Fragments

by Teg

  “Very well, then.” Dr. Wendell closed the file and placed it on her desk. “I shall see you alone at the next appointment, Elizabeth. Please see Terri about the dates and times. I know you have several other scheduled appointments and

  therapies that must be considered. May I have a word with you, Jane, before you go?”

  Elizabeth hesitated, glancing suspiciously at the other two, then simply

  shrugged and bid goodbye to the doctor before leaving.

  “We’re still getting acquainted,” Dr. Wendell said to Jane. “Not much progress but it’s progress nonetheless. Elizabeth is resistant and that’s not at all unusual under the circumstances. We have a lot of ground to cover and she’ll have to

  lead the way at first. I’d like her to be more comfortable with me before delving into more painful subjects. I’ll see how our next private appointment goes but I suspect she’ll be more comfortable with you present because she will expect you to do the greater share of the talking. I don’t mean to

  discourage you from contributing but try to do so in a manner which requires Elizabeth to respond.”

  Jane nodded confidently. “I can do that.” She rose and shook the other

  woman’s hand. “Thank you, Doctor. I know this isn’t going to be easy but I will be there for Lizzy every step of the way.”

  Several weeks of increased effort had the desired effect; Elizabeth’s mobility was greatly improved as well as her attitude. Will’s ability to keep up with her in the water fell short of her accomplishments, however.

  There were still some mental challenges to overcome. Elizabeth’s sessions with Dr. Wendell had only scratched the surface, revealing no more than the obvious details of the relationship with George Wickham. That he was an abuser with a long history was clearly known to Elizabeth. She freely admitted that

  discovering his past problems had been a key motivator to continue seeing him.

  The goal-driven social worker in her saw only the potential for redemption, failing to recognise the danger to herself. At no point had Elizabeth indicated a willingness to concede that she’d lost control of the situation before the final act of violence declared it at an end. Indeed, she had never been in control at all.

  Jane was an equal participant in two out of every three sessions, family

  counselling playing an important role in her sister’s healing. Living in the same house it was difficult to ignore the signs of denial in Elizabeth’s behaviour. She threw herself into her physical recovery process, soaked up every minute of attention from Will, yet had little to say about the darker moments of her own past two years.

  Jane had spoken with Will and found that he had also seen evidence of

  Elizabeth’s suppression of her memories. There were unexplained fears, odd instances of daring acts similar to those of a rebellious teenager testing her mortality. It was alarming at times; Will had always led a safe, secure existence with few opportunities to truly take any risks beyond the boardroom. More

  than once his car had very nearly ended up in a ditch when Elizabeth stationed herself behind the wheel and insisted on being allowed to drive, at least a short distance. Another time she chose to distract him in a rather delightful manner when she had felt an urgent need to reassure him of her own feelings.

  She lifted their hands to her lips to kiss the tender middle of his palm, watching his reaction from the corner of her eye. Pleased, she flicked her tongue across the skin’s surface and saw his eyelids flutter.

  “Elizabeth,” Will said, his voice hushed and low. “Your sister would kill me if I let you take me where I think you have in mind.” His eyelids dropped until she was sure he could barely see through the slits. Placing his hand back on the shifter she raised a saucy eyebrow at him. “Oh, no,” he laughed. “If you want more from me you’ll have to ask with words. Consider it therapy.”

  Elizabeth pouted, inwardly pleased with the challenge he’d presented, knowing she would have to work for what he quite clearly wanted, too. She was thrilled to think of all the practice she might need with particular words and phrases.

  “I can’t help being impatient for her to get those feelings out into the open,”

  said Jane, stretching to relieve a cramp in her neck. “I hope it’s soon. Mother called today.”

  Will looked up from his cup of coffee. “Oh no.”

  “Oh, yes,” she nodded. “Mom feels it’s time to burn some bridges. She never gets these sayings right but, anyway, she said they’re coming here to spend Christmas with us since we didn’t go there last year.”

  “They being whom, exactly?”

  “Mom, Dad and Mary at the very least. I haven’t heard from Cathy but she’s just as likely to stay home or go to the Caribbean as come here.”

  Will’s frown deepened. “Why now? Why weren’t they here four, five or six

  months ago when Elizabeth needed them most?”

  “I don’t know.” Quickly, Jane corrected herself. “Oh, yes. I do know but it’s not going to go over at all well with Lizzy.”

  “I can’t imagine any explanation would convince her,” grunted Will.

  “Do I really need to remind you of our mother’s behaviour at Charles’ and my wedding? Her primary goal in life was to indoctrinate her daughters in how to get a husband, preferably rich, and keep him. In her opinion, Lizzy failed on both counts. George didn’t marry her and Lizzy couldn’t hang onto him.”

  “I don’t think I can comment on that without offending you.”

  Jane chuckled. “You wouldn’t offend me, Will. I feel the same way. However, this is the part Lizzy really won’t like. Mom figures some fast, firsthand advice will prevent her wayward daughter from making the same mistake with you.”

  “Now you really would be offended if I voiced my thoughts!”

  Jane shook her head in reply. She and her sisters had been subjected to the same ritual year after year. Elizabeth wasn’t the only one who disagreed with their parents but she was the only one to ever tell them so. Jane hoped this year would see no difference but who could tell with the current state of affairs?

  “I don’t suppose you’ll let me take Elizabeth away while the rest of your family visits?” Will raised his eyebrows hopefully.

  “You know that won’t solve anything,” laughed Jane.

  “No,” Will grinned, “but I’m sure we’d have more fun spending a couple of weeks alone.” Serious again, he asked, “How long have we got to prepare for the onslaught?”

  “Well, that’s the beauty of it. They won’t get here until the twenty-third and then leave for home again on the twenty-eighth. I told her there just isn’t enough room in this house with Lizzy using one bedroom and all of her

  furniture stored downstairs. They have to stay at a hotel and there is no way Dad will spend more than he has to! Holiday rates being what they are I’m

  surprised he still agreed to come.”

  Will opened his mouth to speak and then quickly snapped it shut again. Jane stared at him.

  “Don’t tell me you were about to offer what I think you were! You didn’t

  almost say they are welcome to stay at your place, did you? Oh, Will! I could never let you do that to yourself!” Jane laughed merrily as she imagined her mother examining every inch of Will’s home, appraising the furnishings and decor while making notes for changes Elizabeth should make when she moved

  in. “You’d never get Mom to leave.”

  They both laughed at the horror of it and were still laughing when Elizabeth joined them after her shower.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “Will very nearly made the biggest mistake of his life purely out of the

  goodness of his heart,” Jane explained. “He almost offered to let Mom, Dad and Mary stay at his place when they come for Christmas!”

  Elizabeth’s smile faded. “Mom’s coming here?”

  Jane suddenly realised she hadn’t had an opportunity to inform her sister of this la
test development. “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I didn’t mean to drop it on you like that.

  Mom called earlier and shocked me, too.”

  “Perfect!” she spat out. “Just perfect!” A quick glance toward Will confirmed that he knew what to expect from the venerable Dolores Bennet and only made Elizabeth more angry. “I won’t stay here with Mother. I’ll go to Will’s.”

  Two sets of eyebrows shot up in surprise. Jane quickly assured her sister that it wouldn’t be necessary. “Dad has already made reservations at a hotel.” Then she reconsidered the suggestion. “On second thought, maybe it’s not a bad idea after all. Mom and Dad don’t need to know and she’ll be just as pleased if I tell her you’re out with Will when you aren’t here.”

  “Jane, you’d lie for me!”

  “Lizzy, after everything else this year I’ll be thrilled if lying to Mom and Dad is all it takes for her to leave you two in peace!”

  Will looked from one sister to the other. It appeared that he was to have a houseguest at Christmas after all and he wasn’t exactly sure if he should be pleased or alarmed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Georgiana Darcy eyed the state of her brother’s room, her mouth falling open as she comprehended the extent of his obsession with Elizabeth Bennet. His home office was the sole room in the house that was off limits to the

  housekeeper, thus all evidence of his preoccupation could be found in that one place.

  She knew he'd been taking advantage of every waking hour that he could in

  order to fulfill his obligations. For each hour he spent with Elizabeth in the afternoons he would schedule two in the evening for catching up. His secretary had been quite helpful in providing Georgiana with the pertinent information and names with which to fortify her position. As she surveyed the carpet of files she knew to be chaotically organised in some crude fashion, a plan of attack began to formulate.

  Tossing his keys onto the table beside the door, Will removed his jacket as he made his way to the kitchen, flinging it onto a chair in passing. He opened the freezer and pulled out the first box his hand touched, then tore open one end to slide the contents onto a plate. Into the microwave it went, the few minutes of cooking time allowing him enough to pour a glass of scotch and return to hear the chime.

  He carried the plate and glass to his office, shoving the door open with one foot and then stopping in his tracks at the sight which greeted him. “What the....?”

  He stared in horror at the clear floor. “Corinne,” he muttered, his housekeeper’s name falling from his lips like a curse.

  “Don’t blame her,” came a voice from the corner behind him. Georgiana

  watched him absorb the fact of her presence and saw in his face the various possible explanations cross his mind. “No need to panic. I didn’t throw out anything important.”

  Will kicked the door closed, crossing to the desk and dropping his plate on the surface. He said nothing, merely examined every inch of the room with an ever deepening frown. Finally he faced his sister and spoke, his voice quiet, even but displeased. “Georgiana, you may feel free to stick your nose in my personal life but don’t ever think I’ll tolerate this kind of interference with business.”

  “When you bring it home,” she replied in an equally steady tone, “it becomes personal and anything that puts you at risk is fair game for my involvement.”

  “You don’t really want me to go to the office at this hour, do you?” Will sat down in his chair, feeling the advantage of having the massive piece of

  furniture between them. Georgiana looked quite small on the other side.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Will.” She left her own chair and moved closer, rounding the desk to stand beside him. Her hand rested on one of his shoulders and he looked up at her suspiciously. Georgiana patiently shook her head. “Tell me what you are planning to do about Elizabeth.”

  His brow creased even more. “What do you mean?”

  “I imagine you want to marry her at some point. Am I wrong?”

  He looked down at the grain of the wood where his hands rested. “No, you

  aren’t wrong. If you’re asking when that will happen, though, I have no answer for you.”

  “Good.” She walked away to grab a chair and draw it closer to the desk. “Look, Will, if you’re going to marry Elizabeth and have any kind of normal family life... you do want some kids, don’t you?” Smiling at the slightly embarrassed affirmative, Georgiana pressed on. “Well, you can’t have any of that and still put in the same kind of hours at work. Will, I’m telling you now to find another CEO to take over. You have the luxury of choice; so many others don’t. Use it!” The idea had obviously never occurred to him, she saw. It also clearly frightened him.

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Yes you can. You can, Will!” She grabbed his hands and shook them to get his attention. “It’s not a sign of weakness to let some of the responsibilities go to others. I see first hand the results of men like you not knowing when to cut back. I won’t have you become one of them.”

  He shook off her touch and left the chair. “Melodrama isn’t your style,

  Georgie.”

  She studied him for some time before replying. “After all the time you’ve spent with Elizabeth, so closely involved with her recovery, her therapy, I can’t believe you would want to go back to those twelve to fifteen hour days.

  Remember how little we saw of dad?”

  Will remembered that quite clearly. “We all have responsibilities. Dad had them, too.”

  “He had a choice,” Georgiana argued. “He chose to run the company himself, single handed, instead of paying someone else to work the long hours. Mom

  complained to him more often than not. If you don’t remember that I certainly do. Elizabeth is going to have challenges beyond the everyday tasks of being a wife and mother, if you are so blessed. You know that some of her limitations are going to remain for the rest of her life. Are you willing to risk the

  relationship you’ve built for the sake of... of your pride?”

  Abruptly, he turned around to face her. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Come on, Will. Admit it! You don’t want to give it up. You don’t think anyone else can do as good a job. Or worse, if you let someone have the chance he might prove he can do a better job. What a wound to your ego.”

  “Don’t turn this into psychobabble, Georgie. If I thought your idea was a good one I’d be more than willing to turn over the reins. Pride is not keeping me there. I’ve let a lot of jobs go to others in the last few months as I’ve spent more time with Elizabeth.” A crooked grin appeared on his face. “Now, if you want to talk about people working long hours, tell me when you last spent an evening at home or went out on a date.”

  “Don’t change the subject.” She couldn’t stay angry with him, though, and

  laughed at the accuracy of his attack. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

  A thoughtful expression replaced his frown. “Yes, and now that you’ve

  mentioned it, why didn’t you let me know in advance?”

  “What?” Her surprise was evident. “I always come home at Christmas, or try to! Since when do I have to give you notice?”

  Will rubbed the back of his neck impatiently, returning to his chair. “It’s just... I didn’t expect you and... Elizabeth is going to stay here for a few days.”

  Georgiana’s eyebrows rose as a smirk appeared. “I see.”

  “No, you don’t see,” he said, fingering a paperweight. “She was to stay in your room and now, well....”

  “She’ll have to stay in yours.” His sister’s smirk grew. “Do you take me for an idiot, Will? She was never going to be in my room.”

  He carefully put down the paperweight. “Actually, she was. Elizabeth isn’t ready to move forward to that kind of relationship, yet. She thinks she is but there’s still too much emotional baggage to tackle. I’d love to say we’re doing fine, on our way to the altar and happy ev
er after but the truth is that she’s got a lot to face before taking that next big step.”

  Georgiana sank down into her chair. “Why is she going to stay here, then?”

  “Oh, that’s another messy part of her baggage. The rest of her family has come for the holidays and she just doesn’t want to be accessible to them. I can’t blame her at all. They give new meaning to the word dysfunctional.”

  “Oh, Will. That sounds horrible.” Her smile returned. “Well, at least Elizabeth and I will have an opportunity to get to know one another better. She can have your room and I guess you’ll just have to sleep in here, brother dear.”

  He gazed about him with dismay. “And you wanted me to spend less time on

  work. I’m going to be surrounded by it all night.”

  “I’m sure it will not disturb you in the least,” teased his sister, “while you know Elizabeth is in the house.”

  You have no idea how right you are! he thought, suspecting that even Georgiana’s presence wasn’t going to deter Elizabeth very much from her goal.

  He was more exhausted than he’d admit from trying to maintain the physical distance in their relationship. “Georgie, don’t misunderstand me. I love

  Elizabeth more than life itself and there is nothing I want more than to just – I am human, after all. Believe me when I say that I’m glad you’re here and I’m counting on you to do more than find amusement at my expense. Elizabeth

  needs a friend who is not family and is not the man she wants to torment with her sexuality every minute of the day!”

  “Oh, Will!” She raised a hand to her mouth, unable to stifle the laughter at his predicament. “I can’t believe you want me to play chaperone!”

  “It’s not funny, Georgie.”

  “Will, I’m a doctor. I know exactly what it’s costing you.” Nevertheless, a snort escaped as she tried to keep a straight face.

  “Well, that’s very comforting, I assure you,” he grumbled. “I thought you were concerned about my health.”

  “Believe me, sweetheart,” she giggled. “Nobody has ever died of frustration.”