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"Charles, do be sensible," Caroline admonished. "This Heroine of Hertfordshire cannot possibly be a Sentinel. I sincerely doubt she is even a heroine. The locals have invented a legend to draw people into their odious county."
"Caroline, I had it direct from Sir William Lucas. We will be able to meet her at tonight's assembly in Meryton." The knight had called on him shortly after he had taken Netherfield Park and mentioned the fortunate presence of a Sentinel in their community. He also mentioned some of the deeds attributed to her, as well as the heroine's close friendship with Sir William's eldest daughter.
Charles Bingley had thought his sisters would be pleased that he had let a place of some notoriety. He had expected that they would both want to know this Heroine of Hertfordshire as soon as may be. Apparently he was mistaken. Not all that unusual an occurrence where the pair of them were concerned, yet he always wished to please his sisters rather than not.
"Sentinels are always gentlemen," Caroline insisted.
"Indeed," Louisa agreed. It was taught at the fine school she and her sister attended that female Sentinels were a myth.
Fitzwilliam Darcy schooled his expression. He wondered, not for the first time, what sort of ridiculous curriculum passed for education at the so-called 'fine' finishing school Bingley's sisters had attended. Thankfully, his own sister's education had been far better. And more accurate. Which was a blessing considering Georgiana had recently presented following a debacle in Ramsgate the past summer.
"Sentinels, and Guides for that matter, can be of either sex," Bingley asserted.
"Honestly, Charles, you believe the most absurd claims. Mr. Darcy, please enlighten my brother," Caroline beseeched their guest. "After all, Sentinels run in your family. Your father was one after all," she added, smug that she must impress him with her well-studied knowledge of his family background.
"Bingley is correct, Miss Bingley. Both men and women present as Sentinels and Guides. It is not dependent on sex. Nor is it dependent on class. It is common for male Sentinels to join the military, and distinguish themselves in battle, however it is not unheard of for Sentinels to be of other professions, or no profession at all. It is the same for Guides, although it is more common for male Guides to take roles in the church or medicine over the military if they are not landed gentlemen," Darcy explained.
"Gentlemen Guides! Surely you jest," Caroline twittered. She could not imagine a landed gentleman of any amount of wealth comfortable in that sort of support role.
"Not at all," he replied. "As you stated, Sentinels and Guides are common in my family."
"Yes, your father was a Sentinel. Your mother was his Guide. An admirable partnership, I am sure," Caroline said with a simpering smile.
"That is true, however, my father's generation were anomalies. Historically, members of the Darcy family present as Guides. My father and his sister were the first Sentinels in our line. My sister has recently become another."
"Georgiana!" exclaimed Miss Bingley.
"Miss Darcy," he corrected, "is currently training with my aunt, the baroness." He was especially grateful to have his father's sister as a resource for his sister. His paternal aunt was an accomplished Sentinel. The baron, his aunt's husband, was also an accomplished Guide, capable of providing support for Georgiana whilst she learnt to manage her stronger senses from their aunt.
Attempting to lessen any negative feelings she may have induced due to her earlier comments, Caroline set a different course. "I am certain she will greatly exceed the accomplishments of this so-called heroine here in Hertfordshire. Please let the baroness know that our doors are open to her, the baron, and your dear sister if they wish to join you here." She still believed that female Sentinels were mostly mythical creatures, certainly not equal to the gentleman of the species, however she would put up with a great deal to host Darcy's sister and a pair of peers.
"I say," Hurst interjected, "it's a wonder you have not presented, Darcy." Hurst wondered if he might be able to make a quick trip back to town to place a bet at his club on Darcy doing so sometime soon.
Darcy simply raised an eyebrow. "Who says I have not?"
"I will not have you interfering in Jane's meeting Mr. Bingley, Miss Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet hissed at her second-eldest daughter as she called Elizabeth and Jane to her side. Elizabeth Bennet may have inherited the Gardiner Sentinel gift, but it was misplaced in Mrs. Bennet's opinion. It had been fine for Mrs. Bennet's father and it was fine for her brother Gardiner; they were men. The senses of a Sentinel suited the men of the family. In fact, Mrs. Bennet would have approved of any son of hers presenting as a Sentinel. A daughter, however, was another matter. Elizabeth hadn't the sense to keep her gifts solely for her family, and frequently chose the wrong thing or person to protect. Tennant children drowning! Injured servants! Other estates in the area catching fire where there were no single men her daughters might marry in gratitude! The girl tried Mrs. Bennet's nerves every day since she had presented at the age of nine. Nine! What sort of Sentinel came about at age nine? It was unnatural. Mrs. Bennet's father and brother were both of age before presenting as Sentinels. Could her daughter not have waited until she was of age, or, better yet, married off before allowing it to happen?
"Mamma, Lizzy has only ever looked out for me. For all of us," Jane said gently. Truly, her sister had only ever interfered to protect. Jane knew she herself only saw the best in everyone, even the less-than-gentlemanly men, despite knowing that not everyone was as kind and good as she hoped. It was Lizzy who had saved Jane from scoundrels more than once since she had come out in society. "Lizzy?" Jane, noting her sister's stillness, reached for her hand. "Lizzy, are you well?"
"None of your nonsense, Elizabeth Bennet," Mrs. Bennet growled. "Take yourself off if you are going to have an episode! I will not tolerate--"
"I am perfectly well, Mamma, Jane," Elizabeth assured them. In fact, she was feeling very well, indeed. There was something... No, someone was coming. The sound of his voice as he responded blandly to a critical lady in his party. The vibration of his tread upon the stairs. The smell of his... The Bingley party entered the room. There. The tall gentleman. Heaven help her, the look of him. Elizabeth was entranced.
Darcy felt it, felt her, the moment he stepped into the room. He quickly stepped forward and to the side to avoid Miss Bingley latching onto his arm. He would not for a moment allow himself to be encumbered by Caroline Bingley when he was so close to... There. She was there.
Elizabeth smiled at the tall gentleman's neat side-step toward her and away from the grasping lady of his party.
Darcy cut through the crowd. Blast! They had yet to be introduced. He was no cad. He did not wish to frighten her. He took a deep breath and centered himself. Where was Bingley? He needed to find someone, anyone, who could introduce him. Darcy gave his lady -- for she was his lady, he was sure of it -- a discreet nod before turning back to find the Master of Ceremonies, certain he could perform the desperately desired introduction.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and fought her disappointment when the gentleman stopped, then returned to his party. His ever-so-slight nod was a small comfort. However, she could not settle herself until they met. "Charlotte," Elizabeth whispered, seeing her friend with Sir William and the Bingley party. Surely Sir William would be more than willing to make her gentleman -- for he was her gentleman, she was sure of it -- known to her. Charlotte's father was always happy to perform introductions, desired or not. This introduction was most certainly desired. And if her senses were telling her the truth, desired desperately by both parties. Elizabeth's color heightened at just how much she was picking up on her gentleman's interest in herself. It was intoxicating. He was intoxicating.
"Stay where you are, Miss Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet insisted. "Sir William is coming this way. Mr. Bingley is for Jane. Do not forget yourself."
"I have no interest whatsoever in Mr. Bingley, Mamma," Elizabeth told her truthfully. Why would she be interested in Mr. Bingley when his friend was so much more?
"Mrs. Bennet, please allow me to make Mr. Bingley, his family and friend known to you," Sir William said as he approached the Bennets. "This is Mr. Bingley; his sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst; his sister Miss Bingley; and his friend, Mr. Darcy."
The gentlemen all bowed as they were named, and the ladies dipped slight curtseys. Elizabeth refrained from rolling her eyes at the women. Barely. Her lips, did however quirk up slightly in amusement. She could feel the tall gentleman's amusement in response to Elizabeth's own, although he kept it from all the others, including Jane and Elizabeth's mother, behind his noble mien. He was fascinating, Elizabeth thought. She had almost lost herself in appreciation for the man, and nearly missed her own introduction. Thankfully, the object of her focus had stretched out his hand calling her back with his offer of a dance.
"I would be delighted, Mr. Darcy."
"Do you..." Darcy trailed off.
"Do I?" Elizabeth asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You are going to be the death of me. I can already tell," Darcy quietly said when he was certain no one else, at least no one close by, was paying them any mind.
"Most likely," she agreed with a bright smile. Elizabeth knew she was out of the ordinary. Sentinels were not common, and female Sentinels were even less so. Her Grandfather Gardiner had cautioned that it might be difficult for her to find the right Guide. It was not unknown for gentleman who presented as Guides to hide their abilities. She had no interest in bonding to such. Protecting others and using her skills for the betterment of those around her was her calling. Elizabeth would never be happy hidden away and denied the use of her talents.
"Never," Darcy said firmly with a slight squeeze to her hand despite that none of her thoughts had been voiced aloud. "I do not hide. I would never wish to hide you. I have looked for you for the past twenty years."
Considering Elizabeth was only twenty, he had been searching her entire life. Like herself, he must have presented young. At that moment, she decided that she would not even pretend to be annoyed at him using his talents to determine what she had been thinking. "You are as certain as I?"
"There is not a doubt in my mind." There wasn't. Darcy Guides always knew when they met their Sentinels, however long it took to find them. "Shall we then?"
"Here?" Elizabeth asked, wide-eyed. It was so public.
"No one will be able to naysay us, or keep us from each other if we acknowledge our partnership here," he pointed out, hoping it came across as reasonable rather than desperate.
"Partnership," Elizabeth repeated with a smile. "I would move mountains for a true partner." To be valued and welcomed.
"Pemberley has thrived for generations on strong Sentinel-Guide partnerships. We have a history of both the platonic and romantic varieties." He stopped and took her out of the dance to the side of the room. Darcy looked into her fine eyes and smiled gently at her. "However, I hope, very much, that we will be true partners in every aspect of our lives, including man and wife."
"Then let us begin," she said, reaching to remove the glove from her hand. "Guide."
Darcy removed his own glove and took her hand in his. "Sentinel."
The entire room went silent as their spirit animals manifested and flew around them. Elizabeth's eagle. Darcy's tiny but mighty bee.
The silence was broken by applause from Meryton's residents, a shriek from Miss Bingley, and a shout from Mrs. Bennet. "A special license! They must be married by special license!"