Fragments Read online

  “It's always just a little more, isn't it?” she pouted. Brightening a little, she relented. “Okay. Don't take more than an hour, though. I'll go downstairs and say hello to Caroline but I definitely can't take her any longer than that!”

  Laughing heartily, Will held his hands up in surrender. “I promise, Georgie. I wouldn't want to be the cause of some violent act of feminine aggression when Caroline offers you one compliment too many if I've overstayed my limit.”

  “Good!” She slid off the desk and kissed his cheek. Another flurry of papers were set in motion when she grabbed her purse.

  When she was gone Will reflected with amazement at how she was able to

  bring a sense of peace to his life even as she disrupted his routine existence.

  Georgiana spent a brief five minutes with Caroline Bingley before seeking out Charles in the neighbouring office. Ensuring the door was firmly closed and no one would overhear their conversation, she bypassed the customary

  pleasantries and got straight to business. “He looks tired but other than that...

  what's got you worried? Has he said something?”

  Charles shook his head. “If you'd seen him the other day, Georgiana, you'd wonder if he was the same man. He's cracking, I can see it bit by bit, but I have no idea what's at the root of it all. He's refused to talk to me so I had no choice and called in the big guns; you.”

  She smiled. “I'm a GP, Charles. I had some basics in psychology but I'm no expert.”

  “You two are all that's left of your family. Maybe he won't open up to you either but I had to do something. He won't listen to me.”

  “Oh, he won't be in the office tomorrow. I told him he had to stay home with me,” Georgiana grinned.

  “Great! You've accomplished more in five minutes than I've done in a month!”

  He closed his briefcase and leaned back in his chair. “Will invited Jane and me to dinner tomorrow night. I hope to see you've worked some magic by then.”

  Her smile disappeared, replaced by thoughtful concern. “Okay, tell me

  truthfully. What symptoms have you seen?”

  Charles drew in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. “Preoccupied, absentminded, forgetful. More than just simply forgetting appointments or

  other negligible things. I've had to frequently remind him of facts that I know he could recite faster than me. His temper has been quick to fire, too.”

  “Edgy, poor concentration, difficulty with simple tasks. Does that sum it up?”

  “Yes, that's about it. You might add moodiness to that list.” Charles suddenly looked embarrassed. “He did have a physical recently. I consulted the results in his file. Nothing odd showed up.”

  “Not surprising.” Georgiana glanced at her watch. “I'd better go. Hopefully Will won't make me wait any longer before he's done. I'll see you tomorrow, Charles.”

  He nodded. “Good luck.”

  Her expression was determined. “Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this.

  I'm not leaving until I know my brother is okay.”

  Will stretched his legs out along the sofa, laying his head back on the small pile of pillows at one end. Dinner had been good, and filling! He hadn't expected Georgiana to cook but she had insisted and the result was far from

  disappointing. Will hadn't eaten so much at one meal in weeks.

  Then she informed him that it would be his turn to cook the next night.

  Will had already decided on a barbeque. Everything could be grilled with little preparation required and he was quite comfortable with the use of the

  apparatus.

  “Here you go,” said Georgiana, handing him a glass of wine. She chose a large stuffed chair and curled herself up in it.

  “Thanks,” her brother said. “I could get used to this.”

  “To what?” she asked. “You already have a cook, a maid and a wine cellar.”

  He had to think about it. What did he mean? “I've missed your company, Georgie. You've been gone a long time.”

  Her first impulse was to tell him to find a girlfriend if he was lonely but she knew the answer wasn't that simple. “I'm sorry I wasn't able to come home

  more often.”

  He shook his head. “Pay no attention to my whining. I'm proud of you,

  Georgie. You set out to become what you've always dreamed of being and you accomplished it.”

  “I couldn't have done it without you, Will,” she said in a quiet voice. “You were my rock when things were tough and I felt I couldn't keep going.”

  He made a strange noise, somewhere between a snort and a sigh. “You could always do it. You're strong, Georgie, stronger than you think.”

  So are you, Will. The conversation was promising and she wondered how much she could steer it before he grew suspicious. “When are you going to come to Vancouver and see my place? It's not grand, I'll admit, but I like it.” She added teasingly, “There are lots of pretty nurses at the hospital.” Unexpectedly, his entire body seemed to tense. Gone was the relaxed openness of a moment

  earlier. Georgiana quickly sought to regain his former ease, completely

  changing the subject, while reviewing her words for some clue to what

  triggered his reaction. “Caroline offered to help me with the decorating. Can you imagine?” Her brother appeared lost in thought, however. Georgiana

  prodded him with a softer voice. “What do I have to do to get you to come

  visit?”

  He didn't respond immediately; his eyes, with the vacant faraway look, turned in her direction. “Lizzy, I'd do anything for you. You only have to ask.” The words were tenderly expressed.

  Startled, Georgiana managed to conceal her surprise, filing away the name for later examination. “I am asking, then. How about coming back with me? Take a few weeks off and spend them with me. You aren't indispensable, you know.

  Okay, as my brother you are but not as CEO. The company won't collapse if

  you take a vacation.”

  Will seemed about to accept but something caused his eyes to lose their

  enthusiasm, replaced by a haunted look. “Sorry, Georgie. The wine has gone to my head. We can talk about this tomorrow, okay? I really need to turn in now.”

  “Sure,” she readily agreed. “I'm still operating a few hours behind so I'll read for a while, Will.” She silently admitted that he looked very tired. “Oh, turn off your alarm. Remember you promised to spend the day with me so don't be

  trying to sneak off to work before I get up!”

  Chuckling, Will leaned down to give her a kiss on the forehead. “Don't stay up too late if you expect to prevent me from escaping.”

  Georgiana watched him leave the room, concern now ignited by the

  unanswered questions arising from the evening's discussion.

  Chapter Three

  Will lay in the dark, not needing to look at the clock. It was

  three fifteen and he had awakened every night at the same

  time for the last few months. His heart gradually slowed its

  rapid pace, the images began to fade and his breathing

  returned to normal. Forcing aside the raw emotions left over

  from the dream, Will sought comfort in more pleasant

  remembrances.

  He longed to touch her but it wasn't his privilege. Yet she looked so.... perfect.

  Allowing his eyes to convey his admiration, he schooled the rest of his features into dignified respect. Even from this distance he could see the sparks of challenge in her eye. It took every ounce of control to maintain his place, for that curve of her lips was so inviting. He could well imagine their texture, the moist feel of their warmth against his own. The corners twitched upward mischievously, as if sharing a private joke, only he wasn't favoured with the secret. It did not stop him from appreciating the moment, however.

  Laughter floated in the air, like music in its purest form. He closed his eyes to listen. The sound enveloped
him in a soft embrace, caressing him. The

  temptation was powerful to remain suspended in the pleasure but he forced his eyelids to open, to find her once more and reassure himself that she did exist.

  Her dress flowed from her shoulders like silk, clinging in the most tantalizing places and luring him in. He resisted, of course. Not by choice but by necessity.

  Her smiles were not for him. No invitation was offered, nor did he expect it.....

  not yet.

  Soon, though.... he hoped it wouldn't be much longer.....

  Will opened his eyes. The room was bright with late morning sunshine. He

  checked the clock and was amazed to discover he'd slept in for some hours. His awakening senses informed him that breakfast was being prepared and it

  smelled better than the usual fare he fixed for himself. Throwing off the

  blankets, he reached for some comfortable clothes and pulled them on, then hurried to the kitchen.

  As suspected, Georgiana was at the stove. She laughed when she saw him.

  “Now, there's something the cat dragged in!”

  He felt a bit offended at her ridicule. It was his habit to crawl out of bed and go straight to the kitchen, saving the last half hour's rush for necessities such as a shower and shave before changing into more formal office attire. Never had it occurred to him that his appearance might be considered a source of

  amusement. “What do you mean?” he frowned.

  “I don't remember you being such a slob when I lived at home.” Holding a

  spoon aloft, she pursed her lips and gave him a critical evaluation. “I can ignore the obscene message on your shirt, Will, but please do something about your hair. Those curls are unruly at the best of times but I simply won't be able to keep a straight face if I have to look at the way it's flattened on one side of your head. I'm sure I won't be able to eat my breakfast for laughing!”

  He grunted, awarding her a smile before retreating to see to her request. When he returned, hair tamed and the offensive shirt exchanged for a plain one, the plates were on the table and Georgiana was just sitting down.

  “You're spoiling me,” Will exclaimed, wasting no time in sampling her culinary efforts. “If this is what I may expect every day I'll be happy to pack my bags and leave when you do.”

  Staring at him in annoyance, she said, “It's true, then. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.” Will merely lifted an eyebrow as if amazed she ever doubted it.

  Georgiana had decided to avoid any serious discussion for the day and asked if Will would mind getting the old photos down from storage. He was surprised by her suggestion but agreed and the rest of their day was spent poring over old mementos of family holidays, birthdays and day to day life. They laughed

  together at the atrocious fashions of their childhood and were comforted by each other's presence at the more melancholy moments. Early photos of their parents reduced both brother and sister to silence as they recalled their own feelings at the loss of these special people.

  The afternoon flew by and they had to hurriedly gather up all the memorabilia to put it away before Jane and Charles would arrive. Wine was chilling, the barbeque heating and Will fingering the grilling fork with impatience when their guests appeared.

  Charles drew Georgiana aside while Jane spoke with Will. “I see I hadn't

  underestimated your skills. He looks better already.”

  “Don't speak too soon,” she cautioned. “We had a wonderful and relaxing day, which Will sorely needed, but there's something lurking behind that smile. I am so grateful that you had Jane call to warn me of his condition.”

  “You know I'd do anything for him,” Charles adamantly stated. “He's like my brother.”

  Georgiana was struck by his use of the same phrase that Will had said the

  previous evening. She glanced over to make sure her brother was still occupied out of earshot. Jane was just rinsing the plate which had held the meat until Will finally placed it on the hot grill. Now she left him to oversee the cooking, joining her husband and Georgiana.

  When they were all comfortably seated, glasses of wine at hand, Georgiana

  was ready to pursue her next line of enquiry. “Has Will been dating anyone recently?”

  Jane appeared thoughtful but Charles immediately shook his head. “No, he

  hasn't. I'm certain of that. He's been like a hermit for years. That hasn't changed.”

  “Well, now it's even more strange,” said Georgiana, disappointed with this confirmation. “He seemed quite relaxed last night but his mind was obviously elsewhere at one point. He slipped up and called me Lizzy. The way he spoke indicated some pretty intense feelings for this woman. If he hasn't been seeing anyone do you have any idea who Lizzy might be?”

  Jane and Charles shared a startled look. Charles was uncomfortable as he replied, “Jane's sister is Lizzy.”

  “But it can't be her,” Jane quickly added.

  “Why not?” Georgiana looked from one to the other, waiting for an

  explanation. “Do you know of any others? I can't think of any. Knowing Will's aversion to socialising how many Lizzys can he have met?”

  “There was never anything between them,” Jane said with finality. “She's my sister and he's Charles' best friend. That's all there is to it.” The simplicity of the situation was contradicted when she abruptly left her chair, snatching the glass of wine and quickly walking toward the nearest garden as if to examine the rosebushes. Georgiana was at a loss for words.

  “Forgive her, please.” Charles' eyes were filled with sorrow. “Jane and her sister were always very close and the last six months have been painful for her.”

  “I don't understand.” Georgiana's gentle tone succeeded in drawing him out.

  Charles cast a glance back toward the barbeque before lowering his voice even more. “Despite the answer my wife gave you I believe her sister is the Lizzy you are wondering about. I noticed long ago that Will was mesmerized by her whenever she was around. Honestly, I hoped I was wrong because he never

  seemed to do anything about it.” Closing his eyes, he let out a soft sigh. “It's all too late now, anyway.”

  Dismay filled her. “What happened?”

  In a voice hardened with suppressed anger, Charles said, “She got involved with a man who turned out to be an... an animal. Nobody realised it at first and Lizzy was very good at keeping it all quiet. When the truth became known it caused a great divide in their family. Jane would never think ill of anyone, you know, and she was the solitary member who stuck by Lizzy. Their father was disappointed in his daughter's lack of common sense, as if that really had anything to do with such a situation! Mrs. Bennet preferred to assign the blame to Lizzy, saying she brought it all on herself.”

  Georgiana cringed at the narrowminded views of Jane's parents. “Jane is to be commended for supporting her. Lizzy is still with this man, then? Is that what has Will so distressed?”

  Charles shook his head. “Will didn't know anything about that trouble. As I said, I'd seen the way he watched her before she hooked up with this guy. There was no way I'd tell him any of that crap that was going on. He might have

  hunted the fellow down and killed him.”

  While he spoke Georgiana watched her brother. He tackled his job at the grill as he would any other; with determination and finesse. Why can't he do the same socially? she lamented.

  “The pressure on Jane was enormous. There were times I wanted to go over and throttle her boyfriend but I knew that would only make things harder for Lizzy. However, the worst finally happened. One night they argued and he -.”

  Georgiana's eyes were drawn back to Charles when his voice suddenly went

  silent. Patiently, she waited as his jaw muscles contorted in proportion to his emotion. “Lizzy was unconscious when she arrived at the hospital.”

  A sharp gasp escaped her lips. Georgiana was all too familiar with the

  condition of women who
appeared in emergency rooms following a domestic dispute. “Oh, I'm so sorry!”

  Charles accepted her sympathies with a short nod of his head. “Lizzy has been in a coma for several months. I think even Jane is starting to lose hope.”

  Georgiana could only imagine the grief her friend was feeling, drawn out over such a long period of time. Afraid to ask what had happened to the man who had put her there, she placed a comforting hand on Charles' arm. “That's

  horrible.” Then she inhaled deeply. “It's possible that Will isn't able to cope with his own grief. Perhaps he can't even admit to himself that he's grieving.”

  He met her gaze with more than just sorrow for his wife's sister. “You may be right.”

  “I'll try to work on that tomorrow.” The thought of the next day's challenge was daunting. “I'm sorry to have upset Jane, though.”

  Charles sighed. “It is easily done these days. Don't feel guilty. Anyway, I think it's time we changed to a less traumatic topic. It looks like the steaks are done.”

  Jane had also noticed Will removing the meat from the grill, the signal that everyone should grab a plate and make their choices. He hadn't seen any of the exchanges between the others and they gave no indication of the earlier unease.

  The rest of the evening went flawlessly.

  “Tell me about Lizzy.” Her voice was quiet, almost gentle, but the words cut into him like a knife, opening him up and exposing his insides to the world.

  Will wasn't prepared for it and did not answer.

  “Will?” Georgiana persisted. “It's me, remember? When mom died, when dad

  died, we had each other. Don't shut me out now.”

  “What do you want to know?” his voice croaked, betraying him with a

  response.

  “Whatever you wish to say. I'm here to listen.” She waited and, after a few moments, the angry creases relaxed ever so slightly, hinting that he was ready to talk. “You called me Lizzy the other night. She must be someone special.

  Tell me something about her.”

  Honeysuckle......

  “Beautiful,” he whispered.