Chapter Twelve
That evening, they dined in a different part of the manor.
The heavy rain persisted as twilight fell.
Dozens of candles lit the old Tudor hall, which Elizabeth had not seen since her tour of the estate.
Every other night since her arrival, the guests had been permitted to sit where they chose, but tonight there were place cards, and Elizabeth found herself seated between Mr. Darcy and Anne.
She could scarcely keep her composure, after all that she had overheard when she and Jane enjoyed the wine Lady Rebecca sent up to their shared balcony.
Her new friend had clearly orchestrated the entire scheme, and Elizabeth knew not how to feel, or how to act, after hearing that Mr. Darcy loved her still.
That he loved her more. That, as she had once feared, he still cherished some hope of winning her heart.
Elizabeth had been moved nearly to tears at his warm praise of her, so vastly different from what she had foolishly expected him to feel after her rejection.
A lesser man might have been reasonably bitter, but his enduring regard suggested a nobleness of spirit for which she had never properly credited him.
Naturally, she could think of nothing else, could scarcely face him without fearing it would show in all her looks that she knew the beautiful intricacies of his heart, as if he had laid it bare at her feet.
She had no doubt that Lady Rebecca had intended her to hear it all, but she could not believe Mr. Darcy would collude willingly in such a scheme.
And if he was unaware that she had heard his words of adoration, it would hardly be fair to act as though she had.
She knew not how to do otherwise; indeed, Elizabeth was scarcely aware of what she said, or how she behaved to him as she spent the meal at his side.
She was only aware of Mr. Darcy, who seemed every bit as disconcerted as she felt.
The meal passed in a strange haze, for the eerie old dining room and the storm that raged outside only heightened the tumult of her confused emotions.
Darkness had fallen, intermittent flashes of lightning illuminating the candlelit hall, and the meal was drawing to a close, with only dessert remaining, when Lady Dorothea called the whole party to order.
The evening’s entertainment was to commence; Elizabeth had entirely forgotten that there was some secret scheme yet in store for them.
At the head of the table, Lady Sophia stood and lifted up an ornate chalice, as if to toast them.
“Yesterday, you were properly welcomed with an evening of dancing and merriment. Tonight, what we have in store for you will be a different way for you all to become better acquainted with one another.”
She went to the sideboard. Still holding the goblet in one hand, Lady Sophia raised a candle in the other, casting an eerie aspect over her face.
She slowly stalked back to the table. “Observe the picture before you – the flickering candlelight, the dark recesses of the ancient hall, the tempest raging outside. And here you are in a castle full of strangers.”
“I should hardly call it a castle,” Lord Bixler muttered.
Lady Blanche gave him a withering glare. “Mamma must be allowed her theatrics – you will understand why, if you listen.”
Lady Sophia continued, unbothered. “A castle full of strangers, and a mystery for your amusement. There is a secret to Richmond Cove – three phantoms haunt these stormy shores, and they are seated amongst you now.”
Miss Smith gasped, then brought her fingers to her lips as she giggled with Lady Blanche. “This is the game you told me about?”
Lady Sophia gestured imperiously. “Tonight you will all play a very dangerous game, attempting to discover these phantoms, to cast them out of manor – but you must keep your wits about you, for they shall be doing the same to you.”
Lady Julia looked askance at the older woman. “Good heavens, is this a game? It sounds like some sort of demonic possession!”
“It is an entertainment – if you survive,” Lady Sophia said ominously. A peal of thunder rolled over the sky, and a moment later lightning illuminated the room. Lady Sophia smiled, as if she had willed the weather to emphasize her point.
Anne cried out in alarm, and Lady Sophia offered her a sinister smile. Elizabeth rested a hand on her friend’s arm and gave her a reassuring smile. “I have heard of such games as these. I cannot think there is anything wicked in them.”
“Perhaps it is what is done in the country,” Miss Bingley sniffed. “I have never heard of such things in the first circles, not in London.”
“That is where I first encountered a simpler version of the amusement,” Lady Rosamund said with an angelic smile. “Perhaps you have never been to one of Lady Metcalf’s parties.”
“For the next few hours, you will face treachery and clever gambits. Who can you trust?” Lady Sophia looked about the room, letting her question hang over them.
“I will officiate the proceedings, and you shall be at my mercy – and the mercy of the three phantoms who haunt these halls. Will you hear more?”
Excitement rippled through the room as the guests finally seemed to understand that they were to play a role in the evening’s entertainment. Elizabeth turned to gauge Mr. Darcy’s reaction to the gothic drama, and though his face was inscrutable, she was sure there was a gleam of mirth in his eyes.
Elizabeth joined the others in expressing her eagerness to learn of the looming perils, and Lady Sophia looked gratified.
“I will secretly select the three phantoms; the rest of you will remain innocent, and you must discover the identity of the phantoms if you wish to win the game. The phantoms will convene in a secret location, and they will select one amongst you to meet an untimely end – the end of the game for you shall be a retreat to the parlor for desserts and libations – in other words, death! While the phantoms are at their deliberations, holding your fate in the balance, you may roam freely, or hide, if you can – or face one other task, if you be so bold.”
Mr. Bingley was gamely enough to play along. “And what is this task, Madam?”
“Hidden about the castle are talismans of protection. Find one, and you will be safe for that round of the game. Each round, the phantoms will have ten minutes to search the house for the person they have marked for death. Our phantoms will be cloaked to conceal their identity; you may see them, as you scamper and scurry about, but they will only take the hand of the one they wish to mark.”
“Then it shall simply be a process of elimination,” Colonel Fitzwilliam cried. “We shall all see who is not cloaked.”
“That is hardly very sporting of you, sir.” Lady Sophia wagged a finger at him. “And perhaps you underestimate your companions. They may prefer to hide, alone in the dark, or with those they trust most.”
“Unchaperoned and in the dark,” Lady Rebecca drawled. “What happens next?”
“After each round, I will ring a bell to summon you all back here. You will have five minutes to come to an agreement and pronounce the name of one of these phantoms. That person will be expelled from the game.”
“It will not be a very long game, if we catch the phantoms in the first three rounds,” Mr. Willoughby observed. “But I hope we are dismal at discovering them, for it sounds like a grand way to pass a few hours on a dark and stormy night.”
“When I say there are three phantoms, what I mean is that there must always be three phantoms; when one is gone from the game, another shall be secretly selected. The final time we convene, you will give me three names – a chance to identify all three of my castle’s phantoms. If you are right, you shall win the spoils of the game.
But if one or more of my phantoms slip through your clutches, they shall be the victors. ”
Sir Walter leaned forward with an avaricious glint in his eye. “The spoils of the game?”
“In a moment, I shall ask you all to put your right hand over your eyes, and lift your left hand up above your shoulder. I shall make a circuit of the room, and into the palm of every innocent, place a guinea. The phantoms will receive three. When a player leaves the game, their coins will be deposited into this chest – your treasure to be won.”
Lady Sophia took a long draught of wine, and then exchanged her goblet for a large velvet purse, the coins within clinking loudly, “Let us begin.”
A hush fell over the room. The guests were told to close their eyes and open their hands, and Elizabeth could only wait in the dark as Lady Sophia’s footsteps grew nearer.
She listened carefully to every breath her companions took, every clink of coins.
Lady Sophia’s footsteps were very close; Elizabeth licked her lips eagerly, wishing to be on the nefarious side of the game.
When she was sure Lady Sophia was behind her, Elizabeth grinned as she curled her little finger down with her thumb and wiggled her other three fingers, signifying she wished for three coins.
She heard the dowager chuckle softly. When she unfurled her fingers again, three guineas were placed in her palm, and Elizabeth felt a thrilling shiver down her spine. This was going to be excellent fun.
Elizabeth tucked the coins into her bodice, and a minute later, Lady Sophia instructed them to open their eyes. The whole party surveyed one another curiously. She could feel Mr. Darcy’s gaze wash over her, but Elizabeth dared not look back at him.
“There are now three phantoms amongst you,” Lady Sophia declared.
“And one of you may be confused to have two coins. You will be happy to know that the crown you received is the first talisman of protection. And now I shall dismiss you all, one by one, to hide or to find more hidden crowns. Phantoms will convene on the third floor.”