Hepatica made it back to Gracechurch Street just as Miss Bingley left. Glad to have missed her, though not liking that she took weeks to visit Jane and came so disrespectfully late in the day. She was clearly sending a message.
Now that she knows it is all Miss Bingley that is possibly in her brother's ear about Jane, Hepatica is open to forgetting the whole Bingley clan. This latest snub can be a way for Jane to move on. There are plenty of gentlemen better than a spineless Bingley. Like Viscount Moore, Theo's son.
Jane was forlorn when Hepatica entered, it tore her heart strings to see. She didn't say a thing just sat next to Jane and wrapped an arm around her. Jane turned and buried her head in Hepatica's shoulder, not crying but her breathing suggested it was close.
"She kept going on and on about how her brother has moved on. How he had been spending a lot of time with Miss Darcy." She mumbled into Hepatica's shoulder.
"Which we know is a bold-faced lie. Miss Darcy hardly knows the man, let alone spends time with him. We have spent more time with her than he has, and you know it."
"I know. I just… I never felt the type of feelings he brought out of me with anyone else before." She spoke so softly Hepatica had to strain to hear.
"I know that iff he doesn't have the backbone to stand up to his sister then it's his issue. It's his loss. Mr Darcy said he hasn't seen Mr Bingley since Christmas. He knows he is still in Town though. Maybe this is the best time to try and move on, there are plenty of fish out there, and you are in a unique stance to meet many of them before you return to Longborne. Especially if you stay for the season with me and Georgie."
Jane's eldest cousin, Amelia aged 12 came running in. "Was that horribly dressed lady mean to you Janey?"
"No more then usual dear." Jane tried to smile.
Amelia, as young kids are want to do, leaned in and hugged Jane which was returned. "I was sent to tell you, cousin Lizzy and her guests are here. We need to go greet them."
The house was a little crowded that night but the group setting off the next morning for Kent was happy enough. Hepatica gave Jane and Lizzy a chance to have their sister heart-to-heart the night before. It seemed they needed it. Though Lizzy's opinion of Darcy was still bad, she was convinced he was responsible as well for Bingley staying away, not just his sister. No matter how Hepatica and Jane argued that, even if he was it shows lack of character on Bingley's part.
Hepatica hoped Jane will move on, maybe accept the advances of Lord Moore, she didn't know him well – yet – but if he was raised by Theo, she hoped he was a good trip was pleasant. Sir William Lucas was gushing about Hepatica's new status. Being god-daughter to two Earls and daughter of a foreign Marquees. Practically a princess. It was fantastical. Hepatica, though she never denied the claims hadn't really boasted about them. She was happy with her anonymity and told the carriage as such. They promised to continue calling her Miss not Lady.
Charlotte's new home was very pretty. A well-kept cottage. They had a lovely garden kept by Mr Collins himself. On the encouragement of Mrs Collins as hinted by Charlotte's sly words.
Mr Collins kept trying to throw barbs at Lizzy for what he feels she missed out on, even if he was still technically welcoming. Though it wasn't subtle at all. Funnily enough only Sir William was listening kindly. The rest of the girls ignored him and went about being shown their rooms. With Lady Catherine's ingenious suggestion of shelves in the cupboard.
It was nice seeing Charlotte again, she had flourished in her own home. They had been in Huntsford for 2 days before their first meeting with Miss De Burge, getting some sunlight riding her phaeton. It would be their first invite to Rosings for supper.
Lizzy managed to get the bulk of the Spanish Inquisition. Probably from being a member of the family whose home Mr Collins is to inherit. Though Hepatica didn't escape either.
"I was under the impression Miss Potter, that you were alone in the world, a nobody as it were."
"I was alone ma'am if not for the Bennet's and their extended families. But my Godfather's finally managed to find me, they thought I was dead you see. I had thought the same of them."
"Yes, it seems we were misinformed. So, your relatives are of decent means; if your dress is to go by."
"Apparently, yes. My parent's left me money, I didn't have any access to it until I got to Town and was able to prove to the bank, I was still me."
"Miss Bennet, are any other of your sister out?"
"Yes Ma'am, all."
"All? Out at once? The younger, out before the elder are married. That's very peculiar, why your youngest couldn't be very old." Lady Catherines voice rose slightly in confusion.
"The youngest is just yet 15. But you see it didn't seem fair that the younger be denied their chance for entertainment only because the elder didn't have the means or inclination to marry yet."
"You speak your mind very decidedly, for one so young. Pray tell me how old you are?" IT sounded disaproving though there was a gleam in her eyes that belayed her enjojyment of the conversations and the fact both Hepatica and Lizzy responded not with agreement but actual attempts at conversation.
"With three younger sisters' grown, you can hardly expect me to own to it."
And so, the evening went on in a similar vein. Alternating between asking either Hepatica or Lizzy questions with observations and 'suggestions' for the Collins on how they should do everyday things. Practically ignoring Sir William and Mariah most of the evening.
She was very opinionated women yet had never done most things she gave opinion and suggestions on.
The next time they dined a few days later it was much the same, questions and suggestions on how they should be. The only change was the demand Hepatica and Lizzy alternate in playing for her. For as she said, 'she would have been a great proficient, if she had learned. Yet had such a refined taste. It just wasn't equaled in the county.' Or something along those lines.
Hepatica tended to zone out when Lady Catherine talked, it wasn't so hard when she knew all she had to say when addressed was 'yes ma'am' and she would be covered for not listening to most things.
The dinners continued for two weeks, every couple of days dining with Lady Catherine. Sir William left by the second week leaving all three girls for the next month, though Maria would be staying for longer than Lizzy and Hepatica.
The best part was the magic Hepatica could feel in the land as she walked the groves and parks, sometimes with Lizzy, Charlotte and/or Mariah other times by herself. There was a lot of the land the Great Lady had left alone while still have beautiful, manicured gardens around the estate. It was in the wild parks with small natural streams that Hepatica could feel at peace with Mother Magic, Hekate and Mother Nature, Gaia. Even if there wasn't a magical community as such, and there didn't seem to be people with more magic then your average squib, the untouched lands were saturated. It was still in the air, all around her like a warm blanket, so Hepatica knew she could still bring peace to her magic core, breathing deeply and sneaking moments with her shoes and stockings off to feel the earth and water beneath her feet. Something she took for granted when around areas saturated in ambient magic back home. Why magic hadn't manifested in the way it had in her original world, that would have to stay a mystery of the universe. She didn't want to look too closely into it. Though she would try with Matlock and Danville and see if they could still power runes and other similar things like rituals.
Lizzy had already left for her walk that morning when Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy came following behind Mr Collin's after his daily walk to Rosing to see Lady Catherine. When told Elizabeth wasn't here Mr Darcy stayed the usual amount of time expected of a visit, though seemed a little put out. Not masking it very well in Hepaticas' opinion.
He was his usual shy stand-offish self, though he did try and have conversations. Mr Collins was beside himself at the visit from two nephews of Lady Catherine's. Hepatica tried saving Darcy from Mr Collin's enthusiasm by pulling him into the conversation with the Colonel and Charlotte, it was a mixed bag on success. He soon voiced his desire to leave, though the Colonel seemed reluctant to follow. Having sat close to Hepatica, talking primarily to her and Mrs Collins.
If Hepatica didn't know better she would think he was either being overly charming or flirty for nefarious reasons. Though why he would flirt with a married woman like Charlotte, Hepatica didn't want to think of. She had a good opinion of the Colonel, being Sirius' son and wanted to keep that.
"I think I'll go for my walk now, see if I can find Lizzy let her know some handsome men came to visit us and she missed it." Hepatica teased with a smirk facing Charlotte.
"Yes, I imagine she will be interested to know of whom visited." Charlotte quipped back with her own smirk. That look alone told Hepatica that Charlotte at least suspected Mr Darcy's interest in Lizzy. This would be fun.
"Shall we accompany you ma'am? I usually only visit my aunt to walk the parks this time of year."
"Thank you, Colonel. I'm sure your father would probably prefer me not walking alone, and poor Mariah has hurt her ankle last walk we went on." And the poor dear had. It was one of the reasons Hepatica didn't leave earlier to get out of the house, Charlotte was busy being a housewife and Hepatica didn't feel right leaving Mariah alone in the house.
"Really sir it is most unnecessary to accompany the young Miss Potter, I'm sure your aunt would prefer you to return back to her, we have kept you both too long." Mr Collins simpered.
"Thank you for your concern sir," Colonel Fitzwilliam's eye twitched though he schooled it well before he turned to Mr Collins. "However, as my father is Miss Potter's guardian, I feel it more important to accompany and possibly protect her. Shall we?" He asked turning to Hepatica one more time with his arm extended for a little miffed he had stated her connections to Mr Collins. She just knew Lady Catherine would hear about it by dinner and then who knows how she will react after. She really wanted to continue being a nobody, she couldn't help feeling her cheeks heat up at the gallant gesture and offer, (it was a simple gesture hardly seen in the times she grew up in,) she took the offered arm before being taken out to the garden and down the walk.
Darcy was behind them seeming deep in thought. Hepatica and the Colonel talked of many things. He was so easy to talk to, she had learnt he had done one tour on the Continent, that resulted in a minor injury and was sent back to England for the foreseeable future. Hepatica tried keeping up conversations. He was going on about finding a place of his own or marriage or something but her mind and body wandered often, off the path following the streams of magic in the air, before she would catch herself and stop to pretend to smell the wildflowers or pretend an animal caught her attention before turning back into the conversations when one of the gentlemen would say something. She hadn't realised when walking with the girls how much they just followed her when she went on a tangent following the magic, until she was being constantly called out on her want to wander off the path. Both men seemed adamant they stay to the paths.
Luckily it wasn't too far from the house they ran into Lizzy. She greeted the Colonel kindly and Darcy with cool civility. He noticed too if the twitch in is brow was anything to go by. The Gentlemen soon parted ways after walking the women to the lane showing the front garden of the parsonage. The conversation back was stilted after introductions, though the Colonel did try to gallantly carry most of the conversation, Hepatica helped but even she picked up on the uncomfortable-ness. Never let it be said she was as oblivious as Hermione always called her about her surroundings. At least she was more emotionally attuned than the teaspoon Ron was claimed to be. Though he did seem more a soup spoon when Hepatica saw him last.
It was over a week they didn't dine at Rosing's at all, Charlotte tried to calm Mr Collin's and Mariah, telling them it was most likely because she was spending time with her nephews. Though every walk was interrupted by either Mr Darcy or the Colonel meeting up with them at random times on their walks or calling on the Parsonage at regular intervals. It didn't take too long before the invitations once more started up.
Multiple evenings with Lady Catherine her sickly daughter, that had a sharp hidden wit, (the few times Hepatica was able to talk to her) and playing of the piano shared betweek Lizzy and herself with usually the Colonel wanting to turn the pages for them.
All the times the Colonel had accompanied her on her walks, he always brought up his living situation and marriage in some form, along with some type of flirting. It didn't matter whom he was talking to though, it always reverted back to those main points. Hepatica put it down to his personality and insecurities being a second son and tried not to think on it. It wasn't the sleazy flirting with the goal of painting himself better than someone else that Wickham and Riddle tried for to get their way, so she didn't think it was too bad. Treating him like she would any other.
Darcy was a quiet walking partner when Lizzy or one of the other ladies was with them, though they did have deep fun talks when it was just the two of them. Though Lizzy would complain when he would walk with her when she went on a walk alone and ran into the gentleman.
One of the mornings Hepatica was up earlier than the rest and had been out in the forests walking barefoot for a while now. Even though it was cold, the feel of the fresh vibrant land under her feet just called to her. Thinking she should probably get back to the house before the storm that smelt like it would be coming in. Walking past the temple of Apollo, though pretty it is the only man made thing in this part of the forest with a bridge over the creek, she heard some voices. Whisper-yelling.
Hepatica crept forward, recognizing the voices and being just a little bit of a sticky-beak watched and listened from a distance – thanks to a listening charm – to Mr Darcy trying to apologize to Lizzy for his perceived slight at the assembly. Lizzy had been speechless though soon found her tongue and laid all her accusations on him, including her belief of Darcy keeping Bingley from Jane and his dealings with Mr Wickham before storming off when he wasn't able to give a quick enough response for her, besides his trying to denying the acusations Darcy stood there, frozen in place at being accused so thoroughly. Just as the sky opened up and a strong downpour started.
Hepatica shook her head, Lizzy was still quite blinded by her wounded pride. Continuing to watch as Lizzy stormed off into the rain that had been threatening for a while to start. Darcy stood there. She felt bad for Darcy, he tried doing the right thing, she thinks, though maybe it was his delivery that felled him. Hepatica had noticed his inability to talk to most people easily, except for herself and members of his family. He spoke to her like old friends.
Jane was also becoming someone he was able to talk to the more time they spent around eaach other outside of the Meryton social scene.
Now wasn't a bad time to make herself known, she discreetly transfigured a rock into an umbrella big enough for both of them before walking, forgetting she was still barefoot to cover him with the umbrella. He remained frozen, until the rain stopped hitting him did he notice someone was beside him.
Hepatica smile softly up at him, patting his shoulder in what she hopes is a comforting gesture.
"I… I have never been spoken to thus, what she accused me of. How can she even think that. Does she not talk to her own sister?" Darcy rambled to mostly lead him to the temple so they could sit.
"Some people are blinded by their pride. From the stories I've heard you could even be accused of it now and then. Maybe write to her, tell her the truth. There are people who can corroborate your version of things. Even Jane herself is in your corner. Though the fact she threw Wickhams accusations at you even though she knows he was a rake," Hepatica shook her head, she couldn't believe Lizzy still saw good in a man like that.
"I feel so embarrassed, to think I liked the fire in her eyes the way she teased and challenged me." Taking a deep breath Darcy gave a self deprecating laugh. "When we first arrived, I thought once I apologised, I might be able to act on the feelings I held to her. Regardless of her station in life and my own families possible disapproval. I had thought about it, but when I saw my aunt and uncle interacting with Miss Bennet I knew they would accept anyone I chose as long as she was a well-bred lady. But I have since realised, though she had a sharp mind and we could talk or argue about books. There wasn't much else besides her looks I was attracted to. Always taking the oposite view even if it was clear she didn't believe it. Now that I look back I realise she was more receptive of my cousin or any other man then me." Darcy took a deep breath collecting his thoughts before continuing, Hepatica knew to stay quiet let him work through it in his on time.
"I know I'm not good at conversing with people I don't know. But, I see now she only looked to find faults in myself. Something she claimed I was doing to her. I don't get it." Burying his head in his hands knocking his hat off while disheveling his hair. It was nice seeing him so disheveled, he tried so hard to be proper all the time he came off as stiff and disdainful to those who didn't look beyond the persona.
Hepatica listened to his rant, she knew he was mostly talking to himself getting his thoughts in order. So she let him. To let himself show as such to Hepatica had her chest feeling heavy in a nice way. It was time to remind him he had company.
"People are complex people. You have to remember the Bennet's like Georgie are very sheltered young ladies. Sometimes it takes a big moment, too often a terrible one for them to see the world for what it is."
Their talk eventually changed to more mundane things while waiting for the rain. There was a moment where it got a bit awkward when Hepatica tried to put on her stockings and shoes while waiting. Darcy went even redder when he realised what she was doing. Not to mention their state of dress and how the fabrics used by women in this time were pretty see through when wet. They eventually got over the awkwardness even if Darcy had a stutter for half the time they were waitingfor the rain to stop.
Knowing that sharing an umbrella walking back to the parsonage would raise too many eyebrows that would expect wedding bells in the near future. Instead Hepatica enjoyed the company and scenery. Mentioning so to Darcy when the rain let up making it easier to return to the homestead. Darcy looked lighter after their time together, as they walked back to the lane.
"Thank you Miss Potter for not judging or ridiculing myself when you found me." Bowing over her hand in parting.
"I didn't see anything worth ridicule sir. It's always a pleasure." Hepatica smiled.
"If my cousin didn't claim a want to marry you, I honestly think we could have been a good match. But I won't get in his way."
Hepatica felt her face drop. "He claims what?" her voice dropping to an almost whisper. Darcy must have noticed his slip of the tongue, as he tried to back track.
"That's not to say he doesn't have the best intentions, ma'am. He uh…"
The young witch felt her face close off at his earlier statement thrown out so casually. "Thank you for the walk back Mr Darcy. And for letting me know his intentions, I was not aware. I have nothing against him, his actions make more sense now. But I do not know him well enough to think about him in such a way. Who I marry is up to myself alone. Calling 'dibs' means nothing to me. Good day sir."
Turning from him she continued down the road. The Colonel's actions and conversations made more sense now. His obsession on living conditions, but if he thought Hepatica was a good fit than he must know about her income. Though why Padfoot would go around telling people about her circumstances she doesn't know. He knows how she values her privace. Running into Charlotte, having discretely drying her clothing before entering the house, as she went down the stairs with a tray. They discussed how Lizzy came back drenched, claiming a headache and has been in her room ever since. Hepatica informed Charlotte the basics of what happened not going into details, it wasn't her place but gave context to Lizzy's actions. Sharing a look with Charlotte as they walked back to Charlottes sitting room. Hepatica is glad at least Charlotte is open-minded enough to see Lizzy's faults.
How her prejudices and wounded pride had been playing with her perceptions of those around her. Try as they might they weren't able to get her to see the truth amongst her blind anger. For that was what it was, even with the truth and evidence of Wickham and his nature, she still felt Darcy in the wrong. Even though Jane herself had said there was no way Darcy was part of Bingley keeping away from Jane with actual facts, Lizzy refused to see it.
When Lizzy didn't come down for dinner, Hepatica tried to talk to her while Charlotte joined taking some supper up.
Charlotte and Hepatica left the room shortly after realising Lizzy wouldn't talk or listen to their opinions either.
"Give her time, she will see the truth eventually. Sometimes she just needs to be hit in the face with it." Charlotte stated as they walked down the stairs.
"She needs to be bludgeoned with the truth for her to even acknowledge it's there, from what I've seen. Poor Mr Darcy." The two women walked quietly down to Charlotte's parlor, dodging Mr Collins in his study, though Hepatica did notice his head pop out the door as they closed theirs, "I think I'll go write a letter to Jane and Miss Darcy let them know what's happened. Both parties might need the guidance and help of a sibling."
Not to mention one to her uncle about her displeasure in him bandying her personal information around. Not that she told Charlotte about her conversation with Darcy, she had contempated it, thinking maybe she should get her pragmatic opinion on it though.
"I'm told it helps pull one out of slumps or blocks like these. Well, they always helped my friends when they ended up not listening to friends, they listened to siblings." Rising from the chair with her cup of tea and a sly smile. "Well, most of the time."
"Yes, siblings are good at telling you to your face if your being an idiot, regardless if it's socially acceptable. Speaking from experience. Oh, please excuse the language Hepatica. I could not think of a better word."
"I think it fits in this conversation Charlotte." Taking a sip of her cup, Charlotte knew which tea to buy, after having tea at Rosing's Hepatica knew it wasn't the one Lady Catherine suggested. She breathed deep, the aromas of a nice blend always helping clear her mind, before moving over to the writing desk and starting her three letters, hopefully they will get them soon enough as they didn't plan to stay long after Easter as Hepatica and Miss Darcy were to be presented at the end of the month.