The Gypsy Blessing (28 page)

Though she did not wish to put off looking at the drawings, she had learnt
not
to open the drawings with Jane present as there were several that she did not think Jane should see. Most of those had appeared mysteriously, as had this one, for it was far too early for it to have come by post.

After putting her things away, the girls went down to their morning meal. Her letter would have to wait.

~

Finding a few minutes alone on the day of a ball was nigh to impossible for Elizabeth. Finally, after she was dressed for the ball and the maid had gone to help Jane finish preparing herself, she settled herself in the window seat and broke the seal.

Elizabeth was glad she was already sitting when she unfolded the first drawing. Mrs. Younge held the door open between Georgiana’s bedchamber and the sitting room she shared with her brother at Netherfield. Wickham was also half through the door! He was formally dressed, as if he were at a dinner party—or a ball.

Impossible!

The last time she had been to Netherfield to visit with Georgiana, Darcy had told her that while Bingley had invited all of the officers of the regiment, he had also spoken to Colonel Forster and requested that Wickham be on duty the night of the ball. The colonel had promised Bingley that Wickham would be sent to London with some correspondence so that he would not be available that evening.

And yet, here he was, gaining entrance to Georgiana’s bedchamber. Upon closer inspection, Elizabeth noticed Georgiana was asleep in the bed.

Elizabeth closed her eyes.
Of all people, Mrs. Younge knows what this man is. She would never help him do such a thing!

Her eyes snapped open. No, it would come true. She could feel it.

With a trembling hand, she moved the first drawing to the back of the stack.

Bile rose in her throat as she stared wide-eyed at the next sketch. “No!” she whispered.

Wickham had pulled back the bedcoverings. Scanning the remainder of this drawing she realized Mrs. Younge was gone.
She will leave Wickham alone with Georgiana?

Elizabeth blinked away tears as she looked at the next drawing. Tears were running down Georgiana’s face unchecked, as Wickham slipped a ring on her finger. A wedding! Although the background was not clear, Elizabeth knew deep within her that this was not the famed blacksmith’s of Gretna Green as in a previous sketch. The blacksmith would not force a woman to marry against her will, but somehow, Wickham would find someone who would do so.

The next was two drawings in one, with the page split in half, showing Elizabeth that, without a doubt, this would happen on the same day.

On the left side of the page, Georgiana was in a house that Elizabeth did not recognize. Pale and miserable-looking, her young friend was sitting at a dressing table, staring at herself in a mirror. Behind her, Elizabeth could see Wickham leaving the room, laughter displayed in every feature as he looked back at Georgiana, who was now wearing the wedding ring. The quality of furnishings in the room was much more humble than they should be for a Darcy, but Elizabeth felt sure this was Georgiana’s bedchamber.

On the right side of the page, Wickham was wearing the same clothing as in the other drawing, and Mrs. Younge was in his arms! They were leaning towards each other as if they were about to kiss.
Mrs. Younge will be his mistress.
The apartment, clothing, and furnishings provided for Mrs. Younge were obviously of much better quality than those for Georgiana.

“I will not let this happen!” Elizabeth said aloud through her tears. “I must tell father... I must warn Mr. Darcy!”

She rose from her seat and, wiping her face with a handkerchief, she walked to the door, but when her hand gripped the handle, she stopped short.

How can I tell either of them? Father would think me insane should I tell him I have been receiving information through drawings I receive by magical posts! If I brought Jane with me, he would think her gullible, and keep us at home from the ball tonight. I could do nothing from Longbourn to prevent this.

Mr. Darcy—oh, he already thought me in league with Wickham before, what would he think if I brought this to him? What could I say about Mrs. Younge so that he will believe me?

She paced her room, wringing her handkerchief.

Stay calm, Elizabeth; think! Georgiana will stay at the ball until after supper. When she leaves, I will go with her and stay with her. I will ask to sleep there... say I have a headache or... or... oh, I do not know, but I
will
find a way to stay in her bedchamber! Miss Bingley said she was inviting some friends from London. The bedrooms will be all occupied, and there will be no other place for me to stay. If I am ill, but not too ill, Georgiana will allow me to remain with her, I am sure of it.

The danger will be over after the ball—if I am there, Mrs. Younge will not let him in. Wickham cannot possibly sneak into the house another night without being seen. After the ball, I
will
find a way to convince Mr. Darcy that Mrs. Younge is unfit to be Georgiana’s companion. Jane... Jane will help me think of a way to convince him without sounding mad!

Elizabeth went to Jane’s room; at last, when the maid left them alone for a moment, Elizabeth said, “Jane, I must speak with you—”

Lydia’s wails echoed through the household, growing louder, and the girl walked into the room unbidden. A large portion of her hair was undone and hung from the side of her head. “Jane, you must help me at once. Kitty’s bracelet became caught on one of my hairpins, and look what happened! You are the only one who can tame my hair!”

Jane looked at Elizabeth apologetically and asked, “Can our discussion wait until later, Lizzy?”

With this latest mishap, they would most certainly arrive late. Elizabeth could not delay their family even further.
I will handle this problem alone.
“Yes, of course. Go. We do not want to keep Mr. Bingley waiting.”

Elizabeth returned to her bedchamber and unlocked the drawer of her vanity. Removing the gypsy’s necklace from its hiding place, she thought,
I can use all the luck I can get!

Moving to put it around her neck, she stopped abruptly. If she wore it, her mother would question her endlessly about from where it came, and she was not prepared to answer. Mrs. Bennet would never have approved of one of her daughters coming to the aid of a gypsy.

She tucked it into the front of her corset, where it would not be seen.

All would be well if she kept to her simple plan.

Chapter 20

Netherfield Park

The Bennets’ coach pulled up to the front steps of Netherfield, and the family disembarked. Elizabeth looked up and saw Darcy standing by a window. She smiled up at him. With disappointment, Elizabeth watched him stare at her blank-faced for a moment before nodding and turning away from the window. Georgiana stepped forward, joy radiating from her very being. Elizabeth waved.

I will make certain she will have reason to smile tomorrow.

As the family made their way down the receiving line, Bingley stepped out to Jane’s side. He escorted the two eldest Bennet sisters into the ballroom.

Immediately upon entering the room, Elizabeth saw the Darcys. Elizabeth’s breath caught.
He is so incredibly handsome!
She wished the gypsies had drawn this moment instead of their dance.

She heard Bingley say, “Miss Darcy was so nervous that I have promised her that I would take you both directly to her so she would feel more comfortable.”

Elizabeth turned to thank Bingley, but her voice stuck in her throat. She could feel Darcy’s eyes burning into her, and she looked again. A few more steps and he stood before her.

“Good evening, ladies.” Darcy said with a bow. “You look quite lovely.” Heat rushed through Elizabeth when she saw the way his eyes devoured her.

Elizabeth could not breathe, overwhelmed by what she had seen in his eyes. Was she mistaken, after all, in thinking that the gypsies were wrong in their prediction? Her heart told her yes, but up until this moment, her mind had told her it was impossible. Bingley said something directly to Darcy, and the gentleman broke their connection.

Elizabeth looked at Georgiana and blushed. The young lady was smiling slyly as she glanced at Darcy and then back to herself. Had she noticed her brother’s expression or her own?

Elizabeth said, “You look very pretty, Georgie.”

Georgiana glowed and returned the compliment to both Elizabeth and to Jane, who had, by then, joined them.

Jane looked about the room and said, “Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst have made the ballroom into a wonderland.”

“Yes, it is beautiful,” Elizabeth agreed, then asked Georgiana, “Are you permitted to dance this evening?”

Georgiana’s smile fell a little. “My brother will not allow it.”

Elizabeth took the younger girl’s hand. “Do not worry, Georgie, your time for dancing at balls will come soon enough.” She had to look away as she thought of the drawings she had received that day. For some odd reason, that seemed such a long time ago. She examined Georgiana, so full of life and happiness and knew she would not allow anything to happen to her friend! She cleared the emotion from her throat. “Is Mrs. Younge not in attendance?”

Georgiana shook her head. “My brother told her she did not have to attend me this evening.”

Elizabeth nodded. “You
will
be staying at the ball until after supper, will you not?”

“Oh, yes.” Georgiana nodded and smiled mischievously. “I am looking forward to watching you dance. After listening to all the planning that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst have put into the meal, I would like to see how it comes out. I still cannot imagine how Cook will be able to feed all these people!”

A footman approached the group and spoke to Bingley. Jane blushed as Bingley stepped closer to her and said, “It seems I am missed on the receiving line, Miss Bennet. I will find you before the first set.” He bowed and walked away.

Georgiana unsuccessfully tried to hide her giggle, and Jane’s blush deepened.

“Oh, look, here comes Charlotte and Sir William Lucas,” Elizabeth noted. After greetings were complete, Sir William began to bend Darcy’s ear. Because time had slowed earlier in the day, she suspected Charlotte had good news for them. Elizabeth said, “
You
look very pleased this evening, Charlotte.”

“Yes, I am, and although we had decided not to make a public announcement until my mother could arrange a dinner party for our neighbours this coming Saturday, I cannot keep such news as this from my good friends.” She lowered her voice so that only Elizabeth, Jane, and Georgiana could hear. “Just this morning, I have become engaged to marry Mr. Collins!”

Charlotte beamed with such happiness that none of the ladies could remark other than to wish her joy.

Mr. Collins approached, and Charlotte introduced him to Miss Darcy. His betrothed interrupted his excessive compliments to Lady Catherine’s relations to tell him that she had shared their news with only her three friends, after which he seemed a bit ruffled. Elizabeth felt his change in humour was caused by being deprived of the opportunity to tell his cousins himself. This mood was short lived, however, and he then accepted the congratulations the ladies offered with more grace than Elizabeth thought was possible for the gentleman.

Elizabeth looked at Darcy and saw that Sir William was still chattering to him. Darcy seemed impatient, but she saw that he glanced at Mr. Collins, and then back to Sir William several times. Elizabeth felt he was trying to make up his mind as to which man he would rather be listening. His gaze met Elizabeth’s, and his eyebrows rose. She smiled and glanced at both prospective conversation partners, then back to Darcy, which seemed to trigger his mirth. He attempted to hide his smile by pressing his lips together and returning his gaze to Sir William, but she could see the corners of his mouth twitching.

Jane, Georgiana, and Mr. Collins conversed as Charlotte leaned in and whispered, “I see your sense of humour has some influence on the very serious Mr. Darcy, Lizzy.” Her look was meaningful as she said, “Do you know that the only time I have ever seen him smile has been while he was interacting with you?”

“You are imagining things, Charlotte.”

“Am I?” Charlotte smiled at seeing Elizabeth’s blush. “Time will tell.”

Bingley returned, and the musicians played a bit of a tune, signaling the dancing was about to begin. Bingley and Mr. Collins claimed their partners for the first set, and a young man came to claim Elizabeth. The Darcys were left standing alone.

~%~

Georgiana smiled as her brother watched Elizabeth walk away with the young gentleman who had reserved her first set of the evening. As always, Darcy hid his feelings, but she knew his habits too well. Georgiana’s hopes of a match between them were high, and she kept a keen watch on him. He never looked away from Elizabeth as she danced.

Elizabeth laughed loudly enough for Georgiana to hear it where they stood on the sidelines. The muscles of her brother’s jaw tightened, and the way he fretted his signet ring told her all she needed to know. It was as she hoped.

How wonderful!
Fitzwilliam is jealous!
I must find a way to give them some time relatively alone.

Having them sit together at supper—without her to distract them—would suit her purposes perfectly. Georgiana did not like to lie, but it would be for a good cause.

I will feign a headache and go up before their dance.

Georgiana sighed, dreaming of what her life would be like with Elizabeth as her sister.

~%~

During each set, Elizabeth kept watch on Georgiana’s whereabouts. In between dances, Elizabeth sought her out and stood with her. She was usually standing with her brother, but he danced one set with each of his host’s sisters, often leaving Georgiana with Elizabeth’s own sister Mary. Elizabeth smiled, thinking that Mary was a good choice—the most sensible of all her sisters, other than Jane, of course.

At the beginning of the last set before the supper set, Elizabeth lost track of the young lady. Passing by Jane, she asked if she knew where Georgiana had gone.

“All the excitement had given her a headache, so she went to bed. I promised we would call upon her tomorrow afternoon.”

NO!
Elizabeth paled. “When was this, Jane?”

“Before this song,” Jane said as she moved down the dance.

This tune was almost over! She might be in bed by now.

Immediately, Elizabeth thanked her partner and made her excuses before she rushed off.

I must find Mr. Darcy.
I shall tell him I thought I saw Wickham and feel we should check on Georgiana
.

Searching the crowd for Darcy, she could not find him. She rushed from room to room, standing on her toes to look for him, with no success.

I cannot delay any longer. I must go upstairs now, before it is too late!

Her heart pounding, she made her way up the stairs. A group of ladies passed through a door at one end of the hallway, which she knew was the ladies’ retiring room. Elizabeth knocked lightly on Georgiana’s bedchamber door, which was at the opposite end of the corridor. There was no answer. Assuming her friend was already asleep, Elizabeth tried the doorknob. On any other night, she might have been concerned that the door had been left unlocked, but tonight she said a prayer of thanks. Opening the door, she slipped through and softly closed it behind her.

The only light in the room was from the hearth, and Elizabeth stood still to allow her eyes to adjust to the relative darkness. Once her vision had cleared, she could make out Georgiana sleeping peacefully on the side of the bed further away from the door—alone.

I have made it in time!

Feeling a bit dizzy with what she assumed was the sense of relief that swept over her, Elizabeth closed her eyes and leaned against the wall beside the door.

The click of a door latch opening sounded out, and Elizabeth’s heart leapt up to her throat. She took a step and peeked around the corner, looking for the source of the sound. Elizabeth froze in place, trying to think of the best plan of action against the two people she knew she would see.

Mrs. Younge slowly pushed open the door connecting Georgiana’s bedchamber to her sitting room, and Wickham came into view. Taking several steps into the room, Wickham looked at the bed, smirked, and then turned to kiss Mrs. Younge’s cheek.

Mrs. Younge watched as Wickham approached the side of the bed closest to Elizabeth, and then the traitor stepped out of the room, taking her candle with her.

~%~

Darcy made certain he had refreshed himself before returning to the ballroom well before the dance preceding the supper set was through. Upon his return to the ballroom, he inspected the sea of faces moving down the line. Although he had intended to claim Elizabeth’s hand the moment she left the floor, as the song was ending, he still could not find her. Walking the outskirts of the ballroom, Darcy finally spied the gentleman who had last been partnered with Elizabeth, but the gentleman was conversing with an older couple instead of dancing. Since he had not been introduced to any of the group, he continued his search.

After several minutes, he spotted Jane Bennet and moved towards the area of the room he thought the dance would take her when the music ended. She saw him as well and made a gesture to her partner, indicating she wished to move in his direction. She seemed upset. Darcy knew that this could not be a good sign.

Jane approached, thanked her partner, and turned to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, have you seen my sister Elizabeth?”

“No, not her since the last set began. As our set will begin shortly, I was just now seeking her out.”

Jane shook her head. “I passed her in the dance at the beginning of the set, but then when I turned around, she was gone—” Jane stopped speaking abruptly, turning away from Darcy. She touched a lady on the arm as the lady and her partner passed by them. Darcy noticed she was being escorted by the man who had last been dancing with Elizabeth. “Good evening Miss Henn, Mr. Smith.” Jane said as she curtsied. “Mr. Smith, do you happen to know where Elizabeth has gone?”

The gentleman seemed quite annoyed at the question. “Miss Elizabeth had to excuse herself. She said she had important business that could not be delayed and then rushed off without another word.” He waved towards a doorway that led into the hall.

With a worried expression, Jane thanked him, and turned to Darcy.

Darcy asked Jane, “Did she speak to you during the dance?”

“Yes, she asked if I knew where your sister had gone. I told her Georgiana had retired early.” Jane tilted her head. “I did not realize it at the time, but, now that I think back, Lizzy seemed upset by that news.”

For a reason he could not place, Jane’s words sent a sense of panic rushing through him. Something was not right.

Bingley approached to claim his supper dance with Jane, his smile fading as he saw their expressions. “What has happened?” Bingley asked.

“We cannot find Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bennet will explain further,” Darcy said, and then turned to Jane. “Perhaps she went to check on Georgiana. I will go up to my sister’s chamber and see if that is so.”

“I will search through these rooms for Elizabeth,” Jane responded, glancing at Bingley.

Bingley took her hand and placed it on his arm as he replied, “And I will accompany you.”

As if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water on his person, a sudden chill fell over Darcy. Something was very wrong. Making his way across the crowded ballroom was not an easy task, but he walked as quickly as was possible towards the door closest to the stairway.