Darcy the Terrible: A Pride and Prejudice The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Crossover by Cassandra B. Leigh

Author:Cassandra B. Leigh [Leigh, Cassandra B.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: The Witch

Elizabeth stood at the castle doors and stared in astonishment at the exquisite creature attired in a dazzling gown. For a woman over one hundred years old, she retained a remarkable bloom of youth. No wrinkles or sagging skin belied her actual age. A silver whistle dangled from a chain around her neck, and she held a wand topped with a yellow rose.

“Will you not make your curtsy, Elizabeth?” Lady Caroline said with undisguised scorn.

Elizabeth decided against paying any civilities to the woman who had ordered the destruction of her friends and her own capture. Without her companions, she must rely on her own instincts. However, she was not surprised that the sorceress already knew her name. “Since you had the Flying Militia carry me here, you must have been in a great hurry to meet me.”

Clutching the rose wand, Caroline snarled. “Does Lady Kitty mean to insult me with her paltry magic charms?” she said, huffing indignantly. “Such insolence! She knows I am more powerful.”

“Perhaps you should ask her,” Elizabeth said with an indifferent air.

Observing the hem of Elizabeth’s gown, the sorceress narrowed her eyes. “Did Lord Darcy send you?” she inquired.

Elizabeth silently chided herself for not anticipating that her gown’s green flounce would reveal her most recent location. She assumed a pleasant smile. “Not at all. I am merely paying a neighbourly visit.”

Caroline released a haughty laugh. “If you suppose you will have him for yourself, you are gravely mistaken.”

Elizabeth dared not admit that the possibility had crossed her mind. “I have no designs on Darcy the Terrible. You are perfectly welcome to him.”

The sorceress sniffed. “A pretty speech, indeed. A woman of your meagre consequences ought not to aspire to a man of his station,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I have heard many reports of your great beauty, but you are nothing out of the common way. Despite your glowing forehead, your complexion is brown and coarse, your nose lacks character, and your eyes have a shrewish look that I cannot like at all.”

“I regret that my appearance displeases you, my lady.”

“Your dress may have been fashionable at one time, but now ’tis no more than a rag.”

“I fully admit it cannot rival your gown.” Elizabeth took no offence to these blatant insults. After trudging through the dusty terrain, she knew she did not look her best.

“What’s more, you have nothing of value to offer a powerful wizard. Now that I have you here, Darcy may not have you back. He must come here to save you.”

“I assure you, madam, Lord Darcy has not the smallest interest in me,” she said despite her fervent hope that he was somewhere nearby. “His sending me here without protection must be confirmation of it. You may pursue him with my blessings. I came to see you and judge for myself if you are as wicked as everyone says.”

Caroline huffed indignantly. “People may say whatever they please. I am exceedingly clever, unlike you and your unfortunate comrades.”

Elizabeth doubted this claim.

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