November 3, 2002 – 1:30pm

“Spumoni, cannoli, and gelato.”

Elizabeth smiled at the deep voice which rolled off vowels with ease and met her companion’s eyes over the top of his menu. “All very tantalizing…especially the cannoli, it’s been a long time since I’ve had any.”

“How about the trio di crème brulee?” William suggested, giving every appearance of being completely engrossed in both the dessert menu and his date. “A combination of three types of brulee - white chocolate, amarena cherry and sambuca.”

She set her napkin on the table as a waiter cleared the remains of her rollatini di saltimbocca away. “Ummm…sambuca. I do love black licorice.”

“Sorbet? They’ve got both mango and peach,” he said, raising an eyebrow in her direction. “We could just order one of each and try them all.”

“That’s a very generous offer,” Elizabeth acknowledged as she lightly ran her hand over the crease in the napkin before her, “but I think that might just be too much pleasure for one afternoon. Besides, I couldn’t even finish my chicken.”

“I’m sure there’s no such thing as too much pleasure.” William declared, setting down the menu. “So, it’s still tiramisu?”

“Yep.”

His hand moved slowly across the table until his fingers grazed hers. “I can’t entice you into trying something different?”

Turning her hand over to intertwine with his long fingers, she replied, “No, but you get five stars for effort.” Elizabeth allowed her eyes to slip shut for a moment, enjoying the warm touch, the soft sounds of music mixed with the tinkling of silver as it came into contact with bone-china, and the anticipation of complete indulgence in sugary delights. The luxury of the moment surrounded her…briefly…

Rapp, Rapp, Rapp…

Elizabeth’s eyes flew open to rest upon the unwelcome site of a thinning comb-over being patted down while its owner waved franticly at the window in front of her. Disquieted by the image before her, she turned her gaze from the street outside back to the man next to her, her wide-eyed expression speaking volumes. Why had she requested a window seat?

Moments later Mr. Collins’s voice preceded his presence as he followed a waiter to his seat several tables away. Pausing in front of his seat just long enough to shoo along the hostess, he quickly shrugged out of his jacket and made a beeline for their table.

“Ms. Bennet, I’m on my way to the little boys room,” he revealed, placing a secretive finger to his lips. “I just had to come over and say hello. What a coincidence running into you here!”

“How true, Mr. Collins. You can’t imagine my surprise.” Elizabeth paused as her mind took note of the man standing before her. This was simply not possible. She looked towards William briefly and then back to Bill Collins. The men were dressed very near to identically in black turtleneck sweaters and woolen slacks, but their appearance could not have been more dissimilar. While the soft yarn accentuated William’s broad shoulders and muscular torso, the unsuspecting fibers had been stretched to their limit to accommodate Mr. Collins’s roundly thickened abdomen which was cruelly contained in a garment one size too small. Elizabeth fought the urge to reach out and stroke those tortured threads in a soothing manner. “Umm…you remember Mr. Darcy, don’t you?”

“Oh yes, Mr. Darcy,” he exclaimed with a repressed enthusiasm while reaching for William’s hand. “Of course. I spoke to your aunt not even an hour ago and it is my greatest pleasure to assure you of her good health.”

Darcy watched as the man’s leer immediately returned to Elizabeth and he wavered between amusement and annoyance. “I’m glad to hear that Aunt Catherine is well. Are you here to meet a date?” The hint was enhanced when William stretched out his long fingers to regrasp Elizabeth’s hand.

“No, no,” Mr. Collins choked on a short cough, “I’m meeting one of our clients for lunch.” Having paid his respects to Mr. Darcy, he tried to center his focus entirely on Elizabeth, but found himself plagued by continual distraction as his gaze repeatedly returned to their joined hands. “Did you two just bump into each other here?”

Elizabeth shook her head mildly. “Actually, we’re heading over to the Schnitz. Lou Rawls is giving an afternoon performance today.”

“I see.” Mr. Collins displayed a terse smile. “I myself have often enjoyed a show at the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall, it’s such a grand theatre. It is unfortunate that you couldn’t see it at night in all its glory.”

“Well, maybe next time. It was nice to see you,” Elizabeth commented with a gracious smile, as their waiter approached. There was no way that she was going to continue this conversation by admitting that she had seen the Schnitz in the evening on numerous occasions. Some things were just better left unsaid. “We don’t want to keep you from your business.”

“Yes, of course.” He bestowed her with an undisguised wink and a slight bow. “I hope to see you again very soon.”

When at last Mr. Collins scurried off to the restroom and they had placed their dessert order, Elizabeth let out a long sigh, looking up at Darcy. Shaking her head, she couldn’t contain her melodious laughter and let it overflow unrestrained until finally, a penitent look took its place as she pulled herself together. “I know I shouldn’t laugh…”

“No, no….It’s perfectly understandable,” William allowed. “In fact, it’s quite preferable to my reaction.”

Her eyes flared at his comment. “That man is incorrigible.”

“He seems to be very taken with you,” William observed.

“Yes,” she agreed with a plaintive smiled, “lucky for me. So, when do you leave for the Washington D.C. conference?”

“I fly out on Tuesday, but the actual conference doesn’t begin until Thursday.” Darcy’s hand ran alongside his glass, absently fingering the drops of condensation that had gathered around the crystal highball, distorting the look of the pellucid amber liquid it contained. “There are several informal meetings with congressional members scheduled for the following week.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth remarked teasingly, “Do you meet with members of congress often?”

“Actually, we generally just email.” His full-on serious demeanor was followed almost immediately by a crooked smile. “Really, it’s all very informal.”

Elizabeth was still laughing when a waiter arrived at their table a few moments later, bearing not the highly anticipated desserts, but rather a voluptuous glass overflowing with fruit and whipped cream. She just stared as he set the drink in front of her, reluctantly intruding on their privacy. “I’m sorry to interrupt ma’am, but this is from the gentleman at the bar.”

Gradually she lifted her eyes from the glass to meet William’s curious visage. Pausing only for a few seconds, her gaze shifted purposely towards the virtually abandoned bar to rest upon the all-too-real image of Bill Collins precariously perched on a bar stool, attempting to dial his cell phone.

“The gentleman,” the waiter announced while tilting his head towards the bar, “wanted me to assure you that this drink is a virgin pina colada, due to the early hour of the day.”

Elizabeth’s attention refocused on the curvaceous container and then shifted to her half-full wine glass. “How considerate.”

Clearing his throat, the waiter slid a napkin in front of her, the white paper blending easily with the well blanched, crisply starched linens. “He also asked me to give you this. I’ll be right back with your desserts.”

As he walked swiftly towards the kitchen, Elizabeth picked up the napkin, reading its hastily scribbled message out loud. Elizabeth my sumptuous fruit, your beauty continues to tempt me. Are you free Friday evening?

“He’s asking me out,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.”

William pushed his chair back from the table. “I’ll go speak with him before he really makes a fool of himself.”

“No, no,” she countered as the waiter arrived with dessert. “He will not distract us from our date. Besides, your cannoli has arrived and I need to try a bite.”

The decision was made for them as Collins’s voice rose above the general chatter of the room. “You’re breaking up…can you hear me?” his voice escalated in frustration as he moved across the room, cell phone clutched closely to his head. “How about now, can you hear me now?”

The sound of the door closing was followed by a deafening silence and Elizabeth let out her breath with relief. Feelings of frustration and embarrassment for the man tugged at her, but she put those aside and focused on the suggestive smile William had leveled at her.

“Can I interest you in a bite?” He held his pistachio laden fork up for her inspection.

Sliding her chair closer to him, Elizabeth opened her mouth to accept the proffered treat. “Oh, this is wonderful.”

“But not as good as the tiramisu?” Darcy questioned, tasting the dessert for himself.

“Well,” she said picking up her fork while she surveyed the work of art before her. “Pazzo’s tiramisu made the top ten list for Oregon.” Slipping the fist bite into her mouth, she savored the taste of a perfectly blended culinary creation.

“They rate that sort of thing?” Darcy asked, shaking his head. “I had no idea.”

“Oh yes, dessert is no small thing. There is a constant debate over the most appropriate alcohol to accentuate the mascarpone cheese – brandy or Marsala wine.”

William offered her another bite of cannoli, as he found watching her every bit as satisfying as any dessert induced dopamine high. “And what’s your favorite?”

Absently, she traced a pattern with her fork through the chocolate swirls that decorated her plate. “I know you’re expecting me to say the wine. But to be honest, I really like it made with brandy.”

Elizabeth turned her fork on its side, slicing through the espresso moistened ladyfingers with a refined precision. With a slight lean towards his body, she offered the bite to William’s lips. “Would you like to try it?”

“How could I refuse such an inviting offer?” He placed his hand on her thigh as she served him.

The musical sound of a cell phone broke into the conversation and several people at nearby tables began to check their bags or pockets. When the tune started to repeat itself, Elizabeth realized that the phone was, in fact, hers. Reaching into her bag, she remarked apologetically, “Excuse me, I didn’t think to turn the ringer off – no one ever calls me on the weekends.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied as she pushed a small button, connecting her to the caller.

“Hello?”

“It’s me,” the voice held a nasal quality that was, unfortunately, familiar. “Just act normal, don’t let him know who you’re talking to.”

Elizabeth glanced out the window where she could see Collins on the sidewalk, hovering over his phone while he plugged the opposite ear with his finger. “Why are you calling me? And for that matter, how did you get this number?”

As her unusual questions registered in his mind, Darcy looked up to catch Elizabeth’s eye with concern. Her response was a simple nod towards the window. With a quizzical look, William turned to behold the overtly conspicuous bobbing of Mr. Collins’s head as he spoke into the phone.

“Now Miss Elizabeth, don’t be concerned. I simply called the office and had them look up your cellular number. It was listed in your client file.”

The irritation in her voice could not be mistaken. “That is a private number, Mr. Collins!”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry, I wouldn’t share it with anyone…” A clattering followed the abruptly ended statement – and then the voice was back, hinting at a befuddled disconcertion. “He didn’t hear you use my name, did he? I just knew that you needed my help…I could not help but notice the overtures that man was making towards you. Is he sexually harassing you?”

“I’m hanging up now, Mr. Collins. Enjoy your lunch.” Elizabeth couldn’t prevent the laughter that bubbled out of her. Smiling at William, she shook her head at the absurdity of the situation and dropped the phone back into her purse.

“Maybe we should just get going,” she suggested, still laughing. “Who knows what he has planned next.”

He nodded, glancing down at his watch. “The concert starts in about an hour. We could head over, if you like.”

“Let’s go. I’ve had more than enough food.” Elizabeth stood, stretching slightly and reached for coat.

“Here, let me help you with that.” Darcy relieved her of the winter jacket and courteously held it open.

Picking up her purse, Elizabeth noticed him quietly set twenty dollars on top of the already paid bill and tossed him a questioning look.

William’s eyes moved across the room to rest on the waiter, who was once again standing patiently next to a table as Mr. Collins droned on. A slight smile touched his lips, “Oh, he’s more than earned it.”