For the next hour, Anne shared with Lizzy all that she knew about werewolves. Lizzy learned that they had the ability to recognize one another on sight, a trait that allowed them to assist members of their community in moving safely about the country and beyond, and that the length of their transformation depended on how deep the initial wound had been. For some, the change lasted as long as five days, but never less than two.
“If I understand you correctly, the wife of the werewolf would not have any such immunity, and if bitten, she would become a werewolf as well.”
“That is correct, and because of that, William is rarely in the house during his transformation. It is only in the worst weather that he remains indoors in a room accessible through a hidden panel off the study. During that time, he has no contact with anyone other than Mercer and Mr. Jackson, and it is only when he is in his altered state that there is any danger to a human from a bite. But rather than discussing William, why don’t we go see him. Mr. Ferguson, the gardener, has cleared an area high on the ridge where he and Nell romp during the day.”
“Mr. Darcy romps?” But then a picture of an enthusiastic Mr. Darcy nearly jumping over the tea table at Longbourn came to mind, and Lizzy decided that it was possible that Mr. Darcy actually did romp.
“Then that settles it. We must go up to the clearing, and I shall speak with Mr. Jackson immediately. We shall take the phaeton, and, yes, I do know how to drive one. So, my dear, go change into your traveling clothes. We are going on an adventure.”
“How appropriate that Mr. Darcy was transformed on the eve of All Saints’ Day,” Lizzy said to Anne as they traveled up toward the clearing. “That is when ghosts, goblins, and witches come out.”
“Surely, you do not believe in such irrational drivel,” Anne said.
“Until yesterday, I did not believe in werewolves either.”
Anne looked at Lizzy with the most quizzical expression. It was as if she was saying, “How absurd for you to believe in such superstitious nonsense.”
“As far as ghosts are concerned, the dead cannot rise without the assistance of a higher power,” Anne began, “and there are no such creatures as witches and goblins. They have been invented by people who use them to explain that which is not easily understood. On the other hand, werewolves are a combination of two living beings.”
Before continuing, Anne shortened the reins as the road grew steeper and more rugged. “Have you read about Mary Anning, the young girl in Lyme, who discovered a crocodile-like skeleton unlike anything known in our time? What happened to these creatures? The answer is that they became something else.”
“How silly of me to put werewolves in the same category as ghosts and goblins,” Lizzy answered, and she placed her hand on Anne’s. “If everyone had such devoted friends, the world would be a better place.”
They soon came to an area where the phaeton would be obscured from any travelers by a boulder and huge trees with moss hanging from their branches, creating the perfect hiding place for the conveyance. After giving each of the horses a bucket of oats, Anne led Lizzy over fallen trees and past stone formations to a narrow path that cut through the thick vegetation. Without a guide, it would have been impossible to find the path.
Once clear of the thickets and other obstacles, they looked down upon a large open area where two wolves were playing lupine tag, and Nell was “it.” If Lizzy expected Mr. Darcy to be a gentleman, or a gentle wolf, and let Nell win, she was in for a surprise.
“He is not being very gracious to Nell,” Lizzy finally said after watching Mr. Darcy run Nell ragged.
“He never is. He is the alpha male, and he makes everyone in his pack work hard.”
“Everyone? There are others?”
“Yes. There are two werewolves who live on the property, but they are currently in Scotland. One is a groom on the estate who always demonstrates exemplary behavior, while the other is here by a special arrangement made with a titled family.” Anne’s disapproval for the visiting werewolf was apparent in her tone of voice. “But all must follow William’s lead or risk being disciplined.”
Lizzy’s attention returned to Mr. Darcy and Nell. For a man who doted on his sister and saw to her every need, he was doing an excellent job of roughing up his female hunting partner. He pounced, wrestled, broadsided, and flipped her over, but she seemed none the worse for it. In fact, there was something teasing about her actions—a bit of the coquette.
“I do believe Nell is flirting with him.”
“Possibly. She may be practicing the art of courtship as she will soon be going to Devon to pay a visit to a werewolf she met in Scotland during the rendezvous. If all goes according to plan, Nell and that special someone will be tying the knot next spring.” Or so Anne hoped. “No need for you to be concerned.”
Lizzy looked at Anne. “I was not concerned,” she said as she watched Nell sidle up next to Mr. Darcy, swishing her hips all the while. “When does she leave for Devon?”
“I think I heard that she is to go sometime after the new year,” a pleased Anne answered. There was no doubt that Lizzy was experiencing a tinge of jealousy. What Lizzy did not know was that Darcy was aware that he was being watched. The whole thing was a staged performance so that Elizabeth could see what a fine animal he was. When combined with his attractive physical qualities when he was in his human form, it was hard for Anne to believe that Elizabeth would be able to walk away from him.
As soon as the phaeton pulled up in front of the manor house, Georgiana was out the door. She had been standing by the window for the past thirty minutes waiting for the travelers to return.
“I am positive you went up to the clearing. Oh, Elizabeth, isn’t my brother magnificent when he is at play? I could watch him for hours. And the way he and Nell get on. Well, it’s comical, isn’t it?”
“Georgiana, you are not allowing Elizabeth to answer, and may we please go in?” Anne said in a tone that was meant to tamp down some of her cousin’s excessive enthusiasm. Elizabeth still had a ways to go before she was of a mind to consider an offer of marriage from a werewolf.
The ladies went into the drawing room where Georgiana continued to prattle on and on. In her mind, Elizabeth had gone to the clearing because she had come to terms with Darcy’s unique situation and would agree to become his wife. Anne was hopeful, but it was by no means a foregone conclusion.
“Georgiana, do you know what Mrs. Bradshaw is serving for dinner? Since Elizabeth hasn’t eaten today, I think it would be helpful to know what she has planned. Our guest must have nourishment.”
Georgiana agreed to speak with the cook, and as soon as she had gone, Anne turned to Elizabeth.
“I sent Georgiana away because I need to speak with you. I think you can discern from Georgiana’s attitude that she believes you have made a decision in favor of her brother, but I would like to hear it from your lips.”
Lizzy looked away from Anne. She had thought of little else since Mr. Darcy had revealed that he was a werewolf. She had run the whole thing through her mind over and over again. Could she marry a man who would disappear for two days every month and run about the countryside? Would she be able to lie by his side and forget that he was part wolf? And what of their children? Granted, they would not be werewolves themselves, but what would such young minds think about their father howling and hunting rabbits?
“Anne, I care very much for Mr. Darcy, but this matter of… of his becoming a werewolf. I do not think I would ever get to the point where I would be comfortable with such a transformation, and now that I know that there are she wolves of marriageable age, I think it would be best if he looked for a mate from among his… his peers. I am sure he would be happier in the long run.”