Charlotte rose from her seat by Lady Catherine’s bedside and opened the door. “Mr. Darcy, do come in.”
Heat flooded Elizabeth as she stood and curtsied. Oh, why must she be so embarrassed by his very presence? He had no doubt only come to inquire after his aunt. Most likely he was not even thinking about her. After all, he had shown no interest in her earlier apart from her treatment of Lady Catherine, and had left as soon as that was done. He could hardly have made his wish to avoid her company any clearer, and she could hardly blame him for it.
“Has there been any change?” he asked Charlotte, his face impassive.
Charlotte gestured towards Lady Catherine’s bed. “No improvement, but no worsening either. We have been dabbing her lips with essence of feverfew. Some say it may be helpful in treatment of elfshot.”
“Pray inform me if there is any change. Mrs. Collins, might I have the honor of a private conversation with Miss Elizabeth?”
Oh, no. What could he possibly want to tell her that he could not say in front of Charlotte? Could he possibly wish to return to the subject of his offer of marriage? No, that was impossible. Not after the way she had treated him.
His mouth twisted. “There is nothing to worry about, MissElizabeth. I merely wish to share a piece of information with you.” He did not trouble to keep the irony out of his voice. He must have guessed what she was thinking.
Charlotte looked concerned, as well she might. “If Lizzy wishes to speak to you, I have no objection.”
Darcy tilted his head. “Miss Elizabeth, perhaps we could speak in the sitting room with the door open. Mrs. Collins would be able to see us there.” There was no warmth in his voice.
She could hardly refuse, so she walked ahead of him into the sitting room. “Yes, Mr. Darcy?”
He paced across the small space before turning back to her. “You told my cousin that you know the fay shape-changing spell.” He did not sound pleased.
Why was she longing for some sign of softening in his face? He had every reason to dislike her. “I know the words, but I cannot make it work.”
“Miss Elizabeth, those words, whether you can employ them or not, would be worth a great deal to certain people. A very great deal indeed. I would suggest that you do not give them away.”
She moistened her lips with her tongue. “I do not understand what you mean.”
If anything, his expression darkened. “You should not tell them to anyone without extracting something in return. You could get almost anything you like. An estate which is not entailed away to Mr. Collins. A dowry. A guarantee that no mage will ever put a binding spell on you.”
“I see.” Was it possible he was trying to help her?
“But once you tell anyone those words, you give away that power.”
Why was he telling her this? “Am I to assume mages are the ones who would seek the spell? Will they attempt to trick me into giving it to them?”
“I would hope not. My concern was more that you might freely offer the spell, unaware that you could purchase your own safety with it. Your other knowledge about the fay is valuable as well, but that spell particularly so.”
She looked down at her hands for a moment and then deliberately met his eyes. “I thank you for telling me this. Especially since you could have simply asked me for the spell and I would have told you it.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I know what it is like to be threatened with a binding spell. I would not wish it on you or anyone.”
Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “You know that fear?”
“It is nothing now,” he said dismissively. “Someone went to a great deal of trouble to make it appear I had been abusing my abilities, and the punishment for that is binding.”
“Oh. I am sorry you faced that.” She meant it. It would break her heart to see his pride and cleverness brought down by a binding spell. How could anyone think he would do such a thing, or that he would allow himself to be caught? “It is a silly idea.”
Now he looked furious. He must have misunderstood her.
She said quickly, “Oh, your expression! I meant only that if you were to misuse your powers – and I by no means intend to suggest you would – but if you were to do so, you would cover your tracks so carefully that no one would ever dream of connecting it to you. You would never do it in a careless, obvious manner. That is all.”
His anger seemed to vanish, replaced by a slight smile. “Very perceptive, Miss Elizabeth. It is a pity you were not on the Board of Inquiry.”
Hesitantly she smiled back.
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Collins’s voice interrupted the moment of connection. “Her ladyship’s eyes are open again.”
“Excuse me,” Elizabeth murmured as she hurried back into thebedroom.
