Chapter 7 #2
They reached a set of open doors tall enough for giants to pass through. “Here is the King’s Hall, grown over many centuries by the finest fay architects. It is an impressive sight, and it is not a bad place to begin our search.”
They entered a towering hall reminiscent of a cathedral, but instead of being built of stone, it appeared to have been grown of living wood. Branches coiled themselves into decorative spirals and statues, and vines formed latticework windows. A sculpted fountain tossed glistening drops of water in the air, and an empty throne, also made of living wood, dominated the hall. Beside it two Sidhe fenced with glittering swords. Darcy would have found it breathtaking had he not been so worried about Elizabeth.
A young-looking Sidhe with a welcoming smile strode towards them. “Evlan! I thought I felt your arrival.”
Eversleigh gripped the newcomer’s wrists. “Aelfric. Well met.”
“It has been months! It is good to see you. How long can you stay?”
The two fencers had noticed them now and came to join them, giving Eversleigh the same two-handed greeting.
Eversleigh slung an arm around the shoulders of the one he called Aelfric, an impressive trick given the Sidhe’s greater height. “This is just a brief visit over a matter of business, but I plan to return for a longer stay at the equinox.”
Some of the animation fell from his companion’s face. “Business with our father?”
“No, I am looking for two young mortal women who came to Faerie yesterday. They failed to return last night as they had planned. Their friends are very concerned. I assume they were simply delayed, but I offered to check on their well-being.”
One fencer asked, “Is one of them the delectable Marigold Meadowsweet? I hope you have not come to take her away. I would welcome her for a much longer stay. There have been so few mortals to choose from of late.”
The other fencer added, “I liked the looks of her little friend Libbet, even if she did not stay long enough to dance.”
Aelfric’s face contorted. “Libbet is off limits. ”
The Sidhe raised his eyebrows. “My apologies, prince. I did not realize you had a proprietary interest.” He sounded amused.
Fine lines appeared between Eversleigh’s brows. “Are these ladies recent arrivals? If not, my friend and I must continue our search elsewhere.”
“I have never seen them before,” said the first fencer.
Aelfric swiveled and narrowed his eyes at Darcy. “Is he your friend?” he asked ominously.
Eversleigh cuffed him lightly on the side of the head. “Obviously I have been away too long, since your manners are slipping. You might even like him given half a chance. At times he can be almost as proud and aloof as you are. Aelfric, this is my friend Diarcey. Diarcey, my half-brother Aelfric, also known as the bane of my existence.”
Darcy bowed. “Prince Aelfric.” Eversleigh might as well have thrown cold water in his face. It might be good-natured teasing, but it was far too close to Elizabeth’s accusations.
“Now, about those ladies –” Eversleigh began.
“What are their mortal names?” Prince Aelfric interrupted.
Eversleigh raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised by this question. “Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Libbet is called Bennet in that world. Your friend Diarcey – what is she to him?”
Elizabeth was safe! But could this odd prince possibly be enamored of her after only a day? If Darcy had not already taken a dislike to him, this would be enough to do it. “She is a friend, and she has done me a service. Lady Frederica is my cousin.”
“Is Libbet’s father your friend as well?” the prince demanded.
Since he had to respond with the truth, it was just as well it was to someone who would never encounter Mr. Bennet. “I have met Mr. Bennet, but he is not a friend.”
“Why not? ”
Did everyone receive this sort of interrogation? Carefully Darcy said, “I am under the impression he cares more for his own comfort than for what is best for his daughters and his wife.”
The prince smiled, so apparently this had been an acceptable answer. “Indeed.”
Eversleigh asked, “Would it be possible to speak to the ladies?”
“They are with the queen’s retinue. I took Libbet back to Titania’s bower earlier, so they are most likely still there.”
Something was definitely odd. Darcy asked, “Might I inquire as to your interest in Miss... in Libbet, Prince?”
“She is my sister. Evlan, I will accompany you to Titania’s bower, if you do not object.”
Eversleigh’s jaw dropped. “Your sister? How can that be?”
“We share a mother.”
“Well, well.” Eversleigh shook his head and laughed. “That does explain a few things.”
“It does? You can tell me on the way to the bower.”
Stunned, Darcy trailed after them. Could it be true? No, of course not. The mere idea was ridiculous. He needed to focus on important things. Elizabeth was safe, and that was all that mattered. If everyone in Faerie was as moon mad as this young Sidhe, that was not his affair.
ELIZABETH WOULD HAVE liked some time alone after her visit to her father, but being alone was impossible in Titania’s bower. Instead she sat beside the queen again as the sprites played with her hair. It was going to take hours to get all the tiny braids and tangles out when she got home.
“Lady, Prince Evlan humbly requests the honor of a few minutes of your time,” a dryad said to Titania. “With a great deal of praise for your timeless beauty and infinite generosity, naturally.”
“Certainly!” exclaimed Titania. “He has the nicest manners. That brother of his could benefit from studying his ways. You need not worry about this prince, Libbet. He is quite charming.”
Elizabeth could make out a shape approaching them along the path. An odd prince of Faerie, since he appeared to be dressed in the latest London style, but as long as his behavior was better than Prince Aelfric’s, she did not care what he wore.
He stepped out of the shadows, fell to both knees gracefully in the pool of sunshine before Titania and then sat back on his heels. “Gracious queen, a thousand blessings upon you for your generosity in admitting your most humble slave to your glorious presence.”
Prince Evlan? The man before Titania was unmistakably Viscount Eversleigh.
Titania languidly held out her hand to him. “Prince, it has been too long since you graced the halls of Faerie.”
He kissed her hand and rose to his feet. “The loss has been mine. Whenever I am away, I tell myself you cannot possibly be as lovely as I remember, yet when I return, you are always even lovelier.”
“You see,” said Titania to Elizabeth. “He is completely different from his brother. Your brother. That makes you shurinn , you and Prince Evlan.”
Shurinn ? The word caught at a hidden memory. People who were both kin to the same person, but not to each other. Yes, that was it, and there was a special bond between them. She remembered the concept, but she had never expected to have a shurinn , nor a Sidhe brother.
Eversleigh – no; Prince Evlan – said, “So I have just learned. Libbet, my dear, it is a pleasure to see you again and to acknowledge you as shurinn . I see you have another of my friends from the mortal world here.” He turned to Frederica, who had chosen to dress in the same diaphanous and revealing silks as Titania’s dryads. His eyes raked down her to her feet and then back up again. “The exquisite Marigold Meadowsweet. Faerie suits you, dear girl.”
“Just as I have been telling her,” said Titania with a hint of a pout. “I would like to keep her, but she stubbornly insists on returning to your mortal world.”
He bowed. “My journey hither involved this very question. The friends of these young ladies had expected them to return last night and were deeply concerned when they did not. I offered to come on their behalf to check on the welfare of the young ladies.”
“What foolishness!” the queen cried. “What harm could befall them here?”
Apparently Titania did not view glamour traps as dangerous.
“Mortals can be very foolish, but they do mean well,” Eversleigh said.
Elizabeth said quickly, “We had indeed meant to return last night, but a surprise delayed us, and then this morning Prince Aelfric asked me to accompany him on an errand. We intend to return later today.”
Frederica said slowly, “I planned to return because I did not want anyone to worry, but if you will be able to reassure them of my well-being, I would not mind staying here a few days longer, if the queen will permit it.”
“Certainly you must stay, my little Marigold,” said Titania. “It has been so dull here without mortals!”
Eversleigh bowed to Frederica. “As you wish. It would be a terrible shame to force you back into mortal clothing so quickly, my dear Marigold.”
Color burned in Frederica’s cheeks. “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, Prince Evlan.”
He sighed dramatically. “I suppose you are safe in saying so, since your father knows at least a dozen ways to end my life. And you, Libbet? Do you wish to remain?”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to say she was more than ready to return – but was it true? There was no reason for her to remain at Rosings now that Beltane was past, and she would lack even Frederica’s company and chaperonage. Had she never met Prince Aelfric, she would have been happy to remain for a time in Faerie where no one called her a witch, she did not have to depend on charity, and she had no responsibilities. But she had met Aelfric, and he had torn her heart apart. “I suppose if you tell Mr. Darcy of our plans, I need not hurry back.”
“You can tell him yourself if you like. I left him just outside the grotto.”
Darcy was here? A rush of relief filled her. When had that happened, that she stopped dreading his presence? “Can you take me to him?”
“Certainly. But might I suggest that Marigold Meadowsweet remain here? I do not think Darcy would appreciate your present attire as much as I do.”
“Libbet is welcome to him,” said Frederica, seeming unperturbed by his blatant flirtation. “I prefer to continue my education in all things Faerie.”
Eversleigh made an extravagant bow. “I shall hope for the opportunity to take part in your further education.”
“I MUST SHOW EVLAN MY foals while he is here,” Prince Aelfric told Darcy. “Since there are so few Sidhe steeds left, I am experimenting with breeding them to your thoroughbreds in the hope of offspring that retain the Sidhe characteristics.”
Since this conversation was an improvement over the open hostility the prince had shown until now, Darcy asked politely, “Have you had good results?”
“Not yet. The colts are fast, but their legs are too spindly. Look, here comes Libbet.”
Darcy caught his breath at the sight of Elizabeth. She was dressed in a combination of mortal and fay styles, her hair loose around her shoulders and entwined with flowers. His fingers itched to bury themselves in her tousled curls and the rest of his body seemed to think she would look even better with that hair spread across a pillow. His pillow, to be precise, after passionate love-making.
Elizabeth curtsied. “Prince Aelfric, we meet again. Mr. Darcy, I give you good day.” A tabby cat twined around her feet.
Darcy bowed. “Miss Elizabeth, I am glad to see you are safe.”
Prince Aelfric stiffened, but Elizabeth put her hand on his arm. “I pray you to call me Libbet. The fay prefer us to use the names they have given us when we are in their lands.”
“Libbet, then.” Darcy could almost hear the swish of his governess’s rod descending in response to his poor manners. Still, to show he had learned his lesson in this case, he added, “I am Diarcey here. I am glad Prince Evlan found you.”
“I am sorry to have caused concern. We had intended to return last night, but the situation was more complex than I had anticipated. I see you have already met Prince Aelfric, who holds a great distinction: I quarrel with him even more frequently than I do with you.” The warmth in her arch tone took the sting from the words.
Darcy could not help smiling back. “I believe you found some of our quarrels enjoyable. I know you sometimes take great pleasure in expressing positions that are not your own.”
Eversleigh clapped Prince Aelfric on the shoulder. “No need to scowl. Quarreling is what brothers and sisters do.”
The lines in Prince Aelfric’s face smoothed out. “Is it? I have never had dealings with a sister before. ”
“Most assuredly,” said Eversleigh. “I am an expert on the subject, having three mortal sisters. I never have a moment’s peace from quarreling.”
“So it is a form of affection?”
“Often it is,” said Eversleigh. “Before I forget, Diarcey, your cousin, Marigold Meadowsweet, has expressed a preference to remain here for several days. Libbet has agreed to stay with her.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, whose expression suggested she just swallowed a pincushion full of needles. Was it in response to the prospect of remaining in Faerie or that quarreling with Prince Aelfric might mean affection? “If that is what you wish, I see no difficulty with it.” No difficulty except that he wanted Elizabeth to be with him every moment, not off in Faerie with Frederica.
The cat at Elizabeth’s feet meowed. She bent and picked him up. “It appears Augustus wants an introduction. I brought him here from Longbourn today. I plan to take him to Rosings.”
“He is yours as well? Is he a phouka, or does he have other powers?”
Elizabeth’s expression lightened with amusement. “Gus’s special powers include catching mice and the occasional barn sparrow. Apart from being Pepper’s particular friend, he is but an ordinary cat.” A sad look filled her eyes. “I had best return to the queen,” she said stiffly, in a voice quite unlike her own.
Darcy frowned. Something was wrong. “Might I speak to you privately for a moment first?”
Elizabeth hesitated and shrugged. “If you wish.” She put the cat down and walked a few feet away.
He followed her. In a low voice, he said, “Is something the matter?”
Elizabeth looked down. “I spoke to my father this morning,” she said in a low voice. “It is all true. ”
“I am sorry.” The words seemed such a weak way of saying it when he longed to take her into his arms and comfort her. “He did not deny it?”
She shook her head.
“I wish it could have been otherwise.” What else could he say to comfort her? Telling her he loved her would only distress her more. “Is it your preference to remain here, or would you rather leave?”
“Here or at Rosings, it makes little difference.”
“Is there somewhere else you wish to go, or something you would like to do?”
She met his gaze then, her eyes shiny. “I would like to turn the clock back a week, before I knew my father put a binding spell on my mother, that I have fay blood, and that my memories had been tampered with. I most especially do not wish to have a brother,” she said fiercely. “Particularly not that brother. And I do not wish to have a father who abandoned my brother.” She stopped and took a gasping breath.
He had never felt so wretchedly helpless. “He truly is your brother? I am sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, but I thank – I mean, it is kind of you to ask.” Before he could reply, she hurried away and disappeared down the path.
Elizabeth was in pain, and he could do nothing for her. Even worse, he had been lusting after her when she was suffering. Quelling a totally improper urge to run after her, he returned to Eversleigh and Elizabeth’s new brother. How could she have a Sidhe brother? It made no sense. He would have to ask Eversleigh later.
Eversleigh gave him a probing look, so Darcy changed the subject. “I am relieved you found her. How do I return to the mortal world?”
“There is no rush, is there?” asked Eversleigh. “Aelfric wants me to look at his colts, and your opinion could be useful. I imagine you know the northern breeds better than I do.” A careful truth on his part; Eversleigh probably knew nothing of the northern breeds, so Darcy would perforce know more. But he clearly felt it was important for Darcy to come with them, even though the idea did not seem to please Prince Aelfric.
“I would be happy to be of assistance,” said Darcy.
“Excellent.” Eversleigh took Darcy’s arm, stepped forward, and the ground disappeared from under them.
“I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN .” Eversleigh ran his hand down the colt’s foreleg. “He has the length of a Sidhe horse without the strength. Are they all like this?”
“All three that have been born so far.” Prince Aelfric leaned over his brother’s shoulder.
“Perhaps thoroughbreds were not the best choice. I wonder what would happen if you bred one of these colts to a Sidhe horse.”
“They may not be fertile,” said the prince. “Sidhe horses do not reproduce for centuries. We need the fertility of mortal steeds.”
“Have you any ideas, Diarcey?”
Darcy suspected Eversleigh knew perfectly well that horse breeding was not one of his skills. “If I understand, you are looking for a tall horse, one with strong bones and powerful muscles.”
“Exactly,” said the prince eagerly.
“I am not an expert, but I wonder if a Bakewell Black might serve. They are strong boned and tall. My cousin swears by Bakewell Blacks. He says they make the best cavalry horses because of their strength and stamina. They have not the speed of a thoroughbred, but they are still graceful and attractive.” Richard would laugh to hear Darcy parroting his words. His cousin could talk for long, boring hours about the virtues of Bakewell Blacks. “He says they can take a sword blow to the leg and keep going.”
The prince straightened. “That sounds ideal.”
Eversleigh dusted off his hands. “An excellent thought, Diarcey. Could you obtain a few mares for Aelfric?”
“If I cannot, my cousin certainly can. He knows the breeders.”
“Evlan took me to Tattersall’s last time.” Aelfric pronounced the strange name carefully. “Would they have them there?”
“No, Tattersall’s caters only to the racehorse market,” said Eversleigh. “Diarcey, do you suppose Aelfric could meet the Bakewell Blacks breeder?”
Why was Eversleigh so determined to have Darcy help the Prince? “I cannot see why not, though they are in Derbyshire, which is several days journey from London.”
Eversleigh and Aelfric looked at each other and laughed. “As long as there are faerie groves in Derbyshire, it is only minutes away. It may take you some time to accustom yourself to how we travel, now that you have the freedom of Faerie.”
“Does that have some particular meaning? I thought it meant that I was welcome here.”
“It does mean that, but also that you can use the rings to travel by yourself.”
Could it possibly be true? “That is a very generous gift.”
Eversleigh shrugged. “You are doing a great service in protecting the groves, and the king rewarded you for it.”
“But how do I use the rings? Is there a spell?”
Eversleigh shook his head. “Fay spells are much simpler than what you are accustomed to. Simply step into a ring, visualize where you want to go, and you will be there.”
“That is all?” It sounded impossible.
“That is all.” Eversleigh snapped his fingers. “I know! Fitzwilliam is at Rosings, too. We should go and speak to your cousin about the Bakewell Blacks.” He hesitated. “That is, if you are willing to talk to another mortal, Aelfric.”
The Sidhe flushed. “If you say he is not despicable, I will believe you.”
Eversleigh winked at Darcy. “All mortals are despicable until proven otherwise, according to Aelfric.”
RICHARD FITZWILLIAM jumped to his feet when Darcy, Eversleigh, and a disguised Prince Aelfric entered the drawing room. “Did you find them? Are they well? Where are they?”
“As I expected, they are not only perfectly well, but ensconced in the Faerie queen’s bower,” Eversleigh said. “They are free to leave any time they please.”
“But why did they not – Good God!” Richard went pale.
Aelfric had dropped the glamour that made him appear human.
“We have a guest who came here particularly to meet you. Aelfric, may I present Colonel Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s Army? He is Marigold Meadowsweet’s brother. Fitzwilliam, this is my half-brother Aelfric.”
Richard’s eyes darted back and forth between them. “Marigold Meadow – what?”
Eversleigh grinned. “Lady Frederica has taken to Faerie like the proverbial fish to water. She is now known as Marigold Meadowsweet, dresses in fay silks, and sits by the queen’s knee. She and Miss Elizabeth plan to remain there for a few days.”
“My father is going to kill me,” breathed Richard, his eyes on Aelfric. “He would die for this opportunity. “
“He will have to kill me as well once he discovers I have seen your sister in fay attire,” said Eversleigh dryly. “But that can wait. Aelfric wants to learn about Bakewell Blacks, and Darcy said you are an expert on the subject.”
Richard’s eyes lit up. “Bakewell Blacks? Why, they are unmatched as cavalry horses. Have you ever seen one? No? Mine is in the stables if you would like to meet one.”
“I would be most grateful for the opportunity!” said Aelfric.
Once Richard had led the enthusiastic Aelfric off to the stables, Eversleigh sank onto a sofa and folded his hands behind his head. “Something is not right,” he told the ceiling.
“Something to do with Elizabeth and Frederica?” Darcy asked.
“No, with Aelfric. He is avoiding telling me something. I may have to return to Faerie to find out what it is. At least I have managed to convince him that there are a few mortals who are not monsters. Thank you for your cooperation with that.”
“I did wonder why you wanted me to be with him.”
“He has a strong bias against mortals. His mother abandoned him, so he distrusts all mortals. It never concerned me before, but now Lord Cathael says Aelfric is supporting the war on mortals, so something must be done.”
Startled, Darcy said, “He is that prince? I assumed it was someone, well, older.”
“You have met the only two acknowledged princes of Faerie. There were others in the past, but they have long since died of old age. No doubt Oberon has other mortal sons, but none have found their way to Faerie, and the birth of a Sidhe is a great rarity these days.”
“Aelfric is his heir?” That sounded ominous. “How much longer will Oberon live?”
“Aelfric is not heir to the throne. He is acknowledged, but the throne does not pass from father to son. Titania will choose the new king when Oberon dies, but it will be an experienced Sidhe, not Aelfric. Oberon was young when William the Conqueror landed at Hastings, but he is likely to live only a century or two more. Unless he is killed, of course. An iron bullet can kill even the Sidhe. That is why they do not ride among mortals anymore. Our worlds were closer before the days of firearms.”
“So the old tales of the Sidhe are true?”
“Many of them are. But this is why the idea of war against humans is so odd. Most Sidhe will not enter the mortal world because of the danger. How do you fight a war without soldiers?”
“I would think invisibility would be a great advantage.” The idea of fighting an invisible foe was terrifying. “But if true war is impossible, why do they want one?”
“That is indeed the question. I only wish I had an answer.”
“HERE, NOW I CAN SHOW you,” Richard told Aelfric on their return. He took a chess set from the sideboard and began setting the pieces in random lines on the tea table. “Now, the white is our position, and the black are the French and Spanish. We were on the high ground here, and we had placed stakes at the bottom of the hill.”
Aelfric moved two of the black pieces. “Could they not have come up around you like this?”
Eversleigh murmured in Darcy’s ear, “Toy soldiers.”
“I heard that,” said Richard indignantly. “Aelfric had a question about cavalry charges.”
“What did you think of the horse?” asked Eversleigh.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is going to introduce me to the man who bred his horse,” said Aelfric with enthusiasm. “If I can get two mares, I will be very pleased.”
Anne de Bourgh’s voice came from the doorway. “Pardon me. I did not realize you had company. ”
“Just one of my friends who came by to speak to Fitzwilliam about horses,” said Eversleigh smoothly. “May I present... Mr. Alfred to you? Alfred, this is Miss de Bourgh of Rosings Park, cousin to both Darcy and Fitzwilliam.”
Aelfric’s Sidhe face had smoothed into human lines as he stood and bowed.
Anne held out her hand languidly. “Welcome to Rosings, Mr. Alfred. For a moment you looked somehow...” The familiar pained expression crossed her face. “Do you enjoy chess?”
Aelfric, clearly at a loss for the proper response, bowed over her hand, but he did not release it afterwards. Instead he gazed uncertainly into her eyes. “Are you well?”
Richard said with false heartiness, “Young Alfred has been enjoying a bit too much port. Pay no attention to him.”
Aelfric laid his hand on the side of her face. “What has been done to you?” he asked gently. “Shall I fix it?”
Darcy sidled closer, preparing to catch Anne in her inevitable swoon. “Miss de Bourgh’s health is delicate,” he said pointedly.
Anne merely looked into Aelfric’s eyes, seemingly mesmerized, and nodded.
The young Sidhe held her gaze for perhaps half a minute before removing his hand and tossing something in the fire. A rope, or could it be a snake? Where had that come from?
“There; it is done. Now you must have a long sleep to let your body recover.” Aelfric guided her to the fainting couch and supported her as she sat down.
Her eyelids were already drooping. She made no resistance to lying back on the couch. Richard darted over and placed a pillow beneath her head.
Aelfric said softly, “Sleep now. Sleep and heal.”
Anne’s eyes closed, and her chest began to rise and fall evenly .
Richard laid his hand on Anne’s neck and almost instantly snatched it away. “She is burning up with magic. He must have removed the spell.” He chuckled. “Father’s unbreakable spell. He will be furious.”
Aelfric, his sudden gentleness vanished as quickly as it had come, glared at Eversleigh. “Why did you not help her? She was in pain!”
“I tried,” said Eversleigh mildly. “I was unable to break the spell. Why do you say she was in pain?”
“You could not tell?” Aelfric’s shock was obvious.
“Apparently not. How did you know?”
But it must be true, for the pinched look Anne had borne for as long as Darcy could remember had vanished. She looked much younger now.
“Can you not smell the pain?”
Eversleigh shook his head. “That is beyond my abilities.”
“Elizabeth knew.” Darcy was suddenly sure of it.
“Naturally Libbet would know,” Aelfric said disdainfully.
Darcy asked, “How long will she sleep?”
Aelfric studied her. “For a mortal, I cannot say. A fay would sleep half a day.”
When she awakened, she would have all that magic burning in her. What if she tried to kill someone again? Could Darcy and Richard contain her? Would she listen to them?
Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne’s companion, peeked into the room. “Oh! Miss de Bourgh! You ought to have called me when she fainted.” She took a vinaigrette from around her neck and opened it under Anne’s nose.
Darcy moved her hand away. “She is not fainting, merely asleep. You could assist by bringing a blanket to cover her.”
She looked as if she wished to argue, but Darcy had been giving the orders at Rosings since Lady Catherine’s illness. With a frightened glance at Anne, she scuttled off .
“That is going to be a problem,” said Richard. “We cannot leave Anne to awaken without a guide in magic, but Mrs. Jenkinson will not permit a man to remain by her all night. We need Frederica and Miss Elizabeth.”
Eversleigh straightened his cuffs. “Under the circumstances, I believe they would agree to return. But – no, there is still the question of tonight, so there is no choice. I will fetch them.” He looked troubled.
“What were you about to say?”
Eversleigh grimaced. “That I could not go to Faerie until tomorrow. Traveling through the rings is not without cost for mortals. Using them is always tiring, and it is hard to think clearly afterwards, but using them to travel between worlds more than twice in one day causes increasing confusion. I will not be able to use the rings for a week or two afterwards, but this cannot wait until tomorrow.”