“So, you did tell MrBingley you were wrong about Jane’s regard for him! And that his sisters hid Jane’s presence in London for months!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Yes, I did.”
That was all MrDarcy needed to say. Tight stays be damned, Elizabeth was on her feet at once and continued home at a brisk pace.…caring not at all that she had already exerted herself significantly that morning. MrDarcy had to increase his own pace to keep up.
Elizabeth and MrDarcy arrived at Longbourn, slightly windblown and out of breath. Within, they found the household in a happy uproar over Jane’s acceptance of MrBingley’s proposal. MrsBennet fussed over Jane, who looked radiantly happy, and Bingley, who looked as much like a man in love as anybody could imagine. Even Elizabeth’s father seemed to tolerate the clamour.
Elizabeth eventually managed to tear herself away from the commotion long enough to thank MrDarcy quietly. “To be sure,one of our problems is solved. If I am unable to speak with you again privately before we next meet, I must express my gratitude for your part in my beloved sister’s happiness.”
“I believe I thought only of you.” MrDarcy bowed over her hand. “I look forward to meeting you again under less competitive circumstances.”
Elizabeth was swept away again to bear witness to her mother’s raptures and attempts to begin wedding planning. Indeed, Elizabeth did not have another moment to speak with MrDarcy before the men rode away to Netherfield. Still flushed with pride at her victory over MrDarcy and feeling content with their rapprochement, Elizabeth felt that on balance, the day had brought nearly as much happiness to her as it had to Jane and MrBingley. She was relieved that no one had commented on the bruise forming just above the bodice of her gown, but she still planned to tease MrDarcy about it the next time she saw him.
Elizabeth, alone at last and feeling a strong need to calm herself down after the day’s excitement, chose a book from her father’s library:Unwitting Spellcastersby Jeff Bigler. The title seemed a promising diversion from her confusing situation. She escaped to her bedchamber, managing to avoid notice from anyone (especially her mother!), arranged herself comfortably in her armchair to read, and soon became lost in the story:It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man or woman in possession of unknown magical powers must be in want of a way to control them.
Elizabeth nodded to herself, thinking that she would be grateful if her dreams turned out to be magical powers and if she could find a way to control them.
Chapter 16: Unwitting Spellcasters
by Jeff Bigler
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Friday, the 9thof October, 1811
Darcy awoke in his chamber at Netherfield Park with the sensation that he was falling. He awoke with a start, and in that uncertain moment between slumber and awakening he fell out of the bed.Damn and blast!As soon as the words formed in his mind, the writing desk on the other side of the room burst into flames.
Darcy bolted out of bed and doused the flames with water from the washbasin.How did that happen?
Darcy’s valet dashed into the room. “MrDarcy, sir. Are you well?”
“I am unhurt, Hines, but I am unsure what has just happened.”
“I do not think I have ever seen you lose control of your magic before. Are you feeling quite well?”
Magic? What could he be talking about? Magic does not exist, except perhaps in fairy tales!“I am well.”
“Shall I bring you some chocolate?”
“Chocolate?”
“Pardon my impertinence, sir, but my mother would give us chocolate whenever we lost control of our magic. I had thought the remedy was universal. Is there something else that you would prefer?”
“Chocolate will do, thank you.”
“Right away, sir.”
Darcy pondered the flames.Evidently, I have some sort of magical powers. From Hines’s reaction, it would seem as if Ihave always had them. Why am I unable to recall anything about them? Perhaps this is one of those strange happenings that I have been experiencing lately…or at least IbelieveI have been experiencing them. Could I be losing my mind?
If I am supposed to have “magical” powers, others will wonder why I do not know how to wield them. Maybe I have suffered some sort of amnesia?
When Hines returned with the beverage a few minutes later, Darcy sipped it tentatively.
The valet asked, “Would you prefer to take a tray in your chamber this morning, sir?”
“Yes, I think that would be advisable.”
Elizabeth awoke in one of the guest rooms at Netherfield. She rang for a maid, and when she was dressed, she went across the corridor to check on her sister.
