Chapter 12
The insistent jinglingof a doorbell brought an unnatural stillness to the house. All activity ceased as the inhabitants of Netherfield held a collective breath with the same questions running through their minds. Who could possibly have broken through the Wards Darcy had set up so carefully around Netherfield? They were strong enough to keep away any of the inhabitants of Meryton driven by curiosity. Surely anyone with the ability to break through the Wards would not deign to ring the doorbell.
Darcy had sensed the disruption in the Wards several minutes ago, and so had Elizabeth, who had hurried to tell him. He informed his uncle at once. Matlock did not ask for the alarm bells to be rung, but the apprentices were sent to their rooms, and everyone else took up their battle positions. Elizabeth was ordered to come downstairs with Darcy and Matlock to face the intruder.
“You should Bond now. I will use Elemental magic, if necessary, but you may be called up to protect me.”
Elizabeth nodded. They muttered the words of the spell together. They were growing accustomed to initiating the Bond by now, and Darcy felt it form between them almost immediately. As it took hold, Elizabeth’s warm magic flowed and mingled with his. An intense longing washed over him. He ached to share this closeness with her, to lose himself in that Bond.
With a huge effort of will, he forced himself to focus on the mission at hand, to treat the Bond impersonally, as he had done with his other Twins.
Matlock took up a position behind the door. “Wait in the hallway, beyond sight. I will signal you if it is safe. If there is any danger, sound the alarm.” He gestured to the footman to open the door. There was no butler, of course, because they had not expected to need one.
The doorbell clanked once again. Darcy waited, his heart beating faster, prepared to act quickly. Through the Bond, he could feel Elizabeth’s tension as if it was his own.
The door opened slowly, bringing with it the growl of thunder and the beating of heavy rain against the cobblestones.
“I am very sorry to intrude.” The woman’s voice sounded familiar. “I would like to speak to Mr. Murray. May I step in out of the rain?”
Darcy recognized the voice at the same moment that Elizabeth let out a gasp.
“It is Jane.”
She was about to step forward, but Darcy held her back.
“It may be an Illusion. We need to wait for Matlock’s signal.”
Matlock stepped out from behind the door.
Unless this was an Illusion, they were safe. Matlock gestured to Darcy, and he stepped out as well to make certain it was not a Conjurer’s trick. He had met Miss Bennet only briefly, but she looked real.
Her eyes widened as soon as she saw him.
“Lord Matlock? Mr. Darcy?”
She curtseyed politely and smiled. He marveled at her composure even as his mind tried to come to terms with the fact that she had passed through the Wards and had now discovered the truth about the inhabitants of Netherfield.
“Jane!” Elizabeth came forth now. “What are you doing here? Is someone ill?” Her voice fizzled out as she realized her sister could not possibly have known where to find her. “How did you know I was here?”
Miss Bennet turned the same composed smile on her sister.
“I did not. I came to offer my assistance to Mr. Murray. I am a Healer.”
Darcy and his uncle exchanged looks.
Matlock turned to the footman.
“Tell everyone to step down and return to their activities. There is no danger.”
“Come on inside, Jane. Goodness, you really are soaked through. Did you walk all the way?”
“No, I came on horseback.”
“We will send someone out to take care of your horse.”
Darcy did not have the heart to tell Miss Bennet to ride back home in the rain. Nor would he wish to refuse Elizabeth the chance to be with her sister.
He looked to his uncle. Matlock could put a stop to it if he wished. He could be ruthless. But Matlock merely shook his head.
