The Gypsy Blessing (5 page)

Elizabeth thought back over her last letter and laughed wholeheartedly. “I suppose I did!”

“Lizzy, I do not know how to answer her.”

“We shall think of something—together.”

~%~

June 18, 1811

Several days later, the post contained another letter for Elizabeth, but this time she opened it with Jane present. It was a sketch of Jane and Elizabeth looking out over the sea.

After several minutes with both ladies examining the drawing closely, Jane observed, “We have not been to the seaside since we were little girls. Do you see any indication of where this is supposed to take place?”

Elizabeth cocked her head to the side and said, “It is Ramsgate.”

“How do you know, Lizzy?”

“I cannot explain
how
I know; I just
know
.”

“Ramsgate? That is quite a distance to travel.” Jane was thoughtful for a few moments, then declared with a smile, “I will confess that I always wanted to visit the sea again. I enjoyed it so when we were children—as did you.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I must have been too young at the time to remember it now. Since we both enjoyed it as children, I am certain we will enjoy it now. We shall have to test our theory of preventing what happens in the drawing at another time.” Elizabeth’s demeanor turned serious. “Thank you, Jane. At seeing this, you act as if it is guaranteed we will be going there.”

“I have faith in you, Lizzy, and that what you told me is the truth.”

Elizabeth replied, “You are so good, Jane. You alone would believe all this without experiencing it yourself.”

Jane was surprised. “Why? I know that you would not lie.”

Elizabeth laughed. “It is just such a fantastic story!”

Jane looked at the drawing again and pointed to the sketch of Elizabeth. “What is this necklace you are wearing here, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth took the page and walked to the window. Her mouth dropped open, and she gasped. “It is the one the gypsy woman gave me! I had forgotten all about it—and her!” She rifled through a drawer in the dressing table until she found what she was looking for. “Look!”

“Gypsy?”

“Yes, do you not remember? In the summer of last year, I found an injured gypsy woman—Simza was her name—on the bank of the stream above the waterfall and helped her return to her camp. Her husband, Fonso, the leader of the gypsy tribe, told me that he had given her permission to put upon me a gypsy blessing that would lead me to ‘love and great happiness,’ but only if I believed.” Elizabeth took the amulet in her hand. “Simza gave me this, as well, and said that it belonged to me. They told me it was a charm to bring good luck.”

Jane took the pendant in her hand and examined it. “It is so lovely!” After a minute, Jane asked, “Are the drawings from Simza and Fonso?”

“I do not know from whom they come, but
think
, Jane. The plant that cured Charlotte? I love her as a sister—of course, it would have made me unhappy if she had died.” She hesitated a moment before she chuckled. “And would we not have been much happier if I had been able to prevent Mama falling from Mr. Jones’s gig?”

“Oh, Lizzy! Perhaps they were both warnings?”

“It is possible.” Elizabeth shook her head. “Several weeks ago, if I had heard someone else saying these things, I would have thought they were insane, but here I am saying them myself!”

“Does that mean that the drawing of the man is a warning?” Jane asked cautiously.

“I know not. When I look at that one, I do not feel as if I should be warned away from him. It is more as though I am being drawn
to
him, very similar to the way I felt when I had first looked upon the sketch of the herb for Charlotte... although
this
is stronger.”

“Maybe...” Jane said carefully. “Lizzy, what if he will do something that you do not like, and the drawing was sent so that you would be better prepared to give him another chance?”

Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “That does sound more likely. You do know that, although I try to prevent it, I cannot seem to stop myself from relying on my first impressions.”

Jane tried to hold back a smile. “I
have
noticed that—on occasion.”

Both girls burst out in laughter.

Chapter 3

June 20, 1811

Two days later, Jane received a missive from Madeline Gardiner asking if both she and Elizabeth would like to accompany their family to Ramsgate the following month.

Jane summarized it for her sister, “As you well know, Uncle Gardiner believes that a month or six weeks of taking the sea air is the best restorative for his family after spending the remainder of the year in the foul air of London. Since he has business to attend to near Ramsgate, it is the perfect opportunity for a holiday, but Aunt Gardiner will need assistance with the children as Uncle will be occupied during most days.” Jane blushed. “She also mentions that they both feel that the sea air might help
you
feel more like yourself again.”

“I believe I am forever changed from the person I once was, Jane, but just thinking about a holiday has me feeling better already!”

~%~

A while later, Jane was summoned to her father’s study.

“I have received a letter from your Uncle Gardiner. It seems that he and your aunt have been worried about Lizzy’s health. Although the frequency of her headaches has seemed to be less often of late, I, too, have been worried for your sister’s well-being. He asks my approval to take you and Elizabeth along with them to Ramsgate. Would you like to go?”

Jane smiled. “Aunt Gardiner told me of Uncle’s plan to write to you, and I have already discussed it with Lizzy. We both are looking forward to it—with your permission, of course.”

Mr. Bennet nodded. “It is the perfect diversion for you both. I will write directly with my consent to the scheme.”

~%~

“Why should Jane and Lizzy go and not me?” Lydia whined. “They were invited last to London, and Mary went to them before that. It is my turn!”

“You were not invited,” Mr. Bennet responded.

“I think we
all
should go to Ramsgate together with my brother’s family,” Mrs. Bennet declared.

Mr. Bennet’s feelings were much different from those of his wife. If what his brother-in-law suspected was true and Elizabeth
was
developing a case of nerves, it would be better that Elizabeth should not be exposed to Mrs. Bennet’s nervous complaints for a while. As to his own well-being, knowing that no matter where he took his wife and youngest daughters they would never be satisfied, he decided that to be absent from his study for such a length of time would be detrimental to
his
health.

“I think not. Jane and Lizzy will go with the Gardiners, and the rest of us will remain at Longbourn.” He rose from his seat. “I will be in my study, and short of what
I
would consider a disaster, I will not be disturbed.”

~%~

June 26, 1811

“Lizzy, will the drawings follow you to Ramsgate, do you think, or will they continue to be delivered here?”

Elizabeth stopped packing her trunk and looked up at Jane. “I had not thought of it. I suppose the answer to that question will prove to us whether it is an actual person sending the drawings or it is some sort of magic as the gypsies implied.”

Jane nodded. “Are you not going to wear the necklace as you did in the drawing?”

Elizabeth sat on the bed. “Thinking on this subject is something that has occupied my mind at times during the past several days. From now on, shall I do something—anything really—only because I saw it in a drawing, or should I act as I would have had I never received them? Since I
have
received them, is there any way of knowing what I would have done if I had not?

“For example, because I am wearing that gown in the drawing, one would think that I should bring that specific gown on our trip, but what would happen if I purposely left it at home? Do I plan to wear the gown on a certain day, or do I allow Mrs. Gardiner’s maid to choose when I wear it, as she usually does? How would I know which day I should wear it? Now, the day that the drawing depicts is in the future, but in the drawing, it is the present—what did I decide then... or should I say, what
will
I decide? It is all rather confusing.”

“No wonder you have been having headaches! Well, I think whether or not the gypsies are correct about the necklace being a good luck charm, it could not hurt to wear it. Either way, I would think you would wish to because it is so lovely!”

Elizabeth smiled. “You are correct, Jane, I should—but
only
because I like it. I am not sure I believe in that kind of luck. Then again, a few weeks ago I did not believe in prophetic drawings, either. I
do
think I should wait to wear it until we are away from Longbourn. Mama will question me as to how I received it. I would rather avoid her criticism for helping gypsies.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Jane opened it, revealing Mrs. Hill with a letter for Elizabeth. Jane took it and thanked the housekeeper, and then handed it to her sister.

Glancing at the handwriting on the front, Elizabeth noticed something new, “Jane! This letter is franked!”

Jane’s eyes flew wide open. “A member of Parliament is sending the letters?”

“I doubt very much that there are any members of Parliament who are gypsies, but perhaps whoever is sending them did not want Papa to have to keep paying for so many letters?” Elizabeth gasped upon opening it. The letter contained two sheets. The top sheet said only the word
Believe
in the same handwriting. She handed it to Jane.

The second sheet had a drawing of the same young man as the last, but this time he had a young lady on his arm. The coach behind them had a number of trunks loaded atop, and several servants seemed to be scrambling to unload them.

“Oh, I am so sorry, Lizzy,” Jane said, examining the sketch over Elizabeth’s shoulder.

“Hmmm? The young lady, you mean? That is his sister,” Elizabeth answered.

“How do you know? They look nothing alike.”

“I do not understand how, but I know it is so,” Elizabeth stated firmly. “She is his sister.”

Jane stared at Elizabeth for a moment before nodding. “Lizzy, I
do
think you should wear the necklace whilst in Ramsgate.”

~%~

July 15, 1811

Fitzwilliam Darcy stared out the coach window as the scenery changed from countryside to that of a town. He doubted anything would seem familiar to him after the more than fifteen years that had passed since he had last journeyed along this road. Inhaling deeply, he let his breath out all at once and directed his gaze upon his travelling companion, wondering for perhaps the thousandth time whether choosing Ramsgate for a holiday for his sister had been wise. Georgiana smiled at her brother and turned away to look out the window, most likely assuming his display had been an outburst of impatience as the end of their journey grew near.

Always taking a good deal of time to ponder as many possible outcomes as he could imagine before coming to a conclusion over
any
matter of import, he often brooded twice as long over decisions that involved his precious sister. Although he would never admit it to anyone else, he owned to himself on a daily basis that he was quite ignorant on the subject of raising a child. Even knowing it might be easier if he had a wife’s maternal instincts to consult, the idea that he marry for that purpose alone was intolerable to him.

Darcy and his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam had learned quite a bit since becoming co-guardians of Georgiana at the passing of the senior Mr. Darcy a little more than four years ago. More often than not, their experience had come from making errors in judgment, however well-meant those decisions had been.

In the beginning, Darcy and Richard had selected the course of action that would have been best for
themselves
at Georgiana’s age, but they soon learned that choices made concerning the upbringing of a female should be decidedly different from those of the masculine gender. Richard’s mother had been a godsend with her feminine advice, and Darcy often wondered if Georgiana might not have been more appropriately situated with their Aunt Adelaide and Uncle Theodore as her guardians instead. Recognizing that his Aunt Catherine would have made all of their lives miserable should Mr. Darcy have decided on that course proved that his father had, in fact, made his selection wisely.

When the coach wheels encountered a rut in the road, Darcy was jolted back to the present. His mind returned to the subject from which it had rarely strayed far for several weeks. Darcy reviewed his and Richard’s latest resolution once again. Any other summer, they would have sent his sister to Pemberley—the sprawling estate that had been the Darcy family seat for many generations—but since Georgiana had recently recovered from a frightening bout of influenza, this year their London physician had recommended that the sea air would do her more good than that of the country. Many from his social sphere would have travelled elsewhere on an errand such as this, but since Georgiana did not especially enjoy the company of many of the women who would be summering in these locations, he and Richard had decided against them. Even though she was not yet out, there were quite a few of these ladies who deceptively declared themselves her “particular friend” and would seek her out if she were situated nearby. If she happened to be at her Aunt Adelaide’s home when these ladies called, Georgiana would dutifully suffer through their visits, but Georgiana did not yet feel up to the task of entertaining these ladies alone.

Years ago, in much simpler times, Ramsgate was amongst a long list of locations to which his father had taken his mother and himself in search of a way to help Lady Anne Darcy grow strong enough to fulfill her dearest wish of bearing another child. The air and atmosphere at Ramsgate had done the trick for Lady Anne like no other. Several months later, Georgiana Darcy was born. Soon after the birth, Darcy remembered wishing they had never left Ramsgate. After the birthing, his mother had continuously weakened to a point where she could no longer remain among the living.

With the memory of the marked improvement in his mother’s health in mind, Darcy had consulted with Richard and Aunt Adelaide about this particular seaside town, and the three decided that to Ramsgate Georgiana would go. In service to the crown as a colonel, Richard could not spend much time there with his young cousin this summer, but Darcy would be able to travel to Ramsgate for several days at a time when his business in London or at Pemberley was not too pressing. Aunt Adelaide and Uncle Theodore would come to stay for two weeks late in the summer.

The coach pulled up before the same house his father had rented seventeen years ago. Impatient to get inside the house as soon as possible, hoping that he would recall forgotten memories of his time spent here with his beloved parents, Darcy stepped down to the curb immediately and waited to hand down his sister. Having performed his duty, Darcy’s attention was fixed upward at a second story window—a room in which he remembered spending a considerable amount of time with his parents. Recognizing her brother’s distraction, Georgiana walked on towards the house without him. Too late did Darcy notice from the corner of his eye the lady who was walking along the street, she herself distracted by the child at her side.

A moment later, he felt as if he had been transported to heaven as a feminine form pressed firmly against him. His arms surrounded her—to steady her, of course. For the briefest of moments, he felt her falling and pulled her closer. Her scent was instantly intoxicating, permeating every fibre of his being.

Her exclamation of surprise caused him to remember himself and move his hands to her shoulders. Stepping away, he did not release her until he was certain she had regained her footing. About to apologize, he looked down into the finest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Tearing his gaze away lest he be considered rude, his eyes landed upon lips so tempting that he could not help himself from moistening his own. Darcy was thankful that the child in the lady’s care had begun to cry at that moment, saving him from shaming himself and compromising the lady.

What complete madness has taken hold of me?

The small group waited as the lady calmed the young boy who was now clinging to her skirts. She looked up, her eyes widened, and she gasped.

He wondered what he had done to merit such a reaction. Was his overwhelming desire to kiss her written across his face? Not knowing what else to do, he removed his hat and bowed. “Pardon me, madam.”

“I am so sorry, sir. I was not minding my steps. I should have moved out of the way towards the building when my cousin required my attention.”

A wave of relief passed through Darcy when she called the child
cousin
and not
son
. He swallowed, working hard to keep his expression steady before saying, “Please, excuse me; it was entirely my fault. I was not attending the walkway.”

Georgiana asked, “Are you or the child injured, Miss—”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn, Hertfordshire. I believe that James was only startled, and I am well, I thank you.”

Elizabeth noticed a movement on the walkway and looked to see Jane approaching, realizing too late that, from Jane’s point of view, she could not see the persons to whom Elizabeth was speaking. The boy slipped from Elizabeth’s hand and ran to Jane. She stopped and embraced her little cousin.