Page 36 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“Is there a reason for the rush, other than your soul mark?” Mr. Bennet placed his glass on the small table between them, a dark fury crossing his face.
“Yes, I’ve been hopelessly compromised and we should marry tomorrow, at the latest,” came a melodious voice from the doorway.
“Elizabeth−”
“Lizzy−”
“Miss Bennet−”
All three men spoke at once and swiveled to find Elizabeth framed within the door, fully dressed, her hair looking as though she was ready for morning tea.
~~oo0oo~~
Mr. Bennet was the first to react. He rose to his feet, crossed over to his daughter and gathered her in a tight hug.
You are well, Lizzy? He didn’t force you? You know how these great men−
No, Papa, he didn’t force me. Mr. Darcy is an honorable man.
“You have no idea how frightened I was, daughter, when I saw you shimmer out of sight and knew not where you’d gone.”
“You saw?”
“How could I miss you from my window. You stomped back and forth several times and then - poof! - you disappeared in a glorious sparkle of light. I’d never seen the like.”
“Papa, how you exaggerate. Surely you’ve seen other Miatharan’s transport before.”
“Aye, but never with great flashes of silver lighting up the night air. If it hadn’t been so frightening, I would have said it was beautiful.”
Darcy watched father and daughter discuss her transporting and remembered that when in high emotion, Elizabeth’s eyes displayed shards of silver around the pupils. Although he’d never heard of such a phenomenon before, he knew all of this was connected to her magic. She was, indeed, a rare bird for lack of a better description.
Bennet led Elizabeth to the fireplace. Darcy vacated his chair, allowing Elizabeth to sit and Mr. Bennet reclaimed his previous seat. Darcy moved to stand beside Richard.
“How did you know where to find me, Papa?”
“I know Colonel Fitzwilliam is the Earl of Matlock’s son, which is why I’ve been avoiding most of the local entertainments these past few months. I’d met the Colonel when he was a young lad and did not want him remembering who or what I am. When you disappeared, he was the only person I could ask for help.” He gave Richard a polite nod of acknowledgment. “We were discussing where you could have gone when Mr. Darcy reached out to the Colonel and we transported here immediately.”
“I am glad you are here, Papa. I’ve tried to return to Longbourn, but cannot.”
“Hmmm...,” was all her father said. He walked a few feet away before turning back to face her. “What were you thinking before you transported here?”
“I...,” she blushed deep red and couldn’t look at Fitzwilliam. “I was quite angry with Mr. Darcy, thinking he’d driven Mr. Bingley away from Jane.”
Bennet nodded his head as she spoke. “This is common. You don’t have enough experience with your powers yet to fully transport on demand. Your anger must have been a sight to behold if it dropped you right into Mr. Darcy’s house when you had no idea where he lived.”
“We were both surprised, Papa. I have since tempered my anger and have been assured by Mr. Darcy that he had in fact encouraged Mr. Bingley to pursue Jane.”
“I would say that if you have been compromised, you anger most definitely has been tempered, although I might have wished you’d held onto it, and other things, a bit longer.”
Elizabeth flushed deep red at her father’s censure. Fitzwilliam felt obliged to step in and make amends.
“I will apply for a Special License in the morning, the Archbishop owes my family a few favors, and we can marry tomorrow afternoon−”
“Not so fast, Mr. Darcy.” Bennet held up his hand. “I’ve given permission but this will not be a rushed affair regardless of how you’ve comported yourself this evening.” He shot angry looks at both him and Elizabeth. “We shall post the banns and you will marry from Longbourn chapel in front of friends and family and if a blessed event occurs prior to the requisite nine months... well, you won’t be the first couple who anticipated their vows. Youwillhave an abbreviated courtship and keep the gossip down to a low murmur.”
“Papa! I’m not afraid to stand up to the gossips. My courage always rises whenever someone tries to subvert it.”
“I may not be able to undo what has transpired tonight, daughter, but I will have you behave in a more virtuous manner from now on. I have three more daughters to marry off. There will be no more unexpected dalliances.”
