Jane fared no better this morning. Elizabeth put a hand on her forehead. She still burned with fever.If only I could do something! I wish I could pull the sickness from her and cast it away!The moment the thought took shape in Elizabeth’s mind, Elizabeth felt as though the thought had tenderly reached out to her sister and enveloped her. A moment later, Jane opened her eyes.
“Lizzy! You have cured me! I had no idea your magic could do that!”
Magic? My magic? What madness is this? Clearly, Jane believes me to possess magic…and to her it is as commonplace as speaking.
“Um…neither had I. My…magic…continues to surprise me.”
“Shall we go down to breakfast? I am eager to see MrBingley. I am sure he will be glad to see that I have recovered.”
I had thought that magic only occurs in storybooks! Evidently, this “magic” that I possess can cure illness.She smiled to herself.I wonder…could it “cure” MrDarcy’s arrogance?
MrBingley appeared shortly. “Miss Bennet, I am glad to see that you are looking so well. Does this mean that you are feeling better?”
“Yes, MrBingley. Lizzy used her magic to cure me. I believe that I am fully recovered.”
MrBingley beamed. “That is most wonderful news! I believe we should have a picnic to celebrate!”
“Perhaps we should return to Longbourn,” Elizabeth suggested. “Have we not already imposed on your hospitality enough?”
“Of course not, Miss Elizabeth! I would be delighted to spend the afternoon with you both. I shall ask Darcy if he would accompany us. Where is Darcy? He is gone out early, I suppose.”
I should be glad to be away from that man’s scrutiny.“Oh, you need not trouble the gentleman on our account,” Elizabeth interjected. “I am sure he has more important things to do.”
“Nonsense. As you know, Darcy is here to assist me with the estate. I am sure there is nothing that would keep him from enjoying the pleasure of your company.”
Though MrDarcy might enjoyhercompany, Elizabeth wished MrBingley had asked how she might feel abouthis. Nevertheless, she acquiesced.
The picnic was held on a grassy knoll next to a pond on the Netherfield estate, and MrDarcy had indeed joined the party. A goose approached where they sat.
“Geese are mean-spirited creatures,” said MrDarcy. “I had a run-in with an ill-tempered goose…some time ago…. But do not worry. I shall take care of it.”
MrDarcy looked sternly at the goose and waved his arms, attempting to drive it away. As soon as that thought had fully formed, there was an explosion that knocked Darcy to the ground. Within seconds, the goose ran straight towards him and nipped at him. MrDarcy shouted, “Get this damned beast away from me!”
I wish the goose would calm.No sooner had the thought formed in Elizabeth’s mind than the goose stopped pecking MrDarcy, looked up at Elizabeth, and waddled towards the pond as if nothing had happened.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must apologise for my unseemly language,” Darcy said once the goose had removed to a safe distance.
“Think nothing of it, MrDarcy,” she replied, trying but failing to suppress a laugh. “But I must wonder whether there is something antagonistic in your nature.” After an awkwardly long pause, she smiled and added, “Of course, I am referring to your effect upon geese.Ihave always found them to be pleasant creatures.”
MrBingley exclaimed, “What the devil has gotten into you, Darcy? You shouldneveruse magic on a goose! They are magical creatures—you never know what might happen!”
Elizabeth observed MrDarcy’s odd behaviour and the puzzled look on his face.
MrBingley asked, “Are you well, old man? You have seemed out of sorts all day.”
“I was…um…having some trouble…with my…magicthis morning.”
“I am much surprised. You have always been the epitome of control. I have seen you burn a hole in a tree, yet the wood adjacent to the hole was not even the slightest bit warmed. Do you have any idea what might be the cause?”
MrDarcy ran his fingers through his hair. Elizabeth had noticed this nervous habit of his on previous occasions. She thought it made him look even more handsome.
“It is most strange. It is almost…as if…I have forgot how to use it.”
“Really, Darcy, that is most disturbing. Could it be related to the war effort? Perhaps you have overtaxed yourself in sending power to the mages on the front? Have you tried sending any to the colonel this morning?”
“No, I have not.” MrDarcy wrinkled his brow.
“Perhaps that is best, old man. If something is amiss, it would not do to endanger him or his regiment. Miss Elizabeth, do you think that your magic might help Darcy? Perhaps you might cure a magical malady as well as a physical one?”
