Page 45 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“You were only four and a stray dog had wandered onto the grounds. He was obviously feral and hungry. I had stepped away from the cradle which held Kitty and the dog came too close. He was such a ferocious thing, spittle dripping from its mouth, snarling and growling. Before I could even raise a finger, you’d pointed at him and said, with your delightful lisp, ‘Be gone, you bad dog. Nothing but bunnies and lambs are allowed near my baby sister.’ Instantaneously, the beast transformed into a bleating lamb.”
“I did that?”
“Aye, you did. You see, your gift is protection. You will do anything to protect those you love. You are a warrior, my Lizzy. Your magic is the strongest of all the girls. I think it was because you were conceived on Mr. Bennet’s father’s estate. The ground and air were both steeped in magic. Between the atmosphere and ancient lineage of both our families - although your Papa was unaware of mine - your powers have potential to be quite formidable.”
“No wonder your poor nerves were tested,” Lizzy teased.
“You laugh now, Miss Lizzy, but I was kept on my toes with you as normal blocks and barriers didn’t seem to work. I had to make a quick trip to Miathara and consult my parents. They were thrilled to meet Kitty.”
“Was this the time you went to Brighton for a month? I remember, even at four, how much Papa missed you. Jane cried every night.”
“Yes, it was five weeks for you but only a stitch in time for me. My father helped me weave a spell that would dampen your powers. I’ve had to bolster them each solstice as you grew stronger.”
“Have we ever met your real family, Mama?”
“Yes, many times. Do you recall−”
“Mr. and Mrs. Fensworth!”
“Aye. They come every summer to ‘escape the heat of London’. They love you all so dearly.”
“I always wondered how they looked so youthful. Now I know.”
“Well, their aging has progressed quicker than most Ellorians because they are affected by human time for the few months here, but to see their grandchildren is worth it. Lately, they’ve been disguising their youth, making themselves appear older for our sake.”
“I have to ask, Mama, and please don’t think it rude. Why do you go on about the entail? With magic at your fingertips, and knowing who Papa truly is, you know we won’t be destitute. You’ve made my life miserable over Mr. Collins.”
“Oh, pooh. I knew you’d never accept his offer of marriage and the way I behaved was expected. I did wonder, at one time because of your protective streak, if you’d accept his offer to save the family from the hedgerows. However, I helped him along with his officious babbling and made sure his body odor was stronger than normal to ensure you would send him on his way.”
“Mama! Now poor Charlotte is stuck with him.”
“You’ve missed the point. He’s a very amiable gentleman and keeps himself in good shape. I knew immediately he’d be a good husband for her. I just had to get everyone else on board and that meant removing my daughters from his thinking. I thought I was quite brilliant in the whole thing.”
A horrifying thought crossed Lizzy’s mind.
“You never bespelled Mr. Bingley, did you?”
“Goodness, no. He loves Jane without help from anyone. And her regard for him is genuine as well. I told you before. True love cannot be twisted and woven into a different path. It will always find its way to the heart. It is the greatest gift the Creator gave us and you don’t dally around with it, which is why Anne de Bourgh has been so sickly all these years. She loves Colonel Fitzwilliam and he loves her. Lady Catherine sought to subvert her love and direct it toward Darcy. The poor child has suffered for years, but now that all has been removed, her recovery should be swift and sure.”
Lizzy rose to her feet and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
“I love you, Mama. You’ve given me much to think on.”
After her second eldest left the room, Francis Gardiner Bennet - Ellucia - shimmered from sight and hovered over her husband, reading in his book room. She glanced down at the hand which held a book. An elaborate scroll mark graced the inside of his wrist, matching the one on hers.
“Oh, Thomas. How I love you,” she whispered into his thoughts. “Come to me, my love. I await you.”
He paused in his reading and slowly lowered the book. A soft smile crossed his lips and he said, “Fanny. I always knew you had a touch of the Fae.”
“Then don’t keep me waiting...” And she was gone.
He stood, laid down his book and made his way upstairs where his true love awaited.
Chapter Thirteen
The night before her wedding, Aunt Phillips hosted a small card party and when the family arrived, Elizabeth found, to her inner horror, her aunt had thought to surprise them by throwing an engagement party. Among the invited guests were officers from the ____shire Militia. All hope of keeping her upcoming nuptials secret from Mr. Wickham fluttered about like a torn flag.
One bright spot garnered from the evening was the information that the Militia were off to Brighton come early spring. She experienced an overwhelming sense of relief that her two silliest sisters would be removed from the unwanted attention of single young men in red uniforms. Maybe sense and sensibility would return to Meryton, and more specifically, Longbourn. A distant hope, but one she cherished.
