The Thin Line between Love and Hate

A Pride and Prejudice- story

By: jakeline

Summary: A modern P&P with a Shakespearean twist. He said she wasn’t pretty enough and she threw punch at him. After 12 years Darcy is back in Meryton and Lizzie still hasn’t forgiven him.

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be Jane Austen and most definitely not Shakespeare. I just borrow their work as an inspiration to this story, loosely basing it on Pride and Prejudice and Much Ado about Nothing.

Author’s note:Yeah, so… Don’t really have an explanation. Just got caught up in life and stuff…

Chapter 16: Heaven and Hell

“Elizabeth Francis Bennet!” her mother’s voice was excitedly giddy. Elizabeth’s hasty departure was delayed. She turned to find her mother hurrying after her.

“I need to get out of these clothes, mother,” Elizabeth said, gesturing towards her plastered clothes, thanking her lucky star she was wearing the black top and not the white as she had planned.

“Lizzie, you are a hero!” her mother squealed.

“I just did what any other sane person would have done.” Elizabeth shrugged in her wet clothes; the sun had hit a cloud. “What was I supposed to do, let the man drown?”

“Mouth to mouth with William Darcy, eh,” her mother nudged her in the side, winking meaningly. Elizabeth groaned. She could not believe her mother. Every chance she got she tried to marry her off.

“If you are to read stuff into every little thing I do, I’ll never leave my apartment again!”

“What was it like?” her mother gushed.

“Mother!” Elizabeth was mortified.

“I bet it was great,” her mother smiled dreamingly.

“It was like kissing one of those dolls at the CPR seminar. He was unconscious, mum, what would you expect?”

“Oh, come off it, Lizzie!”

“What’s wrong with you?” Elizabeth cried. “Just because I saved Darcy’s life it doesn’t make us engaged! I don’t even like the guy!” Just as she said the words she spotted William’s hurt face as he passed them. Damn! Just as well though, wouldn’t want him to get the wrong impression.

“And he’s wealthy, too,” her mother sighed and Elizabeth could almost she the pound signs in her eyes.

“Jeez, mum!” Elizabeth couldn’t take it anymore, but left her mother where she stood and headed towards her room. She had not meant for William to hear that particular part of the conversation. No matter how much she tried to convince herself of the opposite, she was kind of falling for William. Just thinking of the kiss he had given her, sent her blood boiling, and filled her head with many impure thoughts of what they could be doing if they had been alone at that sandbank.

With burning cheeks she entered the reception area of Netherfield. She was all trembles and shivers and needed to sit down and just breathe. As soon as the adrenaline drained out she was in a state of shock.

As she passed the reception she heard an all too familiar voice.

“Elizabeth Bennet, my God, you’re all wet!” George Wickham purred. Elizabeth froze and instantly wished for a big whole to open up underneath her. But no such luck. She turned, ever so slowly, and plastered a smile on her face.

“George.”

“You remember me!”

“How can I forget?” Elizabeth said harshly and folded her arms around her waist.

“Aw, I’m flattered, Lizbear,” George said and came to a halt next to her, circling his arm around her waist.

“Don’t be.” She stepped out of his embrace. This was so not what she needed right now. “Why are you here?”

“Last time I checked this was a free country.”

“Last time I checked you were in La-La Land. Whatever you are doing here, just keep out of my and my family’s way, okay?” she threatened and left him with a murderous glance. She could not deal with him too. Not with her emotions running amok.

-xxx-

William lay in his bathtub, reliving the kiss over and over again. Elizabeth’s reaction didn’t match her words to her mother. He knew there was something between them, there had to be. Why would she kiss him like that, if there wasn’t? She was not the kind of woman who played games. She was too straight forward for that. He had to know how she felt. Had to be sure. He decided that tonight was the night. Tonight he was going to tell Elizabeth how he felt. There was no use in prolonging this anguish.

He felt utterly scared and exhilarated at the same time. It could go either way. But after that kiss, he was sure there were some warmer feelings inside of her towards him than disdain. If there wasn’t she wouldn’t have kissed him like that, right? He suddenly felt utterly nervous. Hastily he got out of the bath and quickly started getting ready for the evening.

William hated the costume. He could not believe his sister had picked it for him. He thought she knew him better than that. It was so not him. He had pictured himself as Batman, Superman, something dark and sinister even, but not with wings and glittery white tuxedo. He hated it. His outfit was completed with a white feathered mask. How would Elizabeth recognise him now?

“I’m so getting you back for this,” he whispered from the corner of his mouth as they entered the hall where the ball was held.

“I’m sure you will, dear brother,” Georgiana replied sweetly. She too was dressed in white and feathers. The only difference was that she looked the part of something heaven-sent. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in a mass of golden waves that glittered in the light. The dress was of her own creation, layered with white and silver. She looked heavenly while William felt like one of those boy band singers from the ‘90s. He regretted not taking the time to get his own costume.

William browsed around the room to see if he could see any familiar face or figure. But with all the masks there was not one he could make out. He dreaded that it was going to be a long night. At least until he got to talk to Elizabeth.

-xxx-

Elizabeth was torn. Should she tell the rest of the family about Wickham’s presence, or not? He could not be up to anything good. She didn’t get why he had turned up there and now. It was if someone had it in for her. Just when she was beginning to actually like life again and maybe, just maybe falling for someone again, a blast from the past shows up out of the blue. She sighed angrily as she tried getting into her outfit.

“Tell me why I’m wearing red leather again?” Elizabeth turned to her sister, who was angelic in white.

“You are supposed to be a devil, my dearest sister.”

“I’m not really sure I can pull this outfit off,” Elizabeth turned in front of the mirror, feeling utterly self conscious. The leather clung to her body like a second skin and the top was basically made up of straps. “Are you sure you don’t want to switch?”

“Yeah, I’m much better suited to be an angel than the devil,” Jane smiled and put on her wings.

“Yeah, you’re right. You have always been the angel and I the Devil’s child, according to our dear mother. I would still have preferred those wings to this.” Elizabeth held up her glittering red horns and tail. A red mask with red sequins completed her outfit.

“Aw, you make such a cute little devil,” Jane smiled mischievously as she crowned her glory with a halo.

Elizabeth was still on the fence. Again she was wearing something that would attract a lot of unwanted attention. Her own idea of the perfect costume was an orc, a storm trooper, practically anything that wouldn’t flaunt her body. But Jane had been the one to sort out the costumes, and now here was Elizabeth, entering the grand hall of Netherfield, all dressed in red.

-xxx-

“I am so pleased with myself,” Caroline purred as she looked out over the crowd. William frowned and glanced over at Georgiana who was the brain behind it all. Caroline had done nothing but plan the menu for the banquet. Georgiana only smiled good-naturedly, ever so angelic in white.

“Yes, this is actually splendid,” William admitted, reluctantly. “Better than I had hoped.” He scanned the room once again in hopes of spotting Elizabeth. There was something he needed to tell her.

William had to admit he was enjoying himself. The first charity bash in England looked like it was going to be a success. The only downer at the moment was that he still hadn’t found Elizabeth. He fidgeted with his mask, trying to look manly in the white feathers.

“Stop it,” his sister hissed. “You look great.” He shot her a dark look.

“I need a drink,” he said and hastily walked toward the bar. With a drink in his hand he made the social round, just making small talk, making sure everyone was happy.

Charles had found Jane soon enough, but she had not entered with her sister, but what he assumed was Mr and Mrs Bennet and what he thought was Lydia. The Elizabeth he knew would never be caught dead in such a revealing outfit. But then again, he had been wrong before. He scoped the grand room once more and studied the figure in red leather. She was by the bar with Charlotte. At once he knew he had been mistaken. It was not Lydia wearing the tight leather outfit, it was Elizabeth. As he let his gaze sweep over her curvy figure his breath was caught in his throat. She was stunning, to say the very least. The top was more straps than anything and left very little to imagination and the pants clung to her slender legs like it were her own skin. Her costume was completed with a long tail and horns. It should be illegal for her go walk around like that.

His body was quick in its response to recognising her. His stomach tightened and his breath quickened. He could feel a flush creeping up his cheeks and hope nobody noticed it underneath his white mask. He hoped the band would start playing soon so he could ask her for that dance.

-xxx-

“What do we think of Mr Darcy, then,” asked Charlotte as they got their drinks in the bar. She turned to face the room filled with people in fancy dress and masked faces.

“What about him?” Elizabeth asked cautiously.

“Well, he seems to look at you a great deal,” Charlotte said.

“How can you tell? Everyone is wearing a mask,” Elizabeth said, stating the obvious, while picking at her own mask. It was itching something awful.

“Oh, Peter told me who is who,” Charlotte said. “And Georgiana asked where to find the best angel outfits the other day.” That was useful information. So William was probably an angel. Wasn’t that ironic? They should switch, he was more suited to be the devil’s spawn than she.

“What’s with you and Peter?” Elizabeth asked. She had noticed they had spent much time together.

“Nothing,” Charlotte replied. “We have mutual interests, that’s all.”

“And what, pray, are those interests?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Charlotte teased.

“Yes I would actually,” Elizabeth said.

“If you don’t care about William Darcy,” Charlotte said, changing the subject, “how come you keep looking for him? With becomingly flushed cheeks?” Elizabeth muttered something incoherently and blushed even more. Charlotte always had had an uncanny talent for pointing out the obvious. “You like him!” Charlotte stated, a wide grin spreading on her face.

“He’s tolerable, I suppose,” Elizabeth drawled as she leaned against the bar with a nonchalant look on her face, repeating the words that had hurt her so many years ago.

“What made you change your mind?”

“I haven’t changed my mind about him,” Elizabeth objected and shrugged indecisively. “He is still an arrogant prick.” She took a sip of her drink. “A very handsome, arrogant prick,” she added under her breath.

“I’m sorry, what?” Charlotte asked.

“Nothing,” Elizabeth mumbled and looked away. She was still struggling with these newfound feelings for William.

At that moment, a man dressed as Zorro came and whisked her away and steered her out on the dance floor. She hadn’t even noticed that the band had started playing, but was thankful nonetheless. She couldn’t take Charlotte’s scrutinising gaze anymore. There were two people in this world she couldn’t hide her feelings from, Charlotte was one of them, Jane the other. They saw right through her.

It didn’t take long for Elizabeth to realise who her saviour was. She scowled and started looking for someone to save her again.

“What? Not even a dance, for old time’s sake?” Wickham asked, a little offended.

“Are you serious?” Elizabeth was baffled. Had he really forgotten what he had done to her? To her family? Or was he just that much of an asshole? She suspected the latter.

“That was years ago, Lizbear.”

“And your point is?” They had stopped dancing now. She was glaring at him, angry. He still had some strange hold over her. Perhaps it came from being her first love. Or the fact that he still was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. “And stop calling me that!” She folded her arms over her stomach, feeling utterly exposed in her outfit.

“I’ve changed,” he said softly, taking a step towards her.

“Why does everyone keep saying that, without proving it?” Elizabeth didn’t believe him.

“Lizzie,” he pleaded.

“Stay the hell away from me, George,” she hissed and turned to walk away. She stepped right into the arms of a white dressed figure. As she drew a breath to say something she recognised the musky scent. William.

“Is this man bothering you, Elizabeth?” he asked in his deep voice. She would usually object to people calling her by her full name, but when William said it, it sounded different. Almost sexy. She shook her head in response, unable to utter a coherent sentence. “You sure?”

“I’m fine,” she finally squeezed out.

“I suggest you get out of here,” William said pointedly to George.

George just smiled his carefree smile and nodded, “Sure,” and left. Elizabeth was a little disappointed, but moreover she was suspicious. He had gone too easily. Something was definitely up.

-xxx-

William didn’t like the way the Zorro-dressed man looked at Elizabeth. There was something in the other man’s eyes that he treated women like he owned them. William wondered vacantly what he was to her. Elizabeth didn’t look pleased, though. And when she broke free from Zorro’s embrace and looked angrily at the man, he was his chance. He was going to save her. Hastily he moved through the crowded dance floor to reach her.

Of course, she could handle herself. She was on her way away from the man as he reached them, turning as he placed himself behind her. She never noticed and stepped right into his frame.

“Is this man bothering you, Elizabeth?” he asked, eying the other man carefully. She shook her head, but it didn’t look too convincing in William’s eyes. “You sure?”

“I’m fine,” she said in a tight voice. William didn’t believe her at all.

“I suggest you get out of here,” William said to the Zorro-dressed man with, what he hoped got through his feathery mask, menacing eyes.

“Sure,” the Zorro-character only smiled and left.

“I need some air,” Elizabeth said quietly.

“Let me,” William said, and took her by the arm, carefully escorting her through the crowd towards the balcony. This was his chance.

-TBC-

Author’s note: Hope you didn’t get too disappointed not seeing Darcy in hat and cravat, but I think this suited my purpose better. And Wickham’s here, oh joy! Anyway, tell me your thoughts in a review…