Chapter 2
Furious, Fitzwilliam Darcy stormed out of Longbourn, boarded his carriage and rode down the lane towards Netherfield, Charles Bingley's new residence. Soothsayers and dancing slippers! Never in his life had he heard such insipid folderol. What did any of that matter when his good friend had gone missing? "Where is Mr Bingley?" he shouted upon gaining entrance to Netherfield.
Mrs Nicholls, the housekeeper, heaved a great sigh of relief. "Oh, Mr Darcy, thank goodness you have come. Something most foul must have befallen our dear Mr Bingley, and I fear the housekeeper, Mrs Hill, has her hand in it." Upon demanding an immediate explanation, she continued. "She is a sorceress, if ever I saw one."
Darcy shook his head in disbelief. He had heard far more of sorcery and fortune-tellers in the past half hour than one man should be expected to endure. He took a deep breath to calm his temper and quietly repeated his question. "Where is Mr Bingley?"
"You must believe me, Mr Darcy. Mrs Hill has done something dreadful. Mr Bingley is in mortal danger and you must do everything in your power to save him before it is too late," she said in mournful tones.
Her impassioned appeal sparked his curiosity. "What do you suggest?"
"You must return to Longbourn and retrieve him. However, please beware of Mrs Hill's treachery. Do not drink or eat anything they offer, no matter what they say," she said, then pressed a stone into his hand. "Keep this black obsidian with you at all times. This talisman shall protect you from harm."
While Darcy did not believe in such nonsense, he trusted Mrs Nicholls and tucked the talisman into his pocket. Calmer now, he considered what he had learned of the mystery so far. Longbourn had been the last place that Bingley had been seen alive; surely, it must hold some clue of his whereabouts that had yet to be discovered. Heedless of witchcraft or sorcery, Darcy vowed to do everything in his power to find his friend.
After partaking in a hearty meal, he returned to Longbourn, asked for Mr Bennet and was escorted to the sitting room where the older man and his five daughters received him. "Please pardon my abrupt departure, sir. I am aggrieved by my friend's unexplained absence. If you will permit me, I will accept your challenge and attempt to discover the reason for your daughter's torn slippers." Of course, Darcy cared not the snap of his fingers for the man's daughters or their confounded slippers. His only purpose was to find Bingley and perhaps the other missing men. However, Mr Bennet seemed to feel there was some connection, so he played along with the ruse.
Mr Bennet thanked him, just as he ought, while his daughters remained silent. Struck by the exquisite beauty of the eldest, Darcy considered her far and away the most beautiful of the daughters. He scarcely noticed the remaining sisters.
When Mr Bennet escorted him upstairs to a guest chamber, he assured Darcy that his housekeeper would provide anything he needed for his comfort. Although intrigued by the mention of the housekeeper, Darcy maintained an air of disinterest, so as not to give himself away. An elderly crone appeared in the doorway, carrying a pitcher of water for the wash stand and clean linens.
When the hall clock struck midnight, Miss Bennet entered his chamber through a door that Darcy was certain had not been there before, and offered a cup of wine. Remembering Mrs Nicholls's warning, he pretended to drink it, but left it all in the cup. "You are invited to a midnight ball. Would you care to join us?" Jane inquired, with a becoming smile.
Although Mr Bennet had mentioned nothing about a midnight ball, Darcy agreed and followed Miss Bennet through the open door to another chamber where her sisters, dressed in their finery, welcomed him. Upon observing each young lady, he was struck by the intoxicating brilliance of Miss Elizabeth's eyes; never had he been so bewitched by any other woman. Refusing to allow any undue influence caused by this unwelcome sensation, he forced himself to look away.
Miss Bennet tapped three times on the window and it opened to reveal a staircase leading to the garden. In that instant, he could no longer deny Mrs Nicholls's claim that some form of sorcery had taken control of Longbourn. Illuminated by the light of the full moon, he followed the sisters as they descended the stairs and passed through an elaborate filigree gate. They next came upon three forests; the first of silver trees, the second of gold trees, and the third of diamond trees. Knowing none of these trees existed in the natural world, Darcy collected one leaf from each. Storing the leaves in his pocket, he would reveal them as proof to Mr Bennet that he had been in this magical place.
At the edge of the diamond forest flowed a shimmering lake, and just beyond it rose a blue sapphire castle, glowing in the light of the moon. Although Darcy was not well acquainted with the area, he felt certain he would have previously heard of the existence of a castle as unique as this one. At the water's edge, five rowboats awaited them, each manned by a footman. Darcy climbed aboard the first boat with Miss Bennet and as they traversed the lake, Darcy wondered what enchantment awaited him inside the castle. He had not long to wait; they reached the castle in short order and he followed the sisters through the massive doors and into an opulent ballroom. Chrystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, polished floors gleamed, music flowed from the orchestra, elegant tables were set for supper with crystal glassware and fine china, and liveried footmen stood ready to serve them. Several gentlemen gleefully welcomed the sisters; among them, his friend, Charles Bingley.
"Darcy, what are you doing here?" Bingley inquired, with a glazed look in his eyes.
Relieved to have discovered his friend, Darcy shook Bingley's outstretched hand. "I have come in search of you. I must get you out of here immediately."
Bingley smiled indulgently. "I thank you for your kindness, Darcy, but the ball is about to begin and I would much rather dance." The orchestra signalled the first set and Bingley led the eldest sister to the dance floor. Four other gentlemen followed suit and the dancing commenced.
Darcy could scarcely contain his annoyance. Although the other men held that same glassy-eyed appearance, none of them appeared to be in any distress, least of all Bingley, who danced with Miss Bennet, while gazing at her as though transfixed.
Darcy shook his head in frustration; he had come all this way to rescue a man who had no desire to be rescued. Although he had witnessed Bingley falling in love many times in the past, this infatuation was by far much worse than ever.
"The Bennet sisters are the most beautiful in the kingdom, are they not?" a portly man dressed in a parson's garb inquired in a dream-like voice.
Infuriated beyond all bearing, he answered with the most civility he could summon. "They are tolerable, I suppose," he said through clenched teeth. "My friend Bingley is dancing with the most handsome sister."
The man eagerly shook his head. "Oh yes, there can be no two opinions on that point," he said, then made a deep bow. "Forgive me for being neglectful in my attentions. I am Mr Collins and I intend to marry Miss Bennet."
Darcy wondered why Mr Bennet had mentioned nothing about this arrangement. Why would he issue a challenge and offer a choice of brides if one was already spoken for? "Are you betrothed?" he inquired.
Collins puffed out his chest and stretched to his full height. "Not yet, but I plan to make my address this evening, if she will accept a dance with me," he said with a confident air.
Hoping the foolish man would go away, Darcy turned his attention to the dancers.
Unfortunately, Collins did not take the hint. "You may want to secure Miss Elizabeth as your bride. She is not as handsome as Miss Bennet, but she has many admirable qualities, as do all the other sisters," he said, gesturing towards the dance floor.
Besides being entirely insipid, Darcy was certain Collins was foxed. "Have you been partaking in the wine?"
Collins nodded in earnest. "Oh yes, sir, and you must certainly agree, the wine is quite excellent."
Having no intentions of sampling the wine, Darcy changed the subject. "Why are you not dancing?"
"Truthfully, I care little for the activity but it is an excellent way to spend time with the ladies," Collins said with a meaningful chuckle. To Darcy's relief, the set finally ended and the parson ran off towards the ladies.
Bingley returned to speak to Darcy. "I must have you dance. You must perceive how absurd you appear, standing here in this stupid manner."
Darcy grabbed Bingley's arm. "I certainly shall not. You and I are leaving this instant," he said, attempting to pull Bingley towards the door.
Bingley wrenched his arm from Darcy's grasp. "No, not I. The next set is forming and I must find my next partner," he said, then dashed off.
Darcy groaned in frustration. While he was willing to drag Bingley out of this infernal castle, he also doubted he could carry him across the lake and through the forests with any success. He might be able to get as far as the boat, but how he would subdue an unwilling passenger while rowing, posed a problem to which he had no solution. Retrieving his friend now seemed nearly impossible.
He stood by, helplessly watching the dancers. Having secured no partner, Collins returned to stand next to him. "A splendid evening, is it not?" he said with intolerable gusto.
Choosing to ignore the foolish parson, Darcy instead observed the other men. He knew there were four men missing, but he counted six in attendance. The two men wearing military uniforms must be the officers Mr Bennet had mentioned, and one of them had an uncanny resemblance to George Wickham, the scourge of Derbyshire. "Besides yourself and Mr Bingley, who are the other men?" he inquired, hoping to confirm his suspicions.
"The two gentlemen are Mr Bennet's neighbours; Mr Lucas and Mr Goulding. The officers are Lieutenant Denny and Lieutenant Wickham."
Darcy's blood boiled. If he had his druthers, he would seize Wickham by the throat and throttle him within an inch of his life. The man who had ruined the happiness of a most beloved sister, seemed to have not a care in the world. He smiled as he danced with Miss Elizabeth, undoubtedly relying on his deceptive charm to convince her that he was a man of honour.
One of the men approached Darcy and made his bow. "Your servant, John Lucas."
Darcy acknowledged the man with a nod of his head. "How long have you been here?"
Confusion crossed Lucas's brow. "It's hard to say," he said, tapping his chin. "Perhaps a sennight?"
Darcy assumed by his glassy-eyes that Lucas had also over-imbibed. "Why have you not attempted to escape?" he asked.
Lucas recoiled at the suggestion. "And leave these visions of loveliness? The Bennet sisters are the fairest ladies in the kingdom."
Darcy stared at the Bennet sisters as they danced. "Which sister do you admire?" he inquired.
"I like them all but the youngest has the most fire," he said with a chuckle. "Do you have a preference?"
Darcy privately admitted that Miss Elizabeth's dark eyes held a most alluring brilliance. Her lithe form and graceful movements also appealed to him. Under different circumstances, he might wish to know more of her, but since she was most likely responsible for the abominable circumstances that held Bingley and the other men captive in this wretched place, he cast those thoughts aside.
He paced the back of the room, attempting to determine the best method of removing Bingley from the castle. He must find a way to release his friend from whatever sorcery kept him here and return him to his family without further delay.
While engrossed in these profound contemplations, Wickham approached and greeted Darcy. "Fitzwilliam, how are you enjoying the evening?"
Taken aback by this warm greeting, Darcy could only stare in disbelief. When he and Wickham had last seen each other, they had not parted on the best of terms. "What are you doing here, George?"
"I find there is no place else I would rather be," Wickham said, then sipped from a glass of wine.
Rising to anger, Darcy glared at the blackguard. "Have you forgotten you attempted to elope with my sister?"
Wickham's expression turned contrite. "I beg your pardon, Fitzwilliam. That was badly done of me; I should not have tried anything quite so abominable," he said with a deep bow.
Darcy had distrusted his old friend since their university days. "I find you much altered, George."
Wickham's eyes held that same haze as the other men. "Yes, I have a new life now that suits me perfectly."
"Have you not tried to escape this place?"
Wickham chuckled merrily. "Lord, no! Why should I? Although I have fond memories of Pemberley, this castle is the best place I have ever lived. I dine on every delicacy I desire and dance with beautiful women every night. What more can a man in my position ask for?" The orchestra signalled the next set and he left to find a dance partner.
Miss Elizabeth approached and made her curtsy. "Are you enjoying yourself, Mr Darcy?"
He grew more impatient with each passing minute. "Not especially," he said, making no effort to disguise his displeasure.
Startled by his response, she gasped and stared.
No longer able to contain his displeasure, he decided to speak plainly. "I do not understand how you compel these men to stay here against their will."
She shifted her gaze to the other guests, then back to him. "But none of them seem dissatisfied with their circumstances, including your friend."
Disgusted, Darcy watched Bingley escort Miss Bennet to the dance floor again, smiling broadly and enjoying himself far too much. "Why are you not dancing? There are plenty of men here," he said. With six men at this ball, not counting himself, she had no lack of partners.
She leaned in closer. "Yes, but I would rather dance with you – if you will ask me."
Although her manners were somewhat forward, her beseeching eyes and teasing smile compelled him to relent and he led her to the dance floor.
The music began and she made her curtsy. "Mr Wickham tells me you were childhood friends."
At least that statement was true. "Indeed, I have known him all my life." They stepped together and joined hands. "He must have also told you that we are friends no longer." Overcome with astonishment, she fell silent. "Wickham must have also neglected to tell you that he attempted to lure my fifteen-year-old sister to the border last August. Her dowry of thirty thousand pounds was his primary object. She was devastated when he abandoned her."
Her fine eyes became misty and her chin quivered. "No sir, he did not mention that. I am terribly sorry that your sister was injured."
"You can imagine my surprise to find him in this place with five unchaperoned maidens." He said as she circled around him.
"I must assure you; Mr Wickham has observed every propriety throughout our acquaintance."
Knowing Wickham, this lapse in his true character was undoubtedly temporary. After a silent pause, he attempted another tactic to discover the truth. "Tell me, Miss Elizabeth. Do you and your sisters come here to dance every night?" he inquired as he circled around her.
Brightening at this question, her smiles returned. "Oh yes, nothing can be better than a country dance with a handsome gentleman. To be fond of dancing is a certain step towards falling in love."
No doubt this answered the mystery of the torn slippers, which had plagued Mr Bennet; however, Darcy's only purpose was to serve his friend. He took her hand and led her down the dance. "Perhaps," he said, "but I wonder if their families miss them. My sister and I are even more attached to each other since her disappointment last summer. I would not wish to be separated from Georgiana for any length of time, or cause her any undue concern."
A puzzled crease formed in her brow. "Is she not with your parents?"
They turned to retrace their steps. "Unfortunately, our dear mother and excellent father are gone now; but Georgiana has a most devoted companion and loyal servants to attend her."
She released a soft sigh. "You are an excellent brother." Her compassionate gaze touched his heart, and if not for the present circumstances, he might have allowed her to forget his quest to rescue Bingley.
When the dance ended, the supper bell chimed and the entire party entered the dining parlour. Several footmen stood ready to serve them. Although Darcy found the aromas rising from the elegantly prepared dishes altogether tempting, he remembered Mrs Nicholls's warning and refused to partake.
While everyone in the party conducted themselves with the utmost propriety, the extreme absurdity of situation baffled Darcy. They were dining in an elaborate castle, to which they had travelled through enchanted forests, the men were brought here without their consent, and the women had most likely drugged them with the wine, yet no one spoke of it. Everyone carried on as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
"Do you not like the meal, Mr Darcy?" Miss Elizabeth inquired.
He dared not fall victim to the same treachery that had befallen the other men. "Oh yes, but I have no appetite at present and will be sure to eat something later," he said, touching the talisman in his pocket to ensure it was still in place. While he usually held no reliance on such charms, he would take no chances by losing it.
"Mr Bingley's sisters will be relieved to know that their brother is in good health. They have worried for his welfare this past week. I imagine the same must be true for the Lucas and Goulding families," he said, attempting to appeal to her tender heart.
"No indeed, sir," Miss Elizabeth said. "John Lucas and William Goulding often travel to London and their families assume they are in town."
Darcy could well believe her claims, but the same could not be said for the officers. "Colonel Forster is not so easily deceived. He assumes Wickham and Denny have abandoned their posts."
The curls around her face fluttered as she shook her head. "They would never do anything so dishonourable. They have taken leave," she said with conviction.
"Then perhaps you ought to enlighten their commanding officer, who will certainly have them flogged if they ever return." Although Darcy had no idea if this was true, he knew of the severe punishment for being absent without leave.
The gleam in Miss Elizabeth's beautiful eyes faded and her smile vanished.
Miss Bennet stood at the head of the table, prompting the others to rise. "Mr Darcy, we have saved the best of the wine for you," she said, directing a footman to fill a glass for Darcy. "Please join us in a toast," she said, raising her glass. "To your good health."
Darcy agreed and accepted the glass, intending to use the same deception he had employed earlier. He no longer held any doubt that the wine had been used to cast a spell on the men. However, when he attempted to lift the glass to his lips, Miss Elizabeth knocked it from his hand and it shattered on the floor with a loud crash. When their eyes met, her breathing had become laboured and tears filled her eyes.
A collective gasp arose from the guests. The music stopped, violins clattered to the floor, then disappeared; the musicians were nowhere to be seen. In the next instant, the dining table and chairs vanished, as well as the footmen who had been attending them.
Darcy observed the other men gazing around the room, their eyes now free of the former glassy haze. Two younger Bennet sisters rushed to Miss Elizabeth and pulled her into their midst. They huddled together, trembling and weeping in fear.
"Where are we?" Bingley said.
Darcy hurried to his friend's side. "We are in an enchanted castle, the victim of evil treachery." Then he addressed the other men. "You have all be deceived by these women, who used a potion to keep you here against your will."
Wickham laughed. "Not I, Darcy. I have never enjoyed myself more."
"Nor I, to be sure," said Denny. "The meals, the wine and the company have all been excellent."
Darcy could scarcely believe his ears. "But whatever spell that was cast on you is now broken and you must all return to the natural world."
Miss Lydia stepped forward. "Oh, but we only did it so that we might dance every night. Nothing can be more enjoyable than dancing with handsome gentlemen."
"We must return," Bingley said. "I intend to claim Miss Bennet as my bride," he said, gazing at the eldest Bennet daughter with lovelorn eyes.
Collins stepped forward. "I beg your pardon, Mr Bingley, but as soon as I entered Longbourn, I singled out Miss Bennet as the companion of my future life," he said in a confident tone.
Although Darcy doubted the parson had any claim on Miss Bennet, this worked to Darcy's advantage. "Surely you must know that she has deceived you both. She never intended to marry either of you. She kept you here only so that she might dance with you and the others."
"No, Darcy. She is an angel," Bingley said.
Darcy scoffed, unable to believe his friend's naivety. "She knew of her father's offer. If she truly wanted to marry you, she would have released you the first night, instead of keeping you here for five days."
Bingley's shoulders dropped at this realization. "I suppose there is some truth to what you say."
"Caroline and Louisa are fraught with worry," Darcy said, mentioning his sisters' names in an attempt to appeal to Bingley's sense of family loyalty. "They imagine you have come to some terrible misfortune."
"But there was no way to get a message to them," Bingley said, without much conviction.
"Could your angel not have sent a message to Netherfield with some excuse, just to ease their minds on your whereabouts?" Darcy inquired, refusing to relent.
"Yes, I suppose she could, if I had thought to ask her," Bingley said in a quiet voice.
Knowing he was making his point, Darcy pressed on. "I fear she has no more affection for you than any other man here."
Bingley's face fell and his shoulders slumped. "You must be right, Darcy. I cannot dispute you."
Collins shook his head in disbelief. "I would not have thought it possible that such a lovely lady could be so deceitful. She would be altogether an unsuitable choice of wife for a man in my situation."
Above their heads, rumbling sounds echoed throughout the room and bits of the ceiling rained down on their heads. The floor began to quake and crack.
"We must get to the boats immediately," Darcy said, pushing his friend towards the castle entrance. Bingley ran out of the ballroom; Miss Bennet and her sisters followed close behind. Darcy lingered near the door, counting the men to ensure they each escaped to safety. "Make haste, everyone." He winced and ducked his head as sapphire shards pelted him, stinging his head and neck. The moment he set foot outdoors, a thunderous explosion resounded and the castle collapsed into dust.
A great wind arose as he ran towards the lake. The formerly tranquil, shimmering water was now dark and turbulent. It came as no surprise to Darcy that the footmen who had assisted them earlier were nowhere in sight; however, to his horror, he observed George Wickham jump into a boat and set off on his own. He might have known that Wickham would save himself, to everyone else's peril.
"Come, Miss Lydia," Denny said, reaching for her hand. I will take you and Miss Catherine across the lake."
"Take me, too," Mr Collins cried, attempting to climb into the already full rowboat. Darcy pulled him away and pushed him into a boat with Bingley and Miss Bennet.
Now only two boats remained for five people. "No one must be left behind," he shouted. Assisting Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary into one boat, he instructed Lucas and Goulding to take the other. As he rowed, he struggled to keep the boat steady as it rocked and heaved in the treacherous swells. Guided by the waning moonlight reflecting on the diamond forest behind him, he aimed for the opposite shore.
"We are nearly there, Mr Darcy," Miss Elizabeth called out against the howling wind, as she clung to her sister. "Mr Bingley has already arrived and is helping the others."
Checking over his shoulder, he confirmed that Lucas and Goulding were approaching the shore, where Bingley stood ready to assist. Although his arms burned from the exertion, Darcy maintained a steady pace until they had run aground. Bingley pulled the boat ashore, then Darcy assisted both women out of the boat.
Denny waved his arms. "Follow me," he shouted, then took the lead into the diamond forest. Darcy urged everyone to proceed with the utmost urgency. "I will follow behind you," he said, determined to see each soul back to the natural world. Before taking up his position, he took one last look at the lake, and gasped in disbelief; the swells had subsided and the water had drained away. However, the wind continued unabated, and he rushed into the forest behind the group.
To his profound astonishment, he came upon Wickham and Miss Lydia who had loitered behind the others to collect diamonds. Wickham broke off an entire branch while Miss Lydia scooped up stray gems from the ground and stuffed them into her reticule.
"Have you gone mad?" he bellowed, grabbing Miss Lydia's arm and pushing her towards Wickham. "Assuming you survive this disaster, you both have more than you can spend in a lifetime." George set off running into the golden forest and Miss Lydia quickly followed behind.
A murky mist engulfed the forest and the ground began to lurch. Darcy had lost sight of Denny, who he hoped had led the others well into the silver forest by that time. Guided by a trail of diamonds on the ground, he found his way into the silver forest and finally caught sight of the filigree gate, glistening in the misty haze. Thunder softly rumbled in the distance, becoming louder with each step he took. He knew not what devilry followed them, nor did he have the least desire to encounter it.
The ground fell beneath his feet and he grasped a low hanging branch, which broke off in his hands. Digging his hands into the earth, he struggled to gain purchase in the soil. Fearing he would fall into the abyss, he cried out: "Have I come this far only to lose my life in this God-forsaken place?"
With dirt in his eyes and the strength in his arms nearly spent, he felt himself being dragged forward by the back of his coat. Kicking his legs, he reached level ground and stood, coming face to face with Miss Elizabeth. "Hurry, Mr Darcy," she cried, taking his arm and running beside him towards the gate.
Using his sleeve to wipe the dirt from his eyes, he ran onward, passed through the gate and into the garden. Upon seeing no one on the stairway leading to the Longbourn upper window, he feared the worst. "Have the others escaped?" he asked, now breathing heavily.
"They are all safe, but we must hurry."
Clinging to each other, they clambered up the stairs, now engulfed in the mist. A thunderous crash echoed behind them. When they reached the open window, Bingley leaned out. "Give me your hand, Miss Elizabeth," he said, then pulled her inside. Darcy climbed into the house under his own power, gasping for air. Bingley slammed the window shut and locked it. "The staircase is gone, Darcy, as is the mist," he said, then sank to his knees. "We are safe." Darcy caught him before his head hit the floor.
Someone lit a candle, which cast a pale light into the bed chamber. Lucas had also collapsed to the floor, weak from exertion, while the other men paced over the carpet. The women wept and Collins muttered to himself. Miss Bennet placed a pillow under Bingley's head, murmuring words of encouragement and Miss Mary did the same for Lucas.
Miss Elizabeth approached Darcy and curtsied. "Thank you, Mr Darcy. If not for your timely intervention, we might have perished in that awful place."
Wickham snarled. "And if not for you and your misbegotten sisters, we would not have been forced to run for our lives," he said, still clutching the diamond branch, then pounded on the door with his fist. "Mr Bennet! Open the door! Mr Bennet!"
Unable to dispute him, Darcy cursed his misfortune to have ever met the Bennets of Longbourn. Still covered with dirt from head to foot, he reached into his pocket for his handkerchief, and also found the talisman. Had the stone saved his life, or had Providence intervened? He had exerted as much effort as Bingley and Lucas who had also rowed across the lake; they were prone on the floor, while Darcy felt no pain whatsoever. He slipped the talisman into Bingley's pocket.
Denny joined Wickham, pounding on the door and calling for Mr Bennet. The sound of the sliding bolt silenced them and Mr Bennet appeared in the doorway, dressed in his bed clothes and night cap, holding a bed candle. "Where are my daughters?" he inquired.
Still weeping, the ladies rushed forward to embrace their father. "We are all here, Papa," Miss Bennet said.
Mr Bennet beheld his daughters, then gazed around the room. "And the missing men have been found, as well." Then observing Bingley lying on the floor, he knelt at his side. "Are you injured, Mr Bingley?"
Rising, Bingley assured the gentleman that he was quite recovered, but needed Darcy's assistance to stand.
Now believing in the power of the talisman, Darcy explained the story to Mr Bennet. "A potion in the wine put all six men under a spell. They were being held captive in an enchanted castle where they danced with your daughters."
Now observing the other men, Mr Bennet gasped in surprise. "John Lucas and William Goulding? Were you also there?" he inquired. Both men confirmed that they had indeed been at the sapphire castle for at least a week.
"How can I ever thank you, Mr Darcy? You have rescued my daughters and neighbours from the most wicked wizardry. I am a man of my word and you may choose whichever daughter you wish for your wife."
Darcy would have no part of that bargain. "I shall not marry any of them. Your daughters have been safely restored to you and they must marry as they choose."
Mr Bennet bowed deeply. "I am in your debt, Mr Darcy. And you also, Mr Collins, Mr Wickham and Mr Denny."
No one noticed until that moment, that Wickham and Collins had already gone. After taking their leave from the party, Darcy offered his arm to Bingley and together they descended the stairs and left Longbourn. By the time they reached the bottom step, Bingley was able to walk under his own power.
Once they boarded Darcy's carriage, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I shall never return to Longbourn again," he said, hoping his friend would follow suit.
Bingley turned to look behind them as they rode away from the house. "Even though I am grieved to leave Miss Bennet, I will trust your better judgment."
"It is for the best, Bingley, and in the end, you will thank me."
As they turned out of the driveway and headed down the lane, Bingley faced forward. "You are a true friend, Darcy," he said in a quiet voice.
However, Darcy believed he was being kinder to Bingley than to himself. In the short time he had known Miss Elizabeth, he had become infinitely bewitched by her exquisite eyes, her joyous demeanour and her pleasing form. However, he could not forget that she had willingly agreed to the villainous scheme; the good opinion he once held for her was lost forever. Such a woman could never win his affection.
When they arrived at Netherfield, Bingley's sisters rushed into the foyer to meet them. "Oh, my dear Charles and Mr Darcy, you are safe at last. We feared you had met with a dreadful end," Caroline said, with misty eyes, but then took a step back when she observed Darcy covered in filth.
Now fully revived, Bingley waved his hand to dismiss her concerns. "No such thing, Caroline, I assure you. I am perfectly well and have come to no harm."
"We must leave this place at once," Louisa said.
Darcy agreed. There was no reason to remain.
Bingley reluctantly conceded and called for the carriages. "The house can be packed up but we shall depart for London before the hour strikes."
Darcy approved of his friend's decisiveness. The sooner they were away from this wretched place, the sooner he could put the entire abhorrent affair out of his mind.
(Author's Note: Next Chapter: Elizabeth's point of view. This short story will be about five chapters.)