Dear Sunday friends, thank you for the lovely comments. I hope you are ready for some apparition. Happy reading! Big cold hugs from rainy Sydney, Enid
Chapter Eight
"Please take your break as long as you need," George Darcy said, staring at Elizabeth wistfully. "I have no idea how to thank you."
Fitzwilliam knew that his father would even give Miss Zeath acres of land if she had just requested for them at the moment. The gratefulness in his father's eyes was enough to tell him that.
Fitzwilliam turned to look at his uncle. Judge Darcy briskly stared back at him. Fitzwilliam then looked away, knowing he had lost. Miss Zeath was not a fraud. He felt more guilty for all the words he had said to her on multiple occasions, and he sincerely hoped she would forgive him. Unlike him, Miss Zeath was a kind and compassionate woman. She still helped his father even after all that Fitzwilliam had done to her. He should apologise, but his ego or stubbornness would not allow him to say the words yet. He was sincerely grateful for everything she did for his father and indirectly for him. They would wait for as long as it would take. Fitzwilliam leaned on the wall to watch her closely. She was a beautiful woman, and he must ignore his feeling for her. But did he have to suppress his admiration of Miss Zeath? His mother called her Miss Elizabeth. Could the psychic be Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn instead of their maid Miss Heather? If she was a gentlewoman, why would she live the life of a psychic? No, he still would not act on his infatuation with Miss Elizabeth for a king's ransom! Just remembering the improper behaviour of her mother and sisters gave Fitzwilliam a shudder. He would play along and let Miss Elizabeth keep her secret. After all, she could be so ugly under the veil to drive his admiration totally off.
Elizabeth excused herself from the gentlemen and went to the next room to find something to eat. She took a bite from the food on the small plate and wondered about Lady Anne's appearance. Why did she feel so exhausting from talking with Her Ladyship? She had summoned dozens and dozens of ghosts before. Most spirits spoke through her. Only a few handfuls spoke directly to their relatives. She had never felt this tired after those communications, especially during such a short session. What was so unique about Lady Anne Darcy? Did her spirit have too strong a presence that could harm Elizabeth?
She did not hear when the door opened because she had her eyes shut, ruminating about Lady Anne. At the squeak from the door, her eyes opened. She saw Fitzwilliam Darcy standing close to the door, his focus locked on her. She hated how his eyes looked like they were there to strip every secret from her tiny body. She was fascinated by his gaze, and at the same time, he made her feel extremely uncomfortable with it. She knew he meant no harm, now that he knew she was not out to cheat his father's money, but she was starting to get unnerved by his intense look. Did he still stare at her to find faults?
"How are you feeling?" Fitzwilliam asked softly, and she raised her head to look at him straight in the eyes. She was not expecting him to ask about her health in such a warm manner. Even though she still felt a tiny bit of anger for him, the genuine look of concern on his face made her insides host a tummy of butterflies in anticipation.
Sitting up straight, Elizabeth said, "I am feeling much better, thank you." She watched him nod his head gently, and she placed her entire focus on him
"You gave us a fright there, you know?" Fitzwilliam added after a while. The room was becoming silent. The silence was awkward, and Elizabeth wished that she was alone.
"I did not intend to pass out. Your father was insistent. And clearly, you despise me for aiding him." Elizabeth deadpanned. She loathed giving Fitzwilliam the impression that she had forgiven him or had forgotten all of his accusations and hurtful words at her. She dared not ignore them because every moment from the moment they met, the words kept ringing in her head. She tried hard to get them out of her head, the same way she tried to get the man out of her head.
Fitzwilliam looked down to the carpet, then returned his gaze to hers. "That's why I came to see you are feeling better. I've never been one to believe in such. I—I'm sorry. I'm sorry I called you a fraud and brought along my Uncle James, intending to arrest you." He said.
Elizabeth imagined that apologising must have not been something he was used to. The tall, handsome man stuttered, and his shoulders hunched forward. He did not look comfortable after the apology. He was most likely used to being right about many things.
Elizabeth smiled caustically, realising how hard this must be for the great Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. "You made a mockery of my character and integrity. As you now know, I was not what you said I was, and there and then, I proved you were wrong."
He took two steps forward, saying, "And I've already apologised—"He said with a groan.
"I would like to say that I forgive you, and it's all in the past now, but you really cannot imagine what your words could do to me." Elizabeth paused. "What if rumours about me surface began! Some of the people in Meryton questioned my authenticity before. Some ignorant people had called me a witch! And you, you insulted my dignity and pride, all based on your prejudice! You think that you can come here and give me a half-hearted apology, and then I would give you a smile and be friendly to you?"
Fitzwilliam shook his head. "I really am sorry, Miss Zeath."
Elizabeth began to cough, and then she drank some water. "Yes, if only that could erase all of the hurt your words have done."
"Please, Miss Zeath." Fitzwilliam said, bowing his head low. "I know that what I had done was insensitive. And that I should have thought better and considered your feelings and reputation too. I should have tried to find out if you were actually a genuine psychic before jumping to conclusions. Please Miss Zeath. I really am sorry."
Elizabeth sighed. She had a too lively and playful disposition to be angry for long. But she would not tell him she forgave him yet. Instead, she said, "We have better return to your father and uncle."
"Indeed!" Fitzwilliam said, his lips pressed together, clearly displeased at Elizabeth's reluctance to accept his apology. "How did you do all of that, summon the dead? Is it something normal people like me can learn about?"
Elizabeth knew what he thought. At least, now, it had moved from sheer disbelief to wonder. That was fine by her. She had received that sort of reaction plenty of times before. She hoped that Fitzwilliam wouldn't have any more reason to doubt her in time. She knew he was impressed, and she wondered why that seemed to leave a good feeling on her.
Elizabeth said calmly. "I do not think that such things can be taught, Mr. Darcy. I believe I inherit this gift from my ancestors."
"Oh wow," Fitzwilliam said, nodding.
Elizabeth led the way back to the other room, where George and James Darcy sat whispering.
"Thank you." George Darcy said a moment later to Elizabeth. "I hope you are feeling better. I do appreciate you for doing this." Elizabeth watched the older man's face as it lit up with a big smile. She had never seen anyone look this elated before, and it touched something in her. Maybe she was doing something right, and it made her happy. Despite what Fitzwilliam had said days ago, she made people happy with her gift. Once again, she had done it.
"I am, thank you, sir." She replied.
"Are you sure you are well enough to continue?" Judge Darcy asked, and Elizabeth understood his concern.
"I feel much better," she affirmed, and both gentlemen nodded.
"Before I restart the communication, I would like to explain the danger Lady Anne is facing."
"Danger?" "What kind of danger?" George and Fitzwilliam Darcy jumped in together with concern.
"Anne is already dead. How could she be in any further danger?" Judge Darcy also added.
Elizabeth described the Soup of Forgetfulness and the Bridge of No Return to the gentlemen who looked at her with sceptical expressions. Their traditional religious belief clearly made them unable to accept the concept of reincarnation.
She said, "What I told you is based on what I learned from the paper of my Oriental ancestors and from ghosts I communicated with before. You have the right to not believe me. But I will try to dissuade Lady Anne from lingering in this world full of angry and frustrated ghosts. I always believe I have to encourage these ghosts to pass on to their next lives. It's time now. Let's get to it."
Elizabeth sat down again.
"Lady Anne," Elizabeth called.
The second time, Fitzwilliam, the Judge and George Darcy joined her in calling, "Lady Anne. Pray, honour our invitation."
They kept up with this for three more minutes, when suddenly, there was a flash in the room, halting their speech. It was working, and they could feel it deep in their bones. The gentlemen's faces were filled with surprise. Fitzwilliam seemed to be the most excited because the thought of seeing his mother again thrilled him with wonder.
Everything became still, and then Elizabeth said, "Over there!" They saw a shadow standing right by the wall. George Darcy shook his head in disbelief.
It seemed the shadow of someone unseen had stood there for a moment. Then it shifted and began coming towards the party. Their attention was focused on the shadow, and Elizabeth felt anticipation rising to her entire body.
"Is this supposed to happen?" Judge Darcy asked with dread written all over him. Elizabeth had no time to reply to his scepticism. She noted the figure of the shadow. "I think it's Lady Anne. She has come herself. This is amazing!" She whispered the last part to herself. She looked at the whole scene unfold before her eyes. She was sure she hadn't witnessed anything on this scale. In all her years as a psychic, never had she seen a ghost risk everything to be visible to their loved ones.
Suspense, along with heightened dread, hung in the air.
There was another flash in the room where the gliding shadow had been. To their surprise, Lady Anne stood there. She was clad in white, and her skin was pale like snow. Elizabeth observed that her hair covered her orb-less eye sockets, and her feet weren't touching the ground. She seemed to be floating, and with an unexpected move, her feet touched the ground, and she moved to sit next to Elizabeth.
Lady Anne cleared her throat, and she proceeded to say nothing afterwards. The gentlemen waited for her to say something, but instead, the room fell into silence with tension. Elizabeth took that as Lady Anne, meaning for someone other than herself to begin a conversation.
The gentlemen were still in shock, and to each of them, it felt like they were just alone in the room with Lady Anne. They had no strength to run, so all they could do was breathe and stare, not letting go of the surprise. They found it hard to believe that their beloved was in the room with them, and they could see her physically. Even Elizabeth, who had experienced dealing with ghosts many times before, was awestruck.
Lady Anne looked so beautiful that Elizabeth had to hold her breath when staring at her again. When they met in the spirit realm during Elizabeth's out of body experience, Lady Anne did look charming, but she definitely did not look this stunning. Elizabeth wondered what could have happened to Lady Anne within that period. But while the living found their tongue, it was the one who had been dear to Lady Anne who began.
"I am sorry," George Darcy apologised again, seemingly pleased that he could render his plea to her and not her voice. His eyes darted back and forth between her face to catch the slightest change in emotion on her passive face.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened that day." Elizabeth watched the older man, and the sincerity in his eyes touched her. She had no idea that Mr. Darcy could be this remorseful. Maybe love did that to a person. Elizabeth wanted something as beautiful as theirs, the type of love that would make this man move mountains to hear his lover's voice once again. Her attention shifted to Fitzwilliam, sitting beside the Judge, looking shocked and yet with a yearning expression. Elizabeth thought that Fitzwilliam would have gotten over his shock by now. However, apparently, he still found it hard to believe that his mother was here with them in this room.
Lady Anne shook her head softly before speaking. "George, I want you to understand that I had forgiven you a long time ago. I felt great pity watching you beat yourself up in the past years for something I did not even take to heart. My love. I know you barely mean any of those words during our argument. I didn't hold that against you, and it's not enough reason for me to be angry at you even in death." She replied softly. "You must turn your attention to living life to the fullest, for Fitzwilliam and for me. Pemberley needs you. Our son needs you."
George Darcy sighed. "My dear, thank you for your forgiveness. I promise. I shall live again, back in Pemberley, back to mending my relationship with Fitzwilliam. Now Miss Zeath told us all about the Forgetful Soup. Please drink it, my love, and pass on to a new life. She said it is dangerous for you in this world between death and being reborn. And you have been there for three long years. Am I the one holding you back?" Mr. Darcy begged, and Lady Anne shook her head firmly.
"I have already survived a few years without drinking the soup. My life was cut short. I wouldn't take the soup till I discovered a way to find its reason. Staying here isn't as dangerous and lonely as I thought it would be. I am not without wit, and I've managed quite well so far." Lady Anne said.
"Did you just say your life was cut short by someone else, right, Mother?" Fitzwilliam said in a whisper as if he was hoping for it to not be true.
"Yes, my son." Lady Anne said, looking straight ahead. "I was murdered."
The revelation made the gentlemen speechless. Their eyes widened, and Elizabeth's mouth fell open. No wonder Her Ladyship refused to take the Soup of Forgetfulness. She was still bitter. Now Elizabeth was starting to see things in a fresh light, and she understood why Lady Anne acted the way she did. Lady Anne Darcy was not at peace, and she would do anything to get that peace. Elizabeth also remembered her out of body encounter with Lady Anne. Her Ladyship said that her husband and son might be in danger. She risked weakening her spirit and diminishing her chance for reincarnation and lingered in the treacherous transient world to protect her loved ones.
"What! Who killed you, my love?" George Darcy asked, finally finding his voice and obviously seething. They all heard what Lady Anne had said, and they were all astonished. Who would dare hurt Lady Anne and at her own home? Whoever did it was a vile person, and the person deserved the punishment.
"I want to know." George Darcy added, the anger seeping into his voice. Elizabeth thought that the older man looked like he would burst any minute. He clenched his teeth and scowled, showing that he was barely holding his anger in his currently vexed state.
Elizabeth felt for lady Anne. Her Ladyship had a loving husband and a wonderful son. She certainly did not deserve to die prematurely. So why did someone do that to her? Fitzwilliam was running his hands through his hair. He stood up and paced steadily before stopping. Then he would start to pace again. His impatience for answers was palpable. Elizabeth knew that if they wanted to deal with the murderer, the Darcy's family needed to have all the patience in the world.
"I really do not know," Lady Anne sighed, and her eyes settled on her husband's. "All I remember"—her eyes went to the ceiling as if recalling the event of her death—"was drinking wine from a glass given to me by Catherine. I remembered that it tasted a little bit different. Not too soon, I felt a strangeness in my body, as if some weird fluid moved around my blood, swimming from one end to another or everywhere. Then, later on in the evening, I felt the sharp sting, like a sharp-pointed needle through my heart, and that was it. That's how I died. It had nothing relating to my weakened heart because it didn't start there." She replied softly, and the confusion on her face was mirrored on everyone's faces.
"Who is Catherine?" Elizabeth asked.
"Anne's older sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh!" George Darcy roared.
