|
Chapter 34
January 2005
Visitors to New
Orleans often wonder why such a beautiful place was built in
a bowl below sea level. This belief is reinforced by standing
on the levees and watching the river traffic go by, the ocean-going
ships towering over the nearby houses. What the tourists don't
know is that New Orleans didn't start out that way.
Bienville had selected
the site for the present city because it was the nearest high
land to the Gulf along the river. Many parts of modern New Orleans
are well above sea level, including the French Quarter and the
Garden District. What confuses tourists is that the river seems
higher than the city, and they're right. The Mississippi has
to be higher than sea level, or it wouldn't flow to the Gulf.
But, the river that gave the city its reason for existence has
always been its greatest threat.
The Mississippi
River is part of the great floodplain of the central part of
the North American continent. Streams and rivers feed into the
Father of Waters from the Allegany and Appalachian Mountains
in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west. If it rains or
snows anywhere in the middle part of the United States, some
of that water will flow past Jackson Square on its way to the
sea. The rains and snowmelt of springtime raise the river level
to dangerous heights, endangering towns and cities all along
the Ohio, Missouri, Red and Mississippi rivers. To protect their
homes and farms, the people built levees to hold back the water.
In the twentieth century, the US Army Corps of Engineers was
tasked by the Congress to protect the nation from flooding. The
levee system constructed by the Corps remains one of the greatest
engineering feats in the history of mankind.
In New Orleans,
huge fifteen-foot earthen levees were built on both sides of
the river's channel to keep the Mississippi tamed. This proved
successful, as only the Floods of 1927 seriously threatened the
city. Since then, large emergency river diversion projects were
built to prevent the possibility of the river overtopping the
levees in the city.
The next major project
was to shore up the levees for Lake Pontchartrain. Eventually,
both Orleans and Jefferson parishes were protected by a fifteen-foot
earthen wall.
Everyone patted
themselves on the back for a job well done. Unfortunately, relying
on the effectiveness of the levees would have an unforeseen consequence.
~*~*~
Since the BCS came
into being, the four big football bowl games were no longer all
played on New Year's Day. Since the Sugar Bowl was played inside
the Superdome, and the SEC vs. the world format insured a big
television audience, the game was usually moved to a following
night. This year, the undefeated SEC champion Auburn Tigers would
be facing the champion Hokies from the ACC's Virginia Tech on
the evening of January 3rd.
Dressed in her best
blue-and orange, Gina was screaming "WAR EAGLE!" every
chance she got from the balcony of the DGS suite in the Dome.
It fell to Will to explain to the out-of-town guests why someone
who goes to school on the plains of Auburn and pulled for the
Tigers would yell about a bird.
Once the game got
started, a defensive battle ensued. The Tigers got the best of
it, scoring three field goals before halftime. Coming out of
the break, Auburn reeled off a five-minute drive, culminating
in a touchdown. Auburn was now up 16 to nothing. That's when
it got interesting. The Hokies seemed to wake up at the same
time the Tigers got a bit overconfident. The game wasn't in the
bag, as Auburn turned over the ball twice and Virginia Tech scored
two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, missing one two-point conversion.
But the proud men from the plains finally bore down and ran out
the remaining two minutes to preserve a 16-13 win and to finish
13-and-0.
"Woo hoo, what
a game! We damn near gave it away, but we won!" cried Gina.
"How come we can't be the national champion, huh?"
"Because the
Number 1 undefeated USC Trojans are playing the Number 2 undefeated
Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl tomorrow night," Will
explained as they left the stadium. "Auburn's Number 3 right
now; the best they can do is 2."
"Somethin'
ain't right with that."
Will was flabbergasted.
"Where did you learn to talk like that? You sound like a
hillbilly."
"Oops, sorry."
"You've been
spending way too much time in Alabama. You're going to turn into
a redneck."
"Am not!
"Are so."
"Am not, you
rat!!"
~*~*~
Lizzy sat on the
couch of her apartment in Metairie, looking once again at the
mysterious, beautifully engraved invitation she had received
the week before, addressed to Miss Elizabeth Boudreaux &
Guest.
His Royal Majesty,
King Epicurean XIX,
Lord Gourmand of the Mystic Krewe of Epicureans,
summons your presence to partake in the misrule & merriment
at his Annual Bal Masque,
to be held on the 8th of January, 2005 at Eight O'clock in the
evening
in the Mardi Gras Ball Room, Marriott Hotel, Canal Street.,
Included with the
invitation were two call-out cards. Whoever sent it meant to
dance with her and her companion (if a female) at the ball.
It was not that
she had not heard of the Krewe of Epicureans. She knew it as
one of the newer, high-end, non-parading Mardi Gras organizations.
She simply had no idea who had sent two invitations to her. She
knew Chuck had recently joined, but he claimed he had not sent
invitations to anyone. Dr. George Katz expressed his innocence,
as well.
Could it be William?
If so, why anonymously?
She almost picked
up the phone to call him, but she decided against it. What would
he say? Could she handle it if he said he hadn't sent it? She
would feel like a fool. And if he said yes…
Obviously, this
was meant to be a surprise - and a challenge.
All right, then,
I'll accept your challenge, Mr. Mysterious.
She stood up and
gathered her purse and keys. She had some shopping to do.
~*~*~
Abe wandered into
the kitchen, spying Emma sitting at the island, looking through
the phone book. "What're you doing, Princess?"
"Looking up
a general contractor, Papa. George and I want to do some renovations
around here."
"What kind
of renovations?"
"Oh, just some
minor stuff. We're not happy with our power bill, so we want
to put more insulation in." She hoped Abe didn't notice
her blush. "And we thought of making your room nicer. New
carpeting, add a cable outlet for a TV…"
"TV in my own
room?"
"Yes - maybe
one of those new flat-panel ones."
"I like that.
But why are you wasting your time with the phone book? Why didn't
you come to me? I know every decent contractor in town."
"Oh. I didn't
want to bother you."
Abe started to grumble
as he sat next to her. "Thirty years in architecture, and
my own daughter doesn't want to bother with me."
"I'm sorry,
Papa. Do you want to help?"
Abe reached over
for the phone book. "You just leave this to me, Princess.
I'll find you somebody good."
"At the brother-in-law
price?"
"Of course.
I'll draw up everything, too."
"Now, Papa,
George and I have some fairly solid ideas as to what we want
done."
Abe held up his
hand. "As of now, you're clients, not family. Whatever you
want."
Emma smiled and
kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you."
Abe turned to her.
"Don't mention it. It's the least I can do." He looked
closely at her. "You look very happy, Princess."
"I am happy."
"Good. It makes
my heart sing."
Emma patted his
hand and left to check on the laundry.
"That vacation
did you a world of good," Abe added. "You're like a
new woman."
Emma was glad her
back was turned; otherwise, her father could not help but notice
that her face had just turned bright red.
~*~*~
Elizabeth, dressed
in a strapless royal blue sequined ball gown, handed the valet
at the Marriott the keys to her Honda CR-V. "Well,"
she said to her companion as she pulled her cream wrap around
her shoulders, "let's go in."
Charlotte grinned
from ear to ear. "Oh, I've always wanted to go to one of
these real Mardi Gras balls! Thanks for inviting me!" She
was in purple and gold gown with a purple wrap.
"Don't thank
me - thank whoever sent the invite," said Lizzy as they
strolled across the lobby to the elevators.
"I'll bet it
was Will Darcy," said Charlotte as Lizzy pressed the button
to summon the elevator. "The way he was looking at you during
the Christmas Party…"
"Now, Char,
it could very well be from my brother-in-law, and he wanted it
to be a surprise. Besides, Will Darcy wasn't 'looking' at me
in any special way at the party."
"If you say
so." As the doors of the elevator closed, Charlotte mumbled,
"If only somebody would look at me that way." Lizzy
gave Char a look and let that go.
The two made their
way to the Mardi Gras ballroom. A page, in white tie and tails,
asked for their invitations. Glancing at a series of letters
and numbers along the bottom, he escorted the two to their seats.
Lizzy's nerves, already heightened, began to twitch when she
saw their seats - second row, center. Almost the best seats in
the house.
William Darcy,
if you're behind this, I'll kill you!
"Hey, Lizzy!
Wow, you look great!" Lizzy saw her sister in a white gown
with gold trim.
"Jane! Look
at you!" The sisters discussed their outfits for a moment
before Lizzy turned her attention to Chuck. "Thanks for
the tickets."
Chuck, dressed in
a tux, grinned and held up his hands. "Don't thank me -
I had nothing to do with it."
"Then who did?"
Chuck shrugged,
but Lizzy wasn't satisfied with his lack of knowledge. Just as
a smiling Emma showed up, poured in a red halter and long hair
in an up-do, the lights dimmed, warning those gathered that the
tableau was about to start. They took their seats, Lizzy between
Emma and Charlotte.
"Where's George?"
asked Lizzy.
Emma pointed at
the curtain closed at one end of the room. "Most of the
krewe members are back there."
Chuck leaned over.
"A newbie like me sits out here for the first year."
Lizzy nodded and
turned her attention to the room. A light projected the krewe's
seal onto the curtain. Several other members were standing around,
acting as ushers. The room was filled with people; most of those
in the lower rows, the "call-out" section, were women.
Most wore ball gowns, but some of the younger ladies had dresses
that ended at the knee, or much higher. Lizzy sighed - Paris
Hilton was having a bad influence on women's fashions.
The lights dimmed
and spotlights danced upon the closed curtain. A small band began
a short overture, and the curtain opened.
"Ladies
and gentlemen,"
the voice of the Master of Ceremonies filled the hall. "The
Mystic Krewe of Epicureans welcomes you to their annual tableau
and ball!" There was a burst of applause. "Please
welcome the Grande Chef!"
The spotlight pierced
the darkness to settle on a point on the back curtain to one
side of the dais. The curtain opened and a man trotted out to
loud cheers. He was the Grande Chef, the captain of the krewe,
the true leader of the organization. He was masked and wore an
elaborately flamboyant gold lamé chef's costume, including
an oversized toque, or chef's hat, at least four feet tall. Taking
center stage, he bowed to the assembled, before making a grand
gesture, and the lights went up.
"Welcome
to Ingredients of the Imagination!"
Members of the krewe,
dressed in cook's jackets, pants and aprons in many colors, began
entering the stage from both sides, as the band struck up a Dixieland
tune. They ran all about the place, waving at the crowd.
Lizzy leaned over.
"Which one's George?" Emma pointed to a reveler in
red, an oversized chili on his head. Lizzy laughed. "You
match!"
The MC began after
the song was over. "And now, please stand for His Royal
Majesty, King Epicurean the nineteenth!"
The band played
a stately version of "If Ever I Cease to Love" as the
curtain opened again and a figure in white sequins strode out.
Unlike the Grande Chef or the other members of the krewe, his
face was visible underneath the wig and fake beard. He had a
crown upon his head, a fur-lined short cape about his shoulders,
and held a scepter in one hand, which he waved at his adoring
subjects, many of whom were giving him a standing ovation.
Emma leaned over.
"That's F. Edward Fitzwilliam, Chairman of the Board of
DGS. I'm not supposed to say, because the captain's identity
is always supposed to be secret, but he just retired as Grande
Chef. He's been running the krewe for years. That's his nephew,
Richard, and his wife sitting in front of us."
A knot formed in
Lizzy's mid-section. "Really?" She glanced down at
the people seated in the first row. "The family's well-liked,
aren't they?"
"Yes. The Darcy
and Fitzwilliam families were among the founders of Epicureans."
"Oh."
"Why did they
start their own krewe instead of joining one of the established
ones?" asked Charlotte.
Emma sniffed. "If
they did, it's doubtful George and I would be here, except as
guests. The Fitzwilliams belonged to other krewes in the past,
and the Darcys would have been allowed in because they were related
by marriage, despite their upriver roots. However, many of George
Darcy's friends and business associates would never be permitted
to join. Mr. Darcy didn't like that, and so he talked his in-laws
into starting a new krewe."
Lizzy asked, "Is
your father a member?"
"No, Papa isn't
into all that stuff."
The king took his
seat on the throne on the dais, and the MC began introducing
the maids. One by one, as the band played, young women in white
gowns were escorted by krewe members around the floor. The members
were in costumes symbolizing ingredients one might find in a
kitchen, such as flour, sugar, and pepper. The audience gave
the girls a polite greeting.
"How is it
the krewe members are wearing the theme costumes rather than
the maids?" asked Lizzy. "That's not how other krewes
do it."
Emma nodded. "Yes.
Well, the krewe took a page out of the old-line organizations
and kept the elegance of the maids in white. I like it. It's
not as gaudy as the Super Krewes."
A blonde woman was
now being introduced. "Representing Corn is Miss Gina
Marie Darcy." A cheer went up from the crowd, and many
of the guests gave her a standing ovation. "The daughter
of the late George Darcy and the late Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy,
she is a student at Auburn University, where she is studying
marketing and graphic arts. Miss Darcy is a member of Gamma Gamma
Gamma Sorority and has been elected to serve in student government."
Lizzy noticed that a few of the ladies in the crowd were wiping
away tears.
Emma leaned over
as she clapped. "The Darcys are very popular with
the krewe. Everybody's been anticipating this night for over
five years."
Ever since May
of 1999, thought Lizzy.
Her eyes turned to the tall man in a gold chief's costume, two
large ears of corn attached to the back of his hat like bunny
ears. Is that silly person Will? She could not tell, because
his face was behind a gold mask.
After the remaining
maids had been introduced, two members wheeled in a large, papier-mâché
king cake, purple ribbons hanging from its side. The maids were
arranged around it, and at the Grande Chef's command, the young
ladies pulled at their ribbons. The maid representing Salt waved
her ribbon about, a silver bean attached to the end. Her fellow
maids rushed to congratulate her as the MC announced that she
was the Queen of the Ball.
"It's all pre-selected,"
whispered Emma. "The queen's family has to pay for the post-ball
breakfast, you know. This is all for show."
Lizzy nodded as
she watched the brunette have a tiara placed upon her head and
a fur-lined cape about her shoulders. Why her? she wondered.
Why not Miss Darcy? The new queen was presented by the
Grande Chef to her sovereign, who rose from his throne and escorted
her about the room to accept the greetings of those attending.
They then proceeded to the dais and took their seats upon their
thrones, while the maids sat in chairs arranged to either side.
"And now,
to begin the ball, Epicurean XIX shall dance with his queen!"
The king and queen
rose again and proceeded to the center of the dance floor. The
band started again with "If Ever I Cease to Love,"
but at a more romantic tempo. To general applause the two did
a stately waltz about the floor. At the end of the short song,
they bowed and curtsied to each other before acknowledging the
crowd.
The second dance
was for the king and his wife, and the queen and her father.
Lizzy noticed that the man dancing with the queen was her original
escort. So, is that William in that corn outfit standing behind
Miss Darcy?
The king and queen
returned to their thrones before the third dance began, this
one for the maids. It was a whirl of colors as the young ladies
took to the floor with their escorts, some waltzing better than
others. Lizzy couldn't take her eyes off Miss Darcy, as her partner
guided her expertly in the dance. They were some distance away,
but Lizzy could see the joy on Miss Darcy's face.
Everyone cleared
the floor for the fourth dance, reserved for the Grande Chef
and his wife alone. The krewe once again rose to its feet to
cheer their true leader. "I'm just glad that this first
one for him has gone so well," said Emma.
"Who is it?"
asked Charlotte.
Emma smiled. "I'll
never tell, except it isn't George."
It's not hard
to figure out, if you know the woman he's dancing with, thought Lizzy.
The MC spoke again.
"And now, the first call-out. First call-out, if you
please."
Lizzy's mid-section
started doing flip-flops as Chuck got to his feet and escorted
Jane to the floor. Richard and Olivia remained seated, as they
were guests and not members of the krewe. Chuck was approached
by the figure in gold, with ears of corn on his hat. Chuck nodded
and moved directly to Lizzy.
"Your card,
Lizzy?" he asked with a smile.
She fumbled about
her clutch purse and withdrew the engraved card. Chuck glanced
at it and held out his hand for hers. Lizzy managed to climb
down from her seat without falling on her face and walked with
tolerable grace to the tall man in gold.
"Sir,"
said Chuck, barely hiding a laugh, "Miss Boudreaux."
The masked man bowed deeply and held out his hand. Lizzy barely
managed to curtsy before allowing him to escort her to the edge
of the dance floor. Before she knew it, she was in the position
to dance as the music of Strauss filled the air.
Lizzy was glad her
partner knew the steps and was able to lead her so well. For
her part she was ready to collapse on the floor from nervousness.
Yet, the man in gold was gentle and firm at the same time, and
eased Lizzy's feelings quickly. She could not hold her tongue
any longer.
"Will?"
she demanded. "Will Darcy - is that you?"
"Excusez-moi?
Who is dis Will D'Acy?" the gentleman said in an excruciatingly
awful French accent.
"You! Aren't
you William Darcy?" She stared at him, but could only make
out the dark eyes from behind his mask. She decided to play his
game. "Might I be informed as to whom I am dancing with?"
"My name? Mademoiselle,
on a night as dis, do names matter? An enchanting jeune femme
should have other interests besides such a pedestrian subject
as names."
Lizzy giggled at
the cheesy accent; the phrase "Your mother was a hamster,
and your father smelt of elderberries."1 came to mind.
"Very well. What shall we talk about?"
"Do you talk
while dancing as a rule?"
Lizzy glanced at
the other couples. Jane and Chuck were awkwardly moving across
the floor, both laughing at their own ineptitude. Meanwhile,
Emma and George were locked in an embrace so close Lizzy could
feel the heat they generated.
"Indeed. You,
for example, might remark upon the music, and then I might observe
how fine the dresses are."
The man in gold
grunted. "I notice but one dress tonight, mademoiselle."
Lizzy blushed. "And
do you like it, sir?"
"Je l'aime
beaucoup. Je l'aimerai encore mieux si elle vous était
arrachée, ma chère." 2
Before another word
could be spoken, the music ended. "Ah, such a pity our time
is so short!" He bowed and escorted Lizzy back to her seat.
He then dug into a pocket and presented her with a small box.
"Thank you for the dance, mademoiselle. Merci beaucoup.
A small token of my appreciation." He turned to Charlotte
as the MC called for the second call-out. "Mademoiselle?"
He held out his hand.
Charlotte giggled
as he walked with her to the dance floor, joining Em and George.
Lizzy watched until the music started, then opened the box. Inside
was a silver doubloon, the crest of the krewe showing.
"Oh!"
cried Jane, who was sitting out the dance. "Usually the
members give out the bronze doubloons as gifts. The silver ones
are special!"
Lizzy closed the
box without a sound, a small smile about her lips. She gazed
at Charlotte dancing with the man in gold. How is it I always
seem to be dancing with you, Will Darcy?
~*~*~
After the second
call-out, general dancing was allowed. The band played five songs,
and Lizzy had a dance each with Chuck and George Katz. The man
she now knew as Will Darcy danced with Jane and Emma before returning
to his sister, sister-in-law and aunt. Lizzy notated that Gina
shared dances with her uncle the king and her cousin the policeman.
Finally, the court took another bow, the curtain was closed and
the ball was over. Lizzy was gathering her belongings when Charlotte
tapped her shoulder. She looked up to see a now unmasked Will
escorting his sister towards the group. She had to bite her lip,
for it was the first time she had ever seen him disheveled. He
looked younger and happier with his hair uncombed like that.
She liked it very much.
Will was beaming.
"Hi, everybody. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. We've got
to get to the Queen's Breakfast, but before we go, I want to
introduce my sister, Gina. Gina, you know George and Emma. Have
you met Chuck's wife, Jane?"
"Yes,"
she said as she shook her hand. "She was my nurse, remember?"
Will slapped his
head. "Of course! I'm sorry, Jane."
"Don't worry
about it. It was a long time ago. You look lovely tonight, Gina."
"Thank you,
Mrs. Bingley."
"Oh, please
- Jane is fine."
Will introduced
Charlotte, and then turned to Lizzy. "This is Elizabeth
Boudreaux."
Lizzy bit her lip,
but shook her hand. "I am very pleased to meet you, Gina.
Congratulations."
Gina gave Lizzy
a strange look, but then broke out into a wide smile. "Thank
you, Elizabeth. Or…is it Lizzy?"
"My friends
call me Lizzy." She was surprised by the question.
Gina gave Darcy
an impish look before returning her attention to lady before
her. "All right, Lizzy. I hope you had fun."
"I did, but
I would like to thank the person that sent me the tickets, as
well." She turned to a red-faced Darcy. "Would you
know who that is, Will?"
Will ran his hand
though his hair. "Err…umm, that would be me. I hope
you liked the surprise."
"I did. Thank
you very much."
"I did, too,"
injected Charlotte.
"Umm, Will,"
said Richard, one arm around Olivia's waist, "the breakfast
starts in a few minutes." As this was the Krewe of Epicureans,
the Marriott kitchen went all out for the guests. Eggs Sardou,
turtle soup, and grillades and grits, among other delights, awaited
them
"Yeah."
Darcy cursed his caution. He had played it safe, sending the
invitation to Elizabeth and allowing her to decide whether to
come. Now it was apparent to anybody with eyes that Lizzy would
have accepted a personal invitation as his date. But Will had
not the courage to ask earlier, so instead of escorting both
Gina and Lizzy to the breakfast, he would be bringing his sister
alone.
"Ladies, please
excuse us. I hope you will have a safe drive home." They
said good-bye in the southern fashion of kissing each other's
cheek. As Lizzy leaned in, though, she whispered in his ear.
"Bonne nuit,
mon cher ami. Passez une bonne soirée."3
Will started as
she pecked his now blushing cheek. She pulled back with mischief
in her eyes. "Three years of French at Loyola. Good ni-ight!"
She waved her fingers as she turned and walked away.
"What was that
all about?" asked an amused Gina, as Richard and Olivia
walked backstage. George and Emma tarried a bit to wait for Will
and Gina.
"Nothing important,"
answered a mortified Darcy. Oh, good lord! She had understood
him! He was so stunned he forgot his intention to ask her
out to dinner the next week.
But, he considered
that the night might not have been a disaster. Was she swinging
her hips a little more than those high heels warranted? Maybe
this night wasn't a wash-out after all.
He felt a slight
slap on his back. "You rat! You told me you were inviting
someone from work instead of some babe!"
Will grinned at
his sister. "Lizzy and Charlotte work at EDNO, and I'm on
the board there, so technically I told you the truth."
Gina grunted. "She
looks awfully 'babealicious' to me." She grew thoughtful.
"So she's the Lizzy Boudreaux."
"Yes. Gina,
are you upset? I told you that she retracted…"
Gina put her hand
on his arm to cut him off. "Will, it's okay. That was a
long time ago. She seems very nice, and I would like to get to
know her better." Her face darkened. "Anyhow, who am
I to judge someone? After what I pulled?"
Will wrapped his
right arm around her shoulders and hugged. "Almost
pulled, squirt. Stop beating yourself up over that." He
stopped and looked at his sister. "I gotta stop doing that,
now."
"Stop doing
what?"
"Stop calling
you 'squirt.'" He smiled as he looked at her. "You're
a beautiful, confident young lady."
"Oh, Will,"
she gave him a full hug. "I'll always be your little sister."
"Yes, you will.
But times change, and we've got to change with them."
"Does that
mean I have to stop calling you 'rat'?"
He chuckled. "Well,
no, not if I deserve it."
George and Emma
had given them some space, but his friend walked back to them.
"Will, they're waving everybody in to the breakfast."
"Thanks, George.
We'll walk in with you and Em." As they followed the Katzes,
Gina leaned in. "So, are you going to see your 'babealicious'
colleague again?"
"We'll see,
Gina. We'll see." Soon, I hope.
~*~*~
"Okay, Boudreaux
- talk!" demanded Charlotte as Lizzy pulled away from the
hotel parking lot, breaking into her dreamy recollections of
the evening.
"About what?"
"About Will
Darcy! I was right about him sending you the invitation. Now,
fess up - did you know about it?"
"No."
She grinned. "I suspected, but I didn't know."
"And you didn't
tell me?"
"Char, I…"
Her voice trailed off. She didn't want to go into all her reasons
for keeping her suspicions to herself. "I didn't, okay?
Can we drop it?"
"Only if you
tell me what you said to him as we left. It sounded like French."
Lizzy blushed. "Private
joke."
Charlotte narrowed
her eyes. It was apparent to her that she wasn't going to get
a lot of information out of her friend. "Well…?"
"Well, what?"
"Are you going
to see him?" Before Lizzy could respond, she added, "And
don't tell me that you don't know or 'I'm fine with the way things
are.' Even you could see he was interested in you."
Lizzy bit her lip.
"Maybe."
"He should
have taken you to the breakfast."
"Maybe he wanted
to spend time with his sister." Lizzy realized that Gina
must have remembered her from Tulane; she certainly was surprised
when she learned her name. Does she resent me? Is that why
Will didn't ask her to the breakfast?
"Maybe,"
conceded Charlotte. "So - the question still stands. Are
you going to see Mr. Dreamboat?"
"Does he have
to wear the ears?"
"Lizzy…"
Charlotte said dangerously.
"If he calls,
I'll be very happy to see him again."
Charlotte gave a
whoop. "All right! I'll bet he'll call before Monday! Maybe
even tomorrow!"
Lizzy wasn't so
sure. William was nothing if not deliberate. He might think it
over for some time before he made his next move. She might understand
him, but that didn't mean she was happy about it. She was tired
of waiting.
You threw down
the gantlet, Mr. Darcy. Now the ball's in my court. Let's see
how you can handle my return.
~*~*~
1 - From Monty
Python and the Holy Grail.
2 - "I like it very much. I would like it better torn off
of you, my dear."
3 - "Good night, my good friend. Have a lovely evening."
|
