Fragments

by Teg

  She searched her own memories for his presence during her forays in the park but it all seemed so long ago, too distant to recall with any clarity. What she did remember was more disturbing than comforting. Elizabeth doubted she would

  enjoy the environment in the same way again. There would be no more tree

  climbing, no more running on the pathways.

  “I couldn’t help myself,” continued Will. “I returned day after day to see you, like a breath of fresh air in my stale existence.”

  Courage drained from Elizabeth’s limbs. She knew that she would never be

  that woman again, not even for this man. The world around her seem to grow dark, the weight of truth bearing down on her. She closed her eyes, her head spinning.

  “Let me be that breath of fresh air for you, Elizabeth.”

  Blinking away the dizziness, she tried to focus on his face. Had he really spoken? Suddenly shy, confused by her own reaction, she looked away. Will

  said nothing, nor did he move to put distance between them and for that she was grateful. She felt awkward, like a teenager on a first date wondering what to do next. The warmth of his hand seeped into hers and Elizabeth shuddered as a chill swept through her body.

  “You’re cold,” said Will, quickly rising from the bench and shocking her by picking her up in his arms. “I should have listened to Jane. I’m so sorry, Lizzy.

  It was stupid of me to put you at risk like this.”

  Before she knew it they were at the car, Elizabeth’s light form allowing Will to carry her effortlessly. Almost anxiously, he opened the passenger door and deposited her in the seat, then pulled a blanket from the back and tucked it around her. Elizabeth was just recovering her wits when he had started up the engine and turned on the heater. She frowned slightly in his direction.

  “I’d better get you home.” He did not seem to need her opinion on the matter.

  Her frown deepened but words wouldn’t come. I don’t want to go home. I’m not cold, she silently protested.

  “I’m sure Jane has lunch ready by now, anyway.” Will put the car into gear and began to back it out of the parking space. “Are you hungry?” he asked,

  glancing at her.

  Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. She had lost her appetite along with her patience. Yet, as they made their way back down into the city, the man beside her did not acknowledge her growing dissatisfaction. She crossed her arms

  over her chest, turning away from him and staring out the window.

  Their return trip was as silent as the first. When they pulled in the driveway Charles and Jane were out front, making some pretense of yard work. Jane

  started toward the car but her husband stopped her with a touch on her arm.

  Will called a greeting as he went around to Elizabeth’s side and helped her out.

  “Did you enjoy your outing?” Jane asked when her sister was close enough.

  She thought Elizabeth looked tired despite the smile she gave in reply. “Let’s go in now, Charles. We can eat and then Lizzy can have a nap afterward. I

  think she overdid it today.”

  Charles raised an eyebrow in his friend’s direction, knowing Will had overheard the comment. Judging from the expression on Elizabeth’s face, she had also heard it and was not pleased, but whether it was with Jane or with Will he could not determine. To relieve some of the awkwardness of the moment,

  Charles offered his arm to Elizabeth, giving her a respite from the two most attentive parties. With a meaningful look at his friend, he sent Will off ahead of them.

  “Don’t allow either of them to smother you, Lizzy. Will’s a man who has

  always been in control of everything around him and he likes it that way. I can have a word with him if you want,” whispered Charles. Elizabeth giggled.

  “That’s what brothers are for, you know.”

  She shook her head, grinning. “No.”

  “I can’t say the same about Jane, though.” Charles winked at her. “However, if it suits you, I could arrange to take her out one evening and someone else stay with you for a few hours.” He searched her expression for an indication of the direction her thoughts were taking.

  Elizabeth gently bit her bottom lip, then looked up at Charles hopefully.

  “Will?”

  “That is up to you. I’ll make the arrangements if you like?” There was no

  mistaking the answer in her eyes. He grinned.

  They had reached the front door and Elizabeth felt the fatigue she’d prefer to deny. Charles saw her stationed comfortably in the big armchair near the

  window, removed her shoes and asked if she would like anything else before he assisted Jane in the kitchen. As he was leaving, Will appeared in the doorway, hesitating before he spoke.

  “Are you warm enough? I’ll get you a blanket.” He made as if to retrieve one but Elizabeth stopped him with an impatient sigh. Will returned to her side.

  “What is it? Have I....?” He paused before beginning again in a quieter voice.

  “Would you prefer that I go?”

  That was the last thing she wanted and Elizabeth struggled to form the words he needed to hear. Slowly, the sounds were drawn out, whispered softly against his hand as she brought it to her lips. “K-kiss me.”

  He stared at her, startled by both the words and that she had spoken.

  “Kiss me,” she ordered, her gaze now strong upon him, waiting. Will crouched down beside the chair, bringing his face level with hers. Elizabeth was pleased that he didn’t need to be asked a third time but the modest brush of his lips against her cheek was not what she had intended. “Tease,” she scolded.

  Will’s laugh was full and rich. “Don’t be in such a rush, young lady! We have the rest of our lives ahead of us.” He leaned closer, his breath caressing her ear.

  “I’ve waited months already. A little bit longer won’t make any difference.”

  She heard him inhale deeply. “Your voice is beautiful, too, just as I knew it would be.”

  She grasped his hand more tightly, no longer feeling disappointed that their excursion had been curtailed. If the day could end on a more positive note then any misunderstandings would be easily forgotten. Elizabeth knew that her

  afternoon would be spent having a nap. Her body was not ready to perform the work she was demanding of it and she felt more tired than she had anticipated.

  Yet the thought of Will not being there when she woke up was disconcerting despite the ridiculousness of expecting him to stay while she slept for hours.

  Surely the man would have plenty of other things he could be doing in that time!

  “Come, let’s join Charles and Jane now.”

  Elizabeth gladly placed her other hand into his strong grasp and together they went to enjoy the meal her sister had prepared.

  Charles pulled his wife back to the kitchen, entreating her to say nothing. As soon as the door closed behind him she asked, “What was all that about?”

  “Jane, I told you if we left them to sort it out between them everything will turn out fine. Trust me.”

  “Fine, Charles, but just tell me what you saw.”

  He grinned. “Two people who have almost realised how much they are in

  love.”

  Jane’s hands fell from her hips. “How long do you propose we hide in here, then?”

  “Oh, it’s not a question of staying in here because they will be with us any minute.” He laughed at Jane’s roll of eyes. “I couldn’t be happier for them and I know you won’t be able to deny it, either, once you see how enthusiastic they both are.”

  Jane prayed he was right for it was too late to protect her sister from

  heartbreak. She could only offer comfort if and when Elizabeth needed it. The sight that greeted her when the other couple entered the kitchen inspired a little more confidence; Elizabeth’s face was glowing, not with the florid colour of agitation but with a delicate hue denoting pleasure and satisfaction. When the
y were all seated at the table she leaned against Will and his fingers were

  stroking hers in slow, deliberate movements as they rested upon the tablecloth.

  Despite Jane’s consideration in providing foods which presented no difficulties for her, Elizabeth ate little, slowly and deliberately. Fatigue, combined with the tumultuous emotions she’d experienced during the morning, brought on a

  series of yawns she could not prevent.

  “Lizzy?” began Jane before biting her lip to keep the rest of her sentence unsaid.

  Elizabeth nodded, however, with no inclination to argue. She wanted to sleep and did need assistance in getting upstairs to her bed. While Jane looked after her sister the two men cleared the table. Finally, the blankets were tucked around Elizabeth’s form and she looked up into Jane’s face with sleepy eyes, one request on her mind before she could rest.

  A few moments later Will poked his head around the door. “Jane said you

  wanted to see me. I thought you’d had quite enough of my presence already.”

  He grinned at her, stepping into the room when Elizabeth motioned for him to sit with her. His eyebrows raised expectantly.

  “Tired,” she said, her voice quiet.

  “Sleep, Lizzy.” Touching a finger to her cheek, Will gently caressed it.

  Her lips formed a pout. “Stay.”

  “Here?” he asked, glancing around the room. Elizabeth laughed and colour

  rushed into his face as he realised his error. “Oh, of course. Yes, I’ll still be downstairs when you wake up.” They were both silent for a moment, Will

  studying her face and becoming lost in the spell of her gaze. He found himself drawn forward and at the last minute raised his head slightly to place a kiss on Elizabeth’s forehead. “I won’t leave while you sleep. I promise.”

  Her eyes closed and she breathed a contented sigh. Will closed the door

  noiselessly on his way out.

  “Jane, you need a break. I’m taking you out for an evening next week and will allow you to pick the day. No arguments.” Charles shook his head and

  interrupted her before she could object. “I’ll ask Will to stay with Lizzy. You know she’ll be fine with him.”

  “I don’t know....”

  Her husband would hear none of it. “Well I do. You have poured your heart and soul into caring for your sister since all of this began. If you expect to continue then you must take time to recharge. Will is available any time. You know that, as well as how much he cares about her. Lizzy is not helpless and Will is

  perfectly capable.”

  One of the subjects of their conversation arrived in time to hear his name mentioned. “Of what am I capable?” Will asked.

  “Looking after Lizzy when I take Jane out one evening next week,” Charles

  informed him.

  “Sure!” Enthusiasm could not be disguised. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll make us some dinner, bring a movie or two to watch and you can enjoy

  yourselves without another thought for us.”

  Jane didn’t appear convinced but she remained silent on that particular matter.

  Instead she asked, “How is she now?”

  “Sleeping,” reassured Will. “Quite soundly, too.” He had waited outside the bedroom door for a few minutes just in case Elizabeth needed anything.

  Jane let out a long sigh and rubbed her forehead with both hands. “Good. You have to admit that she looked tired. It was too early to be taking her away from home for hours on nothing more than... a pleasure trip.”

  Will opened his mouth, an argument ready on his tongue until Charles raised a hand to silence him.

  “It wasn’t hours,” he gently corrected his wife. “One hour at most and perfectly understandable that she’d be tired. Any exertion is going to do that at this stage.

  I think she needed the change from all that therapy work.” He trained a serious gaze on her. “Lizzy isn’t the only one who’s tired. You’ve pushed your limit, Jane.”

  She nodded, too weary to contradict him. “Maybe I’ll have a nap, too.”

  “You should,” Charles encouraged. “It’s not necessary for you to be with Lizzy every waking moment. There are many things she can do without assistance

  and it’s better for her to do what she can for herself than for someone else to coddle her.”

  Jane gave him a look of annoyance. “I’m not coddling her.” Nevertheless, she found herself examining her own behaviour and reconsidered his words. “I’ll give her more time to try things on her own, though.” She stood up and smiled at them both. “I am going to lie down for a bit but promise to wake me if Lizzy gets up first.”

  Charles agreed and when Jane left he suggested to Will that they go out to the deck in the backyard so they could speak more freely. The air was chilly and damp, typical fall weather, but neither minded in the least. Charles leaned on the railing and looked out over the lawn.

  “How was your date this morning?” he finally said.

  “Promising,” replied Will. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his brow creased thoughtfully.

  “Lizzy seemed a little upset when you returned but I wasn’t sure whether it was with you or with what Jane said at the time.”

  Will grunted. “I can’t answer that. I’ve never been completely sure about

  Elizabeth’s opinions on anything, particularly me.”

  Charles turned to look at his friend. “But you believe things look promising now?”

  The lingering memory of how Elizabeth’s body felt pressed against his while they sat in the park caused Will to smile slightly. “Yes.”

  “You looked rather... comfortable together in the living room earlier.”

  Will faced the other man squarely. “What do you want to say, Charles?”

  Taking a deep breath he stated, “Go slowly with her from now on, Will, for your sake as much as hers.”

  “Is this where you tell me not to keep her out all night and staying over isn’t allowed?” Will asked testily.

  His friend smiled. “I’ll let Jane give you that lecture. She’s watching out for Lizzy but I’m concerned about you. I know you won’t do anything to hurt her but she might not be so careful. Will, the physical recovery is going well and you are aware of how much time it takes for each milestone she achieves. Her mental recovery hasn’t even been addressed yet.”

  “I hope Wickham gets what he deserves in that prison,” growled Will.

  “I have no doubt that he will, if he hasn’t already. They aren’t very tolerant of roommates who abuse women or children.” Charles frowned in thought. “Lizzy won’t be ready for any psychological therapy until she can and is willing to voice her thoughts, however. Have you ever talked about George Wickham

  with her?”

  “No.” Will’s expression darkened even more and he walked several steps away to stand with his back to Charles.

  “She hasn’t said anything about him to Jane. We don’t even know how much

  she remembers.” Painful as it was, he had to ask the next question. “Will, do you believe she remembers anything that happened between you two in the

  past, that she’s not simply running on emotions created by your attendance upon her during the last few months?”

  He would be a fool not to admit that he had feared exactly that from the very beginning of his visits. “I don’t know what she remembers, Charles, but I do believe that what she feels now is genuine, whatever those feelings may be.

  Not just because I want to but because, no matter what has happened to her, Elizabeth is still the woman of strength and integrity that she ever was. She would not say what she does not mean. Considering how difficult it is for her to speak I’m even more sure of the truth in the words she chooses to use.”

  “Has she spoken to you at last?”

  Will nodded, unwilling to betray Elizabeth’s privacy by revealing her requests of him. Her first words had shocked and thrilled him but had not
filled him with the level of hope that her second appeal had done.

  Charles laid a hand on Will’s shoulder. “Lizzy couldn’t find a better

  champion.”

  Cold surrounded her. Her body was being pushed down, deep below the bright surface. She reached upward, stretching her arm as far as possible but it wasn’t enough.

  The brightness above her flashed, breaking open and she felt herself drawn up into the light, grasped around the shoulders and pulled from the sucking hold on her feet....

  Elizabeth opened her eyes, instantly checking her surroundings and feeling the soft plush animal next to her. She was warm under the blankets but her dream had left behind an icy residue. A whimper rose in her throat and she clutched the tiny animal tightly, squeezing her eyes shut and willing sleep to claim her once again.

  Chapter Twelve

  “It’s a... a...” Will screwed up his face in an expression that made Elizabeth struggle to remain serious. “It’s dinner,” he finally said, scooping it from the pan and onto their plates. “I forget the name. Hey, I just followed the directions Georgiana sent. I only hope it tastes the same as when she makes it.” He set their plates down on the table and made another face. “Doesn’t look

  favourable, though. Maybe I should order us pizza instead?”

  Her laughter bubbled over at that and Elizabeth picked up her fork, bravely sinking it into the mass in front of her and raising it to her lips.

  “Wait!” he said, staying her hand with the word. “I feel as if I should be the guinea pig, not you. Let me try it first.” Before he could do so, however, she had popped the fork into her mouth. Will watched in suspense for a reaction.

  Elizabeth dropped the fork and clutched at her throat, gagging and waving

  wildly with one hand.

  “Oh, very funny,” he sneered. “You’re making dinner next time, lady.”

  She laughed, gesturing for him to try it. “Good,” she said, taking another bite as if to prove her point.

  Tentatively, he examined what he’d made. “Jane won’t thank me if I poison