Page 108 of The Lost Prophecy

“I informed him that I could not read it.”

“That has never prevented Mr Collins from forming an opinion, Papa.”

“He believes it records a formal commendation of his courage. Darcy tells me it confirms that Wickham’s extinction was lawful and that no charge may be brought against Collins, yourself, or any member of Netherfield’s household.”

Elizabeth traced the edge of the paper. “Does it mention Mr Wickham’s other victims?”

“The evidence Darcy collected has been accepted. Whatever property or influence Wickham possessed among his own kind has been seized for the benefit of those he converted or injured. Mr Hurst’s former valet is named among them.”

Johnson. Elizabeth had never known him, but she remembered the change in Mr Hurst whenever the name was spoken. Mr Wickham had converted the man without consent, and Johnson had ended his unwanted immortality by walking into daylight.

“Mr Collins intends to hang the judgement in the parsonage,” Mr Bennet continued. “Charlotte has discovered that he has been holding it upside down but has decided not to correct him until after the wedding.”

“He earned the right to display it in any direction he chooses.”

Mr Bennet chuckled. “I suggested the same.”

He returned the judgement to the desk and regarded the rows of books. The morning after the ball, Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, and Mr Hurst had stood in this room while Mr Collins guarded the door with a new walking stick. Mr Bennet had listened to their account without interruption, then demanded proof of a kind his education had not prepared him to receive.

“You never told me precisely what happened when Mr Darcy explained everything.”

“I wished to spare you the knowledge that your father has examined the heartbeat of Mr Bingley.”

Elizabeth’s lips parted.

“It required patience. Bingley apologised throughout.” Mr Bennet rested one hip against the desk. “Hurst stood before the mirror and failed to appear. Darcy held his breath for seven minutes while Collins counted aloud. Miss Bingley arrived later and put her hand into the fire.”

“She did what?”

“Only briefly. The burn was real, but she withdrew her hand as though she had touched a piece of warm toast rather than a fire. She appeared more distressed by the glove.”

“That sounds so characteristic of her.”

“By the end, I had either five vampires in my neighbourhood or a family of dedicated circus performers. I chose the explanation which required fewer rehearsals.”

Elizabeth moved closer to him. “Were you very angry?”

“I intended to remove them from the house, bar Longbourn’s doors to every member of that party and send you to your aunt Gardiner until good sense returned.” Mr Bennet folded his arms. “Then I remembered that you already knew, that you had entered their plan willingly and Collins had killed a creature in your defence. It is difficult for a father to assert authority after every decision has been made, though your mother continues to practise.”

“I am sorry, Papa.”

“I know. Darcy was sorrier, and he had three centuries from which to draw examples.”

Mr Bennet had required assurances before allowing either courtship to continue. No Bennet could be compelled, no member of Netherfield could feed from the family and Jane must learn the truth before Mr Bingley spoke to her again as a suitor. Mr Darcy had accepted each condition without argument, then added several harsher restrictions of his own.

“I would not have permitted this marriage if the ritual placed you in danger of conversion,” Mr Bennet continued. “Darcy’s determination to become human reassures me less than his refusal to obtain humanity by sacrificing you. A man’s conduct when offered his greatest desire reveals more than his conduct when denied it.”

“He still attempted to refuse me after the bowl revealed the real prophecy.”

“I should have been disappointed if he had not. A gentleman ought to object when a young woman offers him blood and matrimony in the same conversation. He need only have the sense to surrender when she persists.”

Elizabeth reached for his hand. “Do you believe I am making a mistake?”

“I believe you are marrying a difficult man whose wealth, habits, and history would overwhelm many women. Fortunately for him, you have always found simple men tedious.”

His fingers closed around hers. “There is still time to withdraw, Lizzy. The banns and the expense of that licence do not bind you. The bowl does not bind you until your blood enters it. If you have changed your mind, I shall take you home and allow your mother to destroy me.”

“I have not changed it.”