Page 25

The morning after their tea at Netherfield, Elizabeth sat with her family around the breakfast table.

Her father was, as usual, at the head of the table, reading his newspaper and drinking coffee, Jane sipped tea and nibbled on a muffin, and Mary chewed bacon while reading Fordyce’s sermons.

Meanwhile, Lydia whispered in Kitty’s ear, which made them both dissolve into fits of giggles.

“Red coat” was the only part of Lydia’s secret that was discernible.

At least the two of them had not been allowed to leave the house and gardens since Samhain.

“Jane,” said Mama. “I want you to tell me everything that was said between you and Mr. Bingley’s sisters yesterday. ’Tis a shame he was out dining with the officers, but I suppose it could not be helped.”

When Mama had remembered about tea with Miss Bingley was a question no one could answer.

They had told her the bookstore excuse upon their departure and upon their return, and had claimed they had taken tea with Charlotte and Maria at Lucas Lodge.

She had seemed oblivious until this morning, when her memory seemed to miraculously right itself.

While Mama listened to Jane as she recounted the entire conversation, hoofbeats and the familiar sounds of a carriage made Elizabeth look up from her toast. Fitzwilliam had arrived. They expected no one else this morning, so the visitor had to be him.

Much as Mama had predicted, a steady rain had begun yesterday and the fields were far too muddy to walk this morning, so Fitzwilliam had sent a message saying he would come to Longbourn so they could help Papa with their research.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Hill opened the door. “Mr. Darcy, sir. ”

“Darcy!” said Papa. “If you have not had breakfast, you must join us. Once you have eaten, we shall adjourn to the library.”

Her mother glanced here and there at Fitzwilliam, each time lifting one nostril just enough for those who knew her well to notice.

Did she truly despise Fitzwilliam for choosing her instead of Jane?

Elizabeth ducked her head and stared at her plate.

For the most part, she managed to ignore her mother’s insults and dislike, but at times, she could not avoid a certain amount of melancholy.

Why did Mama’s derision still hurt after all this time?

As she was sipping her tea, a hand covered hers and entwined their fingers. She peered up to find Fitzwilliam watching her with a steady gaze. How had he known exactly what she needed? Could he sense her disquiet?

They both finished their food in silence. Thankfully, Mama had not spoken since Fitzwilliam arrived. Whether her silence was due to Mrs. Hill’s tea or the presence of Fitzwilliam, it mattered not.

The moment Fitzwilliam set his napkin beside his plate, he stood and helped Elizabeth with her chair. He did not wait for Papa before leading her to the library and taking her in his arms.

“She must have said something to you. Your smile was forced when I arrived.”

She sank into the comfort of his embrace. “Mama has been difficult these past two days. When I arrived home yesterday, she was arguing with Papa about sending Jane to Netherfield on horseback.”

“That would have been unfortunate,” he said. “Jane would have been drenched by the time she reached Netherfield.”

“Yes, that was Mama’s scheme. She hoped Jane would be forced to spend the night.”

He exhaled near her ear. “There must be more than that.”

She drew back and rubbed her forehead. “She questioned Papa over why he did not betroth Jane to you instead of me. I know she has no idea, and God knows that she cannot be trusted with the truth, but—”

“Her lack of feeling still hurts.”

“Forgive me. I am just tired. She was hurling dishes and utensils across the room at Papa yesterday. He had to intervene before she destroyed everything on the table. I am grateful he insisted Jane not intercede. In the end, he calmed her until Mrs. Hill brought Mama her tea.”

His thumb rubbed tingling circles on the back of her hand. “I heard you came to Netherfield with your sister.”

“Papa insisted. He does not want any of us alone outside of Longbourn.” She gave a weak laugh.

“You should have seen Miss Bingley’s expression when I entered beside Jane.

I offered to sit in the drawing room with a book and not interfere with their tea, but she insisted I join them, which I know was not because she wished for my company.

“Fitzwilliam, the conversation that ensued was the most insufferable method of seeking information I have ever endured. She asked of my uncle who lives in Cheapside and of Uncle Philips. Her treatment of poor Jane became increasingly disdainful the longer the visit endured.” It had been miserable.

Jane still believed Miss Bingley liked her and was her friend.

Miss Bingley, however, was nothing more than a sharp-tongued adder bedecked in expensive lace.

“Miss Bingley does not like that her brother is infatuated with your sister. Mrs. Hurst attempted to change her mind after Mr. Hurst insisted she understand the significance of the Bennets in magical circles, but Miss Bingley refuses to listen to reason, even after attending Samhain. Do not let them bother you.”

“I do not like how Miss Bingley treats Jane. My sister has never harmed anyone and does not deserve that lady’s disdain. ”

He bent forward a little to catch her gaze. “I wager you did not let Miss Bingley’s barbs go unanswered.”

She could not help but let one side of her lips quirk upwards. “Of course not.”

“Ah, you are recounting the happenings at yesterday’s tea,” said Papa as he entered.

“You should not take such offense to Miss Bingley’s dismissal of our family.

We have been content to keep to ourselves.

The anonymity outside of Meryton can be a blessing.

People know of us, but they do not know us at a glance. ”

“I do not crave her acknowledgement, Papa, but her wilful ignorance is annoying as is her obvious belief that we should be the dirt under her slippers.”

“And she wants Darcy, which does not set well with you either, I suppose.”

Elizabeth stiffened. “What makes you say that?”

Her father chuckled. “I spoke to Mrs. Nichols at Samhain. She had little good to say of the lady and warned me of Miss Bingley’s hopes towards Darcy.

If I thought him less than trustworthy, I might have worried, but George Darcy’s son would never betray his vow.

I also have seen how he looks at you, my dear.

His father bore the same besotted countenance when he gazed upon Lady Anne.

He would never act in a way that would harm you—not intentionally anyway. ”

She gave a start while Fitzwilliam’s face reddened to a deep shade. “Well, perhaps we should begin going through these books of yours, sir. Should we start in any particular location?”

“I have searched the ones in that first set of shelves, so we should begin on the next.”

Elizabeth groaned. “This is going to be like searching for a needle in a haystack.” A very tiny needle hidden in an exceedingly large haystack !

Her father sighed as he stared at the shelves surrounding them.

“Moreso, really. You must understand this will not be something that is spelled out. If it was, someone else would have discovered it by now. No, this is obscure. You must be diligent in your search, or we shall never discover what we need to know.”

Her betrothed took in a deep inhale. “Then we should get to it. We have a great many books to sort through before whoever this is finds us.” This could take weeks or months of searching.

What if they never found the details of this person’s attempt at increasing their power?

The first snowfall would be here sooner rather than later.

“Indeed,” said Elizabeth.

16 th of November 1811

Fitzwilliam dropped the book into his lap and rubbed his eyes.

This search would never end. How had someone discovered they possessed such an ability or stumbled across such a magic?

They had been reading over magical tomes all week and had found absolutely nothing.

His eyes were scratchy as though they contained sand.

How many more books would they need to search?

Five more sections of shelving were behind Mr. Bennet’s desk.

If only they could ask Miss Mary to search the books for them, but that would necessitate telling her of the vision, which they could not do.

Nevertheless, they had to find something soon, did they not?

“I am stiff,” said Elizabeth. She stretched her arms forward and twisted them in an obvious effort to find relief.

They had spent far too much time in the library this week, having been relegated indoors more often than not due to rain or damp weather.

Both were also fatigued from the gloomy skies and required time in the sun to fully regain their spirits.

The shorter days this time of year did not help their predicament one bit.

Elizabeth stood, arched her back, and walked about the room. “If the wind was not so chilly, I would be tempted to take a ramble in the rain.”

“Hen will be in high spirits when I finally take him out. Four days without exercise will make him a challenge to control when the ground is dry enough to ride. Miss Bingley hoped to persuade me to walk through the gravel paths of the garden yesterday while the sun was out.” It had come out half an hour before sunset, then the rain had begun again during the night.

The weather had been absolutely dreadful.

Mr. Bennet placed a bit of paper in the book he was reading and set it on the desk. “I confess that I hope the rain continues. My cousin is to arrive on Monday, and I do not anticipate this visit. If the weather continues to be poor, perhaps he will not travel.”

Elizabeth set her hands on the back of her chair. “By the letter you showed me, the man has little sense. Rain or not, I am certain he will arrive and expect us to be grateful for his condescension.”

With a growl, Mr. Bennet dropped his head back.

“You are correct, of course. He will be an imbecile, and we shall have to endure his ridiculousness until he decides to leave. And if I do not keep your mother sedated until he departs, she will attempt to match your younger sisters to him and reveal her abilities when I do not capitulate to her demands. I do not want Jane to feel compelled to control her mother’s capricious moods, yet I do not see how we shall manage without her.

Her calming influence is less noticeable than my magic.

Fitzwilliam’s teeth ground against each other. He did not trust Mrs. Bennet not to make some attempt to disrupt his nuptials to Elizabeth. “I shall come after our morning practice so I will be here when Mr. Collins arrives. ”

A dry chuckle came from Mr. Bennet. “You wish to stake your claim on Lizzy in the event Mrs. Bennet makes an attempt to promise her to my cousin? I do not blame you, son.”

Elizabeth placed a palm on his shoulder. “Mr. Collins does not possess magic. If I must, I can charm him or make certain he does not claim an attachment on me or any of my sisters.”

“Lizzy,” said her father in a chiding tone.

“’Tis not like we cannot alter his memory if need be.”

Fitzwilliam winced. “You mentioned yourself the risk that could come of that. The more you tinker with the man’s mind, the more he may become damaged.

Knowing my aunt, this man bows and scrapes and obeys her every command.

She also holds the ability to use magic if she wishes.

If she has used a submission potion and ordered him to take a wife from amongst your sisters, he will be persistent. He will do all he can to please her.

“You must also be aware that my aunt has suffered under the delusion that I shall marry my cousin Anne de Bourgh. She insists my mother and she planned the marriage while Anne and I were in our cradles. As you know, this is not true. My father disabused her of this notion many times, but she persists. I imagine Mr. Collins will mention that information at the most inopportune moment.” He looked back to Elizabeth, whose eyes had widened.

“I would not see you hurt and believing I deceived you.”

“I would have known better,” said Mr. Bennet. “Your father mentioned your aunt’s hopes when we signed the agreement. You need not worry.”

Elizabeth turned and leaned against her father’s desk. “Why did you not mention this sooner?”

With a sigh, Fitzwilliam rubbed his temples.

“Because I have dreaded this visit, and I did not want you to feel the same way. I am uncertain of my aunt’s response to this, but at some point, I expected her journeying here to insist I wed her daughter.

I have not written her of our engagement yet for that very reason. ”

“Well,” said Mr. Bennet. “We shall do our best to prevent Mr. Collins from sending his patroness any correspondence until after the two of you are married and secluded away in the dower house. I only hope that by the solstice, he will be gone. I would prefer he not be here when you are announced before the altar in the stone circle for our neighbours to witness. The entire family walking to the stones would not go unnoticed. We would be forced to alter his memory or ensure he sleeps through the entirety of the evening.”

Fitzwilliam stood and took his betrothed’s hands in his. “We have spent all of our time together for the past fortnight or so. Have you had a gown made for the solstice? Since this will be, for all intents and purposes, your introduction, you should.”

“No, I have always remade Jane’s gowns for myself. Mama often replaces her clothing before it is necessary, and altering those made matters simpler. I have always avoided the dressmaker, so they do not see my birthmark.”

He stared at their joined hands. “I had not considered your mark.” He paused. Would it be possible? “What if I sent for Madame Gérard? She is circumspect and would never speak of the birthmark.”

She bit her lip for a moment. “If you believe it to be necessary and that she would not speak of me being the heir, then I will not object.”

Mr. Bennet looked at them over his spectacles. “You are certain of this woman, Darcy.”

“As certain as I can be. I would not risk Elizabeth’s life for such a triviality if I was not convinced.”

“Then you may do as you wish,” said Mr. Bennet.

“I thank you, sir.”