by APRIL FLOYD
“Lizzy Bennet! Not here! Leave Mr. Darcy be or go speak with the man.”
Elizabeth blushed at her friend’s words. She knew it was wrong to have been tempted to use her magic. If he wished for her to know his thoughts and feelings he would share them. But that was just the thing, she told herself, he would have no desire to confide in her with Caroline Bingley present. Her attention to Charlotte and Mr. Darcy was broken by the argument of her younger sisters.
Mary was playing a sedate concerto on the piano forte and Lydia demanded she play a jig so that she and Kitty might dance with their young men. After much argument and censure from Mrs. Bennet, Mary relented.
Elizabeth watched as her younger sisters persisted in their flirtations as they danced to Mary’s livelier selection. Charlotte drew Elizabeth’s attention to Jane and Mr. Bingley.
“She does seem well pleased with Mr. Bingley,” Charlotte declared.
“I am very happy for her, Charlotte. I believe she and Mr. Bingley will announce a wedding before the Spring,” Elizabeth said as her eyes twinkled.
“And what of Mr. Darcy? Have you spoken to him since the dance? He has had his eye on you all this time,” Charlotte mentioned, glancing at the gentleman as he stood across from them.
“I cannot see why. He plainly prefers the likes of Caroline Bingley to my intolerable presence. I might have learned his thoughts had you not come along when you did,” Elizabeth said as she fingered her pendant once more.
Charlotte took her hand again.
“Lizzy, his thoughts are of you, I daresay. Miss Bingley has been sitting in that corner with her sister since they arrived.”
Elizabeth turned and met Caroline Bingley’s stare. She smiled sweetly at the woman’s scowl and excused herself from Charlotte’s presence at the sound of Lydia’s excited laughter.
“I must try and save my family from the scandal that shall surely follow if Lydia is not made to behave properly,” Elizabeth said and left Charlotte, her hand drifting to her pendant once more.
Sir William Lucas was speaking with Mr. Darcy when she passed by, her attention upon her sisters and their merrymaking. She was nearly beyond his reach when Sir William gently took her arm.
“Miss Elizabeth, I say, here is Mr. Darcy suffering my company when such a lovely young lady is free to dance!”
Mr. Darcy’s expression was one of bemused interest at the interference of their host.
“Sir William, I have no intention of dancing. I should see to my sisters,” Elizabeth demurred as she met Mr. Darcy’s eyes. He appeared dejected at her refusal and she smiled shyly as she turned and hurried to her mother.
Sir William shrugged at Elizabeth’s departure and went to stand with Charlotte to watch the younger people dance. Caroline Bingley appeared behind Mr. Darcy, for she had followed Elizabeth’s progress across the room.
“Mr. Darcy, I believe I know exactly what you are thinking, sir,” she said as she stared at Elizabeth Bennet.
“I doubt that Miss Bingley. You could not know my thoughts, for if you did you would find them quite surprising, madam,” Mr. Darcy assured her as he gazed longingly in the same direction as Miss Bingley.
“You are bored and irritated with standing about in this pitiable parlor, sir. I know it,” Caroline said, her voice falling into a seductive whisper.
“My thoughts are more agreeable, for I have been thinking on the great pleasure a pair of fine eyes can bestow,” Mr. Darcy replied as a small smile graced his lips.
“And whose eyes might those be, Mr. Darcy?” Caroline asked innocently, thinking the compliment was hers.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy replied. Caroline paused but for a moment and began her congratulations.
“When am I to wish you joy, sir? As fine as her eyes may be, you shall also gain a charming mother-in-law in the bargain. I imagine she would find Pemberley much to her liking, enough to be always about,” Caroline said as she nodded towards Mrs. Bennet.
Mr. Darcy chuckled and turned to face Caroline.
“I believe suffering her constant presence would be a small sacrifice in order to behold Miss Elizabeth’s gaze whenever I wished.”
Caroline gasped and turned away, shocked by Mr. Darcy’s admission. How she burned with the insult! Charles had been wrong to let Netherfield.
* * *
Elizabeth wondered at Mr. Darcy’s behavior the afternoon of the Lucas party. He seemed willing to dance with her and his expression had been one of interest instead of disdain.
Perhaps he had grown tired of the attentions of Caroline Bingley after all this time and wished to amuse himself with a young lady he could never consider marrying.
She crossed her eyes in the mirror at the idea and thought once more that she should never dance with Mr. Darcy did he beg it of her. Although she found his smile captivating and his face handsome, it would never do to allow herself to imagine more than an acquaintance with the man.
Jane was turning this way and that in a dress that did not suit her well and Elizabeth reached for her pendant. The dress changed from a creamy muslin to a pale yellow silk with embroidered roses placed just so as Jane turned the skirts about.
“Oh Lizzy! I do love it when you use your talent on my wardrobe! If Charles were to visit at this very moment I should be most presentable,” Jane rushed across the room to embrace her sister.
“It was nothing Jane, truly. You know I have been able to do at least this much since we were younger. I believe that I shall allow mother to teach me as she wishes. There is little else to do at Longbourn,” Elizabeth said as she sighed.
“I shall show my new dress to Kitty and Lydia. I haven’t heard them arguing as yet today but this should remedy the situation,” Jane said as she twirled away.
Elizabeth laughed and left their room to go in search of their mother. She may as well learn a bit more about her power for there was no changing the fact of who she was.
She found Mrs. Bennet in the parlor enjoying the rare silence of the day. Overhead, the rising voices of her younger sisters began and she knew they would soon be rushing about to find her and demand that she change their dresses too.
“Lizzy, dear, come have a seat. I was just thinking that Mr. Bingley should visit soon,” Mrs. Bennet’s eyes twinkled as she spoke and Elizabeth knew that the Bingleys were likely on their way to Longbourn now. She sighed and sat beside her mother.
“I hoped we might spend time going over your books mother, you know the ones,” Elizabeth said as her father entered the parlor.
“My dear Lizzy, have you an interest now in learning all that your mother has to teach? I must say this is a surprise!” Mr. Bennet teased as he took his seat by the fireplace.
“It is only that I have accepted the fact that turning my pendant is more useful than I imagined before,” Elizabeth said as she lovingly turned the small trinket and set a blaze in the fireplace.
Mr. Bennet smiled and opened his paper. “Good girl, Lizzy! It was a bit chilly for these old bones.”
Mrs. Bennet clapped her hands and rose from her seat. “Come, Lizzy! We shall go into the dining room and I will send Hill to fetch my books.”
Elizabeth rose and followed her mother, hopeful that she might have more than a few moments with her before the Bingleys interrupted them. Before long, Mrs. Bennet was turning pages and instructing her daughter on spells and potions.
“You must be precise, my dear. There is no substitution of what is required nor changing the words about. Believe me, although we practice white magic, terrible things may happen if we forget our discipline.”
Elizabeth nodded and studied the page before her. She tried a few lesser spells and her mother clapped at her success. Thus encouraged, she moved along to a more complicated page and attempted the spell.
Her mother called out as a great cloud of smoke enveloped them. Elizabeth jumped up and opened a window, coughing and waving her arms about.
Mrs. Bennet caught sight of her face and began to laugh. El
izabeth brought a hand up and brushed at her cheek. Her hand came away with a sooty coating and she stomped her foot.
Mrs. Bennet whispered a few words and the dining room was returned to its pristine state. “Hill would not take kindly to your mess, dear. From now on, you must practice in the barn, I fear.”
Elizabeth laughed as the smoke cleared and she saw her mother’s hair. She pointed as her fit of giggles increased and Mrs. Bennet saw to her appearance.
She placed the books in Elizabeth’s hands. “Remember my words. You must be exact, Lizzy, or you may have a mess that is not so easily remedied.”
Hill entered the dining room, her nose twitching at the lingering smell of smoke in the air and glanced about. She berated them both before remembering why she had come.
“The Bingleys are here with Mr. Darcy, madam. They are in the parlor now with Mr. Bennet.”
4
Jane descended the stairs and entered the parlor in the lovely dress Elizabeth had conjured. Mr. Bingley rose from his seat and went to take her hand, his face alight from the joy of seeing Jane once more.
Elizabeth tried to keep the smile from her face at his devotion but the irritation it seemed to cause his sister made it that much harder to hide her merriment.
“Don’t they make a perfect match, Miss Bingley?” she asked, her eyes wide with innocence. Mr. Bennet glanced at Elizabeth and shook his head slightly.
Her mother must have spoken to him regarding her behavior. Mrs. Bennet was certain Jane and Mr. Bingley would wed, and Elizabeth agreed. She must behave herself then, if only for Jane’s sake.
Caroline Bingley had remained speechless but turned to glance at Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet is perfectly lovely. I do not know how she has managed it.”
Mary entered the room then and immediately began a coughing fit.
“Is there something burning in the dining room?” she asked as errant wisps of smoke caught her eye. She hurried to find Hill, her coughing fit increasing.
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she caught her hand moving toward her pendant. Mrs. Bennet saw her and called across the parlor, “Lizzy, be a dear and help your father to his study!”
Mr. Bennet startled and turned to his wife.
“Yes, Lizzy, I wish to speak with Mr. Darcy alone if I may.”
Elizabeth frowned and turned to Mr. Darcy. He seemed as surprised as she, but his good manners would not allow a refusal of his host’s request.
“Mr. Bennet, I would be happy to join you in your study. Come, Miss Elizabeth,” he said as he stopped to take her hand, “let us go.”
Elizabeth took his hand and the same current she’d felt at the dance returned. What must this be, then, and did he notice it as well? If he did, he made no sign of it and she followed him from the parlor, her father going before them.
“Father!” Elizabeth exclaimed once they entered his study, lifting her brow high. “Why would you need to speak with Mr. Darcy privately, and what have I to do with it?”
Mr. Bennet offered Mr. Darcy a drink from his favorite decanter and the men sat, most satisfied at the quiet of the study.
“Elizabeth, I would prefer to hold a conversation with the two most sensible people present in my home today and here you both are!” Mr. Bennet said, a twinkle in his eye.
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “I agree, Mr. Bennet, for only the art of matchmaking is pursued in your parlor at present.”
Elizabeth turned and caught the glance Mr. Darcy sent her way.
“Jane and your friend, Mr. Bingley, make a lovely couple. Were it so easy for me to find myself as happily matched!”
Mr. Bennet coughed as he tried to contain himself at Elizabeth’s declaration, for he had seen the way Mr. Darcy looked at his daughter during the Lucas party the week prior. The man was smitten and it was not only the opinion of Mrs. Bennet.
Mr. Darcy sipped his drink as he considered Elizabeth’s words.
“I would wish you the great good fortune of being happily matched, Miss Elizabeth, but I sincerely doubt you shall be married under any other circumstance.”
Elizabeth’s hand drifted once more to her pendant but her father shook his head and placed his drink hastily on his desk. The spirits spilled from his cup and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both rushed to contain the damage.
Their hands brushed as their handkerchiefs fell to the desk in unison. The current between them was stronger than before and Elizabeth was certain this was no coincidence.
Mr. Darcy’s eyes softened as their connection grew stronger and he stared into her eyes. Elizabeth held her breath and dared not move.
Mr. Bennet stood suddenly and the moment was broken. “Elizabeth, find Hill and have her come see to this mess.”
Elizabeth walked slowly from the study, keeping her eyes down and her feet steady as she might. Her heart was racing and her knees threatened to buckle beneath her.
She was most grateful that her father had the sense to intervene before she might show Mr. Darcy another moment of interest!
If he were in love with Caroline Bingley, what was this strange connection? Perhaps her mother’s books might hold an answer? She regretted not having paid closer attention to her talent and learning all she might.
Mr. Darcy excused himself from the study when Hill entered with Mary on her heels still fretting over the lingering scent of smoke in the air. He found Elizabeth in the hallway, her face revealing the confusion their connection caused.
“Miss Elizabeth, I wish to offer my apologies for the thoughtless words I spoke at the assembly. I find myself tempted more each time we meet,” Mr. Darcy said as he moved closer.
Elizabeth gazed into his eyes. He was speaking the truth and she wondered at his need to tell her such. Did he believe she might return his feelings?
“Mr. Darcy, I am happy to accept your apology but what do you mean, sir? What temptation could I offer a man of your position?” Elizabeth replied, her heart racing at the closeness of the man.
He began his reply but was interrupted by Hill and the distraught Mary as they left the study.
“Elizabeth,” her father called from his study, “see Mr. Darcy to the parlor. I shall be along.”
5
Elizabeth turned and led Mr. Darcy to the parlor wishing their conversation had not been interrupted. She hoped they might have another moment alone but knew it would not be this day.
His remark about temptation required further discussion, she mused as a happy smile formed on her lips. She stopped just inside the parlor and felt him brush against her, the connection singing lightly once more, as he moved past.
Caroline Bingley stood when Mr. Darcy crossed the room. She was eager to depart, for she had endured the preoccupation of her brother with Jane Bennet and the absence of Mr. Darcy for what seemed an eternity. The exasperation of dealing with Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters had taken its toll.
“Charles, I fear we must not intrude upon the hospitality of Jane’s family. Come let us depart,” she said, her voice as grating on the nerves as those of Lydia and Kitty.
Mr. Darcy took Caroline’s arm and Elizabeth felt jealousy prick her heart. She kept the irritation from her voice as she bid them farewell. Jane stood and walked to the door with Mr. Bingley, her hand securely tucked into his own. He turned and gazed into her eyes once more.
“Jane, you must come with your family and dine at Netherfield. Caroline shall send a footman when the preparations are made.”
Lydia called from the parlor door, her voice causing Caroline Bingley to scowl.
“Mr. Bingley, you did promise a ball when last we spoke at Lucas Lodge. Surely you have not forgotten!”
“Indeed I have not Miss Lydia! A ball at Netherfield shall be a lovely gesture to the whole of Hertfordshire for their excellent courtesy to my family,” Mr. Bingley said as he released Jane’s hand.
Elizabeth found her fingers around her small pendant, the thought of Miss Bingley tripping just having formed when she heard the wretched woman howl. Jane
went to her and Mr. Darcy held her closer in his arms, the latter having the effect of making Elizabeth most upset!
“Oh Miss Bingley, you seem to have broken the heel of your shoe! Mr. Darcy will see you to your coach, won’t you Mr. Darcy?” Jane said as she eyed Elizabeth.
Before Caroline might speak, Mr. Darcy swept through the door with Charles Bingley following after. Jane gave him her apologies and he paused to kiss her hand before joining his party in their carriage.
Elizabeth smirked behind Jane as her sister watched the conveyance move slowly down the lane.
“It was not I, sister dear. Not to say the idea did not occur.”
Jane closed the door and took Elizabeth’s hand.
“Whatever were you and father discussing with Mr. Darcy in the parlor? Miss Bingley was irritated the entire visit!”
“Nothing of importance, I fear. I do believe father fancies himself a matchmaker. Mother must have decided that Mr. Darcy and I are next to marry,” Elizabeth said as she turned and led Jane upstairs.
Lydia and Kitty remained in the parlor with their parents, bedeviling them over the coming ball at Netherfield Park.
“Mama, we must have new dresses! And new ribbon!” Lydia declared in her most annoying whine.
Mr. Bennet hushed the girls and stared at his wife. Mrs. Bennet caught his meaning and sent the girls upstairs to explain their wishes to Elizabeth.
“But Mama, you promised…” Kitty began, but her mother waved her away with her handkerchief.
“Go Kitty, your father and I wish for privacy. Lizzy is the very best at fixing your dresses and ribbons. I daresay she and Jane are working away upstairs as we speak.”
Kitty and Lydia happily left the parlor after their mother’s words, for now Elizabeth must work her magic on their dresses just as she had for Jane earlier!
“Mr. Bennet,” his wife said in her most pleasing voice, “were you able to speak to Mr. Darcy of our Lizzy’s qualities?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I wished to my dear, truly I did, but then I spilled my drink. There is a connection between them! I saw it!”
