Jane Austen’s Advent – Day 24 – Pride, Prejudice, & Snow conclusion

Welcome to the conclusion of “Pride, Prejudice and Snow”! Here are links to Part 1 and Part 2  in case you missed them. 

This is a modern story set near Woods Hole, MA. It doesn’t include the characters from my Woods Hole stories, but I think of it as taking place in the same seaside universe.

We left our characters eating a community Christmas Eve dinner at a church…

***

Pride, Prejudice and Snow- Part III

With all the volunteers anxious to go home for Christmas, the church kitchen was cleaned in record time. Elizabeth had been washing dishes while Will was in the dining room folding up chairs and tables, but she was still aware of his presence. Should she say something to him before she left? Wishing him a Merry Christmas would be harmless enough.

It turned out to be a moot point. When she walked out of the kitchen, she found Will lounging against the wall by the coatracks. His lazy smile told her he’d been waiting for her. “Walking home again tonight?”

“Of course. I’m a creature of habit.”

“I know you’re capable of defending yourself, but if you’d like some company while you walk, just say the word.”

She pouted dramatically. “Do you think I should let you when you just deprived me of my favorite argument by telling me I don’t need your help?”

“That depends. Did it work?”

Elizabeth giggled. “I’d be happy for some company, and if anyone attacks you, I’ll jump to your defense.”

He turned up the collar on his coat. “Good to know I’ll be safe with you.”

“I didn’t say you’d be safe,” she teased. Was she really flirting with Will Darcy?

Will’s eyebrows rose. “Then I look forward to being unsafe.”

Outside the earlier wind had died away, leaving a surprisingly mild evening. Suddenly bold, she said, “It’s not too cold out. Should we go the quick way via Main Street or the long way by the beach?” After all, she owed him some gesture to show she no longer held Michelle’s lies against him.

“The beach, by all means. Maybe we can spot a Christmas star.”

“Through those clouds?”

“I’ve seen more surprising things happen. Some of them tonight,” he said with an engaging smile. “Can you imagine Charlie’s expression if he found out you’d let me walk you home?”

“His expression? He’d pass out from the shock!”

Will chuckled. “I’d like to see that.”

“I’m having Christmas dinner at Jane and Charlie’s tomorrow, but I’ll keep my lips sealed about this so that you can tell him yourself.”

“You’re all kindness. I’ll be sure to give you a full report later.”

They turned down Shore Street and walked in companionable silence for a few minutes. Will said, “I saw one of your paintings recently at the gallery in Woods Hole, one with sailboats on the Sound at sunset. Very impressionistic, sort of Turner meets Cape Cod.”

He had noticed all that? “I wanted to see if I could use the technique from his paintings of the Thames, but the sky didn’t turn out the way I wanted to. Our air isn’t full of coal smoke blurring everything.”

“I liked it. I’m glad you didn’t give up art when you graduated.”

“I couldn’t. It’s too much a part of me, even if I can barely earn enough from it to buy paint. How about you? I’ve heard a little about you from Charlie and Jane, and of course the local paper. I’ve always wondered why you make video games. You never seemed interested in them in high school.”

That slow smile again. “It’s my deep, dark secret. I don’t play the games except to test them out. I like designing them, not playing them.”

“That seems more like the guy I knew. Building things.”

They crossed the street and walked through the dune fencing to the beach. Elizabeth slowed down a little on the loose sand. Will didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s so quiet here in the winter,” she said. “No Christmas stars, though. They’re all in hiding.”

“There’s one.” Will pointed across the cove to a flashing white light.

“You’re cheating. That’s not a star. That’s Nobska Light.”

“It’s a beacon of light in the darkness, and it’s decorated for Christmas. That qualifies as a Christmas star in my book.” Will stepped a little closer to her side.

Abruptly she said, “I’m sorry I believed Michelle’s lies. I should have known better and listened to my instincts.”

“Michelle was a very convincing liar, as I know from experience.” Will placed his finger beneath her chin. “We’re both older and wiser now. How about a fresh start?”

“Okay.” Her heart was racing. It was a good thing it was dark so he couldn’t see her blush.

He hesitated. “If you want to be just friends, we can do that. But I’m not going to pretend I wouldn’t like more. If you don’t, all you have to do is to say so, now or ever.”

Excitement burned inside her. “Do you always approach these things like you’re making a contract?” she teased.

“No. But if you’ve been thinking of me as a predator all these years, I want to make sure you know you’re in the driver’s seat. It’s…oh, bloody hell, I can’t explain it.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

It started gentle, but didn’t stay that way for long. She was too hungry for more, and apparently so was he. They were both breathing heavily when the kiss ended.

“Wow,” said Elizabeth.

“Wow, indeed.” Will’s grin was visible even in the darkness. “How very high school of us. Necking on the beach.”

She slipped her hand in his. “I would have loved to that back then. I had a tremendous crush on you.”

“You did?” He sounded puzzled.

“Of course I did. You were the perfect guy – good company, you could talk about art, you made me laugh, and all the girls wanted you.” She gazed out into the darkness over the Sound. “I had you on a pretty high pedestal. That’s why I was so angry when Michelle told me those things. I felt like you’d lied to me somehow and pretended to be something you weren’t.”

“I don’t belong on a pedestal, far from it. Guys who lust after their girlfriend’s best friend don’t belong anywhere near a pedestal. But I never lied to you. Well, except maybe about pretending I wanted to keep dating Michelle when I really wanted you.” This time he drew her into his arms before kissing her. “I still do.”

“So I gathered.” She meant it as a tease, but her voice trembled a little. Was she out of her mind letting this happen out of the blue? It would be embarrassing to step back tomorrow if she changed her mind, but she wanted more of that burning feeling deep inside her. She wound her arms around his neck and nibbled his lower lip.

Will groaned softly.

A bright light washed over them, making Elizabeth squint her eyes shut. “What – ”

Will turned his head towards the light and then chuckled. “We’ve forgotten the rules for high schoolers. No making out on the beach at night.”

She opened her eyes cautiously. A police cruiser sat on the road that ran beside the beach. “Oh, no,” she breathed. “I can’t believe this!”

“Don’t worry. Just think how much fun it would be to call Charlie to bail us out for misbehaving on the beach.”

She followed him to the sidewalk. He pulled out his wallet and opened it to display his driver’s license.

“Will Darcy?” said the officer in disbelief, shining his flashlight into Will’s face.

“In the flesh. Sorry, we got a little carried away.”

The officer scratched his head. “Well, I’m supposed to give you a warning and write you up, but seeing as it’s Christmas Eve, maybe we can just pretend I didn’t see anything.”

“I’d appreciate that, Officer. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you, too.” The policeman started the cruiser and pulled away from the curb.

Elizabeth covered her face with her hands and giggled. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

“Me either. It’s going to be all over the police station tomorrow morning.” He didn’t sound like he minded. “Let’s get you home. There’s no law about not kissing you on your front porch.”

“Good idea.” She squeezed his hand, relieved by his hint that he wasn’t going to push things any further tonight. Not that she didn’t want to, but they shouldn’t rush into something. If nothing else, they had too many friends in common if things went badly. She ought to say something, though. He’d been taking all the risks so far. “Speaking of my house, would you like to come over for dinner some night? Not tomorrow, of course, but I’m free after that. I’m not teaching any classes till after New Years.”

His breath caught. “I’d love to, if you think Sir Lancelot the killer bunny will let me in the door.”

“Bring him a carrot and you should be safe.”

***

Elizabeth was glad it was Christmas Day, so she didn’t need an excuse to explain to Jane and Charlie why she was in such a good mood. It felt like they should be able to tell what happened just by looking at her.

The doorbell rang. “Who could that be? It’s Christmas,” said Jane.

“Dunno.” Charlie uncoiled himself from the couch and opened the door. “Will!”

Warmth rose inside Elizabeth. Of course. She had told him where she’d be today.

Will was wrapped up in the same muffler he had worn the night before and carried a brightly wrapped present. “I’m sorry to barge in, but I have a present for Elizabeth. Do you mind if I give it to her? It’ll just take a minute.”

“A present for Elizabeth?” Charlie sounded disbelieving, and he added quietly, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Will laughed. “I don’t think she’ll mind.”

“It’s your neck, not mine. Come on in.”

Elizabeth could feel her cheeks burning as she walked to meet him. “Will, that’s very sweet, but you didn’t need to scramble to find me a Christmas present.”

He held it out to her. “I didn’t scramble. I bought it ten years ago to give you for Christmas, but then you were mad at me, so I just held onto it, hoping someday things would be better.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she took the gift. “I can’t believe you kept it all this time.”

He shrugged. “Well, things did get better eventually. I hope you’ll still like it, even if it’s ten years late.”

“I had pretty awful taste then,” she teased.

Jane called, “Well, open it, for heaven’s sake! We’re dying to find out what it is.”

“Probably poison,” said Charlie gloomily.

Elizabeth carefully removed the wrapping paper to reveal a book. “Monet?” she asked Will in a small voice.

“It’s the catalogue for the Monet exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when we were seniors.” Will watched her closely. “You wanted to go to it, but you couldn’t convince your parents to let you.”

“I remember.” Elizabeth stroked the cover with her fingertips. “I was heartbroken. My favorite paintings so close to me, but still too far away.”

“You talked about it for weeks. I thought this would be the next best thing. Of course now you can see his pictures anytime on the internet –”

“It’s not the same,” she said firmly. “Thank you. It’s the perfect present.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

Charlie pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and pretended to swoon. “It’s a Christmas miracle!”

Elizabeth met Will’s eyes and saw the same mischievous intent in them that she felt. She wrapped her free hand around his neck and kissed him on the lips. Slowly. Lingeringly. Passionately.

“All right, you two, that’s enough,” said Jane warmly. “Take pity on poor Charlie. He’s in the corner gibbering that next he’s going to find out Santa Claus is real after all.”

“Merry Christmas,” Elizabeth whispered to Will.

Jane put her hand on Will’s arm. “Why don’t you take off your coat and join us for a while? We can pull up an extra chair for dinner. I’m sure you have plans for Christmas dinner elsewhere, but you can keep us company for a while.”

“If it’s no trouble, I’d love to.”

Maggie raced up to him and grabbed his leg. “Uncle Will can have my chair, and I’ll sit on his lap.”

Will ruffled her hair. “Thanks. That’s the second best offer I’ve had today.”

Jane said pointedly, “I hope you’ll fill us in on recent events in your life, since it appears Lizzy may have neglected to tell me a thing or two.”

Elizabeth put her arm around her sister and squeezed. “Only one thing, and I was going to tell you later.”

“No more mushy stuff!” declared Maggie, grabbing Will’s hand. “And no more fighting, either. Fighting is the worst. My preschool teacher says so.”

Elizabeth smiled at her niece. “She’s right, sweetie. Fighting is the worst. But Christmas miracles are the best, and I’m very happy with mine.”

Will’s eyes told her that he intended to show her later just how happy he was.

Nobska Light at Christmas

I hope you’ve enjoyed Will and Elizabeth’s story and Jane Austen’s Advent Calendar. Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and sweet dreams of Mr. Darcy to all!