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Investigation
(Northanger Abbey)
February 2006 (200 words)
It had to be now. The opportunity might not arise again, and she needed the proof to obtain a warrant.
Slowly, she paced down the corridor until she reached the one room which had consumed her thoughts so often of late. Checking the lock, she rolled her eyes in disgust; the security in this motel was pathetic. She took out her credit card and carefully slid it down between door and lock. The door swung open and she crept inside.
Her disappointment was palpable. What did you expect? Blood on the carpet? She searched the room. Everything was laid out neatly; the maids had done a thorough cleaning job. She had pinned her hopes on finding something here; anything to suggest the victim might have been here.
With a sigh, she was about to leave the room as she heard footsteps coming down the hallway. Oh no! Was it him? She was sure he should have been at work for hours yet! Her heart was almost in her mouth as she listened to the slow, steady tread; then the footsteps stopped, right outside.
She loosened her gun in its holster and held her breath as the door creaked open.
"You?"
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Investigation pt 2.
(Northanger Abbey)
March 2006 (200 words)
The young man at the door paused for a moment, as he took in the situation. "Detective Morland, you surprised me! I did not expect to find a beautiful woman my father's room; especially when I know he is currently blowing my inheritance in Vegas."
Catherine decided that the best form of defence was attack. "Mr. Tilney. What are you doing here?"
"I stay here sometimes. It's convenient when it's late and I don't want to travel back to Woodston. I'm pleased to see you, actually. I was hoping you would consider having dinner with me?"
"I hardly think that is appropriate when I am investigating your mother's suspected murder."
"My mother? Murdered? I hate to dissapoint you but my mother is currently living in Tampa. She ran off with the handyman."
"But … but your sister told me she was dead!"
"Eleanor can be melodramatic at time; I'm afraid her life is just one long gothic novel. No, she is just too ashamed to admit that our mother is slumming it with the help." He walked towards her until they almost touched. His hand brushed the hair back from her face and gently caressed her cheek.
"So, about that dinner …?"
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The Greatest Prize
March 2006 (200 words)
His smile lit up his face like the sun. She had never seen him more handsome or happier.
"I hoped you were going to say yes." He turned to his rucksack, and rummaged around until he found what he was looking for. "Here, this is for you. It was my mother's."
She took the box and opened it. After a brief glance at the contents he took the engagement ring out and she felt him slide it onto her finger. The band was a little loose, but she didn't care. At this moment Elizabeth was happier than she had ever been in her life.
"So, what do you think?"
"It's a beautiful ring William," she replied; her attention completely fixed on his rugged features, his beautiful brown eyes, and his sensuous lips. How could I ever think he was haughty? "It's the nicest diamond I've ever seen!"
"Er … Lizzy? They're emeralds. It's green … see?"
She looked down at her fingers and studied the ring for the first time. "Oh Will! I'm so sorry! I was too busy looking at you to notice."
"Well!" he replied with a laugh, "that's the first time my features have ever been prized over emeralds!"
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Gorgeous in Green
March 2006 (200 words)
There was muffled laughter from the bathroom.
"Do they fit? Did I get the right size?"
He was forced to wait a while longer before Elizabeth unlocked the door. In a sexy stride, worthy of any fashion catwalk, she pranced to the end of his bed and enthusiastically modelled the gifts he had ordered from an online lingerie boutique.
"Some of them are okay, but I think the bustier is one size too large," she explained, as her hands traced across her voluptuous contours.
"All the better to remove you from, my dear," he answered with a wolfish grin, as his arms snaked around her waist; one hand moving slowly up to caress her bare shoulders, while the other hand ran leisurely down her spine and slipped under the shoestring strap of her thong.
Although excited at the thought of how he would gradually remove her 'gifts' over the course of the next few hours, Elizabeth couldn't help asking the question that had bothered her since she'd opened the bag.
"But Will ... why green?"
"Because," he replied, slowly kissing his way across her collar bone, "it reminded me a little of Caroline's face when you told her we were engaged …"
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Paradise
March 2006 (200 words)
"That is so romantic!"
"What is?" Caroline asked, wandering into her sister-in-law's kitchen.
"Will's taking Lizzy to Ireland for their honeymoon."
"Ireland? Don't get me wrong, Ireland is okay if you like that sort of thing, but why not stay at one of the Darcy properties? The Penthouse in Tokyo, or the house in Malibu, perhaps? What about the Caribbean Plantation or the cute little Chateau in the south of France ... that one looks simply darling! Oh, and we can't forget Pemberley!"
"They are wonderful, I agree, but I wanted to go to Ireland. We are staying in the cottage where my great-grandparents originally lived. It's on the cliff-edge facing out over Dingle Bay." Lizzy smirked as she added quietly to Jane, "it's very isolated"
"But Eliza, you should realise by now that a man in William's position has to have a honeymoon befitting his status. How would it look in the society pages if you were photographed at a cheap holiday rental in the middle of nowhere?"
"It isn't cheap or rented, Caroline. Will bought it as my wedding gift."
Jane smiled as she whispered to Lizzy. "Is Caroline looking a bit green to you?"
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Disco Fever
March 2006 (200 words)
"No, Darcy, you should not dance here. I hate to see you dancing about by yourself in that stupid manner.''
"I certainly will. You know how much I enjoy it, particularly when I am without a partner. At such a disco as this, it is the most fun you can have by yourself.''
"I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of them, you see, uncommonly lithe and athletic,'' said Colonel Fitzwilliam, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet appreciatively.
"You are dancing with the most supple girl in the room.''
"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agile. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.''
"Which do you mean?'' and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and said, "She is tolerable; but not energetic enough to dance with me; and I am in no humour at present to boogie the night away with young ladies who are exhausted by other men."
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The Third Degree
March 2006 (200 words)
"Just... say... yes."
She closed her eyes tightly as she heard those menacing words whispered into her ear. He restrained both hands above her head, with her face to the wall. She made a desperate effort to twist out of his grasp, but he was too strong for her.
"No!" she spat angrily. She could feel his low chuckle as he pinned her tightly against the stones.
"You can only say yes," he said.
He was standing right behind her, his warm breath tickling the back of her head. She could smell his scent; he badly needed a shower. "No," she answered, through gritted teeth. "I won't."
"I will ask you one more time, and your answer needs to be yes." His free hand slowly moved down her arm, briefly caressing her skin before moving to her waist, where it stopped. "Please can I convert this old stable block into a garage for my new Ferrari?"
"No ...oooh William, no! Stop tickling; that's not fair! Okay, yes ... yes!" Elizabeth twisted around to face her smiling husband, who held her head between his dusty hands and kissed her tenderly. "But what about the kids? They wanted it as a den."
"No!"
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Dishonourable Discharge
April 2006 (200 words)
Meryton, 1916
"Ah, Wickham, here are those ladies I mentioned."
My eyes followed Denny's finger and I saw the group of girls across the street. Introducing myself, I adjusted the silver badge* on my right side to draw attention to it. The dark haired one with the kind smile seemed particularly interested in my company, and asked about my injuries. I told her my usual lie of wounds received at Ypres in 1914.
A horn blast behind us sounded the arrival of a Morris Oxford, which pulled in near to the group. As I glanced over to the two uniformed occupants, I was startled to see Darcy with a young man I didn't know, whose cap badge identified him as serving with the R.A.M.C.
"Miss Bennet! We were on our way to Longbourn to enquire after you."
Listening to the conversation I found that the young Captain - clearly interested in the blonde sister - was called Bingley; stationed at nearby Netherfield Hospital.
The stare that Darcy returned was pure hatred, and for a moment I expected him to say something, but no. He never was one for confrontation. Moments later the car drove away, leaving Elizabeth Bennet looking at me with unveiled curiosity.
*The Silver War Badge (pictured above) was issued to members of the armed forces of the British Empire in World War One who had been discharged through wounds or sickness. Needless to say, in this particular case Wickham had never even seen active service. He was most probably a deserter.
R.A.M.C = Royal Army Medical Corps.
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Tours and Tribulations
June 2006 (200 words)
Lizzy was late into Issoire marketplace. Today's stage was almost due to begin, but she had been delayed collecting something very important. Pushing her way through the crowd of spectators, Lizzy realised that she couldn't get through; there was a barrier holding everyone back. She was about to try elsewhere, she heard the two girls standing nearby.
"Oh my god! Kitty, look ... there's Will Darcy!"
"Oh wow, those new Team Pemberley colours look great on him."
"No kidding! He looks great in anything. Those suits are so tight; you can almost see—"
"Lydia shush! He might hear you! ... Oh no! He did hear you; he's looking this way!"
Darcy finally noticed her in the crowd and a smile lit up his face. She heard 'Kitty' whisper the words, "oooh, look at those dimples!" as he walked towards them. Ignoring the girls, he walked directly up to Lizzy and grabbed the important package from her arms.
"Whose Daddy's little girl!" He swung their fourteen-month daughter up in the air, making her giggle and squeal. "I thought you weren't going to make it, Lizzy. You know I need my kiss for good luck!"
His kiss took her breath away, as always.
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Maillot Jaune
June 2006 (300 words - triple drabble)
Lizzy insisted on the helicopter flying the route, rather than going directly to the end of the stage. From her vantage point she saw the peloton as they devoured the 1046 meters of the category three Côte St-Eloy-la-Glacière.
Her attention did not linger on the stragglers. Taking her cue from the Eurosport commentary playing in her headphones she looked ahead, searching for the handful of cyclists in the breakaway. Basso and Pellizotti were heading the race down into the valley, but Will was reportedly bridging the gap and gaining ground quickly.
Disappointed that dense forest obscured her view, they continued on to the arrivée. Once on the ground, Lizzy and her daughter could join the rest of Pemberley's support team. All eyes were glued to the screen as Darcy and his teammate, Charles Bingley, shared the pace line with Savoldelli and Ullrich as they continued to chase down the lead group.
After puting Annie down for her nap, Jane whispered to Lizzy that they were less than five kilometres out, but they now expected a sprint finish. The fans outside could also hear the commentary, and the excitement began to build. It seemed like no time before the crowd roared upon sighting the leaders.
Lizzy could not watch as five riders sprinted towards the line. The cheers from the team told her that it was a good result for them, but the best result for her was to have Will back and to feel his arms surrounding her.
"So you finally reached the top of the G.C.? You must be pleased. You'll be wearing the yellow jersey for the time trials tomorrow."
"Will the yellow suit me, do you think?"
Lizzy slowly lowered the zip of his skinsuit. "If it comes off this easy, it'll be fine."
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Surf's up
June 2006 (200 words)
As Jane rubbed the lotion into her back, she gave a low whistle. "Look ... over there," she hissed.
Elizabeth lifted her head from the beach towel in time to see two men walk by, with boards under their arms. The shorter of the two, with blonde hair hanging to his shoulders, grinned at them as they passed, and said a low, "Good morning ladies." The other had a stony expression as he stared resolutely at the early morning waves, ignoring their presence. The tight wetsuits showed both men to good advantage, and Elizabeth turned to raise her eyebrows suggestively.
Jane laughed. "Oh, stop! This holiday was to forget about men; remember?" Before Jane could reply, the friendly one ran back towards them.
"Hello ladies, I'm Charlie. I've not seen you hear before; on holiday?"
"Yes, we're renting a cottage about 3 miles away," Jane replied.
"That's great! Hey, Fitz?" he turned to look for his friend, only to see him already pushing his board out into the cove. "Sorry; he's always keen to get started. Are you staying for a while?"
"We brought a picnic."
"Great, I'll see to you later then."
"Jane," Lizzy whispered. "I think he likes you."
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Pumpkins and Preferences
October 2006 (200 words)
Charles looked over the rail at the guests who were enjoying the party below. His sister had once again draped herself over his long-suffering friend. Wearing a short tangerine cocktail dress with matching feathers in her hair, she was hard to miss. He felt someone touch his shoulder and turned to smile at his eldest sister Louisa, who moved to stand next to him. "Caroline seems to be enjoying herself."
"Of course she is. Poor William is far too polite for his own good. Any other man would have screamed at her by now, but while he remains silent she can convince herself that he is happy in her company."
Charles sighed. "I know. I have told him. The funny thing is, he hates orange, and it's virtually the only colour left in Caroline's closet nowadays."
"But she only wears it to please him!"
"Why would she think that dressing like a carrot would please Darcy?"
"Don't you remember? When you bought him home from college for Halloween, and Caroline went trick-or-treating dressed as a pumpkin? He told her how much it suited her."
Charles suddenly understood. This was all Darcy's fault. I'm going to kill him!
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A Woman Scorned
October 2006 (200 words)
The club was dark, and the music impossibly loud. He had wanted to leave for the last hour, but Charles had refused to take any of his blatant hints. Then there was that girl. Inwardly he could not deny she was attractive, so why had he thought that insulting her within her hearing was such a good move?
He felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to see her smiling seductively at him. He was about to apologise, but she lifted her finger and placed it to his lips, before slowly curling it towards her; inviting him to follow with the glint in her fine eyes. Her destination was a dark corner, well away from the crowds, where she pushed her hands under his jacket, sensuously exploring his chest, shoulders and neck. Any attempt at speech on his part was firmly rebuffed. Eventually she stopped his mouth with a kiss which not only took away his words but all rational thought. As her lips trailed to his neck, he felt a brief but exquisite pain.
As she sucked the lifeblood from his body, Darcy's last thoughts were of his good fortune in securing her forgiveness, before he collapsed at her feet.
A Weekend to Remember
November 2006 (200 words)
It had taken ages to plan this weekend. She wanted to banish his bad memories of her, and give him a night or two he would never forget.
The silk sheets came from John Lewis. The assistant looked at her strangely when she asked if they had orange silk, but she didn't care. The candles were orange-blossom, the fruit bowl had an artfully arranged pyramid of satsumas and even the condoms were coloured (and flavoured) orange.
She bathed carefully before pulling on her new purchases find — tangerine stockings were an EBay find — until she was finally ready for him.
The intercom buzzed, and she pressed the button with her manicured nail. "Hello?"
"It's me."
"Will!" She gushed. "Come straight up ... I'll be waiting for you!" she cried coyly, before unlocking the door and scampering back to the sofa. She draped herself across a carrot coloured satin throw.
Walking through the door, his mouth gaped in horror at the sight before him.
"Surprised?"
"God, Lizzy, what are you trying to do? Give me a heart-attack?"
"No, but those nightmares of that weekend with Caroline are going to have to stop. I'm just giving you something nicer to dream about."
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