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The remaining biscuits shot from their plate and slapped Miss Mary in the face. “I do not require you to entertain our guest. I am perfectly capable—”

Mr. Bennet held out his arm. “Come, my dear, I believe you require some time to lie down.”

She made to push him away, but Mr. Bennet’s hand landed on top of hers. “Come, Mrs. Bennet.”

Her protest ceased immediately, and the lady stood and followed her husband from the room without question.

“Well, I have no interest in just sitting here,” said Miss Lydia. “I am going to go remake my bonnet. Not that I get to wear it anywhere.” She gave Elizabeth a sneer as she walked by.

Miss Kitty flounced after her sister, but without the mean-spirited look at Elizabeth.

Miss Mary stood and made to follow. “I shall practice the pianoforte. ”

All of a sudden, he was alone with Elizabeth. She peered up at him with that alluring eyebrow arched just so.

“Well, Mr. Darcy, I suppose we should adjourn to Papa’s library and continue reading through his books.”

“Mr. Darcy? Why are you suddenly addressing me as such? You have called me Fitzwilliam for a couple of weeks now.”

One of her shoulders lifted. “I felt like it.”

He drew her into his arms. “I prefer Fitzwilliam.”

She grinned and pressed her palm to his chest. “What will you do about it. . . Mr. Darcy?”

With a growl, he pulled her back to him and kissed her hard.

He usually started a bit slow, but not this time.

He deepened the kiss from almost the first moment their lips met.

She had no idea what she stirred inside of him when she taunted him so.

If they were married and not in her father’s drawing room, he would tease and caress her until she cried his name—Fitzwilliam—over and over again.

He trailed his lips from hers down to her jaw and lower. After nipping at her collarbone, he lightly bit the top of her breast.

She gasped. “Fitzwilliam, what are you doing?”

He pressed a kiss to the swell of her other breast. “Making you say my name.”

Her small hands pressed to his chest and shoved him back. “Hardly fair, Mr. Darcy .” With a tempting curve of her mouth, she pivoted on her heel and left the room.

My God, she would be the death of him!

19 th of November 1811

Elizabeth stood outside Longbourn with Jane beside her.

This was ludicrous! Her mother had ordered her to walk to Meryton with her sisters and Mr. Collins, and her father had allowed it.

Yes, he likely feared her mother’s ire should he refuse, but she should be in the library sorting through books, not walking into town.

Kitty and Lydia burst through the door giggling and tittering while Mr. Collins followed, his lips pursed, and his nose lifted.

He wore that same expression whenever Lydia and Kitty behaved as they were now.

His disapproval was written upon his countenance, so why he desired this walk was a mystery.

“Cousin Elizabeth, shall we?” He held out his arm beside her.

“I thank you for your kind offer, but I am soon to be married, and I am certain Mr. Darcy would not appreciate me walking on the arm of another man.” She looped her arm through Jane’s and led her towards the road. Mr. Collins lacked a quick wit. She was thankful for that as well!

“Mama told him I was soon to be wed,” said Jane softly. “She directed him at you. I tried to interject.”

“Where was I when this happened?” She always seemed to miss these small matters that affected her more than anyone else.

“You were speaking to Papa. Mr. Collins had petitioned her to court me, but she would not have it.”

Elizabeth looked to the sky. Patience! She could not let her temper get the best of her.

“I just need to avoid him for the next week and a half and all will be well.”

Jane frowned. “What do you mean?”

After looking over her shoulder to be certain Mr. Collins was not right behind them, she hugged Jane’s arm to draw her a bit closer.

“Papa intends for Fitzwilliam and me to wed on the full moon. Our marriage will then be announced to the neighbourhood at the stones on the winter solstice. ”

Jane’s free hand flew to her chest. “How romantic! Full moon weddings are blessed by the moon and the earth. When were you to tell me this?” She could not tell Jane of the threat—of what they had witnessed in the altar or of the Duke of Ormonde’s information.

Poor Jane would be beside herself. It also violated Papa’s warning over revealing visions.

She trusted Jane with her life, but if someone overheard, everything could change.

High Street was busy when they entered the market town. People bustled here and there, visiting shops or making their way to their next destination. A few men in red coats could be seen amongst the villagers, conducting whatever business the militia had that day.

A loud squeal erupted from behind Elizabeth.

Lydia and Kitty ran by to intercept a young man wearing a red coat.

He walked beside another man who was not dressed in the militia uniform but who appeared a gentleman.

After a sigh, Elizabeth steered Jane to join them.

If they did not curb Lydia and Kitty’s behaviour, the two would embarrass the family.

“Oh, Mr. Wickham, I daresay you will be exceedingly handsome in a red coat,” said Lydia while batting her eyelashes. Good Lord, this was the man Fitzwilliam had warned them of—the man from the vision—and Lydia was attempting to charm him!

Elizabeth held her breath while Mr. Wickham smiled. “I am pleased you think so, Miss Lydia. I only hope everyone in the village is as welcoming as you have been.”

“I cannot think of anyone who would be ungrateful for your willingness to serve our great king,” said Mr. Collins with another deep bow.

Elizabeth gradually released her breath.

Thank heavens for Mrs. Hill and her knowledge of herbs and potions!

At the mention of the potential problem, their housekeeper had reminded Papa to burn asofoetida while chanting the name of the person they wished to leave them alone.

Asofoetida was costly since it had to be imported, but her uncle sold the herb in his warehouse, so they had managed to procure some without much effort.

The only problem with the spell was asofoetida, also called “Devil’s Dung,” smelt horrible, which was why they burned it out of doors. The stench was blown away on the breeze, and no one would need to suffer through it.

Their astute housekeeper had also been slipping herbs with protective properties into their meals and tea. Her mother’s tea, however, was unchanged since the mixture was specific for her agitation.

As an additional protection, Elizabeth had finally managed to hold Lydia’s hand this morning and placed a binding spell on Lydia’s ability, rendering it ineffective for the time being.

Elizabeth had only managed a few seconds before Lydia batted her hand away, but it had been long enough.

The last time Lydia and Kitty and gone to Meryton had been with Papa, so the charm had not been necessary.

Her father could negate Lydia’s talent with ease if need be.

Her cousin was still rambling on about Mr. Wickham’s gallantry when Elizabeth looked up to find Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley approaching on horseback. Jane released her arm to greet Mr. Bingley while Elizabeth met Fitzwilliam as he stopped Hen and dismounted.

Elizabeth stroked the horse’s striking white blaze. “I am pleased to see you this morning, Fitzwilliam.”

He glanced behind her, his expression stormy. “So, he has arrived, I see.”

She took her betrothed’s offered arm. “Yes, and Lydia has already attempted to charm him. ”

Mr. Wickham’s gaze met Fitzwilliam’s, and the man who had been jovial until now, straightened and his countenance fell like a rock as they stepped closer.

“What are you doing in Meryton, Wickham?” Fitzwilliam’s tone was not genial but held an edge that was easily discernible.

“I have joined the militia,” said Wickham. “My friend Denny was just showing me the town. I was making some new acquaintances when you happened upon us.”

“Yes, I see that.” Fitzwilliam shifted so he was partially in front of her. “The inhabitants of the area have been warned about you Wickham, and they have taken precautions so they cannot be not swindled by you.”

Mr. Wickham lifted his eyebrows. “Swindled? I mean no harm to the people of Meryton. You have likely frightened them for no reason whatsoever.”

A dark laugh came from Fitzwilliam. “Keep to your duties and stay away from those in Meryton. I shall be watching you.” Mr. Denny backed away. It seemed if there was to be violence, that man wanted no part in it.

Meanwhile, the wide eyes of Mr. Collins darted back and forth between them.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy, I am certain Mr. Wickham would have no reason to cross someone as illustrious as yourself. Why, your aunt—the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh—would take great offense to so much as a slight towards her favourite nephew.”

“Lydia, Kitty,” said Jane. “We must return to Longbourn.” She grabbed Lydia’s arm, and whatever Lydia was to stay in protest died on her lips.

Without her youngest sister’s refusals, Kitty looked about her as though lost, then followed.

Mr. Collins began a succession of profuse apologies for their abrupt departure.

Fitzwilliam turned his penetrating gaze upon Elizabeth. “I hope nothing untoward happened before I arrived.” How did that gaze always turn her insides into a fluttering mess ?

She shook her head. “No, I bound Lydia’s ability before we departed Longbourn.” Jane, Mr. Bingley, Kitty, and Lydia were a good distance ahead of them while Mr. Collins was just leaving Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny. He could not hear her.

“I thought your father would cast that spell.”

“No, he saw no need until we were to leave the house. Mama insisted I accompany Mr. Collins to Meryton with my sisters, so I bound her when I had my first opportunity. I am grateful she did not notice. Papa told Mary, Kitty, and Lydia my talent had no real value, so they have never asked to see it.”

“Your mother is still pushing the match between you and your cousin?”

“So it seems. Do not worry. I refused his arm for the walk to Meryton, and Jane and Papa will help me avoid him as much as possible.”

“They will not be the only ones,” said Fitzwilliam in an almost growl.

She laughed and hugged his arm tighter. “You are rather adorable when you are jealous.”

He gave her a dark look, but she only laughed harder.