Really going to try to stick to a fast paced schedule. Don't worry about keeping up. the occasional shout out to let me know you are reading will keep me on track. I have got to the end of what i have written. Defo a blue couch warning for most of the story. although I'm not sure I understand that phrase. please feel free to explain to me why the couch needs to be blue!;) also let me know if you want individual chapter warnings. This chapter isn't too angsty, for example.
anyway. on with it...
Chapter 3
...
The next day Darcy was waiting for Elizabeth as she came out of her room in the morning. Her night had been an uneasy one. Alone in a new bed, a new house, a new life had not allowed her much rest. The aftermath of their marital relations weighed heavy on her. He smiled at her and escorted her to breakfast. They sat down and tea was poured, plates filled.
She almost startled when he spoke "What are your plans today, my love?"
She looked up, he was looking at her anxiously, had she said anything yet that morning?
"I think I need to sit with the housekeeper, and then" she paused "I do not know."
"I have some work this morning also, but perhaps we could spend some time together this afternoon? We could spend a bit of time each day on your, our, magical training? I am certain there are things you could teach me also. I think we should spend some time trying to figure out how far your powers extend. Do you agree?"
With each word spoken Elizabeth felt more ashamed of how she was acting. Here was the man she married, the one that was interested in her day, the one who was fascinated by her magic and wanted to teach her magical strategies to allow her to defend herself if needed.
She smiled, a genuine smile full of warmth and he smiled back, looking relieved.
"I would like that."
"Do you wish to venture in to the city? Shopping or the theatre?" There was lots of warmth in his voice now "although I warn you, if we leave the house we will likely be expected to put the knocker up and receive visitors."
"A terrible fate, I am sure" she teased.
"I am sure I could bear it if you are here." His eyes were full of amusement and tenderness.
"I think I could stand to keep the knocker off a day or two longer. I would like to know my way around first."
"As you wish, a walk maybe we could likely visit a shop or two also, without being inundated."
Elizabeth laughed, "now that is an offer I cannot refuse!"
...
They parted and Elizabeth spent the next hour with the housekeeper, Mrs Coster. She learned how the basic household ran, budget and other interesting information. When finished she wondered how close Mr Darcy was to finishing. She headed in the direction of the study. She stopped when she heard he was talking to someone
"Please, this is really important!"
She frowned, the tone of his voice was pleading, desperate.
She did not hear the response but knew she had to walk away, eavesdropping was not something she ever did as she was taught early that no good could come from it. Instead, she headed to her room and rang for her maid.
"Betsy, I find I am in need of distraction."
"I am at you service Lizzie ma'am"
Elizabeth smiled at the name, it would have to do.
"You have magic, are you trained?"
"Only to a minimal degree ma'am, I learnt to light fires as a scullery maid. I was taught to move water as an upstairs maid but I was only strong enough to move small amounts at a time. I do not believe I have a specific talent. Is there a reason you ask?"
"I like to practice magic, it is more fun with someone around. Can I trust you Betsy?"
"Of course ma'am, Lizzie ma'am"
"I would need to know that you would not talk to anyone, not a friend, or special someone or even the housekeepers, either of them"
Betsy looked her straight in the eyes, honesty writ across her petite features "you have my loyalty Lizzie ma'am."
"I thank you"
They spent the next hour practicing the basics, Elizabeth just enjoying the routine familiarity of the basic magic use. Betsy had not been taught much control so they started there. After an hour they were both exhausted, but Elizabeth was thrilled with the progress and had enjoyed her own practice, like a long walk after sitting still.
...
After Lunch, Darcy escorted Elizabeth to the Darcy modiste and then to the various shops which the Darcys held accounts at. They had ices at Gunters and then walked the park. They were greeted by many people. Everyone thrilled to have a chance to meet the new Mrs Darcy. Darcy managed to subtly let her know who was welcome and who was less so. She remained polite and distant, deflecting all attempts at inviting the Darcys out. For the time being of course.
When they returned home there was a message waiting for Darcy and Elizabeth spent some time with the cook and meeting the upstairs maids, wanting to get to know her staff individually.
She was surprised and pleased when Darcy sought her out after about an hour.
"Would you like to start our lessons?"
A radiant smile spread across her face.
"I would be delighted!"
They sat down in the ball room, the vast space giving them some room to practice.
"How is your drawing energy coming along?" He asked.
"Why don't you try and we shall see?" She smiled cheekily at him.
A moment of hesitation in his features caused her to ponder, once again, what was wrong. Practicing the reversal of flow on withdrawing magic from a person was something they had practiced many times. They required skin to skin touch, the more skin the stronger the pull. Once in contact with someone with a magical core, the attacker could draw on that magic. Once the flow was towards one person it was very difficult to change the direction of flow, like trying to stop and push water up a downward slope.
Darcy had been teaching Elizabeth how to do this during their courtship. She had mastered reversing the flow against a finger touch, but the larger the area of skin on skin the harsher the flow in the direction of the attacker.
The moment of hesitation was over and Darcy reached out, both his hands gripping her wrists and he started the pull of magic. She felt the magic being drawn away. She could strengthen her magical barrier, which would stop the flow after a certain point and then act to reverse it, or she could try to touch him in another place to make the flow a loop. She had been through these techniques. Today she wanted to just try to use force to reverse the flow.
It was a tough strategy, a bit like trying to push water up a slope.
She concentrated, feeling where her magic was flowing away, feeling the rhythm of it. She used her magic to create a hold and then just pulled, dragging her magic back. Darcy looked at her quizzically and then his eyes opened in surprise and admiration as the flow started to go backwards and she pulled magic back away from him. She then realised her mistake as, once in her direction, the resistance fell away, as if the slide had tilted. She suddenly felt a flood of power heading her way and realised she was pulling too much. She stopped abruptly and she saw Darcy waver in front of her.
"Oh I am sorry" she pushed magic back towards him and he equalised shaking his head slightly to clear away the wooziness.
"Well, that was impressive!"
She smiled shyly at him.
"Not terribly subtle though. Also, as an attack, it gives away your strength."
"I just wanted to see if it could be done!"
He smiled at her, love and respect shining in his eyes and she became a little breathless.
"Alright my dear, my turn. Can you help me to see Ley lines?"
Elizabeth had discovered magical lines at Rosings park when she had been staying with her idiot cousin and his new wife, her best friend. Darcy had tried but not been able to, although she had not really helped him. Back then she was not in the best of humour with him.
"I am not sure where the nearest one is. It would be better if there were one around to look for."
"Can we try?"
"Of course" she talked him through extending his senses using each form of magic. He was an earth magician and had plenty of practice with that branch of magic. However the other forms had limited uses in just extending them to sense and he had not practiced before.
She started by teaching him to extend his fire sense, that was his next most powerful element and had he most control. There was a fire burning in the grate and she had him close his eyes, she turned him in circles then asked him to sense which direction the fire was in. Once he had mastered that she did the same with a bowl of water, then to just feel the air around him.
It was then but a small step to teach him to use all four senses at once. He looked so pleased when he managed that that she instinctively threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He stiffened and she pulled away, confusion writ across her face.
There was an awkward silence for a minute, then he coughed and straightened his clothes and suggested they finish there.
"I have a few books you may find interesting, on magical defence and attack. You can tell me what you wish to work on tomorrow"
She grinned at him, despite his clipped tone, and they went to the library together