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An hour later, exhausted with all the questions Lord Matlock had fired at her, Jane stepped gingerly into the Healing Hall, leaning on Lizzy’s arm. She stopped in the doorway and gazed around her. It was like stepping into the past. She had been in this drawing room many times when Mrs. Prescott was alive, mostly with Mama when she came to bring the old lady the latest gossip. It had been at least six years since Mrs. Prescott had died, and then her husband had gone away.
The wood paneling that used to line the walls and ceilings was still there, as were the heavy olive and gold curtains. The picture of Mrs. Prescott’s mother that had hung above the fireplace had been removed, but Jane could still see the outline of a rectangle on the wall where the painting had been.
She would have liked to share her memories with Lizzy, but the Healers were in a Circle, and she did not want to interfere with the Healing. She tried to make herself as inconspicuous as she could.
The Healers stopped anyway, but they showed no interest in her. They all looked at Lizzy.
A tall lady with red hair raised her brow arrogantly. “Can we help you, Mrs. Darcy?”
Jane was not her usual self, which was probably why the Healers did not seem very friendly. It was particularly puzzling because, in her experience, Healers could be territorial, but they were usually kind. Why would they be territorial towards Elizabeth? She was a Janus Mage. A Warder, not a Healer.
Lizzy gave Jane a little push of the hand in the small of her back and Jane stepped reluctantly forward. She was not sure she liked these mages who reacted to Lizzy in such a hostile manner.
“I have brought you my sister. This is Miss Jane Bennet. She is unwell. She seems to have developed a cold, and she has a fever.”
As if to prove her sister right, Jane sneezed, and their gazes shifted to her. Jane shrank away from the attention.
“I am perfectly well, Lizzy. You worry too much. All I need is a good night’s sleep, and I am quite certain I will be completely recovered by tomorrow.”
Truly she did not need to be Healed. She just wanted to lie down.
But then her attention was drawn by the patient they were healing. It was a young gentleman with golden curls. He was sitting upright in his bed, a serene smile on his face. He did not look at her. She had the feeling he did not look at anyone. There was something unusual about him, but she could not tell what it was.
The tall lady with red hair came forward and touched Jane’s brow.
“You are certainly feverish.” She turned to another of the Healers. “Lady Hazelmere, which bed should I put her in?”
Once she had received instructions, the red-haired mage smiled at Jane and led her to a bed. She seemed concerned now.
“Come and lie down, and we will take care of you.”
She did not smile at Lizzy, however, and when she spoke, her voice was reserved. “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy. You may leave your sister with us.”
Jane wanted to ask her sister to stay, but she did not like to make a nuisance of herself, so she let her go.
Come back soon, Lizzy, she wanted to say, but Lizzy had already left.
***
WHEN JANE AWOKE A FEW hours later, it was daytime. Her throat felt as if it was on fire, and she was desperate for something to drink.
There was a screen blocking her view, so she could not tell if there were any Healers in the room.
“Is there anyone here?” Her voice came out as a croak.
When there was no answer, she sat up shakily and moved her legs so that she was at the edge of the bed. Perhaps she could find something to drink herself. That way, she would not inconvenience anyone. Slowly, she pulled herself up to a sitting position, but her legs buckled when she tried to get up.
Then she heard shuffling steps, and the golden-hair gentleman came into view. He came and sat on the chair next to her bed.
Partly because she was too ill to think clearly, and partly because she sensed that he needed her help, she put her hand out and took one of his. He did not pull away, which was good, because she could tell a great deal about a disease through touch. She closed her eyes and focused on imagining a quiet, unruffled lake. Then she reached out the threads of her magic to look for what was wrong. The tiny threads glowed and spread out through his body, looking for shadowed patches where his lifelines were weaker.
The threads did not get far. They were obstructed by a barrier. As she tried to go beyond it, the lake turned into a raging sea, with waves sweeping upwards and towering as high as a steeple. The water roiled and boiled and slashed about, trying to kick her out. Jane struggled to control the storm to see what was behind it, but she was not strong enough.
She would have to wait for another time. She pulled back her hand.
The young man did not seem to have noticed, one way or the other. It was sad. She wished she could help him.
The door opened, and one of the Healers came in. Gasping as she saw the young man sitting next to Jane’s bed, she came over at once.
Jane closed her eyes. She did not want to be suspected of impropriety. Not that she had done anything wrong, but it was only too easy for a lady’s reputation to be ruined.
“Mr. Bingley! What are you doing here? You had better come with me. I will take you to Mr. Darcy.”
Now Jane knew his name. Mr. Bingley.
***
TWO DAYS LATER, TO Elizabeth’s relief, Jane woke up free of fever, and Elizabeth was able to collect her from the Healer’s Hall. As Elizabeth hugged her and led her away, Jane inquired anxiously about the Council’s decision.
“They are planning to speak to you before deciding anything.”
Jane gave a sigh of relief. “That is very kind of them.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at such a characterization of the Council, but it was not in Jane’s nature to question people’s motives. “I’m not entirely certain we can call them kind.”
“Well, Mr. Matlock and Mr. Darcy were very amiable when they questioned me.”
Elizabeth had to acknowledge that was true. They had both been very gentle with her. Jane always seemed able to bring out the best in people.
“What news is there from Longbourn? Does Mama know I was taken ill?”
“Yes. That is what Papa told her. It must be all over Meryton by now. The story he and Lord Matlock concocted was that you became feverish while you were riding, and that one of the Healers here found you and brought you to be attended to.”
“So was Papa here, then?”
“He was.”
Mr. Bennet had ridden through the Wards, like Jane, though, unlike her, he had been forewarned because Mr. Matlock had instructed him to do so. It had created another uproar, but Mr. Bennet had shrugged it off and said it was a family Talent to walk through Wards. No one could tell if he was serious or joking.
“You had better bathe and change into new clothes. I will have the servants bring hot water for a bath. They will be summoning you before the Council, now that you are up and about. They have been chaffing at the bit, waiting for you to recover.” Elizabeth looked amused. “I would not be surprised if they think you magically made yourself ill just to make things more difficult for them.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. I would never do such a thing, even if I were capable of doing so, which I am not.”
Elizabeth shook her head, smiling at Jane’s earnest denial. “Of course not, but they are determined to find fault with everything the Bennets do. It has nothing to do with you.”
Jane looked alarmed, and Elizabeth regretted her words. She had spoken without thinking, remembering her own experience of the Council.
“I will come with you. You have nothing to fear from them. You have done nothing wrong, after all. Just behave as you always do, and all will be well. You know how Mama is always saying you are beautiful for a reason? Well, all you have to do is smile, and within a few minutes, they will all be convinced that you are innocent.”
The conversation was interrupted as two of the maids entered, bringing hot water and towels.
“For now, let us find you something to wear so you can have your bath. Then you will feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. None of my gowns will fit you very well, but this is the best we can do at short notice. Papa was supposed to have some of your clothing sent to Netherfield, but since he has to do so in secret, we have no idea when he will have the opportunity to do it without arousing any suspicions.”
“I have caused so many problems for everyone. If only I had not decided to offer my assistance to Mr. Murray.”
“If you must blame someone, you should blame Mama for allowing you to come when she knew nothing about Mr. Murray. And you have not caused problems for me. The worst thing that can happen is that you will be compelled to stay at Netherfield with me, which makes me very happy.”
***
AS ELIZABETH HAD PREDICTED, the summons came almost immediately. Someone in the Healer’s Hall must have informed the Council that Jane had recovered. Emily barely had time to finish Jane’s hair when a footman arrived requesting Miss Bennet’s presence.
As Elizabeth entered the crowded breakfast room where the meeting was being held, she looked for Darcy. He smiled reassuringly. She stood awkwardly near the door. The Council members were all seated at the table, but no one had thought of providing chairs for the young ladies.
A bald gentleman with heavy jowls rose to his feet. “Why is Mrs. Darcy here? We did not invite her to appear before the Council.”
This must be Mr. Devereux, Elizabeth decided. Darcy had mentioned him to her. He was every bit as belligerent as Darcy had described him.
She raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “I am here to make sure my sister’s interests are represented.”
He looked pointedly at Darcy. “Perhaps you could explain to your wife that she has not been invited. She does not seem to comprehend the concept.”
Elizabeth quirked her brow and stood her ground. She found her courage rising at his blatant attempt to intimidate her.
“Are you always so uncivil to ladies, or is it just today? I believe we have not been introduced.”
There were a few chuckles around the room.
Jane touched her on the arm. It was a steadying touch intended to remind her that confronting Devereux would only antagonize him further.
From the chilling look in his eyes, she judged he would remember her words. Perhaps she had not done Jane a favor by coming to defend her. She resolved to guard her tongue unless it was essential for her to speak.
Matlock rapped the table for order. “This meeting has been called to discuss whether it is safer to send Miss Bennet back to her home at Longbourn, or to keep her here to ensure word does not spread of our existence in the neighborhood. But first, perhaps we should question Miss Bennet about her reasons for coming here in the first place.”
“And we also need to know how and why she was able to disable the Wards,” Elizabeth recognized the red-haired young lady who was speaking. She was Lady Ashcombe. She was one of the Healers.
“I would have thought it was obvious,” Devereux remarked. “Her sister deliberately left the Wards open so she would be able to come here.”
Elizabeth had resolved not to speak, but she could not let Devereux make insinuations without defending herself.
“And what motive would I have for that, may I ask? In what way would it benefit me?”
“Who knows. Perhaps you wished to make a mockery of our defenses.”
She started to speak, but Matlock interrupted her. “That is a ridiculous accusation, and well you know it. You owe the young lady an apology, but that is not for now. Let us ask Miss Bennet why she decided to come here in the first place.”
Jane blushed and looked so flustered that no one in their right mind could have suspected her of plotting to do anything.
“I came to bring a basket and offer my services to Mr. Murray. I thought Netherfield was a house for wounded soldiers.”
The naivete of the statement brought silence to room.
“And what kind of services did you intend to offer?”
There were a couple of snickers. Matlock turned a severe gaze on the guilty parties and they fell silent.
“I am a Healer, your lordship. I thought I could provide assistance if needed. If not, a basket with some salves and jelly would not go amiss.”
“Were you sent by your father?”
Elizabeth tried not to wince. She did not like the direction of this questioning. Jane was incapable of hiding information.
“No sir. By my mother.”
Her words provoked an immediate reaction.
Devereux gave a wide grin. “I knew it! I knew there was something fishy about all this.”
Matlock ignored him.
“And why did Mrs. Bennet send you here?”
Elizabeth had never seen Jane’s face turn so purple. She murmured her answer so quietly, even Elizabeth who was standing next to her could not hear it.”
“Speak up, child,” said Pickering. “I cannot hear a thing.”
“Because Papa refused to visit Mr. Murray, and Mama was seeking an introduction to some of the officers.”
Several people laughed. It was an embarrassing admission, and Elizabeth did not know quite where to look, but it served its purpose. No one could possibly suspect Jane of nefarious intentions.
That did not make the laughter any less excruciating.
“There you have it,” said Grayson. “A mother who is looking for a husband for her daughter.”
But Devereux still was not convinced. “So you are admitting that you are not actually a Healer? That you came here under false pretenses?”
Elizabeth could see that Darcy was growing increasingly agitated. “For heaven’s sake, Devereux. You are beating a dead horse. Miss Bennet is known in the neighborhood for her healing abilities. If you do not believe it, send someone to ask around.”
“I will.”
“Good. Then we can ascertain that Miss Bennet is speaking the truth.” Matlock looked bored with the whole thing. “Now we can come to the question of the Wards, which, you will agree, is a much more serious question. Miss Bennet, can you explain to us in your own words how you were able to dismantle the Wards?”
Jane shook her head, her large blue eyes mirroring her confusion.
“There was a storm, and the wind and rain were blinding me. I thought I was being pushed back by the wind. I did not feel the Wards at all. I could not see Netherfield at first, then, as I passed through the wind, I could see the building. As a Healer, I tend to draw on Elemental magic. I cannot explain how I went through the Wards. I did not even know there were Wards. I have been to Netherfield many times in the past. It did not occur to me it would be Warded.”
Elizabeth thought it might be useful to remind them at this point that Jane had no reason to think that Netherfield was anything but a home for injured soldiers. There would have been no reason for it to be Warded.
But when she began to explain this, Matlock cut her short.
“Would anyone else like to question the young lady?”
“I would,” said Lord Sudbury. Elizabeth had been introduced to him. He was a civil gentleman with an agreeable manner.
“Miss Bennet,” he said, gently. “You say your talent lies in Elemental Magic?”
“No, sir. I do not practice Elemental magic. I am a Healer, and my healing abilities are often drawn from the elements, but I cannot manipulate them.”
“And you felt nothing at all when you rode through the Wards?”
“Only the blowing of the wind and the rain. They almost knocked me off my horse.”
“Any more questions, Lord Sudbury?” Matlock was beginning to sound impatient.
“No.”
“Then we will move on to the next issue, the question of whether to send the young lady home, or to keep her here. If you are in favor of sending the young lady home, I have spoken personally to Mr. Bennet, and he has given me his word that she will not speak to anyone at all about what has happened here, including her mama and her sisters.”
“You tell me you are relying on Mr. Bennet’s word.” Devereux was not going to back down on this. “What makes you think he will not betray us? Was he not cast out of the Academy?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Devereux,” said Grayson. “I can vouch for Mr. Bennet. I taught him some of his skills. You have my word that he is a man of principle, and that he would never do something that would put his fellow mages—let alone his own daughters—in danger.”
“It seems I am one of the few people who have never met Mr. Bennet,” said Lord Sudbury. “As such, I can neither vouch for him, nor discredit him.”
“I have not met him either,” said Lady Ashcombe. “But it seems to me that, while we can trust a gentleman to keep his word, there may be situations when he may not be able to keep it, if something accidentally slips out. I say Miss Bennet should not be allowed to leave.”
Jane stared at them with wide eyes. “So I am to be kept here as a prisoner?” She spoke softly.
“Of course not.” Darcy’s voice was gentle as he gave Jane a reassuring smile.
Darcy’s categorical denial was immediately contradicted by Devereux.
“Precisely. And if you try to escape, we will hunt you down.”
Darcy narrowed his eyes. “There is no reason to use such language with a well-bred lady.”
“This is war, Darcy, not a lady’s parlor.”
Darcy stiffened.
“Our very existence is at stake!” Devereux thumped his fist against the table.
Darcy’s eyes were glittering with suppressed anger.
“Our very existence as civilized gentlemen is at stake when we treat innocent young ladies like that.”
Elizabeth wanted to cheer. She could see now why it was necessary for Darcy to be on the Council, and she certainly did not envy him the task of having to deal with people like Devereux every day.
“I do agree it would be better to keep Miss Bennet here. If we do not let her out of our sight, she cannot give away our location. And like Grayson, I am confident that Mr. Bennet will not betray our trust. He will come up with a good explanation to account for her sudden absence.”
“I do have to stipulate, however,” said Lord Sudbury, “that Miss Bennet should not be allowed to join the Royal Mages. She has never even been tested. We do not know if she has any Talent at all.”
“I should think we already have enough proof of her Talent,” said Grayson.
“Oh, really?” Devereux fixed his heavy gaze on Grayson.
“She was able to walk through our very carefully constructed Wards without even noticing.”
Grayson smiled broadly as Devereux opened his mouth in shock. His words evoked a mix of uneasy laughter and loud indignation
Elizabeth thought it a good moment to put in a word. “My sister is good at easing afflictions of the spirit. She has the ability to soothe both animals and people. She is a good Healer. She will be able to provide assistance.”
“Soothing farm animals is hardly useful here,” said Devereux with a sneer. “At the moment, the only person who is ill is Mr. Bingley. Miss Bennet’s ability is not required to soothe Mr. Bingley. He is a happy idiot already. His affliction reflects a weakness of spirit, due no doubt to his imperfect bloodlines. I could have predicted such a thing when he arrived at the Academy.”
Heavens! The man was worse than Lady Alice Enright!
“While we are fortunate that we are not dealing with an outbreak of some sort at the moment, and we have not been attacked recently, surely we need all the Healers we can have.” Darcy was visibly struggling to keep his calm.
“We do not open our doors to all and sundry at the Royal Mages. We are not so desperate as to bring in people from the street. Or from the storm.” He guffawed at his joke. A couple of people smiled in amusement.
“May I remind you,” said Darcy, grinding out the words through a clenched jaw, “that we are talking about my wife’s sister.”
Devereux looked around triumphantly. “Precisely. Are we to be invaded by every Bennet in the country?”
Pickering suddenly looked up from the book he was reading, took off his spectacles with shaking hands, and looked around. “I remember teaching an Edward Bennet. He was a rebel, as was his father before him. The Bennets have always been trouble.”
Lord Matlock sighed. “Then I suggest that we should stick to the adage that it is better to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I do not know in which of those two roles you will cast Miss Bennet, so let us simply vote on whether to keep Miss Bennet here in Netherfield for the foreseeable future. May I see a show of hands if you think she should stay here?”
Darcy was the only member of the Council to abstain.
“Well, the answer is clear enough. Welcome to Netherfield, Miss Bennet.”
Matlock rose to his feet. The meeting was over.
Elizabeth did not know whether to laugh with joy that she had been joined by her sister, or to cry because poor Jane was now confined to Netherfield like her.
***
AS EMILY HELPED THE young ladies prepare for bed later that evening, the maid seemed in awe of Jane.
“Everyone is talking of how she rode through the storm, and right through the Wards, without so much as a by-your-leave. I laughed so hard when I heard it. I would have loved to see those snooty mages’ faces.”
Elizabeth knew it was no laughing matter, but she could not help remembering the astonishment on Matlock’s face, and she burst into laughter as well.
When Emily left, Elizabeth examined Jane’s pale face.
“I am sorry for all you had to go through earlier, Jane. It was very difficult for you to have to defend yourself in that way, and very unfair.”
“I am perfectly at peace with their decision, Lizzy. I understand perfectly why the Council could not allow me to leave after I have discovered their secret. I do not blame them.”
It was difficult for Jane to see the bad in anyone. How did she do that?
“Not even Devereux?”
“I do not think he was as bad as you think, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth had spent ten minutes ranting about him after they had left the meeting.
“Sometimes I envy you your placid nature, Jane. You do not have to suffer the pangs of vexation that I go through.”
“And I envy you because you can find laughter in anything.”
Elizabeth felt a glow of happiness. It was an unexpected pleasure to have Jane here with her. “I hope you will be able to settle in. I think you will find it easier than I did. Everyone will love you when they see what a kind heart you have. Tomorrow we will sort you out and have a bed prepared for you. I will fight them tooth and nail if they try to move you to the Maidens’ Hall.”
“What is that?”
“Oh, let us not talk of such things any longer. Let us pretend that nothing has changed from the time we were children and used to share a bed. Come on, you need some rest.” She patted the bed next to her. “You have no idea how happy I am to have you here with me, Jane.”
Jane sent her a probing look. “But what about Mr. Darcy? Do not tell me you have already grown tired of your husband. I know how much you were in love with him.”
“My husband? I could never tire of him. I am just as much in love with him as ever. I am just vexed with him.”
When Jane looked puzzled, Elizabeth laughed.
“It is a long story. I will tell you everything tomorrow.”