**** SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN POSTING! Complications arose, ensued, were overcome. The next chapter will be along in a timely fashion (I'm going on a short trip this week, but I hope to have the new chapter ready to go by the end of next). Happy reading. :). Over and out. ****
Chapter 11
There's a life inside of me that I can feel again
It's the only thing that takes me where I've never been
I don't care if I lost everything that I have known
It don't matter where I lay my head tonight
Your arms feel like home
Your Arms Feel Like Home, Three Doors Down
The jarring rattle and vibration of the plane as it touched down on the runway in Manchester woke me. I blinked tiredly and turned to Jane in the seat next to me. She was wide awake, a happy smile on her lips.
She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I'll see Charles in a few minutes!" she whispered joyfully.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head, smiling at my sister's excitement. Truth be told, I felt much the same way about the prospect of seeing Will, even though it had only been two weeks since we'd parted. Although we had spoken over video chat a few times, it wasn't the same and I missed him. On several occasions, I'd found myself longing for the touch of his fingertips against my skin, the strength and warmth of his embrace, and the way he made me feel so very, very alive. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to compose myself.
When the plane finally came to a stop at the jet bridge, I stood and smoothed the skirt of my knee-length, navy blue wrap dress, adjusted the elbow-length sleeves, straightened the V-cut neckline, and tightened the matching sash around my waist.
After we had disembarked and made our way through customs, Jane and I headed to baggage claim where we had agreed to meet Charles and Will. My nervous excitement increased with every step.
Jane spied Charles first, waiting by our designated luggage carousel. They quickly closed the distance between each other at a near run. Charles picked my sister up and swung her around in a circle. I followed at a more sedate pace, leisurely making my way toward the carousel, and shifted my attention away from Jane to search for Will.
I saw him then, standing a short distance away. The world narrowed down to Will, a bright spot of light in a sea of muted gray. Our eyes met and held for a moment before he smiled and made his way over to me through the throngs of travelers. I began to walk toward him as well, meeting him halfway. When only a foot or so of space remained between us, we both froze.
Suddenly feeling inexplicably shy, I bit the corner of my fully healed lower lip. Will's eyes dropped to my mouth, his own lips parting involuntarily. When he didn't speak or move after a few moments, I whispered, "Hi."
He took another step closer, closing the distance between us, his hands finding my waist.
I closed my eyes for a moment, relishing the feeling of his touch that I had missed so much.
When I looked up at Will again, he smiled softly at me as his eyes intently searched mine.
"Welcome to England," he whispered, laying his hand against my cheek. "I've missed you." Without relinquishing his touch, he took a step back, allowing his gaze to travel over me. "You look stunning, Elizabeth."
I allowed myself a quick glance up and down his tall form as well. He looked too good to be real in the chest-hugging, black Henley, and dark blue jeans he wore. I had forgotten just how captivating his blue eyes were. "I missed you, too," I whispered. And then, the feeling of being so very alive that I had come to love, to crave, from Will's presence in my life surged through me and I couldn't help but smile.
"Our bags are here, Lizzy!" Jane called, coming up beside me, breaking the spell that had enveloped Will and me.
"The blue one with the TARDIS tag I assume?" Will asked with a raised eyebrow as he turned his attention to the arriving luggage.
"You're good," I answered, stepping over to the carousel, prepared to reach for the handle of the large suitcase to lift it off the conveyor belt.
"You've no idea," he answered with a smirk as he reached past me and lifted the heavy suitcase effortlessly to the floor.
I felt a blush heat my face as I tried to hide the smile that pulled at the edges of my mouth by pursing my lips. "Thanks," I said, choosing not to acknowledge the suggestive remark.
"Any time." Will wrapped his free arm around my shoulders and bent to kiss the top of my head.
Then, I heard a series of rapid clicks and was nearly blinded by flashing lights.
Will froze, his lips still pressed against my hair. He slowly, casually, lifted his head and straightened.
"Cameras?" I whispered nervously, looking up to meet his eyes.
He nodded almost imperceptibly as a small, forced smile touched his lips. He pulled me a little more tightly against his side. Glancing at Charles he said, "Time to go," and nodded toward the doors. To me, he continued in a low, calm voice only I could hear as he removed his arm from around my shoulders and took my hand in his, "They're like bees, Elizabeth. Just smile and walk calmly and they'll eventually go away."
I laughed nervously at his attempt at levity and squeezed his hand. "That's a great simile, Will, considering how I feel about stinging insects. Wanna try again?"
He laughed. "Sorry. Flies, then?"
"Marginally better," I agreed. He had a good point, I thought, recalling the photos I had seen on the tabloid covers in grocery store magazine racks. Panicking or flashing one wrong look would only give whoever had taken the photo fodder for a heyday.
"How was your flight?" Will asked as we exited the building.
"Wonderful. I had a window seat. I enjoy flying," I smiled distractedly, trying not to pay attention to the clicks of camera shutters that seemed to echo all around us.
"Glad to hear it. Are you tired?"
"I'm okay." I looked up at him again.
Will smiled down at me and lifted our joined hands to kiss the backs of my fingers. "I'm so happy you're here." More camera clicks and flashes followed his gesture. He lowered our joined hands and placed his palm against the small of my back, gently directing me to the right. "My vehicle is just here."
I took a deep breath to maintain my composure as an involuntary shiver raced up my spine in reaction to his touch.
A tall man wearing jeans and a long-sleeved, black t-shirt, despite the warmth of the day, leaned against the side of a large, black SUV with the liftgate open. Only a few inches shorter than Will, but still easily over six feet in height, with the muscular, lean physique of a serious athlete, he cut an intimidating figure or would have if not for the easy smile on his strikingly handsome face and the friendly expression in his cool, blue eyes. His dark brown hair with its clean, military-style haircut accentuated his chiseled features and slashing dimples. Aside from Will, he was easily the most handsome man I'd ever seen in my life.
Will nodded toward the man. "Elizabeth, meet my cousin, Richard."
Still leaning against the side of the vehicle, Richard smiled widely and reached out to shake my hand while Will loaded my suitcase into the back of the SUV. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth. Welcome to Manchester!"
"Thanks! Nice to meet you, too," I smiled in return. Richard's calm, laid-back demeanor immediately made me feel at ease. The liftgate slammed shut.
"Let's go," Will directed.
We all obligingly climbed into the vehicle – Richard in the driver's seat, Will and I in the middle row, and Charles and Jane in the back seat.
"I see the vultures are swarming," Richard remarked as he drove through the thick traffic.
"Unfortunately," Will replied, his voice grim.
I turned to look at Will. "Are those photos going to end up somewhere?" I asked apprehensively.
Will's jaw and the corners of his eyes tightened as he nodded almost imperceptibly. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
I shook my head. "It's not your fault. I'm sure you couldn't have done anything to stop it."
He shook his head, a pained expression darkening his eyes.
"I understand that it's not your fault," I assured him when he continued to eye me with concern. I squeezed his hand.
He exhaled heavily. "I know media attention is the last thing you wanted. I don't know how they knew I'd be here."
I bit my lip, trying hard to hide my apprehension about the situation. "Everything'll be okay, I'm sure."
Will cradled my cheek in his palm and tucked my hair behind my ear with his other hand. "I'll make it okay," he whispered. "I promised you, remember?"
I bit the corner of my lip and nodded.
"I'll have my PR agent call The Sun, The Mirror, and the Daily Mail and tell them that my girlfriend is visiting, so there's no conjecture."
"And will that prevent them from printing false information?" I asked.
Will moistened his lips with his tongue. "I can't promise that, but at least it will provide them with the correct information."
"Thank you," I whispered.
He raised my hand to his lips – an action that made my heart jump in my chest – before he turned in his seat to face the front of the vehicle. He continued to hold my hand securely in his while I rested my head on his shoulder.
"How long of a drive is it to Pemberley from here?" I asked as the city and surrounding towns began to thin out, opening up to the jagged landscape of the countryside. My apprehension faded as the metropolis melted into the distance behind us.
"About thirty minutes more," Will answered, his thumb gliding back and forth across my knuckles. "It's about an hour's drive from Manchester."
The five of us spent the remainder of the trip talking until, what seemed like a short time later, the SUV crested a large hill, and Pemberley lay before us. The description of his home that Will had painted for me in the hospital perfectly matched the view I now beheld.
He dipped his head to whisper in my ear, "Welcome to Pemberley, Elizabeth."
The gruff note in his voice made me turn to look at him. I was surprised by the depth of emotion in his eyes. Unable to look away, I whispered, "Thank you." And when Will smiled warmly at me, my heart felt full.
When we arrived in front of the grand house – which was larger than many hotels I had stayed in – Will was the first to exit the vehicle. He reached in to help me out, keeping my hand in his. A tall, pretty, blonde girl, whom I recognized from pictures as his sister, Georgiana, waited on the steps leading up to the house. She wore a pale pink, knee-length sundress, and a welcoming smile. She quickly descended the remaining stairs and, much to my surprise, embraced me.
"Elizabeth!" the girl exclaimed as she gave me a quick, tight hug before stepping back to look at me.
Will chuckled softly next to me. "Elizabeth, meet my sister, Georgiana. She's been looking forward to your visit nearly as much as I have."
Georgiana bounced on her toes and grinned. "He's so right, you know! I'm very glad you've come!"
"So am I," I smiled in return. Her exuberance surprised me. By Will's description of his sister, I had been expecting a shy, meek girl, but the Georgiana Darcy before me was brimming with energy and pluck. I had a feeling that we would get along well.
She turned to Will. "Well, be a gentleman, Will, and fetch the lady's suitcase!" she commanded with a nod of her head in the direction of the SUV. A movement behind Will's shoulder caught her eye next, and Georgiana quickly looped her arm through mine and dragged me with her over to where Charles and Jane stood. "And you're Jane," she happily asserted.
Jane smiled shyly. "Yes, I am. Thank you so much for inviting us to your home, Georgiana. I can't tell you how excited I am to be here!"
"Oh, think nothing of it. It's I who ought to be thanking you! I've been looking forward to both your company," Georgiana insisted, linking her free arm through Jane's. "My brother and Charles will bring your luggage in, so you needn't worry about it for now." She glanced over her shoulder to where Will and Charles stood, next to the SUV with Richard. "Isn't that right, Will?"
I laughed when Will gave her a salute. "Yes, ma'am," he obligingly replied.
"Good," Georgiana nodded. "Well, girls, let's go wait for them inside, away from this horrid heat!" she said rather dramatically.
"Lead on," I smiled.
We climbed the stone steps to the entrance and stepped inside. Georgiana released my arm, giving my hand a quick squeeze before she crossed the room to speak with an older woman who stood in the shadows.
I did my best not to gawk. Scout's honor. But the entry hall was a work of art. The black and white marble-tiled floor beneath my feet was breathtaking in and of itself, but that was nothing compared to the brightly painted murals on the soaring ceiling, the exquisite, gold-painted plaster moldings, and the gleaming ancient woodwork. An enormous grand staircase swept from the hall to the floors above, while large windows and French doors allowed light to pour in from outside. A massive jade and marble fireplace, big enough to park a Volkswagen Bug in, graced the south wall - probably once a means of heating the cavernous space. "Georgiana, this is beautiful!" I exclaimed when she rejoined Jane and me.
"I'm so glad you like it. I love Christmastime here; the decorations are always so beautiful. I hope you can see it one day soon, Elizabeth. And you, too, Jane," she added, smiling at my sister.
Will and Charles, heavily burdened with our suitcases and backpacks, entered the hall and joined our group. "Where's Richard?" Georgiana asked.
He went to park the vehicle," Will replied. "He said he'll find us when he returns to the house."
Georgiana nodded. "Alright, then. Jane and Elizabeth, if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your rooms. The boys will follow with your luggage." With that, she linked her arms through mine and Jane's once again and led us up the grand staircase, down three winding corridors, and up another wide stairway at the top of which we turned right and walked down yet another wood-paneled hallway.
Georgiana stopped in front of a doorway and turned to me with an apologetic look. "I'm afraid we only have three other rooms in this wing besides the ones where Richard, Charles, and Jane will be staying, that aren't currently under renovation. I undertook a rather ambitious remodeling project this spring, and it isn't quite finished yet. There will be a few more guests joining our party here in the upcoming weeks, so you'll be staying in a different wing. I hope that's alright."
"Of course," I nodded.
Smiling kindly, Georgiana said, "Thank you for understanding, Elizabeth." She turned to her brother with a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Will, would you mind showing Elizabeth to her room?"
I glanced at Will, who was leveling a pointed look at his sister. "I will," he agreed with a solemn nod.
I gave Jane, Charles, and Georgiana a quick wave goodbye, along with a promise to stop by Jane's room later.
Will placed his free hand against the small of my back and guided me back down the hall, along the way we had come. We passed the staircase and made our way down another hall, and through a set of heavy, carved wooden doors. We walked past several doorways before stopping in front of one halfway down the corridor.
"This will be your room while you're here," Will explained in a quiet voice.
He opened the door and I stepped into what could only be described as a palatial chamber, the soaring ceilings of which were accented with gold-painted moldings and detailed plasterwork. My eyes swept down to the many large windows that overlooked beautiful vistas of the grounds and surrounding woods before my attention was seized by a large fireplace with comfortable-looking, blue wingback chairs arranged in front of it. I turned in a slow circle and took in the other furnishings of the room: a vanity, a desk, and an enormous four-poster bed, hung with light blue damask curtains. Aside from the door Will and I had entered through from the hallway, three additional doors, and a set of French doors, were set into the walls.
"Wow," I breathed. "Will, this is beautiful."
"Do you like it then?" he asked, his tone uncertain.
I whirled around to face him. "It's breathtaking!"
He smiled down at me. "I'll show you around a bit." He crossed the room to a door on the wall to the right and pulled it open. "This is the bath."
I glanced up at Will as I stepped past him, into a room done in sand-colored marble tile, with walls painted the soft, blue-gray color of the sea. An opening in the tiled wall beckoned, and I peeked inside to discover a cavernous shower room with a vaulted, cedar-beamed ceiling, several showerheads, an arched window, and a wide, cedar bench. I stepped out of the enclosure and explored the rest of the bathroom. In addition to the shower, there was a linen closet, a huge clawfoot tub nestled beneath another tall, arched window, and a large vanity with double, raised bowl sinks the color of blue sea glass.
Will took me by the hand. "There's more," he whispered against my ear and led me back to the bedroom.
The doorway nearest to the fireplace opened into a dressing room and walk-in closet that would have fit my entire wardrobe twenty times over, while the door on the wall next to the bed led to a sitting room. I followed Will into the cozy space. Two built-in bookshelves, stocked with books, flanked a fireplace with a carved mantel. A small, round, mahogany table with two chairs and a comfortable-looking sofa and coffee table finished off the furnishings. I moved to the door on the wall adjacent to the fireplace. "Where does this door lead?"
The edge of Will's mouth lifted in a wry smile. "To my room."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Unfortunately, it hasn't worked in years. It doesn't even open, see?" Will stepped forward and tried to twist the knob. It didn't budge. "It's a funny story, actually."
"This I have to hear," I bit my lip.
Will nodded once, the slight smile never leaving his handsome face. "These rooms used to belong to my parents. Apparently, at some point, my mother was quite put out with my father and locked the door – something she had never done before. According to the story, she twisted the key rather violently in the lock. Metal tends to become brittle with age, and the centuries-old key broke off inside the lock, and they never got around to fixing it. My mother was an angel unless she was angry. Then, she was hell on wheels."
"I see," I laughed.
"The reason I chose this room for you was so that we'd have a private place to spend time together," he explained. He moved to stand in front of me and cradled my cheek in his warm palm. "I want to spend as much time with you as possible while you're here."
"Ditto," I said with a shy smile. Will took a step back and motioned for us to return to the room that was to be mine during my stay.
After re-entering the bedroom, I stepped over to one of the windows and moved aside the sheer, white curtain to peer out at the extensive garden and rich, green woods. When I heard Will approach, I turned to face him. He took a step nearer until he was so close, I could feel the warmth that radiated from his body. He cupped my cheek in one hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. His fingers trailed down the side of my neck to my shoulder and across my collarbone, exploring, reacquainting, memorizing.
I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut against the waves of sensation that swept through my body. Overwhelmed by the need to be closer to him, I closed what little space remained between us and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head against his chest and pulling him close. This was what I had wanted, what I had craved since nearly the moment Will walked out my door two weeks earlier. My heart swelled with feeling for him as I pressed a kiss to the center of his chest before lifting my eyes to his. "I missed you so much."
Will gently grasped my shoulders and bent to rest his forehead against mine. His hands continued their slow rediscovery of my body as he moved them over my arms, to my own hands where he lightly caressed my palms before weaving his fingers with mine. Just as his lips pressed against the corner of my jaw, right below my ear, a loud knock sounded at the hallway door.
"Mmm," he grumbled against my neck.
I smiled, biting the edge of my lip.
"Who is it?" Will called, lifting his head and turning to glare at the closed door.
"Housekeeping," a falsetto male voice replied in a sing-song tone through the thick, wooden panel.
"Blast, Richard," Will cursed under his breath. Turning back to me, he placed his hands on either side of my face. "I'll go see what he wants and let you get settled. Meet us at the top of the staircase, just at the end of this hall in about a half hour's time. Georgiana and I would like to give you and Jane a tour of the house. Would that be agreeable?"
I nodded excitedly at the prospect of a tour of Will's Pemberley. "More than agreeable. I'll see ya then."
He bent to kiss my forehead before he turned and walked across the room to open the door. Before he could close it again, Richard shouldered his way past his cousin and poked his head into the room, giving me a wink.
I returned his gesture with a smile.
Twenty-seven minutes later, all of my clothing, shoes, and toiletry items were neatly stowed away in the dressing room, closet, and bathroom, respectively. I checked my reflection in the mirror of the dressing table one last time and ran my fingers through my hair. I straightened the sash that tied around the waist of my dress, before I headed out of the room and down the hall, toward the top of the staircase.
Jane, Georgiana, Richard, and Charles were there waiting for me. "Hello," I smiled.
"Do you like your room, Elizabeth?" Georgiana inquired with a sparkle in her eye.
I nodded. "Very much. It's beautiful."
She smiled brightly. "We're just waiting on Will. He should be here any—" her words were cut off by the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs, "moment," she finished with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry I'm late," Will apologized to the group when he reached the top of the staircase. "Shall we?" He took my hand in his and led our small group through the halls of Pemberley.
About thirty minutes into the tour, during which Will and Georgiana had shared the history of their home, as well as several anecdotes about many of the rooms and wings of the great house, Will stopped in front of a set of double doors, just off the entrance hall we had first seen upon our arrival. He opened the doors, allowing Jane and me to enter ahead of everyone else.
I laughed in disbelief as I walked toward the middle of the enormous room and spun around, taking in the high ceiling, enormous, crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling arched windows, marble columns, and mirrored, mural-painted walls. "You have a ballroom? An honest-to-goodness ballroom?"
"We do," Will intoned.
My eyes flew to Will who had come to stand in the middle of the room as well. He watched me, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. So focused was I on my study of the handsome man in front of me, that I momentarily forgot about the others. "And do you dance, Mr. Darcy?" I asked, giving him a playful look as I walked toward him with slow, measured steps, never breaking eye contact.
Will's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he watched me approach. "Not if I can help it," he replied in a husky voice.
I stopped inches from him, and, placing my hand on the center of his chest, I proceeded to walk my fingers up the front of his shirt until my fingertips reached his neck. Laying my palm against the skin just above his collar, I asked with a mischievous lift of an eyebrow, "And can you help it, now?"
Will's eyes narrowed in amusement and a smile touched his lips. He glanced over the top of my head before he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Perhaps later, when we don't have an audience."
My eyes widened in mortification as I realized that I had forgotten all about the presence of the others in the room. My hand flew to my mouth and my face blazed under a blush. "Sorry!" I turned to face the rest of the group.
Charles and Jane, who were absorbed in conversation with each other, hadn't noticed anything. Georgiana, however, wore an ear-to-ear grin. "There's nothing to apologize for. It's good for Will," she winked.
Richard smirked at his cousin and stepped forward. "Well, Will, even if you can't be counted on to dance with a beautiful woman standing alone in a ballroom, I certainly can."
Before Richard reached my side, however, Will took my hand in his and led me back toward the door that exited into the hall. "Let's continue," Will smiled down at me with a raised eyebrow. "There's one room you haven't seen that I definitely want to show you."
He led our group down more corridors, this time toward the back of the house. He turned to me when we stopped in front of a doorway, recessed into a small antechamber off the hallway. "I saved this room for last because I knew I might not be able to pry you away for some time."
I tilted my head to one side and gave him a curious look.
Will opened the door and stepped aside, allowing me to enter first.
"Oh…my," I breathed as I stepped into the most magnificent library I had ever seen, outside of photos of the hallowed halls of prestigious public and educational institutions, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The ceiling of the room, which had to be at least twenty feet high, was decorated with intricately designed, gold-painted, plaster moldings. The polished, wooden floors were warmed with large oriental rugs and a mixture of brown leather sofas and burgundy-upholstered chairs. A large, arched fireplace with an ornate marble mantel anchored the room at the far end, and a wide catwalk with a gold-colored railing with fleur de lis and volute details, topped by a gleaming, wooden banister, surrounded the perimeter of the library, providing access to the upper half of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that covered the walls. Rows upon rows of bookshelves branched off in every direction from the open space at the center of the room. Light poured in from four enormous, arched windows, that looked like they belonged in a cathedral, on the nearest wall. Despite its enormous size, the room felt warm, cozy, and enchanted.
I turned in a circle to take in the sight of the room in its entirety. If my small – by comparison, anyway – home library housed nearly ten thousand books, then this massive collection had to contain, "At least a hundred thousand books," I murmured aloud in amazement.
"You'll never get her out of here, Will," Jane laughed.
I turned toward my sister, who stood with her arms crossed over her chest, a knowing smile on her lips.
Jane looked from me to Will, who had come to stand beside me. "I hope you don't have any other plans for her this summer," Jane winked.
Georgiana stepped away from where she had been leaning against the doorframe and put her arm around my sister's shoulders. "On the bright side, I won't have to worry about Will closing himself up in here alone so often. At least he'll have some company," she laughed. "Or should that make us worry more?"
"I'm gonna go with more," Jane replied drily.
I covered my eyes with my hand and peeked out between my fingers.
Will spoke then, dispelling my embarrassment. "It's just about time for dinner, everyone. Shall we make our way to the dining room?"
Relieved to no longer be the center of attention, I joined Jane and Georgiana as they exited the library, while the men followed.
OOOoooOOOoooOOO
Dinner was a genuinely pleasant experience. I sat between Georgiana and Will, and across from Richard. During the meal, I learned that, in addition to being more laid back and outgoing than his reserved cousin, Richard had a great sense of humor. I soon realized that he was quite a flirt, as well. The latter trait earned him several laughs from me and even more dark looks from Will.
After dinner, the company split up; Jane and Charles went for a walk in the gardens, Richard and Will went to Will's study to discuss a business matter, and Georgiana whisked me off to the music room. She pulled me down next to her on a comfortable sofa and turned to face me.
"Elizabeth," she began in an earnest voice, "I can't believe how much of a change I've seen in Will since he's been home, and I believe that I have you to thank for that."
I looked down and twisted my hands self-consciously in my lap before I glanced up to meet her eyes, so much like her brother's, and shrugged. "Will is a wonderful guy. I'm sure that whatever changes you think you've seen in him have been of his own doing, not mine."
She shot me a wide, charming smile. "Do you love him?"
"Ha, ha!" I exclaimed, giving her an incredulous look. My hand involuntarily flew to my chest as I concentrated on pushing down the feeling of nervous panic that her question had triggered. I schooled my features and reverted to my usual defense – humor – by raising an eyebrow and turning the focus of our conversation to her. "You know, your brother said you were shy."
Georgiana blushed. "I'm sorry. It's only that I feel so comfortable with you and Will has talked about you so much that I feel like I've known you forever. My brother told me that he felt the same way when he met you."
I smiled at her. "Well, I'm glad to know that I can bring out the gift of gab that must be inherent, if deeply buried, in all Darcys, then."
She ducked her head with a breathy laugh before she looked up at me again. "I'm so happy you've met Will. I've never heard him talk about a woman before – unless it was to complain about one – and I mean ever." Her expression and voice grew more animated as she continued. "I thought he'd never meet anyone and then to meet you myself and see that you really are as wonderful as he says you are, well, I'm sure you can imagine my relief. There are so many women who would do goodness knows what just to garner Will's attention, and to hear him talk, you did everything in your power to put him off!
"I like the way you talk to him, too. Not many people tease him like he says you do. You're so frank and blunt with him. It was fun to see it in action today, especially in the ballroom. I can't remember the last time I saw my brother blush," she laughed. "Richard often teases him, but, more often than not, he either bites Richard's head off for doing so or looks positively unamused by my cousin's teasing. He seems to enjoy it when you do it, though."
Georgiana sighed, and her shoulders sagged a little. "Life can feel pretty solitary around here, especially for someone like me. The number of trusted friends I have is so small that, well, I've always wanted a sister, and now, to think that someday, I'll actually have one. It makes me happier than you can imagine," she finished happily.
My heart stopped for two whole beats and I stared at Georgiana in dumbfounded shock. Sister? Did she honestly think that things were so serious between Will and me as that? What exactly had he told his sister about me?
Georgiana must have noticed my discomfort because she quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry. My mouth has a terrible habit of running away with me! Are you alright?" she asked, her light brows drawing together in concern.
I nodded and forced what I hoped looked like a genuine smile to my lips.
She nodded in understanding. "I'm afraid my propensity to talk incessantly and make unintentionally awkward comments is a terrible habit, and I know it drives my brother insane at times, even though he's always so patient with me. He really is the best of brothers, you know, despite what some people who dare call themselves journalists say about him. Has Will told you about George Wickham?"
I nodded. Concern for the sweet, vivacious girl sitting next to me overshadowed the alarm her former comment had stirred. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you, Georgiana."
Georgiana shrugged one shoulder and shook her head with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Oh, don't be. There really wasn't much to it. Although George's actions surprised me at the time, I've long since gotten over it. After all, I feel certain I could have defended myself against him, and I was about to do so when Will and Richard burst in." She gave me a crooked smile, reminiscent of her brother's. "Do you really think that someone as paranoid and over-protective of those he loves as Will, would allow me to go anywhere alone if I weren't able to properly defend myself?" She rolled her eyes. "I'm a brown belt in Goju Ryu. Will has a habit of frequently catastrophizing things."
"Wow," I said, admiring the beautiful blonde seated next to me with new appreciation. "It seems you have as many surprising traits as your brother!"
Georgiana gave a smug shrug. "I can take down Will and Richard, and George doesn't come anywhere near either of them in size or skill." She winked at me.
"Anyway, back to our original topic; Will can't stop talking about you," she paused, a worried look creasing her forehead. "It's just, I hope that you feel the same way about him. I don't know what he would do without you, now that he's found you, and I can't imagine him going back to being the worrisome, serious version of himself that he's been since our father died. It was as if the weight and responsibility of the world settled on his shoulders when that happened, and I'm sure I didn't help things much." She sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her admission.
"He's my guardian, you know. He says you have teenage sisters as well. You're so lucky. But it's my lot to just have Will, and hopefully someday, a sister-in-law." She smiled, cheering up a bit at the thought.
I had caught a glimpse of Will's serious side during the time we'd spent together. How the burden of his worries and responsibilities had seemed to settle on his shoulders, weighting even his voice with stress. But did that make it my responsibility to save him from it? The last thing I needed was guilt, added to heartbreak if things didn't work out between us.
I bit my lip and told myself to let the comment go and not dwell on it and to focus instead on the bigger picture of what Georgiana was telling me. She was obviously very lonely and desperate for someone to talk to. My heart went out to her and I pushed aside my own discomfort with the topic and listened attentively.
Georgiana waved a hand in front of her face in a dismissive gesture. "But there I go again, getting sidetracked. You, of all people, know how teenage girls can be, and I can't imagine being a young man who's painfully shy anyway and having to raise one.
"Richard is my co-guardian, and I think it's easier for him because he and Will are so completely opposite. Where Will is serious about absolutely everything and has exhaustive plans for every situation imaginable – do you know that he even has a plan in place for an EMP attack, and equipment and procedures at the ready in the event of an Ebola pandemic? But Richard just takes life as it comes with a smile or, at the very least, a shrug. He's always been more laid back than Will, but I think he's had to be even more so since Iraq and Afghanistan. He was in the RAF, you know. He was injured when his Humvee hit an I.E.D. near Bagram, two years ago. He nearly lost his arm to a shrapnel wound, but he was given a full retirement and awarded for meritorious service," she said proudly.
I smiled and squeezed her hand. "Your cousin sounds like a good guy, Georgiana. And as you said, he probably balances Will out nicely. But you have to know that your brother doesn't think you're troublesome at all. In fact, he told me that you're the light of his life. As far as his propensity to plan for everything," I tilted my head from side to side in a thoughtful gesture, "well, we'd all do well to learn from his foresight. And please, call me Lizzy."
Georgiana's blue eyes lit up and she leaned forward and gave me a quick hug. "I'm so glad you've come to visit us. So, tell me, is my brother serious all the time with you, or does he let himself have fun on occasion?"
I nodded. "I think there's hope for him, yet. He's pretty wonderful."
"I'm happy you think so," Georgiana enthused. "It must be wonderful to be held and kissed by someone you love," she said dreamily, not noticing my uncomfortable expression. "There is someone I like. His name is Zachary and his father's a friend of Will's. He wants to study law at university and intends to be a barrister one day, and eventually a judge, like his grandfather. He asked if he could date me when I'm a bit older."
Georgiana snapped out of her dreamy state and threw a startled look my way. "I didn't tell Will, of course. He'd go mad, so please, don't say anything to him. Zachary understands that I'm not allowed to date until I'm eighteen, you see."
The worried expression vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared and was quickly replaced with a mischievous one. "So, what is it like to kiss someone? As much as my brother clearly adores you, it must be wonderful!"
I blushed as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and cleared my throat. "Well, we're not quite to that point in our relationship yet," I murmured uncomfortably.
Georgiana's eyes widened in surprise. "Aren't you? But your first date was more than a month ago! Why not?"
I shrugged. "There's no reason to rush into things. It's a good idea to get to know someone first and to decide if you want to be with them. Dating is about talking, getting to know one another, and seeing if you're compatible or not. If all that pans out, then there's plenty of time for all the rest."
"I see your point. I think I like that Idea," she agreed.
It was past nine o'clock when our talk concluded. Will was still holed up in his study with the door closed, so Georgiana walked with me through the maze of corridors and stairways to our rooms.
"I don't know if I'll ever be able to find my way around this place alone." I shook my head when we reached my door.
Georgiana laughed. "You'll be walking around Pemberley as if you were born here in two weeks' time, I promise. Goodnight, Lizzy," she said, giving me another quick hug. "Thanks for talking with me tonight."
I returned her embrace. "Any time. Thank you for everything, and for making me feel so welcome."
Georgiana smiled and turned toward her own room across the hall.
I entered my bedroom and closed the door behind me. A bedside lamp had been left on, and I was thankful for the small bit of light in the large room. After an extra-long shower, I changed into the cotton shorts and tank top that comprised my pajamas and walked toward the set of French doors that I hadn't yet explored.
Moonlight poured in through the sheer, white curtains. I moved the fabric aside and saw a large, white, marble-tiled balcony outside. I opened the door and stepped out onto the cool, stone floor. The sight of the gardens in the moonlight was breathtaking. The moon, nearly full, illuminated the landscape, lending everything a mystical appearance. Spying a pair of chaises between my door and another set of identical doors farther down the balcony, I walked over to one and made myself comfortable.
After an hour or so of stargazing in the quiet stillness of the warm summer night, I went back inside. Thanks to the change in time zones, I wasn't tired. To avoid security hassles, I had left my e-reader at home, so I had nothing to occupy myself with. I thought of the magnificent library, full of books, so close within my reach. I frowned. Could I find the room again amidst the maze of stairways and corridors that I'd traversed earlier in the day? I remembered that the library was on the ground level, not too far from the dining room where we had eaten supper.
I grabbed my cell phone to check the time. It was past midnight. Surely no one would be up and about this late. Determined, I switched on the flashlight that was built into my phone, eased my door open, and quietly stepped out into the hall. I found the first staircase easily enough but got turned around twice after that. I was just beginning to feel nervous about my decision when I turned a wood-paneled corner of the corridor I was traversing and the main staircase that led to the ground floor came into view. Breathing a sigh of relief, I descended the stairs and quickly padded across the marble floor of the enormous entrance hall. Chased by the shadows of the darkened house, I hurried down the corridor that I thought I recognized from the afternoon tour as the one that led to the back of the house and the library.
I finally reached my destination and found the door open and the lights off. I couldn't for the life of me find a light switch on the paneled walls, but the moonlight filtering in through the tall, arched windows illuminated the interior of the cavernous room to some extent, so I continued to use my flashlight.
I was contentedly perusing the book titles on the shelves at the back of the library, when I heard a noise from the far side of the room, near the doorway. Startled by the sound, and unsure if I was breaking any rules by snooping around this late at night, I instinctively turned my light off and flattened my back against the bookcase. As I stood in the semi-darkness, my eyes adjusted to the dim light and I saw Will, wearing a white t-shirt and dark sweatpants, standing next to one of the windows at the opposite end of the library. He was staring down the long row of bookshelves, directly at me.
"Elizabeth?" he called softly, his voice carrying across the moonlit room.
I froze, too nervous to answer, and unsure if I should. My heart pounded in my chest as Will walked toward me across the expanse of the library. He stopped a few feet in front of where I stood with my back pressed against the wooden shelves.
"You couldn't sleep, could you?" he whispered, his voice as soft as the moonlight that illuminated our surroundings. His mouth lifted in a knowing smile as he closed the distance between us and reached for me. His hands spanned my waist and his palms burned my skin through the thin fabric of my tank top and shorts.
I shook my head.
He sighed. "Me either."
Feeling like I owed him an explanation for why I was traipsing around his home in the middle of the night, I licked my lips and began in a whisper, "I hope you don't mind me being down here. I didn't mean to intrude."
Will's grip around my waist tightened as he drew me closer to him. "You could never intrude," he assured me, shaking his head. "I've dreamt of you here at Pemberley since the day you fell into my life."
The air between us seemed to come alive, charged with the electricity and tension of the last month and a half and the longing and distance of the past two weeks, along with everything we had left unsaid and undone when he left my home the morning of his departure. He cupped my face in his hand and I leaned into his palm, savoring the warmth of his touch. He tilted my chin up with the fingertips of his free hand, and his eyes searched mine before dropping to my lips.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do this," he whispered as he bent to accommodate my much shorter height.
My heart pounded in my chest. His lips were less than a breath away from mine, and I closed my eyes in anticipation of our first kiss.
A noise from the other side of the room, near the door, startled us and Charles's voice called out, "Will, are you in here?"
The lights flickered on overhead.
Will groaned. In a voice thick with frustration, he whispered, "Sorry," and took a step back. He turned to face the general direction of Charles's voice. "Bloody hell, Bingley! For the love of all things holy, can't a man get any privacy in his own home?" he exclaimed in an exasperated voice.
Charles rounded the corner of a bookcase. The deer-in-the-headlights look on his face caused me to laugh out loud.
Will smiled, raising a hand to rub the back of his neck, as he did so. "I'm sorry, my friend," he apologized, clapping Charles on the shoulder.
I took that as my cue to leave. "I'll just, uh...head back to my room. Goodnight, guys." I winked at Will and quickly left the library. It wasn't until I returned to my room that I realized I hadn't even had a chance to pick out a book.
OOOoooOOOoooOOO
The next morning, I woke up before sunrise, having managed to get a few hours of sleep during the night. I was anxious to explore the woods and gardens, so I pulled on a pair of shorts and a pink t-shirt, along with my running shoes, and set off down the hall toward the ground floor and the exit to the gardens at the back of the house.
After an hour of walking and exploring and another hour of running along the perimeter of the gardens, I slowed to a walk to cool down. I made my way leisurely through the dewy grass until I came to a walled garden with a marked Victorian influence. Richard sat on a bench against one of the brick walls, staring at the large, marble fountain in the center. When I entered, he turned to look at me.
I stopped short. "Oh, hello. I didn't mean to interrupt you," I quickly apologized.
Richard smiled. "You're not interrupting at all. I enjoy the peace of this garden. Of them all, actually."
I looked around at the abundance of old-fashioned perennials and roses. "I can see why."
Richard motioned for me to join him on the bench. Despite the warmth of the day, I noticed he wore another long-sleeved shirt and jeans.
"I apologize for my appearance," I mumbled. "I just finished my run. I probably look awful."
"You look healthy, Elizabeth," he assured me.
"Ha, thanks…I think. And it's Lizzy."
"Lizzy, then." He paused. "Why does Will call you Elizabeth?"
I stared at him. "You know, I have no idea. I don't know why I've never corrected him, either. I guess it just sounds natural coming from him. You've got to admit, with his accent, 'Lizzy' would sound odd."
"Mm." Richard nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of accents, what's up with yours? You're from Derbyshire, right? And yet, I don't have to engage my mental translator for you," I joked, nudging his shoulder playfully with my own.
"Ah," he looked at me with a thoughtful expression and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the back of the bench. "I spent most of my youth in London, only coming to our estate in Derbyshire during the holidays and for a few weeks each summer. Will, on the other hand, rarely left home, aside from when he was required to do so for school. He's never felt the need to conform to societal norms and expectations like the rest of us do."
I nodded, another piece of the puzzle that was Will, snapping into place. "Makes sense."
Richard turned, angling his shoulders toward me. "I like the changes I've seen in my cousin since his return to Pemberley."
"Changes?" I blinked. This occasion marked the third time I'd been told by someone that they believed Will had changed in recent months.
"He's more like he used to be. Happier, and less burdened by life. Do I have you to thank for that?" Richard asked.
Uncomfortable with his direct question, I shrugged. "People only change if they want to. I don't know what Will was like before I met him, but if he has changed, then it was his own doing; not mine."
Richard nodded matter-of-factly as if he had his answer. "I'll be blunt. Being with Will won't be easy. The media attention, which I assure you, will catch up with you, will not be easy to bear. You'll be under the scrutiny of the public eye for as long as you choose to remain a part of his life, and, as much as you'll dislike it, the publicity will dramatically change your own. There are going to be plenty of people waiting eagerly for you to fail and make a mess of things. That's why it will be so much fun when you don't." When he had finished speaking, he reached over to pat my hand that rested on the bench between us.
I turned my attention to the beauty of the garden, trying to master my reaction to the grim truths that Richard had presented. I grimaced and my stomach churned uneasily. "I honestly don't know if I like the sound of that. It's been my life's mission to, as Sir Walter Scott so aptly put it, 'And doubly dying, shall go down, To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.'" I stole a glance at Will's cousin out of the corner of my eye.
He shrugged. "Well, if that's your life's ambition, it's unfortunate that you've been caught by Will."
I leveled an incredulous look at him. When I saw the spark of humor in his eyes, however, the flash of anger that his comment sparked in me dissolved into laughter. "Excuse me!" I exclaimed, pretending outrage before I smiled at him again and winked. "Caught, indeed!" I sighed. "Yes, most unfortunate, I suppose." I tilted my head back to look at the clear, blue sky for a moment. Feeling a change of subject was in order, I said, "Georgiana tells me that you served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for your service."
Richard gave a subtle nod in reply. "You're most welcome." Not one to be sidetracked, he asked, "So, what do you think of my cousin, Lizzy?"
I exhaled heavily and shifted in my seat. "I think Will is very kind and generous. I've only known him for six weeks, of course, but I do care for him." I shrugged.
"Do you have any concerns?" Richard inquired with a lift of an eyebrow.
I hesitated a moment, biting my lip before speaking. I felt extraordinarily easy around Richard, and I felt I could trust him with the sensitive question that had been burning in my mind for weeks. "There is one. Will has mentioned before that he has a hot temper and anger issues from time to time, and I've seen a glimpse of it on an occasion or two as well. That has me a bit concerned." I felt my nails dig into my palms as I awaited his reply.
Richard's expression grew serious. "It's true, he does. But he rarely expresses it toward family, unless they're deserving of it, or toward those he loves. Rather, he channels it into physical exercise and toward people who threaten to harm the ones he seeks to protect. You were correct in your assessment of my cousin's character; he is a good man, and he will treat you well. I'm sure he would never dream of doing otherwise."
I felt my shoulders relax. "That's good to know. Thank you for answering me honestly."
He bowed his head politely. "Shall we head back to the house?"
"Sure," I smiled.
We exchanged easy conversation as we made our way through the gardens.
After a few minutes of discussing the weather and several points of interest in the surrounding landscape, Richard glanced at me and asked, "Would you like company on your morning runs?"
I gave him a curious look.
He flashed me a lazy grin. "I need to get back into running and there's no time like the present," he explained.
I smiled in return and in a teasing voice replied, "If you think you can keep up. Race ya!" With that, I took off, bolting across the lawn. Richard easily caught up to me, so I ran even harder, pushing myself as fast as I could go. He easily kept pace.
We arrived at the house, laughing and out of breath, and made our way over to Will, who was standing against a stone balustrade on the terrace at the back of the house with his arms crossed over his chest. A smile lightened his features. "How was your run, Elizabeth?"
"Great," I replied.
Will glanced at his cousin. "You, too, Richard? That's surprising. Since your retirement, you rarely engage in any kind of physical activity this early in the morning."
Richard laughed and bent over to catch his breath, resting his hands on his thighs. "I intercepted Lizzy on her way back to the house and she challenged me to a race." He glanced up at me and winked. "I couldn't refuse a beautiful woman."
"I'm going to shower and change," I said, rolling my eyes at Richard. "Thanks again for keeping me company on the way back."
"My pleasure," Richard smiled.
Turning my attention to Will, I asked, "Are you going to be around later?"
"I will. Would you like to take a walk after brunch? We'll eat in about an hour and a half, at eleven-thirty." He stepped closer to me and whispered, "I'm so sorry about last night. Charles needed to speak with me. His sister, Caroline, phoned him late last night to tell him that she'll be arriving this afternoon." I could hear the displeasure in his voice.
"No problem," I assured him. "I'll see you in a little while." I squeezed his hand, before heading into the house to shower, leaving Will and Richard alone on the terrace.
OOOoooOOOoooOOO
After brunch, Will and I walked down to the lake that stretched the length of a football field in front of the house. I eyed him as he talked while we made our way leisurely around the perimeter of the shoreline. There was something different about him here at Pemberley; he seemed more relaxed, comfortable...like a burden had been lifted from him and he was able to breathe more easily.
He tugged at the collar of his shirt. "This blasted heat!" he grumbled. "I've half a mind to jump in the lake right now."
"Oh, really? I'd like to see that," I returned, picturing in my mind's eye what Will would look like in a water-soaked, snug, white t-shirt. Embarrassed by my thoughts, I shook my head to dislodge the mental image.
"I'll have you know that I've done so on many occasions," he remarked playfully.
I flashed him a skeptical look. "I dare you."
Will's eyes narrowed. "Challenge accepted." Keeping his eyes on me, he slipped off his shoes and socks and took several steps backward. Then, turning his attention toward the water, he took a running start and jumped into the lake, making a terrific splash as he disappeared beneath the surface.
I started to laugh but stopped immediately when he stood up. His now-transparent, white t-shirt was plastered to every contour of his muscular chest and – two…four…six…eight, I mentally counted – eight-pack abdomen. And hello traps and delts! My jaw dropped.
Will grinned and bowed rather dramatically. "Well, are you coming in?" he asked.
I shook my head, recalling myself to the present moment. "Nope."
He sank down into the lake. "The water feels wonderful."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm fine here, thank you."
Before I knew what he was about, Will splashed a wave of water at me. I shrieked in surprise and jumped back from the edge of the lake. He laughed. "Little coward!" he teased.
My eyes narrowed. "Fine!" I stepped out of my Chucks, removed my socks, and stuffed them into the shoes. I took a running start and cannonballed into the water, landing several yards away from Will. The cool water engulfed me before I regained my footing and stood up. While the water level only reached Will's waist, it rose to the top of my chest.
Just as I finished wiping the water from my eyes, Will splashed me again. "Oh, it's on!" I exclaimed as I splashed him back. We continued laughing and splashing until he ducked beneath the surface of the lake and I lost sight of him. He resurfaced directly in front of me and swiped the water from his eyes. Water continued to drip from his wet hair, making trails down his tanned face.
When I reached out to wipe one of the many drops of water from his cheek with my fingertips, he put his hand over mine, keeping my fingers pressed against his skin as he moved closer. He crouched down and reached both of his arms beneath the surface of the water and grabbed hold of my legs, pulling me to him. With a firm touch, his hands, strong and sturdy, moved over my thighs and hips before his grip tightened around my waist.
"Hi," I whispered, fighting a nervous smile and the urge to put some distance between us.
"Hello," he returned with an amused arch of his dark eyebrows. Water droplets beaded on his long eyelashes and the dark hair that fell across his forehead. He traced my bottom lip with his thumb before he lowered his head to brush his lips over mine in a feather-light kiss, so soft that I barely felt more than a light, tingling brush. He pulled his head back slightly, his eyes searching mine wonderingly as if trying to gauge my reaction.
My breath came in short, sharp bursts under his scrutiny, and I lifted my hands to rest on top of his muscular forearms. Despite the cool water, his arms were warm, and I could feel the hard, powerful muscles that lay just beneath his skin. The feeling of his strong body beneath my palms was intoxicating and I felt I couldn't get enough of the sensation – the feeling of the sheer strength of him beneath my hands. So, I slid my palms slowly, reverently, along his arms, over his shoulders and neck, and down to his chest where his heart pounded beneath my hand.
Will closed his eyes, his breathing becoming heavier as he bent to rest his forehead against mine. His hands moved from my waist, over my hips, and down to my legs once again. His touch was no longer gentle, but strong and commanding. He gripped the backs of my thighs underneath the water and lifted me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he clasped his arms around my back, pulling me closer still. And then, his mouth met mine, not in a brush like the kiss of a moment before, but one that was intense and tender, sweet and full of promise.
My fingers slid up the back of his neck and wove themselves into his hair. Will groaned in response and deepened the kiss, sinking down into the water so that only our heads and shoulders broke the surface. I had kissed guys before. Plenty of them. But I didn't know it could be like this...like liquid fire igniting my body as it raced toward my heart, flooding that darkened void with light.
"Will? Elizabeth?" Georgiana called as she approached the bank just in front of us. "Oh!" she exclaimed.
I gasped and quickly pushed away from Will as I turned in the water to face his sister, my face burning.
"Well, it's about bloody time!" she laughed, crouching down on the edge of the bank, and crossing her arms over her chest with an approving nod.
"Georgiana," Will's voice, although a little ragged, also held a note of warning, "your language, girl."
Georgiana simply giggled. "Do I even want to know how you both ended up in there?" she asked, gesturing with a nod to where Will and I stood in the lake.
I moved to the edge of the water by the bank, directly in front of her. "Like this!" I exclaimed as I jumped up and grabbed onto her arms, pulling her into the water.
Georgiana stood up, drenched. "Lizzy!" she screamed. She splashed us both before she smiled and laid back in the water to float on her back. "It's been far too long since we've done this, Will." She sighed.
"I agree." Will smiled at his sister. "Were you looking for me specifically, Georgiana, or are you just out for a walk?"
The corner of her mouth pulled down into a frown. "I only came to tell you two that Caroline has arrived," she explained in a tone that implied she wasn't at all happy about the arrival of their guest.
Will smiled mischievously. "Ah, so you used the excuse of coming to find me to escape her clutches, eh?"
Georgiana lifted her head to look at her brother, squinting one eye shut against the glaring sunlight. "William, you know that that would be highly improper of me. It's my duty as hostess to inform my brother, the host, of when his company arrives."
Will's smile stretched into a grin. "Clever girl."
The siblings laughed.
After several moments, Will's expression sobered. "Well, I suppose we had better face the music, eh?"
Georgiana gave an unhappy sigh and stood. "I suppose." Then, turning to me, she said, "I know it's abominably rude of me to speak poorly of one of our own guests, but I must warn you to prepare yourself for something truly dreadful. If it weren't for the fact that she's Charles's sister and works for Will and Richard, we wouldn't have invited her."
"Hmm," Will muttered. "Indeed. Well, shall we, ladies?"
We slogged through the water to the shore and Will helped Georgiana and me scramble up the bank. He relayed a highly embellished version of the story of how we had ended up in the lake to his sister while we walked back to the house. Instead of entering through the front doors, we went around the side of the building to a servants' entrance, taking back stairways and narrow, stone corridors to our rooms. We agreed to meet in the hallway in thirty minutes before we parted ways to clean up and change into dry clothing.