Chapter 21
Once at the fair Richard offered his arm to the Bennet ladies, and Darcy went with Georgiana, upon reaching the famous "Challenge Lock" Elizabeth went ahead to see him, Darcy was subtly pushed by his sister to get closer
- It's funny what some skillful wizards can do- said Darcy
-It really is magical, how has it been able to resist manipulation-she said
- It's design is magical, but it's construction clearly shouldn't be-
- Of course it would not last-
-Exactly, for it to be truly functional it must transcend magic-
- You have several machines on your property, machines like Lord Braham's-
-Yes but no they have been designed by me, I am not very creative in that, I am closer to the earth-
-However you create fantastic creatures, as I have heard-
- Yes, the transformation and improvement of any being I believe is what I do best-
She smiled - interesting-
The talk was interrupted when a young man from the exhibition to put the machines to work, all eyes were fascinated to see the machines operating, Mary and the Colonel had a pleasant conversation with Georgiana, the group came back together and then they entered the chemical part, Mary was hungry for questions and wanted seeing everything in detail, he separated a little and the Colonel followed his step.
Georgian looked at them and said -I didn't know that Richard was interested in potions chemistry-
Elizabeth smiled - He may be interested in knowing how to cure or because of his work how not to do it- she said this last lower and with mystery
Georgian laughed softly and Darcy smiled, they continued touring and when they looked at the medical advances a Lady came over to greet them
- What a pleasant surprise Mr. Darcy-
-Lady Diane- He bow, Elizabeth noticed how him previously relaxed features changed to a stoic attitude
- I thought you were still in the field- Lady said
-I recently returned on business my lady, please allow me to introduce my sister Georgian Darcy and the Miss Elizabeth Bennet-
Everyone made brief bows - I guess you remember my dear Alice- she said in time that her daughter was calling and giving a slight rudeness to the other ladies
- Miss Buchanan- Darcy said without further
It's nice to see you again -She said approaching and flirting slightly
- They will be in the city a lot; it would be great if they joined us on these dates the quality company is scarce- continued Lady Diane
-Our stay is brief and I am certainly very busy, however I think that my sister and Miss Elizabeth could join you for a tea- replied Darcy tensely, seeing the lady trying to ingratiate herself with him
Georgian blushed, and smiled briefly never before assisted outside her family, on the other hand Lady Diane did not expect that answer but she takes the opportunity, and accept the suggestion- Of course considerate, it would be pleasure ladies–
Alice Buchanan smiled but did not look away from Darcy, she even approached slightly, but her intention to get closer was frustrated
Darcy, wanting distance, said - It has really been a pleasure to see you but our group awaits us, my lady, Miss Buchanan- he said realizing bowed, Georgiana and Elizabeth followed suit and Lady Diane could only reiterate the invitation and take her leave, Darcy was always elusive, but he was an excellent man for her Alice
As she parted from them Georgiana asked - Are we really going to attend that tea? -
- The Buchanan are a respectable family of the Dolley house, it's good for both of you to know them, and being their friend should be decided by you- he answered without further ado
-How is Miss Buchanan?- Georgiana continued, not noticing how uncomfortable Darcy was getting
Without much emotion and controlling his features he said- a pleasant company I guess-
- that's all you can say about her- Georgiana said blinking and curious
Elizabeth seeing the growing discomfort of Darcy and the change in his whole countenance, as well as the subtle change in the weather, saw that although he seemed to control it, it was really about to overflow, so she decided to interrupt the conversation - Certainly Miss Georgiana, it's already a lot coming from your brother—
Georgiana looked at her curiously and smiled thinking that she had made Elizabeth jealous, but she didn't notice that it was her brother who had changed.
"Mr. Darcy will hardly tell you more than the predominant trait of a person in a single day, so it will be up to us to discover how pleasant or not the young lady can be," said Elizabeth, smiling
Darcy, who was struggling to control her growing irritability, looked at Elizabeth was tempted to mentally speak to her and decided to change the whole direction of their conversation, "You will find it pleasant, certainly Miss Elizabeth I have described you as intelligent and rashly beautiful, or Miss Mary as shy
Blushing furiously, he looked at her, while Georgiana smiled and said nothing more…. Darcy knew very well who the Buchanan were, the young lady was pleasant and graceful, well educated, but she was of little conversation and few ideas, Darcy was not interested in her, but Lady Diane never missed an opportunity and always threw her at him.
The afternoon continued without incident, Darcy when he could subtly threw one or another veiled message of admiration to Elizabeth, she looked at him but still did not finish reconciling the man...
For the Colonel it was more than obvious that Darcy was in love with Elizabeth, in the brief exchanges they shared he used to look at the lady but he was still clumsy when interacting with her, it was brief although he always tried to leave a subtle comment of admiration and looked at her longingly.
It was obvious that she still didn't see him in the same way but she wasn't completely indifferent to him… she lacked a bit of impulse apparently to consider him as a suitor.
At night, Darcy, after everyone had gathered, sat in the Library thinking, he had already had two drinks and looked at the amber liquid in his glass, the book he had taken was upside down on his leg, he had tried to read, but his My mind came back to her, and she thought over and over again if she was really treating her with kid gloves, kid gloves, … grab and leave no trace, make yourself felt but avoid marking, treat gently, be careful because it was volatile…., what Mr. Bennet meant, …give him reasons, as one gave reasons to be loved….
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of someone in the library, the sound of the skirts announced a woman, Darcy did not make a sound or move, he only hoped he saw Elizabeth's silhouette moving towards the shelves, she did not stop to see if anyone was there, she had a book in his hand and was moving around looking on the shelf.
He watched her subtle movement and enjoyed her swaying as she searched, he couldn't stop detailing her, he allowed himself to be filled with the scent of lavender that she emanated, everything in him woke up before her, he shook his head and breathed gently... make yourself feel... he repeated to himself
-Are you browsing or need help getting a book- he said softly
She stopped in surprise and turned at his voice, -Mr. Darcy, I'm sorry to interrupt you- she said approaching him
She blinked several times, she had wanted a moment before to apologize for their treatment, but whenever they were alone she was left without words to do so, and now she felt extremely nervous
-You need help with your book-continued Darcy
-oh! I…..- she looked at him, he looked different, he was different, what was that….. she really didn't know how to treat him, she looked down – No, I… that's good—
He took the book that she still had in her hands and read the title Magical Purity –What an interesting selection, if that pleases you I can recommend this one- he raised his hand and the books moved in front of them bringing before him another copy Magical Bonds
She looked at him, she felt hypnotized he was confident but not there was arrogance, he was quite an admirable, handsome, attractive being, she can notice how beautiful and muscular he looked in his shirt... she took the book and tried to calm her emotions, what was wrong with her... "Thank you," she whispered
He shook his head, looked at her and turned around, he must have distanced himself, he felt too tempted, he wanted to touch her, kiss her, but he couldn't….
she called him before he began his retreat -Mr. Darcy, could I ask you something? –
-You're already doing it Miss- he said without finishing returning, if he stayed there he didn't know if he could contain himself
-In that book he talked about the irisurst, and the magic fullness, is it just theory or is there some truth in it, what do you think? - She had previously asked her father the same question but he had told her that it was just theory
Feel... Convince... he smiled at the words in his mind and turned gently but not completely – Many consider it irrelevant, however we have the mark, my mother used to say that each irisurst coincides with its other, but they do not always recognize each other and although you can live without the other neither will reach the plenitude-
-The brand? how the brand? only the purest have it? —she said confused what mark they were talking about, she didn't remember that
-No, only men with magical quality have their mark, it is usually on their arms or chest—
She remembered, it was the sign, what he called the mark, the sign or tattoo that lights up, she kept asking -But in reality it lights up, the eyes really change, you feel the magnetism-
-According to yes, but it doesn't say how or when it happens, the presence alone I don't think makes everything manifest- the he avoided looking at her directly, but he noticed her gestures….
She touched his face as she thought-Uhmmm it said something about connection, but it didn't explain what kind of connection-
-Certainly-Darcy said feeling how her mark burned, he looked at her place and even though it was perfectly covered, a soft reflection of light could be detailed. He closed his eyes wishing they wouldn't show changes, if she still didn't feel it he wouldn't show it
She had approached him and said touching his arm-Mr. Darcy, do you know people who found their irisurst-
That touch triggered everything in him, it was her... he had no doubt, but since she didn't feel it, he swallowed and when he saw her so close to him he almost took her between his arms… -Yes, Miss Elizabeth—he said hoarsely
She looked at him and once again she felt hypnotized, attracted, she saw that he didn't look her in the eyes and seemed to be controlling himself, she felt that her presence hurt him, she had to apologize and I would do it now – Mr. Darcy, I…..I really have to apologize for my previous treatment when you…..- she paused and noticed how he contracted and closed his hand leaving flashes –…. I was too much at that moment….. please understand my mind was bewitched, I shouldn't have…"
He interrupted her and without thinking, took her hands bringing her towards him, both feeling energy flowing from that contact –I don't have to apologize for anything, your words have made me consider—
-Mr. Darcy- she said trying to look at his eyes, but he avoided her gaze once more,
Darcy looked at her joined hands and said, "You must excuse me, Miss Elizabeth," he said, letting go of her hands and leaving her he couldn't be there anymore, his emotions became uncontrollable before the strong pull of his yearning body….
She saw him leave, but she was completely confused, she seemed to see that he had a certain light on his shoulder, he had never avoided her gaze before and now he did not look at her, he was so serene and suddenly he seemed distressed, and she came to feel emotions and sensations that he never had before….seeing him go made him feel empty, because he had changed…..I think about his last words they have made me consider…. What do I think, that he no longer appreciates her….
Elizabeth went to her room and flipped through the book, saw the sections on irisurts again, and could see that much of what was said there was what she was feeling, that current, that magnetism, it would be possible that Mr. Darcy was her irisurt, it would be possible that that radiance was her illuminated mark, she needed to see his eyes, the eyes were not lying, they would dilate, they would change color….. and what if it was him? seemed to have changed, now perhaps he had no chance, he was running away from him...
Darcy went straight to his room he couldn't make a natural explosion like in Nehterfield, and now he felt more uncontrolled than ever, he looked at the coals and lit them, then He moved water and put out the fire generated, he used so much energy that he turned it into snow, he touched the wood of his bed and it creaked…. He breathed again and again, he had never been so explosive, he had to do something…. he had to look for some kind of release… he thought about going riding, even running, but it could be noticed, he decided to pleasure himself, it was something he had avoided since he was a teenager, but he needed it
….…
Breakfast, Darcy rarely joined them late, and he had breakfast While going through the correspondence, an invitation to dinner arrived and because they were some important noblemen, Darcy decided not to attend alone
-Miss Elizabeth, would you be so kind as to attend dinner with me at Lord Winderford
-Mr. Darcy, I don't know none of those people
-I know but that is precisely why her father decided to send her to London with me, to pave the way for her –
-Is that so despite the fact that we have not been presented to the queen
-Her father has already been named the king's man, I suppose she knows will hold a ball in your honour, and you and your sisters will be presented at court next month, you are already part of society so there is no problem in your attending, in fact my appointment has not been formalized but that does not exclude me of my obligations and necessary assistance to society, Miss Mary could also attend, however she believed that you have greater facility and ability for new acquaintances you will feel more comfortable...- he said with a smile
-I understand, well I will accompany you then sir- she said a little blushing
-I guess the discussion continues on the request for the abolition of houses and rights by quality- intervened the colonel who had joined them again that day
-Certainly
-You know I would ask rather not quality by primogeniture but equity
-Even I would say equity without gender
both gentlemen looked at her the same as Georgian and Mary who watched everything in silence
- Both have merit, however it will not be easy for whoever has power to cede it easily and even less to those who they consider they have not been trained to manage, administer and decide
Elizabeth wanted to debate but understood that he was speaking in general, rather than his own position, and the coron he abandoned the subject for something lighter and breakfast continued without further ado, the day was light the ladies went shopping and a short walk to the park.