Having graduated with honors at Princeton and a Phi Beta Kappa key to show it, Will continued his education there in graduate school. As an undergraduate business major, Will chose as his post graduate field of study, Chemical Engineering. Will intended to use his degree by taking over the reins of the company his grandfather, Fitzwilliam Darcy, began and his father, George Darcy, continued. His father�s successful operation of the company created a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical conglomerate known as Darcy Pharmaceuticals.

As Charles and Jane�s relationship blossomed, Will�s disappointment grew proportionately. He had not had one opportunity to see Elizabeth again. Jane and Charles were spending most of their time alone, in spite of the overt hints that Will had made to them about foursomes, hoping Jane would suggest her sister, Elizabeth. It had been a frustrating month for Will since he had last seen her. The Night of the Debacle, as he thought of it. What could he do to see Elizabeth Bennet again?

As the weather grew chilly, Charles wanted to invite Jane to his parent�s house in Bedminster. The fall foliage was beautiful and he knew Jane would appreciate it in its glorious splendor. Charles�s parents were not there as they spent most of their time in Europe. Charles�s father was the United States� commercial attach� to Norway and his parents spent the majority of their time in Oslo, returning to summer in Bedminster. It was a short distance from Princeton, and Charles looked forward to time alone with Jane, away from her family and school. They had been on several dates, and he had met her parents, but he was ready for something more. As a gentleman he had no intention of seducing her by luring her into the backwoods of New Jersey�s horse country alone with no chaperone, however much the idea appealed to him. He realized the next best thing would be to ask her to invite her sister Elizabeth to join them. He knew very well William wanted to see Elizabeth again, and perhaps getting them together at last would stop William�s obvious hints about double dating.

Jane was thrilled at the idea of going with Charles to his parents� estate, and at the same time grateful that he had the sensitivity to invite Lizzy. Jane would have turned down his offer, had he asked her to come alone, however, Lizzy was hesitant.

�Jane� I don�t know.� She didn�t like the idea at all, asking �Who else will be there?� She could already guess the answer, �Is Will Darcy invited? I really don�t think it would be a good idea for the two of us to be in the same house for a whole weekend.� She made up her mind. �I just don�t think I can do it.�

�Please Lizzy!� Jane begged, �If you don�t go with me, then I can�t possibly accept, it would be unseemly.� She hesitated, brushing her long blonde hair, �I�m pretty sure William will be there, but I�m not positive.� She winced, anticipating Lizzy�s reaction, �I think Caroline might be there too.�

�Oh, then that settles it!� Lizzy said sarcastically, �If Caroline�s going to be there, then I have to go!� she rolled her eyes and looked at Jane as if she were crazy. �Why in the world would I want to spend a weekend in the country with that witch? Especially after what she did to me last year?� She folded her arms in front of her and stated dramatically, �I refuse to go!�

Two days later, as he drew near the house in Bedminster, Darcy ran his fingers through his unruly mop of hair in nervous anticipation. It was a clear Saturday morning and he raced along the hilly back roads in his Jaguar, bracing wind in his face, keeping him alert as he tried to plan what he was going to say to Elizabeth. I�m going to spend a whole weekend in the same house with her - this is my chance! He couldn�t believe it when Charles told him Elizabeth would be coming too.

Lizzy found herself riding in the back seat of Charles�s red Mustang convertible, roof down, wind in her face. She had to admit it looked like it was going to be a gorgeous weekend, at least in regard to the weather. The sky was a dazzling blue and the leaves on the trees were a bright gold, with patches of deep red and orange throughout. It was exhilarating to get out of town for a change. She almost looked forward to it, except for the fact that Caroline Bingley was going to be there along with her fianc�, Will Darcy. Lizzy scowled at the thought of the two of them together. This was going to be some weekend. Charles said Will would be coming in his own car. Apparently the house would be crowded; Charles�s other sister, Louisa, and her husband, Ben Hurst, were also going to be there. Caroline had arrived the night before with the Hursts. I wonder why she didn�t come with Will? Lizzy slouched in the back seat, thinking about how interesting it would be to actually see what Caroline and Will were like as a couple, trying to convince herself that she was over him. It just might be a real laugh.

Before long, Charles�s car pulled into a hidden driveway with a small unobtrusive sign that said �Netherfield Farm�. As they drove down the long driveway, lined on either side by split rail fencing, Lizzy noticed horses grazing in the distance. Most of the property appeared to be open fields and farmland. Jane�s eyes widened as it dawned on her just how well to do the Bingleys must be. The thought was disconcerting.

�Charles, you didn�t say your parents� place was a farm.� Lizzy said, looking around in wonder, delighted at this discovery.

�Well, it�s not exactly a real farm,� he said modestly, �It�s a horse farm. We breed horses, or rather, the couple that my parents hired to take care of the place when they�re gone, breed and sell the horses.� He reached over and squeezed Jane�s hand, sensing her nervousness.

The mustang reached the house, a large fieldstone colonial, fronted by a white pillared portico, overlooking the graveled circular driveway. They got out of the car and stretched their arms and legs before entering the house.

�Charles, this is beautiful!� Jane was in awe. �I had no idea your parents had so much� property.� Her voice petered out as she uneasily surveyed the view. Suddenly she felt very small and insignificant compared to this grand and stately setting. The foliage on the trees was at its autumnal peak, creating a striking vista as she looked across the Bingley�s land � land that stretched far beyond where she could see.

Charles beamed meaningfully at Jane, �Thank you, I�m glad you like it. Let�s all go in and get settled.� He grabbed Lizzy and Jane�s small traveling cases out of the trunk of his car and escorted them inside.

Upon entering, the first person Lizzy saw was Caroline. Descending the curved staircase, she wore a multi-colored, geometric patterned tunic, black pencil thin pants and high heeled sandals. A lit cigarette in a long, thin, black holder was held aloft in one hand as she stopped on the bottom step and struck a pose.

Lizzy hid a smirk.

�Charles! Here you are.� Caroline called out in an affected accent. Quickly she scanned over the group, frowning, �Where�s Will? Didn�t he come with you?�

�He�s coming. He preferred to drive his own car.� Charles looked at his watch, �He should be here any minute.�

Temporarily gratified, Caroline looked disdainfully at Lizzy and Jane. In sharp contrast, Charles made a point of making Jane and Lizzy welcome.

�Caroline, I�m sure you already know Jane Bennet and her sister, Elizabeth? I promised we�d treat them to a fun weekend.� He gave his sister a warning glance with his words.

�Jane, of course. I�m sure we�ve bumped into each other on campus.� Caroline condescended before turning to Lizzy. �I do believe I�ve met Eliza, as well. I seem to remember giving her some valuable advice not too long ago.� She gave Lizzy a pointed look, raising an eyebrow.

Charles looked surprised, �Oh? Isn�t that nice.� He couldn�t help but smile at the thought of his sister actually being nice to someone.

Jane being polite said, �That�s a beautiful blouse you�re wearing, Caroline, is it new?�

�Oh this?� casually referring to her tunic. �It�s just one of my Pucci�s that I threw on.� Jane and Lizzy knew very well that an Emilio Pucci original was not just something you �threw on.� Clothing by the Italian fashion designer were the height of fashion and very expensive.

Lizzy found it hard not to roll her eyes at Caroline�s affectations, and made a decision that it would be best to keep her distance, especially since she felt a distinct chill in the air coming from her direction. Charles showed them to their room, which they shared with twin beds and a private bath. Everything was clean and modern, but with a relaxed, casual feel to it that made the girls feel right at home.

Shortly after they unpacked and hung up their clothes, they heard a rumble from outside signaling Will�s arrival. Lizzy looked out the window and saw a sleek dark green convertible in the circular drive behind Charles�s mustang. �Wow� Lizzy said aloud, �that must be his.� Her eyes were as big as saucers. Jane came over to see what Lizzy was referring to.

�Yes, that�s Will�s car, isn�t it nice?� Jane turned to Lizzy with a look of understanding on her face, �I know this will be difficult for you, but, maybe things won�t be quite as bad as you think.� With a hug, she went on, �Thank you for coming with me, I really do appreciate it.� Lizzy smiled slightly at Jane�s warm embrace, and put on her brave face.

�Come on,� she said, �let�s go face the lions.�

Jane giggled, �Don�t you mean Tigers? Remember, they�re Princeton men.�

�Ha! Ha!� Lizzy retorted, and they left their room to go downstairs to greet Will in the center hall.

Will�s heart was in this throat as he pulled into the driveway and drove up to the house. His stomach was doing somersaults. He was disgusted with himself. �C�mon Will, get hold of yourself,� he muttered. �She�s just a girl you danced with once.� He still could not understand the pull she had over him. He parked his car behind Charles�s Mustang, grabbed his leather overnight bag and leapt up the front steps to the door. Charles was ready at the door and welcomed him inside. Will noticed immediately that Caroline was right behind him, looking a fright in some crazy looking outfit, waving a smoking cigarette around as if she was deliberately trying to burn the house down with it.

Will looked up and his heart nearly stopped beating as he saw Elizabeth standing at the top of the stairs, holding on to the banister. He couldn�t take his eyes off her. Her dark hair was worn casually loose, and in her faded jeans and turtleneck sweater, she took his breath away. When did she get so sexy? He stopped speaking to Charles mid-sentence and waited for her and Jane to descend. The greetings between Will and Lizzy were awkward, but Jane reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek and acknowledged him pleasantly.

�It�s good to see you, Will.� Jane knew this was an awkward moment, and she wanted to try and smooth things over.

�It�s good to see you too, Jane.� He looked over at Elizabeth and nodded silently, unsure what to say. At that moment, Caroline, who was taking in the whole scene, interrupted.

�Will, darling,� she said as she grabbed his arm. �Come with me and I�ll take you to your room and make sure you�re all settled in, hmmm?� she fluttered her eyelashes at him and began to lead him away. He didn�t want to leave the group, but he also didn�t want to be rude to his hostess, so he allowed her to show him to his room, confident he would have a chance to talk to Lizzy later.

Lizzy couldn�t stop herself from staring after them as they left the hallway, musing. What an odd couple. She turned to Charles and asked him abruptly, �So, when are they getting married?�

He gave her a confused look, �When are who getting married?� he asked. She motioned in the direction Will and Caroline had just gone.

�Will and Caroline, who else?�

He nearly snorted in disbelief, �Will and Caroline? My sister? Whatever made you think they were getting married?�

Lizzy was taken aback and confused. She tried to ignore the tiny flicker of excitement that began to burn deep inside her at the thought she was wrong. She and Jane both exchanged glances wondering what to say. Neither thought it would be a good idea to reveal to him Caroline�s �advice� to Lizzy at the Longbourn dance. Jane spoke into the breach.

�We heard that Will was engaged to Caroline� umm� someone at school told us.� She looked to Lizzy for corroboration.

Lizzy was lost in her thoughts, barely paying attention to what Jane was saying. He�s not engaged to her? That little� Lizzy�s eyes narrowed as she thought about what she�d like to do to Caroline. Ooh� am I going to get her for this!

�I assure you,� Charles began to say, but his own laughter cut him off. �Darcy engaged to Caroline? Not in a million years. She�d like that, but it will never happen if Will has any say.� With this last he looked straight at Lizzy. She blushed, and wondered what he was inferring. Then she had another realization, If he�s not engaged to Caroline, then who is he engaged to? Who was George was talking about when he mentioned Will�s engagement? She began to question the veracity of his story.

At that moment, Louisa and Ben Hurst came downstairs and Charles introduced Jane and Lizzy. Louisa was the eldest in the Bingley family, and had been married to Benjamin Hurst for five years, no children. Ben was a big golfer, with a decent handicap, although he probably enjoyed his bourbon and card playing in the men�s locker room more than actually playing golf. Louisa, not much of an athlete, enjoyed the social life and status that went with their golf club. Rarely did they venture outside their circle of acquaintances and friends from the club, except for the requisite summers in Nantucket.

They were polite to Jane and Lizzy, but Lizzy�s distinct impression was that Louisa felt they were not worthy of her little brother. After a few minutes of polite conversation, the Hursts excused themselves. Louisa was in charge in their parents� absence and she needed to go over that night�s menu with cook, and Ben was eager to see a college football game on television.

After some coaxing by Jane and Lizzy, Charles agreed to give them a tour of the house and grounds. As they were nearing the end of the house tour, they bumped into Will, who had just finished changing his clothes and was headed for the stables.

�There you are, all settled in?� asked Charles.

�Yes, thank you.� He looked at Charles and then at both Jane and Elizabeth. Lizzy couldn�t look at him, and pretended she was studying a sculpture of a horse nearby.

�I was going to ask you if you wanted to go horseback riding, Charles.� He thought the fresh air would help to clear his head so that he could decide on a strategy to win Elizabeth.

�I was giving the girls a tour of the house and I was about to take them outside to see the grounds, why don�t you join us?�

Will agreed to Charles�s suggestion right away, thankful Caroline was nowhere in sight. The four of them set out together. Seeing the stables in the distance, Will wasted no time in finding an opportunity to be alone with Elizabeth.

�Elizabeth, do you ride?� he asked her.

�A little, I never took lessons or anything.� Embarrassed she tried to make light of it, �I ride very ill, indeed.� Obviously William and Charles were used to the finer things in life, horseback riding being one of them.

�I�d be glad to teach you while we�re here,� he offered. Lizzy wasn�t so sure she was comfortable with the idea. She could barely look at Will now; he was devastating in his breeches and riding boots. What would several days in his company do to her equilibrium?

�I have an idea,� said Charles with a big smile on his face. �Why doesn�t Will take Lizzy to the stables, show her around and take a ride, while I show Jane the rest of the property.� He said this last part with a knowing look at Will that didn�t escape either Lizzy or Jane.

The look of hesitation on Lizzy�s face was inescapable, but Will was all for the idea, and wouldn�t take no for an answer. Ignoring her reluctance, he motioned for her to follow him. As they walked down the path to the stables, Lizzy took stock of the situation. It doesn�t have to be so bad, really. Now that she knew he wasn�t engaged to Caroline, her feelings about him were in a jumble, leaving her totally confused. One side of her was glad that he wasn�t engaged to Caroline, but the other side worried about the ruthless Will Darcy described by George Wickham. When they got to the stables, Darcy instructed one of the groomsmen to choose one of the gentler horses for Lizzy�s mount.

�I�m afraid I�m not really dressed properly for riding.� Lizzy looked down at her jeans and white tennis shoes.

Will couldn�t find a single thing wrong with what she was wearing and suppressed a sigh as he smiled down at her. �What you have on is fine.�

�Well�if you say so.� She was doubtful to say the least. She was determined to remain indifferent to him - no matter how handsome and dashing he looked in those tight...pants of his. He was arrogant and � if George was to be believed � dangerous. She was going to have to play it cool with him. The groomsman brought out two horses, saddled and ready to go. Lizzy looked at her horse a little nervously, not exactly sure what she should do first. Will noticed her hesitation and offered to help. He led her horse over to the mounting block and told her to get up on it.

�Don�t be nervous, the horse will sense it,� he said, �Now put your foot in the stirrup,� she did as he directed, �and hold onto the pommel there on the front of the saddle�good�easy� now hoist yourself up.� She followed his instructions, pulling herself up and throwing her leg over the horse�s back.

Once in the saddle, she laughed nervously, feeling like she was going to fall. �I forgot how high up being on a horse makes you feel,� she said, looking down at Will. Will was still standing right beside her and he noticed her uneasiness. He placed his hand gently on her knee, trying to calm her. It did anything but.

�Don�t worry, just put your other foot in the stirrup.� She found her footing in the stirrup and looked down at him. �Now, take the reins in your hands.� Her eyes widened.

�How?� she asked. She had completely forgotten how to hold them. All she could think about was that Will�s hand was on her leg. He was able to reach over and easily guide the reins into her hands.

�Like this,� he said, and nimbly maneuvered her fingers around the leather reins and squeezed his fingers over hers. Lizzy held her breath during this process; the feel of his hands on hers was tantalizing. �Just hold them like that until I get up on my horse.� Lizzy didn�t like to admit it, but she liked his take-charge manner. He was so self-assured and masculine. Plus, he smells good.

Will swung himself easily into the saddle, and guided his horse over to Lizzy�s, whose breath caught at the sight of him. He looks great on a horse. His back was erect and straight as he sat in the saddle, and she had a momentary vision of him in a shining suit of armor. She bit her bottom lip and tried not to look too much at him. How am I ever going to get through this?

�You certainly look like you�ve done this before.� She said casually, trying to sound like her old self.

�Well, I rode every summer growing up," he tried to downplay it, clearing his throat. "It's nothing, really." He still remembered the sting of her words at the Ivy when she called him a snob.

Will instructed Lizzy to follow him, making a clicking sound to the horses as they slowly exited the barn. He pointed towards the woods and a field and motioned that they would head in that direction. He gave her some pointers, and was pleasantly surprised to see that she wasn�t as lacking in skills on a horse as she claimed.

Lizzy kept reminding herself to be wary, he was certainly putting on the charm. After they had ridden for a while, they stopped for a rest. Will helped her down from her horse, savoring the feel of his hands on her waist as he guided her down from the saddle, momentarily holding her at eye level. Their eyes locked for that moment, until Lizzy said archly, �Better put me down, you know what an overactive appetite we freshmen have.�

He shook his head and gently deposited her on the ground. He tied the horses to a nearby tree before coming to sit down across from her on the grass.

�Elizabeth�� he began, studying the blade of grass he had picked up in his hands. They had been avoiding the subject that was uppermost in their minds the entire time they�d been together. He felt he needed to get it out in the open and hoped it would clear the air between them.

�I�m sorry for what I said at the Ivy Club. I had no idea it was you that Charles wanted to introduce me to. I didn�t mean it.� He looked up at her meaningfully. �If I had known ��

�I see. So that makes it all right, since you didn�t know it was me? Is that what you mean?" she asked derisively. �There�s really no need to apologize, Will. I already know.� Stony faced, she kept a cool demeanor.

�If there�s no need to apologize, then why are you still so distant with me, what�s the matter?� he asked, puzzled at her reserve. Most of the girls he knew would be eager to make up with him � had they ever been angry with him in the first place.

Lizzy didn�t know how to answer him. She didn�t know herself. When he touched her, she wanted to fall in his arms. Physically, yes, he was forgiven. But her mind was telling her something else. He�s out of your league, Lizzy, you�ll never last with him. That thought scared her, deeply. She didn�t want to lose her heart to him, and then have it broken when she was left behind.

She decided to change the subject. �I met someone the other day, who knows you.�

Will�s interest was piqued, �Oh? Who was that?�

�George Wickham,� she answered, waiting expectantly for his reaction.

Will�s face visibly paled, a stricken look passed over him as he heard the name. But just as quickly, she saw the bland imperturbable mask come over him, hiding the momentary emotion she observed earlier.

�Where did you meet him?� he ground out through clenched teeth, sick at the thought of Wickham anywhere near Elizabeth.

Lizzy responded dismissing his question. �It doesn�t matter, but he told me a few interesting things.�

�I�m sure he did � lies most likely. I wouldn�t trust him, Elizabeth, if you know what�s good for you.�

�Funny, that�s what he said about you.�

�Elizabeth, I�m not at liberty to go into detail, but he�s dangerous. Please, believe me when I say stay away from him.� Will was determined.

That determination merely served to raise Lizzy�s hackles. �Who do you think you are?� she said hotly. �You can�t tell me who I can and cannot associate with � especially with a cryptic remark like that!�

Will considered trying to drive his point home, but thought better of continuing to argue with her and stood up. �I think it would be best if we headed back to the stables,� he said coldly, brushing fallen leaves from his pants. �It�s getting late.�

Lizzy was frustrated. She had been itching to get to the truth about George Wickham, and he effectively silenced her with his haughty reserve and authoritative commands! Scowling, she agreed and let him give her a leg up on her horse without speaking a word. Their silence continued all the way back to the stables and into the house. Lizzy went her way, Will went his, and they didn�t see one another again until dinner.

After a delightfully private time of meandering around Netherfield�s grounds, Jane and Charles found themselves upon a small embankment that overlooked a picturesque private pond. The late afternoon sun warmed them, as they lay together, side by side, on the soft grass amidst the fallen leaves of a large Red Oak that towered above. The ubiquitous autumnal scent of burning leaves wafted by from a distance, as Charles thought of his feelings for Jane � feelings that had skyrocketed over the past few weeks. He couldn�t explain it, but he now knew. It was undeniable. He was a lost man when it came to Jane Bennet. He loved her.

They had been seeing each other regularly ever since they met. Football games, dinner dates, movies � even studying together at the library. But Charles was getting tired of dropping her off outside her dormitory, always careful to deliver her before curfew. Once they were five minutes past her curfew of eleven o�clock, and as a result Jane had accumulated five "late minutes." He sent her a rose for every late minute the next day. Late minutes were no small matter at Longbourn, once a student accrued fifteen late minutes, she was grounded for the entire next weekend.

In awe of her beauty, he studied her, unobserved, bathed in sunlight. Golden hair glistened, while dark lashes formed delicate crescents in contrast to the paleness of her skin. His eyes moved downwards and rested on her lips as her eyes remained closed. He wanted to kiss her. Not a little kiss, like the ones he�d given her furtively at the front door of her dorm after their dates. A real kiss. It was time. He rolled toward her, pushing himself up on his forearm, as he leaned forward and lightly placed a kiss on her lips. She smiled with her eyes closed, licking her lips once before he kissed her again. A little more pressure this time. He felt her response as she returned his kiss. Her arms, now around his neck, pulled him closer. He released a deep breath as he gave in to the eagerness he�d been keeping in check � up to this point. Running his hands through her silky hair, he kissed her thoroughly. As their movements grew more fevered, he now lay atop her, her hands running down his back, savoring the feel of his body on hers. Both wanted to give in. This passion had been bubbling between them ever since they first met.

Without thinking, Charles ran his hand beneath her sweater, stroking the downy softness of her stomach, edging upwards. Jane�s breath hitched, delighting in the sensation. A little voice inside her was telling her to stop, but it felt so good. His lips on her neck almost made her forget where she was. She was losing control; she didn�t want him to stop. She had never felt this way with anyone before.

�Jane�Jane,� he said between kisses, �you are so lovely�I�ve wanted to��

�Oh, Charles, Charles� we can�t�we have to stop.� She barely whispered as his kisses continued their way downwards. Pulling aside the fabric of her neckline, he lost himself in the feel of her. The roaring in his head overtook him, he was no longer aware of what he was doing. His kisses intensified � wet and passionate � with just one destination in mind. Beneath her sweater his other hand reached for her breast. The little voice in Jane�s head got louder.

�Charles!� she said loudly this time, �Stop!� she cried out, forcing him off her, as she sat up, hastily readjusting her sweater. He stopped as soon as she told him to. Breathing heavily, he apologized profusely.

�Jane, I�m sorry, I�m such an animal. I should have known better, please forgive me.�

She looked at him ruefully, smiling fondly. He looked so sheepish and genuinely remorseful. �It wasn�t your fault, Charles. I think we both got carried away.�

Their eyes met as he took her hand in his, entwining his fingers with hers. Looking down at their hands, he took a deep breath. �Jane, I think I�m falling in love with you.�

Her eyes were shining as she squeezed his hand, responding in a tremulous voice, �Me too.�

They looked into each other�s eyes, as if trying to savor this one, long, blissful moment forever. Self conscious, as if aware of how silly they must appear, they nervously started to laugh. Soon it turned into the delirious, happy, heartfelt kind of laughter that came with new love. They held each other for several more moments before realizing they had better get back to the house before it got too late. The sun was beginning to set. Hand in hand they walked back to the house, relishing their moment of newfound love.

Later that evening, relaxing after dinner, some members of the party noticed a difference between Jane and Charles. There was warmth, an intimacy between them now that hadn�t been there before. Lizzy noticed it right away, and couldn�t help but wonder what had happened while Jane and Charles were alone earlier. She tried questioning Jane while they changed their clothes for dinner, but Jane was too preoccupied with getting ready � she wanted to look her best for Charles.

Will also noticed the change in his friend. He recognized the look of love on Charles� face; he�d seen it there before. He�d seen Charles fall in and out of love many times. He hoped that if and when Charles and Jane broke up, it wouldn�t ruin his own likelihood of success with Elizabeth � Will remained optimistic about his chances with her.

While they listened to music on Charles�s hi-fi, Lizzy studied her sister again. She noticed a new glow and smile upon her face as she gazed up at Charles. Click here to hear song

As soon as the opening strains of the harmonica on a new song came through the speakers, Charles pulled Jane up from her seat and they began an impromptu dance.

I should have known better with a girl like you
That I would love everything that you do
And I do, hey hey hey, and I do

Caroline and the Hursts seemed oblivious to the spell that was being cast in the room. Ben sipped his after dinner Cognac as he, Louisa and Caroline played a game of Hearts at the card table set up in the corner.

Whoa, whoa, I
Never realized what a kiss could be
This could only happen to me
Can't you see, can't you see

Will glanced at Elizabeth, wishing he could ask her to dance as well. She had been frosty, to say the least, throughout dinner

That when I tell you that I love you, oh
You're gonna say you love me too, oh
And when I ask you to be mine
You're gonna say you love me too

Jane and Charles were in another world as they danced. Looking into each other�s eyes with dreamy smiles upon their faces, they were miles away.

So, I never realized what a kiss could be
This could only happen to me
Can't you see, can't you see

Trying to make up his mind, Will kept throwing glances at Lizzy. That does it, I�m going to ask her to dance. He got up, walked across the room to where Elizabeth was sitting, and stopped in front of her.

That when I tell you that I love you, oh
You're gonna say you love me too, oh

Lizzy followed his movements with her eyes, wondering what he was doing. As he came up to her he stopped, looking down at her.

And when I ask you to be mine
You're gonna say you love me too

�Doesn�t this music make you feel like dancing?� he asked with all the self-assurance he could muster at this crucial moment. Lizzy was stunned that he had come to her. Speechless, she didn�t know how to answer. What does he mean? Is he asking me to dance with him?

Will looked down at her, watching her lips, waiting for her answer.

Whoa whoa I never realized what a kiss could be
This could only happen to me
Can't you see, can't you see

When no response was given the first time, he repeated himself, �Doesn�t this music make you feel like dancing?�

Lizzy licked her lips and thought about what to say; she wasn�t sure how to respond.

That when I tell you that I love you, oh
You're gonna say you love me too, oh

After a pause, �I heard you the first time,� she said looking up at him impudently. �Thank you, but no, I�ve not the least intention of dancing right now, I much prefer watching Jane and Charles.� Glancing in their direction, she continued, �They look very happy together. Besides, I think the song is almost over, anyway.�

And when I ask you to be mine
You're gonna say you love me too
You love me too
You love me too*

Will couldn�t help but feel a little hurt at her rebuttal. He looked wistfully at Charles and Jane as the song ended.

At this point, Caroline, who had been listening to their conversation, decided that she wasn�t about to let it go any further. She sauntered over to Will, grasping onto his arm, hoping to make it clear to Elizabeth that he was hers. She wasn�t about to let that hussy steal him away from her.

�Will, darling, let�s go for a walk, it�s a beautiful night out,� she said, giving him her most beguiling smile while tugging at his arm.

Will resisted Caroline�s efforts, trying not to grimace. He glanced at Lizzy, anxious over her reaction to Caroline�s antics. He was surprised � and not a little disappointed, to see she didn�t seem to mind in the least bit.

Lizzy knew only too well what Caroline was up to. Barely hiding a smirk, she was determined to kill her with kindness. She looked over at the two of them, intent on letting Caroline go on with her charade. She could see that Will wasn�t interested in Caroline � it was obvious to her now, but she enjoyed watching him squirm, in any case.

With her eyes dancing, she smiled at him impishly �Yes, it is a beautiful night. I�m sure you two would like to be alone.�

She pretended not to see the beseeching look he threw her way. Feigning a yawn, she grabbed the book that she had been reading earlier, and said her good nights to everyone, announcing that she was sleepy and going up to bed. Giving Will a cheeky look as she passed by him, she couldn�t miss the self-satisfied expression on Caroline�s face, nor the look of distress on Will�s as she turned and went off to bed.

*I Should Have Known Better � performed by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney � 1964 Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.

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