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During the Samhain celebration, Elizabeth stood beside her father while Papa welcomed the dead to walk among them for the evening.

The bonfire behind them had been prepared beforehand and would be lit at the appropriate moment.

As soon as her father had concluded the ceremony, he raised both of his hands.

“This evening, neighbours, I am pleased and excited to announce the coming marriage of my daughter Elizabeth to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.”

Murmurs erupted amongst the crowd, and Elizabeth’s sisters glanced around at each other.

Jane, who had been warned by Elizabeth earlier, had a hand on her mother’s arm, never breaking her concentration on Mama’s capricious mood.

Her dearest sister always appeared so serene, but that expression was well known to Elizabeth. Dear Jane was too good!

To be of aid with tonight’s revelation, Mrs. Hill had also mixed a substantial dose of calming potion in Mama’s tea before they had departed, so between that and Jane’s influence, her mother had not spoken a word since their arrival at the top of the hill that overlooked Oakham Forest. They would be fortunate if Jane’s control prevented an outburst before they departed for Longbourn.

“Mr. Darcy is the son of my good friend Mr. George Darcy and his wife Lady Anne Darcy. We planned their union after Elizabeth’s birth, and I am overjoyed at the prospect of such an esteemed and gifted mage to continue the magical traditions of the Darcy and Bennet families. ” He waved Mr. Darcy forward.

“My daughter will be joined to Mr. Darcy in a ceremony before the solstice. I will also be making an announcement of great importance during our solstice celebrations. ”

The whispers of those around them filtered forward while Elizabeth placed her hand on the arm of her betrothed, who had stepped forward to stand beside her.

“It is well known the Bennets have no heir. Is this to somehow make up for that fact?” someone said just loud enough to reach Elizabeth’s ears.

Mr. Darcy covered her hand with his. “Do not respond. They will learn the truth soon enough.”

While Elizabeth waited for the noise to subside, she glanced to her side in time to catch Miss Bingley glaring at her as though that lady could bore a hole into Elizabeth’s head with the heat of her stare.

Mr. Darcy had mentioned Mr. Bingley’s sister had hopes, and that he had disabused her of any notion that they would ever wed.

It seemed the lady had failed to take Mr. Darcy’s assurances to heart.

Why would Miss Bingley persist in such a futile endeavour?

“Elizabeth, your father is beckoning us to follow.”

She was jolted back to what was happening around her. “Forgive me. I was merely distracted by Miss Bingley’s countenance. Regardless of all you have said to her, she does not dissuade easily. I hope this will convince her to pursue a gentleman more amenable to her suit.”

“I can only pray,” he said in low tones.

Papa brought them forward to the light the bonfire, and as the villagers approached with unlit torches, she, Mr. Darcy, and her father set them ablaze on the large fire.

All in attendance would take the flame home with them to light their hearths for protection.

In the morning, the ash would be saved for its protective and cleansing properties.

Once everyone had their portion of the fire and had departed for their own homes, Papa took Mama from Jane. “Darcy, I assume you will join us for the walk back. Your horse is still in my stable, after all. ”

Her father glanced at her over his spectacles and led Mama towards home with her sisters following. When they stepped behind her family, Mr. Darcy leant closer to her. “We expected the surprise of the neighbourhood, but otherwise, the announcement went rather well, do you not think?”

What could he mean? Had he expected something more to occur? “The evening went as I had imagined, Mr. Darcy.”

“Fitzwilliam,” he said in a soft tone. “I would prefer it if you called me Fitzwilliam.”

She looked up at him. He still possessed the ability to unsettle her from the inside out. How was he capable of inciting those flutters that could discompose her with nothing more than the volume and pitch of his voice?

“We have not been seen courting in public as yet,” said Fitzwilliam, “which is why I expected more of a reaction, I suppose.”

“I am certain that is why Papa mentioned the union had been planned. Most of the neighbourhood is surely more concerned with what you are to obtain from our union. It is well known we have no real fortune to offer, and with your wealth and connexions, you could make a far superior match.”

He scoffed. “I have never desired to marry for money or for the ability to claim another as my friend or family. My parents loved each other, and I remember them sharing small touches or my father kissing my mother’s hand or cheek.

I much prefer the notion of having a similar relationship with my wife than one as cold and unfeeling as the one Miss Bingley would expect. ”

Elizabeth grinned and shook her head. “If that lady had the talent of incinerating one with her glare, I believe I would have been reduced to a pile of ash when Papa made the announcement.” Not even Mama had ever levelled such malevolent looks !

A light laugh sent another frisson through her.

“If you are curious, her ability is not useful in the slightest. From what Bingley has said, her eyes changed colour when she was a babe, but not the usual change most children have. They would change by the day and sometimes by the hour. Now that she can control it, Bingley has mentioned she will alter their shade depending upon the colour of her gown on a given day. He even told me she once terrified him as a child by turning their shade red one night. I am surprised she did not behave so this evening.”

Her palm covered her mouth while she laughed.

“Forgive me. The lady does appear to be very taken by her own appearance. At the assembly, I once noticed her primp in a mirror upon the wall.” She did not just glance but had taken the time to fluff her gown and touch her face.

She was most certainly one of the vainest ladies Elizabeth had ever met.

Fitzwilliam sighed gruffly. “I have witnessed her behave the same at a ball in London. She believes herself to be above most. Do not trust her. If she had any sort of ability that could cause harm, she would use it.”

“If only we could match her to my cousin. Papa allowed me to read the letter from Mr. Collins. He is every bit ridiculous. We shall need to keep Mama restrained with potions for the entirety of the man’s visit lest he see her hurl an object at me or someone else.

I almost wish she had a talent similar to Miss Bingley.

Convincing our cousin Mama’s eyes were the same as yesterday would be much simpler. ”

“Your father can remove any recollection of magic if necessary.”

“Yes, but as you are well aware, the more you tinker in someone’s memory, the more you run the risk of damaging their mind.”

“I would trust your father more than most,” said Fitzwilliam .

“As would I, but a fortnight can provide many opportunities for Mr. Collins to witness what he should not.”

“We have never spoken of your sisters’ abilities. Miss Bennet’s is not easily discernible. What of the others?”

They had fallen behind the group and spoke in soft tones.

Since her betrothed had set their pace, he had likely endeavoured to keep their discourse private.

Aside from her confidences with Jane, Elizabeth kept her thoughts and feelings close to her heart.

The habit had been long engrained. She could not accidentally reveal herself as the heir, so confiding in others was problematic.

“Mary recalls whatever she reads. She can set her hand on a book and know its contents. The ability would be more useful if she did not restrict her reading to religious texts.”

“ She may consider remembering their teachings useful.” One side of his lips ticked upwards. He was teasing her.

“Well, my sisters and I do not, particularly when we are the recipients of her moral platitudes.”

His warm chuckle washed over her and made her breath hitch. “What of the others?”

“Kitty can urge a plant to grow, blossom, or produce fruit. She spends a prodigious amount of time in the gardens. We never lack for vegetables or fruit, and Mama’s flowers are always bountiful.

Kitty enjoys flowers and pretty things, so she walks the gardens whenever the weather is fine and tends to the plants.

She can be silly and spends too much of her time with Lydia, but I am pleased she has a productive ability she enjoys.

Her dedication to plants gives me hope that she will not always follow my youngest sister’s poor influence. ”

When she looked at him, he watched the path in front of him, his brows drawn down a little. “I understand. My younger sister has not always sought the best of influences. Perhaps as Miss Kitty matures, she will learn to think for herself. ”

“Then we come to Lydia.” Elizabeth returned her attention to her family in front of them.

“She adores nothing more than an officer. A red coat makes the gentleman more handsome in her eyes. I am certain you saw her behaviour at the assembly. You must also understand that Lydia can enchant a gentleman with a certain turn of her head and tone of her voice. She discovered the ability two years ago and has been insufferable ever since.”

“She is, for all intents and purposes, a siren?”

Elizabeth crinkled her nose. “Not exactly. You see the enchantment is short-lived. As soon as it wears away, the man she has charmed is not only immune to further inducement, but he also is repelled by Lydia’s flirtations.

” Some spells had an aftereffect. Lydia’s was just more pronounced and lasted for much longer than most. “Does your sister possess a useful talent?”