Chapter 32 The Dagger #2
Lord Wellington stomped to his feet and glared southward as if anger could spy an enemy two hundred miles distant.
“I will not be defeated on English soil. The black dragon must be removed from the field of battle, so we must retrieve the dagger. Darcy and I have almost completed Pemberley’s security.
When that plan is done, I will depart south to have swifter command.
” He turned gravely to Lizzy. “Mrs. Darcy, the soldiers I leave here will be straw in a storm if our enemy discovers the royal family. Only your dragon can stop Fènnù. It is no exaggeration that England’s fate relies on you.
If His Highness is killed, Tinsdale’s claim to the throne becomes uncomfortably close to the truth.
England’s crown has been taken through blood and assassination before. ”
Lizzy shook her head doubtfully. “Yuánchi cannot overcome Fènnù.”
“You drove him away from London.”
“Yuánchi was severely injured.”
“I saw Yuánchi’s breath rip the heavens. The power was unimaginable. Fènnù must have been as injured.”
Lizzy did not answer. It was unlike her to abandon a debate; her response should be that Fènnù could not have been injured as the attacks on the royal residences came afterward.
Instead, she said, “We need the dagger but not because it is a weapon. It is a cure.”
Lord Wellington arched an eyebrow. “A cure for what?”
“For the damage to Fènnù’s mind. Yuánchi calls it ‘the fracture.’ Thus far I have only hints of how to proceed, but Pemberley has the largest collection of draca lore in England. I hope to learn more.”
Lord Wellington clearly held Lizzy in high regard as he did not challenge that exceedingly vague explanation. He said only, “What would be the effect of curing Fènnù?”
“She would no longer fight in this war.”
His answer was deliberate. “I do not yet have a battle plan to defeat a dragon. My priority must be retrieving the dagger. But when we regain the dagger, rendering Fènnù unable to fight is ill-advised.”
Lizzy sat unmoving and silent—she must have guessed his plan—but I exclaimed, “You cannot mean to use the dagger!”
“Our navy is weakened, the remnants scattered,” Lord Wellington said. “Our army is stranded across the channel, and our militia is crushed and reeling. France has a ruthless and powerful ally in America’s slave states. I need strength to cast the enemy from our shores.”
I jumped to my feet, bristling. “That is not the point. Who would wield the black dagger? Will you abduct an unmarried wyfe and poison her with venom? Employ a slave master to torture her?”
“I will ask a powerful wyfe to wield it of her own free will. Gentlemen volunteer their lives for England. There are ladies equally brave.” His smile was thin. “I should think you would approve of my attitude.”
I shook my head. “You are mistaken. Lizzy cannot do this. The black dragon drives her mad.”
“I am aware,” he said. “I intend to ask Miss Darcy. She is a great wyfe, and she has assisted the army before. Or will you volunteer?” I blinked at him, too stunned to speak.
He resumed, gravelly and tired, “I must leave to finish planning Pemberley’s security.
Darcy is enlisting the Britons in Pemberley’s hills.
Miss Bennet, thank you for the information. ” He bowed and left.
“He is mistaken,” I said after the door closed. “Georgiana would never fight. She has only ever aided injured draca and wyves.”
“I am certain you are right,” Lizzy said. She did not sound certain.
I was desperate to run to Georgiana, but I could not. We had not finished my list from Miss Bathurst.
“There is a last item,” I said. “The identity of their current captive wyfe, who has likely begun using the dagger. It is a… a detail. Unimportant… but she…” My words tangled as the fears I had knotted away came loose.
“Miss Rees was strong, so they hunted her friend, Miss Rebecca Spoon. She is a friend of Georgiana and mine. A member of our salon.”
Lizzy stood and put her arm around my waist. “Oh. I am sorry, Mary.”
I shook my head, striving for control. “Dr. Davenport says a doctor must put aside failure and focus on the next patient. But I cannot stop thinking of Rebecca, trapped with those beasts.”
“Then think about this,” Lizzy said. “Where is the dagger?”
The specificity of her question caught my attention.
“They would not take it to France. They need strong wyves, and French families have no binding history. That is why Napoleon wanted Lydia.” I saw why she had asked.
“It would be extraordinarily risky to move the dagger to the occupied south. They would have to cross the line of battle. They could be interrogated. Searched as spies.”
“Exactly. Did you notice that the demonstrations supporting Mr. Tinsdale are in London? Mr. Tinsdale is a self-important, arrogant man. I cannot imagine him orchestrating such events where he could not steal a glimpse to gloat.”
“He is in London!” I exclaimed. “Why did you not tell Lord Wellington?”
“Lord Wellington has had agents searching London since we left. But that is hopeless. London could conceal a thousand traitor kings. But your news gives me a half-hatched idea. The problem is Lord Wellington will never agree. The risk to the royal family is… the risk—”
Lizzy shuddered and collapsed in my arms.