“I wish you had told me about it ahead of time, then I could have talked you out of it.”
“You would not have been able to talk me out of it. I did not choose to stay here. I was forced to. And since I have arrived, everyone has been disparaging the one thing I can do well. I Heal people, Lizzy. That is something I know I can do well. But everyone is determined to stand in my way. Well, I will not have it, Lizzy. I have been looking into Mr. Bingley’s face since I arrived. I have seen him every day. He follows me everywhere. I cannot be who I am without at least making the attempt to Heal him. If I fail, then so be it, but I want to give him the best chance possible.”
Elizabeth could tell her sister was close to tears. She felt sorry now that she had even raised the issue. She had upset Jane, and she had not accomplished anything.
“I am sorry, Jane. I did not mean to doubt you. You are right. For something as complicated as Mr. Bingley’s condition, you need the best kind of help. Naturally, you needed Miss Bingley’s permission. You have done all the right things, in fact. Will you permit me to attend the session with you, at least?”
Jane smiled. “Of course, Lizzy. I would be pleased for you to watch, but you must be willing to give me cake so I can replenish my energy if I need to.”
“So that is what I am reduced to, then? The cake provider?”
“Do you think yourself above such things, Lady Janus Mage?”
“I do not,” answered Elizabeth, laughing. “I will feed you cake, Jane, and I will fight off your enemies if anyone dares to slander you.”
Elizabeth did not know how prophetic those words would prove to be.
Chapter 21
Asilence fell on thebedchamber as the two Healers formed their small Circle. Elizabeth could sense the magic strands reaching out to merge, then interweaving into a cord. This was what had given Elizabeth the idea for connecting with others, and as she watched the process from a distance, she itched to join in. A braid with three strands would work better and make the connection stronger. But Jane wanted to do it her way, and for once, Elizabeth was content to watch and learn.
On the other side of the bed, Caroline Bingley was sitting in the opposite side of the chair, observing. She was a powerful Conjurer, and Elizabeth wondered if she, too, could see the threads and wish she could participate. She was alert, her gaze shifting from her brother to the Healers, but her expression gave nothing away.
As the circle took hold, Elizabeth basked in its presence, the edges of its Healing powers bathing her in a yellow light like sunshine. She had nothing to do. She could not follow the Healers as they worked, not unless she connected with them, so she closed her eyes and let herself go. She drifted, suspended between dreaming and wakefulness. She felt calm and peaceful for the first time in months, and all her anxieties floated away. She thought of nothing, only the yellow light. She had no idea how long she remained in that condition. It could have been minutes; it could have been hours.
The violent crash of a door against the wall slammed her back into the present. Disoriented, her heart beating against her ribs, she sprang to her feet, bracing herself to fight. Jane gave a cry and Elizabeth whirled in her direction. Someone had ripped apart the threads connecting her to Lady Mary. The threads flailed and fluttered, then fell apart and disintegrated.
Jane slumped to the ground.
“What have you done?” Elizabeth turned on Jane’s attackers. Almost by instinct, she set up a bubble around herself, Jane and Bingley and stood ready to defend them.
“Stand down, Mrs. Darcy.” She recognized Lady Ashcombe’s voice. “We are not your enemies here.”
Elizabeth looked around the bedchamber and found herself surrounded by Healers. Lady Hazelmere was there, with Lady Althorpe, Mr. Westwood, and Mr. Seacole. Lady Mary was looking pale. She sank down onto the bed next to Mr. Bingley.
She could take them on, but what good would that do? She could not attack the Healers. Besides, her one concern was Jane, who was still on the ground, unmoving.
