First, sorry for the long wait. Once again, this chapter did not show itself cooperative -_- hopefully next one will be easier.
Thanks for everyone who reviewed :3 I don't know if I replied but if I didn't, promise I'll do better next time ^^".
Not much to say, so I'll let you read :)
Disclaimer: if I owned Mentalist or P&P, I wouldn't have to worry about my bank account and I'd be very, very old. Unfortunately and fortunately, I am neither :P Mistakes are mine, but hope you'll enjoy this (won't blame you if you don't :P)
Glare and Mockery
4
A few days had passed since the ball, and life was slowly returning back to normal. Slowly, because Rebecca never got over the fact that the new neighbour had danced with her daughter most of the evening. Her eyes would twinkle with pride and she would hint strongly that Grace better be on her best behaviour if she wanted to keep the young man's attention. She was disappointed when Rigsby didn't show up to the next ball, but never lost hope that her daughter would come across him in the near future. The redhead didn't have to go through the effort of running after him though.
One week after the event, a letter arrived addressed to Grace from the Rigsby's residence.
Breakfast was being served as usual and Rebecca was informing her family about the latest gossip around town, insisting upon the fact officers had arrived earlier in the morning -much to the twins' delight- when the servant showed up with a folded letter. The sender's name was announced, and Grace opened it imperturbably while her mother kept staring at her in awe.
"Darling, I have no idea how you managed to..."
The older woman wasn't the only one flabbergasted. Minelli was glancing over his newspaper in wonder, the twins were fidgeting on their seat, dying to read the piece of paper, and Lisbon eyeing her suspiciously.
"The letter is from Sophie Rigsby" the redhead announced calmly. Rebecca's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "She's inviting me for lunch at her house. Her brother won't be there, he is meeting the officers" she added before folding the letter and digging back in her breakfast.
"Miss Rigsby must have noticed you are quite appealing to her brother" her mother said on a determined tone. "Of course she will invite you sometime while he isn't around. But don't worry my child. I have the perfect plan."
Lisbon resisted to the urge to roll her eyes and given the sigh of her cousin, so did Grace. The redhead turned towards Minelli and asked:
"Grandfather, may I use the carriage?"
"Of course not!" Rebecca interfered immediately. "Horses are needed in the field. Aren't they, father?"
The old man immediately felt the shift of mood. His daughter had switched into her groom-hunter mode and if he wanted his peace intact, definitely had to agree.
"Well…" he started with hesitation, glancing turn to turn at Grace and Rebecca. The latter almost slammed her hand on the table to get everyone's attention.
"Of course they are! My dear, you will go by horseback. Then, they will have to keep you for the night."
Given her intonation, the matter was closed. Lisbon wanted to protest, say that if her cousin left now she would probably be back before dark, but the determined look in her aunt's eyes told her that she would be wasting her time. Once Rebecca had an idea in mind, it was hard to get it out of her head. Even Grace shook head in resignation.
Later, Lisbon sneaked into the stables, a question burning in her mind. The unsurprised reaction of her cousin was hiding something and she was determined to find out what. The young woman spotted the redhead preparing her favourite horse, a tall greyish mare with a thick white mane. After making sure they were alone, she asked:
"How did you manage to get invited to the Rigsbys'?"
Grace didn't stop her activity when she replied.
"Actually, I met with Sophie in town yesterday at the tea shop. We shared opinions upon a few subjects, and she assured that we must continue our discussion. Hence the invitation -or so I assume."
"So this has noting to do with Mr Rigsby" the dark-haired mumbled quietly before a smirk came to illuminate her face. "My poor aunt will be so disappointed when she hears this."
"Teresa" Grace spoke very calmly with a warning flashing in her eyes. "You will not spill a word."
"Do not worry, she already has your back covered" Lisbon added on a teasing tone. "Play the right cards tonight."
Van Pelt rolled her eyes and jumped on the saddle of her horse. A light kick in its sides and they were off. For a little while, the young woman followed her cousin's silhouette fading in the horizon. Grace had always been an alluring, excellent horse-rider and had her place among the best in town. Too bad she didn't like to expose her large range of qualities.
Once the woman had disappeared, Lisbon retreated to the main house. The sky, previously clear, had darkened considerably and within the next minutes, the first drops started to fall. By the time she arrived at the entrance, it was pouring. No doubt that, in spite of Grace's mare's speed, her cousin will arrived drenched and cold at Rigsby's manor. The young woman grabbed a towel and started drying her hair. In the kitchen, her aunt was staring out of the window with a satisfied smirk.
"Good. Now they will have to keep her at night." Rebecca declared cheerfully. Minelli stepped out of the next room and glanced at his daughter with a mixture of perplexity and surprise.
"I shall wonder if your matchmaking talents aren't close to witchcraft" he muttered. "But your plans will fail if they offer to send her back in a carriage."
"Grace would never leave her horse there." the dark-haired woman affirmed. "And she'd hate to make it pull a carriage on the way back. No, no believe me, she will stay there."
True to Rebecca's prediction, the redhead didn't return that night and in the morning, a messenger arrived, carrying a note from the Rigsby mansion. Lisbon did not need to read its content to know what this was about. The message was short. Grace was feeling sick, consequence of the rain the previous day, and the master of the house had refused she left his house before feeling better. Rebecca was delighted.
"This is ridiculous" Lisbon grumbled. "Because of your schemes, Grace is ill!"
"Nobody dies from a cold, dearest." Replied the older woman, too busy knitting to look straight at her niece. "The more she stays there, the closer she gets to Mr Rigsby. This is a perfect outcome."
Minelli stepped in the doorway and grumbled:
"If she dies, be assured it will be while chasing after Mr Rigsby."
"Grace is not on the verge of death" Rebecca snapped, glaring at her father.
"Perhaps not, but she could die of shame for having such an irresponsible mother" Lisbon shot back before she could stop herself. Rebecca glanced up from her work, mouth wide open in shock. Next to her, Emma and Maya giggled, amused that their aunt had been, once again, shut up by their sister. "I will be leaving now. I can't leave her alone there."
"Grace will be fine" Rebecca replied, but the assurance in her voice had slightly disappeared. Lisbon knew if anything happened to her daughter, she would be devastated; but right now, compassion towards her aunt was the last thing on her mind.
"Is that a hint I should prepare a carriage?" Minelli asked. The young woman shook her head.
"No, I'll walk. The Rigsby mansion is just three miles away, and the exercise will clear my mind. I should be back around dinner."
She didn't wait for anyone to stop her. Instead, she hurried to pick up her coat and hit the road.
-GM-
The walk didn't last as long as Lisbon had anticipated. The sun was still rising when she arrived and the young woman hoped the inhabitants were awake. Thankfully, the butler who welcomed her assured they were all. She was guided to the breakfast-parlour, where the Rigsbys were currently gathered. The valet announced her arrival in a very formal way, and she passed the door. The room was large and picturesque. A painter would have loved the place for a salon-like picture, for the clear walls and straight lines traced a lovely background. As she expected, Mr Rigsby, his sister Sophie and -she winced- Jane were sitting at the table. Both men stood up immediately and bowed in greeting. The blond woman was the first to speak though.
"Dear Lord" she exclaimed, taking Lisbon's appearance. "Have you walked up here?"
"Yes ma'am" the dark-haired replied, trying not to sound too annoyed at her obvious disgust. "I came to see my cousin."
"She's upstairs, in her room" Jane cut a little too sharply, before his friend could open his mouth. "But do not worry, Mr Rigsby made sure she was well-surrounded."
A faint blush crept on Rigbsy's face. There was a hint of sarcasm in the blond's intonation, but Lisbon merely bowed in thanks and let herself be guided by the butler. Once she had left the room, Sophie snorted:
"These countryside people! Her dress and boots were covered with mud. What is she thinking, coming on her own so early in the morning?"
"I think this is rather a proof of devotion to her cousin" Rigsby replied while sitting down. "In my mind, her behaviour is perfectly honourable."
"You would never let your sister act the same way, wouldn't you Mr Jane?"
The blond man frowned.
"You know my sister well enough, Miss Sophie. I have little authority over her. Although I would resent seeing her in such a state; especially in front of guests." he added, and the blond woman's eyes sparkled with triumph.
"Exactly! I doubt she will ever find a husband with such a savage behaviour. Perhaps if she was prettier, like her cousin..."
"The exercise had brightened her eyes though" Jane continued absent-mindedly. Sophie stared at him in shock. "Lovely" he added before sitting down in turn and continuing his breakfast.
-GM-
When Lisbon eventually saw her cousin, she sighed in relief. Grace's skin was paler than usual, and the circles underneath her eyes betrayed her tiredness, but at least she was in better shape than she expected. The young woman closed the door carefully and stepped closer to the bed. The redhead was currently deep asleep, breathing slowly and peacefully. Lisbon smiled.
Her precausions didn't seem to be enough though. Grace moaned softly before blinking and frowning. As she slowly returned to the land of conciousness, she realised she wasn't alone in the room anymore, and glanced up at the intruder. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her cousin, but it was quickly replaced by a warm smile.
"Teresa? What are you doing here?"
The dark-haired grinned and sat on the border of the bed, careful not to disturb her.
"You should have known that the moment I had your letter I would be running to see you."
Grace opened her mouth to reply something when a new visitor pushed the door and entered the room. Rigsby's tall frame invaded the space with a uneasy smile. Lisbon figured he must have escaped his friend and sister's claws to join them.
"I am sorry for interrupting" he babbled uncomfortably. "I heard Miss Van Pelt talking and I wanted to...make sure you are comfortably settled" He cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed, and stared at his feet. "You are welcome to stay with your cousin as long as you please Miss Lisbon."
The dark-haired smiled, genuinely touched by his concern and invitation.
"I am truly grateful you allow her to stay. She is better here than at home."
Rigsby's eyes lightened and a wide grin spread over his face.
"No, no" he replied enthusiastically. "The pleasure is all mine! I would rather have her sick here...I mean, if she is better sick here than...well..." he left his sentence hang and smiled awkwardly. Lisbon bit back a grin, knowing for sure the young man was completely smitten with her cousin.
"I will send a letter to my aunt and ask for some change of clothes. Thank you so much for your hospitality."
"Of course" the tall man replied. "I will call for a messenger right away." He turned heels and headed to the door. Before leaving the room though, he threw a last glance at his guests and opened his mouth as if wanting to add something, but in the end, just walked out and shut the door carefully behind.
Once he was out, Lisbon turned back to her cousin and grinned.
"He really has feelings for you Grace."
"Mr Rigsby is just a very thoughtful host" the redhead protested, but her cheeks took a deeper shade of red that had nothing to do with her fever.
"Of course" Lisbon said good-naturally, but her eyes were twinkling with amusement. "I shall leave you rest now" she added softly. "Be assured I will come back."
Grace smiled at her words; took her cousin's hand in hers and squeezed it.
"Thank you for coming Teresa."
The dark-haired leaned to kiss the woman's forehead. Then, she stood up and walked out of the room.
-GM-
As she passed through the corridors, Lisbon promised herself to never underestimate the size of a manor like Rigsby's. She had been pacing around for the last five minutes, and had come across no-one yet. Where were all the butlers at this time? And where had disappeared Mr Rigsby? She needed him to tell her where to find...
"May I inquire about your cousin's health?"
The unexpected voice made her jump in surprise. Lisbon turned immediately and realised Jane was standing right besides her. The young woman shut her eyes a few seconds, allowing her heartbeat to find a normal rhythm again.
"She looks better than I expected" she replied after a while.
"Good. You will find paper and ink in the library" the blond man added. "I believe Rigsby leaves his writing accessories there."
Lisbon threw him a surprised look, to which he replied with a smug smirk. His eyes caught hers and she found herself unable to look away. Their deep blue mesmerized her; plus, they seemed to hold a hint of gentleness she had not perceived during the ball. The young woman vaguely wondered whether he realised she could see it or if it was intentional and, caught by a desire to study them more, stepped closer. The blue darkened slightly when she approached; Lisbon held her breath. The subtle change made her shiver and fascinated her at the same time. Beautiful...
"Oh, here you are Mr Jane!"
Sophie's unexpected apparition broke Lisbon's contemplation and she suddenly realised how improper her behaviour was. She apologised and, after asking the blonde woman where she could find the library, hurried out of the corridor, and out of his sight. Jane, she reminded herself, was a handsome man. He was most likely used to the admiration and attention women give him. Thankfully she hadn't made too much of a fool of herself. If he had the faintest idea of what had crossed her mind during their staring contest, she would never survive the mortification.
What puzzled her though, was the slight confused glint when he realised a newcomer had arrived. Like he hadn't realised he was staring back until the moment was broken. And the feelings written over his face when he...the young woman pushed away those thoughts and focused on finding the library. She just hoped Mr Jane would not remain more than a few days, or this was going to be a very long stay.
When I was studying P&P's 2005 version (some cinema class) in college, our teacher made a comment about the contrast between messy-haired Elizabeth, and very straight-arrowed Darcy-Bingley sitting and eating breakfast. I think of him each time I watch that scene :)
Question; would you like Wickham to be Mashburn or Red John or both (like the Wickham brothers :P)? I haven't decided yet and am having a really hard time making up my mind.
Thank you for reading so far :D !