Caroline Bingley’s Conjuring spell had transformed the space into the familiar Great Hall at Founder’s Hall, along with its Gothic windows, the arched ceilings and the rich colored tapestries that hung on the wall. She had gone one step further. Gold and red banners and standards were suspended from the ceiling. They swayed and fluttered as if in a light breeze. Lining the walls were knights in armor standing guard, raising their lances or flourishing their swords from time to time, to the absolute delight of the younger apprentices, who were watching them expectantly to see what the imaginary knights would be doing next.
“How wonderful!” exclaimed Jane, her eyes shining as she gazed around her. “I never expected anything like this! I must congratulate Miss Bingley on her work.”
“Of course,” said Darcy. “Let us do so without delay.”
Elizabeth had mixed feelings about Miss Bingley, but it would certainly be churlish not to thank her for the remarkable Illusion, especially when one of the knights tipped his lance and handed Jane an illusory ribbon. Jane giggled and pretended to take it. Elizabeth watched as Miss Bingley made one of the knights shake his metal fist at a boy who was pretending to pry away the knight’s sword.
The three of them strolled in the direction of Miss Bingley, who was sitting alone. She was concentrating on sustaining the magic, muttering the words of the various spells. She barely looked at them as they drew close.
“I am sure you have already received many compliments about the beauty of the Illusions you have created,” said Darcy, “but allow me to congratulate you anyway.”
Miss Bingley gave an unladylike snort. “You are the first. It is expected of Conjurers to mount such displays when we are not at war. In any case, I did not do it to receive praise. I did it to celebrate my brother’s recovery. If it makes him happy, I am content.”
Elizabeth looked over to where Mr. Bingley was standing. He was more serious than he used to be, and he did not seem to smile as much, but he looked full of life.
“Is he completely recovered, as far as you can tell?”
“He is.”
Elizabeth’s gaze settled on some of the older apprentices gathered to the side of the hall, looking self-conscious in their official robes. For some, it was their first dance. Two of the young ladies had the frightened look of deer caught in the light of a lantern. Elizabeth left Miss Bingley to her work and excused herself from Darcy, taking Jane with her. It might be difficult, but she needed to prod some of the older boys to ask the young ladies to dance. Even if the young ladies were from prominent families, they were alone here, with nobody to guide them in their first steps.
As she and Jane started to move in the direction of the apprentices, Lady Hazelmere approached, accompanied by Lord Westwood and Lady Mary.
“Mrs. Darcy, Miss Bennet,” said Lady Hazelmere. “On behalf of all the Healers at Netherfield, I would like to express our apologies for having misjudged you both. We were too quick to jump to conclusions. It was just that, with the three Warders struck down so suddenly, and the rumors that were circulating, we took the easy way out by pointing the finger at Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth did not want to be ungracious, but having regarded Lady Hazelmere as a friend, she had been badly hurt.
“Thank you for your apology,” she said, trying to sound light and careless. “Now that we have that over and done with, I hope we can all enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Elizabeth’s response must have sounded uncivil, because Jane interceded hastily. “Thank you, Lady Hazelmere – and all of you. Everyone was under considerable stress.”
“We were indeed. And we have something we wish to say to you specifically, Miss Bennet. We are impressed by the fact that you were able to discover Mr. Bingley’s Entrancement. It is the sign of a highly skilled Healer. We would therefore like you to undergo Academy training. Lady Mary has offered to take charge of it. Would that be acceptable to you? It would not guarantee that you would join the Royal Mages, but you will receive official training.”
Jane smiled brightly. “Thank you, Lady Hazelmere, and thank you Lady Mary. I would be happy to accept your offer.”
The three Healers took their leave and moved away. Elizabeth’s anger at the Healers’ treatment melted away. If they made her sister happy, she could not very well hold a grudge.
Jane’s nature was not inclined towards displays of excitement, but Elizabeth knew her sister was thrilled.
“Did you hear that, Lizzy? I am to train as a Healer. It is a dream come true.”
“Congratulations, Jane. I am very happy for you.”
“They are really very nice, Lizzy. They were just reluctant to admit a stranger into their ranks.”
Just then, Mr. Bingley looked in their direction and caught Jane’s eye. She blushed very prettily. Lizzy raised her brow. Jane may have turned Bingley down, but it was clear he had made an impression on her.
“I see Mr. Bingley is looking in this direction. What will you do if he asks you to dance?”
“I cannot refuse him. Not after he was so kind as to offer to marry me.”
“Of course not.”
“What is it, Lizzy? Why are you smiling?”
“Am I? I am simply enjoying the Ball. I love to dance.”
***
