“I have had one of the most memorable evenings, and shall remember it forever.”
“I hope it is not the last, but I must return home to Polwys in the morning.”
“You will write to me?”
“Of course… and my invitation to visit in the spring still stands. I have already made the offer to your brother and Elizabeth. He believes it will nicely coincide with your annual family visit to your aunt in Rosings Park, as her home is somewhat halfway between.”
Georgiana smiled and kissed his cheek, still wearing her dark glasses. “Well… goodnight then. I will see you off tomorrow…”
Gareth leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek, his nose bumping the offending spectacles askew. As he made a clumsy attempt to right the lenses, a sharp spike of fear pierced his soul. Georgiana’s eyes now bore the same feral blue glow as his. Frozen, he only stared at her in the dark.
“Is something wrong?” she asked in a childlike voice that feared reproach.
“No… nothing at all. I was just trying to fix your image in my mind. A memory to hold until I see you again.”
Happily appeased, she repeated her goodnight and went inside her bedchamber. Once gone, Gareth allowed his fears to be seen. He leaned his head against the far wall for a moment, frantically wondering what to do. Georgiana had indeed begun the process of evolving into a creature such as him. What was he going to do? How would he explain it, not only to Georgiana, but what about Darcy?
Part Two
Changes
~Ten~
The next morning as most of the guests were departing, hushed whispers could be heard throughout the house. Normally a time of well-wishing and promises for future visits, the cheerful goodbyes were overshadowed by tragedy. It was not until after breakfast that Darcy made a brief announcement as to the cause of the disturbance the previous evening.
“It is with great sadness that Pemberley has felt the loss of one of our beloved employees. It appears that the attack on our livestock was to be repeated, only this time on one of our staff. As a result, I request that everyone observe a level of reserve befitting of such an unfortunate event.”
After this short announcement, he left the room to see to the arrangements for funerary services and the orchestration of a contingent of men to seek out the offending creature responsible.
Feeling an intense sense of dread, Gareth followed Darcy from the room. His intentions to also make his departure would have to wait. He knew who was responsible for this terrible deed, and as a result, felt equally guilty. This innocent girl could have easily been Georgiana or one of the Bennet sisters. Finding his host amid a group of local men, Pemberley staff included, he volunteered his services.
“Darcy… please allow me to assist. I cannot express how distressed I am over this. As you know, I have much experience in tracking predators, we run into this occasionally at Polwys. Although, it has been years since a human life was taken.”
Darcy had to admit, he need all the help he could get. Many of his staff were not proficient with weapons, and may be more of a nuisance than anything else. Charles Bingley had also offered to stay, but as Jane was so far along in her pregnancy, Darcy had insisted they return to Netherfield.
“I would be most obliged for your expertise. As soon as the last of the guests leave, we shall scour the area.”
Nodding his agreement, Gareth found Georgiana on the perimeter of the group, listening to the plans. It was a two-fold purpose in his remaining at Pemberley. Not only could he be assured that Ewan was gone from the area, but also observe Georgiana further. The blue glow in her eyes last night was unmistakable. He had inadvertently started a process that could not be reversed. In reality, it had been her fault and done willingly. He wondered if that would make a difference. Having been born as he was, there was no frame of comparison. Now that his mother was gone, there was no one to ask for help either. He was on his own. Going to her side, he did not note anything peculiar about her manner this morning. She appeared a bit tired, but then, they had been up rather late.
“Have you eaten yet?” he inquired.
“No, my appetite seems to have taken flight this morning.” She replied, stifling a yawn.
In truth, Georgiana was ravenous, but no one of the dishes at the buffet had appealed to her. The smell of cooked food actually made her a bit queasy. She had not slept well either. When she had entered her bedchamber last night, she had found Mary Bennet sound asleep, but Kitty was still awake. Sitting on a small couch near the window, Georgiana could see that she had been crying.
“Whatever is the matter? How can I be of assistance?” she offered sincerely.
Kitty only shook her head, causing a fresh flow of tears as she buried her head in Georgiana’s shoulder. After a few moments of comfort, younger Bennet ceased her crying and sniffing loudly explained the cause of her distress.
“I fear that I have made the greatest fool of myself… once again.”
“Oh nothing can be so bad…” Georgiana promised and then fell silent, remembering Lydia Bennet’s hasty marriage.
“Well… not so bad as some things, but I had thought for sure that he was beginning to love me… he did mention marriage, but then everything went so wrong… he’s a monster!”
“Who? Tell me who and I shall speak to my brother immediately. We shall not have persons who toy with emotions under this roof!”
Kitty broke down and told Georgiana the entire story… including Mary’s physical defense of her sister.
“I am sure he is gone by now… but please don’t tell Mr. Darcy. They are cousins after all. I fear he will blame me in some way.”
“Cousins or not, his behavior was inexcusable. What man would think that biting was in any way acceptable! Darcy would be shocked and very angry. But I won’t tell if you don’t want me to.”
I feel much better now, just having let it all out. Unfortunately, explaining to my mother will not be as easy. I fear that the trip back to Longbourn will be unbearable.
To this, Georgiana only laughed and tucked her under the covers. Mrs. Bennet was not going to take a daughter losing a perspective suitor lightly. The elder woman probably would not care if a man bit someone daily if he had enough money. Attempting to find her own rest, Georgiana crawled in bed and tried to sleep, but was kept awake by another Devlin man. Thankfully, Gareth was nothing like his cousin, she thought as she absently peered at her reflection in the cheval mirror. The darkened room was reversed in the glass, casting shadows in the moonlight that streamed in through the open curtains and bouncing a strange blue light off the glass. Thinking her tired eyes were playing tricks, Georgiana shook her head to clear the image. It was then that she became wide awake and a tremor of fear rushed through her. The moonlight had not touched the mirror. The blue light came from her own eyes… they were glowing in the dark.
Now, as she stood next to Gareth, a million questions ran through her head. How could she have seen what she did last night? She had not had anything to drink, nor had she been dreaming. Something odd was happening to her. When she awoke that morning, she had examined her eyes closely in the mirror. They were indeed different. Gone was the deep teal color that had received many a compliment. In their place were feral ice blue orbs surrounded by a dark ring. The only other persons who bore this same feature were Gareth and Ewan Devlin.
Later that evening….
Gareth returned to his bedchamber at Pemberley feeling a bit relieved, but still unsure as to his next course of action. He, along with a dozen other men, had scoured the woods and fields of Pemberley and its surrounding area for any trace of the predator responsible for killing poor Minnie Oswald. Gareth had been permitted to examine the body before it was taken away. A ragged gash tore across her abdomen, exposing the inner organs, but it did not appear to have done any other damage. There were corresponding scratches to her hands and face, bearing evidence that she had attempted to fight back. Turning her head slightly, he noticed the telltale bruisin
g around her neck. A small cut, barely a quarter of an inch across lay hidden near her hairline. He was now positive that Ewan had been responsible. An animal of any sort would have made a greater mess of its victim, especially if its intentions were to eat. There was no suggestion that had ever happened. The abdominal wound had been staged. It was not something he wanted to reveal to any one, especially Darcy. How would he even begin? Gareth nearly chuckled aloud at the potential conversation.
“Say, Darcy… has anyone ever told you that one of your ancestors drank blood? Well it appears that Ewan prefers human, and by the way… your sister is going to become one of us?”
He’d surely be clapped in the nearest madhouse for such a revelation. But he had to find a way, and soon. If Georgiana did not learn to eat to properly sustain her new status, she would slowly starve to death. Seeking her out, he found her reading through the same journal that he had obtained from the Darcy histories a few days before. Perhaps she was already aware that something was different.
“Am I disturbing you?” he asked to announce his presence.
Her golden head was bent over the thin volume in intense study. At least her hair had not changed yet, that would have been difficult to explain. Waving a hand in acknowledgement, she did not stop her reading. Pulling a chair to where she sat, he looked over her shoulder to what held her attention. It was an entry written almost three years after the one he had read.
June 1411
It has been nearly five years since I wed the love of my life. Dearest Agnes has given me the greatest gift a man could ever have as an anniversary present. Last evening, after some difficult hours, she produced a beautiful baby boy. My son and heir is perfect in every way, down to his tiny fingers and toes. This is not to say that I was ever disappointed in our daughter. Esmee is a great joy to have, but a man wants a son to carry the family line. Agnes was a bit alarmed that he so strikingly resembles me, but I had warned her that it was to be expected. My particular condition runs strongly in the Darcy family line. After Esmee, we had no reason to suspect that any of our children would be born with such characteristics as I. A lovely child, she bears the golden complexion and reddish hair of her mother. No sign of change has ever been noticed. However, Edward, without a doubt is like me. Measures will have to be taken to protect him from those who will not understand, and careful guidance in how to manage his unusual appetites. However, all that lies in the future, for today I am the most content man in the world.
“What do you suppose he means by that? I have never heard of any Darcy having anything other than the most robust of health. Oh there have been one or two, by some misfortune that became sickly, but not born so…. That is until me, and of course my cousin Anne. We are the weak links in our lineage.”
“You appear perfectly fine to me... what ails your cousin? Did she not come to the autumn festival? I don’t recall meeting anyone named Anne.”
“I have always tired easily… it is said that I was a difficult birth. You know my mother died shortly after… but no one speaks of it. As for Anne, in all honesty it is my Aunt Catherine that makes her ill. The poor girl hardly goes anywhere and has a chronic case of the sniffles. Once I suggested that her red nose was due to one of the numerous dogs that have the run of Rosings Park. One of the tenant children has such a reaction to any creature with fur, Dr. Allan called it an allergy. Aunt Caroline called me an interfering idiot and banished me and Anne to the nursery for the rest of our visit. I may not have been right, but Anne did improve away from the dogs.”
“Hmm… it sounds like more than that. Philip Darcy claims that the condition needs “management” and “guidance” so at least it is not fatal. Don’t you think that if you had such a concern that you would know it by now?”
“I suppose…. But what if it doesn’t show up until one is older?”
“I don’t know… perhaps he mentions more later,” Gareth suggested.
Georgiana scanned the next few pages for any mention of the child Edward when she suddenly looked up and gasped. Alarmed, Gareth looked down at where she stopped, but only found an accounting for the yearly wheat crop.
“I just thought of something! Edward Darcy was the man in the painting in the gallery… the one who looks like you!”
A lump had formed in his stomach at the realization that he would have to tell her everything. She quickly turned more pages until she spied an entry that provided more information.
“Look here… October 1416. Edward has made his first kill for food. I have reminded him that we only drink blood for sustenance, not for sport and never a human. His surge of energy was difficult to contain in one so young, but I believe he will heed my instructions.”
Georgiana’s eyes had grown wide, and the strange glow began to illuminate the irises. Gareth could not fathom her thoughts.
“What does this have to do with you?” he asked in a barely audible whisper.
Georgiana did not immediately reply, but grabbed his hand and dragged him up to the portrait gallery until they both stood in front of the likeness of Edward Darcy.
“What if… and I am only speculating… what if … I am beginning to show signs of this? What will happen to me?”
Not waiting for an answer, she pulled him to the end of the hall where a large gilt framed mirror was placed over a table filled with various miniatures. Pointing to their reflections she instructed, “Look at me… my eyes… they are becoming just like yours… like Edwards.”
~Eleven~
Gareth sighed deeply, he cared for Georgiana more than he liked to admit. In the short time that he had known her, his feelings had only grown. It was almost as if fate had intervened. Perhaps this was supposed to happen? Even if that were simply a false hope, her survival now depended upon her learning how to live
“Yes, you are correct… everything else will change eventually as well.”
A quiver of fear caused her lower lip to tremble as the words of Philip Darcy coincided with the living man before her.
“But… the diary said something about blood…Oh! I simply cannot kill anything. This is terrible… Why me? Is God punishing me? What did I do?”
Gareth clasped both of her hands in his. This was not going to be easy, especially when she discovered that it was an act of kindness that was the cause.
“I can only tell you how it is for me… but remember, I was born this way, so it is not anything shocking. For one… God is not punishing you. And the only thing you did was out of kindness, it happened when you kissed my wound. You consumed my blood, by accident.”
Georgiana only stared at him. She had no recollection of doing that. Yes, she had bound his hand, and kissed the cut, but had she drank from his blood? Why was the memory so hazy?
“I don’t remember doing that... well not exactly like that… thinking back it seems rather blurry…Blood? Why must it be blood?”
Taking a seat on the hall landing, he allowed the sun that filtered through the stained glass window to play its kaleidoscope of color on their clasped hands. He could feel her trembling.
“It is not as bad as it seems. Have you ever eaten blood sausage?”
“Yes, as a child the family physician ordered me to do so. He said it would help me avoid getting ill. I hated it. Although, my brother loves the stuff so it is kept in great supply. Will that be the only thing I can eat now?”
“Well, not quite, but it is something similar to that. In reality, it only needs to be done every fortnight or so, and there are benefits.”
“I cannot imagine any.”
“How old do you think I am?”
Georgian looked at him quizzically for a moment, then studied him closer. He was far older than she had first thought, but it was difficult to ascertain an exact number.
“I… I don’t know.. Thirty? Forty?”
Gareth laughed and smiled, “No… I am closer to eighty than forty. Seventy-seven to be exact. We don’t age like other people … and you won’t either.”
Geo
rgiana visibly brightened and a small smile graced her features. She had watched over the years how men treated a woman as she aged. Caroline Bingley was a perfect example. When Georgiana was in her teens, she was jealous over how the gentlemen flocked to the beautiful Caroline. It did not seem to matter that her razor tongue and independent means were off putting. However, less and less showed her such attentions. If she recalled correctly, the only men to dance with her at the ball had been relatives. To not age would indeed be wonderful.
“What else?” she asked timidly. Her inquisitive nature had overcome her fears and she was curious now.
“You will never get sick again… unless you forget to eat properly.”
“Oh that again… is that why I craved blood pudding the other day? The cook’s assistants were preparing a large recipe and I found myself sampling the batter… before it was cooked. I had forgotten about it.” she ventured with a grimace.
“Probably… there will be times when you have missing pieces of memory, especially if you wait too long to feed. It can be dangerous… not only for you, but others.”
“What do you mean by dangerous?”
“When extreme hunger consumes us, we can often do things that are not in our nature. Sometimes it can be hard to control the urge to feed. As long as you are aware of it, it can be controlled.”
Georgiana swallowed hard, “what if I don’t want this? What can be done to stop it? There must be some sort of cure, after all, I don’t know of any recent Darcys that are affected.”
“None that I know of… but I do have a possible solution… that is, if you are willing…” Gareth had though much about Georgiana since he first met her, more so when he noticed the beginnings of her changes. She needed someone who understood such things, to guide her… to love her. Not many people would believe her if she told them, or be willing to live with such a person. Most of his family did not marry until much later in life. It took a long time to find someone who was agreeable, let alone love. He looked at her closely, she seemed to be focused on some faraway place. A place where such things were fantasy and not reality.
The Transformation of Georgiana Darcy Page 8