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Elizabeth stood in front of the long mirror in the dressing room of the cottage.

Her palm smoothed down the gown Fitzwilliam had arranged for Madame Girard to make for her.

The famous dressmaker had come to Longbourn before the full moon and taken her measurements then returned to London until the gown was completed.

It had been delivered to Longbourn at some time while they were secluded in the cottage, and this morning, her father had magicked the dress to the table in the parlour where he had sent the books during their stay.

They had found nothing else to help them with their quest for information about the magic thief, which was disappointing, but they had duelled every morning unless rain had interfered.

She had not been struck by a spell since the last instance, whether from her own skill in avoiding them or from Fitzwilliam’s reticence to hurt her again, she was not certain.

He had thrown multiple spells at her in a row since, but she had deflected each.

She preferred to believe she had not been distracted again. Hopefully, that was the case.

She bit her lip while she took in the new gown.

She had never worn short sleeves before—even when she was a small child.

Mrs. Annesley had arranged for all her clothing to hide her birthmark when she was a babe, and now, she simply adjusted Jane’s old gowns for herself.

Jane was taller, so a few inches of fabric was always removed from the hem.

If one was creative, the material could be added to the sleeves in an artistic design and would hide the mark with ease.

Her entire being was unsettled. Everyone would be able to see the four point star. How would they respond ?

“Your neighbours all love you, Elizabeth. They will not be unkind.” Fitzwilliam stood behind her. When had he come to be there? How could he know her feelings better than she did herself?

“You chose white and silver?”

“Madame Girard suggested the colours, and her reasoning made sense.

While you said nothing of the mark or what it meant, she recognised the star for what it was.

You must understand that her ability is to sense the nature of an individual.

She confided before she departed that she had detected your power and the good in you.

She requested to make you a gown that fit who you are.

“Neither your father nor I revealed the date we would marry, but I had requested short sleeve lengths so you could display your mark without difficulty.”

The gown itself was white, which in magical circles meant truth and harmony.

Madame Girard, however, had added silver spangles to the bodice as well as silver embroidery around the hem.

A silver ribbon wrapped around her waist. A silver cord also wound through her curls, which were piled atop her head in a design comprised of narrow plaits and curls.

Silver stood for lunar energy or influence.

How could Madame Girard have understood that they would have the blessing of the moon before they had even known it themselves?

“You look beautiful, Elizabeth. You are every bit what the heir should be. Do not let what anyone may say make you doubt your gifts.”

“I am nervous. I have never told anyone other than Jane and Mrs. Hill, who have always known. How am I supposed to stand before everyone and proclaim what I am?”

“You do know your father will announce you, do you not?” His hands rested upon her shoulders. The warmth did very little to settle her .

A knock came from downstairs. Papa had arrived.

She took in a breath and let it out on a shuddering exhale.

“I suppose that means we are to go.” How odd.

As much as she had wished to escape and ramble in the forest for the past fortnight, now that she could do so, she would prefer to remain.

These past few weeks had been idyllic—except for her whinging about being confined. Poor Fitzwilliam! He deserved better.

She made to turn, but his solid arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him. “Cease whatever absurd thoughts are running through your head.”

She started. “What do you mean?”

He touched his forehead to hers. “I love you. You are the perfect wife for me, and I could not want for better.”

Her eyes squeezed closed. She could not look at him. “I am a coward.”

A warm hand cupped her cheek as he drew her face back. “Elizabeth, look at me.”

When she opened her eyes, he gazed down at her with an expression that made her insides flutter mercilessly.

“You are not a coward.”

“I cannot speak of my feelings. Why can I not? Should I not be able to by now? Whenever I even consider it. . .”

He smiled and laced their fingers together.

“Do you believe that I was not scared when I told you I love you? I was petrified. Even so, I do not begrudge you for wanting to be certain of your own feelings before you say those words to me. I knew of you and of what our connexion meant before you did. It is only natural that I would recognise my attachment before you.”

“I have been a bother during the past fortnight.”

A laugh burst from him. “What? Because you are not accustomed to being confined? You know very well that I would have loved to take Hen out for a good gallop, but being alone as we have been will not be a common occurrence. I wished to savour our time together.”

“And I complained about it.”

“And I understood. I shall say it again, then no more. You are the perfect wife for me. Now, we must join your father before he seeks us out.”

She nodded and released him. As she picked up her cloak, Fitzwilliam held out her gloves.

“You will need these.”

“Thank you.”

As they descended the stairs, her father stood at the bottom. “When you did not answer right away, I let myself in. I do hope the last few weeks have been enjoyable. I cannot tell you how often I have wished to seclude myself away here with my library and shut out the world.”

She could only shake her head. How like her father to desire such a situation!

“Are you ready, my dear?” asked Papa.

“No, but I do not have much choice. ’Tis odd. I have desired nothing more than to be free to cast spells and charms at will. Now that I shall have that opportunity, I believe I should prefer the concealment.”

Papa chuckled. “I believe that is understandable. We have spoken of this day and what it would mean for years. Your reticence when the prospect is before you is to be expected. This day is likely of anticipation as well as dread.”

“We have never been hidden as you have,” said Fitzwilliam. “Even though the measure was necessary, you are not accustomed to everyone seeing you for who you truly are.”

Perhaps that was why she was uncomfortable about tonight. It was akin to the idea of removing her clothing at a party. She pressed her hand to the churning of her gut .

Fitzwilliam wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his side, kissing her temple. “You will be well.”

“I know, but your reassurance does not make this any less disconcerting.”

“Come.” Papa waved them forward. “We must go.”

When they closed the door behind them, the colonel and a young lady stood before them.

“Georgiana!” Fitzwilliam rushed forward as the girl lunged towards him and hugged him. “I am pleased you could be here, even if I did tell Richard that you should remain at Pemberley.” He drew back. “I should like you to meet your new sister, Elizabeth. Dearest, this is my sister, Georgiana.”

The young lady curtseyed. “I am pleased to meet you.”

Elizabeth took Miss Darcy’s hand in hers and squeezed. “I have heard much of you in the past few months. I am happy to finally put a face to the stories I have been told.”

The younger lady groaned. “Fitzwilliam, what did you tell her?”

“Nothing bad. Now, we must go or we shall be late.”

Elizabeth held up both hands. “I shall not object.”

“Come.” Her husband grasped her hand and tugged her after her father. “We shall get this done, then you will see that all will be well.”

“Are you excited, Mrs. Darcy?” asked the colonel. “I hope you do not mind, but Darcy told me of what is to be revealed, and I told Georgie. She was insistent to come for that reason.”

Miss Darcy’s smile could be seen, even in the dark.

“A female heir is a wonderful happening. I could not miss such an auspicious event. I hope you do not mind, but I made this for you.” Miss Darcy lifted something from her side, and Elizabeth barely held in her gasp.

The crown of rosemary and sage from their vision was in her new sister’s hand .

“If you do not like it—”

“No! I appreciate the thought and the meaning behind your gift. I will be proud to wear your crown.”

Fitzwilliam took the crown from his sister and stared at it for a moment before lifting it to Elizabeth’s head. “This is a truly thoughtful gesture, Georgiana.” His gaze met hers while he situated it just so. The significance of this moment was not lost upon him—it could not be.

Her father lifted his eyebrows before waving them to follow. “If only the solstice was not so late this year,” said Papa in a grumble.

With a tilt of her head, Elizabeth shrugged. “Ten at night is not so bad. What if it was at two in the morning or even four?”

As they reached the field, the remainder of her family awaited them. Mrs. Hill stood on one side of Mama while Jane stood on the other with Mr. Bingley at her side. They appeared prepared for any eventuality should her mother act out.

The walk to the forest was not long after that, and when they reached the edge, Herne’s subtle glow near the entrance could not be missed.

“He has come to greet you,” said Fitzwilliam near her ear.

“And I am glad to see him. I know it is nonsensical, but I did fear for his safety without being here to ensure he was well.”

The others in their party behaved as though the stag was not nearby even though he followed alongside them until they reached the stone circle, which reinforced the belief that the creature could control who saw him.

When they reached the stone circle, Herne did not continue into the clearing where many of their neighbours already awaited them.

Papa opened his watch and tilted it towards the torch carried by the colonel. “We have five minutes. ”

Her nerves had emerged without mercy since they had entered the clearing. She swallowed hard to quell the lump that had risen and now plagued her. She could do this!

“Bennet!” Sir William Lucas approached. “The night is clear and the moon, although not full, is bright in the sky. I declare this to be the perfect evening for a solstice celebration. I am certain my Charlotte will be sorry to have missed it.”

“I am sorry, Sir William, but why would she miss it?”

Sir William placed his hands on the sides of his round belly. “Why, because she married your cousin a week ago. Did your father not mention their wedding upon your return from London?”

“I believe we had some pressing concerns to discuss,” said Fitzwilliam, “and the joyful news was delayed as a result.”

“Lizzy?”

Elizabeth straightened and stifled a gasp. When she turned, her aunt Gardiner stood a few feet away. Her aunt and uncle coming for the solstice was not unusual, nor out of place since the neighbourhood believed them to have returned her to Longbourn today.

Her husband placed a hand to her back and nodded. Despite not saying the words aloud, he was giving her permission to join her aunt and talk without Sir William hearing all. She looped her arm through Aunt Marianne’s, and they stepped to the edge of the trees.

Elizabeth squeezed her aunt’s hands. “I am so happy you are here.”

“You seem nervous. What has you at sixes and sevens?”

She shook her head. “You will discover soon enough. Forgive me for not being able to tell you sooner.”

Aunt Marianne gave her a side-long glance, then grasped Elizabeth’s wrist and turned her arm. When her aunt made to look at the inside of her arm, Elizabeth unthinkingly made to flip it back.

“Do you think I have never noticed what is right before me? ”

She surely gaped at her aunt. Had she known all along?

“What do you mean?”

“Your father was so ridiculous about only Mrs. Annesley caring for you when you were little, and when you were old enough to dress yourself, he was adamant you could do so. Your uncle and I realised he was hiding something about you. Then, during our visit to Longbourn last year, there was that storm. Do you remember?”

She nodded and squeezed her eyes closed then reopened them. “I remember.”

“We were in the gardens looking for little Joseph, and the wind and rain were horrible. Lightning hit that oak at the edge of the field where Joseph was hiding. What occurred after happened with such swiftness, that I could not understand in the moment. Joseph had run out from the limbs before the lightning hit, then he flew forward and out of the way of the huge tree as it fell. You saved him. That night, when I had more time to reflect upon all that had occurred, you had waved your arm in a manner I had only seen your father and my brother do.”

The entire time she told the story, her aunt had kept her voice low. She had not attracted the attention of anyone around them—although they were bound to know soon.

“If Papa would have allowed it, I would have told you.”

Aunt Marianne placed her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders. “I know you would have, but I understand why you did not. Now that you are married—and to Mr. Darcy no less!—it is much safer for the world to know of your existence.”

Before she could respond, her uncle joined them. “This appears to be a very serious conversation.”

“I assume all is to be announced this evening,” said her aunt. “Otherwise, your father would not have insisted we remain.” She once again turned Elizabeth’s arm and flicked her eyes towards the four-point star .

Her uncle allowed a slight curve of the lips. “You were right.” He stepped forward and hugged her. “Thank you for saving Joseph last year. I should have known to trust Marianne, but I could not believe her suspicion until I saw the proof with my own eyes.”

Fitzwilliam stepped beside her. “Your father is ready to begin.”

She nodded, the swirling in her stomach returning to the fore.

She had a reprieve of sorts while speaking to her aunt and uncle, and now she would have to face what was destined to occur.

Eventually, she had to reveal her identity, and now was as good a time as any.

But would the neighbours still accept her once they knew the truth?