A/N

Wishing a very Happy New Year to all!

So, here is 'A Little Magic' for you. I hope you all enjoy. It's a little bit of fluff – just to bring a smile or two to the readers' faces!

Will be waiting for your feedback, comments, and suggestions. Specially need them this time as am finding it a little challenging to put ideas into concrete form, so hoping that interactions with you all will charge me up as usual : )

If anyone of you is interested to be the Beta reader for this story, I would be grateful for the help and will share the published version of this story as a small token of appreciation!

Dear Lisa – if you get down to read this story and have the bandwidth and the inclination to help as previously, I would be truly grateful...

A Little Magic Chapter 1

27th November 1811

Fitzwilliam Darcy took a deep cleansing breath as his horse, Poseidon, cantered out of the Netherfield grounds. The knots of tension that had tightened on his shoulders in the last hour loosened a little and he sighed in relief. It was then quite unfortunate that his mind once again dwelt on the events of this morning. He had found Bingley up and about very early today despite the very late hour they all had gone to their beds after the ball last night. His friend had been in a hurry to leave for London. As they had sat sharing their breakfast, Darcy had got the discomfiting impression that Bingley was quite anxious to finish his business in the metropolis and hurry back to Netherfield – to continue his courtship of the eldest Miss Bennet. His lips tightened as he remembered Bingley's puppy-like exuberance. 'Really, Bingley you are much too heedless! You rarely ponder about the impact of your actions. If what Sir William was bleating yesterday is true, then the whole of Meryton is expecting you to offer for Miss Bennet and not just the avaricious Mrs Bennet,' he thought in irritation. After Sir William Lucas's sally last evening, Darcy had become quite worried for his friend and had since been contemplating the best possible way to caution him to be careful of his behaviour. However, when at breakfast Bingley had shown impatience to be on his way, Darcy had decided to wait for his return from London to talk to him.

But that was before Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst had nearly accosted him as soon as he came back indoors after bidding farewell to Bingley. They had poured their grievances with Meryton, its people and one particular family in his hapless ears and ended their harangue by expressing a desire to shake the dust off the place at the earliest. It would appear that whatever advice he had been planning to offer Bingley would now have to be offered in London! If he had understood anything of Miss Bingley's disposition, she would already have issued the orders of their removal from Netherfield on the morrow to Mrs Nicholls, the housekeeper at Netherfield.

As he remembered his conversation with the sisters, Darcy once again started to get tense with worry and irritation. In order to relax, he looked around and noticed that he was riding alongside a stream flowing through a copse of trees. On a whim, he decided to stop and sit by it for some time. Anyhow, he was in no hurry to get back to Netherfield and listen to some more of Miss Bingley's carping. He tied Poseidon to a nearby tree and sat down on a tree stump very near the softly meandering stream. Clearing his minds of all thoughts, he sat in silence hoping for the peace and stillness of the surroundings to soak into him. In this, he was not very successful. The chill in the air and his mind refusing to follow its own addict of ignoring the events of the past hour were the main culprits for the failure. He grimaced as he once again remembered Miss Bingley's litany of the Bennets' shortcomings and her plan to save her brother from a 'fate worse than death'. It was not sitting well with him that they were all going to follow Bingley to London tomorrow while that poor man remained totally unaware of the fact. The sneaky fashion in which Miss Bingley was going about the thing was not something he could appreciate, although he was not truly opposed to her idea of saving Bingley from his own folly. Afterall his friend did need to be made aware of the danger staring him in the face - one of getting leg shackled to a young lady from a vulgar family with no connections. The situation was worse than it seemed, as Bingley imagined himself in love, while the lady did not appear to have any special regard for him. After Sir William's presumptuous comments last evening, Darcy had dedicated quite some time to study Miss Bennet. Unlike most of her family she had behaved with utmost decorum and propriety. But then, she and Miss Elizabeth always did behave in an unexceptional manner. Quite a few times during his stay at Netherfield he had wondered if the elder two sisters were really related by blood to the rest of the family!

For a moment, his thoughts turned towards the second Bennet daughter, she of the laughing, lively eyes he found so enchanting. Eyes that can go from laughing to furious in a matter of moments, as he had learnt to his cost last evening. It had hurt that she had been so taken in by that rogue Wickham, but then most people made that mistake. It riled him anew as he remembered her biting words from yesterday- 'He has been so unlucky to lose your friendship and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life.' With an irritated huff he channeled his thoughts back to Bingley and Miss Bennet. While he could not accuse Miss Bennet of any untoward conduct, he also could not conjure up any indication of her tendre for Bingley. His impressions had got a fillip when Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst had expressed the same thoughts this morning - although in a much less charitable manner. 'The only reason the Bennets' unfortunate situation could have been overlooked if the affections of both parties were engaged. That being not the case, Bingley would very soon come to repent entangling himself with such a family,' he told himself. His lips tightened as he once again remembered the vulgar antics of some of the Bennets from last night. 'There is nothing for it but to leave Netherfield. Even if I cannot appreciate Miss Bingley's devious actions, I can empathize with the reasons behind them,' he decided on a sigh. Unfortunately, having come to a decision did not lighten his spirits. Despite his best efforts his mind insisted on reminding him that once he left Meryton he would never meet Miss Elizabeth again. Never hear that beautiful laugh, never again see those intelligent green eyes light with warmth or twinkle with merriment. And telling himself that it was for the best was not doing any good, his chest still felt tight, and eyes still felt gritty. 'If only… doing what was right did not feel so… wrong.' He sighed as he stared at the sunlight glancing at the gentle waters of the stream. 'How I wish I had some mystical power that would let me make all the right choices and still remain happy and contented!' he thought fervently.

By some quirk of fate, at the instant Darcy expressed this desire, his guardian angel happened to be in the vicinity. For reasons best known to her, she decided to grant his wish using the powers that were to be used but sparingly. And so it happened, that as Darcy sat gazing at the flowing waters of the stream, all of a sudden, the sunlight glinting over the waters grew extremely bright. So much so that it hurt his eyes and involuntarily he found himself shutting them for protection.

~~~§~~~

When next he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself lying on the ground and there was a faint humming in his ears. He got up and looked around anxiously – he still seemed to be the only human being in the vicinity. Poseidon was calmy grazing at the grass at his feet, appearing wholly unaware of any untoward happening – if it had taken place. Darcy looked at his fob watch and found that nearly half an hour had elapsed since he had seen that dazzling light and apparently lost consciousness. His gaze swiveled towards the stream involuntarily - everything appeared serene and… ordinary. Confused, and unable to understand how he had ended up on the ground without any recollection of having done so, he decided to investigate a little. Had someone played a trick on him? Although, how could someone have crept behind him with such stealth that he remained completely unaware of it? Seemed improbable - moreover there was no apparent motive for the prank. He had checked - all his belongings were untouched and except for a faint buzzing in his ears, he felt well enough. Still, deciding to make sure there was no ruffian roaming around with an intent to harm unsuspecting folks, he started walking along the stream. He had not taken too many steps when the stream took a sharp turn. Following the bend, he emerged from a thicket of trees into a clearing and suddenly the faint buzz in his ears grow in intensity and annoyance. He looked around and his gaze fell on a young lady sitting under a tree.

"Oh Lord! What am I to do? I expected it from mama but… but… papa…" Darcy stopped in his track abruptly and looked away in embarrassment. Although he could not see the young lady's face, he would know that voice anywhere. It seemed he was eavesdropping unwittingly on Miss Elizabeth Bennet talking to herself! As soon as he glanced away, Miss Elizabeth stopped talking. For a moment, it puzzled him that despite the ample distance between them and her face being hidden in her hands, he had heard her as clearly as if she had been standing next to him. He deliberated on what to do. It was clear Miss Elizabeth was troubled and desirous of solitude. She would not welcome an interruption, but he also could not leave her here on her own when he was not sure whether there was a vagabond in the vicinity who could easily harm a lone gentle woman. Uneasily he glanced at her again and once more heard her tortured voice.

"… but a temporary respite… when I get back… he will still be there with his vacuous, ingratiating smile - insisting on making a most unwelcome proposal and I… I cannot depend on any one…"

Shocked, Darcy looked away again and - the voice immediately stopped. While her disclosures had perturbed him, it was something else that had completely stunned him. He had heard Miss Elizabeth's tortured words… but… but… she had not been speaking - at all! Her hands no longer covered her face, and he had an unobstructed view of it - she had been staring ahead unseeingly and her lips had been tightly pursed. He did not want to believe the utterly fantastical evidence of his own eyes and ears. Disbelievingly, he turned his head towards her once more and sure enough he could hear her agitated voice again even as her lips remained sealed. "How could papa ask me to ponder if I can stomach being married to Mr Collins? He… he knows I do not even like that dreary man with his peculiar affectations and stupid notions… much less esteem him! How would I spend my whole life with him… how?"

Darcy took a staggering step backwards, feeling strangely adrift. What in the Lord's name was happening? As unbelievable as he found it - he really could hear Miss Elizabeth's internal musings but only when he looked at her.That was the reason he had just now been made aware that Mr Bennet was pressurizing Miss Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins. 'Wait, what? Miss Elizabeth was to marry that ridiculous, servile buffoon? Impossible!' The sudden implication of what he had overheard made him come out of his stupor. 'She cannot marry Mr Collins! She cannot marry anyone but m… ahem.' Darcy grimaced and controlled his wayward thoughts. 'Somethings are not meant to be, Darcy,' he reminded himself for the umpteenth time since the Bennet sisters had stayed at Netherfield and his admiration for Miss Elizabeth had threatened to grow into something more ardent. 'My… my unsuitable longings apart… she definitely could not marry that ridiculous parson. All her intelligence, wit, and liveliness wasted on that unappreciative, humorless man - no - the very idea is repugnant! No wonder she is so distressed,' he thought, much perturbed. 'But… from whatever I have observed Miss Elizabeth is very close to her father… why would he force his beloved daughter to marry someone he knows is not her equal in any manner?' He shifted uncomfortably as he puzzled over Mr Bennet's seemingly incomprehensible behaviour and a twig broke under his foot with a loud enough noise in the hushed surroundings for Elizabeth to hear and look up sharply in his direction.

"Mr Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she made to stand up. She remembered the hostile manner in which they had parted ways last evening after their dance and felt all the awkwardness of meeting him so unexpectedly this morning.

Darcy, however, had other things on his mind. It was anyhow surreal to suddenly start hearing someone's thoughts and then to find them to be so disconcerting! "Good morning, Miss Bennet," he greeted her. Determinedly steering his mind away from the unique ability, he seemed to have acquired so recently, he tried to think of a way to lessen her distress and help her - if he could.

"Good morning, Mr Darcy. I must confess, I am a little surprised to see you such a long way from Netherfield on foot. During my stay at Netherfield, I had somehow got the impression that you prefer riding to walking."

"You are quite correct in your assumption, Miss Bennet. In fact, I was out for my morning ride when this serene place enticed me to stop here for a time. A little while ago, I… I somehow got an impression that there might be a vagabond here in the woods. Fearing that he might have some mischievous intentions, I came around to investigate. Did… did you notice anyone pass by you recently?" Darcy asked, feeling a little foolish in talking about his 'impressions' but he did not know what else to tell her. Although, by now, he was almost sure that whatever had happened to him was not a prank… at least not one perpetrated by a common vagrant. Still, he decided to be cautious, especially as Miss Elizabeth was sitting here all on her own.

"A vagabond?" Elizabeth asked in some surprise. " No, sir, I did not see anyone pass by me - a vagabond or otherwise." She replied and fell quiet, disinclined to make small talk as her own troubles sat heavily on her mind.

After an awkward silence, Darcy asked her diffidently, "Miss Bennet… can I accompany you back to Longbourn? Under the circumstances, I would not like to leave you alone here." He knew that she was distressed and was most probably wishing to be left alone, but somehow, he found himself quite unable to do that. The possibility of a violent vagrant in the vicinity was only a reason he had outwardly expressed. In reality he could not bring himself to leave her here when she felt so alone and defenseless.

"There is no need to for you to trouble yourself on my account, Mr Darcy. These are familiar grounds that I have been roaming around ever since I was old enough to do so. But I do understand your concern and I promise that I will go home directly."

"Please, Miss Elizabeth. It would greatly ease my mind if I know that you are home safely," Darcy insisted. For a moment, a shadow of irritation crossed Elizabeth's face and Darcy braced himself for a refusal. Then to his surprise and relief, she capitulated with a sigh. "Very well, Mr Darcy, let us go back then," she replied with a forced smile, then looked down at her dress as she absentmindedly brushed the dirt off it.

Even as Darcy nodded, he heard her annoyed voice. "Well… what a surprise! The ever-arrogant Mr Darcy is in a chivalrous mood today. He seems to have left his usual disdain for me in the hallowed halls of Netherfield. What a pity that he was not feeling similarly chivalrous to dance with tolerable females on the night of the assembly." As Darcy stood rooted in shock, he saw her take a deep breath and then heard her voice once again. "If he had, Mama wouldn't be using his insult to try and convince me that Mr Collins is the best I could hope for in a husband… That… I should be grateful for the great consideration he is showing me after the disdain I received." Elizabeth released her breath on a sigh and for a long moment there was silence and then - "How I wish now that I had remained quite that day instead of regaling the family with what I had overheard in the assembly room…"

Even as Elizabeth lifted her head to look at him, Darcy turned his head away, knowing full well that he would not be able to wipe off the shock from his countenance. It took his appalled mind a little while to make sense of what he had heard. Miss Elizabeth thought him arrogant and disdainful… and could he really blame her when she was a witness to his awful conduct at the assembly. That he was already in a bad mood that night and was only attempting to stop Bingley from pestering him, did not in any way justify the careless way he had insulted her in the process. He had tried to keep his voice low at the time, but if he was honest with himself, he had not really cared one way or the other. It served him right then that the only woman he had ever found himself truly admiring since he had become old enough to do so - appeared to heartily dislike a disdainful snob like him. 'And… now she will have all the more reasons to do so if her mother is using my careless words to browbeat her into marrying that fool Collins. I cannot allow that to happen… I will have to find a way to prevent such a travesty,' he thought anxiously.

"Mr Darcy? Is everything well? Shall we go?" Her hesitant voice brought Darcy out from his agitated reverie. "Yes… yes, of course. Shall we take that path? My horse is tied just round that bend," he replied.

"Please lead the way."

~~~§~~~

A Little Magic

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