Across Town, Darcy called upon his uncle, the Earl of Matlock. “Darcy! So good of you to visit. The boys at the Magical Division have told me that I am to wish you joy.”
“How did you…?” he stammered.
“Madam Muttersworth works for us. She sent word the moment you left.”
The earl placed a hand on Darcy’s shoulder and guided him down the corridor. “Come into my study for a glass of brandy.”
When they were comfortably seated in Matlock’s study, the earl began. “Darcy, this is indeed quite serious. We received word that the situation on the continent is becoming dire. Thecity of Valencia is under siege. The Marquess of Wellington has had to withdraw his troops, and the French mages are gaining the upper hand. If our soldiers do not receive magical aid soon, the entire war could be lost. This is the worst possible time for you to develop amnesia.”
“Had I the choice,” Darcy replied sardonically, “I am sure I would have avoided the situation entirely.”
The earl was not amused. “Yes, well, you must entwine your magic with Miss Bennet’s as soon as you possibly can, and Madam Muttersworth must repair your memories immediately afterwards.”
Darcy reddened. “Um…that is why I have come. I know that I must…um…couple with Miss Bennet…but she has said that she does not wish to marry me. Can magic entwine if only one partner is willing?”
“No, it cannot. But once you are married, Miss Bennet cannot refuse your advances. This has been the law for centuries. She will be willing because, as your wife, that is her duty. Moreover, magicwantsto entwine. Magicneedsto entwine. Magic knows our hearts long before our minds are ready to listen. Its pull is irresistible. Your magic and hers will create that desire in her, as magic seeks out other magic. You need only initiate the act. Her magic will be her guide; it will teach her mind and body how to respond.”
But Elizabeth must come to me willingly or not at all.Every part of him wanted,neededMiss Elizabeth Bennet. But he needed her to want him as much as he wanted her.
Elizabeth and MrDarcy met later that afternoon, after he had procured the licence. They walked along Bond Street, on the pretence of shopping for a new bonnet for Elizabeth. For the most part, they proceeded in awkward silence, thinking of theconversations they had just had with their relations, each casting sidelong glances at the other, wondering whether their thoughts were theirs alone.
Finally, Elizabeth said, “I must own that I am frightened. There is so much that depends on us. I fear I shall not be up to the task.”
“It is a daunting responsibility. Our actions will have consequences—for Britain, for my cousin Richard, and for us. It is as if we have been thrust into a story that is not our own, and we are flailing.”
“Indeed, MrDarcy. The characters in a story have little choice about how their tale unfolds. And so it would seem with us.”
That night, Elizabeth’s mind brimmed with thoughts of MrDarcy, of her anticipated wedding night, and of the great responsibility that both of them had but neither understood. These thoughts were both pleasant and terrifying. After an hour of lying awake in her bedchamber, she slipped on a gown and went to the library. She retrieved a book,Winter Stormsby D. C. Williams.
Storms. That expresses my feelings exactly.
She took some comfort in the first line: It is a truth universally acknowledged that trust is fertile soil in which affection may grow…
Chapter 17: Winter Storms
by D. C. Williams
Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, London
Sunday, the 29th of November, 1811
Elizabeth Bennet awoke to the grey light of morning. She dressed, struggling to cast aside disturbing dreams and near memories that only added to the turmoil of her emotions.
As the household stirred, she opened her journal and collected her thoughts.
Gracechurch Street, London
I last wrote of my mother’s startling directive that I should remove to my uncle’s home in London to “find my future life” after the Netherfield party decamped for Town, and I refused the addresses of MrCollins, Father’s heir. She swore she would never speak to me again.
Elizabeth tapped the quill on the blotter, recalling how many days it had been since she had the opportunity to record the unexpected events.
At the ball, I had a brief conversation with MrDarcy regarding the character of one Lieutenant Wickham—I was such a fool! I attempted to tell Father, but he would not listen, so I left the news in the capable hands of MrsHill, who will share it with my mother. Gossip, thy name is Frances Bennet!
The carriage arrived early, and it was a good thing, for a winter storm caught us on the road. Uncle’s coachman even remarked that he did not remember having snow so early in years past. We made it toGracechurch Street while it was still possible to see the house numbers. The bricks at my feet had long since gone cold, as the snow kept the pace slower than usual. Shivering, I considered that this storm seemed calm after recent events at Longbourn! Aunt and Uncle welcomed me home. My aunt rushed me to the fire and wrapped a warm blanket around me.
We had often discussed a future in which I would live with them but had not expected it to be so precipitous! We decided to defer making plans until after Twelfth Night. Until then, Aunt and I will address the shortfalls in my wardrobe and prepare the house and children for Christmastide.
It is well that there are no serious concerns, for I remain conflicted about a certain gentleman from Derbyshire…and I have in my possession a letter of import to his sister. I will not believe that MrDarcy would allow his very young sister to be courted by MrBingley—no matter what Caroline Bingley had written to Jane!
