“That was the best strawberry pie I have ever tasted!” gushes Alice Hammer “I think I may take a piece for later” as she begins to wrap a rather large triangle pastry into her paper napkin.
Next to her Jennings squints and grins at her “Maybe, we ought to leave it on the table. Your purse is still pretty full from Home League this past week.”
Alice Hammer glances down into her favorite beige faux leather purse to find a couple of floral paper napkins and another Hallmark football napkin with leftover cookies from two days ago as well as a few packages of coffee creamers and yellow substitute sugar packets.
Disappointed, Alice Hammer sighs “I suppose your right. The red berries might blend in with my pink check book, but it certainly would taste good for a midnight snack!” taking one last lick from a few crumbs left on her thumb.
“Why don’t we move to the front room where we can have some coffee or herbal tea, whichever you prefer” suggests Major Debourgh in more of a command tone than request taking a cue from the large grandfather clock in the corner of the room.
Scooting his chair loudly against the grain of the wooden floor away from the dining room table, Collins agrees most heartedly, “Oh yes. You make the most stupendous cup of coffee. The aroma floats and tantalizes my senses”. Collins shakes his head as his nose and chin rise higher in the air as if in response to the overwhelming infiltration of the smooth roasted grounds.
Raising her eyebrows in awe of Collins’ dramatic flair, Jennings curiously turns to Anne and asks, “What brand does she use? I think I may need to get me some of that”
Shrugging her shoulders, “Folgers, as far as I know” shyly but frankly replies Anne “It’s the only brand I’ve ever seen her buy at the grocery store”.
Taking in a deep breath with all of her full essence, Alice Hammer rapidly nods her head while snapping the clasp on her purse “Yes, it does smell delicious. I definitely would like a cup!”
With a friendly smile William Fitz politely helps Alice Hammer move her chair back from the table. In response, she pats his hand in a grateful gesture. “Some lady is going to appreciate you some day!” with a wink.
William chuckles to himself and looks over at Liz who is preoccupied in her thoughts wondering what excuse she will find to get out of having to play the piano in front of everyone. Liz haphazardly glances over at Darcy who also happens to casually be looking back at her. Darcy catches her eye and drops his brow to quickly pretend that he has been staring at something else buried in the floor.
“Wait dear! Wait for me! I’ll help you into the other room!” screeches Collins tripping over Major Debourgh’s chair but quickly regaining his balance in an attempt to shuffle through the guests in order to catch up with his wife.
In response Char resolutely sighs but pauses to wait for him to stand by her side and offer his arm in assistance. She takes his arm and he in return squeezes her hand in delight. She smiles in genuine response to his tenderness and obvious attentiveness.
Quietly Anne observes Darcy through the corner of her eye. Studying him, Anne finds Darcy very attractive as she always has since she was a young teen. Anne can’t understand why Liz appears to be non-pulsed by his presence this evening when he seems quite taken with her in response. Darcy has always been her mother’s ideal for her perfect mate. Anne remembers being taught from the time she is little that Darcy will be an outstanding marital match for her. But in truth, her heart at times has led her elsewhere. Although having no complaints about Darcy, Anne deep down feels perhaps he isn’t really the best match for her because they don’t share many interests or things in common with each other. However, making her mother actually believe that is nearly impossible.
In deep contemplation of his own, Darcy waits at the entrance unaware of Anne’s thoughts. He smiles and gentlemanly offers for Anne to walk in front of him into the next room. Walking into the other room, Darcy watches Liz finding a place to sit on the large sofa. Unable to move around Anne who is sauntering slowly in front of him, disheartened Darcy sees his cousin quickly maneuvering to sit next to Liz again. Darcy’s lips tighten and his eyes narrow.
Relaxing Liz adjusts the throw pillow to sit more at ease and leans over the armrest with her back slightly turned from William to talk to Alice Hammer who has aimed for the large recliner again. William places his arm comfortably behind Liz on the top of the sofa and rests his right foot on one knee.
Resolvedly, Darcy finds an empty place on the loveseat next to Jennings across from the sofa with a direct line of view to Liz who is chatting away with Alice Hammer.
Major Debourgh raises her lip and conceives a plan. “Jennings, I do believe you would be much more comfortable in the rocker from the other room. Collins, please go get the glider from the office. Anne can take her place on the loveseat so that everyone has a place to sit. You and Char may bring in chairs from the dining room as I have.”
“No need to fuss. I’m fine. I like where I’m sitting” honestly replies Jennings stretching out her legs in front of her while flexing her toes and feet in a rhythmic routine.
“Nonsense!” commands Major Debourgh and then in a much sweeter tone “You can rest your feet on the ottoman. Anne take your place next to Darcy”.
Rising from her cozy position, Jennings surrenders and shrugs her shoulders understanding that moving to another place is the only option available that she has been given. Anne compliantly finds her new position and sits next to Darcy.
Realizing, the Anne is not sitting close enough for interaction, Major Debourgh suggests “Anne, move closer to Darcy. I need to sit on the loveseat too. It’s better for my arthritus.”
“I’ll trade places with you then” offers Darcy not wanting to be cramped in such a small space.
“No, you stay right where you are! I’m very comfortable next to Anne and there is plenty of room!” demands Major Debourgh establishing her plans for affection of her daughter.
In anguish Anne looks scrunched and awkwardly embarrassed as her shoulder crushes against Darcy’s chest as her mother shoves her determined body into place on the loveseat.
Amused Liz softly giggles to herself looking over at the compressed trio across from her. Darcy catches her eye and smiles back in defeat. Major Debourgh captures their interaction and suggests “Liz, I think that it is time for us to hear some music. Why don’t you play for us now?”
Self-consciously Liz can feel the heat rise in her cheeks. “Really, there are quite a few musicians who are better than me here tonight and who would be more enjoyable to listen to”.
“No, you are my guest and I would like you to play for us tonight” determinedly requests Major Debough rubbing her hands together in triumph.
Relinquishing all dignity, Liz painfully submits to Major Debourgh’s order and makes her way to the piano.
Reluctantly Liz finds a plethora of unused songbooks, old editions of Musical Salvationists, and other various sheet music. She shuffles through notebooks of Gowens and Larsson’s musicals.
Placing some music in front of her, Liz begins playing “I’ll Make My Promises”. As the introduction continues, trying to defer her anxiety Liz becomes lost in her surroundings and begins to sing. William seizing the opportunity stands up and joins her at the piano. He sings in a duet with her.
“You play quite well. I don’t know why you didn’t want to play for all of us” compliments William as Liz accidently misses a couple of notes.
“Thanks for the compliment, but I prefer just to play for myself. I should definitely practice more” honestly remarks Liz starting another verse which William joins her in singing while turning the pages as needed.
Across the room Darcy glares at his cousin and decides it is time for an intervention. He conclusively walks over to the piano.
“Are there any requests?” asks William flipping through the stacks of songbooks on the top of the piano.
“I like ‘Glory!’ Years ago we did the musical for youth councils and then we even did it at congress one year. Come on Alice, you can do the motions with me. You remember!” stands Jennings to her feet and then grabbing Alice Hammer by the arm to attempt to help her up from the recliner where she has been contentedly lodged. Then turning to Major Debough, “Major, you need to join us too!”
“No thank you. I will watch you though” snuffs Major Debough brushing off her skirt to remove invisible lent.
“Suit yourself” shrugs Jennings “Alice, I think that we are going to get some exercise tonight!” Finding a decent amount of space between them for raised arms and moving legs, Jennings glances over her shoulder, “ We’re ready, Liz!”
“I’ll do my best” grimacing replies Liz not sure of the key or the amount of notes that seem to be facing her on the page.
Noticing the competition has arrived at the piano, William decides to share the bench with Liz instead rather than standing next to her. Liz scoots a little further down the bench to make more room and freedom to move her arms as needed.
“I think you need to give Liz some room, William” suggests Darcy looking his cousin directly in the eye which William intentionally ignores.
The song begins and Jennings along with Alice Hammer dance to their heart’s content. “Play it again Liz! One more time!” Liz graciously complies with an occasional missed note in the wrong key.
After finishing the song, “I’m tuckered out now! I think it’s time for some of that infamous coffee!” teasingly smiles Jennings aware of her intentional vocabulary mistake glancing over at Major Debough who chooses to ignore the humorous gaff. Anne bites her lip and tries to hide a sly smile.
“So, how did you and Darcy first meet?” asks William taking a better look at Liz sitting next to him on the bench.
Darcy standing beside the piano answers before Liz can respond, “We met at a wedding and became better acquainted while we attended Longbourne Citadel for the summer and some time at Christmas.”
“Yes, he wasn’t very friendly when we first met” offers Liz with a smile “But he was nicer later on after we became better acquainted but it took him awhile.”
“I can see that. He can be a bit of a standoffish at times” adds William knowing that Darcy is slightly irritated anytime his observant demeanor is mentioned.
“You tried to lose me when we were invited over to your house for dinner” responds Darcy laughing at the memory.
On being caught Liz smiles “Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Well, you eventually found your way there in spite of me. I think you had a good time at my house”.
“Yes I did. It was interesting meeting all of your sisters” reveals Darcy “I think that we had a good conversation that day. I now know a little more about music and history”.
“Yes . . . I guess so” sighs Liz at the memory of the astute knowledge of her sisters “it is always an education at my house”.
Darcy laughs as he meets her eyes and grins.
“So, why didn’t you like each other at first? I’m still waiting to hear the reason” states William wanting to be included in the private conversation. “Let’s see, Liz you said Darcy wasn’t friendly . . .”
“I was too!” rebukes Darcy “I just didn’t say much.”
“Oh yes, you did!” animatedly returns Liz “But you seemed a bit aloof but then you talked”.
“I didn’t know very many people and I was preoccupied with some business I had that day. I think there was a misunderstanding in a discussion we were having” explains Darcy wanting the opportunity to excuse his behavior that day but not entirely even remembering the conversation or where it took a wrong turn. “I’m not sure what you mean by your comment though Liz”.
“What did he do to offend you?” curiously asks William realizing that Liz still appears to be upset in her tone and hoping for the opportunity to gain Liz’s support.
“He refused to participate in the wedding. He didn’t offer to dance with anyone and then he didn’t even bother to watch the cake being cut. He seemed bored with the whole atmosphere” replies Liz smirking at Darcy but enjoying the moment of teasing him.
“I’m not comfortable dancing in front of people. As far was watching the cake cutting, it appeared like a swarm of young girls crowding in around the cake dreaming of their future weddings” honestly replies Darcy “I didn’t want to interrupt their fantasies”.
“That’s a bit harsh Darcy” laughs William “I would have gone over just to be the first in line for some good cake from a bakery. If Liz had been available, I would have asked her to dance”.
“It’s not that I didn’t think about it. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself” sincerely replies Darcy not entirely comfortable with this moment of confession unnervingly induced by his cousin.
“I can forgive you for not dancing, because I don’t particularly like to dance either. But you said a few things later that made it difficult for you to be my friend” offers Liz enjoying the banter and finding out what was really going through Darcy’s mind at the time that she found difficult to understand.
“Liz, what else did he do?” asks William noticing that his questions make Darcy shift and appear slightly anxious which is unusual for him.
“I lost my earring under the punch bowl and heard him say that I was “tolerable if a little outspoken” but he did think my older sister was pretty”.
Darcy’s eyes become huge and look like they are coming out of their sockets. He can’t believe he would have said something like that about anyone but not her. “I . . . I . . .”
“Ohhh … I guess he’s in trouble . . .” teases William nudging his cousin.
“It’s okay. I’ve gotten over my pain and agony” dramatically clutching her heart with her fist “We’re at least friends now” mocks Liz “I guess he’s found me ‘tolerable’ enough since then”.
At that moment Jennings calls over “William can you help me? Alice needs to find the powder room and we need your help getting her out of the recliner that she now appears to be glued to”. William smiles at the two of them and finds his way to the other side of the room.
The last thing that Darcy wants Liz to remember is something that he said that might have caused her feelings to be hurt. Now that it just the two of them, he anxiously stumbles through his words to find an explanation, “I don’t know what I was talking about. I didn’t mean anything like that.”
“Well, at least I realize that we are friends now” Liz changes the subject “By the way, did you see my sister Jane when she was visiting in Pemberly a couple of months ago? She was staying with my aunt and uncle for a few weeks. We haven’t heard from any of the Bingleys except a short note from Caroline which didn’t say much and wondered how they were doing.”
“They’re fine. I haven’t been much to the corps lately due to traveling for business, so I did not have a chance to run into your sister while she was visiting in the area” not sure how to respond having been put on the spot, Darcy shuffles and then continues “The Bingleys have been quite busy as well. Bingley works in public relations and out of the office quite a lot. Caroline is often on location with the Global News Network so I don’t have much of a chance to see either of them.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. We miss having them attend Longbourne Citadel. It was nice to have the fellowship while it lasted. Bingley and Jane got along so well together. It seems very strange that we haven’t heard from him.” genuinely responds Liz hoping that he will respond but he chooses not to in spite of the pause in conversation. She closes the songbooks in front of her “I think that is enough playing for tonight”.
“How long are you in town?” asks Darcy hoping that it will be for awhile and he will be able to enjoy her company for a few more days realizing how much he has missed her these last few months.
“I’m here for a couple of weeks until I have to return to work. I’m staying with Char” replies Liz also hoping that this will not be the last time they run into each other.
“Would it be all right if I stopped by once in awhile? I have the day off on Tuesday” suggests Darcy hiding his nervousness “If you would like maybe we could go to a movie or bowling?”
“I don’t know my schedule yet with Char but I am sure that I will have some free time. It would be good to see you again” offers Liz excited by the suggestion of spending more time with Darcy and becoming better acquainted again while having fun as well “I’ll call you tomorrow after I talk with Char and find out what her plans are for my visit”.
“Sounds good to me” Darcy smiles back at her feeling content at the future opportunities that lay ahead.
