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“Hmm,” said the older man. He pulled a small brass cauldron from under a shelf behind his desk and set it upon the surface with the vials and jars.

“You are not one to give in so easily.” His piercing green eyes set on Fitzwilliam over his half-moon spectacles.

“I trust you protected my daughter’s reputation on this ride? ”

Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “Yes, sir.”

The gentleman nodded while he added bits of certain vials and dabs of other jars. “Thankfully, this potion does not require a fire.”

“What is the potion for?” asked Elizabeth.

“I cannot be sure what spell caused the light, but by witnessing the encounter with the altar as the conduit, you were more present in the moment than if this was a normal vision, so you took a glancing blow of the spell. It explains the increasing weakness and your pallor.”

“If they sought to force Miss Elizabeth to her knees, they could have used the traochta. ”

Mr. Bennet nodded while he added a pinch of one last herb and steam appeared over the edge of the cauldron. “I should say it is ready.”

“Then you would have made a spreagaim,” said Elizabeth, “to return vitality to the drinker.”

“Very good, Lizzy. The steam it seems to emit is not from heat, so the potion will not be warm. Try to take it in one swallow if you can. The results will be quicker.” He poured the contents of the cauldron into a small glass.

When he handed it to Elizabeth, she sniffed the contents, and her nose wrinkled. “It does not smell appetizing.”

Her father chuckled. “Not many potions do. Now drink up. This nature of potion can cure many ills, so even if the curse was not the traochta, this may be of aid.”

She took the potion in one swallow as her father had instructed, her face contorting as she swallowed. “It is vile.” A shudder wracked her body.

“Give it a moment,” said Mr. Bennet. He tugged the bell pull near his desk while watching his daughter.

Meanwhile, she set the glass on the counter and gasped. “How odd!” She squeezed her eyes closed and reopened them a moment later. When she looked at him, her eyes were once again bright, and the circles had vanished from beneath. Her cheeks had regained their rosy colour.

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Thankfully, we shall not need Mr. Jones.” He set the cauldron off to the side. “Now, in either of those visions you mentioned, could you see nothing of use in determining when this will occur?”

“I wore my white cloak in the first one that was mentioned.”

Fitzwilliam sat up straighter. “In the last part, my vision was more from my perspective, although I could not see the identity of the individual. A layer of snow covered the hedgerow and the ground.”

“Then we have some time,” said Mr. Bennet.

“I want to review defensive spells and charms with you, Lizzy. Darcy, if you would be willing to join us or even aid us, I would be appreciative. These old bones do not move as quickly as they once did. I fear practicing a duel would not be wise at my age.”

“Papa, I do not need to practise in such a way.” Elizabeth’s tone was firm.

“I would be willing.” Fitzwilliam bent towards Elizabeth.

“My father and I duelled on occasion. I would cast spells and charms while he attempted to counter them. We would then change places and start again. I have never had the opportunity to use those lessons in a practical sense, but I do feel more prepared should it be required.”

Mr. Bennet nodded. “During pleasant weather, we shall have lessons at the stones.

Otherwise, we can use the cellar. Hill will not speak of it, but if my wife was privy to what is occurring, she would tell the entirety of the neighbourhood.

Like her grandmother, Frances has become a prodigious gossip.

“I assume you will still attend the assembly?”

Fitzwilliam almost startled at suddenly being addressed. “Yes, Bingley and his family are to attend. It would be rude to remain behind without good reason.”

The older man sat back in his chair. “I would appreciate you keeping watch over my Lizzy.”

“Are you not going?”

“He rarely attends,” said Elizabeth.

“I hear about every assembly numerous times from my wife. I have no need to see such a farce only to hear about it in excruciating detail over and over again. I get no respite unless I hide from such frivolities.” Mr. Bennet selected a book from the shelf behind him.

“ Lizzy, I wish you to read this over the next few days. We shall discuss and practise what is within these pages over the next week or so.”

As Elizabeth set the book in her lap, a glance at the cover revealed it to be one Fitzwilliam had brought with him. He read that particular volume now and then to refresh his memory of the skills contained within.

“Have you read this, Darcy?”

“I have studied that book several times, and I actually brought it with me.”

“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet. “Then we shall meet at the stones at dawn tomorrow. Should it be raining, come to the door to the kitchens if you would so my wife is not aware of your presence in the house.”

“Of course.”

Elizabeth rose. “I shall walk you out, Mr. Darcy.”

She was quiet as they made their way back through the servants’ passage to depart the house through the kitchen. The groom brought Hen, and she stroked his blaze as the boy scurried off.

“Thank you for bringing me home, Hengroen. I hope to see you on the morrow.” She dipped her chin to him. “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”