by APRIL FLOYD
Spells Spoken Lightly
Pride and Prejudice Witches
APRIL FLOYD
Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
About the Author
Also by APRIL FLOYD
Copyright © 2016 by APRIL FLOYD
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
1
Elizabeth Bennet frowned as her friend Charlotte Lucas drew near. Having overheard Mr. Darcy’s words of disdain, she longed to pull him through the assembly door so that she might rail at him in the bright moonlight of the evening.
Charlotte glanced about warily until she saw the gleam in Elizabeth’s eye and the man who had caused it.
“Lizzy, do have a care. If a look could cause harm Mr. Darcy would be in grave danger.”
Elizabeth sighed at her friend’s words.
“Charlotte, he finds me most unappealing, he said so himself to his friend. Perhaps he fancies Jane?”
Charlotte laughed as she shook her head at Elizabeth.
“His countenance does not suggest such a thing! Though I believe he would fancy leaving this place as soon as he might.”
Mr. Darcy stood against a far wall, his face an impassive mask. The disdain for the assembly was evident from the moment he walked in with the Bingley siblings and Mr. Hurst.
He danced once each with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley and then withdrew from the company of the room. Elizabeth could well see that his thoughts of himself were far above his regard for her neighbors. His words to his friend were so foolish that Elizabeth found herself amused now rather than angered.
She determined to dance with Charlotte’s brother and be the most charming lady in the room. Mr. Darcy would see that she was indeed able to tempt him before the night was done!
She whispered a few words as she held the small pendant at the base of her throat. Charlotte caught her movement and shook her head. At least Elizabeth had decided to have some fun instead of striking down the imperious man. Not that she truly would do such a thing!
Elizabeth Bennet was a witch descended from a long line of such women on her mother’s side. Mrs. Bennet, with her mercurial temper and outspoken manner, was the strongest witch in all of Hertfordshire and she made certain her neighbors held her in esteem.
Elizabeth was the only Bennet daughter to have displayed a gift for the finer points of white magic. And it was white magic. None of her line had ever practiced black magic, for it was not in their nature.
Charlotte smiled as she thought of Lizzy’s temper and knew that if any were to be lured by the darker side of their gift it would be her friend. Lizzy only amused herself without causing undue attention or frustration, and certainly never actual harm.
Jane was the eldest daughter and so Mrs. Bennet had wished that her favorite child had also been given the gift of their generations. It was not to be, much to Mrs. Bennet’s dismay.
Elizabeth followed after Jane in birth order and her sparkling eyes made her mother know she was the one who would carry the gift. Elizabeth held her father in thrall but her mother continued to be disappointed that although Elizabeth held great power she either refused to develop her talents or used them only to amuse herself.
As she stepped onto the dance floor with John Lucas, her beauty seemed to increase. The single young men spun their ladies about but could not keep their eyes from Elizabeth Bennet.
She kept her eyes on John Lucas and listened as he proclaimed his love for her. Truth be told, Elizabeth always felt self-conscious when summoning her power and so she only used it for small things. This time she wished with all her heart to ensnare the haughty man in the corner who watched unperturbed as partner after partner danced with her.
She glanced to him as she was spun around the floor but he appeared to be the only man unaffected by her silly spell. Elizabeth wondered at his disinterest and grew tired of the attention paid to her by both the eligible young men and the young women gathered round. If she did not leave off with her spell soon, the other ladies would not wish for her attendance at future events.
As a break in the music and dancing approached, she whispered to herself and the spell was broken.
She took a sip from the glass of punch Jane offered and wondered at the reaction of Mr. Bingley to her spell. He had not missed a turn with Jane! It must be that his interest in Jane was sincere for her spell to have failed him as well. What of Mr. Darcy then? Was there a lady in the room that proved tempting for the arrogant man?
Elizabeth glanced to his corner and saw him there with Caroline Bingley. She felt an odd set of emotions overtake her. He must desire Miss Bingley! Her heart sank a bit but then she smiled when she thought of how the two so richly deserved one another.
Miss Bingley might wear the latest fashions and her arm might be lovingly placed upon his but Elizabeth could see no reason for his infatuation. Caroline Bingley was handsome enough, but she was not as beautiful as the ladies Elizabeth had seen in London while visiting her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.
Why, the lovely gowns and the elaborate coaches they rode in would put Miss Bingley to shame! The finest silks and satins adorned their bodies, barouches and phaetons at their beck and call, their connections impeccable.
Elizabeth knew that Mr. Bingley came from trade and so Miss Bingley must follow Mr. Darcy around seeking an advantageous match. It must be his friendship with her brother that allowed her such ease in the presence of a man of such wealth. She could see no other reason for Mr. Darcy to be solicitous of the woman.
Bored with the study of the wealthy visitors to Hertfordshire, she turned to Jane and began to discuss her dances with Mr. Bingley. If her sister had fallen for the man so unlike his own dreadful sister, Elizabeth must prepare herself to be tolerant of the horrid woman.
“He did not fall for my enchantment spell, Jane. I believe we know the meaning of that,” Elizabeth said as she held Jane’s hand.
“I wondered what you were about, Lizzy!” Jane exclaimed. “I might have known you would test Mr. Darcy this evening.”
Elizabeth frowned at Jane.
“Why would you have known that?”
“Mr. Bingley did mention that Mr. Darcy was being rude and irritable and so that must mean he found himself attracted to you,” Jane said as if it were possible.
Elizabeth stomped off in the direction of Mr. Darcy and his lady friend before Jane might intervene.
* * *
Caroline Bingley lifted her long nose into the air as she watched Elizabeth storm across the room. Mr. Darcy appeared amused and Caroline pulled on his arm.
“Shall we dance, Mr. Darcy? It appears Miss Eliza wishes to speak with us,” Caroline whispered as Elizabeth came to stand before them.
“Might I have a word with you, Mr. Darcy, in private?” Elizabeth asked as she gave Caroline a withering glance.
Mr. Darcy smiled and nodded, his amusement growing as Caroline
kissed his cheek before smirking at Elizabeth and walking slowly away.
“If Miss Bingley is the type of woman you find tempting I am not surprised at your contemptible insult so carelessly aimed in my direction. What have I done to deserve your unkind words, Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth felt her anger increase at the expression on his face.
“Why, Miss Bennet, I do not recall addressing you this evening. As to whether I prefer Miss Bingley, that is none of your concern.”
Mr. Darcy goaded her purposely, for he knew her for what she was after her display with John Lucas.
“I would not expect the truth from one so enamored of himself but perhaps my judgment is faulty? We so rarely entertain such esteemed guests in Meryton.”
Elizabeth batted her long eyelashes as though she were in awe of the man who stood before her.
Mr. Darcy merely nodded.
“I imagined as much given this ridiculous gathering. However, Miss Elizabeth, I gave no lie to you. I have not addressed you this evening so there was no insult given.”
He began to turn away but Elizabeth took him by the arm. The current that ran between them shocked her and she stepped back. She wondered if he felt it but he seemed not to notice.
Mr. Darcy returned her gaze and found himself lost in her bright, sparkling eyes. He pretended not to have noticed the current between them. He did not wish for her to know of his power.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must depart. Mr. Bingley and his sisters are waiting by the door,” he nodded in their direction and Elizabeth removed her arm.
“I would not keep you from your friends, Mr. Darcy. I see that I do not tempt you in the least,” Elizabeth said and turned away before he might reply.
Mr. Darcy watched her go, his face a study in confusion and regret. Of course she had overheard his words to Bingley! He heard Caroline’s voice across the room and turned to leave. He would apologize to Miss Elizabeth, for his ill humor at being pestered by Charles had naught to do with the spirited young lady with the fire in her eyes.
Elizabeth returned to Jane and stood tapping her foot as the Bingley party left the hall.
“Such an insufferable man! I can’t imagine what Mr. Bingley sees in him. They are so different, Jane!” Elizabeth said as she turned to her sister.
Jane smoothed her skirts and smiled sweetly.
“Mr. Darcy is merely more reserved, Lizzy. As to their friendship, you and I are quite different and yet we complement one another, don’t you agree?”
Elizabeth laughed and nodded.
“But we are sisters, my dear. You must love me completely.”
The music began again and the sisters went to stand with Charlotte. She had only danced the one dance with Mr. Bingley the entire evening and Elizabeth worried that she might be upset.
“Charlotte, would you care to dance once more? Surely there is a young gentleman present you fancy?” Elizabeth said as she glanced about the room.
“Lizzy Bennet, do not cast one of your spells on my behalf. I am quite happy to watch the dancing and enjoy the music from here,” Charlotte said, her eyes warning her friend.
Elizabeth sighed.
“Why must you always believe that my spells are responsible for every good fortune?”
Charlotte shook her head and laughed at Elizabeth.
“It might be that I have known you far too long to think otherwise!”
Elizabeth smiled as a young man approached and turned to Charlotte, his offer quickly made. She shrugged as though innocent of any meddling as her friend left with the handsome suitor, her expression promising they would talk later.
Charlotte was soon gliding across the floor, her movements perfected by years of dancing with the Bennet sisters in the parlor at Longbourn as their mothers visited.
“Come Jane,” Elizabeth whispered. “Let us walk about the room so that Charlotte might have a turn or two in the line.”
Elizabeth covered her smile with a gloved hand. Jane gave her a look and then turned to watch Charlotte as she danced well to the lively tune with her handsome suitor.
“Charlotte is not fooled by your attempts to hide your magic,” Jane whispered as Elizabeth turned to speak with Sir William Lucas.
2
The carriage ride home from the dance in Meryton had been noisy and fraught with their mother’s suspicions regarding Jane and Mr. Bingley.
“My dear, he must find you tempting! Did you notice that he never left your side nor let his eyes wander during Elizabeth’s enchantment spell?” Mrs. Bennet asked, her voice piercing Elizabeth’s thoughts of Mr. Darcy.
She was grateful to arrive at Longbourn and leave their mother in the parlor with her younger sisters. Mrs. Bennet’s voice rang throughout the home as she recounted every detail of the evening for her husband.
Not too far into the animated speech of his wife, Mr. Bennet had gone to his study shaking his head at the racket in his home. He could no longer withstand the retelling of the evening. Elizabeth wondered how he endured their antics for all these years. Her mother must have worked a spell on him that only just allowed him to tolerate his house full of women.
She climbed the stairs with Jane and smiled as her sister hummed a tune from the dance. Her eyes were dreamy and she danced Elizabeth to their bedroom door once they made the landing. Elizabeth played along, allowing Jane to twirl her this way and that before they entered the room.
Jane continued to her dressing table and Elizabeth sat on the bed to remove her slippers.
“What a wonderful evening it was, Lizzy! Mr. Bingley was such an attentive partner and his sisters were most kind,” Jane said as Elizabeth snorted in a decidedly unladylike fashion.
“Caroline Bingley was quite forward with Mr. Darcy and showed me clearly the hairs of her nose. I wouldn’t call her behavior anything other than rude and pretentious. The whole lot of them, save Mr. Bingley, made it clear they were bored and loathed the company,” Elizabeth said as she stood and pulled the pins from her hair.
“I imagine our tiny assembly hall would fit several times over in the ballrooms of London. I wonder how large is the ballroom at Netherfield? I imagine it is quite lovely,” Jane said dreamily.
Elizabeth replaced her earrings in their jewelry box but left her pendant on, for she wore it always.
“Miss Bingley will likely have you to tea soon Jane, dear. She and her sister seemed to prefer your company. You must tell all about the grand estate of Netherfield as I have only walked its fields.”
The sisters helped one another out of their dresses and into nightgowns, before climbing into their comfortable bed.
“Mr. Bingley did dance with Charlotte first, a fact that esteems him even higher in my mind,” Jane sighed as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“He is quite the gentleman, Jane. Charlotte was worried that perhaps you concealed your feelings too well regarding Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said, her voice trailing off to allow Jane to make an answer.
“Oh, I do hope Mr. Bingley did not share her estimation!” Jane said, a flush of excitement flooding her cheeks.
“I did overhear him exclaim to Mr. Darcy that you were the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld. I think you must not worry. Mr. Bingley is smitten,” Elizabeth said and laughed with her sister.
* * *
Mr. Bingley sat in the parlor at Netherfield, his face a study in bliss. Caroline Bingley glanced at Mr. Darcy as he stood by the fireplace.
“Mr. Darcy, it seems not a one of the young ladies of Hertfordshire pleased you this evening,” she said as she sipped her tea.
Mr. Bingley rose from his seat and went to stand by his friend.
“Well, I have never met more pleasant people! I am pleased to have let Netherfield and made Miss Bennet’s acquaintance.”
Mrs. Hurst and Caroline traded glances before the latter spoke. “Miss Bennet is a dear sweet girl, in that you may trust Mr. Darcy.”
“She smiles too much for my taste and her unfortunate relations, well, she
has that mark against her,” Mr. Darcy said as he turned to the fire.
Mr. Bingley shook his head.
“You shall not make me think ill of Miss Jane Bennet, for she is an angel!”
“I am quite sure you are willing to offer for her hand, Charles. I have never known a more amiable, agreeable man and Miss Bennet would be a wonderful match were she more advantageously connected,” Mr. Darcy advised his friend.
“I care not about such things, Darcy! I am to be settled here and your advice, while carefully given, does not change my opinion,” Mr. Bingley said as he returned to his thoughts of Jane Bennet.
Caroline and Mrs. Hurst continued their gossip, for finding fault with the Bennet family had proven most enjoyable as Mr. Darcy shared their thoughts on the matter.
“Mr. Darcy, I did overhear the most interesting bit of gossip. It seems Mrs. Bennet is truly a witch and a powerful one at that. You must be wary lest you fall victim to a love spell or some such nonsense,” Caroline teased.
Mr. Darcy kept his gaze on the fire before him as the sisters shared a laugh at the very idea of Mrs. Bennet being anything more than powerfully trying in her disposition.
He knew the gossip to be true but he would not make an answer to her jest for fear that she might provoke him into a conversation he would rather not have.
3
Elizabeth walked about the parlor at Lucas Lodge, her eye upon her younger sisters as they made the rounds of the room with two of the young officers quartered in Meryton. Sir William Lucas had thrown a party and invited all his neighbors and was careful to include Colonel Forster and his men.
Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys were also in attendance and Elizabeth watched him closely. He held himself away from the rest of the company just as he had at the assembly and a sort of melancholy surrounded him.
She wondered if she might catch a thread of his thoughts and turned her pendant a time or two. Charlotte approached and took her hand.