Chapter Eleven A Practical Guide to Staking One’s Neighbours #6
Mrs Hurst moved closer, though she avoided touching it. “Caroline, you are arguing with a bowl.”
“Bowls should understand hierarchy.”
Mr Darcy approached Elizabeth and the bowl with equal caution. “It is an ancient relic belonging to my family. It was used in ceremonies of law and binding long before anyone in this room was born.”
“How old is it?”
“We do not know. It was dormant for centuries.”
“Until it met me.”
“Yes. We believe it recognised the True Blood.”
Elizabeth ran one finger along the rim. “It carried a knife to my room.”
Mr Darcy’s mouth tightened. “I am aware.”
“Why?”
“We have not discovered that.”
“It may have decided that she was the only one at Netherfield insufficiently armed,” Mr Hurst guessed.
“It also followed me through the corridor and attempted to hide in Jane’s room.”
“It has developed preferences,” Mrs Hurst observed.
Miss Bingley folded her arms. “It has developed insolence.”
The bowl leaned closer to Elizabeth, apparently seeking protection from criticism. She held it more securely and felt the absurdity of finding comfort in an enchanted vessel while surrounded by confessed vampires.
Charlotte touched its outer curve with one cautious finger. The bowl permitted the contact but offered no joy. “It is sentient.”
“To a limited and inconvenient degree,” Mr Darcy confirmed.
“Does it drink blood?”
The bowl vibrated against Elizabeth’s arms.
“No,” Mr Darcy responded quickly. “At least, it has not done so within living memory.”
“That qualification was unnecessary,” Mr Bingley complained.
“It was accurate, though.”
Elizabeth lowered the bowl to the carpet. It remained against her skirts rather than rolling away.
“I shall help you.” She addressed Mr Darcy, but every vampire in the room stilled. “I shall attend the ball, permit Mr Wickham to approach me, and assist you in obtaining the evidence you require, but I will not do so blindly.”
Mr Darcy stepped closer. “State your conditions.”
“You will tell me the complete plan before the first guest arrives. No one will use compulsion against me, my family, Charlotte, or any other guest. No vampire will drink my blood, however freely anyone claims I offered it in a moment I cannot remember. Mr Wickham will not be permitted near Jane, Lydia, Kitty or Mary, and if I order the plan stopped, you will remove me and my family from Netherfield.”
“Agreed.”
“I require more than your agreement. You have all offered your honour. I accept it only if it binds you to everyone who enters this house, not merely to those you value.”
Mr Darcy placed one hand over his chest. “On my honour, no guest will be sacrificed to this plan. If Wickham threatens anyone, the trap ends and we act.”
Mr Bingley repeated the promise without hesitation. Mr Hurst followed, his customary mockery absent. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley offered the same oath, standing side by side before the sofa.
Charlotte moved beside Elizabeth. “I shall remain with her during the ball.”
“That places you in danger,” Mr Darcy warned.
“Leaving her to Mr Collins alone places everyone in danger.”
Mr Hurst inclined his head. “Miss Lucas may be our strongest recruit.”
“I have not been recruited.”
“Neither had Collins when the conversation began.”
Elizabeth prepared to depart. The Longbourn carriage would still be waiting, and she needed time away from Netherfield before deciding whether the explanation had restored reason or merely supplied names for madness.
The bowl rolled after her. She stopped and looked at it. “You cannot accompany me.”
It pressed itself against her ankle.
“You belong to Mr Darcy.”
The bowl was deeply unmoved by property law.
Mr Darcy bent and lifted it. The vessel resisted, tilting towards Elizabeth until he held it firmly against his coat. “It will remain here.”
Elizabeth watched the bowl straining in his arms. “You should explain the matter to it more gently. It has feelings.”
“It has metal.”
The bowl struck him in the ribs.
Mr Hurst opened the drawing room door. “The metal disagrees.”
Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley accompanied Elizabeth and Charlotte to the entrance hall, while the gentlemen followed at a short distance.
Their pelisses and bonnets were restored, but before Elizabeth stepped outside, she turned to Mr Darcy.
He still carried the bowl, which had ceased struggling but was angled in her direction.
“If you have concealed any fact which affects my choice, our agreement is ended, Mr Darcy.”
“I understand.”
“And Mr Wickham will not touch me.”
“No.” The hunger and fear in Mr Darcy’s face made the promise darker than reassurance. “He will not reach you.”
The bowl extended its rim and caught the edge of Elizabeth’s sleeve. She bent, allowing it one final embrace before Mr Darcy drew it back.
Charlotte waited until they had entered the carriage and Netherfield’s door had closed behind them. “I believe the bowl likes you.”
Elizabeth watched the curtained windows as the carriage moved down the drive. “At present, it may be the least disturbing affection I have acquired in that house.”