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Her husband led her to the altar to stand beside Papa while he took his place at her side.

“Good evening to all!” her father said loudly so everyone in attendance could hear. “Before we begin our celebration of fire and light, I should like to share several pieces of news with you all.

“Firstly, at our Samhain celebration, I mentioned the marriage of my daughter to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.

I am happy to announce they were wed here in the stone circle on the last full moon.

Forgive me for excluding you from the ceremony, but we had good reason to hold their nuptials in private, which brings me to my next announcement.

“It has been assumed for many years that the Bennet family lacks an heir to our magical line. I am here to tell you that this is not true. Much to our own shock and surprise, upon her birth, our daughter Elizabeth bore the mark of the heir.”

Papa gestured to her, so she removed her arm from the cloak and held it so those around them could see the birthmark.

Many in the crowd leaned closer to the person beside them while a murmur rose from the group.

To the front stood her mother and Jane, the latter with two hands holding Mama’s forearm while Mama’s lips quivered.

Poor Jane was exerting all she had to keep Mama calm, but her mother’s agitation was obviously too strong.

How long before Jane would become fatigued?

Elizabeth flicked a finger at Mama. “Tost,” she said in the softest of tones.

Her mother’s mouth opened, but whatever she was trying to say made no sound whatsoever.

Mama’s eyes widened then narrowed in Elizabeth’s direction.

She snapped her mouth shut and crossed her arms over her chest. Jane lost her grip on one of Mama’s arms but placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder to continue to exert her calming influence upon her.

Papa raised his hands for quiet. “For Elizabeth’s safety, we have kept her identity hidden, but she has trained as diligently as any boy, and I believe her abilities will soon surpass my own. She has great talent—”

An almost collective gasp rippled through those around them. “No lady could be more powerful than a man!”

Whoever spoke was not visible. He hid behind the crowd, yet everyone parted so Mr. Wickham was easily discernible.

“Yet she out-smarted you,” said Fitzwilliam.

“She is the one who concocted the potion that repulsed those you attempted to charm with your seductive tongue. Mr. Bennet and I did no more than spread word of your past deeds, but Elizbeth discovered the potion and brewed it. She tested the tonic on herself, and when it was found to work, we mixed it into the punch at the Philips’s as well as at the Netherfield Ball.

Her actions helped anyone who neglected to take such a threat seriously. ”

Wickham had stepped closer while her husband defended her.

By the man’s sneer, he did not believe a word of it.

Meanwhile, the colonel stood beside an exceedingly pale Miss Darcy.

During their time in the cottage, Fitzwilliam had spoken of what had occurred with Georgiana in Ramsgate and of Wickham’s attempt to persuade the poor girl into an elopement.

She had already been through enough. They could only hope Wickham did not see her standing nearby.

Meanwhile, many around him were whispering behind their hands and shaking their heads. This was not enough to convince those who held doubt of her magic.

She stepped up to the altar. “Now that my father has made the announcements, we are here to celebrate the solstice. Our bonfire is laid, and the children have brought their lanterns. Making the lanterns was always my favourite part of this day. So, now let us celebrate.” She held her hand over the altar, palm down.

“As we have been plunged into this day of darkness, we anticipate the coming of the light!” She rotated her hand, which now held a plume of fire nestled in the centre of her palm.

Those around them gave a collective inhale.

Elizabeth rolled her hand forward and pushed sending the plume into the stacked logs. Within seconds, the bonfire was engulfed in flames. Then with a flick of her finger, the lanterns held by the children in the crowd all lit at once.

“Now, let us continue with the games!” She threw up her arm and sent sparks flying into the night sky.

Her father had never gone to such lengths due to the draining nature of the fire spells, but with her newfound increase in power, she was not fatigued in the slightest. Fitzwilliam’s hand on her back also served to replenish some of the magic she had expended.

Fitzwilliam leaned close. “I shall return in a moment.”

As he disappeared into the crowd, the children all hung their lanterns from the lower branches of the trees, then disappeared into the forest. She had always loved playing hide and seek on the solstice.

Jane was too good and ended up being the child who sought out the rest every year, while Lydia adamantly refused to ever be the seeker.

She threw a tantrum the few times Papa had insisted she take her turn.

When her father turned to face her, Elizabeth held out her hands. “Forgive me, Papa. I know you always introduce the celebration, but lighting the bonfire seemed the swiftest way to convince everyone I was indeed heir.”

“You have no reason to apologise, my dear. While I had not yet shared my intentions for tonight with you, I have meant for you to do just what you did. Everyone here needed to see your powers with their own eyes to believe them. ”

“Wickham!”

Elizabeth followed the direction of the yell just as Wickham came charging in her direction. Without thought, she held up her hand towards Wickham. “Dúr!”

Before the man could take another step, his legs snapped together, and his arms were suddenly pinned to his side.

Within a moment, he was face first on the ground since he was unable to break the fall.

The colonel strode up behind him and laughed.

“Mrs. Darcy, I cannot tell you enough how happy I am to have witnessed that.”

Two officers from the militia encampment stepped up behind the colonel. “We shall return him to camp, sir.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” said Papa. “Why are there unknown officers at the circle?” If they were not magical, they could cause trouble for the village.

“Mr. Bennet, if you will pardon me for answering,” said one of the men.

“Colonel Forster is from a magical family and sent us to find Wickham since we are from magical families as well. He is not unaware of the history of Meryton or you, for that matter. If we had not been required to fetch Wickham tonight, we would have worn labourer’s clothes and come to celebrate with you. ”

Papa’s shoulders relaxed. “I am relieved. Thank you and pray, thank Colonel Forster as well. His discretion in this matter is greatly appreciated.” It was indeed!

Both men bowed before they grabbed Wickham by the arms. One of the men looked at her with a grin.

“By the way, miss, I cannot wait to tell my mam of you. She has said for years there needs to be a lady heir—that they would be better than a man. After all, you bound Wickham so effortlessly, and he fell as though he had a boulder tied to his body.” The young man chuckled.

She moved a few steps closer. “Will you need someone to release the spell before you reach camp? ”

“No, miss. I am an heir. I have never been able to manage fire and sparks as you just did, but I can unbind him.” An heir—in the militia?

Before she could enquire further, the young officer and his friend hauled Wickham’s stiff body off.

“Who is he?” she asked the colonel.

“From what Forster has said, he is an orphan. Likely born out of wedlock. Whoever the father is, he likely has no idea he already sired his heir.”

Fitzwilliam placed a hand on her back. “I should think few would doubt you now. Not only did you handle fire, but you bound Wickham for all to see.”

“I had not intended to do either.”

“You were nervous on our walk here, but when you saw the need to prove yourself, I would wager you forgot why you had been frightened in the first place.”

“Mrs. Darcy!” Sir William joined them and clapped his hands together in front of him.

“How exciting that you are the heir to the Bennet magic! I do wonder what will happen when you and Mr. Darcy, who is heir to his own legacy, have children. With two such powerful families, this child will be blessed indeed.”

Children? She and Fitzwilliam were barely married! “I believe we have some time before that happens, Sir William.”

“Maybe not that long,” said Fitzwilliam in her ear.

She elbowed him in the ribs. Yes, the altar had shown her great with child, but they had no way of knowing when that was. Neither of them appeared much older in the vision, but what they saw could still be five years into the future.

“Has Charlotte written since arriving in Hunsford?”

Sir William nodded in an effusive manner. “Oh, yes, the first evening she spent in the rectory. She says the house is well-kept and she looks forward to making it her own. I know she has many plans for sewing draperies and making tablecloths.”

“I am pleased Charlotte is happy.”

“She did ask me to wish you joy today. When her husband informed her they were to depart and return to Hunsford, she asked if they could remain for your wedding, but he refused. His patroness was eager for his return.”

“I can only imagine,” said Fitzwilliam.

She elbowed him in the ribs once again.

He cleared his throat. “My aunt will appreciate having such a practical sort nearby. I am certain Mrs. Collins will be an excellent help to the neighbourhood.”

Considering Mr. Collins had been magically coerced into proposing to Elizabeth, Lady Catherine’s acceptance was doubtful, but whether the lady would make her displeasure known to Charlotte was another matter.

Her husband believed Lady Catherine would conceal any ire she felt at Mr. Collins marrying another.

“I am only disappointed I cannot share the news of you being the heir until she visits next or when I take Maria to Hunsford for Easter. Charlotte hoped to have her stay with them for a month.”

“I am certain Maria is very excited.”

“Oh, she is. She is!” At a call from behind him, Sir William glanced over his shoulder. “Forgive me, but my wife is calling.”

As soon as he bustled away, Fitzwilliam took her hand and entwined their fingers. “Is it horrible that I want to return to the cottage and have you all to myself?”

“You had me all to yourself for three weeks. Am I not allowed to be seen by others?”

“Mrs. Darcy!” Mr. Bingley strode forward with a wide grin.

“I am astounded by what I have learnt this evening. Not only did you go and marry my friend in secret, but you are also the heir. You will have those men who were not the heirs of their family jealous—not that I would be one of them. I had no wish to be heir, but here I am with all of the responsibility, yet no magic; however, I believe you have the best situation.”

Her chin hitched back a little. “How is my situation better than most?”

“Because you have all the power without the responsibility of the estate and what goes with it.” He turned somewhat pink. “Not that you would not want to inherit Longbourn if you could. . .blast it. Forgive me. I did not think before I spoke.”

She rested a hand on Mr. Bingley’s forearm. “Do not worry yourself over it. I believe I understand what you mean. You were thrust into your role without learning what you would need to know. I am certain it was difficult.”

“You are too charitable, Mrs. Darcy.”

Fitzwilliam squeezed her hand. “Speaking of Mr. Collins, I do not wish to harm the prospects of Mrs. Collins, but I do wonder if I could persuade Mr. Collins to bar the entail. Perhaps enough money would make him sign away his claim.”

“Papa would not object.”

“Brother,” said Miss Darcy who bounded up to him and hugged him. “It was all so exciting. Is that why our parents arranged your marriage to Mrs. Darcy?”

“Pray, call me Elizabeth or Lizzy as my sisters do. And yes, our parents signed and sealed a magical contract just after my birth.”

Miss Darcy bounced on her toes. “Then you must call me Georgiana.”

Fitzwilliam placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Were you not disturbed by Wickham’s appearance?”

“Oh, of course I was, but Richard was beside me, so I knew he would protect me should Mr. Wickham attempt to harm me. Thankfully, he did not seem to notice I was nearby. ”

Fitzwilliam nodded. “I had not expected Richard to bring you for the solstice due to the presence of Wickham, so I am relieved nothing came of the man’s challenge of Elizabeth. Of course, she managed the situation brilliantly.”

The colonel held up a hand. “After my conversation with Forster when I was last in Hertfordshire, I was assured Wickham would be managed and watched. Yet, I could not have anticipated tonight’s escape from the encampment.”

“I am not angry,” said Fitzwilliam. “Yet we know danger is coming, so I am unsure of Georgiana’s remaining at Netherfield.”

Georgiana inhaled sharply. “But I want to stay and get to know Lizzy. Pray, say yes. I shall hide if the situation warrants it. I promise.”

After placing her palm upon Fitzwilliam’s chest, Elizabeth caught his gaze. “Should evil arrive, we have you, me, and my father to fend off an attack. We also know they are more likely to seek us out than someone with a talent.”

“She could be used to lure us away from each other.”

He made a valid point. “So, we agree here and now that none of us will venture off on our own to confront this person.”

Fitzwilliam’s lips pressed together tightly. He did not like being questioned, but it was unlikely Georgiana would be put in danger.

“Very well,” he said. “She can stay.”