How to Live With a Millionaire ~ Section II

Taz

Section I, Next Section

Chapter 1

Posted on Sunday, 30 September 2001, at 7:30 a.m.

Liz sighed as she looked back at her Wood Green. It wasn't the most impressive of towns and she could barely make out the signs because of the layers of sludge-crusted on top of them, but she knew she would dearly miss this place. She looked back at the memo in her hand and smiled to herself. A pink-lipped Post-It note looked back at her... which reminded her again of her sister. Her heart fell slightly more towards her stomach as she turned back towards the long lane that lead to home and reminded herself what she was letting herself in for. Her sister had cried and hugged her, begging her not to leave - for she was still a child who needed full and undivided attention. Personally, she had to tear herself away from her love for Kimmie, but it could not be helped - there was no way she could take her with her and really regretted leaving her with their tiresome mother. She sighed deeply again as she hauled the bag over her shoulder and headed towards the tube station and towards, she supposed, her new life.

She couldn't really stay in London anymore. Not only could she not afford it, but her name was considerably damaged since her aunts came across her drunk and wearing a very revealing clubbing outfit in the dustbin behind the 'House of Nans' takeaway. She cringed at the embarrassment of it all. It would have been so much better if she weren't Asian, or Muslim. When relatives adopt both those attributes you usually have a very guarded life...where Kameezes must be worn, you keep your mouth permanently shut and you finally get married to some bloke with good prospects who you've known for a full... ooooh, half hour. It was not like all Muslim families were like that though. Most of her Islamic mates (and she didn't have many) were as normal as normal could get and had pretty cool parents... It was just her own that insisted her 'following tradition'. However, being (she supposed) currently an agnostic, she was none too fond of the idea. Her mother was convinced her friends had 'turned' her, but most of them were Christian and quite religious themselves... but Liz didn't even attempt to explain it to her stubborn mule of a parent.

Stepping onto the escalators leading down to the depths of London and its underground transportation, Liz chewed upon her bottom lip as she wondered if she was in over her head. Talking to William Darcy (her new employer) on the phone did not fill her with confidence. He had this 'can't be arsed' tone and expressed his 'can't be arsed' conversation in that posh deep voice of his... and it was the most daunting voice she had ever heard in her vibrant twenty-two years. She could almost imagine him as an old, grey-haired and moustached, rich upper class bore who smoked from a pipe and talked excessively about the good old days. Liz could never really understand why her grandparents insisted on calling it 'the good old days'... you know, they were in a bloody war back then and all. Stepping on the tube of the glorious (snigger) Piccadilly Line, Liz counted down the stops in eager anticipation as she waited for the soon and more than probable stop at Kings Cross. Manor House, Finsbury Park, Arsenal, Holloway Road... God, surely it didn't take half an hour to go about 6 stops?! She could barely sit still from her excitement. She felt like a child and suddenly had an enormous craving for strawberry Bonbons and lemon sherbet. Maybe this will turn out to be the best decision you've ever made... Liz thought optimistically as she stepped confidently onto the Kings Cross platform and made her way to British Rail by clumsily following the arrowed directions. Maybe you'll end up loving it there, make friends with one and all and William Darcy will be forced to triple your pay by wanting your brilliant services so badly... Wait, hmmmm... up arrow? What does that mean? How exactly do they expect me to do that... fly? Wait... it means straight ahead. With an ironic chuckle, she shook her head as she quickened her pace to catch up with business types and office yuppies on their tiny phones hurrying ahead of her. Considering the fact you're supposed to be some great genius, you're not exactly very bright at non-Mathematical stuff, are you? Her stomach rumbled yet again, and she was terribly thankful that the ruckus about her drowned its growling noise out. She didn't dare eat breakfast at her mother's - Liz wouldn't have put it past her to have drugged or/and poisoned every piece of edible material just to stop her daughter from leaving. With another violent somersault, her belly threatened dangerously for food and Liz touched at it slightly, hoping this act would somehow lessen the noise. It didn't.

As the escalator up slowly drew Liz to the wonderfully wide world of the main Kings Cross railway station, her eyes frantically looked at the computerised screens, looking quite dangerously hung from the ceiling:

9:00am - Sheffield Central on time Platform 4

9:03am - Birmingham on time Platform 3...

No, no... those weren't the right one... With another harder glance (so hard it even included squinting eyes), she finally found it nestled between the trips to Royston and Edinburgh.

9:05 - Cheshire via Lyme Park on time Platform 2

Looking back at her watch, Liz groaned. She had precisely six minutes and nine seconds (eight now) to get food before the train departed. With a shuffle type run, she managed to get to the surprisingly short queue for a sandwich bar. Rummaging through her jeans pockets, she found about a fiver... which should have been enough for a hot chocolate and a baguette. Inching forward, Liz sighed in exasperation as she looked across at the glass... then she stopped. The beautifully displayed C'est Croissant Chocolate gazed back at her as it oozed temptation... and glistening liquid chocolate. No, I mustn't. I just mustn't... Liz had already decided she was on a firm diet... and though she knew she wasn't big, she at least wanted to get into that black dress it had taken her six months to save up for. She remembered how extremely pissed off she had been when the only size left the one below hers... but temptation induced her to take it. And she would not let temptation go against her again... even if it only was Ł1.99 and tasted like heaven. And though she had resolved on it, she couldn't seem to tear her eyes from it...

Eat me... Oh God. Now she was hallucinating. She could have sworn it whispered with those soft warm, crumbling pastry lips. Shaking her head emphatically, she found herself whispering "No" quite out loud, causing people to gradually move further and further away from her. Before she even realised, she was at the head of the queue, and still shaking her head at the wickedness of the sweet enticement.

"Yes?" Her spotty teenage server asked, and then blushed slightly at Liz once she finally turned to face him. Ever since before she could remember, she always had that effect on spotty teenagers... she found it quite sweet. But just then she really didn't care... she was losing the battle against the calorie monster.

"Err..."

"Would you like the C'est Croissant Chocolate?" he seemed to squeak with that unstable and unbroken voice of his as he noticed Liz's eyes widen and her mouth practically drool as she looked upon the display cabinet. Before she could nod in zombie like fashion, an announcement boomed from the speakers.

"This is the final call for passengers wishing to travel to the Cheshire via Lyme Park journey, departing at platform 2, to board the train."

Bugger! Grabbing her bags, Liz burst into a sprint, ever still cursing under her breath, Evil talking chocolate croissant... Running as fast as she could, Liz practically smashed everyone out of her way as she desperately attempted to reach Platform 2. And just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, she heard the title theme of the A-team. It was her cell phone. She tried to ignore it as she saw the inspector closest to her close his train door with a snap.

"No! Wait, please!" she begged, and running faster, caught her foot on her bag strap. With an almost slapstick trip to the polished floor, Liz looked up. Flat-out and lying on her stomach, she had enough time to witness the train slowly and noisily pull out of the station in a burst of steam. She was in trouble.

"Are you ok?" The guy on the next platform inquired with a tilted head.

"I missed my train." She said miserably as he hurried over to help her stand. Pulling her up easily with one hand, then taking her bags, he smiled widely.

"Who wants to go to Manchester anyway?" he said optimistically, with a shrug. "I've heard that they're got cockroaches there as big as cats." Manchester?

"No, err... that was the train to Cheshire."

"No, this is the train to Cheshire," he said, pointing to the train he was about to board. Before she opened her mouth to correct him, she stopped. She glanced to where she had tripped over and looked up to see the giant sign reading 'Platform 1'.

"I-I guess I didn't miss it," she said breathing with relief. He laughed as he extended his hand.

"Rich Fitzwilliam."

"Are telling me you're wealth, or your name?" Liz asked with a smile.

"Both," he returned with a cheeky grin as they stepped onto the train. Her phone was still ringing emphatically and with a sigh, she finally picked it up; knowing full well she knew only one person mad enough to stay on so long.

"Hi, Rek."

"Hi, sis! You on the train?"

"Yep, about to depart. What do you want?" Liz heard her teenage sister exhale loudly from the other end of the line.

"Well, that's rich! First you leave without even waking me up to say goodbye, and now I need a reason to phone?"

"Rek?" Liz said in a more forceful tone.

"Did you take my Marilyn Manson CD?"

"Of course not. And why are you looking for it now anyway?"

"I think Ted and Mary next door would love a wake up call." Rek said mischievously. Liz sighed, though could not help but smile. Rekha had been a little devil ever since she was born, and that was 16 years ago.

"Don't do it, Rek."

"Why not?"

"I don't think Jehovah's witnesses enjoy his style, hon."

"Oh come on, Liz. Mary said herself that I was going to burn in hell for not converting... I'd just like to give her a taste of what I'll encounter there."

"Why don't you just tell her nicely that you won't go to hell for being Muslim? It's just another way of going to the same place."

"It's more fun my way."

"Rek!"

"Fine, fine. I won't play it..."

"Good."

"But that's mainly because I can't find it. Bye!!" She chuckled softly as she snapped shut her phone. Rekha would never change, and though she was the older sister and attempted to be stern, just a bat of her sister's wide eyes always made Liz forgive her.

After easily lifting both his bags and Liz's onto the luggage cabins, Rich slid into the seat opposite her.

"Thanks for that," she smiled appreciatively, as she slipped her phone into her bag. "And thanks for saving me from missing this train, too." He graced her with that infamous and quite cocky smile of his.

"You're very welcome, besides I could tell you were having a bad day."

"You don't know the half of it," she groaned as she rubbed at the bruise on her hand. With a laugh, he crossed his arms.

"Well, why don't you tell me about it over coffee."

"Coffee?" She asked with a bemused smile. Jeez, that was quick. Taking out a flask from his rucksack, he unscrewed the lid until it popped open and an expensively delicious smelling scent enveloped over her. No, don't get tempted. He could be a psycho trying to drug you... why the heck am I so convinced everyone wants to drug me? But it smells so good... Pouring the dark liquid into the attachable lid, he sensed her agitation and gulped it down first to dispel any doubts. After seeing he did not keel over, start gasping for breath or grasp his neck from choking, she sighed into a smile and eagerly caught the plastic mug he slid towards her.

"You're a lifesaver," she grinned as she allowed him to pour it to the very top. With a smile, he watched her drink and she smiled almost alluringly back. Perhaps the benefits of this job are already starting...

Chapter 2

Posted on Tuesday, 2 October 2001, at 5:58 p.m.

God, this man is gorgeous, funny... and for some reason interested in me. Don't ruin it, Liz. Rich was definitely someone who you would look at twice. He had sandy brown hair and not very extraordinary blue eyes but the man was a natural-born charmer and had a great personality to boot. They talked of many things until they just glanced at each other in a quite comfortable silence. He studied her sparkling eyes for quite a while... and she was quite surprised to see she wasn't looking away or blushing. Liz, this isn't sensible. To come out of a bad relationship to automatically flirt with the first guy who seems mildly interested? Where's that celibacy you promised you'd carry out, girl?! With a raised brow she thought about the deal she had made with herself. God, celibacy? What was I thinking? Then suddenly the unthinkable happened. There she was, trying to impress. Trying to pout her lips slightly, and attempting to push her long dark curls over her shoulder in a tantalising way when...

GROWL.

They both stopped; Rich with an inquisitive expression and Liz in utter mortification. Oh my God... With an inaudible whisper, she finally squeaked.

"That... that was my stomach..." Rich raised an eyebrow as his eyes twinkled.

"Are you sure about that?" He asked. God, kill me. Kill me now... But before she could feel too embarrassed, Rich laughed. "I'm just messing with you...! I guess you haven't eaten today."

"That's part of the reason you caught me lying on the floor," She admitted with a shrug whilst the red refused to leave her face. Rich continued to smile. This girl is just seriously adorable...

"Is it? I thought you just liked doing things like that."

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" she asked recovering with a raised eyebrow, and then sipped more of her luscious coffee. With a contented sigh, she leaned back comfortably in her seat. Rich suddenly raised his hands up, as he seemed to implore something.

"Ok, don't cringe with this cheesy one-liner, but I honestly am interested..."

"I'll try not to." She grinned.

"What is a lovely London girl like you doing going to Cheshire?"

"I've got a tutoring job up North."

"Oh really...?" He said leaning forward. "So you're an intellectual?"

"I know I don't seem it," she shrugged. Liz wasn't surprised when people were quite astonished her IQ was well into the 200s, especially with how young she was. Rich protested he thought she was bright, but she was sure she could see through his expert charming. "Well, how about you? What have the delights of Cheshire got for you?" He crinkled his nose slightly.

"Oh, just off to stay with relatives. I know, very lame." Liz smiled as she shook her head and sniffed slightly at her coffee... she would have to ask him where he got it.

"Not at all, I wish I had relatives I would willingly like to visit." He couldn't help but grin with the look of disgust on her pretty face.

"That bad, huh?"

"Oh, you have no idea." With a shrug, he laughed.

"Well, I grew up in the North but went to university in London. So I guess, I'm completely urbanised now."

"Which do you prefer?" She suddenly asked... maybe Derbyshire would be better than her wonderful London...? With a totally baffled look, Rich contemplated.

"I-I don't know... that's a toughie. When I'm in London I can't believe I ever lived in the country, but the country has so many memories and is gorgeous..."

"So you've experienced the best of both worlds?"

"I guess you could say that." He said, returning her grin.

"So, what are studying in Uni?" She asked as she stretched; this long train journey was playing havoc with her back.

"Medicine," He said shrugging as though it were nothing. Liz smiled playfully as her eyes glistened.

"Ah, so you're an intellectual!"

"I know, " he said with a devilish grin. "I don't seem it," They both laughed as Rich gave her another automatic refill, much to her delight. Once screwing the cap back on again, he bit his lip slightly. "Listen, Liz... I know this is going to seem really forward and I don't even do this often but... can I give you my number?"

"I wouldn't say no," she said almost shyly, trying to hide her smile behind her coffee mug. Yesssss...! Yes! Yes! Yes! Did I mention 'Yes'? He's such a gentleman that he didn't even ask for my number! Or maybe that's because he doesn't want it... No, no. I am a top and wonderful temptress... well, one with a noisy stomach and a habit for tripping over... Scrawling his number onto a piece of card, Rich gave her a devastating smile once handing it to her. It seemed to be fate... the train suddenly slowed its pace and a loud voice boomed from the speaker by Liz's ear (it would have to be there, wouldn't it?).

"We are now approaching Lyme Park, Cheshire. This is the end of the line."

Helping her off the train, Liz seriously sighed with satisfaction. Hours on a train with this guy and she had not seen one flaw... and he was also terribly well bred and polite. He seemed to be every mother's dream... except hers of course. Her mother would scream if she saw Liz even consider going out with a white guy. Actually, her mother would scream if Liz thought about going out with an Asian guy... she didn't believe in dates. Only marriage. Liz groaned as she thought of it. As they reached outside the station, he extended his hand in farewell. Shaking it, she didn't feel the tingly sensation she did when she first met Wicks... but Rich was so much better for her. What was it about the wrong sort of man? She seemed to attract to them like flies did to garbage. Smiling at him, she sighed.

"I guess this is goodbye."

"For now anyway... well, I hope," Rich said hopefully, still flashing those perfect teeth. "Will I sound corny by saying 'call me'?"

"Yes, but I won't hold it against you," Liz answered back with a twinkle in her dark eyes. Lifting her hand, he planted a kiss upon it and she couldn't help but blush slightly. If any other guy did it, it would have seemed incredibly conceited or bigheaded, but Rich had such style... you just couldn't help but think it was a compliment. With a small, sad smile he walked away and Liz stared until he got lost with the crowds of people from the train. Damn. A smile approached as she looked upon the card in her hand then Liz trudged on to get a cab and attempt to walk around while carrying her tons of baggage. She easily found one in the almost empty but warmly tranquil village.

"Where do you want to go, love?" The cab driver asked as a breathless Liz finally got into the car after minutes of cramming her belongings into the boot. Surely, she didn't own that much junk?

"Err, the Pemberley estate, please," she said, pushing a damp lock of her black hair behind her ear. "Apparently it's not too far from here...?"

"Jeez, you're going to Pemberley?" Oh no. That doesn't sound promising. She knew it was too perfect to be true.

"Um, yes," she said in a wary voice. "Why, is it haunted?" Laughing, he started the car.

"No, nothing like that! It's just that it's bit of a landmark down here."

"Really?" Liz asked as she leaned as forward as her seatbelt would allow, suddenly interested by the conversation. She was a huge fan to architecture and was especially a sucker for those old Victorian structures. "Is it really old?"

"Oh yeah, centuries. My great, great grandfather used to be an under gardener there." Turning into a small cobbled high street, He darted his eyes from his mirror to the street. "So, are you a friend of the Darcys?" She shrugged with a smile.

"Nope, merely an employee. I'm supposed to be Georgiana Darcy's new tutor." The cabbie's eyes widened with sudden clarity.

"Ah, so you're taking over from Mrs Garret...! She was really quite nice, if not slightly like a dictator." Liz bit her lip to repress a bemused smile.

"Err... she sounds... lovely." He shrugged his shoulders as he grinned again.

"Nah, she's not so bad. I wouldn't have married her if she was." His wide smile only induced Liz to follow in fashion. So far the locals seem friendly enough...!

"Why did she quit?" She asked, interestedly. There was no harm in acquiring some of the neighbouring gossip, was there? After all, she was going to be a resident of this place.

"Well, she thought it was about time she retired... and my view of retiring is driving this cab." Living in London, she never really thought as cabbies driving to relieve stress! But who exactly took a cab here except those sweet old ladies who couldn't walk too far? They weren't exactly the rowdiest bunch around. Glancing out the window, she couldn't help but sigh in pleasure. This place was beautiful... it had to be said. She never really knew little English Hamlets like this truly existed. Of course, she'd always seen pictures of them in her mother's old lady magazines and those ornaments of Tudor houses and cottages made out of clay... but this was truly breathtaking.

"So, where are you from? I can detect a Southern accent..." The cabbie spoke friendlily.

"London," Liz said with utmost pride... how could she describe her love for the place? It almost broke her heart that she had to leave.

"Wow! You must really be having withdrawal symptoms coming up North, and all," he said sympathetically. Liz nodded with a sigh, though continued to bask in the glorious sunshine.

"Yeah. It's just so peaceful and quiet here. I almost expect car honks and police sirens to go off any minute."

"That's what I love about this place," He smiled as he pulled into another small cobbled street with beautifully quaint cottages and colourful flowered gardens. "It's so tranquil and small... I mean, everyone knows everyone."

"Hello Dave!" A voice cried out from the street and both occupants of the car turned to see it belonged to an old woman with a Scottish Terrier. With a wink, Dave laughed with Liz.

"What perfect time, eh? Morning Mrs Lucas!"

Liz and Dave carried on making each other laugh until they were travelling through acres or wood, where Liz stopped to examine her scenery. God, She thought shaking her head. All this greenery... it's just not natural. Dave informed her that all this belonged to the Darcy's and that it actually took a good fifteen minutes of this in a fast car to actually reach them. She suddenly felt ill. I mean, she knew they were rich... but the fact that they were practically as high up as the Queen...? She was beginning to get a feeling there was a butterfly war going on in her stomach and Liz was honestly getting tempted to ask Dave to turn around when she stopped. There was finally a break in the trees and the most magnificent house she ever saw greeted her. God, it was spectacular. There was no other word for its grandeur. Beautiful but not overdone and absolutely bloody breathtaking. Oh yeah, she could live here. Pressing her nose against the glass, she absorbed in the lakes and trees and lush lawn, and Dave merely smiled like a father whose kid got an A on parents evening, as he drove on further. Liz was still staring while the cabbie pressed the intercom button.

"I've got a cab with a Miss Lizbeth Bennedt," He said cheerfully. With a buzz, the colossal gates creaked open and again overwhelmed Liz. It was just like that bit in Jurassic Park. She just hoped William Darcy wouldn't eat her alive. A line of people could be seen as the car halted outside the entrance; who she guessed to be the Darcy staff and her new workmates. Wow, all this just for me...! They were all uniformed smartly and Liz wondered if she also had to walk around in a cool black suit... like in Reservoir Dogs. The oldest woman there greeted her... and she did not look very friendly. Shaking hands, the woman spoke.

"My name is Mrs Reynolds. I am the housekeeper."

"Err... nice to meet you." Liz smiled nervously. The steel look on the old bird didn't budge.

"Victor, Simon... take her bags to her room," She said again in the same hard-arsed tone of voice. My God, she looks as though she has a giant gherkin thrust up her backside. Liz shuddered as she imagined a vivid mental picture and attempted to think of anything else. What she did think of made her giggle, and she could not remove the amused and mischievous expression from her face. The two youngest gents in the well-organised line nodded in obedience and took them eagerly, each sizing Liz up with a small-embarrassed smile. As they scarpered off, Liz opened her mouth to attempt to say something charming but Mrs Reynolds dove in first.

"Miss Bennedt, my family have performed this job for many generations and I will now tell you that I shall not have disarray in my time. Do you understand me, young lady? After 22 years with the Darcys, I have not yet had one that hasn't been tranquil and calm... and I am warning you now that I won't hesitate to fire you if you give me the slightest trouble. Do you understand or would you like me to repeat it again?" After giving the stunned Liz a second to answer, she carried on determinably. "Do you have any other questions, Miss Bennedt?"

Liz couldn't believe it. Was that really her warm welcome? Her 'Hi, welcome to the Darcy staff. We're really quite nice when you get to know us'? The woman was a housekeeper, not her own keeper. She spoke like a damn military sergeant. What was she going to do now... order Liz to drop and give her twenty? And did she really call me young lady?After getting over her initial shock, Liz narrowed her dark eyes.

"Yes, I do actually. I was wondering when we were allowed to eat, if I'm allowed to have visitors and if I would prefer to wear stone shackles or steel ones." The younger luggage carrier snorted in suppressed laughter, though calmed his twitching features after Mrs Reynolds's dangerous glance at him. Turning back to Liz, she spoke softly in warning as her eyes looked menacing.

"I knew you were a trouble maker the minute I set eyes on you. Don't think I'm not watching your every move." With a quick disapproving inspection with her eyes, she coldly spoke again. "Finch will meet you out here in a minute to show you how things are done." And with that last remark, she turned her heel and stormed back into the house. The long line of employees (whom Liz guessed Mrs Reynolds would soon train to become a hit squad to eventually kill her off) followed swiftly after Mrs Gherkin as they each gawped at the impertinent new edition. Watching them disappear into the black doorway, Liz felt suddenly ill. That was not the best of starts. She turned back round to where Dave still stood, leaning against his cab.

"Well, it could have been worse," He called optimistically. Liz walked towards the vehicle with slumped shoulders and leaned beside him. With a groan, she hid her face under her hands, causing the middle-aged cabbie to laugh.

"How could it have possibly, in any way, been any worse?" Liz groaned again. Dave smiled as he responded cheerfully.

"Well, she could have set fire to you."

Chapter 3

Posted on Saturday, 6 October 2001, at 1:26 p.m.

The instant Liz had opened her mouth to beseech Dave to zoom her back to the station and not look back, an elderly uniformed gentleman unexpectedly stepped out of the entrance and called her name politely. He bestowed Liz with such a friendly smile that it went right up to his friendly wrinkled eyes, and she had to check behind her to make sure it was directed at her. With a chuckle, he extended his hand.

"Hi, I'm Henry Finch; just another Butler-type who works here. I've been assigned to show you around the place." Following a little breath of relief and a close of her eyes, Liz beamed back at him. Thank God, one person here is at least civil!

"Thank you, Mr Finch," She said in genuine gratitude.

"I can already tell I will like you," he said with a nod a warm grin. "You can drop the Mr. Everyone calls me Finch." Liz returned the gesture and soon enough they were both getting on like a house on fire. "I heard about your meeting with Mrs Reynolds," he said with a laugh, and Dave nodded as he contributed to how awful it was. Being the total gentleman he was, Finch set out to put her mind at rest. "She is a bit uptight, but is really quite 'cool' when you get to know her."

"As cool as a cucumber?" Liz asked innocently, and then nearly burst into laughter as she remembered her Gherkin theory. Both Dave and Finch noticed her repressed giggle and looked at her bemusedly. Damn, the only friends I have made think I'm barking mad...! Both men tried their hardest to assure the extremely apprehensive Liz that Pemberley was a pleasant work environment, and she felt quite touched that they went to all the trouble. Eventually (after about half an hour) deciding it was time to actually complete his mission, Finch smiled again and politely gestured to escort her into the house. Turning back to Dave, he mouthed a mute 'Good Luck' and signalled her with a thumbs up and a quick smile, then headed back into his taxi. Come back, Dave... don't leave me with these people...! She screamed within her head, but it was too late. His car sped away just as Liz got engulfed by the darkness of the entrance. Finch gave her a supportive smile as they finally emerged from the black and entered the main hallway, and Liz was damn relieved she had decided not to wear her high stiletto type heels... they would have massacred the beautiful floors. They just talked about something or other as Liz's eyes automatically widened with admiration. She could not help but show her appreciation for Pemberley's beauty. It didn't matter how nervous she was and how much she wished she had gone toilet on the train... she couldn't conceal her true pleasure for the place with the occasional gasps. What could she say? The house and furnishings were utterly gorge and compensated for all the mean eyed and uptight buggers that she had to work with... and the size of the estate! Her mother always told her size didn't matter, but Liz always concluded that it sure helped out...! The giant oak staircases, the Victorian style fixtures and the stunning portraits that hung on the wall made her sigh with satisfaction. She felt like she'd stepped right into the 19th Century, despite the smart knee-length black skirt and white shirt she wore and the obvious electronic connections about the place. And though Finch had shown her around extensively, she still didn't have a clue where anything was... it was just all too enormous and trying for her terrible sense of direction. Liz was surprised enough she figured out where to get off on the train... but she supposed that was mainly due to the fact it was the last stop!. Showing her into her room, she took a step back and a double take. She definitely didn't deserve it, but wasn't about to be daft enough to complain! Beautiful velvet material drapes that pooled magnificently upon the polished dark wooden floor and beautiful bay windows that exposed the room in a bath of sunshine... God, and look at that giant and exquisite bed...! It's a shame there is no one to share it with. No, Liz! Don't think of Wicks... Sitting immediately upon the soft bed, she let out a little 'Whoohoo' and slammed back onto, staring up at the ceiling and smiling even wider then Ronald McDonald. Finch laughed as he observed her.

"Liz, I'm sorry to have to tear you away but, I'm instructed to now take you to the main hall." Liz made a straining noise as she lifted herself up. She really didn't want to face anyone. After seeing her room, she figured that this job wouldn't be too bad if she just made refuge in it and avoided Mrs Reynolds altogether!

"Why's that Finch?" she asked with a faint groan, and a whole lot of anxiety.

"Well, you still have to meet our employer." Ah, yes. The dreaded and old Mr Darcy. With a sigh she rolled off the bed, but graced her friend with her cheeky trademark smile.

"Fine, Finch. I'll allow you to escort me to my doom." Laughing, they headed out the door. Walking down numerous and countless corridors and staircases (which Liz didn't recognise at all but really should have considering they just came from there) Finch suddenly stopped outside a pair of grand, gold handled oak doors. Liz supposed this was it, and wished her hands would stop shaking and that insane bunny rabbit in Bambi would get out of her chest. Liz gave him a nervous smile and reached out for the door handle. < we>With a supportive hand on the shoulder, he suddenly gave her some sound advice.

"If in any doubt, stick to two subjects with Mr Darcy. The weather, and everyone's health." Instead of putting her mind at rest in only scared her further... God, was this Mr Darcy such a monster (or bore) that he only stuck to those two topics? Did he lose all control if one spoke of something else...? Opening the door with a swift and bad attempt of a confident approach, Liz chewed upon her bottom lip in the manner you would bubblegum until she couldn't really feel it any more - but no one was there. The giant room was completely empty and deathly silent. Liz supposed he would be there in a minute, though was relieved she didn't have to face the tyrant without further ado. Straightening out her curls with the palms of her hands and ironing her clothes out slightly, she took her few moments alone to fix her appearance... after all; she had to make a good and 'professional' impression. Eeeeeek... Lord help me!

Being the shallow yet lovely character our heroin so clearly was, she instantly noticed the look and expressions of all new acquaintances, and so she proceeded to view in this fashion when it came to first being introduced to her new employer. Liz had turned away from the staircase as she again examined the beauty of the house and finished rearranging her clothing, but soon turned when she head footsteps. She glared at William Darcy as he descended down the stairs with as much scrutiny as one could muster without making it painfully obvious in their facial expressions. Almost automatically she felt like she'd made a mistake. Desperately struggling with the idea of marching back out those grand doors as fast as she possibly could, Liz held her breath. He had an 'I can smell bad fish' look on his face and almost crinkled his nose in disgust at the sight before him. Ok, so he might have been young but he still resembled the old-fashioned dictator Liz feared he'd turn out to be. He had an almost scowl on his face and though he looked just a few years older then her, he dressed in the type of outfit that made him look a heck of a lot older then he actually was.

Did he just snort at me?

Don't overreact - it doesn't matter that he looks like a poncy, rich, 'so far up his own backside that he needs a map to get back out' stuck-up and blue-blooded bore, does it? I'm not teaching him. It's his sister that needs my apparently 'expert' guidance. Make an effort. Quick, say something clever so he can't doubt my skills.

"It's so good to finally meet you, sir. I was in quite some despair when I realised how grand an estate Pemberley was. I was quite worried I'd never find civilisation". She smiled brightly but this statement seemed to push him in further into his mood. Liz tried her hardest not to facially show her impatience with this haughty man, so she attempted to beam even wider. Ok, that's about as witty and charming I can get this early on a weekday. Oh, my cheeks hurt from all these fake pleasantries...

He looked at her with an arched eyebrow and examined her thoroughly with no tact or subtlety. He even started to slowly circle around her in deep inspection... he didn't look too pleased. Liz turned with him as her face displayed her open anger... what was it with the people in this house? They may have been rich, but didn't one of them have any manners or idea how to speak to people (except the lovely Finch of course)? With a temper as she had being tried more and more every passing minute, she finally had to retort. This was getting ridiculous. It had already been four minutes of full and very awkward silence. Was this odious man ever going to speak?

"May I ask what you are examining, Sir? Have I offended you in some way?" He was somewhat taken aback by her forwardness and she bit the inside of her mouth, scolding herself something chronic.

You idiot. That stupid buggery reflex anger... why can't I just stay stum? Oh damn, he looks as though I attempted to kidnap his silverware. I guess I shouldn't bother unpacking...

Instead of demanding her to gather up her things and exit his premises immediately, William Darcy just knotted his forehead in deep contemplation as he observed her again. Finally, he spoke.

"I assure you, you have offended me in no way," he said in almost controlled civility. "At least no way I am aware of."

Lord, my new boss loathes me... and speaks like he's still in the 19th century. Wait, Liz... you must try and keep up by using long words like 'information' and 'lucozade'... 'marathon'...

"Mrs Asby recommended you very highly," he said after an awkward silence and a dry cough.

...dandelion...

"Err, thank you. She's a really nice. But I'm sure she exaggerated my talents." Yes, Mrs Asby was so very nice. Liz was sure she encouragingly lied when she wrote a reference on her skills.

...homoeopathists...

"I'm sure she didn't." Another silence.

...homodynes...

"I, erm... hope I won't disappoint Miss Darcy...?" Liz said as almost a suggestion of topic. She had always imagined the home-schooled Georgiana Darcy to be posh, probably spoilt and possibly arrogant... and Liz truly had enough of that kind of person for a day, let alone lifetime.

...homoerotic...

"I doubt that you will. She is a very blah blah blah... blah blah blah blah..."

...encyclopaedia...

"Oh, erm... I'm sure you're right." What the heck is he babbling about? I should really try and listen but I must concentrate on long words...

...egregious... Not necessarily long but effective....

"And do you believe that blahblahblah, blahblah blah, blah blah blah?"

"Erm, oh, well... yes?" Liz squeaked as she attempted to hazard an answer and tried to share her attention equally. The long word mission was winning by miles.

...onomatopoeia... great word! Now how am I going to get that into a sentence...?

"Do you have any questions, Miss Bennedt?" He looked at her expectantly; his eyes betrayed his last words to be more of an order than a request. With his towering form and piercing dark eyes, he seemed almost a member of the SS trapping her in the corner. What was that first analogy she had used? Jurassic Park? Yes, she had now met the Tyrannosaurus Rex... and Mrs Reynolds was a Velociraptor. Oh, and Finch was probably one of those cute tame dinosaurs... like a pteranidon. No, weren't those were the ones that squirted poison...? Wait. Yes, he was a Triceratops or a Stegosaurus.... Good God, Liz?!?! Do you even hear what you're talking and thinking about? Why do you always get so sidetracked by your peculiarity? She could hear William Darcy sigh a type of groan.

"Miss Bennedt?" He asked again, seeming to be losing his patience. Liz quickly broke out of her reverie and stared at him... he was talking to her right?

Lord, he expects me to speak. Bugger. Bugger. What should I say without offending him, betraying I wasn't listening or sounding as terribly common as I am? However, before she could truly think of anything, she blurted out.

"Lovely weather we've been having." You idiot.

Chapter 4

Posted on Tuesday, 9 October 2001, at 10:44 a.m.

William Darcy just raised his eyebrow slightly but didn't say anything... which actually intimidated Liz more - I mean, he could tell her what he was thinking or at least give her the damn weather forecast! Before she opened her mouth to say yet another embarrassing sentence, he swiftly turned to the stairs he'd come from.

"This is my sister, Georgiana." He didn't actually glance at Liz, but she supposed he was speaking to her (mainly considering the two facts that she didn't know his teenage sister and that she was sure Georgiana already knew her own name and that she had a fellow sibling). Liz followed her eyes clumsily up the grand staircase. She didn't even notice another person in the room... I guess she was too busy making a fool of herself. When Liz did look to the top of the stairs, she couldn't help but try and suppress a quite terribly hidden smile... why was Georgiana Darcy dressed like a frumpy looking fairy? All she needed was a fake plastic wand and fluffy fairy wings and they could stick her on a float somewhere. But she really was quite stunning to look at. She had gorgeous dead straight blond hair and wide blue eyes, and could definitely have a career in modelling if she ever had the urge to apply... well, not if she wore that hideous outfit. It looked like one of those party dresses your mother forces you to wear when you're about 6 - Dear God; it even had a bow around the waist! The young Georgiana Darcy graced Liz with a small and terribly shy smile once she descended down those infamous stairs, and then quickly looked to the security of her brother. Liz sighed with some relief - Georgiana Darcy looked like a sweetie and appeared (Thank God!) nothing like her brother. William turned almost lovingly to his sister and smiled in that serious way of his.

"Georgiana, this is your new tutor, Lizbeth Bennedt." This was the part when Liz felt as though she should have curtsied. Instead, she merely supplied a weak and nervous smile, and to her relief Georgiana couldn't seem to do any better. It was almost like a first date, or a blind one - and William Darcy seemed to be making the introductions. He even left them so they could spend more time together to walk about the park around Pemberley. Liz was actually even hoping that Georgiana would soon enough procure out some roses and chocolates... she was really hungry and was getting cravings (for Turkish Delight, not eating flowers). Liz smiled at the youngster quite brightly as she attempted conversation, after all she was the (slightly) adult.

"You have a lovely home." Damn, my architectural side is coming out again... Georgiana's eyes widened with pleasure and some pride as she smiled softly back; Liz seemed to have hit directly upon a soft spot.

"Thank you. It's been in the family for generations. I've always loved it dearly."

"I would too," Liz said with a laugh as the trees swayed faintly with the afternoon breeze. "I mean, I've only been here for two seconds and am already madly in love with it." It's about the only thing I do like here... Deciding the latter wasn't the most sensible thing to say, she bit her tongue before she exclaimed it out. Suddenly it got quiet again, but not in the awkward 'Scary William Darcy Boss Man' way, but just slightly uncomfortable. Nothing happened for a while until Georgiana's face suddenly went red as she looked down at her outfit.

"I-I don't usually dress this way, Miss Bennedt..."

"Call me, Liz." Georgiana's already gentle eyes softened even more.

"Liz," she said quietly, after all... Liz was already the closest thing to a friend that she had (of course, our heroine was oblivious to that fact). Shaking out of her little trance, she continued. "I-I mean, I don't wear this kind of outfit around the house or..."

"You really don't have to explain anything to me," Liz said with a supportive smile, now feeling quite dreadful she'd laughed about the dress in her head. Georgiana shrugged her shoulders and smiled sadly.

"I'm always made to dress like a wedding cake whenever guests come round." Liz couldn't help but laugh, and Georgiana (to her own surprise) joined in. A wedding cake was a perfect description of the outfit... it beat Liz's fairy one hands down!

"Well, thank you for making me feel more welcome," Liz said warmly, then cheekily added, "The dress really helped. I'm really quite partial to wedding cake." With another giggle, Georgiana's almost upset look dissolved away and Liz, for the first time that day, felt content. She could stay here as long as she was with Georgiana - and wasn't it lucky that she was her tutor? If she had to share her skills with Mrs Reynolds or even Mr William Darcy, she would have packed her bags, running and screaming away from Pemberley (though would make sure that they'd both get trained in acquiring some manners... preferably with a giant stick). Before either of them knew it, the sun was actually beginning to set and with schoolgirl type giggles and sprinting (led by Liz of course!), they made their way breathlessly to the entrance of the house. Finch was holding a glass of orange fizzy liquid (which Liz, with a smile, guessed was Lucozade) and he looked up to see the two flushed young ladies explode into laughter as Liz whispered something into Georgiana's ear. He seemed to look quite paralysed - was this really his mistress? She seemed so alive... so cheeky and happy. With a small smile, he gave Liz a nod. He knew she was a good'un and he that she was exactly the kind of person Georgiana needed to bring her out of her shell. When Georgiana turned to face him, she took one look at the drink and smiled widely.

"Dickie's here...!?" Finch nodded to his mistress's eager question, trying his hardest not to laugh at her sudden excitable (and out of character) nature.

"Yes, he came about a half hour ago, Miss Georgie." Turning to Liz, she indicated that they go into the next room with Finch, but the lady hesitated for a second.

"Listen, Georgie. I just need to make a quick phone call. Go ahead without me... OK?" Georgiana looked quite torn but Liz's touching her hand slightly brightened her up again and she quite happily scarpered off. With a proud smile, Liz sighed deeply as she watched her go. Liz, you've done it again...! You genius! That went so much better than even I could have wished. Well, at least someone's fallen for the Bennedt charm... Taking out her cell phone she searched for Rich's number. She promised him that if any developments in her job occurred, that she should phone him straightaway and tell him all about it. William Darcy, Mrs Reynolds, Finch, Dave, and lastly the lovely Georgiana... heck, she had lots to say! Once finding it she pressed enter and leaned slightly back on the stair banister. While the phone patiently rang, she suddenly thought she heard another noise. Taking the phone off her ear for a second she heard another ring. That was odd. Pressing cancel on her phone she checked she wasn't just hearing things. The ringing (from some distance away) automatically stopped. Liz raised a brow. Hmmmm... Her phone suddenly trembled and lit into life and the words 'RICH' flashed repeatedly. Of course he'd ring back - probably thought she was prank calling him or something! With a little laugh, she picked the phone up. Sometimes she really thought she hallucinated everything. "Hello," she said, again trying an attempt of an alluring voice. She just hoped she didn't sound like a call girl... or a man.

"Hi, it's Rich. Did you just call me?"

"Yes, I just thought I'd update you on my day, but if you're busy...."

"No! Not at all. Just having a late tea with my cousins, but that's all really. How did it go?" Liz laughed.

"Wonderful and awful. The girl I'm tutoring is lovely and her brother is plain scary and snobby." Rich laughed, and then she heard him drinking something afterwards. Maybe more of that lush coffee...

"Sorry about that," he apologised sheepishly after a long slurp. "I'm parched. So how is the place in general? Giant mistake or maybe you might stay?"

"Well, I don't really have much of a choice now, do I?" She said with a dry laugh. Rich seemed to hum in sad agreement.

"I would have put your name forward to the cousin I'm staying with because he actually needed your services for his sister... but apparently they've got one."

"That's a shame," she said sighing, she would have liked to see Rich's friendly face helping her out.

"But Will, my cousin, said they might have to fire her, so maybe it'll work out for you. She's apparently a bit eccentric!" Liz joined in his laughter... then stopped. Did he just say Will?

"Rich, what did you say your cousin's name was?" Her serious tone made Rich's own voice speak with slow apprehension.

"Erm... William. William Darcy. Why?"

"Is your nickname Dickie?"

"Yep... but how do you...?" With a sudden roll then closing of her eyes, she softly finished.

"Are you drinking Lucozade?" Rich stopped... then chuckled in amazement.

"Yeah. Wow! I'm impressed, Liz. You didn't tell me that among your other many talents that you were a psychic." Finch finally exited the door to the room Georgiana had run into. Peering through the doorway the second the room was seen, Liz nearly choked on her deep inhalation. There sat a guy with Rich's hairstyle, his sunglasses and his face who was holding a phone against his ear with one hand and holding a glass of Lucozade with the other. Oh my God. The heavy oak door slammed shut, but Rich's image was still in her head.

"Liz?" She could hear him ask in concern on the other end of the line. "Liz, are you OK?"

"Open the door." She managed to squeak.

"What?"

"Open the door of the room you're in." After a silence, he complied and Liz saw the door handle turn and finally, the door creak open. Rich's didn't see her at first but when he did, his eyes widened with shock and his jaw dropped, which quickly became a wide grin.

"Oh my God! Liz!" He hurried towards her, though (still being the gentleman that he was) didn't attempt to hug her; however Liz did see him reluctantly pull his hands away just before grasping hers. "I can't believe you're here!"

"William Darcy wants to fire me and thinks I'm eccentric?" She groaned softly without even saying hello. Rich smiled as he shook his head.

"Don't worry about him, I'll sort him out," He flashed her another devastating grin. Yes, she was very much falling for Richard Fitzwilliam... With a shrug, he smiled. "Besides, you think he's snobby and scary."

"But I'm not his employer and he doesn't understand how much this job means to me...." Stop making that whining noise, Liz. You must be as appealing to Rich as Alvin from the Chipmunks. Though I did have a crush on him when I was little... Rich gave her an endearing smile.

"Liz, stop stressing. Come inside for a Lucozade..."

"How can I face him when I know he thinks that way about me?" She asked. How could she ever look Mr Darcy in the eye without blurting out, I'm really not mad! ?

"I was kidding about him saying that..." He feebly lied.

"No you weren't." She grumbled. God, just as soon as I was starting to enjoy myself. I hate you William Darcy...! Suddenly taking her hand, Rich looked deeply into her eyes.

"I'll be right here," He whispered tantalisingly close to her. Liz just nodded dreamily as he took her hand... where were they going again? Oh, who cares about all that... just follow Rich! ...Goddamn he looks nice in denim from the back... When they entered the room, William and Georgiana both looked up to greet them. The latter smiled brightly and the former narrowed his eyes in some suspicion as he noticed the holding of hands.

"Isn't it a small world?" Rich asked Georgie with a smile as he ignored the look on William's disapproving face.

"This is the Liz I was telling you about."

"You mean, the one you wanted to ask out?" Georgiana asked innocently, causing both Liz and Rich to go bright red. Liz turned her head away from Georgiana and Rich but met an even more terrifying look. Her gaze locked with William Darcy's and he was fashioning the most judgmental and stern expression she'd ever seen... even worse then her psychotic mother's! His eyes were two slits and his mouth was pursed... and even his nose was raised to the sky! Quick, turn away... turn away before he turns you to stone... Turning back round to her two admirers, Liz again felt like she was on display. Both Georgiana and Rich were proudly staring at her and all she could do is again supply a weak smile. Great. People either love me too much of loathe me intensely... can't I just get a steady medium...? Sneaking a look bravely back at William Darcy, she seemed to answer her own question. I suppose not.

Chapter 5

Posted on Thursday, 11 October 2001, at 9:39 a.m.

Though she'd been there for five days now, Liz could not help but look at the great hall and gasp. Surely, no one needed this much space. You could live in completely opposite ends and never meet each other.

I wonder how many toilets they have... and more importantly, how far away they are from each other? God, how can you not get lost? I bet there are rooms in here that they've never even seen before... Sighing, she went on searching for Georgiana. Where could that girl be? They had to finish off geometry and the Pure Mechanics P1 revision for the July exam that was only a couple of months away. And besides, it had been a few hours since Rich had left back for London and Liz was already feeling lonely. Stop getting so nervous! He obviously likes you and he said he'd call. It's a good thing it's not up to William Darcy though, I'm not sure he'd give the match his blessing. Liz pursed her lips as she thought again about her boss. She didn't like him. It was plain and simple; he disliked her and she did him, and Liz realised she could deal with hardly seeing him very cheerfully. Every time he saw her and Rich together, out came the 'I smell bad fish' look again and the crinkle of the nose. But why should she have been surprised? She was Asian, she was poor and she was a mere employee. Poor William... being made to witness his cousin throwing his pride down the loo. Liz thought with a wry grin. She suddenly heard a noise from the library and sighed into a smile. She knew Georgiana wouldn't be wayward enough to skip revision. She walked into the Library, stopped, then rolled her eyes because, surprise surprise, she saw the back of William... sorry, Mr Darcy. Out of all the millions of rooms in this Museum she had to walk into the only one he was occupying. Her attempts of avoiding him were growing weak. William was aware of the sudden intrusion and stood up to turn to face her. Liz sighed as she could see the almost anger on his face - did this mean he was close to sacking her again?

"Sorry, Mr Darcy, just making my tour of the house whilst searching for Georgie. I seemed to have stumbled onto your quiet time - so I'll just be going somewhere... that, erm isn't here..."

"Miss Bennedt?" She cringed. Hating when someone pronounced her name wrong, she bit her tongue before she could correct him and turned to face the discontented expression he was wearing.

"Yes?"

"You, don't need to apologise for intruding. You live here, as do we all." Did she see a hint of a smile? Wow, that looks odd... William started to fiddle with the book in his hand slightly. "Um, err... how do you find the house?"

"Gorgeous, but slightly dauntingly huge," Liz answered simply, smiling cheekily as she glanced over the books brimming over the millions of shelves that worked their way up to the top of the twenty foot room. "Tell me, Mr Darcy, do you even know what books you have stacked there, let alone how many?" He went slightly red and stammered.

"I, erm, well, it's been in the family for generations and has built up...."

"No, I'm not trying to offend you, I seriously envy it," She quickly answered. "The closest thing I have to it is that collection of Sweet Valley High books I used to save up for when I was 15. And most of those volumes were old or falling apart." William smiled slightly.

"I admire your persistence to uphold your collection."

"You do?" she returned with a grin. Well, come on... it wasn't the noblest thing to praise someone on.

"Do you find that so hard?" he asked with a grimace. He honestly looked quite hurt; did he think she was mocking him? Well, she supposed she was slightly...

"Um, no." Ok, I do... With another cough, they were silent once again. She didn't like being in his presence. He was so quiet and scary in a way only a boss could be. I need to get out. I need to get out right now... "I should, um... go find Georgie."

"Err, she should be in the music room." He offered clumsily.

"Thanks." Now, to figure out where the heck the music room is. Liz walked as fast as she could out the door and breathed with relief as she reached the corridor. The less she saw of Mr William Darcy, the better. Just the way he stared at her unnerved her... and what exactly was it about her that offended him so much? Well, I am practically seeing his cousin... Well, at least his sister was lovely. With a shrug, she looked down the hall and sighed as she saw the four doors down it... Well, she had better start looking for that music room.

William Darcy peered slightly passed the library doorframe to silently observe what Liz was up to. She seemed to be opening every door in her presence, then stamping her foot when she found something that didn't please her. His curiosity got the better of him when she smiled faintly at the last room. Wondering why she found such solace in finding the bathroom, he was quite totally intrigued with the girl. At first he was none too happy about her being so young and well, attractive... but just witnessing her teachings caused him to never doubt her skills again. She was truly a quite gifted mathematician. William was the first to admit she was slightly odd, but now he found her peculiarity somewhat endearing and quite spellbinding. But, he reminded himself, that was all.

Well, Liz thought, At least I know where one toilet is. I should really remember that its here just in case of an emergency. That is if I can figure out how to get back here again... William Darcy opened his mouth to tell the very much lost Liz that the music room was in the opposite direction, but suddenly halted himself. Instead of telling her, he bit the inside of his cheek to suppress a dimpled smile then quietly entered his library and closed the door behind him.

***

Oh God. I am seriously and completely lost. She knew it was only a matter of time, and Liz was quite proud of herself that she hadn't gone astray earlier. However, she did remind herself that she was mainly in Rich's company and he had spent his childhood at Pemberley. Yarrrg, Bugger. Not another staircase. Has this place even got a bottom floor? With a heaving sigh, Liz went further down again and just prayed she didn't end up in a cellar... or even back where she came from originally - she really wasn't in the mood to go through a Blair Witch scenario at the present moment. Luckily, she didn't end up in either of those places and found herself in the kitchens. Wow, she hadn't even seen them before. With a light knock, she decided she was instead going to go into Scooby mode and investigate. The room was loud and bustling with people and Liz actually realised they were all eating dinner there. With a creased forehead, she contemplated. This didn't seem right. Why were the loyal staff eating together on a small rickety old table in the boiling kitchen when she got to eat with William and Georgiana on the absolutely gorgeous, and absolutely giant, dinner table... and was actually served by these people? Mrs Reynolds was the first person to notice the puzzled Liz standing the doorway as she brought her fork full of food towards her mouth.

"What do you think you're doing here?" She asked almost as a demand and everyone else (about 20 people) stopped to gawp at Liz. They'd already heard allot about Georgiana's new best friend.

"S-sorry," Liz stuttered, still quite uneasy around the frightening old hag and her cronies. "I seem to have gotten quite lost..." Mrs Reynolds calmly looked at her.

"We're just eating now, Miss Bennedt," She said, almost patronising Liz. "If you would like us to weight upon you hand and foot, at least allow us to feed ourselves to get enough strength to do so."

"Why are you eating here?" Liz asked softly, ignoring her and attempting to be polite. A teenage boy, whom she recognised to be her luggage carrier from the first day, answered back quite chirpily. He liked Liz. She seemed fun, young... and was really quite easy on the eyes.

"This is where we eat."

"But, why do I eat on the table when I am also staff...?"

"Funny, I was just asking myself that very question." Mrs Reynolds said quite bitterly as she swigged down a glass of water as though it were alcohol. Oh God... alcohol would be nice to settle my nerves... Someone scurried over and took Mrs Reynolds's empty glass, giving her look that almost said 'You've had enough'.

"Are you telling me that I get special treatment?" Liz asked, raising her voice slightly. She may have been a bit dizzy and slightly neurotic, but she wasn't about to allow Mrs Reynolds to insult and walk all over her.

"I'm sure you can work that out, Miss Bennedt," Mrs Reynolds said, looking tired as she pushed her chair back. She suddenly looked older, greyer and unhappier. Though Liz wasn't exactly her hugest fan, she felt sympathy for her. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, and with a huge beam Liz spoke.

"Give me a minute." Then she ran quickly off, stirring curiosity and two of the staff to follow after her; Finch and her luggage carrier, Dennis. Mrs Reynolds didn't follow physically but her eyes did more than any other.

"Liz, what are you up to?" Finch called breathlessly; damn she was a fast sprinter! Liz, though had lost herself originally, actually started taking turns she recognised and soon enough found herself back in the Darcy library. A moment ago she tried her hardest to avoid this place, and it's lone occupant, but now she was confident and eager to enter. Slamming the door open quite melodramatically, she caused William Darcy to jump out of his chair. Her face looked determined and stubborn and Finch and Dennis were too terrified to join her, but not even a parade of wild boars could stop them eavesdropping. William Darcy could not speak, but his eyes opened widely in more shock than anything else.

"I need to speak to you, Mr Darcy," She said simply.

"So desperately that the door deserved to be torn off its hinges?" He asked in his deeply reserved voice, though it still spoke in disbelief. His eyes seemed to sparkle with interest and some slight amusement.

"Yes, actually," Liz said with a nod. Her mind was desperately warning her not to complain, to apologise for trying to kill the door and to creep out of there, just in case William didn't notice her. But, as usual, Lizbeth Bennedt's heart always seemed to have more of a say then her intelligent head.

"Well, please sit," He said with a gesture and that infuriating suppressed smile on his face. Liz sat down to the chair he was pointing to with a plop as she tried not to scowl at him - why did he enjoy teasing her and making her feel so inferior? Both Finch and Dennis groaned inwardly as William closed the poor door and its heavy oak stopped any noise from escaping. Staring at each other in concern and excitement, the two gentlemen slowly walked back to the kitchen, ever still glancing back at the library door just in case it opened. They both desperately hoped Liz didn't do anything too foolish... and they knew how serious and solemn their employer was and that he could easily sack her with no remorse.

When they animatedly reported back to the kitchen, it buzzed with excitement and chattering but then suddenly stopped. Mrs Reynolds had put her hands up to cease the useless prattle, and soon afterwards all the staff had noticed why. Liz had walked back into the kitchen... and behind her was William Darcy. Liz turned to look at William and they both had a knowing look of understanding between them... what the heck was going on?

"Miss Bennedt seems to have drawn an issue to my attention," he said after a light cough. Liz had to give him credit, he seemed pretty good with his servants - just looking at them just then told Liz how much they all worshipped her boss. With wide eyes and open mouths, they listened wholeheartedly to every syllable and nodded. "I had no idea my staff were all eating in this tiny room, and believe me if I knew before this, I would have rectified the situation. From this day forth, everyone is to eat at the main table with myself, Georgiana..." he looked softly at Liz. "And Miss Bennedt. Of course, that is if you wish to."

"You mean, we're allowed to eat with you?" Dennis asked in some excitement and William could not help but smile at the boy.

"No, Dennis. You must eat at my feet. Everyone else, however, can." There was an instant rippled laughter and Liz's mouth opened in some shock. Was William Darcy being amusing... loving... friendly? How odd it seems, but just to me. Everyone else thinks it's the norm. And so the plot thickens... Before she knew it, William was gone with a few of his loyal subjects and Mrs Reynolds slipped beside her. When Liz turned to see her, she got the shock of her life... and then nearly did a double take as she witnessed a look that didn't hint complete repulsion; though some was still present.

"One word from you changed the Darcy seating structure forever," She said, almost like a scold.

"Erm...yeah, sorry about that..."

"Thank you." Liz stopped. Now she was definitely hallucinating. There could be no way in heaven that Mrs Reynolds would look at her with no disgust.

"Excuse me?" She nearly choked in her disbelief. Mrs Reynolds mouthed twitched slightly at Liz's reply, but still had the tough exterior on.

"I know we got off on the wrong foot Miss Bennedt. We seem to both be equipped with clashing personalities and heightened tempers, but I believe and hope we were both too quick to judge."

"Are... are we really signing a truce?" Liz asked, smiling slightly in apprehension and incredulousness.

"If you'll accept it." The elder lady said with a small shrug. Mrs Reynolds has signed off the declaration of war??!?! Taking Liz's hand, she shook it forcefully whilst she spoke. "Now, if you'll excuse me, we have to prepare the most important meal in Darcy history." With a small smile, that actually went to her eyes, Mrs Reynolds turned back around and headed towards the cook. Shaking her head slightly, Liz slowly exited the room. When the whole event's success actually hit her, she couldn't stop grinning. She'd confronted the boss, gained respect and confidence, got the support of all the staff, including Mrs Reynolds and didn't get fired. Well, that's a few problems solved. Now another 48.7 million to go...!

Chapter 6

Posted on Saturday, 13 October 2001, at 12:55 p.m.

"...so, it is the given rule that x is parallel to y so, in view of that consideration, y must be...?" Liz looked expectantly at her student, attempting a mock stern look.

"5.7...?" Georgiana hazarded, looking not at all too sure. Actually, she looked as though she was going to cry. Liz slid off her reading glasses and chuckled softly as she shook her head, causing her unruly curls to bounce.

"Why do you always respond as though I'll cane you if you get the answer wrong?"

"But I did get it wrong," Georgiana said softly, looking miserably at her book then pushing it slightly away from her. Bless her heart, that is probably as angry as she can truly get...! Folding her glasses and putting them into the cheap Boots case, Liz put on an indifferent expression.

"No, Miss Smarty Pants. You didn't," She said, breaking out of the look by sticking her tongue out. "So there...!" Georgiana's reaction touched Liz's heart; her utterly beautiful blue eyes widened and her grin actually showed her teeth! Look at that! At least one of the Darcy's own a set...

"Oh, Liz! Really?" She asked in soft excitement. Turning the Maths textbook to face her, she scrutinised over the problem and slowly nodded at it in approval. "I actually understand it."

"You underestimate yourself, Georgie," Liz stated plainly as she stretched her arms and yawned loudly. "You know, you can be capable of anything if you put your mind to it." Georgiana responded that Liz thought too hopefully, but still could not stop smiling. After resting and contemplating for a while, Liz suddenly bit at her lip. This always seemed to happen when she thought of something more complex then she was... and that's bound to cause trouble. With a long look, she glanced at Georgiana with deep inspection, which only unnerved the shy young girl.

"W-what is it, Liz?" Should you really tell her? After all, you've only known her for a couple of weeks... but we're so close now... Liz did actually think before she spoke, but everything she said came out almost as though it was spur of the moment.

"I don't want to offend you but I was wondering..." Liz stopped. She'd always wondered it. Ever since Mrs Asby told her about the job Liz had thought it was irregular. Georgiana's look prompted her on, and with a sigh she continued. "Georgie, why don't you go to a normal school? You know, instead of being home taught by me?" The instant she asked it, Liz wished she hadn't. The two seconds Georgiana Darcy was ecstatic were up and now a not-so-healthy grey look overtook it. Oh Dammit Liz! Why do you always manage to say the wrong thing in any situation? Quick, take it back...! "I-I'm sorry Georgie. I mean, you don't have to tell me..."

"No!" Georgiana suddenly yelped and Liz moved back a little. Wow, the girl has bite... and more spirit then I gave her credit for. With an embarrassed and weak smile, Georgie dropped her focus down to her lap. "I do want to tell you Liz. I mean, I know it'll sound ridiculous but you're practically a sister to me now..." Oh, she's so sweet...! Don't cry, don't cry... "...and I, I want to share it with someone."

"I'm always here for you, Georgie," Liz said, placing a hand over the younger girl's hand. Trying to look as comforting as she could (she wasn't too sure how she managed in that area), Liz smiled and softly pushed her on. With a small sigh, Georgiana began, and Liz listened intently... Man, she was intrigued!

"I guess, it all started when I went to secondary school*. I mean, it was a private boarding school further up North and all the students were from good families but I suppose... well, I was the richest girl there." Liz nodded supportively as Georgiana looked even greyer and she squeezed her hand tighter. "One night, when the teachers were all at a night meeting, three girls snuck into my room, and... they, they tied my hands behind my back, stuffed a rag down my throat and they... threw all my belongings out the window. I mean, except my money. T-they all shared that between them..."

"Georgie, you must have done something...!" Liz interrupted. She couldn't stand to see anyone go through such an ordeal, let alone someone as lovely and innocent as Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana had tears in her eyes as she shook her head.

"What could I have done, Liz?" She whimpered softly. "They came in every night and did it all over again. I spent all night trying to break out of the restraints and then retrieving my things from the trees and bushes they got caught in. I cried every night and I seriously think if it went on any longer I... I would've gone mad... Then one night a teacher caught them in the act, and had them all expelled." With a wistful look, she continued. "My parents were alive back then and they were called into the school to come and collect me."

"And after that they wouldn't let you go back into school with others...?" Liz hazarded lightly. Georgiana nodded forlornly as she wiped at a fallen tear.

"And I didn't want to go back. It scared me out of my wits, Liz... I mean, just thinking about going back to school..."

"But you have no friends your own age..." Liz protested, to which Georgiana supplied a weak and watery smile.

"I have you, don't I?"

"You'll always have me, even when I'm not here," Liz said sternly, though lovingly. "But haven't you ever wanted to be with others your age? I mean, I know the world is scary... but you have to face it..."

"I don't want to be in a world like that, Liz," Georgiana said faintly, and Liz bit her lip to stop herself retorting further. Instead, she went through a different method.

"What about when your parents died?"

"Well, my parents hired Mrs Garret, and Will continued with her." Mrs Garret...? Oh yeah, Dave's wife! "And when she retired we hired..."

"Me?" Georgie nodded almost proudly.

"Yes. You." Wiping her eyes again, Georgie self-consciously glanced at Liz then dropped her gaze back to her book. "You must think I'm such a cry-baby."

"That's one thing I don't think you are, Georgie," Liz provided her infectious and dazzling smile and Georgiana could not prevent from returning it, especially when Liz's eyes glittered like that. Brightly, Liz decided it was time to change the subject. "Well, I don't know about you, but I really need some juice after all that!" She said with an easy laugh. Georgiana relaxed completely once she noticed how wonderfully supportive Liz was. Standing to her feet, she smiled.

"I'll get it." Liz wanted to laugh... just because she couldn't bear to have the servants do anything for her, Georgiana decided that she'd suddenly also attempt a stab of everything by herself. Bless her heart, she probably hasn't done anything like this in her entire life! Georgiana hurried out the door and Liz could hear her scarper excitedly outside. She was still sitting in some shock from Georgie's story. Yes, an awful thing did happen to her but she couldn't keep trying to hide from her fears... Couldn't William see it wasn't healthy? Should you tell him what you feel? But if you do, you won't have a job! But what is truly more important...? My livelihood or Georgiana's whole outtake on life? Oh, it's such a toughie...! It had only been a minute of Liz waiting patiently with her thoughts when Georgiana suddenly came thundering back in with no drinks but a breathless disposition and a gleam in her usually innocent eye.

"Georgie... you're not the very best of maids, are you...?" Liz laughed, but Georgiana shook her head to signal that the drinks and her story were no longer important.

"Liz! You have to come with me! You have to see who has come!" Holding out her hand, Liz smiled and took it as she allowed Georgie to lead her to where she'd seen this apparent 'wonder'. Well, at least she seems to have cheered up considerably! The two of them looked from the stairs to steal a secret glance at the floaty model whom was wearing a man-suit, which was unbuttoned enough to let everyone know she was just wearing skin underneath. Liz did not need to be introduced to who it was. Everyone knew Caz Bingley as one of the many 'it' girls of London, along with Tara Palmer Tomkinson and other friends of the Prince's. My God! Liz was tempted to ask for her autograph, but she didn't. Mainly for the fact that she thought Caz Bingley was conceited, smug, arrogant, up-herself and, as Liz's favourite magazine described her, 'A Rich Bitch'. She had a reputation for never being satisfied and always viciously insulting anything that came her way... and she seemed at present draped all over William!

"Why is she here Georgie?" Liz whispered, though her wide eyes were completely engaged with the spectacle. Bugger her! How can someone look so glamorous in just a suit!? Look at her hair... not one is out of place! I just look frumpy, frizzy-haired, chubby and short...! Georgiana was also absorbed, but turned to Liz for about two seconds to answer before she focused back again... what exactly was Caz doing to her brother?

"She's one of William's business partners and she runs his company's PR department." Why am I not surprised? Liz couldn't help but suppress a smile. So many men would give the back teeth to have Caz Bingley's arms around them but William just looked, well... very uncomfortable and ready to make a quick escape. Thinking about it, they did make a pretty good couple. For one thing, William was one of the few men tall enough for Caz. He was also obscenely rich, young and (though Liz didn't want to admit it herself) truly very attractive. Georgiana even proudly announced he was ranked and printed in The Times as one of the most sought after bachelors in all of England. Liz always wondered what sad woman made a list of the richest men she would aspire to catch... Hmmm... her mother probably. Liz craned her neck almost dangerously further to listen closely.

"So, any developments here while I was away?" Caz purred into his lapel as her arms encircled his neck. He had a 'Leave-me-alone-to-read-my-book' look on his face at present, and Liz could guess Caz didn't notice it. William, who was sitting in that armchair of his, moved forward slightly to escape her grasp, which only seemed to tighten with every attempt of fleeing. I know you want him, Caz... but he won't be any use if you strangle him to death...!

"Erm, not really. You went away?" He said indifferently, almost choking from her hold. With a flick of her perfect hair, she smiled alluringly.

"You do make me laugh, Wills! You are such a man... so unobservant...! Can't you tell by my tan?" Will eyed her for a moment and shrugged back to his book.

"I didn't notice you had one." Liz nearly snorted with laughter... she wished she hadn't inherited that trait from her sister Rekha! Caz didn't look happy by this, so decided to change the subject and (to William's relief!) her position onto the footstool in front of him. Even there she still couldn't seem to gain his attention, so with a puff of breath, she asked anything.

"So, erm... have you had any visitors here?" William didn't even look at her as he answered and turned a page swiftly.

"Richard came for a few days."

"Oh," her tone hinted her disapprovement. Liz could almost imagine Rich insulting Caz in that charming and sarcastic way he has. She would pay good money to see those two spar! "So, how is that little..." William looked up from his book and gave Caz a look that told her to behave. "...Dick?" Liz nearly snorted again.

"He's very well. He's finishing off his medical course." William returned to his book.

"I still can't believe he's training to be a doctor...!" Caz hooted as she threw her hands in the air dramatically. "Who in their right mind would trust him enough?!"

"Georgie and I have already booked him," William looked at her in some annoyance. In the few days Rich had stayed, Liz could not deny how well him and William got on. It was almost odd... they seemed to have clashing personalities!

"I do like a man with a loyalty to their family..." Caz said with a demure grin. Did Liz just see William roll his eyes? Poor Caz! She was just throwing herself at him and he really didn't care! "...And a sense of humour...!"

"We've also got a tutor for Georgiana." Liz's ears pricked when she heard herself being mentioned. Georgie glanced at her with a smile. Caz looked taken back, but soon recovered back to her false little self.

"Oh, dear Georgiana! Yes, she seems such a charming and sweet girl! And so pretty..."

"Too pretty..." Darcy muttered. Liz dropped her mouth open; did she really hear that? Apparently neither Caz and Georgie did.

"So is he any good as a tutor then?" Caz asked disinterestedly.

"She," Darcy corrected, and Caz looked seriously displeased. "And yes, she's very good indeed." Liz was quite shocked... he thought she was good? Well, even she had to admit she was academically sound. Go on, Caz; just ask about my sanity. He'll have loads to say about that... or about the lack of it. Caz was still pouting slightly as William continued to try and ignore her... God, Liz almost felt sorry for her. But it was her own undoing... after all, he really didn't lead her on!

"So, does she live here then?" Caz asked, she suddenly seemed interested when she heard of Liz's sex. Neither of the eavesdroppers had to wonder very hard why.

"Yes."

"Is that necessary?"

"Yes."

"Why are you being so boring today?" She suddenly whined. With a groan, William closed his book. What was the point trying to read it when Caz spoke every two seconds?

"I'm really tired, Caz. I was up all night doing paperwork for this new merger," With a pause, an idea came into his head. "I'm off to bed." Standing up, William picked his jacket from his chair and loosened his tie. Liz could not help but smile as she noticed he was taking his book with him. Caz looked shocked.

"What, right now?!"

"No time like the present," He said, without glancing at her.

"Do you need company?" Caz abruptly asked, and both Liz and Georgie gasped. William was knackered, but was still conscious enough to give her a disgusted look. She merely supplied that ingratiating smile. "Only kidding." William raked his hand sleepily through his hair as he walked off and left Caz mooning like a puppy after him. Only kidding? Liz thought with a smile. If he said yes, Miss Bingley, I'm sure you'd have more than jumped at the chance!

Suddenly, Liz felt her jeans pocket vibrate... Thank God I put it on silent! Caz would have probably caught us eavesdropping. Giggling slightly at the tickling sensation, Georgiana looked at her in some bewilderment. Scanning through the phone, she excitedly realised she had a text message and she actually stood up and squealed when she saw whom it was from. Before Georgiana could inquire, Liz grabbed her shoulders and happily screeched.

"Jack! It's from Jack! He's back in London!"

* For all my American readers, Secondary School is our British equivilant to High School!

Chapter 7

Posted on Sunday, 21 October 2001, at 12:22 p.m.

"Jack?" William Darcy asked after Liz told him all she'd wished to. "You want to go to London to visit a man called Jack, and are asking for my permission?" Liz nodded at his words of disbelief. What's so difficult to understand about that?

"Yep," She said with a nod. With a little pause and a press of her lips, she continued. "Am I allowed out then?" William fashioned that frown type grimace he was getting quite infamous for; if Liz saw him do anything else she would probably have died of shock...!

"Lizbeth, I hope you know that Pemberley isn't a prison. You're allowed out anytime you like." I am?

"So, it's like an open cell...? No wait, I forget. Not a prison, right?" Liz corrected herself immediately. William smiled softly.

"Right." Georgiana's sudden enquiry broke William's gaze.

"Who is Jack anyway, Liz?" She asked in soft interest, though her innocent blue eyes seemed more suspicious then anything else. With a shrug, Liz just smiled nonsensically to herself.

"Oh, just a friend..." She said, smiling wistfully. Both Darcys produced curious looks, though the elder seemed more irritated as the younger wondered if Liz liked this Jack more than her wonderful cousin Rich. But why should she have been shocked that Liz had a guy back home? Someone with her looks and lovable personality probably had to beat them down with a stick... though knowing Liz, she would have just politely asked them to leave her alone. With a last smile to them both, Liz ran excitedly upstairs to her room to pack straight away and also, whilst trying to find matching underwear, used one hand to write out a text. Dammit, why could she never spell on these things? With a purse of her lips, she realised she'd have to stop doing millions of things at once as she sat down on her duffel bag. With two hands and a knotted brow, she slowly premeditated every glowing letter on her phone.

J-a-c-k-,-m-e-e-t--m-e--o-u-t-s-i-d-e--T-O-P-S-H-O-P--at--O-x-f-o-r-d--S-t-r-e-e-t--a-t--2-p-m---Lxx

***

Looking down at her watch, she sighed. On the train to Charing Cross she pondered how late he would be, and gave herself an extra half an hour to dry her hair and apply her makeup. 45 minutes had gone by and still no sign of Jack - but she wasn't at all put off. The guy may have had a box full of Armani watches, but did he ever wear them to know the actual time? His punctuality was infamous for being atrocious and Liz actually found herself smiling nostalgically as she closed her eyes and let the busyness of London wrap around her. God, she missed all the hustle and bustle, screeching cars, screaming babies and beeping traffic lights. In fact, she was so caught up in the moment that she shrieked like a mad woman when a pair of hands suddenly grabbed her waist.

"Still ticklish, I see," A familiar voice growled in her ear and she spun around and threw her arms around him.

"You bastard!!" She scolded, though smiled from ear to ear and she sniffed in the scent on the curve of his neck. Ah... He was soaked in the newest Jean-Paul Gautier. Kissing him quickly and lightly on the lips, she pulled back slightly to gaze upon him. Yep; he was still absolutely stunning. Liz looked at the shirt in some inspection. With a knotted brow and a bite of her lip, she slowly spoke.

"Ł50?" Jack dropped his mouth open and widened his eyes in a melodramatically shocked approach.

"What do you take me for? It was Ł80, thank you very much." She laughed, as she knew that this shirt was probably one of the cheapest clothes in his vast collection. Damn, he had so much that she borrowed most of his stuff on a regular basis! But she had stopped when he'd moved to New York for a couple of months... but now he was back and glowing with a bronze, shimmering tan... which she was quite convinced was probably even all over. Taking her hand, he spun her around in a salsa type dance, which only caused her to giggle like a schoolgirl. She tousled his straight dark hair in a motherly way before taking his arm.

"So how was the states, hon? Was it as magic as you hoped?" She asked excitedly as Jack laughed and led her into Topshop.

"Oh yes; wands, top hats and rabbits everywhere," He grinned, his green eyes crinkling in teasing amusement. "But it just couldn't deal with me."

"And London can?" She said with a cheeky smile as she flicked her long tresses and they slapped across his face. He immaturely pinched at her cheek.

"Well, this is where all the freaks of the world unite," He said poetically as he gestured his hand around the air to the flashing disco lights and 80s-era dressed mannequins.

"Spoken like a true PR manager." Liz smiled as she let her eyes drink in the rails and reams of clothes. She had died and gone to heaven. Turning to Jack, she could see him gazing at one of the mannequins in an impressed fashion. "Want to try the outfit on?" She teased, to which Jack just shrugged.

"It's a size too big. Actually, I was thinking that you'd look a dream in it." Liz turned to the outfit and did gasp at it. It was a tight cream and gold embroidered corset with lace trimmings and the most gorgeous criss-cross back she'd ever seen. And the mannequin looked even more stunning (in that skinny plastic way she had) with the satin short and tight black skirt and knee length boots. How can it be so revealing but look so chic and sophisticated?

"I couldn't pull it off," She breathed in lust as her eyes worshipped its beauty. "I'll make it look like a nightdress." Jack huffed and hit her arm as he tried to rid her of her insecurities. He never could understand why she couldn't see how utterly gorgeous she was.

"Liz, if you wear it, every guy around you will want to pull it off you and make sure you don't ever have it on at night." She pointed her tongue out at him, though her face glowed with his flattery.

"Stop being so vulgar," She tried to sound stern, but she only managed a whimper.

"You know you've missed my crudeness," He said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You have no idea how much," she said with almost tears in her eyes as he squeezed her hand. Non-verbally, they had both communicated in their eyes how much they truly felt for one another. With a sigh, letting his hand go and a turn back to the outfit, Liz finally got enough courage to peek at the price.

"Holy Shit!" She cried out so loud that the old woman beside her shook her head in shocked disapproval and moaned to her associate about the youth of today.

"Liz, why are you trying to scare the elderly?" Jack bellowed from the lingerie department. How the heck did he manage to get there so fast?

"Have you seen the price?!" She asked overanxiously as he glided back by her side, a suspender set in his hand. With a small smile, she didn't have to guess who it was for. Jack manoeuvred the underwear to his other hand as he turned over the tag on the mannequin's arm. He didn't look at all fazed by it and just shrugged.

"What about it?"

"That's practically my life savings...!" She couldn't believe Jack sometimes. He was so rich that he didn't even think it was that much money...!

"Stop exaggerating," he said maturely and smoothly. "It's not your life savings and it is nowhere near mine. I'll buy it for you."

"Jack, I don't want your charity...!" She cried out - she hated it when this sort of thing happened.

"Tough, you're going to get it," He said again, growing distracted as he played with the lace on the suspenders.

"There's no point," she argued again as he searched out a shop assistant. She clung onto Jack's arm with a dangerous look on her face. He ignored it as he picked on the very nice looking till employee.

"Can I have that entire outfit in a size 10* please," He asked coolly and the employee nodded with a smile as he noted Liz's protests.

"Size feet, Sir?" The worker asked.

"I'm a 6," Liz said hotly as they both seemed to ignore her. "And I don't need this outfit, really. Where would I wear it to?"

"We're going out tonight." Jack said, still facing the assistant as he handed his gold card over the counter. We're going out? Thanks for telling me, Jack!

"When did we decide this?"

"I decided it just a second ago."

"And where are we going?"

"Monsoon."

"MONSOON?!?" Jack turned to her with a small smile as he turned back again to the till.

"What is the problem Miss Bennedt?" He said with a grin. Liz bumbled over her words... why did Jack's quickness always do this to her? Come on, Liz. You can answer back with the best of them!

"That place is so... expensive and well, posh," She managed to splutter out. Jack nodded to himself.

"I know," he said as the assistant scarpered off to get the correct outfit. He turned back and smiled at her wickedly. "And you can hardly go in the outfit you're wearing." Oh, teasing, teasing man!

"You need reservations," She quipped back, a determined look on her face.

"My Uncle owns it." Damn! Handing the neatly folded and packaged outfit in the bag, the worker smiled at Liz sympathetically then hurried back to his desk. She looked down at her hand and her mind actually tingled with excitement and anticipation. However, trying to be the cool and disinterested creature she wasn't, she turned to him with a yawn.

"You didn't even check if this outfit fits me," She said in feigned boredom whilst actually crossing her fingers and hoping that it did fit. Jack slipped his lean arm around her shoulders and leaned into her face with that demure grin of his.

"I have a feeling that it'll fit perfectly."

***

"Stop trying to get me drunk, Jack..." Liz slurred. After two hours of drinking heavily at Monsoon, she was beginning to get fuzzy. Yes, the outfit fitted like a dream. Yes, they got seats automatically and yes, it was extremely and almost frighteningly posh. Jack merely smiled.

"Too late. Besides, you're so much more fun when you're sloshed."

Why has this coat suddenly got three sleeves? Bugger it... I have to tell Jack to stop mutating my things... Jack glanced at her and smirked as he poured himself another drink.

"You've got your arm through the pocket, hon. Here, let me help you..." He attempted to get up, but was also way too drunk and dropped back to his seat after a few seconds of standing on his unstable legs.

"I can do it myself, anyway..." Liz muttered in her drunken state. After five more minutes of trying, she finally gave up and swung it over her shoulder, then buckled slightly.

"I told myself I'd never drink again," she groaned as she noticed everything blur and double around her.

"You say that every time you've got a Vodka and Coke in front of you." Grabbing at her spinning head, she looked at him from the corner of her eye and then scowled.

"And you always seem to be the one who puts it there." Throwing his hands up in the air clumsily, Jack sulked childishly.

"Fine. Blame me for your drink problem."

"It's not a problem... it's forced upon me." Standing on her legs again, she was quite surprised she was balanced. Wow, sometimes I even surprise myself. That's it, Liz. One foot in front of the other... and don't look down! Jack actually ceased drinking to watch Liz parade clumsily about the restaurant. He looked at her as proudly as a father would when their child took its first steps and she turned to smile back. Then Liz suddenly felt it all slip away. Her heels twisted, causing her legs to swerve to her side and her head jerk the opposite direction. Uh-oh. Before she knew it, she fell straight through the nearest table. The only noise she could hear was Jack shrieking with laughter. Oh God; she could feel oozing cold spinach in her hair. Opening her hazy eyes she saw the occupants of the table glaring at her... well, the occupants and their twins. Wow, it seems that everyone has a twin but me... I didn't know Jack had a brother...? Squinting slightly, the double effect went away and when she finally focused, she saw William Darcy looking down at her.

"Shit, I've been working too hard. I'm actually hallucinating about my boss..."

"Lizbeth?" Darcy asked as a woman joined beside him. It was Caz Bingley, and due to Liz's untimely fall, her white dress was covered in spinach. She didn't look happy as her face glowed red. Oh double bugger.

"You know her?" Caz spat out at William, but he ignored her and seemed more dazed by Liz and her quite revealing outfit.

"Lizbeth, are you alright?" He asked in concern, though had some spinach clinging onto his suit and curls. What the hell is he doing here?!!? Just looking at the entire restaurant glaring at her caused Liz stomach to suddenly lurch. She had to get out.

"...I have to go throw up now..." She squeaked as she tried rolling off the table. Toilet. I must find a toilet... Taking her arm, William gently lifted her up and Liz really couldn't understand what was happening. Opening her eyes again she saw the toilet door. Sprinting into it, she jumped to the sink.

"Lizbeth wait...!" She could hear William yell but she was too busy throwing up. She could barely make out his entering the toilets and felt his hand on her back, stroking at it comfortingly. After that gross ordeal, she washed her mouth and turned back groggily to face him. He looked like he'd been caught in a vicious food fight.

"What are you doing in the ladies toilets?" She asked torpidly, still sounding awfully hammered and still was!

"We're in the gents."

"No we're not," She said in a matter-of-fact voice (well, as matter-of-fact she could manage in her condition).

"Yes, we are," William retorted softly.

"No we're not," She drawled back self-righteously.

"Oh yes you are," A guy at a urinal said. Turning to face the voice, Liz stopped. And that was the moment she passed out.

* Again, for my American readers, UK Size 10 is probably your US Size 6.

Chapter 8

Posted on Tuesday, 30 October 2001, at 11:38 a.m.

Liz groaned again as she pulled the covers over her head and delved deeper into her bed, really wishing she would find a secret Narnia-type land to disappear into and dance around in whilst eating truckloads of Turkish Delight. Unfortunately, she only found a sock she'd kicked off in her sleep and groaned again as she gingerly touched her aching head and tried to swallow down the horribly sour taste in her mouth. Liz had been drunk before, she had puked from it before and she'd had mammoth hangovers before... but she'd never done or had any of these to the extent she had from last night. Oh, just thinking of it made her want to die of shame...! Not just because she'd made a giant prat of herself in front of all the coolest London peeps and her boss just before the vomit attack, but the drive back to William Darcy's town house was also absolutely awful. She could really only remember it in bits and pieces and every one of those parts made her face burn bright red. She remembered being carried out of Monsoon with a hiccupping Jack on one side and William on the other...

"Wills... where are you going?!" She recalled hearing Caz cry out furiously. Groggily, Liz had turned back and saw the almost obscenely waif like model-wannabee with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"Caz, I'll talk to you about the Anderson Co. partnership tomorrow," He had replied desperately without turning back as his arm almost clumsily encircled Liz's waist in an attempt to keep her standing upright. Caz forced herself to smile at him as they exited and Liz couldn't help but drunkenly giggle as she saw the spinach embedded unattractively in her teeth. Oblivious to why Liz was giving her an impertinent look, Caz sneered at her as she remembered how this drunkard had ruined her date with William. Ok, so he might have entitled it more as a 'business meeting'... but men were so tiresome and unromantic! After all, Monsoon wasn't exactly the kind of place where people discussed commerce! Well sure, she had been the one to fiercely insist that they eat there ("For God sake, Wills, you have to eat sometime...!") and William only really complied because a) he was starving; b) Monsoon was very close, and c) If Caz didn't shut up, and she wouldn't unless she got her way, he would have actually throttled her in front of a street full of witnesses.

Liz rolled onto her stomach and squished her face into her pillow as it somewhat muted out her whimper. Last night kept on coming hauntingly back to her and she curled her toes in cringing frustration and shook her head in denial as she suddenly remembered what happened afterwards. She remembered falling against William's chest and his having to actually carry her some of the way back to his limo. She may have been hammered, but was still lucid enough to appreciate it. Ooooh, nice long shiny car... Jack, who if Liz could correctly remember, had been hobbling behind, finally managed to sidle up next to Will and raised a drunken eyebrow at him as he also fashioned an impressed expression.

"Nice long shiny car, man."

"Man...?" Liz had heard William grumble under his breath as his uniformed chauffer had hurriedly opened the door and extended his arms out to his boss to impose himself with Liz. Jack raised that same brow again as William refused and still held her tightly in his arms as he gently placed his hand on her head to lower her into the back seat. She landed with a nice thump against the tan leather and neither gentleman realised it was her cheek that made that noise as it made hard contact with the seat. Ouuuuuuuch...

Liz touched her stinging cheek now and winced as her fingers met her nerve-ridden and very red face. Oh, she'd probably have a giant bruise there tomorrow. It was God's way of telling her to stop drinking so much. Then again, when she looked back on her past, God should've hit her with lightning bolts on each and every one of her recent birthdays.

Hmmmm.... she vaguely remembered driving back to William's house as he had his arm around her, trying to prop Liz up as her head kept dropping down like a person nodding off whilst sitting at a lecture. Even now the thought mortified her. God! William Darcy, her scary, unapproachable and 'posh-man' boss was holding her tightly around the waist and was stroking her back while she was throwing up! Oh... how could she ever look him in the eye again? Squinting her eyes now, she thought about where exactly Jack was in the car... Hmmmm... For some odd reason, she had an image of him lying his head upon her lap and nuzzling in his slumber against her satin skirt. Oh no... what did William think of Jack? They would be the kinds to clash immediately. Jack was confident, funny, eccentric and playful whilst William was... well, scary, reserved, daunting, disapproving of everything and seemed to have the propensity to hate everyone. Oh, she could even now see them arguing. She had to get out of bed... she had to save Jack from the infamous Darcy Wrath before its power got unleashed. As she woozily swung her legs to the side of the bed and placed her feet upon the ground there was suddenly a light knock on her door. Trying to stand slowly as a rush of blood suddenly gushed at her aching head, Liz unconsciously consented for the person outside to enter as she simultaneously caught a glimpse of her reflection in the full-length mirror on the wardrobe. Oh my God. She was just wearing the very short silk slip type-nightie she had packed in her overnight bag. Had she ever realised it was so indecent? Well, it was comfortable enough wearing it at home but to... Liz's thoughts suddenly stopped as the handle creaked to dislodge the mechanism on the door and it creaked slowly open.

"NO!" She screamed fanatically and then froze on the spot when William Darcy stepped casually in... then froze himself. Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, turned hastily back around to face the door as Liz jumped back under the covers of the bed. It's no use hiding now, Liz... he got an eyeful! William Darcy was completely thrown and felt an absolute idiot for staring at her for so long; jeez, what was wrong with him? She probably thought he was some sick pervert... and for that moment, to his own mortification, it seemed as though he was. Trying to find some of the composure he always seemed supplied to the full with, he opened his mouth and only found that he could manage to stammer.

"Miss Bennedt, I-I am, I am really sorry I came in so abruptly..."

"No, no," Liz squeaked barely above an ashamed whisper whilst cowering under the covers. She covered her burning face with her hands with the hope that he would suddenly find she had disappeared and would just go away; but of course, that was thinking too hopefully and pretty unrealistically! William, still stuttering like mad, tried to cover the uncomfortably awkward silence with a light cough.

"I, err... just, um... wanted to inform you that breakfast was erm... ready."

"Thank you," Liz squeaked as unsteadily as a teenage boy during puberty as she continued hide her face. "I'll be there in a moment..." Now please go away! She could hear William mumble disconcertedly that that was fine, and Liz let out a soft breath of relief as his footsteps hurried towards the door and it slammed shut. After a few minutes of continuing to die with shame, she finally plucked up enough courage to peek in suspicious fear passed the rim of her cover. Making sure that William had exited (though she was checking behind that giant palm tree next to the door very distrustfully...) she eventually decided he was indeed gone. But not forever... damn my luck! Slowly getting to her feet, Liz tugged at her slip so it would at least cover half of her thigh and groaned when it wouldn't. Twisting round, craning her neck to check the mirror, she eyed herself from the back and felt even worse when she saw the material slink across her bottom in a very unflattering manner... Oh God! I have the biggest arse in the world! Dropping back to the unmade bed, she sat there for awhile until she let out another exasperating cry and fell back completely and stared at the ceiling. Why was he in London anyway? Georgie had said him and Caz were due to go to a meeting sometime this week... but why yesterday and why at Monsoon of all places!? Then she suddenly froze. Wait a minute...! Liz would never wear this nightie in public, drunk or not drunk... and besides, she was a bit too far-gone to even put it on. But then who did? A maid? No, no... she remembered Georgie telling her that William only had three members of staff at his London house, and they were all male. Looking at the chair in the middle of the room, she saw the outfit she had packed in her overnight bag neatly folded atop its upholstered cushion. In curiosity she picked up the letter on top of the pile. Opening it, her eyes skimmed eagerly over the words. She blushed slightly but could not help but giggle as she continued reading:

Dear Liz,

Feeling like you've been through hell and worse? Ha! Serves you right for stealing my drink last night! Anyway babes, I do hope you're OK. Your scary boss-man let me ready your clothes and stuff and I hope you don't mind that I changed you into your nightclothes last night... I mean, you hardly could manage to take your clip-on earrings off!

Well at least she now knew who it was. Thank God it was Jack...! Well, I'm sure he's seen me more naked than this anyway... but that little bugger! He knows how much I hate showing that slip to people!

I've picked you out a fabulous outfit to wear today. I personally washed it, ironed it and dried it... well, I supervised.

See you at breakfast... hopefully if you get up by then!

Your Jack xxxx

With a chuckle, she folded the letter and set is aside. She then smiled even wider when she saw what exactly Jack had quite instructed her to wear; His Ł80 shirt was at the top of the pile.

***

As soon as Liz walked into the breakfast room, William stood from his chair and gave her a small, flustered smile as a welcome whilst Jack seemed too busy stuffing scrambled eggs into his gob. The latter gentleman, however, gave her a look that acknowledged he noted her presence and gave her a satisfactory smile as he looked at the shirt. She looks better in it than I do. Humph! He thought with a wry grin as she slid into the seat beside him and opposite William. Liz eventually raised her embarrassed gaze at William whilst she reached out for a slice of toast and felt oddly content to see he was smiling across at her with genuine warmth.

"How are you this morning, Miss Bennedt?" He prompted gently.

"Very hungover?" Jack smirked as he gulped down another glass of orange juice, which only made the other two occupants of the table wince with remembrance.

"Not at all, actually," she lied somewhat hoity toitily as she focused on spreading her margarine and jam on her bread; she knew catching Jack's eye would only tempt her to say something naughty. Jack made a snort type noise, which finally caused the disapproving Liz to look upon him with narrowed eyes. She hated it when he was like this.

"Huh, I very much doubt that! If you could've seen yourself yesterday..."

"Miss Bennedt, Georgiana rang me last night was telling me how much she was missing you," William suddenly cut in, and Liz was grateful he did. Turning to him, she smiled as she thought of the young Miss Darcy.

"Oh, if you talk to her again, could you please tell her I'm also missing her... though it's only been a day!"

"I will." He paused, then added as an afterthought. "She's very attached to you." Did he disapprove...? No, he's smiling. But can't he see how bad an influence I am?! Surely I should be sacked...! Not that I'm complaining or anything... Liz turned to look at the suddenly quiet Jack and on seeing him, felt nervous. He was giving William a subtle scowl; what Liz liked to refer to as a 'Jack face'. He really didn't appreciate it when people interrupted him. William had initially reached for a spoon when he looked up to see the look written plainly on Jack's face. Taking the spoon somewhat possessively, William drew away and equalled Jack's scowl with his own very perfected one. Liz merely looked desperately from them both and silently groaned. Oh God, this is going to be a long breakfast.

Jack, after devouring every crumb on his plate, pushed it slightly away and leaned forward in false curiosity towards William.

"So, Will..." Yaaaaaaaargg! He called him Will?!? "This is a pretty nifty little place you've got here. I've always thought about getting a house down near Mayfair, myself."

"Really," Will said with a complete lack of interest as he continued to focus on drinking his tea. Jack grinned widely and turned to Liz.

"Yeah...! My mother absolutely insists that only this part of London will do." Focusing back to William, he twisted his lips. "Are the houses here big enough for a family to settle?" William seemed to tighten his jaw as he appeared to compose himself. It was quite insulting, the house was big enough for an army!

"I think over twenty rooms will be adequate enough for even the most vast of families," He said with cool civility as he lifted his teacup to his lips again. Jack smiled at him, then turned to Liz as he clasped her hand tightly. Giving her a dreamy stare, he spoke softly.

"Oh, but we plan on having at least twelve children." The look on William's face was quite priceless as he choked very loudly on his drink.

Chapter 9

Posted on Thursday, 8 November 2001, at 4:00 p.m.

Both Jack and Liz immediately snapped their heads around to glance at the choking William; one with a little amusement and sudden clarity, and the other with concern.

"Are you alright?" She asked gently, like a professional, caring therapist. She'd quite perfected the 'concerned' tone enough after taking care of her mad sisters for so long and was quite proud with how proper she sounded. Oprah, make way! William, still lightly coughing (though being the gentleman he was, with his mouth closed and tight-lipped) nodded hurriedly as he coloured a bit in embarrassment and pressed his napkin over his mouth. After all, it was not every day you saw the cool and collected owner of Pemberley drinking a cup of tea down the wrong pipe and ending with it trying to come out of his nose...! He gave Liz a genuinely flustered and red-faced look and she really couldn't understand why he was so... well, discomfited by it. She'd done many a more mortifying thing and last night was only one of thousands of cringing events she'd partaken in during her extremely colourful lifetime. She had discerned during her sketch of his character (which she did unconsciously with everyone she met and knew) that he really didn't like being well... ridiculed and out of control. He'd hate being me then. She gave him a small 'I-really-don't-mind-that-you-choked-and-I-really-am-not-laughing-at-you-...honest' reassuring-type smile. When he, to her utter surprise, returned it with gentle ardour, she quickly focused back on her food and reminded herself to be terrified of him again. Wow, that was odd. Am I exaggerating or was he almost... well, trying to undress me with his eyes? ...No way. I'm imagining things. Why would he even look twice at me? William, snapping out of the reverie of visualising her back in her slip, felt his face burn again on realising what he was envisioning, then dropped his own eyes disconcertedly and nearly shakily back to his meal.

"I know what a brilliant idea would be!" Jack suddenly cried out into the awkward silence as he lightly dropped his crumpled napkin onto his finished plate; the other two focused a bit too hard on their own plates as they tried their hardest not to look up. "Why don't Liz and I tour the house... just to see if it appeals to us?" William didn't look up from his eggs, but Liz (looking at him discreetly over her lashes) saw him pause (and was that a grimace?) when Jack finished.

"If that's your wish," He said coolly though still slightly red, then returned back to slicing his bacon. Jack turned to Liz with that cocky and devastating grin of his.

"What say you, my dear Miss Bennedt?" His wiggling his eyebrows excessively caused the lady to giggle, and she could only manage to agree in response.

"I would be charmed to be accompanied by you, Mr Reid."

Deciding that it would be best and most polite to wait after breakfast, Liz and Jack did quite impatiently and, like over-excited and hyperactive children, scarpered off up the staircase, hand in hand. Neither could wait to savour the delights of this house. It was truly stunning... though Liz had fervently expressed to Jack that it really was nothing to her Pemberley. Then again, she may have been slightly (very) biased. She had fallen hard for that particular building her very first day and now loved it more and more with every meaningless little glance. She was definitely the luckiest person in the world to get to live there... and rent-free! It was definitely too good for the likes of her, but she would never admit it...! Pemberley was actually one of the few things she was proud about (though she didn't own it or make it) and she felt as though she would have to be dragged away kicking and screaming to give it up. Turning back, Liz saw William looking up at them with awe and a small-amused smile and she actually unconsciously stopped. Ok, ok... why was he being so understanding? Raising her index finger to Jack, indicating for him to give her a minute, she descended down the stairs again and looked at William with a pursed smile as she did.

"Is there a problem, Miss Bennedt?" He asked in soft concern as he stepped back slightly, almost in fear of brushing against her.

"I don't want to sound ungrateful but... I just..." Liz's voice trailed off, and she rolled her eyes at herself as she gave him her cheeky, though also serious smile and a sigh as she more lucidly began again in trepidation. "Why am I still working for you?"

"Who says you are?" He asked with a blank expression, his jaw clenched tightly and his voice casually unbothered. Liz could not stop herself from opening her mouth in shock. I knew it was too good to be true! Aaaaaah!! No more Georgie... no more Pemberley...! No more MONEY!!! However, while Liz's mind whirled and her heart fell with a thump to her stomach, William's mouth slowly curved slightly and his eyes had an odd though becoming shimmer to them. "Lizbeth, why would I fire you?" He asked with a more relaxed voice. ...Whoa... whoa! He's teasing me?! She couldn't answer for a couple of seconds as she tried to recover from her initial shock.

"But I... I-I puked and fell through your table...!"

"Actually, I believe you fell through my table first," He said with that same infuriating though terribly charming smile. Why was he being so calm about this? Her mouth continued to hang open and she was convinced a couple of flies had visited until she finally spoke in flustered disbelief.

"I-I don't understand..."

"That was in your leisure time," he said simply and smoothly in his exquisite aristocratic voice. "Who am I to decide what you can and can't do in your free hours?" Liz was still shaking her head in incredulity. She just couldn't understand it. Couldn't he see that she wasn't the right person to be in a job that required the employee to be mature and provoke intelligent and sound inspiration; was the man blind?

"But, don't you think I'm a bad influence for Georgie...?" Dammit, Liz, shut up! You're giving him ideas...!

"Quite the contrary," he said with an astonishingly warm grin. So astonishing that Liz was almost made breathless. God, he is human... William looked a little discomfited by his declaration as he shrugged slightly. "I truly believe you're the best thing to ever happen to her."

"Liz?!" Jack called out in impatient volume. Tearing her flustered eyes away from William's (could you call it tender?) gaze, she turned back to the stairs and truly, for the first time in her life, willed Jack away. Squinting her eyes at him, her lack of telepathic powers indeed surfaced to be just that... then she suddenly gasped inwardly. Wait a second... why would I willingly wish to spend more time with the scary though devilishly handsome William Darcy...? Oh my God... you just answered your own question, you Ditz! Stop it, hormonal woman! What are you trying to do? Keep it in the family? ...Though he does look extremely attractive in just a suit... Mmmmmmm... Turning back to William, she unconsciously graced him with an enigmatically mischievous, leery and long smile then slowly turned and made her way back up the stairs towards Jack... leaving her boss both confused and stunned, staring after her at the foot of his grand staircase. He'd (naturally) always had women look at him like that since he'd reached puberty... but never with such depth and so audaciously; and to further his shock, he actually quite liked it. She practically drank him in quite scandalously with those extraordinary dark eyes and that teasing smile on her lips. She was shy one minute, bold the next and eccentric at every stage... The woman was a paradox, and one, he quite immediately noticed, with a fabulous arse. Again noticing that these weren't exactly gentlemanly thoughts, he reddened instinctively again - he seemed to be doing quite a great deal of that lately. God, he really needed to get out the suddenly claustrophobic and stuffy house. Liz, being the dizzy creature she was, was actually quite unbeknownst that she had betrayed her liking for his fine appearance so blatantly - she merely conveyed facially what she thought at the present moment, and even when she tried to rein in her emotions, they usually shone through. If she'd truly known how she'd leered with utter lust at her Scary Boss-Man then she would have died of mortification. Ok, so the man was a fox... but he wasn't one of the kind you'd like to pet; William Darcy was more like the type that would bite your hand off if you even tried. She could feel his gaze tingling her back and, turning around slightly, she witnessed him staring at her then drop his eyes to look at the floor curiously, quickly trying to withdraw his look as he coloured. Not quite fast enough, Mr Darcy... but why so embarrassed? What have I done now to offend him? And why is he being so tame now? Could the real William Darcy please stand up? ...Just don't let him trick you from being off your guard, Liz. Don't forget what happened to the lawyer in Jurassic Park... Taking her arm, Jack led her out of the stairway and from her thoughts for a while. Before they left Darcy's view, Liz's companion looked down at William with a cheeky grin, which only caused the latter to growl bitterly under his breath as he turned away from them and headed sullenly and slowly towards his office. He didn't like Jack. And he disliked further the reason why he didn't like Jack. What was wrong with him? Liz wasn't even particularly gorgeous or stunning... so why did she get to him so much? He had supermodels around him all the time... so why did one London girl get him in such a state? No, he didn't like this feeling of disorder at all. Unexpectedly, halfway through walking and questioningly himself to no avail, William Darcy decided, for a particular reason, to change both his mind and route...

As both Liz and Jack gazed all around them in astonishment, they added the occasional gasp of genuine approval, though Jack more reluctantly did so. He didn't want to admit to Liz that she was right about Darcy's good taste, so kept him lips pressed together in a small repressed smile to stop himself from blurting out that he'd always wanted a house as beautifully decorated as this was.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Liz asked in excitement, almost tempted to twirl around ridiculously as she stared lovingly at the walls she had grown so accustomed to for a little over a few minutes. Jack shrugged into a smile and slipped his arm around her waist as he sighed in happy defeat.

"Stunning, darling; magnificently posh. How much do you think we could get by selling those door knobs in a car boot?" Hitting him good-naturedly in the stomach, they turned into the great hallway, which housed the family portraits and the gigantic family crest. Turning back slightly to eye the doorknobs Jack had mentioned, Liz noticed that they did look terribly regal and impressively fine - well, for doorknobs. Hmmmm... I actually do wonder how much you'd get for one of those... With a shrug, she forgot about it and instead sighed happily as she looked around her in further anticipation and discovery. As she merely smiled at the people, who she truly believed she practically knew, Jack smirked slightly.

"Lord, nice room. Who is this sorry bunch?"

"Stop being so uncultured," She tutted as he laughed easily. "This is the 'Darcy' family from the years 1512 to the present day." She stopped as she appreciatively looked at each and every painting with a glorious beam. Jack produced a long and somewhat loud forced yawn as she continued her breathless praises. "God, to have so much history in your family... The closest I have is that family tree made out of a Rice Krispies cereal box that I made when I was 5." Jack chuckled.

"Oh yeah, I remember that. Loved the sequined border, darling." Liz smiled back as she turned her head to look at him.

"Thank you. But even with the strategically placed decorations, it wasn't very accurate. I remember branches replacing my grandfathers with Spiderman and Wonder Woman..."

"You always had a red underwear fetish."

"You should know; you've seen them all." They both carried on sniggering childishly as they reached the end of the hall, where Jack stood in front of a picture with much interest.

"Nice picture of your boss," he said genuinely, turning to her as they both looked at the painting of William Darcy. Liz was about to agree whole-heartedly with her companion when she stopped. Oh. My. God.

"That's not William." She breathed in astonishment, hardly believing it herself. This fellow that they were both gazing over looked far too happy to be William, but the likeness was uncanny. Looking down at the gold plate upon the bottom of the frame, Liz traced its inscription with her index finger delicately.

Fitzwilliam Darcy - 1817

Tearing her eyes from the picture and shivering slightly as she again pondered the eerie resemblance, she hurried to catch up with Jack, who'd actually walked all the way to the other end of the hall. How does he always manage to do that? The man moves like lightning! When Liz finally joined him, she could see that he was staring at a picture in fascination. Glancing over it herself, she could understand why this particular portrait had caught his interest and made Jack such an artsy peep all of a sudden. He was standing in front of a depiction where the subject's eyes looked somewhat cross and his lips were in an almost pout. This was definitely William. They both grinned. Jack laughed as he shook his head in dismay and humour.

"God, he is an uptight bastard, isn't he? How can you live with him?" Liz, who would never have thought she ever would, looked somewhat hurt at this remark and hit him quite seriously on the arm. Hey! Steady on, old friend!

"Shut up, he's really nice when you get to know him." Jack shook his head, as the seriousness didn't tempt him to enter that conversation any further. She noticed the look on his face and poked her tongue out good-naturedly.

"That may be," he said absently, smiling at her charming gesture. "But I'll tell you one thing about him..." He whispered a thought into her ear and her eyes automatically brightened. She turned to Jack and grinned.

"You are wicked," Liz said as her eyes twinkled in delight and amusement. The young man shrugged his shoulders with an amused look on his face.

"Don't you agree?" Pursing her lips, she looked back at the picture and slowly nodded as she just could not do anything but concur.

"Oh, undoubtedly."

As they both advanced through the exit, a shadow continued to watch as neither party saw him. William Darcy, who (to his own amazement!) had hid quite conspicuously behind them, quickly made his way back to the entrance as he mused over their conversation... especially what exactly it was that a certain gentleman had whispered about him, how offending it really was and what it was that Liz agreed undoubtedly with.

Chapter 10

Posted on Wednesday, 14 November 2001, at 1:23 p.m.

For Michele D. Joyner

Liz sighed into a smile as she dropped her luggage on the floor on either side of her and gazed adoringly around the beautiful main entrance. It was good to be back at Pemberley again. Her chest expanded as she inhaled the scent of the place then exhaled in loud contentment and a grin. Yes, she was definitely glad to be home. Turning her head as she heard the car door slam behind her, she eyed (in some astonishment) William nodding with a soft smile at the elderly chauffer as the latter patted his shoulder paternally. William murmured something, practically inaudible really from her distance, to the driver, which caused the elder gentleman to roar with such hilarity she was afraid Boss man Darcy had attacked him with a canister of laughing gas or a feather. He can tell jokes? Now, I have seen everything! I wonder if he knows the one about the milkman...

"Liz!" Georgiana's shriek and her Sketchers thundering down the grand staircase tore Liz's gaze and interest away and she ran just as nonsensically towards her. Her sole reason for coming back so early was for Georgie's upcoming birthday, and hugging the 'soon-to-be' birthday girl was top of the agenda. Embracing excitedly, they both questioned the other about their separation, though Georgie was more willing to listen about the delights of London and also of Jack, whose picture she'd seen and had decided she was quite in love with. "Did you do anything interesting? Did you go out clubbing or anything...?" Georgiana, still innocent of the world, had barely known what a club was... and she only knew that because of the magic of television. Liz's face went bright red as she thought about that night at Monsoon. What should she say? 'Actually Georgie, I did go out, got pissed out of my skull at the most posh London restaurant, fell straight through your brother's table, ran into the men's toilets to throw up into the sink, fainted dead away and then had to be carried out by a spinach covered William and a stumbling Jack while the Malaysian chef screamed abuse at me in, well... Malaysian. Oh, and did I mention that I've come to the conclusion that your brother has one of the nicest arses I've ever seen?'

"Actually, I had quiet nights in." She could feel William's presence behind her, and was convinced of it when she heard him choke at her words. I am seriously bad for that man's health. I'll have to learn the Heimlich Manoeuvre next time I open my mouth near him. Georgiana looked slightly disappointed as her body deflated somewhat from its former excitement.

"Oh... just stayed in?" She asked softly. Suddenly, a (you couldn't faithfully call it devilish because it was Georgiana, but it was pretty darn close to it) look crossed over her usually innocent face. "Stayed in with Jack?"

"Georgiana, have you sorted out the invitations for the ball?" William asked swiftly, cutting Liz off before she could reply. She was about to pout when she registered his words.

"Ball?" Both Georgiana and William nodded together slowly at her ignorance.

"It's Georgiana's 16th," He said with a proud smile at his sister, who just blushed prettily. "And the 16th signifies adulthood, so her first ball is being thrown."

"A real ball? Like, carriages, slippers and pumpkins?" Liz couldn't believe this. The rich really knew how to party in style...! Her 16th included renting out a dinky and damp ancient disco hall in Hackney and ending up kissing a spotty boy in her class called Bill Collins.

"Yes, " William said with controlled amusement as his dimples softly though mischievously appeared. "Excluding the carriages, slippers and pumpkins."

"Well, what is the first act of business?" Liz asked with a shrug and a smile, getting into the birthday spirit as she linked her arm through Georgiana's.

"A brand new outfit, of course!" A voice bellowed from above them. Caz Bingley glided down the stairs in her leather white suit as she pushed her sunglasses to the tip of her nose so it wouldn't dilute her view of William Darcy. Yep. The man is still a fox. Both Liz and Darcy looked at Caz in amazement - was she adopting Jack's 'moves-like-Greased-lightning' style? What the heck is she doing here?!?!

"Caz, what the heck are you doing here?" Liz couldn't believe he'd said it. William Darcy, for the first time probably in his reserved lifetime, had declared his opinions outright! He did not look pleased with her sudden appearance. He'd greatly noticed that she was like that damp smell that never got out of your clothes; even if you tried to spray it away, she would come back even stronger. She let out a small snort.

"What a warm welcome! Please don't all jump up at once." Caz shook her head and grumbled as she managed to miraculously descend in those stilettos. The dazzling smile on her face, which was initially created to be directed at William, suddenly froze completely on her face when she noticed Liz and she turned quite a ghastly pale colour.

"You're that drunkard at Monsoon...!"

"Drunkard?" Georgiana asked softly with wide eyes as she turned to her linked companion, completely intrigued. Oh damn! I knew I'd be found out...! Liz turned desperately to William, not exactly too sure what form of help he could provide her with but he did an admirable job as he smoothly cut in.

"You must be mistaken, Caz. This is Georgiana's tutor." Her eyes gleamed as she turned back slowly to Liz and gave her a long once over while an insolent smile played upon her lips.

"Oh. So you're the famous Miss Bennet."

"Bennedt," Liz accentuated her name in a deathly cold and civil tone. Caz didn't look fazed by it as she unconvincingly stifled a yawn.

"I thought your name was Bennet. Hmmmm, that explains a lot. When Wills spoke about you I didn't think you would be..."

"So young?" Liz offered sweetly, causing William to hold his breath. Liz knew Caz meant Asian and she knew William was relieved she'd stopped her saying it. He quickly changed the subject, which was hard for someone who could barely continue a conversation, let alone start one.

"How did you get here so fast, Caz?"

"I came in the jet."

"You travelled from London to Cheshire by plane?" Liz suddenly asked incredulously, completely forgetting that she did not even know this woman. Caz almost growled at Liz through her yellow contacts; did she even give her permission to speak to her?

"Some of us can afford to travel in efficiency and style," She smiled in sickly sweetness and, Liz was sure, pure evil.

"But why? What was the point?" Georgiana asked softly, to which Caz forced herself (because she was sure to be her soon-to-be sister) to smile pleasantly. Considering how prone she was to deception, the lady was awfully bad at hiding her true feelings.

"Well, Georg-eeeeeee, I had to get here early to take you out shopping, and considering that your brother didn't even offer me a ride..."

"There wasn't any space," William said shortly in his 'can't-be-bothered' voice.

"In the limo?!" Caz said with hands on her hips, to which William shrugged slightly in disinterestedness. Caz looked over at Liz with such genuine revulsion, our heroine had to do a double take. Did she seriously stare at her like that?!!?! My God! If looks could kill I'd just be two sizzling, empty shoes with smoke drifting out of them... "How much space does she need, anyway?" Caz practically hissed out. God, she really didn't make her dislike subtle. William glared at her with a 'Don't-ever-do-that-again' flash in his eye and she caught it on quickly. She tossed her hair to the side, trying to ignore his hurtful look, as she slipped her arm through Georgie's free one. "Talking about the limo, Will Darling, can Georg-eeeeee and I take it with us when we go?" William turned to his frightened sister as her arm reluctantly detached from Liz's as Caz pulled them further away.

"Georgie? Is that alright with-"

"Of course it is!" Caz cut in with a roll of her removable eyes. Looking expectantly at Georgiana, the shy and shaking young girl was coerced to nod. "She needs a new outfit for her own ball, doesn't she?! And we have already become fast friends..." Caz turned to Georgie again. "Haven't we?" The terrified Georgiana was again forced into bobbing her head in agreement. Liz had smiled sadly as Georgie had continued to obediently nod and remain silent, even until the limo had pulled into the driveway and she and Caz had slipped in. Liz was almost glad that Caz so clearly didn't want her to join them, which she guessed when Caz insisted that Liz get some rest because 'she looked so tired' and 'probably wasn't used to driving long distance in a car like a limousine'. Liz, though affronted by the comment would rather have sat on a roller coaster wearing a thong filled with broken glass then spent the entire day with the newly acquainted Caz, so she agreed. However, she couldn't help but slip in,

"Yes, Caz, I confess I was quite tired in the limo. But it must have been hell on that plane for you... you know, at your age..."

Seeing Georgiana's desperate face and wide eyes glaring at her through the open car window did make Liz feel incredible guilty... but she had to understand. Georgie hon, you can't take me anywhere. I'll end up pushing Caz in front of a cyclist... and who knows what I'll say to her if she gets me really peeved? As the limousine slowly pulled away, Liz could see Caz lean over to Georgiana's side of the car and press the 'Window Up' button, so the black glass slowly ascended over her view of her friend with a long buzz. Why do I suddenly feel as though Georgie just signed her own death warrant? Liz wondered as the car sped dramatically out the gates.

***

"Is Georgie back yet?" Liz asked desperately for the fifth time as she poked her head through the doorway of William's study, trying not to step too far into enemy territory. She usually would not have tried to bother him but it had been nine hours. How much outfit did the girl need? He looked up from his mountains of paper work and smiled weakly as he held his throbbing, overworked temples with his finger and thumb.

"No, not yet. I'm afraid Caz has bought her the entire shop." You'd have the room to house it all. Liz smiled wryly, as she rolled her eyes. William returned the look as he pushed the stack away to focus more on the welcome distraction. "Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Bennedt?" His gentle tone encouraged her to step further into the room until she was in the middle of it and just in front of his desk. Suddenly twisting her mouth into a half smile as a thought sprung into her head, William noticed her eyes suddenly gleam with spirit and found himself almost too eagerly anticipating what was to come.

"Can I tell you a joke?" He blinked.

"Pardon?"

"You know, a joke. A gag. A tall tale. A..."

"I am quite enlightened with what one is, Miss Bennedt," he said with a dry, though confused smile. "Why would you like to tell me one?"

"It'll pass the time. After all, you know how long it takes women like Caz to shop... besides, I also want to see how you'll react."

"Whether or not I find it amusing?"

"Precisely. I want to see what tickles your funny bone." Even more intrigued, he crossed his arms and leaned further back against his chair; his work completely forgotten.

"Are you trying to analyse my character?"

"Yes. Are you going to hear it or remain stubborn?" He looked a bit bowled over by her forwardness. Damn! You're on friendly terms... he's not a slumber party girlfriend...! Fighting off an image of William in pink pyjamas and a mud mask, Liz shook her head and quickly started afresh. "I mean... errr..."

"Go ahead," he cut in with a semi-pert tone. "Amuse me." He had a soft, determined glimmer in his eye, almost as though it were mission: impossible. Thinking about it, it probably is! Have I ever seen that man laugh or even grin widely? Reserved is one thing... deathly placid is quite another! With a determined crease of her forehead, Liz produced a sharp nod and pushed a curl behind her ear, causing William to reprimand himself for finding her actions adorable.

"Ok, so... right. This doctor has just created this machine that can give a certain amount of labour pain to the father. While one of his patients is going through labour, he puts the machine into practice.

'Give the B*****d a quarter of the pain!' She shrieked, as she squeezed her husband's hand tighter. The Doctor tweaked the dial to the 25% mark. So... her pain lessened by 25%..."

"Did she accurately lose 25% of the pain?" He asked with a little smile, finding the tale quite absurd. Liz scowled at his interruption.

"Yes," she said shortly, then continued to ignore his galling raised brow. "Anyway, so she lost 25% of the pain but her husband didn't gain any. Because of this, they urged the doctor to tweak it to 50%. However, still nothing happened to the husband as the wife's pain reduced by 50%. In the end, they tweaked the dial to 100% and she had a painless birth and a beautiful baby boy. The couple praised and thanked the doctor non-stop and the MD excitedly exited the house to tell the papers of this 'Great New Invention'. However, in his excitement, he fell over the dead milkman that was lying on the doormat." Liz finished and looked at him with wide, expectant eyes. Neither moved a muscle as their staring contest intensified. Just as she noticed clarity cloud over William's eyes and his mouth twitch to smile, Caz and Georgiana suddenly burst into the room. They both reluctantly tore their eyes away as William stood and moved away from the table to properly welcome them back and reproach his sister on her dreadful belatedness... when he froze.

"Here you are! Anyway..." Caz began expectedly, then with a self-satisfied gleam at Georgiana. "What do you think?" William, who leaned against the mantle-piece (in his shock) with his eyes fixed on his sister's face, stared with huge disbelieving eyes and a pale complexion as Liz could follow his lead. The new, and apparently improved, Georgiana Darcy was standing tentatively in dangerously high white heels, fluorescent pink tights, a short white leather skirt, a matching white leather jacket and was adorned with strikingly strong makeup, which cut sharply at her usually fresh face. Her straight hair had been cut to her shoulders and had a pair of white sunglasses placed neatly in it; but this wasn't the most noticeably different thing about her hairdo. Where her shining blonde hair once lay now rested a feathered head of crow black.

Oh God. She was a mini Caz. They practically looked identical. The only difference was that Caz had opted for the turquoise hosiery instead.

"What do you think?" Caz repeated, slightly louder, supposing that nobody had heard the first time. After all, they would never have ignored her.

Liz was relieved William could speak lucidly, because she honestly could not utter a word. Well, she could but the only words she could, would not be sensible to articulate out loud... especially with Caz in present company.

"Your hair seems to have, err... changed colour," He said with forced composure. Georgie could only blush shamed-facedly at her brother's expression and words as Caz produced a tinkling, and she attempted appealing, laugh.

"Yes, don't you think the colour goes perfectly with her complexion?" She urged with a proud beam at her creation.

"No. I prefer blonde," William said, his eyes still upon his sister as she dared not to look up at him. Caz huffed at his lack of 'Caz, you're a wonderful, beautiful genius! Now I must carry you away to my bedroom to show you how graceful I am' praises.

"Oh, Willy, stop being such a bore. How is she supposed to keep up with fashion with bland blonde?" Willy?!??! Did she just call William Darcy Willy?!?! LOL!

"It wasn't bland, Caz," William said quite darkly; his 'over-protective brother' mode slipping on. "It was strawberry blonde. Like my mothers was, and the colour of your own brother's, if I remember correctly."

"Charles would look absolutely dreadful with dark hair," She said with a crinkled nose as she pondered the thought, then pouted when she noticed Darcy's deadly expression. "Oh, for God sake Will-eeee-am! Stop being such an old woman! Have you got something against brunettes or something?" He didn't dare look at Liz.

"Caz, does it wash out?" With an angry whimper, she crossed her arms over her chest childishly and looked from Georgiana to William.

"God, you're both so damn alike. It'll just last five shampoos." She looked fed up and worn-out. Liz did feel quite sorry for her. She'd done all this work and it didn't improve her in William's eyes at all... in fact, in only seemed to attribute to the opposite. William looked at his sister with pride as she finally gained the courage to catch his eye. He knew she would never personally wreck her beautiful hair; she loved it more then he did. She may have been shy, but she was now way near stupid. He knew how difficult it was for her to plea... and especially against someone like Caz. She must have gone through agony to get Caz to just knock the sentence to 'Washable' hair dye. He couldn't have loved her more. Her eyes brightened as she suddenly noticed he was no longer cross and especially because of his warm smile.

"William...?" She said in uncertain softness, but his next look told her all she needed to know. With a shy, though a happy smile, she raised her gaze to her friend.

"Liz, could you help me wash this out?"

Chapter 11

Posted on Monday, 19 November 2001, at 4:57 p.m.

"LIZ!" Georgiana's very out-of-character shriek made Liz bolt upright from her bed as the 16 year old slammed open her bedroom door. Observing Liz looking up at her in astonishment, Georgie suddenly blushed. "I-I, err... hope I didn't wake you." Liz grinned. She was slowly turning the shy and reserved Georgiana Darcy into another neurotic Lizbeth. Well she did warn William beforehand...

"Of course not! Happy Birthday, darling." Georgiana jumped onto the bed and embraced a still woozy Liz. With a yawn, Liz stretched loudly and provided her friend with a sleepy though enchanting smile. "Excited about tonight?" Yes, today is the day...!

"Oh, Liz... I can hardly contain my nerves...!"

"You sound like my mother," Liz replied with a wry grin as she pulled back the covers and slipped into her woolly cow print dressing gown and cow slippers. Georgiana supplied her with a weak smile, but she looked anxious as she quietly spoke.

"I keep thinking, what if they don't like me...?"

"How can they not?!" Liz laughed sweetly at Georgie's endearing worries as she pulled back her wild curls into a loose bun. "And with that gorgeous dress we picked out, the words 'Ball', Belle', and 'Of' naturally spring to mind." Georgie looked suddenly sceptical as she spoke even softly.

"I-I'm not sure about the dress, Liz." Though she was practically inaudible, Liz heard every word (she was getting quite used to the almost fantastical tone her friend spoke in). She stopped tying at her unruly hair and spun around, her face betraying her disbelief and frustration.

"But Georgie, you love it! Why are you so worried about what your brother thinks? The outfit he picked out for you was absolutely hideous! I'm sorry to pain you, but so it is. I mean, our dress isn't even revealing..."

"But, it's so grown up." Liz sighed into a smile as she plopped down on the soft bed beside Georgie. Meeting her friend's large, blue-eyed stare, Liz comfortingly grasped her hand.

"But, sweetheart, you are a grown up. You're old enough to do so many things..."

"Like what?" Georgiana asked lightly, and Liz was quite taken aback to see the mischievous glint in her eye. I know exactly what you want me to say, Missy!

"Like... smoke."

"Anything else?" She was giggling cheekily now.

"No, nothing at all. Nothing you should be aware of anyway!" Liz returned with an even more devilish expression... which only caused them both to slip into an unprecedented laughter. Georgiana's anxieties seemed to have currently slipped away and eventually calming herself and wiping the unshed tears of laughter from her eyes, she sighed into a smile and nodded at Liz's expectant look.

"Ok. Ok, Liz. I'll wear it."

***

Liz sighed contentedly as she checked her uniform in the full-length mirror, though her distracted eyes gazed appreciatively at the darkening and beautiful sunset out the window. After helping Georgiana slip into her beautiful new gown, she had hurried to her own room and dressed into the black skirt, black tights, white shirt and black tie laid out upon her bed. She had pinned back her disobedient black curls to the top of her head as neatly as she could, though a few stray tendrils escaped. Why did she always spend hours on her hair when it always looked like the same, messy heap? Her makeup was as natural as she could manage; a shimmer of lip-gloss and a bit of eyeliner and mascara. Hmmmm, not bad, Liz. And you've finally got to dress all 'Reservoir Doggish', just like you wanted. Liz was assigned as one of the catering team for the night, under the guardianship of Mrs Reynolds. In fact, she had actually offered. Everyone around the house was getting Pemberley looking even more (though Liz doubted that was possible) beautiful... and she felt utterly useless as she just sat there doing nothing. Mrs Reynolds, who she was now getting along very nicely with, perceived that Liz had 'fantastic legs' and immediately signed her up as the Head Wine Distributor (in other words, the lass that tries to get all the guests tipsy).

BONG! BONG! BONG!

Ah Crap! I'm late! I'm late! I'm very, very late! The Grandfather clock down the hall almost deafened Liz, though she was quite used to it now. On her first day she nearly jumped out of her skin with the thunderous bells, but now it merely gave her a light shock... though she was more worried about the time then the noise. With her best impersonation of the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and one last cheeky wink at herself in the mirror, she hurried out the room whilst tying the white frilly apron around her waist. Darting madly down the stairs (and trying not to fall over in her buckled heel shoes), Liz finally made her way to the hall, where everyone had already convened. Thank God I know where every room is now! But why is it that I am always late, even when I got ready an extra hour earlier? Slipping nervously at the end of the giant line of employees who encircled the whole of the square room, she glanced subtly at them all, her flushed face and heavy breathing trying to fade as quickly as they could. The staff all looked impeccable in their smart suits and all stood rigidly like statues, their silent faces set expressionless into stone. Hmmm... they reminded her of something... Wait a minute! The army! I always used to think Mrs Reynolds could easily be a military sergeant... Thank God she's already gone through the Menopause! Just at that moment, Mrs Reynolds caught her eye. She gave her a slight 'You're late' look of disapproval then smiled softly as she turned her attention back to the dance floor. Yes, our heroine was really liking her more and more each day. Looking around the grand room, Liz was breathless. She'd been in the Great Hall many a time, but not when it looked so spectacular. The chandeliers twinkled into the warm, Victorian-styled room and the wonderfully grand looking orchestra (wow, the rich really did go all out!) which was placed to the side, was playing a lovely little ditty that Liz had truly never heard before in her life, though found herself swaying along to. Dennis, who was standing robustly beside her, elbowed her before she got too carried away and then graced her with that young choirboy smile of his before she could elbow him back. Now, now Liz... you're part of the Darcy squad now. You have to stop behaving like a teenager and be more, well... mature. You will not get into any fights or funny situations... understand? Liz nodded sharply at herself, then felt Dennis elbow her softly in the ribs again, trying to keep her in check. Biting on the tip of the tongue before she stuck it out at him, she again focused around the room. She didn't realise she was so late. People were already dancing with the calming classical harmony while others sat out, drinking and eating the very posh munchies and talking in hushed, civilised tones. Wow! She'd never seen a party so tame... and oddly, so far from boring! William and Georgiana were at the door, welcoming their guests, as Finch, Gregory and many other faces she was sure were external helpers, ushered people through and graciously took their coats. William and Georgiana... They both looked utterly and completely fantastic. William, looking quite terribly too swoon-worthy for his own good, was dressed in an expensive looking black tuxedo, which Liz was pretty sure was far from rented! He looked quite perfect, except his unruly hair, which seemed to be quite as unmanageable as her own... however Liz did find herself admiring the rugged and handsome look it gave him. Oh God... would you stop being so much like Rekha! Why have I suddenly gone completely sex-mad? I must find some Tomato Juice to calm me down. Turning quickly to the companion clutching shyly onto his arm for a distraction, she couldn't help but wish to burst with pride. Georgiana looked absolutely breathtaking in the strapless velvet green gown herself and Liz had picked out and the ivy-like stems in her hair made her look quite uncannily like a medieval courtier. The embroidered top of the dress reminded Liz of her own corset, but Georgiana's figure, she knew, could pull off an outfit like that so much better. God, if they weren't brother and sister, they would look like such a stunning couple! Sneaking a look bravely back to William, (and making sure she didn't do anymore lusting) Liz could see him not at all enjoying the sudden attention his baby sister seemed to be receiving, especially from the young Mr Daniel Friel. Hmmmm... William's making the expression that Caz puts on whenever she sees me. The dark-haired, blue eyed twenty year old was staring at Georgie with peculiar interest and lingered fretfully around the entrance doorway a little longer than regulations would strictly allow. Liz bit her lip to stop her smile as the venom clearly written upon William's face was directed solely upon little Daniel, who soon hurried away in fear as soon as he spotted it. Ah, William Darcy... The man who makes your mother-in-law look tame... Liz thought with a smile as Dennis suddenly handed her a silver tray with six crystal glasses of wine. He gave the amateur a comforting smile and wink, as his look provided a message of 'You'll be fine'. Oh God, it's time for me to do some work. I nearly forgot...! I guess I should stop perving and start serving. She looked around; all of a sudden scared as she thought about all the clumsy things she'd done in her life as she held the fragile, and very expensive, tray aloft. With a determined, though ragged sigh at Dennis, she turned and marched over into the sidelines and flashed each of the guests her winning smile. Surprised to see they had actually swallowed the Bennedt charm and smiled brightly back as they eagerly accepted her offering, Liz turned slightly to give Dennis a triumphant grin. However, it seemed Dennis had walked off somewhere or other to do his own job and his more then ample substitute returned her smile softly with sparkling eyes. Turning her head away from William's spellbinding gaze, she turned back to her patrons with a blush and a mind completely in disarray. Oh God. Why does he have to have the most perfect dimples...? And the most pert...

"Lizbeth? Lizbeth Bennedt?!" The soft voice of one of the guests broke Liz out of her reverie and into a gigantic beam when she looked up to see exactly who this guest was. Oh my God! It can't be...?!

"Jane? Jane Fitzwilliam! Oh my God! Is it really you?" Jane Fitzwilliam, still as beautiful as ever, laughed her angelic chuckle as she embraced her old school friend, making sure she did not knock over the wine glasses or the tray in the process.

"Oh, Lizzy! How have you been? What on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm Georgiana's tutor, though am tonight a temporary Head Wine Person," Liz said with a proud, glittering smile. "What about you? What did you do after Hornsey Girls?" With a sheepish smile at her grinning and handsome companion, Jane lifted her left hand.

"I got married." Before Liz could screech, scream, or nick the colossal diamonds on her finger, the gentleman extended his hand, making Liz dangerously try to balance the tray with one hand. Shaking his hand, Liz found his wide, friendly beam completely contagious.

"Charles Bingley. I am delighted to be finally acquainted with the gifted Miss Bennedt," He said with an affable grin, as Jane just gazed lovingly at him. "Will's talked so much about you... and erm, your helping Georgiana." This is Caz's Brother?!?!?! How the heck did they come from the same womb?!?! Not noticing the slight hesitation in his speech, Liz nodded proudly.

"She's a brilliant girl, though I urge you not to believe a word Mr Darcy has said about me." Please, I'm serious... don't! Charles laughed that open, friendly laugh of his.

"Oh, so I'll discount the opinion that you're brilliant, intelligent and utterly delightful, shall I?" If Liz had ever blushed before, she was as pale as snow compared to how red her face became. She ws pretty sure she resembled a tomato. She noticed Charles wink merrily at someone behind her and turning, Liz caught a glimpse of William's face looking utterly terrified. With another giant grin, Charles continued when he noticed Liz witness William's horrification. "Oh, don't worry about him. He's always like that when he thinks I'm saying something I oughtn't. For example, he'd hate me telling the story about our Cambridge days when we tied George-"

"Charles, dear, I don't think Lizzy's got time for one of your anecdotes," Jane interrupted with a loving smile as she noticed the Darcy staff suddenly cluster around in the far corner. Liz nodded with a grin as her eye followed the crowd, for her sensible friend was always in the right.

"Still as rational as always, Jane," She said with nostalgic affection in her voice.

"And still as enchanting and teasing, Miss Bennedt." Jane paused, then touched at Liz's sleeve gently. "I'm really glad to see you, Lizzy."

"And I you. Talk later?" With a little bow and warm smile, Liz slipped back to her workmates and strangely found that every glass on her tray had miraculously gone. Hey, I'm better then I thought... I can pimp drinks without even knowing! Finch, who was in the pack, gave Liz a welcoming smile as she sneaked into the conversation, quite intrigued to what was going on...

Chapter 12

"I wonder which one of us Mr Darcy's going to ask for a dance..." Jemima, one of the cooks, now 'Refreshments Assistant', said with a dreamy look over at the very gentleman in question. Liz nearly giggled out loud as she noticed every member of staff (even the guys!) looking with pure admiration at William, who was now talking with Charles and Jane. Oh my God! He's laughing! I see teeth! Why didn't he talk to them when I was there though...? Mrs Reynolds, guessing Liz didn't know the tradition, smiled at her warmly as she explained.

"Mr Darcy has always picked a female member of staff to dance with for the Waltz on every one of his birthdays. Though this is Miss Georgie's first, we're guessing he'll do the same."

"You mean, the scandalous dance?!" Liz said with a laugh. "Well, who did he pick last year?"

"That was me!" Josephine, the chubby, pretty young blond maid said, though her cheerfulness was soon gone as she gave an amused scowl and rolled her grey eyes. "Which unhappily means it's not me this year."

"We've got a poll going," Dennis leaned to whisper into Liz's ear, then looked cautiously at Mrs Reynolds next to her. "But don't tell Ms R. She'll have us all walloped!" Liz laughed lightly, then leaned to softly whisper back; she was enjoying all this type of history... though one could call it gossip!

"Well, who's the favourite this time?" He gave her a cheeky grin, as every one of his 17 years of mischief surfaced into his eyes.
"Well, Liz. That would be you."

"ME?!" She didn't mean to squeak, but her surprise was well... very squeak-worthy. Before she could even ask why they'd come to this conclusion, Roxanne, who Liz had become friends with as they helped Georgie into her dress, suddenly groaned as she motioned discreetly towards William with a nod in his direction.

"Look what the cat dragged in!" They all turned to see Caz looking quite beyond chic in a body hugging red dress and her jet black hair with perfect streaks of maroon in it. Liz couldn't have felt more ugly and frumpy then at that particular moment. While she felt sick to her stomach, knowing she could never look so perfect, Josephine whispered naughtily into her ear.

"It looks like the cat dragged in a dog!"

William, who was now sitting down, didn't exactly look pleased to see her. From across the room, he didn't notice that his entire staff were eagerly watching their every move and shared word.

"Are you going to ask me for a dance or what, Wills?" Caz smiled demurely as she looked down at him her grand height. To Liz's surprise, he didn't roll his eyes or ignore her. Instead, his features were fashioned with a terrified expression as he looked up at her with wide eyes. For the first time, he seemed to be playing Little Red Riding Hood.

"I-I don't dance, Caz."

"Don't be silly! How can you throw a ball if you don't dance?"

"It's tradition. Couldn't you just ask Charles?" He said, his face in an almost desperate imploration, though his tone was still somewhat reserved. When will that man ever lose his control? Caz threw her head back and crinkled her nose again... Hmmmm... maybe that was where William got his from.

"Dancing with my own brother? I think not, Wills! Besides, he's so clumsy and always steps on my toes." He's also too busy with Jane to give you the time of day! Liz thought smugly in contentment, watching her friend simply glow with delight as Charles happily spun her around gracefully with the music. He also suddenly doesn't look the clumsy type! Bless him... he seems to be gliding on air! However, it took more then a refusal to put Caz off. "Oh for God sake, Willy," She sighed melodramatically. "Stop being such a baby. Here, let me help you up..." Caz clasped his hands and attempted to pull William from his seat. The Darcy staff watched in silent awe... this woman really didn't take no for an answer! However, nobody expected William to be so reluctant. He stayed firmly in his seat, putting all his weight into his chair and making it quite a struggle for Caz to heave him up.

"Caz, I said no," He said in the firmest voice Liz ever heard as he tugged his hands sharply away from hers, causing her to clatter backwards quite loudly in her heels. Liz felt another jibe in her ribs, and instead found the inflicting elbow to belong to Mrs Reynolds (not Dennis!) as she provided Liz with the biggest grin she'd probably ever produced. Being trained like they were, the employees tried to keep straight faces, though the look they threw to each other said all that needed to be said; Caz was publicly embarrassed and they were all delighted. Caz, whose face was now as red as her dress, turned her head open mouthed as William muttered, "Excuse me," then headed straight towards his loyal workforce. Liz could hear giant intakes of breath within the group as he stepped regally forward to them, and she soon realised she hadn't exhaled in about a minute when William Darcy looked straight upon her with such a warm look she nearly turned behind her.

"If it isn't any trouble, will you please dance the Waltz with me, Miss Bennedt?" OH MY GOD!!!??!?!?!?!

"Erm, I... errr... Ok." She nearly slumped back against the wall behind her as he smiled and turned around to claim his seat again. God, he is unintentionally so very terrifying! As he walked away everyone shook their heads and chuckled softly as Liz was just managing to get her breath back.

"Oh damn. I owe you a fiver, Finch," Dennis said good-humouredly as he rummaged through his pockets. Josephine, Roxanne, Jemima and even Mrs Reynolds all gave Liz envious smiles.

"Oh, you Lucky bugger!" Roxanne laughed, as Liz couldn't help but blush slightly.

"Don't make my mistake, Liz," Josephine added with a cheeky smile. "During the dance, grab his arse every opportunity you can!"

***

I cannot believe I got a guacamole stain on this skirt...! Liz rubbed the stain desperately with her tissue, but it only fell apart in little white pieces with her persistent scrubbing. I am going to kill Dennis when I find him! After having to pay Finch Ł5 for losing his bet (he truly thought William would choose Mrs Reynolds), Dennis had been trying to get Liz back in that naughty schoolboy way he had. After she sneakily dropped a stuffed olive into his pocket, she found that he'd accidentally flicked a spoonful of dip at her... and now here she was grumbling amused abuse at him while she attempted to salvage the skirt. She could feel a pair of eyes glaring at her, and didn't need to guess it was Caz. After William had blown her off and directly asked Liz for a dance, she'd been throwing daggers at her (and Liz was sure would quite literally if she'd been giving the chance). And about the dance... she was seriously terrified. She hadn't waltzed since she was a kid... though would groan every time a song would stop, and another (that was not the special Waltz number) played afterwards. Why was she so far from disagreeing to dance with him? Suddenly a shadow came over her light and she opened her mouth to (most kindly!) ask them to move before it dried and ruined her outfit. Looking up, however, she bit back her tongue once she observed William Darcy's face inches away from her own and his somewhat shy smile.

"Would I be really conceited if I expected my employee to grace with me with a dance?" The expectant and nervous twinkle in his eye was (to add to her mortification about her opinion for him) quite cute. God, is he a mind reader or what? With a small shrug, she responded.

"Yes... but I'll consent anyway," She teased with a smile as she accepted his hand and let him help her gently to her feet. Forgetting completely about her skirt and the 'huge emergency', Liz coloured slightly as she felt Will place his hand on her waist. She wasn't the only one, because he gave her small-embarrassed smile as she put her hand lightly on his shoulder. To think, I'm dancing with my boss... Oh, I hope I don't end up stepping on his knee... She hardly dared to catch his eye, and she scolded herself silly for being so... well, silly. Yeah, sure he was somewhat scary, but she knew that wasn't what was stopping her. She'd always teased him slightly, or put her point across when she had to. Why did suddenly finding him mildly (yes, mildly) attractive affect her like this? Reprimanding herself for acting stupid, she cleared her throat and then looked him boldly in the eye. I'm not affected by you.

"I believe we must have some conversation, Mr Darcy." Noticing that twinkle in her eye, he automatically found himself giving in.

"What would you like to talk about, Miss Bennedt?" Hmmmm... that's a toughie.

"Well... why don't you ever call me Lizbeth?"

"Because you don't call me William."

"But you're my boss!"

"And you're my sister's tutor." Was he teasing me? He's smiling!

"Fine, then I shall call you William," Liz said, with a sharp nod and William shrugged slightly, though still had that little smile on his lips. Suddenly, she noticed the little life in him die out when his face looked unexpectedly cold. Looking to see where he was gazing, Liz could see him glaring directly at Georgiana, who was actually dancing with Daniel Friel! Georgie! Liz hadn't spoken to her, and barely seen her, all night. The 16 year old was too busy blushing with the compliments of all her suitors (there would've been more if William hadn't chased them away) and in particular, with her current blue-eyed dancing partner. With a small whisper as he continued to glare, Liz broke the silence.

"You know, she is old enough to..."

"You don't have to remind me!" he suddenly groaned, as he turned Liz around with his hand. As they met again they continued to waltz whilst, unconsciously, getting closer to Georgiana and Daniel Friel. Liz continued as she didn't even realise she was inhaling his scent deeply. She recognised that heavenly cologne from somewhere...

"At 16, I had done so much with my life. She barely leaves the house." William was silent as they continued to circle around them. Liz bit her lip, but still continued in a more wary state. "I'm not saying everything I did was sensible, but she is so naive. She doesn't know what it's like outside." William sustained his silence as he listened, watching his sister intently. "You know you'll have to chuck her out into the real world one day - she won't know how to act or behave. She won't know how anything works." Liz grunted, "Heck! I don't even know!" She looked back to him and instantly wished she'd retracted her words; the look of hurt that had diffused over his face made her feel terribly guilty. Oh damn it! Now look what you've done. Quick, say something productive and nice for once...! Liz fumbled as she thought of something. "Um... not that you've been a bad guardian. You've brought her up so well...erm, she's the nicest person I've ever really known... " He smiled weakly at her attempt.

"You're right. I should've done better."

"William, I didn't mean..."

"I know," He said, before she could respond. "You couldn't attempt to hurt anyone, Lizbeth." That was when it happened. He had looked at her with such warmth in his eye that she was rendered speechless, yet again. But this wasn't what made her heart skip a beat. When he actually leaned down from his towering height, his forehead pressed against hers and his dark eyes suddenly the only thing in her view Liz thought she would never know how to breathe again. My God... he's about to kiss me...

"Err... William...?" She croaked, not too sure what to do or say. After all, they were in a room filled with his Upper Class peeps...! Her voice, however soft, broke him from his spell. Blinking, he pulled away. About a second later, the dance had ended.

"I-I' sorry..." he choked, then scurried off, red-faced and feeling humiliated, before she could even make another sound.

Liz was in utter shock.

Slipping her hands to her face, she could feel the heat of her skin and knew she had to get out, and headed briskly towards the open patio doors. She couldn't bear to catch Caz's eye, because she knew Caz had seen it all in hawk-like detail. As had all the Pemberley staff... and probably half the bloody room...! Practically running out onto the crisp air of balcony, Liz slipped away until she was out of sight and the music was just a faint, subdued blur in the background. She walked around the dark of the night carefully until the warm glow of the room couldn't be seen. Wrapping her arms around her quivering self, Liz exhaled deeply into the chilly night air, though the icy atmosphere did nothing to cool down her steaming face. There was no way she had imagined that, was there? He had bent down to kiss her... right? This cannot be real... I mean, why me?! Is he sick of the beautiful, perfect kind of woman? Was he in the mood for a sick joke? I mean, he hardly even shows that he likes me, let alone... She suddenly froze completely as she felt a presence behind her. It didn't talk, and she didn't dare question it or turn around. A pair of hands slowly slid around the curve of her usually ticklish-waist, but she did not laugh. She was too terrified to breathe as she could heed William Darcy's spellbinding cologne envelope around her. The hands slipped all the way to her stomach until their arms were encircled completely around her and they pulled her closer against them, nuzzling softly at the curls at the back of her head. Should she have been able to move by now? Nope, she was still incapable. Oh God. Kick him off you...! Stop enjoying this, you hormonal female! For God sake, this is Scary Chief man William Darcy! You can't get off with your boss... it's absurd! And very slutty. And completely impractical. What will you gain by this? A pay rise? Oh God, I'm a prostitute... Oh God, no, Damn... Oh please stop kissing me... She could feel light kisses on the back of her numb, freezing neck, warming her with every impact upon her skin and Liz desperately tried to stop relishing in it. I must gain strength. Inner power... Oh, it must be somewhere in me. Ok, breathe... inhale... exhale... Attaining about an extra minuscule of courage, she managed to open her mouth and stutter
.
"W-We c-can't do this." He didn't answer; just continued making his way along her neckline. In fact, his arms tightened around her waist... which really didn't help matters. God, he's so warm... "You have to get off before someone sees," She hissed more confidently, though her eyes were still closed in contentment. To be honest, no one could really see, considering that they were hidden by the darkness and neighbouring trees... Liz, for God sake! I AM YOUR CONSCIENCE AND I DECREE THAT YOU OBEY MY EVERY ORDER! She didn't need to be told twice. Firmly breaking his strong linked arms from around her waist, Liz turned to face him and she (still quite shakily) made her final resolve. "Listen. We have to stop this now, Will..." Liz couldn't move as, for about the hundredth time that night, her sight had rendered her breathless. Rich, reclaiming his arms almost though he'd been burnt, looked somewhat dismayed.

"Will...?" He asked in soft and incredulous suspicion.

Chapter 13

Posted on Saturday, 24 November 2001, at 1:37 p.m.

Rich was still looking at her with those soft blue expectant eyes. In fact, he was looking for about 5 minutes because she was stunned into silence. Liz, who was completely flabbergasted and was presently choking down on her foot, could merely (when she finally could speak) repeat his own words because she was utterly stumped as to what to say next.

"Will...err...Will..." Oh God... how am I going to get out of this? After a couple more minutes of this babble (and fervent inner-praying from Liz, though she was an Agnostic), Rich creased his face in sheer confusion as he shrugged; she was making no sense again. "Will... well...and you..."

"Will I what?" He finally prompted. Liz stopped. The hurt she thought she had heard clearly was definitely gone, and now she began to wonder if it was ever there. Though it was dark, she was sure she could see a small flash of those perfect teeth. She could not believe her good fortune. It was almost too easy. She didn't even think of pretending she had articulated a request! Oh thank you! Thank you, Rich!

"W-Will you mind telling me what you, err.... are doing here?" She still managed to squeak, even after her relief. God, was that convincing enough? Why do I always have to impersonate a chipmunk when Rich is around? But... JESUS! What is he even doing here anyway?! He told Georgie he wouldn't be able to make it...! Rich shrugged again and she could almost hear the 'toothbrush-ad ping' as his lopsided, choirboy grin surfaced.

"I heard there was a party and heard that a very lovely lady would be serving free booze... and as a student, it was my duty to investigate." Rich slipped his arms around her waist affectionately, and Liz blushed as she feebly managed to stay standing on her feet. Before Rich had left for University again, they'd just about had their first kiss (which they'd actually snuck in, on this very balcony, when the disapproving William was elsewhere)... but being so long away from him made Liz feel suddenly shy and uneasy. Did she even know him anymore? It was like a stranger embracing her, though a lovely stranger at that. All this sudden affectionate touching from him was slightly unnerving, especially since their situation with one another was still quite unsure from even before Rich going back to London. The warmth of his arms, the blushes and expressions on her face and the iciness of the atmosphere caused Liz to do something she initially did not wish to do; she slipped her arms around his own waist and rested her blazing check upon his shoulder. Feeling her shaking uncontrollably against him, Rich gently removed one arm and stroked at her hair as he enjoyed this opportunity to warm her up.

After minutes of silence, which Liz found to be bliss as she closed her eyes, Rich finally broke it in a soft voice. "I saw you dancing with Will." The eyes snapped automatically open. She didn't dare to pull away and look at his face. "I suppose you were the employee of the day." I'm going to throw up. She could feel her heart beat crazedly within her and pulled back slightly so Rich wouldn't feel it thump against him... but she would not look him in the eye. So her cheek remained on the shoulder.

"Err, y-yes. Um, d-did you say you watched the whole dance?" Wait, don't throw up. Remember what happened last time...

"Yep." He paused; she could feel him suddenly tense up in her arms. "I even saw the kiss." I am going to faint. Pulling away completely now, Liz shook her head ardently. She had to protest.

"Kiss?! You couldn't call it a kiss. It was barely a..." Definitely going to faint... However, Rich didn't allow her to finish, and Liz was almost glad because she was sure she would say something dim-witted.

"I saw him kiss her on the hand, Liz. God, I can't stand watching that rat Daniel Friel hone in on her!" Oh, Rich I'm SO sorry that I... Eh? You what?! Liz did more then a double take.

"You... Y-You're talking about Georgie and Daniel?" He knotted his eyebrows.

"Who did you think I was talking about?" Rich paused while in sincere thought. "You and William?" Liz was definitely on the verge of a heart attack until she distinctly heard Rich's familiar chuckle. "God, that pillock of a relation of mine (don't get me wrong, I do love him) couldn't see beauty if it smacked him in the face," Liz blushed and looked away. If you think you're paying me a compliment, Rich, you're really not...! With a grin, Rich shrugged as he held Liz tighter, which caused her to squeak again. "But hey, he does spend all day with Caz Bingley; can't really blame the guy for being tainted." Liz couldn't stop herself from laughing softly at this, despite how terrified she still was. This tiny bit of encouragement only prompted him further. "Ah! I'm guessing you've already met her? Lovely isn't she? Awful business about that house landing on her sister, wasn't it?" Liz giggled even more, which finally caused Rich to sigh in contentment as he gazed at her. "You really are beautiful, Liz." Oh, God...

"I see Caz has tainted you too," Liz said with a nervous laugh, trying to look over his shoulder as a desperate diversion. Change the subject... change the subject... "Err... you gave me a bit of a fright, you know. Suddenly grabbing me the way you, err, did..." She had never blushed this badly in her life. Rich looked almost pained as he sheepishly ran his hand through his sandy brown hair.

"Liz, I-I am really sorry, I mean... it's been so long since I last saw you and when you'd slipped outside I..." He smiled guiltily. "I suppose I just couldn't help myself."

"No, no... I mean. I-It's ok," she said, trying not to catch his eye, "I mean, it was kind of... well, nice." I would have still enjoyed it if I knew it was Rich, surely...? Rich suddenly gave out a small, ironic laugh.

"Oh, you poor thing! Coming out here for fresh air and being attacked from behind. How did you even guess that it was me?" I didn't, Rich. Knowing it was far from sensible to say that at that moment, Liz smiled weakly to herself.

"From your cologne."

Rich turned his head and sniffed at the collar of his polo neck. With a shrug, he turned to her again.

"Oh yeah, strong stuff, isn't it?"

"I think it's heavenly..." Shut up, Liz. Shut up. However, Rich seemed to smile even wider at this, then again shrugged modestly.

"It's not really my thing. Will bought it for me last Christmas and I've worn it now and again when in his company." Which explains why I recognised it... Rich stopped for a bit and looked at her expressively, causing Liz to turn away by the intensity. God, why was she suddenly surrounded by all these men? It had been months (and I mean months) since anyone had even glanced at her (making her truly believe that she greatly resembled the Elephant Man) and now all of a sudden it seemed to be raining men. She seemed to have a dark cloud over her head no matter where she went recently, and she honestly couldn't understand her good/bad fortune. She either seemed to repel guys or attract them at the same time... and trying to pull two cousins? She'd never ever imagined she'd be doing something like that. I am quite definitely a slut. Oh, Rekha would be proud... During these productive thoughts, she suddenly heard Rich inhale a ragged breath... and Liz knew very well what that meant; he was preparing to kiss her.

Oh no... not twice, by two different men, in a space of a few minutes...?!?

But why are you complaining, girl? They're two very fit men. You should actually be enjoying all this attention...

Oh stop it! Have I lost all the (few) morals I have? I must stop this and grow up. I have to somehow try to get myself upstairs to my room, lock the door and hide under the covers. No, no...! I have to hide under my bed...

If Rich's arms enclosed around her any tighter, then Liz would have probably been in pain. She could feel his ice-cold nose lightly pressed against hers and she was pretty darn terrified to see the mischievous twinkle in his eye completely gone. He was deathly serious and she was honestly trying to figure out how to make a run for it without seeming quite appallingly impolite. Oh, God, I am such a bitch...! I'm the one that's been leading him on, ever since the meeting in the train, and now I'm trying to walk away? For once I agree with Mum; I am the very devil incarnate.

"Liz, are you alright?" He suddenly asked in soft concern. She didn't even realise that she was squeezing her eyes tightly shut and was holding her breath in terror. Cracking one eye open in trepidation, she could see him looking down at her with true distress and adoration in his eye. Seeing his expression, she automatically opened both eyes and found herself smiling lightly at him, in confusion though some affection too. Wait a minute... Liz, why are you being this way? This man is funny, sexy and sweet and for some absolutely insane reason, seems a little besotted with you. He's everything you've ever wanted in a man, and everything every other woman around desires, too... So what if you think his cousin is slightly luscious? You'd never get along with William on ordinary circumstances, I'm sure. I mean, his looks can only get you so far... scratching the surface of William Darcy will prove that underneath, he's not exactly the kind of man you could cope with. Besides, you did notice that he had one too many alcoholic drinks... he probably thought you were Caz in disguise, or something. Liz suddenly groaned inwardly when she thought of Caz. The woman looked perfect in everyway. Place me beside her and we'll look like somebody's 'Before and After' pictures on Ricki Lake... Snapping out of her distracting thoughts again, Liz smiled weakly as she turned her head to look almost defiantly into his eyes. You know this is the right thing.

"Are you going to kiss me, or what, Mr Fitzwilliam?" Though her voice shook somewhat, she spoke so determinedly that her intentions left no question whatsoever in Rich's mind. He looked almost relieved and broke into his easy smile, which soon got overtaken by that more becoming devilish expression.

"Your wish is my command, Madam," He murmured roughly before leaning closer and kissing her upon the lips in his perfected 'forceful-yet-enjoyable' method. My God, the man is a killer kisser... Liz had no doubt that this was the case (mainly because she had a small sample beforehand) but she truly hadn't the foggiest that the clean, wholesome medical student, the wealthy and well-bred Richard Fitzwilliam, would have such a roguish tongue! Ah, a man with many hidden talents... She thought good-humouredly, though couldn't smile because her lips were presently engaged. Deciding she'd indulged enough, Liz pulled away slightly and tried to breathlessly speak, though with a coy smile.

"Rich... I-I had better get back to the ball. They'll probably be missing me." With a genial roll of his eyes, violently passionate Rich seemed to have disappeared and the affable man on the train reappeared again. Wow, and men thought women were complicated! With a sigh and a grin, he reluctantly released her but Liz was about a couple of feet away before she realised that he still clamed her right hand. Turning to laughingly ask for it back, she stopped when he turned it over and brashly planted a kiss upon her palm. Blushing head to toe, Liz bashfully and gently reclaimed her hand. Rich, though notably a little redder than usual, had the biggest beam on his face as he offered her his arm.

"Will the lady accept this poor excuse for an escort?" Liz just nodded timidly as she slipped her arm through the crook of his own. Stealing back into the Great Hall, she was shocked to discover that it was empty. My God, I was out there so long that the Ball is over? Wait, stop being stupid, Liz. It's not over, they've moved to the dining hall for dinner. Rich let out a deep exhale as he looked about the desolate Hall.

"Bugger that, I was really looking forward to asking you for a dance." God, I never want to dance ever again...!

"I-I don't really dance, Rich." Oh, I'm such a bad liar. He looked at Liz suspiciously from the corner of his eye.

"But, you danced with William." Oh, crap. I was wrong; Im an utterly awful liar.

"Err... you know, he's my Boss and all. I couldn't really say no." I didn't really want to either... Liz, stop it! Liz didn't dare to look at his face, just in case she saw even further distrust upon it. However, she could feel Rich shrug.

"Well, what about now?" She turned to him in disbelief.

"Now? But there's no music."

"Do you need music?" He looked at her longingly, and Liz turned her head away before they initiated another kiss. What was wrong with her? He was obviously a dynamic kisser and she did quite enjoy their last 'tęte-ŕ-tęte'... so why didn't it feel right? Oh God, if I start thinking about 'the right one' type of malarkey, I'm seriously going to boil my own head.

"Err, I actually need some food." She said suddenly, over-examining her hand. Liz could tell Rich was hurt. Though she was sure to not glance at him, she knew his from the drop of his shoulders and the little hesitation before he half-heartedly chuckled and mentioned that he was also pretty ravenous.

When they finally made it to the ginormous Dining room, Liz (though she had so much swimming through her head) couldn't help from appreciating all the time and effort that went into the feast. The enormous tables were all lined up across the room and were filled to the brim with so many mouth-watering delights that every person in the world would end with a full stomach and a beyond satisfactory meal. Every guest (and there were about 500, from Roxanne and Jemima's last count) appeared to be presently seated and eating, and simultaneously talking to one another in merriment and contentment. It truly did seem like a perfect night. But looks can be deceiving... Liz could automatically feel the many eyes of the staff pricking upon her skin and she knew amidst the many glances, Caz's would somewhere be present. However, browsing around for Caz in the packed room would be like looking for a needle in a haystack (besides, she really didn't want to find Caz. Ignorance truly was bliss...). Glimpsing up bravely, she caught the glances of a couple of her co-workers. Dennis, who was serving at one of the tables to a very large, red-faced man, locked gazes with her for about a second before he looked away in embarrassment and hurried away. Oh God. I have to talk to them all... I have to tell them that I didn't try and hit on William... Damn it! As soon as things start to go right for me... Finally deciding to pull away from Rich, she at length met his gaze, though did so warily.

"I better go help."

"Always thinking of others, Liz," He said with a smile. "Is there anything I can find wrong with you?"

"I'm far from perfect, Rich," She smiled nervously, looking away. However, she caught the eye of Roxanne and Josephine whispering and quickly turned back to Rich.

"Oh, I doubt that very much," he said softly, in a little trance of his own. Leaning down, he brushed his lips upon her cheek. Suddenly, they heard a clatter of cutlery near them. Turning her head to the direction of the noise, Liz's eyes bore directly into the dark eyed culprit. William, who had dropped his fork to his plate when he witnessed their kiss, tore his eyes from Liz's and back down to his food. Pushing back his chair, he stood up and turned away from his table. Muttering an apology to Lady Hamilton, whom he nearly bulldozed down on his way, Liz watched William Darcy swiftly make his way to the nearest exit.

Chapter 14

Posted on Monday, 3 December 2001, at 3:09 p.m.

Despite all her inner protests, she didn't go after him. And her not going after him sort of resulted in their avoiding each other for five straight days. As always, Rich didn't stay very long, and again she was left alone and forced to be very awkward with William. The first time they accidentally barged into one another was in the library, where he muttered a feeble "Excuse me" as soon as she entered and stalked off swiftly passed her. After that, various other locations included the Great Hall, a small Parlour (well, about the size of Liz's old house) and general hallways; each and every one met with the same icy reception. In a house the size of Pemberley, their almost too frequent meetings seemed like some cruel joke played upon them by a higher being, especially because they both tried quite desperately to avoid the other.

This being the current situation, Liz (who was on yet another crusade to find the skiving Georgie) crept silently down the halls and peeked subtly through every doorway before she entered. God, woman. This isn't mission: impossible, you know. Reprimanding herself for being silly, she suddenly noticed that she was still tiptoeing and hardly breathing for the next half hour. Mrs Reynolds, who was shuffling on to her own errand towards the hallway perpendicular to Liz's, quite stopped in her tracks as she noticed Liz's odd behaviour. The younger employee didn't notice the elder woman or her observant glance whilst she continued with a bite of her lower lip and tentatively placing her squeaking trainers upon the wooden floor as quietly as she could. She moved slowly and gracefully, almost like a Cat Burglar sneaking about the place and Liz thanked her mother (for once!) for sending her to those seemingly useless contemporary dancing classes. With amused bemusement, the elder woman placed her hands lightly on her hips.

"Lizbeth, what are you doing?"

Liz, completely oblivious to Mrs Reynolds even being there, yelped, jumped then spun around to face the voice; causing her sneakers to squeak ear-piercingly loud against the polished floor. Looking up at her supervisor's friendly, though somewhat confused smile, she clutched at her manic heart

"My God! You scared the Bejeezus out of me!" After a mutual chuckle, though a more terrified one on Liz's behalf, she patted her palm against her chest as she attempted to still the frenzied beating and began to inquire desperately.
"Have you seen Georgie?"

"Are you two playing hide or seek?" Mrs Reynolds said with twinkling eyes behind her spectacles.

"No, I..." ...am trying not to be heard by William and looking really stupid in the process... "Err, she's bunking off lessons again." Mrs Reynolds smiled at Liz suspiciously, though our heroine thanked her inside for not highlighting her inkling.

"The girls in the laundry might know. They're masters at 'Skiving off'," She said, her right eyebrow still twitching. With a quick nod, and making sure she didn't catch Mrs Reynolds's eye, Liz turned back and made her way to the stairway... now almost bursting into a sprint. She couldn't take this much longer. Everyone had been giving her that look since the Ball, and with every one Liz was more and more tempted to scream from the top of her voice, "I'm not bloody sleeping with him, not either of them... OK!!!" Sighing miserably as she descended down to the laundry room (and generally feeling quite sorry for herself) Liz didn't even know she had arrived until she heard a girlish squeal and fit of giggles. Yep, she was definitely in the presence of Roxanne, Josephine, Jemima and co.

"Anything on the horizon, Jem?!" Liz overheard Roxanne, who was sitting on a washing machine, inquire excitedly from across the sterile looking room; they hadn't seemed to notice her presence - God, was anyone observant in this house?

"Nothing yet!" Jemima called chirpily over her shoulder after she looked searchingly out the window's equally sterile looking white paned glass. "But it's only 11am!" Her turning her head caused her to spot Liz, who was hiding terribly behind the doorframe. Jemima burst into a giant grin. "Girls, look. The luckiest Bugger in the world has graced us with her presence!" Liz's face went scarlet.

"Hi Liz!" Josephine waved wildly from across the great Hospital-like room, as she leaned against the machine beside Roxanne's. The clean, comforting and fresh scent of washing powder, the disinfected pallid tiled walls and the white-painted ceiling and floor made Liz feel both comforted and freaked out in the room. The line of washing machines were humming quietly as they vibrated slightly and Liz noticed that Roxanne had chosen the noisiest and most unstable to sit upon. The other inhabitants didn't seem to mind any of these faults though as they sat around casually. Trying to forget Jemima's uneasy introduction, Liz sighed softly as she started to feel as though this would be a long day.

"Have any of you guys seen Georgie?" Roxanne shook her head, causing her hair to move with her (which might have also been attributed by the almost possessed machine) as Josephine just shrugged.

"Nope, sorry. Jem?" Jemima turned around from the window and grinned again.

"She's outside, Liz. Sitting under a tree." Oh, thank God! But why is she outside? She's going to get such bad hayfever... With another sigh, this one grateful however, Liz walked towards the mischievous though charming 18-year-old and peered out the window she seemed to be studying quite religiously.

"Oh thank God for that!" Liz muttered loudly when she had squinted and saw a fuzz of blonde just behind the great oak, which was really quite a good way from the house. Ha! Gotcha, Missy! You'll have to skip the country to escape my Quadratic Equations...! "I didn't think I could be bothered to look for her after asking here. So... what are you lot staring at, anyway?" The three girls suddenly exchanged wicked and leery looks with gleaming eyes.

"Well, you know Mr Darcy's been in a mood lately?" Roxanne began with a little curve of her lips. Humph! I noticed!

"You mean his whole acting-like-a-spoilt-child thing?" Liz asked rhetorically as she crossed her arms in quite uncharacteristic anger. Jemima continued unfazed, almost as though she hadn't heard.

"Well, anyway, Mrs Reynolds let slip that she hopes 'he doesn't jump into the lake again, because it is an awful mess when he does'." Liz started a bit.

"Jump in the lake?" You what?

"Apparently, he has a thing for jumping into the lake fully dressed when he's in a mood." Josephine said whilst excitedly raising her eyebrows and biting her lower lip to hide her devilish leer.

"Personally, I'd clean up the mess a hundred times to see that man in a wet shirt," Roxanne thought dreamily out loud.

"You lot are awful," Liz said with a smile. Though she was not his biggest fan right now, she could see why they were looking so eagerly out the window; it was definitely a sight to be seen.

"You think we're bad?" Jemima asked, the only one who presently didn't seem to be in a trance. "Josephine tries to peek through the keyhole when he's taking a shower..."

"Josephine!" My God! Why didn't I think of that...? Oh Liz, stop it!

"I do not!" Josephine cried out in her defence, her face as crimson as Liz's had been.

"We caught you peeking!" Roxanne taunted with a naughty giggle. Liz automatically felt like she was babysitting 3-year-olds. Then again, 3-year-olds weren't exactly hormonal, boy-mad and perving. They were like three Rekha's. However, our heroine wasn't exactly teacher material... Then why the heck am I tutoring Georgie? Josephine was still shaking her head emphatically as she protested.

"That happened the once, and only because I thought I left an earring in there..."

"But you left with a big smile on your face, didn't you?" Jemima turned her head from the window to contribute, and then beamed. Josephine dropped her twinkling eyes to examine her feet as she leaned her elbows on the smooth top of her machine and smiled shyly.

"Lets say I discovered a lot more then just my earring that morning..."

"Erm, I better go and pounce on Georgie," Liz said quickly before Josephine could say any more.

As much as she enjoyed all this overt imagery, it did no good to ease her own confusion over her lust for William. Besides, she didn't exactly want to lust after him. She didn't want to find herself automatically checking out his behind when he walked into a room. I mean, she was seeing his cousin! And she was extremely peeved off with him for being so weird about her and Rich. And being weird in general too - did that man even know how to speak comfortably? Wait... be reasonable. Just because you're angry at him, it doesn't mean you can't inspect his arse. Edward Norton pissed you off when he ran off with that Salma Hayek chick - now, that didn't stop you drooling over him in 'The Score' though, did it? Lord, Edward Norton... Mmmmmmm... drool... Again trying to distract herself from swooning over The lovely Mr Norton (Margaret Thatcher, Tellytubbies, The Queen's Speech, jelly, fractions... Damn, that last one didn't help...), Liz ducked her head in a little goodbye bow and quickly hurried out as fast as she could down the halls and outside, onto the vast Pemberley fields. And also straight towards the naughty Miss Georgiana Darcy. Trudging through the lush grass, Liz fondly pondered upon the subject of her student's punishment as she approached the back of the seated Georgiana, whom Liz could see was leaning against the tree trunk.

I'm going to give that girl a good 'what for' when I see her. Questions 1-87 on Page 16-9? Or just a kick up the... Liz suddenly stopped. Why were the branches of the Great Oak shaking uncontrollably and shedding thousands of leaves when there was no breeze? And why was Georgie giving her such a guilty and flushed look when she turned right around and spotted her? Embarrassed about missing the lesson...? No, there's something afoot here... With an awkward smile at Liz's cautious appearance, Liz noticed the younger girl's eyes darting all too often up the still trembling tree. Liz also perceived that her strawberry lip-gloss was smudged. Georgiana, who was sitting on the roots of the tree, began to speak.

"Liz, I'm sorry that I-"

"Who's up the tree, Georgie?" Wow, that came out a lot less subtle than it did in my head. Georgiana blushed so deeply that she looked down at her lap and slowly shook her head.

"I-I can't imagine what you mean..." With a sigh, and a roll of her extraordinary eyes, Liz pushed up her sleeves. Don't make me do this, Georgie.

"Georgie, who's nesting up there?"

"No-one, I mean... who would be?" That is what I'm going to find out. With a solid march, Liz walked straight up to the tree and looked up the trunk. She caught sight of a pair of white soled Reeboks which led up to slim, jean-clad legs. With her hands on her hip, she decided to go for the direct approach.

"Right, you...! Get down before I climb up and get you." The figure didn't move. They supposed that by standing absolutely still, that she wouldn't catch sight of him. God, I'm not a bloody T-Rex. That's William's department. With a heated flick of her ebony locks, Liz puffed out loudly. "Are you coming down or not?" She demanded. The figure still didn't move, squeezing his eyes tightly and making his body rigid so he wouldn't betray a thing. Without further a do, or another word, Liz placed her feet on the uplifted root and reached up high and on tiptoes until her slender fingers wrapped around an ankle. She could hear a slight, and quite unmanly squeal from above and a loud rustle. After a minute of shuffling about a long branch, Liz supposed he lost his balance because Daniel Friel finally landed in a heap on the grass. Conveniently, he fell sprawled on his stomach and looked up to face Georgie's mortified and red expression. Consequently, both women observed the red lip-sheen that adorned over his handsome face. Brushing her hands on her own jeans, Liz stood threateningly above him and crossed her arms over her chest. If William wasn't around for her to lash out her anger on, any man would do! She was already having a bad day, and someone had to feel her wrath. "What the hell are you doing here?!" Before he could reply, and to Liz's utter shock, Georgie jumped up from her seated position and seemed to kneel beside him in protection. Her hand was unashamedly placed on his back and she was soothingly stroking it, much to Liz's displeasure and astonishment.

"Liz, please don't blame Daniel. It was all my idea." Georgie's words didn't stop Liz from staring in deathly, though confused silence at the stranger.

"What the hell were you playing at, Georgie?" I'm not going to move my eyes from him until he squirms. Hey... what do you mean I'm 'being sulky'? Daniel dropped his blue eyes from Liz's in a matter of seconds, and she triumphed inside slightly with her quick victory. Ever since she was a child, she always won staring contests. However, while Liz was glaring at Daniel, Georgiana was looking behind her for solace, but instead found the opposite as she suddenly gasping before she could answer Liz's question. Liz, following her student's distracted gaze, could immediately see exactly why she reacted and her own mouth dropped open.

"Oh no! It's William!"

But it wasn't just William that made Liz speechless. William was there, holding his jacket over his arm like a waiter would a towel, and she realised a towel was exactly what the man needed. He completely soaked to the skin in his suit. His white shirt, black tie and trousers clung to him and his shoes squelched noisily as he walked. His dripping curly hair refused to be plastered down over his forehead, unruly even when wet and Liz shook her head and unconsciously bit at her now numb lip. Oh my God. Talk about offering an empty bar to an Alcoholic. From faraway, she was convinced she could hear Jemima, Josephine and Roxanne give out a hoot of mass delight... and they had a bloody brilliant reason, too. Nope, there was no point trying to stop the lusting now. As much as she tried to hate him, you couldn't exactly be fair to say that she didn't have a couple of images popping into her head at that exact moment. A bed, a good bottle of wine and Thornton's chocolate immediately sprung to mind. As Liz did the swooning and drooling she was known famously to do so well, she was snapped out of it when realising that William was only a couple of metres and was heading right towards them. The Oak was conveniently in the way but only helped them at present. He would soon be close enough to see them all in just a few seconds. There is no escape.

However, young Master Friel didn't seem to agree as he tried to scramble up the tree again.

"If I noticed you up there, I'm sure William will!" Liz hissed loudly as she pulled the over-zealous boy back down again. Come on, I'm not even the most observant of people! That William, however, has eyes like a hawk. Georgiana leaned forward and grasped up for Liz's hand in pure, frantic entreaty.

"Liz, please distract him!" There is NO way that I'm speaking to him after... "Please! I'll do anything you want. I'll... I'll give you all my money and I'll clean up after you. I'll, I'll find someway to..." Not even an ogre could overlook and refuse when witnessing the desperation in Georgie's soft blue eyes. With a reluctant, though pained sigh, Liz finally grumbled in defeat.

"Ok, ok. I'll do it. But only because I'm an idiot."

Closing her eyes in dread and trying to gather some inner courage (she found none, which really didn't help matters), Liz exhaled bravely and revealed herself from behind the tree to the soaking William.

He was contentedly traipsing along, enjoying the rolling scenery, until he saw her sudden appearance and stopped dead in his tracks. A look of mortification (which she could clearly remember when he had walked in on her wearing a skimpy nightie) crept over his handsome and totally wet face. He didn't dare look down at how stupid he looked. Liz however, being thoroughly distracted by the contrary opinion (and that chest) went completely scarlet (how many times a day has that happened now?). God, stop gawping at him woman! Do you want him to think you're sex-mad? Quick, say something... anything!

"Err... hi." She squeaked. Smooth, Liz. Real smooth. William took quite a while to recover. When his features went from shock, to mortification and then completely red, he afterwards just coolly stared as colour drained from his now pale cheeks. He barely acknowledged her presence (well, tried to feign indifference) as his eyes suddenly hardened icily. Without so much as a word or a welcome, he brushed passed her frostily... and utterly offensively.

This was the last straw for Liz. Who the hell did he think he was treating her like a nobody? She may have been dizzy, and accident-prone and a bit too out-spoken... but she was not dirt under his feet. She could no longer endure it anymore and grabbed his soaking (And oh Lord, muscular...) arm in passing. As he looked down at the audacity of her hand, then into her eyes, she shrieked before she thought.

"What is your problem?!" Georgiana's distraction was long forgotten in Liz's mind, though this indeed was one. Oh God. Did I honestly just grab my daunting boss and yell at him? Now I can definitely start packing my bags... he's absolutely going to throw me out of Pemberley. Arrg! I can't watch. His initial shock got replaced with a fiery look as he narrowed his eyes but he didn't pull away from her grasp.

"My Problem?" He hissed in fuming incredulity, his curls still dripping with water.

"Yes?!" Liz. Shut up!

"Well, Miss Bennedt," He snarled, snatching back his soggy arm so he could ferociously cross it with his other one with a squelch. "How many men do you need? Jack, Rich... Perhaps seven more hidden away? Will one more be enough for the year... or do you need even more to satisfy you?"

She felt as though she'd been slapped hard in the face. Her entire face tingled in flushed pain and numbed at his words. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She eventually managed to regain some feeble and trembling composure after a minute of barbed, dangerous silence.

"Nobody has ever made me feel as cheap as you just did," She finally managed to hoarsely whisper as her eyes shone and pricked irritatingly with tears. Before she even knew that she had said it, the words, "I'm giving in my notice" left her mouth, then she turned on her heel and speedily left him standing alone, and still very wet, in the middle of the grounds.

Chapter 15

Posted on Friday, 14 December 2001, at 7:09 p.m.

Neither Liz nor William had the heart, or indeed the courage, to break the news to Georgiana. They actually didn't even discuss the matter further after the incident and were now quite successfully managing to avoid one another; barely acknowledging the other during the crowded dinners or breakfast. If Liz ever thought there was some kind of awkwardness between them before, that was nothing compared to the present situation. At least before, William would mutter a feeble excuse for a sentence before stalking out. Now, he would just stare at her with a weird little look in his eye... could it be longing? Regret? It had better be regret. Out of all the people she'd ever known or seen, and she knew more than just several, William Darcy had the most expressive (And smouldering... damn! Sorry about that. Carry on.) eyes she'd ever witnessed. They said twelve times more then anything his mouth uttered... but then again, that was very difficult. The man barely spoke, and with the amount (or lack, as the situation was) of conversation he threw Liz's way recently, she was quite convinced he had somehow lost his tongue in some freak accident.

Her month's notice was slowly drawing to a close and Liz tried to embrace both Pemberley and Georgiana as often as she could without making it too painfully obvious, though Georgie was way too distracted by Daniel Friel to even notice. The 16-year-old snuck out of her room, and had actually once lied to William by saying she was at one of Liz's tutorials when she was in actuality gallivanting around with her new 'friend'. Liz had made her pay though; she gave her a test on everything she pretended to have learnt and she failed quite miserably. Liz really did not like this whole lying fad she'd seemed to be unwillingly sucked into, but she'd soon stopped it by informing the young Miss Darcy that she would tell William all if she ever had to cover for her again. Liz couldn't be too severe on her though; after all, she herself had grown up in a repressive household, knew how suffocating it was and all about the desperate urge to break free. And as much as Liz wished never to look at William again, speak to him or even convince herself of his presence, she felt a strange pang of guilt when she thought of Georgie's secret love life and her own knowledge of it. There were a number of times that she'd opened her mouth to tell him during mealtimes, where the staff were much too preoccupied with each other to notice them... but the cold indifference halted her every time.

In a word, she was devastated about the whole situation. She didn't want to leave Pemberley, Georgiana, Finch, Mrs Reynolds, Dennis, the hormonal maids or her stunning bedroom. This had become her home and she loved every inch of it. Get out of the habit, Liz. You've lived without this place for long enough, just forget you ever came. But she really couldn't just forget it. She had woken up every morning for six months and savoured in the eye-candy of the magnificent building. She loved the warmth, the content dusky vanilla scent that wafted around every corridor and the fact that she could close her eyes and still direct herself to any room she wanted. She just wished that she should somehow get rid of that annoying tug at her heart that reminded her that in just two weeks, she would probably never see it again.

Liz had never loathed anyone or wanted them as much as she did her boss. She hated him, but heck! She sure as hell wanted to see him in a wet shirt every other day... and shirtless would be even better. Oh God... don't even start conjuring up lurid images in your head... Mmmmmmm, very nice in leather though. He seemed to take advantage of the fact that she (for some insane reason) cared so much and used that against her by compelling Liz to give up the only place that had ever made her truly happy; even more than London.

Yes, it's all his fault! All of it! Bloody man. Why wasn't I born a lesbian...? Or better still, a nun? My life would have been so much easier...

With muttered curses, Liz had packed up most of her things, besides the few bare essentials that lay strewn about the room, and had phoned Jack, pleading him to let her stay around his gorgeous studio flat for a few weeks. For once, he very grudgingly let her stay and our Miss Bennet had a funny, and correct, feeling that some sort of a mystery was afoot as she recalled her questioning him...

"For God sake, Jack! I'd let you stay round mine...! Well, if I had a house, but that's not the point..."

"Liz, that is the point," She heard him groan from the other end of the phone. She could feel his agitation from the sound of his normally honeyed voice and could just picture him raking his perfectly manicured nails through his raven-black hair in frustration. What the heck is his problem? "I mean... Christ, did you have to lose your job now?"

"Sorry, Jack. I should've coincided it with your calendar. How stupid of me," Liz had hissed sarcastically. She was too pissed off with everything and everyone to even attempt to be remotely like her normally nice self. "And, just for the record, I didn't lose it. I decided to quit. It was my decision. MINE."

"Ok, I get it. You intentionally decided to throw your life down the loo and stop the best thing that's ever happened to you. I see that it wasn't an accident," He muttered moodily.

Liz paused.

Why was he being like this? Why wasn't he bloody comforting her? Telling her William was a wanker and that she didn't even need his poxy job? Shouldn't he be right now telling her that the house was too overly decorated anyway, and shouldn't he be making a jibe about it compensating William for other things?

"Jack, is something wrong with you?" She asked in soft, though still angry, concern. "Because you're being a right bastard and I'd like to know what it is that's making you such a crap friend."

The silence at the other end was so agonisingly long that Liz seriously wondered whether he'd fainted. Maybe she shouldn't have been so harsh but lately she was so incredibly irritable...

"It's Sasha," He had finally said, hardly above a whisper. SASHA?!?!?!

"SASHA!" She didn't mean to screech so loudly with a voice dripping disapproval, but she honestly couldn't help it. "What about Sasha? What does that little bitch want?!" Goodness sake, Liz! Language woman! Language!

"Liz, please..."

"Don't 'Liz please' me!" Yep, I'm seriously losing it. And it seems he has too. "Do you remember how much heartbreak you went through because of that little..."

"I know but, you know... Sasha's finally ready to commit," Liz snorted loudly, but stopped when she heard Jack whimper almost weakly. "Please, Liz. Don't yell at me."

My God, he's practically using his small little pleading voice. Ok, calm down woman. Calm. Just because Jack is going to throw himself into the power of that silicon filled, plastic Barbie doll who trampled all over his feelings with pencil heeled stilettos on doesn't mean I should panic/yell/throw something, does it?

"Commit?" She had squeaked, trying to rein in her anger. She wasn't doing a great job. Humph! Like that little tramp knows how to spell it, let alone understand it! With another sigh, Liz tried to compose herself yet again. She had to stop being hysterical.I must stop putting my problems before my friends'. I must be a top advice guru and dazzle them all with my fabulous brainpower. Please let it dazzle you, honey... "Jack, I'm your best friend, and I love you. You know I only want what's best for you. That's why I'm begging you (seriously, I've dropped down on my knees despite the floor being bloody cold) to please not get back together with Sasha."

"But... I think I love him."

Oh God. This is more serious then I thought.

"Jack, how can you love anybody who makes you feel so ugly inside?" Liz practically spat out her last words as she recalled last years Christmas Party and how a drunken Sasha tried to get off with every person there. She remembered the look of hurt in Jack's usually sparkling, mischievous and confident eyes as Sasha laughed right in his face and ordered him to go and get him some more drink because 'The exercise would do his lousy figure some good'. Liz also remembered when Sasha had called Jack a 'Crap Shag' in front of every last person when her best friend had tried to wrestle his tipsy boyfriend from trying to snog Wicks... who seemed to find the whole exhibition highly amusing. That was the first time Liz had realised what a total pillock the man was, and that was only another detail that caused her to end it on New Years. Oh... She cringed when she thought of New Year's...

"Liz? Liz you still there?" Whoops. Daydreaming again. Thank God he saved me from recalling that (shudder) night.

"Err... I-I have to go, Jack, and continue packing. I'll just stay at my mothers..."

"Liz, listen. I'm being a total arse. Of course you're staying round mine. Sasha can go and live in a cardboard box if he protests."

"Like he'd be caught in anything as cheap as cardboard..." Liz muttered and Jack howled with laughter. Liz actually smiled properly for the first time in days. "Thanks, Hon. You really are a top mate when you've got your priorities straight."

"Thanks... I think." They both chuckled easily, each forgetting their problems for the time being until Jack made his adieus. "Well, I better go, love. Lots to see, people to do... now wait, crap. Reverse that."

"I think you had it right the first time," Liz said smiling, then sighed resignedly. "Well, wish me luck. I have to go and get my last pay cheque from my Scary Boss-Man." Liz flinched as she thought of it. Talking to William... having to endure 'that look'... trying not to blurt out Georgiana's secret... trying not to throw a glass of water at him then jump him...

Jack laughed.

"Good Luck, darling. If he causes any trouble, just give us a ring and I'll nick one of Sasha's boots and throw the heel directly into his eye." At last! Here's the insults I've been waiting for all throughout the call! Liz giggled silently at the idea of Will walking around the house hoity-toitily with a knee length, PVC Prada boot sticking out of his head. Flicking her annoying curls away to stop them attacking her poor, defenceless eye, she continued to laugh.

"No offence, hon. But, to excuse the sexist expression, you throw like a girl. You'll probably end up stabbing yourself..."

"Liz," Jack said in his usual purr. "That is by far the biggest compliment I've ever had." She smiled wider, mainly because she knew he was completely serious.

***

She knew it was now or never, and never never did look so very appealing until that very moment. She'd hovered around outside William's study door until it could officially be classified as stalkerish and she had lifted her fist up to give the oak a good pounding on five separate occasions. God, Liz. Get a grip. Just breathe in... out. Right. Ok. Here goes nothing. With a quick knock, which she wasn't even sure was very audible from the other side of the door, Liz suddenly had a mad urge to sprint away frantically in the opposite direction. However, for once, maturity seemed to be rooting her to the spot (or was it fear?). Instead of the expected muffled 'Come in' she was sure would ensue, the door slammed open and William, with red-rimmed, crazed eyes, stubble and messy hair, appeared at the doorway.

She froze. My God, he looked like a rabid patient of a mental asylum. How did he still manage to make her want him after looking so deadful?

"What is it?!" He asked in rough insistence, looking at her as if she'd just interrupted his private canoodle with Claudia Schiffer. I was wondering if the wildlife preserve knew you had escaped...

"I, err... was wondering when, I mean if you'd be able to give me my last pay cheque anytime soon."

"Anytime soon?" He darted his eye charily from Liz to the inside of his room. He was blocking her view to the room, but she had a feeling he wasn't alone. Is he having a little 'session' with some model...? Lord, with Caz?!? Liz let out a puff as she realised that he would not bother being well mannered.

"Now would be nice," She said in irritation through gritted teeth. He didn't notice, but instead looked back into the room nervously.

"Listen, now really is not the time..." Don't let him brush you aside. Stand strong for once. Besides, you have to know who's in that room...! You might as well leave this place with your head held high and as a strong, independent woman.

"Sorry, but I can't make it any other time," she said in a voice so determined she hardly recognised it as she audaciously pushed him aside and stepped within the room. "I'll be too busy packing my bags and leaving Pemberley forever to..." Liz stopped suddenly as she glanced at the beautiful blonde sitting in his armchair. No, it wasn't Claudia Schiffer but Georgiana Darcy was also very easy on the eyes. However, she was also very sensitive and (bugger it!) had pretty good hearing.

"Leaving Pemberley forever?" She queried softly, abruptly looking up at her brother in confusion as Liz continued to resemble a fish. What was Georgie doing in here and what were her and William talking about to get him in such a state in the first place? But I suppose I'm the one who should be answering all the questions... Oh Damn, how am I going to talk my way out of this?

Nope, the fish thing was still adorned over Liz's gaping features. William, who was still behind our heroine, tried to fretfully explain. Liz could tell he was terrified to just hurt his sister.

"I was going to tell you, Georgie but..."

"When were you going to tell me, William?" She asked in an almost dangerous tone as she looked down at her hands. Liz could feel the bottled up anger radiating out of her. Eeeeeek. "When Liz was halfway back to London?" The atmosphere was so tense that Liz had a mad urge to giggle. Right, you have to say something! Talk soothingly...

"Georgie, hon. I'm the one who quit." Then she added more reluctantly and quite nearly inaudibly, "If there's anyone to blame, let it be me." Georgiana looked up; her blue eyes, wide and confused, suddenly shone with tears. She looked like a lost child. I am such an evil cow.

"You're going to leave me alone, just like that... for no reason?"

"She has her reasons, Georgie," William muttered quietly, but he also was looking down at his feet. Liz could hear him shifting uncomfortably behind her. Georgiana shook her head in denial, her face spelling out her many troubled questions.

"But... but, I don't understand. Have I done something wrong? Why... why didn't you tell me?" God, now she's blaming herself!

"It's not you at all, darling," Liz quickly tried to cut in reassuringly; it only sounded like a quick, empty fib. "It's all me." God, how unbelievably corny! Even you could do better than that. "I, errr... well, I mean we didn't want to hurt you..."

"And this isn't hurting me?!" Both Liz and Will recoiled backwards with her raised voice; neither had ever heard her so agitated. They were both genuinely worried and uncertain of how to deal with the explosive situation. There was a horribly uncomfortable silence floating about, which was finally broken as Georgie pushed back the chair. "If you will excuse me..." Her voice broke halfway through the sentence as she practically ran out the room. Only William noticed the tears but, like Liz, he didn't dare move. He still stayed standing there, immobile and in some shock at his sister's uncharacteristic behaviour and Liz croaked that she'd better finish her packing after a silent five minutes of doing the same. He didn't even nod as she quietly made her way out and shut the door soundlessly behind her. On making her way guiltily towards the stairs leading to her room, Liz suddenly remembered that she still hadn't got her cheque.

***

Only after fifteen minutes of Liz reaching her room, Mrs Reynolds slammed loudly in. Oh, I see good news travels fast... She thought bitterly as she turned away from her friend and continued to fold her clothes, though she really preferred not to gaze at the elder woman. I can't look her in the eye. She probably hates me for being such a cold, heartless bitch... Mrs Reynolds didn't take very long getting to the point as Liz feigned great interest with the lace on one of her skirts.

"Liz, it's Georgie she..." Oh God, don't make me feel worse then I already feel! She sighed dejectedly as she folded the skirt messily.

"Listen, I know I did wrong by her but nothing she can say will make me stay." William, however... Shaking her head to rid herself of her stupid and, in her opinion, demeaning thoughts, Liz finally turned from her suitcase to face Mrs Reynolds. However, Liz saw desperation and tears welling in the usually collected elderly woman's eyes instead of compassion. Her heart fell to her stomach. She had a feeling something was terribly wrong. "W-what's happened, Mrs R?" She managed to croak in fear. God, if Georgie's done something stupid because of me, I will never forgive myself. Mrs Reynolds shook her head, looking utterly lost. Liz couldn't help feeling how surreal the entire situation was.

"She's... she's not in her room," The elder woman stuttered uncharacteristically; her typically hard voice trembling with panic. "And her things are gone." Liz was still absolutely motionless. She felt as though the wind was knocked out of her as Mrs Reynolds's speech echoed annoying through her ears like those cheap soap operas she used to love to watch on weekday afternoons. As the words runaway, homeless and hypothermia grabbed chillingly at both her head and heart, the elder woman handed Liz a letter shakily. 'Liz' was written in Georgiana's effortlessly neat calligraphy upon the middle of the envelope. "I-I found this resting on her pillow."

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