by APRIL FLOYD
Jane’s pace was slower than Elizabeth’s and she turned her head to Netherfield often until the grand house was out of sight at last. She sighed and Elizabeth found herself becoming missish.
“Jane, please do hurry. Mama will want to hear all about our stay at Netherfield.”
Jane nodded and matched her steps to Elizabeth.
“Mother will be pleased, I expect. Mr. Darcy was most attentive in the gardens. I would not be surprised if he should ask me to marry him within the week.”
Elizabeth patted the book in her pocket, certain of its ability to play havoc in the lives of those around her. She recalled her mother’s advice regarding the books of spells. Terrible things may happen if we forget our discipline.
14
Elizabeth met their mother in the parlor and took her arm to lead her upstairs before Jane began her recollection of Mr. Darcy’s undying love.
Mrs. Bennet closed the door of their bedroom and her countenance was one of confused delight. Surely Jane was spinning about the room from the happiness of having persuaded Mr. Bingley of her suitability as his match.
“Jane dear, take a breath and tell me all about Netherfield. When shall you marry Mr. Bingley?”
Jane rushed to her mother and laughed.
“Mother, Mr. Bingley does not wish to marry me. He is a generous man, and quite friendly, but he has fallen for our Lizzy! I could not be happier.”
Mrs. Bennet’s brow creased and her confusion grew replacing the delight. Elizabeth met her mother’s scowl and nodded her head.
“Tis true, mother.”
Jane took Elizabeth’s hand and continued her happy twirling about the room.
“Jane, stop this moment! Why has Mr. Bingley fallen for your sister? What of Mr. Darcy?”
“Oh mother, Mr. Darcy is in love with me. I cannot recall how it came to be. I find my mind fails me regarding the particulars but Lizzy and I shall be married to the two most handsome and wealthy gentlemen! Certainly you are pleased for us?”
Mrs. Bennet glanced to Elizabeth before embracing Jane.
“A double wedding is an exciting development to say the least.”
Jane pulled Elizabeth into the happy circle before breaking away. “I must go tell our sisters and father, of course. Shall we have our suitors to dinner, mother? Mr. Bingley’s sisters have gone.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded.
“Inform Hill that we shall have them tomorrow if they are able. She will send the invitation.”
Jane hummed happily as she quit the room but Mrs. Bennet paced the floor, her eyes upon Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, what have you to say for yourself?”
Elizabeth sat on Jane’s bed and pulled the small book from her pocket. She held it out for her mother to take.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head and stepped back.
“That book is yours now, my dear. And you must learn to use it, and all those I gave you, with discipline and sincerity.”
Tears sprang to Elizabeth’s eyes as she placed the book beside her on the bed. She wanted nothing more to do with it or with her abilities. They had brought only regrets during her stay at Netherfield.
Mrs. Bennet took the small book in hand and sat by her daughter.
“Since you were able to cast both those spells without preparation, then your powers are increasing. Which means it is time for you to spend a portion of each day under my tutelage.”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“Mother, I have no desire to ever use magic again!”
Mrs. Bennet remained calm as she took her daughter’s hand.
“It does not work that way Lizzy. Your ability is not something you can control simply through lack of use. You have called upon it for years as a tease and now that you are a young woman, the time has come for you to master the gift. If you do not, it shall master you.”
Elizabeth sighed and leaned against her mother. She was right, and the admission caused her heart to ache.
“Mother, what of Mr. Darcy and Jane? I could not bear to see them wed. I know that may seem selfish but Jane and Mr. Bingley deserve to find what shall come of their attraction.”
Mrs. Bennet longed to ease Elizabeth’s mind but she could only attempt to offer her daughter assistance. If Elizabeth did not undo the damage on her own, with the fate of three people as her motivation, any help would certainly increase her reluctance to wholly accept her gift.
“We shall spend each morning practicing in the barn, my dear. The cows and sheep are accustomed to the oddities of Longbourn but Mrs. Hill will not abide the mess of a witch in training in her domain.”
Elizabeth hugged her mother and allowed her tears to fall freely. She hoped with all her heart that Mr. Darcy would not offer for Jane before she learned to reverse her spells spoken lightly.
* * *
Mr. Bingley mounted his horse and turned to Mr. Darcy.
“I scarce have the presence of mind to tour Netherfield’s property old friend. The memory of Miss Elizabeth’s eyes haunts me. She is an angel!”
Mr. Darcy turned to gallop away. He found his friend’s constant chatter about Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s eyes slowly driving him mad. His fervent wish that Mrs. Bennet had heard the entire twisted tale of her daughter’s failed magic and was know taking the young woman in hand grew stronger with each passing moment.
He was uncertain how long he might uphold his part in the trickery before his attraction for Elizabeth caused him to pity her and take mercy upon her. When she found him complicit in the situation she would be quite angry, he was certain. Perhaps he might help her to see the amusement she brought to his days?
He would suggest a visit to Longbourn on the morrow, for he was confident Charles would agree. The man was suffering terribly without the attention of the loveliest witch Mr. Darcy had ever met.
He smiled as he recalled their first meeting at the assembly in Meryton. She had worked an enchantment then in the hopes of having him ask her to dance. It was her way to punish him for his carelessly formed insult.
He might have known then that Elizabeth Bennet could be relied upon to make mischief. But he hadn’t suspected her lack of control over her magical ability.
15
Elizabeth followed her mother to the barn early the next morning. She regretted having her morning walk curtailed as well as an early breakfast with her father.
The light filtered into the old barn through the wooden slats and Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at the pungent aroma that surrounded her. She carried the two books her mother had selected and held her skirts higher than usual.
Mrs. Bennet led her to a wooden table that Mr. Bennet had placed along one wall. There were shelves above it with any number of bottles containing every sort of herb and root imaginable. Elizabeth had never bothered with her mother’s corner of the barn except to gather whatever Mrs. Bennet asked of her during her daily walks.
“Mother, may we begin my training with the knowledge needed to break the spells on Jane and the gentlemen at Netherfield?”
Mrs. Bennet shook her head.
“No Elizabeth, we may not. You must learn why your spells worked as they did instead of how you had hoped. Once that is done, we may seek to undo them. I am puzzled by the increase in your powers. Neither spell should have worked as well, or as badly in this case, as they did.”
Elizabeth rolled up her sleeves and wondered at her mother’s words. Her powers had increased while she was away at Netherfield. She recalled her surprise at the incident with Caroline and the water in the dining room that first evening.
“Mother, there was a moment in the dining room with Caroline Bingley. I regret it now, but at the time I only meant for her to dribble her drink of water. Instead she spilled the entire glass and had to change her dress. Such a simple trick I have done time and again without fail but that time, it seemed to have gotten beyond my control.”
Mrs. Bennet thought upon Elizabeth’s words and concluded there must be another witch or perhaps a mage abo
ut Netherfield Park. That would explain the strength given to her daughter’s careless use of that book.
“I shall have to think upon it, Lizzy, tis strange indeed. But now, we shall begin our work.”
Mrs. Bennet spent an hour taking Elizabeth through her paces. The spells and enchantments were simple, things she’d done since she was a young girl.
They began the next hour with spells from the first book and although Elizabeth struggled with a few, she pleased her mother greatly with her ability. Elizabeth followed her mother’s directions and could see clearly how she had been careless at Netherfield. Still, her words ought not to have been as powerful as they had proven to be.
Mrs. Bennet suggested they sit for tea as Hill approached. Elizabeth closed the books and turned at Hill’s voice.
“Mrs. Bennet, there are two gentlemen in the parlor with Mr. Bennet and Jane. They have come from Netherfield to pay a call on Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth.”
Mrs. Bennet sent Hill inside to prepare the tea and took Elizabeth’s arm.
“Have you found why your spells went awry, my daughter?”
Elizabeth held her mother’s books tightly with her other arm and nodded.
“I was careless and foolish, Mother. I ought not to have taken the words lightly. I was also concerned only with Mr. Darcy’s thoughts for me. Selfishness and foolishness brought me to this deep regret.”
Mrs. Bennet smiled at her Lizzy. Jane had always been her favorite for her fair beauty and gentle manner but Lizzy was the daughter of her heart, a young witch in need of her mother’s guidance.
“On the morrow, we shall begin your training in earnest and discover a way to break these spells. In the meantime, let us go in to tea with these confused gentlemen and your sister.”
Elizabeth stopped before she and her mother entered the house and used her pendant, with her mother’s approval, to be certain her appearance was acceptable. She rearranged her mother’s hair and produced a lovely embroidered handkerchief from her skirt pocket and offered it to her mother.
Mrs. Bennet laughed with delight and kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.
“You shall be the strongest witch in all of Hertfordshire one day, dear Lizzy. Never forget the little things,” she said as she waved the delightful handkerchief at the door.
* * *
Mr. Darcy rose with Mr. Bennet as Mr. Bingley rushed forth to take Elizabeth’s hand. Mrs. Bennet smiled and accepted Mr. Darcy’s greetings.
“How wonderful to see you again Mr. Darcy. We sent an invitation for dinner this evening to Netherfield but such fine gentlemen as yourself and Mr. Bingley are always welcome at Longbourn.”
Mr. Bennet voiced his agreement although his confusion at the behavior of the two men was evident.
“Mrs. Bennet, shall we retire to my study whilst the young people have their tea? Hill will serve us there.”
Mrs. Bennet took his arm and followed him from the parlor. She glanced at Elizabeth and firmly shook her head when she saw her daughter’s hand moving toward her pendant.
Mr. Darcy caught the exchange and smiled. Mrs. Bennet had likely heard the story of her daughter’s magical misdeeds and was now correcting her errors.
He returned his attention to Jane and left Elizabeth to manage Mr. Bingley. A bit of regret pulled at Mr. Darcy’s heart but he remained steadfast in his plan.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must say you are most lovely today. I have brought you a gift, a book from Netherfield. Mr. Darcy mentioned a book you carried whilst visiting and I thought you might enjoy another.”
Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy, her heart in her throat. He recalled her attachment for the small book that had gotten her into such a huge mess. How was that when Jane and Mr. Bingley seemed not to recall a thing before they were enchanted?
She would be certain to ask her mother about it when the gentlemen had gone.
16
Elizabeth endured Mr. Bingley’s attentions all through tea with much patience. Her eyes were upon Mr. Darcy as Hill removed the tea cart from the parlor.
Mr. Darcy rose and walked to the window leaving Jane to wistfully watch his every step. She smoothed her skirts, although they were perfectly fine. Elizabeth startled when Mr. Bingley took her hand of a sudden in both of his.
“Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley began.
Mr. Darcy turned to face them all and called to his friend.
“Charles, we must go. The sky appears as it did the day poor Jane arrived to take tea with your sisters. We must not get caught out in it.”
Elizabeth stood and joined Mr. Darcy at the window. The morning had been cool but the skies were a bright blue without a cloud present when she and her mother walked from the barn to the house.
She pulled aside the drapery and caught her breath at the dark clouds swirling above. She turned and her arm brushed against Mr. Darcy. The current between them shocked her so with its strength that she lost her footing. Mr. Darcy caught her in his arms and Elizabeth gazed into his eyes.
She was not mistaken at the depth of love she saw in Mr. Darcy’s eyes. His lips were moving, calling her name she thought but she heard nothing save the beating of her own heart. Jane appeared at her side and Mr. Bingley stood behind Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth stepped away and into Jane’s arms.
“Are you well, Lizzy? You gave us all a fright. If it hadn’t been for my Mr. Darcy you would have fallen and hit your head against the pianoforte.”
Elizabeth drew several deep breaths and glanced at the trio of concerned faces. “I am fine, Jane. Only a bit angry at my lack of grace.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at her and turned to Mr. Bingley. “If the ladies are truly well, we must offer our farewells. There’s a storm coming.”
Mr. Bingley frowned and took Elizabeth’s hand once more. “I do hope we are able to return this evening for dinner Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth nodded and followed Jane to the door with Mr. Darcy. The gentlemen left then and Elizabeth wondered again at Mr. Darcy’s recollections. He had spoken of her small spell book to Mr. Bingley and before she fell into his arms he mentioned the storm on the day Jane rode to Netherfield for tea. And his eyes. He could not hide the truth his eyes revealed when he gazed at her.
* * *
Mr. Darcy’s nerve had nearly been broken there in the Bennet parlor with Elizabeth in his arms. Their connection was more powerful than before. He was hesitant at first to bring about the storm that now pelted them with its heavy rains, but he was pleased with his decision after holding Elizabeth in his arms.
He and Bingley would not be able to honor their dinner plans this evening and it was for the best. How he would keep his friend away from the Bennet home, he did not know. Mrs. Bennet must either help Elizabeth undo the spells or he would do it himself. His love for the young lady would not be denied for many more days.
* * *
Mrs. Bennet sat alone in the parlor with Elizabeth as the rains continued. She suspected her earlier thoughts about magic at Netherfield greater than Elizabeth held had been correct.
“Mother, Mr. Darcy’s recall of events before the spells occurred does not make sense. Jane and Mr. Bingley have no such memories, only Mr. Darcy and myself.”
Mrs. Bennet stopped her needlework and spoke softly to Elizabeth. “Why would that be so, dear?”
Elizabeth placed her book upon the table before her and considered her mother’s question. Her eyes grew wider by the moment and she jumped from her seat to pace about the parlor.
“Mr. Darcy is a mage!”
Mrs. Bennet nodded her head, a smile appearing at Elizabeth’s quick deduction.
“He is. I suspected it from the first time we saw him at the assembly. Likely he has known you are a witch since that time as well. He can’t have missed the enchantment you worked during the dance but it did not affect one as strong as he.”
Elizabeth crossed to the window, pushing the draperies aside. Mr. Darcy had called up this storm to remove himself and Bingley from the Bennet
home. They certainly would not be coming for dinner tonight.
“Mother, why do you think Mr. Darcy has gone along with the spells? I believe he is a true friend to Mr. Bingley and today, here in this parlor, he held me in his arms to keep me from falling but the connection between us was stronger than it has ever been. The love in his eyes could not have been for Jane.”
Mrs. Bennet laughed and rose to stand by the window with Elizabeth.
“He has watched you use your magic carelessly, Lizzy. As a powerful mage, he must feel as I do. You will never learn to control your power unless you suffer the consequences of your actions. I am certain he could not sit any longer in this parlor without the great urge to remedy the situation himself.”
Elizabeth wanted to be angry with Mr. Darcy. No doubt he had been greatly amused by her inexperience. He might have sent her away from Netherfield never to see her again after her first spell went awry. She had no right to play in the lives of others. Her face burned with the shame of it. How could she face Mr. Darcy knowing all that she did?
17
The following week found Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet hard at their work in the barn. Elizabeth was determined to master her powers and undo the spells before Mr. Bingley offered for her hand.
The embarrassment and gossip if such a situation arose would be devastating. Elizabeth could not live her life with the man who would have married her sister had it not been for her meddling.
In that week of study and practice, Mr. Bingley called twice and had been twice left waiting with Kitty and Lydia in the parlor. Elizabeth regretted having left him with the two for even a moment, for they managed to push the poor man into setting the date for the ball he promised them on his first visit to Longbourn.
At the end of the week, the Bennet family would attend the ball at Netherfield Park and Elizabeth must have the spells broken before the first dance.
