Chapter 9

Mary

Potions… Liquids… Powders, I have read countless books on each. But Smoke… I have absolutely no knowledge on the magical properties of Smoke. But somehow I could feel the Smoke in Collins and Lizzy and suddenly knew how to remove it. But now what do I do? Where do I go from here? I have no idea how to test or even handle Smoke.

Papa always told me I could find any information I needed in a book. But now surrounded by every magical book Papa owned, I have found nothing. The spell to remove it was simple. I have read it multiple times. But now I need to figure out how to test it. Only if Papa were here. He was not the smartest Mage, but he had a gift of helping other Mages cultivate their talents. He was so talented in helping you think through each part of your gift. He always asked the right question, unlocking that key you needed to understand it fully.

The afternoon sun had almost all disappeared. Walter, one of our footmen, came into the drawing room and began lighting candles around the room. Lighting one of our candelabras and placing it beside me as I worked. I thanked him, and went back to searching the texts for anything that could be of use.

Mary, it is time for dinner. Please come join us. You need to take a break. Jane's loving words fill my head.

I shake my head and rub my eyes. Remembering she can not see my action I add. I have to carry on Jane, I can not stop. I must figure this out!

If you must. I will have Walter bring you some dinner. But please take care of yourself sister. Her loving warmth fills me once again. But it's that love that pushes me on. I have to figure this out for my sisters. If someone is still out there planning to attack my sisters again- I have to stop them!

I hear the door open, but keep furiously looking for answers.

"Thank you Walter." I say as I am sure he will place my dinner close by. That is if he can find a clean surface to put it on.

"You are welcome Madam. Though I have many names- I have never been called Walter before." The deep unfamiliar baritone voice snapped me out of my search.

I looked up to a man who stood only a few inches taller than me. His face was somewhat familiar, but completely different at the same time. He had a slight smile on his handsome face, knowing I wasn't expecting him.

I must have been stunned into silence, because he began to speak again. "I am sorry to bother you, but is this the Longbourn estate? I tried knocking, but there was no answer."

I shake my head a little, waking myself out of whatever daze I was in. "Yes sir, this is Longbourn. I do not mean to be rude, but my sisters are in the dining room and can assist you further." I look back towards the door.

He might be handsome, but that doesn't help my current predicament. I look back at my book and continue flipping through the pages. Trying to ignore him, intently staring at me.

"An Alchemist Handbook, excellent beginning to Alchemy. I am very familiar with the book. Maybe I can help you find what you are looking for?" I looked at him once again and noticed he had moved himself right beside me, looking at the book and my scribbled notes. Though I didn't feel dark magic in him, he definitely had a large amount of Mage power. After all we have been through, trust to a random stranger does not seem like the smartest idea.

I immediately close my book, cover up my notes and take a few steps back from him.

Before I can debate my next move, I hear footsteps in the hallway.

"Sabs! There you are! We felt you were near. We were wondering where you had gone off to." The Colonel pats the man on the back and Mr. Darcy shakes his hand.

"I apologize brother, but I became quite distracted." He looked back at me with that small smile once again.

The three men all smile at each other. Apparently having a telepathic conversation. I go back to my book and continue in my search. I don't have time to ponder on what they are speaking of.

"Brother, may I introduce you to Miss Mary Bennet." The Colonel waits for me to look up at him. Lizzy's stubbornness blazes through me and I want to ignore them and carry on with my task. But I know I must be polite. Two of these men helped save my sister's life. It's the least I can do. I look up and try to mask my frustration the best I can.

"Miss Mary, this is my brother Viscount Strausdale." The man bows and smiles once again. I nod and quickly curtsy towards him.

"Sabs, why don't we introduce you to Miss Mary's other sisters. They are all in the dining room." Mr. Darcy says this and leads him out the door.

I just happen to look up as The Viscount reaches the doorway and our eyes lock. He smiles, nods and shuts the door behind him. I'm left still confused and now thoroughly distracted.

Darcy

It doesn't surprise me at all that Sabastian was quickly taken with Mary. The Bennet sisters are nothing like the dull maidens found in the Capitol. For the last day the two of them have been hard at work looking for any clues to help us find where the dark magic came from. Charles, Fitz and I have been doing our own investigations around the estate. We haven't found any more bloody handprints like we found on the gate before Elizabeth was captured.

I look out the window from Mr. Bennet's study. The sun is just beginning to rise over the estate. Once again I barely slept last night. I hoped I could distract my brain with a good book. My brain just keeps replaying Collins on top of Elizabeth. Knowing I wasn't able to protect her. Knowing someone is still out there and could try to capture her again.

Snapping me out of my dark thoughts I hear a creak from the stairs close to the study. Curious I peek my head out from the study door and see Elizabeth heading towards the side door. Of course! That stubborn woman will never rest!

"And where do you believe you are going?" I asked knowing I would be fully challenged.

She stilled her hand on the door knob and slowly looked back at me. I prepared myself to counteract a fireball or get a snarky comment back. But I did not expect the flirty smile she faced me with.

"Well why don't you go with me? That way I have an arm to lean upon if needed." She then batted her eyelashes at me. I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh. Hopefully not waking up anyone else. Elizabeth is beautiful and powerful, but her trying to flirt like Lydia doesn't quite go together.

Thankfully she isn't put off by my laughter, but joins in knowing her flirting skills need work.

She looks back at me with her normal genuine smile and one eyebrow raised. "So what will it be Mr. Darcy?" My insides turn to mush. This woman could convince me to do anything when she smiles at me like that.

"Ok. But not a long walk and you have to take my arm the whole time."

She smiles brightly at me. "I'll take it if that's my only option."

I lead the way offering her my arm as we walked out the side door.

"You know I really am no longer an invalid. I truly feel back to my normal self."

"Physically you seem fine, but you have been through so much. You have to give your mind a break as well."

She let out a scoff. "I have a feeling you would be even harder to convince to rest when so much is at stake."

He nodded. "Yes, I believe I would indeed be terrible at it. My sister always gets on to me when I'm sick. Saying I never take enough time to truly heal. And she's always right. It usually takes me double the time to get over something, because I push myself too soon."

She stops us and looks up at me questionly. "Sister? I've never heard you mention you had a sister."

"I guess I haven't. Her name is Georgiana. She is 12 years younger than me. We lost our parents about 8 years ago. She was so very young. I've been more like a parent than a brother." I can feel myself withdrawing from the conversation, but speaking of Georgiana and my parents is never easy for me.

"Where is she now?" She puts a comforting hand on my arm and looks me deep into my eyes. Like she knows I'm fading deeper into myself. With that small action I can almost feel her pulling me out.

"She is staying with my Aunt and Uncle Matlock, it's Richard and Sabastians parents." I say this quietly still locked into her eyes. Unable to look away.

I am sorry this conversation is hard. But don't leave me. You have to talk it out.

I almost can't breathe. Only one person has ever noticed when I was about to enter my dark brooding place. My mom could always see it coming and would say those same words "Don't leave me. Stay here with me. Let's talk about it." I can't help the tear that escapes me and betrays my manly facade. She reaches up with her thumb and gently wipes it away.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Before I knew it she was wrapped in my embrace. It was completely improper, but at the same time nothing ever felt so right.

Elizabeth

There was so much I have no clue about with this man. He has so much hurt in his heart I have yet to hear about. I have no idea how he likes his tea. What his favorite dessert is. What all of his gifts are. But I do know that I can no longer be without him. Being here in his arms is where I shall always be. I have never felt so loved and protected.

Marry me Elizabeth, I love you most ardently. He looked down at me, his face inches from mine. I felt his warmth radiate through him.

I don't want to marry you…

I feel him stiffen before I can get the rest of my thoughts out. His Aura immediately becomes reddish black with anger and hurt.

Please listen and let me finish. I hold his face in my hands and gently pull him back towards me. I wait till he looks back into my eyes and calms down.

I was trying to say - I don't want to marry you YET! I want to marry you! Just not right now. I need more time… I want to be with you Fitzwilliam. I truly do. My heart is yours and it is meant to be with you forever. But I want to know you better. I want to meet your sister. I want to figure out what's happening with this dark magic, my parents murders. Please can you give me more time?

I feel his arms relax around me and see his head nod. Then he smiled softly down at me and rested his forehead on mine.

I will wait forever for you, my love.

Author's Note:

One reviewer mentioned that they felt a little uneasy with the age difference of Fitz and Lydia. In the book he is around 30 and Lydia was 15. Ever since I first thought out my story I thought of Fitz as being younger then normal. In my head he is around 24. So not as big of a difference. I completely forgot I never mentioned this difference. Hopefully that helps ease your uncomfortableness. For those that are interested here's the main characters ages in my story :)

Darcy- 28

Elizabeth-21

Bingley- 28

Jane- 23

Mary- 19

Sabastian Fitzwilliam (Viscount Strausdale) - 26

Kitty- 17

Lydia-16

Colonel Fitzwilliam- 24

Georgiana- 16