Chapter 16
Jane Bennet smiled quietly up at the nearly full moon that shone over the Netherfield estate, her hands brushing absently against the branches of a juniper tree as she wandered through the copse of trees.
"Miss Bennet!"
Jane looked behind her, her smile widening as she saw Bingley on the path behind her. Bingley pulled up beside her, his face slightly flushed from the effort of catching up to her, and offered his arm.
Jane accepted the proffered arm with a small chuckle.
"You are such a gentleman, Mr. Bingley," she said with a hint of amusement. "A lady can't even walk through a copse of trees without you coming to her aid."
Bingley blushed and grinned, his brown eyes twinkling in the moonlight.
"I'm afraid my services have less to do with my chivalry and more to do with the scenery, Miss Jane," he admitted. "You happened to be walking through my favorite path on this estate, at my favorite time of the day. It is no wonder that I should want to share this with you."
Jane smiled again and looked back up at the moon, offering a silent thanks to the God above for giving her this moment. Then she drew in a sharp breath as a wave of nausea hit her, followed quickly by a sharp pain in her head. No, not another vision; not now!
Jane staggered her grip on Bingley's arm loosening as she slipped into the vision. Bingley caught her as she fell, his skin paling with concern.
"Miss Bennet?" he said nervously. "Miss Jane? Are you alright? Jane."
Jane whimpered slightly, her eyelids fluttering as if she were in a nightmare. She cried out suddenly, her already pale face ghostly as she faced the vampires and bloodshed of her latest vision.
"Jane!" Bingley called again, his voice cracking with strain. "Please, can you hear me?"
"Charles?"
Bingley looked up sharply as his sister Caroline walked through the copse of trees towards him, her white muslin skirt clutched delicately in her hand to keep it out of the dirt.
"Caroline!" Bingley called, relief coloring his tone. "Please, we must get Miss Bennet out of here. I'm afraid she's having a fainting spell…."
Caroline glanced once at Jane Bennet's prone form, her eyebrows rising slightly.
"What a pity," she mused. "I had hoped to take her first. Oh, well."
"Caroline?" Bingley called uncertainly.
Caroline Bingley turned back towards her brother, her brown eyes suddenly silver like the moon.
"I suppose you'll have to do, Charles," she sighed. "Hold still now, if you please."
Bingley staggered back, his arms tightening around Jane.
"Caroline," he stammered weakly. "What are you-?"
Caroline Bingley smiled winningly at her brother, revealing sharp canine fangs that curved wickedly towards her lower lip.
Bingley screamed, his cries echoing across the empty lawn as the vampire lunged for his throat.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All of the credit belongs to the awesome Jane Austen. Thanks again to all of those who reviewed. Also, my apologies to all of the Bingley lovers (and I'm sure there are a lot of you).
