“Then I will be patient.”
Jane’s own patience was finally rewarded when Lady Mary sent word that Mr. de Riquer would be holding a Healing session with the Healers to remove the Entrancement from Mr. Bingley.
Knowing she would very probably be turned away, she immediately went to ask the Healers if she could watch the process, but Lady Ashcombe refused.
“We are crowded enough as it is. The session is being attended by five Council members to ensure that de Riquer does not do anything suspicious. And then there is Miss Bingley, and of course all our Healers. We really cannot allow for anyone else. Mr. Darcy will be in attendance. He will update you.”
Jane nodded in understanding. Poor Mr. Bingley. Imagine having so many people watching every twitch, every movement he made. She shuddered. She hoped she would never be in such a position.
When the actual session began, Jane would have waited outside the Healing Hall with Lizzy, but the Council had set up Wards around the area to keep people away, so the two sisters had to wait in their own bedchamber.
Jane’s disappointment was intense. “It is very unfair to keep me away, when I was the one who told them about the Entrancement.”
“It is better for them to err on the side of caution. They do not trust de Riquer completely. What if he uses this opportunity to cast an Entrancement spell on everyone around him?”
Jane looked horrified. “Surely not? Do you think he would do such a thing?”
“I do not, but what if I am wrong?”
Jane and Lizzy waited in tenterhooks to receive word from Darcy, but four hours later, they received a note saying that the Healers had stopped the Healing Session so as not to overtax their powers. They would not be resuming their Healing today.
The next morning, the Healers gathered again. After a long and grueling wait, Jane and Lizzy received an almost identical note as the day before.
“Why is it taking so long? Do you think de Riquer was wrong about this?”
Lizzy bit her lip, a sign that she was worried. “I cannot say at this point. We just have to hope for the best.”
On the third day, just when Jane was beginning to give up hope, Darcy sent a simple message.
Bingley is awake and talking. He is back to normal. Thank heavens! D
As Lizzy read out the note, Jane was gripped with elation. She had been right after all, and Bingley had been cured. Overcome by the range of emotions rushing through her, Jane burst into tears and threw herself into Lizzy’s arms.
“You were right to trust de Riquer. I can scarcely believe it.”
“Andyouwere right about the Entrancement. Oh, it is such a relief! Now you will have a chance to actually meet Mr. Bingley, Jane.”
Lizzy’s words suddenly sank in. How on earth was she going to deal with him, now that he had returned to his usual self? It would be like meeting someone for the first time, when you had been watching them from afar for months. She wished she was not stuck in Netherfield. This would have been the perfect time to disappear for a while.
She just hoped she would be able to control her embarrassment when she finally came face to face with the real Mr. Bingley.
Then, later that afternoon, Miss Bingley came to see her.
“I am sorry,” she said. “I ought not to have informed on you. I regretted it as soon as it happened. I know your intentions were always good. And now you have been proven right. I hope you can bring yourself to forgive me.”
Jane was only too glad to accept the apology. “You were worried about your brother, and you had no way of knowing if I was a proficient Healer.”
They exchanged polite enquiries for a few minutes longer, then Miss Bingley took her leave.
Jane heaved a sigh of relief. Miss Bingley’s apology was a good beginning. It gave her hope that the other Healers would be willing to accept her as one of them as well.
***
THE NEXT DAY, DARCYwas walking towards his bedchamber, deep in reflection, wondering how on earth he was going to mend his relationship with Elizabeth, when he looked back to find Bingley right behind him.
“Bingley, you gave me a start. For a moment there I thought you were still trailing me like you did when you were bespelled.”
“I called out to you at least five times.” Bingley was looking glum. Darcy welcomed the expression after so many weeks of seeing Bingley with a fixed smile. “I need to consult with you. I have grown heartily tired of hearing what a fool I made of myself, particular when it concerns Miss Bennet. Did I really follow her everywhere she went?”
