“Well I won’t keep you any longer,” Elizabeth said, looking at Claude.
“Actually, my appointment only just ended.” Then he said to Granville, “Dr. No wanted to speak to you, but I told her you were too busy stealing my job.”
Granville ignored his quip. “Grandfather, please tell me you didn’t call her that to her face.”
“Of course not, Sonny. I might be getting senile, but I’m not a horse’s arse.”
“Good. So I should go speak with her now?”
“No, it’s fine.” His hands flew to his hips. “I’m fine.”
Granville bowed his head forward but kept his gaze focused as if waiting for a child to confess he’d eaten a cookie. Elizabeth felt out of place and waited for her chance to say goodbye.
“You see, Elizabeth? He’s ready to wheel me away to the nursing home, and I’m not ready to go yet.”
“I’m only being protective because I care,” Granville said to Elizabeth. She wasn’t sure why they felt the need to plead their cases to her, but they were an endearing pair.
“Here!” Claude took a piece of paper from his pocket. “She gave you a long list of things I should and shouldn’t do and wrote down my next appointment—which I may or may not be coming to.”
Granville looked at Elizabeth, his eyes begging for some assistance.
“I’m sorry I really do have to run...” Elizabeth said, trying to avoid getting pulled in. Granville’s expression fell as she shuffled slowly backward. Both watched her like puppies left in the rain. “But, I’ll be at the hospital next week, and it appears I’ll be interning here.” She grinned at Granville, a proper thank you with her eyes long overdue. “So, Claude, if you keep those appointments maybe we could have lunch again.” Both men perked up at her offer. Claude lifted a hand to wave and nodded. “Very sweet of you, my dear. And a little sly to boot. But yes, lunch sounds smashing.”
“Great. Well I know just where to find you now.”
Granville mouthed a thank you and Elizabeth nodded. As she headed for the exit, an unexpected smile emerged. It suited her. She felt as if she’d made new friends in that unlikely pair, and no matter what Granville’s motives were, she belonged at that hospital and would make the most of the opportunity. But getting into her car, her heart felt heavy and worry set it. How would she explain all of this to William? He was not an open minded man. But he wasn’t totally unreasonable. Was he? Maybe if she could get the two together, they could be friends and all would work out. That was about as likely as she and Georgina becoming friends. Still, stranger things had happened; Elizabeth had always believed that love could bring about miracles.
Chapter 7
Rushing up to the glass door of the boutique, Elizabeth frowned at the sign that read: Closed at six for private fittings. Why would William send her there at the last minute and miss an important detail like that? She turned her back on the door and dug into her purse for her phone. He’d left her a voice mail saying he had something to show her and to meet him there at six. Why she rushed when she knew he’d be late was beyond her.
She scanned the lot one more time before turning to her phone. She’d only tapped the home screen when the door opened behind her. A tall, slender woman stood in the entry way wearing a batwing dress and a plastered on smile. Miss Bennet, you’ve made it. Come in.” She smoothed a hand across the side of her blonde hair which was swept up into a twist. She waved her arm gracefully to the side, directing Elizabeth in.
“Oh, hello.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes but reluctantly walked in. “Thank you.” The place was much bigger than she’d imagined from the outside. Racks of dresses paralleled every wall, but the middle was wide open with a seating area and large mirrors. A woman around her mother’s age sat on one of two curved, lilac-colored sofas swiping at a smart phone.
A nervous twinge flickered in her belly. The overwhelming size and elegance surrounding her caused her to second guess why she was there. William may have been far removed from the plans, but he knew her dress was being made by a friend of Mrs. Bennet’s. “I’m sorry, my fiancé isn’t here yet.”
The woman went over to her and touched her back. “I’m Rhonda. Can I get you some tea...or water?”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
A dressing room door opened, and a young woman stepped out in a strapless white gown.
“Oh my, that one is stunning on you,” the woman on the couch said.
The bride-to-be stepped up to the three-paneled mirror with her hands on her hips. “I don’t know, mum. Makes my hips look as wide as a bloody lorry.”
“No, not at all. Your bum looks much better in this one.”
“God, the more I look at this one, the more it seems like utter crap!” She swept her hair up to the top of her head as if imagining the full picture.
“Try the other one. The one I picked.”
“I told you mum, that one is for skinny little bitches.”
She let her hair fall and turned to look at the back of the gown. “No...just bloody no! Rhonda!”
The gown was beautiful, very chic, but definitely not Elizabeth’s style. She fought to keep a straight face, grateful she wouldn’t have to go through that with her mother. She couldn’t imagine acting like the bridezilla standing before her, and she’d dreaded the thought of her mother picking out anything she would wear. She’d made sure to pick out her design and present it directly to Mrs. Mayfair without showing her mother first.
“Where is that Rhonda?” the seated woman yelled, turning around and spotting the two of them.
Elizabeth glanced to Rhonda who winced and shrugged.
“Why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
She took the couch opposite the other woman and picked up a bridal magazine to avoid any possible small talk. She closed it without looking at a page. It was all too overwhelming—even with a planner. She’d told William enough times that she wanted a simple wedding, but everyone else involved appeared to be ignoring her request and her wishes.
A swishing sound drew near behind her. She looked over her shoulder to find a dark blue dress floating towards her with little black bumps shuffling underneath it. A hand held up the dress, concealing the person carrying it. Elizabeth turned back around to find Rhonda in the doorway of bridezilla’s dressing room zipping her into another gown.
The blue dress then appeared in front of Elizabeth; the hand lowered to reveal the person holding it. “Elizabeth! I didn’t see you come in.”
“Georgina?” She looked behind her and around the store. “Are you here with William?”
“No, he hasn’t arrived yet.”
Yet? Elizabeth reminded herself not to jump to conclusions and not to fume over her suppositions. But she couldn’t help wishing little sister would take her arse back home and stop trying to be the third wheel on their wedding chariot. “I’m sorry, but why did he ask you to meet us here?”
Georgina giggled and tossed a tuft of hair behind her shoulder. “He didn’t. This was my idea. I’m the one who invited you.”
Elizabeth stood and folded her arms to prevent an accidental swing at her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s face. They were supposed to be having dinner with her parents in one hour, and she didn’t appreciate this detour—especially since she had no idea how Georgina ended up invited. “And why is that?” She eyed the dress in Georgina’s hand. The color, upon closer inspection, looked like a day-old bruise. The sight of it pained her eyes.
“I was having lunch with some friends the other day, not far from here, and just happened to wander in and find...” She held the dress up to her body, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. “...this exquisite little number.”
Gritting her teeth, Elizabeth scrambled for something appropriate to say.
“Well, isn’t it to die for?”
“Oh, it’s definitely—”
“Hello, love.” A hand landed on her waist and lips touched her cheek.
Thank God, some b
ack up. “William, good you’re here.” She touched his cheek and ran her fingers down to his chin, enjoying the roughness along the way.
“Yes, sorry I got held up. Hello, sis. Is that the dress I simply had to see?” Before she could answer, he tapped on his phone. His disheveled hair hinted he’d driven with the top down. Or maybe it’d been another tough day at the office. “It’s lovely,” he said with no emotion whatsoever and barely glancing at the dress.
“Lovely?” both women said in unison with obvious contrasting reasons behind their reactions.
Georgina frowned. “You don’t like it?” she said to Elizabeth.
“It’s royal blue, and it’s too short.”
“It’s a Monique Leday.”
Elizabeth knew nothing about designer names and was content to keep it that way. Letting William convince her to include Georgina as a bridesmaid was one thing. Letting her have a say in the dress selection was quite another. “I really don’t like royal blue.”
“Since when?” William said, looking up from his phone and surprising her with the remark.
“Since now.” Elizabeth’s voice went up an octave with her response. “Since the moment I laid eyes on that hideous rag.”
William pursed his lips, and his head drew back like a turtle escaping into his shell.
“Lizzy, you truly know nothing about taste and design,” Georgina said. Her eyes flashed to William’s showing she knew the comment was risky. “Of course, it’s not your fault.” She looked down at the dress, smoothing her hand down the front. “Besides, what’s wrong with royal blue?”
“I was planning on coral dresses.”
“Coral?” Her face screwed up like she’d just been offered green bean ice cream. “William, what do you think?”
His head wagged between the two women, reluctant as a child crossing the street in traffic. He drew in a deep breath. “Georgina...when I said you could help Lizzy plan—”
“Pardon?” Elizabeth said. This was not happening.
William shrugged while Georgina wore a painted on a grin.
“Help me plan? I thought that’s why you hired Olivia.”
“Well, you see, love, I had to let Olivia go.”
She hadn’t asked for a planner in the first place, but had she any say in planning this wedding? “Why? This was your idea and then you let her go without asking me? What did she do?”
“Technically?” He fiddled with the length of his burgundy tie.
Elizabeth planted two fists firmly on her hips.
“I suppose you could say she quit...so I let her go.” He grinned awkwardly.
“I knew it. It’s because we missed too many appointments.”
“You don’t need a planner now, Lizzy,” Georgina said. “You’ve got me. I was maid of honor in two weddings. And now that I’m staying, I have loads of time to help you.”
The temperature in the room felt ten degrees warmer as Elizabeth struggled to calm her breathing. What was to be the most wonderful day in her life threatened to cause her a nervous breakdown, and at that very moment every doubt she’d had about marrying William crept into her mind. Thankfully, Rhonda approached to provide a brief respite.
“Would you like to try that on now?”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” Georgina’s delight gave no indication of the strife between the three of them.
“Come with me, and I’ll have Sharon help you.”
“Could she bring us some of those lovely biscuits I saw?” Over her shoulder she said, “You’ll see, Lizzy. Wait until you see it on.”
When she stepped away, William wrapped his arounds around a silent Elizabeth. She placed her head on the lapel of his suit jacket, feeling the tension release but the exhaustion set in. “How could you tell Georgina she could help plan the wedding?”
“I know I’m a cad for this Olivia mess. But with Georgina...I was only trying to help you, love. I thought it a blessing in disguise really. Olivia was too in demand, and with our schedules, Georgina seemed the perfect fit. I thought you’d be happy.”
William had blinders on when it came to his little sister, but Elizabeth wasn’t about to set him straight and cause an argument. Maybe this was simply a taste of the compromise that was to come after becoming husband and wife. Or, was it what life would be like as a Darcy? She preferred to believe it was the former and would act accordingly. “It was sweet of you to think of me, but the more I ruminate on this, the more I’m sure I can do it all myself.” The words didn’t convince her so she was unsure they would convince him—especially once he’d learned of her upcoming work at the hospital.
“You said you wanted simple and easy. What could be easier than not having to pick out dresses? Or getting help selecting table settings?”
Nothing about Georgina was simple. Before she could answer, he spoke again. “I will confess that I did also have my sister in mind. The thought of helping with the wedding has lifted her spirits.” He took her arms and leaned her back to catch hold of her gaze. “She’s been much happier, don’t you agree?”
She gave him a silent nod and looked down in defeat.
“She just needed a project to keep her mind occupied.” He reached to her chin and lifted it. His voice softened along with his eyes. “I know she can be a lot to take, but without mum, I need to be there for her. Won’t you consider it...please?”
After the wedding, she’d have to find some way to become immune to the power of those heavenly eyes. William in his dark suit, smelling fresh and spicy didn’t help either. “Yes, I will consider it. I will try to include her, but she has to know I have the final say on all decisions.”
He let out a breath of relief. “Of course, love. Splendid.” One side of his mouth turned up like he’d just closed a lucrative business deal.
She didn’t mind given how sexy it was, but that didn’t stop her from being crystal clear. “And that dress...”
The rest of her sentence didn’t have a chance when the dressing room flew open. Georgina paraded out, heading straight for the pedestal in front of the mirror the bride had just vacated. The woman on the couch rose and went to the dressing room area, as if somehow the blue dress offended her.
Georgina placed her hands on her hips and turned from side to side, beaming at Elizabeth and William in the mirror. “Well?”
William leaned his head down and turned his face to Elizabeth’s ear. “Shall I make reservations for the burger van?” he whispered.
She gently elbowed him in the side. “Don’t be cheeky. At this point I might consider it.”
The two walked up behind the blue disaster.
“I’m sorry, Georgina. It’s just not what I had in mind.” William’s words dug into her heart. “You do look lovely, though. And I’m sure whatever I choose will look just as lovely on you.”
As if Elizabeth’s kind words had no effect on her, she spun on the platform to face them. She turned her attention directly to William. “Tell her, brother. Don’t I look divine? Isn’t this dress perfect?” She fanned her eyelids with innocence, waiting for his answer.
William clasped his hands behind his back and folded his lips under his teeth. He glanced from Georgina to his fiancée and back to his sister. “Yes, you do look divine.” He looked over at Elizabeth whose mouth was open, and he gave her a wink. “But you will not be wearing that dress to my wedding.”
“Why not?” she whined like a petulant child.
“Because,” William said with a wide grin. “It will clash with the donkey.”
Chapter 8
Letting her devilish smile reign, Elizabeth watched as Mrs. Bennet handed Georgina a stack of dishes to set the table. If this woman was to be thrust into her life and into her wedding, then Elizabeth had no choice but to take control of the situation.
“Thank you, dear. And when you return, I’ll have the silver for you,” Mrs. Bennet said.
Georgina sighed and slumped away to the dining room while Elizabeth glowed, and Mary looked on with narrowed eyes
.
The two sisters donned aprons over casual attire. Mrs. Bennet flitted around giving orders. The days of five sisters helping mum prepare family dinners had been long gone. Mrs. Bennet’s deep red tank dress and straight from the stylist hairdo not only proved she had no intention of getting messy in the kitchen but also gave Elizabeth pause about the plan for the night. Could all her mother’s efforts be due solely to Georgina attending dinner? Typically, Elizabeth and William ate with her parents and Mary at least once a week; her other sisters and their husbands joined when they were free. Even then it wasn’t the same without Jane, who had moved to Paris right after her wedding.
William had stopped off at his flat to change and “take care of a few things.” That meant work until the last possible minute. And when Georgina mentioned going with him, Elizabeth insisted she head to the house with her. Some time with Mrs. Bennet would give Georgina a little perspective and put her right in her place.
Once the dining table was set, the four women stayed in the kitchen chatting while making final preparations. On the stove, a pot of pea smoked ham soup warmed, and in the oven a large pan of roast lamb stayed toasty. As had been the case with the last few, larger, family dinners, Mrs. Bennet ordered out for the main course, to ensure everything was delicious, hot, and served on time. If compliments came her way for the meal, she didn’t hesitate to take credit and accept the kudos.
Mary stood at the counter chopping for the salad, allowing her to be part of the conversation but not totally committed. Elizabeth waited for her mother to give Georgina her typical welcome of drilling her for any juicy details about the Darcy family and their money. But first, Elizabeth had to bear through hearing Georgina tell her break-up story once again.
A Rival for Mr. Darcy Page 6