Thank you so much for the lovely and supportive reviews. Lizzy and William will be dealing with issues on many fronts in the coming weeks but our couple will only be stronger for it all. Happy reading...
"Morning William. We'll be at your building in ten minutes." Senator Fitzwilliam's voice rang out.
"Perfect. I'll be waiting downstairs so we can get on the road," William responded before hanging up. "Lizzy? Are you decent?"
Walking out of the bathroom, Lizzy was clad in a robe and was towel drying her hair. "My uncle's almost here. We'll likely be on our way back to Boston by 1:30 or 2:00. You can call me then if you need me or want to chat. We hope to be back at my uncle's no later than 4:30."
"Alright. I'm going to be organizing my notes here this morning so I can get a little studying in before I head into Boston. Your aunt invited me to lunch before I meet with the lawyers. I imagine I'll meet you back at their house around the same time you arrive." Lizzy answered.
William hadn't previously heard about the lunch date but was glad his aunt was taking time to get to know Lizzy. They were both strong women and he thought they'd get along quite well. He reached over and pulled Lizzy into his arms holding her close. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead she looked up at him and, raising herself on her tiptoes, placed a kiss on his lips. The feel of her lips against his was enough to erase all thoughts of walking out the door from his mind and he extended the kiss. Taking his right hand he stroked his thumb along her neck and down to her shoulders pulling her closer. He could feel her soft breasts pressed against his chest and without thought, slid his fingers inside the fold of her robe to touch her left breast. Stroking the side of her breast he found her nipple and dreamed of stroking it with his mouth rather than his fingers. Lizzy pressed into his fingers. She was so responsive to him. He hoped it wouldn't be much longer until she was ready for more. Already he was having a hard time keeping himself in check. Lizzy's lips had moved from his lips and she began tracing light kisses along his jawline towards his ear. She drove him crazy as her tongue flicked around the most sensitive part of his ear. He needed to stop himself and pulling his hand away, held her close for a moment longer simply enjoying the feel of her resting against him. "Have a good day," he whispered as he pulled away.
Lizzy was flushed and pulled her robe closed. Clearing her throat, she reached up to give him a chaste kiss and added, "You too. Good luck with your aunt Cathy. I'm glad your uncle will be there with you."
Watching him walk out the door she leaned against a nearby wall to pull her emotions together. He really knew how to get to her and she wondered how long until he pushed things to the next level. Shaking her head she thought, 'It won't be long and if he knew the effect he had on me, it'd probably be even sooner.'
Lizzy walked up to the stone and brick mansion in Beacon Hill. Growing up in Boston she'd always wondered what it would be like to live in a mansion overlooking the public garden. Now she had family, by marriage, living in one of these homes. It seemed preposterous so she decided not to dwell too long on the thought.
A beautifully coifed Sophia Fitzwilliam opened the door. She was wearing a bright blue cashmere twinset, pearls around her neck, and charcoal gray wool trousers. The combination highlighted her blonde hair and blue eyes. She could've been opening her home for a photo shoot for House Beautiful magazine but instead she was merely welcoming her 20-year old niece for lunch. "Lizzy, please come in quickly. I've never adjusted to these Boston winters and can't stand the cold."
Lizzy removed her boots, coat, hat and gloves and handed them to the housekeeper who removed them to a closet somewhere. Divested of her outerwear she found herself enveloped in a tight hug. "I'm so glad we have this time, just us girls. I'm very much looking forward to getting to know you better." Sophia said as she guided Lizzy to the sunroom where lunch was set out.
"What a beautiful room. I love how the sun warms everything."
"It's my favorite room when the sun's out. When its grey or rainy however it suffers from the cool and damp. I try to use this room whenever the weather permits." Sophia said clearly satisfied with the arrangements. Salad and a tray of sandwiches were laid out on the table along with a pitcher of ice water. Sophia encouraged Lizzy to begin serving herself while Sophia poured out two glasses of water. "I don't mean to bring up a note of sadness but, Henry and I were talking on Sunday evening after the wedding and it struck us that both you and William are without your parents to support you. Let me tell you, being married to a Fitzwilliam man is no easy task. I just want you to know that we're here to support you too. We don't know one another well enough yet and I hope you are open to closing that gap."
"Thanks. I'd really like to get to know you and the rest of William's family much better. I know little about being married, let alone what it means to be married to someone like William who has so many responsibilities and has carried them already for so many years. It's certainly not anything my prior life experiences have prepared me for," Lizzy said with a laugh. "William's so used to being in charge of everything and in my own way, so am I. We're already learning that its something we're going to have to adjust to."
Waving her hand in front of her Sophia chuckled, "Oh that's easy honey. Let him be at charge at work. That should be enough for him. Then at home you create the illusion hat he's in charge. I've learned a few tricks over the years and it really comes down to food, sex, and 'oh Henry, why didn't I see it that way? I'm glad I came to you for advice.'" Sophia Fitzwilliam said with doe eyes and all. Lizzy almost choked on her sandwich.
After drinking some water Lizzy laughed, "You're going to have to expand on that statement Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I don't think I've discovered what you're alluding to."
"It's Aunt Sophia dear. Mrs. Fitzwilliam was my mother-in-law. And there is nothing in the world easier than manipulating a Fitzwilliam man. Just follow a few basic rules. First, if you think there's a chance he won't agree, don't ask him directly. Second, don't ever ask him for anything you want before his belly is full, but feel free to after you've satisfied him with his favorites. Third, you can ask him for anything you want just before sex, and make sure you've increased your odds by wearing a new piece of lingerie to drive him wild. I keep an open account at La Perla right across the Public Garden for just such occasions. Finally, whenever you're dealing with a particularly difficult item, use a sequence of the first rules and then, when it comes to decision time, make sure he thinks it was his idea all along. It will take practice but Lizzy, you're a bright girl and I know you'll master these techniques before long." Sophia Fitzwilliam stated nonchalantly.
"I think I'm good on the lingerie front. Between you, Maddy and the girls I have a bit of an assortment." Lizzy blushed.
"One can never have enough lingerie Lizzy. Perhaps we can walk over to La Perla after lunch and set up that account. It's near Matthew's offices so it can't hurt." Lizzy wondered if Aunt Sophia was planning to get some new piece of lingerie to soften up Uncle Henry for something. She kept those thoughts to herself.
"Do you ski?" Aunt Sophia asked disrupting Lizzy's wayward thoughts.
"Um no. Why do you ask?"
"All of the Fitzwilliams ski, with the exception of Richard and Georgie. They snowboard. My son Richard likes to believe he's a rebel and so at 16 decided to switch to snowboarding. Georgie's always looked up to him so she's been snowboarding almost as long. With a house in Maine, snow sports are a bit of a requirement."
"I've always been a city girl. Give me a pair of skates and I know what I'm doing but I've never spent any time in the mountains. I'm not sure I'd know what to do with planks of wood strapped to my feet." Lizzy admitted.
"Never fear. If you're willing to try then you'll learn. I'd never seen snow before I came to Boston for graduate school. Anne, William's mother, taught me to ski and I'd say I'm tolerably good. William and Georgie are both excellent on the slopes and so I expect you'll be joining them on the mountain soon enough unless you want to stay home to keep the fire going." Sophia said as they cleared their lunch dishes from the table. "My advice is to try and learn if you don't have a specific fear. It's a wonderful family sport. They say a family that skis together stays together."
"If William wants to try and teach me, I guess I'll try to learn. It hasn't come up yet." Lizzy said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"The right attitude is all you need. Now let's head over to La Perla to see what they have in stock these days." Sophia suggested as they retrieved their coats and accessories from the mud room.
"I was so pleased when I heard that you and your uncle were coming up for the day. Wasn't I Anne?" Aunt Cathy intoned as she entered the living room. "I hope all is well with the rest of the family. You assured me they all were fine but you'll admit it's quite unusual to come up to Maine for the day to see us." She continued, taking a seat.
"Everyone's well. In fact, William here is exceptionally well and that's what has brought us here today. We come to share some excellent news Cathy." Henry added.
"Well I hope you don't plan to keep poor Anne and I in suspense. Has this something to do with Pemberley?"
"No, no nothing of the sort. This past Sunday, our dear boy was married to the most delightful young woman. Sophia and I were pleased we found out in time to be able to join them for their nuptials. They attempted to keep it quite quiet but you know how crafty Sophia is and she managed to figure it out."
Catherine DeBourgh sat completely still. Married? Her nephew was married? He fulfilled the codicil? "Well this is a surprise William and I'm most displeased to have not been there to share your joy." She said evenly while she plastered a smile across her face.
Anne could see that William's face had softened as their uncle shared the news. He was clearly happy and she was determined to be happy for him, despite her step-mother's suggestions that perhaps they marry. It really had been all she'd talked about since Thanksgiving. "What wonderful news William. I can't wait to meet the lucky young woman who finally caught you. She must be remarkable." Anne added while walking over to give her cousin a hug.
Surprised by what seemed to be genuine support, William accepted the hug without reservation. "Thank you Anne. You've actually already met her, over Thanksgiving. I'm sure you remember the young woman who joined Professor Gardiner, Elizabeth Benetez?" William informed them.
"You married that impertinent little girl?" Catherine stormed standing up, almost knocking over the end table next to the chair she was sitting on. "And Henry, you allowed him to? How is that... that... impoverished nothing of a girl supposed to be the wife of a CEO and guide a beautiful young woman like Georgiana? I can't believe you were tricked into marrying that gold digger!" Catherine was livid and didn't hold back any of her vehemence.
William was about to stand and respond when Henry put a hand on William's leg to hold him back. He'd had years of experience dealing with his sister and wasn't going to take the bait or allow William to either.
"I see you've decided to take the indignant route this time Catherine." Henry said drily. "Well, I will only tell you this once. Elizabeth is one of the most impressive and accomplished young women Sophia and I have ever met. She's got an excellent head on her shoulders and we're delighted that William has found someone who cares for his well-being as much as he cares for hers. Their commitment to one another is obvious once you see them together and we have committed ourselves to supporting their happiness. You may make your own choices, but they will have consequences Cathy." Henry warned.
"Are you threatening me? In my own home?" Catherine stormed.
"I've issued no threats, I've only laid out the facts. I know you Cathy. If you cause trouble for them, it will harm your relationship with the rest of the Fitzwilliam family. All three of my children attended the wedding, as did cousin Matthew and his family. Now, Sophia and I will be hosting Christmas dinner and as you know, the entire Fitzwilliam family will be coming. You and Anne have already been invited but I will not tolerate any mistreatment of William or Lizzy, so think long and hard about your behavior before you come to join us in Boston."
"Well I never! Truly, I have never been so insulted. First you exclude me from my own nephew's wedding and then you come into my home and threaten me. I've always cared for my family and you should feel ashamed for treating me so badly. William, your mother would've been outraged by your treatment of me, her best friend and only sister."
William raised his eyebrows at that final statement. He knew quite well that his mother and aunt weren't particularly close. He took his cue from his uncle however and proceeded calmly and deliberately. "Aunt, if I may. I appreciate the interest and care you've extended to me and Georgiana over the years. It was my decision to keep the wedding small. Uncle is correct in that we hadn't intended to include any family outside of our sisters in the wedding. Lizzy doesn't have a lot of family and I didn't want her to feel overwhelmed. As it happened, once Aunt Sophia became aware of the wedding, I didn't feel that I could exclude that branch of the family, particularly after her gracious welcoming of Lizzy to the family." William took a fortifying breath for the next part of this conversation. "Now as to the posture of our meeting today, let's be truthful with one another. I've never heard you say a kind word about my wife. To be clear - I love her. When you insult her or demean her, you're causing me pain. Moreover, if I hadn't married, you stood to gain control over a significant fortune as well as guardianship of my only remaining immediate family. Given those incentives, I could take no chances of a disruption to my nuptials. As you know I'm a business man and am quite used to weighing risks. While I had no reason to think you wouldn't act in mine and Georgie's best interest, it was not a risk I was willing to take."
Anne watched the war of words and was trying to discover the best position to take in all of this. She lived with her step-mother and thus couldn't find herself on the outside of their relationship. At the same time, she valued her Fitzwilliam relatives. In navigating the opposing sides, she decided she'd take the role of hostess as it came so naturally to her. Years of practice at the club guided her to try and redirect the group towards civility. "Mum. Despite their choice of words, I'm sure they mean no disrespect. Remember they're men and don't always see the impact their words have on others. Let's go into the dining room and enjoy some lunch. I know how thoughtfully you took care of the menu seeing to their preferences. You are always such a gracious hostess." Anne tried to soothe her feelings.
"Of course, breeding will out and I know how to treat others with respect. Thank you Anne." Catherine looked gratefully at her step-daughter. At least there was one person in this family that understood her.
Once Catherine's back was turned, Anne looked to her cousin and winked. William had to admire Anne's skill in managing his aunt. He realized she was a frequent surprise to him lately.
Conversation was stilted but William had to admit that his aunt served an excellent lunch. Henry engaged Anne in conversation on her recent efforts at the club and Anne shared stories of the latest goings on with their Christmas toy drive. It was a mind numbing conversation but served its purpose of preventing a food fight amongst them.
Catherine DeBourgh was not one to have her plans disrupted so easily. As she ate her lunch, she realized there was a good chance she could still convince her brother and, if needed, a court to see that a 20-year old undergrad what not what their brother-in-law had intended in his will in terms of guardianship for their niece. Perhaps she could also convince her niece of the wisdom of having her gain control over her. Really, of all the people William could've chosen, this young girl was likely the easiest of targets.
Once lunch ended, William and Henry indicated their need to get back on the road to Boston. Catherine did her best to remind them she was the wounded party in this visit. Anne showed support of her injured feelings.
"We look forward to seeing you both at Christmas dinner. Until then, take care. Anne, I hope your toy drive is successful." Henry said as he place a kiss on the cheek of his niece and sister.
Once back on the road Henry joked, "I think the element of surprise worked in our favor. She didn't have an opportunity to poison our food in advance."
"That's truly not funny uncle. I don't know why but I still feel uneasy about Aunt Cathy. I felt almost better when she was spewing her vitriol at the beginning. Her quiet calm at the end of lunch made me nervous for some reason." William shared.
"I think you're being a little paranoid William. She lost the battle to control Georgie's fortune. She's going to retreat and lick her wounds. That's all she was doing." Henry assured him.
"I hope you're right." William said although his unease did not subside. The two men kept driving in quiet for a few minutes when William was pulled from his thoughts by his uncle.
"So tell me how you're finding married life? Two days in, I hope the honeymoon is still persisting." Henry joked.
"I wish we were on a honeymoon but yesterday Lizzy had three classes, a meeting of the Crimson staff, and had to deal with reactions from her classmates about our marriage, and a meeting with lawyers about her immigration issues. The day didn't feel like much of a honeymoon for Lizzy and I didn't help." William sighed.
Henry looked over at William. This young couple had a lot on their plates. "So the famed Fitzwilliam obtuseness reared its head? Did you ask her to make you dinner after her long day?"
"No," William groaned, "lunch."
Henry burst out laughing. "Weren't you meeting with Matthew and one of his partners yesterday for lunch?"
"Yes. They came to review Lizzy's immigration papers prior to filing them." William answered.
"So you didn't ask her to make YOU lunch. Let me guess, you asked her to make all of you lunch while you reviewed her papers." Henry said, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Don't start, I've already been laughed at by Matthew and taken to task by Lizzy." William groaned.
"You know there's a saying, 'A happy wife makes a happy life.' You'd do well to remember that. So how did you make it up to her?" Uncle Henry asked.
"I made dinner for us and I got a few bouquets of Lizzy's favorite flowers. Lizzy wondered if I'd bought a South American flower farm and today I've been thinking it's likely not a bad idea given the frequency I'll likely need to purchase them."
"I'm glad she didn't roll over and simply serve you all lunch. You're better off with a wife that holds you to a standard of mutual respect and integrity. I'm a a better Senator, a better father and a better husband because of Sophia. Just don't let her know I've told you that. She might cancel her account at La Perla if she knows she doesn't need all that to get her way with me. If you're lucky she'll help Lizzy set up an account at La Perla too." Henry winked at his nephew.
William raised his brows and determined he didn't want to press further into this topic. The idea of his aunt and uncle in that way was not a thought trajectory he wanted to pursue. William changed the subjects to those of law school, Congress and Pemberley business. He was much more comfortable discussing these topics than lingerie with his uncle.
So the trip up north informed one of the essential parties and both William and Lizzy got some advice from a happily married couple. I'll take constructive feedback, insights, applause, encouragements in the comments box below...