Foundation of Love: The Gypsy Blessing 2 (12 page)

He knew that, in the past, she would have misunderstood the stoic expression that went hand in hand with his brooding, but with time, Elizabeth had come to accept that he was not one to make snap decisions. A tingling warmth swelled within his chest at the thought that she had made an effort to understand him.

When she finally met his gaze, William nodded. “I’ll ask your father. If he’s willing, we can see it sometime before the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.”

She smiled. “Come on. Let’s see if Georgie is ready for a tour of
this
house, so you both know where everything is.”

His cell phone rang. Seeing the name of his investigator displayed on the screen made his heart pick up its pace. “I have to take this call.”

“Voices carry here.” She glanced up at the second floor. “For privacy outside, I sit on the bench down that path.”

~%~

About a half hour later, Elizabeth found William still sitting on the bench she had suggested he use.

“I thought maybe you got lost wandering around the property.” Her chuckle ended abruptly when she noticed his anxious expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Wickham!” He growled, rising from the bench. He began pacing before her. “I, uh... had someone check up on him, and he’s not where he’s supposed to be. According to the woman he had been living with, he’s run out on her, but my man suspects her entire speech was a performance. He’s up to no good.”

Elizabeth’s stomach sank. “And you think it involves Georgiana?”

“Many of his schemes have included my family in one way or another.”

Elizabeth nodded. “He gave me the impression he was not very fond of anyone with the last name Darcy.”

He stopped pacing and turned quickly to look her in the eye accusingly. “When did Wickham confide in
you
?”

She crossed her arms over her waist. “Are you looking to start an argument that will end in your having to apologize to me again?”

He just stared at her.

“It just so happens,
Mr. Darcy
, that Wickham called and woke me up a few hours after he stole Georgie’s cell phone,” Elizabeth answered defensively. “How did you think Richie knew he’d stolen it?”

He shook his head. “He didn’t tell me.” He sighed. “You’re right... that was a stupid thing to say. I’m sorry.”

“You’re lucky I have a forgiving nature, but I warn you—there’s just so much even
I
can put up with, Will.”

He took a deep breath before he nodded. “I’m sorry. When it comes to the safety of my sister, especially, I have a short fuse.” William gestured toward the house, and they started walking slowly in that direction. “What did he say about my family?”

She hesitated, knowing what she had to say would only upset him further, but she knew she should be truthful. “He compared the ease of stealing Georgie’s cell phone to pilfering your father’s wallet. He said your father always considered him a hero for finding it.”

William huffed out a breath. “He came to live with us after his father died. Dad treated him almost as if he was another son. Most times after Wickham ‘found’ Dad’s wallet, Dad would also find he was short on cash. I always suspected Wickham had stolen it, but my father just couldn’t believe that he would do such a thing. Instead, Dad questioned his own memory.” He was thoughtful for a moment. “He called just to tell you that?”

“No.”

She took another couple of steps before realizing William had stopped. She turned and saw he was waiting for her to continue. “Well, other than to display his superior knowledge of obscenities, I think his true reason for calling was to tell me I’d regret interfering the night before.”

William’s nostrils flared. “I should have known he’d threaten you.”

“No matter what Wickham says or does, he couldn’t possibly cause me to regret helping Georgiana. Besides, I changed my cell phone number and won’t be at the dorms anymore. After a short vacation, I’ll be living at my uncle’s house during the workweek and coming home on the weekends—at least until I find an apartment. He can’t bother me again.” She could see her declaration did not improve his mood. “I guess it’s good that you both could come this weekend. At least he can’t find her here.”

“You never gave him your address?”

Her eyes widened. “What could possibly have possessed me to give out my home address to a man who gave me the creeps? You know, you had better start thinking before you speak—your remarks are coming very close to my tolerance level.”

“I
had
to ask...” William closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “Do you know if Georgie had your address in the phone he stole?”

She shrugged slightly. “As far as I know, she didn’t even know the name of the town we lived in until she asked for directions, but we can ask her when we get back to the house.”

“No, I don’t want to worry her.”

Elizabeth mounted her hands on her hips. “You have a difficult time learning from past mistakes, don’t you? Your fear of worrying her is
exactly
what gave Wickham power over her in the first place! She has a right to know, and if you don’t tell her, I will.”

~

As William watched her walk away from him toward the house, he realized the way the light in Elizabeth’s eyes flashed when he made her angry only added to her beauty.

When she moved out of his view, he turned his back to the house and reviewed what Elizabeth had said just before walking off. She was right, of course. After a few minutes of additional reflection, he trailed after her, only to find Anne, Elizabeth, and Georgiana in the great room.

He caught Elizabeth’s gaze and nodded to her before speaking. “I have an update to the Wickham situation.”

A moment later, William decided he liked it much better when Elizabeth’s eyes reflected her smile instead.

Chapter
7

~Saturday evening, Memorial Day Weekend

“It’s unfortunate that my wife knows the sticker price of your Mercedes SUV, isn’t it, William?”

William’s eyes opened wide. “Sir?”

“Keeping track of car prices is Mrs. Bennett’s latest hobby, you know.” Mr. Bennett’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “It’s how she sizes up a potential son- or daughter-in-law’s monetary value. Since Lydia is her favorite child, once my wife saw your SUV in the garage, you were bound to have her thrown in your direction. You’re lucky that Lydia doesn’t like you.”

William blinked several times as he tried to figure out how to respond without insulting his host. “I am?”

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Absolutely. If she did like you, you’d be in real trouble.”

William didn’t feel very lucky. Earlier in the day, while he had been enjoying a pleasant afternoon with Elizabeth, Anne, and Georgiana, the remainder of the Bennetts had arrived home. It had not been long before Jane and Elizabeth became busy setting up for the night’s party, and Anne and Georgiana offered to help them. Although he volunteered his assistance as well, he had spent more time trying to avoid being cornered by Lydia than he had in lending a hand. Not even his severest glare had dissuaded the youngest Bennett from trying to hang all over him whenever one of her more sensible siblings was not nearby. After having to redirect her young sister several times, Elizabeth had flat out ordered William to hide in the library for the time being—apparently the only room in the house that her young sister never entered. The light in her eyes had sparkled in a way similar to the expression her father’s had just now when she also mentioned that, since there were two exits, it was his best choice in case he needed to make a speedy getaway. He had excused himself and stayed there until Charles and Richard arrived.
If
that
wasn’t real trouble, I wonder what is.

William was not left wondering for long. A group of boys closer to Lydia’s age joined the party and, soon after, her behavior became quite a bit more demonstrative—not that Lydia’s behavior could ever be categorized as restrained.

Tom had already disappeared with a few friends into the basement to play a few games of pool. Charles and Jane had gone off into a corner to talk, oblivious to the world around them, and, with no one to temper her actions, Mrs. Bennett was actually encouraging Lydia’s wild behavior. All the while Mr. Bennett only snickered as he watched the antics of his wife and youngest daughter. It was left up to Elizabeth to try to bring her sister under control, but her efforts did little good.

William had to admit to himself that he had almost joined her father in laughter when Elizabeth’s mouth fell open at Mrs. Bennett’s criticism of her attempts to “prevent her sister from having a little fun,” suggesting that Elizabeth should follow Lydia’s example instead. This impulse was quickly brought under control when her mother turned back to a group of people and began speaking about Charles and Jane’s relationship as if they were engaged. She then had the audacity to declare loudly that he and Lydia would soon be an “item.”

How did the other three children of this shrew turn out to be so responsible?
He did not know Tom, but from what Anne had said about him, he was more like Elizabeth and Jane than the youngest.

William was proud of Georgiana when she turned down an invitation to join the younger crowd. Not that he expected his shy sister to leave the safety of her friends, but that was beside the point.

~

Elizabeth was mortified. It seemed like her mother and younger sister were having a contest to see who could humiliate the family most often in one evening. She honestly could not tell which one had scored the most points so far.

Not that it made it any less embarrassing, but at least the neighbors were used to seeing her family act in such a way. Their guests were not. Charles had been fully absorbed in conversation with Jane, and Richard was busy entertaining Anne and Georgiana, so none of them had seen or heard much of what happened—but William! She was not sure whether it was more distressing or confusing to realize how anxious it made her feel to know that William had been watching every moment of their disgrace unfold.

When she noticed that even her father was getting in on the act by laughing at them all, she turned away and walked down the path toward the lake.

~

Many times in the past, William had seen the look on Anne’s face when her mother had embarrassed her beyond measure. It was always painful to him to see his friend suffer in such a way, but
this
was much worse. Seeing that same expression marring Elizabeth’s beautiful features made him feel as if a knife had been thrust into his chest. Although he knew she had walked away to be alone, he could not help himself—he had to follow her.

Surprised she was not on the bench where she had found him only hours before, he walked on. The trees lining the path cleared, and he stopped to absorb the sight before him.

The lower part of the sky was burning orange, the clouds above radiant with crimson and lavender; the glorious combination of colors reflected in the glassy surface of the lake. Elizabeth stood on the shore, her alluring figure silhouetted against the sunset.

William paused for a moment, drinking it all in, then took a few more steps, coming up beside her. “It’s a shame that the beauty of a sky like this is always so short-lived.”

She did not take her eyes off the sunset. “When I’m in a mood like this one, I might agree with you, but usually not.”

Turning to look at her, his breath caught at how angelic she looked in this glowing light. “What is your usual opinion?”

She gestured toward the sky. “This might last only a little while, but there is so much more to see. An awe-inspiring display of stars will soon replace this sunset, and while a magnificent sunrise will certainly blot them out, a glorious blue sky will be revealed. Even in storm clouds, there is wonder.” Elizabeth turned to look at him. “The sky is always the same; it is what occurs around it and within the observer that changes the way it can be perceived. It’s the same with people.”

She turned her head to look at him, and he raised his eyebrows in an attempt to encourage her to continue.

“What people are inside essentially doesn’t change—some are beautiful within, and others have always been ugly—but what happens to them influences their priorities and how they act in any given situation. A person with a good soul might do something that others might think distasteful or foolish, but if it is done for the greater good or to protect someone she loves, those who learn the reasons might even consider it noble.”

He tilted his head slightly to the side. “And others only
appear
to have a beautiful soul, but deep down they are vicious.” William paused a few moments, thinking of Wickham. “They might perform what most would consider a decent act, but only for selfish reasons.”

She nodded. “An observer might not
want
to see the ugliness of their intentions.” She sighed and looked out over the water. Several minutes passed before she spoke again. “For some odd reason, my mother thinks she is helping my sister by supporting her. The most surprising thing is that she won’t even listen to Jane’s or Tom’s opinions of Lydia’s behavior.”

Although it might not be the most polite thing to do, William refused to pretend that he did not understand what she meant. “Have
you
tried?”

Elizabeth chuckled without humor. “My mother and I don’t share many opinions. I think you witnessed an example of just how seriously she takes what I say.”

“And was tonight an example of how your father usually reacts?”

He saw her temper flare in her eyes, but when she blinked, it was gone. She whispered, “Several times this evening, I have thought the same thing you’ve implied.” She closed her eyes and sighed again. When she opened them, only sadness remained. She looked away. “I haven’t been able to figure out what happened to him... why he does this now. In his defense, in the past, every time he tried to prevent Lydia’s wild behavior, it seemed to do nothing but cause arguments between him and my mother. Then it was like one day he woke up and decided to give up where Lydia was concerned. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if there was a reason for the sudden change.” She shook her head. “But if nothing else, it proved that his reprimands and punishments were keeping her partially in check. Once he stopped, Lydia became much worse. It’s not as if he’s blind to it now—she was more than a little upset that he kept her living at home to attend the community college nearby and forbade her from applying to Longbourn University or the University at Rosings, where Tom goes to school. When I asked my father why, he said the rest of us would have been too busy chasing after Lydia to graduate.” She shuddered. “I hate to think what kind of trouble she might be getting into without any of us around to keep an eye on her, but maybe she’s starting to grow up. Somehow, she’s been managing to earn passing grades.” Elizabeth laughed. “I’m starting to sound as optimistic as Jane!” She turned to face him. “I have
never
discussed this subject with anyone before, not even Jane. How did you manage to get me to say all that?”

Warmth spread through his chest while thinking that Elizabeth had opened up to him as she had done with nobody else, but the realistic side of his personality soon squashed the flicker of hope growing within. “It wasn’t difficult. All I did was ask some simple questions. I just happened to be here when you were ready to put it into words.”

“Maybe...” She paused. “You know, Lydia was supposed to go away with some friends this weekend. When we heard she would be home instead, Jane and I almost canceled your visit. I’m sorry we didn’t, Will.”

She regrets confiding in me.
He tried to swallow his disappointment.

Elizabeth continued. “Today must have been very uncomfortable—for you especially. I, for one, would understand if you left in the morning.”

He searched her eyes. Was she really thinking of his comfort? He could find no double meaning there. Part of him wanted to get as far away from her mother and sister as he could, but that would mean he would have to leave Elizabeth behind.

“If we left, we wouldn’t be able to see the house you grew up in.” Responding to the look of confusion on her face, he blurted out, “Landlords usually feel more accountable when they’re renting to someone they know.” He cringed.
What a stupid, cold-hearted thing to say.

He was relieved when she did not seem to take offense.

“The good part is that I doubt much more can go wrong at that house!”

His eyebrows rose as he lowered his chin and looked at her, the question in his mind apparent on his face.

She chuckled. “A while back, I was staying there alone while my parents were away. For some reason, the house seemed determined to prevent me from having a quiet week alone to study. I had a houseful of men there instead.” Elizabeth laughed at his expression. “It’s a good thing I know so many contractors who were willing to help at a moment’s notice or I’d have had no water or electricity in the house all week. And since I
personally
oversaw their work, I can officially guarantee the house is up to code, Mr. Darcy.”

She held out her hand for him to shake. As he took it, a pleasant warmth traveled up his arm and spread throughout his body. The air between them seemed electric. Their gazes locked. An overwhelming need to pull her into his arms came over him, but he stopped himself when he saw confusion in her eyes. He dropped her hand and looked away.

He cleared his throat. “I think we’d better get back to the party before someone notices we’re both gone.” William gestured toward the path that led to the house.

~%~

Sunday

Early the next morning, William wandered into the kitchen looking for coffee and found Charles and Richard with Mr. Bennett. “Good morning.”

They all returned his greeting. Richard seemed well rested, but Charles looked about as tired as William felt.

“Well, well. It looks like you didn’t sleep, either, William.” Mr. Bennett’s eyes danced with repressed mirth—just like Elizabeth’s did from time to time.

Confused, William asked, “
Either
, sir?”

“Yes, it seems that Charles here didn’t rest well, and now you, too. Such a shame! Perhaps you boys should think about switching rooms?”

William was surprised when he heard Mr. Bennett chuckle as he left the room without waiting for an answer. The older man hesitated at the door. “We’ll head on over to our old house after church.”

After Mr. Bennett was out of sight, Charles whispered, “No offense, but I don’t want to switch. I might not have slept much last night, but I doubt I’d rest
at all
if one of you were sleeping in Jane’s bed.”

William’s eyes widened. Elizabeth had said that her father assigned the rooms. Judging by Mr. Bennett’s comments, it was no coincidence that Charles had been placed in Jane’s room. And that could mean only one thing.
Mr. Bennett knows how I feel about Elizabeth!

~%~

William stood looking up at an attractive Dutch Colonial home—the former residence of the Bennett family. It seemed well maintained. Elizabeth had said there were six bedrooms, but he could not imagine how they could fit in this house unless they were extremely small. Although William was still thinking about whether or not to let Georgiana stay in Meryton this summer, having an extra bedroom for her would be necessary once construction began so that she could visit him there. It was close enough to the university for her to visit every weekend, if she wished.