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“How–how her situation is different?”
“Yes. From mine.”
“I–it’s…I don't—”
“I was the poor girl that got knocked up by the rich boy. When I told you about my history with Jason… I wonder now what your thoughts must have been. Did you wonder if I’d done it on purpose? If I might have conveniently left that detail out?”
His jaw dropped. “No, Ineverthought that! How could you think—?”
“Why wouldn't you? What makes Lauren's situation different from mine?”
“It…I don't know, it just is,” he said, feeling like he was being backed into a corner. “You were young, a college kid—”
Elizabeth scoffed. “Well, I was certainly over the age of thirteen. According to your standards, there’s no excuse. It's not rocket science, right?”
She paused, but Will remained silent.
“And since we're talking about age, I'dalsolike to know how oldyoutruly are, because there was a time not too long ago thatwecouldn't seem to control ourselves long enough to put on a condom. And you didn't seem to be too concerned at that moment about whether or not I was on the pill.”
“That was different.”
“Why? Because it was you and not Richard? Because it was me and not Lauren? Because I don't work for you? Really, Will, you're going to have to spell out what's sodifferentabout it. What if I wasn't on the pill and got pregnant? How would you feel if Richard said all those things to you that you just said to him? What if he implied I was a gold digger, looking to trap you? Catherine already said as much, so it wouldn't be a stretch for someone else to believe it. Try putting the shoe on the other foot.”
His thoughts were swimming, and he had no idea what to say.
“You had the gall to ask if the baby ishis?” she asked, now deadly calm. “How could you? Do you know what that implies about Lauren? He's in love with her, William! My God, what got into you?”
He shrugged, suddenly feeling exhausted and ashamed. “I don't–I don’t know.”
“Well, you better figure it out.”
She turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone.
* * *
Elizabeth started across the ballroom,and bumped into a very alarmed-looking Georgiana walking with Matt.
“Lizzy, what's going on? Richard and Lauren left, and Anne and Catherine were right behind them. Richard looked like he was ready to explode.” She glanced around. “Where's Will?”
Elizabeth gestured toward the hallway with her hand. “He's…back there. I–I need some air. I'm going for a walk, excuse me.”
She worked her way through the throngs of people, and when she noticed Jane and Charles on the dance floor, she kept a wide berth around them. Stopping quickly at the table, she grabbed her purse before heading out into the lobby. Most of the press had disappeared, and those that were still there thankfully didn't recognize her without Will by her side. She went through the doors of the hotel and out onto the sidewalk.
Immediately, she was struck by the oppressive, humid air, and her senses were assailed by the sounds and lights and smells of the city. She turned and walked toward Christopher Columbus Park, the closest place she could think of that had grass and trees and a place for her to sit and ponder what had just happened.
It was a well-lit area, and because of the warm weather and lush greenery, she wasn't surprised to see other people there, some with children, even at this late hour. She wandered over to a bench and sat, and reached down to remove her shoes.
Her anger had waned a little as she walked and now she just felt like crying. She replayed the words Will had said over and over, and every time she did, the desire to burst into tears grew stronger.
As she’d listened to him say those things to Richard, she felt like she was seeing a totally different person, someone she didn't even know. How could that be possible? How could it be that the same judgmental, arrogant man she’d first laid eyes on still lurked inside of the sweet, passionate, caring man she’d fallen in love with?
Her cell phone rang from inside her purse, and without even looking at it, she knew it would be him. She hesitated and decided not to answer; she just needed a little time to get her thoughts sorted out. The phone stopped ringing, but seconds later it chimed, and she read the message he’d sent.
Where are you?
As upset as she was, she didn't want him to worry, so she quickly texted him back.
Walking
