by APRIL FLOYD
“Miss Elizabeth, you must tell me. How is your sister?”
Elizabeth turned to address Mr. Bingley and noticed Caroline and Louisa staring coldly at her. Her hand went to her pendant and Mr. Darcy watched in fascination.
Caroline took a goblet of water to sip and instead doused herself with the contents.
Elizabeth gasped and rose to help her but Caroline was quite angry. She had only meant to have the woman dribble the water as she drank!
“Do not touch my person, Miss Eliza! I imagine you find this most entertaining?”
Elizabeth turned to Charles, ready to give him an answer concerning Jane. Caroline rose and left the table, stomping and screaming for her maid.
“Mr. Bingley, she is resting upstairs. I do not think she is terribly stricken but she does suffer from a fever.”
Charles Bingley nodded and seated himself at the table. “I am sorry for Caroline’s lack of control. I believe the longer she goes without marrying the worse she behaves.”
Louisa gasped and threw an angry glare at her oblivious brother. “You have not helped the matter, Charles, keeping her out here. I must take her to London with me when we leave.”
Charles smiled at his sister. “And when will that be, Louisa, dear? I imagine Caroline would love nothing more than to hie back to Town and spend my money.”
The siblings continued their raillery and Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth.
“I have never seen Caroline so clumsy. I wonder that she might be unwell.”
Elizabeth blushed, for she was truly sorry her trick had ended so badly for the insufferable woman.
Mr. Darcy smiled. He knew Elizabeth was not to blame as he had been the one to add strength to her spell. He planned to enjoy watching her spells go awry while she stayed at Netherfield.
He wondered how long it would be before she knew he was a mage? He had not been moved by her enchantment spell at the assembly, that alone ought to have made her curious.
Perhaps she believed him interested in a match with Miss Bingley? Certainly she could not think that!
Caroline returned to the dining room in a terrible temper. She yelled at the butler and the footman throughout dinner, making the rest of her party miserable.
Elizabeth dared not attempt another trick on the poor woman during dinner, for the servants would likely be beaten if she became much angrier. Instead she turned to Mr. Darcy and smiled.
“What are your plans in Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy? Will you be leaving for London soon?”
He waited a moment before making his answer. “I believe I may stay at Netherfield for a time. I have no pressing business in London, nor at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth attempted to hide her joy at his words but he noticed the spark that jumped between them and wondered how much longer they might deny their feelings.
His mother and father had both held great power and being their first born, naturally he had been more powerful than either of them.
He wondered that Elizabeth had been the heir to her mother’s magic as it was customary that the firstborn held that right and honor.
He supposed there might be instances of the first child being passed for the second but none that he had heard of in many years.
He longed to speak with her about her gift but this was not the time nor place. Besides, he wished to have a bit of fun before she understood that he was as powerful as her mother, if not moreso.
After dinner, the party rose to go through to the parlor but Elizabeth gave them her regrets.
“I must see to Jane, you know. Perhaps tomorrow she will be able to join us in the dining room.”
Mr. Darcy waited as the Bingley sisters gained the parlor and then sent Charles and Mr. Hurst ahead to the library. He followed Elizabeth upstairs to Jane’s room and stood before the closed door with her. He took her face in his hands and left a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Elizabeth stepped back, astonished at his behavior. The connection was singing between them again and she wondered how that might be. She hastily opened the door to Jane’s room and watched as Mr. Darcy backed away.
Her heart was taken by the man but her mind was not convinced. There were strange secrets and a hellcat of a woman between them.
Jane sat up and Elizabeth went to sit with her.
“How was dinner, Lizzy?
Elizabeth smiled and relayed the incident with Caroline.
“I truly did not wish for her to soak her gown. I know my spell was meant only to tease her. Perhaps my talent is maturing?”
A frown creased Jane’s brow and she took her sister’s hand.
“Caroline Bingley accepts my presence for the time being, Lizzy. We must be careful where she is concerned.”
Elizabeth nodded. Mrs. Bennet would be most displeased if the match between Jane and Bingley went awry. She recalled her mother’s plan was meant to further Jane’s romantic future and her own, once the plan for Jane was secure.
“Jane, I promise I shall be careful. Miss Bingley is quite an easy target, you know. She has her cap set for Mr. Darcy.”
Jane squeezed her hand.
“You must go to the parlor and sit with them for a time. If you believe you have feelings for Mr. Darcy,” she said, ignoring Lizzy’s attempts to deny her words, “even the smallest flame, then you must tend it.”
Elizabeth sighed, knowing her sister was right. Mr. Darcy intrigued her, and the tender kiss he left her with only moments earlier left no doubt of his feelings.
“I will read to you first, Jane, and then I will join the others. Perhaps Miss Bingley’s mood will have improved by then.”
Elizabeth sat with Jane until she fell asleep and then rose to leave their room. She placed the book her mother had given her into her skirt pocket before quietly closing the door behind her.
9
The hallway was empty and Elizabeth could not resist making the candles along the wall flicker as she walked past. Opportunities for mischief danced before her eyes as she gained the staircase.
She hoped to be left alone in the library of such a grand home and thought perhaps after her hosts retired for the evening she would innocently wander there.
Elizabeth glanced down at her plain yellow slippers and paused to enhance them before entering the parlor. The sparkle was beguiling, quite lovely to behold. Let Miss Bingley try to find a pair as becoming anywhere in London!
The gentlemen stood as she entered the parlor and Elizabeth felt the color rise in her cheeks. The Hursts were playing cards with Caroline and Mr. Bingley while Mr. Darcy sat before a writing desk across the way.
Elizabeth sat between them on a small sofa and pulled out her book. If she must sit with the Bingleys and Hursts and be unable to approach Mr. Darcy, she may as well read her mother’s book.
Caroline watched her and nodded to Louisa. The smile she wore was far from inviting.
“Miss Eliza, would you care to play cards with us? This game is more entertaining than your book, I imagine.”
Elizabeth glanced at the woman and denied her request.
“I would rather read, Miss Bingley, for Jane requested it of me before she fell asleep and I find myself eager to continue.”
Mr. Darcy turned in his seat and smiled at Elizabeth. A lady with a love for the written word! How he longed for such a treasure among the ladies of his circle.
“An accomplished lady must enjoy reading. Would you agree Caroline?”
Miss Bingley made an unbecoming noise and taunted Mr. Darcy for the compliment he paid Elizabeth.
“And why do you leave us without your company, Mr. Darcy? Writing again?”
Elizabeth sighed and continued with her reading. She would not allow Caroline Bingley to entice her into further misadventure.
Mr. Darcy left his letter and came to sit beside Elizabeth. He had a burning need to tease Caroline this evening. If his goal brought him closer to the lovely woman before him, so be it.
“Miss Elizabeth, you are quite fortunate my sister is
not present. She would vex you sorely until she found where you acquired those lovely slippers.”
Elizabeth lowered her lashes and smiled, attempting to hide her laughter at Mr. Darcy’s mischief.
“I imagine your sister has the most fashionable slippers to be found Mr. Darcy. I would be pleased to make her acquaintance and perhaps share my secret.”
Caroline rose from the table, her mind set upon seeing these slippers that drew comment from the usually reserved Fitzwilliam Darcy. She had never heard him comment so about a lady’s attire.
Mr. Darcy took her hand and spoke as Caroline paced about before them.
“You may visit Darcy House in London whenever you wish, Miss Elizabeth. My sister favors Town, and is often there. I believe she would do well to make your acquaintance.”
Caroline steadied herself with a hand upon the fireplace mantle.
“Mr. Darcy, surely you do not expect Miss Elizabeth to travel to London and visit your sister because of her shoes?”
Mr. Darcy turned to address Caroline and saw smoke wafting from the hem of her dress. He nodded to Elizabeth and she followed his gaze. Hiding her surprise, she stood and calmly lifted the ornate flower vase on the table before her.
Caroline stared at them, wondering what kind of mischief they were about. Never at Hurst House, nor here at Netherfield, had she observed such nonsense. If this was some new parlor game, she was not amused to be included.
Mr. Darcy spoke calmly to her while Elizabeth approached with the vase now relieved of its beautiful bouquet. Elizabeth glanced to Mr. Darcy and as one they advanced upon the confused woman.
Mr. Darcy embraced Caroline, holding her tightly so that she might not flee and fan the flames that were licking at her skirts. Elizabeth tightened her grasp on the great vase and quickly emptied its contents upon Miss Bingley!
Caroline sputtered and screamed at the apparent madness of her houseguests, her disbelief at the drowning causing her to push Mr. Darcy away.
“Charles!” she howled, “how could you allow such horrid behavior from your best friend and this wretched woman?”
Charles Bingley came to take his hysterical sister’s arm, his shoulders shaking with laughter. It was a pity that she had been doused yet again this evening. Louisa pushed Charles aside and took Caroline’s hand.
“Come, Caroline. We shall retire for the evening before your dress is soaked in water for a third time tonight.”
Louisa glared at Elizabeth, for she was beginning to wonder if the gossip her sister overheard about witches was true. Elizabeth sighed as they left the parlor and decided she too would retire. Mr. Darcy took her arm.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must commend you for behaving calmly in the face of Caroline’s mishap.”
Elizabeth smiled up at him, pleased to have his good opinion.
“Miss Bingley has had quite the evening, poor thing. She and I shall never be friends but I do not wish for her to be harmed.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and led her from the library. He knew Elizabeth was not to blame for the sparks that caught Caroline’s hem, though it was amusing to think so.
Miss Elizabeth seemed to be more accepting of his attentions but was it only foolish hope that made him believe she might consider him a suitable match?
He knew his connections and wealth placed him far from her circles but even with her loud and boisterous family, he found her to be worthy of his attention.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said as they gained the stairs, “are you particularly fond of Miss Bingley? I mean to say, is there a promise between you?”
Mr. Darcy chuckled and pulled her closer, delighting in the feel of her body against his own.
“Miss Bingley would be well pleased were that the case, Miss Elizabeth, and I would be a most unfortunate man. There is no lady who holds my heart nor any promise concerning its home.”
When they arrived at Jane’s door once more, he tucked a loose curl behind her ear and his hand lingered upon her neck.
Elizabeth attempted to behave as though his touch meant nothing, but her heart stopped for a moment before resuming at a much quicker pace. The connection between them hummed and ran along her skin causing her to feel faint.
They heard the Bingley sisters in the hall and Elizabeth pulled Mr. Darcy into her arms. He began to question her behavior but she placed her small warm hand over his mouth and he lowered his head to hers.
She saw the sisters pass by them without so much as a glance. She recalled her mother working such a spell only once before and her mind struggled to hold the spell with the distraction of Mr. Darcy’s body against her own.
They stayed where they were for several minutes after the sisters passed and Elizabeth wished she might never leave his embrace. She dropped her hand from his mouth and held a finger to his lips.
“Mr. Darcy,” she whispered, “I believe we are safe now.”
He laughed, a low, husky sound, but refused to release her.
“Elizabeth Bennet, we have never been safe, not from the moment we met. You know it as well as I.”
Jane’s voice broke through the spell of his words and Elizabeth placed her hand upon the doorknob, eager to escape the dangerous embrace of Fitzwilliam Darcy.
He placed a kiss upon her hand and smiled.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you do tempt me and I am a man accustomed to having all that he desires.”
She watched him back away from her again and nearly fell into Jane’s room. Her whole body sang with the spark that burned between them. Elizabeth was hot one moment and horribly cold the next. If Mr. Darcy was a mage, that would explain the power that flowed between them when they touched. He must be, for it was now plain to her that he did not love Caroline Bingley in the least.
10
Elizabeth and Jane remained at Netherfield Park for nearly a week as the rains continued. Caroline Bingley had lost her patience with the sisters and her missish behavior worsened by the hour.
They were in the parlor of an afternoon with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley when Caroline entered bearing a letter from Longbourn.
“See here, Mr. Darcy, here is proof that these horrid Bennets have set out to work their magic upon you and my brother. I knew your affections must have been stolen!”
Mr. Bingley rose from his chair and took the letter from his sister.
“Caroline! I have a mind to send you away to London on the morrow. I know it would be no great burden for you, other than you must leave Mr. Darcy here.”
Caroline ignored her brother and went to stand by the fireplace between Mr. Darcy and the Bennet sisters. She carefully pulled her skirt around and glanced at the fire. Her countenance was one of agitation as she continued her tirade.
“I saw the letter. It fell open when the footman handed it to me. Mrs. Bennet asks after her daughters and their plans to ensnare you and Mr. Darcy. Go ahead, Charles, read it!”
Mr. Bingley handed the letter to Jane instead and she glanced warily to Elizabeth.
“Caroline, you cannot have thought it proper to read a letter intended for another. Especially guests in our home.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at Caroline before rising from his seat and offering it to her considering her fiery mishap days ago. She frowned at him and took the seat.
He nodded to Elizabeth and stirred the fire.
“Caroline usually only reads my letters, I fear. She is vigilant where I am concerned.”
Caroline ignored his tease and turned her attention to the Bennet sisters.
“Go ahead, dear Jane. Do tell us what your mother has to say.”
Jane opened the letter with shaking hands but Elizabeth sat calmly beside her. She was certain that Caroline had indeed read just those words from Mrs. Bennet but knew the letter would be changed as she placed a hand upon her pendant.
Jane read the letter silently and Caroline huffed from her chair.
“There is no use putting off the inevitable, Miss Bennet. I saw it myself.”
Jane lifted her eyes, a b
eautiful smile upon her face.
“Dearest Jane and Lizzy,” she began as she moved closer to Elizabeth on the sofa.
“Your father believes the roads shall be passable by tomorrow and so we shall send a carriage in the morning to bring you home to Longbourn. Please do give our regards to Mr. Bingley and his sisters for their kind attention during Jane’s illness. We shall have them to dinner as soon as we may.”
Caroline jumped from her seat and took the letter from Jane’s hand. “Lies, all lies! I read it myself and not one word you spoke was written here!”
Charles took Caroline by the arm and returned the letter to Jane. He escorted his irate sister from the parlor and returned.
“I am deeply sorry for the actions of my sister. Caroline is not well, it would seem. I shall have the Hursts see her to London on the morrow.”
He sat, his sorrowful eyes upon Jane.
“It would seem that Lizzy and I have stayed a few days longer than your sister could tolerate, Mr. Bingley. Do not blame her, for perhaps she is not accustomed to the running of an estate quite yet.”
Elizabeth took Jane’s hand and smiled at her sister.
“Jane is quite forgiving Mr. Bingley. Our mother would have it no other way. We have stayed too long, I fear. I would love to walk about the gardens of Netherfield before we leave.”
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy agreed and the foursome left the home to find the sun shining brightly for the first time in a week.
Elizabeth and Darcy followed behind Jane and Bingley, their connection singing as sweetly as the birds in the trees about the garden.
“Miss Elizabeth, I find myself quite pleased to have spent these days with you at Netherfield. You must know that a man of my connections rarely finds a woman without artifice in his circle.”
Elizabeth smiled at the difference in the man beside her now. He was not the Fitzwilliam Darcy she recalled from their first meeting at the assembly in Meryton.
“Why, Mr. Darcy, how kind of you to say. I did wonder how you felt about Jane and your friend Bingley, though. Their relationship appears to be one that is becoming quite serious. Miss Bingley finds the idea troublesome, to say the least. Her behavior in the parlor earlier worries me.”