat and taking up his iPad once again.
"Lizzy did nothing!" Caroline screeched "I gave Will a massage" she glowed.
"Just be careful Lizzy. When Will does get angry, Lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) cower before him" he teased his friend and followed Jane to front door to pay the Chinese food delivery man.
Lizzy walked over to Darcy and spoke softly, one eyebrow arched.
"So Fitzwilliam, you have a fault after all?"
He shrugged but made no reply. Lizzy sighed and moved. Apparently playful Darcy was gone again.
A.N Maybe Caroline is a little over the top but what can I say? She made me giggle! Hope you enjoyed