Chapter 5

Elizabeth

The men come back in the drawing room and while we all settle in to convince Mary we hear a knock on the front door. We all could feel it. Whoever it was did have some kind of Mage power coursing through them. Not as powerful as us, but enough not to let our guard down.

We immediately conjure up each of our gifts ready to strike when the intruder enters. I just happen to glance around the room and was in awe of the amount of power we had pulsing in the room. I happen to notice that Colonel Fitzwilliam had moved in front of Lydia, completely shielding her with a powerful stance ready for anything. Then I saw Mr. Bingley standing right beside Jane, their arms almost touching. Then I felt him behind me. Mr. Darcy had his right arm outstretched towards the door with his palm facing out, looking ready to release a bolt of lightning any second. His arm was balanced on top of my right shoulder. He was so close behind me I could feel his chest rise and fall. His warm breath on my neck. I felt warmth and shivers all throughout my body. No one had ever evoked such feelings in me. How I could hate, yet want this man near at the same time was beyond me.

Hill opened the door and a small man with Elfin features walked in. I was not aware that Elves still existed. Only seeing drawings in a book in Papa's study. He had balding brown hair. And seemed to be completely oblivious that if he took one wrong step he would die a fiery death.

"Mr. Collins mam'" Hill announced and then closed the door behind her.

Darcy

Who is this tiny man?

Is he an Elf?

Do they still exist?

Fitz and Charles filled my head with endless questions about this small man.

My guess is it's the cousin that is to inherit.

"My condolences ladies." He bowed deeply. Almost seeming like he might fall over. But this did not stop him and he continued on. "I am your cousin, Mr. Collins. I am a Parson in Kent and a humble servant to my great patroness Lady Catherine De Burgh."

We all lower our attack positions. We continue to stand, but now a little more at ease since this little man is clearly not a threat.

Oh good god! This is Aunt Cathy's new parson!

Looks like a bumbling idiot to me. Charles adds with an annoyed look that he was still going on about his patroness.

Collins then looked at all his cousins. Not even noticing us gentleman in the room. Just staring from head to toe at each of his cousins. Clearly deciding which one would fit his tastes perfectly. He looked back at Jane and then at Elizabeth. Drinking in all their beauties. Even going as far as wiping the saliva that had formed at the corner of his mouth away. He was disgusting. Looking at them like pieces of meat. I wouldn't even dare tap into his mind at this moment. Knowing whatever I would hear would make me want to end his life in an instance. As he glanced once again at Elizabeth. I'd had enough.

"Excuse me sir, but may I introduce myself and my companions."

As I say this Collins barely glances away from Elizabeth, acknowledges me with a nod and then back to ogling her person.

"I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberly. To my left is my cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and to my right is our good friend Charles Bingley. We are here to accompany the Bennet Sisters as they travel to the Capitol."

I immediately feel Elizabeth tense in front of me. I know she doesn't like that I have decided this for them.

I thought you had decided to come with us, I'm not sure what the issue is?

Mary has not yet decided and we had not given our final complete decision yet.

I'm sorry. But I can't stand the way this man is looking at you. We have to get you and your sisters out of here quick. Please help me convince your sisters. I feel dark magic in him.

Yes. I feel it too. Ok, I'll do my best.

Collins finally actually looks at me with this announcement.

"I was not aware you would all be leaving so soon. I hope all of my lovely cousins know they are welcome to stay here as long as they would like." He said with a menacing grin. "Might I have proper introductions from my lovely cousins."

Jane stepped forward "Good day cousin Collins. I am the eldest Miss Jane Bennet, here next to me is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, then over there is Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Kitty Bennet is there and last is my youngest sister Miss Lydia Bennet."

He bowed ridiculously low once again.

"Please my dear cousins. Might you delay your leave and stay here longer as we get to know each other better." This time going so far to put his hand on top of Elizabeth's arm.

I could not control my anger any longer and the floor around me began to shake.

Thankfully Fitz stepped in and spoke for me. "The Capitol is awaiting the Bennet sisters as soon as possible, I am sorry but we can not delay. Ladies I know you have a lot of packing you are needing to do." He nodded towards the ladies and they all began to stand and move towards the stairs. Mary seemed to hesitate, but Jane encouraged her up the stairs.

Elizabeth

"I still do not believe this is the best action. I know Jane you believe their actions are honorable, but we yet to know the same for our employers. I just don't see a future for me there."

Mary sat on Janes bed as the rest of us hurriedly gather all our belongings around them.

"Mary there is always the possibility of you going to stay with Aunt and Uncle Phillips, if you truly detest living in The Capitol. But I truly hope you can see reason to venture there with us now." Jane says in her most convincing tone. She does not have a gift of changing someone's mind, but she does have a gift of calming someone down and helping them understand reason. "If anything Mary, do it for your sisters who love you and after just losing our beloved parents- we can't bare to be without you right now." Jane ends her speech by wrapping her arms around Mary.

It is as if instantly we all need to be there. We all gather around Jane and Mary and hold onto each other tightly.

All you could hear for a few minutes was lots of sniffs and sobbing. We finally break away from each other and all look towards Mary. Though she has always been more reserved, never taking much time to care about her looks. She really is beautiful in her own way. Mary then nods and wipes her face. "Ok. I will go and try. But I can't promise I will stay forever."

We all look relieved and our red blotchy faces now have huge smiles on them.

I nod and wipe a few lingering tears off of Kitty's face. "We will take it." I say with a comforting smile towards Mary.

We have enough room for a trunk or two for each of you. More then that we will need to have it brought later to The Capitol. Can you relay this to your sisters? I hope that will be agreeable to you all. I immediately sit up not expecting to hear from him at this moment.

Yes, I will let them know. Thank you.

I then relay Mr. Darcy's message to all my sisters.

I could feel the warmth and concern in his words. I can tell Mr. Darcy is trying hard not to order me around. I can't help but be touched by this action. I know as the master of such a great estate… at least from what I have heard. I'm sure he is use to ordering many people around. That warmth feels me once again, but this time I notice it radiating from the spot where I felt the searing pain before. I put a hand over the area and try to decide how to see if something is there easily without my sisters noticing.

I walk back towards my trunk and while leaning over I try to nonchalantly look for any signs of something on my chest.

Immediately I see it. A gorgeous tree. Reminding me of one I always rest underneath at Oakam Mount.

"Lizzy are you ok? What is it?" Lydia runs over to me and I quickly straighten back up. Hoping I moved quickly enough.

"What are you talking about Lydi? I am just fine." I try to put on the most genuine smile I can muster.

Lydia rolled her eyes not buying it at all. "La! Lizzy! I heard you gasp, rushed over and clearly saw whatever that is!" She pointed at my mark and said this so loud all of my sisters could hear it.

Well there goes my privacy on the matter.

In seconds I feel them all around me, trying get a look at the mark in question.

They all are firing questions at me. No idea who is saying what. I decide to just face it head on. There is no going back. They will all know eventually.

My day gown has buttons down the front of the bodice. I hush them all by unbuttoning the first few buttons and open it up wide enough for them to see the mark.

"What is it Lizzy?" Kitty asks in awe

"It's a tree Kit!" Lydia smirks at Kitty. Receiving a glare from Kitty.

"Whatever it is, it's beautiful." Jane says sweetly as she gently smooths the tips of her fingers across it.

Mary looks closely at it and then runs out the door. We all look skeptically at the door. Before we can even get words out of confusion she comes back in with a book.

She opens it up to a page with a few drawings on it. "It's a Mage Soulmark." Mary says and shows me the drawings. All of them were located on the chest, right above the heart, just like mine. "It says that you receive a Soulmark when you touch your Soulmate for the first time."

All of sudden all eyes were back at me with big smiles

"So Lizzy, who did you touch?" Lydia says with a suggestive smile that only Lydia has perfected.

Again all eyes are back on me. Waiting impatiently on my reply. I'm still in shock since Mary's revelation.

Before I can answer Mary continues on. Most likely seeing my inability to form words at the moment. "A Soulmate is someone who you will be connected to forever. Nothing except for death can sever your connection. You can always be able to speak to them. It's not telepathic and it's not reading each other's minds, it's a mind link that is always open between you two. It's the person who was created for you. No other person will love you more then your Soulmate."

Mr. Darcy is my soulmate… Mr. Darcy is my soulmate…. This thought just keeps repeating in my head. I have no clue how to feel about it. On one hand he is the most aggravating man I have ever met. On the other hand I feel such a warmth and devotion towards him. Like my body is betraying me by wanting to be near him at all times.

I know I will have to tell them eventually. So I finally get the words out.

"Mr. Darcy put a hand over mine while he was comforting me about Mama and Papa."

Suddenly the room was filled with squeals and giggles.

"Oh Lizzy! How romantic!" Kitty gets a lovey-dovey look on her face.

"I knew it Lizzy, I could tell the first moment we saw him. He was so taken with you." Jane says sweetly.

"Yeah, all gentlemen enjoy being yelled at." I look at Jane doubtfully.

"Well… how do you feel about him now. Now that you know he is your Soulmate?" Lydia asks inpatiently waiting my response.

"Honestly I can't even begin to comprehend all of my thoughts at this moment. So much has happened in the last few days with Momma and Papa's deaths, being summoned to the Capitol, Collins appearing and now suddenly I have a Soulmate! I just have no clue how to even begin to filter through my feelings. My once sound of mind has disappeared." I breathe out a heavy sigh of frustration. I begin putting my self back to rights. Making sure my Soulmark is fully covered.

I look up at my sisters face and they all are marked with concern and understanding. Clearly having similar thoughts.

"Do you at least find him at all handsome?" Kitty asks genuinely. With a sweet look on her face. If it had been Lydia asking, I believe I would have been annoyed. But I can see Kitty truly wants me to be happy and sees this as a way for me to be.

My heart quickens as I try to contemplate my answer. But before I can get my words out Lydia interrupts.

"La! Look at her Aura! It's almost bright purple from embarrassment! I think you find him very handsome indeed!"

Lydia and Kitty specifically giggle quite loudly over this. I just roll my eyes at them both.

"Ok, yes I do find him very handsome. It is true."

"I knew it! Then what is the issue? Why can you not admit your feelings for him?" Lydia looked at me as if I had lost my brain all together. "I think he is most definitely handsome, but not quite as strong as the Colonel." She gets a dreamy look on her face.

"And not as cheerful as Mr. Bingley." Jane quietly adds in. I look over at her and give her a small smile. Always reveling in her showing more of her heart then she normally would. Those few words of admiration, speak volumes coming out of Jane's mouth.

"But like Lizzy said she can't gather her thoughts at this moment. I say we don't press her anymore." Mary said while putting the last few items in her trunk. I smile at her.

Thank you Mary.

She just smiles and nods back at me.

"Ok my beautiful sisters. We must hurry before Collins takes action. I believe his motives are not pure. I sense dark magic in him."

"I do as well. Though I believe someone else is controlling it." Lydia says while re-checking appearance for the fifth time.

"Lydi, trying to impress someone?" Kitty says while raising her eyebrows and a knowing smile at Lydia in the looking glass.

"He is unlike any other man I have ever met. He is handsome indeed, but I have never met a man that I knew instantly he could protect me fully." Lydia looked as if she was about to swoon, she was so in awe of the Colonel.

I've seen Lydia flirt shamelessly with boys around Hertfordshire, but we all knew it was ploy. This was a first to see her genuinely interested in a man.

"Just remember Lydia we have just met these men, though I believe the Colonel is honorable. Please remember to take things slowly. You are still quite young." Jane says as lovingly as possible.

If I said such a thing to her, I would get a horrid snarky comment back. But Jane just gets a quick nod of understanding from Lydia.

"If you say so Jane, but if Mr. Bingley looked at me like he has been looking at you, I think I would not be able to 'take things slowly' and marry him tomorrow!"

"Kitty!" Jane blushed

"Don't deny it Jane you know he adores you! If you only heard his thoughts when you used your Truth Telling gift." I can't help but waggle my eyebrows suggestively. Creating Jane to blush even deeper if possible.

"Elizabeth Rose Bennet! You read his mind! I should be horribly stern with you."

"But I can see in those hidden areas of your thoughts you truly wish to know!" I wink but immediately run to another room laughing knowing she will want to reprimand me for my unladylike behavior.

At that we know it's time to get back to business and get back to packing as quickly as we can.

We then decide to all spend a moment in Momma's sitting room. Remembering the love and joy found within our parents arms. We ponder on how silly Momma could be at times. How gifted she was with enchantment gifts. She could fix any appearance to almost perfection in seconds. She also was gifted in entertaining. She made every event special. Even taking time to make sure Hill prepared my favorite soup the day I lost my first tooth. I know later once we go downstairs I will need to take time in PaPa's study. But I will put that off till the very last moment.

We take one final moment basking in our memories and then head down the stairs to the men.