We finally get to the end of Wednesday in this chapter. What can I say, it was a jam-packed day!
Richard sat in his car, thinking about the conversation he needed to have with his cousin. Before he placed that call however, he wanted to think through how he'd break the news of Georgie's complete intransigence and partial culpability in the information leaked. He decided that rather than calling William directly, his mother might give him some helpful perspective. She might know how to approach Georgie at least. Pressing his mother's number he was relieved to hear her answer.
"Hey Mom. How are things in Boston?"
"Richard, it's good to hear from you. Things seem to be calming here."
"Good, good. I'm glad to hear that. And Darcy? How's he?
"You sound a bit down. Is everything ok?"
"Well, no I guess. Everything's not ok. I'm just leaving Georgie's school now after a positively exhausting afternoon."
"Oh dear. I'm afraid to ask but was Georgiana responsible for this mess?"
Richard filled his mother in on the security team's findings, and the tantrums Georgie threw during their two meetings. His mother had been quiet throughout his description of their back and forth. "Mom? What do you think? What should we do about Georgie?"
Sophia Fitzwilliam was disappointed in her niece but was angry more than anything. Aside from Caroline Bingley she couldn't decide who else to blame. This was a dangerous situation for one senior at Wellesley College. "That skinny little bitch! How dare she use Georgiana like this! How dare she abuse my family. Who does she think she is?! If I see Caroline Bingley ever again she'll be lucky to escape with a single red hair remaining on her pointy little head!"
Richard couldn't help but chuckle. His mom always made him feel better and he was so glad he'd called her first. "Thanks for the image and the laugh mom. So any advice on how I break this to Will?"
"There's no sense beating around the bush. I think you just need to tell him. Of course knowing William, he"ll overreact, blame himself, and then work out a plan. Isn't that always the way?"
"I guess you're right. Hey, can I talk to dad?"
"You'll have to call him on his cell or at home. He's not with me." Sophia answered.
"Where are you?"
"Oh, Jane, Lizzy's friend, and I are here at William's; although he and Lizzy aren't here. I can't imagine where they've gone but we thought we'd wait for them. I haven't talked to them all day and I'll feel better once I see my children with my own eyes."
Richard had to admit he wasn't surprised his mom was making herself comfortable at William's home when he wasn't even there. She was quick to adopt people into her care and it seemed that Lizzy had joined William in that number, "Just tell my cousin to call me when he has a few minutes. I'm going to need to fill him in - not that I'm looking forward to it." Richard sighed.
"Of that I'm sure. I'll make sure he calls though and will stay long enough to see him once he gets off the phone. Poor Elizabeth doesn't need to deal with his fury all on her own." Sophia assured him as she ended the call.
The jangling of keys at the front door alerted them that the newlyweds were returning home. They were surprised to find the lights on and the two women sitting in their living room waiting for them.
"Did you two have a nice evening out?" Sophia asked reclining on their couch.
"Aunt, Jane, what are you doing here? We didn't know you were coming otherwise we wouldn't have gone out."
Jane was embarrassed and wasn't quite sure how to respond. Sophia took over, "Well of course you didn't know to expect us. What's the point of a surprise if we tell you in advance we're coming?"
"Did you have tea? Can I get you something to drink or eat?" Lizzy offered now divested of her coat.
"Don't worry for us dear," Sophia continued, "we made ourselves right at home. Now the point of our little surprise was two-fold. First, I needed to see for myself that you two are alright. I can see that now thankfully. The second, is that Jane and I did a little shopping on Lizzy's behalf. We wanted to see how things fit and if you liked them. Let's have a look shall we?"
Lizzy had to laugh as she and Jane were shuttled into the 'spare bedroom' where Lizzy was storing her clothes. It looked as if an entire Saks department had been transported to her room. "Um Jane, Aunt Sophia? What did you do?"
"Well, you see, you're definitely not going to keep all of these clothes. Some of them are duplicates in various sizes. Even though Jane had the excellent idea of getting your measurements from the bridal shop, we still thought it would be better safe than sorry to get a few sizes for certain designers. At any rate, I'll leave you two girls to get started but you'll need to come out and model for me." Sophia admonished.
"Oh, ok." Lizzy said uneasily.
"Lizzy dear. Please don't take away from my joy. I had so much fun shopping for you this afternoon. I'd have vastly preferred to do it with you but I did feel like I got to know a bit more about you from Jane." Sophia said with a wink.
Jane blushed as Lizzy gave her best friend a hard look. "So Jane, did you have any ability to restrain my new aunt at all in this shopping extravaganza?" Lizzy asked.
"Why would I ever want to do that? Aside from making sure she stayed aligned with things you might actually wear, I had absolutely no incentive to prevent her from spending money on you." she said with a confident smile.
"Jane, you know how uncomfortable this makes me."
"I do, but you're under a microscope Lizzy and need to look your best. I was more than happy to help. In fact, it was my idea, so don't be angry at anyone but me." Jane answered confidently.
Shaking her head Lizzy wondered how long it was going to take her to adjust her prior ways and graciously accept others generosity. It was not going to be easy.
Leaving the two girls alone, Sophia slipped out to go find her nephew. He was sitting in the dining room scrolling through emails, trying to catch up on anything he'd missed while at dinner. "You two look well but how are you really doing?" she asked.
William looked up to see his aunt smiling at him. "I guess fine overall, with moments where one of us is completely overwhelmed by all that's happening around us. It was nice to get out for a little while and simply be a normal couple."
"I'm glad you were able to sneak out then." Sophia responded placing a kiss on his head like she'd done when he was a little boy. "You need to give Richard a call. He called when you were out."
"Oh good. I'd been wondering why I hadn't heard from him yet." William answered a bit relieved. "I don't want to be rude but I'm anxious to hear what he's learned. Will you excuse me?"
'He's such a good boy,' Sophia thought to herself. "Of course dear. I'm going to see how the girls are making out while you make your call." Lizzy was just emerging in the first of her outfits. The shopping duo had focused themselves on a few brands appropriate for a well dressed college-aged woman. Vince, Milly and Rag & Bone dominated the selection although the presence of a few Tory Burch and Burberry items certainly underscored Aunt Sophia's influence in the shopping expedition. Lizzy wasn't so sure about a few of the items - leopard prints and leather had never been her thing so she put those items to be last in her mini fashion show.
The girls were starting to have fun when all three heard a loud crash followed by what sounded to be William cursing coming from the living room. The three women ran into the living room to find a fist-shaped hole in one wall and William holding a bleeding right hand. Sophia turned to first to Lizzy. "Dear, can you change out of that beautiful new outfit and then get King Kong over here some ice, wet towels and the first aid kit. And Jane, it would be wonderful if you'd help Lizzy and then organize the items she's already determined she doesn't want. We'll need to come back tomorrow, of course, but we can at least clear away some of them tonight."
Lizzy was torn between taking Aunt Sophia's direction or taking control herself. She tried to gain William's eyes to see if he'd indicate what he wanted but he was steadfastly refusing to look at her. Sophia cast her a sympathetic look before softly adding, "Go on dear. I think I know what's going on and I'd like to talk with William about it."
"Ok, I'll go for now but I'll be back in five minutes." Lizzy reluctantly agreed.
"Now really William, punching a hole in the wall and potentially breaking your hand isn't going to solve anything. If anything, you've just created a new set of problems for yourself and your young, innocent wife. You don't want Lizzy thinking she's married a barbarian." Sophia admonished shaking her head.
William looked up at his aunt, tears threatening his eyes, "Did you know? Did Richard tell you what Georgie did? What she's saying about Lizzy? How could she?! I'm beside myself. How did I fail so badly?"
While beginning to examine William's rapidly swelling right hand, she tested his ability to extend and close his fingers. Having two sons, one of whom spent several years as a defender playing club ice hockey, she was well versed in testing for punching related injuries. "William, your sister is acting like a spoiled brat, only thinking about herself, and not taking into consideration how her words and actions are impacting anyone but herself. She's incredibly immature and I wish she understood how good she has it." Not allowing William a word in edgewise, Sophia put up her hand and continued, "I'm glad Richard took her phone away. If she wants to act like a spoiled child with no judgement then we should all be willing to treat her that way. But I refuse to allow you to blame yourself. Her response to your marriage is beyond the pale, and she will hear that from me and your Uncle. It's one thing to be skeptical and another to breach family privacy." Sophia vented. Turning his hand this way and that she released him. "You'll live by the way. You don't seem to have broken anything but you may have a hard time writing your exams given the bruising you've just inflicted on your hand."
"Thanks," he said grimacing. "I could never imagine acting the way she is at her age. Father would've killed me." William exclaimed.
"Perhaps. You each rebel in your own way at your own time. For you it was when your mother passed away. You were just awful to your father. I remember he was fit to be tied with how you were treating him and everyone else around you. But we all reassured him that you'd grow out of it. And you certainly have. I also remember telling him to be thankful you weren't a girl! Those hormones can really be a bitch!" Sophia said chuckling.
"I'm glad you find this all so humorous. I'm still trying to figure out what's so funny." William grumbled.
A serious look crossed his aunt's face, "Honestly, none of it's funny. And Georgiana needs to understand how serious this all is. But it's going to take some time. Dealing with punishment is one thing, admitting your wrong is an entirely different matter. She's really dug her heels in and its public. It will be the height of embarrassment to admit she's wrong in this instance so I expect the next little while to be difficult for all of us, but you and Lizzy most of all." Resting her hand on William's arm she looked into his eyes, "You'll need to lean on us because your first priority right now is to support Lizzy. She comes first. There are a lot of people to help and love Georgiana. Lizzy needs you."
"Thank you," William managed to say before Lizzy returned, complete with ice and bandages.
Quickly turning around, Sophia grabbed her bag and began to head for the door. "I'll turn the brute over to you Lizzy. Do you have plans for tomorrow?"
"Aside from studying, I don't think so?" Lizzy answered.
"We'll be back tomorrow then, perhaps around 11:30, to continue the fashion show and have some lunch. Have a good night dear and don't worry yourselves too much." Sophia said as she gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.
Jane reached over to give Lizzy a hug whispering in her ear, "Good luck Lizzy and text me if you want to chat before tomorrow at 11:30, ok?"
Hugging her back, she smiled, "I will but I think we'll be fine. Try to bring Charlotte by too if you can tear her away from the lab."
The two women let themselves out leaving the newlyweds alone.
Walking over to the wall, Lizzy began checking out the new hole William's fist had created. "So it's an awkward place to put a piece of art but I suppose we could hang a wedding picture here to cover up the evidence."
"I'm sorry Lizzy. I was talking to Richard and I guess I just boiled over. The last 24 hours have been some of the best, and most frustrating hours of my life." William said shaking his head.
"Let's get you cleaned up and then maybe we can talk about it ok?" Lizzy said as she began to carefully clean the cuts on his knuckles. Once clean, she carefully wrapped gauze around his hand and then used an ace bandage she'd found to hold the ice in place.
"Thank you. I don't deserve such care after being such an idiot. Punching a wall isn't my usual style." William said sheepishly.
"So I don't need to search behind other pictures to find evidence of other times of frustration?" She asked with one brow raised.
"Oh g-d no. Lizzy, I've never done anything like this. Honestly," he pleaded. "I'm not a physical person that way I just, just... I feel like things are out of my control and I don't know how to regain it."
"Will you tell me what set this off?" Lizzy asked gently, settling herself next to him on the couch. He reached over and pulled her a little closer, needing the feeling of her against him to ground him a bit.
Sighing, he began, "I spoke to Richard. He met with Georgiana this afternoon to see what her involvement in this press debacle might have been. After checking her phone and laptop it looks like she's not directly responsible. That said, she shared a lot of personal details - about you - with someone who we believe, did share them with the press. Even worse is her complete disrespect of you, and I guess me and the rest of the family by extension. She said some terrible things about you and our marriage. I'm so sorry."
Wrinkling her brow she looked up at him, "Can you explain what you're apologizing for? What did you do exactly?"
"Lizzy, the uninformed judgment of others has never mattered to me because, by and large, I don't know the people saying it or, if I do, its never been someone I respect. But this is my sister saying these things. I never expected someone close to me to attack someone I love. I'm so disappointed in her. And I'm disappointed in myself. I've been responsible for her these past few years and this is how she behaves? It's mortifying."
Lizzy sat quietly for a few minutes taking in everything William had said and reflecting on how he must be feeling. "What did your aunt say?"
"Besides admonishing me for my own childlike behavior? She's furious with Georgie and both she and my uncle will be making it clear how disappointed they are with her behavior. Honestly, I wouldn't want to be Georgie on December 20th when she comes home from school. The holiday break will not be pleasant for her. She's not going to catch a break from anyone."
"Oh. Well that's one way to make me look like the good guy. I'll be the only one not punishing her."
William simply looked at her astonished by her response.
"Look William. You know how you said that the uninformed judgement of others doesn't matter to you? Well, it doesn't matter to me either. Your sister barely knows me. So if she's reacting this way it can't really have anything to do with me as a person. The way you're feeling right now is a little like I how felt this morning when Jane came by."
William looked confused, "what happened this morning?"
"Jane shared that a lot of our house mates, people I've lived with for the past year and a half, were saying all kinds of mean things and making judgements about me when they learned that I'm here illegally and that we got married quickly. They're the reason that I want to write the editorial. Because I can't stand that people I know, classmates, professors, and others, might think badly of me. I can't call each one of them up but its important to me to try something. I've got years to win Georgie's approval but the Harvard community will only stay attentive to this issue for so long."
"I'm sorry I didn't understand that before. Of course you want to tell your side of the story. Can we just talk to Matthew first to clear it with him?" William asked, pleading a bit with his eyes.
"Yes, you silly man. If Matthew or his colleague say its a bad idea and will jeopardize my immigration process I won't do it. I just want to see if it might work. It would make showing my face on campus a lot easier for me." Lizzy said with a little more lightness about her.
"Can you explain one thing to me?"
"Of course? What is it?" Lizzy asked.
"How is it that you still manage to joke and tease about these things?"
"It is what it is. The only choice I truly have is in how I can react. At this point I either need to laugh or cry. I'd rather laugh. I'd certainly prefer that over a swollen and cut up right fist." Lizzy smirked.
William looked positively chagrined. "You are an amazing woman Mrs. Darcy." Shoulders slumped, he looked down, "I probably need to call my sister, although its the last thing I want to do right now."
"Then don't call. Let her wait and worry a little about your reaction. She's the one who's misbehaving. One day more isn't going to change anything. Besides, I'm a little tired from all of this chaos. I think we should go to bed." She finished with a wink. Getting up from the couch, she grabbed William's left hand attempting to pull him along with her.
Slowly he got up to join her but she could still see his mood was subdued. Separating to get changed, Lizzy decided she would take responsibility tonight for putting him in better humor. William made quick work of getting ready for bed and she found him resting cwith a book in a t-shirt and boxers although how much he was reading versus lost in thought about his sister she wasn't quite sure. Clearing her throat, Lizzy finally got his attention.
Lizzy had decided there was one thing she could do to fully distract him. She wasn't very experienced in the art of seduction and hoped it wasn't going to take much effort. She'd chosen a gift from Charlotte, not anything she'd ever imagined buying for herself, but the corset and thong did seem to accentuate her um, assets. Like she hoped, it didn't take much to divert his attention.
"I must admit I underestimated you before my dear. I told you that I think you're amazing but I didn't fully appreciate all that it could mean." William's face lit up with a wicked smile. "Come here."
"I'm merely determined to end the day on a positive note," she said as she climbed in next to him.
"There can be no doubt of that outcome now." William said as he pulled her close a broad smile crossing his face.
A/N: Several of you have commented on Aunt Sophia. To be honest, she's one of my favorite characters and is so much fun to write. I'm glad you all like her too. A little irreverence is good in my mind.
With regards to Obama's speech last week, I haven't figured out how to incorporate it yet. At this point there's a lot of relationship stuff I want to write about and I have to decide where/when to reflect this new action. To be honest, given it could be reversed in two years, I'm not sure how much it helps anyone but the buzz has been positive from what I've heard from the immigrant community. Any thoughts, especially from those of you with friends/family impacted, are eagerly welcomed!
There are some who are concerned about how/if Georgie and Lizzy will get to their own HEA. Rest assured, they will, but there is some more difficulty before they can get there. No one can demand it from Georgie, she's going to have to get there herself.
Alright. I know you all have opinions. Let me have 'em! What should happen to Caroline? What does it mean for William and Charlie's friendship? Jane and Charlie's romance? And Aunt Cathy...what does she do next.
As always, comments welcome, encouraged, loved, treasured...