“You know Jane waited a long time to find true love. This should be such a happy time for her. It’s bad enough when Mom gets overwhelmed and goes into one of her meltdowns. Did you never think about the fact that you could be spoiling this for her a little?”
Lydia flushed and Lizzy had her answer without her saying a word. She sat up and hung her head. “I don’t mean to, but sometimes I can’t help myself. It’s like nobody cares about me after my unpleasant incident. First, I lost the man I love. Then I was cut off from everyone! Dad says he’s not giving me my phone back until I’m twenty-one, he took away my iPad, and I can only use the computer for school. I’d rather not use it at all. I hate school!”
“Oh Lydia, you know how much we all love you. You’re the baby of the family! I’m sure in time, Dad will come around and you’ll get your phone back much sooner than you expect. However, the whole situation involving Wickham was much more serious than just an unpleasant incident, as you call it. It was dangerous and wrong for you to be with him. Believe me, we would all just rather forget it completely and move on as quickly as possible. But you are making it very hard to do that when you keep moping around and bringing him up all the time.”
“You really think Dad will give me my phone back?”
“Yes, you know Dad; he’ll cool down and lessen your sentence,” Lizzy said with mock sternness. “But only if you start behaving yourself!”
Lydia laughed. “I can’t make any promises but I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all I can ask for I suppose. Now, why not turn your thoughts to more cheerful things? Think of all those eligible bachelors whose eyes will be on the bridal party as we walk down the aisle. You never know whose attention you might catch.”
A screech from the kitchen had Lizzy sighing and standing. “I’d better go and see what’s upset Mom this time and you’d better get ready for bed. I hope it’s not going to be another late night.”
Mr. Bennet had suggested that the wedding could be in their backyard and he’d grill some hot dogs. One of his favorite joys in life was when his wife got riled up about something he said.
“What don’t you like about my idea? Think about it; you said you wanted Jane’s wedding to be one those high society folks talked about for years to come!”
“That is not what I meant!” she squealed.
“Mom, Dad is just joking with you,” Jane said, looking at her father reproachfully.
“Oh, no he’s not!”
“I assure you he is, Mom,” Lizzy insisted. “Dad, tell her you’re joking.”
“Alright, alright. If it makes you feel better my dear, we can set up a fixings bar on the patio.”
Catching that mischievous look in her husband’s eyes, Mrs. Bennet began to understand that he was having fun at her expense. ““OH! You have no compassion for my poor nerves!”
“You mistake me my dear; it is on account of your poor nerves that I’m going to spring for both nacho cheese and cool ranch Doritos. They can go on either side of the cake.”
“DAD!” Jane and Lizzy said in unison.
It was just another typical evening in the Bennet household.
Chapter Forty
“I take it you’re exhausted from all the drama of that Wickham guy and your sister?” Charlotte commented, putting an arm around her friend as they left the lecture hall.
“Does it show that much?” Elizabeth answered. “Well, hopefully now that it’s over, things will get back to normal.”
“It better. Finals are coming up soon and you need to be at your best. Try to go to bed early tonight, ok?” Charlotte gave her a hug before heading out the door.
Elizabeth was tired. She had fallen asleep on the train commute home every day this week.
As she exited the building she stretched, trying to wake herself up. When she turned to the left she saw something so unexpected that it made her do a double take.
Charlotte was standing next to a car apparently talking to the passenger in the back seat. Elizabeth squinted her eyes to make sure she was seeing what she thought she was… yes she was positive. She couldn’t mistake him in a million years.
While Charlotte was blocking her view of the passenger, she could see the driver of the car clearly. It was Mr. Collins.
Curiosity got the best of her and she casually walked over, hoping to get an explanation of how these two knew each other. It was just so strange.
“Hi there! What a coincidence running into you here. How’ve you been, Mr. Collins?”
Mr. Collins practically jumped out of his seat. He looked like the cat that ate the canary. “Oh, oh, um…oh, yes, yes…”he fumbled, unable to get a sentence out.
“Charlotte? What’s going on?” Elizabeth asked, more confused than ever.
Before Charlotte could reply, Elizabeth heard an annoyed voice from the backseat of the car.
“Oh for heaven’s sakes!”
The black car had dark tinted windows shielding the speaker from Elizabeth’s view, but she recognized the voice.
Elizabeth said, “Jaqueline?”
And Jaqueline responded to her name by barking.
The back window went down and Catherine de Bourgh showed her face. “Get in the car, Miss Bennet, and Charlotte you may leave.” The window went back up.
Elizabeth looked at Charlotte. “What’s going on here, Charlotte?”
Charlotte shrugged. “Sorry, Lizzy, but I’ve got to go.” Without any explanation Charlotte turned and walked away.
“In the car, Miss Bennet!” the voice came louder this time.
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Collins in the driver’s seat and he smiled his foolish smile but said nothing. Elizabeth shook her head and walked around to the other side of the car and got in.
“Hello, Mrs. de Bourgh.”
“Hello, Miss Bennet. How are you?”
“I’m great. How are you?”
“How are you really? Charlotte tells me you’ve been coming to class exhausted lately. Are you not feeling well?”
“Charlotte, told you? How do you know Charlotte?”
“She works for me.”
“And you two talk about me? Are you saying she’s been spying on me for you? I thought she was my friend.”
Catherine reached over to her purse and removed something from the side pocket, giving Jaqueline a pat. “Don’t be so naïve, Miss Bennet! It is a fact of life that money talks, especially when someone is in desperate need of it. Charlotte didn’t have the luxury of being able to turn down my offer. She’s smart enough to know this was her only chance to improve her lot in life. I’m paying her way through school and she keeps me up to date on things that might be of interest to me,” Catherine replied.
“But why? What would you possibly be interested in me for?”
“I’ve been keeping tabs on you since these came to my attention,” she explained, handing several pictures to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth took the pictures and immediately recognized them as the ones from Vegas.
“I can see for myself that you’re not at your best,” Catherine leaned in closer to Elizabeth, searching her face. “You’re not well are you? Answer the question, Miss Bennet.?”
“First of all, this is just weird. Second of all, you don’t get to ask me personal questions about my health and well-being. This conversation is over.”
As soon as the words left her mouth she heard the click of the door locks.
“Ok, no, this has gone too far. Unlock the door, Mr. Collins!”
“Miss Bennet, you will answer my questions! Do you realize who I am?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath to calm her temper. “Yes, I know very well who you are, Mrs. de Bourgh. Just because you are rich and have friends in positions of power does not give you the right to hold me against my will or obligate me to answer your questions.”
“You are right, Miss Bennet, those things don’t give me any rights. Being the nearest relation to William Darcy does. I want to know what happened when y
ou were with him in Vegas seven weeks ago.”
“If you’re so concerned, go ask your nephew.”
“I have seen the pictures, Miss Bennet, and I know all about the annulment. I have had a private investigator following you in case you tried to blackmail my nephew. I know you haven’t been on a date with anyone else since the Vegas shenanigans. I know about the annulment papers you signed. Now, what has caused you to be so fatigued lately?”
“I don’t know, stress I guess. My family recently went through a difficult time.”
“I know all about your youngest sister’s infamous rendezvous with George Wickham. Miss Bennet, are you playing games with me? Tell me once and for all, are you carrying my nephew’s child? Is that why you’re suddenly so worn out all the time? ”
Elizabeth laughed. “Where did that come from? Did Charlotte tell you that because…”
Catherine interrupted. “Is it possible that you could be?”
“That’s preposterous…no… I can’t be.” Her mind was racing. In addition to the uncharacteristic lethargy she had no explanation for, her body had been a little different the past couple of weeks.
“I can see your wheels turning. You’re not sure, are you?”
Elizabeth shook her head in response, speechless as she considered the enormity of the consequences if it turned out she was. The truth was she couldn’t remember anything from her wedding night. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Collins, drive us to the nearest CVS.”
******
“I’m coming in with you.”
“No, you certainly are not, Mrs. de Bourgh. I appreciate the ride home and the three different pregnancy tests, but this is where we part ways. I still have your contact information from the day you came to my workplace with Mr. Collins. I promise I will text you after I have an answer. But if it’s positive…well, I’m going to need some time to process this myself before I talk to your nephew, as well as to my parents. Goodbye.”
Elizabeth pulled on the door handle only to find it was still locked.
“Mr. Collins, you are on my last nerve. Unlock this door! ” Elizabeth demanded.
Mr. Collins giggled nervously. “Oh, so sorry, let’s see, there you go,” he turned his body towards her as far around as he could manage. “Miss Elizabeth, I just want to say that if you are ever in need of anything at all, I am more than willing and able to be of assistance. The Lennon estate settled with me, you know. It seems I have become quite the eligible bachelor.” He scrunched up his face and gave her his usual ridiculous smile, wiggling his fingers to wave goodbye to her.
“Oh turn around and stop flirting, Buford!” Catherine commanded her employee.
Yes, please stop, Buford! Elizabeth shook her head in irritation and left the car.
When she walked through the front door her mother was in the recliner looking watching her soap. “Oh, you’re already home! How was your day, Lizzy?”
“It was interesting, Mom. I really need to use the bathroom,” she said as she started to walk past her mother. She took a few steps then stopped. “You know what; I could really use a hug right now.
Mrs. Bennet was out of her recliner in seconds. “Are you, ok?”
“Yeah, it’s just been a rough day.”
Mrs. Bennet pulled her daughter to her and held her tight. Lizzy began to weep softly, feeling secure in her mother’s embrace. Mrs. Bennet stroked her daughter’s hair. “There, there. It’s been a rough day all around. Little Monica was hit by a car and they’re not sure if she’s going to pull through. She looks so much like her mother did, you know. The same blond hair and blue eyes. You can just tell that Dimitri is thinking that every time he looks at the girl. But there is this one nurse who refuses to take a break from watching Monica that has me suspicious.” They stayed that way for a short time, Mr. Bennet telling her troubles to her daughter while stroking Lizzy’s hair. Lizzy smiled and withdrew, wiping her eyes. “Thanks, Mom. That’s just what I needed.”
“Well, there’s more where that came from if you need it. How about some cookies and milk? I bought Oreos today. Double stuffed.”
Lizzy chuckled, “That sounds wonderful, actually. But first, I really do need to go to the bathroom.”
When she got to the hallway her mother called to her, “Lizzy? You aren’t starring on the internet again, are you dear?”
Pressing her lips together and shaking her head at her mother’s uniqueness, Lizzy said with a smile, “Nope, not an internet star this time, Mom.”
“Oh, what a relief! Well, then you go tinkle and I’ll get the Oreos.”
Lizzy unpackaged all three tests and was able to do what she needed with them within thirty seconds. It took all of two minutes for the positive line to show up on the first test, two positive lines on the second one showed up shortly after, and finally in bright pink the third test displayed the words: You’re pregnant.
Chapter Forty-One
Lizzy sat on the edge of the tub for ten minutes, letting her new reality sink in. She had never told anyone but Charlotte about her brief marriage and subsequent annulment. How was she going to break the news to her parents? And how would Will react? Would he even believe that it was his, or maybe revert back to believing she had planned this all out with some sinister agenda in mind?
She shook her head as if that would help clear the barrage of conflicting thoughts that were all vying for her immediate attention. She focused her analytical mind solely on the timeline of the next year of her life.
Her schooling would be finished in less than three months. She had already begun preparing to take the bar exam, but realistically she would need a few months to devote to full-time studying for it. If...if she could pass it on her first try, she could have her degree in hand and be ready to start practicing before her baby was born.
"Lizzy? Lizzy, dear, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Mom," she answered, gathering up all the packaging from the pregnancy tests, stuffing everything in the CVS bag and shoving it under the sink vanity.
Opening the door, she smiled and said, "You didn't eat all the Oreos while you were waiting for me, did you?"
"Not all of them. But Lizzy there's someone here to see you." Mrs. Bennet opened her eyes wide with excitement, and mouthed to her daughter: it’s Catherine de Bourgh! In my house!"
Lizzy rolled her eyes in exasperation and followed her mother into the living room. That woman!
"Here she is, Mrs. de Bourgh," Mrs. Bennet said in sing-song.
"Good to see you again, Miss Bennet. When I didn't hear from you I thought I'd stop by."
Mrs. Bennet was bursting with excitement. "Would you like some lemonade?"
"Yes, thank you."
She hurried off to the kitchen, stopping in the doorway to ask, "Hot or cold?"
Catherine looked puzzled. "Cold."
Once her mother was out of their sight, Lizzy whispered, "I said I would let you know."
"Patience is not my strong suit. Well...are you?"
“Yes. But I will decide when and whom I tell, do you understand?
Catherine’s face lit up with joy. “Ah, thank you, Mrs. Bennet,” she said as the woman of the house came towards her with the lemonade. “If it wouldn’t be any trouble, may I use your facilities?”
“We would be more than honored if you would! As fortune would have it, I just put out the little heart shaped soaps this morning. There are a variety of colors, though they are all the same scent. You may choose whichever one catches your eye,” Mrs. Bennet effused. “Right this way…”
Catherine looked back at Lizzy and raised her eyes heavenward.
After escorting her guest, Mrs. Bennet came hurrying back to her daughter. “You are a sly one, Lizzy! You never mentioned a word about knowing Catherine de Bourgh! The neighborhood will be talking of my daughter hobnobbing with the richest socialite there ever was! Oh, how well that sounds!”
Moments after her mother finished speaking, Catherine came back into the room.
“I must take my leave of you now. Miss Bennet, Mrs. Bennet.
“What about your lemonade?”
“I never drink anything with sugar in it. But, I’m sure your daughter could use the extra calories.” And within seconds she closed the door behind her and was gone.
“That was certainly a short visit,” Mrs. Bennet commented, setting the glass of lemonade down. “Oh, what color do you think she used? Of the soap, I mean?”
Lizzy walked to the window and watched as Mr. Collins closed the car door after his employer. She answered her mother distractedly,” What? Oh, I don’t see how she could have used any; she was in there for so short a time…” Oh, she wouldn’t!”
Lizzy ran to the bathroom, flung open the cabinet door, and rummaged through the CVS bag.
She let the bag drop to the floor. Three items were missing.
Chapter Forty-Two
Jane held her cellphone away from her ear. “Mom, Charles wants to know if it would be an imposition if he were to bring a guest with him to dinner tonight.”
“Of course he may! Any friend of his is always welcome,” Mrs. Bennet readily answered.
Jane came into the kitchen where her mother was at the stove finishing up dinner, and Lizzy was putting together a salad.
“Is he bringing his sister, dear?”
Imagining Caroline Bingley coming for dinner, Lizzy mumbled under her breath “That’ll be the day.”
“No, Mom,” Jane answered. “He’s bringing his friend, Mr. Darcy.”
“Mr. Darcy!” Lizzy and her mother said in unison.
“It’s a good thing Lydia has moved on from George Wickham, or else I have no doubt she would give that Mr. Darcy what’s for. Oh my poor Lizzy, the color has drained from your face right before my eyes!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “If it brings you comfort my dear, remember that what you must be feeling is nothing when compared to what I am. Mothers feel these things far more than anybody else. So while we must endure his company for Jane’s sake, any time you see me wink at you tonight, know that I am thinking about how I hate the sight of him!”
Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Page 21