Chapter 5
Darcy found Frederica, Roderick, and Jasper in the library, bent over a map of the estate spread out on a table. Roderick was shaking his head. “No, we tried that, too. Believe me, we have tried everything to force a High Fae to be visible, and nothing has worked.”
“There must be something!” Frederica said.
“It is here, in the house,” Darcy panted. “The land told me so.”
Jasper demanded, “Are you sure? Where is it?” His eyes were wide with excitement.
“The land could not tell me that, just that something was inside.”
Roderick nodded. “It cannot see well inside houses, especially modern ones like this. Not enough nature in them.” Then he went still, his eyes unfocused, just like Elizabeth's did when she was communicating with her dragon.
Frederica did the same, but she came back to herself first. “Quickthorn is on her way. She says we should not try to find it ourselves. They will sniff it out for us.”
Jasper already had a blade in his hand. He clearly had no intention of waiting. Instead he began to hunt along the walls, poking his sword into empty spaces and behind the satin curtains.
On the opposite side of the room, Frederica unlatched a window and pushed it open.
Then she poked her head out the door and spoke to someone, likely a footman.
“The dragons will be here soon to search the house. They will take the form of dogs. Kindly inform Mrs. Reynolds and ask her to spread the word that they are not to be impeded.”
“Yes, milady,” came the muffled response.
As Frederica stepped back into the library, she was followed by the one person he had not expected - Elizabeth.
What was she doing here? Darcy hurried to her side. “My love, should you not be resting? Pray permit me to escort you back upstairs.”
Her tempting lips took on a determined twist. “No. This is where I belong. I am a dragon companion, a mage, and the mistress of Pemberley. I should be part of whatever is happening.”
“But--”
“Yes, I know I just had a baby! A baby whom I must protect, and that means using my abilities. You need my connection to Cerridwen, if nothing else.”
Frederica said quietly, “She is right, Darcy. It is slowing us down, having only two companions for three dragons.”
It went against every instinct in his body, the ones shouting that he had to keep her safe. He knew that look on her face, though, the one that said she had made up her mind. She had skills for this that he lacked.
Somehow he forced himself to swallow those protective instincts. Because she was right, and he was wrong. But all he could manage was a terse nod.
Frederica struggled not to laugh. “Do they think that is what dogs look like?” Frederica muttered under her breath.
Elizabeth whispered back, “When all this is over, I must have a discussion with Cerridwen about dogs.”
Frederica had to press her hand over her mouth to swallow a chuckle. “Why, I would say Quickthorn's dog is quite convincing. Apart from being sea-green, that is. At least they all have four legs, a tail, and a good nose.”
“Now I know why they prefer to stay with their falcon shapes!”
“I heard that,” Quickthorn said crossly, her words muffled by the strange muzzle shape. “It is too hard to fly through the house.”
The sea-green dog lowered her nose to sniff at the crack under yet another doorway. Her body stiffened, the fur on her neck standing up. She backed away from the door silently and trotted back to the others. He is in there, she sent to Frederica.
And apparently to Cerridwen, too, since she instantly turned from her own searches.
Frederica reached out to tap Jasper's arm and pointed to the room. His eyes lit up and he bounced on his toes. His sword was still hung from his right hand, but now he drew a long dagger with his left. “Wait,” she hissed.
Is there a window in that room? Quickthorn's sending had that odd echo which indicated it was going to others as well.
Beside her, Elizabeth nodded.
Good. We must be in our true forms to capture him, and that must be outside. Can you chase him out the window?
Jasper blinked, no doubt surprised to find a dragon speaking in his head. He pressed his dagger against his forehead and made a half-bow.
Give us time to get there. Roderick and Darcy are on their way up from the cellars. They can bar the door with iron so he cannot escape you. The sea-green dog and Cerridwen's oddly-shaped collie ran off towards the stairs.
Frederica leaned towards her brother and whispered, “Pray be careful. All you need to do is to chase it out.”
He nodded impatiently. But when had Jasper ever avoided a chance to fence?
Frederica’s chest grew tight. The last High Fae he fought had disarmed him in minutes. Her brother was not accustomed to fighters who could beat him. He cared only for the thrill of the match - but this time lives were at stake. Including his.
Why had she never appreciated all those years of her life before people she loved started being endangered? First Napoleon, now the High Fae. She was tired of fighting everywhere.
Darcy bounded up the stairs, followed closely by Roderick. Jasper went to meet them, and a whispered conversation ensued. Then they moved to the doorway Quickthorn had indicated.
Elizabeth’s heart was pounding. No matter how excited Jasper might look, this was terrifying. They might outnumber the High Fae, but if the old stories were to be believed, his magic and strength would more than outmatch them.
Roderick nodded to something unseen, and then said, “The dragons are in place outside. Darcy, if you will stand on that side of the door, I can take this one. As soon as Jasper is inside, we will place our swords across the doorframe. Lady Frederica, can you prepare to cast one of your whirlwinds in case that is not enough to keep him inside?”
“Certainly.” Frederica stationed herself just opposite the door.
No instructions for Elizabeth, of course, whose mage skills were the weakest among them.
Oh, how frustrating that all her power was focused on a Forbidden Talent, one that shook the foundations, whatever that might mean!
Almost any other Talent would be more useful.
She could offer nothing to defend Pemberley in this moment.
Or could she? Georgiana was learning to use weapons, and Frederica had always known how. And after today, she was going to ask for lessons, too. But for now, surely anyone could manage the basics. “Is there a dagger that can be spared?” she asked brusquely
Darcy turned a shocked look on her, but Jasper pulled a blade out of his boot and handed it to her hilt first. “Only as a last resort, unless you have some training,” he said.
She nodded, closing her hand around the hilt. What would it feel like to use it?
Frederica touched her hand and then adjusted her grip. Oh, what a difference that made, just moving her fingers slightly! Elizabeth gave her a silent smile of thanks.
Jasper wiggled his shoulders as if to loosen them. Holding his blades at the ready, he said, “Now.”
Darcy unlatched the door and threw it open. As soon as Jasper charged in, Darcy and Roderick crossed their blades over the opening.
Elizabeth craned her head to peek inside. The room appeared empty apart from the usual simple furnishings.
Jasper danced in a circle between the beds, his foil held ready. “Show yourself, Faerie, or be proved a coward!”
A resonant voice echoed with the sound of distant bells. “Are you the prophesied one?”
Jasper cocked his head. “I know nothing of prophecies. I am Jasper Fitzwilliam, and you must leave this place.” His sword flashed in a fencer's salute.
“Beware, young mortal who gives his name so foolishly. I have no business with you, and if you are not the prophesied one, I can put an end to your existence. Go while you still can.”
“Make me, coward!” He extended his sword arm and swept his blade in a wide circle - until it suddenly stopped, engaging with...something.
And then it began, a dancing, one-sided fencing match. The click of blades against each other provided the music as he fought with his invisible opponent. Jasper's face was wreathed with an exultant grin. Good heavens, he was enjoying himself.
Elizabeth's free hand stole to her mouth. Even though he was holding his own for the moment, surely they were about to see him pierced straight through! But as she thought it, Jasper managed to press forward, as if driving his opponent back. Only a few inches, but still. How was it possible?
Then the voice returned. “Not bad for a mortal, but I have no time to waste.”
And Jasper staggered backwards, his hand on his chest. Blood trickled between his fingers as he fell back across the narrow bed.
The window flew open.
Frederica cried, “Oh, let me go to him!”
“Not yet. The fae could still be there,” Roderick said harshly,
“I do not care!” Frederica ducked to crawl under the crossed swords and ran to her brother's side.
Cerridwen's voice spoke in Elizabeth's head. We have him!
Elizabeth said through dry lips, “He is with the dragons. I will fetch help.” And she ran to the stairs, calling to the servants for assistance before she even reached the landing.
Ice coursed through Darcy’s veins. How could this have happened? He had risked his life every day in France, but they were supposed to be safe at Pemberley. And now his youngest cousin, the finest swordsman in England, lay dying before him.
He had carried Jasper down to his bedroom, where he lay gasping for breath, his chest making a terrible sucking sound with each inhalation. His lips were blue-tinged.
Frederica bent over him, clasping his hand as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Don't you dare die, Jasper. Don't you dare!”
Somehow Jasper managed a sort of smile. “It was worth it. Best fight of my life,” he said between gasps.
Mrs. Sanford had finished her examination of his wound. She covered his bare chest with the sheet and came over to stand by Darcy and Elizabeth.
“Well?” he asked. Not that he wanted to hear the answer.